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Time to Pass the "L.T." Torch...

Ok, I quit. Raise the white flags. I’m done. When LaDanian Tomlinson came on the scene and ran circles around opposing defenses, the “L.T.” references began. Being a diehard Big Blue fan, I fought them every time. “He’s not the real L.T.!” or “There’s only ONE L.T.!”, I said it every time. When I moved from the Big Apple out to San Diego it was even more challenging. EVERYONE was calling Tomlinson “L.T.” and the fight continued. I even compromised at calling him L.T.D. It was only fair with all the rushing TDs and whatnot, but “L.T.” was always Lawrence Taylor and nobody else. A sack machine. Linebacker of all linebackers.

Now, a few drug possession charges I can deal with. Hey it was the 80’s, who DIDN’T do coke? Well me, but I was never older than 9, so I probably don’t qualify anyway (although there was that really hyper kid in my 4^th grade class running around the room at full speed and eating paste...HE might have been on something). He carried those charges well into the 90’s, but hey what do I know? He’s a millionaire having fun. Then there was the tax evasion charges. Ok, well this is actually commendable.

But now, it’s a little different. Taylor was arrested in connection with the rape of a 16 year old girl. She was allegedly punched in the face, according to a report on Sirius NFL Radio.

Maybe he’s innocent. After all, no charges have been filed.....ahem...yet. Maybe it’s a girl who saw who he was and is trying to cash in. Maybe he was out for a good time with a prostitute and things got a little crazy, but ya know what? Guess who ISN’T being arrested in connection with a rape? LaDanian Tomlinson. Guess who’s never been arrested for anything? Guess who’s had just as big of an impact in the NFL offensively as Lawrence Taylor once had defensively?

So, I’m done. I’m not turning my back on his greatness or his being the best Giant of all time. It’s just time that we all embrace Tomlinson as “L.T.” and Lawrence Taylor as the greatest Giants player of all time.....formerly known as “L.T.”.

2010 Offensive Expectations

After the rollercoaster ride that the Giants put us all through last year, this coming season is loaded with expectations (although some are more of DEMANDS):

The Smash-Mouth Days Are Over – No, not the band. You can still drive with the windows down and blast "Walkin' On the Sun", although it’s a bit 90’s and personally a bit too weak for my taste. Smashmouth Football is a term that suited the Giants since I had a He-Man figure in my hand and watched Joe Morris pound the rock through opposing defensive lines. Run the ball down their throat, attack the QB on defense, control possession and control the clock. Simple formula that left the team with two 1,000 yard rushers (Jacobs and Ward) just 2 years ago. Last year was a sign that things are a changin’ for the offense. Eli is now rid of the big egos, drama and veterans with the loss of Plax, Shockey and Toomer. He has fully taken charge of the young receiving crew and last year his career highs in passing are a sure sign that the Giants are evolving to a more pass happy offensive attack. Which is a good thing for multiple reasons.

For one, our star RB Brandon Jacobs, just a year into his new deal, will never play 16 games with his hard style of running and constant knee injuries. Jacobs, Bradshaw and last year’s rookie Andre Brown are all potential starters and all coming off surgeries. That leaves yet proven Danny Ware and short yardage thumper Gartrell Johnson. The fact that the Giants did not add a running back in the draft or free agency (yet anyway) is a clear sign to me that they are going to continue to emphasize the pass game on offense. Factor in the plethora* of targets with Smith, Nicks, Manningham, Hagan, Barden and Moss at receiver, Kevin Boss at TE, Bradshaw and Ware out of the backfield and the still developing tight end/H-back/Wide Receiver/who the hell knows Travis Beckum; I fully expect to see lots of 4 and 5 receiver sets....Gilbride’s ability to change from run n’ gun to pass first is another thing altogether.

An Improved Running Game – We may not run over 50% of the time like we used to, but I expect at least a LOGICAL style of running this season. Last season was a disastrous drop off year for Brandon Jacobs and for the most part I blame Kevin Gilbride. On the field, the O-line lacked the push they used to have, but the play-calling trumped any failures by the players. My vocal cords are still sore from yelling multiple times per game as Brandon Jacobs was sent on a stretch run, bouncing to the outside. Before I could calm my rage, a few plays later I’d watch Ahmad Bradshaw get sent between the tackles. So what I expect....nay, what I DEMAND this year, is what every Madden 10 player understands; you send the big man up the gut and toss to the speedy guy outside. Simple and effective. Never mind the fact that Gilbride seemed to give up on the run game entirely way too early in most games. It seemed even when the Giants went down by a field goal, out game the 30 yard post routes and shotgun sets.

More Ramses Barden – File this under the demand column. We traded up a few spots in the 3^rd round last year to draft the 6’6” Cal Poly receiver. The excuses continually were “he’s raw talent” and that he struggled on special teams, so Hagan continued to get the start over him. Fine, but they made a move to land a 3^rd rounder who only started 3 games with just one catch for 16 yards. I don’t care if he’s not a ST’s gunner or not. The dude is 6’6”...get him in the red zone! Just run him on one end zone fade route jump ball and I bet he’ll sure up a roster spot.

Less Sinorice Moss – Every year he wows the coaches in camp with his speed and every year he’s invisible in a game. Time to sign off.

A Declining Offensive Line – After last year’s drop off in run production and pass production, everyone will be expecting improvement at the O-line....not me. Facts are facts. They didn’t draft or sign any young starters and they are aging. Offensive lines DO NOT get better with age.

Career Year for the Boss Man – Getting laid out after a catch over the middle, finding space, catches in double coverage...I’m not sure what else this guy needs to do to get on Eli’s radar. Maybe he needs the vocal chords of Jeremy Shockey, but I think he should be a go-to-guy this year and I expect him to post a great year. I still call him the poor man’s Witten.

It's Official...

At a very young 44 years old, Jeff Feagles has retired leaving his 352 consecutive game streak as the number to beat (suck on that Favre). Say what you will about his decreasing leg strength over the last few years, but nobody in the league had his accuracy. I’ll miss the coffin corner punts, him pumping up the team on the sideline and the seemingly endless amount of veteran stats and “witty” old man references that every NFL commentator felt the need to interject when Feagles ran out on the field.

...if only this were Madden 10 and I could purchase the “One More Year” add-on. He’d play until he was 70.

FYI:

• Punter Matt Dodge was taken in the 7^th round by the Giants as an “insurance policy” for Feagles. Anything can happen in the punting department over the course of the next 5 months (damn that’s a depressing number), but given Dodge’s kickoff abilities, I’d say he’s a solid bet to be the next Giants punter. Giants also have an Aussie rules player under contract, but Dodge’s leg strength makes him a clear front-runner in my opinion. Or at least I HOPE he is. I’ve grown very tired of watching Tynes send his booming kickoffs deep to the 10 yard line (check your sarcasm meter folks). The improvised squib to the end zone was even less entertaining. Starting field position for opponents destroyed the Giants last year, so let’s all hope the hype of Dodge’s kickoffs is all that people say it is.
• Lest we forget, Feagles’ other big contribution was being a solid kick holder for field goals and extra points. The Giants picked up Jim Sorgi (Peyton Manning’s perennial clipboard holder) this offseason to backup Eli. Sorgi has plenty of holding experience.....the ball that is, not the clipboard, so fear not, there will be someone to hold the ball for all those terrible Tynes kicks.

Giants 2010 Schedule

It’s May 1^st. We’re barely past the draft. Teams still aren’t done with player signings and trades. There is no telling who will be injured during minicamp or the preseason. Who knows how the Giants will adapt to a new Defensive Coordinator or how all of their opponents will have changed given their player losses and acquisitions? Everything is up in the air..........SO LET’S PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF EVERY GAME ON THE 2010 SCHEDULE!!!

It’s an insanely premature and idiotic past time for some football fans.....and yet, oh how I love to do it every year! Sure my 12-4 prediction for last year didn’t work out so well, but who could really prognosticate Bill Sheridan dismantling the Giants defense like a drunken kamikaze pilot? Ok Bill, let’s drop Chris Canty into coverage and blitz Michael Johnson....sure it’ll work.

So, let’s do this thing:

Preseason: Who cares? Want a prediction? I predict I will intend to watch every minute of every preseason game to see how the draft picks look and will fall asleep by halftime every game. I predict the preseason will go on for 2 games too long (yes I’m one of THOSE people). I predict that 3 Giants will be injured in preseason games. I predict that despite the immense lack of interest in preseason games, I will STILL have a hard time finding a stream for the games online that doesn’t crash every 6 minutes.

Week 1 vs. Carolina: WIN – They HAVE TO open the doors of the new stadium with a win. Every Giants player who was on the team for last season’s disastrous finale against the Panthers to close out Giants Stadium will be drooling for a chance at revenge. Ok, that’s a bit dramatic...but I WANT REVENGE DAMN IT. Plus, who knows which QB we’ll see: Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen? Personally, I’d like to see a rookie take on Osi, Kiwi and Tuck in week 1.

Week 2 @ Indy: LOSS – As much as I’ve been looking forward to Manning Bowl II since the last one, I think it’s a loss. Let's just hope they don't top the WORST OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE CALL EVER MADE:

Our improved secondary and new cover 2 style should keep things close, but I just don’t see taking out Indy in their building.

Week 3 vs. Tennessee: WIN – This is a bold prediction given the failure of our DTs and linebackers to contain the run last year. I fully expect Chris Johnson and Vince Young to run all over us, BUT I like that it’s at home and I like our offense to control a tight game and win.

Week 4 vs. Chicago: WIN – The Patriot’s Defense aged like wine. The Chicago D is aging like milk. It just isn’t what it was and I don’t think bringing back Chris Harris will be enough to turn them around. They still haven’t landed any great targets for Cutler to hit, so I predict another mediocre season in Chicago and another new stadium victory for us.

Week 5 @ Houston: LOSS – I don’t know what it is about the Texans, but they’re on the cusp of greatness every year and manage to just slide off in a few games to let Indy beat ‘em out in the division. I don’t think this is one of those games. Should be close, but I think Andre Johnson will be all over our secondary.

Week 6 vs. Detroit: WIN – Because if the Giants don’t beat the Lions at home, I’m going to throw myself into traffic. I don’t want to do that. So the Giants win...because my life depends upon it.

Week 7 @ Dallas: LOSS – The revenge factor from our spoiling their stadium opening will play a factor, but overall I just hate games IN Dallas. I expect to be wrong about this prediction, but when I see “@” and Dallas....I get full of doubt.

Week 8 BYE

Week 9 @ Seattle: WIN – I like Seattle. I don’t know why. I’ve always been drawn to their city and their teams. Maybe it was all that great Seattle grunge music that got me through Junior High or maybe it’s because it was where Hendrix started, but I just love Seattle. That said....Giants are gonna make a mess of them. I’ll even throw out a score here: 38-10 If I’m gonna predict win/loss 7 months before the game, I may as well predict a score too....why not?

Week 10 vs. Dallas: WIN – Typical late season divisional loss for the Cowboys. Hey, I just realized I’m 3 blogs in and I haven’t mentioned this, but: I hate the Dallas Cowboys with the fiery passion of ten thousand suns. Jerry Jones represents everything I hate about a GM. As a divisional rival they are the bane of my existence. That’s just something you should know about me.

Week 11 @ Philadelphia: WIN – What brain damaged monkey set up a schedule where the Giants don’t play the Eagles until WEEK ELEVEN?!?! Seems all the Giants divisional games this year have been back-loaded in the season. I’m not sure how I feel about this, but it’ll make the end of the season pretty intense. Anyway, no more McNabb in Philly and I may be in a room all alone with this opinion, but I don’t think Kolb is the real deal. This game is prime time and the Giants ARE prime time..........yeah I don’t know what that means either.

Week 12 vs. Jacksonville: WIN – Jags are a one-trick-pony with MJD running the ball and I see no reason why this shouldn’t be a win.

Week 13 vs. Washington: WIN – By this point in the season McNabb, Cooley and Portis (if he’s still there) should all be injured. Washington has just 3 wins in the last 12 meetings with the Giants.

Week 14 @ Minnesota: LOSS – Favre/No Favre, whatever. Something about playing in that stadium late in the year smells like a loss to me. I realize the schedules are predetermined by formula and all, but can I please get just ONE YEAR where the Giants don’t play the Vikings? It’s not the rivalry it once was and is now just painful for me to watch Jared Allen chasing Eli once a year.

Week 15 vs. Philadelphia: LOSS – For no other reason than I don’t think we beat them twice in a season this year.

Week 16 @ Green Bay: WIN – Yeah yeah yeah....I don’t want to hear “it’s Green Bay and it’s winter....it’ll be cooooold”. I heard enough of that crap 3 years ago when the Giants played an NFC Championship game there....and WON. This is going to be a desperation game for both teams in my opinion. Given the two divisions and past history of both teams, I think they’ll both be fighting for double digit wins at this point. The difference in this one (barring health of players and about 10,000 other variables that can’t be known in May) should be the Giants pass rush and the Packers continued poor protection of Rodgers.

Week 17 @ Washington: WIN – We have a brand new stadium and we close the season with 2 road games? What kind of scheduling is that? By this point in the season, the Giants should be playing for the division and the Redskins should be playing for draft pick position. Oh and did I mention that Washington has just 3 wins in the last 12 meetings with the Giants? I did? Oh...well I’ll just leave that right there anyway.

So there you have it. 11-5. A solid prediction here in May that you can take straight to Vegas....and bury it in the desert. I’ll be happy to revisit it all in January to see how amazingly accurate it is. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go predict gold medalists for the 2012 Summer Games and the next 7 United States Presidents. Lohan/Hilton in 2018!

My Question To You:

What are your expectations for the Giants this year?

Close the Window, I Feel a Draft....

Now that I've fully vented my frustration with the Giants not being able to take Rolando McClain, I think I can step back and take a healthier (or at least less rage filled) look at the Giants draft. A few picks looked about according to plan and of course there were a few head-scratchers.

DISCLAIMER: I don't do "draft grades". I love to read other people's, but in my opinion they are essentially useless random letters assigned to make the writer feel like his evaluation is more important than it really is. How can you grade a pick for a player that has never played in the NFL? Before you grade a team's draft, please consider the following: Ryan Leaf, Matt Leinhart, Charles Rogers. Now consider: Tom Brady (6th round pick). Given my complete undying faith in GM Jerry Reese; my grade would always be "A++++"

IN REESE WE TRUST

ROUND 1 - Jason Paul-Pierre DE, South Florida, 6'5" 270 LBs

I don't think I've ever been so lost with forming an opinion on a draft pick. Last year, every pick the Giants had made sense to me. Selecting Paul-Pierre at 15 was proof that Jerry Reese was no liar when he said they'll pick based on best talent available and not just on team need. My initial reaction was that this was the end of Osi, given all the off-season drama and him losing his starting job last season. So it's all the more puzzling when Reese steps up and says this:

“We’re not trading Osi, so you don’t even have to ask that question,” Reese said. “I know that’s on everybody’s mind. We’re not trading Osi. We’re satisfied having the defensive ends that we have.”

Ok, now I'm really lost, but maybe the trade bait everyone should be looking at isn't Osi, but Kiwanuka. Other teams have inquired about dealing for him for the last few years (Browns actually thought they could get him for Braylon Edwards last year). Just a thought.....

Positive - The word I keep hearing to describe him is "freak" and its hard to look at his size and skills, hear the word freak and not think Jevon Kearse. The Giants are a team known for a big pass rushing defense and last year it was non-existent. My real feeling is that the downfall was all caused by a lack of push at DT, but a defensive end like this should make an immediate impact. Plus, he's 6'5" 270 and he can do 13 back-flips in a row. <---SERIOUSLY, CLICK THAT!

Negative - I don't see a downside with the player as much as I see a downside with the pick. The team was in need of a franchise middle-linebacker, an EFFECTIVE defensive tackle, depth at the O-line, maybe some running back insurance (although I expect big things from Andre Brown). I expected one of those to be addressed with the first pick. Now we have a 5th starting caliber defensive end (with Tollefson arguably the 4th). Really, my feeling is that instead of taking a great talent at a position where we already have 2 Pro-Bowlers at that position; why not trade out of the 15th pick and land more depth later?

Now on to the more sensible picks....

ROUND 2 - Linval Joseph DT, East Carolina, 6'4" 328 LBs

WOW....he's a big'n. A number of Big Blue fans have been throwing out the idea of a 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense for a while and when I saw this pick, I couldn't help but immediately think 3-4. At 328 he's got nose tackle written all over him.

Positve - I absolutely love that they addressed the DT issue from last season. In 2009 the team was supposedly "stacked" at this position after investing a boatload of $$$ in Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty. Both started off injured, both continued to struggle and both were overpaid for. At least with Canty, there's hope it was an off year, but this draft pick has to be a sign that Bernard will be cut VERY soon. Don't blame Osi, Tuck or Kiwi for the lack of sacks last year; the complete lack of push and containment by Robbins, Canty, Cofield, etc. in the middle allowed double-teams all over Tuck and Osi. Joseph along with Jay Alford coming back from the IR will help alleviate that.

Negative - Could have addressed a bigger issue at linebacker by taking Sean Lee. Instead he'll be a headache for us twice a year on the Cowboys.

ROUND 3 - Chad Jones FS, LSU, 6'2" 221 LBs

Positive - C.C. Brown. There I said it. All of us Giants fans know what it means. Don't scratch your head at this for too long after the Giants signed star safety Antrel Rolle. Future star Kenny Phillips is coming off some tough surgery which at least some folks are saying he may not fully recover from. So, given the absolutely dismal, atrocious, horrific...well there aren't enough negative adjectives....TERRIBLE play by the Giants secondary last year, this pick makes perfect sense. He can step up as a starter if Phillips struggles and if he's not ready, he'll be groomed by Rolle and new veteran workhorse Deon Grant. Not a bad crew to tutor a safety...

Negative - 3rd round pick....still no O-line depth added and ......oh yeah....WHERE'S MY MIDDLE LINEBACKER????

ROUND 4 - Phillip Dillard LB, Nebraska, 6'0" 245 LBs

THERE HE IS!!! For those who may have been out of touch: Antonio Pierce, linebacker guru and "quarterback of the defense" went out last year with what was talked about as a career ending neck injury. So he was cut, which just about breaks my heart, because nobody on that team lead the D like he did. His audible calls put them in great position on every play, but his slowing speed and injury leave us today with a big hole at middle linebacker to now be filled by Phillip Dillard.

Positive - Ok he's not McClain, or Weatherspoon or Lee, but I think this another case of genius Jerry Reese finding BIG value deep in the draft (see Steve Smith, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss or Brandon Jacobs for other examples). Coming out of Nebraska I'd expect him to be a starter week 1 unless Mike Goff puts up an impressive camp and pre-season.

Negative - He's not McClain. Screw you Al Davis...

ROUND 5 - Mitch Petrus OG, Arkansas, 6'3" 310 LBs

Positive - This is one of those all according to plan picks. The Giants O-line has been amazing, but guys like Seubert and McKenzie are starting to wear down and its time to start planning for the future. This creates the depth they need at the O-line and with Petrus' strength, he should develop into a solid guard

Negative - A bit surprised they didn't go for a tackle. Last year's pick William Beatty was showing signs of being our new left tackle and most Giants fans are waiting for Diehl to move back to guard. So, I had expected a tackle to come in for the now injury prone Kareem McKenzie. Perhaps Beatty will be at right tackle and Seubert will be challenged for his starting spot by Petrus?

ROUND 6 - Adrian Tracy DE, William & Mary, 6'3" 248 LBs

Positive - Don't know much about him, so I was lost when I saw they took another DE, but apparently he's more of a LB/DE hybrid. This will add some depth at the Giants weak LB crew, but coming out of the 6th round, this is a practice squad/special teams pick for sure.

Negative - A little surprised they didn't go secondary or O-line here to had depth to their more troubled spots

ROUND 7 - Matt Dodge P, East Carolina, 6'1" 224 LBs

I initially though we picked the punter of the future to learn behind Feagles, but was saddened to hear this morning that Jeff Feagles, after signing a new deal, has reconsidered and is expected to retire. Bash his lack of strength all you want, but nobody hits the coffin corner like him. I only hope he stays on to coach Dodge.

Positive - It means we can expect punts from our own end to actually cross mid-field! More importantly and possibly the GREATEST thing about this pick, is that he has kickoff skills. I have a bald spot from pulling hair out while watching Tynes kickoff to the 10 yard line or try some kind of experimental squib nonsense. Weak kickoffs cost the Giants some valuable field position all season long in 2009, so hopefully Dodge can step up and get us some touchbacks.

Negative - It's a 7th round pick for a punter....can there really be a negative here?

What a Weird Dream....

I had this really weird dream last night. Mike Shanahan was coaching the Redskins who had just acquired Donnovan McNabb. Not only that, but they TRADED for him! It was a division trade for a franchise quarterback. And THAT'S not even the crazy part! Then He was saying how he wanted to play with T.O. again and was lobbying for him to be picked up by the Skins.

After that, Big Ben with a Super Bowl Ring on each hand was put on the trading block after Santonio (Super Bowl MVP) Holmes was let go.......OH and he got picked up by the Jets along with Tomlinson, Cromartie and get this...JASON TAYLOR. I know, crazy right? Taylor on the Jets, McNabb on the Redskins....must have been that late night trip to In-N-Out Burger last night.

Then the worst part! Al Davis actually drafted Rolondo McClain at the 8 spot! I mean that would be crazy! Most Giants fans know he'll fall to us at 15....or at least CJ Spiller.

What a crazy dream huh?....

Wait what day is it?

AHHHHHHHHHHH %##$!!!!!!!!!!

How can this be? When Pierce was expectedly cut loose, priority number 1 was a middle linebacker. Dansby got signed straight to Miami and we lost out on any potential MLBs in free agency. So, last resort would be our 15th pick in the draft, which was still a crap-shoot; putting a rookie in charge of the defense in a new Cover 2 (possibly anyway) system.

With McClain off the board, I'm shocked they didn't go after Weatherspoon, who is another potential game-changing linebacker. Apparently Reese didn't lie when he said they'd go for the best available and not draft by need.

Even if they go after a LB in the 2nd round or beyond, I can't imagine with the Giants slow developing approach to rookies that we'd have a starting MLB out of this draft.

So.....Blackburn? Do we really want that again? The guy is a reliable #2, but I'm not convinced he can run the D. Goff? He got his first action last year and looked spotty, but he may be the best experimental option. They announced that Wilkinson is a candidate, but the guy hasn't impressed enough for a starting job on the outside, so I can't imagine he'd be our starting MLB.

This might be the Madden video game side of my brain talking, but I'd be more content with Boley in the middle and Kehl at WILL.

It's easy to get bummed when things like this don't fall into place, but I remember last year when every Giants fan was pissed about not landing Boldin or Braylon Edwards to fill Plax's shoes. So what happened? The Giants receivers had a breakout year and were the LEAST of our concerns. With Pierce gone and no obvious replacement, I have to just put trust in the guys we have and believe somebody will step up.

.....that really wasn't a dream?

Who do you think will be the Giants starting middle linebacker in week 1?