Posts Tagged ‘Giants’

Classsic Suite: Pat Hanlon, Man’s Man

Posted: January 25, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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On August 5th, it seemed like only two people believed in the 2011 Giants. Five months and a Super Bowl berth later, I think it’s safe to say we were right.

New York Giants VP of Communications, Pat Hanlon, took to Twitter yesterday and lashed out against Giants fans who were upset about the team’s quiet offseason and most recently the departure of receiver Steve Smith to Philadelphia. Hanlon’s tweets included gems like:

“You like winning? Sit tight.”

“The last proclamation out of Philly that meant anything was a Declaration in 1776.”

“A lot of noisemakers end up in the ditch.”

“We don’t play on paper. You know what you can do w/ that paper?”

“Rebuild my ass! I got your rebuild.”

Hanlon is right on. He’s never been afraid to take anyone on whether it’s a fool like Rex Ryan or even his own disillusioned fans. Nobody is forcing anyone to root for the Giants. If you’re so unhappy about the team’s moves then go root for the Jets or the Eagles.

For some reason, the criticism against the Giants always seems to come doubly harsh. They won 10 games last year and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker. That’s a good season. Not great, but a very solid season in which there were a ton of injuries. They won 10 games in 2007 and then all they did was win the Super Bowl.

Management didn’t have a ton of money to spend and they weren’t willing to take big financial risks on question marks. Some guys, like Mathias Kiwanuka, took less money to stay with the Blue. Others, like Steve Smith and Kevin Boss, went for the cash and there’s nothing wrong with that. They’re both Champions who played significant roles in the greatest Giants season of all-time and they’re allowed to think for themselves and their families. I’ll personally always think of them fondly and wish them well (even Smith playing for a division rival).

The fact of the matter is that everything isn’t as bad as everyone is making it out to be, just like Hanlon said. Every significant skill player is back. Coming out of the lockout, that’s going to be important as teams have less time to assimilate newbies into their systems.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs were running really well towards the end of last year when they were both healthy and should play a larger role in the offense. Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham were also money in 2010, combining for 20 TD’s and nearly 2,000 yards. With another year of Eli’s passes coming their way, their numbers should only continue to improve. When Osi Umenyiora’s situation is resolved, and it looks like it might be soon, every healthy, young player from last year’s team will be back and ready to contribute.

The losses hurt but there are a lot of young players waiting in the wings that will need to step up. General Manager Jerry Reese has proven to be a good evaluator of talent before and hopefully guys like Kevin Boothe and Travis Beckum will pan out. He may have dug himself a hole by mismanaging the cap a bit but he is also prudent in leaving some room to make adjustments as the season gets closer and even during the season. Reese is a tough guy and knows what he’s doing. He also does a great Jim Fassel impression.

Champions know that the game is played on the field. All the Giants fans that are complaining need to take their whine somewhere else. A season isn’t lost with one injury or defection. The Dream Team can start planning their parade down Broad St. as Michael Vick rides in a float with a litter of puppies and Steve Smith brings up the rear in a motorized wheelchair. I won’t start thinking about it until February 5th. Talk is cheap. Play the game. Keep calling out the haters, Pat Hanlon. You are a man’s man.

Trivia Time: Super Bowl XLII

Posted: January 25, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL, trivia
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It’s the Rematch of the Century. Giants vs. Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Before we whoop on those pathetic Bostonians once again, let’s look back and remember the first affair. Who could forget the Helmet Catch and Plaxico cradling the Title-winning pass in the end zone? Ahhhhhhhhh, memories. That brings us to our Question of the Week. Get it right and Michael Strahan won’t sit on you. The answer, as always, is after the jump.

Which player scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl XLII? (and a hint: it was not Jeff Feagles)

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WEEK 86 – Rewriting History

Posted: January 22, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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It was the same end of the field that Matt Bryant prepared to make a kick to keep the Giants’ Title hopes alive in 2002.

As Lawrence Tynes lined up for the field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl, I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  When the snap was low, it seemed to be happening all over again. But then, Steve Weatherford was able to get the ball down, Tynes booted the ball right down the pipes, and the Giants had exorcised the demons and were heading to Indianapolis.

Looking back, it was a great game. Old-school defensive struggles are the best. I said earlier that one of the keys of the game would be to hold onto the ball. The Giants did. The 49ers did not. I’m not going to pretend that the Giants didn’t luck out, but then again I’d rather be lucky than good. Kyle Williams has to get away from the ball when it’s bouncing on the ground. That was a horrible play. It shouldn’t have happened. The 49ers had all the momentum at that point, but the Giants cashed in when it mattered. If that second fumble doesn’t happen, I’m not so sure the game doesn’t go into double overtime the way both defenses were playing. Those are the breaks.

There were a lot of heroes, which is how Championship teams play. Eli took a complete pounding. It looked like he was hit by a bus driven by an elephant. He deserves all the credit in the world for standing in there and making smart decisions. Sure, the Niners botched a couple of potential interceptions and fumbled once but he was being hit HARD. Victor Cruz was spectacular also. He made so many great catches in big spots. Him and Nicks are going to kill teams no matter what. Then there’s Mario Manningham who only had one catch but it was spectacular and redemption for when he dropped the game-tying touchdown the last time in San Fran. Devin Thomas recognizing that first fumble and picking up the ball was huge, not to mention his second fumble recovery. Jacquian Williams forcing that second fumble was a great hustle play. Finally, Steve Weatherford getting that snap down may have been the biggest play of the game.

And so Weatherford did get the ball down and the Patriots are next. Some people might say that history is repeating itself. The Giants have gone through an NFC South team, then the #1 seed, then an underrated yet dangerous #2 seed, and now the Pats. They won the NFC in overtime on the road both times. The beat the Packers both times. Heck, the games have been played at the same times. But simply believing that history is going to repeat itself isn’t enough to win the Lombardi Trophy. Lawrence Tynes proved that history can change and Trey Junkin can sleep easy.

5 Giant Keys To Victory In San Francisco

Posted: January 22, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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The Giants just don’t have to worry about the 49ers’ fearsome defense and a hostile San Francisco crowd, the rain and wind may conspire against the Giants’ hot passing game. To help them weather the elements, here are five ways to keep their playoff run going all the way to Indianapolis.

1. Break them – The 49ers have the uncanny ability to stop opponents in the middle of long drives. They bend but don’t break. It’s great to drive the ball 55 yards for a field goal, but the Giants can’t let San Fran break their momentum when things are moving. Those extra four points can go a long way to win the game or get a little breathing room and put more pressure on the 49ers’ offense. Converting on third and fourth downs in San Francisco territory is going to be paramount to the Giants’ success.

2. Hold onto the ball – The Saints had five turnovers in their loss to the Niners last week. That probably won’t happen again but San Fran hits hard so it’s important that everybody that carries the ball protects it, even at the expense of a few extra yards. The 49ers’ secondary also does a good job of disguising itself. Eli threw two INT’s in WEEK 10. He has to be more careful this time. With sloppy conditions, the game has the potential to be a low-scoring affair and a defensive score could be the difference. If this turns into a field-position battle, you don’t want to give the other team the opportunity for any easy touchdowns.

3. Don’t forget Gore – The Hydra put pressure on Aaron Rodgers all game last week. Getting in Alex Smith’s face is going to be key to beating the 49ers and trying to force turnovers. However, the defensive line has to remember about Frank Gore. They did a fantastic job against a star runner in Michael Turner in the Wild Card Round and kept Gore under wraps earlier in the season. That has to continue, especially since it’s going to be hard to throw the ball. Sometimes when Giants’ pass rush is at its finest, they over-pursue and let runners pick up big chunks of yards. Taking away the passing game means nothing if Gore is allowed to run amok. Kendall Hunter is dangerous too. He averaged more than six yards per carry when these teams met before.

4. Be patient – This is the best defense the Giants have faced in a while. The offense has been playing great but if the weather and the Niners have the unit stuck in mud (literally and figuratively), the Giants can’t abandon a mixed pass/run gameplan or take unnecessary risks. With the big play potential of Nicks and Cruz, as well as the punishing running of Bradshaw and Jacobs, the Giants should eventually break through. Like the Falcons game, if the Giants are facing a deficit and their offense is stagnant, good things will eventually come if they remain consistent.

5. Talk is cheap, play the game – It’s Coach Coughlin’s mantra and words to live by. The Giants are confident and playing great but none of that matters if they don’t take care of business on the field. They don’t appear overconfident but it’s always a possibility when you beat the best team in the league and everyone is picking you to make the Super Bowl. The 49ers are for real. They beat some good teams this year and have the ability to beat the Giants again. The teams both did a little talking over the week that was exaggerated by the media, but for sure this game is going to be decided between the lines. Everything that happened in the past is just that. You can’t be distracted by words or the weather. You have to go out there and do it.

Haunted

Posted: January 19, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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In 2003, the Giants called the retired Trey Junkin at his home a few days before the biggest game of the season. They needed a long snapper. In exchange for around $17,000 and a final chance to win an elusive Super Bowl ring, Junkin suited up against the 49ers in one of the wildest playoff games in NFL history. However, his botched snap on the game-winning field goal in the closing seconds cost the Giants the game and cemented his name in football infamy.

The Daily News caught up with Junkin in Louisiana to see how his life has been since then. Understandably, it’s been rough. Finding a job in football has been difficult, and he still thinks about his moment everyday. Sometimes, it jolts him awake while he’s sleeping. The article is an interesting read and it’s tragic that the play still has such an impact on the guy’s life when he only had a few days to prepare to play in a professional football game. It’s Junkin’s birthday on Sunday, as well as the Giants’ first playoff game in San Francisco since then with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. There’d be no better present than a little closure.

WEEK 85 – Hail Eli

Posted: January 15, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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Giants 37, Packers 20

THE CHAMP IS DEAD! What an amazing victory by the Giants. They thoroughly controlled play in every aspect of the game, and should have won by even more if the refs weren’t so disgraceful. From Nicks on that amazing hail mary from nowhere to Cruz on the second onsides kick to Osi stripping Rodgers when it looked like the Pack was about to score, the Giants seized control and never let Green Bay have it back. People might say that the Packers looked out of it. It’s true that Rodgers’s timing was off but that’s because the Hydra was in his face all day. And if the Packers don’t want to hold onto the ball, hell, Chase Blackburn will take it. The QB scrambles by Rodgers hurt but they were never for more than 15 yards and the Pack just couldn’t put it together for the important plays. Those are the plays that Champions make.

It’s not time to celebrate yet. The 49ers are a great team. They beat the Saints. While the Giants are a more balanced team, it’s not going to be a cake walk. However, you have to think that with Eli and the boys firing on all cylinders and their health and confidence at a high for the season, they’re not going to allow the 49ers defense to shut them down. It’s going to be an intense game for the Halas Trophy.

5 Giant Keys To Victory In Green Bay

Posted: January 15, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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The Giants definitely have the ability to beat the Packers but in case they need a little help, here are five ways to make it out of the tundra with their Title dreams in tact.

1. Run, baby, run – It’s going to be cold and hard to throw the ball, so Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs need to run the ball effectively. The Giants offense always works better when it’s balanced. Bradshaw and especially Jacobs need to run straight ahead and get as many yards as possible so the Giants don’t get stuck in third-and-long situations. If the Giants get involved in a shootout, their chances of winning go down significantly. There’s simply no way to match Green Bay’s scoring possession-by-possession. Even if Bradshaw and Jacobs aren’t able to pick up large chunks of yardage, by being physical and pounding the Packers up front, it will soften them up for later in the game. The big hits hurt twice as much in the cold.

2. Get off to a good start – The Giants have had a tendency to start slow and play conservatively, as evidenced in last week’s game against the Falcons. They’re not going to be able to do that this time. With the emotion of their offensive coordinator’s son’s death, the Packers are probably going to come out SUPER SUPER fired up. The Giants can’t let them get into a groove. If the Packers take an early double-digit lead, it’s going to be really hard to come back on the road.

3. Control the big plays – The Packers are going to score points. We all know that. The trick is going to be stopping them from getting easy points. The Packers can’t score any touchdowns on busted coverages, sloppy tackling, or off turnovers. On the other hand, big plays from Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks have propelled the Giants in the past three games. If they can get one against Green Bay, it will go a long way to help their chances.

4. Don’t let Aaron Rodgers escape – With the reconstituted Hydra healthier than ever and coming after the Packers’ QB, Aaron Rodgers is going to be on the run at some point during the game. He killed the Giants in their regular season matchup with his legs. He can’t do it again. It is imperative that the Giants don’t allow the Packers second chances if the coverage is good and Rodgers scrambles for first downs. It’s going to be important to pressure Rodgers but the Giants can’t whiff on any sacks. The best way to stop the Packers’ explosive receivers is by going after the master of the Discount Double Check. Simply containing Rodgers in the pocket may be more effective than going for the sack. A 20-yard run is just as bad as a 20-yard pass.

5. Play like champions – Like Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania VI, this is a Champion vs. Champion affair. A lesser team would be intimidated by Lambeau, but the Giants won here only four years ago. Many of the important players in that game are still around while new guys like Hakeem Nicks and Jason Pierre-Paul don’t appear to be fazed by the rising stakes. When you have unflappable veterans like Eli Manning and Justin Tuck at the helm, it’s hard to believe this team isn’t supremely confident. Remember, the Giants’ 2008 Title defense was derailed by the Plaxico Burress incident. After spending two years building back up, this is the best they’ve looked since then. This team has something left to prove. If they go out and play that way, they’ll win.

WEEK 84 – Cold As Ice

Posted: January 8, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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Giants 24, Falcons 2

For a while there it looked like it was going to be like a pissing contest between Chaz Bono and John Wayne Bobbitt. The Giants’ running game was non-existent and the Falcons were getting pressure nearly every time Eli stepped back. And then came the fourth-and-1. I understand why the Falcons went for it, but in a game like that, you don’t want to give the other team any momentum at all. Plus you figure it’s probably going to be low scoring. Why not take the points, especially after failing in a similar situation in a big spot against the Saints earlier in the season? Well, the Giants made the big play, and it was like the key in the ignition to the Divisional Round. Let’s face it: if the Falcons converted it, the Giants might be sitting at home right now. These playoff games can sometimes hinge on one or two big plays. The Giants just wanted it more.

The Giants looked great in the second half. It was by far their best sustained football of the year. I don’t know if the Falcons were overwhelmed or just wanted to go home, but I loved it. When the Giants are firing on all cylinders, they are so hard to beat. Jacobs was finally ripping off big plays. All the receivers were making plays. Cruz is covered? Oh yeah, we have another 1,000-yard guy who can take it to the house and dance. Roddy White and Julio Jones couldn’t get anything done. They can make all the 6-yard catches they want. And of course, the Hydra. That is the main reason for the defense’s success. When you have Tuck, Osi, and JPP coming at you, there’s not much time to figure out where to throw it. Once the Giants established a lead and the Falcons became more reliant on their passing game, it was all over. It’s going to be different next week, but with the team as healthy as they’ve been, you’d be an idiot to say they don’t have a shot.

WEEK 83 – Finishing

Posted: January 2, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
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Giants 31, Cowboys 14

With a three-touchdown lead, the Giants’ let their heated rival came down the field and score. Then, it happened again. With one stop, the Giants would be NFC East Champs. But they couldn’t. The 38-31 collapse last year to the Eagles was a crushing blow to the players, fans, and entire franchise. All season, the Giants have been preaching a mantra of finishing the game. Don’t let your opponent back in it. It was an up-and-down year. Unpredictable.  Sometimes the Giants looked like they had learned their lesson, other times it seemed like they were barely paying attention. After a 6-2 start, finishing would be more important than ever. That brought us to last night.

With a three-touchdown lead, the Giants’ let their heated rival came down the field and score. Then, it happened again. With one stop, the Giants would be NFC East Champs. They finally got that stop. The entire team played at another level last night. It’s hard to single out a single player, but let’s try. You have to start with Victor Cruz who got the salsa party started. More importantly, it was his huge third down catch when the Giants were on the ropes that gave them breathing room. Michael Boley was huge flying over the line of scrimmage to stop Tony Romo on fourth-and-1 in the red zone. Osi Umenyiora played valiantly through pain and had a big impact on the game with two sacks. Don’t forget about the other two heads on the Hydra, Justin Tuck and JPP. Romo was under pressure all night and the Cowboys’ running game never got going. David Baas provided his best protection all year in the middle of the offensive line. Even guys like Bear Pascoe and Devin Thomas played important roles in the victory. It was the most complete game of the season and solidifies the fact that the Giants are the best team in the NFC East and deserve to be in the playoffs.

Every year, it happens. A team gets hot right before the playoffs and makes a run at the Super Bowl. The Giants are as healthy as they’ve been all season and have the momentum of beating the Jets and Cowboys. I wouldn’t bet against them. Let’s see how they finish.

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