Die Hard Sports Fan

Pregame Ceremony

Giants Stadium had an enormous replica of the Lombardi Trophy in the middle of the field. Michael Strahan was holding the real Lombardi Trophy and introduced the Super Bowl Champions onto the field and asked the “greatest fans in the world” to make some noise.

The Giants put up 16 points early before the Redskins ended up scoring a TD on a drive late in the 2nd Quarter where the Giants committed a facemask penalty which kept the drive alive, but the deficit was too much for the Redskins to overcome so the Jints were victorious in the first game of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

The Giants scored first on their opening drive as Eli marched them 84 yards down the field on a drive which included three big catches by Plaxico, and then Eli Manning capped the drive by breaking to the right side and running it in himself for a 1-yard Touch Down run with 9:54 remaining.

If you were concerned if Tuck could handle the double team and get to the Quarterback without Umenyiora and Strahan then you will be happy to know that Justin Tuck sacked Jason Campbell for an 8-yard loss on the Redskins’ first play of the game with 9:20 remaining.

The Giants also scored on their second possession when John Carney made a 24-yard Field Goal Attempt with 2:53 remaining.

2nd Quarter

The Giants scored again on their third possession when John Carney made a 25-yard Field Goal Attempt with 11:03 remaining which was his second of the game.

With 2:00 remaining, John Carney made a 48-yard Field Goal Attempt to cap off an 86 yard drive on the Giants’ fourth possession for his third FG of the game.

When the Redskins were in their 2:00 offense, Jason Campbell found Santana Moss on the right side who then ran it it for a 12-yard TD Reception to cap off a 45 yard drive with 0:13 remaining.

3rd Quarter

With 6:32 remaining, Eli Manning threw an interception which sailed over the head of Kevin Boss and ended up in the hands of Fred Smoot.

4th Quarter

LaRon Landry and Andre Carter sacked Eli Manning on the first play of the 4th Quarter.

With 6:29 remaining, Chris Wilson sacked Eli Manning for an 8-yard loss on 3rd Down which forced the Giants to punt.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 19/35 and threw for 216 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 INT.

Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing attempts and yards with 21 and 116 respectively.

Plaxico Burress led in Receptions and Receiving yards with 10 and 133 respectively.

Eli Manning had 1 TD run.

John Carney went 3/3 in Field Goal Attempts.

Aaron Ross led the team in Tackles with 7.

Justin Tuck had 1 Sack.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

Share This

The Giants had to go back to work today, unfortunately. Below you will find a bunch of notes and reports assembled by a variety of beat writers. The Giants play their first game on Thursday so make sure you watch it.

The Star-Ledger

• Since Plaxico Burress has been unable to practice, he is contributing as an adviser to the Giants’ young receivers. Plax is taking on the mentor role even if the young guys don’t ask for it.
• Mike Garafolo assembled an in-depth 8/3 morning practice report worth checking out. Below is a sample of the entire report. There’s much more where that came from so go check out the source.
  • DEs Justin Tuck (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (hip), WRs Plaxico Burress (ankle), Amani Toomer (leg), Mario Manningham (groin) and David Tyree (knee/PUP), LBs Zak DeOssie (back) and Gerris Wilkinson (knee/PUP), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia), RT Shane Olivea and S Craig Dahl (knee) did not practice.
  • There we go again: first play of team drills was a bomb. Again from QB Eli Manning to WR Domenik Hixon. Great tackle on the play by CB Aaron Ross. Too bad it was way before the ball got there. That’s a 40-yard pass interference penalty on Ross.
  • QB Anthony Wright and WR Michael Jennings hooked up for deep in.
  • WR Craphonso Thorpe got the crowd excited with a spinning, toe-tapping catch on a fade to the left side from Wright. Dockery was in coverage on the play.
  • Hall ran a nice route to catch a hook from QB Andre’ Woodson in front of Webster. Hall later went deep on Pope, but the ball from Wright was overthrown and out of bounds.
• Mike Garafolo assembled an in-depth 8/3 evening practice report also worth checking out. Below is a sample of the entire report. There’s much more where that came from so go check out the source.
  • WRs Plaxico Burress (ankle), Steve Smith (groin), David Tyree (knee/PUP) and Mario Manninghan (groin), LBs Gerris Wilkinson (knee/PUP) and Danny Clark (sports hernia), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia) and OT Shane Olivea (back) did not practice..
  • CB Corey Webster would have none of WR Domenik Hixon catching a fade on the left side. He stayed all over Hixon and knocked the ball away. Webster also stayed stride for stride on a go from QB David Carr to WR Sinorice Moss. Webster had such good position it almost looked like he was the intended receiver. Webster knocked it away for a PD.
  • Hixon ran a perfect comeback to get separation from CB R.W. McQuarters and make a diving catch. McQuarters bounced back with a PD a few plays later when WR Craphonso Thorpe ran the same pattern.
  • LB Chase Blackburn keeps making plays. I mean, this guy couldn’t get a job after the draft a few years ago and now he’s a steady backup in my mind. Tonight, he stayed with Boss on a post into the end zone and wrestled with him to grab a ball from Wright for an INT.
  • WR Brandon London made his first nice grab in a few days on a skinny post over CB Kevin Dockery. Not a bad ball at all from Woodson. London then did a great job of accelerating to at least get his hands on a deep incompletion from Manning. The ball was overcooked and I didn’t think London had a prayer of getting there, but he dove and almost made the catch after getting past CB Terrell Thomas.
• Plaxico Burress did some light running for the first time since training camp.

Big Blue Blog

• Paul Schwartz assembled his own morning practice notes. Below is a sample of his notes, but there are not too many more.
  • On Manning’s second pass, Ross made another aggressive play, storming in to bat away a pass in the flat. Unfortunately for Ross, the ball was picked out of the air by RB Derrick Ward for a completion.
  • David Carr could not have thrown a better pass on a deep toss to Sinorice Moss, who had a step on two rookies, S Kenny Phillips and CB Terrell Thomas. The ball floated down perfectly to Moss … who watched as it slid right through his arms and to the grass. Moss looked up to the sky in bewilderment.
  • TE Kevin Boss, who has caught virtually everything thus far in camp, could not make the grab on a lunging attempt from Manning over the middle.

Inside the Giants

• Tom Rock believes that Sinorice Moss is basically playing for his Giants career in this camp so he’s been under the microscope this first week and a half. That means every drop is written about, and to be fair, there have been a lot of them. Moss had a pretty good practice tonight.

The Blue Screen

• Mike Garafolo put together another morning report and another evening report.

Share This

So last year Umenyiora was the only player selected to the Pro-Bowl from the Giants, but many are saying it was due to Strahan. Will this season be a repeat for Osi?

Here’s the 411, Osi has become known for his sacking ability (especially that game against McNabb) but was this really because Strahan was getting a lot of the attention? Probably. This still doesn’t take away from the fact that he can get to the quarterback and throughout his intentions he’s bound to get to the QB. Strahan was a major concern for offensive linemen. They would practice before game time a strategy based on his reading ability. Running plays were mostly concentrated on the opposite side to avoid loses and quarterbacks would move in the pocket towards the opposite side to also avoid complications from Strahan. Truth is, during the season they had both become a concern to opponents and plays were now based on their rushing attacks. Justin Tuck will now be the next beast on the line and he’ll be another worry for the guards. Tuck, like my man Keith mentioned to me over the phone, is a well rounded player. He has great containment coverage so it’s not all about sacks for these defensive ends. Umenyiora will benefit greatly from this figure and will most likely maintain his aggresive streak of sacks due to another main concern (which is Justin Tuck). Who will appear in the 3rd spot for these defensive ends? Will it be the rookies Alex Morrow and Robert Henderson? Dave Tollefson? who we have seen very little of due to Tuck being able to take charge of the 3rd string spot for his great contributions; or can it be Renaldo Wynn? who we’re yet to see him in action.

The defensive end spot will be supervised closely to make sure we don’t lose our reputation of attack. I’m sure defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will find the best mode of attack for each player and use them to our benefit during the season.

The battle is on and my New York Giants are ready to prove that we have what it takes at the defensive end spot. We might not be full of pro-bowlers but I can assure you it will be them who fear the most their opposing shadow when it comes to playing my Giants.

Share This

Dan Martin of the New York Post wrote an article about Justin Tuck being at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens yesterday along with Brad Smith of the Jets for an event sponsored by RCN and the United Way. Tuck understands that it’s his time to shine now that Strahan retired…

You can’t just replace Michael Strahan. I know the coaches are looking at me, and a lot of other guys, too, to do more, but I feel like it’s my time to really take that next step. It’s no longer Michael’s team. I don’t know who’s going to take over, but it doesn’t have to be one guy. I think the No. 1 candidate to really make a difference will be our quarterback, especially after the run he had in the playoffs. He’s still growing and I don’t think anyone looks at him as Peyton’s little brother anymore. I’m pulling for him. Even at mini-camp, he started to elevate himself into that role. We’ll be a better football team the more confident he gets.

I like how Justin ended up saying that an offensive player is who expects to make the biggest difference. I can’t wait to see how good these guys are without Strahan being double-teamed. The opposition will have to come up with a new game plan now so it will be interesting to see who they double up on, and who on the Giants makes the biggest impact in ‘08 and beyond.

Share This

Now retired, Mr. Michael Strahan will enjoy life next to his better half and leave us with the great memories we have of when he was a New York Giant.

15 seasons was definitely a long time spent in the NFL but Strahan made it look very attainable for others. The position of defensive end is a tough one to keep up with. Involving strength to push back the heavier, taller and younger offensive linemen has been the biggest demonstration of well skilled for Strahan. Yes you have to be a beast, but also realize that the person you’re going against has been practicing by pushing a Hummer around the parking lot. Strahan knows it’s more about how you throw your weight and the angle of approach that will give you the advantage which is why we thank him for schooling our young Giants. We did not just lose one of our biggest player but also one of our biggest teachers.

It’s going to be an unusual situation to get accustomed to when we see the lineup without Strahan but I can promise you he has left many good lessons to the next generation. Now, with Osi, Justin, and Mathias we will see what Strahan has equipped us with. These fine young men or as I would say “these bad mutha fu#!%*$” are goin to show NFL fans how to tear it up. It’s not a hypothesis; it is a proven fact that these young men have what it takes. Strahan has left, but he has also left us with a fine regiment on the defensive front.

The great Michael Strahan has played his last game but will not be forgotten. Just like we won’t forget the moments when we requested a sack from him and he gave us the stisfaction. Just like when we thought the rival running backs were going to punch a hole through our defense and he caught a foot. Just like when we saw him get double teamed and others stepped in to put the pressure, Strahan has left us many memories indeed. His spirit, his power of will, his respect for other players and for the game…that is what is like to be a New York Giant.

Share This

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com stated that CBS told them that they want Strahan to work for them.  So he may get offers from FOX and CBS.  One thing Michael is…is funny.  So expect him to be successful on TV.  Hopefully he doesn’t call out his former players or coaches a la Tiki.  Or maybe Strahan should do it because the Giants won the Super Bowl the year that Tiki did that.

Giants.com:

NFLTA: Strahan Top 10 Moments (Video)

Jerome Bettis on Michael Strahan (Video)

Rich Eisen on Michael Strahan (Video)

Coach Tom Coughlin (Video)

NFL Network: Shaun O’ Hara (Video)

Newsday:

Giants’ Strahan sacks his 15-year career

Giants lose a leader in Strahan

DEBATE: Will Michael Strahan play in another game?

Giants remain well-positioned at defensive end - Shaun Powell wrote that, “Strahan may be leaving, but as the Giants open a new era, the real story is who’s coming: Tuck from the left side, Osi from the right, Kiwanuka from either defensive end spot or maybe from linebacker.”

Strahan would be giant in TV booth

Bob Glauber’s top 10 Giants of all time - Bob Glauber list his version of the top 10 Giants of all time:

1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Michael Strahan
3. Sam Huff
4. Mel Hein
5. Phil Simms
6. Roosevelt “Rosey” Brown
7. Harry Carson
8. Tiki Barber
9. Frank Gifford
10. Andy Robustelli

New York Daily News:

Michael Strahan right to leave after winning Super Bowl

Retiring Giant legend Michael Strahan tells Daily News: ‘It’s time’

Mathias Kiwanuka could fill Giant hole left by Michael Strahan

For Mike Strahan, future is with mike

Why Strahan decided to call it a career - Ralph Vacchiano believes that Strahan retired because,

Sometime during the last few weeks, Michael Strahan sat down and made a list of reasons why he should play again in 2008 and the goals he thought he still wanted to accomplish. When he looked at the list, though, he noticed something disturbing:

He had a lot of individual goals listed - like reaching 150 career sacks - but he didn’t have many team-oriented goals left at all.

New York Post:

TUCK IN NO RUSH TO REPLACE LEGEND

MIKE LEAVES LIKE HE PLAYED - ON HIS OWN TERMS

The Star-Ledger:

Kiwi a LB or DE? Looks like both

Strahan: It’s time, I’m done

Giants’ Strahan always interesting

Giants have what it takes to Tuck in loose end

Share This

NFL.com put together a video clip on Strahan’s retirement.  In it, Giants players react to news of Michael Strahan’s retirement after an offseason practice.  To view this video, click here.

A little while ago, GM Jerry Reese joined the ‘Mike and the Mad Dog’ show to talk about the latest Giants news including Michael Strahan’s retirement.  To hear the interview in it’s entirety, click here.

Giants.com:

Michael Strahan retires - John Mara had this to say about Michael Strahan’s retirement announcement,

Michael called me earlier this morning to tell me he had decided to retire. I told him I was disappointed and that I knew he could still play at a very high level and we were hoping to have him back. But I certainly understand his decision. I told him he’s been a great Giant. He thanked me for everything the organization has done for him. I said, ‘I think you’ve done more for us than we can ever do for you.’

Various other players had quotes in the article as well.

Eisen’s Insight (Video) - Michael Eisen and John Schmeelk discuss Strahan’s retirement.

DE Osi Umenyiora (Video)

DE Justin Tuck (Video)

LB Mathias Kiwanuka (Video)

WR Amani Toomer (Video)

QB Eli Manning (Video)

OTA Report: Wide Receivers (Video)

New York Post:

SHOCKEY’S MINI-DRAMA - Paul Schwartz wonders if Jeremy Shockey will attend mini-camp.

The Star-Ledger:

Runyan, McNabb say goodbye to Strahan

Correction: Presser at 11:30 tomorrow - Michael Eisen announced that the Giants will hold a press conference for Michael’s retiredment at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Pierce happy for Strahan

Strahan’s new team? Probably FOX

Strahan’s decision not about money

Toomer still in denial

Umenyiora on Strahan: ‘He’s going to miss us’

Giants teammates, coaches stunned by Strahan’s decision

Share This

Around 12:20 pm, I was listening to ‘Joe and Evan’ on WFAN because I wanted to hear a Mets interview.  When I went onto WFAN.com, I found out that they had Justin Tuck on earlier in the show.  They asked Tuck about the debut of the DVD titled ‘Super Bowl XLII Champions’, how it felt to knock off the undefeated Patriots, how it felt to knock Brady around, Joe asked Justin what the Big Blue can do for an encore, Evan asked Tuck on whether or not he thinks Strahan will retire, Joe asked Tuck what he thinks about the DeAngelo Hall rumor, and what he thinks about Spags’ decision to stay with the G-MEN.  To hear the interview, just click on this link: WFAN (To hear the interview on WFAN.com, click on the ‘Play’ icon under ‘2-26 Justin Tuck’)

Share This

Die Hard Giants Fan would like to continue encouraging our readers to send us photos of themselves in Giants gear,their Giants tattoos, and/or their pets in Giants gear.  Whether you may have been tailgating, having a Big Blue Party, at the stadium, or at home, please send them in.  We would like to put them up for you.  We would definitely like to check out your 2007 pics, your Playoff pics, or your Super Bowl pics.

Giants.com:

Mailbag for February 14, 2008 - Michael Eisen fielded a few questions from you, the Giants fan.

Did you Know? - Michael Eisen sat down and had a Q&A Session with Justin Tuck.

Newsday:

Giants’ Reese: Shockey’s our starting tight end - According to Arthur Staple, Jerry Reese sent Newsday an email stating that Jeremy Shockey will be the starting TE in 2008.  In my opinion, the GM would not reveal that information so it isn’t who Newsday should ask.

The Star-Ledger:

Antonio Pierce accused of neglecting dog - Brian T. Murray reported that 2 pitbulls escaped from the home of Antonio Pierce right before the Super Bowl.  Murray also noted that one of the dogs was underweight.

Share This

Jerry Reese is keeping himself busy.  Reese is trying to re-sign as many players on that Super Bowl Champion team that he can.  Why not?  They had the talent and the heart to win it all.  When you watched the games, it seemed like they won some of those games in the Playoffs on heart alone.

Besides re-signing a bunch of players from the 2007 team, Reese is going to have to make some good draft picks.  The Giants have to keep on replacing the old dogs.  Reese will have to look into replacing Strahan, Madison, McQuarters, and Toomer.  The Giants can have Strahan train a rookie until he retires.  The Giants need to make sure they have enough guys in the secondary to hold it down.  With Webster stepping up, it eases it a little bit.  Health was another factor in the secondary.  Also, the Giants need to start looking for a new Mr. Reliable at the WR position.  Burress is still the big play guy with the size.  Smith stepped up and played great.  Smith is too small to play Toomer’s role.  So Big Blue can start developing a new Toomer.  It still seems like Moss is a bust, and he is also small and fast but injury prone.  We’ll have to see if Reese trades Moss away or holds onto him.  So either way, the Jints can work on developing a 4th receiver that will replace Toomer.  You don’t want Smith and Moss to be the 2nd and 3rd receivers when Toomer retires.  They are too similar regarding size and speed.

Giants.com:

Back for more - Michael Eisen reported that the Giants gave Jeff Feagles a 2-year contract extension.  The numbers were not disclosed, but the media may have gotten their hands on that.  Feagles was a stud last season so I’m happy he’s back.

Leadership Lessons of Super Bowl - Silvio Laccetti wrote a piece on how Eli Manning became a leader.

Newsday:

Fame won’t go to Tyree’s head - David Tyree has been making the rounds to all of the national talk shows, but it won’t get to his head according to Shaun Powell.  It really is crazy when you think about it, a Special Teams stud got his first TD pass in the Super Bowl and then was part of the most amazing play in Super Bowl history.  He was the Giants’ secret weapon in the Super Bowl because the Pats never studied any film on Tyree except on Special Teams.

New York Daily News:

Readers pick ‘Catch 42′ for Super Bowl’s biggest play - Ralph Vacchiano says that the readers picked ‘Catch 42‘ as the name of the play.  Out of all of the ones that I heard, I liked ‘Hail Mara’ which isn’t on the list in the Daily News.  So a different paper must of had that one.  But who am I?

Giants sign Feagles to two-year deal

Jilted by Redskins, Jim Fassel vows to someday get another job - Former Head Coach of the New York Football Giants, Jim Fassel, has been unable to get rehired since he got fired by the Giants after the 2003 season.  I was kind of happy that he got fired at the time because the defense wasn’t as solid as your typical Giants’ defense.  Fassel’s teams were unable to stop the big play in the big moment.  He is an offensive coach which isn’t a problem, but he needs the right defensive coordinator to succeed.  That shouldn’t be a problem.  I’m sure that after 5 years, he has learned what his flaws are.  He had a winning record.  I believe that he should be able to find a job.

Giants to give Lawrence Tynes five-year, $7 million contract - Ralph Vacciano reported that the Giants were close to working out a 5-year $7 million contract extension with Lawrence Tynes.  Since they were close yesterday, it will probably become finalized by today or tomorrow.  I’m not sold on a 5-year deal.  He was unproven all season.  When he had to make them in the NFC Championship game, it took 3 attempts.  If he missed the third time then he would’ve been boxed up and shipped out of town.  Tynes earned an extension, but 5 years may be a few too many.

New York Post:

FASSEL JOBBED, GIANTS BENEFIT - The thing that boggles my mind is why Dan Snyder didn’t hire the guy with the most experience, or at least experience.  The NFC East is always the toughest division in the NFC, and Fassel would have every reason to encourage his team to beat his former team.

GIANTS SET TO RE-SIGN TYNES

The Star-Ledger:

Tuck’s contract details - Mike Garafolo pointed Justin Tuck’s new contract since it didn’t get much coverage since it was given to him during the Playoffs.  Tuck got a 5-year extension.  I loved this signing.  The Giants had the bookends that could pass rush in place already, and now they got the guy that can go right up the middle as well.

Feagles inks two-year deal

NY Giants, Tynes near 5-year deal

Report: New deal for Tynes

Share This