Die Hard Sports Fan

This week, the Cardinals come to town. Today, they hail from Arizona instead of St. Louis. Today, they have an accomplished and seasoned QB in Kurt Warner, who has played in two super bowls, winning one. Today, they are coached in part by one of our favorite hogs: Russ Grimm. And, today, they bring two WR’s that make the entire league sit up and take notice.

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are big, strong, and very fast. Warner likes to throw. And given the Redskins ability to shut down the opposing team’s rushing attack, they will come to town looking to expose our cornerbacks and defensive backfield.

Moreover, unlike any Cardinals team since the year of 1991, this team comes to town undefeated after the first two games. They have confidence. Yet it is still measured. Darnell Docket, their defensive tackle, in speaking about their two wins against the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, he said in a recent interview:

“Not to take anything away from them, they have great players, but we’re much more talented that both those teams. We won those games. We’re supposed to…We’re going to start playing against some real teams, especially on the road.”

They are coming to town with the expectation of winning. And, Warner intends to throw the ball and to throw it often.

I don’t believe that Warner ever lost his swagger. I realize that some think he lost confidence while bouncing around the league and playing the backup role since his days of glory with the St. Louis Rams. Rather, I believe he leaned on his faith, which has allowed him to remain the consummate professional. He is the right QB at the right time for the Cardinals.

We must respect his game, because he’s going to bring it!

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The NFL Live crew at ESPN breaks down the AFC East.

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No news has come out of The Swamp the last few days.  Below, you can check out the only article about the Giants today.  The 2008 NFL Schedule will be released tomorrow.  Since there wasn’t anything to write about, I checked up on the NFC East and former Giants.

Rumors about the Cowbows making a trade with the Titans for Adam “Pacman” Jones are back on, according to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network.  The two teams spent all day Saturday going back and forth on proposals.  One of Schefter’s sources believes that the trade could be done this week.  In the past, Dallas has been offering one of their sixth-round picks, but Tennessee held out for a fourth-round pick or better.  Adam also wrote that “Dallas wanted to attach conditions to the trade in which it could receive a draft pick back from Tennessee if Jones got into more trouble in his new city.”  This clause doesn’t make any sense to me.  If Dallas is stupid enough to sign a troubled player then they should suffer the consequenses of the player getting into trouble in his new city, not benefit from it.  Pacman has to apply to be reinstated in the NFL before this can happen.  The two teams are trying to get Pacman reinstated as fast as possible so they can get this deal done on Tuesday.

Down in Miami, Tim Graham of Inside the Dolphins pointed out that former Giants head coach Bill Parcells was unhappy with previous efforts of the former strength and conditioning coaches.  Last season, 16 Dolphins were on IR so he quickly fired them.  So The Tuna brought in two new strength and conditioning coaches who have The Fish working out really hard in the weight room.  Graham also found out that, “Several Dolphins have commented that this is the most strenuous weight conditioning program they’ve encountered in the NFL or college. One player, who said he always considered himself a workout fiend, admitted he had no right to think that way until now.”  While we are on the Dolphins, it is very likely that they are in contract negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and if the two sides can agree on a deal then Long will be the first pick in the draft.

Out in Cleveland, former Giants wide receiver Joe Jurevicius contracted a staph infection following knee surgery, becoming the sixth Cleveland player in four years to suffer from staph.  According to the AP, “Jurevicius is recovering well and is expected to participate in team activities in May and minicamp in June.”

Giants.com:

Fans Take - Another Giants fan offers their thoughts on the 2007 season.

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There are a whole bunch of rumors out there.  The Giants and the Jaguars are interested in QB Cleo Lemon who started in Miami in 2007 after Trent Green got injured.  Jerry Reese is in Tennessee to receive an award so he won’t be making any deals today.  Not only are the Eagles interested in Asante Samuel, but Samuel is expected to walk out of Philly with a big fat contract.  Bill Parcells is wheeling and dealing with everybody today.  There are rumor on top of what they have done already, but The Tuna has been very busy.  Parcells is also looking to add former Cowboys to the Dolphins like Julius Jones and Jason Fabini.  The Saints want Shockey.  They called up Jerry Reese to make a trade, and he declined.

I am very upset about losing 2 out of 4 free agents half way through the first day of Free Agency.  Mitchell signed with the Bills and Torbor agreed to terms with the Dolphins.  Hopefully JR will impress us like he did last season.

Newsday:

Raiders eyeing Giants safety Gibril Wilson - Bob Glauber hinted that the Raiders may offer Gibril Wilson a contract worth between $6 million and $6.5 million per year.  The Giants won’t offer anything close to that.

New York Post:

GIANTS PREPARE FOR WILSON’S DEPARTURE

The Star-Ledger:

Needell: Don’t freak - Paul Needell tells us why we Jints fans shouldn’t freak out about losing these players in Free Agency.

Safety updates - Mike Garafolo pointed out that Big Blue is interested Sammy Knight and Eugene Wilson, and Mike asks us which one we like better.

Bye, bye LBs - Mike Garafolo reported that Kawika Mitchell signed a 5-year deal with the Buffalo Bills for an estimated $17.5 million and a $3.5 million signing bonus.  Also, Reggie Torbor agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins.

A thought about Shockey - Rumors are circling about Jeremy Shockey being traded to the Saints, but Mike Garafolo doesn’t think it will happen.

NY Giants won’t spend freely in free agency

All’s quiet - Last night, Mike Garafolo said everything was quiet on the eve of free agency.

Needell: Another lesson…. - Paul Needell reported that the Cowboys resigned Flozell Adams.  Adams can continue to commit the false start penalties.

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Last night, I watched Super Bowl XLII for like the 20th time, and then I turned on the NFC Championship game for like the 20th time.  I fell asleep around halftime or the beginning of the 3rd Quarter.  I have watched the Cowboys, Packers, and Patriots games so many times since there is nothing else on television right now.  I am fortunate enough to have DVR through my cable company so I saved all of the Playoff games permantly.  I was wondering if any of you have done the same thing through DVR or TIVO.  I can’t get enough of those Road Warriors…  I just tried to track down some Giants pictures by looking for ‘Road Warrios’ and check out what I got…The original Road Warriors.  Hawk and Animal baby.  Google rocks!

Giants.com:

Fans Take - Fans talk about their emotions throughout the 2007 Giants season.

New York Times:

Reese Enjoys the Fruits of His Role in Scouting

The Star-Ledger:

RU’s Rice fulfills need for speed - Mike Garafolo covered how Ray Rice, of Rutgers, performed at the Scouting Combine.  Garafolo provided the latest on Gibril Wilson which is that the Giants still haven’t resigned him.  Previously, there were reports that the Eagles were interested in Wilson.  Yesterday, there was a report that the Jaguars were interested in Gibril.  Garafolo reminded us that both of those teams expressed interest in Wilson.  Mike also pointed out that Reggie Torbor will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday, and the Dolphins are interested in Torbor.  Garafolo also stated that Kawika Mitchell will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday, but the rumors are that Giants will sign Mitchell to a three-year deal.

Giants have Plan B if Hall slips by - Mike Garafolo revealed Plan B.  If the Giants are unable to get DeAngelo Hall, then they will look into drafting another corner.  Garafolo included some names in his article like Antoine Cason of Arizona, Leodis McKelvin of Troy, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of Tennessee State, and Aqib Talib of Kansas.  Mike also provided some details about each of these players.

Rotoworld.com:

Rotoworld.com - “NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports those close to Michael Strahan expect him to play football again in 2008.”

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Today, the media covered trade rumors, SpyGate, the Combine, and the birth of Tyree’s twin girls.  I wrote how I felt about Hall and Trufant below.  Feel free to comment on each of them.  Do you love them or hate them and let me know why?  I’ve had the opportunity to watch the Giants play the Falcons several times so I know that Hall is the real deal.  I’ve also seen the Falcons play many nationally televised games because they used to get those spots when Vick was on the team.  However, I don’t know anything about Trufant except that he was named to the Pro Bowl which isn’t an indicator of anything.  I questioned his heart in the Divisional Playoffs and based my opinion solely on that.  If you can’t bring it in the Playoffs because it’s snowing then you are missing something.  Seattle is a team that is difficult to grasp.  They don’t lose at home so it’s hard to figure out where they stand.  I picked them to beat the Redskins in Wild Card Weekend because they were home.  I picked them to cover the spread in Green Bay, but I figured that they would lose while giving Green Bay a fight.  There was no fight at all.

Giants.com:

Combine Thoughts - Yesterday, Tom Coughlin met with the media at the NFL Combine to discuss many topics.  Michael Eisen included a short version of Coach Coughlin’s press conference in the article as well as the video of the entire thing.

Newsday:

Eyeing pair of top CBs - Bob Glauber covered the rumors about the NY Giants being interested in Hall and Trufant that we covered yesterday.  I already pointed out that Hall will be traded by the Falcons because his mouth gets him into too much trouble.  DeAngelo Hall said that “he will not return to the team after new general manager Thomas Dimitroff told him the club would consider offers for him.”  Basically, he is being forced out which makes him the defensive equivalent of a Randy Moss, Keyshawn Johnson, or T.O.  Speaking of Keyshawn, did you hear is trying to make a comeback?  Where will he play?  Hall then went on to say he doesn’t want a raise, he just wants to play for a team that wants him.  So who wants him?  It seems like the Giants are interested in him because they offered their first round draft pick for him.  A first round pick for a player this good is a bargain, but you have to deal with his antics.  It’s not as much of a bargain as the Pats getting Moss for a fourth round pick, but it’s pretty good.  I don’t want Hall.  Glauber reported something different about whether Marcus Trufant could be traded, which was “Seattle has designated Trufant as their “franchise” player, meaning Seattle has virtually exclusive negotiating rights with him for the 2008 season. But that does not preclude them from making a trade.”  I don’t care if he can or cannot be traded because I don’t want him.  Go back and watch the Divisional Playoffs between the Seahawks and the Packers.  What did Trufant do in snowy Green Bay?  Nothing…not only nothing, but the entire team stopped playing once it started snowing.  He is not mentally or physically tough enough to be a New York Football Giant.  What kind of Road Warrior gives up in Lambeau Field?  I didn’t see any Giants quit in minus 24 degrees on the frozen tundra.  That is why I don’t want Trufant either.

New York Daily News:

Pat spies evaded Giants - This is the same thing that the New York Post reported yesterday.  Ralph Vacciano also went onto explain the current situation with SpyGate.  After Roger Goodell met with Senator Arlen Spector, Spector didn’t come out of the meeting a happy man.  Vacchiano wrote,

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told ESPN.com he’s been “stonewalled” by the Jets and Patriots in his efforts to investigate SpyGate. Both organizations have retained outside counsel to handle inquiries with Specter, who met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week.

“I think that is somewhere between absurd to insulting that they won’t let us talk to the witnesses,” Specter told ESPN.com. A Jets team spokesman referred all questions to the league.

Here’s some advice for the Commissioner.  Do not piss off Senators or make them feel “stonewalled”.  The Government is bigger than you may realize, and they will come after you.

NFL: Shut SpyGate door - Ralph Vacciano wrote that “The NFL’s powerful Competition Committee voiced strong support Thursday for the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has handled SpyGate, and urged everyone - including Congress - to put the episode to rest.The NFL’s powerful Competition Committee voiced strong support Thursday for the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has handled SpyGate, and urged everyone - including Congress - to put the episode to rest.”  I agree that the NFL handled the SpyGate situation (meaning Week 1 against the Jets) properly with the exception of a few things.  I don’t believe that the NFL should destroy evidence, I do believe that the game should’ve resulted in an automatic loss, and I believe that the NFL should not be albe to name a cheater the ‘Coach of the Year’.  I believe that was the fair penalty for a one-off incident.  Now, more and more stories are coming out about it being around since Bill Belichick became the Head Coach of the Patriots which has been 8 years.  Here’s the fair punishment for that.  Each Preseason game, Regular Season game, and Postseason game that the Patriots played since 2000, the same fine should apply to Belichick and Bob Kraft.  On top of the fines, the same amount of draft picks should be taken away for each game for those 8 years.  Belichick faked the funk and should be banned from coaching in the NFL and the Hall of Fame because it is clear that he is not the genius we thought he was.  So now the NFL is saying that the penalty inflicted upon the Patriots was substantial enough for all of this and they want it to go away, including Congress.  I disagree with that.  If the Commissioner was able to do his job then Congress wouldn’t have to do it for him.  The same thing is happening in baseball with the steroids.  The NFL and Congress should work together to investigate this issue to the fullest.  Rid the NFL of the scum.  Goodell has no problem making his presence known when it comes to players like Pacman Jones.  The scum may be a player just as Jones clearly is, a coach just as Belichick clearly is, or an owner just as Kraft clearly is.  The Commissioner must understand that and investigate the issues the same way.

New York Post:

COUGHLIN SMILES THROUGH COMBINE - That’s because T.C. just won the Super Bowl.

GIANTLY ‘INNACURATE’ - Greg Aiello, the senior vice president of public relations for the NFL, claimed that the SpyGate story released yesterday by The New York Times is “inaccurate”, and Paul Schwartz covered this story.

New York Times:

Coughlin’s Success Changes Opinions

The Star-Ledger:

Giants not alone in hunt for Hall - According to Mike Garafolo, the rumors of teams interested in DeAngelo include the Redskins, the Bucs, the Dolphins, and the Cowboys.  I hope he ends up in the AFC.  Garafolo pointed out that the Giants might be forced to add more to the trade if all of this demand truly exists.

Coughlin is still glowing

N.Y. builder to buy half of Dolphins - Mike Garafolo reported that “New York builder Stephen Ross agreed to buy half the Miami Dolphins from owner Wayne Huizenga, with an opportunity to become managing general partner. Ross would acquire 50 percent of the franchise, Dolphin Stadium and surrounding developable land, the team said yesterday. The NFL must approve the sale.”  Am I the only one that feels like I’m missing information here?  Are they staying in Miami?  Are they building a new stadium in Miami or elsewhere?

Tyree a SB hero … and a proud papa - Mike Garafolo noted that “Tyree’s wife, Leilah, gave birth to Sophia (4 lbs., 14 oz., 18¾ inches) and Hannah (5 lbs., 3 oz., 19 inches). Both baby girls and Leilah are doing well, said Tyree’s agents, Michael and Mark Clouser.”  Die Hard Giants Fan would like to congratulate David Tyree and his wife Leilah on their new twin girls.

Trades must wait a week - Mike Garafolo pointed out that the G-MEN cannot trade for Hall of anybody else until next Friday because “The 2008 league year doesn’t begin until that day — Feb. 29. That’s when free agency starts and it’s also when the trade blackout period, which began with the Oct. 16 trade deadline, will be lifted.” 

D-Hall on the Giants - Mike Garafolo lets you know what Hall thinks of the Giants and a whole lot more.

D-Hall: I’m done with ATL

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Jets have field day against the Miami Dolphins yesterday. Gang Green plays well against a 0-11 team. We had many good things happen for the positive. Thomas Jones carries 24 times for 75 yards and his first touchdown this season. Kellen Clemens went 15 for 24 with 234 yards and a touchdown. The Jets defense also had a good day on the field with Darrelle Revis making tackles and an interception. Kerry Rhodes made some big tackles and interception to stop Miami. On special teams, it was all Nugent with 4 field goals. Lets all pray for the Jets to get healthy an continue from this week. All in all Gang Green played well not super. Newsday

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