Die Hard Sports Fan

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

NFL.com had a poll where over 200,000 fans ranked all 32 teams for the 2008 season.  Here are the results:

1. Patriots - Core of team returns to avenge Super Bowl loss after perfect regular season.
2. Colts - Core of Super Bowl XLI team is still intact. Dwight Freeney should be ready for season.
3. Cowboys - Talented squad only got better during offseason with Pacman Jones, Zach Thomas.
4. Giants - Competition in NFC East should be tough as Super Bowl champs look to go back-to-back.

Who knows how this stuff works?  Big Blue is obviously the team to beat.  If you want your team to be No. 1 then beat the Champs.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, ”Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones has received permission from the NFL to participate in offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason.  However, he has not yet been reinstated to participate in regular-season games.”  It seems like Pacman may make it back into the NFL which is a shame.

Florio also reported that Terrell Owens will remain as a Cowboy because, “Owens, we’re told, will receive a signing bonus of nearly $13 million.  In all, he’s under contract for four years, and he’ll earn $34 million.”  Now we have to face this moron twice a year for four more years.

Giants.com:

Tuesday’s OTA Report - Michael Eisen pointed out that Amani Toomer was one of the more visible players on the field today.

Giants Bolster D-Line - Michael Eisen announced that the Giants signed DE Renaldo Wynn which other media outlets reported yesterday.  Eisen included a whole bunch of information about Wynn.

• Michael also reported that the Giants placed linebacker Keith O’Neil on their reserve/retired list.

New York Daily News:

Eli & Amani rekindle their chemistry - Ralph Vacchiano also covered the Giants OTAs.  Vacchiano also noted that:

• Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress, Osi Umenyiora, Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan did not attend.  AP is still on his honeymoon, and who knows where the rest of them were…
• David Tyree did not participate, though he was inside Giants Stadium doing rehab work for his knee.  “Tyree said his knee feels good and his rehab is right on schedule.  He expects to be ready for the start of training camp.”
• Derrick Ward “said he’s 90-95% healed from his broken fibula and isn’t limited at all in what he can do on the field.”
• Mathias Kiwanuka “said he’s getting closer to 100% too and didn’t seem limited on the field.”

New York Post:

WYNN LANDS WITH GIANTS

The Star-Ledger:

A few practice tidbits

Taking attendance at OTAs

Giants announce Wynn signing - Mike Garafolo included Jerry Reese’s and Tom Coughlin’s thoughts on the signing of Renaldo.

More on the Wynn signing - Mike Garafolo explains why the Giants didn’t sign Wynn until June 1 when Wynn first visited the Giants in mid-May.  Garafolo’s conclusion is, “Wynn’s signing on June 1 means he won’t impact the Giants’ chances for compensatory picks in next year’s draft.”

Share This

It took a few months for Eli Manning to get to Disneyland.  Usually, the Super Bowl MVP goes there immediately.  However, there was some bad weather between Glendale and Los Angeles after the Super Bowl so the trip was postponed.  Then, Eli toured the national TV circuit.  Then, Eli got married and went on their honeymoon.  Finally, Abby and Eli made it to Disneyland yesterday.

Giants.com:

Eli goes to Disneyland - Fans cheered and confetti flew on Main Street USA yesterday as Disneyland hosted newlyweds Abby and Eli Manning.  This tradition of Super Bowl MVP’s going to Disneyland is already 22 years-old already when Phil Simms said, “I’m going to Disneyland” after winning Super Bowl XXI.

New York Daily News:

Eli Manning floats in for Disney parade

New York Times:

Four Players Who Came Out of Africa Return to Help - John Branch explained how four NFL players from Nigeria went back there to meet with the President, establish college scholarships, distribute HIV testing kits, dig water wells, establish soccer leagues, make connections, and spread ideas.  Osi Umenyiora was one of the four NFL players who made the trip.  Branch captured the thoughts of Osi and the other three football players in the article if you would like to check it out.

The Star-Ledger:

Phillips takes Tiki’s number - Mike Garafolo believes that Kenny Phillips is wearing No. 21 as a tribute to the late Sean Taylor because he showed up at The U when Taylor went pro.  Phillips wore No. 1 at Miami.

Eli finally makes it to Disneyland

Share This

The good news is that I’m flying down to Charleston, SC for a wedding this weekend.  The bad news is that I won’t be able to cover the NFL Draft to the extent that I would’ve otherwise.  I’m a Mets fan and a Rangers fan too so I’m going to miss a Braves-Mets series and Games 1 & 2 of the Rangers-Penguins series.  I set my DVR to record all of that except for Game 1 of the Rangers-Penguins series because it’s on Versus, and I don’t have it.  Also, MrJokah has to attend his brother’s Baby Shower tomorrow and Phessional is turning 30 this weekend.  So it’s a busy weekend for all of us.  We should be able to get a few posts out per day, but nothing like if I was home.  I would watch the entire Draft live, and let you know about each pick.

By the end of the weekend, we will know who’s going to be on our team and what the Giants will do with Shockey.  It’s definitely going to be interesting.

Go Jerry Reese!

Newsday:

Umenyiora unhappy with contract, but won’t hold out

Giants should only trade Shockey for real value

Giants listening to offers for Jeremy Shockey

Bob Glauber’s 2008 NFL mock draft - Here’s who Bob Glauber thinks Big Blue will pick:

31. Giants. Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee. Giants also like Phillips, but if he’s off the board, Mayo is a terrific get at this spot. Can be impact weakside ‘backer from the get-go.

New York Daily News:

Osi Umenyiora scraps idea of holdout

Mock NFL Draft: Jets have sights set on Darren McFadden - Gary Meyers has the Jints picking:

31. GIANTS: Kenny Phillips (S, Miami)
Jerry Reese’s phone could be red-hot if Ryan is the only QB off the board. The Falcons, Chiefs and Ravens could all want to move up a few spots to jump ahead of Miami to get Brian Brohm, Joe Flacco or Chad Henne. Tough call for Reese between Phillips and Tennesse LB Jerod Mayo. Can’t go wrong with Miami safeties.

New York Post:

MAKING A MOVE - Paul Schwartz believes that Gerris Wilkinson must take charge at his position or he may get passed over.

JINTS’ OSI: I WON’T HOLD OUT

The Star-Ledger:

Shockey could be part of draft-day blockbuster

The mid-round possibilites - Mike Garafolo added more names that the Giants may select in the later rounds this weekend.

Share This

The decriptions and the images of the ring have been released.  The Giants worked together to come up with something that they liked.  They liked white gold and diamonds.  The 3 Lombardi Trophies represent the amount of Super Bowls the Giants have won.  It always confuses me when the NFL disregards the accomplishments prior to the Super Bowl era because it doesn’t happen in MLB, NBA, or NHL.  I would definitely like to walk around rocking that.

Giants.com:

Giants unveil Super Bowl Ring - Michael Eisen wrote that the Giants unveiled the design of their Super Bowl ring today.  The ring will be made by Tiffany & Co. and will feature white gold, diamonds and three Super Bowl trophies, one for each of the Giants’ victories in the title game.  Eisen went on to explain the rings, and there is a photo if you would like to check out the bling.

Giants to host Redskins - Giants.com pointed out that the Giants will begin their 2008 season vs. the Redskins on Thursday, September 4th.

New York Daily News:

Lorenzen signs one-year tender offer - Ralph Vacchiano reported that Jared Lorenzen re-signed with the Giants yesterday, when he signed the one-year tender offer worth $927,000 they gave him in February.

First look at Giants’ new ring - The NY Daily News got 3 pictures of the Super Bowl ring.

Osi Umenyiora holds out hope for raise from Giants

New York Post:

GIANTS RETURN TO WORK

The Star-Ledger:

Giants’ SB ring revealed

NY Giants pick up another draft pick - Mike Garafolo reported that the Giants received an additional pick in the 6th round of the draft.

Share This

Ralph Vacchiano is a sports reporter for the NY Daily News, but he also writes for the Giants Blog on the NY Daily News website called The Blue Screen.  According to Vacchiano, people close to Osi Umenyiora are convinced that he is going to holdout from training camp this summer if he does not get a new contract.  Ralph points out that skipping training camp is a much bigger deal than pre-camp voluntary workouts.  One source even told Vacchiano, “I guarantee you he’s not coming to camp,”.  Umenyiora is due $1.7 million this year while his backup Justin Tuck is averaging over $6 million a season.

This is all speculation, but I hope that Osi doesn’t holdout from anything.  Umenyiora’s only two years into a six-year contract and should honor the contract he signed with the organization.  If you remove that 6-Sack game against the Eagles, Osi would only have had 7 sacks last season.  Six Sacks in a game is a fluke and he was up against a backup.  This is his career sack numbers:

• 2003 - 1
• 2004 - 7
• 2005 - 15
• 2006 - 6
• 2007 - 13

Giants opponents say that Osi is really fast and can get to the Quarterback, but they say he lacks the other aspects of being a great Defensive End.  Giants opponents still believe that Michael Strahan is still the best Defensive Lineman on the Giants.  Justin Tuck got a bigger deal than Osi Umenyiora because it’s two years later and he is a better all-around Defensive Lineman.  Once Strahan retires, we’ll see how good Umenyiora and Tuck really are.

Share This

In the Pregame, Osi Umenyiora was asked if it soaked in yet that he is a World Champion, and of course he said yes.  Umenyiora said he didn’t go to the parade because the travel would have been ridiculous.  Osi said he shed some tears from a far, but he was with his team.

1st Quarter

The AFC struck first by scoring a TD.  The NFC tied it up with a TD of their own.  When it was 7-7, Osi Umenyiora was called for an Offsides penalty on a drive which ultimately led to an AFC TD.  At 14-7, the AFC recovered the Kickoff on a DeMarcus Ware fumble.  The AFC capped the drive with a FG and lead the NFC 17-7.

2nd Quarter

Tony Romo threw an INT to give the ball back to the AFC.  The AFC quickly put up another TD to go up 24-7.  The NFC marched down the field to put up their own TD to make it 24-14.  The AFC kicked a FG to make it 27-14.  The NFC scored a TD to make it 27-21 right before the half.

3rd Quarter

The NFC scored a TD to make it 27-28.  The AFC took the lead with a FG to make it 30-28.  Jeff Garcia threw an INT to give the AFC the ball.  The AFC went 3-and-out and had to punt it away.

4th Quarter

The NFC scored another TD to take a 35-30 lead.  The AFC went for it on 4th down, but turned it over.  The NFC scored another TD to make the score 42-30.  Just before the 2:00 Warning, Osi Umenyiora Sacked Derek Anderson and forced a fumble, but it was recovered by Jeff Saturday.  Derek Anderson threw an INT with 0:20 remaining.

Final Score: AFC Pro Bowl Team 30 vs. NFC Pro Bowl Team 42.  The NFL.com Post Game is attached.

Pro Bowl MVP: Adrian Peterson

As I watched the game, Osi Umenyiora didn’t do anything really.  He had the penalty early on, and that was it until he got the sack and forced fumble on the final drive by the AFC.  It was all on one play.

Share This