and you're wondering if that guy with the backpack was me... it was. That was not how I planned to make my television debut (1:43 into the clip), but I'll take it.
Thanks to the uploaders and to Trent Dilfer for putting my bag on blast, LOL.
Dear (insert deity here), I'm not reading the comments.
Many keep asking what happened, so here it goes.
In all NFL post-game press conferences that I know of, the head coach speaks first. During that time, an announcement is made that the players will be available in the locker room; typically a few minutes into or immediately after the coach's presser. New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had just finished speaking to the media and everyone made their way to the locker room a few yards away.
Unusual for the Giants - even after other tough losses - there were just a handful of players available to speak with. It was a ghost town and thinking on behalf of the players, I would have probably took off under the cloak of night myself. Instead of waiting for the media mob in front of that handful to dissipate, I made my way back to the official presser as Eli Manning and Justin Tuck would speak with the media.
What you thought was funny, I thought was... strange.
Eli - as always, a pro through and through - was likely ready to get home as the rest of us, which says a lot about he handled himself over the course of his career here in this madhouse area I call home. What you don't see was that other reporters were arriving, just quite a few steps slower than me.
The backpack: instead of leaving it in the press box above the field, I always keep it with me since I leave for home immediately after any game I cover. From my understanding, someone at a Philadelphia sports talk station joked that I looked as if I was carrying C-4 (don't worry, I think that's funny). Well, rest assured that wouldn't have happened since New Jersey State Troopers would have found that out quickly thanks to their canine unit.
You have to understand something about this scene: the normally loquacious media couldn't immediately think of anything to say, do or ask Coughlin at the start of the presser. Other than the Giants themselves, no one was more stunned that the press. There was nearly complete silence from the Giants media from the moment DeSean Jackson eventually crossed the goal line to the march to the press conference. Save for a handful of smaller conversations, there was a surrealism that blanketed us all.
The way I like to think of these 15 minutes (or 12) is that media folks of far bigger platforms were scrambling around, looking for dictionaries and thesauruses to attempt to describe the Miracle at the New Meadowlands.
Nearly two full days later, I still can't.
Don't worry, for those sick of hearing about it, I'm trying to speed up the window of fame here. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Showing posts with label Eli Manning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eli Manning. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Skittish?
As said, be prepared for a lot of football talk. To preface this post, your regularly scheduled randomness will return shortly, however, this has been quite the week to get a jump on the pigskin banter.
This Thursday’s New York Beacon will feature my thoughts on the Antonio Pierce situation as he was cleared of any wrongdoing in last fall’s incident involving former teammate, Plaxico Burress . There are probably one hundred members of the Giants’ media that were running on a similar angle on Monday, but for a small weekly such as the Beacon, there’s an understanding that being first to the story doesn’t mean you’ll have the best perspective.
Over a year ago, there was chatter about New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning becoming the NFL’s next $100 million man. Talks between his agent, Tom Condon and general manager Jerry Reese were scuttled (at least to the media’s knowledge) for after the conclusion of the 2008 season. It was inevitable, much to the chagrin of his staunchest critics; which makes the agreement all the more of a hot topic.
There are many a fan, blogger and media personality who will criticize the deal because the one word that sticks in their minds; “skittish”. Reese’s description of his play at the time back in late November ’07 – weeks before his strong postseason en route to a Super Bowl title – politely sums up much of what many feel about the sixth-year signal caller. Some of those critiques are fair as he has a penchant for the ill-advised turnover (that “skittish” remark came in the aftermath of the worst game of his career; a painful-to-witness-in-person four-INT performance at home against the Minnesota Vikings). He’s not the fleetest of foot, though in the Giants’ offense, he’s not asked to run like Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb or Dallas’ Tony Romo. Yet, the attack on Manning that slowly began to dissipate last season is his perceived lack of hellfire and brimstone in his belly. That even-keeled demeanor may still unnerve some of those with an interest in Big Blue; however, it has also helped him navigate choppy waters in a metropolitan area that prides itself in letting its athletes know how they feel.
All of this is said because while some feel that the near-$100 million pact is a few million too much for the younger Manning, the reality is that the going rate for franchise quarterbacks have gone up immensely over the past decade.
In league history, there are only seven players who have ever met or crossed the $100 million threshold that Eli’s contract slightly missed:
Unquestionably, the numbers of Eli’s deal places him just below these men, but his statistics lie in the middle of the pack among starting quarterbacks last year. The manner of how he became a Giant wasn’t the most favorable in the history of the game, but the Super Bowl title gave him marketability and bought him some reserved judgment with a fan base that called for his head on a skewer not too long ago. He would have not gone on the open market after his rookie contract expires this year as both parties are committed to him retiring as a Giant. However, though he is part of the bonus baby generation (the high priced first-round picks we have grown accustomed to), Eli is a far more proven commodity than anyone else that would have been available in 2010 via free agency or the college ranks.
What should make this deal easier to swallow for his critics – if they so choose- is that the Giants organization is in a far better position to give Eli this deal than most others. Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez – both whom should thank Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy for staying in college this year – picked up $70 million in bonuses before taking a snap for teams (Detroit Lions, New York Jets) that have plenty more issues than who plays under center. Eli wouldn’t have gotten the exact dollars that he gets with the Giants if he went elsewhere, but teams that typically shell out major dollars for a quarterback via free agency or the Draft have a lot more holes to fill. Take a look at the teams with quarterback competition in training camp and you might see that there are other equally, it not more important position battles.
The contract is about much more than the stats, though Eli’s tell a far different story than brother Peyton or McNabb. They tell a different story than his truer peers in Roethlisberger, Romo or San Diego’s Phillip Rivers. Of course, the success of all quarterbacks in this league are pale compared to three-time champ Tom Brady; he signed a shorter six-year, $60 million deal in 2005 (modified later to give New England room to suit Randy Moss). Yet, at least with Eli, New York knows that for the duration of the deal, they have someone who has already shown the ability to ride through turbulence. A few more dollars only changes the number of critics, not the player himself.
This Thursday’s New York Beacon will feature my thoughts on the Antonio Pierce situation as he was cleared of any wrongdoing in last fall’s incident involving former teammate, Plaxico Burress . There are probably one hundred members of the Giants’ media that were running on a similar angle on Monday, but for a small weekly such as the Beacon, there’s an understanding that being first to the story doesn’t mean you’ll have the best perspective.
Over a year ago, there was chatter about New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning becoming the NFL’s next $100 million man. Talks between his agent, Tom Condon and general manager Jerry Reese were scuttled (at least to the media’s knowledge) for after the conclusion of the 2008 season. It was inevitable, much to the chagrin of his staunchest critics; which makes the agreement all the more of a hot topic.
There are many a fan, blogger and media personality who will criticize the deal because the one word that sticks in their minds; “skittish”. Reese’s description of his play at the time back in late November ’07 – weeks before his strong postseason en route to a Super Bowl title – politely sums up much of what many feel about the sixth-year signal caller. Some of those critiques are fair as he has a penchant for the ill-advised turnover (that “skittish” remark came in the aftermath of the worst game of his career; a painful-to-witness-in-person four-INT performance at home against the Minnesota Vikings). He’s not the fleetest of foot, though in the Giants’ offense, he’s not asked to run like Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb or Dallas’ Tony Romo. Yet, the attack on Manning that slowly began to dissipate last season is his perceived lack of hellfire and brimstone in his belly. That even-keeled demeanor may still unnerve some of those with an interest in Big Blue; however, it has also helped him navigate choppy waters in a metropolitan area that prides itself in letting its athletes know how they feel.
All of this is said because while some feel that the near-$100 million pact is a few million too much for the younger Manning, the reality is that the going rate for franchise quarterbacks have gone up immensely over the past decade.
In league history, there are only seven players who have ever met or crossed the $100 million threshold that Eli’s contract slightly missed:
- Six of them are quarterbacks, with Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth becoming the first non-QB and first defensive player to see that amount.
- Brett Favre was the first when he signed a 10-year, $100 million deal in 2001 with Green Bay. Favre, as the world knows, had as many retirement sagas as touchdowns and interceptions thrown and despite his first-ballot Hall of Fame credentials, had not been in the Super Bowl since the 1997 season (XXXII in Jan. 1998) and shot both the Packers and Jets in the proverbial foot more often than some want to acknowledge.
- McNabb followed suit in Philly the following year, beginning a 12-year, $115 million contract. One SB appearance and four other conference championship game appearances should tell Eagles fans that he’s lived up to his end of the bargain, but more often than not in his tenure, he has been a man on an island, whether by his own doing or by uber-irrational levels of criticism thrown his way.
- Michael Vick…
- Big brother Peyton signed his seven-season, $132.5 million deal the same season as Vick (2005) and could very well break every QB-related record before it’s over. He’s not loved in most places, but he has reached the Undeniable realm of elite professional athletes: “I can’t stand him and as much as I want to call him a bum, he just beat my team so bad that the franchise is considering folding tomorrow out of embarrassment.”
- Carson Palmer’s nine-year-$119.7 million contract seemed dubious as he came off a devastating knee injury in the 2005 (06) postseason. His health has been a major issue over the last two seasons, but the Cincinnati Bengals have had far more issues to deal with simultaneously.
- Finally, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger signed a eight-year, $102 million deal and won his second Super Bowl within the first season. We can say what we will about recent sexual assault allegations lobbied his way, but we can also say that the true worthiness of this deal has yet to be determined with seven years to go.
Unquestionably, the numbers of Eli’s deal places him just below these men, but his statistics lie in the middle of the pack among starting quarterbacks last year. The manner of how he became a Giant wasn’t the most favorable in the history of the game, but the Super Bowl title gave him marketability and bought him some reserved judgment with a fan base that called for his head on a skewer not too long ago. He would have not gone on the open market after his rookie contract expires this year as both parties are committed to him retiring as a Giant. However, though he is part of the bonus baby generation (the high priced first-round picks we have grown accustomed to), Eli is a far more proven commodity than anyone else that would have been available in 2010 via free agency or the college ranks.
What should make this deal easier to swallow for his critics – if they so choose- is that the Giants organization is in a far better position to give Eli this deal than most others. Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez – both whom should thank Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy for staying in college this year – picked up $70 million in bonuses before taking a snap for teams (Detroit Lions, New York Jets) that have plenty more issues than who plays under center. Eli wouldn’t have gotten the exact dollars that he gets with the Giants if he went elsewhere, but teams that typically shell out major dollars for a quarterback via free agency or the Draft have a lot more holes to fill. Take a look at the teams with quarterback competition in training camp and you might see that there are other equally, it not more important position battles.
The contract is about much more than the stats, though Eli’s tell a far different story than brother Peyton or McNabb. They tell a different story than his truer peers in Roethlisberger, Romo or San Diego’s Phillip Rivers. Of course, the success of all quarterbacks in this league are pale compared to three-time champ Tom Brady; he signed a shorter six-year, $60 million deal in 2005 (modified later to give New England room to suit Randy Moss). Yet, at least with Eli, New York knows that for the duration of the deal, they have someone who has already shown the ability to ride through turbulence. A few more dollars only changes the number of critics, not the player himself.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Disappointment
We know that will be a new Super Bowl champion on the evening of February 1st.
For those in the NYC vicinity, here's a preview of the post-mortem article of the New York Giants' season that will appear in the New York Beacon tomorrow morning:
For those in the NYC vicinity, here's a preview of the post-mortem article of the New York Giants' season that will appear in the New York Beacon tomorrow morning:
What the Giants can take from this season is they found an identity as a team without having some of the more outspoken or at least colorful personalities that they have had in years. Michael Strahan’s retirement and the trade of Jeremy Shockey prior to their Super Bowl defense may have left a void of publicly vocal players. Add the loss of Osi Umeyiora during the preseason along with the Burress saga, and the team had every reason to collapse under the weight of having to defend their crown.
However, considering that this team wasn’t expected to make the playoffs before the season began, they exhibited a tunnel vision that few Giants teams have had in recent seasons. That’s not easy in any city, but doing such here as the defending league champions is as daunting of a challenge as any in American sports. “I told the players I’m very proud of them individually and collectively,” Coughlin added. “We’ve had good solid leadership, we accomplished a lot in the regular season, but it doesn’t carry a whole lot of over into the postseason.”
While the G-men won't carry on, here are a few things that will (especially for the crowd that only watches the Super Bowl for the commercials):
- Here's the Advertising Age section solely devoted to the content around the big game. In all honesty, can someone help me understand the reinvigorated interest in 3D viewing? I'm not knocking it, but it feels a little... hokey? Desperate, maybe?
- Eli Manning is about to get PAIIIIIIIIIIIID... and New York has a conniption. Please, Giants fans, take two of these... or these.
- If you haven't caught it yet (and thanks to SPJ for forwarding this Freedom of Expression in my direction), here are the newest members of Mensa. I can understand Justin Tuck or Fred Robbins taking the loss kind of hard, but... nevermind.
- MediaPost had a few interesting sports media and business related stories yesterday that weren't posted because... well, just because. Nielsen continues to try and help clients determine the value of their sports sponsorships, the Nets (who will have another writer chasing them down starting next week) like burritos and the idea of not dying broke, Audi and NFL Films want it Fast and Furious and Honda tells the people that it's okay to fail.
- Finally, returning to the NFL... well, you decide if this was cool or not.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Props
Throughout the NFL season, you're going to hear about who 'sucks', who's 'overrated', who should be released, who should be traded, who needs to retire, who needs to quit and on... and on... and on...
Here on Scribe, you'll get something a little different. Taking a page from long-time friend and fellow writer JP Prag, there will be a positive spin on a few NFL items from someone who gets to see one of its teams up close.
Wednesday may be just Day 2 of the league's week, but it's the middle of the normal calendar week. It's the perfect time to get the last word of the previous weekend's action while hopefully giving you something to look out for just a few days from now.
Here on Scribe, you'll get something a little different. Taking a page from long-time friend and fellow writer JP Prag, there will be a positive spin on a few NFL items from someone who gets to see one of its teams up close.
Wednesday may be just Day 2 of the league's week, but it's the middle of the normal calendar week. It's the perfect time to get the last word of the previous weekend's action while hopefully giving you something to look out for just a few days from now.
- Kickoff: To start off, big-ups to Mr. Prag. Not only did I co-write Hidden Highlights with him back in May (and it was much harder than it may appear), but he asked me to be a resource for his second column, The Hamilton Avenue Journal. What I did not expect was to be given props in a reader's comment. So props right back, boss.
- 1st Quarter - Ron Jaworski: When ESPN picked up the slack (and bill) for Monday Night Football from ABC, they revamped the broadcast team in hopes of mixing the voice (Mike Tirico) with the fan's mindset (Tony Kornheiser) and the insider's perspective (Jaworski). Jaws, quite simply, is the man. Jaws is known for being one of the most detailed and scrutinizing television anaylsts in all of sports and his breakdowns of plays and players keeps the hardcore fan into the game. Yet, how he continually called out Kornheiser for the predictable comparisons between Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and New York Jets' signal caller Brett Favre was a welcome deterrent from the usual hype and recycled Favre-fest. Maybe he did so because he was personally tired of the run-into-the-ground angle or because he wanted to profile the relatively-unknown Rodgers to the American audience, but what he did was remind MNF fans that a new star can be born if they keep their eyes on this 'kid'.
- 2nd Quarter - Mark Clayton of the Baltimore Ravens: Can you remember the last time an end-around worked in the real NFL? Of course, since Jerry Rice tore his ACL on a reverse to start the 1997 season, seeing this play still freaks me out. Yet, the Madden favorite of many caught the Cincinnati defense completely off-guard and Clayton didn't break, tear, sprain or bruise anything in his body in the process. It's amazing though that because the Ravens have yet to have much of an offense since leaving Cleveland, the score was the ninth of his four-year career.
- Halftime - Chad Pennington of the Miami Dolphins: The Fins are not going to go 1-15 again this season, but they are a long way from being a playoff contender. Yet, admist the hype around Favre, Pennington was nearly his equal with the exception of the reckless-turned-OMG touchdown pass #4 threw in the second quarter. The former Jet may not have the 70-yard bomb in him, but what he does have is the know-how to put his teammates in the right position to make plays. When was the last time (Miami or New Orleans) that you've seen Ricky Williams split out wide as a receiver? How did an offensive line marred by penalties - two notable penalties by No. 1 overall pick Jake Long - keep itself in the game against a revamped Jets defensive front seven? Who knew that Ted Ginn, Jr. could be a little more than a kick/punt returner... okay, so the verdict may still be out in some circles? Miami's receivers need to get in rhythm with Pennington and the coaches need to utilize both Williams and Ronnie Brown in all facets of the offense to give their quarterback a chance to win a few games for them. Jets fans know he can, even if their new crush has created a memory lapse of the former Marshall product.
- 3rd Quarter - Seemingly immobile quarterbacks running for touchdowns: While a horrendous traffic jam cause myself and a couple of fellow writers to miss the first five minutes of the Redskins-Giants tilt, seeing the highlight of Eli Manning running for the season's first score was quite... hilarious. Manning quipped about a pre-game bet he made with Plaxico Burress about who would have more touchdowns this season. Though he has the early lead, expect Burress to surpass his QB pretty soon because Manning is far from the fleetest of feet.
Returning to the Cresent City, rookie QB Joe Flacco made a score with his own feet as well. Though the best description of the run comes from a YouTube comment: "Great run by Flacco, although you could have timed him with a sundial!"
- 4th Quarter - Showtime for picking up Inside the NFL: There are a few people reading this who are quite happy about what I'm saying here, but they did not influence the decision to give props to the new premium cable king.
As mentioned a while back, HBO dropped the program after 31 years. The reasoning given shortly after its cancellation was that after setting the template for so many sports highlight shows, Inside outlived its usefulness. Former host Bob Costas called the move 'idiotic' and it's been said that HBO did not keep the show because of production cost. Whether you want to believe the cable channel or not, it's a show that tends to keep the volume down compared to other highlight shows on the tube. Bringing the venerable James Brown onboard is a big plus. As good of a job as Curt Menefee has done for FOX's pregame, Brown felt like the more natural fit with the varying personalities on the program.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Underdog
As promised, this New York Giants preview was published in this week's New York Beacon (the website should be updated soon). Since it's flying off the shelves (I hope), it's available on Scribe. It also proves that the photo on your right hand side isn't a fake.
Champs Still Giant Underdogs in 2008
By Jason Clinkscales
A future Hall of Famer retires. A much-maligned quarterback still has something to prove despite a terrific postseason. A talented player felt slighted to the point of forcing a trade out of town. And now, one of the most feared young defenders in the NFL is out for the season.
So how much more difficult could it be for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants to defend their crown?
Barely having grasped the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February and the Giants were looked upon as a team that will have a hard time contending for a playoff spot, let alone repeating this year. The Dallas Cowboys were considered the best team in the NFC last season and are widely considered to be the best team in the entire NFL this year. New Orleans is a chic pick for a title contender, especially after adding now-former Giant tight end Jeremy Shockey through a trade last month. The Green Bay Packers, the team the Giants beat to reach Super Bowl XLII, still has a formidable team even though the young Aaron Rodgers takes over for new Jet Brett Favre. Add the familiarity of division foes in Philadelphia and Washington to a tougher schedule and the Giants have enough factors going against them headed into the season.
General Manager Jerry Reese had an outstanding first year in succeeding Ernie Accorsi, Super Bowl withstanding. In 2007, he was able to fill team needs with quality draft picks such as cornerback Aaron Ross and backup running back Ahmad Bradshaw while signing two key veterans in linebacker Kawika Mitchell and fullback Madison Hedgecock. This year, he hopes to have close to the same success with a few additions. Kenny Phillips was Reese’s first pick in April’s draft; a free safety from the University of Miami who will be groomed to eventually start in a position that allowed too many deep passes over the past few years. As for veterans, Danny Clark was brought in to replace the departed Mitchell, who left for Buffalo. Clark will play alongside MLB Antonio Pierce and has an advantage of knowing Coach Tom Coughlin’s style as he played for him in Boston College and Jacksonville. Renaldo Wynn signed as a free agent as Big Blue wanted to add depth to the defensive line after the retirement of Michael Strahan. Wynn will be leaned upon a bit more after a season-ending knee injury to Osi Umenyiora in last Thursday’s preseason game. Though a returning Mathias Kiwanuka will be moved back to the line after being shifted to linebacker before being injured last year, Wynn and Clark will become major factors in shoring up the weakside of the defense, especially considering that the Giants will play top-notch offenses in Cincinnati and Cleveland this year.
Offensively, the Giants could actually be a better team than in 2007, even without Shockey. Kevin Boss will be one of several tight ends who will try to make up for Shockey’s production as a receiver and run blocker. It will be the most scrutinized position other than quarterback, but considering the depth that the Giants have at other positions, they may not have the pressing need to replace Shockey’s receptions. At running back, the productive trio of Brandon Jacobs, Bradshaw and Derrick Ward paced New York into playoffs last year. Provided that Jacobs and Ward can play for all sixteen games, expect the Giants to once again have one of the league’s best running games. The right ankle of Plaxico Burress will be key for quarterback Eli Manning to improve upon his heady play in those playoffs. The two connected for seven touchdowns in the first six games last year before injuries kept Burress from leaping for high and long passes. Yet, Manning has Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and the emerging Dominick Hixon to toss the ball to as well. Manning leaned on his running game and made terrific throws to his receivers within 20 yards in the four playoff games. More importantly, when the games got close, he, along with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride trusted their game plan as opposed to changing quickly to a hurry-up offense to get the passing game going. The same formula applies as the Giants will face tough defenses from Pittsburgh, Carolina, Seattle and Minnesota to go along with the NFC East.
There’s no rest for the weary or wounded, especially after winning the Super Bowl. Throughout the year, mistakes will be made and injuries will test the depth of this team. Even if the defense picks up the slack from the Umenyiora injury and the offense builds on their winter successes, the Giants will be underdogs more often than not just based on the talent from the rest of the league. Yet, this is a team that managed to win it all last year despite a 3-5 home record and criticism from every corner of the country. Be careful about counting them out again.
Champs Still Giant Underdogs in 2008
By Jason Clinkscales
A future Hall of Famer retires. A much-maligned quarterback still has something to prove despite a terrific postseason. A talented player felt slighted to the point of forcing a trade out of town. And now, one of the most feared young defenders in the NFL is out for the season.
So how much more difficult could it be for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants to defend their crown?
Barely having grasped the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February and the Giants were looked upon as a team that will have a hard time contending for a playoff spot, let alone repeating this year. The Dallas Cowboys were considered the best team in the NFC last season and are widely considered to be the best team in the entire NFL this year. New Orleans is a chic pick for a title contender, especially after adding now-former Giant tight end Jeremy Shockey through a trade last month. The Green Bay Packers, the team the Giants beat to reach Super Bowl XLII, still has a formidable team even though the young Aaron Rodgers takes over for new Jet Brett Favre. Add the familiarity of division foes in Philadelphia and Washington to a tougher schedule and the Giants have enough factors going against them headed into the season.
General Manager Jerry Reese had an outstanding first year in succeeding Ernie Accorsi, Super Bowl withstanding. In 2007, he was able to fill team needs with quality draft picks such as cornerback Aaron Ross and backup running back Ahmad Bradshaw while signing two key veterans in linebacker Kawika Mitchell and fullback Madison Hedgecock. This year, he hopes to have close to the same success with a few additions. Kenny Phillips was Reese’s first pick in April’s draft; a free safety from the University of Miami who will be groomed to eventually start in a position that allowed too many deep passes over the past few years. As for veterans, Danny Clark was brought in to replace the departed Mitchell, who left for Buffalo. Clark will play alongside MLB Antonio Pierce and has an advantage of knowing Coach Tom Coughlin’s style as he played for him in Boston College and Jacksonville. Renaldo Wynn signed as a free agent as Big Blue wanted to add depth to the defensive line after the retirement of Michael Strahan. Wynn will be leaned upon a bit more after a season-ending knee injury to Osi Umenyiora in last Thursday’s preseason game. Though a returning Mathias Kiwanuka will be moved back to the line after being shifted to linebacker before being injured last year, Wynn and Clark will become major factors in shoring up the weakside of the defense, especially considering that the Giants will play top-notch offenses in Cincinnati and Cleveland this year.
Offensively, the Giants could actually be a better team than in 2007, even without Shockey. Kevin Boss will be one of several tight ends who will try to make up for Shockey’s production as a receiver and run blocker. It will be the most scrutinized position other than quarterback, but considering the depth that the Giants have at other positions, they may not have the pressing need to replace Shockey’s receptions. At running back, the productive trio of Brandon Jacobs, Bradshaw and Derrick Ward paced New York into playoffs last year. Provided that Jacobs and Ward can play for all sixteen games, expect the Giants to once again have one of the league’s best running games. The right ankle of Plaxico Burress will be key for quarterback Eli Manning to improve upon his heady play in those playoffs. The two connected for seven touchdowns in the first six games last year before injuries kept Burress from leaping for high and long passes. Yet, Manning has Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and the emerging Dominick Hixon to toss the ball to as well. Manning leaned on his running game and made terrific throws to his receivers within 20 yards in the four playoff games. More importantly, when the games got close, he, along with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride trusted their game plan as opposed to changing quickly to a hurry-up offense to get the passing game going. The same formula applies as the Giants will face tough defenses from Pittsburgh, Carolina, Seattle and Minnesota to go along with the NFC East.
There’s no rest for the weary or wounded, especially after winning the Super Bowl. Throughout the year, mistakes will be made and injuries will test the depth of this team. Even if the defense picks up the slack from the Umenyiora injury and the offense builds on their winter successes, the Giants will be underdogs more often than not just based on the talent from the rest of the league. Yet, this is a team that managed to win it all last year despite a 3-5 home record and criticism from every corner of the country. Be careful about counting them out again.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Ethic
If you noticed a day ago, there was a slight error in the poll. Unintentional, of course, but bad enough all the same. Because of general curiosity from those who come upon Scribe, the poll will remain here until April 1st.
One of the strangest and most baffling occurences in sports takes place in barbershops, workplace kitchenettes and message boards across the globe. It's the moment when the mere mention of a particular athlete's name invites the most absurd comments about his or her work ethic.
When did Shaquille O'Neal first become out-of-shape and fat?
When did Tyler Hansborough become the hardest working basketball player in the rich history of college basketball?
When did Vince Carter or his third cousin, Tracy McGrady ever look as if they were dogging it?
When did the now-retired Brett Favre become the toughest player to ever strap on a football helmet?
When did the Williams sisters
When did Miguel Cabrera or Andruw Jones fall to the "one Angus Deluxe away from eating his baseball career away" category?
These are just a few of the many instances where we tend to believe that a player isn't giving his all or a player is so passionate that - to borrow from the excellent new Nike campaign's slogan - his better is better than someone else's in terms of work ethic. Yet, there is something inherently wrong about trying to gauge someone's efforts on the playing surface.
Well, there are a few things wrong with this, to be real with you.
First of all, despite the great recreational runners and pick-up ballers that read Scribe, fans in general are not exactly embodiments of athletic excellence. In fact, the most athletic thing most of us actually does is roll out of bed. This isn't intended to be a slam or a mock at all, so much that this brings up a point. There are very few people in the world that can carry their athletic aspirations beyond their high school gymnasiums and neighborhood parks. It took some sort of persistence to be the best around the block, even if we probably had a good game against them at some point. Yet, they had desire and enough talent to build upon to the next level, from AAU and high school to some form of college (four-year or JuCo) to the elite professional stratosphere. Some work so hard to be so good that is seems easy and effortless when in fact, it took years of crafting their skills.
Secondly, these statements tend to be regurgitated from media reports and commentary, but rarely understood and questioned. Sports media has a lengthy history of members who made names for themselves by being vitriolic or overly flattering of certain athletes and leagues. Yet, most of this happened with only editors and stockholders as the defining check and balance of their expressions. Now, with immediate response from fans and colleagues through readily avaiable media, you would think that media heads and players-turned-analysts would be held a little more accountable or at the very least, be more discriminating with their opinions and word choice. Sadly, nothing has really changed except that there are more people involved. Sadly, there are more people believing the hype or repeating what they've heard. In the words of SPJ, "just turn off (insert media outlet here) and think for yourself".
Temperment plays a significant role in how a player's ethic is received. Think of how suddenly, Eli Manning has a legion of fans believing in him after his Giants' Super Bowl win last month. Manning had been derided by beat writers (not this one), columnists, talkies (again, not this one) and TV analysts for not having the personality of a quarterback who would kill his mother for a victory. His body language showed nonchalance when the Giants, notably he, struggled over the past two years. He was never found to scream in complete lunacy as Dan Marino did in his career, yet, even in good or great games outside of Super Bowl XLII, you didn't see a Tiger Woods triumphant fist pump, either. Because there was nothing for the camera to pan to, did this mean that he didn't care or that he wasn't into the moment? Did this mean that Manning did not put his work in during the week to prepare for Sundays? Manning's successful final weeks should serve as a reminder that you don't need to be a "rah-rah" athlete to win, let alone play at all.
The last reason for the absurdity of questioning a player's work ethic comes from something that has no statistic behind it: outside influence. How often do we hear about the player's personal life - for better or worse - seeping into their play? Family concerns, bad breakups and divorces, legal woes, adjusting to new locations - all of these play tremendous roles in how a player appears during a game. We may not learn of all of these travails publicly, but we still mouth off without having the slightest clue. Case in point: the infamous Allen Iverson "Practice" press conference. While he has laughed about it since, reading the full transcript should give you a glimpse of what was going on in his head at the time. Yet, when he was on the court, it was impossible to say that he wasn't giving his full effort; sometimes, you can say he put too much of himself on the line at the expense of his physical health and teammates' development.
Athletes receive the recognition that they do for a reason, whether many in society approve of this or not. Where most of us were limited by life-altering decisions or by lack of talent or physicque or just didn't have aspirations to take our games to the next level, any athlete who is playing in a highly-recognizable league has to have had a strong work ethic to get there. There are few people on earth who are willing to use their entire physical being to play a game or for a chance to make a living from doing so. To assume how hard they work is a little difficult considering that we're just observers, not actually playing with them.
Or maybe that's just one person's opinion.
So you probably think this post is hogwash and that's okay. After all, we might be right when we say that someone isn't trying hard enough or one player 'just wants it more' than another. Yet, for as much as we pick up on body language and the insiders tell us about what may be going on between games, do we really know?
Doubt it.
Say What?!?!: I knew cheerleaders were hardcore... well, except the ones I knew in high school (I kid, I kid). Yet, now, I have come to an important conclusion. Even though they're no joke athletically, they're just nuts. What a cheerleader does scares me more than the prospect of going man-to-man against Bruce Smith in his prime. Dead serious.
Speaking of regurgitation, another nugget from Newsweek- I wish I can give you an appropriate description to how much I HATE this phrase. I say appropriate because despite my colorful in-person language, I prefer to not dig in the nasty word thesaurus on Scribe, even if it is the Internet. So thank you, T.O., sports media, news media, the political arena and every working space in the United States for taking this phrase to such insightly levels.
One of the strangest and most baffling occurences in sports takes place in barbershops, workplace kitchenettes and message boards across the globe. It's the moment when the mere mention of a particular athlete's name invites the most absurd comments about his or her work ethic.
When did Shaquille O'Neal first become out-of-shape and fat?
When did Tyler Hansborough become the hardest working basketball player in the rich history of college basketball?
When did Vince Carter or his third cousin, Tracy McGrady ever look as if they were dogging it?
When did the now-retired Brett Favre become the toughest player to ever strap on a football helmet?
When did the Williams sisters
When did Miguel Cabrera or Andruw Jones fall to the "one Angus Deluxe away from eating his baseball career away" category?
These are just a few of the many instances where we tend to believe that a player isn't giving his all or a player is so passionate that - to borrow from the excellent new Nike campaign's slogan - his better is better than someone else's in terms of work ethic. Yet, there is something inherently wrong about trying to gauge someone's efforts on the playing surface.
Well, there are a few things wrong with this, to be real with you.
First of all, despite the great recreational runners and pick-up ballers that read Scribe, fans in general are not exactly embodiments of athletic excellence. In fact, the most athletic thing most of us actually does is roll out of bed. This isn't intended to be a slam or a mock at all, so much that this brings up a point. There are very few people in the world that can carry their athletic aspirations beyond their high school gymnasiums and neighborhood parks. It took some sort of persistence to be the best around the block, even if we probably had a good game against them at some point. Yet, they had desire and enough talent to build upon to the next level, from AAU and high school to some form of college (four-year or JuCo) to the elite professional stratosphere. Some work so hard to be so good that is seems easy and effortless when in fact, it took years of crafting their skills.
Secondly, these statements tend to be regurgitated from media reports and commentary, but rarely understood and questioned. Sports media has a lengthy history of members who made names for themselves by being vitriolic or overly flattering of certain athletes and leagues. Yet, most of this happened with only editors and stockholders as the defining check and balance of their expressions. Now, with immediate response from fans and colleagues through readily avaiable media, you would think that media heads and players-turned-analysts would be held a little more accountable or at the very least, be more discriminating with their opinions and word choice. Sadly, nothing has really changed except that there are more people involved. Sadly, there are more people believing the hype or repeating what they've heard. In the words of SPJ, "just turn off (insert media outlet here) and think for yourself".
Temperment plays a significant role in how a player's ethic is received. Think of how suddenly, Eli Manning has a legion of fans believing in him after his Giants' Super Bowl win last month. Manning had been derided by beat writers (not this one), columnists, talkies (again, not this one) and TV analysts for not having the personality of a quarterback who would kill his mother for a victory. His body language showed nonchalance when the Giants, notably he, struggled over the past two years. He was never found to scream in complete lunacy as Dan Marino did in his career, yet, even in good or great games outside of Super Bowl XLII, you didn't see a Tiger Woods triumphant fist pump, either. Because there was nothing for the camera to pan to, did this mean that he didn't care or that he wasn't into the moment? Did this mean that Manning did not put his work in during the week to prepare for Sundays? Manning's successful final weeks should serve as a reminder that you don't need to be a "rah-rah" athlete to win, let alone play at all.
The last reason for the absurdity of questioning a player's work ethic comes from something that has no statistic behind it: outside influence. How often do we hear about the player's personal life - for better or worse - seeping into their play? Family concerns, bad breakups and divorces, legal woes, adjusting to new locations - all of these play tremendous roles in how a player appears during a game. We may not learn of all of these travails publicly, but we still mouth off without having the slightest clue. Case in point: the infamous Allen Iverson "Practice" press conference. While he has laughed about it since, reading the full transcript should give you a glimpse of what was going on in his head at the time. Yet, when he was on the court, it was impossible to say that he wasn't giving his full effort; sometimes, you can say he put too much of himself on the line at the expense of his physical health and teammates' development.
Athletes receive the recognition that they do for a reason, whether many in society approve of this or not. Where most of us were limited by life-altering decisions or by lack of talent or physicque or just didn't have aspirations to take our games to the next level, any athlete who is playing in a highly-recognizable league has to have had a strong work ethic to get there. There are few people on earth who are willing to use their entire physical being to play a game or for a chance to make a living from doing so. To assume how hard they work is a little difficult considering that we're just observers, not actually playing with them.
Or maybe that's just one person's opinion.
So you probably think this post is hogwash and that's okay. After all, we might be right when we say that someone isn't trying hard enough or one player 'just wants it more' than another. Yet, for as much as we pick up on body language and the insiders tell us about what may be going on between games, do we really know?
Doubt it.
Say What?!?!: I knew cheerleaders were hardcore... well, except the ones I knew in high school (I kid, I kid). Yet, now, I have come to an important conclusion. Even though they're no joke athletically, they're just nuts. What a cheerleader does scares me more than the prospect of going man-to-man against Bruce Smith in his prime. Dead serious.
Speaking of regurgitation, another nugget from Newsweek- I wish I can give you an appropriate description to how much I HATE this phrase. I say appropriate because despite my colorful in-person language, I prefer to not dig in the nasty word thesaurus on Scribe, even if it is the Internet. So thank you, T.O., sports media, news media, the political arena and every working space in the United States for taking this phrase to such insightly levels.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Gigantic
Horrendous commercials. Great football game.
That's what Super Sunday is supposed to be about.
That's what Super Sunday is supposed to be about.
It'll be nice to say that I'll cover the Super Bowl champs next season.
Now, can everyone that considers him or herself a Giants fan lay off of Eli Manning? In fact, don't give me this "I knew it all along". You didn't. Please don't lie to yourself, the true Giants fans and that girl you've tried to talk to all night.
David Tyree! What can you say?
Remember the name Steve Smith. The one from USC. The one who caught passes in seven of New York's scoring drives in the playoffs.
Kawika Mitchell, who played out of his natural middle linebacker position to come to the Giants, is about to get a big pay raise. One year, $1 million seems like such a pittiance.
Justin Tuck is for real. Ask Tom Brady.
Now, can everyone that considers him or herself a Giants fan lay off of Eli Manning? In fact, don't give me this "I knew it all along". You didn't. Please don't lie to yourself, the true Giants fans and that girl you've tried to talk to all night.
David Tyree! What can you say?
Remember the name Steve Smith. The one from USC. The one who caught passes in seven of New York's scoring drives in the playoffs.
Kawika Mitchell, who played out of his natural middle linebacker position to come to the Giants, is about to get a big pay raise. One year, $1 million seems like such a pittiance.
Justin Tuck is for real. Ask Tom Brady.
Lawrence Tynes won't get killed by Tom Coughlin, after all.
Coughlin, himself, should be recognized for being one of the best tactical coaches in the league. Has been for years, whether it was RIT, Boston College, Jacksonville or here with Big Blue.
Jeremy Shockey will be a man possessed next season, even if he has a ring now.
That Giants defense will be the copycat template General Managers use this offseason.
Jeremy Shockey will be a man possessed next season, even if he has a ring now.
That Giants defense will be the copycat template General Managers use this offseason.
Will Tiki Barber be the grand marshall of Tuesday's parade? Looking forward to seeing that.
While I wouldn't call this game an upset in terms of man for man, coach for coach, roster for roster, in historical context, it's the biggest in league history.
As for Patriots fans. Disappointment is understandable, to say the least. However, the team will be back strong next season. With a couple of defensive tweaks.
Don't fall in love with history unless it's relevant.
Wes Welker is still the truth.
Randy Moss will have another shot at a ring and it will be as a Patriot.
It's time for the braintrust in Foxborough to address the aging middle of the defense in the Draft. Picking safety Brandon Merriweather last April was a start.
These Pats would have still KILLED the '72 Dolphins. But, now we have to endure Mercury Morris.
And now... onward to the NBA. And the rest of life.
Wes Welker is still the truth.
Randy Moss will have another shot at a ring and it will be as a Patriot.
It's time for the braintrust in Foxborough to address the aging middle of the defense in the Draft. Picking safety Brandon Merriweather last April was a start.
These Pats would have still KILLED the '72 Dolphins. But, now we have to endure Mercury Morris.
And now... onward to the NBA. And the rest of life.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Letter
An abridged version originally published on BlogCritics Magazine (blogcritics.org)
DearNFL Patriots Giants Nielsen family Fans,
On Sunday, millions upon millions of Americans (and beyond) will take part in the unofficial national holiday called Super Sunday. The day, as you know, revolves around the biggest single-day televised event of the year, Super Bowl XLII. Besides the fact that this is the championship game of the National Football League, the Super Bowl is a social cauldron, if you will. The game huddles more people into homes across the country for one night than any major holiday, regardless of race, creed or income. The build up to the event is lengthy, but at 6:18 PM eastern standard time, the two weeks of hype and hope will culminate to what we hope is a game for the ages. There’s just one problem.
Some of you folks just don’t belong.
From the middle of the summer to the dead of the winter, football players, coaches, media and fans have prepared for this final night of action. For each team, there was training camp, four preseason games and sixteen regular season contests. Yet, the fans have prepared throughout the season as well. They follow the teams from the festive opening weekend to the final whistle of Week 17. When December becomes January, twelve teams embark into the second season; the league’s playoffs. These players and coaches are not only rewarded with the chance to become champions, but are redeemed for hard work and adversity from injuries and losing streaks to unexpected tragedies as the death of a teammate. When the playoffs begin, the football faithful are treated with four playoff games in each of January’s first weekends. Seemingly before we blink, twelve teams become eight and eight become four. These final four teams play for the conference championships and garner the attention of anyone that considers him or herself a NFL fan.
And then the NFC Championship Game ends.
The moment the winning team accepts the conference title, the hype machine begins. In addition to two weeks of over-analysis and jitters, there is a flood of news regarding everything that surrounds the game. The most talked about news revolves around which company will have a commercial during the game. And that’s most likely why some of you ‘fans’ are here. You don’t normally watch football unless one of the following occurs;
a) your significant other is hoarding the remote
b) your kids are hoarding the remote
c) you want to know who the heck is Tom Brady and why is TMZ talking about him (another letter for another day)
As much as most of us – this writer included – would rather that the reason you would come to our homes because you’re good company, we know better. We know that you are going to join us for Super Sunday because you want to see what Budweiser has to show us and you want free food. And that’s okay… to a point. On behalf of the football fans that have spent the last twenty weekends rearranging plans with the family, skipping out of church early or sacrificing a Friday night or two working overtime instead of on the weekend, we have some advice in order for you to have a hand in the fun.
There are plenty of you who come to the Super Bowl gatherings in order to eat someone else’s food. Maybe you didn’t get their fixes during the holidays or maybe you’re excusing yourself from dieting for one night, we don’t really know. Yet, we ask that if you are going to stock up food in your belly for ten full battalions that you at least donate something. More food or beverages would be great. Your dollars would be even better. Even a ‘thank you’ card in the mail would be a sign of appreciation. Yet, we ask that you remember that you do not treat our abodes like your own home; treat them like the White House. Be neat, be clean and please flush.
Some of you are here against your will. You might not like football because the person you are with is borderline-crazy about the game. Contrary to what you might think, you¹re still welcome. After all, someone has to take that drunken Patriots fan friend/relative/lover home. But we want you to enjoy yourself. There is likely a sane football fan in the room that you can talk to who would be a good sounding board to understand not only what is going on in the game, but why people care so much in the first place. You may become a fan or you may still hate the game. Yet you will have a deeper understanding for one of the country’s great passions. However, the rules for food apply to you as well. Do not eat because you’re bored; eat because you’re hungry.
There are those of you who are coming because it’s the biggest event of the year and you love football. The problem is that you don’t know a lick about the game and we know it. Now, we’re not asking you to name the offensive linemen of the 1958 Baltimore Colts. We’re not asking you how many Super Bowl rings John Madden won as a player (ZERO!) and we’re not asking about your fantasy team (which someone made for you, we bet). We are going to ask you to pick up a book to learn a bit more about the game before you step inside. Hey, there are a ton of fans that don’t have a clue either, so they can brush up on their knowledge. However, would you rather look like the smartest person in the room because you know four-yard completions help an offense move down the field or be embarrassed for screaming about ‘too many men on the field’… during warm-ups? There are few things more infuriating to any sports fan than the casual or non-fan who wants to puff his or her chest to fit in. Just as anything in life, learn the basics and let the rest come to you. Ask about what you are seeing and remember that football is about more than scoring points.
Finally, some of you are here for the 30-second commercials for which companies paid $3 million to air. You might be even more excited for them this year, given that the current writers¹ strike has compelled many of these companies to invest more money in these spots. We like the commercials as well, even though most ads do a poor job of selling the brands and products they are supposed to advertise. Commercials, themselves, have become entertainment, with kooky scenarios likened to sitcoms and some of your favorite celebrities lending their images and voices for dramatic effect. The ads may provide some laughs, but if you are still looking for entertainment because the ongoing writer’s strike has halted your favorite shows, look no further than the Super Bowl itself. The game is reality TV, drama, suspense and in some respects, comedy, all rolled into one. None of us know if the game will be good (Steelers/Seahawks, 2006), great (Titans/Rams, 2000) or horrendous (Broncos/Falcons, 1999). However, just like the last episode of The Sopranos, we fans tune in anyway just to see what happens. Still, if you¹re here just for the commercials, please understand that you shouldn¹t tie these ads to how good or bad the game is. Furthermore, the ads, as the games, may likely fail to live up to whatever hype non-sports media has built. Please focus on the game and not the newest version of Terry Tate.
There are only two things in life that unify people; death and the Super Bowl. While the former is rather depressing, the latter should be something for all of us to enjoy without feeling as if the game doesn’t matter. As much as we want the Patriots and Giants to give us a great battle, we understand that this is an event that can’t be missed. We know that the following Monday will be devoted to talking about the night before. We hope it’s for the right reasons and not because some car company thought a suicidal robot was funny… again.
Sincerely,
The Super Bowl Hosts
Dear
On Sunday, millions upon millions of Americans (and beyond) will take part in the unofficial national holiday called Super Sunday. The day, as you know, revolves around the biggest single-day televised event of the year, Super Bowl XLII. Besides the fact that this is the championship game of the National Football League, the Super Bowl is a social cauldron, if you will. The game huddles more people into homes across the country for one night than any major holiday, regardless of race, creed or income. The build up to the event is lengthy, but at 6:18 PM eastern standard time, the two weeks of hype and hope will culminate to what we hope is a game for the ages. There’s just one problem.
Some of you folks just don’t belong.
From the middle of the summer to the dead of the winter, football players, coaches, media and fans have prepared for this final night of action. For each team, there was training camp, four preseason games and sixteen regular season contests. Yet, the fans have prepared throughout the season as well. They follow the teams from the festive opening weekend to the final whistle of Week 17. When December becomes January, twelve teams embark into the second season; the league’s playoffs. These players and coaches are not only rewarded with the chance to become champions, but are redeemed for hard work and adversity from injuries and losing streaks to unexpected tragedies as the death of a teammate. When the playoffs begin, the football faithful are treated with four playoff games in each of January’s first weekends. Seemingly before we blink, twelve teams become eight and eight become four. These final four teams play for the conference championships and garner the attention of anyone that considers him or herself a NFL fan.
And then the NFC Championship Game ends.
The moment the winning team accepts the conference title, the hype machine begins. In addition to two weeks of over-analysis and jitters, there is a flood of news regarding everything that surrounds the game. The most talked about news revolves around which company will have a commercial during the game. And that’s most likely why some of you ‘fans’ are here. You don’t normally watch football unless one of the following occurs;
a) your significant other is hoarding the remote
b) your kids are hoarding the remote
c) you want to know who the heck is Tom Brady and why is TMZ talking about him (another letter for another day)
As much as most of us – this writer included – would rather that the reason you would come to our homes because you’re good company, we know better. We know that you are going to join us for Super Sunday because you want to see what Budweiser has to show us and you want free food. And that’s okay… to a point. On behalf of the football fans that have spent the last twenty weekends rearranging plans with the family, skipping out of church early or sacrificing a Friday night or two working overtime instead of on the weekend, we have some advice in order for you to have a hand in the fun.
There are plenty of you who come to the Super Bowl gatherings in order to eat someone else’s food. Maybe you didn’t get their fixes during the holidays or maybe you’re excusing yourself from dieting for one night, we don’t really know. Yet, we ask that if you are going to stock up food in your belly for ten full battalions that you at least donate something. More food or beverages would be great. Your dollars would be even better. Even a ‘thank you’ card in the mail would be a sign of appreciation. Yet, we ask that you remember that you do not treat our abodes like your own home; treat them like the White House. Be neat, be clean and please flush.
Some of you are here against your will. You might not like football because the person you are with is borderline-crazy about the game. Contrary to what you might think, you¹re still welcome. After all, someone has to take that drunken Patriots fan friend/relative/lover home. But we want you to enjoy yourself. There is likely a sane football fan in the room that you can talk to who would be a good sounding board to understand not only what is going on in the game, but why people care so much in the first place. You may become a fan or you may still hate the game. Yet you will have a deeper understanding for one of the country’s great passions. However, the rules for food apply to you as well. Do not eat because you’re bored; eat because you’re hungry.
There are those of you who are coming because it’s the biggest event of the year and you love football. The problem is that you don’t know a lick about the game and we know it. Now, we’re not asking you to name the offensive linemen of the 1958 Baltimore Colts. We’re not asking you how many Super Bowl rings John Madden won as a player (ZERO!) and we’re not asking about your fantasy team (which someone made for you, we bet). We are going to ask you to pick up a book to learn a bit more about the game before you step inside. Hey, there are a ton of fans that don’t have a clue either, so they can brush up on their knowledge. However, would you rather look like the smartest person in the room because you know four-yard completions help an offense move down the field or be embarrassed for screaming about ‘too many men on the field’… during warm-ups? There are few things more infuriating to any sports fan than the casual or non-fan who wants to puff his or her chest to fit in. Just as anything in life, learn the basics and let the rest come to you. Ask about what you are seeing and remember that football is about more than scoring points.
Finally, some of you are here for the 30-second commercials for which companies paid $3 million to air. You might be even more excited for them this year, given that the current writers¹ strike has compelled many of these companies to invest more money in these spots. We like the commercials as well, even though most ads do a poor job of selling the brands and products they are supposed to advertise. Commercials, themselves, have become entertainment, with kooky scenarios likened to sitcoms and some of your favorite celebrities lending their images and voices for dramatic effect. The ads may provide some laughs, but if you are still looking for entertainment because the ongoing writer’s strike has halted your favorite shows, look no further than the Super Bowl itself. The game is reality TV, drama, suspense and in some respects, comedy, all rolled into one. None of us know if the game will be good (Steelers/Seahawks, 2006), great (Titans/Rams, 2000) or horrendous (Broncos/Falcons, 1999). However, just like the last episode of The Sopranos, we fans tune in anyway just to see what happens. Still, if you¹re here just for the commercials, please understand that you shouldn¹t tie these ads to how good or bad the game is. Furthermore, the ads, as the games, may likely fail to live up to whatever hype non-sports media has built. Please focus on the game and not the newest version of Terry Tate.
There are only two things in life that unify people; death and the Super Bowl. While the former is rather depressing, the latter should be something for all of us to enjoy without feeling as if the game doesn’t matter. As much as we want the Patriots and Giants to give us a great battle, we understand that this is an event that can’t be missed. We know that the following Monday will be devoted to talking about the night before. We hope it’s for the right reasons and not because some car company thought a suicidal robot was funny… again.
Sincerely,
The Super Bowl Hosts
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Fourth
Back in 2004, one of the last college radio shows I was a part of delved into the NFL Draft. It was after me and my friend (and co-host) spent the prior Saturday having our own breakdown of the event in our individual media centers (my dorm room and his crib off campus). The biggest hubbub, as usual, was about whom the San Diego Chargers would select as the top pick in the draft. With Drew Brees driving management nuts – for losing – bringing in a fresh face at quarterback became the number one priority. The Chargers possessed the league’s most dynamic young player in LaDainian Tomlinson, but were still lengths away from supplanting Kansas City and Denver in the AFC West. We discussed the rumors of San Diego taking Mississippi’s Eli Manning despite postulations against signing with them. We discussed where this leaves other quarterbacks and the possibility that the Chargers could trade the pick to a team willing to fork over multiple picks in the later rounds to collect defensive help.
Well…
Three days later on the show, we were debating if the Chargers made the right choice.
As you know, the Chargers selected Manning anyway, but worked out a deal with the New York Giants, who had their eyes on him all along. The Giants selected NC State’s Philip Rivers with the fourth pick and traded his rights along with the first and fifth round choices in the 2005 draft to San Diego for Manning.
We also wondered if the Giants made the right choice. Where Mario Williams and Reggie Bush differ in this case of revisionist sports history is that not only are they of two different positions against each other, but they aren’t asked to commandeer the team like quarterbacks are expected to. They also have twenty+ months under their belts as professionals, despite the immediate impact running backs and defensive linemen are expected to make. With Manning and Rivers, however, these young men were going to be handed the reins to talented, but inconsistent offenses. These young men play in positions where the learning curve is supposed to plateau during the fourth season.
What year is this again?
Since his junior season at Ole Miss, scouts and executives fawned over Peyton’s brother and Archie’s son. Because of his lineage, teams knew that he understood the dynamics of the pro game as the complex art and the unforgiving business. Because of his lineage, teams felt that he could blend his father’s grit and his brother’s passing prowess with his laid-back, ‘aw dang’ demeanor. Because there is no better topic about the NFL than debating who’s the next superstar quarterback, Eli is had automatically entered the contest because of his last name. So when Archie (on Eli’s behalf) told the San Diego Chargers to not draft his son as the number one pick in the 2004 Draft, Eli “lost cool points” with fans, media and insiders. The thought that the Chargers, whose draft notoriety included lengthy holdouts with first-rounders and choosing Ryan Leaf over big brother Peyton, would take its time in getting Eli into training camp. Of course, the result of the acrimony became the draft-day trade that made Manning a Giants and Rivers a Charger.
Rivers was a four-year starter at NC State who set new records for the Wolfpack – just like Williams did in his three years in Raleigh – as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference. He started 51 games under center, including two Tangerine Bowls, the ’04 Senior Bowl and a 2002 Gator Bowl win over Notre Dame. As Manning, he didn’t have big-name receivers nor did he have a looming spotlight on him because of the prior losing history of the team. Rivers was noted for a certain moxie and accuracy that former Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer said reminded him of Bernie Kosar, his quarterback in his Cleveland Browns stint back in the 1980s. Yet, he was considered to be the third-best QB prospect behind Manning and Ben Roethlisberger from Miami (Ohio) because of a perceived lack of arm strength and side-arm throwing style. When Manning made his demands, this forced San Diego to take a look at Rivers much more closely. Schottenheimer (figuratively) fell for Rivers when coaching him during the Senior Bowl, helping his standing improve. He became a Charger, but as Manning feared for himself, had a lengthy holdout that kept him from training camp. Again, Drew Brees drove management nuts – this time for being the last resort – by using Rivers’ absence as a chance to reclaim his career. With Brees taking that proverbial chip on his shoulder and winning games, this hindered Rivers’ development, even after coming to an agreement on a contract. Brees’ shoulder injury in 2005 and departure in the following offseason gave Rivers the chance to write his own story.
For the past two seasons, I have been the Giants reporter for the weekly paper, the New York Beacon*. In that time, I have been able to watch Eli Manning in person for every home game and keep abreast of his ‘progress’ on the road from the humble abode. I say ‘progress’ because there is not a more scrutinized player in the game right now than the guy that now-retired General Manager Ernie Accorsi traded two years of early round picks for. In many ways, this is just desserts; his hard-line stance against going to San Diego soured his relationship with people that weren’t even his fans yet. Even in on the college radio show, I felt that he may have been a bit unappreciative of being considered to play for an NFL team, let alone to have been the top pick of the league’s draft. He has also been maddeningly inconsistent. Some in the press think of him as a manager at the quarterback position rather than a playmaker in the mold of Roethlisberger or Dallas’ Tony Romo. Yet, in covering the team through a promising season turned sour last year and a somewhat bumpy ride to another postseason right now, I feel that Manning is the right player to be in that lockerroom. It’s not that he doesn’t have faults, but what he also doesn’t possess is a confrontational attitude that would tick anyone off. When New York collapsed last season, the last thing that the team needed was another angry voice. With the retiring Tiki Barber and Coach Tom Coughlin bickering, injuries on offense, and unhappy players like Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan, there needed to be someone who gave the appearance of focusing on the next opponent, regardless of what was happening. The ‘aw dang’ demeanor in a lockerroom well-stocked with strong personalities has been at least a decent tonic to their gin. As Giants fans roast Manning a new one with each passing day, there is this thought that because he’s not screaming, yelling and pushing that he is not a leader. His teammates stand with him and understand that he prefers to let his arm lead. He has become a little more defensive in dealing with the harsh media here in the New York area that loves to build on something negative. He has stood up for himself against his former teammate, Barber and no matter how good or bad it gets, has been doing his best to deal with millions of people who expect him to be someone he’s not.
Peyton.
As for Rivers, he hasn’t played the same amount of games as Manning. His experience seemingly rivals that of Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer. Sitting out for a season to learn the playbook was more forced circumstance than design, as in the case of Palmer. Yet, he has also been as maddeningly inconsistent as the younger Manning. Both quarterbacks had to catch up to the comfort level of extremely talented players around them. Both have had significant coaching changes to deal with in their four years. With Rivers replacing Brees, though, you figured that he would be even more ready to lead the offense than Palmer was after succeeding Jon Kitna, now in Detroit. That ‘skittish’ comment Giants GM Jerry Reese made about his quarterback isn’t nearly as damning compared to the apparent rift between Tomlinson and Rivers, highlighted by the reigning MVP apparent displeasure of the signal-caller in last week’s win over Tennessee. There has been plenty of talk about regression on his end as well, but it is mitigated somewhat by the fact that he came along with a future draft pick that turned into LB Shawne Merriman. That said, you have to wonder if his personality would have worked well with the Giants when they fell apart last year. We could also wonder if Manning would have kept quiet if Tomlinson walked away from him (if that’s what happened). One thing is for sure; no matter how much fans want to hang effigies of their points of frustration, at least both teams have their quarterbacks.
There are well over a dozen teams that wish they could say just that.
Say What?!?!: In continuing this theme of “what it”, there’s one more post to get angry about. Two of those teams trying to figure out the future of their quarterback positions are the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. One year after the Manning-or-Rivers campaign, there was the debate between Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. Probably not riveting reading for you unless you know what the 2005 Draft meant for both teams. Tomorrow, friends. Tomorrow.
*Please forgive me as the website, unfortunately, is not the most updated right now. Google the paper and my name and you'll find my work - or pick it up in many newsstands in the Boroughs.
Well…
Three days later on the show, we were debating if the Chargers made the right choice.
As you know, the Chargers selected Manning anyway, but worked out a deal with the New York Giants, who had their eyes on him all along. The Giants selected NC State’s Philip Rivers with the fourth pick and traded his rights along with the first and fifth round choices in the 2005 draft to San Diego for Manning.
We also wondered if the Giants made the right choice. Where Mario Williams and Reggie Bush differ in this case of revisionist sports history is that not only are they of two different positions against each other, but they aren’t asked to commandeer the team like quarterbacks are expected to. They also have twenty+ months under their belts as professionals, despite the immediate impact running backs and defensive linemen are expected to make. With Manning and Rivers, however, these young men were going to be handed the reins to talented, but inconsistent offenses. These young men play in positions where the learning curve is supposed to plateau during the fourth season.
What year is this again?
Since his junior season at Ole Miss, scouts and executives fawned over Peyton’s brother and Archie’s son. Because of his lineage, teams knew that he understood the dynamics of the pro game as the complex art and the unforgiving business. Because of his lineage, teams felt that he could blend his father’s grit and his brother’s passing prowess with his laid-back, ‘aw dang’ demeanor. Because there is no better topic about the NFL than debating who’s the next superstar quarterback, Eli is had automatically entered the contest because of his last name. So when Archie (on Eli’s behalf) told the San Diego Chargers to not draft his son as the number one pick in the 2004 Draft, Eli “lost cool points” with fans, media and insiders. The thought that the Chargers, whose draft notoriety included lengthy holdouts with first-rounders and choosing Ryan Leaf over big brother Peyton, would take its time in getting Eli into training camp. Of course, the result of the acrimony became the draft-day trade that made Manning a Giants and Rivers a Charger.
Rivers was a four-year starter at NC State who set new records for the Wolfpack – just like Williams did in his three years in Raleigh – as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference. He started 51 games under center, including two Tangerine Bowls, the ’04 Senior Bowl and a 2002 Gator Bowl win over Notre Dame. As Manning, he didn’t have big-name receivers nor did he have a looming spotlight on him because of the prior losing history of the team. Rivers was noted for a certain moxie and accuracy that former Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer said reminded him of Bernie Kosar, his quarterback in his Cleveland Browns stint back in the 1980s. Yet, he was considered to be the third-best QB prospect behind Manning and Ben Roethlisberger from Miami (Ohio) because of a perceived lack of arm strength and side-arm throwing style. When Manning made his demands, this forced San Diego to take a look at Rivers much more closely. Schottenheimer (figuratively) fell for Rivers when coaching him during the Senior Bowl, helping his standing improve. He became a Charger, but as Manning feared for himself, had a lengthy holdout that kept him from training camp. Again, Drew Brees drove management nuts – this time for being the last resort – by using Rivers’ absence as a chance to reclaim his career. With Brees taking that proverbial chip on his shoulder and winning games, this hindered Rivers’ development, even after coming to an agreement on a contract. Brees’ shoulder injury in 2005 and departure in the following offseason gave Rivers the chance to write his own story.
For the past two seasons, I have been the Giants reporter for the weekly paper, the New York Beacon*. In that time, I have been able to watch Eli Manning in person for every home game and keep abreast of his ‘progress’ on the road from the humble abode. I say ‘progress’ because there is not a more scrutinized player in the game right now than the guy that now-retired General Manager Ernie Accorsi traded two years of early round picks for. In many ways, this is just desserts; his hard-line stance against going to San Diego soured his relationship with people that weren’t even his fans yet. Even in on the college radio show, I felt that he may have been a bit unappreciative of being considered to play for an NFL team, let alone to have been the top pick of the league’s draft. He has also been maddeningly inconsistent. Some in the press think of him as a manager at the quarterback position rather than a playmaker in the mold of Roethlisberger or Dallas’ Tony Romo. Yet, in covering the team through a promising season turned sour last year and a somewhat bumpy ride to another postseason right now, I feel that Manning is the right player to be in that lockerroom. It’s not that he doesn’t have faults, but what he also doesn’t possess is a confrontational attitude that would tick anyone off. When New York collapsed last season, the last thing that the team needed was another angry voice. With the retiring Tiki Barber and Coach Tom Coughlin bickering, injuries on offense, and unhappy players like Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan, there needed to be someone who gave the appearance of focusing on the next opponent, regardless of what was happening. The ‘aw dang’ demeanor in a lockerroom well-stocked with strong personalities has been at least a decent tonic to their gin. As Giants fans roast Manning a new one with each passing day, there is this thought that because he’s not screaming, yelling and pushing that he is not a leader. His teammates stand with him and understand that he prefers to let his arm lead. He has become a little more defensive in dealing with the harsh media here in the New York area that loves to build on something negative. He has stood up for himself against his former teammate, Barber and no matter how good or bad it gets, has been doing his best to deal with millions of people who expect him to be someone he’s not.
Peyton.
As for Rivers, he hasn’t played the same amount of games as Manning. His experience seemingly rivals that of Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer. Sitting out for a season to learn the playbook was more forced circumstance than design, as in the case of Palmer. Yet, he has also been as maddeningly inconsistent as the younger Manning. Both quarterbacks had to catch up to the comfort level of extremely talented players around them. Both have had significant coaching changes to deal with in their four years. With Rivers replacing Brees, though, you figured that he would be even more ready to lead the offense than Palmer was after succeeding Jon Kitna, now in Detroit. That ‘skittish’ comment Giants GM Jerry Reese made about his quarterback isn’t nearly as damning compared to the apparent rift between Tomlinson and Rivers, highlighted by the reigning MVP apparent displeasure of the signal-caller in last week’s win over Tennessee. There has been plenty of talk about regression on his end as well, but it is mitigated somewhat by the fact that he came along with a future draft pick that turned into LB Shawne Merriman. That said, you have to wonder if his personality would have worked well with the Giants when they fell apart last year. We could also wonder if Manning would have kept quiet if Tomlinson walked away from him (if that’s what happened). One thing is for sure; no matter how much fans want to hang effigies of their points of frustration, at least both teams have their quarterbacks.
There are well over a dozen teams that wish they could say just that.
Say What?!?!: In continuing this theme of “what it”, there’s one more post to get angry about. Two of those teams trying to figure out the future of their quarterback positions are the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. One year after the Manning-or-Rivers campaign, there was the debate between Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. Probably not riveting reading for you unless you know what the 2005 Draft meant for both teams. Tomorrow, friends. Tomorrow.
*Please forgive me as the website, unfortunately, is not the most updated right now. Google the paper and my name and you'll find my work - or pick it up in many newsstands in the Boroughs.
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