Looking for the Unexpected in Super Sunday

With a handful of exceptions, I don’t believe in G.O.A.Ts.

Except for boxing, I don’t believe in the idea that one match or game completely defines a legacy.

In all sports, I don’t believe in the thought that a single play is the difference between winning and losing.

Yet, all of that seems to counter the one phenomenon that helps make the Super Bowl the pinnacle of single-day sporting events in the world; the ‘unsung hero’.

Football is considered the ultimate team sport, but for the millions of viewers who only watch the NFL’s championship game after avoiding all others in the last five months, you’re forgiven if you only know about a handful of players. However, the true narrative of football is created from the mix of the "must see" and the “who in the world is that?” As prognosticators and pop culture vultures keep the glaring spotlight on the established stars, it’s important also consider the obscure, the unknown and the unexpected players that could shine in Super Bowl XLVI.

From the Giants side, at this point, there are so many names that have entered the national conscious that to call anyone unsung would be reaching. Eli. Cruz. Nicks. Bradshaw. Jacobs. Osi. Tuck. JPP. Even Lawrence Tynes is a known commodity as his foot officially punched Super Bowl tickets twice in four years.

The most likely of the ‘unexpected’ may come from their defense as it has and always will go as far as their interior linemen play. Sure, the Giants are the only team in the NFL that can rotate five starting caliber defensive ends – Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul, the unsung Dave Tollefson and converted linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. However, to a man, each will tell you that nothing happens without players in the middle. In fact, New York rotates their interior players as well, albeit without much fanfare.

New York Giants' Chris Canty (via Detroit Free Press)

Chris Canty and Bronx-born Rocky Bernard – both who joined the Giants as free agents after the 2009 season – join second-year tackle Linval Joseph in applying pressure on the inside by taking on the center and offensive guards. Because New York employs a 4-3 defense, interior tackles don’t get the attention as they do in a 3-4 setup. There’s a reason why you know of Haloti Ngata, Ndamakong Suh and New England’s own mastodon, Vince Wilfork; they move rather large men backwards equally as well, if not better than they perform their primary job of taking up space.

These guys aren’t sack artists and they excel mostly at slowing opposing rushing offenses – or at least forcing running backs to run on the outside for more room. What they are, however, are players that gave the Patriots’ offensive line fits back in November. If the defense performs to expectations en route to a win, those higher profile ends like Tuck and Umenyiora will immediately credit their teammates on the inside. As they should.

On the flip side, the entire team outside of Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and the aforementioned Wilfork seem to be anonymous to non-Patriots fans. It’s the M.O. of New England; throw a bunch of guys out there and let Bill Belichick sort them out. And that’s the best way to describe how this franchise has reached its fifth Super Bowl in ten years.

Understanding that, is it possible that the unexpected performance come from The Law Firm?

BenJarvus Green-Ellis of New England (via Yahoo! Sports)

It may sound absurd to consider BenJarvus Green-Ellis as some sort of a sleeper, though he’s not exactly incapable of running the ball. The major story with him is well-earned; no fumbles in his four-year career, though to be fair, he’s not asked to be the Patriots’ bellwether. After all, New England doesn’t demand much from its running game – a contrast from their opponents who needed Eli Manning’s arm to compensate for a lack of punch by its league-worst rushing offense.

Despite the lack of lead back carries, the Patriots have never lost a game where The Law Firm is called upon for at least sixteen carries (14-0 since his rookie season).  He has actually performed admirably well against solid-to-strong defensive teams (and Indianapolis); Buffalo, Miami, Pittsburgh and the Jets.

Because Belichick is full of surprises, it wouldn’t be a shock if his team runs the ball a bit more than normal, especially to the outside in open space where Giants defenders have had trouble keeping up. Plus, considering how busy the Giants’ linebackers and safeties will be with Brady’s receiving options, there may be more opportunities for Green-Ellis, even if it’s to methodically move the chains.

Maybe Green-Ellis makes like Timmy Smith and stuns the world with a Super Bowl rushing record. Maybe one of those Giants defensive tackles channel their inner Leon Lett, only this time, actually scoring. That’s what makes the Super Bowl so compelling; for all the moments of brilliance by the game’s greatest, they are complimented, if not surpassed by someone who we didn’t see coming.

True Giving, True Winning

Giving comes from a sense of duty to a community at large, no matter who or where the providers come from. Such giving has resonance if it comes from people who work to compete and win on the largest stages. Both were on display recently for two lucky high schools in New York City.


Last Wednesday, students from the Bronx Leadership Academy and the Business of Sports School were greeted with respected athletes, entertainers and media professionals as part of a successful philanthropic effort, “Giving and Winning”, sponsored by the La Belle Vie Foundation and Blazer Capital Management. These teens didn’t just meet any players, but men who grew up locally in Super Bowl champions Andrew Quarless (Green Bay Packers) and Jay Alford (Seattle Seahawks, formerly of the New York Giants).

Earlier that morning, the Bronx Leadership Academy welcomed these players with a raucous celebration of sorts; full of the energy that could be likened to a mini parade for champions. Yet, the afternoon provided a quieter and smaller gathering at the Business of Sports School where the players, along with BET Networks Vice President Rodney Gill and actress/former American Idol finalist Kinnik Sky spoke to students about the pursuit of great dreams.

Here at BOSS, this unique charter school in Midtown offers ninth and tenth graders a chance to learn about the industry surrounding the games they love. Several students were able to moderate the panel of these distinguished guests; asking about their pursuits for sports and entertainment success, how they prepared themselves for the future and what students can do to break into these competitive fields.

After the panel, Quarless, the Brooklyn-born, Long Island-reared tight end spoke to how children in urban communities are not usually given opportunities to shine as they could. “I feel that I have a story to tell that a lot of these kids can relate to,” said Quarless. “I’m only 22. I’m just four years removed from high school and it feels like just the other day, I was in their shoes, same classrooms with dreams. I’m just here to let them know that they can come true.”

Alford spoke about a similar desire to connect with the youth through his own experiences.“I grew up in the inner city and I didn’t expect any of this to happen. A lot of people counted me out. Through hard work, I proceeded to get to bigger and better things.”

Of course, the NFL lockout was top of mind for the kids as one of the students asked Alford his opinion on the battle between the owners and players’ union. These kids at BOSS are savvy enough to understand that athletic careers are short, so when Alford talked about his post-NFL aspirations of owning his own transportation company, it certainly intrigued some students. When asked after the panel how the lockout can affect those plans, the defensive tackle said the labor strife “put a damper on it, but I don’t think it’ll last too long”. Quarless expressed a similar optimism; “I feel that there’s a lot of greed involved, but I think they’re going an agreement soon enough.”

This wasn’t just a day to learn for the BOSS students, either. While Quarless doesn’t have his Super Bowl ring just yet, the Orange, New Jersey-native Alford proudly sported the jewels he won as a rookie with the Giants in 2007. Students crowded around him and took turns gawking and holding the ring. It was a stirring moment for these teens; they were able to see tangible forms of success in ways they may only have envisioned through the media or in the classroom.

Slideshow from New Meadowlands Stadium

As the video clips are being sorted out and edited to go live tomorrow, here's a slideshow of the stadium that you've read about for about three years incessantly.

Sure, you've seen it from elsewhere, but not from this point of view.

By the way, before you ask:

1. I was not the cause of the two power outages. Do what Giants fans do: blame Matt Dodge.
2. In trying to get back to the press box before kickoff, I actually got lost. Yes, I spent about an hour walking around in a circle, but security, guest and media services are still trying to get used to the place. Look, I never claimed to be bright one day in my life.
3. With that said, the luxury suites are quite nice as I accidentally discovered in getting back to the press box.

The video will come tomorrow, but separate from the slideshow, here are a few of my favorite photos.

They were on earlier!



The Giants trainers said I didn't need to stretch prior to the game. My muscles are naturally primed to go.



Beer, check. Hot dogs, check. Fantasy team... dammit, Carson Palmer, what are you doing?!?!

The Latest and Greatest Elsewhere

So, after a few weeks of co-hosting Sports @ the Half on WHCR with ChiChi Anunkor, yesterday was the first time calling in, giving a report on the New York Giants. For the remainder of the season, do yourselves a favor and check for me at 5:15 PM Eastern every Monday.

In addition, every Tuesday, for those who have yet to discover it, there is the NFL Week in Review with myself, Chris Pummer, Brad Goldbach and Alex Prewitt. Always good times and both compliment what you'd see from my work with the New York Beacon... if you can find it, of course.

Also, though there are no words from me this month, check the latest and certainly greatest from Norman Einstein's Magazine. Plenty of you saw The Tenth Inning and my colleagues have a great discussion from varied perspectives around the country. Oh, and check the new bios.

Finally, with the third and final semester in school getting into high gear, you will notice the off-and-on activity on Scribe that has made 2010 a bit of a struggle in terms of substance. All of this academic jazz is to make this blog better when the program is finished this December. With that said, I'm hoping to add some new features to the site as we approach the start of the NHL and NBA seasons, the MLB playoffs and, of course, serving the dope fiends when it comes to football.

For ongoing chatter, random references and any questions, do feel free to follow on Twitter. You'll feel like you won the lottery. Or not.

Say What?!?!: Speaking of the Giants, hats off to the NFL for 'going pink'. If you use social networks, you should do the same.

Footbally Words

Somne of the words put down for this Thursday's past edition of the New York Beacon regarding the 2010 New York Giants:

Just days before Sunday’s opener versus the Carolina Panthers at the New Meadowlands Stadium, you might be wondering who will the New York Giants be this season? Can they still be identified from the Super Bowl outfit from 2007 and 2008 that forced an entire nation to take notice with strong front seven defenders and a steady diet of rushing offense? Or are they going to be the 2009 team that became surprisingly more reliant on a top-tier passing game because of defensive struggles and a running game with less pop?

What can be said is who they hope to be; a team that can create far more turnovers than last year’s unit, which only managed 24 (22nd of 32 teams) and one that can bring a stronger running game to compliment the 11th-best passing offense.

In addition, if you have not read September's edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine, please do. Excellence all around; a good bit of football with boxing and baseball thrown in to take the eyes off the gridiron for a few minutes.
 
Finally, expect NFL thoughts this week for The Perpetual Post and during my fourth guest co-hosting efforts on Sports at the Half of WHCR this Monday at 5PM Eastern.

Giant Start to the Week

Transparency. Space.

Those are two words that came to mind in the first visit to New Meadowlands Stadium.

The design has been criticized for being ‘cold’ and devoid of personality. Yet, the design is about functionality and adaptability than anything else. What would you do if you had to come up with a design for a stadium with two distinctly different full-time tenants, multiple concerts, grand scale soccer matches, college football, state expositions and other potential events like the World Cup and the Super Bowl? You’re going to come up with something more… neutral.

This is certainly the most transparent venue this Scribe has ever visited. Though the aluminum louvers could impede some of the views in the luxury suites that dominate the structure, this is made up for by having unimpeded views of the field and stadium bowl itself. All the attention is directed to either the field or one of the four middle-deck corner screens above; making it easier for all of the 82,000+ fans to keep up with the action.

If this place reminded me of something, there was a slight resemblance (again, slight) to Nationals Park in Washington DC. To visually explain; the cream-colored, monument look to the non-aluminum portions of the façade reminded me of the ballpark on the Anacostia River.

For the media-obsessed, you probably heard about ‘the fishbowl’. The conference room used for post-game press conferences is now a main attraction for anyone lucky enough – connected or loaded – to watch the game in the Coaches Club. The room is no longer shielded by concrete walls and out of the purview of the fans. Instead, it’s incorporated into this field-level deck with three sides of glass decorated with play diagrams. If fans stick around for the extra 15-20 minutes after the end of the game, they can actually watch the post-game conferences live. Some media members unsurprisingly grumbled about this; no longer can they ask stupid questions semi-anonymously as fans can watch the repartee between the media and the team. “Can’t throw stones at a glass house anymore”, one radio reporter perfectly quipped.

Compared to Giants Stadium, NMS is ginormous. As people have come to expect, there’s more of everything: more space, more transport (elevators, escalators), more concessions, more suites, more bathrooms… and more money. If there’s one gripe about the place, it’s there wasn’t enough time to walk throughout the building. In a new venue, however, everyone is still trying to figure out where everything is and it takes time for security and stadium operations personnel to nail every nook & cranny. This may frustrate the hell out of fans and media alike, but as we say this time of year in football media, it’s preseason for everybody (and for NMS, everything).

Pictures of the interior and a comprehensive video will greet you after the second preseason game versus New England on September 2nd. By then, you may have already seen plenty views of NMS, but there’s a reason why you look through these eyes, right?

In the meantime, in other football-related news, yours truly will be a guest host on Sports @ the Half on WHCR. You can listen live at 5PM Eastern thought the website or on 90.3 FM if you're in the Boroughs. Also, for those who care to find it, look for words on the Giants for the Beacon later this week. If you’re in the city and happen to find it at newsstands, put the Snickers down and buy the paper instead.

Meanwhile, enjoy the slideshow.

Farewell

The logo in both end zones was an ode to a stadium that will become a parking lot for much more lavish digs next door in a few months. Though the slogan for the final season at Giants Stadium reads “The Tradition Continues”, fans can only hope that tradition doesn’t involve embarrassing losses like what they witnessed this past Sunday.

After the Carolina Panthers took the Giants and their playoff hopes to the woodshed, I hit the field for one last look at a place I got to know over the last five NFL seasons.

Not that I got misty-eyed, but including visits home during college, I've spent my almost my entire life in this area. I've seen plenty of changes to every place I've called home or have worked for a significant amount of time. I may have not been part of Big Blue faithful for the entire ride - in fact, most of the fans in the building didn't even stick around once the third quarter came to an end - but I certainly had an appreciation for the Stadium.

I am excited to step inside the New Meadowlands Stadium as hopefully, it'll be the first new sporting grounds where I have the chance to see as a media member. Yet, when the last beam is dismantled in a few months, it'll speak as much to the changes in the NY/NJ area as it will the changes to both the Giants and Jets franchises.

Fixin' (II)

For reasons unbeknownst to me, the New York Beacon has scaled back on the sports section; compelling a rather short blurb on what was a HUGE win for the New York Giants. However, for those who have a passing interest in Big Blue (passionate supporter, fantasy football player, media member), something that continues to stick out has been the team’s struggles with stopping opposing tight ends.

Against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the defense (sans captain/MLB Antonio Pierce) held future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez in check for the first three periods. Gonzalez netted just two catches for sixteen yards in the first three quarters; but in the final frame, Matt Ryan connected with him six times for 66 yards and the game-tying touchdown in regulation.

Yeah, that’s not good.

A lot of media folks keep going to the lack of sacks from the Giants’ front seven. Sure, sacks are nice numbers – even better are the drive-killers on third down – yet, most of them come because the quarterback can’t find an open receiver and/or the defense is quicker off the snap of the ball. Sacks are the widely-known tangible metric for pressure on the quarterback, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

The tight end, as much as a good pass-catching running back, is the quarterback’s safety valve. If he has a little bit of space, no matter where he is on the field, he’ll do damage to a defense. That’s what’s happened in four of the last five games to New York. Offenses knew that there’s a glaring hole behind the linebackers that can be exploited so long as the tight end created the slightest of separation.

As discussed with a few writers, it appears that this team truly, truly misses strong safety Kenny Phillips. The second-year defender out of “The U” was on his way to having a pretty good sophomore campaign, but after his breakout game in Dallas back in Week 2 – four tackles, two passes defense, two interceptions – he had microfracture surgery and was placed on injured reserve. Losing him for the season was a complete shock, but even more surprising is how much of a hole his absence has left. He has the size (6’2”, 215 pounds), quickness and range to cover any tight end in the NFL.

Aaron Ross, one of the team’s starting corners for the past two years, had dealt with injury issues of his own for much of 2009, but manned the strong safety position in a few packages in Sunday’s game. He split time between his natural corner position and a safety position that requires a different set of tasks. Instead of invading the personal space of wide receivers at every snap, Ross has to wait for the tight end to make a move or charge towards the running back, depending on which is the ballcarrier. It’s a challenge because he’s asked to balance patience with urgency; a slight misread spells disaster for a defense.

Putting Ross there at times may be the Giants’ best hopes of adding speed to the back end of the defense. What can make this work is that he has similar physical attributes to Phillips.

This was certainly an added wrinkle during the bye week and you should expect to see more of this during the Turkey Day game in Denver against the Broncos. With a few extra days off before playing the Dallas Cowboys on December 6th, Ross will have plenty of time to become acclimated to playing strong safety.

Say What?!?!: In addition to the upcoming newness for the Norman Einsteins (continuing in the vein of Cotto/Pacquiao), I will be providing some thoughts for The Perpetual Post. Enjoy your holiday/time off.

Photo Credit to Yahoo! Sports

Fixin'

Plenty of people have been asking what is wrong with the once-mighty New York Giants. There are all sort of theories, questions and declarations now since this four-game slide has become the genesis of all wrong in this world; including increased unemployment and the enduring popularity of skinny jeans*.

Publishing issues with this week's paper aside, the most glaring defensive issue discussed in the upcoming NYB article is one that few even mention on the idiot box (maybe on the radio, but there's enough screaming in the world); stopping the tight end:

The other issue involves stopping the tight ends wearing other uniforms. In New Orleans last month, former Giant Jeremy Shockey nabbed all four of his catches in the Saints’ first three scoring drives; including a touchdown of his own en route to the 48-27 thrashing of his old team. In Philadelphia back on October 25th, Donovan McNabb found Brent Celek on four passes for 61 yards; one catch for the Eagles’ first touchdown score and another leading to McNabb’s second of three TD throws. On Sunday, Phillip Rivers connected with Antonio Gates – long considered one of the NFL’s best when healthy – five times for 67 yards; three of those throws led to both lead-changing touchdowns from wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

With the Atlanta Falcons coming to Giants Stadium on November 22nd, there will be plenty of media attention paid to Tony Gonzalez – arguably the best to ever play the position – because of the Giants’ interest in trading for him last season. The former Kansas City Chief is no longer the lone player of note on his team as he joined standout players in quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner and wide receiver Roddy White. This doesn’t mean that he won’t be overlooked by the Giants defense as there is plenty of game tape that shows the plight with tight ends.

Big Blue did a lot more right compared to the previous three weeks than you may be led to believe. If they actually held on and won the Chargers contest, we'd hear about resiliency and finding a way to win against adversity and how the team is ready to turn the corner. All of that is thrown away because Corey Webster - who admitted to getting beat - didn't get help in stopping Jackson on that final drive.

Funny how this Bye Week Quarterbacking works.

Say What?!?!: If you have not, peep the latest update on the new Meadowlands project.

*Skinny jeans are just really, really bad fashion from the 80s. Really bad.
**Photo credit to the Associated Press

Swamplands (V)

Another quick update on the new Meadowlands stadium project. This came after Sunday's tough loss for the Giants to the San Diego Chargers, one in which is going to be on the minds of Big Blue's players throughout the upcoming bye week.

Again, this is a quick update, but I'd be foolish to not include the team websites for both future tenants. When the last video was published, these sites only included the artist renderings of the facility; showing what they will look like when either squad is at home. Now as 2010 draws near and there are those personal seat licenses to sell, both the Giants and Jets have added more photo galleries, news and the very cool construction cams.

Why would I forward you to those sites as opposed to my videos alone?

Perspective, my friends. Perspective.

You can get all the information from the team sites, including a true comparision between the venue being left behind and the venue featured here. Plus, it's great to get an idea of what the place is supposed to look like.

However, from the videos you've seen on Scribe in the last two years, you can at least tell what the new building actually looks like as close to in the flesh as possible (other than attending an event in the sports complex).

Anyhow, enjoy this (and if possible, enjoy it in HD) and for any questions and comments, feel free to leave them here.

Minority

The lack of activity on Scribe in recent days is a result of... well, a ton. Late September/early October is a rather hectic time with family obligations on top of personal & professional tasks at hand.

Fortunately for myself and all of you who come across this blog, the cupboard isn't completely bare.

Thought it's been a couple of weeks since the last link from the paper, here's something for the NFL (specifically New York Giants) fans in this week's edition of the New York Beacon (the PDF has yet to be uploaded to the site as of 9:47AM this morning):

The road show continues for Big Blue in Kansas City when they take on the 0-3 Chiefs this Sunday. Where the Buccaneers can at least say that they have veteran playmakers that can produce down the line, this once-proud AFC power can’t say the same. In Philadelphia, the Chiefs were outplayed on every facet in a 34-14 loss to an Eagles team without Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Even without their two best offensive players, the Eagles amassed 420 yards of offense; mostly through the air as Kevin Kolb threw for 327 yards starting in place of McNabb.

Considering how Manning has been able to spread the wealth with his passing, especially in the first half, it will be interesting to see how he handles the secondary. Brandon Flowers, the impressive second-year cornerback, will most likely be assigned to Steve Smith while the taller Brandon Carr will cover Manning’s deep threat Mario Manningham (or Domenick Hixon, if his knee allows him to play after sitting out the last contest). Kansas City employs a 3-4 defensive scheme, but they have yet to show that they can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

In addition, my latest contribution to The Norman Einsteins will be posted today.

Last month in a American football-focused edition, my debut discussed the current state of the semi-professional leagues; with much thanks again to Paul Grenada for his insights. For the October edition, coinciding with the NHL regular season openers in Europe, this article delves into what I hope becomes a conversation piece about a ghastly overlooked part of American sports; minority hockey fans.

Yes, if you just raised your eyebrows after reading those three words, they do exist. Here's a snippet, but certainly comment here about the article:

Labeled a cold weather sport that brings unwanted chills, the game’s biggest detractors aren’t just xenophobic Americans who view Canada as a punch line. Many, if not most ethnic minorities would give you a look of bewilderment if you talk about impact Jay Bouwmeester or Chris Pronger will bring to their new teams this season. “Not to be tasteless,” warned David Scott Lee, an avid puckhead from Queens, New York. “I remember a joke on the Don Imus Show where someone said hockey is racist because it’s a bunch of white men running around smacking the only black thing on the rink with sticks.”

Personally, I'm really proud of this piece because there is little information online about this growing legion of puckheads in the States. Since many people who come across Scribe are not savvy about the minutae of the games, this is something that may tickle the fancy as it's more of a cultural discussion rather than stats-heavy chatter. Even for those who have an unbridled passion for the game of hockey should take a gander with this piece as well as all of the other brilliants work on the Einsteins.

Finally, I will be away this weekend for a homecoming visit to the alma mater, some "chowda" and attempts to blackmail unsuspecting New Englanders. No guarantees that there will be any updates on the blog, but there's always the rather popular micro-blogging site you've come to love/loathe.

Twittering (9/14)

Because reception in the press box (not the rest of the media area, however) was non-existent, it was fruitless to try to converse with all as intended. However, being that we have a doubleheader for Monday Night Football, there's a doubleheader for Twitter... so long as the body makes it through the San Diego/Oakland contest.

Feel free to also ask questions and leave comments (via Twitter or this post) about yesterday's action, including the Redskins/Giants game. Since Monday's deadline night for the Beacon's sports section, I'll be polishing off two articles for the paper while the Patriots and Bills hold American television hostage. It's still the ideal time to chat as I'll be in such game mode that you'd swear I took a Jake Delhomme interception to the house.

By the way, never feel that it's going to be just about the NFL. As a subscriber the MLB Extra Innings, I would be the first to scream "turn to 432 RIGHT NOW! Blankety Blank is throwing a no-no!". For that reason, I ask that if there is something happening with your baseball team (non-northeastern teams, especially), you have permission to harrass us. Also, if you miss the NHL and NBA, cry with us, too.

twitter.com/asportsscribe

Twittering (9/13)

Since today's the first Sunday of the new NFL season, a lot of passions have been stirred and reinvigorated. So, beacuse you may be thirsty for a conversation, feel free to chat with your friendly neighborhood Scribe on Twitter throughout the games you follow.

Also, some baseball and US open thoughts are certainly welcome.

Will be sans laptop while covering today's Washington Redskins/New York Giants game, but feel free to Tweet.

twitter.com/asportsscribe

Kickoff

Assuming that the webmaster at the New York Beacon took all of last week off, the 9/3 edition of the paper was not posted online. Thankfully, this week's version is up and considering that the NFL season begins tonight, it was timely to give fans here in the Boroughs something to whet the appetite until Sunday afternoon when the locals play.

While I previewed the Washington Redskins/New York Giants tilt on page 38, the sports editor, Marc Rasbury (who had been covering the US Open as well) gave a bit of dap to both the G-Men and the Jets.

And so it begins again. A year ago, the New York Giants started what was a promising defense of their Super Bowl championship with a statement win against a division rival. The just-retired Michael Strahan greeted his fans and former teammates at midfield, the soon-to-be jailed Plaxico Burress had just signed a new contract hours before the start of the game and many of the stars of the epic Super Bowl XLII shined in front of the home crowd. About fifty-two weeks later, much has changed except for the place and the opponent. The Giants open their season against the Washington Redskins this Sunday with hopes of once again getting a leg up on the NFC East in hopes of their fifth straight postseason.

A side note, there will be Twitter activity during some live games throughout the season. Let me just warn that I not exactly sure if I will do so during the games I cover at Giants Stadium. However, I may do so for all other NFL action and certainly for seven of the Giants road contests (will be unavailable for the October 3rd game in Kansas City). Please feel free to comment and ask questions about any and every team in the league. Heck, feel free to Tweet about CFL as well!

Fanatic

Six years ago, I took a summer course at Rutgers called Sports in American Culture. Mostly everyone in the class was there to make up lost credits (myself included, though they were to be transferred), but it wasn't the worst place to be. The purpose of the course was to examine how the games and their participants - players, coaches, executives, media and fans - can be mythologized or villified though popular entertainment.

Once, the professor would spoke on the etmology of the word 'fan'; reminding us the term is short of fanatic. We proceeded to squirm through the interaction between  Travis Bickle... err, Robert De Niro and Cutter, John Cutter!... Wesley Snipes in "The Fan".

If it sounds like a summer class with the intention of just watching movies and talking smack all day, can't say I blame you. Yet, there were constructive conversations and assignments that brought appreciation for movies like "Eight Men Out" (far more honest than the handlers of Charles Comiskey's legacy would have liked) and cynicism for "Field of Dreams" (still a top-notch flick, but James Earl Jones' role was equally ironic and great).

The most important takeaway of the course was that the movies that have the greatest resonance among sports fans are not viewed from the prism of the press box. In fact, it is possible for someone to absolutely despise "Ali" and love "The Great White Hope" because (s)he is wise enough to determine whose perspective is being shown.

I thought of this when I caught this trailer yesterday via The Fifth Down:



It wouldn't be a surprise that most NFL fans, let alone New York Giants fans, are unaware of "Big Fan", starring a comedian taking a serious turn in Patton Oswalt. In fact, being that there were a handful of comments on the blog (I'd take caution with what appears on its YouTube page), there has been little buzz among the masses about the movie that opened today in select theaters.

For those who have seen Robert Siegel's "The Wrestler", you can imagine that his latest endeavor - first as director - is less about the sport itself and more about the life of the film's subjects. From the trailer alone, you'd conclude that a) you might know a person just like Oswalt's character, b) the character Quantrell Bishop would become the posterboy of the Personal Conduct policy if the beating happened in real life and c) even in an fictionalized story, the Giants are viewed in some strange negative light these days.

Yet, I want to know your thoughts on "Big Fan" based on this snippet. Regardless of your interest in the NFL, this film seems to be talking about the dangerous line a few fans are willing to toe between enthusiastic and obsessed.

JUST ADDED: Reviews from a mixed bag: 411mania.com, E! Online (which may not have been the ideal audience), Philly Inquirer and the NYT

Double

Pulled double duty for this week's edition of the Beacon. First on page 38 is a defense of Derek Jeter's glovework, which has been much maligned for years by sabermetricians Martians who landed in Boston and discovered baseball through Red Sox Nation. Now that he has broken the all-time career record of hits by a shortstop (Luis Aparacio was the keeper of that flame), he's just a couple of weeks from breaking that record in the history of the Yankees. So before the media (local and national) wax poetic on Jeter's accomplishments, I figured that it was time to remind folks that his defense is far better than it has been portrayed for various reasons:

Honestly speaking, much of the ‘hate’, if you will, for Jeter’s defense comes from a seemingly endless loop of Yankee coverage from the national media. Considering that the Yankees are absolutely beloved or reviled – there is no middle ground with this team – any of The Captain’s highlights, including the famous backwards-leaping toss to first, drives his detractors insane. Jeter isn’t as smooth or quick as Ozzie Smith or Omar Vizquel, two of the best defensive players of any position in the game’s history. Yet, if he wore a Kansas City Royals uniform or even that of the Chicago White Sox, his shortcomings and strong points would have dimmer lights shone on them.

On page 39 is a look at the New York Giants' rushing depth now that Danny Ware and Allen Patrick are trying to make up for what was lost when Derrick Ward departed for Tampa Bay during free agency:

It appears that Ware prepared himself well for the increased workload, even if we’re talking about the preseason. “I think I had a pretty good offseason,” said the undrafted reserve from Georgia. “I lost a little weight, trained hard, studied hard, just been working as everything has been about football this offseason.” With the glaring opportunity of 2009 in front of him, he quipped, “I noticed that we had Ward leave, so there was an opening and I took it upon myself to just go get it… and see what happens with the end results.”

Just to say about Ware is that quite a few people in the press thought highly of him last August, but he wouldn't get any shine considering he was fourth on the depth chart of a Super Bowl-winning team (one that waived Ryan Grant before he caught fire with Green bay in 2007). He was certainly appreciative that I mentioned that to him.

Now, something tells me that the former will illicit some heated comments or at least spark a few thoughts. Have at it.

Hits

While they served as notes for this week's article in the Beacon, they were intended to be Tweets from last night's preseason game at the Meadowlands between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants. Since there was no urgency to test the Giants' social media policy (if there is one), it was best to throw these quick observations into a post and let you all have at them.

Also, if you did not get a chance to, check out the video around the new palace coming up next door.

Despite these quick hits being NYG-focused, it doesn't mean that non-Giants or even Panthers fans can't make room for these in their mental storage.

• Running backs improved with pass catching from backfield/LOS, mostly (Ahmad) Bradshaw. Could this be to make up for the loss of (Derrick) Ward, who has some of the better hands for RBs in the league?
  
  
• Running game’s got a burst though as all four RBs (including Allen Patrick) broke off impressive double-digit yard runs or catches. Patrick wants to show and prove with loss of rookie Andre Brown last week.
  
  
• Danny Ware had feast or famine night. Rushing: 12 carries, 21 yards. Receiving: two catches, 43 yards, TD.
  
  
• Mark Goodson got some wheels. By third preseason game, may be something fantasy football analysts salivate over since Panthers’ passing game is iffy.
  
  
• Hard not to see why NYG is so high on Ramses Barden, though Andre’ Woodson wasn’t exactly sharp on the field. Hakeem Nicks only had one ball thrown his way.
  
  
• Defensively, one to watch has been LB Clint Sintim. Certainly delivered with a sack and forced fumble (recovered by NYG) with 13:28 left in the fourth.
  
  
• Either Carolina is thin at QB – even (Jake) Delhomme was shaky despite completing five of nine – or the reserves for NYG are that good. Maybe both.
  
  
• Does Lawrence Tynes see the famous reddened face of Tom Coughlin (from the ’07 NFC title game) when he kicks? Maybe Jeff Feagles does, too. Missed FG, blocked punt and safety can’t be good.
  
  
• I have been covering games at Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands for four years. Not that I’ll miss this place as thousands of fans will, but certainly the Jets will be thrilled to see less Giants blue and more of their green.
  
  
• Quite a few drops by Giants DBs, but they had even more deflected passes. The “treat all batted balls like live balls” practice at training camp might be paying off.
  
  
• Outside linebackers for Giants still concern as Carolina RBs hit the edges/sidelines too much for defensive coaches’ collective taste.
  
  
• Looks like Eli Manning wants Mario Manningham to get as many reps as possible. They may not have a #1 WR now, but he wants other wideouts to gain confidence, esp. without (Plaxico) Burress and (Amani) Toomer there.
  
  
• Antonio Pierce looked pretty happy to hit someone other than his teammate tonight. Actually, that’s pretty close to verbatim from comments handed to the media during the second half.

Swamplands (IV)

It's preseason for everybody as we get closer to the 2009 regular season in the NFL. Yet, this is also the last season of football at the Meadowlands as Giants and Jets fans have come to know it.

For those who watched the game on Monday night, ESPN gave fans a glimpse of the future for the new stadium in the NJ swamps. Though the personality of the building has yet to be shown, there has been great progress from previous updates done here on Scribe last fall. Take a peek and enjoy yourselves.

Legit

For the past four+ years, many relatives and friends have been curious about the 'legit' gig with the New York Beacon. I have been fortunate to have been with the African-American weekly paper since early 2005, having covered and opined about the happenings of a few New York sports teams and events. While it has been a conversation starter in many circles, what has always bothered me was that the paper doesn't have a large web presence and more often than not, its former site was rarely current.

Thankfully in recent months, the Beacon has put out a new website and began placing its current editions online in PDF format. So FINALLY, those who are not in the NYC vicinity can see the paper. Those that are here who can't find the paper on newsstands can check it out online without the assistance of a GPS.

Each week something of mine is published, you'll see a post with a quote or two from the article along with the accompanying link.

As a warning to those of you who many not know the nuances of the games I discuss, I try my best to not get bogged down in the vernacular. However, as the NFL season progresses, you will see more statistics and lingo of the game of football. Please feel free to ask questions and leave comments for explanations and clarity. For those of you who are walking sports encyclopedias, your comments, questions and debates are even more welcome now more than ever.

For all in between, I haven't forgotten you. Just say what's on your mind.

Last week (see page 39), I discussed the football impact of how the grand jury's decision to no indict middle linebacker Antonio Pierce brought relief not only to him, but the team as well. This week, I focused on Mathias Kiwanuka, the hybrid defensive end/stronside linebacker who might be the "Most Valuable Giant" this season based on his new role.

Kiwanuka sits second on the depth chart behind (Osi) Umenyiora, who is expected to emerge both as healthy and productive as he was in 2007. Kiwanuka may be a reserve now, but his role in many ways will be magnified under (new defensive coordinator Bill) Sheridan. As Umenyiora and (Justin) Tuck, he’s extremely strong and agile when it comes to the team’s pass rush. When either player needs a breather on the sidelines, there won’t be a dramatic drop off in the defensive line’s aggressiveness as he can spell them for a few snaps, if not a series. However, with the need to throw different looks at opposing offenses, Kiwanuka could be on the field in a variety of packages with several other new ‘toys’ for the defense.

Read the complete article on page 38 and feel free to comment here or here. Unlike our national 'conversation' about health care, we can talk freely and honestly.

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:

• 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.

Excluding Vick from this list, only Favre and P. Manning have been universally considered elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Though most would kill for a chance to grab the future Hall of Famer, some still take joy in denying McNabb a place in the upper echelon of QBs. Palmer’s health has kept him on the “potential” end of the spectrum for some time and Roethlisberger still found himself a target during last season for a proclivity of being sacked while on the move.

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.