It has been a long wait since the loss to the Eagles in last year's divisional round of the post-season. Much has happend with this Giants team since then, and I am excited to get my first look at the team this season.
First the players we will not see tonight are: WR Steve Smith, CB's Corey Webster & Aaron Ross, DL's Chris Canty and Fred Robbins.
Offense:
Very much looking forward to see if Andre Woodson has made any progress since last year. He put up good numbers at Kentucky but has had a hard time adjusting to the pro game. I am also hoping to see rookie Rhett Bomar, but I doubt that Coach Coughlin will be able to get 4 QB's into the game. I was super-hyped to see RB Andre Brown but an unfortunate injury will keep him out the entire season. However, there is no shortage of RB's as behind Jacobs and Bradshaw are Danny Ware and Patrick Allen. I have watched Ware in previous pre-season's and love what this guy can do. Patrick Allen is supposed to be the fastest back on the depth chart I have read.
Of course just like everyone else I am looking forward to seeing the two rookie receivers, Nicks and Barden although I must say that I am looking forward more to seeing Barden. Will also be playing close attention to the progression of Sinorice Moss, Hixon, and Manningham. Have been reading a lot about the great camp that Derek Hagan is having and am looking forward to watching him. Also want to see what rookie TE Travis Beckham can bring to the table.
Defense:
While most people are excited about the Giants D-Line, and I am too of course, I am more excited about the secondary that the Giants have built over the last few years. Although we will not see the entire starting unit tonight, I am very anxious to see Kenny Philips, Terrell Thomas and the two rookies D'Andre Wright and Stoney Woodson.
I loved the pick-up of Michael Boley and it is unfortunate that we will not see him until Week 2 of the regular season. But there is the progression of Bryan Kehl and Gerris Wilkinson to lookout for as well as rookie pass-rushing specialist Clint Sintim.
Now last but not least the D-Line. Not fully intact with Canty and Robbins both out, but still can't wait to see Osi back on the field. Also want to see some of the younger guys like Tollefson to see just how deep the Giants are at the D-Line.
Should be exciting, there are a lot of good, young players on this team and can't wait to see them in action tonight.
Monday, August 17, 2009
SANCHEZ SHOULD START FOR THE JETS
Although it was only his first pre-season game, Mark Sanchez looked impressive to say the least in his first ever pro game with the New York Jets.
His first pass went for 50+ yards in route to leading the Jets to a scoring drive that resulted in a touchdown. Behind what is one of the better offenses in the NFL, and a ground game that consists of a two-headed monster as good as any in the league, it makes sense for Sanchez to be the starting QB when the Jets open their season in Houston against the Texans. Not to mention he will have the support of a defense that will play well enough to keep the Jets in games in the fourth quarter. Jets fans should not expect the Ravens defense in Rex Ryan's first year, nor should they expect a dominating defense until around mid-season when everybody fully understands how the defense works, and how best to execute their job.
Sanchez's situation closely resembles that of Ben Rothlesberger when he was a rookie for the Steelers back 2004. Remember that the veteran Tommy Maddox went down early with a season-ending injury that forced Big Ben into the starting job early in the season. Rothlesberger benefited from having an above-average line with a stellar running game, Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley, and a defense that was good, not great. The end result, they finished the regular season 15-1 and since Big Ben has won two Super Bowls and is now the unquestioned franchise QB of the Steelers.
One can argue that Sanchez is the franchise QB but that is only because they are paying him like one. He has not earned the title franchise QB yet, so I say send him out there and let him earn it. With the strong running game and their defense, Rex Ryan will simply ask Sanchez to manage the game, not to turn the ball over, and make a play when a play is needed to made.
There is a reason that Kellen Clemens is in his fourth year and has not been the outright starter. There is also a reason that the Jets traded up to get and made Sanchez their highest paid QB ever. For his to be a star and bring a Super Bowl to a franchise that has not seen one in 40 years. The time is now and Sanchez should start for the Jets.
His first pass went for 50+ yards in route to leading the Jets to a scoring drive that resulted in a touchdown. Behind what is one of the better offenses in the NFL, and a ground game that consists of a two-headed monster as good as any in the league, it makes sense for Sanchez to be the starting QB when the Jets open their season in Houston against the Texans. Not to mention he will have the support of a defense that will play well enough to keep the Jets in games in the fourth quarter. Jets fans should not expect the Ravens defense in Rex Ryan's first year, nor should they expect a dominating defense until around mid-season when everybody fully understands how the defense works, and how best to execute their job.
Sanchez's situation closely resembles that of Ben Rothlesberger when he was a rookie for the Steelers back 2004. Remember that the veteran Tommy Maddox went down early with a season-ending injury that forced Big Ben into the starting job early in the season. Rothlesberger benefited from having an above-average line with a stellar running game, Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley, and a defense that was good, not great. The end result, they finished the regular season 15-1 and since Big Ben has won two Super Bowls and is now the unquestioned franchise QB of the Steelers.
One can argue that Sanchez is the franchise QB but that is only because they are paying him like one. He has not earned the title franchise QB yet, so I say send him out there and let him earn it. With the strong running game and their defense, Rex Ryan will simply ask Sanchez to manage the game, not to turn the ball over, and make a play when a play is needed to made.
There is a reason that Kellen Clemens is in his fourth year and has not been the outright starter. There is also a reason that the Jets traded up to get and made Sanchez their highest paid QB ever. For his to be a star and bring a Super Bowl to a franchise that has not seen one in 40 years. The time is now and Sanchez should start for the Jets.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
GIANTS GIVE ELI GIANT EXTENSION
The New York football Giants have given Eli Manning a 6-year $97.5 million extension through the year 2015 including a $35 million signing bonus. This mega deal makes Eli the highest paid player in franchise history and one of the highest paid players in the NFL, he's making more than big brother Peyton.
For all those out there who cannot fathom this deal, let's take a look at why Eli got this contract.
First off, it indeed may be too much for a QB like Eli, however, that is if you believe that great stats = more money, as opposed to winning games = more money. Since Eli has become a full-time starter in 2005, he has taken his team to the playoffs four years in a row, only other QB in the league to do that in the same span is Peyton Manning. In the 5 years since he has been drafted, he has lead his team to 2 division titles, Super Bowl, he has won a Super Bowl MVP, made the Pro Bowl, and has a string of 71 straight starts, second longest active streak to Peyton Manning. He has also won a Super Bowl in about half the time it took Peyton Manning to win one. And for those of you who claim that winning a Super Bowl does not define a QB, that guys like Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl, get real. There is a reason that Trent Dilfer depsite winning a Super Bowl did not accoplish anything else in his career, he won a SB behind arguably the greatest defense the NFL has seen in the modern era. Also, if winning a Super Bowl does not define how great a QB is, then why is McNabb always under so much scrutiny in Philly, why is it that Dallas fans are peeling their skin over the fact that Romo has not even won a playoff game? Ask Jets fans who have not seen their team appear in the Super Bowl in 40 years if they would take Eli if it meant that they would just get there. More than half the teams in the league would kill for a QB like Eli, and it is not just the on field stuff.
Remember that Eli has had to grow as a QB under the spotlight of New York and with the biggest media market watching his every move, snap, and throw. He has had to contend with the likes of jerks like Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, and Plaxico Burress, the former two he won a Super Bowl without. He has had to put up with the being in the shadow if Peyton and the bigger shadow of the name "Manning". He has dealt with it all and still accomplished more than most QB's who have played this great game. And for you Giants fans that complain about Eli and his faces or how he cannot play in the wind, I say hey, we can always go back to the days of DAve Brown, Kent Graham, and Danny Kannell. Eli has stepped out of the shadows of his brother and last name, now he will create his own shadow, a shadow of greatness that will be cast over New York, over the NFL, and into the hearts of all Giants fans for the rest of his career while wearing blue.
For all those out there who cannot fathom this deal, let's take a look at why Eli got this contract.
First off, it indeed may be too much for a QB like Eli, however, that is if you believe that great stats = more money, as opposed to winning games = more money. Since Eli has become a full-time starter in 2005, he has taken his team to the playoffs four years in a row, only other QB in the league to do that in the same span is Peyton Manning. In the 5 years since he has been drafted, he has lead his team to 2 division titles, Super Bowl, he has won a Super Bowl MVP, made the Pro Bowl, and has a string of 71 straight starts, second longest active streak to Peyton Manning. He has also won a Super Bowl in about half the time it took Peyton Manning to win one. And for those of you who claim that winning a Super Bowl does not define a QB, that guys like Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl, get real. There is a reason that Trent Dilfer depsite winning a Super Bowl did not accoplish anything else in his career, he won a SB behind arguably the greatest defense the NFL has seen in the modern era. Also, if winning a Super Bowl does not define how great a QB is, then why is McNabb always under so much scrutiny in Philly, why is it that Dallas fans are peeling their skin over the fact that Romo has not even won a playoff game? Ask Jets fans who have not seen their team appear in the Super Bowl in 40 years if they would take Eli if it meant that they would just get there. More than half the teams in the league would kill for a QB like Eli, and it is not just the on field stuff.
Remember that Eli has had to grow as a QB under the spotlight of New York and with the biggest media market watching his every move, snap, and throw. He has had to contend with the likes of jerks like Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, and Plaxico Burress, the former two he won a Super Bowl without. He has had to put up with the being in the shadow if Peyton and the bigger shadow of the name "Manning". He has dealt with it all and still accomplished more than most QB's who have played this great game. And for you Giants fans that complain about Eli and his faces or how he cannot play in the wind, I say hey, we can always go back to the days of DAve Brown, Kent Graham, and Danny Kannell. Eli has stepped out of the shadows of his brother and last name, now he will create his own shadow, a shadow of greatness that will be cast over New York, over the NFL, and into the hearts of all Giants fans for the rest of his career while wearing blue.
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