5
Feb
2012
Giants defeat Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI, Eli wins MVP (VIDEO)
Eli = Elite (Photo: NY Giants Facebook)
The New York Giants are Super Bowl Champions once again, and Eli Manning has won his second Super Bowl MVP award after defeating the New England Patriots 21-17 in Indianapolis tonight. With the win, Eli officially steps out of the shadow of his brother Peyton, and cements himself in the annals of NFL history as one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks.
The biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter, as the Giants attempted to drive the field for the game-winning score. Manning hit Mario Manningham for this incredible 38-yard sideline catch:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
6
Jan
2011
VIDEO: Tom Coughlin tells Giants’ critics “they can kiss my ass”
This is pretty awesome. The NFL Films cameras were in the New York Giants locker room after their week 17 win over the Redskins, which left the Giants on the outside of the playoffs looking in with a 10-6 record. Head Coach Tom Coughlin took the opportunity to tell his players exactly what he thinks about their critics:
(Video via Inside the NFL)
In case you couldn’t make out everything Coughlin said, it went like this:
“From the bottom of my heart and everybody’s, we have a 10-and-6 season, a 10-win season in the NFL, okay?” Coughlin said. “They can kiss my ass, okay? They can line up and kiss my ass. It’s not an easy thing to do.”
At that point, one of the players interjected, “Can we quote you on that, Coach?” To which Coughlin replied, “You can quote me on a lot more than that. The priest is here or I’d say a few more things.”
For a guy with a reputation as a no-nonsense, gruff head coach who can’t relate to his players, Coughlin certainly looks to be able to show his raw emotions to his team. And they definitely seemed to respond. Stuff like that can only serve to help his players feel more connected to the old man, and shows why the Giants ownership didn’t hesitate to bring Coughlin back for another year at the helm.
26
Dec
2010
Giants fall apart with SIX turnovers in Green Bay
Yes Eli, something does stink ... hint, it's you (Photo: NJ.com)
Well, I guess we know how last week’s loss to the Eagles – now being referred to as “The Crumble” – affected the New York Giants. With a chance to clinch a wild card spot in the NFC, Tom Coughlin’s club unraveled today in Green Bay, committing SIX turnovers (2 fumbles, 4 INTs) en route to a 45-15 beating at the hands of the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers was the star of the day with a season-high 404 yards and 4 TDs, as the Packers QB found receivers running free in the Giants defensive secondary all day long. Once praised as one of the best coordinators in the league, Perry Fewell‘s defense has been exposed in the past few weeks. And today New York followed up last week’s collapse by allowing over 500 yards to an opposing offense for the first time in 30 years. There was almost no pressure on from the vaunted Giants defensive front, and with time to find his receivers, Rodgers made it look easy out there. It really felt like Green Bay could move the ball down the field and score at will.
But for New York, the story of the game was the turnovers. Led by Eli Manning’s four interceptions, the Giants seemed to shoot themselves in the foot every chance they got. Both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw chipped in with a fumble a piece, but Manning set the tone with a bad interception in the first quarter that helped Green Bay jump out to an early 14-0 lead. From there, it was a comedy of errors for the Giants, who essentially crapped the bed with their playoff destiny in their own hands.
Despite all this, the 9-6 Giants still have a chance to make the post-season (with a lot of help from other teams) … but let’s face it, this team is dead in the water. For the second year in a row, Tom Coughlin’s team got off to a great start in the first half of the season and fell apart when it mattered most. Meanwhile, with the victory, the Packers (also 9-6) can clinch a wild card berth with a win at home against NFC North champion Chicago next week.
23
Dec
2010
Why their brutal loss to the Eagles could help the Giants for the playoff run
Another entry for the Manning face Hall of Fame (Photo: The Star-Ledger)
(Editor’s Note: This article was prompted by a bet between myself and TheDarkHorse, wherein the loser would have to write an article extolling the virtues of the winner of this game. I’m a lifelong Giants fan, and based on the terms of the bet, this column is supposed to “describe the overconfidence of NY fans, and the reality that Big Blue will not be alive a month from now.” However, based on the excruciatingly soul-crushing way the Giants lost this game, I’m calling an audible and writing what I really think. Sorry TDH …)
Since the Giants’ historic meltdown against the Eagles last Sunday, a gloom & doom mentality has overtaken the New York fan base. And rightly so … as far as regular season losses go, that one was about as bad as they come. It’s the type of loss that could cripple a team emotionally, and take their heart completely out for the rest of the season. But as bad as it was, as I was wallowing in the post-game crapulence, I couldn’t help but notice that it just didn’t hurt as badly as the aftermath of some of the Giants other more memorable collapses. And the reason for that is simple: at 9-5, they’re still in excellent position to make the playoffs. So the players & coaches don’t have time to sit around and reflect on everything that went wrong in those final 7-1/2 minutes of that one game. They have to quickly shake it off and focus on their next opponent, the Green Bay Packers.
For Tom Coughlin’s club it’s this simple: win Sunday at Green Bay and they’re in. But the Packers also need this win to stay in the playoff hunt, so you know they’re going to come out fighting on their home turf. And quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who missed last week’s game with a concussion – was cleared by team doctors to play on Sunday, so the GB offense should be in full force. So while it would be easy for the Giants to dwell on the “Miracle in the New Meadowlands” and get demoralized about life in general, they’re going to have to find a way to harness the emotion from that loss and channel it onto the playing field.
And according to some players, the Giants seem to be doing just that, and have been noticeably energized this week in practice:
“I think, as hard as it is to believe, guys actually managed to move on,” Cofield said. “We realize, if we win, we’re in. You can clinch second-to-last game of the season, that’s big.
A big game, a big opponent and a lot riding it, so I think it makes it easier to move on.”
For New York players and fans, using a tough loss to spark a playoff run is nothing new. Eli Manning, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora (among others) were part of the 2007 Super Bowl club that finished 10-6 and stumbled into the playoffs with a week 15 home loss to the Redskins, and the now-infamous week 17 loss to the Patriots. But through those games the Giants gained the confidence that they could play with the best in the league, and used that final loss as a rallying point for their championship run. And there’s no question after watching this Giants team dominate the Eagles for 3-1/2 quarters, that they have the talent on both sides of the ball to play with anyone in the NFL. It’s just a question of putting it together for 60 full minutes, and catching a few breaks along the way.
20
Sep
2010
Brandon Jacobs will ask Giants to be traded; apologizes for helmet toss
Brandon Jacobs somehow managed to lose the Manning Bowl by himself (Image via KissingSuzyKolber)
In the aftermath of last night’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the New York Giants are dealing with a cloud of controversy surrounding RB Brandon Jacobs.
First off, during the third quarter of the game, Jacobs became a center of attention after his helmet somehow ended up ten rows deep in the Indianapolis stands (image above). Now this morning, reports suggest that Jacobs is meeting with Giants management today to ask to be traded. Possibly so he can go to Indy to be reunited with that raven-haired beauty who nearly got hit by his helmet.
This could signal quite a fall for the short-tempered Jacobs, who started the last 3 seasons at starting RB for the Giants, but was relegated to the back-up slot behind Ahmad Bradshaw for last night’s game. His performance (4 carries, 8 yards), along with a poor decision to try and bounce a run to the outside, resulted in a shouting match with coach Tom Coughlin on the sidelines. Afterward, Jacobs tried to throw his helmet toward the wall behind the visitors’ bench … he missed and it ended up sailing into the stands. Afterward, Jacobs apologized:
“I was a little mad, but to be honest with you, it was a mistake,” Jacobs said. “It got caught onto the sticky leather of my gloves.
“I did not mean to do that and everybody who knows me knows I did not mean to do something like that. The whole world could fall down on me and I wouldn’t have done anything like that. I apologize to Indy, first of all, and their fans, our organization. It’s just something that happened that shouldn’t have happened.”
Regardless of the helmet issue, Jacobs is clearly unhappy with his diminishing role in New York. But he can complain all he wants, because it’s not likely that Jacobs – who is in the second year of a new 4-year contract – is going anywhere soon. That contract is scheduled to pay Jacobs $4.65 million in 2011 and $4.9 million in 2012, so the Giants will have a hard time finding teams willing to take that on. Jacobs should worry more about running north-south and using that big body of his to drive a pile … if he does that, the rest will take care of itself.
More of this, Brandon ... and less of the helmet tossing
VIDEO OF JACOBS HELMET IN THE STANDS AFTER THE JUMP
3
Jan
2010
Giants Defense Disgraceful; Sheridan Must Go
The Giants defense should be embarrassed (Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)
UPDATE - Sheridan was fired on Monday. Hooray.
This is just ugly. This afternoon in Minnesota, with nothing to play for (I mean, except for pride and all those millions of dollars they’re making) the New York Giants defense has put on another embarrassing display of football, and trail the Vikings 31-0 at the half. Along the way, the Giants have given up over 300 yards and 20+ first downs, allowing Brett Favre to find Vikings receivers running free all over the field, and looking a lot like a high school football team in the process.
Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan should be out of a job by Tuesday, and Tom Coughlin should be looking over his shoulder as well. The Giants went from 5-0 and early Super Bowl favorites to one of the more pathetic units in the league. Granted, the defense was hit with some big injuries – namely to Kenny Phillips and Antonio Pierce – but with as much talent as is still on the Giants roster, there’s simply no excuse for giving up over 400 points this season (which has only happened twice before in franchise history), and missing the playoffs entirely.
Giants Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan is as good as gone (Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)
Michael Strahan just observed on the FOX halftime show that the Giants “mailed it in weeks ago”, which appears to be true on every level. The individual effort of the players has been disgraceful, but the schemes have been awful, and that all goes back to the coaching staff. I doubt Coughlin is going anywhere after winning the Super Bowl so recently, but someone has to take the fall, and that person is going to be Sheridan. The way he has mishandled this defense in taking over for Steve Spagnuolo – alienating Osi Umenyiora along the way – is reminiscent of the way Rod Rust replaced Bill Belichick in ’91/’92, turning a once powerful unit into a shell of its former self. It’s a low point in the history of the franchise.
For his part, earlier this week, Sheridan said he wasn’t concerned about his job security, but after today’s miserable display, and after allowing 40+ points in 3 of their last 4 games, there’s simply no way that Giants ownership doesn’t make wholesale changes to the coaching staff and roster. And if there’s any justice in the world, the Sheridan era is over in New York.
Watch the game lowlights after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »
20
Sep
2009
WEBINAR-OFF: Giants v. Cowboys v. Fufkin v. C-O-U-R-T-N-E-Y!
UPDATE: WE’LL BE PERIODICALLY BLOGGING OUR THOUGHTS ON THE GAME IN THE COMMENTS. FOLLOW ALONG.
I lay down the gauntlet early this morning because I know fufkin will need all day to formulate a response to the verbal devastation that follows. To begin with, I lowercase fufkin in an intentional lack of respect, similar to the lack of respect that the giants have shown to Americans (as fans of America’s team) in recent years. At every turn, the giants talk, talk, talk about the Cowboys. The base, verbal diarrhea that falls from brandon jacobs pouty lips is fare usually reserved for pro wrestling and is all part of the lame mystique that the giants–led by THE human embodiment of a clown show in eli womanning– appear to be trying to carve out for themselves. Intimidating? Poppycock: the giants are a laughable collection of men.
Eli Wo-Manning surveys the secondary
And here is why the Cowboys will whup ‘em tonight:
1. JerryWorld- There is an unwritten rule that says “thou shall not lose one’s inaugural game in one’s new stadium”. To ensure that would not happen, Jerry Jones (1) gathered his players during the off-season and told them how much money he was spending on a daily basis to build JerryWorld, and (2) made utterly idiotic claims that he believes JerryWorld will inspire his team to the Super Bowl, antagonizing fans and foes alike. What better way to inspire than economics? What better way to motivate than by way of high-def jumbotron/executive suites/frittering glass/retractable roofs?
While Jerry’s thought process helps to explain the Cowboys lack of playoff success in the Cowboys’ post-Jimmy Johnson world, there are unique advantages to be gained by the Cowboys playing at home tonight. Nobody on the giants has ever played at Cowboys stadium. Everything will be new to them. The locker rooms. The sidelines, sight lines, lights– all new. Recently, we moved offices WITHIN THE SAME BUILDING and I lost two days of work because of the distractions. Where is the coffee machine? Does Dave really think it is OK to talk on speakerphone with his door open? If you think the giants won’t be distracted by a 60 yard high definition screen hanging above their heads, you haven’t moved offices recently. The distraction factor will be a factor. According to Rick Gosselin, a new stadium virtually ensures first season success. The mere fact that the Cowboys have played (pre-season) and practiced in the new stadium gives them an edge. Look for Dallas to get off to a good start tonight as the giants try to figure out their ass from their elbow.
2. Super Bowls are won in September- The Cowboys under Tony Romo have gone like gang busters in September since he took over quarterbacking duties. There are a lot of reasons for it, but chief among them are that the Cowboys are fresh, injury free, and haven’t yet been exposed as heartless fairies. Few teams, including the giants, have as much front line talent as the Cowboys. From DeMarcus Ware to a bevy of talented players on the offensive side of the ball, Dallas is loaded. Dallas’ problem is that as soon as it has to pull from its depth pool (see offensive line play last year after Kyle Kosier went down) or persevere through the inevitable fatigue and adversity that a season brings, they wilt. While they claim this year will be different and have every reason to be motivated to exorcise the demons of last season, it is of no matter here. Dallas wins in September, and will win tonight, because they simply have more talent than the giants and talent wins 75% of the time in the NFL.
3. The three-headed-monster- Goodbye earth, wind, and fire; hello Tash, Smash, and Dash. The healthy three-headed monster of Tashard Choice, Marion Barber, and Felix Jones gives the Cowboys the promise of offensive balance, which it lacked last year. One way to negate the giants vaunted pass rush (and to cut down on turnovers) is to run the ball effectively and use your running backs in the passing game. Dallas has the weapons and, unlike last year, the patience (read: no T.O.) to do that this year. The Giants have also never had to play against Felix Jones. Although limited by a thigh bruise in week one, reports are that Jones is ready to go. One flash of his speed and open field ability will force the giants to think twice before bringing the heat. Expect him to play a big role in tonight’s game plan.
4. Balance- I was at a dinner party last night where people spoke of balance. In life, in food, in all things. It made for terrible, when-will-it-end conversation. Although buzz-killing when amongst suburbanites, balance is brilliance if your name is Jason Garrett. Dallas is more committed to the run and taking what the defense gives them (as opposed to forcing the ball to Terrell Owens just to shut him up) this year. Garrett’s new approach was masterful in its execution against the Bucs. While the giants pose a bigger threat, Garrett’s commitment to balance will be on full display tonight and will also help to negate the giants pash rush.
5. The giants receivers don’t scare me (or anyone for that matter)- Dallas has some vulnerabilities on the defensive side of the ball. For one, they struggled to stop the run against the Bucs. According to Wade Phillips, the Cowboys gave up most of those yards because they were blitzing too much, a problem he says that was corrected at halftime. The problem with that argument is that the Bucs were trailing the whole second half and had to pass more, which likely had more to do with them abandoning the run than any technical adjustments. The giants will run the ball. Often. Expect the Cowboys to load up the box in an effort to force womanning to turn to his untested corp of you-don’t-scare-me receivers. When coupled with a fast start by the ‘Boys, the pressure will build on the giants to make plays in the passing game. While I think the giants receiving core will be fine as the season wears on, the Cowboys have they advantage of facing them early in the season.
FINAL SCORE: Cowboys 30-22. fufkin. Have I convinced you?
CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP FOR ARTIE FUFKIN’S RESPONSE
3
Apr
2009
PLAX BUYS THE FARM
1. Get drunk in a bar
2. Shoot yourself with your own gun
3. Get fired by your employer
4. Rinse and repeat
The Giants have released oft-annoying, sign-of-the-times wideout Plaxico Burress.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4040009
Fear not. Giants fans still have Eli Manning and his overcoat:
COMMENTARY by Artie Fufkin
Well, there it is. The Plaxico saga has come to an end in NY. I can’t say I’m surprised by this move, but it came a bit quicker than perhaps anyone had expected. But with this week’s court proceedings, it became clear that Burress is going to do some jail time, making it next-to-impossible for him to come back and play next season.
However, reports out of NY are suggesting that Plax’s release had very little to do with his legal situation. The Giants have said all along that they would be willing to take Plaxico back if he would show that he truly understood the gravity of his situation, and was willing to make some serious changes in his behavior & attitude. Apparently, in whatever communications the Giants have had with Burress of late, they’ve seen the same ‘ol Plax, spoiled and self-centered.
The Giants have long prided themselves on being one of the class organizations in the NFL, and its clear that Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese were tired of the Plax soap opera, and decided to move on. They don’t want players who put themselves ahead of the team, and by cutting ties with Burress, you send a very clear message to anyone who wants to play in NY. You also remove any delusions of Plax returning, and can take necessary steps toward filling his shoes before or through the draft (ahem – TRADE FOR BRAYLON EDWARDS!!!).
GM Jerry Reese has shown himself to be one of the brightest young minds in the league, and at this point, he’s earned the trust of Giants fans that he knows what he’s doing here. Plaxico Burress proved himself to be too selfish and immature to not completely screw up a good thing in NY. But his presence on the field will be missed, and it’s clear the Giants can’t go into training camp with Domenick Hixon, Steve Smith & Sinorice Moss as their top receivers. Whether it’s through trade or draft the Giants are going to make a move, and make one soon.
Fare thee well, Plax. Fare thee well.
