Lots of stuff in today’s batch. Enjoy!
Any news on the hunt for a QB Coach? – Steve M.
Nope; just a lot of hearsay and rumors ending with a guy going elsewhere. When I have something more than lukewarm, I’ll tweet it.
Read about Osi's comments on WFAN in the local papers and I was very dissappointed in his approach. There was no " I need to play better" or "I will do whatever is best for the team". In fact, it was quite the opposite. ME Me Me, wah wah wah. I used to be a big Osi fan but no more. Send this guy packing for a second rounder on draft day (if you can even get that). I know the plan was to keep him but I hope they reconsider. This is an opportunity to send a message to all the players!! No I in team!! – Jim F.
Jim, I’m perplexed. I’m not sure what Osi is trying to accomplish with this talk. I understand that everyone on the defense played poorly at times, but it wasn’t as though he was singled out – I think the decision was made based on his body of work rather than just one game. I also understand he’s a competitor, but I can’t help but wonder if because his contract is so incentive laden that the reason why he wants to be a starter again is so he can trigger the incentives in his contract. But then again, as I recall, when you’re part of a rotation, the third defensive end is going to get a lot of snaps as well, so I’m not sure what the purpose of this exercise is. I wouldn’t be surprised if Osi is a no-show at the off-season program though given his grumblings.
I must admit, I had lingering reservations about Osi heading into the offseason, I thought it was a volaile situation that could explode if and when the going got tough next year. A significant portion of Osi issues last year seemed to be his attitude. While Sheridan may have been part of the problem, I don't think they were the main factor. I actually think one of the biggest reasons comes back to money.
He sees what the top DEs are getting and he wants to be paid likewise, Osi has seen what players like Julius Peppers, Demarcus Ware, Albert Haynesworth and Jared Allen are getting and he wants his big pay. But that isn't going to happen here, particularly after last season. I also thought there would be lingering issues beneath the surface between Osi and the front office with his antics last year. It seems to me now that Osi wants out.
Reese is saying he wants him, but that may be to maximize his trade value. Osi's demand seems to be a sign of what will happen. He wants to be guaranteed to be the starter and is threatening to retire. Well there is no way he is going to be simply handed a starting gig after how he and the rest of the team performed. Osi is going to have to earn it like almost everyone else (although he certainly is the front runner). That is just isn't how Coughlin and the Giants do football.
Frankly considering the pathetic performance of our defense that is how it should be, particularly when you have someone like Kiwanuka in competition. Kiwanuka may not be in the same class as Osi as an edge rusher, but he puts in 100% and doesn't quit; plus he isn't afraid to mix it up in the trenches. I believe Osi should have confidence that he can work hard in the offseason and beat out Kiwanuka, instead he makes demands to start with the threat of retirement. I think Osi is quickly heading towards the point of no return, I think it is very likely he will be traded.
I don't see Coughlin, Reese or Fewell as the kind of people that will tolerate players holding them to ransom. I can easily see 3-4 teams like New England, San Diego, San Fransisco, Miami, Cleveland, Kansas City, Denver, NY Jets and Arizona plus 4-3 teams like St Louis, Indianapolis, Tennessee and Jacksonville all being very interested. All of these need a legitimate pass rusher and with the limited number of free agents, Osi will be in demand. I would be surprised if Osi is still on the roster come May. All that remains to be seen is what we can get in return. I got to admit, I am extremely disappointed in Osi this season. I used be to a big fan, but I have lost almost all respect for him. To me that is not what Giants football is all about; it should be about physical play, toughness, playing hard for your team mates, rolling up your sleeves and getting dirty for the team. – Peter M.
Peter, it usually is always about the money. I have a strong hunch this relationship is heading for a messy divorce. You just don’t give an ultimatum like Osi did, especially coming off the year he had when you have no real leverage. What I want to know is why this team can’t have a distraction-free year?
I’d like to respond to Jim V.’s excellent letter. First of all, thanks for reading and taking the time to respond. I would love to see more letters like yours.
As for your comments, I’d like to address at least a few of them. First of all, I agree that the Cowboys are a classless organization. But that comes from the top and not necessarily all of the players. Chris Canty did not go from being classless one year to being classy the next just because he was traded to the Giants. I wish that the networks, especially FOX, would get over showing Jerry Jones 15 times every game and I wish that the NFL would bar owners from the sidelines. But it is not going to happen. However, my point is that to refer to the team as the “Cowgirls” or the Cowturds” (as well as the “Deadskins”) as I have seen on this site and others, (especially given the sex of your editor) is, in my mind, demeaning to the Giants fans who I would like to think are above such things. Just as the Dallas team and fans may be classless, I do not think that the Giants fans should stoop to the same level. But perhaps the Giants fans have changed as well.
As for the Red jerseys, the first game that I ever saw at the Polo Grounds(in the bleachers) was the Giants against the Chicago Cardinals in 1947 or 48. For some reason, both teams wore red that day and the only difference was the helmets. What a mess but a fun day and I was hooked on football for life. Many fans don’t realize that the Giants did not become “BiG Blue” until 1955 or 56. Until that time, their jerseys always had red in them. The point that I was making, however, was that there are contributors to this site and others that write in saying that they hope the Giants don’t wear red as if it has some impact on the game. The only thing that it impacts is the marketing of jerseys and NFL properties tells the teams that the “alternate” jerseys should be worn at least once a year just like the throwback jerseys in the AFC this season. There are bigger things to worry or even care about then the jerseys that are being worn.
As for Buck and Aikman, I would argue that Aikman is no more of a Cowboy fan than Simms is a Giants fan. It comes through a bit in both of them. But for fans to say that they turn off the sound because Buck and Aikman are announcing a game is, at least to me, a bit ridiculous. They do an excellent job, as does Nantz and Simms. Your reference to Johnston and “The Goose,” their play-by-play announcer is Marv Albet’s kid, Ken, who grew up on Long Island (as a Jets fan). So maybe his New York background/bias sneaks in a bit. But just like the jerseys, who is announcing the games should have no impact on the enjoyment of the viewer.
As for Mr. Reese’s record, I would suggest that Giants fans look at his performance over the three seasons that he has been GM as well as the last few when he was Director of Personnel. Yes, he had a good draft the first year (but I do not feel that it was as good as it has been touted to be). I agree that Bradshaw was a steal in the 7th round but to spend 4TH on a long snapper/special teams player is a bit of a reach, Koets has done nothing the past two seasons, Johnson may have peaked, and, at least in my mind, the jury is still out on Alford and Ross (who had hamstring problems while he was at Texas). I would argue that Boss, although a good pass catching tight end, has done nothing to help their blocking and they still need a TE who can block and catch passes. So looking back, I am not as thrilled with the 2007 draft as some others may be. In addition, the Giants have wasted at least two high picks to move up for Kehl and Barden, two players who have yet to show that they were worthy of a move up. Just one man’s opinion.
I would also like to address a response made by your editor in the LTTE’s. I guess I am old-fashioned but if I were being paid $1-2M a season (or more) to make tackles or sack the QB or catch passes, I would not need to show my muscles or do a dance or strut around like a peacock for doing the thing that I am being paid to do. It is interesting that the NCAA rule calls for a foul if the player does an act that “calls attention to ones self.” Personally I would like to see the same rule in the NFL. What was once a unique situation has now become routine and actually engenders significant ill-will on the field (which leads to other things later in the game). I think “enough is enough” when it comes to demonstrations.
Finally, this week-end most of us will be watching the Super Bowl. I am certain that on Monday (or even Sunday night), the fans of one team or another (or both for that matter) will be complaining about the officiating. This is another trend that I feel we have seen enough of. In the game, there will be poorly thrown passes, dropped balls, fumbles, and some stupid play-calling. There will also probably be some (but probably very few) missed calls by the officials. It is all part of the game. Live with it. Enjoy your parties, enjoy your beer, and enjoy the game. And if you think that you can do better, every Pop Warner league and every high school officiating association in the country is looking for officials. Get off your couch and go down and try to officiate. It’s a great way to make some extra money, to get some exercise and to meet some nice people from all walks of life. You may find that calling a game is not as simple as it looks.
If you have any questions about the Super Bowl or anything else, feel free to write. We’ll be here next week. – The Ref
Thanks Ref! Regarding my comment about celebrating, I am old-fashioned too, and yes, I understand that you should do what you’re paid to do. But I see the human element of it as well – we all like to receive kudos and who amongst us hasn’t celebrated because our efforts have been recognized? Whether it’s an exceptional performance appraisal, a kind word from a supervisor, or whatever, can you honestly tell me that you haven’t at some point in your life felt really good inside over having your efforts recognized by someone else?
Early in the season you wrote a piece in regards to the giants and eli that said something like this year was a deciding year for eli in your mind because he had the fact that his wr's didn't work with him over the offseason to fall back on as an excuse but this year he had no excuses because his wr's worked with him all offseason. I kind of thought that the deciding year would be next yr because the wr's were inexperienced but that being said after career highs in comp. pct., td's, yards, yards per attempt, what's your evaluation of eli now? -- Kevin L.
I like how he grew as a quarterback and as a leader, and I think the proof is in the pudding, so to speak.
I enjoy your comments and find them very inciteful. Do you know how I can reconnect with giants 101?I enjoy the repartee and the member's comments on both these sites. – William C.
I’m drawing a blank. Is that a user or a web site?
