GIANTS WIN

                                             "Couglin's X's  and O's BEAT Belichick's again"

As everyone already knows by now, the Giants won superbowl XLVI. It was an intense game that had everyone on their toes. The giants owned the first half of the game, beginning with Brady’s' intentional grounding call and Cruz' easy touchdown in the 1st quarter. The giants knew they had to come out strong to gain momentum in the beginning of the game, even with Manning being sacked twice, very early. Even when trailing as the 2nd half began, it still seemed like a giants game. It seemed to remain that way, even as everyone crossed their fingers when Brady threw the Hail Mary with just 5 seconds left.

On the contrary, some people are debating whether or not the Giants won, or the Patriots lost. I say the giants played an amazing game, the defensive line could have been better but they held their own. And Manning was extremely clutch, as he always has plenty of time in the pocket. The giants played very well under pressure, and recovered 2 fumbles. The Giants didn’t just play better than the Patriots, who played horribly. Wes Welker seemed to have butter fingers, Brady under threw to Hernandez and Branch. Coughlin/Manning beat Brady/Belichick, they simply played better strategically and conservatively. In the end, the Giants stayed aggressive, and the Pats just seemed like they couldn’t get it together. If Brady could have executed plays better, and Gronk were at 100%,I think the Giants would have still won.

On a side note, I hope the next NY Championship I watch will include the Knicks….






http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/super-bowl-xlvi-super-bowl-xlii-ny-giants-tom-coughlin-outcoaches-england-patriots-bill-belichick-article-1.1017793

Puppy Bowl VIII

Every year, for the past eight years, animal lovers united and decided to watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, in place of the Superbowl. A cuter and (let's be honest) sillier version of the big game is played by the shelter puppies in search of a better home. I will admit I did tune in for a few minutes, since I knew I wanted to share this with you, and it was adorable and hard to turn from. It was like a cute little train wreck, I just had to keep watching for more.

The puppies aren't just adorable, but they also come from humble beginnings. Animal Planet worked with website Petfinder.com to locate animals in need from 32 shelters and rescue groups across 20 states. The puppies and kittens, who starred in the Puppy Bowl Halftime Show, come from a diverse array of states including Mississippi, Vermont, Rhode Island and Kentucky, and all returned home after the event to find families.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/puppy-bowl-2012-super-bowl-dogs-gallery-1.1016688

Rodgers disappointed with Pro Bowl effort

Every Tuesday throughout the football season, Aaron Rodgers sits down with Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee to discuss the upcoming game for the Packers and what's on the mind of the Packer Quarterback. This Tuesday, Rodgers called in from San Diego in his final podcast segment of the season. When asked how the Pro Bowl was, Rodgers expressed his displeasure with the way some of the players treated the game. He felt like some of the NFC guys "embarrassed" themselves during the game.

As a diehard Packer fan and huge Rodgers supporter, (go ahead Giant fans I'm ready for the torture. Have your fun now.) I agree with where Rodgers is coming from because without a doubt, the Pro Bowl has become a joke. TJ Lang, Left Guard for the Packers, tweeted during the game that he no longer wanted to watch the "jog through" anymore, in reference to a light practice teams have before a game. I understand that players want to avoid suffering injury in a meaningless game right before the off-season, but how does the old saying go "if you play to avoid getting hurt, you will get hurt," yea that could happen also. It is a game for the fans and fans are losing interest in the game more and more, including myself. Treat it as a regular game minus the James Harrison hits or Nndamukong Suh tackles.

Will Rodgers get heat for saying something like this? I think he already has and he has already accepted the fact that he will, but probably because he is voicing his opinion. That will always draw attention to someone. Is he wrong though? Not at all and I believe coaches and other players have the same feeling throughout the league. What are you feelings towards Rodgers' remarks or your feelings towards the Pro Bowl?
http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120131/PKR01/120131168/Green-Bay-Packers-quarterback-Aaron-Rodgers-disappointed-in-how-some-Pro-Bowl-teammates-played?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

It’s awesome being Eli Manning.  You have a hot wife, you’re the franchise Quarterback for the New York Giants, you ended the Patriots hopes of a 19-0 season, and you have an opportunity to beat them again in two weeks after playing the best year of your career and validating that you are an elite QB in the NFL today.

Oh yeah, and your big brother loves you too, and he happens to be Peyton Manning.

This was the first year in which Peyton Manning got the opportunity to watch his brother play every single game of the season.  Due to a neck injury, Peyton followed doctors orders and sat out the entire year, assisting in whatever ways he could.  But as he watched his team sink like the Titanic, he watched his brother have a career year.  However to Peyton, there is no difference in how Eli has played between last year and this year.  Quote, “Everybody made a huge deal out of the interceptions last year.  From what I saw last year and talking to him and watching game film of him last year — because we played the N.F.C. East — I thought he played well last year.”

Peyton has been very protective of his brother in the past.  As an older brother with two younger ones, I know what its like to get very defensive of them when someone treats them bad.  I also pass on my wisdom to them about life and other topics.  It seems that Peyton does that too, sharing his knowledge with Eli about reading opposing defenses, timing, and other QB tips.  The best thing is when you get to watch them in action, and it looks like Peyton enjoying himself doing just that this year.  Whether he will ever play again remains to be seen, but for the moment, it looks like he’s just as happy watching his brother from the sidelines cheering him on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/sports/football/peyton-manning-fan-analyst-and-his-brothers-defender.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2

It's about Mann Time

Gotta love the Manning Face

Prior to the teams miraculous run four years ago, many Giants fans were ready to run Eli Manning out of town.  He seemed to be just another example of a high profile college player with lofty expectations who just didn't seem to pan out.  It also didn't help that his last name personified greatness at the quarterback position.  It's tough to carry the weight of a a city, where every wrong move you make is exploited, on top of your shoulders, especially as a young kid.

But that young kid proved all his doubters wrong and won the Super Bowl in dramatic fourth quarter fashion, defeating one of the greatest teams in NFL history.

Even then, it wasn't enough.

The birds still chirped.  It was the defense that won that game not the quarterback who marched his team down the field in the final two minutes to score the winning touchdown.  Had Tyree not gotten lucky catching the ball against his helmet then we would be talking about the 19-0 Super Bowl Champion Patriots being the greatest team ever.  Tom Brady would have perhaps put himself at the top list of greatest quarterbacks of all time having won is fourth super bowl.

People often forget how well Eli played in that game but more importantly the poise and leadership he showed when his team needed him the most.  But still most eyes, he would never overshadow is older brother Peyton nor be considered one of the great quarterbacks in the league.

Last season he had a league high 25 interceptions, many of which were not his fault mind it, and failed to lead the Giants to the post season.

Then comes the infamous Michael Kay interview.

Let me pose this question: Why would any professional athlete in his right mind put himself down in any way rather than present and strong sense of confidence?  Are they not paid to compete?

Still people got on Manning for openly saying that he was in the same class as the NFL's elite such as Tom Brady.

All Manning did was go out for an entire season, and now post season and back his word up.  He has put together easily his best season as a pro and has taken a team that many were writing off in December to an highly anticipated rematch with the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.  He's gone on the road and put of the numbers against the leagues top teams and has created a sense of confidence amongst Giants fans that you saw in Niners fans back when Joe Montana was behind center.  Time and time again, Eli Manning has proven two things: he is gonna be on the field every week and that nothing can rattle him.

For so long, he has been put down by every writer, analyst known to man.  All that has changed.  This is Eli's city.

Mike Lupica brings up an interesting argument in todays NY Daily News, that he would rather have Eli Manning playing quarterback in the Super Bowl then the godly Tom Brady.  He believes that right now Manning is the better quarterback and it has showed through both their play.  I may be a biased Giants fan but I can't help but smile and agree and just think that it's about time the guy got the respect he deserved.

Maybe Mike and I are crazy but that's up for you to decide.


Check out the story here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/super-tom-brady-superior-eli-manning-article-1.1010747

In Davis We Trust (Or At Least Hope)

Knicks' point guard Baron Davis practiced with the team on Monday for the first time since being acquired in mid December. This was the first time Davis has seen the court in nine months as he has been recovering from a herniated disk in his back. Coach Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks are in desperate need of a spark at the point guard position. The Knicks' offense has struggled without a true point guard to run the D'Antoni offense. With great scorers like Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire on the team, many thought that defense, not offense, would be the side of the ball that was struggling. The offense has looked stagnant with Anthony playing the point-forward position after D'Antoni tried to run the offense through combo guards Toney Douglas and rookie Iman Shumpert. The Knicks lead the league in isolation plays so far this season, and fans have become restless and have even booed Carmelo Anthony when he runs the offense by holding the ball at the elbow for 10 seconds, as he shimmy and shakes followed by hoisting up a brick. In fairness Anthony has been bothered by injuries, particular to his non shooting hand and wrist but the lack of a true point guard is the main reason for his and his teammates struggles.

In Baron Davis coach D'Antoni, as well as Knicks' fans see a band-aid that can help patch up the offense and make this team into the championship contender that many deemed it would be at the start of the season. Their view is very optimistic and they hope they get the Baron Davis that is an all star point guard and not the one who has struggled in the past couple of years dealing with injuries. The Knicks' season and possibly coach D'Antoni's job will rely on how well Davis performs when he eventually gets into some game action. He is sure to struggle in his first couple of games, having to get acclimated with the Knicks' offense, as well as his teammates. Only time will tell if this glimmer of hope will provide a light at the end of the tunnel.

Link

Tension still strong with Yankees GM,Posada as catcher says his good-byes

Ever since the the outspoken owner of the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner, started fading further and further away from the organization and then ultimately his death, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman has become the voice of the organization. The General Manager has been more open about the state of the team and more open about his thoughts on trade proposals and demands.

John Harper of the Daily News wrote yesterday that even after the emotional Jorge Posada retirement press conference, there is still a lingering tension between Cashman and Posada. Although Posada made it be known that he wanted to walk away as a Yankee, Harper believes he walked away because the demotion was hard on him and ultimately the Front Office knew this would be it for Posada as a  Yankee.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/tensions-linger-ny-yankees-jorge-posada-farewell-press-conference-article-1.1011445

In the past, the Yankees have been criticized for holding onto team icons and legends for too long and having to be responsible for overwhelming contracts for older players. Cashman and his staff have changed its image as a Front Office in building from within with their minor-league system and staying away from long contracts with players already starting the down-fall in their careers.

As a Yankee fan and idolizing players like Pettitte, Posada, Jeter, and Rivera growing up, it's tough to say good-bye to these players or prepare for their retirement press-conference because of how much they meant to us growing up.  It is re-assuring to know that the Yankee organization is now being smarter with their money and are utilizing their assets in the most logical places.

Yes, it's tough to cut the cords on our legends as fans, but it's gratifying to know that the organization we root for now has the mindset of, "Let them a walk a year too early, rather than a year too late." Nobody likes to be stuck with a player who simply cannot perform any longer and is holding a roster spot from a promising prospect. It's good to know that the organization is in good hands now and the baseball minds are making baseball moves.