NFL-Giants: NY Giants football news

First Toomer gives this interview. The title uses the word “criticizes” which may be a little too dramatic (Garafolo and the other reporter are always trying to get attention the cheap way) but Toomer does indicate that he disagreed with Coughlin’s approach and that Toomer should have been a bigger part of the offense in the playoffs.

Then he said this (and this article has some of the same quotes as the other so I don’t know if they are combining two interviews or what):

As a result, Toomer said, he’s come to the conclusion that “I definitely think that in the current situation I don’t think I could go back.” He said his agent has had some talks with the Giants, but nothing substantial. And he’s looking forward to seeing what he’s worth on the open market when the free-agent signing period begins on Feb. 27.

Bill Sheridan, the Giants linebackers coach, was promoted to defensive coordinator.The Giants hired Jim Herrmann, formerly the Jets linebackers coach, to be their new linebackers coach.

Sheridan and Herrman do have some history. Herrmann was defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan for nine years, where Sheridan served under him as the linebackers coach (2002) and the defensive line coach (2003-2004).

Just saw on ESPN that Spags is going to be the Rams next head coach. 4 years, 11.5 million. Personally, I don’t really like our coaches interviewing before playoff games but I guess we have to accept that this is part of the NFL.

Anyway, thanks for being part of the Giants Super Bowl run.

This article talks about how things will change some for the Giants. At running back Ward may not be back and Danny Ware may be asked to do similar things. At safety, James Butler may not return. Kenny Phillips could start there but the Giants would be left with no depth at safety. At receiver, we either need Plax back or we have a real problem. Toomer may not be back. John Carney may not be back. They don’t mention Feagles, but he seems to think about retiring every year. They don’t mention the linebackers, but the Giants are clearly missing something there.

I would say receiver, linebacker, and safety are musts for the Giants. A corner is pretty close to a must even though we don’t need a starter there.

They played real well in the first half, especially the Giants defense (the Eagles end of half field goal drive notwithstanding). Then in the second half the Eagles outplayed the Giants. The Giants offense scored 3 field goals which is pretty pathetic since they often had good field position. I hate to say it, but if there was one position where the Giants really looked bad it was QB. Manning missed too many throws and gave the Eagles too many points. I guess it happens – players have crappy games and Manning choked in this one. We can’t really hate the guy since he did win us last season’s Super Bowl but I have to be honest about what I saw.

And the Eagles started moving the ball real well in the second half. I’m not quite sure who we have to blame on defense. The pass rush was a bit slow but how do you blame the defensive line or the linebackers when the Eagles couldn’t run the ball? Clearly they did their jobs. The secondary got beat a few times but that happens. I think it all comes back to the offense being unable to score touchdowns.

Last time I posted I was in London. When I got back to New York, my grandfather was dying. We spent a lot of time with him in the hospice and he passed away yesterday. That’s why I haven’t been posting.

Nothing will make me feel good right now, but a Giants win would certainly be a step in the right direction.