In describing a book about the passing game (one which I have never seen) Dr. Z quotes this passage about the Giants QB.
Eli Manning: "One of the things I can't stand as an analyst is hype. Some of the PR in this league simply bugs me no end, and the Eli Manning PR probably bugs me more than just about any other. Eli played so poorly last year that at one point I pulled out the thesaurus, as I simply couldn't find the words to describe how poorly Eli Manning was playing ... Abominable, appalling, deplorable, ghastly and unsightly all seemed to hit the spot. Eli's list of mistakes was nearly as long as Mike Vick's."
Here's an article about how the Redskins are looking to fill the MLB spot now that Pierce is a Giant. The main reason I post it here is because there are some fun comments to read about the Giants new linebacker:
"It will definitely be tough to replace A.P.," linebacker Marcus Washington said of Pierce, who topped the Redskins' third-ranked defense with 160 tackles last year. "He was a heck of a leader. Everyone knows that Coach Williams' defense isn't the easiest in the NFL. As the middle linebacker, not only do you have to get yourself lined up, but you have to get the defensive linemen lined up. Sometimes they don't want to cooperate, so you have to go over and slap them on the bottom. And sometimes [safety] Sean Taylor doesn't really want to get in the huddle. A.P. would have to yell at him."It's sure nice to hear that Pierce is a leader from someone who played next to him.
There's also an update on former Giant Mike Barrow. They found and removed some scar tissue in his knee and he is promising to come back stronger and better than ever.
Tom Coughlin has a lot of good news for Giants fans. One exception is that Barret Green won't be 100% by camp, but there's good news about numerous other players including RB Derrick Ward, WR Jamaar Taylor, WR Tim Carter, SS Gibril Wilson, SS Shaun Williams, LG Rich Seubert (who Coughlin says can be competitive in camp), WR's Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer (Coughlin said Toomer will be moved over to flanker, while Plaxico will start at split end), WR's David Tyree and Willie Ponder, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, HB Mike Cloud, DT Kendrick Clancy, MLB Antonio Pierce, SLB Carlos Emmons, LB Reggie Torbor, and CB Will Allen.
Yahoo sports has an article on Jeremy Shockey. There's a little history and a lot of quotes. here's a sample:
"I want to win," Shockey said. "I have never been on a losing team. Since I've been here, I think we ' ve lost more games than we've won (the Giants are 20-28 since 2002). I definitely want to win games. The guys that get selected to the Pro Bowl are on winning teams, and they're in the spotlight. I want to win; that's the most important part. But I want to be on the list of the top tight ends, because I know in my heart I'm just as good as the other guys.
"I want to win games that's what I want to prove. I want prove that I can help this team win, besides having good numbers and not make the playoffs. What's that going to prove? Nothing. That's what I want to prove - help this team go as far as it can go."
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Here's an interesting account of Plaxico Buress' reputation and how it came to be less than stellar. What surprised me is that he has been targeted by law enforcement for questionable reasons. When he was arrested for public intoxication, the cop called a Pittsburgh newspaper to tell them about it. Those charges were dropped. Then recently the whole tax evasion arrest warrant stupidity; the town made a mistake.
All the Giants message boards have information on Chicago Bears CB/RS R.W. McQuarters who, it seems, has agreed to terms with the Giants. No news yet on salary, and of course nothing is official.
Assuming these reports are correct, the Giants have a crowded secondary with Will Peterson and Will Allen the starters. Webster expected to push for time as a 3rd of 4th CB competing with Deloatch and Frank Walker in the mix there. Lamont Brightful, Michael Bragg, Art Thomas, Ahmad Treaudo, and Antwain Spann are trying not to be forgotten...
It seems like Will Allen doesn't have the attitude he needs to get better: "All I can do is go out and play the way Will Allen plays," he said. "I'm not worried what they think upstairs."
It seems like Will Allen has some rose-colored glasses on: "There's definitely things I felt I could do better last year," Allen said. "Everybody wants interceptions. I've just got to take advantage of more opportunities. There were three picks I didn't take advantage of last year."
Come on Will. You missed three picks all last season. I don't think so. I'm not going to go study the game tape but I seem to remember more than three. According to this article you missed three in three days of mini-camp.
"I have to play the ball like I've been playing the ball. When coach says play the ball better, he just wants to see more interceptions."
Beg to differ Will. You have to play the ball better, not the way you have been. You have to miss fewer tackles too. Oh and while you're at it, why don't you stop giving up touchdowns by playing tighter in the red zone?
Giants.com has a story on Gibril Wilson and Shaun Williams. Wilson is currently the starter although that could of course change in camp next month. The best news to me is that Gibril Wilson has gained 10 pounds up to 205. We need that guy helathy considering the age of Williams and Alexander...
Last season many Giants fans were frustrated with the offensive play calling which seemed uninspired at best and boring/predicatble at times. Stretch the field more often became a common cry and when a long pass to Jamaar Taylor from manning was called we all said good things.
This season Plaxico Burress thinks will be different: "We definitely have plays in our playbook that get me downfield," the team's newest starting receiver said after the conclusion of a three-day minicamp in which he regularly went deep. "I would say that was one of the reasons they brought me here."
Read the Newsday article.
Giants.com has an article with lots of Shockey quotes. He wants to be a bigger part of the offense and stretch the field more.
The more interesting quotes are not reported on Giants.com like this one: "But I already feel like I've been slowing down the past couple of weeks. Nothing against anything here, but you don't do the same things up here. I feel like I've had a couple of weeks off right now, even though we're practicing, but it's good to get your body rested."
Pretty interesting to me that the Giants workouts are actually slowing Shockey down and that the mini camp feels like time off. Coughlin might lose his drill sergeant like reputation if he doesn't make things tougher...
It's nice to hear that Eli is becoming more of a leader. Not aggressive, but assertive enough to control the huddle and critique guys in practice. If he matures quickly, you're looking at an awesome Giants offense!
NFL.com is just reporting that Mara (the older one) had an operation 3 weeks ago to remove cancerous lymph nodes. He has been battling skin cancer for 25 years.
Strahan says he is fine physically and that he relies on mental tools more than physical tools anyway. He should be fine. He also says the Giants are good enough to make the playoffs.
The New York Post now requires registration, but they have an article on the Giants mini-camp.
The Giants.com article is probably better. It has lots of interesting quotes from Coughlin including promising ones about Seubert and Manning.