This is a nice article on Antonio Pierce enjoying the Giants Super Bowl win. A lot of fans got down on him at times this season - well we got down on the entire defense a lot of times - but what Pierce helped the giants do in the Super Bowl was just amazing.
Sure he made an error or two - the pass intereference call for example. But he had 10 tackles and had our guys in what must have been the right positions all game.
ESPN says:
1. Randy Moss
2. Terrell Owens
3. Steve Smith
4. Andre Johnson
5. Reggie Wayne
6. Larry Fitzgerald
7. Braylon Edwards
8. Chad Johnson
9. Plaxico Burress
I say:
1. Steve Smith
2. Andre Johnson
3. Reggie Wayne
4. Plaxico Burress
5. Randy Moss
6. Terrell Owens
7. Braylon Edwards
8. Larry Fitzgerald
9. Chad Johnson
Moss was mostly held in check in a few games including the Super Bowl. Plax, even though he was injured, proved harder to shut down. Owens drops too many balls. Fitzgerald has an awesome receiver next to him and does not take control of games.
I think this is awesome. Seubert signed through 2012 even though he had 2 years left on his contract because he wants to finish his career with the Giants. How do I have a friggin Tiki Barber jersey and no Rich Seubert jersey?
No one is complaining about this draft choice now although many draft "experts" and many Giants fans were a bit nonplussed at the time... Anyway, here's an article on Aaron Ross. There's really not much to it, but he's getting married in 2010 and has a few quotes in there.
Unlike the author of this article, I can't say that the Giants Super Bowl win "saved sports". You know writers and how they like to embellish everything... Kind of like when he says "Every Giants contributed" - Tell that to William Joseph and Sinorice Moss.
But anyway, at least the media is still talking about how important the Giants victory was.
1 year and 1.1 million. Articles here and here.
He probably knows that injuries cost him big money so I expect him to do all he can conditioning-wise. The rest may just be luck but I sure hope he overcomes the injury issues he has had - the talent there is undeniable.
Interesting article on how modern defensive linemen don't rely on technique as much as they used to. Umenyiora is mentioned a lot.
David Carr likely becomes a backup QB (with either Wright or Lorenzen on the way out). This is not a sure thing - he still has to win a spot on the roster - but I like his chances. Apparently 1 year for 1 million.
Danny Clark is expected to play on special teams and provide depth at strong side linebacker.
Here we talk about David Carr - what do you think about having him as a backup QB?
This article on David Tyree mixes some stuff on his life (4 kids including new twins, cashing in on fame) and football. My favorite part is this:
He hopes this will force the Giants to think of him more as a receiver instead of exclusively a special-teams demon but also knows the deal. He's especially proud of the fact that after his Super Bowl touchdown, he raced down on the ensuing kickoff and made the tackle.That shows the heart and character that wins football games as a receiver or on special teams.
This according to Vacchiano. The comments are pretty interesting. One says we let our answer to the secondary problem walk right out the door. Another says are secondary is set except for the safety we will draft.
I suppose the truth is in the middle somewhere. Butler and Johnson are unknown quantities at this point (at least I think Butler is unknown - had lots of rough patches but kept things in front of him in the Super Bowl) and Sammy Knight is known but average. Safety needs help and I don't know if we want to enter the draft with a huge need that could cause the Giants to reach and mess up the draft (Cedric Jones anyone?).
CB is in better shape. Ross looks like the real deal. Webster seems to be turning it on. Madison can still play. McQaurters has been solid. But Madison and McQuarters can not be counted on long term and Madison has missed time with injuries lately...
In hindsight, what do we think of this article?
New York GiantsPersonally, I suspect this guy wrote the article without ever seeing the final 3 picks he disparages play even college ball. Johson and Bradshaw helped us win the Super Bowl. So did Ross, Smith, Alford, and DeOssie (snapping).
The Giants addressed their biggest needs early, and CB Aaron Ross and USC WR Steve Smith should be able to contribute right away. Jay Alford was a reach in the third round. Zak DeOssie is a classic Tom Coughlin pick and improves the special teams. TE Kevin Boss could help replace Visanthe Shiancoe, but their final three picks — OT Adam Koets, S Michael Johnson and RB Ahmad Bradshaw — while all talented, will take a lot of intense coaching to maximize their potential, and they may never get it. With Coughlin’s coaching staff, they might have a chance. Altogether, this draft would be lucky to produce more than a pair of starters, and there is little exciting about it.
Grade: Average
So we lost Gibril Wilson but we gained Sammy Knight. Sure knight is older, but Brent Alexander was old and still played decently. At 3 years, $5.15 million, $1.25 million signing bonus he certainly comes much cheaper than Wilson.
Sure he is older. And slower. But Coughlin said something that made me feel good: "He played in Kansas City for (Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks Coach) Peter Giunta, so we know all about the quality of the man."
This article came out before the signing I think, but since they mention the Eagles and Giants on the first page I figure it's worth a read. And near the end he says something I'd like to believe: "Free agency is overrated, and the proof is the 2007 Giants."
Some news: Safety Sammy Knight to visit Giants. The link has that cool picture of Toomer burning Knight for a TD...
Knight is 33, but if he has one decent year left he can probably help the Giants. We do need help at safety...
But he is old and slow. The Giants can't afford to give him much guaranteed money...
Wilson to the Raiders.
Mitchell to the Bills.
Torbor to the Dolphins.
William Joseph's contract terminated (not that we care).
We are losing pieces of a winning combination and it can be hard to wait patiently. We are real thin at safety now. Scary thin like Peewee Hermin. We have more depth at linebacker than at safety but losing 2 backers still hurts.