NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: It's Time Big Blue Helps Brett Favre Come To Grips With Retirement...
(If The Vikes Don't Do It First).
Brett Favre is not only compromised, he's old hat. I don't know what steps he's taking to get his shoulder in game-shape for Sunday, but he may be just what the doctor ordered for the Giants.
Captain Kronos' shoulder is hurting and he remains questionable for Sunday's game. He has said putting on a shirt and his socks is a struggle for him. Friday, he threw very lightly at practice for the first time this week. But then again he never needed Training Camp, did he? And as always with him these days, questions swirl regarding his retirement.
Yea right!
Minnesota continues to willingly hold themselves hostage to Brett Favre's whims. This week that means continuing his consecutive games played streak, which is up to....# Who Cares...! Brett Favre will have his way because it's all about him and therefore will play. I relish the opportunity against the Old Goat. Silver Chin is an interception or two waiting to happen if he plays Sunday.
It's time for the Giants to knock another QB out of commission and particular to this game, finally send Brett into retirement, to battle Jenn Sterger in court, back to Mississippi, or to go play Football back on the ranch with his Wrangler Jeans Posse.
But Favre playing Sunday remains a very big IF. The Vikings are not only in the midst's of internal chaos, they are a wounded "Viking" hemorrhaging Purple Ooze everyday they allow Brett Favre to keep killing them. The Vikings might decide to sack Brett before we can get to him first.
It's time someone sent this NAG to Ye Old Glue Factory for Aged Football Players. This job falls on the Vikings and is owed to all Football organizations in the known universe. If the Vikings won't, the G-Men should.
BIG BLUE: Teams In Turmoil Are Usually A Big Problem.
*Tarvaris Jackson and Adrian Peterson can leave us in a PURPLE DAZE.
If the Vikings have a backbone they will start Tarvaris Jackson who changes things a little bit and in my view, makes this a tougher game for the Giants to handle. With Brett Favre dropping back in the pocket, the toughest thing we'll have to contend with on their way to sacking him are pigeons.
Tarvaris Jackson gives the Giants something else to think about besides trying to stop Adrian Peterson from running wild, which is a mobile quarterback. Jackson can move the pocket on the Giants' D and create all sorts of broken play dilemmas for us. You won't find any pigeons on Jackson like you will on Favre the Statue.
Favre inspires jokes now-a-days, but I'm taking a Tarvaris Jackson/Adrian Peterson combo very seriously. To me, the Vikings are similar to the Cowboys; skilled teams who's seasons went awry. I still think Minnesota is very dangerous and capable of quick strikes and many points.
To that point, the Giants secondary concerns me this game. Last week, when it was clear the Redskins running game was going no-where, everyone knew Donovan McNabb was forced to throw the ball the rest of the day. The Skins' receivers dropped so many passes and McNabb still threw for over 300 yards.
Jokes aside, Favre can still find 60 more minutes in his fading career to be great and/or Jackson can wind up being very disruptive for the defense much in the way Michael Vick is and McNabb used to be. There's a silver lining to that however. Even though we lost to the Eagles, Michael Vick was contained well enough and with McNabb, the (defense) secondary still held the Skins and McNabb to 7 points in a Bend-Don't-Break kinda way. I just refuse to take-on the troubled but still very skilled Vikings team without due caution. We can't afford to let a team in disarray knock us off our game. There is something about teams in the midst's of internal conflict that make them reckless on the field. In turn, reckless teams are very unpredictable.
BIG BLUE: The Running Game Is In Gear. Time To Get Pass Attack Back In Order After Injuries.
The O-Line is now getting healthier with every passing day. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have been running towards all kinds of daylight because of it. But somehow, I still envision the Giants having to win this game in a mini shoot-out. Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith are returning this week. While Derek Hagan did an admirable job last week, hearing Nicks and Smith will be back is most welcome news.
Now that Nicks and Smith are back, along with O'Hara and Diehl, while they may not be 100% yet, they are reunited with the Offense none-the-less.
Now finally, Coach Gilbride, your time has come. Get the passing attack back up to snuff and in harmony with the running game. I'm not looking to alter the ground game as we've run it the last few weeks, but for a game, this game against the Vikings, I'd like to see Coach air things out.
There's a time and a place for everything and right now, a good airing-out is needed. The Eagles and Packers are coming up. So, go ahead Coach Gilbride, this week, without any flack from me....,
LET THE PIGEONS LOOSE!!
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Steve Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Smith. Show all posts
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, December 04, 2010
PIGSKIN ~ WEEK 13 ~ NYG: Hail To December!! Hail Victory!!
Last week I lost my second SHMEAR of the year making me 8-2 this season. I followed two very strong weeks on the Sunday games with a mediocre 6-6 record in WEEK 12. A .500 record for the day was salvaged by the last game of the day and S.D.'s win. On Thanksgiving I went 1-2.
I'm a +19 BAGELS for the season.
Sunday games worth One Bagel: Shmear of the Week pick is worth 3 Bagels.
BAGEL ADVISORY!! I have been wrong about the Cleveland Browns every game this season. That makes me perfect in a way. Use the pick at your own discretion.
WEEK 13 WARM-UP:
* Are the K.C. Chiefs for real? The Chiefs and the Chargers can make the Raiders disappear this week.
* Week 13 is a virtual NFC WEST mini-playoff round with two "Battles in Futility".
The 1st Toilet Bowl features the (5-6) SEAHAWKS vs. (1-10) Panthers.
The 2nd Toilet Bowl features the (5-6) Rams vs. (3-8) CARDINALS.
* PhilaEAGLES already played and won Thursday night. The GIANTS must win.
* Jets vs. Patriots might be the biggest game of the week, but Falcons vs. Bucs is the most interesting!
* The Vikings are still wiggling. They ain't dead yet?
The WEEK 13 Big BAGEL Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)
GIANTS -7 (Redskins)
The Giants must win to keep pace with the Eagles. Somehow we always play well against the Redskins. McNabb is a different story. The Giants will win despite offensive injuries and Donovan McNabb's winning record against us. I think we're going to get a very complete game and convincing victory from Big Blue; See below.
WIN ~ 31-7 Giants
Bills +6 (VIKINGS)
I just like the number. Buffalo has been scoring loads of points lately just for fun! The Bills are the 3rd most porous defense in Football but the Vikings couldn't score even if you put them in a Nordic woman's prison with a few cartons of cigarettes. Brett the Wrecker sacked this Vikings' village all by himself.
LOSS ~ 38-14 Vikings
DOLPHINS -4 1/2 (Browns)
..not because I can't pick the Browns, but because I think The 'Fins are ready to wreck some seasons and piss teams off.
LOSS ~ 13-10 Browns
TITANS -3 (Jaguars)
..only because the number is low. I don't have much faith in the Titans' QB situation but I like Jeff Fisher. TENN should be better and JAX should be worse than their records indicate.
LOSS ~ 17-6 Jaguars
CHIEFS -8 1/2 (Broncos)
The Chiefs are on the War-Path. Broncos on the road with no thin-air; No chance on the plains of K.C. The Broncos are ready for the glue factory and the Chiefs are high on AFC West(ern) peyote.
LOSS ~ 10-6 Chiefs
Bears -4 1/2 (LIONS)
I'm respecting the Bears and their defense in a division game. They are 3-0 with-in their division and know the Packers have a gift game against the 49ers. There will be no let-down on the road.
LOSS ~ 24-20 Bears
Saints -7 (BENGALS)
This game is only seven? Is Vegas chewing on the same (western) peyote as the Chiefs? Saints can gain on the Falcons who have a tough game vs. Tampa Bay. Are you kidding me? Saints are going to March ALL Over the Kitties! This game should have been -11 1/2. The Bengals can score some, they just won't stop N.O.
LOSS ~ 34-30 Saints
BUCS +3 (Falcons)
The Bucs are so close they can taste it, even though it's fool's gold they taste. The Falcons being a bad road team is very old news. It's been like that for years. The Falcons appear to be the most complete team in the NFC "this week". This is where parity rears it's ugly head again. Vegas' three points isn't a great vote of confidence for ATL either.
LOSS ~ 28-24 Falcons
Raiders +13 (CHARGERS)
Thirteen points seems like a lot. The Chargers have one more hiccup in them before they have a furious finish with a 10-6 record. But this will be the Raiders last hurrah before they fade away. I'm going with a sentimental upset but certainly the Raiders cover.
WIN ~ 28-13 Raiders
SEAHAWKS -6 (Panthers)
Jim Zorn can comeback and QB the Seahawks for this one. I think this number is low. This game has tremendous implications in the pathetic NFC West. And the Panthers just don't want to play anymore. But I've been very wrong about the Panthers this season also.
WIN ~ 31-14 Seahawks
Cowboys +6 (COLTS)
I like the Cowboys to cover, but not much else. They can afford to play very loose and reckless, if you will. Nothing has come easy for Peyton Manning this year. Why should this game be any different?
WIN ~ 38-35 Cowboys o.t.
Rams -3 1/2 (CARDS)
That 1/2 point is pure evil. Sink or swim with this game. No push here.
WIN ~ 19-6 Rams
RAVENS -3 (Steelers)
These teams are almost mirror images of each other. Vegas issued the standard home team permit. Big Ben is hobbling on the road which might mean Ravens win by 5. Roger Goodell is going to collect a lot of fine money after this game.
LOSS ~ 13-10 Steelers
*Bagel SHMEAR OF THE WEEK: (8-2)
Saints -7 (BENGALS) is too tempting.
Happy Football Sunday Everyone!
POST GAME COMMENTS:
* I'm a loser! I am 1-7 in the early games. I lost The SHMEAR.
* Who cares...The Giants Won!!!
* The Vikings need to stop annoying me.
* Poor Peyton Manning.
* This was an all-around bad day if you were picking favorites.
* At least I went 4-1 in the afternoon games to save a little face.
New York Football GIANTS: Welcome to December!
The weather gets a little raw and games become more desperate matters this time of year.
Welcome to December Football when cold and weak teams lag behind and perish. Those teams resourceful enough to generate heat down the stretch survive to play in January. Now, a BIG BLUE storm-front is needed to make Sunday's game down right inclement and nasty for the visiting Washington Redskins.
I did say the time for this Giants' season to be great has passed; And it did. But there no reason the Giants can't come out tomorrow and dominate this game.
And that's exactly what I think will happen. The Eagles already took care of their business winning Thursday night and I don't believe the Giants will disappoint as I think they will keep pace with a Big Blue performance against the 'Skins tomorrow.
We know the Offensive Line is lacking with David Diehl and Shaun O'Hara still out. But last week the reserve unit had a solid day of run-blocking and protected Eli extremely well while minimizing penalties and eliminating turn-overs. They had the Giants moving forward consistently last week even during that bad first half they had versus JAX. But the Offense repeatedly stalled in the red-zone settling for field goals. With Brandon Jacobs named as the starting back again and the offensive-line establishing a patched-up synchronicity over the last three weeks, I think maintaining continuity as a unit through another week of practice will serve us tremendously tomorrow. I feel those field goals last week will be touchdowns this time around.
Eli and Coach Gilbride will maximize the passing game as best they can with Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith still out. Mario Manningham will be the feature receiver again and will find himself open against Washington. I'm thinking a steady diet of Ahmad Bradshaw catching passes out of the backfield and screen passes along with clever Kevin Boss releases will be enough of a passing game to keep the Skins' average defense honest.
But let's not get far from what should be the mission this week. The Giants should try and pound the ball right down the Redskins' throats. Run with power and often. If there was ever a game on the schedule that screams for the 20-20-20 plan, it's this one.
The 20-20-20 Plan is:
Twenty pounding carries for Brandon Jacobs ~ Twenty thrill carries for Ahmad Bradshaw ~ Twenty pass attempts for Eli Manning.
Where is this confidence against the Redskins coming from? The Skins never scare me; never have. There is something about a Giants/Redskins game that I have always felt confident about. Donovan McNabb on the Skins changes nothing for me. I expect the Giants' Defense to pounce on him all day long.
I'm expecting Coach Fewell's Defense to dominate all day tomorrow. From kick-off to the final tick of the clock, I'm expecting the G-Men to be relentless and extremely physical. And points; I sense the Giants' D will finally score points tomorrow.
Maybe it's the coldness in the air that excites me, but I do believe this is where the Giants are, heading into a game against Washington on December 5th. This doesn't speak to Week 14 and beyond. But for this week, I think the Giants are poised to have a statement game against an old division rival. The match-ups strike me as idealy suited for this very type of a game.
The short version ~ I believe the Giants will play their most complete sixty minutes of the season tomorrow. Don't bring Special Teams into this. I don't want to ruin the moment.
"Hail To The Redskins!! Hail Victory!! "
Sunday night post: JETS VERSUS PATRIOTS...next.
WEEK 13 Posts:
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2010/12/ny-giants-brandon-jacobs-started-this.html
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2010/11/ny-giants-powder-blue-start-big-blue.html
Mike.BTB
I'm a +19 BAGELS for the season.
Sunday games worth One Bagel: Shmear of the Week pick is worth 3 Bagels.
BAGEL ADVISORY!! I have been wrong about the Cleveland Browns every game this season. That makes me perfect in a way. Use the pick at your own discretion.
WEEK 13 WARM-UP:
* Are the K.C. Chiefs for real? The Chiefs and the Chargers can make the Raiders disappear this week.
* Week 13 is a virtual NFC WEST mini-playoff round with two "Battles in Futility".
The 1st Toilet Bowl features the (5-6) SEAHAWKS vs. (1-10) Panthers.
The 2nd Toilet Bowl features the (5-6) Rams vs. (3-8) CARDINALS.
* PhilaEAGLES already played and won Thursday night. The GIANTS must win.
* Jets vs. Patriots might be the biggest game of the week, but Falcons vs. Bucs is the most interesting!
* The Vikings are still wiggling. They ain't dead yet?
The WEEK 13 Big BAGEL Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)
GIANTS -7 (Redskins)
The Giants must win to keep pace with the Eagles. Somehow we always play well against the Redskins. McNabb is a different story. The Giants will win despite offensive injuries and Donovan McNabb's winning record against us. I think we're going to get a very complete game and convincing victory from Big Blue; See below.
WIN ~ 31-7 Giants
Bills +6 (VIKINGS)
I just like the number. Buffalo has been scoring loads of points lately just for fun! The Bills are the 3rd most porous defense in Football but the Vikings couldn't score even if you put them in a Nordic woman's prison with a few cartons of cigarettes. Brett the Wrecker sacked this Vikings' village all by himself.
LOSS ~ 38-14 Vikings
DOLPHINS -4 1/2 (Browns)
..not because I can't pick the Browns, but because I think The 'Fins are ready to wreck some seasons and piss teams off.
LOSS ~ 13-10 Browns
TITANS -3 (Jaguars)
..only because the number is low. I don't have much faith in the Titans' QB situation but I like Jeff Fisher. TENN should be better and JAX should be worse than their records indicate.
LOSS ~ 17-6 Jaguars
CHIEFS -8 1/2 (Broncos)
The Chiefs are on the War-Path. Broncos on the road with no thin-air; No chance on the plains of K.C. The Broncos are ready for the glue factory and the Chiefs are high on AFC West(ern) peyote.
LOSS ~ 10-6 Chiefs
Bears -4 1/2 (LIONS)
I'm respecting the Bears and their defense in a division game. They are 3-0 with-in their division and know the Packers have a gift game against the 49ers. There will be no let-down on the road.
LOSS ~ 24-20 Bears
Saints -7 (BENGALS)
This game is only seven? Is Vegas chewing on the same (western) peyote as the Chiefs? Saints can gain on the Falcons who have a tough game vs. Tampa Bay. Are you kidding me? Saints are going to March ALL Over the Kitties! This game should have been -11 1/2. The Bengals can score some, they just won't stop N.O.
LOSS ~ 34-30 Saints
BUCS +3 (Falcons)
The Bucs are so close they can taste it, even though it's fool's gold they taste. The Falcons being a bad road team is very old news. It's been like that for years. The Falcons appear to be the most complete team in the NFC "this week". This is where parity rears it's ugly head again. Vegas' three points isn't a great vote of confidence for ATL either.
LOSS ~ 28-24 Falcons
Raiders +13 (CHARGERS)
Thirteen points seems like a lot. The Chargers have one more hiccup in them before they have a furious finish with a 10-6 record. But this will be the Raiders last hurrah before they fade away. I'm going with a sentimental upset but certainly the Raiders cover.
WIN ~ 28-13 Raiders
SEAHAWKS -6 (Panthers)
Jim Zorn can comeback and QB the Seahawks for this one. I think this number is low. This game has tremendous implications in the pathetic NFC West. And the Panthers just don't want to play anymore. But I've been very wrong about the Panthers this season also.
WIN ~ 31-14 Seahawks
Cowboys +6 (COLTS)
I like the Cowboys to cover, but not much else. They can afford to play very loose and reckless, if you will. Nothing has come easy for Peyton Manning this year. Why should this game be any different?
WIN ~ 38-35 Cowboys o.t.
Rams -3 1/2 (CARDS)
That 1/2 point is pure evil. Sink or swim with this game. No push here.
WIN ~ 19-6 Rams
RAVENS -3 (Steelers)
These teams are almost mirror images of each other. Vegas issued the standard home team permit. Big Ben is hobbling on the road which might mean Ravens win by 5. Roger Goodell is going to collect a lot of fine money after this game.
LOSS ~ 13-10 Steelers
*Bagel SHMEAR OF THE WEEK: (8-2)
Saints -7 (BENGALS) is too tempting.
Happy Football Sunday Everyone!
POST GAME COMMENTS:
* I'm a loser! I am 1-7 in the early games. I lost The SHMEAR.
* Who cares...The Giants Won!!!
* The Vikings need to stop annoying me.
* Poor Peyton Manning.
* This was an all-around bad day if you were picking favorites.
* At least I went 4-1 in the afternoon games to save a little face.
The weather gets a little raw and games become more desperate matters this time of year.
Welcome to December Football when cold and weak teams lag behind and perish. Those teams resourceful enough to generate heat down the stretch survive to play in January. Now, a BIG BLUE storm-front is needed to make Sunday's game down right inclement and nasty for the visiting Washington Redskins.
I did say the time for this Giants' season to be great has passed; And it did. But there no reason the Giants can't come out tomorrow and dominate this game.
And that's exactly what I think will happen. The Eagles already took care of their business winning Thursday night and I don't believe the Giants will disappoint as I think they will keep pace with a Big Blue performance against the 'Skins tomorrow.
We know the Offensive Line is lacking with David Diehl and Shaun O'Hara still out. But last week the reserve unit had a solid day of run-blocking and protected Eli extremely well while minimizing penalties and eliminating turn-overs. They had the Giants moving forward consistently last week even during that bad first half they had versus JAX. But the Offense repeatedly stalled in the red-zone settling for field goals. With Brandon Jacobs named as the starting back again and the offensive-line establishing a patched-up synchronicity over the last three weeks, I think maintaining continuity as a unit through another week of practice will serve us tremendously tomorrow. I feel those field goals last week will be touchdowns this time around.
Eli and Coach Gilbride will maximize the passing game as best they can with Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith still out. Mario Manningham will be the feature receiver again and will find himself open against Washington. I'm thinking a steady diet of Ahmad Bradshaw catching passes out of the backfield and screen passes along with clever Kevin Boss releases will be enough of a passing game to keep the Skins' average defense honest.
But let's not get far from what should be the mission this week. The Giants should try and pound the ball right down the Redskins' throats. Run with power and often. If there was ever a game on the schedule that screams for the 20-20-20 plan, it's this one.
The 20-20-20 Plan is:
Twenty pounding carries for Brandon Jacobs ~ Twenty thrill carries for Ahmad Bradshaw ~ Twenty pass attempts for Eli Manning.
Where is this confidence against the Redskins coming from? The Skins never scare me; never have. There is something about a Giants/Redskins game that I have always felt confident about. Donovan McNabb on the Skins changes nothing for me. I expect the Giants' Defense to pounce on him all day long.
I'm expecting Coach Fewell's Defense to dominate all day tomorrow. From kick-off to the final tick of the clock, I'm expecting the G-Men to be relentless and extremely physical. And points; I sense the Giants' D will finally score points tomorrow.
Maybe it's the coldness in the air that excites me, but I do believe this is where the Giants are, heading into a game against Washington on December 5th. This doesn't speak to Week 14 and beyond. But for this week, I think the Giants are poised to have a statement game against an old division rival. The match-ups strike me as idealy suited for this very type of a game.
The short version ~ I believe the Giants will play their most complete sixty minutes of the season tomorrow. Don't bring Special Teams into this. I don't want to ruin the moment.
"Hail To The Redskins!! Hail Victory!! "
FINAL
Washington Redskins 7
NEW YORK GIANTS 31
Sunday night post: JETS VERSUS PATRIOTS...next.
WEEK 13 Posts:
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2010/12/ny-giants-brandon-jacobs-started-this.html
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2010/11/ny-giants-powder-blue-start-big-blue.html
Mike.BTB
Saturday, November 27, 2010
PIGSKIN ~ WEEK 12 ~ Big Blue Needs To Play Like GIANTS!
My Thanksgiving Day picks didn't go too well. I went 1-2 and that leaves me +22 for the season.
The WEEK 12 Bagel Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)
Jaguars +7 (GIANTS)
The Giants have too many injuries to overcome. This game might come down to a last minute field goal. In any case take the points. (See more below in the Giants game).
WIN ~ 24-20 Giants
REDSKINS -1 (Vikings)
When it rains it pours. The Vikings are in a state of chaos.
LOSS ~ 17-13 Vikings
Steelers -6 1/2 (BILLS)
I don't care how many points Buffalo has been scoring. The Steeler defense won't let the Bills get within 7 points.
LOSS ~ 19-16 Steelers o.t.
Titans +6 1/2 (TEXANS)
Vince Young went mentally limp again and is now out for the season with a hand injury. That makes this game tough to call. But then I remembered how many points the Texans are giving up with the 5th or 6th worse defense in Football.
LOSS ~ 20-0 Texans
BROWNS -10 (Panthers)
I haven't gotten a Browns game right all year. The Panthers are pitiful on offense and have all but quit on themselves. Only turnovers can keep the Panthers within 10 points.
LOSS ~ 24-23 Browns
Bucs +8 (RAVENS)
This isn't the Ravens defense from 10 years ago. I think The Ravens win but the Bucs will stay in the game and within the spread. Heck, they might even win this game.
WIN ~ 17-10 Ravens
Eagles -3 1/2 (BEARS)
If Vegas doesn't like the Bears at home, then neither do I. I never had much respect for the Bears this season anyway.
LOSS ~ 31-26 Bears
FALCONS -2 (Packers)
I like the Falcons at home. I think the Falcons have had a harder time playing their division than the Packers have had in theirs. That should be good enough for a 3 point win at home.
WIN ~ 20-17 Falcons
RAIDERS -3 (Dolphins)
After getting blown-out by PITT last week, it's time to get right back on the Raiders' wagon. I'll take it a step further...I like the Raiders BIG.
LOSS ~ 33-17 Dolphins
Chiefs -1 1/2 (SEAHAWKS)
I haven't given the Chiefs much respect. Versus the Seahawks...it's time I did.
WIN ~ 42-24 Chiefs
Rams +4 (BRONCOS)
This game is a field goal but Broncos win. Rams have been staying relatively close in their games.
WIN ~ 36-33 Rams
Chargers +3 (Colts)
Peyton has had to work way too hard keeping his team in contention. Rivers is great in closing minutes of games. I like the Chargers winning outright. They always play the Colts tough.
WIN ~ 36-14 Chargers
That's 12 Bagels into the oven.
SHMEAR of the WEEK: (8-1 this season on the Shmear)
Steelers -6 1/2 (BILLS)
LOSS!!
Post Game Results:
*Early games ~ I sucked.
*I remain perfect picking Cleveland ~ I haven't gotten a game right yet!
*Buffalo took PITT to O.T. ? C'mon! I lost the Shmear pick. That hurts! That's a -3 Bagel game for me.
*The TITANS was a miserable pick.
*Respect the Chiefs.
*I nailed the Falcons game didn't I?
*I was wrong with Oakland...BIG!
*How'ya like that Rams pick...huh?
*I changed 3 picks yesterday before I published. I won't say which games...but I lost all three. The lesson learned is - "Think Long ~ Think Wrong!"
I lost 4 BAGELS this afternoon to make me +18. I'm sitting 5-6 going into the night game. I need victory in the S.D. vs IND game to break even for the week (Shmear aside).
Chargers win. I finish the day 6-6 and +19.
New York Football Giants:
Stop Turning The Ball Over and Turn This Around!
Forget the NFC West! Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago are all leading their divisions. The Saints are 8-3. The Bucs are 7-3. The Packers are 7-3. Only now, we can start talking about the 6-4 Giants. Unfortunately the Giants have turned this Sunday's game into a must win.
After losing two games in a row within the division by a combined score of 60-37, The Giants can't afford to let this game go sour for them. The Jaguars have won their last three games and have new life in their division.
Eli will be without Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith. The Giant's O-Line is still without Shane Andrews, Shaun O'Hara and David Diehl. Ahmad Bradshaw lost his starting job to Brandon Jacobs who's been largely underutilized.
This game will have to be won on the arm of Eli Manning of whom I have "no idea" who will be receiving his pass attempts. Mario Manningham and (Kevin Boss) are now the only two guys the Jags need to worry about. Brandon Jacobs will also have to give the Giants a ground attack which this team desperately needs this week in light of the injuries to the receivers. The Defense will have to be flat-out dominant and cause a couple of turnovers of their own in order to give the Giants a chance to win. And lastly, please, the turnovers need to be corrected.
Can the Giants survive two more losses this season and still have hopes of making the playoffs? I doubt it; not with the three teams I mentioned who are ahead of them in the Wild Card standings.
The Giants still have many healthy big name players on Defense who, without a doubt, need to step up this week and have supreme individual efforts. Yes, the Defense needs to win this game for us. We just can't have Eli and turnovers lose it.
Mike.BTB
The WEEK 12 Bagel Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)
Jaguars +7 (GIANTS)
The Giants have too many injuries to overcome. This game might come down to a last minute field goal. In any case take the points. (See more below in the Giants game).
WIN ~ 24-20 Giants
REDSKINS -1 (Vikings)
When it rains it pours. The Vikings are in a state of chaos.
LOSS ~ 17-13 Vikings
Steelers -6 1/2 (BILLS)
I don't care how many points Buffalo has been scoring. The Steeler defense won't let the Bills get within 7 points.
LOSS ~ 19-16 Steelers o.t.
Titans +6 1/2 (TEXANS)
Vince Young went mentally limp again and is now out for the season with a hand injury. That makes this game tough to call. But then I remembered how many points the Texans are giving up with the 5th or 6th worse defense in Football.
LOSS ~ 20-0 Texans
BROWNS -10 (Panthers)
I haven't gotten a Browns game right all year. The Panthers are pitiful on offense and have all but quit on themselves. Only turnovers can keep the Panthers within 10 points.
LOSS ~ 24-23 Browns
Bucs +8 (RAVENS)
This isn't the Ravens defense from 10 years ago. I think The Ravens win but the Bucs will stay in the game and within the spread. Heck, they might even win this game.
WIN ~ 17-10 Ravens
Eagles -3 1/2 (BEARS)
If Vegas doesn't like the Bears at home, then neither do I. I never had much respect for the Bears this season anyway.
LOSS ~ 31-26 Bears
FALCONS -2 (Packers)
I like the Falcons at home. I think the Falcons have had a harder time playing their division than the Packers have had in theirs. That should be good enough for a 3 point win at home.
WIN ~ 20-17 Falcons
RAIDERS -3 (Dolphins)
After getting blown-out by PITT last week, it's time to get right back on the Raiders' wagon. I'll take it a step further...I like the Raiders BIG.
LOSS ~ 33-17 Dolphins
Chiefs -1 1/2 (SEAHAWKS)
I haven't given the Chiefs much respect. Versus the Seahawks...it's time I did.
WIN ~ 42-24 Chiefs
Rams +4 (BRONCOS)
This game is a field goal but Broncos win. Rams have been staying relatively close in their games.
WIN ~ 36-33 Rams
Chargers +3 (Colts)
Peyton has had to work way too hard keeping his team in contention. Rivers is great in closing minutes of games. I like the Chargers winning outright. They always play the Colts tough.
WIN ~ 36-14 Chargers
That's 12 Bagels into the oven.
SHMEAR of the WEEK: (8-1 this season on the Shmear)
Steelers -6 1/2 (BILLS)
LOSS!!
Post Game Results:
*Early games ~ I sucked.
*I remain perfect picking Cleveland ~ I haven't gotten a game right yet!
*Buffalo took PITT to O.T. ? C'mon! I lost the Shmear pick. That hurts! That's a -3 Bagel game for me.
*The TITANS was a miserable pick.
*Respect the Chiefs.
*I nailed the Falcons game didn't I?
*I was wrong with Oakland...BIG!
*How'ya like that Rams pick...huh?
*I changed 3 picks yesterday before I published. I won't say which games...but I lost all three. The lesson learned is - "Think Long ~ Think Wrong!"
I lost 4 BAGELS this afternoon to make me +18. I'm sitting 5-6 going into the night game. I need victory in the S.D. vs IND game to break even for the week (Shmear aside).
Chargers win. I finish the day 6-6 and +19.
New York Football Giants:
Stop Turning The Ball Over and Turn This Around!
Forget the NFC West! Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago are all leading their divisions. The Saints are 8-3. The Bucs are 7-3. The Packers are 7-3. Only now, we can start talking about the 6-4 Giants. Unfortunately the Giants have turned this Sunday's game into a must win.
After losing two games in a row within the division by a combined score of 60-37, The Giants can't afford to let this game go sour for them. The Jaguars have won their last three games and have new life in their division.
Eli will be without Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith. The Giant's O-Line is still without Shane Andrews, Shaun O'Hara and David Diehl. Ahmad Bradshaw lost his starting job to Brandon Jacobs who's been largely underutilized.
This game will have to be won on the arm of Eli Manning of whom I have "no idea" who will be receiving his pass attempts. Mario Manningham and (Kevin Boss) are now the only two guys the Jags need to worry about. Brandon Jacobs will also have to give the Giants a ground attack which this team desperately needs this week in light of the injuries to the receivers. The Defense will have to be flat-out dominant and cause a couple of turnovers of their own in order to give the Giants a chance to win. And lastly, please, the turnovers need to be corrected.
Can the Giants survive two more losses this season and still have hopes of making the playoffs? I doubt it; not with the three teams I mentioned who are ahead of them in the Wild Card standings.
The Giants still have many healthy big name players on Defense who, without a doubt, need to step up this week and have supreme individual efforts. Yes, the Defense needs to win this game for us. We just can't have Eli and turnovers lose it.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20
NEW YORK GIANTS 24
FINAL
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
NYG ~ Week 5 Big Blue Review
The Offensive Line did not give up a sack and they blocked the running game to a 100 yard-rushing game. Combined, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs rushed the ball 26 times for 108 yards behind an O-Line still missing SHAUN O'HARA (lost to lingering injuries). DAVID DIEHL continues to play good soldier and had an effective day after having a tough go of it in previous weeks. Personal foul issues seem to have been resolved. The Offensive Line was a good looking unit Sunday.
AHMAD BRADSHAW "sprained some defensive ankles", for sure, shaking and baking as he does. He's not only elusive, quick, and can cut on a dime; he's so strong for his size. He's a compact, well balanced rusher whom many times it takes more than one tackler to bring him down.
BRANDON JACOBS deserves good mention as well. He's been quietly going about his job. The drama of being benched, the helmet toss, and rumors of wanting to be traded seem like a distant memory as well. Winning will do that, you know?! Coach Gilbride managed to up his rush attempts if only slightly to 10 versus 6 the week before. Jacobs is starting to attack the holes better, like Coach Coughlin asked. He is doing a lot less east/west running, punching through, where the O-Line creates their holes now. Increasingly you see Safeties making tackles on Brandon and not so much him getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage anymore. Some of that is due to the O-Line's improving play, and I definitely say Jacobs' renewed efforts are an equal part.
But...., but...but.... COACH GILBRIDE still needs to get Brandon Jacobs more carries. Brandon needs to grow into a game to have an effect. He isn't something you unleash for sudden impact.
ELI MANNING and HAKEEM NICKS are the Leagues' newest sensation.
Hakeem had himself a career day. He caught 12 passes for 130 yards, and two touchdowns. He tied Amani Toomer's team record for receptions at wide receiver in a game. And....and...His day could have been even better. There's little flaws in his game that experience and maturity will cure.
Eli almost got Steve Smith killed on another high pass. If Eli keeps putting his receivers in prone positions having to make them stretch out and come off the ground to make catches for him, he's going to get one of his receivers hospitalized. That's an adjustment and nothing really to be killing Eli about.
He had a stellar day. He attempted 42 passes and completed 27 of them for 297 yards and two touchdown. The key stat of the day? ~ No Interceptions.
I'm still having a hard time adjusting as a Giants fan. I still can't come to grips we are a passing team now. We are not the "Run-with-Power" ~ Ball Control ~ Eat the Clock team I'm accustomed to. Maybe that's why I have my issues with Coach Gilbride.
He sets up the run with the pass; not the other way around. He throws constantly. The Giants won this game 34-10...a 24 point lead did not deter Coach Gilbride from throwing the ball. He called on Eli to throw the ball FORTY TWO TIMES! Good grief! Eli threw the ball 42 times in a 34-10 win and threw for only 297 yards? That's Gilbride and that's what drives me crazy. He is still calling for pass plays late in games while the Giants nurse leads. I know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em... I get that. But he throws way too often when the situation doesn't call for it or worse yet, when the situation doesn't necessitate it. Is this being nit-picky of me coming off an all-around well played victory? NO! This is an old issue for me. But I will be fair. At 13:38 of the 2nd quarter, Gilbride called for a play to Hicks that resulted in a touchdown. It made the score 21-0 and was Hakeem's 2nd TD of the day. That play came off a Giants' called Time-Out. When it plays out like that, off the time-out, there is nothing you can say but,"Great Call"!
On the other side of the ball, the Defense backed up their dominating performance against the Bears with an even more impressive performance against a solid Texans team; less the "58" sacks.
The Defensive Line was stellar. Justin Tuck seems to be growing into his role. I'm not sure he really grasped that before. What? What role? I think he finally understands how influential he really is, or could be, on this unit. Recognizing it, I sense a change in his game-attitude already.
Osi Umenyiora is thriving, playing full time in the absence of M.Kiwanuka. Osi is also nursing a barking knee. He'll need some monitoring. Safety Kenny Phillips' knee has also been barking at him.
The much-maligned Line-backing Corps., is taking shape and creating their identity. None of them in particular stands out. But collectively they have strung together 8 very good quarters of Football. They have been exceptionally good along with the D-Line in stifling some very good running games (and that goes as well for the game against the Colts....that's right).
Over-all, the Giants defense is beginning to be spoken about as a dominant force. Right now it would appear injuries are working against the Giants. They've managed to roll with the punches. Perry Fewell and the players will only be getting more and more comfortable with each other as the weeks progress. Coach Fewell seems to have stabilized the highs and lows of this bunch. The low no doubt was the Colts' drubbing at the hands of Peyton in which Perry Fewell implemented his 6-defensive backs system. The high, of course was the "93" sack game we had against Da Bears. Somewhere in the middle is this Giants defense and I think they may be starting to really emerge.
Maybe, a surging Offensive and Defensive squads can rub off on the Special Teams Units because they are trying every one's patience. They were fairly bad again last game with regards to coverage. Penalties were their biggest infraction this time, not so much poor execution. Like past practice, I have not and am not going to start using Special Teams as a reason to hype Giants success or misfortunes.
Next: Looking at Week 6 and the Detroit Lions.
Mike.BTB
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