Giants Redskins Rivalry

Time to play ball...

Finally, after a long week, it is game day. If I am this relieved imagine how the New York Giants players must feel. Today is all about football---not gun shot wounds, alleged cover ups, hidden guns, etc. Just football. The players, I believe, must be chomping at the bit to just get out there and hit people.....namely people wearing the ugly uniform of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Giants have a lot riding on this game today at the Meadowlands; wrapping up the NFC East crown, clinching a playoff berth, earning a bye week in round one of the playoffs, setting an NFL record by winning their seventh straight against teams with a  winning record. Also, with a win, the Giants would become just the third team to follow up a Super Bowl title with more regular season wins---the other two teams, the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49rs, ended up repeating as Champs. 

Maybe most importantly, a win today, particularly a resounding win, would help put the Burress fiasco somewhat in the rear view mirror, at least until more events unfold.

It is  a shame regarding the events of last week. This should be a time when the Giants and their loyal fans are loving life; reigning World Champions, 11-1, on the verge of wrapping up the division, gunning (no pun intended---well, maybe a little) for the top seed in the NFC. Instead, attention has been drawn away from these accomplishments and towards the grossly stupid actions of Burress.

Yet I believe this will not affect the Giants on the field. They have dealt with plenty the past few seasons; Tiki Barber retires, yet on comes Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw and the running game improves. Jeremy Shockey gets traded, up steps Kevin Boss (by the way, his numbers compare favorably to Goldylocks). Michael Strahan retires, Osi Umenyiora goes down for the season, in steps Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka and the defense somehow actually improves???

The Giants, through all of this have fared extremely well. In addition to the above mentioned list of accomplishments, they are now 25-5 over their last 30 and 15-1 overtheir last 16! Impressive!

So why believe that this latest episode will derail the Giants? It will not!  

Todays opponent, the Philadelpia Eagles are a good team. They are also a desperate team. A win and their season continues---a loss and they may as well try out Kevin Kolb because it is over. You might say the intangibles favor the Eagles. They don't. These Giants are a unique team. A Championship team. A team that not only wants to wrap up another NFC East crown but also wants to start the process of putting the Burress incident behind them.

I have a very strong feeling they will do exactly that today.

Lets go Giants!

Finally, after a long week, it is game day. If I am this relieved imagine how the New York Giants players must feel. Today is all about football---not gun shot wounds, alleged cover ups, hidden guns, etc. Just football. The players, I believe, must be chomping at the bit to just get out there and hit people.....namely people wearing the ugly uniform of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Giants have a lot riding on this game today at the Meadowlands; wrapping up the NFC East crown, clinching a playoff berth, earning a bye week in round one of the playoffs, setting an NFL record by winning their seventh straight against teams with a  winning record. Also, with a win, the Giants would become just the third team to follow up a Super Bowl title with more regular season wins---the other two teams, the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49rs, ended up repeating as Champs. 

Maybe most importantly, a win today, particularly a resounding win, would help put the Burress fiasco somewhat in the rear view mirror, at least until more events unfold.

It is  a shame regarding the events of last week. This should be a time when the Giants and their loyal fans are loving life; reigning World Champions, 11-1, on the verge of wrapping up the division, gunning (no pun intended---well, maybe a little) for the top seed in the NFC. Instead, attention has been drawn away from these accomplishments and towards the grossly stupid actions of Burress.

Yet I believe this will not affect the Giants on the field. They have dealt with plenty the past few seasons; Tiki Barber retires, yet on comes Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw and the running game improves. Jeremy Shockey gets traded, up steps Kevin Boss (by the way, his numbers compare favorably to Goldylocks). Michael Strahan retires, Osi Umenyiora goes down for the season, in steps Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka and the defense somehow actually improves???

The Giants, through all of this have fared extremely well. In addition to the above mentioned list of accomplishments, they are now 25-5 over their last 30 and 15-1 overtheir last 16! Impressive!

So why believe that this latest episode will derail the Giants? It will not!  

Todays opponent, the Philadelpia Eagles are a good team. They are also a desperate team. A win and their season continues---a loss and they may as well try out Kevin Kolb because it is over. You might say the intangibles favor the Eagles. They don't. These Giants are a unique team. A Championship team. A team that not only wants to wrap up another NFC East crown but also wants to start the process of putting the Burress incident behind them.

I have a very strong feeling they will do exactly that today.

Lets go Giants!

Giants Manning wins player of the month...

Life is good for the Champs QB.

It has been a pretty good year all around for Giants Quarterback Eli Manning; wins Super Bowl MVP honors, marries his long time sweetheart, having a great season (19tds, 8 picks, 11-1 record). Now Eli Manning has been named NFC offensive player of the month (not offensive in the Plaxico Burress sense...).

In November, Eli lead the Giants to an impressive 5-0 record---against team which all possesed winning records. He had a QB rating just over 94, and most importantley, he looked like a leader in doing it.

The second half swoon I heard some pundits predicting for Eli Manning appears not to be happenning. He has not only picked up where he left off during last season's magical post season Championship run---he has actually elevated his game!

It is not only about the numbers, Eli is a winner and is the main reason the Giants are sitting pretty at 11-1. If they need to to throw it only 25 times a game and let the running attack take center stage, that is fine with Eli. If they ask him to air it out as they did in Arizona a few weeks back, no problem.

Maybe the most important thing about Eli Manning is his cool, calm demeanor. Do you think the Giants players might just be following his lead in the way they have dealt with distractions this year?

Now I just want Eli Manning, once again, to be NFL player of the month in February...Lets go Giants!

Giants will take it out on the Eagles...

Giants fans---I was very nervous last week about how the team would react following the Plaxico Burress nightmare. Turns out I had no reason to be as the Giants cruised to an easy 23-7 victory that really wasn't even that close.

I was nervous again earlier this week regarding Sundays game as I thought it may start to wear on the team. However, after the team ended Plax's season on Tuesday, Coughlin met with his team and they truly seem to have just moved on. In fact, Wednesday was maybe their best and most spirited practice of the season.  

“That was the most enthusiastic practice I've been around,” said offensive lineman Chris Snee.

By all accounts, the Giants seemed remarkably sharp and focused. I have seen numerous player interviews; Eli Manning, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, Sean O'Hara, Amani Toomer, etc---the message is the same, basically "we are there for Plax but this is a dead issue, we have moved on and are preparing to play the Eagles." Easy to say, I know, but they mean it!

I have a few friends who happen to be Eagles fans (other then that character flaw, not bad guys) who seem giddy thinking that this plays into their hands assuming the Giants will be distracted. Bad news fellas; it will work just the opposite. I believe the Giants will be extremely fired up not only to wrap up the NFC East title, but also to show that they mean it when they say it is  a dead issue. I truly believe the Eagles are walking into the proverbial buzzsaw.

Lets go Giants!

Giants fans---I was very nervous last week about how the team would react following the Plaxico Burress nightmare. Turns out I had no reason to be as the Giants cruised to an easy 23-7 victory that really wasn't even that close.

I was nervous again earlier this week regarding Sundays game as I thought it may start to wear on the team. However, after the team ended Plax's season on Tuesday, Coughlin met with his team and they truly seem to have just moved on. In fact, Wednesday was maybe their best and most spirited practice of the season.  

“That was the most enthusiastic practice I've been around,” said offensive lineman Chris Snee.

By all accounts, the Giants seemed remarkably sharp and focused. I have seen numerous player interviews; Eli Manning, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, Sean O'Hara, Amani Toomer, etc---the message is the same, basically "we are there for Plax but this is a dead issue, we have moved on and are preparing to play the Eagles." Easy to say, I know, but they mean it!

I have a few friends who happen to be Eagles fans (other then that character flaw, not bad guys) who seem giddy thinking that this plays into their hands assuming the Giants will be distracted. Bad news fellas; it will work just the opposite. I believe the Giants will be extremely fired up not only to wrap up the NFC East title, but also to show that they mean it when they say it is  a dead issue. I truly believe the Eagles are walking into the proverbial buzzsaw.

Lets go Giants!

Giants cut ties with Burress...

The Giants did the right thing yesterday. They suspended receiver Plaxico Burress for 4 games----the rest of the regular season, and put him on the non football injury list ensuring that he won't be on the playoff roster. Buress is done as a Giant, and likely done in the NFL (although Jerry Jones is probably already trying to figure out a way to have him come to Dallas).

Think about what Burress's gross stupidity cost him; he will miss 4 game checks totaling $824,000. He likely will not be paid a $1million signing bonus owed to him by the Giants later this month. He likely will forefeit the balance of the $27 million from his contract. His NFL career---Jerry Jones nothwithstanding, is likely over. There is a strong chance he will serve jail time. He has humiliated himself and his family, as well as the NY Giants.

For what?

Why would a 31 year old man---a Father, a rich, famous athlete who not all that long ago was a hero as he caught the game winning pass in Super Bowl XLII, act like a cheap thug? Whatever the reason, that is exactly what Burress did and it cost him dearly!

The New York Giants now need to do their best to repair the damage and pray that this ugly incident does not bring down Antonio Pierce as well.

It is time for the Giants to move on and focus on repeating and it starts this Sunday against the  Philadelphia Eagles.

The Giants did the right thing yesterday. They suspended receiver Plaxico Burress for 4 games----the rest of the regular season, and put him on the non football injury list ensuring that he won't be on the playoff roster. Buress is done as a Giant, and likely done in the NFL (although Jerry Jones is probably already trying to figure out a way to have him come to Dallas).

Think about what Burress's gross stupidity cost him; he will miss 4 game checks totaling $824,000. He likely will not be paid a $1million signing bonus owed to him by the Giants later this month. He likely will forefeit the balance of the $27 million from his contract. His NFL career---Jerry Jones nothwithstanding, is likely over. There is a strong chance he will serve jail time. He has humiliated himself and his family, as well as the NY Giants.

For what?

Why would a 31 year old man---a Father, a rich, famous athlete who not all that long ago was a hero as he caught the game winning pass in Super Bowl XLII, act like a cheap thug? Whatever the reason, that is exactly what Burress did and it cost him dearly!

The New York Giants now need to do their best to repair the damage and pray that this ugly incident does not bring down Antonio Pierce as well.

It is time for the Giants to move on and focus on repeating and it starts this Sunday against the  Philadelphia Eagles.

Redskins no match for Giants...

Sorry, Redskins fans,you are looking at the picture of the NFL coach of the year in my opinion;  Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. The job he has done is amazing. Coming off last season's dramatic Super Bowl victory, Tom Coughlin, despite numerous distractions not the least of which being the recent self inflicted bullet wound to their prima donna receiver ( you know who I mean...) these Giants just keep on winning! The Giants are now 11-1 and cruising!

Today in Washington, the Giants faced an uphill battle. They were dealing with the aforementioned adversity caused by the shooting. They were playing a desperate, bitter division rival on the road. The Redskins were fired up after a very classy pre game tribute to the late Sean Taylor.

Everything pointed to a Giants loss.

Nobody told the Giants. Actually, they looked more like the desperate team as they started out with a three and out on defense before turning the ball over to Eli Manning and company who marched straight down field for an impressive Touchdown drive.

The Giants scored on their first three posessions and built a 13-0 lead. It should have ended in a shutout but for a terrible call by the officials (they have been doing a lot of that this year) negating an interception by Corey Webster. The pick was reversed due to a very cheesy hands to the face call on Webster. The Redskins would score shortly thereafter. No matter.

The Giants rolled on to an impressive 23-7 victory and can wrap up the NFC East title with a victory at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Giants QB Eli Manning was once again outstanding---and it is time to get Eli's name in the running for NFL MVP. He went 21-34, 305 yards one TD and one pick.

Defensilvely, the Giants were dominant holding Clinton Portis to a measley 22 yards rushing! Consider he is averaging over 100 per game this year. It seems each week Giants coordinator Steve Spagnolo comes in with a primary goal----last week it is not allowing yards after the catch to the Cardinals big receivers. This week, it was to shut down Clinton Portis. Each week Spagnolo's Giants defenders accomplish their mission.  

This is a very professional team we are watching. They just do not lose focus. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, after the game, was asked about how the team dealt with the situation the idiot (you know, that receiver...) put them in. Coughlin basically said that once they found out he would be OK, they resumed their focus on beating the Redskins.

With these Ny Giants, there are no excuses, no disctractions---just winning football. I read in several other sites where the rest of the division and probably the conference thought they had reason for hope in that this latest episode would sink the Giants. In fairness, I kind of wondered myself. Bad news for the rest of the NFL----this was just a speed bump---the Giants will deal with this and keep it rolling!  

Go Giants!

Big Blue keeps it rolling!

Giants fans, let me say this right now; this was easily the most impressive win of the season for this team. I will admit (and if you read my post from earlier today, you will know) that I was very nervous about this game. The damage caused by the idiot receiver whose name I do not even want to mention, I thought would so severely distract the Giants, perhaps for the remainder of the season, that they could possibly unravel.

Happily, I was wrong! This New York Giants team seems to let nothing---and I mean nothing, stand in their way. Think about it; Michael Strahan retires, Osi Umenyiora suffers a  season ending injury, last week Brandon Jacobs and the receiver in question sit out. Result, the Giants just keep on rolling!

They are currently 11-1 and looking like a very special team after today's impressive 23-7 win against the Washington Redskins.

I will do a more detailed game post later, but for now, enjoy this Giants fans, this team looks unstoppable!

Keep it rolling Giants!

Giants fans, let me say this right now; this was easily the most impressive win of the season for this team. I will admit (and if you read my post from earlier today, you will know) that I was very nervous about this game. The damage caused by the idiot receiver whose name I do not even want to mention, I thought would so severely distract the Giants, perhaps for the remainder of the season, that they could possibly unravel.

Happily, I was wrong! This New York Giants team seems to let nothing---and I mean nothing, stand in their way. Think about it; Michael Strahan retires, Osi Umenyiora suffers a  season ending injury, last week Brandon Jacobs and the receiver in question sit out. Result, the Giants just keep on rolling!

They are currently 11-1 and looking like a very special team after today's impressive 23-7 win against the Washington Redskins.

I will do a more detailed game post later, but for now, enjoy this Giants fans, this team looks unstoppable!

Keep it rolling Giants!

Happy Thanksgiving---NY Giants fans...

Well,  Giants fans, certainly we have plenty to be thankful for. Our team is the reigning World Champions, they are currently 10-1, 24-5 over their last 29 games and 14-1 over the last 15! Way to go Giants!

They sit pretty with a commanding three game lead in the best division in football where they are 3-0 heading into Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins. They are 6-0 in the NFC. They have the #1 scoring offense in the entire NFL while their defense ranks 3rd in points allowed.

They have the best rushing attack in football. Eli Manning is having a stellar season with 18 touchdowns against just 7 picks.

They are virtually distraction free---barring the occasional outburst from Plaxico Burress. They seem to thrive regardless of injury as witnessed last week against the Cardinals.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin is doing an amazing job with the New York Giants!

Enjoy it Giants fans, enjoy it!

Happy Thanksgiving and lets go Giants---beat the Skins!

Well,  Giants fans, certainly we have plenty to be thankful for. Our team is the reigning World Champions, they are currently 10-1, 24-5 over their last 29 games and 14-1 over the last 15! Way to go Giants!

They sit pretty with a commanding three game lead in the best division in football where they are 3-0 heading into Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins. They are 6-0 in the NFC. They have the #1 scoring offense in the entire NFL while their defense ranks 3rd in points allowed.

They have the best rushing attack in football. Eli Manning is having a stellar season with 18 touchdowns against just 7 picks.

They are virtually distraction free---barring the occasional outburst from Plaxico Burress. They seem to thrive regardless of injury as witnessed last week against the Cardinals.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin is doing an amazing job with the New York Giants!

Enjoy it Giants fans, enjoy it!

Happy Thanksgiving and lets go Giants---beat the Skins!

Giants, Reskins preview...

Look out DC---the Giants are coming to town! The historic NFL rivalry between the World Champion New York Giants and the Washington foreskins----err, sorry, I mean Redskins, resumes this Sunday at 1:00pm. The Giants (10-1) visit the skins (7-4) in what is virtually a must win game for Washington who are fighting for their playoff lives.

While the Redskins can afford a loss in theory, it certainly would remove what little margin for error they have. There is a glut of teams they are competing with for the two wild card spots. Tampa Bay and Carolina sit at 8-3 while Arizona, Atlanta and Dallas share 7-4 records. Chasing the pack are the Vikings, Saints and Bears at 6-5 with a couple of other teams like the Eagles (yes, Donovan, NFL games really do end in ties) just on the outside looking in.

Clearly, some of these teams (possibly the Cardinals, Bucs, Falcons, or Panthers----some combination thereof) will win their division and thus not hurt the Redskins wildcard chances. Still, it is a pretty crowded picture and it appears we are headed for a wild finish to the season. A divisional loss to our beloved Giants would not only sink the Skins to a dangerous 7-5, but would hurt them in terms of tie breakers---sure to be critical this year, as it would be another divisional and conference loss.

The picture for the Giants is much less muddled. The Champs own a three game lead in the NFC East (where they are currently 3-0) but also have a two game lead for the #1 seed in the conference (where they are 7-0). The NFC East race is virtually over, if not mathematically then realistically. The top seed, which would guarentee the road to the Super Bowl leads through Giants stadium, is also in great shape but still they have work left to do.

Thus, while a win on Sunday is not critical to the Giants, they are very well aware of the opportunity they have in hand. The Redskins on the other hand are going to be a very desperate team in front of a very vocal home crowd.

In the season opener, the Giants welcomed the Redskins to the Meadowlands (along with Michael Strahan and the Vince Lombardo trophy), and beat the Skins 16-7. In reality, it wasn't as close as the score indicated. However, the Skins are a different team now. Rookie headcoach Jim Zorn looked overmatched and confused that night but seems to have stabilized the situation. Washington is 7-3 since then.

The Redskins rank 7th in the league in rushing defense allowing just over 89 yards per game. They will be opposed by the Giants dominant, 1st ranked rushing attack, hopefully including Brandon Jacobs who sat out the Cardinals game with a sore knee. If Jacobs is back, rushing behind Sean O'Hara, Chris Snee and company, the Giants should be able to establish the ground game.

Establishing the run will be critical for the Giants as the Redskins are 5th in the NFL in passing defense---and have added Deangelo Hall to bolster the secondary. Offensively, the Giants need their customary, balanced attack against this defense to be successful.

Defensively, the Giants rank 6th against the rush while the Redskins, behind Clinton Portis are 3rd. This may very well be the key to the game. If the Giants can stop the run I doubt whether Jason Cambell can muster enough of a passing attack against Steve Spagnolos defense. The Giants MUST stop the run!

I think they will. The Giants, week in and week out, seem to find a way to get it done. They outcoach and outplay their opponents. The Giants are on a big time roll right now. The end of the regular season is near. The Giants players and coaches, by all accounts, seem to realize what a unique position they find themselves in. They are focused and determined. This Giants team desperately wants to repeat and prove last years Super Bowl run was no fluke.

In what will be a brutal, late season, NFC East rivalry game, the Giants will find a way to prevail. Giants 24-20.

Lets go Giants! 

Look out DC---the Giants are coming to town! The historic NFL rivalry between the World Champion New York Giants and the Washington foreskins----err, sorry, I mean Redskins, resumes this Sunday at 1:00pm. The Giants (10-1) visit the skins (7-4) in what is virtually a must win game for Washington who are fighting for their playoff lives.

While the Redskins can afford a loss in theory, it certainly would remove what little margin for error they have. There is a glut of teams they are competing with for the two wild card spots. Tampa Bay and Carolina sit at 8-3 while Arizona, Atlanta and Dallas share 7-4 records. Chasing the pack are the Vikings, Saints and Bears at 6-5 with a couple of other teams like the Eagles (yes, Donovan, NFL games really do end in ties) just on the outside looking in.

Clearly, some of these teams (possibly the Cardinals, Bucs, Falcons, or Panthers----some combination thereof) will win their division and thus not hurt the Redskins wildcard chances. Still, it is a pretty crowded picture and it appears we are headed for a wild finish to the season. A divisional loss to our beloved Giants would not only sink the Skins to a dangerous 7-5, but would hurt them in terms of tie breakers---sure to be critical this year, as it would be another divisional and conference loss.

The picture for the Giants is much less muddled. The Champs own a three game lead in the NFC East (where they are currently 3-0) but also have a two game lead for the #1 seed in the conference (where they are 7-0). The NFC East race is virtually over, if not mathematically then realistically. The top seed, which would guarentee the road to the Super Bowl leads through Giants stadium, is also in great shape but still they have work left to do.

Thus, while a win on Sunday is not critical to the Giants, they are very well aware of the opportunity they have in hand. The Redskins on the other hand are going to be a very desperate team in front of a very vocal home crowd.

In the season opener, the Giants welcomed the Redskins to the Meadowlands (along with Michael Strahan and the Vince Lombardo trophy), and beat the Skins 16-7. In reality, it wasn't as close as the score indicated. However, the Skins are a different team now. Rookie headcoach Jim Zorn looked overmatched and confused that night but seems to have stabilized the situation. Washington is 7-3 since then.

The Redskins rank 7th in the league in rushing defense allowing just over 89 yards per game. They will be opposed by the Giants dominant, 1st ranked rushing attack, hopefully including Brandon Jacobs who sat out the Cardinals game with a sore knee. If Jacobs is back, rushing behind Sean O'Hara, Chris Snee and company, the Giants should be able to establish the ground game.

Establishing the run will be critical for the Giants as the Redskins are 5th in the NFL in passing defense---and have added Deangelo Hall to bolster the secondary. Offensively, the Giants need their customary, balanced attack against this defense to be successful.

Defensively, the Giants rank 6th against the rush while the Redskins, behind Clinton Portis are 3rd. This may very well be the key to the game. If the Giants can stop the run I doubt whether Jason Cambell can muster enough of a passing attack against Steve Spagnolos defense. The Giants MUST stop the run!

I think they will. The Giants, week in and week out, seem to find a way to get it done. They outcoach and outplay their opponents. The Giants are on a big time roll right now. The end of the regular season is near. The Giants players and coaches, by all accounts, seem to realize what a unique position they find themselves in. They are focused and determined. This Giants team desperately wants to repeat and prove last years Super Bowl run was no fluke.

In what will be a brutal, late season, NFC East rivalry game, the Giants will find a way to prevail. Giants 24-20.

Lets go Giants! 

Giants roll to 10-1!

The Champs are looking good! The New York Giants traveled back to their home away from home----Sun Devil Stadium in Glendale, site of their historic triumph in Super Bowl XLII, and knocked off the Arizona Cardinals, 37-29. The interesting part to me is the way the Giants can just rotate players in and out with seemingly no effect on the outcome. Star Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress pulled himself after the first series since he felt he could not run full speed. No problem, Domenik Hixon stepped in and grabbed 6 catches for 57 yards. Brandon Jacobs was sidelined with a sore knee, the Cardinals ganged up on the run limiting the Giants to just 87 yards on the ground. No problem, Eli Manning had one of his best performances of the season going 26-33, 240 yards, 3 touchdowns.

Yes, the Giants (10-1) are on a big time roll. They posess a three game lead in the NFC East and hold a two game lead for the #1 seed in the conference.

They were in control for much of the game. While Cardinal QB Kurt Warner put up some big numbers with 350 yards passing, the Giants defense did the job as they did not give up any big plays. They made the Cardinals earn every yard and cut out the quick strike capability they have shown this  season.

The Giants had several stars yesterday; Eli Manning as mentioned, was brilliant. Actually, his numbers should have been better if not for three droppes passes. He was dead on accurate! The aforementioned Domenik Hixon, in addition to a great job receiveing, was awesome in the return game with big runs of 68 and 87 yards. Why in the world did the Buffalo Bills ever let this guy go? Fortunately for the Giants, they did and Jerry Reese snatched up another gem. Rookie Kenny Phillips had a big game deflecting two passes and breaking up a touchdown pass on a nifty play in the end zone. He is going to be a star.

The World Champion Giants are cruising right now. With just five weeks left in the regular season, it is becoming evident to me that the only team who can beat the Giants is the Giants themselves----enjoy it folks!

The Champs are looking good! The New York Giants traveled back to their home away from home----Sun Devil Stadium in Glendale, site of their historic triumph in Super Bowl XLII, and knocked off the Arizona Cardinals, 37-29. The interesting part to me is the way the Giants can just rotate players in and out with seemingly no effect on the outcome. Star Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress pulled himself after the first series since he felt he could not run full speed. No problem, Domenik Hixon stepped in and grabbed 6 catches for 57 yards. Brandon Jacobs was sidelined with a sore knee, the Cardinals ganged up on the run limiting the Giants to just 87 yards on the ground. No problem, Eli Manning had one of his best performances of the season going 26-33, 240 yards, 3 touchdowns.

Yes, the Giants (10-1) are on a big time roll. They posess a three game lead in the NFC East and hold a two game lead for the #1 seed in the conference.

They were in control for much of the game. While Cardinal QB Kurt Warner put up some big numbers with 350 yards passing, the Giants defense did the job as they did not give up any big plays. They made the Cardinals earn every yard and cut out the quick strike capability they have shown this  season.

The Giants had several stars yesterday; Eli Manning as mentioned, was brilliant. Actually, his numbers should have been better if not for three droppes passes. He was dead on accurate! The aforementioned Domenik Hixon, in addition to a great job receiveing, was awesome in the return game with big runs of 68 and 87 yards. Why in the world did the Buffalo Bills ever let this guy go? Fortunately for the Giants, they did and Jerry Reese snatched up another gem. Rookie Kenny Phillips had a big game deflecting two passes and breaking up a touchdown pass on a nifty play in the end zone. He is going to be a star.

The World Champion Giants are cruising right now. With just five weeks left in the regular season, it is becoming evident to me that the only team who can beat the Giants is the Giants themselves----enjoy it folks!

Giants await the Browns...

As the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and their fans await their next victim (sorry....opponent), the  Browns on Monday night in Cleveland, just a few thoughts...

First, I hate when the Giants play on Monday night football. The show does not have nearly the prestige it used to. With Tony Kornheiser and Mike Torico in the booth (I actually like Ron Jaworski though), the game is almost impossible to listen to. They have to be the worst group ever on MNF. Listen (if you can bear it) to some of the stupid questions Kornheiser asks Jaworski....he almost sounds like a woman (yes, I know there are PLENTY of very knowledegable women when it comes to football....but he is not one of them---you know what I mean)at her first game asking questions of her Boyfriend. "Why did he hit that little guy?"

The other thing I hate about the NY Giants playing on Monday night is it leaves a void for me on Sunday's. I love Sunday 1:00 Giants football. Part of the price of being Super Bowl Champs I guess. I will have to settle for watching and rooting against the rest of the division tomorrow.

Speaking of the division, notice a little bit of trouble in Dallas lately? Last week we had Terrell Owens slamming his boyfriend/QB Tony Romo for not throwing his way enough (despite 19 attempts???). This week, in a tremendous shock, Pacman (yes, he is still our beloved Pacman) Jones got in a little trouble. It seems he got into a fight at a hotel bathroom (maybe the guy was peeking over the stall??) with his Dallas Cowboy employed baby sitter. (They call him a bodyguard, but make no mistake----baby sitter is the proper term). Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones are both pissed at "Adam", lets see what happens next. I wonder if the guy tried stopping him from "making it rain."

The Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) are in trouble. While it is still very early, and as the Giants proved last season it is all about how you play in January that counts, a few more losses and there will be no January football in the city of brotherly hate. They fly out to Frisco to play the 49rs in an almost must win game without the services of their best player, Brian Westbrook. Lets go niners!

The surprising Washington Redskins (4-1) host the St. Louis Rams and figure to advance to 5-1. They look good.

Back to our World Champion New York Giants, who by the way, are 18-4 in their last 22 games----must be a fluke. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has a quad injury but insists he wil play Monday night in Cleveland.

The Giants need to be careful, this game will not be easy. I know the Browns look like a major disappointment, but it is Monday night and the crowd (who are not forced to endure the drippings of Kornheiser and Torico) will be fired up. As will the Browns with the Champs coming in. They also remember the ass whipping the Giants put on them six weeks ago---when the starters left it was Giants 31 -Browns 3. They need to be prepared for a spirited effort from a team trying to salvage it's season.

Come on, Giants; get me to 5-0!