February 09, 2006

Gretzky's Wife Nailed In Gambling Sting

The "Great One" Wayne Gretzky has been ensnared in a illegal gambling operation run by the Mrs.

There is no evidence Gretzky made any bets, the sources said, but the secretly recorded phone calls show the hockey hall-of-famer knew about the gambling ring, and investigators are looking into whether he placed any wagers through his wife, Janet Jones.

Jones was among the gamblers who placed more than $1.7 million in wagers in the past six weeks with the ring allegedly run by Tocchet and a New Jersey state trooper. Jones put down $500,000 on games during that period, including $75,000 on last weekend's Super Bowl, sources said. She even wagered on which team would win the opening coin toss -- winning $5,000 with that bet.

You can't blame the poor guy. I mean, when you've got a wife that looks like this:

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...you don't ask questions! You STFU and ask "how much do you need?".

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February 05, 2006

Way To Go, Harry!

Former NY Giants middle linebacker, Harry Carson, is among this year's inductees into the pro football hall of fame! Carson was a staple on the defense of the 1986 Giants Superbowl team. One of the biggest leaders on the squad, number 53 served as a mentor to fellow Hall of Famer, Lawrence Taylor.

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Carson was part of the Giants in the late seventies, when the franchise had hit a low point and would help Coach Bill Parcells build a championship team and a defense that struck fear into the hearts of opposing teams. It's been a long time coming and as a long time Giants fan, I'm thrilled that he's finally getting his due.

Congratulations, Harry!

Oh, and I guess there's a Superbowl game tonight which I couldn't care less about. But what the hell, I'll take a guess. I'm picking the Steelers because they have a chance to make history as the first #6 seed playoff team to go all the way. Plus, teams named after birds have a lousy Superbowl history. They're 1-3.

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January 08, 2006

Wildcard Weekend: Giants v. Panthers

UPDATE: Hoo boy-howdy. That really sucked. Fortunately I was spared from watching this fiasco on tape because I checked the end on WFAN. Disappointed? Hell yes. But I've been a Giants fan for more than twenty-five years. I have had moments of elation and periods of misery. But one important lesson I've learned: the importance of "getting over it." The Giants should be proud of what they accomplished this season.

It's unfortunate that their season had to end in their own stadium on such a sour note. But the season was pretty much over as far as I was concerned. It's time the boys got some well earned rest. Time to re-tool the linebacking corp and the secondary. We have a draft to plan for.

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Well, the Giants played it close than I would have liked last week. The Raiders were not about to lay down and gave New York a competitive game. But in the end the Giants did what they had to do.

As I've said before, at this point in the season my expectations going in have been exceeded. But reality is a bitch. The Giants just aren't good enough to go all the way. I think being at home, the Giants have a better than 50/50 chance today. Despite the injuries on defense, I think they can hold their own. But while Coach Coughlin may be tempted to air it out today, they should learn a lesson from a couple of weeks ago when Dallas beat the Panthers on the ground. If the offensive line can just keep the false starts to a minimum, Tiki Barber can get 30+ touches this afternoon. If he does, he will wear out Carolina's defense and the Giants will win.

New York needs to avoid turnovers at all costs. If they give the Panthers the opportunity, Carolina will make the most of it.

There are about twenty some-odd players who've never experienced a playoff game. It would experience for them to have at least one win under their belt heading into next season.

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January 03, 2006

"The Kid" Turns A Quarter Century

Happy Birthday, Eli Manning who turns 25 today.

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No pressure or anything. Just his first playoff game coming up on Sunday. Go get 'em!

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December 31, 2005

Giants v. Raiders

UPDATE: 11:40pm
HAPPY BLUE YEAR!!!!!!

NY GIANTS NFC EAST CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

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Well, this is it. Win here and the Giants take the division and lock up home field advantage for next week's playoff game. Lose and the Redskins can steal the division away and next week's game is on the road. And we all know how the Giants have been playing on the road.

And they're on the road here today. But the Oakland Raiders are 2-5 at home. Had the Giants gotten it done last week this game would not only have been meaningless but probably NO one outside of a die-hard NY fan would have bothered tuning in at 8pm on New Year's Eve. The Raiders fans will be watching (the ones that do, that is) at 5pm PST. They've got plenty of time for New Year's revelry.

But Giants fans are screwed. Watch the game and piss off the wife/girlfriend or run around with a transistor radio trying to catch the latest score. It's a no win for Giants fans.

But the Giants MUST win. Honestly, I care more about the division than anything else. The Giants can win a playoff game at home, but they won't advance very far - especially with their linebacker corps depleted with injuries. And even if they did, the AFC will own the championship this year.

Nope, I said it last week but I really mean it this time. NY needs to Git 'Er Done tonight. No excuses.

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December 24, 2005

Giants v. Redskins

UPDATE: Well, it looks like the Ex-Donkey gets a big old lump of coal in his stocking this Christmas as the 'Skins are a few minutes away from taking down the Giants on this balmy winter afternoon. I got back from taking the kids to see "Chicken Little" in time to watch the second half of this mess.

Now they HAVE to beat Oakland next week to win the division. And if they lose...

Well, if that means the Redskins could actually take the division title with a win at Philly. Yuck. I have "having" to win games especially in the last week of the season. It would have been nice not to be compelled to watch a football game at 8:00pm on New Year's Eve. The Mrs. ain't gonna be happy about that one.

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Sealing the deal. That's what this game is all about. The Redskins have been on a roll as of late and their bitch-slapping of the Cowboys last Sunday has got them pumped. They need two more wins to sneak into the playoffs.

Of course, Dallas seemed to do everything they could to give the game away to Washington, much the way the 'Skins played when they went to Giants Stadium back at the end of October. Washington isn't as good as they looked last week but they're not as bad as they looked the last time they played the Giants.

And they'll be tough at home. Despite the strong play of New York they're listed as three point underdogs. Three points make sense. The Giants have played a lot of close games this season. But underdogs? That's really an insult and it should give Big Blue even more motivation to win the division today. Forget about Oakland next week. The season IS today. Let's do it.

Note: Unfortunately I will NOT be able to watch this game live. This isn't the most convenient of times, mind you. So later on I'll have to "go to the videotape".

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December 21, 2005

Five Giants Going To Pro Bowl

Congratulations to Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Jeremy Shockey and David Tyree!

Damn, I may just watch that stupid game now.

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December 17, 2005

Giants v. Chiefs

UPDATE: GIANTS WIN BABY!! 27-17!!
Congratulations to Tiki Barber for a single game performance of 29 touches for 220 yards. The best in the NFL and a record, too. The best in Giants franchise history!

Go 'Skins!!

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OK, thanks Mr. Tagliabue. The next three weekends will feature Giants games on Saturday. Great. Today's is at 5:00pm, right around dinner time and right before the wife is going to want me to watch some lame movie on DVD that I managed to avoid when it was out in the theaters. You're all heart, dude.

Well, the Chiefs were on the verge of victory last week at Texas Stadium. And a stupid mistake on their part gave the Cowboys a chance to pull a victory out of their asses, which is exactly what they did. Dallas should have lost that game. And as a result you have a Cowboys team still nipping at the Giants' heels and a pissed off Kansas City team who's looking to bounce back this week at Giants Stadium.

Now the Chiefs are a good team, but four of their five losses have been on the road. They have a killer rushing attack at Arrowhead Stadium and it's not too shaby away from home either. But the Giants have a home edge here, being 6-1 at the Meadowlands (7-1 if you count the New Orleans game). Last week's game at Philly cost them dearly when they lost LB Antonio Pierce. If they're going to stop the Chiefs' running game it's going to be tougher without Pierce.

Now the Giants need to win two of the last three games to guaranty themselves a Division Title, and one of those wins needs to be against Washington next week. They can lose today and still win the division but they need to stay focused on today's game. The Chiefs are playing for a Wildcard spot in the AFC, and if they lose today they're in deep shit.

Thus far the Giants have met my expectations going into this season. Winning the division would be icing on the cake. Surviving the first round of the playoffs would be pretty sweet too. I have no doubt that New York will not make it far in the post-season. There are just too many better teams in the NFC. And the Colts will probably win it all. A Manning will likely get a Superbowl ring this season but it's not going to be Eli.

So here we go. It's nice to be actually playing for something this deep into December for a change.

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December 11, 2005

Giants V. Eagles

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Now this SHOULD be a very satisfying game. The Giants hold on to first in the NFC East and they control their own destiny. They're playing a team that's banged up, missing all of its first string offensive weapons and whose season is over.

I know, I know. Nothing more dangerous than a team playing for its own pride. Blah, blah, blah. Whatever. The Giants' defense should bat these guys around like a cat playing with a ball of yarn.

Historically, one of these two teams sweeps the series each season. Since 1986, only twice has the series been split - 1990 and 2002. The Giants beat the Eagles a few weeks ago. Despite this game being in Philly, they should have no problems beating them again.

First, however I have to perform a superhuman Christmas light mission outside. By the time I come in from the cold, I'll be ready to go. Kick-off at 4:00pm!

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December 06, 2005

It Must Be Tough To Be An Eagles Fan These Days

Especially when so many people have photoshop.

You'll see what I mean below the fold (NSFW!): more...

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December 04, 2005

This Is THE Game Of The Week

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Simply put, this game WILL decide the NFC East. The winner advances to 8-4 with their destiny in their own hands. The loser drops to 7-5 and will struggle to fight for the wildcard.

It's lousy, snowy and miserable at the Meadowlands today. And if you believe this report, the Giants are up for this game. It's time to put up of shut up. So I'm either going to be a really happy camper this evening or a moody SOB. I can't even watch this game as I have a family holiday function to go to from 1pm to 4pm which I will spend chasing my kids around, making sure they're not getting into trouble. Taping it and watching it later is not an option as I've got too much to do when I get home.

Not to mention that I am sick as a dog this morning. No sooner did the wife and kids come home last night after I finished my part of the tree, when dear old Dad collapsed on the sofa, hacking and coughing and sweating up a fever. It was a tall NyQuil cocktail and bed for me and I woke up feeling no more rested that I was the night before.

So strap in, kids. It's going to be a helluva game. Hopefully I'll be able to sneak out to my car radio for enough updates to keep me sustained.

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November 24, 2005

Cowboys Lose!!!

Chokin' it up in overtime. Giants lead the NFC East.

My only question is why the hell didn't Ron Dayne bust a run like that when he played for the Giants?

On a personal note, I brought home more turkey leftovers tonight than I have from any other Thanksgiving - ever! Whoo-Hoo!

Now the Mrs. wants me to sit through "Cold Mountain". And my 9-year old gets to watch Star Wars: A New Hope on DVD. Damn.

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November 20, 2005

Giants v. Eagles

UPDATE:
GIANTS WIN BABY!! 27-17. I'll give Philly credit, they haven't given up on their season, even if everyone else has. I had to listen to most of this on the radio while I was getting rid of as many leaves as possible before the snow comes.

Phew. That's a relief. Now, tied with the 'Boys for first. December 4th is looming large on the schedule!

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HUGE freaking game.

Now the Eagles are on the ropes. They lose their best receiver in a PR disaster (never should have signed the a-hole in the first place). Their star QB is down and out - maybe for the whole season. The former division title holder is now in a 4-5 hole with pretty much no one giving them a prayer.

But nothing is more dangerous than a wouned animal. And no team can be taken lightly - as the Giants painfully learned last week against the Vikes. Throw into the mix that one team or the other traditionally sweeps the series every season and you've got...pressure!

Hopefully, NY will bounce back from last week and destroy Philly. Kick them when their down. And if they stir a little, kick 'em again. Harder. It's no secret that I hate the Eagles with the white-hot intensity of a thousand burning suns. I want not just a W. I want a slaughter.

And if I can't get a slaughter...I'll take a W anyway.

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November 13, 2005

Giants v. Vikings

UPDATE: Giants soil themselves, lose 21-24 to Vikes.

Man, that was brutal. Of all the possible problems I listed below the two that I neglected to mention - dumb-ass penalties and turnovers - are what really killed them. 5 turnovers and 75 yards in penalties. Crap. What a mess. I thought for sure that the three big defensive plays they made at the end of the half would keep them fired up enough to play smart. Boy, was I wrong. I'm not going to kill the defense for allowing the field goal in the last minute. They carried this team. Other than the STUPID PENALTIES they should be proud of their performance today.

Coach Coughlin better chew on some asses this week. Philly may be having problems and T.O. may be gone. But this will be their toughest game so far this season. Good God. They better get it in gear.

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This is one of those games that most people see as a game on their betting sheet that can't lose. With NY only giving three points, a home win for the Giants seems assured.

The Giants are undefeated at home this season and the Vikings are 0-4 on the road. In every stat, NY is the dominant team. Well, guess what. The Vikings are not dead and buried here. If the Giants take this game too lightly, if they are too focused on next week's home game against division rival Philadelphia, if they don't execute properly or if they just don't have their heads in the game then Minnesota could put a world of hurt on NY's playoff prospects.

I'll have to tape this one and watch it later. Playoff teams win the games that they are supposed to win. Every week is another test for the Giants and whether of not they realize it, this week is an important one.

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November 06, 2005

Giants v. Niners

UPDATE: Giants WIN, Baby!! 24 - 6. Not the prettiest game you ever saw. But that reception and TD by Jeremy Shockey was sweet!

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Now the focus is on tonight's game with the Eagles v. the Skins. Whatever the result will be a big deal for them, but it could go either way for me as they're both 4-3.
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Thus far, the Forty-Niners have racked up only two wins for the season - both of these were at home and the most recent one was last week against Tampa Bay.

Thus far, the Giants have yet to win on the road this season (New Orleans doesn't count as it was really at Giants Stadium). And Eli Manning has yet to win on the road at all.

This week is a big test. The next two weeks, the Giants need to rack up two more in the win column (at San Fran and at home v. Minnesota) because after that their schedule is brutal and ladden with critical division games.

So it's time for the team to stay focused and beat a team that is certainly beatable. They should take advantage of their weak secondary and prepare for their strong pass rush. A solid performance by the offensive line is critical here, not only in protecting Manning but also in creating lanes for the running backs. The Giants offense will need to keep their plays balanced if they are going to be able to capitalize on their passing game.

I give San Fran credit for beating the Bucs last week in their house and the Giants must not take this game lightly.

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October 30, 2005

Giants v. Redskins

UPDATE: GIANTS WIN!!!! Racking up 36 points against a tough Foreskins defense. And Washington? All they got was a rock. Happy Halloween, guys!

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This week, an emotional match-up:

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The Giants buried their late owner, Wellington Mara earlier this week. The players genuinely loved the old man. And John Mara's eulogy for his father made even the toughest and stoic men in the congregation weep like five year old girls. Unlike certain megalomaniacal owners in the league - ahem, Jerry Jones - Mara was humble, yet inspirational. He loved the game of football almost as much as his family and his church. And he had the kind of passion for his team that I don't think exists in the NFL ownership anymore.

The Redskins are playing well; indeed much better than anyone ever expected. But not only are they due for a let-down, their opponent this week is playing for more than a better division rank. They're playing for Well Mara.

Dismiss this all as sentimental hogwash if you want, but in today's league with so much parity between opponents this kind of intensity almost always makes a difference.

No go on out boys, and win one for the Duke!

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October 25, 2005

Wellington T. Mara (1916 - 2005)

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A football "Giant" passed away today at his home in Rye, NY. Wellington "Duke" Mara, co-owner of the New York Football Giants, now passes into legend.

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone with a harsh word for this guy. Mara was a pioneer in professional football and the last of the "founding fathers" of the NFL. He was 89.

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October 23, 2005

Giants v. Broncos

UPDATE: 7:40pm

Aw Crap!! Giants win 24-23. So why am I pissed? Because I had dinner late tonight and I forgot to stick a tape in for the fourth quarter of the game. And I missed Big Blue come back from a 23-10 deficit and score two touchdowns - the last one with only :05 remaining!!

Dallas goes from First to Last by choking in the 4th quarter against Seattle - now their record is 4-3. Bet they wish they had the bye! And there's a three way tie for first between the Giants, Redskins and Eagles: each at 4-2.

That'll change one way or another next week when New York hosts the Foreskins who are flying high off the 52-17 ass-whuppin' they put on San Fran today.

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Okay, I am NOT looking forward to this game. When your defense is ranked 32 (out of, oh, 32) in defense on third down conversions and you're opponent has such a strong running game, you know you're in trouble.

I have no doubt that the Giants can score in this game, especially being at home. My concern is that the Broncos will score a LOT more and control the ball as well. Unless the Giants "D" can turn it up a notch from they way they've been playing lately, I don't give them much of a chance in this match-up.

I'm preparing for the worst. :-(

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October 16, 2005

Giants V. Cowboys

UPDATE: Ugh. I listened to this god-awful game on the radio and it was excrutiating. Both offenses were horrible, but Dallas' "D" was better. Frankly, it never should have even gotten to overtime.

The Giants' secondary once again showed how woefully inept they are. And for crying out loud, pull CB Will Allen. He SUCKS!! Freaking loser from Syracuse. What the hell was the front office thinking when they drafted this moron. He makes Amani Toomer look like the President of MENSA. Dill-wad!!

Should've know better than to draft someone from Syracuse in the first place.

Well, now the NFC East is all tied up at 3-2, except for Dallas which is 4-2 by virtue of having not had their bye week and winning today.

Cripes. What a pathetic display.

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I won't be able to watch this one live, which is a shame because I consider this one of THE games of Week Six. The result could go a long way in determining who will give the Eagles their biggest competition for the Division Title.

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October 11, 2005

Excellent!!!

World Series 2005 with NO Red Sox and NO Yankees!!!!!

I have to tell you, at first I felt good for long-suffering Red Sox fans when their team finally won the World Series after 86 years. But over the last year, they have become impossible to live with. Many acquired the cockiness that they so disdain in other fan bases. And the Yankees fans have been...well, Yankees fans. They never change. They're always obnoxious.

Now they can all shut their cake-holes until April. Oh, and that nail-biter pennant race in the AL East that grabbed everyone's attention? It means absolutely nothing now - zip, zero, zilch, nada, buh-bye. Have a nice winter.

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