- The game opened with the Giants and Packers trading opening drive touchdowns thanks to a couple big plays from Ahmad Bradshaw and Jordy Nelson. The screen to Bradshaw was a perfect mix of great scheme, perfect blocking and an amazing individual effort by Bradshaw. He’s one of several Giants players (see: Hakeem Nicks) that obviously benefited from a perfectly-timed bye week. He looked energized all game and set the tone for the offense with his running. The Packers touchdown came after Webster bit badly on Nelson’s fake stop route, but he made nearly the same play later in the game and picked off a real stop route, so all is forgiven.

- The offensive line. Holy crap were they amazing. Eli was only sacked once (although I honestly can’t remember it) and had plenty of time in the pocket to pick apart a pass defense that was below-average even before they lost 4 starters for this game. The line also opened up huge holes for Bradshaw and Brown (more on him later), who averaged over 5 yards per carry between them and scored 2 touchdowns on the ground.

- The O-Line looked even better when compared to that of the Packers. The Giants’ D punished Aaron Rodgers to the tune of 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception. Rodgers was pressured on 17 of his 33 dropbacks, which is unbelievable, but I was actually more impressed by the secondary than the defensive line. There were a few times in the first half when Rodgers had all day in the pocket and no one to throw to, forcing him to either throw the ball away or tuck it down and run. When the score got out of hand in the second half, that’s when the D-line took over.

- We have to talk about Eli’s 13-yard run. On 3rd-and-7 from the Green Bay 34-yard line, the seas parted and Eli had a clear path to run for the first down. But our hero didn’t run to the first down line and slide, oh no. He lowered his shoulder into Tramon Williams and plunged forward for another yard. I’d like to believe that Eli fought for that extra yardage to inspire the team, but I think the much more likely explanation is that he’s afraid to slide after this. In a perfect world, I’d like to see him slide – properly – in that situation, but I honestly don’t know if he’s capable. After the game, Eli said he didn’t slide because he wasn’t sure whether he had the first down even though he was 6 yards past the marker, which is so Eli. I also don’t believe it for a second.

- The only damper on the evening was obviously the news of Andre Brown’s broken fibula, which puts his season in jeopardy. Brown has been great as a handcuff for Bradshaw, who always seems to be less effective when asked to carry a heavy load. Brown actually had more carries than Bradshaw last night (13 vs. 10), but Ahmad will obviously be the workhorse from here on out with David Wilson serving as the primary backup. Back in September, I wrote that the Giants may have wiffed on Wilson if all he turned out to be was a decent kick returner and he continued to be irrelevant on offense. Ignore that. He’s super important now.

That’s it for now. The Giants have another big game coming up next Monday night versus the suddenly second-place Redskins with an opportunity to put some real distance between themselves and the rest of the NFC East. The sun is shining and the Giants are 7-4. Today is a good day.

The Giants running attack will have a different look to it this season as Brandon Jacobs has moved on to the San Francisco 49ers. Ahmad Bradshaw now has the spotlight as the Giants will use the preseason to determine who else fills out the backfield. D.J. Ware received the first chance at backing up Bradshaw and he looked impressive when called on to carry the ball. Rookie and first round pick David Wilson had a team high 43 rushing yards on 7 carries and looked explosive at times. The battle for the backup running back spot is going to be fun to watch.

Eli Manning completed four of eight passes for 60 yards.

What stood out to me in the passing game for the Giants was solid play from their new tight end Martellus Bennett.

Bennett has the size, the speed, and the potential to be an impact player in this offense. The flipside to that is he also had that potential in Dallas. A change of scenery might be just what Bennett needs to maximize his potential. He’s off to a good start so far, catching 3 passes for 27 yards including a 12-yard touchdown catch from backup quarterback David Carr.

The first-team defense looked shaky in the beginning as the Jaguars seemed to move the ball with ease on them in their opening drive.

One key position to watch for will be at cornerback.

Prince Amukamara is getting a chance to step up because of the injury to Terrell Thomas. Amukamara was burned on the Jaguars opening drive when he gave up 3-yard touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts. However, he showed that he could shake that off and redeemed himself later in the 1st quarter when he stripped Shorts on an end-around which led to a Giants recovery.

Head coach Tom Coughlin wasn’t pleased with how his punt return game looked out there and who can blame him? Misplays by rookie Jayron Hosley and receiver Jerrel Jernigan led to Jacksonville points that definitely contributed to the ultimate outcome of the game. If there is one thing that will bring Coughlin to angry levels, it’s turnovers and mental mistakes.

The Giants were in control of this game and mistakes and lack of execution at critical times cost them. However, training camp and the preseason is for fixing those problems before they come up again in September when the games do count and the Giants begin defense of their Super Bowl championship.

 ”Mike Jenkins will not practice while the Cowboys are in California and his availability to start the regular season is in doubt.”

The lack of depth on the Cowboys is stunning.  They signed former Jet safety Brodney Pool this offseason, and then cut him this week.  Signing a Jet safety probably wasn’t the best idea, and Pool proved he’s not interested in working hard.  Thaf leaves Gerald Sensabaugh and Barry Church as the starters right now.  No wonder Hakeem Nicks is working so hard to get back healthy for opening night.  Behind them are listed 5 guys with a combined 4 years of experience.  The dream of having a shut down secondary might have to put on hold for a while.  Add to this the fact that Morris Claiborne is already hurt, and Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick were the guys you wanted to replace, are the backups.

On offense it doesn’t look any prettier: Dez Bryant, who is one wild weekend away from a suspension, and Miles Austin are the starting wide-outs.  Miles managed to get into 10 games last year because of injuries, while Bryant played in 15.  Behind them?  Kevin Ogletree at 6′ 1″ and 190 and Dwayne Harris at 5’10″.  At running back they have DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones.  Murray had a great season last year, but was injured the final 5 games and registered just 17 carries for 63 yards in that span.  Felix finished the season with efforts of 4/24 against Philly and 11/30 versus the Giants in must win games.

The new NFL is a pass first league.  The Cowboys seem ill prepared for such a journey.  They seem to have no available answers for the 4 and 5 wide sets they will see against most teams.  They also seem like they are one nagging injury away from a losing season.

It all started with Terrell Owens saying he wasn’t reporting to Eagles camp all those years ago, and Joe Banner, President of the Eagles saying he would start fining Owens if he didn’t show up by 6:00p.m.  Up went the clock on the bottom of the screen of every ESPN show.  The cameras went to Eagle Camp to focus on the front door….riveting….and then a group went to T.O.’s house.  All the time ESPN executives, and I’m sure Owens and his agent, were laughing at what they had created. This week or month it is the Jets and Tim Tebows time.  This quote from an ESPN story this morning:

“Manning and the defending champion Giants have the rings. But Tebow, Mark Sanchez and the Jets clearly have the advantage with summer headlines and media coverage.”   Yes, media coverage created and perpetuated by you!

To me the slap in the face to the sports fan though is when their hosts or game announcers say things like “Maybe we can talk about something other than Tim Tebow tonight” or “How long do you think we can go without mentioning Tim Tebow tonight”  As if their bodies and minds were not under their control.

I always heard from people in journalism that you weren’t supposed to inject yourself into a story…I guess making up the story is considered different or more likely ESPN is not staffed with serious journalists.

“Now they both absolutely one day will go in the Hall of Fame.”

ONE DAY…Not today ESPN, not tomorrow, but ONE DAY.  That means that Phil is counting on Eli and Tom continuing their very successful relationship.  He also knows Jerry Reese and the Giants are committed to winning and building the best, most competitive team possible each and every year.  When it’s all said and done in another 7-8 years for Eli, yes he will be a Hall of Fame QB, and Tom Coughlin will be there too.

I think the better argument is whether Phil Simms is a Hall of Fame QB….If he had stayed healthy and won the Super Bowl with the team in 1990, I think it would be an easier argument, but as it stands he has just as many Super Bowls victories as Steve Young, and they both hold two Super Bowl records for QB’s.

Steve Young started 16 games for the Niners 3 times, Phil Simms did it four times.

Young started 124 games in total for the Niners and 143 for his career, Simms had 159, all for the Giants.

Simms won 95 games, Steve Young 94

Simms had 33,462 passing yards(With a run first Bill Parcells for a coach) Young had 33,124

Young had 232 TD’s and Simms 199

Simms took over a strugging rebuilding team and took it to it’s first Super Bowl, Young took over for Joe Montana after he was injured in the NFC Championship (against the Giants) after the Niners had won back to back Super Bowls.

Young had Jerry Rice, John Taylor, and Brent Jones

Simms had Lionel Manuel, Mark Ingram, Bobby Johnson, and Mark Bavaro

You make the call…..

On a night where past and present New York Giants gathered for a good cause, it was the future that was on the minds of the Giants.  Eli Manning has recently said that he is going into the 2012 season looking at the 2011 Giants as a 9-7 team, and not as the Super Bowl champions.  His teammates apparently share in that attitude and are looking to improve–and repeat–in 2012.

Eli stated last week when asked how he was preparing?  ”We were 9-7, and that isn’t good enough.”  How nice is that?  Two Super Bowl victories, Two Super Bowl MVP’s, and this guy wants to work harder to improve their regular season record and make the playoffs in better fashion.

The Giants don’t have short memories.  The Giants aren’t delusional.  The Giants know full well they put themselves in a tough spot last year needing to win two divisional games in prime time to simply make the playoffs.  With the schedule they have this year, they need to be better.  I don’t just mean the teams on the schedule either, but the craziness of playing a Wednesday, Sunday, Thursday to start the season.  Tom Coughlin, who might be the most organized man in the world, will need to figure a way to practice and teach his team in the first month of the season while not violating any of the new CBA rules.  This in itself will be a challenge.

But, when you have a leader like Eli, who will make sure everyone knows last year is over, and they weren’t all that good last year, it will make it easier to get the team focused on the task at hand.

New York, April 25—“Elite” Giants quarterback Eli Manning is on his way to compete in yet another super “Bowl,”

and this time the big game is for charity. “David Tyree’s Charity Bowl,” to benefit Children of the City and 

The Legacy Center,  will be headlined by the two-time Super Bowl MVP Manning and his ’08 champion teammate

Tyree on Tuesday night, June 5, at 300 NYC, Pier 60Chelsea Piers in New York City at 6:30 PM.

Manning and Tyree, who teamed for one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history in ’08, will be joined by

soon-to-be-announced Super Bowl champion Giants players.

There are three ticket categories: tickets to bowl and mingle with Giants players are priced at $325 per person/

$2,200 per lane; tickets to bowl with Giants players, elite access lounge and group photo with Eli are $1,000 per person

/$8,000 per lane; and tickets to private bowling lanes with Eli and photo opportunities are $1,500.

Corporate sponsorships are also available.

Tickets are available by calling Abby Meadows at 718-436-0242, extension 20 or by visiting the following sites:

charityhappenings.org,www.childrenofthecity.org and www.tlcnyc.org.

About Children of the City: Changing the Culture of Poverty through Education and Outreach: 

Providing programs focused on the needs of disadvantaged children under-served communities, our mission s to reach

at-risk inner city children and youth with hope, guidance, and resources to positively affect their lives and communities

(www.childrenofthecity.org). Children of the City is the only grassroots, family development organization in

New York City that utilizes home visits to connect individual children and families with the programs and resources to

empower them with the skills to overcome poverty. Based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Children of the City has been

responding to the critical needs of families coping with trauma, academic frustration, drug abuse, delinquency and

despair since 1981.

About The Legacy Center: Life on Purpose: The Legacy Center is relentless about moving people forward to achieve

their ultimate potential. The Legacy Center fights to see someone change for life and not just for the moment: to live life

on purpose; to take every step with intention; to help people create a legacy that their kids will want to copy (www.tlcnyc.org).

I think this is the biggest break (all puns intended) for Hixon.  He will get most of the reps in practice and see plenty of pre-season game action with Nicks out.  The others will get a chance to show what they can do, and in some different positions.  Now, we know that a Victor Cruz story doesn’t come out of every camp, but sometimes it’s because there is no opportunity for it to happen.  Well the opportunity has been created, let’s see if anyone can step up.

Hakeem will be back, and hopefully healthy for the entire regular season.  This is not ideal, but better than it could have been

Eli Manning will host “Saturday Night Live” on May 5 with musical guest Rihanna, the show announced Saturday night before a commercial break.

Previous to Eli Manning, Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Big Brother Peyton have all hosted SNL. Let the ticket frenzy begin for those SNL tickets In the heart of Rockefeller Center.

“Super Mario” has become a sudden star thanks to the gushing of Cris Collinsworth, Al Michaels, and the need for NBC to find a David Tyree moment in Super Bowl 46.  Mario did make a great catch…of a magnificent throw.  In the third quarter Collinsworth had thrown Mario under the bus for his poor route running, something he had studied throughout the season, and we know all too well in New York.  The fact that NBC had a graphic all set to show how poor Manningham’s routes are run, shows it is a consistent problem.  Mario is a nice receiver that serves a purpose in the Giants offense.  He is the speed merchant, he draws coverages deep to open up routes for the other guys underneath.  He is not, and should not be, the top “Numbers” guy on anyone’s team.  This obsession with wanting the ball more is mind- boggling.  Here is a guy that caught a TD pass against Atlanta to seal the first playoff win.  He then caught a TD pass against Green Bay to send them home.  Next up San Francisco, and a crucial TD catch to keep the Giants in the game, and then three catches on a Super Bowl Winning Drive.  Is that not enough?  You want to go catch 10 balls a game for 8 yards each from Josh Freeman and finish 8-8? Why? I though it was all about winning?  Just say you want and deserve more money, and see where the market takes you.  Don’t knock the team that gave you chance after chance to stay on the team, and the opportunity to win a Super Bowl, on the way out the door. Mario had 160 catches in 4 years, not exactly number one stats.  How that attitude makes you attractive to other teams is beyond me.  You think that shows your desire to compete? You think it shows you have confidence in your ability?  It shows me you are selfish, and will become another WR complaining that your QB doesn’t look for you enough.  Mario has made some great catches, and has dropped a few key balls also in his time with the Giants.  If he thinks the grass is greener…God Bless..Have fun…See you when we see you.  There is no reason to say anything about this organization on the way out of town.

The other point that needs to be made about the catch in 46 is that there were 5 guys on the field that day that could have made that catch.  Nicks, Cruz, Welker, Hernandez, and a healthy Gronkowski.  There are 5 maybe 6 QB’s that could have made the throw in the League.  ”Super Mario” will win the Super Bowl Lottery this year.  It happens almost every year.  Gibril Wilson and Kavica Mitchell won it after Super Bowl 42…..Mario thinks it’s his turn, I wish him the best of luck.

1. How will the injury to “The Gronk” affect your game plan and who will need to step up in his abscence if he cannot go?

Manning and Tuck are just two of 210 celebrities who have created a Bookprint – the 5 most influential books in their lives.  Their fans can learn more about the influences that made them great and create their own Bookprints to compare.

Scholastic Launches “One Million Bookprints for OneMillion Books” Campaign to Donate New Books to Children in Need 

For Every Person who Creates a “Bookprint” at the Online Community,youarewhatyouread.com, a New Children’s Book will be donated to Reach Out and Read

This morning I started to think back a few years to 2007.  That magical season that seemed to come out of nowhere.  Starting with all the talk about Eli Manning and his “comical” role as a leader of the team called the New York Giants.  That quote, of course ,came from Tiki Barber in a conversation forced upon him by Cris Collinsworth, who will be calling the game with Al Michaels come next Sunday.

Eli did not have his best regular season that year, and the defense started out as a complete failure.  After the comment by Tiki, Eli fired back a bit saying that “It didn’t take long for Tiki to become part of the media”.  I always remember Michael Strahan saying that that little comment showed them the real Eli was about to emerge.  Eli even talked back to Strahahn later in the year when it was suggested that the team dress in all black for their trip to Super Bowl 42.  Eli wore a black suit jacket, but with a white shirt, again making a little statement that he was his own man.

Eli, this year, has had a career year statistically, and in the category of being a leader.  He has taken to meeting during the week with the running backs and discussing the game plan and their part in it.  He has taken young receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz under his wing and has pushed them to be their best.  He teaches, mentors, and leads these men throughout the game.  He does it in his own way.  He does it calmly, quietly, but with the confidence of a true leader.  He has been fried in the media for having “bad body language” and a “funny look on his face”.  Comment by people who have never met him in person, or taken the time to ask the other players how he has affected them.

Now, Ei is leading HIS team to the Super Bowl for the second time.  He stood up in front of his teammates in a rare mid-week address and walked them through what to expect in the next two weeks.  This is a business trip, and should be treated as such.  ”We have to have great preparation” he stated and prepare they will.  The Giants will practice Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this week before traveling to Indianapolis.  The entire game plan will be implemented in New Jersey, and tweaked and repeated once they land in Indiana.  Eli, along with his well prepared Head Coach, will lead this team, in the proper mind set, to their second Super Bowl in 4 years.  Who would have thought we would be saying that just a few weeks back.

Here’s some fun stuff from Giants.com.  The players had a long, loud, fun trip back from San Francisco last night.  Here are some of their thoughts they shared on twitter.

DE Justin Tuck (@JustinTuckNYG91): Just landed back home. But I feel like I’m still flying              

TE Travis Beckum (@TravisBeckum47): Proud to be a GIANT!! Go G-Men

FB Henry Hynoski @HenryHynoski: So excited i cant even sleep….this is a dream come true! Blessed to have this opportunity!

WR Victor Cruz (@TeamVic): Super Bowl bound baby!!!!

WR Devin Thomas (@IamDevinThomas): I love my bros on this team! ALL IN BABY! GMen fans… WE GOIN TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!

CB Prince Amukamara (@PrinceAmukamara): Shoutout to all the fans who believed in us #nyg

LB Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP): Undrafted, NFC champ, SuperBowl bound. Not bad for a Rookie… We got business to handle in 2 weeks. But tonight we rejoice! #NYG

Frank D Parent Elementary, Beverly Hills High, University of Oregon, Giants, NFC champ, Super Bowl. Reppin all of them to the fullest!

LB Mark Herzlich (@MarkHerzlich): Well finally gettin to get to sleep. Great night great win. Couldn’t be happier. #NYC #BIGBLUE #ALLIN

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (@DatBoyJPP): We won and we kept on fighting to the end thank you lord. I would like to thank the fans for believing in us thank u guys.

WR Ramses Barden (@RamsesNYG): Headed back to NY… With hardware in-hand. Goodnight.

P Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5): Lawrence Tynes is the man!!! Thank you #9!!!!!

TE Bear Pascoe (@BearPascoe): heck yes we are “@mcjunkind: “@DCarr8: The Dogs are headed to the SuperBowl

Meanwhile, players on injured reserve sat back and watched the overtime thriller like every other Giants fan.

WR Domenik Hixon (@domenik_hixon): I was yelling with you!!! Lol RT @ieyesis: @domenik_hixon did you yell at the tv in celebration like I did??? CONGRATS

WR Michael Clayton (@MClayton83NYG): Heads up play by d thomas. It obviously hit his leg. Will these ref be great rt now or will they drop the ball. They have been great so far

The New York Football Giants are heading to Indianapolis for Super Bowl 46……From 6-2, to 7-7, to 9-7 and a Division Title.  Then the first home playoff game in the new stadium, a trip to Green Bay and a domination of  a 15-1 team, to a trip to San Francisco where they held the opponent to 1/13 on third down, forcing 2 turnovers against a team that tied the record for least turnovers during the season.  With 40 minutes of possession, and 20 first downs.  The New York Football Giants are headed to their 2nd Super Bowl in 4 years.