Sean Payton and the Saints, along with the NFL find themselves in unchartered territory with the suspensions of coaches, GM’s and soon to be multiple players, and like most places that enforce or institute new rules, not all the angles were figured out beforehand.  The Saints are said to be looking at a few options to “Replace” Payton as head coach.  It would be my thought that the NFL figured they would temporarily promote from within if the Saints decided to keep both Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis the G.M.  It seems the Benson family has decided to give each a second chance.  Sean has also been rumored  to be  doing some work at FOX this season.

Here’s My Take:  The Commissioner should write the Saints and Sean Payton a quick note stating that if the Saints Replace Peyton from outside the organization, then Sean will have been deemed to be “replaced” in the organization.  Also if Sean decides to leave the NFL and work for FOX, he will be deemed as no longer under the employ of the NFL or the Saints.  What does this accomplish?

Well if Sean is no longer employed by the league or the Saints….he will be deemed to have NOT served his suspension.  Just like when Manny Ramirez was suspended from MLB, and he decided to leave baseball….upon his return he still needed to serve his 50 game suspension. I say the same should apply here.  If Payton goes and works for FOX, then he needs to leave the NFL formally, afterall how can you have a suspended coach entering other teams facilities to do interviews.  How can he be allowed to have access to all the information given in confidence?  How can you ensure he wouldn’t be on the phone passing along info to the Saints?  Both The Saints and Payton should be forced to make a decision…..Keep Payton, promote from within, and have him serve his suspension, or have him step down, resign from the team and the NFL, and take the chance at getting re-hired while still needing to serve his season long suspension.  It’s only fair.

SI.com ranks the Giants at number 11, up 7 spots from last week. Where else do they fall as the last week of the regular season begins?

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Amazing what a difference a week makes. In a few Power Ranking, the Giants broke into the top ten after their big victory over the Cowboys on the road, and the rest of the experts kept them close behind. But now, after a performance that can only be described as pathetic, the Giants find themselves back toward the middle of the pack. After Sunday, I have to say they deserve it.

National Football Post dropped them to 18, down from 9. Let’s see where else the Gmen fell.

The Giants Across the Board

Fox Sports: 18(12)

I said last week that the Giants were mentally tougher than the Cowboys and that is why they would win the division, but they looked emotionally drained on Sunday. Their season boils down to two games, and it starts by beating the Jets on Saturday.

My biggest concern heading into this game was that it would be a trap game, and clearly that’s exactly what happened. The Giants looked not only drained, but tired and uncaring. It’s one thing to lose a game, but it’s another one to not even try to win. And that, more than anything else, is the reason they have plummeted in this week’s rankings.

CBS Sports: 12(12)

Why can’t they figure out a way to play well against lesser teams? If they don’t make the playoffs, that will be the reason why.

My volleyball team seems to have the same problem. But we are a bunch of amateurs playing in an elementary school gym, not professionals who have earned the right to make obscene amounts of money to play a sport. Both situations are infuriating, but one is more acceptable than the other. But I will say, CBS is pretty generous keeping the Gmen at the same level as last week.

NFL Mocks: 17(8 ) (more…)

So many lead changes, big fourth quarter drives, scoring attempts in the final seconds; just another typical night when the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys face off. This time around, it was the Giants who were victorious and launched into first place in the division. And with that win came big jumps in this week’s Power Rankings.

National Football Post gave the Giants the biggest jump of the week, up from number 16 to 9. Let’s see where else the Gmen fell.

The Giants Across the Board

Fox Sports: 12(16)

The Giants showed the mental toughness I thought they would need to outlast the Cowboys on Sunday night. They still have to face the ‘Boys in another head-to-head matchup in the final week of the season, but they appear to be getting healthy at the right time. QB Eli Manning is carrying this team on offense, and he deserves to be named amongst the NFL elite.

So much of the talk this week is about Eli and the way he has carried this team. It’s completely fair, and I have maintained for several weeks now that he should be considered for the league MVP. He won’t get it thanks to Aaron Rodgers and his ridiculous season, but any success this team achieves should be credited to him, and it’s really nice to see the analysts giving him the credit he deserves.

CBS Sports: 12(17)

If they run the table, they win the NFC East. Through all their woes, their destiny is in their hands. Amazing.

It is amazing. And this division is theirs to lose, an enviable place for any team. After four straight losses and the messy ways in which they won early in the season, it’s easy to forget that, despite everything, they found ways to win. Whether they can continue this trend remains to be seen, but it’s nice to enjoy this moment for now. (more…)

Unfortunately moral victories do not register in the power rankings, with National Football Post keeping the Giants at number 16. Let’s see where else the Gmen fall.

The Giants Across the Board

Fox Sports: 16(14)

The Giants deserve some credit for taking the Packers down to the final second, but there are no moral victories when you are in the thick of a playoff battle. With two of their next four games being against the Cowboys, they still have a fair chance at winning the division.

I suppose their moral victory kept the Giants from falling further here.

CBS Sports: 17(14)

At 6-6, they know to win the division they will likely have to beat the Cowboys twice, starting this week in Dallas.

Dallas’ loss in Arizona was a big help for the Giants, but they still need to win both games to advance.

NFL Mocks: 15(16) (more…)

For years the tandem of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have played the party line on the Giants and Head Coach Tom Coughlin.  The production crew went out of their way to show Coughlin at his worst moments.  They would cut to him only when he was seething over mistakes by his players.  They would show the Giants players in their worst light.  They would tell stories about rules, remarks made, and “things they heard” about Tom.  It started with the 5 minute rule.  Showing up 5 minutes early was mandatory for Tom Coughlin, a rule he implemented but didn’t invent.  He learned it from All World Coach John Wooden.  I don’t think I ever heard anyone call that idea silly when it was attributed to Wooden.

Fox has gone out of their way to put Coach Coughlin in the worst light possible.  Make him seem old, inflexible, and mean spirited. Yesterday for about 5 minutes it all changed.  Fox finally showed the side of Coughlin people who really know him have seen for years.  They showed a short clip of him chatting with the line judge on his sideline.  A big smile, shaking hands, making a little joke;  And then, in a way only Joe Buck can do, they expanded on the subject as if he was their best friend.  Joe goes on to state that over the years they get the opportunity to get to know these coaches and players in a personal way.  That Coach Coughlin is not only a great football man, but a great man in general.  Now, we all know Joe is a load of hot air, who never bothered to learn the rules until Fox brought in an expert that made him look silly.  He is a lifer that never had to wonder what he would do with his life.  I have no problem with Joe taking his opportunity for success, but he has always been lazy, thinks himself too funny, and takes the easy way out when discussing others.  He could have been on Coughlins side early on.  Even in 2007 they gave him no credit.  They always quoted Tiki, and Plaxico, and others that complained there way through life.  Tom Coughlin is a good man, a grandfather, and an ex-marine.  He should be treated with more respect.

It might be a little too late, but at least for one day, and hopefully for the remainder of the season, Joe Buck and Troy will remember there is a good person under that headset.

The Giants Across the Board

Fox Sports: 14(14)

The Giants couldn’t cover any of Saints receiver on Monday night and the pass rush didn’t help them at all. This is a team that is built to pressure the quarterback, and didn’t sack Drew Brees even once. On offense, the Giants need to find a running game to complement Manning and the passing game. Brandon Jacobs doesn’t have the skill set to be the feature running back in this offense. They need Ahmad Bradshaw back in a hurry.

I like to think that having AB44 back would make a big difference for the offense, but I have very little faith in that offensive line and their ability to make lanes for any runner. True, they are good at protecting Eli, but that’s not going to be enough down the stretch.

CBS Sports: 14(12)

They were terrible against the Saints on Monday night and now have a short week to turn it around against Green Bay. The way that secondary played against Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers probably can’t wait.

Really, what quarterback would not want to face the Giants right now? Rodgers is having an incredible season, I hate to think about the numbers he could put up this weekend.

NFL Mocks: 16

This team is not that far away from being a really good team, but there are things that hold them back like their inconsistency and their inability to win late season games. They have a franchise (dare I say Elite) quarterback, talented WR, a great pass rush, and a lot of talent in the secondary (Amukamara, Rolle, Webster, Thomas, Phillips, Ross are all 1st or second round picks). What is the missing ingredient? Offensive line this year. Coaching? I’m not sure, they need to figure it out though.

It’s always the little things that separate the good from the great. Unfortunately there are a lot of little things that need to be fixed here. The worst part is not all of it is fixable, because there have been just too many injuries suffered by this team, and it feels never-ending. (more…)

National Football Post has dropped them five points to number 11. Let’s see how they fared across the board. (more…)