“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.

Hope Perry Fewell proves himself as the mastermind defensive coordinator he hopes the owners and GMs with head coaching questions believe he is.

Back when Steve Spagnuolo was defensive coordinator of the Giants, the safety situation was less than ideal. In 2007 the starters were Gibril Wilson and James Butler. In 2008 Gibril Wilson left to sign a big contract with the Raiders and James Butler and Michael Johnson became the starters. An injury to James Butler left Craig Dahl and Michael Johnson as the starting safeties. Johnson was a second year player who was a seventh round draft pick, and Craig Dahl was a rookie undrafted free agent.

Since their time with the Giants several have failed to show they are worthy of a starting spot. Wilson was cut by the Raiders and signed by the Dolphins, who later cut him and he signed with the Bengals. Butler signed with the Rams, but has lost his starting spot and was rumored to be in line to be released. Michael Johnson played terribly for the Giants in 2009 alongside CC Brown and was released this past offseason. He signed with the Lions and isn’t expected to win a starting spot. Craig Dahl is the only one of those guys still starting as he followed Spags to St. Louis. My point is that these players have proven that they are below average NFL players; however, while they were with the Giants they were never exposed as a weak spot. If Spags could do it with arguably the worst starting safeties in the NFL, then Fewell should find a way to make it work with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross at corner.

Clearly the problem right now is not the lack of talent at starter, it is with the depth. For starters, as stated earlier, having Grant fill in during nickel situations will be helpful. Secondly, Prince Amukamara’s injury won’t keep him sidelined all season. Finally, there are still free agents available. Clearly no one special, but still players that could play as your third corner and sixth defensive back in dime packages. Those names include Kelvin Hayden, Randall Gay, Ellis Hobbs, Lito Sheppard, and Brian Williams. Honestly, I would consider signing two of them. (whenever the Giants have injury problems like this, it tends to keep happening to that position. Think wide receiver and offensive line last season, defensive line in 2006, and linebackers in 2005)

With these moves or without these moves, the job will ultimately be up to Fewell. If I’m Fewell I look at this as an opportunity to showcase my talent. Like Spags did when he was defensive coordintor, Fewell will have to devise plays that either mask coverage, or create pressure on the quarterback. Simply put, if you believe Perry Fewell is a great defensive coordinator there should be nothing to worry about. This is his job. It’s not like defensive coordinators should expect to receive a defense with no holes in it. The Giants still have playmakers all over the field.

To me the question is not: Do the Giants have enough talent to win? It’s: How good of a coordinator is Perry Fewell?

5. 2007 Week 12 – Minnesota 41, Giants 17
Obviously the most recent of the losses, Eli was picked four times, three of which were run back for touchdowns. The Giants were favored to win this contest and most of the experts picked them, but the offense was horrible from the get-go and the G-Men brought the Vikings back into the NFC Wild card picture.

4. 2006 Week 3 – Seattle 42, Giants 30
This was a tough one to watch. The Giants defense was just awful and Eli was no better. Three interceptions from Eli in this one gave the Seahawks a 42-3 lead before the Giants put up 27 points in the fourth quarter. Jeremy Shockey called out Coughlin saying, “We got outplayed, and outcoached. Write that down.”

3. 2006 First Round Playoffs – Eagles 23, Giants 20
The Giants could have won this game and probably should have. With Donovan McNabb out the Eagles turned to Jeff Garcia who led Philly to the playoffs and a first round victory at the hands of the G-Men. Garcia stuck it to the Giants as a 49er when San Fran staged their improbable comeback and this time he was helped by the offense of Brian Westbrook. The Eagles won the game with no time remaining as David Akers knocked home a 38-yard field goal.

2. 2006 Week 12 – Titans 24, Giants 21
Wow is about the only word needed to describe this game. The Giants led the Titans 21-0 at the end of the third quarter. Pacman Jones had two interceptions in the fourth quarter and a 23-yard punt return that led Tenessee to their eventual win over the Giants. The Titans scored the game-tying touchdown with 44 seconds left in the game and then got the ball back and Rob Bironas hit a 49-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to win it.

1. 2005 First Round Playoffs – Panthers 23, Giants 0
The Giants were at home for the first round of the playoff and there was absolutely no advantage to playing at Giants Stadium. The Panthers destroyed the G-Men, shutting them out and embarrassing New York in front of their own fans. Eli threw three interceptions and Tiki Barber rushed for only 41 yards while Carolina’s DeShaun Foster ran for 151 yards. Eli also committed a fumble and the Giants were held to 132 yards on offense.

Craig Dahl (ankle) is probable vs Washington.

Plaxico Burress (ankle/knee) is listed as questionable vs Washington.

Aaron Ross (hamstring) is listed as probable vs Washington.

Gibril Wilson (knee) is doubtful vs Washington.

Jeremy Shockey (stomach) is questionable vs Washington. 

Jeremy Shockey didn’t practice Thursday because of an abdominal strain.

Michael Strahan (rest) returned to practice Thursday and will start.

For the second straight day both starting safeties, James Butler (hamstring) and Gibril Wilson (knee), sat out of practice. Backup Craig Dahl (ankle), who didn’t practice on Wednesday, worked with the starters today along with rookie Michael Johnson.

Aaron Ross (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.

James Butler (hamstring) is still out and on the sideline.

Gibril Wilson (knee) is going to try to practice.

Aaron Ross (hamstring) missed Wednesday’s practice.

Michael Strahan (team decision) missed Wednesday’s practice.

Plaxico Burress (ankle/knee) missed Wednesday’s practice.

R.W. McQuarters plans on taking reps at safety incase he is needed.

Antonio Pierce (ankle) has been removed from the injury report.

Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report.

Steve Smith (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report.

More updates to come.