The Giants will have the luxury of being home for 35 days.  Because of the odd scheduling at the beginning of the regular season, and because they share a stadium with their next pre-season opponent, the Giants will be able to stay in place for the next 35 days.

The Giants will walk across the parking lot (not literally) on Saturday night for their “Road” game against the Jets, then they will host the Bears and Patriots in their final two pre-season games.  The Giants open the regular season at home on Wednesday September 5th vs. the Cowboys, and then will wait 11 days to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into town.  The next time they leave New Jersey will be to face the Carolina Panthers on Thursday  September 20th.

This should allow the team plenty of good practice and meeting time, and also some home cooking.

Jan 23, 2011; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson (left) has his picture taken with New Jersey governor Chris Christie before the start of the 2011 AFC championship playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Yesterday I was forwarded an e-mail by the owners of this site that included a video of Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey.  The original e-mail was sent by Riccardo Diaz, Director of Media Affairs, Office of the Governor, The State of New Jersey.  The title was “Giants victory Rally Should be in New Jersey”.

Now, I like Governor Christie.  I like his no-nonsense style, his holding the media to the same standards he is held to by them.  I like his plain talk and openness.  I think, however that the Governor is approaching this particular topic from the wrong angle.  Governor Christie has worked well with both teams, but clearly roots for the front runner, or the perceived front runner at the moment.  When asked to pick a winner for the Christmas Eve tilt between the Giants and Jets, he didn’t hesitate in his praise for the Jets picking them to win by 7.  Again, I like a politician that takes a stand, but if you are going to choose a side….then choose and stay there!  He sat in the owners box that day, celebrating the Jets first drive, smiling from ear to ear.  Of course we didn’t hear from him after that as the Jets got beaten badly by the Giants, and then by Miami, to finish 8-8 and head home for the off-season.

Now, out of the Blue, all puns intended, Governor Christie is using the same argument he used when the Jets headed off to Pittsburgh to lose another AFC Championship game.  ”They play in N.J., they practice in N.J., they live in N.J.” the only thing New York about the Jets is their name…in the Giants case he inserts “their helmets”.  What Governor Christie and his staff seem to forget is the official name of the team is “The New York Football Giants”, always has been, and always will be.

Let me, for one minute here, audition for a job with the Governors office.  Here’s how I would handle it: (more…)