Nothing is different this year, as the Giants have told Kareem McKenzie they will look elsewhere in the offensive tackle position. This ends a mostly pleasant eight year marriage.

McKenzie joined the Giants after four years with the Jets, and was a vital piece to their two Super Bowl runs. McKenzie follows the trend set last year when Rich Seubert and Shaun O’Harawere released for younger blood.

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie (67) looks on during warmups prior to NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

McKenzie should be able to land a job elsewhere even though he will turn 33 years old before the season begins. His diminished skills were noticed late in the season, but he was still valuable when on the field.

McKenzie was a warrior and mentor on the turf and will certainly be missed by Giants fans this upcoming season.

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Welcome to December Giants fans. Forget what you knew. Forget the last 11 games. This is a NEW season, a 5 game season and one whose road is not paved to perfection. In fact, buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!
I am by no means a numerologist. Yet, I could not help but notice that the number 5 has reared its mysterious head throughout Big Blue’s 2010 season. The New York Giants went on to win 5 consecutive games after losing 2 straight earlier in the year. What every Giants fan is hoping for is DEJA BLUE. That has already begun – another 2 straight losses and the beginning of another possible 5 game winning streak. Last Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars brought in the first of this very hopeful winning streak.
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I will leave you to pore over the rankings yourself if you so choose, but I wanted to highlight a few things myself.

Chris Snee, with an overall 96, is the highest rated player, followed by Justin Tuck at 92 and Shaun O’Hara at 91. Corey Webster and Eli Manning both tie with 89.  The player rating team in Madden 2011 didn’t seem to know how to handicap the race opposite Tuck for Defensive End, as both frontrunners for the position, Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka both scored 83 overall.

Derek Hagan and Ramses Barden have beat out Sinorice Moss as the roster’s last two WRs.  After Domenik Hixon, Antrel Rolle, Aaron Ross, and Steve Smith all tie for the highest Return rating on the team.  Matt Dodge, the punter currently tasked with taking over for the retired Jeff Feagles, is at 66.  Manningham and Hixon both have Jeremy Shockey disease according to the game, which much higher rating for their spectacular catches as opposed to catches in traffic.

Antrel Rolle, Brandon Jacobs, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham all have 88s in the all important swagger rating, the highest on the team.

There’s lots of other meaningless other ratings on there that are fun to look at (Eli is a better run blocker than pass blocker, evidently), so take some time out of your day and look around.