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.

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Osi Umenyiora has found himself in a difficult spot. Of course the way the information has leaked out has done him no favors, but all in all it really has left him in a bad place.

First we heard that Osi was joining the lawsuit against the owners claiming unfair labor practices and broken promises. This was a pure case of the union using it’s players to try and move their court cases forward. It was a bust. For anyone who actually read the affadavit and not just the title, it was clear that the Giants had broken no promises and that in fact were living up to exactly what they had stated. Step two was the one day holdout. Hard to take anyone serious about holding out when before the info even gets out that you are indeed not showing up, you show up at camp. The Union got Osi here too, since they agreed to an increase to $30,000 a day for missing the new limited camp time. Then the proclamation that Osi would never speak to GM Jerry Reese again came to light, and was immediately followed by the news that they had a “good” meeting that night. The next step was the always popular demand for a trade. This too was granted to Osi, and he and his agent have found no takers at the price the Giants AND Osi are asking. Don’t forget the number one draft pick must be accompanied by a new contract for Osi which would be in the neighborhood of 10 million a year for the next 5 years or so. Now comes word of the “Hope” that Osi can remain a Giant somehow. Wow…quite a trip.

Here is the problem with Osi’s argument and stance.

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