Wecome to a Giant Monday morning!!
Voluntary OTA(s) start tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18, 2010 and it looks like Osi Umeniyora will be present with “bells on,” sounds like Osi is ready to come in and compete for the starting job opposite Justin Tuck, instead of complaining that he “wants his starting job back.” A happy and motivated Osi makes Giants fans smile. A return of the Giants pass rush is essential is the Giants hope to return to the playoffs in 2010. The NFC East has the look of an offensive juggernaut with explosive players like Miles Austin, DeSean Jackson, and McNabb wearing a Redskin uniform, the Giants defense has to get better otherwise we are looking at another season of high scoring affairs, not exactly Giant football.
Other good news: Apparently, after Chris Canty spent more time in the training room in his first year in blue than he did making plays on the field, Canty has been “living at the Giants facility.” No one knows yet how Canty’s skills are going to translate to the 4-3 defense after what amounts to a redshirt year in his first year, but news that Canty has been a fixture during off season workouts bodes well for the G-men. Canty is huge, versatile and will have plenty of opportunities playing next to Barry Cofield and rookie Linval Joseph to make an impact, at least a healthy and motivated Canty has a shot to live up to his big contract. For Jerry Reese’s sake, Canty and Boley (the other big Giant free agency signing in 2009) better show stronger than in 2009.
And, possibly more good news, the Redskins added free agent defensive lineman, veteran Vonnie Holliday to the mix on the defensive line, could big Albert Haynesworth really be on the way out? Rumors continue to swirl regarding the Titan’s possible interest in bringing back Haynesworth, at the right price, and Minnesota could have renewed interest after the recently announced Williams Wall suspension. Either way, I doubt Giant eyes will be tearing up with sadness if big Albert is gone, eliminating the automatic double team off the bat. Couple the Haynesworth news that the Cowboys have a pretty unhappy Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd, a little locker room unrest in Dallas also makes Giants fans smile.
On to the New York Mets, just for a quick minute. After 38 games, coming off of a four game sweep at the hands of division rival Florida Marlins, the Mets again find themselves in last place in the NL East, at 18-20, six games back of division leader Philadelphia. Embarrassing. Manager Jerry Manuel has finally banished Ollie Perez from the starting rotation (why do I think a bullpen role is not going to help this long-time headcase)? With news that promising rookie left Jonathan Niese is already back in New York for an examination on his troublesome hamstring, the Mets rotation is thinner than the Giants secondary in 2009. Not good. Jerry Manuel’s guys aren’t hitting (you have to love the Mets refusal to even discuss moving in the fences at CitiField), this Mets team is built on pitching and defense, the only problem is that after Santana and Perez (who have both pitched pretty well, albeit a tad inconsistently), the Mets have three no. 5 starters in Perez, Maine, and Niese. Perez is now in the bullpen, Maine is not much better, and Niese is hurt. This has the look of a long summer.
Stay Blue!