Hall of Fame Game Countdown: 20 Days

Dec 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver

(81) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback

(20) in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Fame Game?

In just 20 days your New York Football Giants will be facing the Buffalo Bills in Canton, Ohio. It will kick-off a five game preseason schedule for both teams, in a place where football legends go to be enshrined, immortalized and forever aglow under the hallowed lights of ultimate glory.

Recently at Buffalowdown.com, Dennis Amo wrote a piece titled: Buffalo Bills Circling the Wagons: EJ Manuel, Training Camp:

"Buffalo, who plays in the Hall of Fame game on Aug 3rd against the New York Giants, get additional practices as well as get to be one of two teams to begin training camp earlier than anyone else in the league as well as get an additional preseason game to boot.  All of this does add up and Nathaniel Hackett feels that the extra practices and competition is going to help the offense as well as number 3, EJ Manuel.  [Buffalo News]"

That’s the topic of interest when it comes to discussing a fifth preseason game —  is the extra practice beneficial? Or is it frightening, due to the potential increased likelihood for injuries justified by the ‘law of averages’? 

Regardless of the pro’s and con’s of the game for either team, the fact remains that there are just 20 days left in our Hall of Fame Game countdown. We’ve enjoyed looking back at the New York Football Giants past in order to catch a glimpse of their future.

Currently number 20 for the Jints is someone we’ve gotten to know well at GMEN HQ, cornerback Prince Amukamara:

Credit: NFL Game Rewind (2012, Week 6)

The “Prince” of New York is a rock solid LCB and 2011 Super Bowl champion. But… is he the best 2 – 0 that Big Blue Nation has ever laid their eyes upon at the Meadowlands? After all, “Little” Joe Morris once sliced and diced through defenses donning #20, as did one of the all-time great DB’s in team BLUE’s storied past, Jimmy Patton.

Credit: NYGiants869007 on YouTube

All three men won a League Championship or Super Bowl with the organization. We mean no offense to Joe Morris and his 21-touchdown campaign in 1985, but Jimmy Patton is the man to beat. He was a truly electric backline playmaker, racking up 52 interceptions in 153 games (43 INT between 1958-1963). Patton racked up 712 yards simply by picking off wayward passes.

Perhaps 2014 is the year Amukamara transforms into a ballhawking corner… Is it football season yet?