Another New York Giants player took a dive but, this time, the controversial fall was considered legit and it set up a thrilling 31-27 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix on Sunday.
With just under three minutes left in the game and the Giants trailing 27-24, Victor Cruz caught a pass at the Cardinals 35 yard-line, stumbled a few more yards to the turf at the 31 yard-line before he crawled a couple more yards. Cruz jumped up and left the ball on the ground with out being touched by a defender. Three Cardinals players pounced on the ball like it was a fumble, but possession was given back to the Giants after the referees ruled that "The player [Cruz] gave himself up" by going to the ground.
Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt threw a flag to challenge the call just before the Giants hurried to beat his toss. The Giants hasty play didn't stop Whisenhunt's request, but the challenge was overruled by the officials and the Giants retained the ball.
On the next play, Giants QB Eli Manning threw the game-winning 29-yard TD to Hakeem Nicks with 2:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.
It was the second week in a row that the G-men came from behind in the fourth quarter to win and kept the team tied with the Washington Redskins with 3-1 records and first place in the NFC East.
The Giants offense looked flat for the first three quarters until they scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter after falling behind 20-10. The final two TD's came 58 seconds apart.
The Giants defense chased Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb all over the field throughout the game but couldn't contain running back Beanie Wells who rushed for 138 yards. Kolb was sacked four times.
Manning finished completing 27 of 40 passes for 321 yards and 2 TD's. Nicks caught 10 of those throws for 162 yards.
The Giants return to the Meadowlands next week to face the visiting Seattle Seahawks.
Showing posts with label Steve Smith Hakeem Nicks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Smith Hakeem Nicks. Show all posts
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Giants Nicks and Tuck Expect to Play on Monday Night
The New York Giants got good news on the medical conditions of DE Justin Tuck and WR Hakeem Nicks on Tuesday. Although the pair probably won't be on the practice field this week, as the team prepares for its Monday night home opener against the St. Louis Rams, both players remain optimistic they will be ready for the game.
Tuck (neck)says he will be ready to play on Monday and claims his injury is muscular and not disc-related. He said he is aware that you can't be too careful with neck injuries, but said it was just responding more slowly to treatment than he first expected.
The defensive end suffered a stinger in the preseason game against the New York Jets and sat out the opening game loss to the Washington Redskins.
"Honestly, talk to me right now, I don't see how I will not play on Monday," said Tuck. "And that's me. Obviously, you've got to go through the process of doctors, coaches, general manager owner and going through what's most important for me and what's most important for this football team."
Neck injuries are something to be nervous about in light of Peyton Mannings' surgery and, closer to home, the cervical disc herniation which kept defensive teammate Mathias Kiwanuka out of the final 13 games last year and threatened his football career.
Tuck could only watch Sunday as the depleted Giants defense was undressed, 28-14, by the Redskins.
"If I was given the choice, I would have played Sunday," said Tuck. "I understand, you don't want to go out and cost yourself a year, maybe a career, just trying to be tough and trying to go out there for your football team. Was it frustrating? Absolutely."
Things aren't so cut and dry for Nicks.
On the positive side, doctors are almost certain his injured knee is just a bone bruise. According to the New York Daily News, they will monitor the swelling, keep him out of practice and make a decision later in the week. If the inflammation doesn't subside, he could miss the game. Doctors added that it seems doubtful the speedster would miss more than that.
The Giants could definitely use both players. The Giants defense made Rex Grossman look sexy again and the offense had quarterback Eli Manning looking like well... the old Eli.
Tuck (neck)says he will be ready to play on Monday and claims his injury is muscular and not disc-related. He said he is aware that you can't be too careful with neck injuries, but said it was just responding more slowly to treatment than he first expected.
The defensive end suffered a stinger in the preseason game against the New York Jets and sat out the opening game loss to the Washington Redskins.
"Honestly, talk to me right now, I don't see how I will not play on Monday," said Tuck. "And that's me. Obviously, you've got to go through the process of doctors, coaches, general manager owner and going through what's most important for me and what's most important for this football team."
Neck injuries are something to be nervous about in light of Peyton Mannings' surgery and, closer to home, the cervical disc herniation which kept defensive teammate Mathias Kiwanuka out of the final 13 games last year and threatened his football career.
Tuck could only watch Sunday as the depleted Giants defense was undressed, 28-14, by the Redskins.
"If I was given the choice, I would have played Sunday," said Tuck. "I understand, you don't want to go out and cost yourself a year, maybe a career, just trying to be tough and trying to go out there for your football team. Was it frustrating? Absolutely."
Things aren't so cut and dry for Nicks.
On the positive side, doctors are almost certain his injured knee is just a bone bruise. According to the New York Daily News, they will monitor the swelling, keep him out of practice and make a decision later in the week. If the inflammation doesn't subside, he could miss the game. Doctors added that it seems doubtful the speedster would miss more than that.
The Giants could definitely use both players. The Giants defense made Rex Grossman look sexy again and the offense had quarterback Eli Manning looking like well... the old Eli.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Since When Did Eli Manning Owe Plaxico Burress Anything?
Since when did Eli Manning become the villain when it comes to his relationship with Plaxico Burress? There was a lot of talk criticizing the Giants quarterback for not reaching out to his former-wideout after Burress was released from prison and looking hook up in the NFL again. Get over it, Manning owed Burress nothing.
Last night, the New York Giants and New York Jets played for the first MetLife trophy at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, although most fans were billing it as The Plaxico Bowl as if the former-Giant is the real prize.
The MetLife Trophy has cute Snoopy wearing an old-school helmet on top of it. The comic strip seemed appropriate because the game was as flat as Charlie Brown on his back after trying to kick the seductive football yanked away by Lucy. It's like a Matt Dodge punt.
Manning threw two interceptions and Burress was a non-factor while being held to zero catches.
The Plaxico Comeback Tour stalled against his former team.
Final score of the game, Jets 17-3. Final score of The Plaxico Bowl, 0-0.
Even Jets coach Rex Ryan tried to hype the yawner afterwards.
"It was a fun game, man. It was two good football teams going at it," he said of the game after his team was outgained 239-113 in total yards during the 17-3 win. "Obviously, it's a preseason game, but it's good competition."
Much was made of what the first face-to-face between Manning and Burress, leading up to the game and since the latter was sprung from the joint, would be like. Well the meeting last night was anti-climatic.
Funny thing, they unexpectedly reunited two days earlier outside a movie theater where Burress was coming out of "The Smurfs" (no Big Blue there) with his family and he ran into Manning and former-Giants center Shaun O'Hara. Burress said they laughed about the coincidence last night.
The highly-publicized preseason tug-of-war for the services of Burress was ultimately won by the Jets. Many Giants fans faulted Manning for not reaching out to Burress when he was a free-agent.
Sure, it's easy to make fun of Manning's "Aw, shucks" interviews, his less than flashy play on the field and how he tucks his jersey into his pants, but don't lay the blame on him.
So Manning didn't visit Burress when he was in stir or call him once he got out. Some Giants fans thought that Manning's cold shoulder contributed to the former-Giants player to jumping over to the Jets. He had no obligation to guide Burress. That's what parole officers do.
Plax went to the Jets was all money--plain and simple. A guaranteed paycheck, after you haven't worked in almost three years, will do that to a man.
While Manning represents team play and character, Burress is the prototype of how fans perceive pro athletes these days-- and it ain't all good-- unless he's pulling in touchdown passes.
Burress was Manning's favorite go-to guy leading up to their Super Bowl XLII upset victory over the New England Patriots and the wideout caught the game-winning touchdown, but a lot of bumps came on that ride.
There were too many instances, with the Giants, where Burress boycotted practices over contract demands, didn't show up on Monday or answer his phone for days at a time. It all culminated with the self-inflicted gun-shot incident outside a Manhattan nightclub in November 2008. After 20 months of three squares and a bunk, Burress was ready to make his comeback and the MetLife Stadium roommates were first in line.
Suddenly, it was up to Manning to do what head coach Tom Coughlin and owner John Mara's little dinner party couldn't do-- convince Burress he was coveted by the Giants.
Maybe Manning didn't want the 34 year-old Burress and the baggage he drags along. Even though the Giants lost All-Pro receiver Steve Smith right after Burress' defection, Manning seems happy throwing to his youthful and talented receiving corps of Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon. Burress, so far, seems like a good decoy for Santonio Holmes.
Manning has to back up this boast of being in Tom Brady's class and prove he isn't the 25-interception quarterback of last season. He has done little this pre-season to prove or disprove any of that so far this summer.
Meanwhile, Burress has to keep on the straight and narrow and the Jets hope he doesn't revert back to his gangsta persona. Michael Vick's second chance $100 million contract has to be a good incentive.
The "real" MetLife Trophy will be awarded when the two teams meet on Christmas Eve. Hopefully, all the hype about Eli vs. Plaxico will have passed by then.
"I don't know if there are any tickets available for that Dec. 24 game," said Ryan. "But I think we just sold them because that was typical Jets-Giants slugfest right there."
Last night, the New York Giants and New York Jets played for the first MetLife trophy at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, although most fans were billing it as The Plaxico Bowl as if the former-Giant is the real prize.
The MetLife Trophy has cute Snoopy wearing an old-school helmet on top of it. The comic strip seemed appropriate because the game was as flat as Charlie Brown on his back after trying to kick the seductive football yanked away by Lucy. It's like a Matt Dodge punt.
Manning threw two interceptions and Burress was a non-factor while being held to zero catches.
The Plaxico Comeback Tour stalled against his former team.
Final score of the game, Jets 17-3. Final score of The Plaxico Bowl, 0-0.
Even Jets coach Rex Ryan tried to hype the yawner afterwards.
"It was a fun game, man. It was two good football teams going at it," he said of the game after his team was outgained 239-113 in total yards during the 17-3 win. "Obviously, it's a preseason game, but it's good competition."
Much was made of what the first face-to-face between Manning and Burress, leading up to the game and since the latter was sprung from the joint, would be like. Well the meeting last night was anti-climatic.
Funny thing, they unexpectedly reunited two days earlier outside a movie theater where Burress was coming out of "The Smurfs" (no Big Blue there) with his family and he ran into Manning and former-Giants center Shaun O'Hara. Burress said they laughed about the coincidence last night.
The highly-publicized preseason tug-of-war for the services of Burress was ultimately won by the Jets. Many Giants fans faulted Manning for not reaching out to Burress when he was a free-agent.
Sure, it's easy to make fun of Manning's "Aw, shucks" interviews, his less than flashy play on the field and how he tucks his jersey into his pants, but don't lay the blame on him.
So Manning didn't visit Burress when he was in stir or call him once he got out. Some Giants fans thought that Manning's cold shoulder contributed to the former-Giants player to jumping over to the Jets. He had no obligation to guide Burress. That's what parole officers do.
Plax went to the Jets was all money--plain and simple. A guaranteed paycheck, after you haven't worked in almost three years, will do that to a man.
While Manning represents team play and character, Burress is the prototype of how fans perceive pro athletes these days-- and it ain't all good-- unless he's pulling in touchdown passes.
Burress was Manning's favorite go-to guy leading up to their Super Bowl XLII upset victory over the New England Patriots and the wideout caught the game-winning touchdown, but a lot of bumps came on that ride.
There were too many instances, with the Giants, where Burress boycotted practices over contract demands, didn't show up on Monday or answer his phone for days at a time. It all culminated with the self-inflicted gun-shot incident outside a Manhattan nightclub in November 2008. After 20 months of three squares and a bunk, Burress was ready to make his comeback and the MetLife Stadium roommates were first in line.
Suddenly, it was up to Manning to do what head coach Tom Coughlin and owner John Mara's little dinner party couldn't do-- convince Burress he was coveted by the Giants.
Maybe Manning didn't want the 34 year-old Burress and the baggage he drags along. Even though the Giants lost All-Pro receiver Steve Smith right after Burress' defection, Manning seems happy throwing to his youthful and talented receiving corps of Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon. Burress, so far, seems like a good decoy for Santonio Holmes.
Manning has to back up this boast of being in Tom Brady's class and prove he isn't the 25-interception quarterback of last season. He has done little this pre-season to prove or disprove any of that so far this summer.
Meanwhile, Burress has to keep on the straight and narrow and the Jets hope he doesn't revert back to his gangsta persona. Michael Vick's second chance $100 million contract has to be a good incentive.
The "real" MetLife Trophy will be awarded when the two teams meet on Christmas Eve. Hopefully, all the hype about Eli vs. Plaxico will have passed by then.
"I don't know if there are any tickets available for that Dec. 24 game," said Ryan. "But I think we just sold them because that was typical Jets-Giants slugfest right there."
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Eli Manning's Silence About Plaxico Burress Spoke Volumes
It looks like Plaxico Burress found a fly in his soup during last night's dinner meeting with Tom Coughlin-- and that fly's name might be Eli Manning.
Burress can cook up every reason in the book to explain why he spurned the New York Giants for their Meadowlands cellmates--I mean stadium-mates--the New York Jets, but the absence of any public support from Manning down the stretch might have swung Burress's decision from Big Blue to Gang Green.
If the Giants quarterback is still blaming Burress, and his arrest for gun possession, for costing the team the 2008 season and Manning's chance to get back-to-back Super Bowl titles, he's barking up the wrong goal post. Ironically, Manning's lack of vocal support for the return of his one-time favorite target could cost him this season as well.
The Giants team is getting old and, now that the Philadelphia Eagles have buffed up their defensive backfield-- with the signing of DB-extraordinaire, Nnamdi Asomugha-- and the uncertain return of receiver Steve Smith to the Giants, the loss of Burress may have just given a huge advantage to the Eagles in their two division game match-ups.
Coughlin seemed friendlier than a flair-covered waiter at Bennigan's, leading up to his dinner with Burress, while Manning played the snobby waiter at a French bistro.
All week Roethlisberger openly campaigned for Burress' return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Manning only mumbled a few standard comments.
"You just don't want distractions," said Manning. "Distractions, whatever they may be, can hurt a team. If you're spending your time concerned about something else, bringing your attention away from the opponent on your preparation, that's considered a distraction."
I tell you what distraction is Eli. Distraction is being asked 'Why didn't you lobby harder for Burress' about five-thousand times this week and looking for a top-notch wide-out in the fourth quarter this season.
Make no mistake, Manning supports Burress' second chance and even made a call to his former wide-out while he was in prison, but hasn't bothered to jump on the "We Want Plax" bandwagon.
By all accounts, the meeting with Coughlin went swimmingly. The head coach was smiling yesterday and put it bluntly, "The meeting went well."
Not well enough, as Burress's "fully-guaranteed," one-year deal for $3.017 million with the Jets the next day will attest.
Let's give Manning the benefit of a doubt. Maybe the silent treatment wasn't such a bad idea. I don't remember Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, standing in Times Square singing a tribute to the ex-con and look where Burress ended up.
"I never really lobbied for anybody," said Manning before the meeting. "So if this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and Coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude and after talking to him, then [I'm] happy to have him."
In the end, here's what Manning's silence about signing Burress said.
No distractions. Burress' return to the Giants will disrupt an already shortened training camp. It's about the team, not one player.
Why all the fuss over a soon to be (August 12) 34 year-old receiver who hasn't played a down in 2 1/2 years?
How is a guy who was never a fan of Coughlin's discipline and structured system going to feel about routine after almost two full years in lockup? Does the prison stint help Burress cope with Coughlin's Captain Bligh act?
Finally, Manning doesn't want to insult his current group of receivers. After all, he threw for over 4,000 yards last year and has two Pro Bowl-caliber wide-outs in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks. Joined by Mario Manningham, Manning believes he has the nucleus of a solid receiving corp.
"I like our receivers here, I think we have a great crew, very talented, they work hard," he said. "Can you have too many good receivers? No, I don't think so. I'm going about my business and preparing for myself.
Hey, everybody wanted little Eli to man up and be more assertive--so there you go.
Maybe Burress would have picked the Giants if Manning took the time to drop a dime or, just maybe, Coughlin put that fly in the soup.
Burress can cook up every reason in the book to explain why he spurned the New York Giants for their Meadowlands cellmates--I mean stadium-mates--the New York Jets, but the absence of any public support from Manning down the stretch might have swung Burress's decision from Big Blue to Gang Green.
The Giants team is getting old and, now that the Philadelphia Eagles have buffed up their defensive backfield-- with the signing of DB-extraordinaire, Nnamdi Asomugha-- and the uncertain return of receiver Steve Smith to the Giants, the loss of Burress may have just given a huge advantage to the Eagles in their two division game match-ups.
Coughlin seemed friendlier than a flair-covered waiter at Bennigan's, leading up to his dinner with Burress, while Manning played the snobby waiter at a French bistro.
All week Roethlisberger openly campaigned for Burress' return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Manning only mumbled a few standard comments.
"You just don't want distractions," said Manning. "Distractions, whatever they may be, can hurt a team. If you're spending your time concerned about something else, bringing your attention away from the opponent on your preparation, that's considered a distraction."
I tell you what distraction is Eli. Distraction is being asked 'Why didn't you lobby harder for Burress' about five-thousand times this week and looking for a top-notch wide-out in the fourth quarter this season.
Make no mistake, Manning supports Burress' second chance and even made a call to his former wide-out while he was in prison, but hasn't bothered to jump on the "We Want Plax" bandwagon.
By all accounts, the meeting with Coughlin went swimmingly. The head coach was smiling yesterday and put it bluntly, "The meeting went well."
Not well enough, as Burress's "fully-guaranteed," one-year deal for $3.017 million with the Jets the next day will attest.
Let's give Manning the benefit of a doubt. Maybe the silent treatment wasn't such a bad idea. I don't remember Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, standing in Times Square singing a tribute to the ex-con and look where Burress ended up.
"I never really lobbied for anybody," said Manning before the meeting. "So if this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and Coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude and after talking to him, then [I'm] happy to have him."
In the end, here's what Manning's silence about signing Burress said.
No distractions. Burress' return to the Giants will disrupt an already shortened training camp. It's about the team, not one player.
Why all the fuss over a soon to be (August 12) 34 year-old receiver who hasn't played a down in 2 1/2 years?
How is a guy who was never a fan of Coughlin's discipline and structured system going to feel about routine after almost two full years in lockup? Does the prison stint help Burress cope with Coughlin's Captain Bligh act?
Finally, Manning doesn't want to insult his current group of receivers. After all, he threw for over 4,000 yards last year and has two Pro Bowl-caliber wide-outs in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks. Joined by Mario Manningham, Manning believes he has the nucleus of a solid receiving corp.
"I like our receivers here, I think we have a great crew, very talented, they work hard," he said. "Can you have too many good receivers? No, I don't think so. I'm going about my business and preparing for myself.
Hey, everybody wanted little Eli to man up and be more assertive--so there you go.
Maybe Burress would have picked the Giants if Manning took the time to drop a dime or, just maybe, Coughlin put that fly in the soup.
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