Mike Francesa Calls Tiki Barber's NBC Career a "Failure"

 The Tiki Barber Comeback Tour keeps getting better and better.  For the most part of a thirty minute radio interview on Wed., interviewer Mike Francesa ripped the ex-New York Giants running back and called Barber's broadcast stint on NBC a "failure."

Barber, who went on the WFAN show to discuss his plans for returning to the NFL this upcoming season after a four year retirement, went on the defensive after Francesa commented on Barber's release from NBC and his presumed grooming to be the next Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. 

"I don't consider my time at NBC a failure," said Barber.

"The guys at NBC, and I know all of them, they felt you did a bad job, and they said you thought you were entitled, said Francesa.

The radio host probably knows something.  Francesa does a Sunday night show in the same NBC building where the "Today" show broadcasts from.  Word travels fast in 30 Rock.



The interview started cordial enough until the the NBC exchange and then the discussion became contentious.  Barber even had his agent, Mark Lepselter, who was in on the call, throw some interference for the ex-running back.

Francesa wouldn't have any of it.

"You're on the line, Mark," interrupted Francesa. " You're not supposed to be his bodyguard."

Barber continued the verbal fray.

"I think it's unfair for you to label it that way," railed Barber.  "I think that's cowardly of someone to talk behind some one's back and not tell them.  I don't know what I could have done better at NBC."

"Tiki, you got fired," said Francesa.

"Oh Did I?  Did I?," questioned Barber.  "Mike, I don't think you know the whole story."

Just last month, Barber caused an uproar when he compared himself to Anne Frank, in a Sports Illustrated interview, after he was asked about hiding from the media in Lepselter's house.

Barber's last game with Big Blue was a wild-card playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the Giants 2006 season.  He left on bad terms with the front office and fans alike.

The ubiquitous running back jumped directly into the studios at NBC, where he was being prepped for his star turn on the network's morning news program and their NFL pregame shows--sort of an Al Roker, only with muscles.

Barber appeal didn't translate to the TV screen from the locker room.   He was a mediocre host and his spotlight burned out fast after a three year run.  Real fast.

The grinning Barber was let go by NBC after he reportedly left his pregnant-with-twins wife, Ginny, and two kids for an  young intern.

In Wed. interview, the 10-year NFL veteran tried to spike the ball in Francesa's face by claiming the sports-talk host wasn't good at his job either.

"You badger your listeners," said the defensive Barber.  "You badger your interview[ees]."

Barber didn't stop there and said it's not his fault for still being disliked by Giants fans.

"I'm sure it has to do with the fact I criticized Tom Coughlin and he goes on to win a Super Bowl," reasoned Barber.  "Or the conversation I had about Eli Manning that got blown out of proportion...I've always been opinionated."

Really, now?

Tiki, good luck playing with your brother Ronde down in Tampa.

For interview audio.

Osi Umenyiora Calls LeSean McCoy a 'Chihuahua or Poodle'

New York Giants defensive end, Osi Umenyiora, is still making a lot of noise one day after leaking bits of an affidavit claiming that New York Giants GM Jerry Reese reneged on a verbal agreement to renegotiate his contract.  Now, when Umenyiora should be in some sort of spin control, he has stirred up more controversy by comparing Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy to a yapping, little lap dog.

After Umenyiora's story broke on Thursday afternoon, McCoy Tweeted that Umenyiora was "overrated n soft."  McCoy also called Umenyiora the "3rd best d-line on his team honestly."

In a phone interview with The New York Times, Umenyiora responded to McCoy's tweet.

"That little chihuahua or poodle in the backfield," steamed Umenyiora.  "He doesn't have to block me.  If you have something to say, say it man to man; you can't be a Twitter gangster.  That's easy to do, trying to be a tough guy.  Say it to my face, and we'll see what happens."

Or you can say it in an affidavit to be filed in Minneapolis next month.

Umenyiora goes on to say that the G-Men's defense has a pet name for McCoy: "Lady Gaga."  The Giants defensive end doesn't elaborate on how the nickname came about.

McCoy hasn't replied to Umenyiora's diss, but he might start by reminding him that the Eagles are 4-0 against the Giants with the speedster in the backfield and then go all Twitter gangster by throwing in a video of his game-winning run through Umenyiora's fingertips and the Giants defense last season. 

The G-Men's defense had so many holes against the Eagles in that epic New York fail last season, McCoy might think of calling them the Kardashians.

While Umenyiora goes off on McCoy, it looks like his stance against the Giants has softened.

According to the Times interview, Osi did an about face and revealed his deep love for the team from the Meadowlands.

Umenyiora said he'd be happy to return to New York, even after, in that sworn affidavit, called Reese a liar for going back on a two-year old verbal commitment to renegotiate his contract after the 2010 season.

"I love my teammates.  The owners of the team, Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch, I'm really cool with both of them," said Umenyiora.  "They came to the hospital when I was injured...I don't have a beef with them per se.  At the end of the day, they're going to have to make the best decision for them."

Umenyiora's case is notable mostly because he is one of the plaintiffs named in the ongoing anti-trust case against the NFL.

Finally, some spinning and less stirring from the disgruntled Giant.  Stay tuned.

Plaxico Burress' Custom-Made Chopper Has Philadelphia Eagles Hue

After spending 20 months cooped up in an up-state New York prison, Plaxico Burress, the former-NFL wide-out was probably more than ready to hit the open road on his custom-made motorcycle, yesterday.  Curiously, the green and silver-flamed chopper has an uncanny resemblance to a Philadelphia Eagles helmet.

One day after his release from the Oneida Correctional Facility, Burress spent time with his family at their home in Light House Point, Fla., before getting his Easy Rider on.

A lot has been made about where Burress could end up playing once, or when,  the NFL lockout ends.  Much chatter has Burress joining another convicted felon, Michael Vick, on the Philadelphia Eagles.

When the former- New York Giant walked out of prison on Monday morning , he was sporting a Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap.  It had people speculating about whether or not it was a subtle hint as to what city he wants to resume his football career in.  Burress has said nothing except he is ready to play once again.

Just about every NFL team is in the hunt for Burress's game-breaking services but the front-runners look like the Eagles,  St. Louis Rams or Miami Dolphins.

Burress caught the game-winning touchdown in the Giants 2008 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots nine months before he was arrested for accidentally shooting himself inside a Manhattan nightclub.

Burress looked fit while showing off his fully tricked-out Harley with it's Eagles color-scheme.

Coincidence?  I'd be more comfortable seeing his scooter decked out in Giants blue with red trim.

The NFL lockout prevents Burress from talking with any teams right now, but if he signs with the Dolphins; Burress can tool around on his V-twin ride year round.  Then again, if he joins the Eagles, Burress' two-wheeler won't need a new paint job.

Plaxico Sports New Phillies Cap After Release From Jail And It Means Nothing

Plaxico Burress is planning to play in the NFL, but only after getting to spend lost time with his family.  The former-New York Giant's was headed home to Florida to hold his daughter who was born during Burress' 20-month prison sentence.  Burress sported a brand new Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap when he walked out of the gates of the Onieda Correctional Facility on Monday morning and it got people wondering about it's significance.

The first person to greet Burress was his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who jumped into his client's arms during his walk to freedom.  Rosenhaus told reporters there were a lot of NFL teams interested in Burress' services.

"I just want to thank God for bringing me through one of the most trying times in my life," said Burress.  "It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family.  I want to go home and spend quality time with them."

Burress has a wife and two daughters living in Florida.

The NFL lockout prevents Rosenhaus from speaking with any teams , but expect quite a few to take a chance on Burress; who was considered one of the top NFL wide-outs before he was sent to prison for a gun charge in 2009.

The 34 year-old was released by the Giants after his November 2008 arrest for shooting himself in the thigh outside a New York City nightclub.

The Giants later reached out to Burress while he was locked up.  Owner John Mara visited his former player in prison last year and Giants quarterback, Eli Manning made a public statement last month saying he would welcome back one of his favorite targets.

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown in the Giants last minute Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots in 2007, will be on parole for two years.  One of the stipulations of parole is getting work.  That should be no problem for a high-caliber wide-out, unless the lockout shuts down the season.  Most teams will be lining up for the services of Burress, even though he is not in game shape.  The lockout means most NFL players aren't in game shape either.

The Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles all seem like logical fits and front-runners for a game-breaker like Burress.  Rams coach Steve Spagnuola worked with Burress when they were both with the Giants.

Right now every one is concluding that Burress might be joining another ex-con, Michael Vick, in Philly.  Burress' transition back to football will be a little less controversial than Vick's.  Burress won't face the protests and scorn Vick endured when he rejoined the NFL after his conviction for animal cruelty.  Burress' crime was onto himself.

Burress is anxious get back on the field.  "As far as football is concerned, if and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I'll be ready," he said this morning.

Eagles fans shouldn't get too excited about the symbolism of the Phillies cap.  Remember, LeBron James was spotted many times, and criticized for it, flaunting a New York Yankees hat like it was a Miss USA crown right before he was a free-agent.  Knick fans took that hat as a sure sign that King James was headed to Madison Square Garden. 

Little did they realize, it was just a hat.

Eagles Loss and Layover Make N.Y. Giants Road To Playoffs Harder

The New York Giants made made it back to New Jersey yesterday after being an extended stay in Appleton Wisconsin, due to the blizzard which dumped two feet of snow on the New York City area.  After losing a crucial game to the Green Bay Packers 45-17 on Sunday, the team finally landed at Newark International Airport a full day and half later than scheduled, then later watched the Minnesota Vikings stun the Philadelphia Eagles 24-14. Ironically, the Eagles loss could have put the final nail in the Giants playoff chances.

The Chicago Bears have now locked up a No. 2 seed in the NFC, meaning they will get a first round bye. The Bears play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.  If the Packers win, the Giants are out of the playoffs for the second straight year.  The Bears are still vying for a No. 1 seed.

The challenges facing the Giants in their quest for a wild card playoff spot are mostly out of their hands now.  The Bears can move up to the No. 1 seed if they win and the current top seed, the Atlanta Falcons, lose to the 2-13 Carolina Panthers.

The Bears play Sunday at 4:15 p.m., so when the team takes the field they should know the outcome of the Falcons-Panthers 1 p.m. game and if the No. 1 seed is still up for grabs.  If the Falcons clinch the No. 1 and home field advantage throughout, do the Bears still go all out or do they pull a Colts and rest the starters?

Right after the Vikings victory, Giants running back Brandon Jacobs tweeted," Let's just hope Chicago play their starters.  But it's always good to see Philly lose.  DAMN."

'Maybe the Giants starters should just play' would be a common lament from New York fans

A couple of other factors could affect the Giants destiny---the one night Wisconsin layover and the second straight hangover from another disappointing loss.  Head coach Tom Coughlin claims his staff would be about a half a day behind schedule from the delay.

The Giants players heads could be a different story.  The last two "playoff clinching games" included blowing a 31-10 lead to the Eagles in the fourth quarter combined with the 45-17 blowout to the Packers.  They could be worse than a New Year's Day headbanger that all the Players Only meetings and Guaranteed Victories won't cure.

Bears head coach  Lovie Smith said he plans on playing his starters but,  it remains to be seen if he uses them the whole game.  Seeing a win by the Falcons before gametime could take away a lot of the Bears' motivation.

Leave it to their old nemesis the Eagles to kick more dirt in the Giants' face.  New York has lost six in a row to Philadelphia including two this season already.  If, and that is a gargantuan if, the Giants do slip into the playoffs, the road will most certainly run down the Turnpike through the unfriendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field and a third meeting with the Birds.  Not a pleasant road trip.

A lot more than the Giants playoff hopes are riding on this game.  If the Giants lose this Sunday at Fed Ex Field to the dreadful 6-9 Washington Redskins, the cries for Coughlin's head could get to Metrodome levels.  Offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride could also see his scalp on a stick.  Another December failure could lead to wholesale changes on the Giants.  Can you say Bill Cowher.

It was only a couple of weeks ago the Giants were 9-4, leading the Eagles 31-10 with eight minutes to go.  The NFC East title and fate were in their grasp.  It seems a lot longer than that now.

Poor Vikings On Move Again Due To Snow

The NFL announced that Sunday night's game between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will be postponed until Tuesday night due to a snow storm.  The blizzard is expected to drop up to 20" of snow with wind gusts up to 50 mph.  It is only the 7th postponed NFL game since 2004 and second this year.

The game, which was to be broadcast tonight on NBC, will be rescheduled to Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on the same network.

While not exactly one of the epic journeys of the seafaring Norsemen of old, the past three weeks have not been easy for the Vikings football team--or their travel agents. 

A December 12 home game against the New York Giants was postponed and then moved to Detroit's Ford Field after snow collapsed the roof at their Minneapolis stadium and made the Metrodome unusable.  The Giants, who were diverted to Kansas City because of the snow, defeated the Vikings 21-3.

Last week, the Vikings had to play the Chicago Bears outdoors at the University of Minnesota's TCF Stadium due to the unsafe condition of the Metrodome. The wind chill at that game reached 0 degrees and, despite concerns by the players about the frozen field, the game was played.  The Vikings were routed by the Bears, 40-14.  Vikings quarterback, Brett Favre,  was slammed to the rock-hard turf and knocked out of the game with a concussion.

Now the Vikings are victims of another winter blitz and probably wish their tumultuous season would end.  Just put the team on a boat, light it on fire and push it out to sea.

The Eagles, on the other hand, are in a playoff race and, however slim, the possibility of two Philadelphia losses and two wins by the Giants could cost them the NFC East division title.

Every game and every edge or disadvantage makes a difference at this time of the season. Philadelphia hosts division rival the Dallas Cowboys in what is now a shortened week to prepare.

Minnesota goes back to Detroit to face the Lions.  Maybe Thor should pack a snow shovel instead of a hammer.

Giant Loss and Cowher Talk Are 'Ridiculous'

Philadelphia Eagles Michael Vick said he wanted a puppy and the New York Giants obliged the quarterback's wishes and became his lapdog.  Yesterday's epic Giants loss was the latest in a long line of mega-meltdowns against the Eagles and the murmurs of 'Fire Coughlin' are starting to get louder--especially after Super Bowl-winning coach, Bill Cowher, said the Giants are number one team he would like to coach.

Enough of putting the blame on the Giants punter Matt Dodge for yesterdays dog-fight ugly 38-31 loss to the Eagles.  The collapse of the whole team rests on the shoulders of head coach Tom Coughlin.  Funny, it looked like the Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid's head was on the block after the Giants took a 31-10 lead with seven and a half minutes left and then, in a series of Giants bungled plays, missed tackles and a heavy dose of Vick's passing and running, Reid was revered and Coughlin reviled.

Giants owner John Mara shook his head at rumors the Giants were interested in Cowher.  The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach announced he was interested in getting back to the coaching game and whittled down his team choices to the Miami Dolphins, the Houston Texans and at the top of the short list, the New York Giants according to an ESPN report.

Mara called the stories, "Ridiculous.  We were writing Bill Cowher stories two months ago and now we are going to write them again?  That's ridiculous."

Cowher spent 15 seasons with the Steelers and won two AFC titles and the 2005 Super Bowl under him.  Cowher left the Steelers in 2006 and works as an analyst for CBS.  He is one of a small group of prized free-agent coaches available.

Last January, Cowher's name was bandied about for the Giants head coaching position after Coughlin and the Giants miserable December losing streak eliminated them from the playoffs.  Two months ago the calls for Cowher got louder from Giant fans after the G-Men were reeling from consecutive losses.

Former Steeler running back Jerome Bettis thinks Cowher will wait for the Giants job to open up.  On SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio, Bettis said he feels that New York was "Where he always wanted to be.  The Mara family, he's always been close to them."  Bettis said these were his opinions and admitted he had not talked with his old coach.

Coughlin's repeated berating of his punter on the sidelines has become a all too common sight-- but the loss was a team effort and it starts at the top.  Coughlin's defense--which held Vick in check for fifty-two and a half minutes broke like a wet paper bag.  The offense couldn't even work the clock in the second half.  Don't even mention the special teams.  Which team lines up five yards further than it should for an obvious on-side kick?  The Giants, that's who!  Coughlin and his staff deserve most of the blame for this monumental loss.

The Giants control their own playoff destiny.  They are hanging on to wild card by a a thread thinner than a fan's patience with Coughlin.  They must win the remaining road games against the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins to be assured of at least a wild card.

Coughlin's tough-love style of coaching is well known.  It will take more than a firm hand to help this band of second-half underachievers.  A loss of Sunday's magnitude can damage a weak team's spirit beyond repair or drive a superior team to once attainable heights. Let's see how old Coughlin handles it.

Coughlin has a Super Bowl ring and one year left on his contract.  Another December slide from the playoffs for the second year in a row could mean Cowher could getting his dream job in New York.

New York Giants Will Have Dogs Ready For Vick On Sunday

Michael Vick better watch out what he wishes for because sometimes you get more than you want.  The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, who is enjoying an MVP caliber season after doing time for federal charges of dogfighting said, in a surprising request, he would like to have "another dog" as a pet.  The New York Giants defense may grant Vick his Christmas wish early this Sunday.

In an unbelievable year, after serving 19 months at the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, the troubled QB has taken over the Eagles starting job and is the front runner for Comeback Player of the Year.  All the talk of redemption means nothing to the Giants as they battle the Eagles in another "Turnpike Tussle" for a playoff spot.

The Giants will get a second chance at stopping the scrambling Vick.  The two teams meet Sunday at the New Meadowlands Stadium tied for first place in the NFC East and, pardon the poor cliche, and expect the Giants to come out like a pack of mad dogs.  The Giants can clinch a playoff spot by beating the Eagles and the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all lose.

During their first meeting on Nov. 21, the Giants pressured the Philadelphia QB with a variety of blitzes and held the free-wheeling QB to a total of 34 yards and he didn't account for any of the touchdowns in a 27-17 Giant loss to the Eagles.

Philly head coach admired Big Blue's defensive scheme.  He said they "had a great game plan."

That wasn't good enough for the Giants.  It just showed they could contain the speedy QB and keep him in the pocket.  They plan to prove they aren't scared of the dangerous Vick and charge him with increased safety blitzes.  The Giants D has 31 sacks this season and has already put six quarterbacks on the sidelines. Vick has been slowed down by a cracked sternum in recent weeks.

Giant safety, Deon Grant said, " A defense never plays scared."

Vick is not your typical offensive weapon.  He has thrown for 2,513 yards and rushed for an additional 483 yards.  "I'm just trying to be a leader," the re-invented quarterback said.

The Philadelphia offensive line's game plan is to offer added protection for their much-maligned QB.  On a wall in the Eagles locker room are six photos with the inscription "illegal helmet hits against defenseless players."  Below the images is the word "PROHIBITED" in red ink.

It is to remind the team about the number of questionable "hits" Vick's body has absorbed after he leaves the pocket and scampers for the sidelines.  Eagle players believe, even with all of the NFL's tough talk about illegal hits, there is a double-standard for Vick.  They are frustrated by the lack of calls from the referees and, among his teammates, believe it all leads to Vick's well-publicized past.

The Giants are going into the game with a shortened rest week, due to last Sunday's postponement and relocation of their winning game against the Vikings.  Expect them to hit the field with more than just bark.

Vick has made appearances on behalf of the Humane Society since being released from the pen, but is prohibited form owning a dog due to the conditions of his release from prison.  Vick claims he owned a beagle-mix while growing up in Virginia and said, " I could take care of an animal in my household."

On Sunday, he will be staring into a pack of eleven crazed animals in their household.

Rex Ryan Turning Jets Into Second Class Citizens Again

The New York Giants and New York Jets both had experiences to remember last week.  The occurrences, incidents and odysseys seem to be borrowed from some Bizarro World comic book edition.  In the end, the Jets would probably prefer to forget everything from losing to their fall from grace.

The Jets (9-4) started the week recovering from a 45-3 beat down by their division rivals, the New England Patriots and ended it by getting beat at home, 10-6, by their other division nemesis the Miami Dolphins--a team who threw for a total of 55 yards.

In between those seven days the Jets owner, Woody Johnson, simmered his anger at his New Meadowlands Stadium roommate--and Giants CEO John Mara, for accommodating the Dolphins at  his team's practice field right before the big game.  Their budding bromance may now be sinking into the Meadowlands swamp along with the Jets season.

The Jets head coach and "Hard Knocks" star, Rex Ryan, started the week by inventing a new game strategy called accepting the opening kick-off if they win the coin-toss.  Pure genius.  And then--after being thoroughly undressed in public by the Pats--he buried a football at the Jets practice field last Monday to rid the team any spirits of Patriots past.  Hey, Bill Belichick did it last year.  The Jets score 3 points and their clueless head coach is making jokes and giving a pigskin the deep six.  Great Idea.  The Jets have now scored a grand total of 9 points over eight quarters.

 Ryan's vaunted defense is also falling apart.  The best Jets tackle against Miami was a trip by a Jet trainer standing on the sidelines.  The trainer, Sal Alosi, said his knee-jerk (emphasis on jerk) reaction to using his left patella to senselessly trip Dolphins special teams player Nolan Carroll was "inexcusable and irresponsible."  It was also recordable and suspend able.  Only about 10,000 phone cameras caught it along with the CBS network.  Alosi will miss the rest of the season and was fined $25,000 by the Jets. Ryan stood on the sidelines and gawked at the fallen Carroll.

Meanwhile, the Giants (9-4) went on some sort road trip through the air and landed on the ground literally running after a troublesome itinerary.  The team gained 219 yards on the ground against the Minnesota Vikings and won, 21-3 at Ford Field in Detroit.  That's right, the Giants weren't in Kansas (City) anymore...or the scheduled venue in Minneapolis.

The Giants ordeal began when they flew to Kansas City after their charter flight to was re-routed from Minneapolis due to a snow storm.  They spent a night in K.C. not knowing when they would get to the Twin Cities or what time they would play and, after the Metrodome's roof collapsed under the weight of the snow, it was off to a neutral site in Detroit.  Oddly, it was the first Monday night football game played in Detroit in twenty years and the Lions weren't even in it!

That game saw the Giants become a footnote to NFL history too, when Vikings QB, Brett Favre, ended his consecutive game playing streak by not suiting up for the game because of numbness in his throwing arm.

The Giants overcame adversity and have kept pace with the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East.  They would be a wild card team if the season ended today. 

The Jets meanwhile, have stumbled and bumbled in two straight losses.  Their cartoon character of a coach is showing himself to be as much a clown on the sidelines, as well as, in front of his press room.

A few weeks ago the Jets were touted as Super Bowl contenders, now they are facing the possibility of missing the playoffs after being 9-2. 

While the Giants are rising to the top, the Jets are sliding faster than Obama's approval ratings.  It's hard to believe the Jets can win road games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears.  Even with what looked like a gimme a month ago, their final game at home against the Buffalo Bills looks like it could be a tussle.  A 9-7 record isn't unfathomable.  It's the same record which cost Eric Mangini his head coaching job two years ago and let the caveman Ryan make his louder-than-loud entrance.

 Ryan, who likes to don wigs and dress up for the cameras, acts like every press conference is an audition for Saturday Night Live.  He might have a shot because his offense is one big comedy skit.   He's Chris Farley with his stomach tied into a knot.

Not all the blame should be put on Ryan's back.  The Jets downfall coincides with the declining skills of their quarterback Mark Sanchez.  The Jets QB started the season with eight TD tosses and no interceptions.  Since then?  Sanchez has eight TDs and 12 interceptions.  He is the number 28 ranked passer in the league.  The Jets answer to Eli Manning is going in the wrong direction.

Sanchez has reverted back to the skittish rookie of last year.  Under throwing and sacks are becoming big part of his game.   Ryan blames it on fundamentals and was so serious about it, took the young QB to lunch last week to discuss it.

"Mark is my quarterback," said the head coach, "He'll always be our starting quarterback...We're going as far as he takes us." On Sunday, Ryan told the press he thought about pulling the ineffective Sanchez in the third quarter of last week's Miami game.

 Ryan came to New York with a cock-sure attitude and defensive genius on his resume.  His brashness and Peter Griffith resemblance were a nice contrast to his predecessor, the frowning Belichick-wannabe Mangini.



Ryan's team finally had a stadium they could call their own and they showed signs of promise during the playoffs.  Things were looking up.  Now Ryan has turned into the rude in-law you would endure, if only for his Yankee box seats every couple of years,  but don't want to see stuffing his face at a family dinner.

He came in with a reputation as a player's coach.  A guy you could share a beer with.  Now he just looks unprofessional.  The fact that everything keep getting away from him started this summer with the Inez Sainz training camp incident and continued with his laughable punishment of Braylon Edwards after his DUI arrest and now the sideline tripping antics.  Ryan has yet to say whether he will fire Alosi for his stupid action.

Ryan's indecision reflects on the field.  Come-from-behind wins against mediocre teams does not a champion make and silly penalties almost cost the Jets a few games. That tough-as-Bill Parcells exterior is part of his shtick.  He's the anti-Parcells.

Ryan showed his fake self in all his glory on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.  He is just a thinner version of that supposedly hard reality star.  The F-bombs and caveman behavior were boorish when the Jets were winning, now it is just sad.  It's more about execution than excuses and Ryan is really softer than his belly.

New York Giants Should Thank Detroit Lions Three-Fold

Who could have predicted that the lowly Detroit Lions and their fans would play a crucial part in the New York Giants quest to make the playoffs?  The Giants will play the Minnesota Vikings Monday night at Ford Field in the Motor City, after spending Saturday night in Kansas City, because a snow storm collapsed the roof at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.  To the Giants benefit, a road game will now be played at a relatively neutral site.

The Giants spent Saturday night hanging out and wondering, and not knowing, when the game would be played.  Where was never in the equation.   Now it is the Vikings who are scrambling to the airport.  

In what looked like a lost and frustrating weekend for the New York Giants,  Mother Nature's fury has turned their misfortunes into a slight advantage.  Even the oddsmakers have noticed.  The Giants opened as 1-point favorites against the Minnesota Vikings, then the number shifted to 2 1/2 points when bettors went all in on the Giants then,  after the game was moved to Detroit, the Vegas odds jumped to 4 points.

Big Blue's odyssey began Saturday when their charter plane was diverted from Minneapolis and the team was forced to cool their heels overnight in a Kansas City hotel not knowing if they were even going to make it to Minnesota the next morning.  The Metrodome's roof collapsed at 5 a.m. Sunday morning and the NFL relocated the game to Detroit.

Going to Detroit gives the Giants a three-fold boost to the playoffs, which they didn't have two days ago, and the team can quietly thank the Lions.

The Giants (8-4) are still trying to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) in a tough NFC East Division title battle while hanging with the New Orleans Saints (10-3), Green Bay Packers (8-5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) for a wild card spot.  Any strategic advantage for the Giants after this weekend's conundrum is a bonus down the stretch. 

After the Metrodome's roof ripped open and dumped a couple of tons of snow onto the field, Giants owner, John Mara, suggested moving the game to his home field, the New Meadowlands Stadium, but the idea was immediately shot down by the NFL.  Hey, the New Orleans Saints played a "home" game there after Hurricane Katrina closed down the Superdome in 2005.

First blessing, the new locale takes away the home field advantage for the Vikings.  Playing the game in what the NFL is calling a "neutral" site is misleading.  Ford Field will be filled with as many anti-Viking fans, rooting against their inter-divisional rivals, as Giant fans.  It gives the Giants a slight "home" field edge.  However slight, it sure beats the high-decibel roar the home town fans would rein on the visitors in the Minneapolis Thunderdome.   Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, was poised and handled the noise factor in a rout against the Seattle Seahawks  inside Qwest Field--arguably the league's loudest venue--a few weeks ago but, when the decibel level rises so does his interception rate.  The less hostile surroundings should help keep Eli from getting rattled.

Second, the Giants must tip their helmets to a  Detroit Lions team which held on to defeat the Packers yesterday at Ford Field.  The shocking upset gives the Giants a half game lead on the Pack and, in the course of the game, Detroit managed to lay out Green Bay's star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, with a concussion.

This lends itself to the third--injuries are part of the game--benefit of the Detroit Lions factor in the Giants good fortune.  Rodger's  head injury is his second of the season and there is concern he may not be cleared to play when the Giants visit Green Bay in two weeks.  This leaves open the possibility of the ineffective backup, Matt Flynn, facing the Giants defense in a typical December-chilled Lambeau Field in what will probably be a game with playoff spot implications for both teams.  The Giants D is already looking ahead.

The Giants arrived in Detroit yesterday at 3 p.m.   Oddly, there could be as many fans for tonight's 7:20 EST game for two visiting teams as there are for the barely watchable, but improving Lions. Free general admission tickets will be available at the Ford Field box office beginning this morning.   The game will be broadcast by Fox in the New York and Minnesota markets. 

It all remains to be seen how the Giants respond to this adventure.  Next week they play their division rival the Eagles in the Meadowlands, but the shortened and disruptive week could take it's toll.  In a week that started with the Giants generously offer their practice field to a visiting Miami Dolphins team, it has ended with the Detroit Lions returning the favor.  One good deed returned in triplicate.  Merry Christmas from Detroit.

Eli Manning Has Something To Prove In Minnesota

Nobody has to remind the New York Giants about last January's season-ending bashing at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings--especially quarterback Eli Manning.  While the Vikings were lighting up the Giants defense like the Rockefeller Christmas tree, Manning continued his five-year streak of futility against the the Northmen.

Last year's rout was the fourth straight loss to Minnesota and put an exclamation point on the Giants dismal 2009 season.  Manning has never beaten Minny in four tries and, except for  a game in 2008 when he was pulled at halftime because the Giants already had the top seed in the NFC in their future, he has been brutalized by the purple defense.

One time in 2007, Manning was chastised by the press and Giants front office after throwing three interceptions which were returned for touchdowns in a lackadaisical effort against the Vikes.   The Giants GM Jerry Reese called his quarterback "skittish."  The press said he quit.

Last year's mauling was just the Vikings way of using an elephant gun to put the staggering G-Men out of their misery.  This year the Giants (8-4) are tied for first place with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and claim they have have something to play for this time around.

The Giants have upcoming games against Philly and the Green Bay Packers--both in the playoff hunt--and a loss against the Vikings could push them out of the wildcard race.  A 10-6 record could leave any teams out of the playoffs because of strong teams like The Packers (8-4) and the New Orleans Saints (9-3) building up steam.

Despite walloping the Washington Redskins last week, the Giants have been inconsistent and hurt.  Eli has still thrown too many interceptions and the offense has trouble getting six inside the red zone. The team had been decimated by injuries to the offensive line and receiving corps and has more guys on the DL than "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark."

While that Broadway musical deals with flying actors crashing into the mezzanine and opening night jitters, the Giants were besieged by blitzing safeties and Sunday fumbles.  Lately though, the Giants have been successfully using understudies and hitting their marks.

Reese has been making all the right moves.  He brought back Derek Hagan--who was cut by the Giants in training camp--and has filled in admirably as a receiver.  Tight end Bear Pascoe was on the taxi-squad and now fills in at fullback.  They are two of many fill-ins who have played crucial roles in the Giants modest win streak.

Reese's wheeling and dealings are reminiscent of his magic touch in 2007 when he brought in role-players like Madison Hedgecock, Dominik Hixon and Kevin Boss in the Giants' stretch-run to Super Bowl XLII.  They have been important cogs--when healthy-- on this year's team as well.

For a team that has a record of 11-15 in the crucial month of December, since Head Coach Tom Coughlin took over, the team is confident.  Coughlin knows he doesn't have to fire his players up against the Vikings and the players are responding.

Defensive tackle Barry Cofield said the team is motivated especially the way the defense has been playing the past two weeks.  "That's what you live for," said Cofield.  "You want to have pressure and have something to play for and have things at the end of the season to play for."

For now,  the Giants have been fortunate to win with new replacement players but maybe some old faces will be back on the field this Sunday.  Wide receiver Steve Smith--who missed four games with a torn pectoral muscle--said he could start and offensive lineman David Diehl (hamstring injury) might be back too.

Manning's woes against the Vikings stand out in bright red ink on the stat pages.  While he has shown flashes of brilliance against most teams, he has been a dud against Minnesota.  Manning's 0-4 record, nine interceptions, and a passer rating of 47.7 against the Vikings blink like the North Star on a clear night in Hibbing.   

This is the game in which Manning must come up big.  His emotional void is sometimes mistaken for a weakness--a lack of competitiveness.  All said, Manning has handled six years in New York and wears a Super Bowl ring.

Sunday, he is playing for pride, respect and the playoffs.  A loss this weekend and it could be back to playing out the season...again.

Giants' Nicks Out; Playoff Hopes Sliding Away

By Tony Mangia

Eli Manning might want to remove "The Slide" from his resume.  He will always have "The Drive" as his legacy, but his bone-headed run on Sunday cost the New York Giants any chance of beating the Philadelphia Eagles and could ultimately cost head coach Tom Coughlin his job.  Fans are still wondering how the quarterback could have fumbled on a tackle which had less contact than a TSA pat-down.

Just a couple of games back from unofficially being called the best team in the NFL,  the Giants now are reeling and scrambling for a playoff position.  It's another second-half swoon that have characterized the Giants since 2004--or, coincidentally,  the first year Coughlin took over the reins of the team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars--who looked like deep-sea chum a few weeks ago--roll into the New Meadowlands Stadium this Sunday with the same record (6-4) as the Giants and something the Giants can only reminisce about--a three-game win streak.  The Jaguars are tied for first place in the AFC South.

The Giants continue to shoot themselves in the foot.  Every week the team takes stupid penalties (Jason Pierre-Paul is their latest poster boy), hand over the ball like Christmas gifts and give up big plays on the special teams.

Manning may blame himself for not sliding after getting a first down, but the whole offense is contributing to the slide.  Ahmad Bradshaw still holds the ball like basted turkey and there are still too many tipped passes which end up in the opponent's hands.

Maybe if the Giants  bric-and-brac running backs, Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, did their job, Manning wouldn't have to stumble the extra few yards before that fumble.  Bradshaw gained only seven more yards than Manning on the day and the flat-footed quarterback actually had twelve more yards than the powerhouse Jacobs!  How's that for Giants football?

Manning said he regrets taking the awkward flop, but confessed he thought he could run through the Eagles' Asante Samuel and Dimitri Patterson for six points before coming to his senses.  "Should have gone feet first," he said. 

Don't blame everything on the team or coach.  Injuries keep piling up.  The receiving corps should have their own infirmary. The latest addition is Hakeem Nicks.  Nicks was Manning's go-to guy and was having a Pro-Bowl worthy year with 62 catches, 800 yards and 9 TDs.  The wide-out was kicked in the lower left leg in the Philly game and has "Compartment Syndrome" in that calf.  The injury is a compression of blood vessels and nerves which could lead to serious problems if no care is taken.  He's looking at three weeks on the bench.  Hakeem, go join the three offensive lineman nursing themselves.

This leaves Manning without Nicks or Steve Smith--one of the most-dangerous wide-out duos (Stevie-Nicks?) in the league.  He is now dependent on Mario Manningham and a depleted bunch of pass catchers with journeyman names like Derek Hagan and rookie Duke Calhoun.  Sounds like one of the cowboys in "True Grit." Even safety Antrel Rolle has volunteered to fill in.  That's how bad the situation is--everyone knows DBs are pass catchers who can't catch. The receivers roster --which was deep at the start of the season--is down to bare bones.  Funny, Eli's brother Peyton has the same problem with the Colts, and he has turned a group of no-names into stars.  They both had bad Sundays.

Manning and Coughlin still have time to avoid another second-half collapse.  Coughlin has to crack the whip and coach like the red-faced taskmaster never coached before.  Critics, be damned!  The Giants are looking up at six teams in the NFC with better records and six games to go. There is no time for anything but flawless play.

The Giants D is still one of the league's best. Their aggressive blitzing last week did a decent job of containing Michael Vick, but it let Eagles running back, LeSean McCoy, roam free after breaking the scrimmage line.  The Jaguars' David Garrard can run, but will never be compared to Vick.  The Giants will have to mug Garrard, but the safeties will have to be ready for the open field running of 5'7" fireplug, Maurice Jones-Drew,  if they expect to stop their losing ways.

The Giants last two losses came against a Cowboys team which was rejuvenated after a coaching change and playing for respect.  Philadelphia was just a better team, but was beatable.  Now Jacksonville comes in and it is not as bad as advertised.  They are now battling for a division title, but outside of an emotional victory against the Colts, most of their wins are against bottom-feeders.  The Jaguars are one of those dangerous teams which other teams take lightly.  Not a smart thing.

The Giants talk a lot about not succumbing to a second-half swoon.  "Moaning doesn't help," said  Manning, whose occasional bad decisions still haunt him, "You start complaining about it, you start going 'Woe is me,' it doesn't fix anything, it just makes it worse."

What does get worse is the upcoming Giants' schedule.  After the Jags, they meet the Washington Redskins--who are suddenly in the wild card conversation--the Eagles once again, the Green Bay Packers and another desperate team with a new coach and a squandered season, the Minnesota Vikings.

The injured Steve Smith called this Sunday's game a "must win."  The Giants defense is more than capable of wrapping up the pedestrian Jaguar offense.  Eli Manning has to play error-free football and Coughlin must coach the team back into contention. If he doesn't, the swoon will be in full swing and the anti-Coughlin chants will once again fill the New Meadowlands Stadium.