Dec 18th 2008 12:00PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, Panthers, Steelers, Titans
How do we figure out this NFL season? The Giants have been the best team in the NFC all year, but after Sunday’s loss the surging Panthers could catch them. The Titans have been the best team in the AFC all year, but after Sunday’s loss the surging Steelers could catch them.

Yes, we’ve got a wonderful pair of games on Sunday, with the Top 4 teams in our NFL Power Rankings taking each other on and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line. Our rankings of the Big 4 — and the other 28 — are below.Continue Reading

Dec 18th 2008 5:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, NFL FansOn Monday, I admitted that I might’ve been off on the whole “the Giants without Plax” story line. New York has dropped two in a row and suddenly look very ordinary. And much of that has to do with there being no big-play threat on the field now that Plaxico Burress has been suspended for the rest of the year.

Evidently, I gave Domenik Hixon a little too much credit. And so did head coach Tom Coughlin. Which explains why the team put 36-year-old Joe Horn through the paces earlier this week. The Giants decided not to sign him — perhaps because he’s 36 years old — and Horn took the news about how you might expect: he accused the organization of using of him. [Horn] believes the Giants never had any intention of signing him, that they just brought him in to create some sort of “spark” among the young receivers they already have.

“I was told to pack my clothes because I may be staying,” Horn told The Monty Show on Sporting News Radio earlier today. … “However, before I could step in the locker room I had an itinerary with my flight back to Atlanta. The opportunity was there. I appreciate the organization and Coach Coughlin for giving me the opportunity. Continue Reading

Dec 17th 2008 11:00AM by Stephanie Stradley (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, Panthers, Texans, NFL FansThis season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We’ve cleverly titled it “FanHouse in the Stands.”

Okay, I’ve seen some weird stuff at NFL games like tailgating snakes and lame gameday attire, but this picture that my friend Andy sent me is truly inexplicable.

Why would someone wear a David Carr PANTHERS jersey to a Houston Texans game against the Titans?

How did such a jersey even exist? Mister Mittens lost his starting job with the Panthers to Vinny Freaking Testaverde, a guy who wasn’t in camp with the team and didn’t know the names of the guys he was playing with when he took over the offense. Matt Moore, a rookie from Oregon State got on the field over Carr.

Did the Panther Mittens guy lose a bet? If he loves the man so much, why not rock a Carr Giants jersey? Does this guy want someone to *accidentally” spill a big plate of nachos on him? Because I can’t think of any jersey you could wear to a Texans game that would cause more abuse being flung your way.

Anyhow, I felt compelled to put together a photoshop essay to share my thoughts on this. Enjoy….Continue Reading

Dec 16th 2008 1:43PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Broncos, Buccaneers, Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, Jets, Giants, Panthers, Patriots, Steelers, Titans, Vikings, NFL Playoffs

Every week the playoff scenarios get a little bit clearer, but what’s remarkable with two weeks to play is how a 10-6 record may mean very little this year. Usually 10-6 is enough to wrap up a playoff spot, and it is this year if you play in a weak division. But if you’re aiming for a wild card spot, 10-6 might leave you sitting at home.

But while scenarios are clearer this week than last week, it’s still pretty complicated, especially in the wild card races, where four 9-5 AFC teams and three 9-5 wild card contenders in the NFC ensure that there are plenty of tiebreakers to check out.

Probably the most surprising thing that jumped out when running through this week’s scenarios is how the Giants could go from a sure-fire No. 1 seed to playing next week to stay out of the first week of the postseason if they lose this week. And Minnesota has gone from a likely January vacation to a shot at a first-round bye.Continue Reading

Dec 16th 2008 2:00PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: 49ers, Bengals, Dolphins, Giants, Rams, Ravens, Redskins, Seahawks, Steelers, AFC East, AFC North, NFC East, NFC West, NFL Media Watch, Overpaid NFL Players, NFL RefereesWow, this was a long weekend to those who support the boys in stripes. That group may only consist of myself at this point, but I still do. Those people who like to call the officials “blind” — which, by the way, is incredibly uncreative and lame — or believe they are out to screw a team out of a game really don’t have any idea what it takes to officiate at that level. Hell, I don’t. I do know what it’s like to be on the field and be a constant scapegoat for people who aren’t accountable for themselves and/or their favorite team.Continue Reading

Dec 15th 2008 9:44AM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: GiantsThere’s no bigger issue facing the NFL right now than the health problems of retired players. Many of those ex-players are taking their concerns to the league and the players’ union, but for some of them, their health has deteriorated to the point where they can no longer speak for themselves.

One such player is John Mackey, the Hall of Fame tight end for the Baltimore Colts who suffered a number of injuries during his career, including multiple concussions, and is now suffering from dementia. Fortunately for Mackey, his wife, Sylvia, is willing and able to speak for him.

Except that no one wants to listen. The reports that when the wives of ex-players attempted to attend a meeting on Thursday between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and a group of retirees, they were told that they weren’t welcome. Stunningly, it was the ex-players themselves who said they didn’t want any women around.Continue Reading

Dec 15th 2008 10:30AM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, NFC East, NFL FansWe all know the famous fans. You have Barrel Man in Denver. You have Fireman Ed in New York. You also have Sondra Fortunato, or Ms. Football, who is a huge fan of the Giants. And by huge, I mean huge. And by fan, I mean “dresses up in a Santa outfit with two bags of presents that crusty men would enjoy a lot more than the kiddos.”

Fortunato has been going to Giants games for over 30 years, but her latest “outfit” got her escorted out of the stadium and stuck in the equivalent of a drunk tank.
Last Sunday, Sondra, whose niece, Paula, is divorcing Sumner Redstone, arrived at the Meadowlands in a tiara, fishnets, a Santa outfit, a bathing-suit bottom and high-heeled boots. “Nothing was showing,” she insisted. “You couldn’t even see my underwear. I don’t flash!”

She carried a suitcase containing Christmas presents, and held a pair of 11-by-17 signs. One read, “Go Giants.” The other, “Have a No Guns Christmas.”
Continue Reading

Dec 14th 2008 12:30PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Media WatchIt was during the 2007 preseason that retired Giants running back Tiki Barber proclaimed on NBC’s that former teammate Eli Manning lacked the requisite leadership skills to lead New York. Of course, they won the whole thing a few months later.

Uncharacteristically, Manning promptly refuted Barber’s claim, and now, some 16 months later, Tiki is looking to mend a few fences.

According to the ‘ Ralph Vacchiano, Barber interviewed Manning recently and the topic came up (we’ll get to see them during tonight’s NBC pregame show): “So before last season on NBC, I publicly questioned your early leadership. Now, clearly I was proven wrong. But what was your reaction when you heard?”

“I obviously had to stand up for myself. I kind felt I was called out. So I had to come back and stand up for myself. I felt in that situation, I had to say something. Sometimes, you’ve got to go outside what’s your norm and do something you feel strongly about. I’ve been through all sorts of things in New York City through the media. There’s a time when you reach a certain point where you’ve got to stand up and fight back a little bit.” Continue Reading

Dec 14th 2008 8:15PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Giants, NFC East
“…”

Now, who is to say this isn’t the theme song of Terrell Owens? The guy breeds drama more than rabbits breed their young, yet it never ceases to amaze anyone when the next thing he stirs up is more ridiculous than the last.

Tonight, TO and his arch nemesis, teammate Jason Witten, take on the conference leading Giants for the last time in the regular season at Texas Stadium. The Giants are missing Brandon Jacobs. The Cowboys have a banged up Marion Barber.

Who isn’t going to join this live chat? The fun begins at . Bring the fondue.Continue Reading

Dec 15th 2008 12:57AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Giants, NFC EastWho cares if Terrell Owens and Jason Witten don’t like each other? All that matters is that the Cowboys keep winning and will perhaps be able to reach their once-lofty goals.

Forget about T.O., Witten and Tony Romo! That Cowboys defense sacked Eli Manning eight times and picked him off twice in their 20-8 win over the Giants. DeMarcus Ware had three of those sacks and Dallas’ defense allowed just 218 yards of offense.

Did I say offense? Okay, let’s get to it. Witten caught more passes than Owens (five to three) for more yards (44 to 38) with neither scoring a touchdown. Owens also dropped a pass which led to a chorus of boos from Texas Stadium. Romo would throw two touchdown passes and then shrugged off the reported locker room tift in post game interviews.

How about an offensive name you may not know? Tashard Choice ran for 91 yards on just nine carries and led the ‘Boys with 52 receiving yards. His 38-yard touchdown romp in the fourth quarter sealed the win.

Continue Reading