Big Blue Huddle

Couple of things about Barden: 1. His alleged athleticism was grossly overstated. He really isn't that good of an athlete. He is a long-strider without a burst. Not particularly strong. Doesn't have hops. Isn't able to change direction quickly. Can't beat a jam. I mean other than that he's Lebron James In Giants history I think his correlative player is probably Odessa Turner. . 2. I don't think this guy burns to be a professional football player. He has an almost cavalier attitude about his performance level.We all read about how smart he is. How his Dad made him play at a lower level of collegiate competition because his studies mattered more than sports. Playing the piano at a concert level. All of that. And, of course, his Dad was correct in the overview. But this is about the Giants. He hasn't panned out. I hear from time to time that he's a Miles Austin type and that Jones and the Cowboys waited a long time for him. But I just don't see it. He, along with Beatty, committed what I consider to be the 2 most egregious blunders in 12. Beatty's hold against the Skins. Barden's ridiculousy easy-to-call OPI against Asomugha in Philadelphia. In my mind the division and another shot at the Super Bowl were lost by those 2 plays. Yes, the Giants were very lucky in wins, Bryant's hand-before-elbow in Big D being the most obvious example. But that OPI still frosts me. Also throw in Jimmy Cordles's 2 KRO penaties against the Redskins. Things we'll never forget. Glad this guy is gone.

I think the league has gotten more sophisticated at developing blocking schemes for edge rushers. The Giants speak of "row" graduations regarding the manner they use to select from their board. If players happen to be in the same horizontal row, they will skip a few spots to cover need. In other words, if there is not a large drop-off in quality, they will draft, say, #40 instead of #36 if 40 and 36 are in the same row. I cannot fathom how the Giants will draft another DE in Round 1 if Tuck is still on this team in 13. They have oppressive, gaping needs at DT LB & OL.

How does Beatty know what the market would have been for him? Tampering? Collusion? It's strictly conjecture. Beatty and his agent knew that the book of his career, at least to date, is hardly inspiring. He has shown promise. However unfulfilled promise is a plentiful quality on this planet.  I am happy he signed. It remains to be seen just how good he will be.

I don't mind Reese cutting these guys. That is part of the game in the NFL. To me, Boley and Canty were easy decisions. Osi was an inevitable decision, once that is officially disclosed. And Bradshaw was the most reluctant of decisions. But Reese gets way too big a pass with Giants fans. I'm sick of this "In Reese I trust" nonsense. He's responsible for the yearly attrition in the talent-base of this team. Coughlin and Co. stole a second Super Bowl. Go ahead argue, but that's the way it is. Reese's collection of China Doll CBs, criminally negligent homicide of the linebacking corp, and inability to bring in a run-stuffing DT are the prime drivers in 12's unsavory conclusion. He needs a big off-season. He is doing necessary pruning but he better re-stock the talent base. Coughlin has had to deal with what the Confederation generals did in the Civil War: attrition model strategies. Since 08 the overall talent level of this team has gone downhill, the last Supe notwithstanding.

The thing that always irked me in the Lewis case was that the prosecutors moved in the opposite manner than what is the normal course of action. They almost always move from small fish to big fish. Get the small fish to flip to rat the big fish. Lewis was the big fish. He knowingly contributed to a double homicide. FYI Part of his "rehabilitation" sentencing was to set up a couple of charities. This was part of his community service. Well one entity was just closed by the IRS. They hadn't filed tax returns in 3 years. Nor was there any charitable activity. The second survives largely by food donations given by large corporations. Lewis does nothing to advance the cause. It's sickening to see this guy strut around as he does. People change. Some get better. The commercial that ran this season with Lewis taking questions from the little girl was indeed touching. But I'm not buying it. He's still a creep. He has, however, two Super Bowl rings and he was one of the greatest MLB-ILB in NFL history.

To me Spagnuolo did one of the worst jobs in the NFL this season. His overall talent level on defense with the Saints was not as bad as people make it out to be. In areas of the unit, it is the equal or better than what Fewell had with the Giants. The guy is a one-trick pony, whom the league has caught up to, in my opinion. This thread was interesting. Some comments:
1. Belichick was the DB coach on the Pat team that Parcells took to the Super Bowl. Al Groh was the DC of that team.
2. For Lenn: What part of Fewell's turnovers record can be describe as "read and react?" That is just canned thinking, cliched thinking that doesn't hold up to analysis. Fewell is a cover 3 coach who believes that the Giants' defensive line has been structured to keep the team in the game against the good offenses while controlling the game against the lesser offenses. Did they hold up their end in 12? Of course not. And it had nothing to do with Fewell's schemes. Tuck is washed up. Canty was useless after micro-fracture surgery. JPP did not anticipate the dedication and fortitude that would be required to continue to dominate against offenses that prepared for him. And Joseph wilted after a strong start. The Giants are paying the price in not having a run-stuffing defensive tackle. It makes their defense look passive and weak. One of the reasons why the Redskins defense appears sturdy is Cofield, whom the Giants have never replaced, in my opinion. Since the Fiasco in Frisco, every DT who has come into this program has been selected on the perception that he could provide an inside pass rush. Too many rushing attempts for 7 yards on first down. That's Perry Fewell's problem. That and having an egotistical has-been like Where Did He Go Webster at CB, who got exactly what he wanted against the Ravens and Torrey Smith. And how did that work out?
3. I think Reese is as much at fault for this year's mess as Fewell. He continually brings in these China Doll CBs who go down for long stretches of the season. You might say that CBs are oft-injured in this league because of their relative diminutive size vis a vis their duties, but look in the division. How many cbs went down on the other teams in the NFL East?  Plus the completely outrageous criminal neglect of the linebacking corp. That's Reese. His defensive ruminations leave much to be desired.

Theo and Terry deny that there is a split with the Bolsheviks. Neil Diamond warming up with a has-been version of "Sweet Caroline" as we type. If the Red Sox slide in, as I think they will, they shouldn't be dismissed as a championship candidate. As I recall Four Rings Joe's last WS Championship (against Mets) was with a team that won less than 90 games that season (2000) because they basically went 0 for Sept. Playoffs = whole different season. Last night's rainout will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader tomorrow. Makes for a wild Sunday for Giants-Yankees fans.

   Alright, Red gives it up. No more rope a dope. Yes, keep those pants on while chasing that Lion into the end zone, Jason. Better CB than CF that guy.