Big Blue Huddle

15,350 new cases in Fla today, a new one day record for the state - by almost 50%!  Schools are scheduled to open in about 4 weeks.  What could possibly go wrong?

Looks like a great time!  For those of us who are relatively new to this site, how about attaching some names to those pictures? 

Quote from: Shoelessjoe on August 06, 2018, 07:00:51 PM
Andrew, I remember when they would practice at Pace.  I lived within a 15 to 20 minute drive and therefore I was there a lot.  There was a set of bleachers where the fans would sit.  To the left was the field house which the Giants built for Pace when they opened up their Westchester campus.  There was a 5 to 6 foot walkway in front of the Bleachers and then a wooden ranch fence that separated us from the players.  The players would warm up right in front of us.  One time a number of players were auditioning for a long snappers position including LT.  Needless to say LT was not to good at it and he took a lot of ribbing from the players and coaches.  Parcells in particular was riding him.  The point is they were so close to us you could almost hear them talking to each other.

Another time George Young sat in the stands and talked to fans.  Young had a sharp mouth and there was some pretty good back and forth between him and the fans.

A different time and place.

Yeah, I'm glad I got to experience the old training camps, because I think they're gone for good.  I was one of the people who went back and forth with George Young, sitting in the bleachers at Pace.  This one day, he sauntered up and sat right next to me, sucking on an aqua-blue popsicle. 

I asked him about a DE named Bubba Baker, who was holding out on the Lions and they were trying to trade him.  He was a sack specialist and this was a huge need for the Giants at the time.  I asked Young if he had any interest in Baker and he guffawed and said, "No, Bubba Baker is a dog"!  I said, "well, he's got more sacks than anybody on your line" and Young said, "padded stats by piling on".  We went back and forth a few more times and I said something stupid: "He says it's not about the money".  He guffawed again, pointed the popsicle at me as he spoke.  "Lemme tell you something.  It's always about the money".  What a memory! 

I was a regular at Pace and got in the habit of throwing a cooler in the car, with a few beers on ice.  After practice, quite a few players came to know this and would wander by the car for a cold one! 

Quote from: COGiantFan on July 28, 2018, 01:43:43 AM
Do the players go home at night or do they all stay together at a hotel for the duration?

Same question here!  Obviously, they have to put the rookies, undrafted invitees and free agents up somewhere but can the veterans who live there year round go home at night?

Quote from: MightyGiants on July 27, 2018, 08:00:34 AM
There are two factors that force the team to stay at the HQ.   First, with the 2011 CBA severely restricting practices, they can't afford to miss one or have one severely compromised by rain.  Their HQ has an indoor practice facility big enough to accommodate a proper practice.  Up in Albany, they had to practice in a gym/basketball court.

Second, as computer/video technology advances it got much more challenging to bring all that tech up to and set it up in a remote location.

Makes sense.....and I know Albany frustrated Coughlin, especially and just wasn't up to standards.  But there are an awful lot of colleges with amazing facilities within a 150-200 mile radius of the Meadowlands.  Maybe they find one that works.  I also admit to being a tiny bit jealous of the Jets complex in Florham Park. 

Agree on Albany....or Pace, or FDU Madison.  I believe getting away, keeping the team together, sequestered in dorms is a valuable team building experience.  It takes time to negotiate and arrange training camp on the road, so it was too late by the time Shurmur was hired but I'm hoping he takes them away next year. 

Excellent stuff!  Thank you!  Only one thing you didn't factor in - we always suck against the Eagles!