Big Blue Huddle

Don't forget to read the question, which is not in the title. It appears at the top of the list of names on the poll screen.  Guests can vote (as well as members).

As most members may know by now, my vote is Harrison.  He knows what to do after he gets punched in the face (which he will in the NFL).

My second vote would have gone to Odunze, because he knows how to punch defenders in the face. I'm just not sure how he'll react to being the recipient of a punch in the face (which seldom, if ever, happened to him in college).

Bob

PS. According to my research and conversations, any of the 10 guys listed in the poll could go before the sixth pick of the 1st round (team needs do vary).

IMO the worst thing that happened to the Giants in the past 10 years is that they allowed the Eagles to trade up one draft spot ahead of them and take DaVonta Smith. Not only did they not get a true "can't-miss" WR they then agreed w/the Bears to trade down (apparently prioritizing WR over taking the best player available... Micah Parsons) and compounded that error by taking a loser WR (Toney) with the Bears' pick. IMO trading up one spot last year to be certain to obtain Banks was an ADMISSION of the magnitude of the error they made in 2021 by not trading up one spot to ensure they got Smith.

If anyone can cite a worse move or occurrence in the past 10 years, please feel free to do so (level of difficulty: easy). lol   

If anyone disagrees that last year's trading up one spot was completely unrelated to their failure to do so in 2021, please make your counter-argument (level of difficulty: not so easy).

Bob

Bobby Okereke and Xavier McKinney each did something this yr that no other NFL player was able to do.

Assuming you haven't already read about it somewhere (as I did), would you care to make a wild guess?

If you want to look it up, feel free to take a shot before looking.

Bob

Last night gave a good view of Bo Nix and Michael Penix, Jr. 

As of now, Nix has one remaining game and Penix has at least one more (plus invitational games). This is what I believe as of today.

Either guy certainly can compete and play some role in the NFL, but they are very different prospects.

Nix - has a few technical issues with mechanics; valiant and competitive; seems like the players think well of him. If he fails it won't be because he can't run the ball. Was nervous last night but quickly got into the game. Tongue-in-cheek, I'd say he'd be a perfect replacement for Daniel Jones (IMO he's the same guy). Those who can't wait to get rid of Jones should beware. Nix will have his shot in the NFL, but I wouldn't bet on him succeeding as a starter.

Penix - This guy is unique, and not just because he's left-handed. The bad news - his mechanics are awful; but his delivery is as quick as it can be with those mechanics. Brings it up from the ground. I don't know how that will play out in the NFL, but I suspect not very well.  The good news - his accuracy is terrific.  How he can throw that way so accurately is a mystery. Has a cleverness about him that reminds me of Mahomes (not his scrambling ability but his look-offs and view of the field seems to be excellent). The verdict - this guy is boom or bust. His success will depend on going to a team that does NOT try to change him. If a coaching staff leaves him alone, he has a small chance to success, but any success will probably be significant success.  I strongly suspect that any attempts to alter his mechanics will destroy his accuracy, but he's clever and football-smart (not very physical; probably won't last long on a team with a bad offense line).

Bob

The schedule is important, or at least Troy Aikman (and me lol) believe so.

The first group of games was against a completely different quality of team than the more recent group.

News articles about our improved defense (or whatever) fail to mention that factor.  Keep that in mind.

Bob

In another post, @andrew_nyGiants raised the issue that no official spotted the ball before the Jets lined up for the spike with one second left (which sent the game into overtime).

Has anyone heard or seen this issue raised or discussed anywhere else?

I have not checked the replay because I loaned my iPad to someone for a few days.

Bob

PS. Also is it actually possible to toss a 30-yd pass & spike the ball in 8 seconds? That's what happened.

I like watching McFadden during the game, more so than Okereke.

It could be because Okereke is a "proven" player who generally speaking has lived up to his billing.

Or could be because I'm surprised opponents haven't tested him more in pass defense?

Could it be something Wink is doing to "hide" him?

Or could it be his lack of notable foot speed is adequately negated because he's IMO a VERY smart player?

Bob

A healthy Daniel Jones would have won tonight's game for the Chargers against Dallas. 

Herbert's non-throwing hand was injured, but I don't think that played much of a role in the outcome.

With the type of OL protection Herbert enjoyed all night (but for the last series) Jones would have come out on top.

Bob

Just checking to see if anyone agrees professional sports is entertainment, as opposed to something else.

If so, I submit that the New York Football Giants are as entertaining (if not more so) than any other team.

It reminds me of pro wrestling. 

IMO the vast majority of those fans attend more to boo the bad guys than to cheer the good ones.

So tell me....  is the NFL nothing more than a complicated form of wrestling?

Bob

Preface: If you never heard the expression in the title, this article describes it was well as any.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/07/16/sports-rub-some-dirt-on-it/87184302/

Aside from numerous key injuries, most particularly to JMS, arguably our "brightest light" this season (which IMO completely changed last night's game), the Giants are stinking up the place.

What now? I don't have any more answer than you do FOR THE TEAM... but I have a suggestion for every FAN.

Get out your ego and rub some dirt on it.  Read the article.

Bob

That's all, folks.  Bob

If you come across a truly exceptional quotation, please post it here.

I like reading them, so please add any you think are worthy of note.  Mine is from Albert Einstein...

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity (and I'm not sure about the universe)."

Bob

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exploding-satellite-triggered-epic-rivalry-170541717.html

Greenpeace admits what has been known/acknowledged quietly for years... recycling plastic is a fool's errand.

My position is: do what we can anyway. Politicians try to make this a political issue, but it isn't IMO.

Without anyone telling me I must be, I've always been a conservationist. Making a mess because we're too lazy or stupid to clean up after ourselves is not an option for me.

Bob

https://www.city-journal.org/greenpeace-admits-recycling-doesnt-work

John: As of this moment it's pointed right at you. Please keep us advised so we know you're ok. Bob

I've hardly any time to spend here these days but MADE TIME to mention this... from the journal "Science"...

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl6422  For an English "translation" LOL here's one source,

https://justthenews.com/nation/science/scientists-say-single-amino-acid-may-explain-major-cognitive-shift-neanderthals#digital-diary

Bob

[practicing using the new system] 

Before reading this post, how many of you were aware that...

TWO-THIRDS of all of the people in the entire history of the human race who lived past age 65... are alive right now... today?

Bob

PS. Was going to put this on the main board but it's not Giants talk.

I'm hopeful we have someone here who can dumb this down for me.

Apparently we humans have accidentally built a barrier that protects us from harmful cosmic radiation, merely by transmitting our own radio waves over the years (and a few other things I don't understand).

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.  The article is not long but it's jam-packed with information.

Bob

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/whoops-humans-made-a-space-barrier-around-earth?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Yesterday, by email to one of my semi-official mailboxes, I received the equivalent of a "chain letter" from a trusted source (side note: this person and I seldom agree about anything).  The "letter" is reproduced below.

I did not forward it directly (using the "forwarding" function of Yahoo - my email provider) because I am aware it could be part of an effort to accumulate email addresses (or worse) by some nefarious person or entity. 

Personally, I recommend (on general principles) not forwarding it if you receive it (except in the manner I employed, which was to copy only the text, and paste it here for others to see).

I have at least the following three questions, and I'm thankful to have a forum such as this where I can ask them:

(1) did any of you receive this email (or something similar) and do you know anything about it?
(2) do you perceive the subject matter to be important, or do you believe is it much ado about nothing (I'm not soliciting political views, but rather wondering whether it seems important to you personally)?
(3) as a general matter, what other illegitimate purposes could a person have for sending a "chain letter" through email?

Bob

>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         A woman dies at age 65 before collecting one benefit check. She and her employer paid into the system for almost 50 years and she collected NOTHING.
>>>>         Keep in mind all the working people that die every year who were paying into the system and got nothing.
>>>>         And these governmental morons mismanaged the money and stole from the system, so that it's now going broke.
>>>>         BEAUTIFUL! And they have the audacity to call today's seniors "vultures" in an attempt to cover their ineptitude.
>>>>         DISGRACEFUL!
>>>>         The real reason for renaming our Social Security payments is so the government can claim that all those social security recipients are receiving entitlements thus putting them in the same category as welfare, and food stamp recipients.
>>>>         THIS IS WORTH THE FEW MINUTES IT TAKES TO READ AND DIGEST!
>>>>         F.Y.I. By changing the name of SS contributions, it gives them a means to refute this program in the future. It's free money for the government to spend under this guise.
>>>>         The Social Security check is now (or soon will be) referred to as a Federal Benefit Payment?
>>>>         I will be part of the one percent to forward this. I am forwarding it because it touches a nerve in me, and I hope it will in you.
>>>>         Please keep passing it on until everyone in our country has read it.
>>>>         The government is now referring to our Social Security checks as a "Federal Benefit Payment."This is NOT a benefit.It is OUR money, paid out of our earned income!
>>>>         Not only did we all contribute to Social Security, but our employers did too! It totaled 15% of our income before taxes. (This should be enough for you to forward this message, if not read on.)
>>>>         If you averaged $30K per year over your working life, that's close to $180,000 invested in Social Security.
>>>>         If you calculate the future value of your monthly investment in social security ($375/month, including both you and your employers

Answer in 24 hours, although it would surprise me greatly if no one here knows the word.  Bob

Hint: The final letter of the four-letter word is "K" 

Go to this website to discover what late-night TV was like back in the good old days.  LOL

It's Jay Thomas (most people don't know who he was, may he rest in peace) on David Letterman's show telling a true personal story about Clayton Moore... the Lone Ranger. 

https://www.google.com/search?channel=tus5&client=firefox-b-1-d&q=lone+ranger+david+letterman

Bob

https://www.jpost.com/international/could-dna-vaccines-be-the-next-tool-in-the-worlds-battle-against-covid-19-680371

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/17/us/politics/france-ambassador-recall-us-australia.html

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/politics/kabul-drone-strike-us-military-intl-hnk/index.html

Here's a relatively short article that demonstrates IMO the "right" way to teach U.S. history.  ---->  https://www.history.upenn.edu/node/14406

Make people think.  Don't propagandize them by telling them what you (the teacher) think.  Then show them (perhaps) the fallacy of their preconceived ideas.

That short article contains a link to a much longer article which expands on the content of the short one.  ------>  https://thepenngazette.com/pdfs/PennGaz0921_feature1.pdf

IMO, all U.S. history buffs should read both, and take the "challenge(s)" included in the longer article.

I'm not a history buff; in fact, it was my least favorite subject throughout years in school....  but I read both anyway.  Well worth the time and effort, IMO.

Bob

PS.  I was a student of the late Professor Alexander Riasanovsky (who is mentioned prominently in both articles).  When I was there, among other subjects, he taught Russian History.

Should people who have had the coronavirus and who currently exhibit so-called "natural immunity" (the presence of covid19 antibodies in their system) be subject to vaccination requirements or other restrictions which certain institutions, public or private, are attempting to place on un-vaccinated people?  In other words, are there two kinds of un-vaccinated people (those who have the antibodies in their system and those who do not)?

https://universitybusiness.com/george-mason-relents-grants-covid-19-medical-exemption-to-professor/

Are any of you other (LOL) old farts familiar with this guy?  He's a "new" generation comedian whom I believe has a chance to walk in the footsteps of guys like George Carlin and Steven Martin.

My belief is NOT based on style, which I suspect will be off-putting to some of you, but rather on my sense that he is a hard worker (an opinion based on almost nothing other than a gut feeling) and very talented.

He began as a YouTube "success" but has now done at least three videos which are currently available on Netflix.  Just interested in hearing how your view his form of entertainment and your estimation of his prospects.

Bob

Eventually, IMO, the Giants will line up Kadarius Toney at every offensive skill position.

It's a certainty that he'll take a few direct snaps this season from some sort of "wildcat" type formation. 

But he was recruited to college as a QB... so I wonder how you assess the chances that he'll take at least one snap this season from UNDER CENTER?

Bob

For anyone interested in history, pasta or Italians (LOL), here's a great link a friend from Florida just sent me.  Bob

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/pasta-production-pictures-1925-1955/?fbclid=IwAR2YbXWyharQyMMIgN6DwknQ0BFe2E_zyplj5Ze6_ux9mjR5jj9tJoQR9Bs

I tried to get a report that is as readable as possible by us non-scientists.  All life is amazing, but this is right near the top of the list.  Posting it just in case it has escaped your attention.  Bob

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/tiny-worm-comes-back-life-after-24000-years-siberian-deep-freeze-2021-06-09/