Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: Hadron on November 08, 2023, 06:38:57 PMI'm going to be at that game. lol

My wife and I planned this game out a while back and we're taking the kid to her first NFL game.

Try to emphasize the "NFL Experience" for your kid more than the parochial support of the Giants because the former, in and of itself, is a lot to take in for a youngster.

When I took the family to the Cardinals game in Glendale, AZ, my nine year old daughter was wowed with State Farm Stadium and walking down the stairs into the huge arena where the energy just hits you that you almost have to hold onto the banister or risk falling down.

In your case, there should be a lot of kids' activities outside the stadium so go early and enjoy the experience and let us know how your kid liked it. My daughter was blown away by it. Then, again, she witnessed the one exciting game of the season where the Giants woke from the dead and came back to win in the second half.

Enjoy!

Peace!

5-0 Rangers late in the second period. PLEASE, Detroit, DON'T switch goalies!!!

Peace!

Quote from: MightyGiants on November 07, 2023, 07:33:38 AMhttps://x.com/JayGlazer/status/1721217664390140012?s=20

"He brought up the old Giants team that beat the (Patriots), Josh McDaniels' team, in the Super Bowl in the 2007 season," Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported. "He said, 'no matter who we played, we thought we could beat them. We had a game plan where we could beat them. We had to believe that and that's not here. We have to believe that at the Raiders, we can beat anybody.' He finishes up that speech, everyone thinks they're great except for Josh McDaniels.

"Josh McDaniels then goes over to him and says, 'don't ever talk about the Patriots like that.' And then you really saw how divided that building got. That got up to Mark Davis and I think Mark Davis looked at it and went, 'OK, I'm gonna choose the guy who believes that we can win every single week.'"

If this played out as written, and it sounds genuine based on the personalities at hand, then all I can say is I'm ecstatic for and proud of AP for this weekend's result. As for McDaniels, it couldn't have happened to a better man.

My only concern for Pierce is that he be careful with the emotional part and not become another Mike Singletary (i.e. 49ers head coach) whose lack of head coaching experience, laced with the passion and ferocity which made him a Hall of Fame inductee, caused him to fight with his own players until he ended up losing his entire team. But it was hard to see AP on the Raiders' sideline because he should really be on the Giants' instead.

Peace!

Quote from: MightyGiants on November 03, 2023, 09:44:06 AMIn his latest podcast, Mike addressed team building.   A few points he made:

If he was a GM now, he would focus on first finding a QB.   After that, he would pour resources into building the O-line and the D-line.   The rest of the team he would build out with what is left

He also shared a pearl of wisdom from Bill Walsh.   It's that you don't add an elite WR to your team until it's nearly done, in terms of building out.

I find that last statement quite interesting because there is some debate that Walsh didn't need have to have a Jerry Rice to "build out" in order to win in 1981 or 1984. He inherited an already solid, respected and competent receiver in Freddie Solomon who was a quiet but effective receiver for the 49ers dating back to their dark era (NOTE: Miami actually drafted him in 1975). Walsh, the "Genius," knew the kind of receiver he was looking for. When scouting quarterbacks prior to the 1979 draft, Walsh worked his way to Clemson to look at Steve Fuller and ended up more impressed with the receiver who was catching his passes - Dwight Clark. So, in round 10 of the '79 draft, Walsh selects Clark and the 49ers have their two key receivers who will be instrumental in Walsh's offensive scheme as the 49ers rose from the ashes to become Super Bowl Champions in 1981 and 1984. No "elite" receiver required.

But even after Jerry Rice and John Taylor took over for Clark and Solomon, it still took a few years for these "elite" receivers to kick their game into high gear. But, by then, Walsh was retooling his team to be able to contend with the NFC bullies who kicked around the "West Coast Offense" team in the mid-1980s.

So, Lombardi might want to go back and check his notes, or read Walsh's book Finding the Winning Edge to make sure he fully understands what Walsh was all about in building his Camelot.

Peace!

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on November 05, 2023, 10:01:59 AMI have heard many coaches talk about the purpose of pulling goalies. It's not always because they think the bad situation the team is in is the goalie's fault. Many times it's not, or not completely. A lot of times it's just about shaking things up. It also sends a message to the whole rest of the team. It makes them feel responsible for having cost their goalie the right to continue playing. For any team-first guy that's going to weigh on you and can be a wake-up call.

Like every single Rangers fan I felt good when they were up 3-0 in the first period, but I had a feeling the Wild would not just roll over. I didn't think they'd come all the way back to win, but no way in hell I thought they'd just lie down for us the rest of the game. Especially in front of their fans. People are prideful about hockey there. It's like football in Texas.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head about hockey in Minnesota.

Can't argue with your take on pulling the goalie to shame the team either. Saturday night was the best turnaround I've seen from pulling a goaltender in a long while.

Of greater concern, are the Rangers starting to lose a little steam? They have the extra day before tomorrow's matchup with Detroit, but will that be enough for them?

Peace!

Quote from: PSUBeirut on November 06, 2023, 01:58:09 PMGreat question. 

I wish DJ nothing but the best and appreciate all the work and dedication he's put in for this franchise.  Sadly, it seems his story will end on a sour note.  That's just how things shake out sometimes.

Indeed, it does. Sometimes, timing is all it takes. Ask Jeff Hostetler in 1990 when he was ready to quit. Ask Kurt Warner in 1999 when he was one week of player cuts away from bagging groceries again. It hasn't happened for our Danny Dimes, but through no fault of his own.

No matter his fate, going forward, the man has worn the Giant colors with dignity, class and in a manner that commands the respect he deserves as "Once a Giant, Always a Giant."

Peace!

Quote from: MightyGiants on November 06, 2023, 09:08:23 AMOne other note, this injury occurred on an outstanding grass field.

I saw what you did there, @MightyGiants 

The whole situation is a damned shame for a guy, judge him if you must, wants to go out and be a leader of this team and, now, a knee does him in.

It's almost like watching Phil Simms early in his career all over again.

Peace!

Rejoice, my respected elders, if you read this short note today. For you have survived any ill effect from the Giants going bankrupt in Vegas.

Perhaps we should remind the men in charge of a simple Kenny Rogers' tune:

Know when to hold em
Know when to fold em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run

Perhaps sending John Mara a reminder to bring his running shoes next time would save many of us the headache.

But let the youngsters bear that pain on your behalf. You deserve the very best that life has to offer.

In closing, use that heart of yours on your beautiful families you have been blessed abundantly with. For that is your primary mission going forward.

Peace!

Quote from: Messiah717 on November 06, 2023, 07:40:21 AMHe will be back for a third season but there will need to be major improvements.  Yes, the Giants are a mess but you just scored six points against the Raiders.  The team look completely unprepared and less than motivated.  The yelling act on the sideline doesn't do anything for me.

We're they unprepared and unmotivated? Maybe. But was the other team jacked up because their interim head coach has an emotional connection to the Giants and wanted to show them something yesterday for, perhaps, not considering him for a coaching position?

Just thinking out loud.

Peace!

Quote from: Philosophers on November 03, 2023, 12:55:28 AMReally interesting post to generate discussion.  I think that idea goes against the rugged individualist mindset that runs in this country and especially in the so-called manly sports that it is up to you to fix the problem without getting help from others. 

Going against what is an American cultural mindset to be the very best we can be. Excellent response!

I happen to be a member of an AFL board for my Collingwood Magpies Football Club, who won the league Premiership this past season, and we discuss the two football codes. I am taken back by how much each nation's culture plays a part into the sport as an element of pride.

Keep in mind I've played Aussie Rules in an established league, here in the United States, where more than half the team was Aussie expats. In addition, as some of us have the NFL Sunday Ticket, so to do I have the "Watch AFL" equivalent for international viewers. So, for me, the cultural identity lines, over the years, have been blurred considerably.

On this particular subject, most Aussies agree this is an unnecessary rule.

Thanks for your feedback.

Peace!

The Wild were sleepwalking in that first period and their starting goalie must have had a hangover because, from the moment he left, the Wild's play actually for their team name.

What is it about sending starting goalies to the bench that turns opponents' motors on. We saw it last year against Nashville, didn't we see it against New Jersey in the playoffs and last night.

But I agree. Escaping with a point was huge and Quick was magnificent to keep it at 4-4 in regulation. A long road trip, one home game and back on the road again and I think rubber legs were setting in, especially at the end of regulation.

Detroit on Tuesday up next.

Peace!

Wow-wee! Minnesota homecoming for a few Rangers' players and our boys look right at home putting three in the net in the span of 3:40 in the first period. Minnesota pulls its goalie and its 3-0 Rangers 10 minutes in.

Hopefully more to come.

Peace!

Quote from: Section 101 Steve on November 03, 2023, 05:31:20 PMVery costly win for the rangers last night. Fox goes to LTIR with what is rumored to be a sprained MCL. I understand he has to miss at least 10 games. Chytil to IR with what is rumored to be a concussion which would be very bad news for him as it would be his 4th or 5th concussion in the last 2 years and if so will be gone for a long while. And last but not least Domingue brought up from the minors as Igor banged up and looks like quick may be the goalie for a little bit. Next time we play the canes AHO should call in sick as he will be a DEAD MAN!

It was a bit surprising that all the high sticks were not called and, further, the Rangers not going after him for it. In fact, I was even more surprised Sam and Joe weren't calling it out and making a stink out of it.

But, the season is young and we'll see if the Rangers file this one away for another day. I'd love nothing more than to see Brind A'mor's goons get their back ends handed to them the last time these teams played in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Peace!

And in other important news, Mr. Bidwell is a victim of spousal physical abuse.

Really?

You betcha!

Can't make this stuff up! See for yourself:

Ex-Arizona Cardinals Exec Left Bloodied After Wife Allegedly Turned Violent Over Carpet Installation

If the drama isn't taking place on the field, it's down the road on Paradise Lane. Thank goodness it's the part of Paradise Lane near Scottsdale.

Peace!

Unfortunately, the issue with referees making mistakes is not limited to the NFL in spite of officials collaborating, speaking to an NFL official in a box high atop the stadium or even taking a look at a replay.

Bear with me as I reference the Australian Football League (AFL) once again, but a team ended up missing the post-season because the goal umpire botched a ruling on a goal (six points) that he claimed was a behind (one point) because he "thought" he had heard the ball hit the goalpost (NOTE: in Aussie Rules, a goal is scored when the ball is kicked between the two taller, inner posts without it being touched by another player or hitting either of the goalposts). What threw everyone up in arms is that he didn't have to make that call. He had the option of requesting a scoring review from the video officials, similar to the officials who review challenges, touchdowns and turnovers in the NFL. In this peculiar instant, he did not. The behind ruling was a mistake and so egregious that it cost the team who scored a place in the AFL Finals. The AFL ended up standing down that goal umpire for the remainder of the season and it was so bad for this individual that the Adelaide players pleaded with their fanbase to stop because nothing was going to come from their continuing to press the league and this goal umpire over that mistake.

It's a Human Mistake

To the players' credit, they took accountability for their own play, during the game in which they had a comfortable lead, until Sydney came back to capture the lead in the dying minutes of the game, and stated that they should never have been in that position in the first place to even allow the controversial call to come into play.

Sounds reminiscent of the 2002 Giants after losing their Wild Card game to the 49ers, 39-38.

Peace!