Big Blue Huddle

I am stunned and saddened to learn of Tom's passing.
He was very knowledgeable and passionate about his Giants, and although he was generally a laid back dude, he could get pretty fired up on line.
We didn't always agree. But, we could always agree to disagree. I truly miss that sentiment these days.
We tailgated a couple of times back in the old Giants Stadium days. He and his wife were parking lot veterans, who put out a generous before game spread, and a little after game snack, before hitting the road. I loved me some after game snacks.
Back then I was still on Wife 1.0 (before the upgrade). We were all Deadheads. I distinctly remember one of those games took place on a rainy Sunday afternoon. We all huddled together under a big pop-up canopy listening to music from his extensive Grateful Dead collection of concert recordings. Cassettes.
We actually caught up with each other once outside the old Brendan Byrne arena before a Dead show, which was flipping amazing in the days before cell phones were everywhere. Pure, joyous serendipity. And, the sweet fragrance of the green leaf.
Fair thee well, Jack Straw. Settle down easy.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I haven't posted in a dogs age. I just lurk around and read everyone else's posts. But, reading about Jim's passing has inspired me to log on and write.

I used to have season tickets, and faithfully attended the BBH tailgate parties hosted by Ed and Sam. One of the highlights of the season was the one game each year that Jim hauled his old butt down from Maine. I always considered it a special treat to have Jim hold court during those hours spent feasting and talking Giants football. I always felt like this was the real Jim; He was our friend but he would be exactly the same guy no matter where he was, who he was with, whatever the occasion. He was exactly that: Genuine.

I first met Jim in Albany, at a Giants summer camp. Back when they still had two-a-days. I was struck by how old he was. As long as I've known him he was this old dude, recalling players who put on the big blue jerseys way back before I was even aware of football. He was this amazingly charismatic old bull, full of the stories that make up a life. Amazing stories, told very well.

My wife and I took a trip up to Acadia Nation Park about eight years ago to celebrate the centennial of it's founding. We met up with Jim and Marie on our way home, and they were incredibly gracious and welcoming to their friends from Pennsylvania. They were proud Maine folk. Glad to see us enjoying their amazing home state.

If you check out the YouTube video that Ed posted on page 3, of he and Jim clowning around at the tailgate, as Tyrone Powers and Gary Cooper (an homage to their love of classic films), you will see Cyndi and I make a cameo as Olivia deHaviland and Peter Lorre. I remember that silly moment like it was yesterday.

Jim was a devout Catholic. When the end finally came to him, I am absolutely certain his spirit was ready to be welcomed home to the place made for him by the Lord. I simply have no doubt.

I cant believe he's gone.

God bless you Sam.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family now, as they grieve his passing.

pagan43

Quote from: Bye_H8er on December 29, 2015, 05:39:08 PM
Suh is a head case. He can't be trusted.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Damontre Moore is a head case. He could never be trusted and he has a fraction of Suh's impact on the field.

Now he's Suh's teammate...

pagan43

McAdoo produced a banner fantasy football year for Eli.

And, since fantasy success has little to do with winning Lombardi trophies, the Giants lost more games than they won.
I've been arguing this exact point with Tony Romo fans for a decade.

We can fault the Giants defense for collapsing in several game, costing their team a Win.
But I think almost equally that some of those final minute disasters could have been averted if the Big Blue Offense could have managed one stinking first down.

I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water, so McAdoo gets another year of my support.
Maybe with a healthy Cruz and Beckham, consistent production from the tightend, and the emergence of one clear stud running back (Could be Jennings, could be Williams, could be a rookie), this team will win three or four more games.

pagan43

I honestly believe that Coughlin will retire.
If not this season, then certainly next.

He won't need to be told.

And I am fine with him calling his own number.

pagan43

Spags cannot rush the passer.
He needs players who can.
The D-Line suffered because they lacked any rookie production since the drafting of JPP.
This includes the high profile failure of Demantre Moore to develop.
Additionally, the injury of JPP, well after the free agency plums had already been picked prevented the Giants from collecting the kind of talent required.

If they had a crystal ball, perhaps they would have given a greater effort to signing Ndamkin Suh.
I honestly believe that bringing one more top tier pass rusher into the rotation would have won at least 4 more games.
That's how close they really were.

I still feel that they are close.
Three upgrades: Two more impact pass rushers (one by draft and one by free agency), one stud linebacker (by either draft or free agency).
Spags will redeem himself.

pagan43

Ditto for me too Ed. I especially wanted to make this year's Albany BBQ, because I honestly believe it could be the last time the G_Men trip to the Capital District for summer camp.

Cyndi and I have such a great time each summer. But, this year events conspired against us joining what looked like another great time.

Thanks for sharing you great pics. It was nice seeing the old familiar faces, and the new ones too (I know what you look like now todge... (kidding)).

pagan43

A

As many of you already know, I am a PSL owner, and I do sell a game or two during the season.

Because of the lockout and the uncertainty of the season, the wife and I have refrained from making plans to attend anything Giants related until now. It was just to frustrating, and I was too quickly aggravated by the concepts of billionaires and millionaires squabbling.

So, right now I'm not even sure of what games we will be attending to know what games may be for sale.

Please be advised that if I sell tickets to anyone, they will need to be a BBH contributor with at least 100 post. I must be reasonably sure that I'm not selling my tickets to a re-seller.

pagan43

I wish I could make it, but G-Girl and I have a date with a wet saw for that weekend.

Hoist one for me.

pagan43

Update:

Quote from: pagan43 on August 10, 2010, 10:04:10 PM
Yeah Lenn, that's me under that hat. Back when the beard was black.

The front row is MightyGiants, vette, Gordon's daughter, LennG, Spider69, and those two young men on the end of the front row are the sons of SomersJoe, who I can not find in the photo, so I must assume he is taking it himself.

After careful reexamination, I now believe that the disembodied head hovering over Harry's righ shoulder is actually SomersJoe!!

Standing from left to right are: President Rick, BoogMan, pagan43 and I'm half concealed by Gordon.

Then there are a few faces that are escaping my memory. I believe the man standing to the left of Harry is George, and peeking over the top of his head is Webster29.

Then, of course, there is Harry. Peeking over Harry's left shoulder is Mojo, and half concealed by EddieNYG is RemembersHuff.

I can't remember the name of the fellow looking over his shoulder, but next to him I believe is slg11, and Rocky56 (with the golden locks) is on his other side.

I stand corrected that the man next to EddieNYG is actually nygsem, not slg11 (thanks nygsem!).

Then there is Sam, vette's brother. But I dont remember who he has his arm around, or who is the fellow behind them.

With the help of Lenn (thanks for emailing me the original image) the man under Sam's arm is now identified as Giantfan67. And, after more magnified scrutiny, the man peeking over his shoulder is none other than our resident Ontarian, terrymeisner.

The young lady on the end I believe is RemebersHuff's daughter.

Please chime in if I've made a mistake with anyone, and if any one remembers the names of the mystery men.

pagan43

Keep chiming in everybody. We should be able to identify everyone, eventually.

Sorry squibby, but the only virgin there was grizz's dog, and nobody brought a volcano.

There was a pagan ritual that took place much earlier, before you and JoAnne arrived, and I was meaning to ask you; How did you like the pasta salad?

pagan43




(your soul is mine now  )

Yeah Lenn, that's me under that hat. Back when the beard was black.

The front row is MightyGiants, vette, Gordon's daughter, LennG, Spider69, and those two young men on the end of the front row are the sons of SomersJoe, who I can not find in the photo, so I must assume he is taking it himself.

Standing from left to right are: President Rick, BoogMan, pagan43 and I'm half concealed by Gordon.

Then there are a few faces that are escaping my memory. I believe the man standing to the left of Harry is George, and peeking over the top of his head is Webster29.

Then, of course, there is Harry. Peeking over Harry's left shoulder is Mojo, and half concealed by EddieNYG is RemembersHuff.

I can't remember the name of the fellow looking over his shoulder, but next to him I believe is slg11, and Rocky56 (with the golden locks) is on his other side.

Then there is Sam, vette's brother. But I dont remember who he has his arm around, or who is the fellow behind them.

The young lady on the end I believe is RemebersHuff's daughter.

Please chime in if I've made a mistake with anyone, and if any one remembers the names of the mystery men.

pagan43

To all who attended this year's BBQ, a Big Blue Thank You!

The only thing I regret was not taking a group photo, something that we almost always did in the past.

I think that we waited for Ralph to arrive, in order to take a photo with him in our group. But we waited too long, and before we knew it, the opportunity had passed, as some BBH'rs began to trickle out, even as a few late arrivals showed up.

By the time I was aware of the oversite, too many of us had already left.

Thanks for the link squibber. While I enjoyed the Barnsider, and they have never dissapointed us, I would definately like to get some discussion going next year about the options available to us in the SUNY vicinity, including the Japanese restaurant that a group of BBHrs visited on Saturdaynight (sorry I missed that).

murderhill - I do believe that I handed you the very first cheesburger of the BBQ. And, it's was an honor for me as well. I'd like to suggest that we repeat the ceremonial handoff of the first cheesburger next year, at the BBH BBQ. Perhaps you can bring Mrs.Hill with you.

pagan43