Some rants and some Giants talk.
1) Anyone who plays for ONE team in the NFL for 10 years or more deserves a modicum of recognition from the franchise they played for. If that franchise does not understand that, then there is something wrong. No, their jersey need not necessarily be retired, but to play for one organization and to play that long in the NFL is noteworthy. The way Toomer has apparently been cast off is inappropriate, to say the least. Does he deserve to have his # retired? Some here could make that argument. I will not. He wants to play more and the Giants no longer want his services, but he can still be recognized for representing the franchise in a tremendous way over the years. Every year in the NFL is like 2.5 years in any other industry. Toomer is not deserving of a ticker-tape parade, but he certainly was a big reason why the Giants got furnished one.
2) Favre already got his retirement press conference. What is this, his third retirement?! Only one allowed.
3) The Jets did exactly what they should have done in giving Favre a shot. It did not work out. You make that bet. You take that chance. At least you are trying. And anyone who wants to be a Monday morning QB and criticize the Jets for wasting a season does not know what they are talking about, because they obviously were not there/watching the game in Foxboro on Thursday Nov 13 when this man lifted the team to the biggest win for the franchise in many years and made everyone believers. He played hurt at the end and cost the team. But at least that guy is a warrior. Sour grapes from Jones et al? Perhaps. It is time for Ratliff to be given the keys. There is a foundation.. enough talent on that team to go for a title. Rex Ryan is going to put them in a position to win. 2008 was not a bad year for the Jets. And the fact that they got rid of Mr. Prevent-gini was a step in the right direction.
4) I am reminded that Reese likes to plug up needs before the draft by getting cheaper veterans like Mitchell (LB), Clark (LB) and Knight (S) to protect his flank in case the draft presents him with different solutions. It is a reasonable methodology to have body count there to promote necessary competition at positions lacking a minimum of talent. So look for Reese to do this again and get a linebacker or two in March. We have not seen Reese open up his wallet in free agency YET, so you have to assume (until proven otherwise) he will be behaving the same way again. Walmart, not Neimans. Reese is a scout. My read on him is that he always believes his organization can draft the talent. You have to assume he is not opening the wallet, so he better draft HIGH TWICE this year on LB.
5) Shocking! Not. Burress, Johnson and Boldin can be moved, says agent Drew Rosenhaus. If the Giants could somehow get a #2 (unlikely, given the 'holes' in that trade), where do I browning sign!! At this point if the Giants get ANYTHING for Burress, it would merely be so that the suitor could fend off others before he goes on waivers. Beggars can't be choosers, so take what you can get. Realistically, who would want to take on Burress's contract NOW? And have to deal with impending uncertainty of what will stand monetarily on the morals clause? Or the legal system? If I am any of the other 31 teams, there is very little getting me moved. Wait until the contract issues get sorted out before taking that over. This situation is not that much better than Pacman Jones or Michael Vick.
The Giants administration simply does not want or need unpredictability in its midst. We want things that are predictable, like the underachievement of Gilbrown, damnit!
Separately, the angered posturing of the Giants against Rosenhaus is predictable. Rosenhaus is a dirtbag, always has and always will be. He works hard for his clients and seems to cross the line regularly. Effectively he 'outed' his client/s. TFB. He is 'calling the question' on these organizations, making them admit that they will be parting ways unless something dramatic changes. He'd rather get that done NOW than after the free agent money has already been spent.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Soap Box
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4 comments:
Sad to see Toomer cast aside. After all, he's only the third star wide receiver the Giants have had in the last 50 years (Del Shofner and Homer Jones are the others).
Favre's retirements remind me of those of another aging gunner, Roger Clemens -- only without the steroids. I still wonder what became of that Hummer the Yankees gave Clemens during his first retirement ceremony.
I remember it this way. A player important to the Giants leaves. He plays somewhere else for a while. At the end of his career he comes back to the Giants. He signs for one day and then he retires. If my memory serves me correctly Bart Oates and Jim Burt did this. I think there are other players where this route was taken but I can't remember who they are.
Now the Giants might be in the wait and see category. Waiting to see if Amani gets to play for another team. Near the end of the season he wasn't creating separation from defenders. Is that all attributable to Plaxico missing? Did he suddenly lose an essential step after the Washington game which included that marveous touchdown to start the game? We shall see this coming season.
I'm sorry to see him go. He is a professional all the way.
I short circuited myself.
To finish the thought: the Giants could be waiting to see if Amani sticks with another team. They want to honor him when he finishes playing not when he finishes playing for them.
For those who are still have hopes of landing Boldin.....for getta about it:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11370864
Aside from all thr rumors and sepculaion about what he can be traded for (1st and 3rd rnder) he is not worth the $$. He has handled this all very poorly and last thing we need is another prima donna receiver. If he performs at or above expectations what makes you think he won't start barking about his contract again in 2 years?
Spend you money on Defense. Trade up if you have to for an impact LB. Agree with Andy, based on Reese's track record expect a Channing Crowder or lower end talent LB for less money in free agency pick up. Although, I hope they can find a decent D tackle to protect the, soon to be, newly drafted LBs in run coverage.
Pat Hanlon did a lousy job PR wise with Toomer. I think Wellington would have gone out of his way to accomodate Toomer or at least publcly praise what he has meant to the organization.
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