upon further review

Reviewed the film from first preseason game.

Why is Bradshaw returning punts? So that we can have some assassin who wants a notch on his belt ruin this guy's season (or worse, career)? What is going on here? Is he buried in the depth chart so badly that while he is #3 they are going to use him this way? That is the only logical thing I can make of it, and even that is not logical because he is (imo) the Giants' best RB.

Yes, everyone chimed in about the excellent play of Phillips in his first appearance as a Giant... this is EXACTLY what you want to see. He was shot out of a cannon. I think it was Craig who said he was "everywhere." Amen. Unless there is some kind of unforeseen dropoff or some other rookie transgression, Phillips will be our starting safety on week 1. This is clearly all you needed to know about the first preseason game... Kenny Phillips is going to give the Giants defense the lift it needs.

Those Detroit QB rollouts had the Giants defense off balance. This is just a tangent on the screen pass, a method for keeping the strong pass rush of the Giants off balance. Not worried too much, Spags will have it ironed out.

Ward is still a weak pass catcher out of the backfield.

I saw #53, and was wondering why Carson's # was not retired yet. Then I KEPT seeing #53. It was Kehl. Good sign so far for the rookie.

Players of note, Chad signs with Bill, and more Plax

Shocking... Pennington signs with the Dolphins. Well, thank goodness the Giants couldn't be their own worst enemy here. I hope and trust that they really did not have that much interest, and thus lost once the price starting going up beyond ZERO. Stop getting distracted and spend your money on Burress already. All Burress does is win games for you. The Redskin game (W3) where he turns a simple pass into the flat to win the game? The Jets game where he essentially does the same exact same thing? Carr or Wright can throw that pass just as well as Pennington or Manning, and let Burress do the rest. And if he did not sprain his mcl 6 days before the Super Bowl he may have won us the game (more) easily. All he did in that game was catch the winning TD after a typically smooth juke, all on one leg. The Giants are concerned about his injuries... simply incentivize the contract for games played. Besides, he is better on one leg than most are on two. And he was healthy in 2005 and 2006, starting 15 of 16 games in each season. He has started 46 of 48games for the Giants, so how can you complain? That he is injured? Well, then all he does is play hurt, which is... what they ask the man to do! Let's go already.

After one game of preseason, some players who were singled out for good play: Moss, London, Carr, Wright, Phillips, Blackburn.

Coughlin on Phillips: “He had a very productive game,” Coughlin said. “You see the performance and you obviously go ahead and visualize his further development and how he can help you as the season goes on.”

Eli

Eli Manning on Jet Favre: "It's good that he will be in New Jersey. Maybe I can catch a ride to Mississippi with him on his private plane in the offseason."

Detroit Whatever Giants Whatver and less

Thanks all for the color. Not good, GREAT to hear that Phillips has game. Every team is improving every year, and we know our second year guys will get better etc.. but to get a rookie like Phillips to hit the ground (and players) running is VERY good confirmation of early camp reports of his range. This item alone can tighten up a defense and make it and the team competitive enough to be in there at the end of the season.

Marvelous: "Eli was putrid and minus two top WR. He threw six passes.. 2 to Jacobs (???) and NONE to Boss. He pussied to an open Jacobs with a flutter pass? Bradshaw was AGAIN wasted."

So I gather that Old Eli returned for a cameo preseason appearance. Let's hope that this is not anything significant. I admit I am slightly spoiled from the playoffs. I also swore that I would behave, having given Eli a free pass for life. I'll behave. For at least a few regular season games. It is worth mentioning that the dump off passes to RBs were never a strong point of Eli. I remember a play vs TB in last year's playoffs where Bradshaw was WIDE open in the flat, and Eli threw a ball toward him but the ball hit the ground.. I wish I could say it was thrown to his feet, but that would have been a compliment to the throw. Needless to say Bradshaw would still be running today on that play if he gets that ball. Eli talks correctly about improving his game, and this is one area that certainly stands out.

Vacchiano passes along that the gmen are interested in Pennington. I would prefer not. Pennington is a dome QB, because after all of those surgeries he has a glass arm (Aaron Ross INTs, remember?!) and the Meadowlands is NOT the place for him. So I will go on record as being against bringing him in. I really like the smarts of Pennington but unfortunately when we will need his arm to be strongest (winter, wind, playoffs when Eli goes down) he will not be able to deliver. Please pass on him. Consensus from everyone (including Marvelous) was that Wright looked good, so why go after him? Because we have cap room? If we have cap room, GET Burress signed. Fwiw, word is that the Dolphins have made multiple inquiries to Pennington's agent after Pennington was cut, so I would have to think that Pennington is going to want to play for a team that gives him a (reasonable shot at a) starting job, instead of a gmen stone cold clipboard role.

New York Giants vs. Detroit Lions Preseason Game 1

As luck would have it, right now I am traveling and unable to pick up the game. Please feel free to post COLOR on the game. Anything on the margin is appreciated. I am taping the game but won't see be able to see it until Sunday.

New York Jets vs. New York Giants in the Super Bowl?

Ultimatenyg blog is not full of insane predictions or 'pie in the sky' dreams. What we are saying here is that it is not unrealistic to think that either of these two teams should be "live" for competing strongly for a Super Bowl appearance in the next two years. Sure, the Giants need Burress to get "healthy." The Jets need to get over that snake-bit loser mentality. But Favre changes a lot of things. Jenkins and Faneca change a lot of things. BOTH teams have realistic championship aspirations, that is all that needs to be stated here. There are so many variables of luck involved, injuries etc... to make a statement that ANY team in particular is headed to the title. All we can say is that both teams are going to have very respectable shots.

WONDER GUARANTEES 2000 YARDS in FIRST 8 GAMES for Favre as a JET

and Wonder also guarantees 4000 yards for the season assuming late season weather not an issue. Favre is perfect for the Jets, says Wonder. Cotchery and Jenkins to have big years. Keller will benefit as the rookie TE. Jenkins, Rhodes and Revis will go to the Pro Bowl if they can make the playoffs. With Favre, Thomas Jones will have a good year. Duh, Coles will be a very happy WR too. Jenkins all pro guaranteed. Mangold says it takes two guys to handle him. Favre will add tremendously to the team. "D'Brick-a-pussy is now the weakest link on the offensive line." Jets should trade Pennington to Minnesota, KC or Atlanta for ~5th round pick. He can mentor Ryan. Minnesota will win its division if they start Pennington- he does well in domes (lack of wind).

Brett Favre is being traded to the NY Jets

Jay Glazer reports Favre is going to the Meadowlands..as a NY Jet. .. for a conditional draft pick.

Chris Snee, Drew Rosenhaus and Ahmad Bradshaw get some attention at NY Giants training camp

The biggest news is that Snee's MRI revealed there is no serious injury. Coughlin implied that that was probably the case. Snee is the bedrock of the entire line, so given that the line is the pillar of the entire offense, his status was nothing insignificant. He may be a Guard but he makes McKenzie and O'Hara better, not the other way around. No news here was VERY GOOD NEWS.

Other important news is the sighting of the Rosenhaus clan in training camp. DiTrani was great, remarking that "they didn't come all the way to Albany just to enjoy the cuisine." Maybe this Burress logjam can be broken so that certain injuries can heal a little bit faster.

Schwartz did a puff piece on Bradshaw yesterday. Regulars to the Ultimatenyg blog know one thing about where we stand on Bradshaw- Gilbride is out to lunch almost as much on his underutilization of this talent as he was with Shockey. ULTIMATENYG MEGAPHONE WARNING: You'll be hearing the positive rants on Bradshaw early and often. If this means I have to expose Gilbride for being the meathead he is, so be it.

Beat writers for the New York Giants

Tom Rock answers 5 questions about the Gmen. Ultimatenyg follows.

With all due respect, Mr. Rock, you ain't no Neil Best, and you certainly are not Arthur Staple.

Question 1: What is the biggest concern for the Giants heading into this year?

Rock- Strahan's presence off the field.
Ultimatenyg- LINEBACKER. Pierce's wheels keep coming off by the end of the season, Kiwi is making progress but is going to get picked on by Dallas et al, Wilkinson was supposed to be the de facto starter at WL and he is first getting cleared to practice.. and last but not least, with Strahan missing ON the field we no longer have half the field shut down for the run, making LB that much more important.

Question 2: What is the most recent news on Plaxico Burress? Has he practiced yet? Is he injured, or unhappy with his contract?
Rock did fine here. It is always the money, and Rock hit that one.

Question 3: What were the Giants' offseason (gains and) losses?Rock- Strahan and Shockey.
Ultimatenyg- This is where I went nuts. Ever hear of a guy named Gibril Wilson? Shockey was already wasted by Gilbride. At 36, Strahan was not a complete surprise. Not to mention 26 year old Gibril Wilson here was insane... the Giants (rightly so) obsessed about this position, bringing Dahl back in, keeping the slo-mo Butler, bringing in Sammy Knight, drafting Safety with the #1 pick. ALL because Wilson left.

Question 4: What is the team's biggest strength going into the 2008 season?
Rock- WR, and the diversity of their running game.
Ultimatenyg- WR? C'mon. This shows no knowledge of football, because even if you had Jerry Rice and Randy Moss, WR is still NOT a critical part of football. As evidence, the weaker secondary of the Giants took Randy Moss out of the Super Bowl last year. WR is not an impact position, so even if it is a strength, it is not relevant enough to be considered the TEAM'S biggest strength. Plaxico Burress played on one leg, Toomer caught some nice passes, Tyree made a miracle catch, Smith made some big grabs, and STILL WR is not what won the Giants the Super Bowl. This game is won and lost in the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage. So clearly the answer still has to be the defensive line of the NY Giants, because even with the loss of the almighty Strahan, you have Kiwi blitzing like the closet lineman he is, you will have Tuck starting, Osi, Robbins and Tollefson having an allegedly good camp, 2nd and 3rd year interior linemen Alford and Cofield ready to bring it up a notch.

Question 5: What is the best and worst part about covering training camp in Albany? Is this the worst time of year to be an NFL beat writer?
Rock- The best part is not having to cover the Favre angle every day. Covering Free Agency is hard and covering the team after 10 days of camp is hardest because the obvious stories have been written.
Ultimatenyg- The worst part is asking Pierce where the next Giants leader is going to be. The second worst part is having to ask Coughlin about every bleeping bowel movement of Plaxico Burress. The best part is not having to read your own drivel. The worst time of year for a beat writer is anytime you wait 5 hours for an interview that ends up being a no-show.

No offense to Rock, but the Ultimate-nyg favorite beat writers are:
1. Schwartz
2. Garafolo
3. DiTrani
4. Vacchiano
5. Staple (Yankees? Giants?)

They all sell their soul for access, but at least they know what the score is with that jerk Hanlon.

Brett Favre, Aaron Ross and Sanya Richards

1) Yesterday Goodell reinstated Favre. What this means now is that the ball is in the Packers' court. The Packers tried unsuccessfully to buy Favre out by offering him $25M in a lifetime personal services contract; Favre turned it down because Favre wants to play (we can take that for face value... this is where all the oldtimers chimed in about offering their services). So now the Packers have to decide if they pay Favre $13M per year to ride the bench or trade him to someone else. The Vikings are rumored to be the ones most willing to pay up for a trade. What a mess.

Time is against the Packers, unless there is a high profile injury. If (as an example) Eli Manning went down for the season in a preseason game, would the Giants be willing to trade for him? For a one year solution to his injury, absolutely they should. That is how the Packers might play it, simply willing to use the insurance until someone outside of the division is willing to pay up for his services. It is easy to understand why they would not want to move him to Minnesota, but if they get a credible offer from someone in the AFC, the deal will come together quickly. Considering that every year a prominent QB or two gets hurt in a manner that destabilizes the team (because of lack of credible backup), I would not be surprised to see something happen along this path.

2) It would certainly be interesting to watch Aaron Ross race Sanya Richards in the 200 Meters. They should stage it promotionally for charity. Even Ross admits he doesn't know who would win. She will certainly be getting a lot of attention at training camp (and obviously the Olympics).

The Beverly Cowbillies still picked to win the NFC East

From ProFootballTalk

Gotta love Seubert

this excerpt from Newsday:

The first fight of training camp occurred Friday morning, and to no one's surprise, G Rich Seubert was in the middle of it. LB Danny Clark was the other participant in what was more a dance while holding on to each other's face mask than a brawl, though it did end up with Seubert's helmet on the ground. "It's just training camp," Seubert said. "We've been here for a week. Everybody's a little grumpy, everybody's been doing the same stuff and going against the same players." Even Clark was aware of Seubert's reputation for training-camp scuffles. "They say you're not officially a Giant until you fight Richie in practice," Clark said. "It was the first one in camp and it was all fun stuff."

You'll miss him when he's gone...

Those were the words of Bill Parcells when Simms was in the twilight of his career. In the middle of a Parcells news conference, Simms was busy getting nitpicked by the media when Parcells set them straight. The void that leaders who retire, the special ones like Strahan ... are hard to fill. When someone on the opposition runs us ragged left and right, I'll be missing Strahan an awful lot. For now, this humorous Q&A with Serby will have to postpone my Strahan withdrawal. Of particular note is (alert alert, I-told-you-so moment) that Strahan has verified the ultimatenyg stance on Kiwinuka> GET HIM BACK TO LEFT DEFENSIVE END, WHERE HE BELONGS. For more on that, you can read an old post which explicitly argues that same conclusion.

Lately we have been hearing from Coughlin and Marvelous on how Kiwanuka is going to do well at LB. This will be great if it happens. If Kiwi is so talented that he can somehow make an impact at LB the same way we know he can as a lineman, then I think it speaks more to Kiwi's resolve than the Giants' planning. Rule 1 of The Rules for Winning in the NFL states that your #1 pick is dominant, not versatile. I will stand by the view that the Giants are content to move Kiwi to LB so that he can fill a need, not make an impact. This 'puts him on the field' so that he can rush the QB intermittently, a job he should be doing on every down.

Bradshaw the jailbird

More ongoings at camp gmen. Just when you thought the Bradshaw situation was going to resolve itself and fade away peacefully, more details complicating the matter arise. The NFL is reportedly letting the matter go, but with more stuff coming out, this won't be over until... it is over.

NFL.COM on the Eagles' player woes.

NFL.COM visits Giants camp for a slightly different (more macro) perspective.