Snowstorm during Super Bowl week hits New York

I've long campaigned that playing the Super Bowl only in domed or warm weather climates detracts from the character of the greatest show on earth.

Think of some of the more iconic moments in the NFL over the years, and some of the greatest images come from games where the elements have come into play. From the great Bears-Packers rivalry that regularly features games below freezing, the AFC championship game between Indianapolis and New England in 2003 in the snow, and the now infamous 'tuck rule' game between the Patriots and Oakland in 2002. Hey, even Santa getting pelted with snowballs in Philadelphia - it was all part of the game, and when you watch a retrospective on any of these moments, the weather simply adds to the memories.

The NFL insists that to host a superbowl, the city must have an average temperature of 50 degrees or more - or else be played in a dome. Whilst I don't have a problem with common sense being applied, it seems a shame that so many stadiums are automatically disqualified from selection on the grounds of their location. Ok, so playing in Lambeau or Soldier Field may be a stretch in February. We all know that secretly even the Packers and Bears players would rather be in a warmer climate, but it annoys me that other cities with more moderate weather are also excluded from the list.

The most obvious example would be Kansas City, who were forced to withdraw their bid to host the Super Bowl in 2015 because Arrowhead does not have a roof, and Jackson County narrowly denied the Chiefs funding to build one in time. The temperature in Missouri at this time of year is not particularly helpful to the cause, but should that prohibit a team from hosting the game? In my view, no.

New York (or New Jersey if we are going to be pedantic) is the next city to try it's luck at a Superbowl, with the new Giants/Jets stadium widely expected to bid for the big game in 2014 or 2015. There has been a massive investment in new stadia in the league in recent years, and the idea of Jerry Jones showcasing his new stadium in Dallas whilst the home of the Giants and Jets goes without is not something that sits well with those who have funded the plan.

Unfortunately, with no roof in place, the stadium faces an uphill struggle to convince the league that it is capable of hosting a superbowl with no disruption from inclement weather in the area. The problem is not just on the field, but the logistical issues that could arise in the event of a freak snowstorm on the east coast.

One such as hit yesterday, and is expected to hit New York today?

The timing could not be worse, coming as it does at the crucial point where the majority of fans will be arriving in the host city for the weekend. Of course, in my view, some snow should not detract from the bid, but an epic storm of this scale cannot help but place another element of doubt in the owners' minds that their biggest showcase event could become a farce - or even worse, be postponed - if New York hosts the game. Even the smallest amount of chance will likely count heavily against northern stadiums, so unfortunately, I don't envisage any situation where the league allows a cold weather city to host the game outdoors in the near future.

Not unless there's an awful lot of money changing hands somewhere...

Shockey in 'not popular' shocker.

Let's just get one thing straight before I say anything: Jeremy Shockey is a good NFL Tight End - amongst the best, in fact. Widely considered amongst the top five players at his position, he has both the physicality and the mental toughness associated with an elite weapon in the league, as well as a rapport with fans that most players would consider enviable.

Indeed, so highly is he thought of, that he was rated as the toughest player at his position to bring down in the open field by his fellow professionals last month - which is a worthwhile statistic, if only for the memories of those who can still remember when he was effective. Harsh? Perhaps, but it's worth considering that Shockey's 'pro-bowl' performances never quite correlated with his team's success.

Indeed, despite his production and obvious talent, Shockey has always been a focal point for locker room unrest throughout his career. His pouting on the sidelines is reminiscent of T.O at his very worst, and I needn't detail how much better off the Giants were without him last year, because we all saw for ourselves didn't we? Indeed, two such 'playmakers' - in Shockey and Tiki Barber - were pointed to as a case of addition by subtraction. Removing the two most vocal leaders from the huddle allowed Eli Manning to assume his role as a leader after four years being told how to do his job by those around him.

But I digress, this is not an Eli Manning shaped glory hole.

In the last two weeks, Saints QB Drew Brees has publicly berated his Tight End on the sidelines during a game, and coach Sean Payton has apparently 'read Shockey the riot act' Whatever that means. Whether it involved coach actually reading the 1715 Riot act passed because of the Peterloo massacre, I suppose we'll never know, but of this we can be sure: It probably wasn't positive. At least one source has said that Payton put his own ass on the line to get Shockey to the Saints, and his underwhelming play - combined with bitching and sniping at the organisation - has left Shockey with a mountain to climb if he wishes to remain a Saint long term.

As if that wasn't enough, I pointed out at the Wembley game between the Chargers and Saints that Billy Miller is effectively the starting TE these days, and even Mark Campbell looks more reliable than Shockey in the red zone. There's no guarantee that Shockey will get enough playing time to justify his presence on next year's roster.

And if it were me in charge? I'd dump him, and here's why:

Shockey is a liability. Take an interview he did with ESPN the magazine in September, in which he explained that joining the Saints made sense to him because 'alcohol is the social lubricant of their society'. Pardon me? Did a professional football player really allude to his own reliance on alcohol? But wait, as if that wasn't enough:

"This is what I wanted when I decided to get traded. I mean no one even messes with you at all when you sit down to have some lunch and a few beers."

Jeremy Shockey - ESPN the magazine, 22nd September 2008

Incredible isn't it? To Shockey, drinking is a badge of honour. He prides himself on being a blue collar player who voices his opinions and then unwinds in the same way that you or I may do after work. Well guess what? You or I don't get paid millions to keep our bodies in peak physical condition, and we're DEFINITELY not supposed to be having 'liquid lunches' during the working day. Does Shockey have a problem? I'm not an expert, but if 'quality of nightlife' is one of your primary factors in deciding your next place of work, you probably do need to ask yourself that question.

Despite that, there is one more telling quote from Shockey that sums up the man. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt when he said this, because he missed out on a shot at the Superbowl, and some players never get two chances. On the other hand, I'll allow you to judge for yourself:

"See, I've never had an injury like this before in my life. Look at the scars. That's where a really smart teammate of mine fell into my leg."

Jeremy Shockey

While it's easy to sympathise with a guy who missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime by pure bad luck, it's less easy to sympathise with someone who can't bring himself to accept that injuries happen on a football field, and that sometimes, there is nobody to blame for them. Can he accept that? Does it seem like he has? I personally would say no, and it's been a pattern throughout his career. Remember when the Giants lost to Seattle in 2006, when the Giants were 'outcoached' according to Shockey? Even with a team he has spent less than six months with, he has already publicly called out the Saints medical team for 'misdiagnosing' his sports hernia injury.

As usual, Jeremy Shockey was not to blame - and that's all that matters to Jeremy Shockey. He may not win a Superbowl, but what is perhaps scarier, is that he may never realise how he is his own worst enemy, and that sooner or later, he needs to look himself in the eye and accept that the NFL is quick to move on from any player who is detrimental to team ethic - even one as talented as him.

Washington torched by Giants, Burress

For those of you who live in a cave, the Giants overcame the Redskins 7-16 last night in New York. Neither team scored in the second half at all, and the Redskins only got on the board with seconds to go in the first half.

Standout performers were Plaxico Burress (10 catches for 133yds), Brandon Jacobs (21 carries, 116yds) and bizarrely, Antwaan Randle El, who finished with 7 catches for 73 yards. As always, this will trigger Randle El's acquisition around fantasy leagues today, but he has a habit of tailing off after big games, so we'll hold judgement for now.

Tonight we'll break down some key fantasy picks for you. We're also still intent on bringing you our 16 player Dynasty league this season so that you can see what goes on in the deeper format of fantasy football.

Anyway, that's later this afternoon, so check back.

Giants ditch Woodson

The New York Giants have cut Andre Woodson, the team's 6th round pick in this year's draft.

Woodson, once projected as a first round pick, slid heavily in the build up to the draft after a poor Senuor Bowl. The Giants took a flyer on Woodson late on, but even after letting the hefty Jared Lorenzen go early in camp, Woodson was always a long shot to make the roster.

The Giants have opted for just two QB's on the roster, with Anthony Wright also cut today. David Carr will back up Eli Manning, which means that the team has two former first-overall picks under centre.

Strahan 'open to return' - Source

According to various reports, in the wake of Osi Umenyiora's season ending injury, the New York Giants will have discussions with retired DE Michael Strahan about a possible return to action.

Does retirement mean nothing to ANYONE anymore?

Anyway, the most obvious question, apart from whether he wants to come back, is has Strahan kept in football shape? If the answer is negative, then with only two weeks until the season starts, he likely doesn't have the time to recover from a serious loss of conditioning.

If the answer is yes, there doesn't seem to be much stopping Strahan from coming back. Unlike Brett Favre, his return would be more than welcome in New York, and if the matter is purely financial, we don't think that the Giants will balk at offering around the $10m mark that would seal the deal.

Bad news for Osi.

The defending Superbowl champions were prepared to lose one Defensive End this season - but news is breaking that the New York Giants may have lost another, at least for the 2008 season.

DE Osi Umenyiora, who had 13 sacks last season, left Saturday's pre-season game against the Jets with a knee injury, and the Star-Ledger is reporting that an MRI has shown that Osi has suffered 'serious ligament damage', and that he is out for the 2008 season.

The loss is a huge blow for a team that was counting on Umenyiora and fellow DE Justin Tuck to fill the void left by Michael Strahan's retirement. The team's pass rushing last season helped to neutralise the poor secondary play that the Giants have become synonymous with.

Without Umenyiora, the Giants could struggle up front, and if they struggle up front, you can bet your money on them struggling everywhere else, too.

2008 Previews: New York Giants

It’s not very often that the Superbowl champions spend much of the preseason avoiding the limelight, but despite coming off one of the great Championship upsets, this is exactly the case for the New York Giants. Big Blue have been overshadowed in the Big Apple by the story of Brett Favre joining the Jets, and yet this is exactly how the Giants want to be. Unassuming, their defensive style kept them under the radar for all of 2007, even though they set an NFL record for consecutive road wins on their way to victory over the Patriots in Arizona.

They enter the 2008 season as a relatively unfancied team in the fiercely competitive NFC East. Many will see this as something of rebuilding season for the Giants having lost some key players, but have no doubt that they will continue to surprise, and will fully expect to still be in action come January.

Tom Coughlin

Rather unbelievably, Coughlin was almost sacked after 2 games of last season. The Giants were 0-2 and playing poorly, and amidst criticism that he was too hard on his players, many felt that a change of direction was needed. The Giants ownership felt differently, giving Coughlin one more chance to prove himself. He changed his ways, adapting his style of dictatorial rule to one where the senior players had more of a say, and the response was phenomenal.

Coughlin has helped mould several young players into established stars with New York, not least Eli Manning, who has constantly improved since his rookie season, and Osi Umenyiora, who was remarkable in 2007 and is now expected to take up the mantle left by the retiring Michael Strahan. Coughlin signed a 4-year, $21m contract extension in the summer, making him one of the highest paid coaches in the league.

Draft Class of 2008

1. Kenny Phillips, Safety, Miami
2. Terrell Thomas, Cornerback, Southern Cal
3. Mario Manningham, Wide Receiver, Michican
4. Bryan Kehl, Linebacker, BYU
5. Jonathan Goff, Linebacker, Vanderbilt
6. Andre Woodson, Quarterback, Kentucky
7. Robert Henderson, Defensive End, Southern Miss

ESPN.com analyst John Clayton called the Giants, “first day losers,” following the draft, but many fans disagree. Kenny Phillips addresses weakness at safety (even if he doesn’t start this season), and was certainly the most NFL-ready safety available in the draft. Thomas provides versatility that could see him move to safety if needed, and Manningham put up impressive stats in college and would likely have gone higher had it not been for a poor combine and a questionable personality.

The general opinion seems to be that the Giants succeeded by taking Phillips, and also taking players who performed well during their time at college, but may have been overlooked due to a disappointing combine. Question marks were raised by the need for a Linebacker not being dealt with until the fourth round, as well as a total neglect for the Offensive Line.

Strong Side

On paper the strongest component in the Giants’ locker will be the Manning-Burress axis that caused so many problems for defences last season, but as ever the press enter the season worrying about whether or not Manning has the ability to make it as a true franchise quarterback, and whether Burress will actually be fully fit for the season. In the wake of that, it will be up to emerging players to deliver once again. Kevin Boss, Mario Manningham, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora will be the names to look out for. Whilst Umenyiora is expected to have another solid season, much will depend on how well Tuck steps into the void left by Michael Strahan on the left hand side of the defensive line. Boss will have the chance to be the number one TE following the departure of Jeremy Shockey, and Manningham will fight it out with David Tyree and Steve Smith for the 3^rd receiver role.

A big key will be the performance of their experienced offensive line in protecting Eli Manning who has shown an ability to panic under pressure in the past, as well as the performance of Antonio Pierce at Linebacker, who will need to build upon a career year in 2007. The fact that the only free agent signing that is currently first string is Sammy Knight speaks volumes of Coach Coughlin’s in his current crop of players, which bodes well.

Weak Side

Without a doubt the weakness of the Giants is their lack of experience in key positions. Whilst they have two receivers in their 30s, no others have real experience in the number 3 role. Plaxico Burress’ fitness is a question mark, and there are doubts over the Giants’ ability to provide a deep threat (they ranked 25^th in the league for 20+ yard completions last season), but this is an issue that clearly did not affect them in 2007 too much. Tight End Boss has played only a handful of NFL games, and there are obvious question marks about how well Justin Tuck will perform replacing Michael Strahan. But this is a team that appear to like adversity, and they showed that losing a potential Hall-of-Famer and team leader doesn’t always mean doom and gloom, following the retirement of Tiki Barber in 2006.

Major Transactions

In

QB David Carr (Car)

DE Renaldo Wynn (NO)

LB Danny Clark (Hou)

S Sammy Knight (Jax)

WR Craphonso Thorpe (Ind)

Out

FB Jim Finn

DT William Joseph (Oak)

LB Kawika Mitchell (Buf)

TE Jeremy Shockey (NO)

DE Michael Strahan (retired)

LB Reggie Torbor (Mia)

S Gibril Wilson (Oak)

DT Manny Wright

Schedule

1 Thu, Sep 4 Washington 7:00 PM Giants Stadium

2 Sun, Sep 14 @ St. Louis 1:00 PM Edward Jones Dome

3 Sun, Sep 21 Cincinnati 1:00 PM Giants Stadium

4 BYE WEEK

5 Sun, Oct 5 Seattle 1:00 PM Giants Stadium

6 Mon, Oct 13 @ Cleveland 8:30 PM Cleveland Browns Stadium

7 Sun, Oct 19 San Francisco 1:00 PM Giants Stadium

8 Sun, Oct 26 @ Pittsburgh 4:15 PM Heinz Field

9 Sun, Nov 2 Dallas 4:15 PM Giants Stadium

10 Sun, Nov 9 @ Philadelphia 8:15 PM Lincoln Financial Field

11 Sun, Nov 16 Baltimore 1:00 PM Giants Stadium

12 Sun, Nov 23 @ Arizona 4:15 PM U of Phoenix Stadium

13 Sun, Nov 30 @ Washington 1:00 PM FedEx Field

14 Sun, Dec 7 Philadelphia 1:00 PM Giants Stadium

15 Sun, Dec 14 @ Dallas 8:15 PM Texas Stadium

16 Sun, Dec 21 Carolina 1:00 PM Giants Stadium

17 Sun, Dec 28 @ Minnesota 1:00 PM Metrodome

Wide-Right’s View

It seems near impossible for the Giants to repeat their successes of 2007, but the lesson learnt from last year is to not write off Tom Coughlin’s team. Their schedule is not particularly kind for 2008, not least because they are in a division with two teams that are expected to challenge for the Superbowl in Dallas and Washington. Even the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to enter 2008 a stronger outfit – making the NFC East arguably the toughest division in the league.

Enough of the core team remains from last season to give Giants’ fans hope for the year ahead, and they are the sort of team that seems to find a way to win from apparently impossible situations, and they will need good fortune to win the division. And they hope to not replicate the fortunes of the last Wild Card Superbowl champions – the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers who went 8-8 and failed to reach the postseason in 2006.

Much will depend on the MVP Eli Manning. This year will mark a turning point in his career as to whether or not he can take the next step to becoming a great quarterback, as opposed to merely a good one who has had some great moments. In that respect there is a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders – but surely no more than comes with being a quarterback in New York anyway. Manning, in fact, could prove to benefit immensely by the arrival of Brett Favre to New York, who may attract more headlines throughout the season and thus keep Manning-mania to a minimum.

Prediction for 2008

The Giants are certainly not the strongest team to defend the Superbowl, but it would be foolish to write them off before the season starts. They will need to continue their prolific road form if they are to have any chance of the play-offs, as well as perform well in their divisional match-ups which could see them go from a 6-10 team to a 10-6 contender again. As long as they hold in the race going into Week 13 (when a run of 3 consecutive divisional match ups, two on the road, takes place) then they should have every hope of playing in January – although it seems safe to say that those 3 games will make or break the season.

Useful Links

Official Website

Depth Chart

Fansite

The Hefty Lefty is unemployed

Jared Lorenzen, the mammoth backup Quarterback of the New York Giants, has been released. The move brings about the end of a sterling career, in which Jared's main (non-eating) achievement was that classic first-down two seasons ago awhen he was brought out on 3rd and 1 instead of Eli Manning against the Eagles. Of course, there's very little way of stopping Jared getting a yard, providing he doesn't collapse under his own weight before the snap.

Like a human bowling ball, 285lb (yeah, right) Lorenzen is affectionately known by about 562 nicknames, but of course, 'The Pilsbury Throwboy' must get an honourable mention.

Despite our mockery, Lorenzen should really catch on somewhere. He's a role model for people everywhere, someone who literally doesn't care at all about their weight and yet still played QB in the NFL, despite being bigger than most of his linemen.

LaDainian joins the BBC's NFL love in.

While Reggie Bush has been in almost every news outlet during the last few days here, LaDainian Tomlinson (You know, the guy who justifies his contract?) has also been interviewed by the BBC's Tim Love

Getting past the usual schtick about looking forward to experiencing the London nightlife, LT does reveal one difference between the Chargers and the two teams who played last year. 'I can tell you now we'll be here from Monday Morning', Tomlinson told Love. Compared to the Giants and Dolphins, who both appeared on the Friday of game week, this perhaps shows one of the lessons learned by the two east coast teams regarding acclimatising to the British weather.

One other factor could be that both teams have road trips that make it simpler to catch a direct flight to London. Certainly for the Chargers (who are in Buffalo) it couldn't be any further from home, so going home to San Diego would be a ridiculous trek. The Saints are in Carolina, and even without any explicit confirmation, we'd expect the team to go straight to London.

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