B.D. Gallof

We knew things were stewing. The ingredients were all there since over the winter. The Giants surprised the world last year, getting to the Super Bowl, and then shocked it again in actually winning it. And some wondered, would all this go to their heads? Some wondered if it was all too good. And everyone knew that something was going to come around the bend. Some rotten stuff was thrown into this years soup, and already it is coming to a boil.

I alluded to it over draft time, as the Giant’s chose to hold onto the maligned and discontent TE, Jeremy Shockey. The trade that was rumored with New Orleans fell through. The result is he has come to camp obviously with several chips on his shoulder, playing off the press, doing what he does better than play football.

But Shockey won’t be outdone by someone else’s ego barely in check, Plaxico Burress, who used yesterday’s practice to contradict the NY Giant brass to why he was out. He wasn’t out with an injury or with a sore ankle. He is sitting because he wants his contract renegotiated. He dropped this bomb during the press conference between practices, sending the Giant camp into a tizzy, and taking the attention away from Shockey. Something I am sure will irk the volatile TE even further.

Burress statement directly smashed into Coach, Tom Coughlin’s earlier statement that day: “He just has a sore knee so he has been held out.”

Meanwhile, though there has been much made of Shockey, added to by himself with strage comments to the press, he did show up this week. However, he has yet to take the field, driving more onus on his dissatisfaction and unhappiness over last year. That’s right, he’s pissed the Giant’s did well without him and won the Super Bowl. How is that for a teammate? And the Giants did not trade him when they had the chance, and his sad little mug sits in the locker room along with Plaxico. Burress, who is now channeling Cuba Gooding Jr., trying to up-sell himself as a premier receiver, despite besides some good clutch play, has never quite lived up to his own hype. But don’t tell his agent that.

All this drama follows what was a long slow deliberation, and finally the retirement of defensive stalwart, Michael Strahan, who obviously knows when to get out. He’s been thinking about retirement and his 2nd career (which will be on TV, and you will see him a lot, let me assure you), for a few seasons now, and got rewarded by playing one more year and a Super Bowl ring. But now, as the good vibes fade into the din of ego and hurt feelings, he clearly knows when the getting is good. And he got out.

Strahan retires at the young age of 36 after a stellar 15 year career. He is 5th on the all-time sack leader chart. He holds a franchise record of 141.5 sacks, ahead of Lawrence Taylor.

His retirement clearly didn’t take the Giant’s by surprise. They had added players via free agency to steel themselves to this reality. However, steeling themselves for yesterday’s media fiasco, well, that is another story. And now, only a day later with so much already aired, they have their work cut out for them to finally address issues head-on, otherwise, Eli Manning will be heading a circus.

It makes one wonder if keeping Shockey was such a good idea. Now the Giants do not have one drama queen raising his hand, but two in tow. And besides adjusting to those changes and working on how to build on last year’s rise, they now have to put out fires and try refocus.

Not a good way to start a camp.

- BD

B.D. Gallof

I am much happier with their 3rd round pick then their lackluster 2nd round pick. Terrell Thomas is a CB that most wonder if he can actually cut it at a CB in the NFL. He is noted that he is versatile, thus can be reassigned at Safety. But, at the 2nd round, is this the place to pick a “might”?

I think not.

Meanwhile, Dan Connor, ILB for Penn State, was left for the 3rd round over Thomas. Carolina, who has had a great draft, got Connor, who most felt would go in the 1st round, as the 9th pick of the 3rd round.

I think the Jints made a mistake here.

Meanwhile, near the back-end of the 3rd round, they picked up what might be a WR gem in the rough in Mario Manningham. Mario has some character issues, as well as injury questionmarks, but is considered a playmaking WR who might need to add some size and weight. I think they got someone who might turn into a key WR down the line. Especially when the Giants have not been terribly deep at WR, despite some expectations on receivers in the past.

B.D. Gallof

Giant’s let  Dan Connor, of the Penn State go, at ILB, feeling safety was more important.

Giant’s have been high on Phillips for a while, despite rumors of ILB on their radar like Mayo and Connor.

And I get at least one pick right!

Now, trade in 2nd coming? Might be, but either way, expect an ILB picked up in the 2nd round.

In the 2nd round, as New Orleans have the pick, the Giants were on the phone. Would a deal go down?

No. Saint’s make a pick. The Giant’s do not blink.