Valentine's Views on SportsValentine's Views on SportsCommentary on the New York Yankees, New York Giants, NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA, College Sports and more. Lots of opinion and items aimed at making you laugh. Articles
Report: Giants don't have much money to play with
2007-03-17 02:06:00 Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger is reporting that the Giants don't have nearly as much <a href="http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiant s/">space under the salary cap</a> as was originally thought.<p> According to Garafolo, the Giants have only about $5.5 million, some of which has to be saved for rookies.<p> That might explain why the team hasn't been as aggressive as some hoped they would be this off-season. More About: Money , Play , Report , Port , With
Part 8 -- Too much trash in Giants' drafts
2007-03-17 01:55:00 So, what have we learned from our journey through the last few Giant s' drafts?<p> First and foremost when you look at those drafts I think you get a pretty good idea why the Giants have been, largely, a middle of the pack team the past few seasons.<p> The drafts have been mediocre, at best. New York is still paying for wasted first-round picks like Ron Dayne (2000) and William Joseph (2003).<p> When you miss in the first round it hurts you for a long time. Look at Dayne. Seven years later the Giants are still trying to find a quality running back not named Tiki Barber (though Brandon Jacobs just might fill the bill).<p> The other thing is, when is the last time the Giants really hit on a pick in the back end of the draft?<p> I know that you have to get lucky to get a real star out of rounds 5 thru 7. You aren't always going to uncover a Tom Brady in the sixth round or a star wideout like Marquis Colston of New Orleans in the seventh, but yo... More About: Draft , Part , Much , Ants
Stephon Marbury's show needs help
2007-03-16 16:47:00 Stephon Marbury 's new talk show, Stars on Stars on FoxsportsNet, seems to need a little help. Initial numbers show that only 75,000 people tuned in to see last week's debut episode featuring Kobe Bryant.We're very generous here at the View. We believe wholeheartedly in helping the needy, and that is what we intend to do today, but first we have a question.We understand that 75,000 viewers is nothing in TV-land, but don't 75,000 people have anything better to do at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday that watch Stephon Marbury talk to other athletes? C'mon people, find a life!But, if Stephon insists on having a show and you are one of those 75,000 folks who insist on watching, we are here to offer suggestions on ways Stephon can improve the experience. Obviously, nobody cared about Kobe Bryant. Let's go, Steph, you need guests with stuff to say.We think you should start with Anna Benson. She has plenty of time on her hands now that hubby Kris is out for the season with an injury. And, you kn... More About: Show , Need , Step , Stephon Marbury
Part 7 -- The 2006 Draft
2007-03-16 16:25:00 In our continuing look at recent Giants' draft, we have reached last season's selections.<p> It is, of course, too early to tell what types of careers many of these players will have. It is entirely possible, however, that when all is said and done this will turn out to be the best of any of the drafts we have looked at.<p> <b>2006 Draft Selections</b><p> 1 Mathias Kiwanuka DE<br> 2 Sinorice Moss WR<br> 3 Gerris Wilkinson ILB<br> 4 Barry Cofield Jr. DT<br> 4 Guy Whimper T<br> 5 Charlie Peprah S<br> 7 Gerrick McPhearson CB<br> <br> The first five selections in this draft could all eventually turn out to be important players for the Giants. <br><br> Kiwanuka is a pass-rushing defensive end who played much more than anticipated last season and showed that he will be a player for a long time. <b... More About: Part
Duke loses! Duke loses! Duke loses!
2007-03-16 02:48:00 And there is great joy in all the land -- everywhere outside Durham, N.C., that is!Duke has lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to VCU, 79-77. I didn't see the game, and I don't care. Mighty Duke is just another also-ran, sent packing in the first round for the first time since 1996.Duke is dead. That makes today a great day for this University of Maryland alum, especially since the Terps are still playing and the Blue Devils aren't.technorati tags: Duke University, NCAA Basketball Tournament, VCU
Part 6 -- Few choices in 2005 draft
2007-03-15 21:47:00 The Giants paid the price for the Eli Manning tade in the 2005 draft, as they had no No. 1 selection and only four picks overall.<p> The pick the Giants didn't get to make in the 2005 first round turned into Shawne Merriman. Now, there is no guarantee the Giants would have taken Merriman, but I think it's pretty obvious the Giants would have been better off with Merriman and either Philip Rivers or Ben Roethlisberger, than just with Manning.<p> Anyway, here are the choices.<p> <b>2005 Draft Selections</b><p> 2 Corey Webster DB<br> 3 Justin Tuck DE<br> 4 Brandon Jacobs RB<br> 6 Eric Moore DE<p> The only thing that can salvage this draft is if Jacobs becomes the big-time running back he promises he will become with Tiki Barber retired. I think he just might.<p> Webster had a very disappointing 2006 season, though he seems likely to get another shot in 2... More About: Choice , Part , Choi , Choices
Maybe A-Rod just needs his mommy
2007-03-15 15:14:00 Has there ever been a superstar quite like Alex Rodriguez? I don't think I can ever remember an elite athlete who craves affection and reassurance the way A-Rod does.Michael Jordan? No way. Barry Bonds? Ha-ha. Rodriguez is generally regarded as baseball's most talented player, but he's still like a child constantly tugging at his mother's pants leg to feel safe. He is, quite possibly, the most fragile, high-maintenance superstar in sports history.If you've been paying attention you know that Rodriguez went on WFAN with hosts Mike and the Mad Dog a couple of days ago and said, basically, that if he leaves New York after this season it will be the fans' fault.It won't be his choice. It won't be because he wants more money. It won't be because he is simply not comfortable in Derek Jeter's shadow.It will be because THE FANS DON'T LOVE HIM ENOUGH!"Either New York is going to kick me out of New York this year, say, 'I've had enough of this guy, get him the hell out of here,'... More About: Just , Mommy , Maybe , Need
Part 5 -- 2004, The Year of Eli
2007-03-15 03:14:00 <img src="http://www.bigblueview.com/imag es/admin/eli.jpg"> <br><br> The 2004 Draft is simple to look at, really. It's all about Eli. <br><br> This, of course, is the year in which the Giants selected Philip Rivers with the fourth pick and traded him to San Diego for Manning, whom the Chargers had taken with the No. 1 overall pick, <br><br> Below is the entire Giants' 2004 draft. <br><br> <b>2004 Draft Selections</b><p> 1 Philip Rivers QB<br> 2 Chris Snee G<br> 4 Reggie Torbor DE<br> 5 Gibril Wilson DB<br> 6 Jamaar Taylor WR<br> 7 Drew Strojny T<br> 7 Isaac Hilton DE<br>... More About: Part , Year
Are you ready for some March Madness?
2007-03-15 02:36:00 Starting this afternoon you'll likely be watching so much college basketball that it will all blur together and you won't really remember it.But, if you can't wait here is a little montage of highlights from the 2006 tourney to whet your appetite.By the way, I mentioned yesterday that I have Georgetown winning the tournament. My complete Final Four is Georgetown, Ohio State, Florida and UCLA.Other stuffIf you haven't heard Alex Rodriguez' interview with WFAN's Mike & The Mad Dog from a couple of days ago, in which A-Rod more or less said it will be the fans fault if he leaves New York after this season, check it out here.technorati tags: NCAA Basketball Tournament, Marc h Madness , Georgetown More About: Read , Ness
Part 4 -- 2003, Reese's first draft
2007-03-14 23:01:00 The most interesting aspect of the 2003 Giants' draft is that it was the first one new GM Jerry Rees e , then a scout, was placed in charge of.<p> Looking at the results, I hope Reese does a better job this time. I know GM Ernie Accorsi was actually making the selections, but if Reese actually pushed for William Joseph that's a bad sign.<p> <b>2003 Draft Selections</b><p> 1 William Joseph DT<br> 2 Osi Umenyiora DE<br> 3 Visanthe Shiancoe TE<br> 4 Roderick Babers DB<br> 5 David Diehl G<br> 6 Willie Ponder WR<br> 6 Frank Walker DB<br> 6 David Tyree WR<br> 7 Charles Drake DB<br> 7 Wayne Lucier C<br> 7 Kevin Walter WR<p> This was a draft in which the Giants had managed to accummulate 11 selections. They did hit on a couple of players (notably Umenyiora, Diehl and special teams standou... More About: Part , First
Packers take Walker off the scrap-heap
2007-03-14 19:52:00 Ex-Giants cornerback Frank Walk er has signed with the Green Bay Packer s.<p> I guess this is a great example of one man's trash being another man's treasure.<p> Walker does have some talent, maybe even more than Corey Webster. He is, however, unreliable. He takes stupid penalties and blows too many assignments, which is why undrafted Kevin Dockery was getting on the field last season and Walker wasn't.<p> Personally, I thought Walker should have been cut the day after his late hit on Vince Young helped the Titans come back to beat the Giants last season.<p> Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger has more on Walker <a href="http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiant s/">here</a>.<p> Feel free to disagree, but I don't think Walker will ever be a quality player. Obviously, neither did coach Tom Coughlin or GM Jerry Reese.<p> Your thoughts?<p> More About: Take , Crap , Scrap
Part 3 -- Recent Giants' drafts
2007-03-14 12:48:00 <img width="220" align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.bigblueview.com/imag es/admin/jeremy_shockey.jpg" height="190" border>Continuing with our look at Giant s' drafts since 2000, we have arrived at 2002. <br><br> This draft brought the Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, the only bona fide star player the team has drafted this century. That's quite a statement -- the only bonafide star player they have drafted this century. <br><br> Yes, yes, I know they traded for Eli Manning. But it was a trade, and whether he will ever reach full-blown star status is a debate for another day. Osi Umenyiora also has more to prove before I will put him on that level, as well. <br><br> Back to the 2002 draft. After Shockey, this draft brought the Giants a whole lot of nothing. When John Mara talks about needing to get more useful players out of a draft, he can point to this one as a draft fille... More About: Cent , Draft , Recent , Part
Counting down the hours to tip-off
2007-03-14 11:57:00 Not much longer now. Only one more day until the best four days of the year for college basketball junkies.I don't know about you, but I enjoy the first weekend of the tournament more than I do the later rounds. It's wall-to-wall hoops for four days, with teams having little time to prepare for games against teams they are unfamiliar with. It's where you get the incredible upsets, the near-upsets and where someone slides into Cinderella's slipper every March.It's where players and teams you never heard of get their 15 minutes of fame, and where coaches from small schools with dreams of bigger and better things can make or break reputations.Who will win it all? As a University of Maryland alum, it was really hard to do this but I am going with Georgetown. I've liked what I've seen from the Hoyas this year, and everybody else seems to be going with Florida, UCLA and Ohio State. Gotta be a little different.Question for you. Do you fill out one bracket, or are you one of those pe... More About: Down , Count , Hour , Hours , Counting
Bears' Briggs won't get sympathy here
2007-03-13 23:25:00 <table cellpadding="5"><tr>&l t;td><img src="http://bigblueview.com/images/u ser/6/lance_briggs.JPG"></td&g t;<td valign="top">Chicago Bear s linebacker Lance Briggs needs to quit whining. Briggs, as you probably know, is upset that the Bears have used their 'franchise' tag on him and is threatening to sit out the 2007 season unless they trade him. <div class="blockquote">"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me," Briggs told FOXSports.com Monday. "I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again. ... I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted long-term."</div> Personally, I hope the Bears call Briggs' bluff and tell him to go right ahead and sit home.<br><br> Players bitching and moaning about the franchise tag, which the Players Association agreed to and wh... More About: Here , Ears , Path
Part 2 -- Giants' recent drafts (2001)
2007-03-13 13:21:00 <table><tr><td><img src="http://www.bigblueview.com/imag es/user/6/will_peterson.jpg" width="200"></td><t d><img src="http://www.bigblueview.com/imag es/user/6/will_allen.jpg"></td ></tr> <tr><td><b>Will Peterson</b></td><td>&l t;b>Will Allen</b></td></tr>< /table> <br> Moving on in our look at Giant s' drafts since 2000, it is now time to look at 2001 -- which could be known as the draft of the 'Wills.'<p> <b>2001 Draft Selections</b><p> 1 Will Allen CB <br> 3 William Peterson CB <br> 4 Cedric Scott DE<br> 4 Jesse Palmer QB<br> 5 John Markham PK<br> 5 Jonathan Carter WR<br> 7 Ross Kolodziej DE<p> The Giants drafted Will Allen (1st round) and Will Peterson (3rd) hoping they would be the c... More About: Cent , Recent , Part
Looking back at recent Giants' drafts -- Part 1
2007-03-12 20:45:00 I want to switch gears away from free agency a little bit and talk about the draft.<p> Giant s President and CEO John Mara has already challenged new GM Jerry Reese, saying the team needs to get more useful players out of its seven selections, rather than have 3-4 picks either cut, inactive or on the practice squad.<p> With that edict in mind, I thought I would look back over the last several drafts and see how many useful players the Giants got out of each.<p> I will use 2000 as the cutoff. I think it is reasonable to assume that at least a few of the players drafted that year should still be in the league.<p> Without really having studied it, I have always felt like the Giants have done nothing exceptional in the draft in recent years. I think that what we will look at over the next few days confirms that.<p> OK, let's get to it.<p> <b>2000 Draft Selections</b><p> 1 Ron Dayne ... More About: Cent , Back , Recent
Defensive options are narrowing
2007-03-11 15:22:00 Roderick Hood, the former Eagles cornerback whom the Giants had targeted to help their secondary, signed with the Arizona Cardinals yesterday.<p> So, what now? There isn't much else out there in terms of free agent cornerbacks.<p> Maybe this leaves the Giants needing to make a serious run at Indy linebacker Cato June, then drafting a corner to compete with Corey Webster.<p> Your thoughts? More About: Options , Wing , Rowing , Opti
What next for the Giants?
2007-03-10 14:57:00 Now that the Giant s have addressed their running back need, what else would you like to see them do?<p> Personally, I would like to see GM Jerry Reese get some help on the defensive side.<p> What would you like to see? Are there any players still out there who really interest you?<p> Use this as an open thread to discuss or suggest any moves you would like to see. More About: Hat , Next , Ants
Breaking News: Giants deal for Droughns
2007-03-10 03:04:01 CBS Sportsline is reporting that the Giant s have <a href="http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/ story/10050765/rss">traded disappointing wideout Tim Carter to the Browns</a> for running back Reuben Droughns.<p> Droughns had a down season in 2006, but gained more than 1,200 yards in each of the previous two seasons. Carter never lived up to his talent.<p> So, finally a real transaction to talk about.<p> Droughns isn't perfect but I like this move, especially since the Giants didn't give up any draft picks.<p> Ernie Palladino over at the <a href="http://giants.lohudblogs.com/2 007/03/09/at-last-2/">Journal News </a> has some interesting comments on the deal. Your thoughts?<p> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/pl ayers/5110/career"><b>-- Reuben Droughns' Career Stats</b></a> More About: Breaking News , Break , Deal
Knicks blog launches!
2007-03-09 21:03:02 We have Knicks! We have Knicks! Welcome <a href="http://postingandtoasting.com& quot;>Posting and Toasting</a> to the Sports Blog s Nation family!<p> Stop by and check it out. More About: Launch , Nick , Fakta , Doof
Have patience, Giants fans
2007-03-09 09:03:05 Giants fans are getting impatient. They want to see rookie Giants GM Jerry Reese do something besides cut players he doesn't want, watch his free agents go elsewhere and let other teams make headlines by signing all the big-name players.<p> C'mon, Jerry! Get us Dominic Rhodes -- now! Get us a linebacker! Get us a cornerback! Why didn't we sign Leonard Davis? Oh my God, we lost Jay Feely! How are we ever gonna kick another field goal?<p> C'mon, Jerry! Do something, we're dying for a headline out here. We've gotta know that you care. Do you have a pulse, Jerry? We're the New York freakin' Giants! We can't sit on the sidelines and watch. We need more players!<p> All of you Giants fans -- and bloggers -- who are ready to declare a national emergency because the team hasn't made a move in a week need to relax a little bit.<p> Remember, this is the second week in March. No games that count will be played for another six month... More About: Fans , Patience , Giant , Have , Ants
Q&A with Reese is revealing
2007-03-09 03:02:01 Michael Eisen has posted a really interesting Q&A with Giants GM Jerry Rees e over at <a href="http://giants.com/news/eisen/s tory.asp?story_id=24369">Giants.c om</a><p> Here's a little snippet that gives you an idea why the Giants have been quiet since free agency began.<br> <div class="blockquote"><b> Q: Are you excited that the free agency signing period has started?</b><p> Reese: "We are excited about free agency. We have a game plan for free agency. Even though you have a plan going in and you would like everything to go according to your game plan, it doesn't go that way most of the time. So you have to have backup plans and if you don't get the first guy you like, you go to the second guy. If you don't get that, you don't start reaching for people. You might supplement with the draft, with your draft picks. So right now we have a game plan and we are working our way through that.&... More About: With , Ealing
Feely staying or going?
2007-03-09 03:02:01 New York Giants placekicker Jay Feel y wanted to test the free agent market and see if there was any interest in his services.<p> He is finding out there is quite a bit. Feely is drawing lots interest from the Dolphins, Falcons and Chiefs, and is now <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/ football/giants/ny-spgiants075121017mar07 ,0,3272333.story?track=rss">tryin g to decide</a> whether he wants to stay with the Giants or leave.<p> Personally, I think letting Feely get away would be a mistake. Quality kickers are too important, and Feely is definitely one of them.<p> <b>Notes</b><p> <b>Luke Petitgout</b> signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. More About: Stay , Going , Goin
The answer is ... Feely is going
2007-03-09 03:02:01 Mike Garafalo of the <i>Star Ledger</i> is reporting that Jay Feel y will spurn the Giants and sign with a new team Thursday.<p> That would be a blow to the Giants. Feely was 58-for-69 (84.1%) in his two years. Outside of one disastrous game in Seattle he has been a steady, reliable kicker.<p> The Giants may not have wanted to break the bank to keep him, but they can't be happy about having to replace him. More About: Answer , The A , Going , Goin
Patriots have made the biggest splash
2007-03-09 03:02:01 All is still quiet on the free-agent front with the Giants. So, let's look at the team I think has improved the most since free agency began -- the New England Patriot s.<p> It seems the Patriots have finally realized they needed to stop the talent drain they have seen in the past couple of seasons, and add some playmakers.<p> And boy, have they done that!<p> Defensively, they nabbed ex-Raven Adalius Thomas, the best available free agent linebacker and a perfect fit for their 3-4 scheme.<p> Offensively, they have also seemed to realize they need to put more playmakers around quarterback Tom Brady.<p> Corey Dillon is gone, and Laurence Maroney will be the featured back. Maroney showed signs of being a star last season as a rookie. He will be backed up by free-agent acquisition Sammy Morris.<p> The Pats replaced departing tight end Daniel Graham with Kyle Brady, then added a solid receiver/kick returner in Wes Welker via a trade with Miami.<p&... More About: Splash , Made , Have
Cross off Travis Henry
2007-03-09 03:02:01 According to our good friends over at <a href="http://www.musiccitymiracles.c om/">Music City Miracles</a>, which covers the Tennessee Titans, you can cross Travis Henry off the list of possibilities for the Giants running back vacancy.<p> Henry has reportedly signed with the Denver Broncos. With Ahman Green and Henry off the market, it's looking to me more and more like this spot will be filled by Dominic Rhodes. More About: Cross , Ross , Ravi
Shiancoe cashes in
2007-03-09 03:02:01 In case you missed it, ex-Giant tight end Visanthe Shia ncoe is now a Minnesota Viking. According to the <a href="http://blogs.nydailynews.com/g iants/archives/2007/03/shiancoe_hits_jack pot_with_vik.php">Daily News</a> Shiancoe cashed in to the tune $18 million for 5 years with $7 million guaranteed.<p> That's completely absurd for a guy with 35 catches in his four-year career. Gives you a good idea just how nutty this year's free agent market is, though. More About: Ashes , Cash
No moves yet from Big Blue
2007-03-09 03:02:01 Looks like no contract yet for running back Dominic Rhodes, though Mike Garafolo of the <a href="http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiant s/2007/03/rhodes_visit_over.html"> ;Star-Ledger</a> reports that the Giants were "impressed" by the Indianapolis running back.<p> Some folks are already getting worked up that the Giants haven't signed anybody yet. If you are one of them, my advice to you is simple -- RELAX.<p> The Giants have a good team. Yes, they have holes to fill but they don't have a ton of cap space (about $12-14 million reportedly after signing Shaun O'Hara) and can't be getting into bidding wars for players.<p> I can do without guys like under-achieving offensive lineman Leonard Davis and the high-priced but maybe over-the-hill linebacker Joey Porter.<p> A running back like Rhodes, a veteran for depth on the O-Line, a corner if a decent one is available without spending a fortune and a linebacker would b... More About: Blue , Move , Big B , Moves , Big Blue
A-Rod thinking about Piniella reunion?
2007-03-02 13:41:00 It's time for another episode of the 'Will A-Rod leave the Yankees after this season?' game.Bob Raissman has an insightful article in today's New York Daily News previewing an HBO appearance in which Rodriguez details his feelings for new Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella.The intense feelings Rodriguez displays for Piniella, who he says is 'like a father to me' have to make you wonder if he will opt for the comfort of playing for him again following what continues to be a tumultuous time in New York.Worth ReadingTen rookies to watch out forMitchell says probe will succeedNASCAR's controversial car of tomorrow is here todayAnalyzing the New York Giants free-agent possibilities. Big Blue ViewBaseball America's top 100 prospectstechnorati tags: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees, Lou Piniella, Chicago Cubs, MLB, Baseball More About: Union , About , Think , King
A look at the Giants free agents
More articles from this author:2007-03-01 08:59:01 The NFL free-agent signing period starts Friday, March 2. With that in mind, let's take a look at how free agency shapes up for the Giant s.<p> I would like to do that in two posts. In this post, I will look at potential Giants free agents. Who should the Giants keep? Who should they let go?<p> I'll share my thoughts. Feel free to disagree.<p> First the list.<p> <b>Unrestricted Free Agent s (UFAs)</b><br> (A player who has completed four or more accrued seasons and whose contract has expired)<p> • Lewis Kelly (OG); Lance Legree (DT); Shaun O'Hara (C); Gray Ruegamer (OG); Visanthe Shiancoe (TE); Brandon Short (LB); Frank Walker (DB); Jay Feely (PK).<p> <b>Restricted Free Agents (RFAs)</b><br> (A player who has completed three accrued seasons and whose contract has expired)<p> • Reggie Torbor (LB); Derrick Ward (RB); Gibril Wilson (S).<p> The key names on this li... More About: Ants 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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