Current Giants season similar to 2000
Yes, the 2000 Giants’ season was a long time ago and the team’s appearance has a much different look (the only player remaining is Amani Toomer) than the one we saw in 2000. However, looking back at that season, the end result could actually be exact.
The Giants currently hold the number one seed and the home field advantage in the NFC, which was exactly what the team had in 2000. The Philadelphia Eagles were a Wild Card in 2000, and was able to win their game in Wild Card weekend in order to advance to the NFC Divisional game, where they lost to the Giants at Giants Stadium.
Hmm… Eagles and Wild Card? That is already sounding similar to this season. If the Eagles are able to beat the Vikings this weekend, they will face the Giants again at Giants Stadium in the Divisional Playoffs.
On the other hand, the Giants slammed the Minnesota Vikings in the 2000 NFC Championship game, 41-0. With the Vikings winning the NFC North this season, there also is a chance that Big Blue could face them in the NFC Championship game. However, since the Eagles and Vikings play this weekend, there will not be a chance for the Giants to face the same exact teams in the NFC playoffs as they faced in 2000.
If that was confusing enough for you, I have a little bit more to add. This one is the most important one of all: In 2000, the Baltimore Ravens were a Wild Card team and won their way all the way to Super Bowl XXXV, where they knocked off the top-seeded Giants. The game was played in Tampa.
Well, the Ravens are a Wild Card again…and the Giants are the number one seed again…and if it just couldn’t match any closer…….
the Super Bowl is again in Tampa.
No reason to worry about Big Blue
Remember in 2006 when Michael Strahan had a bit of an argument with a reporter when he was accused of saying some bad things about Plaxico Burress , who had seemed to give up on some passes from Eli Manning in a 24-21 loss to the Titans to drop the Giants to 6-5? Remember when Tiki Barber criticized Tom Coughlin’s style of coaching in his book, explaining that Coughlin was the main factor in his decision to retire? Or do you Remember when Tiki Barber questioned Eli Manning’s leadership abilities last season? How about when the Giants lost pro bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey for the season?
And what did they end up doing soon after all of these incidents? They simply pushed them aside and won Super Bowl XLII. Wait — what did they do? No, you are not dreaming. They won the Super Bowl as a wild card team. I still am amazed.
The fact that the Giants have been able to put any personal issues and media-caused hysteria behind them as soon as they put that helmet on is the exact reason why I still believe this team will make it back to the big game for the second consecutive season.
Several people are now panicking over the whole Plaxico Burress incident, saying the Giants are not the same team without him and that they won’t even win another game this season. They can say what they want, but the last time I remember the Giants lost a threat in the passing game, Jeremy Shockey in 2007, they were fine without him.
Also, RB Brandon Jacobs has already played more games than he did last year, and people are still complaining about him. I believe Jacobs will come back this weekend and have a nice time wearing down the Panthers’ defense, then when the Giants put that together with a mixture of Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, it could be a long night for Carolina.
Yes, Jacobs has missed his share of time, but there are reasons why the Giants are not pushing it. They have already clinched their division, which means a home game in the postseason is already ensured. They didn’t have any sense of urgency.
That gave them the pleasure of preparing Jacobs for this game if he was needed, which he is. Last week, the Giants were unable to find their rhythm in any category, but in the running game it was obvious that Jacobs wasn’t there to wear down Dallas’ defensive unit. This method of wearing down defenses has worked in Big Blue’s favor all season long.
After throwing all the factors into one pile, it really seems the Giants must play Jacobs this weekend for two reasons: Playing Jacobs could help the team get back into sync and end the regular season on a high note. Secondly, it could give Big Blue a much better position once the postseason rolls around. If he doesn’t play, the Giants could risk losing a first-round bye, which would hurt Jacobs anyway when he could be resting during wild-card weekend.
I find it quite funny that the media is acting like the Giants are one of the worst teams in the NFL all of a sudden… and they are 11-3. How does that happen?
The Giants won’t let any distractions get to them. They never do. They know what they need to do this weekend, which is pretty simple: Win. Winning fixes all problems. Winning ensures home-field advantage.
Atlanta Braves rebuilding with familiar faces
It seems that throughout the past two years or so, the Atlanta Braves have taken a certain approach toward rebuilding their team. They have been spending their off-seasons bringing back familiar faces, some old, some still in their prime. What really is interesting is that it appears they are trying to make their current team look like the same team that won them division title after division title.
They have brought back veterans that were a key part of their historic run through the 1990’s and early 2000’s, such as Tom Glavine, Javy Lopez (whose comeback failed), and finally, Rafael Furcal, who just agreed to a multi-year contract to return to Atlanta.
Hmm… what does this mean for Yunel Escobar? Second base?
Mets acquire closer J.J. Putz in blockbuster deal
A few days ago, the Mets’ bullpen was a disaster. This morning, it is arguably the best bullpen in the major leagues.
General Manager Omar Minaya completed a blockbuster trade that sent OF Endy Chavez, RHP Aaron Heilman, LHP Jason Vargas, 1B Mike Carp, OF Ezequiel Carrera and RHP Maikel Cleto to the Mariners, while sending RHP Joe Smith to the Mariners. The Mets received RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Sean Green, and OF Jeremy Reed in return.
These kind of deals scare me and I am not a fan of blockbuster deals because of the magnitude of them and what kind of twists and turns they can take. I’m not happy that the Mets gave up Endy Chavez, but I’m thrilled that they were able to do something with Aaron Heilman and Joe Smith, two pitchers who I do not trust at all. Most of all, it will be fun to see what the Mets do at closer and what kind of system they will have.
Right now, I am guessing that the Mets are going to use Putz in situations where K-Rod usually doesn’t pitch, such as a five- or six-out save.
Mets on verge of signing baseball’s best closer
The Mets have not wasted their time in Las Vegas. As soon as Omar Minaya and co. flew into Las Vegas the other night, they supposedly had a meeting with Francisco Rodriguez and his agent. As early as last night, news reports have been indicating that the Mets and Rodgriguez are very close to a 3-year contract worth around $37 million.
Rodriguez, who is coming off a record 62 saves last season with the Angels, had wanted a 5-year contract worth around $75 million, which is highly unlikely at this point and not even taken into consideration. While his agent, Paul Kinzer, has said that they are very "disappointed" that his client is not receiving the financial reward for the type of season Rodgriguez had last season, he has said some very nice words regarding the talks.
Kinzer has said, "we will know more in the next 24 hours, but so far everything has been positive." Kinzer also went on to add "I am more optimistic than I have ever been".
According to John Heyman of The New York Post, "It looks like K-Rod will be their new closer.”