Training camp is around the corner

I know it has been a while since I have written on the blog. There is a ton to write about with the contract situations, Shockey being unhappy, Strahan retiring, however I am saving all of those writings until training camp gets started and fans are back into Big Blue mode.

As we fast approach the draft...Here is Mel Kiper's big board

Player	Yr.	Pos.	School	Chg.
1. Glenn Dorsey	Sr.	DT	LSU
2. Darren McFadden	Jr.	RB	Arkansas
3. Matt Ryan	Sr.	QB	Boston College
4. Jake Long	Sr.	OT	Michigan
5. Chris Long	Sr.	DE	Virginia
6. Sedrick Ellis	Sr.	DT	USC
7. Vernon Gholston	Jr.	DE	Ohio St.
8. Ryan Clady	Jr.	OT	Boise St.
9. Branden Albert	Jr.	OG/OT	Virginia
10. Rashard Mendenhall	Jr.	RB	Illinois
11. Chris Williams	Sr.	OT	Vanderbilt
12. Jeff Otah	Sr.	OT	Pittsburgh
13. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Sr.	CB	Tennessee St.
14. Aqib Talib	Jr.	CB	Kansas
15. Phillip Merling	Jr.	DE	Clemson
16. Keith Rivers	Sr.	LB	USC
17. Jerod Mayo	Jr.	LB	Tennessee
18. Felix Jones	Jr.	RB	Arkansas
19. Leodis McKelvin	Sr.	CB	Troy
20. Devin Thomas	Jr.	WR	Michigan St.
21. Jonathan Stewart	Jr.	RB	Oregon
22. Mike Jenkins	Sr.	CB	South Florida
23. Derrick Harvey	Jr.	DE	Florida
24. Joe Flacco	Sr.	QB	Delaware
25. Kentwan Balmer	Sr.	QB	North Carolina

You can also read more in depth at: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/melkiper/index

We are in a dry time with the off season

Nothing is more dismal than the offseason. Then again nothing is worse than the time that sits between the initial free agency period and the soon to come NFL Draft.

So that puts us right about here. Basically nothing to talk about in regards to Big Blue. They did sign Sammy Knight and watch Mitchell, Torbor and Wilson all leave for more money.

So how does the Big Blue Review spend its offseason? Check out on the Giants.com message boards to find out.

Now Former Giants, Head for Higher Ground

As of 12:01 am this morning the NFL's free agency period as begun. By 3:45 pm, two Giants' linebackers are now gone.

That is the nature of free agency in the NFL. One day they are here and the next they are being paid a lot of money.

Linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor have been whisked away from the Giants with the lure of more cash. Mitchell signed a long term deal with the Bills and Torbor (who I am a fan of) was signed by the Miami Dolphins.

With a Superbowl ring in tow for both men it was a good move on their part as they more than likely would not have received the same offer from the Giants. Even worse Torbor would have probably been demoted back to the bench with the return of Kiwianuka to the lineup.

Now with Mitchell gone, the opportunity for 3rd year man out Georgia Tech Gerris Wilkenson has been placed in front of him. He played well last year in his substitution rolls when Mitchell went down, and because he did so it is probably the reason why Jerry Reese made no real effort to resign Mitchell.

With all that said however, it now leaves the depth at that position very low. Back about a month ago I told everyone this would be the position they would target in the draft on day #1. With two LBers down, it may be a position they fill within the first 2 rounds.

If his one year history serves us well, Reese has shown that he will let the frenzy of the free agency period affect other teams, and when it settles down, he will fill in gaps on this team with serviceable players. Last year he did it by signing the likes of Kawika Mitchell and Madison Hedgcock, 2 pieces of the Superbowl puzzle that were needed.

By: Michael C. Podlesny

Note: Jerry Reese rejected an offer made by the New Orlean Saints which detailed a trade for Giants TE Jeremy Shockey in exchange for the Saints' 2nd round draft choice.

Mel Kiper's Big Board as of 2/25/2008

Can be found at ESPN.com

Mel's Big BoardPlayer Yr. Pos. School Chg.
1. Darren McFadden Jr. RB Arkansas
2. Glenn Dorsey Sr. DT LSU
3. Matt Ryan Sr. QB Boston College
4. Jake Long Sr. OT Michigan
5. Chris Long Sr. DE Virginia
6. Sedrick Ellis Sr. DT USC
7. Aqib Talib Jr. CB Kansas
8. Vernon Gholston Jr. DE Ohio St.
9. Ryan Clady Jr. OT Boise St.
10. Phillip Merling Jr. DE Clemson
11. Kentwan Balmer Sr. DT North Carolina
12. Leodis McKelvin Sr. CB Troy
13. Malcolm Kelly Jr. WR Oklahoma
14. Chris Williams Sr. OT Vanderbilt
15. Jonathan Stewart Jr. RB Oregon
16. Calais Campbell Jr. DE Miami
17. Rashard Mendenhall Jr. RB Illinois
18. Jeff Otah Sr. OT Pittsburgh
19. Felix Jones Jr. RB Arkansas
20. Mike Jenkins Sr. CB South Florida
21. Chilo Rachal Jr. OG USC
22. Fred Davis Sr. TE USC
23. Dan Connor Sr. LB Penn State
24. Keith Rivers Sr. LB USC
25. Derrick Harvey Jr. DE Florida

Giants Embrace Superbowl Victory, Now Look Towards Defending it

WOW! What can I say. What a wild ride the New York Giants have lead us on this season, with the end product being the organization's 3rd Superbowl title.

There is no question this is one that fans will enjoy for a long time. It was totally unexpected. They won all of their post season games on the road, including knocking off the #1 and #2 seeds in successive weeks, and finished off this improbable run by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Superbowl history.

Is this a sign of dynasty to come? Who knows, but one thing for sure the Giants' future looks extremely bright. First year General Manager Jerry Reese is hands the down the GM of the year and that isn't debatable. All 8 draft choices made the squad and contributed in some fashion. He stole a top rookie running back in the 7th round, and a nice backup safety in Michael Johnson. Reese wasn't afraid to tell it like it is even at one point saying Eli was a bit skiddish. With all of that said, the Giants GM is now focusing in on this year's draft class.

My opinion is linebacker and secondary help are still of a concern. RW Mcquarters and Sam Madison aren't getting any younger in the secondary and they will need quality depth there. With the looming retirement of Strahan happening within a season or two, they will need to address the linebacker position for the eventual move of Kiwianuka back to defensive end. He will add in a nice rotation with pro bowler Osi Umenyiora, and the "should have been Superbowl MVP" Justin Tuck, who absolutely made the New England offensive lineman look incredibly foolish in Superbowl 42.

Along with those needs, the Giants need depth at offensive line, where a few guys are now in their early 30s. The later rounds would be a perfect fit to grab a Shaun O'Hara understudy or even the evetual replacement to right tackle Kareem McKenzie whose contract is due up in a year.

Whatever direction they take in this year's draft chances are Reese will draft well and fill needs with young players that will keep this franchise on top for many years to come.

DRAFTING LAST IN THE FIRST ROUND NEVER FELT SO GOOD!!

Lombardi Trophy in the Hands of Big Blue

Umenyiora

SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!!!

Giants Pull Off the Unthinkable

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In frigid temperatures of the frozen tundra of Green Bay, the New York Giants completed the unthinkable of winning 10 straight games on the road.

They battled the cold. They battled the crafty veteran quarterback, and they battled expert panels of sportscasters who gave them no shot. When it was all over, kicker Lawrence Tynes, booted the Giants into Superbowl 42.

It wasn't easy, and it wasn't pretty but it was a complete team effort. "Keep doing what you've been doing all season long," expressed Antonio Pierce in the post game press conference. "You've doubted us, and we want you to keep doubting us." Although what Pierce says is the truth, as most if not all of the national media, gave the Giants absolutely no chance to win.

Pierce may not be so lucky in his second request. Early indicators show the Giants are already 14 point underdogs to the AFC machine known as the New England Patriots. Although that may be the case, the Giants are gaining support from the so called experts.

Shaun King, former NFL QB, and now host on ESPN's 1st and 10, looked directly into the camera and said the Giants "will beat the Patriots in the Superbowl". Moments later Cato June, a special guest on the same show, did not claim a Giants victory, but did say, that is who he was going to route for.

There is no question, that each successive game has gotten more difficult for the Giants. How befitting though that the hardest game, the Superbowl, are the 18 - 0 New England Patriots. If the Giants are going to become Superbowl champions, they will have to defy the odds, play better then they have to this point, and literally shock the world.

As for the Patriots side of it. They know they are favored. They know they have the better team. However, they also know, none of that matters come in two weeks when the two teams face off.

The stage is set, the teams are decided, and the New York Giants are one of them. Unlike in 2000 when they really had no chance of beating the Ravens, I think this team does have a realistic chance of winning this game. They can score points, the defense is playing better than it has all season long, but more importantly, the Giants players themselves truly believe they will be hoisting the Superbowl trophy at the end of the game.

By: Michael C. Podlesny



About the Author:

Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com.

TO Cries The Blues, Giants Get Ready For Green Bay

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There is a lot that can be said about the Giants victory over the Cowboys on Sunday. It was monumental, huge, you name it, but no one could predict that the victory would cause a grown man to cry.

Standing at the podium in the post game press conference, T.O. arguably one of the best receivers in football, broke down and started to cry. "That's my quarterback," says Owens with tears coming down his face. "It's not fair that you do that to him."

In that moment a collective cheer could be heard coming from Philadelphia, where Owens single handily destroyed the Eagles season the year after they went to the Superbowl.

With that behind Big Blue, and ignoring the ignorant comments by Wade Phillips the head coach of the Cowboys, who said, "The best team did not win on Sunday", the Giants press on to Green Bay.

The two teams met in week 2 at the Meadowlands with Green Bay coming out as the victor. That was a long time ago, and both these teams are completely different now. Also this Giants team has won an unprecedented 9 straight road games. What does all this means? Absolutely nothing.

This is a huge game for both teams, so the past means nothing, because this will be unlike anything they saw all season long.

As Giants fans we can enjoy the ride. A ride that no one, even their wildest imagination, could have predicted. No one wants this ride to come to an end, however, no one can be upset if it does.



About the Author:

Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com.