SB Nation User Blog: mwilli

Vote for Chase!

mwilli — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:12:14 -0000

As I am sure has been noted already, you can currently cast votes for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl.

While I believe that many, many Giants are worthy of going to Hawaii this year (ahem, THE WHOLE FREAKIN O-LINE), I wanted to make a short, but impassioned plea for our man Chase Blackburn. He is on the ballot as a Special Teamer, and while he does not have the recognition outside of Giant Land, his grit, determination, and unheralded playmaking ability assure him the right to be honored with a Pro Bowl distinction (for Special Teams).

So click on the link and vote!

It Is Time

mwilli — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:31:40 -0000

In 1986 I was four. I remember nothing from that season or Super Bowl. Four years later, I distinctly remember sitting on the floor, leaning against my father's knees, and him saying, "There is NO WAY this guy kicks it 48 yards." The room then erupted. That's all I remember.

I've lived and died with the Giants ever since. Through Kent Graham, Danny Kanell, and Jesse Palmer, Through Cedric Jones and Kenny Holmes. I convinced myself that Chris Calloway was a number one WR, and that Joe Montgomery would be a pro bowler.

I came back from college just in time to watch Kerry Collins turn into Daryle Lamonica, on the heels of the game with the greatest interception I've ever witnessed. I tried to believe that that team could win, but I always doubted Collins, however much I liked him.

This year, I'm swept up. I'm amped up. I'm so amazingly jacked up for this game I feel like I could rip a hole in my wall with my bare hands (maybe I accidentally fell into some of Rodney Harrison's HGH stash??). I shouldn't believe in this team. I keep telling myself that they can't win. I keep trying to temper my expectations and dampen my hopes.

It's not working. I believe in this team. No matter how much crap I've heard from pundits, Pats fans (I went to college in Boston, I'm friends with LOTS of them), and so many other people I keep believing.

Rocket Implicated in the Mitchell Report?

mwilli — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:48:08 -0000

Well, that's what a former NYY strength trainer said to ESPN. Oy vey. The article also references another source who claims that a number of prominent Yankees are "named" in the Mitchell report I can already hear the snarling dogs at the gate, "You didn't just buy rings, now you cheated too."

If the report claims that top contributors to the Yankee championship teams used steroids, I may become physically ill.

Honestly, I don't see what good the Mitchell report does. We already know that baseball is pockmarked with the sins of the steroid era. We will always look back at some of the gaudy numbers with a leery eye. But we've been moving past it, accepting that it happened and having faith that it no longer goes on. This report just brings the whole thing back into the forefront, turning more and more people off of baseball, and for what? So Selig can say, "Oooh look, I DID SOMETHING!"

Manning Cleared to Play This Week

mwilli — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:35:46 -0000

According to Ralph Vacchiano of NY Daily News, the famed Dr. Andrews has cleared Eli to play.

The Giants sent Manning's MRI to Dr. James Andrews -- a noted orthopedic surgeon who operates out of Birmingham, Alabama -- and he informed them today that he agreed with their initial diagnosis. He saw no structural damage in Manning's shoulder, and saw no reason to think he could damage it by playing this week.

This is very relieving and completely follows the information the Giants had previously released ... NOT ESPN. Now, it's up to Eli. Personally, I see this weekend as a must win if we think we have a shot at the playoffs this year. 1-1 is waaaay better than 0-2 going in to Washington the next week.

If I had to bet on it, I'd say Eli plays.

Ummm....

mwilli — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:20:08 -0000

So what's the deal with the lack of action? They bring in Rhodes, are supposedly impressed by him, then send him off sans any sort of offer. They throw an offer at a guy who everyone knew wanted to be in Dallas (Leonard Davis), and they've made nary a move on the LB front.

So what is exactly going on? Historically, our beloved G-men played free agency the way Marty Schottenheimer (or old time Parcells) ran an offense, conservatively. After the last two years, with the signings of Burress, McKenzie, Pierce, Arrington, and even Jay freakin' Feely, maybe I've become spoiled.

Honestly though, I'm having trouble seeing Reese's vision for this team. I liked how he cut loose players who couldn't keep themselves on the field, but am rather surprised he hasn't followed it up. We now have a bit of a hole on the O-line. Diehl could move over and play tackle (he did so quite well in the last game against the Skins and the wildcard), with Seubert filling in at guard, but doesn't this still leave them woefully short on depth. Are we hinging on Guy Whimper to fill in, in case of injury???

And the linebackers, what to say about the linebackers. I'm very happy they cut Emmons. He was an anchor... in that he weighed their defense down to the point they'd get stuck in the mud. The man could barely run. The Arrington move smells of something that didn't reach the public (for instance, his injury is way worse than thought -- he was even quoted saying how much he appreciated the Giants. Who says that after being cut?). As it stands we're looking at a starting group consisting of Pierce, Reggie Torbor, and Gerris Wilkinson. Granted, Wilkinson has been said to have some serious skills and Torbor shows flashes, but once again... we've got a depth problem at the very least. Blackburn is a good MLB backup, but he's not suited to play strong or weak.

Alright enough complaining, hopefully this is all going according to Jerry's plan (and we'll be signing Rhodes and trading for Briggs very soon.)