ChuckJerry is 30 today. Happy birthday, old man. That leaves only one of our number still in their 20s.
Open Bar -- you better make it count, man.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Shock-ing!
The New York Giants have traded Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for a second- and a fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft. The deal is pending league approval and a physical exam.
I am pretty conflicted on this deal, but ultimately I am on board. First, the reasons why it makes sense:
1. Shockey was going to become a major distraction once training camp got fully underway. Shockey wanted out, he bullied Eli, and he was not going to be ok with Kevin Boss getting more and more playing time. This is probably reason enough to have traded him. From what I can tell, Shockey is the kind of guy who can be a major distraction in the locker room, and could easily undermine Eli's (now deserved) leadership position. And while the Giants certainly don't need to protect Eli from every loudmouth jerk on the team -- there will always be a few -- Shockey's discontent had grown beyond the garden variety.
2. Shockey is a little overrated. Calm down, calm down. Shockey was a very good tight end, and he is going to improve the Saints immediately (they were already a candidate for most improved NFL team this year, and this trade helps them immensely). But his flair for the dramatic (both on the field and off), and his insistence at running directly at the opposing team when they try to tackle him (not to mention a mild case of Jason Sehorn syndrome from the press and the fans) earned him a reputation as one of the premier tight ends in the league that may not have been deserved. Shockey drops way too many passes, refuses to block, and gets way too many stupid taunting and personal fouls. He is also prone to injury; he never once played in all 16 regular season games in his six-year career with the Giants.
3. The Giants draft well. Giants GM Jerry Reese only has two drafts under his belt, but both have been very, very solid (in the first, Reese took five players who would make meaningful contributions in the Superbowl as rookies. That is extraordinary). With seven picks in the first five rounds of the 2009 draft (I am assuming - but don't know for sure - that they have all of their other picks), the Giants could be in a position to build a very solid team around Eli for many years to come.
4. Boss arguably fits the Giants offensive scheme better than Shockey. Boss is unproven (see below), yes, but has shown signs that he will fit in with Eli perfectly in the 2008 campaign. The Giants are a running team with several strong options for the pass (Burress, Toomer, the emerging Steve Smith, etc.). They don't really need a tight end who is going to catch 8-10 passes a game. Instead, they need a guy who can block for both the pass and the run, but who has good enough hands that the quarterback can rely on him as a mid- to deep threat when the need arises. Consider this: in the Giants final three games last year, Boss caught one pass in each game, each for more than 10 yards (the last, a 45-yd strike in the Superbowl, was the most memorable).
So are you convinced? Me too, except when I consider the following:
1. The Giants traded a Pro Bowl TE for two guys who cannot join the team for more than a year. This is risky business. I understand that the team didn't have a whole lot of choice here, but they sure did not get any proven players in return for a proven player. I know Jason Taylor wasn't a great fit for us, but with him going to the Redskins yesterday, I am a little surprised the Giants didn't find a way to cut a three-way deal with Miami and New Orleans (which is apparently what the Saints were trying to do), if for no other reason than to keep Washington from getting him. I guess the problem is that the Saints knew Shockey wanted out, and didn't have to offer the farm to get him. I just wonder whether, had the Giants balked at this deal, and then won their first two or three games of the season with meaningful contributions from Shockey, we wouldn't all be breathing collective sigh of relief for holding back. We'll see.
2. Boss is unproven. The Kevin Boss thing was very exciting last year. But the Kevin Maas thing was exciting a few years before that. I am not suggesting he can't be a serviceable tight end, but I think we need to resist the temptation to suggest that the Giants haven't lost anything here. This guy has played in 13 regular season games in his career, and was only thrown to in five of them. He has yet to catch his tenth career pass, or score his third career touchdown. I am excited about seeing what he can do every day, but it is risky to send a pro bowler to another team in favor of a somewhat unproven rookie.
To me the bottom line is that the Giants were low on options here. They had a star player who wanted out; they got what the could for him, and will roll the dice with a second-year player who could be a perfect fit, but could just as easily leave the team wishing they had put up with Shockey's antics for another year.
I am pretty conflicted on this deal, but ultimately I am on board. First, the reasons why it makes sense:
1. Shockey was going to become a major distraction once training camp got fully underway. Shockey wanted out, he bullied Eli, and he was not going to be ok with Kevin Boss getting more and more playing time. This is probably reason enough to have traded him. From what I can tell, Shockey is the kind of guy who can be a major distraction in the locker room, and could easily undermine Eli's (now deserved) leadership position. And while the Giants certainly don't need to protect Eli from every loudmouth jerk on the team -- there will always be a few -- Shockey's discontent had grown beyond the garden variety.
2. Shockey is a little overrated. Calm down, calm down. Shockey was a very good tight end, and he is going to improve the Saints immediately (they were already a candidate for most improved NFL team this year, and this trade helps them immensely). But his flair for the dramatic (both on the field and off), and his insistence at running directly at the opposing team when they try to tackle him (not to mention a mild case of Jason Sehorn syndrome from the press and the fans) earned him a reputation as one of the premier tight ends in the league that may not have been deserved. Shockey drops way too many passes, refuses to block, and gets way too many stupid taunting and personal fouls. He is also prone to injury; he never once played in all 16 regular season games in his six-year career with the Giants.
3. The Giants draft well. Giants GM Jerry Reese only has two drafts under his belt, but both have been very, very solid (in the first, Reese took five players who would make meaningful contributions in the Superbowl as rookies. That is extraordinary). With seven picks in the first five rounds of the 2009 draft (I am assuming - but don't know for sure - that they have all of their other picks), the Giants could be in a position to build a very solid team around Eli for many years to come.
4. Boss arguably fits the Giants offensive scheme better than Shockey. Boss is unproven (see below), yes, but has shown signs that he will fit in with Eli perfectly in the 2008 campaign. The Giants are a running team with several strong options for the pass (Burress, Toomer, the emerging Steve Smith, etc.). They don't really need a tight end who is going to catch 8-10 passes a game. Instead, they need a guy who can block for both the pass and the run, but who has good enough hands that the quarterback can rely on him as a mid- to deep threat when the need arises. Consider this: in the Giants final three games last year, Boss caught one pass in each game, each for more than 10 yards (the last, a 45-yd strike in the Superbowl, was the most memorable).
So are you convinced? Me too, except when I consider the following:
1. The Giants traded a Pro Bowl TE for two guys who cannot join the team for more than a year. This is risky business. I understand that the team didn't have a whole lot of choice here, but they sure did not get any proven players in return for a proven player. I know Jason Taylor wasn't a great fit for us, but with him going to the Redskins yesterday, I am a little surprised the Giants didn't find a way to cut a three-way deal with Miami and New Orleans (which is apparently what the Saints were trying to do), if for no other reason than to keep Washington from getting him. I guess the problem is that the Saints knew Shockey wanted out, and didn't have to offer the farm to get him. I just wonder whether, had the Giants balked at this deal, and then won their first two or three games of the season with meaningful contributions from Shockey, we wouldn't all be breathing collective sigh of relief for holding back. We'll see.
2. Boss is unproven. The Kevin Boss thing was very exciting last year. But the Kevin Maas thing was exciting a few years before that. I am not suggesting he can't be a serviceable tight end, but I think we need to resist the temptation to suggest that the Giants haven't lost anything here. This guy has played in 13 regular season games in his career, and was only thrown to in five of them. He has yet to catch his tenth career pass, or score his third career touchdown. I am excited about seeing what he can do every day, but it is risky to send a pro bowler to another team in favor of a somewhat unproven rookie.
To me the bottom line is that the Giants were low on options here. They had a star player who wanted out; they got what the could for him, and will roll the dice with a second-year player who could be a perfect fit, but could just as easily leave the team wishing they had put up with Shockey's antics for another year.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Sound and the Fury and Open Bar
Critics? Argh, who needs them?
Well, actually we all do, especially when they give glowing reviews of our work.
Way to go, big guy; we're all very proud. Just don't forget the little people when you go all big time on us.
Well, actually we all do, especially when they give glowing reviews of our work.
Way to go, big guy; we're all very proud. Just don't forget the little people when you go all big time on us.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Not Quite So Definitive There, Mikey
So Russo on the air essentially tried to quash the rumor that they were breaking up. Francessa, on the other hand, addressed the issue before he went on vacation and was far less definitive on the future of the show.
Toward the end he basically says, "well we're at a point where something needs to happen. Either we'll stay together or we'll break up, but that will be determined over the course of this summer." That's fucking interesting, man.
Today is the day that Francessa comes back from vacation, and they will be on the air together. Tune in at 1pm.
Toward the end he basically says, "well we're at a point where something needs to happen. Either we'll stay together or we'll break up, but that will be determined over the course of this summer." That's fucking interesting, man.
Today is the day that Francessa comes back from vacation, and they will be on the air together. Tune in at 1pm.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
This Just In!!!!!!
Breaking news tonight!!! Extra, extra read all about it!!!
Jesse Jackson said something rude about Barack Obama on an 'open mic'.
Sources say it had something to do with Senator Obama and black people.
He has apologized.
The Obama Camp says that Senator Obama accepts his apology.
More on this sensational story at 11.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Dear Mets Fans,
Alright, so the Mets have won four in a row. 3 against the NL East champion Phillies, and one against 10-2 Tim Lincecum. Carlos Beltran has been hitting well. They showed some real heart in Illadelph in two out of those three wins and all that is well and good. I guess about now we're envisioning winning series against the Giants and Rockies and maybe even going into the All Star break with a lead in the division. Let's not bet the farm on any of those things yet. There is, however, one reason for Mets fans to be excited.
The Pelf
Mike Pelfrey has won all 5 of his last 5 starts and has really been pitching in a dominant fashion for about 2 months now. We're not talking acceptable, we're talking dominant. I happened to be at the game about a month ago when the Pelf outpitched Brandon Webb, threw 8 shutout innings and got trotted out for the 9th in a clear boneheaded move by the brain trust of Wille Randolph and Rick Peterson, and then they brought in Wagner who promptly blew the save.
In case we're counting, Mets fans, there are currently 4 (somewhat) reliable starters in the Mets rotation. Johan has been getting hsoed by his teammates who apparently hate him, but has been pitching well. Maine is consistent and also consistent. Perez is hit or miss, as always, but has been very good recently, and he only needs confidence to get going. Their sucky starter? Some young upstart named Pedro Martinez. I think he'll figure it out soon. His arm is healthy, so that's what's important.
The Pelf
Mike Pelfrey has won all 5 of his last 5 starts and has really been pitching in a dominant fashion for about 2 months now. We're not talking acceptable, we're talking dominant. I happened to be at the game about a month ago when the Pelf outpitched Brandon Webb, threw 8 shutout innings and got trotted out for the 9th in a clear boneheaded move by the brain trust of Wille Randolph and Rick Peterson, and then they brought in Wagner who promptly blew the save.
In case we're counting, Mets fans, there are currently 4 (somewhat) reliable starters in the Mets rotation. Johan has been getting hsoed by his teammates who apparently hate him, but has been pitching well. Maine is consistent and also consistent. Perez is hit or miss, as always, but has been very good recently, and he only needs confidence to get going. Their sucky starter? Some young upstart named Pedro Martinez. I think he'll figure it out soon. His arm is healthy, so that's what's important.
Bad Job There, Mikey:
subtitled, How The Fuck Did We Miss This?
Apparently there were rumors about two weeks ago that Mike and the Mad Dog were breaking up. Francessa has been on vacation for a couple weeks, and the rumor was that they had likely done their last show together.
Chris Russo, not on vacation, used the monologue of the show recently to deny the rumors.
Well, where there's smoke there's fire. I wonder if this has any truth to it. If you watched the video you saw that Russo said they had been arguing a lot and were basically kindof baiting each other for a while, and then they discussed it and it's behind them. Irecently was listening (two to three months ago) when they were both saying they can't imagine working anywhere else and that they would essentially have to be dragged out of the studio on their death beds.
Still, interesting. If the shit went down, I wonder which of them they would keep? My bet would be Russo, but I can't say for certain. Francessa is due back on Friday, so I wonder if they'll bring it up again. I'll be glued to the YES network at 1pm. I probably won't.
Chris Russo, not on vacation, used the monologue of the show recently to deny the rumors.
Well, where there's smoke there's fire. I wonder if this has any truth to it. If you watched the video you saw that Russo said they had been arguing a lot and were basically kindof baiting each other for a while, and then they discussed it and it's behind them. Irecently was listening (two to three months ago) when they were both saying they can't imagine working anywhere else and that they would essentially have to be dragged out of the studio on their death beds.
Still, interesting. If the shit went down, I wonder which of them they would keep? My bet would be Russo, but I can't say for certain. Francessa is due back on Friday, so I wonder if they'll bring it up again. I'll be glued to the YES network at 1pm. I probably won't.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Hashing The 4th
The 4th of July is dope. Happy independence day to everyone. Believe it or not, I myself have been blogging fairly consistently since June of 2004. Here's a recap of my thoughts on independence day:
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Born on the 4th of July.
Happy Independence Day to all you Americans out there. This is a purely American holiday that falls in the perfect time of year. I know the founding fathers didn't really plan it this way, but this holiday really couldn't fall in a better place on the calendar. It really starts off the summer on the right foot.
I love the reflection on our history along with the general laid back attitude that goes along with what's typically a lazy summer day. Also seeing fireworks is still as breathtaking as it was when I was a little kid. Give it up for Independence, Freedom, Life, Liberty, and Happiness (as well as the pursuit thereof).
Maddox Hates Me
Maddox is the dude who writes the best page in the universe. His little essays are very funny.
Apparently, though, Maddox hates me. His latest diatribe is about people who write puns and like Dave Matthews. Just when I was starting to think I was cool, and mere weeks before my 30th birthday when I can no longer, by definition, be cool, unless I'm an Irish rock star (Dolores O'Riordan, anyone?).
Though I would like to point out the irony of Maddox writing the self described "best page in the universe", while also railing against narcissism. In fairness, however, it is one of the better pages in the universe.
Apparently, though, Maddox hates me. His latest diatribe is about people who write puns and like Dave Matthews. Just when I was starting to think I was cool, and mere weeks before my 30th birthday when I can no longer, by definition, be cool, unless I'm an Irish rock star (Dolores O'Riordan, anyone?).
Though I would like to point out the irony of Maddox writing the self described "best page in the universe", while also railing against narcissism. In fairness, however, it is one of the better pages in the universe.
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