Giants got the crowd going with inspiring pre–game tribute to their three Super Bowl wins, which featured a giant (what else?) inflatable Lombardi Trophy.

Bob Papa introduced players from 20^th century teams, including Harry Carson, Carl Banks, and Mark Bavaro, before crowd watched a short video, with players discussing last year’s championship season.

After the video, the front panel of inflatable trophy was lowered, and Michael Strahan, holding real trophy, stepped out to deafening cheers. He said:

“Giants Stadium, you thought I was never coming back. But I had to come back to celebrate the championship with the greatest fans in all of sports. And for one final time, salute my teammates for an incredible championship run. So what I want you to do is, I want you to get on your feet, I want you to make some noise and I want you to be ready to stomp somebody out and welcome the New York Giants Super Bowl champions.”

When Giants got the ball, Eli Manning picked right up where he finished last year, and led the team to a touchdown. Opening drive included three passes to Plaxico Burress for 60 yards. Manning scored the touchdown on a nice 1 yard run, where he evaded a tackler, to score third rushing touchdown of his career.

Offense drove to 6, 7, and 26 yard lines on next three series, and settled for three field goals by John Carney, who has replaced injured Lawrence Tynes.

New Giants defense, without Michael Strahan and Chief Osi, played inspired football in first half. Justin Tuck sacked Redskin QB Jason Campbell on their first play, and harassed him throughout half. Campbell seemed flustered and confused at times, and was held to negative yardage for most of half. Campbell completed his first pass of the game with 1:10 left in half.

Redskins spoiled the shutout, right before halftime, with a drive that included a 50 yard kickoff return.

Although offense sputtered in second half, defense shut out Redskins for the victory. The last time Giants held an opponent scoreless in second half, was on October 15, 2007, when they won 31–10 in Atlanta.

Passing

Plaxico Burruss, who signed 5 year, $35 million contract extension on Wednesday, tied his career–high ten catches. Sinorice Moss made one nice catch. Sadly, Amani Toomer seemed rusty, and was ineffective. Manning also threw several uncatchable passes. Domenik Hixon, who showed promise in pre–season, was not used much.

Rushing

Brandon Jacobs rushed for 116 yards on 21 carries. Jacobs gained at least 20 of those yards, on brute strength, when he simply refused to go down. I hope Jacobs stays healthy. Derrick Ward filled in admirably, to let Jacobs rest, with 39 yards on nine carries. Ahmad Bradshaw was not used much, and Reuben Droughns did not play at all.

Defense

Giants tackling was excellent. Redskins came up short on several third down plays. Corey Webster made several outstanding plays to thwart Redskins passes.

Injuries

Mathias Kiwanuka appeared to be injured on final play of game. However, x–rays of his ankle, which he injured last year, were negative. He said:

“I’m fine. It was just a little scary being in that area.”

Leadership Council

It is hard to complain about Tom Coughlin since Giants won Super Bowl. I think Coughlin improved the team, by delegating as many tasks as possible, to an astute group of specialists.

One innovation, was his “Leadership Council.” This is a group of 13 players, who meet regularly to discuss team issues. Current players are: David Diehl, Jeff Feagles, Brandon Jacobs, Mathias Kiwanuka, Eli Manning, Shaun O’Hara, Antonio Pierce, Fred Robbins, Chris Snee, Amani Toomer, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Corey Webster.

Looking Ahead and Behind

I forget the reason, but last year I decorated each post about a Giants game with the team logo of their next opponent. I have decided to keep doing this, since Giants won Super Bowl.

Giants next game is against Rams, in St. Louis, on Sunday, September 14^th at 1 P.M.

Presidential Praise

John Mara, President of Giants said:

“There is no way we win the Super Bowl last year without him. In fact, I would say we probably don’t even make the playoffs without him. Not only because of his play on the field, but what he did for us in the locker room, the leadership he provided, the way he dealt with the younger players and the example that he set. Those are going to be big shoes to fill.”

Parting Shot

I do not think players should renegotiate their contracts. Strahan who held out last year, would have set an awful precedent for Giants, if they had doubled his salary.

ESPN reported that Giants offered him a $1 million raise if he was credited with at least six sacks — or $25,000 a game — before playoff bonuses.

Next Generation

Justin Tuck is expected to replace Strahan, as Giants try to win another Super Bowl. Michael Strahan, will be in a broadcasting booth somewhere — and Giants will miss him.

Strahan wants Giants to pay him $8 million to play another season. He wants to be paid the same as Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins. Taylor has two years left on a contract, worth $17 million – $8 million next year.

Meanwhile, Giants have reportedly offered Strahan $6 million to play next season.

Sign Strahan!

OK, I am biased because Michael Strahan is my favorite Giant. Nobody tries harder than Strahan – on every play – and New York Giants are simply not as good without him.

Special Case

This is the first time I have ever agreed, that any player should be paid more than their already lucrative contract is worth. I have no idea how this would affect negotiations with other players – but Strahan is special, because when he plays, he sets an example for everyone to follow.

Professional Football is an extremely dangerous game, and a defensive end, like Strahan, has contact on every play.

Michael Strahan, who has played fifteen seasons for the New York Giants knows this as well as anybody.

Will He Play?

I recently said that Strahan would retire, but I have changed my mind. At a recent fundraiser for Diabetes Research Institute Strahan was typically evasive:

“Really, you know, money is great. Trust me. Nobody wants to work for free. But at the same time, I can make money doing other stuff that means when I wake up on Sunday I’m not sore, and I can have more time to enjoy life and be with my family. There are a lot of other ways to do other things and make money, but that’s not the sole purpose of life. Really, at this point, it’s enjoying myself and enjoying my family, my friends.”

One More Year!

Giants have won one Super Bowl since 1990. They have a better chance to repeat this year, than ever in my lifetime.

But they have an even better chance with Michael Strahan.

If that sounds high, consider that Tom Brady was drafted 199^th in 2000.

I have watched Woodson in college, and Giants are lucky to get him.

Woodson set two impressive records at University of Kentucky:

1. Most passes without an interception: 325 (NCAA)
2. Most touchdowns in a season: 40 (SEC)

From Wildcats To Giants

André Woodson joins former Wildcat Jared “Hefty Lefty” Lorenzen on New York Giants bench, (hopefully) waiting for Eli Manning to retire.

Strahan Will Retire

Amani Toomer said there is no question that Michael Strahan will return. And Co–owner John Mara said Giants might be willing to renegotiate his contract, which they refused to do last year.

But, I do not think Michael Strahan wants to attend another training camp. I think he was better at the end of last season, because he missed training camp.

However, anything is possible, because he is in love with Eddie Murphy’s ex–wife, Nicole Murphy, and men in love, are liable to do anything.

From Giants To Raiders

I was right that Giants would lose Gibril Wilson, and wrong that they would acquire De Angelo Hall. Both were signed by Oakland Raiders.

I am relieved that they did not sign De Angelo Hall, and avoided any Michael Vickish problems.

From Giants To Saints?

New Orleans Saints, who are coached by former Giants Quarterback Coach, Sean Payton, were interested in Jeremy Shockey, but thankfully he is still a New York Giant. I think it would be a giant mistake to trade Shockey and I am looking forward to seeing him healthy this season.

Where Has My Blog Been?

My traumatic brain injury (TBI) has affected me in many ways, but the top two areas are:

1. Short–term memory
2. Impulse control

Computers solve the first problem, because once you type something. you don’t have to remember it anymore.

Impulse control is different. You have no idea, how many times I have pressed “Send” when I should have pressed “Cancel.“

What Did You Do Now?

Although I am over 50 years old, I still get excited like a little boy. That is fine, when I am writing about New York Giants, or Bear Grylls, but problematic, when something annoys me – like budget cuts for Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center while America spends $4,658,686,000 for the Iraq Freedom Fund.

It gets worse when I write late at night, when I should be sleeping.

My friends are used to this, and I have heard, “What did you do now?” more times than I care to (or can) remember.

I used to drink when I got annoyed, and make things much worse, but as you can see from the photo, I am on the wagon now.

Get to the point!

I was tired, angry, and writing about politics, when I accidentally confused an urban legend with a fact.

I apologized to a representative of the individual involved, and removed my blog a few minutes later, and waited for the idiotic post to go away.

How Big Is Google’s Cache?

The post is gone, and I missed blogging, so I have returned. I will avoid writing about politics in the future, except for legislation related to traumatic brain injuries, or if Michael Strahan runs for President.

Michael Strahan for President

Why Strahan? He is a proven leader, will probably retire, and he knows as much about defense as anybody.

We Stomped You Out

All Giants fans will enjoy this short (34 seconds) video of Michael Strahan describing their Super Bowl victory after their ticker tape parade.

Giants Trivia Quiz

Newsday has a challenging, 20 question, trivia quiz, about the Giants season.

Check it out and see how much you remember about this season.

It is tough. I got a 70, and I have written about most of the games!