Adam Schein: “Would you like the opportunity to play in a big market and specifically with the Giants? I’ve heard that the Giants have interest in you. What’s your reaction to that? Would that be a good fit?”

Karlos Dansby: “Oh, that’s a-whole-nother animal, man. Playing in New York? Who wouldn’t want to play in New York? That’s just like playing for the Dallas Cowboys, you know what I’m saying? It’s a big market. You’re going to get an opportunity to be prime time. It’s a huge market. I wouldn’t mind playing in a huge market. I wouldn’t mind at all. It’s a tough situation to be in for me. Like I said, I want to make sure I’m comfortable, my family is comfortable, and everybody’s happy with the situation. Like I said, Arizona is up first. They gave me the first opportunity so they are the first ones I’m going to take a look at.”

What are your thoughts? You want Dansby? I certainly “wouldn’t mind at all,” to use his words.

Ralph Vacchiano - Unhappy ending to Toomer’s Giants career

This is really, really sad.  Toomer is one of my favorite all-time Giants.  I have loved watching him play every year.  I mean LOVED.  He’s a fighter, a competitor, and an excellent receiver.  I kind of agree with him, to be honest.  I think I would be upset if I were him, too.

Here’s the short story if you’re lazy and don’t feel like reading Vacchiano’s really good article:

Toomer is upset about how the Giants phased him out of the offense down the stretch of the season.  He said he doesn’t think he will be a Giant next year, and he said he probably wouldn’t even listen if they try to offer to him.

Here’s the quote that stood out to me the most from the article:

“It just seems like some of those games it didn’t seem the same,” Toomer said. “Last year when everybody was out there on the line, everything was pedal to the metal. All of a sudden this year it was a different kind of feeling. I don’t know if it was complacency. I don’t know. The way in which we approached some of these games, I questioned it going in myself. I didn’t say anything because I wanted to try to make it work out. But in the end, ultimately, my suspicions came true. At the end of the game I wasn’t surprised at all. I felt like our approach wasn’t the same as it was in the past.”

This really explains a lot of the struggles down the stretch.  Coughlin should really take note of this, in my opinion.  Toomer’s a veteran, a leader, and experienced in these kind of situations.

In the end, I’m extremely sad to see him go.  One of my greatest Giants memories ever is watching Toomer catch the touchdown from Kent Graham at the end of regulation to beat the previously undefeated Denver Broncos RIGHT in front of me in 1998.  I was there, and he caught the pass in the corner of the end zone where my season tickets are (soon to be were, stupid personal seat licenses).  You have to understand something about me…my memory is HORRIBLE.  I can’t remember peoples’ names I met 15 minutes ago, and I hardly remember anything from years ago.  So for this to stick out to me  from over 10 years ago means something.  I love Toomer, and I always will.

I’d love to have you back, Amani.  If you go, I will understand.  I will be sad, but I will understand.  But all I ask is, for Gods’ sake…don’t pull a Joe Torre.

DECATUR, Ala. — New York Giants receiver Taye Biddle is recovering from gunshot wounds to his hand and leg after being shot while visiting family in his hometown.

Decatur police said in a statement Thursday that Biddle was shot outside a residence and was treated and released from a hospital. Police said there was no evidence Biddle caused or provoked the shooting.

“He had surgery on his hand today,” Biddle’s friend, Bruce Jones, told The Decatur Daily Thursday. “He told me his leg is OK, and he ought to be fine.”

The 25-year-old Biddle grew up in Decatur and played college football at the University of Mississippi.

Police have not made any arrests in the case.

Biddle was promoted from the Giants’ practice squad after receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended for a game in September.

…I’ve never even heard of this guy to be honest, but best wishes on a speedy recovery.

Just like I said in the last post, the Giants hired someone from within. Bill Sheridan is the new defensive coordinator. He was the linebackers coach for the Giants for the past 4 years.

Giants.com story

Here’s an interesting quote from Sheridan that I really like:
“I’m sure, as much as anything, that’s Tom’s motivation for promoting from within, whether it was me or Peter Giunta – to keep the defense in place,” Sheridan said. “It’s obviously a proven, excellent system that Steve brought from Philadelphia. You’re obviously going to have a slightly different tint to it, because you have a different coordinator and will get different input from whoever Tom brings in from outside to complete the staff. But the system is in place and there’s a tremendous comfort level with the players.”

Well here’s the answer to your Dom Capers theory Seth. He was hired by the Packers to be their defensive coordinator.

ESPN.com story - Packers hire Dom Capers

I agree with you that promoting a guy from within (which it looks like the G-Men are expected to do now) is probably the best choice.  Some names from in-house that you should keep in mind are linebackers coach Bill Sheridan, defensive line coach Mike Waufle, and secondary coach Peter Guinta.

and what you did for this team.

ESPN.com - Rams pick Spagnuolo

I am so thankful for what Spags did for the Giants.  He got us a championship.  Enough said.  The Giants have a history of developing defensive coordinators into head coachs now, with John Fox and Spags.  Fox brought the Panthers to the #2 seed in the NFC this year, and I think Spags will do a great job somewhere.  I have to admit, I think of all the job openings right now, the 2 that would be the most attractive are the Buccaneers and the Rams.  I feel like the Rams have some great potential.  I like Marc Bulger and haven’t given up on him yet like a lot of people have.

I wish Spags the best of luck, and will be rooting for him and the Rams.  It’s sad to see him go though.  Hopefully we can find someone to adequately take his place.  The ideal situation would be someone from inside the Giants who may have leared from Spags, and how he ran the defense.

Ok, first, here’s where I admit my mistake.  Anquan Boldin is NOT a free agent this year, it’s next year.  So if the Giants were to get him, it’d be through a trade.  From what I’ve been hearing, it would probably take them a 1st round pick and maybe a 3rd round pick.  That’s a steep price, but I might be willing to do it.  If the Giants decide that’s not the route they want to go, here’s where they could spend the bucks:

TJ Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati): After Cincinnati’s horrid season, and with TJ’s talent, I can’t imagine him staying with the Bengals.  I think a guy like him would be PERFECT in New York, to be honest.  Yes he was a long time Bengal, which means he’s had his fair share of legal trouble.  But he’s been a pretty quiet guy, especially with Chad Johnson there.  I think he would fit well in New York as the top guy, and he’d bring a ton of talent with him.  That being said, he’d cost the most of anyone here.  And the Giants most certainly can’t dish it out to both Ward and TJ.  Gotta pick one.

Bobby Engram (Seattle): Unfortunately, after TJ, the list drops off a bit.  Engram to me is not a #1 WR.  He would be a good addition, but not money well spent.  He’s also had enough injuries to throw up some red flags.  I say the Giants should stay away here.

Devery Henderson (New Orleans): He’s an incredible deep threat, and that’s exactly what the Giants need.  He would be a great addition to the team.  However, I think again they need to stick to getting that dominant #1 guy, and Henderson’s not a #1.  His career high in receptions in a season is 32.

Other FA’s:
Hank Basket (Philly) - Restricted
Jabar Gaffney (New England)
Ashley Lelie (Oakland) - This might deserve a second look, he’s been stuck on bad teams for a while
Koren Robinson (Green Bay)
Antonio Bryant (Tampa Bay)

A little later on, I’ll do an overview of the LB’s out there, since I feel that’s the Giants other biggest need.  I’ll tell you in advance…it’s a hell of a free agent class.

Tom Coughlin said on WFAN radio that he’s “not ready” to welcome Plaxico Burress back to the team.

“We need to sit down and think about it and talk about that and see what the circumstance might be,” Coughlin said on WFAN when asked if he was ready to bring Burress back. “And I told everyone, I told the world, that Plaxico is a member of our team and I am concerned about him, for his well-being and that of his family. But the issues that I have to think about are that there are 52 other guys in that locker room as well.”

I agree with Coughlin here. Obviously we have to see how the legal proceedings go. But I just feel like Burress is going to keep causing distractions, and if the Giants can go out and get a pure #1 WR who won’t do that, they need to go that route instead. This is not going to be solved quickly though.

“Reports here in New York say that Eli Manning will get a $120 million extension, making him the highest paid player in the NFL. He will get $60 million from the New York Giants, and $60 million from the Philadelphia Eagles.”

I couldn’t help myself but laugh.

It’s up. Please don’t jump out the window after listening.

Also, comment here on what you make of the season, after listening to Kevin and I argue about it for the first 10 minutes of the show.