Happy Holidays From The Staff at GFB………Here’s to a happy and a healthy to our readers and their families…..

Aaron Ross’ hamstring may keep him out of this week’s game against Carolina.  He is day-to-day, but from what we’ve heard, the situation is not a good one….

No word on whether the league plans to sanction Brandon Jacobs for his role in Monday’s fight in Washington.  If it hasn’t happened by now, it may not happen…….

After shattering the franchises’ single season receiving marks, Steve Smith will be seeking a lucrative contract extension.  Smith, 24, is currently under contract until 2010 (at 550k per) and has earned a huge payday.  Our thoughts: give it to him!

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The Giants’ players are fully aware that this Sunday’s game will most likely the last at Giants’ Stadium.  The fans – both young and old – will be out in full force to say goodbye to the old girl, which has housed the Big Blue since 1976. It will be bittersweet to most, but for many  – it’s time to move on.

……some random quotes…….

“If it is the last time we play at Giants Stadium,” said Justin Tuck, “we want to definitely go out with a bang.”

Tom Coughlin: “I remember many, many years ago before I ever got involved in professional football. Giants Stadium, I always thought, was the greatest football stadium in the world. It was always an honor, a privilege and an eye-opener to bring a college team, or whatever I was coaching, into that stadium.”

Rich Seubert: “I was fresh out of college, coming here for that rookie mini-camp,” Seubert said. “We came on a bus with all the other rookies, I didn’t know anything, I came from Western Illinois, when we walked down that ramp, I walked out that tunnel and took a little peek, it was special.”

Eli Manning: “I have only been here six years, but I have a lot of fond memories and great wins. Obviously for the fans and the ownership, it’s a special game for them. You think about how many great teams and great games have been played in Giants Stadium. It will be a special day for us.”

John Mara on his father’s decision to move the team to the Meadowlands in the early ’70′s: “I think people forget that at the time, it was about as controversial a decision as we have ever had in our history, and he was vilified, both broadcast and print at the time for “abandoning New York” and moving the franchise. But somebody pointed out at the time Giants Stadium was actually closer to Times Square than Yankee Stadium was…..”

Notes

The Stadium has hosted everything from pro and college football to professional soccer and landmark concerts including multiple tours featuring U2, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, The Grateful Dead, Green Day and Bon Jovi.

In 1995, Pope John Paul II held mass in the Meadowlands.

This Sunday, the team will have available approximately 60,000 programs that will sell for $1 – the price of game programs when the stadium opened in 1976. I have a copy of the original, btw……

At halftime, the crowd will be treated to a taped performance of Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball”, a song he wrote specifically for his last Giants Stadium appearance in October.