The Giants are one win away from another Super bowl appearance. Let’s let that statement sink in for a moment. The team that few if any gave a chance to in August, September, October, November & December….is again making noise in January, much like the 2007 Giants.

Or are they more like the 1990 Giants?

Today during the NFC Championship press conference, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke of history. He was the wide receivers coach for the 1990 Giants that won Super Bowl 25: “A lot of our players are aware of history, but that was a long time ago”

It can be said that much like the 1990 & 2007 Giants teams, this year’s Giants are “hitting their stride” at the right time.  Even with what seemed to be an “officiating bias” against them, they have persevered, thrived on the controversy of spotty play at times, and ill-timed injuries at others.

It seemed like the TV networks and the league wanted a Saints vs. Packers title game. That didn’t happen. Instead we have a rematch of the 1990 battle by the bay.

It was an interesting time to live in back then, much different then now. We were preparing for war against Iraq (Desert Storm), the Berlin wall was coming down. Socialism was in retreat. It was a brave new world. NY Giants fans had a lot to celebrate. Their 3^rd post-season appearance in 5 years, a second Super Bowl berth, and a series of good draft classes, including 1986’s.

Back then I was one of 2 reporters who covered the team for an Upstate NY paper. It was my first season with a press credential to cover the team. I was a ripe and raw 30 year old  part-time sportswriter and special educator and sports coach.  I was also transitioning from a military career and life into a civilian one. I grew up with the NY Giants, and it seemed that the Giants had matured into a “legitimate contender” along with me.

But lets get back to the present day Giants, along with the present day me. I’ve now joined the legion of folks who observe the team from a distance, having just completed a move from Long Island to Northern Arizona for various reasons that include health restoration. The Giants seem to be regaining their health at the same time, judging by the performance of several key players the last two weeks.

While defensive end Justin Tuck is still playing well below his own personal standard because of his shoulder injury, Osi Umenyiora seems much closer to 100% then even 3 weeks ago. RB Ahmad Bradshaw also seems to be doing much better the past few weeks, and as goes the Giants’ rushers, so goes the Giants’ Offense.

One thing the 1986-90 Giants did not have that this current team does is three wide receivers with over one thousand yards each. Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and sophomore sensation Victor Cruz have etched their names into the record books for eternity. Coach Coughlin mentioned that in today’s presser as well saying: “we have an offense that can keep up with most teams in the NFL. The 49ers gave us one of our tougher games this season. It was a matter of running out of time.“

In my observation, the only way to slow down the Niners’ offense is to play 5 and 6 defensive back packages on passing downs. The problem with that is almost every down is a passing down for coach Harbaugh.  This can be an advantage for the Giants defense if they are able to generate enough pass pressure with just 4 players rushing. If not, expect a long day for the Giants’ defense and coordinator Perry Fewell.  The defense seems to look so much better the last month, but will it be enough? At least there is hope, and an offense led by Eli Manning.

Lt. Col. Gadson had lost bough his legs, above the knee when fighting in Iraq.  The former West Point football player gave such a moving and emotional speech that each and every player on the 2007 team reached deep down inside and found something.

“You don’t get to pick your circumstances. It’s your obligation to be your best no matter what you’re asked to do.” Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson said, and it stuck with every play that wore a NY on their helmet that year.

Osi Umenyiora is a very good football player and has the knack of making other players around him that much better.  I have faith that at the end of this year, Jerry Reese will do the right thing and take care of No. 72.

But for right now…three weeks to opening day kick off I seriously hope that Osi can find that motivation, that pride, that special something that brings out the competetive edge that makes him great.

Growing up watching Lawrence Taylor play you could always sense a feeling of greatness ooze from him when an opposing team challenged the Giants.  LT took it as such a his personnel mission to be the best and no man, no player was going to stop him.

I want Osi to let it all go and play like there is no tomorrow.  Show the world he can be better than Jared Allen, John Abraham and Dwight Freeney.

Maybe now the NY Giants can find some of that old magic.

Michael Strahan used to say that on game day he and Osi used to challenge each other and how Osi used to talk about how “he” was the better athlete.  Strahan rebuts his comments his comments, but loved the thought that Osi believed it.

The New York Giants have a very tough road schedule.  Outside their traditional inner-division schedule, Big Blue has New Orleans, Green Bay, New England, and the New York Jets all on the road.

Becoming 10 & 6 will take some of that “road warriors” magic that Osi Umenyiora knows all too much about.

That old football reporter himself, Bill Chachkes (aka Dr. Football) caught up with Giants’ great Michael Strahan and Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith at the at the Vaseline MEN Keep Your Grip Challenge event at Chelsea Piers yesterday. Our thanks to Mike Lynch of RocketXL for his help!

Listen below…..

Michael Strahan

Steve Smith

If Amhad Bradshaw is going to stay the #1 back on the New York Giants he is going to have make some adjustments carrying the ball.

Was the fumble against the Titans the only problem of the game….No.  However, in past 3 seasons Amhad Bradshaw has had 8 fumbles, which is not terrible.  The alarming stat is that through 3 games he has two.  This weeks was significant.

2007 – 2

2008 – 3

2009 – 3

In three games of the 2010 season(Carolina, Indianapolis, Tennessee)  Bradshaw already has dropped the ball on the turf two times.     He might want to give Tiki a call or ask Coughlin for some advise…and fast or he will sitting next to Rolle & McKenzie on the bench.

“All Coughlin did in that first meeting with Tiki was strongly suggest Barber change the way he carries the football. And Barber did, though not exactly the way Coughlin suggested. Coughlin told him to carry the ball with two hands across his chest. But what Barber actually does is carry the ball in one arm across his chest. And with the other arm he reaches across and holds tightly onto his wrist.”

The New York Daily News – Sunday, October 24th 2004

Sports Illustrated’s  Peter King has predicted the New York Giants to win the NFC East with a 11 & 4 record. 

His reasoning for the prediction…a combination between the “NASCAR” defensive scheme where all four defensive down lineman are pash rushing ends(Tuck, Kiwi, Osi, JPP), Perry Fewell’s ability to call a defense similar to the great Steve Spagnuolo and a healthy Chris Canty.

Yes, Chris Canty.   He believes that if the New York Giants could get production from Chris Canty for 16 games the NY Giants would make a major impact in the NFC and win the division.   He still has the Green Bay Packers going to the Super Bowl; however, Peter is predicting a bounce back year for big blue.

Peter also sited the 2007 New York Giants that were coming off a terible 2006 year at 8 & 8, which was good for 3rd in the division.  Currently, this team is flying belowe the radar.  If they can get healthy there maybe some magic left.

“He’s got to be the guy we paid,” said Reese. “He’s got some play-making ability. He’s got to keep it between his ears, keep it right in his head.”

“He’s got all the tools to be a really great corner. But he’s got to get it in his head, ‘I’m a great corner and I can play against anybody.’ When he falls short sometimes, I think he has a mental lapse in his head about something.”

Now I understand this material is now 13 days old but I would like to take this time to support Corey Webster.

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Tyree was the star of Super Bowl XLII, making one of the most memorable plays in recent sports history.

READ the press conference transcript.

David Tyree had a strong inkling his NFL career might be over. On Friday, he’ll make it official.

With the team he said has given him his “greatest memories.”

The Super Bowl XLII hero, whose miraculous catch with Patriots safety Rodney Harrison hanging all over him will remain the defining moment of his career, signed a one-day contract with the Giants so he can retire as a member of the organization, the team confirmed.

Tyree will make the announcement during a 10 a.m. conference call.

I interviewed Tyree in May. He didn’t seem like a guy who had any football left in him…….READ