Tag Archives: Osi Umenyiora
The Daily News Live panel discusses the futures of Brandon Jacobs and Osi Umenyiora with the New York Giants.
Tagged Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora |
Giants’ DE Osi Umenyiora knew he made a mistake yesterday when he didn’t attend a mandatory media session. He didn’t know just how big until yesterday, when the league docked him twenty grand, and again this morning when he met the media, who asked him little about football – focusing mainly on his forgetfulness…..
“Honest mistake. We had just went through the whole media day the day before so I wasn’t sure that this was mandatory so I went to hang out with my family. It was a mistake, a costly one, but a mistake none the less.”
Tagged New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora, Super Bowl XLVI |
Millions of people around the world have identical plans for Sunday evening. While the majority of them settle in for just another annual viewing of The Super Bowl, Giants fans will have the special privilege of actually watching their own team compete in the legendary contest.
Missing a drive to go on a beer run will not be an option this year for those that read this blog. But as I did last week, I once again ask: Why? What makes Giants Football so enthralling? What makes this 2nd Super Bowl appearance in 4 years so special?
In my view, you are only 1/2 a fan if you don’t understand how your team got to the point it did. The successes and failures of the past seasons weave the story that makes every down, every play, and every minute of Big Blue action unmissable. So for the next 3 days, I will be breaking down the Giants millennium thus far in 4 year installments. Enjoy.
2000: The Giants started the first season of the new millennium with a revival of the throwback uniforms worn before the modern era. The new look, which featured a solid blue home jersey and a lower case “ny” logo instead of “GIANTS” spelled out on the helmet, was accompanied by the removal of the neon green astro turf that coated the Meadowlands field. Giants Stadium was once again home to natural grass turf.
The neon green artificial turf that covered Giants Stadium in the 1990's was retired in 2000 as part of the organization's campaign to return to its roots. Photo Courtesy: NFLTeamHistory.com
But the old school vibe was designed to help inspire a new attitude and direction for the storied organization. After wading through a purgatory of mediocrity throughout the majority of the 1990’s, the Giants front office was determined to restore a winning tradition to one of the league’s most iconic franchises.
Tagged Eli Manning, Osi Umenyiora |
The Super Bowl is one week away. The lights, the cameras, the Maxim Tailgate party and, at the center of it all, two quarterbacks taking the stage for the second time in four years.
This has become an Eli vs. Tom Bowl.
So, why am I only consumed with the Giants defensive line vs. the Pats offensive line. Mostly because the memories of the 2007 Super Bowl are still fresh.
Watching the absolute mayhem that the Giants defensive line inflicted on Tom Brady was quite a sight as the Arizona desert became a coming-out party for Justin Tuck and swan song for the Hall of Famer-to-be Michael Strahan.
Not to be forgotten was the high-flying Osi Umenyiora, who would not be denied his path to the quarterback.
As the 2007 season kicked off, I knew very little about the Pats offensive line. As the year unfolded, Matt Light and Logan Mankins made their status known as two of the best linemen in the NFL.
However, as good as those two warriors are, the Giants front four has won the battle up front on a consistent basis. And now, four years later, that battle will unfold again on the biggest stage—Super Bowl XLVI.
Tagged Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Matt Light, Osi Umenyiora, Super Bowl |
Giants’ DE Osi Umenyiora has only had two on-field fights in his career, both with New England OL Matt Light.
“Yeah, man, it is what it is. Me and him, I’ve actually fought him twice, actual real fight on the football field, twice,” Umenyiora said. “Me and him, we have history. We’re going to rekindle it on Sunday.”
Tagged New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora |
While the 49ers and the Ravens might have more complete defenses and the Patriots may lay claim for having the league’s best offense, but out of the teams still left in the playoffs the Giants could conceivably be the most complete team.
As the Giants come together late in the season they are firing on all cylinders, both offensively and defensively. They are proving to be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, as teams will have to play a complete game on offense and defense to stop the Giants.
On offense, Eli Manning and company are putting points on the board with ease. In their last four games (including the playoffs) the Giants are scoring a little more than 30 points per game. That is about six points more than they averaged during the regular season (24.6).
Tagged Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora |
By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner/Executive Editor Football Reporters Online-Special to GFB
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.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Eli Manning, giants, Justin Tuck, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora, Perry Fewell, Tom Coughlin, Victor Cruz |
I don’t see any reason to stray from a formula that has been working. Especially when it is extremely appropriate for this particular scenario. So while I don’t intend to be too agitated today, I will be utilizing yet another comparison to the 2007 championship season.
In 2006, Tiki Barber served as the face of an underwhelming Giants franchise. In the fall of 2005 (a season in which he would break off a 95 yard run and accrue 235 rushing yards in a single game), he would accompany Jeremy Shockey to the bedside of a dying Wellington Mara. The two were described as the football patriarch’s favorite current stars.
But after years of serving as the lightening rod for an otherwise underachieving offense, Barber abruptly left pro football. His departure left a significant hole in the Giants roster. The hole was not much unlike the one that Jerry Reese found himself staring at when Steve Smith hobbled out the door and into the Eagles arms.
Between ’06 and ’07, the Giants finally gave up their attempt to mold project slot receiver Tim Carter into a dangerous weapon. Carter, who is the cousin of former MLB Outfielder Gary Sheffield, appeared to be a physical specimen. He was easily one of the fastest players in the league. Unfortunately, he lacked the ability to consistently haul in catches.
Tagged aaron rodgers, Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Reuben Droughns, Tiki Barber |
I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Kevin Gilbride. You sir have risen from the ashes of my defeat and given me immeasurable hope. Because of you Giants Nation can rejoice in the knowledge that I, Mr. Bad Guy am not in fact dead.
You may have thought I was getting weak. I wouldn’t blame you. The last post I wrote while watching QVC and hemming your sister’s skirt. I was overflowing with joy; straight up giddy in fact. Sue me.
But I took a long look in the mirror this morning. I wiped the smile from my face. No points allowed on defense? Great, that’s their job isn’t it? Eli throws 3 TDs and the rushing attack combines for over 100 yards? Good to know. But those first couple drives? C’mon KillDrive are you serious?
Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora, Rocky Bernard, Victor Cruz |
As the first ever playoff game in MetLife Stadium draws nearer, comparisons are swirling regarding the 2011 squad’s resemblance to the World Champion 2007 Giants team. For the most part, I too can see the resemblance.
Just like in the summer of ‘07, the Giants weren’t expected to make much noise this season. After making quick free agent splashes with top UDFA Mark Herzlich and C David Baas, Big Blue found itself sitting idly by as other teams stole headlines and marquee names.
GM Jerry Reese was under serious fire before a single preseason snap was played. Two of Eli’s top targets, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss, were allowed to quietly walk out the door and in one case into the arms of the franchise’s most hated rival. Ahmad Bradshaw too was almost not retained, but a pay cut taken by Brandon Jacobs led to his return.
After a season staggered with disappointing losses to lesser opponents (including opening day), the Giants appear to have hit their stride in the closing two weeks. In Week 16 of 2007, it was the Bills that the Giants surged past to clinch a playoff berth and in 2011 they would step on the throats of a free falling Gang Green.
I agree there are similarities, but there is also one alarming difference. Earth, Wind, and Fire is no more. In 2008, Brandon Jacobs teamed with Derrick Ward to amass over 2,000 yards on the ground. The pair was so effective that Ahmad Bradshaw barely even saw the field during the entire campaign despite playing a major roll in the previous post-season success of the franchise.
While Earth, Wind, and Fire are no longer united, perhaps this trio could serve as musical inspiration for the NYG rushing attack. Photo Courtesy: Dailycaller.com
This year, a less effective offensive line and dinged up RBs have hampered Big Blue. The good news, Eli Manning has managed to counter the lack of balance by putting on a passing clinic. He has racked up 4,933 passing yards in 16 games. After publicly claiming that he was in Tom Brady’s class, Manning backed up his words by finishing just 67 yards shy of 5,000. His 15 4th quarter TD’s broke an NFL record that was previously held by big brother Peyton.
Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Jake Ballard, Julio Jones, Justin Tuck, Matt Ryan, Osi Umenyiora, Roddy White, Tom Coughlin, Tony Gonzalez, Victor Cruz | ← Older posts
