Hate It or Love It

I have a love/hate relationship with NFL preseason games. I love em cuz it means that football, no matter how sloppy and uncoordinated, starts in August, not September. It means that I get to take a look at some of my favorite teams before the season starts, find strengths and flaws, and see how the team gels. Preseason gives you a rare look at guys who never take the field in the reg season, backups, guys who wanna make the team, and rookies. Preseason is also the time of unlikely, untimely, unexpected, devastating, too-fuckin-early-ass injuries. EVERY preseason, without fail, players get hurt. Some with tweaked ankles, others with season ending injuries. The New York Giants played the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night and OMG did we feel it! First of all, the Giants didn't look that great, yet they eeked out a 13-12 win. Baltimore's defense is sick!! The Giants lost 5, count em - 5, guys in this game. Back to back injuries, hell, I even got hurt! Some guys look like they'll be ready to go for the season opener, others are DONE for the season.

1) CB Sam Madison – Pulled Hamstring
He injured this same hamstring last season and missed about 4 weeks. Season opener? It's questionable.

2) FS Will Demps – Dislocated Elbow
He said he's had this injury before in is career and he was back in 2-3 weeks. Doctors, however, say the healing process takes more like 4-6 weeks. We'll see, but as for now, count his ass out.

3) WR Steve Smith – Concussion
He scored the only touchdown of the game for the Giants. Eli really threaded the needle with the pass he threw to Smith in the end zone. As he caught it, 2 defensive players converged on him, he caught an elbow to the head, and he suffered a concussion. He returned to practice Tuesday, and he's lookin like he should be ready to go.

4) PR Michael Jennings – Torn Achilles Tendon

Jennings caught a nice ass pass as he was going out of bounds. Somehow, someway during the scramble the shit popped. You already know how I feel about the Achilles. Damn that Achilles!!

5) C Greg Ruegamer – Sprained Ankle
Backup center, hopefully it stays just a sprained ankle.

Not only that, there was another scare on the sidelines. Third string QB Jared Lorenzen ran out of bounds on a play and stepped on RB Brandon Jacobs foot. Big ass 6'4, 285 lb Lorenzen steppin on big ass 6'4, 264 lb Jacobs foot. Jacobs ended up ok, but damn. We cannot afford to have Jacobs injured, missing games with a foot injury. We all saw what happened to Shaun Alexander last season...

For the Ravens, Troy Smith came out in the 4th quarter and as a Big Ten fanatic, it was nice to see him on the field. He looked good, and if there was more time on the clock he might have been able to lead them to a game winning score. He's fightin for the 3rd QB spot against Drew "Who" Olson, and uhh, the Heisman Winner will get it. He was 4-8 for 60 yards. Smith learning from Steve McNair? He did his thing at OSU, and his future, like his past, is very bright.

2007-2008 NFL Season Is Underway!!

So I just blinked and the summer is over and NFL preseason games startstomorrow! WTF!?! Where have you been all my life? Click here to see the entire preseason schedule. I am sooo excited for 4 straight weeks of preseason games. This is the best August I've had since, well, last August. Game 1 is tomorrow night, Sunday, August 5. It's the Hall of Fame Weekend game, Pittsburgh Steelers @ New Orleans Saints. Some preseason games will be nationally televised on NFL Network, CBS and Fox. The games will be on Thursday through Monday! In my opinion, a balla ass 5 day weekend! You get to see how teams are getting along with the moves they made in the offseason, draft and trades. See if the offense and defense gel. Who is the mighty powerhouse that will fall? What teams are sleepers? So much to look forward to, I can't wait.

The only downside to preseason is not being able to see much of the regular season starters. The QB will take a couple of snaps and then completely disappear. The running backs get a few carries, the wide receivers a few catches, then sit on the sidelines. The upside to this is being able to see the guys who never really get a chance to play. There are a lot of backups who are actually good and in some cases, better than the first string.

Last year I went to a Giants preseason game against the New England Patriots and I got to see big man Jared Lorenzen at QB. And let me tell you, I'm a fan! He also won the game for the GMen last preseason against the Baltimore Ravens. Also known affectionately as the, The Pillsbury Throwboy," Lorenzen's a third year player who went undrafted out of Kentucky. I don't know what the Giants have planned for him but I wish they would use him more. I know the G-Men are married to the idea of having Eli Manning as quarterback, and don't get me wrong, I like him too. This whole time he's been like my little baby, I just wanna pinch his widdle cheeks! Anytime people said bad things about him, I took up for him, like a big sister would. But if he can't get it together this season instead of crumbling under pressure, Lorenzen, AKA Hefty Lefty, deserves a chance. He has a good arm, and for his size, 6'4" 285, he's pretty good on his feet.

Strahan, Strahan, Strahan (And The Giants...)

As if his nasty, public divorce wasn't enough for him, New York Giants DE Michael Strahan has found yet another way to keep his name in everyone's mouth. He has yet to report to training camp, which started on July 27th (hey, my birthday!!) up in Albany. $8 million over the next 2 years just isn't enough for him, and he wants to renegotiate his contract. When the Giants held firm and said they would not restructure, Strahan said he's mulling retirement. After 14 years in the league, it's understandable. BUT!!!! If His wife hadn't taken him to the cleaners, and hung his wallet out to dry, I would believe that. She won $15.3 million divorce settlement! The fact of the matter is Strahan NEEDS the money!! $$$$$$$!! For sitting out of training camp, the Giants have decided to fine him $14,288 for each day he doesn't show. So this retirement mess is just a ploy to get more money out of the team, and uhhh, it seems more like he's losin money rather than makin it.

I've been a Strahan fan for years, and I would love to see him be part of the 2007 Giants lineup. He has the most career sacks among active players with 132.5. This puts him above guys like Simeon Rice, Jason Taylor, Kevin Carter and Warren Sapp, all OGs in the sack game. He missed half of last season with a foot injury, and if I was part of management, I wouldn't risk signing him for even more years and even more money at his age. I read that Strahan's expected to make an announcement about his future in the next couple of days. I also heard today that his agent contacted several teams in the offseason, to see if they were interested in a trade. And uhhh, no one was with it. I don't have a problem with you renegotiating your contract. By all means, get that cake. But don't wait til now to put your foot down. A contract is a contract, and you really don't have a leg to stand on. Hell, get a better agent. I'm sure someone else could have done a better job getting you some money, but sitting out like this? You look like a crazy old man.

Strahan, here's my personal message to you - CRAP OR GET OFF THE POT!! BRING YO ASS OR GET THE HELL ON!!! You and I both know you need the money! $4 million this season is MORE than enough for most people, but this divorce payout has you all fucked up!! And clearly it's more than any other team is willing to give you. If you actually wanna retire, then go out like a real hero. Let us love you out the door, not shove you out over a fake retirement stand off. Do like Jerome Bettis, retire, cop mad endorsements, and get that GUAP!! If you're feeling old, then BE OLD. Shit, at 35, you're no damn spring chicken! Get the hell outta the way so we can MOVE THE FUCK ON!! This is a holdout, not the retirement your trying to pass it off as. I love you Mike, but you are getting fined over $14 grand for every day you refuse to show up. And we all know you need the money!! You have alimony AND child support, nigga you better WORK! If you don't, be prepared to be suspended, fined, AND get your bonuses taken away! The Giants and fans love you, but if you chose not to play, we WILL move on.

But if Michael Strahan decides it's not worth it to comeback, I'm good. The Giants are going to be a totally different team in 2007. Tiki Barber is gone, and Brandon Jacobs is the 2nd coming. He is a POWER HOUSE and this season he'll get more than just goal line and short yardage opportunities. He's going to be the starter and he'll play a huge role this season in the Giants offensive game. Not to mention the acquisition of Reuben Droughns in the offseason. We got running backs galore! It's not just the RB position that's been upgraded, but the wide receiver as well. Amani Toomer is back and ahead of schedule with rehabbing his knee. Plaxico Burress stepped up his game last season, and if he can stay healthy this season, I look forward to seeing more of him this season. I've been a Burress fan from his days as a Pittburgh Steeler, and he and Eli Manning have a connection that grows stronger with time. And just in case he also gets injured again, the Giants drafted WR Steve Smith out of USC in the second round of this years draft. Word on the street is he's FIYAHH!! I'm looking to see how much playing time he'll get behind guys like Toomer and Burress. I'm excited to see them all back on the field. And if I was head coach Tom Coughlin, I would tell backup QB Jared Lorenzen to keep his helmet on cuz if Manning reverts to fetus mode on the field, like he usually does under pressure, he's out. I don't care if he is Peyton Manning's baby bro, he is GONE and the Pillbury Throwboy is in there. Like swimwear.

The Tampa bay Buccaneers waived defensive end Simeon Rice last week and he's been making his rounds thoughout the NFL to see who wants to pick him up. He came by the Giants facilities on the 1st of August, passed his physical, and is still shopping for a team. Rice is an old ass like Strahan, at 33 years of age and 12 years in the league. He has 121 sacks, second only to Strahan among active players. We made need him if Strahan decides not to come back.

Protect Yo Gotdamn Neck!

"Without struggle, there is no purpose."

I love RB Priest Holmes and word on the street is he's comin back to football. As far as I'm concerned Larry Johnson can keep on keepin on with his holdout and Mr. Holmes can bring it back!! I've always admired him as a player, and I would love to see the "Bishop" back on the field setting records like he did years ago. In 2004 he dislocated his hip and many considered that to be a career ender but he came back better than ever. If he can recover from his most recent injury and still be productive I'm with it. He played 7 games in 2005 before a head-to-head collision with LB Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers caused him severe head and neck trauma.

But let me admit that I'm scared. My homie Priest hasn't played in damn near 2 years, 22 months to be exact. Anytime someone is seriously injured, especially a head and neck injury, I don't really see too many reasons to keep trying to play. Hang it up and enjoy the rest of your life. You know, the other part that doesn't involve you takin hits for a living? I don't know, there's just something about not being paralyzed for life that appeals to me...Hmmm... But then again, I said the same thing about Chad Pennington before the start of last season. I didn't see why he would keep putting the Jets through shoulder surgery after shoulder surgery. Take a seat and let someone else take a shot at it. What's the point of having 3 backup QBs if they never even hit the field. I was soooo wrizzong!! CP is back better than ever and I'm eatin it up!

Priest is a 3 time Pro-Bowler. In 2003 he set the single season touchdown record. Yeah that's right. 27 TDs on 1,420 yeards. And this was after 2 knee injuries and the hip surgery. He's played in 109 games, rushed for a sick 8,035 yards on 1,735 carries, and 86 touchdowns. His receiving numbers are just as impressive; 334 receptions for 2,945 yards and 8 more TDs. Want an even better sign Priest should come back? As much as I liked him, Dick Vermeil is gone, and one of my favorite coaches, Herman Edwards is in. Hey, I'm from New York. The Pledge of Allegiance.

[Said through clenched teeth] Same thing can't be said for the Giants. I've always seen Eli Manning as my little baby and I've given him the benefit of the doubt and blamed the majority of his issues on his age and experience. What's the point of a QB who folds under pressure? True Giants PROgress, not REgress. If Eli Manning can't get it together this season I want to see Jared Lorenzen on the field. The Pillsbury THROWboy!! I love it!!

I read an article by a a guy, Jason Whitlock, and it pissed me OFF!! He's a writer for the Kansas City Star and his "thoughts" on Priest are complete and utter garbage. Click here and read it. Tell me what you think. I'm sick of people who put sports before a man's health. Whitcock, you can shove it.