Guess Who's Bizzack!?

MICHAEL STRAHAN!! YAY!! One BIG BLUE happy family! Word came out early last week that he was in contact with Giants GM Jerry Reese, and that they had "constructive and positive" talks. At that time, Strahan was expected to officially make a decision by mid week. Of course, that didn't happen. Finally, almost a week after the Strahan story resurfaced, we have a definitive answer. Michael Strahan is not retiring! On Friday, he said said he's ending his holdout and reporting to the Giants effective Monday, September 3rd! IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME! He missed 36 days of training camp, and all four of the Giants preseason games. At $14,288 per day, Strahan has racked up a whopping $514,368 in fines. Strahan and the Giants have worked out a deal to considerably reduce that amount, and he's still scheduled to make a cool $4 mil this season. The Giants regular season opener is Sun, 9.9 at Dallas. This would leave him less than a week to prepare, but head coach Tom Coughlin said he won't play in the game.

Everyone, including Strahan, knows he's getting old. Let's face it, he didn't want to go through yet another training camp. Training camp is for rookies and walkons, not 15 year veterans. Who the hell wants to do two-a-days in sweltering August heat? Not a 35 year old man! Instead of risking a freak preseason injury, he worked out in L.A. for a few weeks. Sure it cost him a few bucks but he has been doing this since forever and he'll be right back in the mix. A bit late, but still needed. Strahan is an emotional leader and adds character and fire to a team that is otherwise pretty dull. The Giants are going to have a pivotal season, with Tiki Barber gone and Eli Manning at the reins. Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns are the ground game, and if the starting WRs, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, can stay healthy, the air isn't too bad. Young guys Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith could come up big this season as well. The defense has battled injuries during the preseason, with Sam Madison dealing with hamstring trouble and Will Demps on IR because of a dislocated elbow. Some of the regulars will still be there, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Fred Robbins and Antonio Pierce.

Strahan's timing coincides with the deadline for teams to cut their rosters down to a regular season limit of 53 players. The Giants released 21 players, including six-year vet Tim Hasselbeck, who lost his third string job to Anthony Wright. Big Blue also let go tight end Charles Davis, wide receivers Brandon London and Kevin McMahan, offensive linemen Justin Jones, Jon Dunn, Ryan Keenan, Todd Londot and Matt Lentz, defensive ends Tommy Davis and Marquis Gunn, defensive tackles Jonas Seawright and Tui Alailafaleula, linebackers James Davis and Tyson Smith, cornerbacks Gerrick McPhearson, Darren Barnett and E.J. Underwood, guard Zach Piller, safety J.R. Reed, punter Cory Ohnesorge and kicker Josh Huston. London, Lentz, Gunn and Underwood were signed to the practice squad. They also claimed two players off waivers, CB Dovonte Edwards from the Vikings and G Kevin Boothe from the Raiders.

It Ain't All About The Benjamins, Giants

2 Strahan articles in less than 1 week. Well, here goes! New York Giants DE Michael Strahan has yet to attend a day of training camp and is being fined more than $14 Gs per day he misses. He claimed to be considering retirement, but a lot of people, including myself, feel that he was holding out in order to force the Giants into renegotiating his contract. He's set to earn $8 million over the next two seasons, and he wants more! Well, Strahan is apparently upset that people are calling this a ploy to get more money, instead of what it is, a man who is getting old and is not sure whether or not he wants to play in the NFL any longer. On Sunday, August 5th, he issued this statement to his fans, via email, through his agent, Tony Agnone:

As many of you know, I am contemplating one of the biggest decisions of my football career, whether I should retire or continue playing. Like all athletes, I knew this day would come when I would have to stand before that proverbial fork in the road. But I must admit that it’s not until you’re actually staring at the two diverging paths do you really grasp how impactful and painful this decision can be. I was hoping to make this personal decision quietly and without much hoopla, but given the recent torrent of erroneous media reports and totally inaccurate assumptions, I feel that I have to come forward and publicly set the record straight with those for whom I have toiled the last fourteen years—you fans.

This off season has been one of the best in my professional career. I have worked extremely hard to make sure that I’m in shape and ready to tackle the rigors of another physical season. I am proud to say that at my body feels years younger and ready to compete at the highest level. I love training and preparation, and this off season has made it clear to me that this is one aspect of the game that I will miss tremendously when I decide to one day unstrap the helmet for the last time. I went into this off season with every intention of entering a 15th season with the Giants, the only team I’ve ever played for during my career. But I am human, and despite the images of me grimacing and tackling opposing quarterbacks and running backs, I have to face my mortality like anyone else. When an athlete like myself who does what I do for a living starts having doubts, then it’s time to take a step back and seriously consider my future. Anyone who plays in the NFL with doubts or second guessing is not only putting themselves at risk, but their teammates also. I will never do that.

What 's been most disappointing has been all of this nonsense that I'm holding out for more money. The truth is that football has been very good to me and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by advisors who have ensured that my family and I will live comfortably for the rest of my life.You deserve to know what's really going on. My agent met with the Giants earlier in the year and discussed many things including my contract.Money is not the reason that I have not reported to training camp and it will not be a factor for my return. This has already been communicated to the Giants and while the reports may indicate a "hard line" taken by the team regarding money , it is not necessary, as this issue had been decided well before July

Despite what some might believe there are those of us who make decisions that have nothing to do with money. Many athletes ask themselves daily if they are emotionally and psychologically at the level where they can compete at the highest level for twenty-four weeks. For them also it isn't about the money, rather a serious athlete asking serious questions about his future. All that I ask, after fourteen seasons,is that you afford me the patience so that I might arrive at my decision on my own terms.

As GM Jerry Reese has said, the Giants are not going to hold a spot for me. I completely understand his stance as football is a business and he must do what is in the best interest of the team. I know that I am only one player. I want to express my thanks to the owners and coaches for their extremely kind words about my career as a Giant to date. I have been proud to wear the Giant uniform thoughout my professional career.You have my word that I will try to make the correct decision as quickly as possible. If I decide to play, I hope that you will continue to cheer me on like you have for all of these years. If I decide to hang up the cleats, then I will bid you all a tremendous thank you for the privilege to play a game that has blessed me in so many ways and created memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. I humbly thank you for your understanding and being the best fans in the world.

Michael Strahan, #92

Blah, Blah, muhfuckin BLAH!! Listen Strahan, no one has a problem with you not being sure whether you want to retire. Please, 14 years of pounding people in the NFL will do that to a man. You claim you wanted to make this decision "quietly and without much hoopla" but that's a crock of shit and we all know it. First of all, you play in NEW YORK!! Every move you make is under intense media scrutiny, and after that nasty ass public divorce you had, I know you know that much. Not to mention the magnifying glass that was put over your sex life. Whether it's the hookers or your alleged friendship with Dr. Ian Smith. Now the hoes I believe. But I know Dr. Ian and I don't believe for one minute that you guys are gay lovers, but the media ran with that too! Secondly, if you wanted the media to have accurate information, you should have just given it to us. You didn't even tell your head coach Tom Coughlin what was going on! Come straight out the gate saying you have reservations so you don't leave room for speculation. You don't wait 10 days into a holdout to finally address the media. Knowing that you attempted to restructure your contract to no avail would lead ANYONE to believe that your absence would be related to that. No one can force you to come back, it is truly your decision. We all want you to decide this on your "own terms," but hell, you had the entire offseason to decide. In the email you say you feel better, stronger and younger than you ever have in your NFL career. More power to ya my brotha!! Feel good, feel great! That should be your only goal in this life. But I don't wanna hear that!! You missed most of the second half of last season with that damn foot injury, and the Giants straight disintegrated! The team needs you! You're one of my favorite players on the team and I want to see you come back and play the way you weren't able to last season.

Honestly, if retirement is in your heart, then stop playing. Let last season be your last, and let us remember you as the 7-time Pro-Bowler and tremendous athlete that you are. Don't give people the chance to call you some chump who held out the entire preseason to either A) decide he still wanted to play, or B) figure out that he wanted to retire. I hope you do come back. I love the energy and leadership you bring to the Giants defensive core. I love watching you play, and if you return I "will continue to cheer [you] on like [I] have for all of these years." You'll will go down as one of the best defensive player of this era, and I'm proud to say I got a chance to be a part of history. You're a future hall of famer, and I'm not reaching when I say that. I wish you the best of luck with your decision, and I hope you do what's best for you, and not everyone else. But uhhh, bring ya ass back

P.S. I love how I'm writing this like he's actually gonna read it! Oh, I have hopes and dreams!

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.