National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
How many professional sports leagues can pinpoint the exact spot, the exact day, even the exact time they “arrived?” The National Football League can: Yankee Stadium, December 28, 1958, 4:51 PM. Fifty years ago this December 28 — the final day of the 2008 NFL regular season — what would become known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played” took place — the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in New York City. And when Colts fullback Alan Ameche burst through a hole for a one-yard touchdown …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
With two sacks in this afternoon’s 25-16 win over the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter now has 10.5 on the season and is on a pace to break Michael Strahan’s all-time record of 22.5 sacks (back in 2001). After the game, Joey expressed his enthusiasm as only he can:
“I’ve never really been in a system to where a lot of the defense I’m featured in is so I can go out there and make plays. They put me in a position to make plays a lot and I’ll put that on myself to …read more

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National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
N.Y. Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora will miss the 2008 season with a torn MCL. He injured his left knee in the second quarter of the Giants 10-7 preseason loss to the N.Y. Jets last night. So not only are the defending Super Bowl champs missing one of their Pro Bowl defensive ends (Michael Strahan to retirement), they’re now missing both of them with this devastating injury.
It was a sickening sight to see Osi’s left knee buckle on a play where he was simply rushing the quarterback. It looked like his foot caught …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Michael Strahan is going out on top. The face of the N.Y. Giants and one of the greatest players in the team’s history announced his retirement today as a Super Bowl champion. Michael played 15 season with the Giants. This morning he told FoxSports.com:
“It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title. It’s time. I’m done.”
I can’t say I’m surprised with Michael’s decision. He was considering retirement last year at this time. And it was pretty …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
N.Y. Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is scheduled to receive $4 million this coming season. He wants $8 million. Otherwise, he’s probably going to call it quits. Apparently the Giants are willing to go as high as $6 million, but Michael is really pushing the envelope here. As he enters the final year of a seven-year deal, he insists money isn’t the issue. That’s very funny. Of course money is the issue. It’s the only issue. Michael has his Super Bowl ring. He hates training camp. And he would rather not wake …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
By the time the N.Y. Giants took the field, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect after my experience with the Patriots. And as a result, I feel I had a better session with the G-Men. As much as Tom Brady was getting most of the attention for the Pats, Giants QB Eli Manning and DE Michael Strahan were pretty much split in their popularity for New York. Both of them appeared to handle the adoration very well. Michael seems to thrive on his popularity. And he’s usually joking and …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
There’s a Manning in the Super Bowl again this year. But this time, it’s younger brother Eli’s turn as he led his N.Y. Giants to a 23-20 overtime win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. Yes, Eli Manning led them. It was the Giants’ 10th straight road win and once again, Eli took charge by managing the football game and not making mistakes. He was 21 of 40 for 254 yards with no touchdowns, but also no interceptions. There is so much to be said for not turning the …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
It’s a one-game season for the teams in this weekend’s Conference Championship games. Win and you’re on your way to sunny Glendale, AZ for Super Bowl XLII on February 3. Lose and it’s the sudden beginning of a long offseason. “Our whole season is at stake and so is theirs,” says New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in describing his AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers. The same can be said for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

Both games are rematches of Week …read more