NY/NJ Get Super Bowl!

The NFL owners voted yesterday to send the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII to the new New York Giants/New York Jets stadium in east Rutherford, NJ during the league owners' meetings in Irving, TX. The announcement was made by NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, around 4:30 p.m. EST. The bid won on the 4th ballot when it received a simple majority, knocking out Tampa Bay, its last remaining competitor. The bid was not able to garner a super majority in the 3 previous ballots, which is a common occurrence during these votes each year.

The Super Bowl will take place either on February 2, 9, or 16 in 2014. The stadium will distribute, as necessary, hand and feet warmers, blankets, and self-warming seat cushions. There will be heaters throughout open concourses and fire pits in the parking lots for tailgaters.

Giants/Jets season ticket owners will not have a greater chance at receiving Super Bowl tickets in 2014 than any other fans in the country, unless, of course, the Giants or Jets make the Super Bowl that year. Only 1% of Super Bowl tickets are set aside for the general public and those can only be bought through a random drawing.

Another positive that could come out of this is that with the successful bid the stadium might be able to obtain that elusive sponsor which would bring more revenue. A Super Bowl is a great publicity platform for a corporation sponsoring a host stadium and hopefully there are lots of companies out there now "licking their chops."

Justin Tuck on the 2014 Super Bowl

NFL.com Videos

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d818514a6/Tuck-excited-for-SB-XLVIII

Osi Opens Up

NFL.com NFL Total Access: Osi Opens Up

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8184c2fd/Osi-opens-up

Giants 2010 Outlook

NFL.com NFL Total Access: Giants 2010 Outlook

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d8184cf79/Giants-2010-outlook

Boss' Surgery Goes Well

ESPN.com is reporting that Kevin Boss, New York Giants starting tight end, said the surgery he underwent on his ankle this past Monday went well. On his Twitter, Boss tweeted, "Just waking from ankle surgery....Doc said things went really well!" "Think Im gonna stop on way home and get a workout in!" Boss is expected to be recovering for 4-6 weeks and should be ready for training camp in August.

Aaron Ross is Back at Corner

New York Giant cornerback, Aaron Ross, is extremely happy to be back at his normal position for the upcoming season. Last season, Ross was moved from corner to safety after the Kenny Phillips injury and the ineffective play of Phillips replacement, C.C. Brown. Ross never really felt comfortable at safety and is relieved the Giants are so deep at the position now. In the offseason, the Giants added safeties Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, and 3rd round draft pick Chad Jones.

Boothe and Boss Need Surgey

The New York Giants, already thin on the offensive line, just got thinner when they announced that backup guard Kevin Boothe will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a torn pectoral muscle. The injury occurred during a recent team training session. Boothe will be out for approximately 4 months. 5th round draft pick and rookie Mitch Petrus will now be bumped up to the primary backup position behind starting guard Chris Snee and Rich Seubert.

Starting tight end Kevin Boss will undergo arthroscopic surgery to clean out his right ankle. Boss' recovery time should be about 4-6 weeks. Boss is expected to return for the start of the Giants training camp. Boss' ankle has bothered him since a sprain against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 4 last season. One wonders why Boos didn't get this taken care sooner? He says he wanted to see if it would heal on its own, but why is he making these decisions and not the team?

Osi Advises LeBron to Stay Put

In another boneheaded statement, sure to inflame New York even more against him, New York Giants defensive end, Osi Umenyiora, advised superstar LeBron James to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers instead of coming to the New York Knicks as a free agent. Osi stated on his blog as playmakermobile.com, "I know New York would love to have him and I'm sure Knicks fans hope he comes. Personally, I think he should stay in Cleveland. They need him and he's a Cleveland guy. It would be great to have him in New York but I think he should stay there. Ultimately, he has to make the decision that's best for him and his family. I will say this, if (LeBron) does come to New York, don't have a bad game. Not one because Knicks fans will come down on him. There is no better place to be than New York, it's a great city with great energy. But it does go both ways. When you lose, it's tough." I used to be an Osi Umenyiora fan, as I think a lot of us were. But, last season that all changed. He has become a whiner, excuse-maker, lackadaisical on the field, and has terrible grammar :). It's not New York Osi, it is you. LeBron, don't listen to him. Ask Derek Jeter. If you play hard and are committed to your team and the city, we will love you more than any other city in the U.S.A.

Giants Start Goff at MLB

ESPN.com is reporting that on the first day of off season practice, the New York Giants started middle linebacker Jonathan Goff. Goff is expected to compete with Chase Blackburn and draft pick Phillip Dillard for the starting middle linebacker spot, replacing Antonio Pierce.

2014 Super Bowl Location to be Announced

The location of Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 will be announced live on the NFL Network on Tuesday, May 25th at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. The finalists are New York/New Jersey, South Florida, and Tampa Bay. New York/New Jersey is widely believed to be the favorite candidate despite the cold weather locale.

More Trouble for L.T.

The New York Daily News is reporting that ex-Giants linebacker and hall of famer, Lawrence Taylor, was sued Wednesday by the man whose vehicle he allegedly hi in a November 8th accident in which L.T. was arrested for leaving the scene. CBS 4 in Miami reported the lawsuit, which seeks damages in excess of $15,000. According to the police report, L.T. told them he thought he hit a guardrail on the Palmetto Expressway and not another vehicle. Taylor allegedly drove 2 miles from the accident scene to the next exit on the expressway.

Phil Simms: Team in Transition

The Sporting News is reports that Phil Simms, lead NFL analyst for CBS said, "Giants played like they still had the pass rush when they won the Super Bowl, and they got absolutely destroyed. Last season, they were still in that window to win 2 or 3 Super Bowls. They're now a team in transition, and we'll see how it goes."

Steve Smith Live Chat

On May 18th, the NFL held a "Live Chat" with New York Giants wide receive Steve Smith. Fans were given the chance to ask him questions. Here are some of the highlights.

Steve Smith says his goals for next season are to win. Personal achievements will follow. He wants to stay healthy and play every game.

Growing up, Steve's favorite football players were wide receivers Jerry Rice and Randy Moss.

Steve sees 2nd year wide receiver, Ramses Barden, playing a bigger role in the Giants offense next season. He thinks we have just scratched the surface with 2nd year wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks, last year and we will witness even bigger numbers next season. Steve is especially complimentary of Nick's ability to run after the catch.

Steve feels Ahmad Bradshaw will be the Giant who has the big breakout year next season. Steve thinks that Bradshaw is finally healthy and has a great deal of talent to make it happen.

Marcus Trufant, of the Seattle Seahawks, is the toughest cornerback Steve has played against. Steve describes Trufant as good, "Strong," and athletic. Asante Samuel always plays tough and is a savvy veteran.

Steve describes Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, as focused and determined to be great. Each year, Eli has gotten better. Eli has become more of a leader and has worked with the young receivers. He is also cool to be around and talk to.

Osi Umenyiora's Return to Grace

ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that Osi Umenyiora is no longer disgruntled because the New York Giants have made it clear to him that: 1. they wouldn't promise him a starting defensive end job, 2. listen to his retirement threats, or 3. trade him. Umenyiora finally sounds ready to stop whining about starting and start playing football. Umenyiora's agent told Newsday that Osi will be at voluntary OTAs starting Tuesday, "with bells on." I, for one, am glad the Giants drafted Jason Pierre-Paul with their 1st round draft pick if for nothing, to show Osi that he is not the "be all end all" and that he can be replaced if need be. Osi has become a bit of a thorn and the Giants sent him a clear message that his playing time must be earned this year.

No Blackouts for Giants

We have all been reading the news of how New York Jets fans are furious that their games will be blacked out this coming season if their remaining PSLs are not sold. New York Giants fans can rest easy though as we don't have to deal with a similar (and ridiculous) worry. The NFL only requires teams to sell-out their "non-club" seating in order to appear on local television. The New York Daily News has reported that a Giants spokesman insisted that the team has sold all of its non-club PSLs so there is no danger of a blackout in any Giants games.

Cofield Signs Tender

New York Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield, who was almost traded to the New Orleans Saints during the NFL draft has signed a one-year, 1.759 million contract with the Giants. The Giants seem to be well-stocked at defensive tackle where they also have Jay Alford, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, and 2nd round draft pick Linval Joseph.

Super Bowl at the New Meadowlands

Jets owner, Woody Johnson: "We'll be lucky if it snows."

That seemed to be the general sentiment of the New York Giants and New York Jets brass on Wednesday when they put in their official bid for the XLVIII Super Bowl. Don't shy away from the cold, New York weather, but embrace it. It is football, isn't it. It's not baseball, golf, or tennis. Let's get down and dirty and play some real smash mouth football for a change. Let's "make some history."

The combined bid, surprisingly, seems to be the early favorite to host the game in 2014, ahead of Tampa Bay and Miami (who have hosted a combined 14 Super Bowls and hardly need another). The bid includes clauses regarding snow removal, transit, and distribution of hand warmers, seat warmers, and blankets to the spectators.

The final decision is expected on May 25th during the NFL's spring meeting in Dallas. At least 17 owners must approve the final choice. The Giants then only need 15 votes, as they obviously have their own 2 votes already.

Traditionally, the NFL has required that regions bidding for Super Bowls have a minimum temperature of 50 degrees or a roof. Both conditions were waived by the league in December, clearing the way for the Giants/Jets bid.

Giants Returning to Albany for Training Camp?

According to Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star Ledger, it is crystal clear that the New York Giants are headed back to Albany this year for training camp, although they still have not made it official. The New York Giants have held training camp in Albany since 1996 and some believed that with the completion of the new stadium and its new and improved practice facilities, the Giants would be staying "home" for training camp this year. Not so, according to Giants CEO John Mara. At the Super Bowl bid press conference on Wednesday he hinted that a return to Albany was pretty much a done deal. He expects to make the official announcement very soon.

"L.T. Didn't Have Sex With Me"

The New York Daily News is reporting that the teen prostitute who hooked up with ex-Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor told a friend that L.T. only pleasured himself and did not have sex with her - according to a source. The 16 year old prostitute allegedly blurted this statement out after she left the Rockland County hotel room where L.T. had paid her $300 for the alleged acts. According to TMZ, L.T.'s defense will be that he only masturbated and never had intercourse with the 16 year old. It looks like his defense is lining up nicely for him. On the other hand, in an interview with the Daily News, the teen prostitute emphatically stated that she "definitely had intercourse" with L.T. no matter what he or the friend says.

Fewell Demands Physicality

The new defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, Perry Fewell, states he will demand the Giants be physical and play physical. "The Giants defense is a physical defense - we know that from history. I want to return to that defense." Fewell wants every loose ball challenged for, and has stressed the defense play hard until the whistle blows. He wants his players to jog back to the huddle rather than walk. If he goes through with his remarks, Fewell will address one of the defenses biggest problems...apathy. The players need to return to that hungry style of defense that got them to the Super Bowl a few years ago. Last year was embarrassing and the defense was seen as soft. Let's hope that was an aberration and that we will never experience it again.

Danny Clark Signs with Texans

Former New York Giants linebacker Danny Clark has reportedly signed with the Houston Texans. The Texans were obviously interested in Clark after the news of the 4 game suspension of their 2nd year linebacker Brian Cushing for violating the league's drug policy. Clark will supposedly fill Cushing's role during the suspension. The Giants are scheduled to play the Texans during week 5 of the season.

C.C. Brown Signs with Lions

Former New York Giant safety C.C. Brown signed with the Detroit Lions yesterday. Brown will now face his former team at the Meadowlands in week 6. C.C. Brown, due to no fault of his own, was one of the low points for the Giants defense last year and indicative of just how bad the safety situation was. The safeties are one of the few areas the Giants have seriously addressed in the off-season so we shouldn't see any similar scenarios this year.

Lawrence Taylor Admits Paying for Sex

Lawrence Taylor admitted to paying for sex at the Holiday Inn which eventually led to the alleged rape of the 16 year old runaway, federal prosecutors allege in a criminal complaint filed against the alleged pimp. he complaint alleges that Taylor was told that the girl was 19, but admitted that he paid $300 for sex.