GarageGabs

It appears that the heat from the New York media might be getting to the New York Giants, who are in the midst of a 3 game losing streak, and host Dallas in a crucial NFC East matchup this weekend.

First, you’ve got Jeremy Shockey mouthing off at every given moment about anything under the sun.  His latest was last week when he mentioned that there was “no way in hell” the Cowboys could beat the Giants if the Giants were playing up to par.  Dallas is reportedly using the quote as bulletin board material.
Then you’ve got Tiki Barber complaining to the media that he doesn’t get the ball enough.  Apparently,  Coach Tom Coughlin pulled Barber aside and discussed the matter with him.  To think, all this time we thought Barber was a quiet guy that kept his mouth shut.  Now, twice in the past year he’s called out his coaching staff.
Finally, today, Michael Strahan shows that the stress is getting to him when questioned about Plaxico Burress quitting on plays. You REALLY, REALLY, need to watch the video on this page, Strahan is obviously pretty stressed out, but I also think it speaks volumes on the media’s role in how things are portrayed.  Strahan even mentions that the media wants to put a negative slant on things just so it is news.  Hey, anything they can do to stress out the giants is fine with me.

What I’m wondering is why we haven’t heard from wonder boy, Eli Manning yet?   Manning has been noticeably absent from most of the talk surrounding the imploding G-men, which could be a good thing….or is it?  I just get the impression that the entire team is imploding on itself while they all try to protect Daddy’s boy, Eli.  Why hasn’t there been talk of Eli slipping into another late season slide….just like he did last year.  Remember, Eli started off last season on fire with a 14-5 TD/INT (and an 84 QB rating) ratio in the first 8 games, only to finish the season with a 10/12 ratio (and a 69 rating).  Manning started off this season pretty well also, with 13TD & 8 INT in his first 6 games, but has thrown 7 INT and just 4 TD in his last 5 games.  What’s the deal with Eli?  Quarterbacks usually improve with experience, but Eli seems to get worse as the games get more important.  Early in the year, he looks like his brother, standing in the pocket, making clutch throws, then as the weather gets cold he reverts back to the mistake prone, bad decision making, Eli.

I realize Eli plays on a team slam full of veteran leadership but I think he could save this sinking ship; not only with his play on the field, but with his actions in regard to the media.  I will give him credit for taking most of the blame for his mistakes (I heard him interviewed after the Jacksonville loss, he was humble) but maybe a pissed off Eli could help the team.  Maybe an Eli acting like Michael Strahan would help the New York Giants?  The way it is now, we hear everyone complain, except the man that distributes the football.  It’s almost as if Manning tries to walk a fine PR line so as not to ruffle any feathers.  That can’t be a lot of fun.  Imagine the amazement if Eli were to stand up and yell “Why doesn’t everyone just be quiet and let’s win some football games dag-on-it!”  I know I’d be surprised.
Anyway, long story short, I wonder if Eli (or his daddy) wishes he had just stayed with the Chargers.  Remember, it was SanDiego that wanted him, but Manning and his daddy made it clear that Eli wouldn’t be a Charger.  I wonder if he looks over at Mr. Efficiency, Philip Rivers, and watches L.T. scamper into the endzone 4 times a game and wonders how he got involved with this group of characters.   Come to think of it, I don’t even know what L.T. sounds like because you never hear anything out of the guy except “touchdown”.  I hear it’s warmer in SanDiego as well, and I bet the media goes a bit easier on you.  I’ve also heard that it was discovered by the Germans in 1904, and they named it SanDiego, which of course means “whale’s vagina” in German.  Stay Classy New York Giants.

Well, we’ve reached the point in the season where we start getting Thursday (and soon to be Saturday) games.  Go figure that most of us can’t watch the Baltimore at Cincinnati game tomorrow night because we don’t have the NFL Network.

This was by far the toughest game to pick of the week.  Baltimore has been playing really well the past few weeks, and Cincinnati seems to have rebounded nicely as well.  I really do wish I could watch this game, but I don’t get the NFL Network (It’s not offered by the #2 Cable Provider in America [Time Warner] because the NFL has become a greedy conglomerate) and, I’ll be attending the Hurricane’s game as they face Montreal.  Seriously, up yours NFL.  At least I could have DVR’d the thing.

Anyway, I look for a good game, I think both teams will get some offense going.  Jamal Lewis should have a nice game for the Ravens, I’m guessing over 100 and at least one TD.  Carson Palmer has been looking like the Palmer of old lately, and I believe he will win this game for the Bengals.  He had a horrible game the 1st time out vs. Baltimore, but I really don’t think he’s been 100% until the last 3-5 weeks.  I’m gonna take the Bengals, 23-20.  (When in doubt, I usually do pick the home team.)

Ravens at Bengals 

Submitted By Mac Deters (Special Correspondent)

I love college football, but there need to be some
rule changes to bring more consistency and fairness to
the game.

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I posted earlier that two of my YouTube Movies had been deleted due to NFL copyright violations.  I felt the need to post a response/rant video to the NFL.  Since the time that I shot this video (within the hour) another of my videos has been removed from YouTube.

Here is exactly how the removal message reads:

Dear Member:

Colts @ Cowboys, Inside the NFL highlites (garagegabs.com):

I was actually more comfortable with this video being removed in comparison to the picks video, because this video contained much more NFL footage.  Either way, I guess this means someone with either the NFL or YouTube has actually watched my videos?

In the video, I state that I will continue to post videos that include NFL highlights, but after some research, I probably won’t.  I’m not really prepared to be sued over something so minor, but I would like to let my feelings be known about it.  I do not think what I did was stealing in any way.

Anyway, here are a few stories on the NFL and their power struggles, followed by my video reply.

EA, your only NFL provider 

Greedy NFL battles cable companies 

We lose as the NFL battles cable 

The Great YouTube Copyright Debate  This guy refutes pretty much everything I say.

ESPN.com is reporting that Terrell Owens said “absolutely not” when asked if he would send a get well text message to now injured Donovan McNabb. I give this until the end of the day for some ESPN homer to take it and run with it, and accuse Owens of being something. What the something will be….I don’t know yet, but it’ll be something negative.

In regard to Owens, I would ask people this: First, why would a reporter even ask a question like that to an athlete? Because they want a story, they figure Owens will pop off and say something pressworthy. Second, why would Owens send him a “get well” wish? The two don’t speak, it’s well known that they don’t have a relationship anymore. I’m not sending McNabb a get well card either, and I don’t like him, but that doesn’t mean I would wish injury on the guy. Was Owens asked if he would be sending a get well card to LaMont Jordan as well? ESPN is to sports what MTV is to Music. A joke. Unfortunately, in the case of sports, ESPN is a necessary evil.

Story

Cowboys’ Defensive Flurry Hands Colts First Loss

I’ve always had a lot of respect for Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning. That doesn’t mean I have to like either of them. In case you were wondering, I don’t. They each made comments in reference to yesterdays loss to Dallas that only added fuel to my fire.

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First the particulars. NC State lost to UNC today, 23-9. Carolina had won one game all season, a 45-42 shootout vs. Furman. The loss was the Pack’s 6th in a row, and leaves them at 3-8 overall. State was unable to get into the endzone today, and turned the ball over 4 times, the last courtesy of a Daniel Evans fumble that was returned for a TD late in the 4th quarter.

RECAP From PackPride

Now, on to Chuck. It’s time to go. The excitement that Amato initially created about the program is gone. There is no longer a Philip Rivers around to bail the Pack out. Please, do not scapegoat another offensive coordinator. Well, fire the OC, but make sure Chuck goes with him. Losing is one thing. Losing with good talent is another. Seriously, the talent level at NCSU has gone through the roof, (see last years NFL draft) yet Amato’s teams seem to get worse and worse. The facilities and stadium improvements are there, but the W/L record is not. He can’t beat Carolina,(a must for State fans) even when Carolina is down. He kept his job the last few years by making marginal bowl games that didn’t exist 15 years ago. Every year, NC State would teeter on the edge, and then pull some amazing upset to keep Chuck in house….all this sandwiched between losses to teams like Wake Forest and UNC. Watching teams play undisciplined football is getting old as well. Bad calls are getting old. Losing to Akron at home is old. How many times has Amato made false promises and then made excuses when his promises didn’t hold true? It’s time to go.

There was a time, maybe 2-3 years ago, when I used to worry that Amato would leave NC State for FSU when Bobby Bowden retired. PLEASE FSU TAKE HIM NOW! I’ve never been one to support coaches being removed, especially before the season is over, but for goodness sake, in this case all is lost. For the first time, I come out and officially say

FIRE CHUCK!

I’m not sure what it is, but today I’m lashing out at opposing fans. After watching the Sabre fans in action, I started to recall the moronic behavior of many Eagles fans. All you have to do is cruise around YouTube to find Eagles fans showing their hypocrisy. Hey Eagles fans! Donovan McNabb cost you a Super Bowl……not T.O.!!

In all seriousness, this is one of the reasons Eagles fans haven’t been rewarded with a Super Bowl. Karma baby, karma. I do have a kind of respect for Philly fans. They seem to be some of the most knowledgeable fans around, and there is no denying the support they provide when they are doing well. Anyway, check out some of these videos and articles to get a true taste of “Philly Fan”.
Real Men of Genius

OD Chant For Owens (Even though he didn’t “OD”)

Burning Owens Jersey (profanity warning and yes, Eagles fans have discovered fire)

Eagles fans boo McNabb

Flyers fan in penalty box (ok, this one wasn’t really totally the fans fault)

A nice article on Eagles fans cheering when Michael Irvin got hurt. (Sorry, I couldn’t find video on this)

“There’s no excuse for what we did”

Last, but not least, an article defending Philly fans.

So, Sunday night, I went to see “The Music Man” with my girlfriend, rather than watch Bears @ Giants.

It was pretty funny, because Tom Wopat had a starring role in it. If you don’t remember Wopat, this should refresh your memory:

Wopat is the dark haired guy on the right. So yeah, I sacrificed Bears @ Giants to go and see one of my childhoold idols run around stage like a freakin pixie. The play actually turned out to be pretty good, Wopat did a good job. Just amazing to me how he went from Luke Duke to this guy

Ok, rant over, back to sports.

Well, after the loss to Buffalo last night I started cruising around YouTube, checking out all the Buffalo Sabre fan videos. Seriously, read some of the comments. So much complaining, calling themselves “the real champions” (because of their injuries) and making derogatory comments towards Carolina fans. Then of course, they are relishing their regular season success this year.

Just made me want to go back, and look at this:

I also have a couple of videos from the finals:

Game 7 Highlights 

Justin Williams Clincher