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Posted 10 January 2010 - 04:27 PM
New York Giants co-owner John Mara doesn't make excuses for miserable ending to season
Mike Lupica
Sunday, January 10th 2010, 4:00 AM
John Mara
John Mara
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CINCINNATI - John Mara sounded the way sports fans want their owners to sound the other day when he talked about the miserable, give-up ending to the Giants' season, an ending absolutely as bad - considering the talent in the room, and the championship resume - as we saw once when Jim Fassel was coaching the team. As bad as Fassel and maybe worse.
Mara lit into just about everybody at Giants Stadium except the guys who paint the logos on the field, and wasn't doing it for show, and wasn't looking to make a back page. He did it because he was good and mad. Good for him. John Mara sounded like a Giants fan the night his team beat the Patriots in Glendale, Ariz., and he sounded like one the other day.
He's an owner, so nobody is going to like everything he does, or agree with it. You are allowed to hate seat licenses, and what the price of them and the whole concept of them have done to the contract between the Giants and some fans who go back about 100 years with them.
But the other day he sounded like his old man when his old man was just as furious with the way the Giants quit on Fassel.
"Probably as disappointed as I've ever been in my life with this team," John Mara said, "given the expectations that we had this year, given the roster I thought we had and given the way we started out and given the embarrassment of the last two games."
They asked him if he was disappointed in the effort.
"Everything," he said, "I'm disappointed in everything. I'm unhappy at everybody. It is not just acceptable to perform like that. There are 8-8 seasons and there are 8-8 seasons. This one felt a lot more like 2-14 to me."
"I'm not pleased with anybody right now," he said, and that meant his coach and general manager, even though neither one of them is going anywhere.
Mara wasn't trying to be a columnist or a talk-show host. He was plain mad. He wasn't just speaking to his coach and general manager and to his players. He was speaking to everybody in the seats at old Giants Stadium and everybody who will move into the new one. He was speaking for and about the family business, a businesss as old and storied a family business as we have in this country, going all the way back to his grandfather, old Tim Mara, who started everything 85 years ago.
He made everybody accountable the other day, and that always starts with the coach. I like Tom Coughlin a lot. I always have. In the past he has always come back when he's gotten hit. But he got hit by this finish, too. His team played defense like the Lions. Not real lions. The ones in Detroit. And that is never, ever just the fault of the defensive coordinator, even if Bill Sheridan was fired at warp speed last week. Coughlin made a lot of speeches over the last couple of months. There is no evidence, just looking at results, that his players were doing much listening. None.
Think about it: A year ago the Giants had a first-round bye and even without Plaxico Burress, we thought they could still go to the Super Bowl. Now look at what has happened to them. A 1-4 finish to last year when it was all over and an 8-8 season now and the math on that is 9-12 for a team that stopped the Patriots from being 19-0 in one of the great Super Bowls ever played.
And a 3-8 finish to this season after 5-0. And two losses at the end that Giants fans didn't even want to poke with a stick. The other team going for more than 40 points both times. Going down like that and staying down when they still had a chance to make it into the tournament.
"There is no excuse for performing the way we performed over basically the last 11 weeks," John Mara said.
He said, "I certainly didn't see the last two weeks coming."
You better believe this was the Mets collapsing the way they did those two Septembers. Except: Except that those Mets didn't have a world's championship on their resumes, as memorable a championship as any New York - or New Jersey - team has ever won in sports.
Less than two years after Glendale, the Giants were a shadow of that team. A shell of that team. Made you wonder how this many of them could have been a part of that team. This week they heard it from one of their owners.
When John Mara says he's as disappointed as he's ever been in his life, that means his whole life. Not just a family business with him. A family trust. This is the way owners are supposed to sound.
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...1#ixzz0cEAinmOj
Posted 10 January 2010 - 04:28 PM
New York Giants have options for deciding head coach Tom Coughlin's future
Gary Myers
Sunday, January 10th 2010, 4:00 AM
CINCINNATI - Tom Coughlin was granted immunity from John Mara's prosecution. He still has his job. But a third straight Giants collapse in 2010 is going to put Mara and co-owner Steve Tisch in a decision-making predicament.
Coughlin's Super Bowl victory two years ago rightfully earned him a four-year, $21 million contract through 2011 and an extended honeymoon period. But the last two years have been a disaster: The Giants were 11-1 and the best team in the NFL coming down the stretch in 2008, but didn't win a playoff game in the post-Plax chaos. This season they started 5-0, but didn't make the playoffs after losing eight of their last 11 and showed no heart or Giants pride in humiliating losses to the Panthers and Vikings the final two weeks.
If Coughlin hadn't won the Super Bowl two years ago, what happened this year was a fireable offense.
Mara was not going to fire Coughlin, and shouldn't have, but when he said last week, "I'm disappointed in everything. I'm unhappy at everybody," that certainly included Coughlin, who went from pushing every right button during the Super Bowl run to having no feel for this team and no clue how to fix things when everything started to unravel. He fired two defensive coaches last week, but he must be held accountable, too. Another bad year, well, this is not a lifetime appointment.
What happens if 2010 is just as disappointing or worse than 2009? It is certainly possible. Coughlin, who turns 64 in August, will have one year left on his contract after the '10 season. The Giants typically either fire or extend their coaches who have one year remaining.
Here's the options on Coughlin if the Giants are bad again next season:
* Fire him. Thank him for putting the third Super Bowl trophy in the lobby and give him a couple of the unsold club seats and waive the $20,000 PSL as a going-away present. This is a big business and even with the fans locked in financially after buying the PSLs, winning still counts.
* Give him a one-year extension. That's what the Giants did after the 2006 season. Coughlin reinvented himself in '07 and the Giants won the Super Bowl. If the Giants don't want to fire Coughlin and he wants to keep coaching, this would be the compromise alternative.
* Sign him to another long-term deal. Unless the Giants win a playoff game or two, this is completely unrealistic.
The momentum is building towards a lockout in 2011. Teams are going to be reluctant to take on additional expenses with the uncertainty about how much of the season will be played. This could lead to the Giants breaking team policy by having Coughlin coach the final year of his deal rather than paying him $5.25 million and then spending money on a new coach if the labor situation is unsettled.
Posted 10 January 2010 - 06:19 PM
Posted 12 January 2010 - 02:52 PM
Romeo Crennel, Jim Haslett and Perry Fewell on New York Giants' radar for defensive coordinator slot
By Ralph Vacchiano
Daily News Sports Writer
Tuesday, January 12th 2010, 4:00 AM
Romeo Crennel and Jim Haslett could get their shots at the Giants' vacant defensive coordinator job this week, though the favorite might turn out to be Perry Fewell.
Fewell, the only one known to have interviewed for the job, interviewed for the same job with the Bears Monday. But the former Bills interim coach left Chicago without an offer, keeping the door open for the Giants. Crennel returned from vacation Monday and was planning to return a call to the Giants Monday night. He's also being pursued by the Chiefs, and a source familiar with his thinking said that's his top choice. Haslett, the former Saints and Rams coach, was reportedly contacted by the Giants Monday night.
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0cPTcxwR1
Posted 15 January 2010 - 02:39 PM
Fox Sports
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Updated Jan 14, 2010 7:36 PM ET
Buffalo Bills interim coach Perry Fewell has been hired as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.
Coach Tom Coughlin announced the move late Thursday evening after Fewell spent the past few days weighing offers from the Giants and the Chicago Bears.
Fewell interviewed for the vacant Bills coaching job but he has said for a while that he felt he was a longshot for that position.
Giants rookie defensive coorindator Bill Sheridan was fired the day after the regular season ended. The Giants gave up more than 40 points in each of their last two games and 427 points for the season, ranking third from the bottom in the NFL. Only the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams gave up more points.
The Giants also fired defensive line coach Mike Waufle.
Posted 17 January 2010 - 01:09 PM
Another bad season may force New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin out of his job
Gary Myers
Sunday, January 17th 2010, 4:00 AM
SAN DIEGO - Bill Cowher was on the Jets' coaching short list last year, but he removed himself from consideration when Woody Johnson declined to cut short his vacation abroad and meet face-to-face. They never even spoke on the phone.
But might Cowher, who has been spending his football weekends in New York the last three years in the CBS studio, be taking up permanent residence around here in 2011 as the Giants next coach?
Cowher wants the Giants job, former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis told Sirius XM this past week. Now Cowher is too sensitive to coaches to be publicly campaigning for jobs, especially Tom Coughlin's job. They spent a lot of time together last summer on the NFL-USO Coaches Tour of the Persian Gulf visiting troops.
But Bettis may be on to something. If the Giants have another bad season in 2010 and Coughlin gets fired, Cowher would give the Giants one Super Bowl winner replacing another.
Cowher could eventually face competition from Panthers coach John Fox, the defensive coordinator on the Giants team in 2000 that went to the Super Bowl. Fox is going into the last year of his contract and made a lot of friends in the Giants' organization in the five years he spent on Jim Fassel's staff.
Last week, we mentioned how Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch are going to be faced with making a tough call on Coughlin if he doesn't get things turned around next season. They have an awful lot of loyalty to him after he won the Super Bowl two years ago. After the '10 season, however, Coughlin will have one year left on his contract and the Giants traditionally either extend their coach or fire him at that point in their deal.
Cowher is a proven winner, he surrounds himself with good people and his team always play hard for him. If the Giants get off to a bad start next season, you know the Coughlin Watch, which went on hiatus the last two seasons, will be back.
Cowher has been out of coaching for three seasons, but it doesn't appear anything is going to open up to get him back on the sidelines in 2010. He's spoken to the Bills, but that is not a desirable job. The Redskins, the only other team with an opening so far, were focused on Mike Shanahan for the last two months and hired him as soon as the season was over.
The Raiders' job could still open up, but I can't see Cowher going there. Wade Phillips seems to have solidified his standing with Jerry Jones, but if the Cowboys lose to the Vikings today, Jones may feel Phillips has taken the 'Boys as far as he can.
There can always be a surprise. The Panthers want Fox back next season, but they are not extending his contract, which has just one season left. A few weeks ago, there were rumors he could wind up in Cleveland with Mike Holmgren, but the new Browns boss kept Eric Mangini. Cowher lives in North Carolina and if there is a falling-out between the Panthers and Fox, who finished strong to save his job, Cowher would be the natural candidate.
If Coughlin is not back in 2011, then Cowher versus Fox could be an interesting choice for the Giants. Fox was targeted to replace Fassel in 2001 until the Giants got hot at the end of the 2000 season and Fassel took them to the Super Bowl.
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...1#ixzz0csISnJaW
Posted 23 January 2010 - 02:34 PM
By Ralph Vacchiano
Friday, January 22nd 2010, 1:55 PM
Maybe Bill Cowher really is waiting for the Giants head coaching job to open up before he returns to the NFL. But if he is, you can be sure that Jerome Bettis doesn't know it.
That's what Cowher indicated in an interview with the Daily News Thursday, when he was asked about his former running back's claim that he's "holding out" until he can become the head coach of the Giants. Cowher didn't specifically deny that, but he certainly hinted as much when he said Bettis wouldn't have any idea if that was true because the two haven't spoken in ages.
"I haven't talked to Jerome Bettis in two years," Cowher said. "I'll leave it at that."
Asked if if he knew of any reason Bettis might have for saying something like that, Cowher stuck by his one and only statement, saying "I think that answers your question."
Maybe so, but Bettis, the former Steelers running back, sure did sound convinced last week when he said on SiriusXM radio that the 52-year-old Cowher has "got his eyes" on the Giants.
"That's the team that he really coveted," Bettis said. "This is where he always wanted to be. The Mara family, he's been very close to them. He's known them very well and was on the inside track - before the Giants won the Super Bowl - for that job. And I think he's holding out for that opportunity if it presents itself."
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0dRiRz72R
Posted 27 January 2010 - 01:52 PM
By Ralph Vacchiano
Daily News Sports Writer
Wednesday, January 27th 2010, 4:00 AM
Perry Fewell has "a lot of confidence" in the defensive coaches he inherited when he joined the Giants, so the team's new defensive coordinator doesn't plan any changes to his staff.
Fewell made it clear Tuesday that the jobs of linebackers coach Jim Hermann and secondary coaches Peter Giunta and Dave Merritt are safe during an interview on Sirius NFL Radio. The only change he's making is to hire a new defensive line coach to replace the recently fired Mike Waufle.
"I have a lot of confidence in the staff that's presently here," Fewell said. "Both secondary coaches have a Super Bowl ring. One guy (Giunta) has two Super Bowl rings. Our linebackers coach is well-known and an excellent linebackers coach."
Fewell also said he won't necessarily run the "Tampa 2" defensive scheme he ran as defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, although he promised a "very flexible and aggressive" scheme with the Giants.
"I have to find out what the talent level allows me to do," Fewell said. "I think we'll take advantage of what our talent level does. And if it is more of an attacking style, blitz style of defense, that's what we'll do."
Posted 01 February 2010 - 01:20 PM
New York Giants: offseason priorities
BY Ralph Vacchiano
Saturday, January 30th 2010, 3:23 PM
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After suffering through their worst defensive season since 1966, they need to rebuild that unit. Assuming they don't bring back Antonio Pierce, a middle linebacker will be their biggest priority. They also need a safety, not knowing if Kenny Phillips (knee) will ever be the same. They could also use a pass-rushing defensive tackle, especially if Barry Cofield turns out to be a free agent. On the offensive side, the obvious need is an interior offensive lineman, probably a guard.
With a mountain of stadium debt, the Giants aren't going to suddenly become big spenders if there's no salary cap. They're not huge believers in buying a championship through free agency anyway. In fact, no CBA would be good news for them since it would keep several key players from becoming unrestricted free agents, and give them a little more leverage in signing others (like Mathias Kiwanuka) long term.
The bad news? There'll be fewer targets with no new CBA. DeMeco Ryans could be the perfect replacement at middle linebacker, but without a deal he's only a restricted free agent.
(Restricted free agents who, in a capped year, would've been unrestricted):
G Kevin Boothe
S C.C. Brown
DT Barry Cofield
CB Kevin Dockery
WR Derek Hagan
WR Domenik Hixon
WR Sinorice Moss
LB Gerris Wilkinson
With no salary cap, there are no cap ramifications to unloading a big contract, which means the Giants would be free to cut ties with the likes of DT Rocky Bernard (three years, $9.1 million left, but none of it guaranteed) with no future penalities. They could also be tempted to do the same with injury-prone RB Brandon Jacobs (three years, $13.2 million left). With most of his $3.65 million salary in 2010 guaranteed, though, they'll most likely keep him.
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0eI30h0vq
Posted 01 February 2010 - 01:20 PM
Chris Palmer retires as Giants quarterback coach, reportedly takes head job with UFL's Sentinels
By Ralph Vacchiano
Friday, January 29th 2010, 4:02 PM
When Chris Palmer was hired to coach the Giants quarterbacks in 2007, the franchise wasn't sure what it had in Eli Manning. He was an erratic young player with unfulfilled potential.
Three years later, Manning is a Super Bowl-winning, Pro Bowl quarterback. And now he's on his own.
Palmer announced his "retirement" Friday after 20 years as an NFL coach. He is expected to soon be named the new head coach of the UFL's New York Sentinels, who are reportedly moving to Hartford next season.
Palmer's years with the Giants were three of Manning's finest seasons. Clearly the 60-year-old coach was a big reason why.
"Over the last three years we've had some great success and I've improved as a quarterback," Manning said. "He's a terrific coach when it comes to technique. He's great not only on the field but also in the meeting room. I'm really sorry to see him go."
Palmer, who was Coughlin's offensive coordinator in Jacksonville in 1997-98 and was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1999-2000, joined the Giants before the 2007 season when then-quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride was promoted to offensive coordinator. By the end of that first season, Manning was engineering a remarkable Super Bowl run. In four postseason games, he completed 60.5% of his passes (72 of 119) for 854 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception.
In 2009, Manning put up the finest numbers of his career, completing 62.3% of his passes (317 of 509) for 4,021 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He became the third Giants quarterback to top 4,000 yards and is the only quarterback in franchise history with five straight 3,000-yard seasons and five straight 20-touchdown seasons.
"It was very rewarding to me to work with Eli, because you had a player who grew every year," Palmer said. "We hit it off from Day 1."
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0eI3CurAH
Posted 04 February 2010 - 02:05 PM
By Ralph Vacchiano
Originally Published:Wednesday, February 3rd 2010, 3:41 PM
Updated: Wednesday, February 3rd 2010, 3:41 PM
FORT LAUDERDALE - Osi Umenyiora spent a frustrating final month of the Giants' season out of the starting lineup, and he vowed yesterday that he would never go through something like that again.
In fact, the unhappy defensive end promised that he would quit the NFL rather than return to a reserve role with the Giants in 2010, during an interview on WFAN radio. He said losing his starting job has led to "the worst offseason of my entire life" and made him ponder whether the Giants wanted him back next season at all.
The Giants want him back, according to team sources. But the 28-year-old Umenyiora made it clear they better want him back in their starting lineup.
"I'm not going to be a backup player, I can promise you that," Umenyiora said. "I'll stop playing football before I do that ever again. This has been just the worst offseason of my entire life. I can't even think of a time when things were this bad during the offseason. You're supposed to be relaxing, but I can't relax because all I can think of is the things that took place last season, you understand?
"So for me it's not something that I'm going to do. If I'm asked to come back there and do that then I'll just stop playing football."
It's not clear how serious Umenyiora was about quitting, especially since he's under contract through 2012. He is probably no more serious than running back Brandon Jacobs was in October when he said "If I finish the season averaging (3.4 yards) a carry, I won't play next year. I'll be done." (Jacobs ended the season averaging 3.7 yards).
Nevertheless, Umenyiora is obviously still bothered by his rocky season, which began with a one-day walkout after a dispute with former defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan, and ended with him being bounced from the starting lineup after the Giants' Thanksgiving night loss in Denver. That last insult, Umenyiora said, made him feel like his days with the Giants were done.
"Did it go through my mind? Obviously, yes," he said. "Obviously you come through a situation where you've been here for a long time and you've won Super Bowls, you've been to the Pro Bowl a couple of times, then things like that start happening, I think it almost seemed like the writing was on the wall at that particular time. I felt like I had worn out my welcome, because for certain people, no matter what happens, they'll never take them out of the lineup, you understand what I mean?"
Umenyiora still doesn't sound completely convinced he would be back in 2010. When asked if he expected to return and to finish his career in New York, he said, "Well, you know, that's a good question."
"I hope so," Umenyiora said. "I have a lot of love for the team. I love the Giants. I've been there obviously my entire career and I'd love to stay there....I hope things can be rectified and things can be resolved. But we'll see."
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0eZlxZoA0
Posted 06 February 2010 - 12:48 PM
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs regrets decision to play hurt
By Ralph Vacchiano
Originally Published:Friday, February 5th 2010, 3:17 PM
Updated: Saturday, February 6th 2010, 12:11 AM
FORT LAUDERDALE - Brandon Jacobs suffered through a miserable 2009 season, but the Giants' running back learned a valuable lesson from the experience.
"Not to play hurt," Jacobs said Friday at the Super Bowl media center. "If something happens to you, go and get it taken care of, no matter what it is. Because things aren't going to get better."
That was certainly the case for Jacobs this season, when he injured his right knee in Week 1 and never felt close to 100% again. He still played 15 games before being placed on injured reserve before the season finale, but he was a shell of himself, gaining just 835 yards on a measly 3.7 yards per carry.
Jacobs had surgery on the knee to repair torn meniscus cartilage, and said, "Everything feels good." But in hindsight, he said, he should've had the surgery during the season. Then maybe he would've been himself later in the year.
"I would've got it done Week 1 and missed four or five weeks and came back and played," Jacobs said. "As the year went on, I thought it was going to get better. But when I figured out it wasn't going to get better, it was too late. So I just kept going."
The decision to do that, Jacobs said, was his alone.
"I just kept going on it," he said. "I have to put it all on myself. No one else but me. I did it."
The good news, Jacobs said, is that he didn't do any permanent damage by continuing to play, and he said his knee "is not going to be a lingering issue." He said he's "in no rush to run or do anything" and wouldn't divulge the timetable for his recovery. "We've just got to let it heal," he said.
Getting the 6-4, 264-pound Jacobs back at full strength would obviously be a huge boost to the Giants' rushing attack next season. He's still only 27 years old, and in 2008 he rushed for 1,089 yards in just 13 games.
Health, though, has been an issue for Jacobs' entire career, which is why one of his biggest goals heading into the 2009 season was to play in all 16 games. He obviously tried, but his performance suffered.
And he couldn't have been happy that he let his latest injury linger so long that it ruined his entire year.
"Right, but you know, I'm not one to make those excuses and blame my non-success on injury," he said. "That's never been me. You guys know that. I've never made excuses for anything."
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0el9gfQ5T
Posted 06 February 2010 - 12:49 PM
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell favors Jets, Giants new Meadowlands home as site of 2014 Super Bowl
BY Gary Myers
Saturday, February 6th 2010, 4:00 AM
FORT LAUDERDALE - Commissioner Roger Goodell clearly supports awarding Super Bowl XLVIII to the Giants' and Jets' new stadium in 2014, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft will lobby other owners for it, but Steelers owner Dan Rooney has a big problem with playing the most important game of the year in potentially cold and nasty weather.
The vote comes May 24-26 in Dallas. The lobbying starts now.
There is really just one concern for a Super Bowl on Broadway: The weather, obviously.
"I hope it's there, I hope it snows and I hope the Patriots are in the game," Kraft, one the NFL's most influential owners, said Friday. "I think there is some real support for it. I know I personally will lobby anyone I can."
If the Giants and Jets had splurged for another $400 million-$500 million on top of the $1.7 billion they are spending on the new stadium that opens this year, then the vote may have been unanimous because the NFL has a history of rewarding owners who spend their own money and/or cities who help fund the construction of new stadiums with a Super Bowl.
Even though the new Giants-Jets Stadium will have no roof, Goodell gave every indication he's on board. Even though he doesn't have a vote and says he must remain neutral, his endorsement may be the deciding factor.
"I think there are real benefits to the league considering this as an option," Goodell said Friday during his annual state of the league address at the Super Bowl.
"I think the idea of playing in the elements is central to the way the game of football is played. I think being able to do that and celebrate the game of football in the No. 1 market could have tremendous benefits to the league going forward. I think you will see that - I think our two co-chairmen are here, Woody Johnson and Jon Tisch - they will put together a very aggressive bid, one that will demonstrate the value of playing in New York and they will be competing against some great cities also. It will be an interesting vote, but I will stand on the sidelines and watch."
The NFL waived its cold-weather restriction by allowing the Giants and Jets to make a bid. Allowing it to get this far is an indication there is an awful lot of support. Miami, which is hosting its record 10th Super Bowl Sunday, Glendale, Ariz., and either Tampa or Houston are the competition. Here's how the voting works. If one of the four cities does not get 75% of the vote (24 of the 32 owners) on the first ballot, then the city with the lowest vote is out. The same procedure is used for the second ballot. Then, if there is still no winner, the two remaining cities go head-to-head, with the winner decided by simple majority. "I'm personally a big supporter of having the Super Bowl in the new stadium and in New York," Kraft said. "It doesn't matter what the weather is, in my opinion. It's just a great place. A great boost for the city."
The game would be this weekend in four years, or potentially one or two weeks later depending on whether the regular season is expanded to 17 or 18 games. And with this weekend's forecast for snow, a snowy weekend in 2014 is obviously a possibility.Rooney, who is now the United States ambassador to Ireland, says his son Art has his team's vote, but he thinks the weather is a major concern. "Are they going to put a roof on it?" Rooney said.
No, he was told.
"Then they are going to have some trouble," he said. "There are a lot of people who think we should be in a warm climate all the time. The weather would be something you would have to consider."
But some of the most memorable NFL playoff games have been played in adverse conditions: the Ice Bowl game between Dallas and Green Bay; the Snow Bowl game between Oakland and New England and the Inhumanely Frigid Bowl between the Giants and Packers two years ago in minus-23 wind chill.
All great games. "That is true," Rooney said. "It's still cold."
Rooney wouldn't say how the Steelers would ultimately vote. One thing to keep in mind: The Rooney and Mara families are extraordinarily close.
"I am cautiously optimistic that the bid will be viewed by the owners as something exciting and different," Tisch said. "There is an understanding that this is a game that is played in all kinds of weather. It's the history of the game that should be taken into consideration when you think about the game at the new Giants-Jets stadium."
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0el9qsQv9
Posted 06 February 2010 - 04:14 PM
Posted 12 February 2010 - 12:03 PM
Giants tackle loss of Antonio Pierce: With new coordinator, unhappy Osi, team needs leader
Gary Myers
Friday, February 12th 2010, 4:00 AM
Bill Sheridan was fired, Antonio Pierce was cut and Osi Umenyiora is trying to talk his way out of town. This is just the start of what is going to be a volatile offseason for the Giants' defense.
Considering the Giants gave up 40points five times last season, including a humiliating 41 to the Panthers in the 15thgame when the season was on the line, it's not a bad thing for Tom Coughlin to be distancing himself as far as possible from the unit that just couldn't stop anybody.
Now the issue: Who replaces Pierce's leadership in the locker room and who replaces him on the field?
Justin Tuck, an All-Pro two years ago who played with a torn shoulder for the last 14 games, is the most qualified Giant to step up and take a more vocal role. The defensive end is a bright guy and an excellent player who needs to realize the defense now belongs to him.
Pierce's play was definitely in decline - the way he tried to cover Brian Westbrook two years ago was pathetic - but until the Giants find a long-term solution, there is a hole at middle linebacker.
Jonathan Goff is the incumbent going into training camp, but there is a solution for the Giants in the draft: Alabama's Rolando McClain. He is projected to go right outside the top 10 in April. The Giants are picking 15th. That puts GM Jerry Reese in prime position to trade up a few spots.
Free agency offers options. Arizona's Karlos Dansby and Indianapolis' Gary Brackett out of Rutgers are unrestricted free agents. The changes in the free agency system, increasing the unrestricted eligibility from four years to six in the expected uncapped season, make Houston's DeMeco Ryans a restricted free agent instead of putting him on the open market.
The Texans will surely tender Ryans at a salary that will require first- and third-round picks as compensation, which means he's staying put unless Houston will take less in a trade, which is not likely.
Last year's problems weren't necessarily the fault of Pierce, who missed the final seven games with a herniated disk in his neck. But his play had deteriorated long before the surprising diagnosis and the respect he held in the organization took a hit when he was out with Plaxico Burress after midnight when the wide receiver shot himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub.
Burress is now in jail. Pierce is now unemployed.
Even though Michael Strahan was the true leader of the Super Bowl defense two years ago, Pierce was an emotional leader, even if his words often had more impact than his play. His best line came before the Giants played the Patriots in the final game of the '07 regular season, more than one month before they would meet in the Super Bowl.
Talking about Tom Brady and how indignant he became when he got hit, Pierce said Brady "walks around like he's Prince Charles, like he's the golden boy."
Brady torched the Giants in that game, but the Giants hammered him in the Super Bowl.
Their dumping of Pierce's $4.75 million salary, even though an uncapped year is likely coming up, is all you need to know about how much the Giants wanted him back.
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0fK34vQDC
Posted 14 February 2010 - 01:43 PM
New York Giants
The uncapped season should prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Giants, who will take advantage of the opportunity to retain young core players such as DT Barry Cofield and WR Domenik Hixon at high tenders, and rid themselves of exorbitant contracts.
Giants at a glance
New York Giants
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Moreover, as the NFL prepares for the possibility of a work stoppage in 2011, teams would appear to have more flexibility in terms of how they structure contracts in this uncapped and final year of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Rather than offer key restricted free agents multi-year deals, they can take a wait-and-see approach regarding the terms of a new CBA, particularly regarding the return of a salary cap.
The Giants probably won't have to make many difficult decisions as far as which of their upcoming free agents to keep; rather the difficult decisions will most likely come in deciding what to do with several players who are under contract. For starters, the team will need to decide what to do with RT Kareem McKenzie. McKenzie has quietly been one of the more solid performers on the offense, but in recent years, age and injury seem to have caught up with him. Given that he has two more seasons on his current contract and a $4.125 million base salary in 2010, McKenzie could be a target in any cost-cutting initiatives. Another player who could be in jeopardy of losing his roster spot is DT Rocky Bernard. Bernard, who was acquired last offseason as a free agent, did not perform at a level the team had envisioned. With DT Jay Alford expected back from season-ending knee surgery, the Giants might opt to part ways with Bernard, who is due a $2.45 million base salary in 2010.
1. Linebacker: When the Giants line up in 2010, they will do so minus two-thirds of their starting linebacking group from a year ago. LB Antonio Pierce, who played the middle linebacker spot was released by the team, while last year's starting strong side linebacker, Danny Clark, is an unrestricted free agent who's not expected to be re-signed. In addition, the team is not likely to retain the oft-injured, soon-to-be restricted free agent Gerris Wilkinson. If the Giants do indeed complete the sweep by parting ways with Clark and Wilkinson, they will definitely need to replenish depth at this position.
2. Offensive line: William Beatty is expected to be inserted into the starting lineup at one of the tackle spots next season. Meanwhile, the team might look to cut the cord on Guy Whimper, a former draft pick and restricted free agent whom Beatty and Kevin Boothe both surpassed on the depth chart in 2009. The Giants will also probably want to find additional depth at backup guard and center, as third-year man Adam Koets seems to have stalled in his quest to get to the next level in his development.
3. Safety: The Giants went into the 2009 season extremely thin at this position, a situation that was magnified by the early-season loss of starter Kenny Phillips. With veteran C.C. Brown, a restricted free agent, not likely to be brought back, and Phillips' long-term prognosis far from settled despite his being on schedule in his rehab, the Giants could look to add some veteran depth as insurance. They may go this route even if they decide to leave Aaron Ross, who last year played four games at safety until his chronic hamstring issue put him back on the shelf.
Posted 23 February 2010 - 11:11 AM
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Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The son of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has been added to the New York Giants coaching staff.
Tom Coughlin announced the hiring of Kevin Gilbride Jr. as the new offensive quality control coach. He replaced Sean Ryan, who was elevated to receivers coach last week.
The younger Gilbride spent the previous three seasons as the wide receivers coach at Temple.
Before working at Temple, Gilbride coached receivers and tight ends and did some work on special teams at Georgetown in 2006. The 30-year-old also was a graduate assistant at Syracuse for two seasons.
Posted 25 February 2010 - 10:52 AM
Comments: 7
By CARL CAMPANILE
Last Updated: 8:51 PM, February 22, 2010
Posted: 3:48 AM, February 22, 2010
He's St. Eli to St. Vincent's.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning -- who has already raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars doing publicity for the Greenwich Village hospital -- has agreed to forgo future paychecks because of its fiscal straits, his spokesman said yesterday.
"When Eli learned that the hospital was in financial difficulties, he released them from the contract . . . from the monetary agreement," said the spokesman for sports-marketing firm IMG.
The cash-strapped Catholic hospital -- which has already shelled out at least $600,000 to the superstar athlete since 2006 -- said in a statement:
"Due to our current financial situation, the hospital will be unable to continue this partnership and has no intention of making payments going forward."
The hospital -- saddled with $700 million in debt -- recently laid off hundreds of workers and dramatically slashed the salaries of other staffers in order to keep its doors open.
Over the summer, St. Vincent's inked a new $1 million agreement with Manning as part of a five-year promotional deal.
It was the continuation of its partnership with Manning, who had already netted about $500,000 from the hospital since November 2006 -- when St. Vincent's was still officially bankrupt.
As part of the renewed, unusual financial arrangement, St. Vincent's was to pay Manning and his Ohio-based merchandising company another $250,000 a year from 2009 through 2014. Manning then would donate $50,000 back to the hospital -- reducing his net annual paycheck to $200,000.
St. Vincent's had widely publicized the partnership in May -- but in a far different light.
A glowing press release said only that Manning and his wife, Abby, would be helping to raise funds for a revamped birthing center and that it would be renamed "the Eli & Abby Manning Birthing Center."
As part of the deal, St. Vincent's got exclusive rights to tout Manning in media ads.
Manning was required to make six appearances a year on behalf of the hospital, including fund-raising galas, and provide signed memorabilia.
St. Vincent's also agreed to foot the bill for the Mannings and their agent to enjoy first-class airfare, lodging, ground transportation and meals during their personal appearances.
But at a St. Vincent's board meeting two months later, one member was already warning that the Manning pact was a "a bad deal at a bad time" that could lead to "bad publicity."
"Many people [would have been] surprised by the arrangement," said Bennett Weiner, who heads the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.
It is believed that Manning had already received another $100,000 from St. Vincent's -- which is run by the Sisters of Charity -- under the new deal.
Manning will continue to help raise funds for the birthing center without receiving compensation, his rep said.
Manning is one of the NFL's top-paid players, making more than $15 million a year, and his six-year Giants contract comes to $97 million. His earnings top $20 million a year, when factoring in endorsements.
Read more: http://www.nypost.co...I#ixzz0gXmNSdsX
Posted 01 March 2010 - 10:25 PM
Coughlin says Umenyiora has to earn starting job
Updated Feb 26, 2010 8:15 PM ET
Tom Coughlin isn't going to hand Osi Umenyiora a starting job to keep the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end happy.
Speaking at the NFL combine on Friday, Coughlin said he has talked with Umenyiora since the season ended, but he was also a little disappointed the disgruntled veteran said he wanted to either be traded or retire if he does not start next season.
Umenyiora, who missed the 2008 season after a major knee injury in the preseason, lost his starting job to Mathias Kiwanuka roughly halfway through last season and barely played in the final weeks.
This year has the potential to be different. Perry Fewell has replaced the fired Bill Sheridan as defensive coordinator so Umenyiora is getting a fresh start now two years removed from major knee surgery.
"He's going to come in and work hard to establish that position,'' Coughlin said "He's a big part of our team, he certainly is a gifted, gifted football player.''
Still Coughlin is not going to guarantee Umenyiora a starting job.
"I don't know how you do that,'' Coughlin said. "Our field is a field and competition is good; just like we tell to everybody, 'Go earn it.'''
Coughlin doesn't want Umenyiora's unhappiness to escalate. That's what happened with tight end Jeremy Shockey in the season after the Super Bowl and New York traded him to New Orleans, where he got a ring.
"There's great respect for Osi and his ability, and I think vice versa Osi for the New York Giants,'' Coughlin said. "I think he wants to be here and I think he wants to be part of our team.''
In his meeting with Umenyiora, Coughlin said he told him that the team's expectations for him are very high and that he was an integral part of the team.
"We expect that he'll come back and work as hard as he can and be a big part of our defensive rejuvenation, if you will; competition is a very good thing; Osi is a big part of our plan,'' Coughlin said.
On other issues, Coughlin welcomed new Washington coach Mike Shanahan to the NFC East.
"Mike's an outstanding football coach, obviously has the two Super Bowl rings,'' Coughlin said. "We go back a long time competing against each other; I have great respect for Mike; this is a great division.''
Coughlin refused to shed more light on the Giants' decision to release middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, the quarterback of their defense since 2005. He missed the end of last season with a neck injury.
"Antonio was a great player for the N.Y. Giants, was a wonderful acquisition for us,'' Coughlin said. "He had the qualities of leadership, he was able to inspire other guys around him. He certainly was a huge part of our Super Bowl team and continued to be a leader on the field; the decision was made that we were going to part ways; as I told him when he left, 'I love ya and you're a part of the N.Y. Giants history and you always will be.'''
Posted 03 March 2010 - 11:16 AM
John Mara says New York Giants don't need spending spree to recruit free-agent talent
BY Ralph Vacchiano
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010, 4:00 AM
When John Mara was seething over the Giants' 2009 season, he vowed not to "leave any stone unturned" to fix his franchise. But even in the absence of a salary cap, that doesn't mean he plans to start throwing his money around.
"We're going to do whatever we feel is necessary to improve the team, but that doesn't always involve spending the most money," Mara told the Daily News. "I think it's been pretty well-established in this league that spending the most money in free agency doesn't always produce results."
That doesn't mean the Giants won't be active when the free-agent market opens at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, but Mara did sound like the team planned to at least be more selective than it was a year ago. He said, "If we see a free agent out there we think can really improve our team, we're certainly going to pursue that."
But with new free agent rules in place, most league executives seem to believe it's a watered-down market. And even when the market is rich, Mara said over-spending rarely leads to success.
"We see it year after year, the teams that go out and spend a fortune in free agency don't always end up being successful," he said. "You have to spend it on the right guy at the right time. We did spend a lot last year and I'm not saying we're not going to spend any money this year. We'll look and see who's out there and we'll make a determination as to whether that particular player can help us and is it at the right price."
Moments after the '09 market opened, the Giants made an $80 million offer to defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who ended up signing with the Redskins. Then the Giants doled out $83 million in contracts to linebacker Michael Boley and defensive tackles Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. However, the Giants may not need to go on a spending spree to fix their team.
"I think that's correct," he said. "I do not believe we need to tear everything apart. I think that's crazy. I think we do have a good nucleus here. I think most people around the league would agree with that, too."
TENDER MOMENT: The Giants made a "right of first refusal" tender to S C.C. Brown worth $1.226 million. They tendered nine of their 11 restricted free agents, passing only on CB Kevin Dockery and TE Darcy Johnson....The Giants do not plan any more roster cuts before free agency opens, according to two sources familiar with the team's plans. That means expensive, aging veterans such as RT Kareem McKenzie, LG Rich Seubert and Bernard are safe for now.
Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0h6xSBmeD
Posted 06 March 2010 - 11:56 AM
Giants sign Rolle for $37 million
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Updated Mar 6, 2010 1:31 AM ET
The New York Giants have made Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle the richest safety in the NFL.
In the waning hours of the opening day of free agency, Rolle signed a five-year, $37 million contract that has $15 million in guaranteed money.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted the announcement late Friday, offering his personal congratulations to Rolle on becoming ``the highest paid safety in NFL history!'' The Giants formally announced the deal about 11:30 p.m.
``I'm ecstatic,'' said Rolle, 27. ``Words can't really express how I feel now. I had five great years with the Cardinals organization. But I felt it was time for a change. The Giants are a first-class organization all the way. There are great opportunities for me, and I am excited to be working with the players I'll be working with. I think the sky's going to be the limit as to what we can do.''
The signing fills a major need for the Giants, who lost Kenny Phillips to a serious knee injury early last season.
Phillips is expected back this season, and having the two Miami products deep in the secondary should help a defense that struggled last year.
``Antrel is a young, ascending veteran player, and he is an outstanding person who will bring leadership, versatility and more big play ability to our secondary,'' general manager Jerry Reese said.
Rolle, who was recently released by the Cardinals, had four interceptions last season. The one that impressed the Giants the most came in late October when he stepped in front of Steve Smith to intercept an Eli Manning pass around the Cardinals' 21-yard line with 68 seconds to play to nail down a 24-17 win.
New York had driven from its own 1-yard line in the final three minutes in an attempt to tie the game in which Rolle also had eight tackles.
Rolle has played in 68 regular-season games with 59 starts. His career totals include 337 tackles (296 solo), 12 interceptions, 36 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks. He has returned four interceptions for touchdowns, including three in 2007.
This past season, Rolle started all 15 games in which he played and was credited with 72 tackles (61 solo).
Arizona, which also lost linebacker Karlos Dansby to Miami late Friday, released Rolle on Thursday because it wanted to avoid paying him the $4 million roster bonus and the $8 million salary he was due.
However, the battle for Rolle came down to the Giants and Cardinals, and Rolle chose New York after visiting with the team most of Friday.
``I'm extremely excited for the opportunity, and I feel truly blessed,'' Rolle said. ``They have the confidence I can come in and be the player that they expect me to be, and I will live up to everything they expect and go beyond.''
Rolle was Arizona's first-round pick, the eighth selection overall, out of Miami in 2005. He began his pro career as a cornerback but had most of his success after being switched to safety in 2008.
In four seasons at the University of Miami, Rolle had 183 tackles and five interceptions.
Posted 06 March 2010 - 06:59 PM
John Mara says New York Giants don't need spending spree to recruit free-agent talent
Giants sign Rolle for $37 million
Posted 22 March 2010 - 10:10 PM
Posted 22 April 2010 - 09:44 PM
BY Ralph Vacchiano
Thursday, April 22nd 2010, 4:00 AM
Jerry Reese had the golden touch in his first draft as GM of the Giants. Seven of his eight picks in the 2007 draft contributed immediately and helped build the Giants into a Super Bowl team.
But 2-1/2 years later, Reese, 46, could be staring at the most important draft in his short GM career. His Giants were a miserable 8-8 last season, and when it ended, co-owner John Mara angrily and publicly put all his employees on notice.
Reese can't afford too many misses when this draft begins Thursday night. And in the first round especially, he may even need to hit a home run.
"We are looking for good players," Reese said. "If we can hit home runs, that's good. If we can get a double, that's good. If we can get a single - we just want to get on base in the draft. We don't want to have a bunch of strikeouts. It is tough when you have a bunch of strikeouts."
There have been too many of those for the Giants in the last year and a half, dating back to the Plaxico Burress-induced collapse at the end of the 2008 season. Last year, Reese spent $84 million on defensive players only to see the Giants roll out one of the worst defenses in team history. He's also gotten only sporadic contributions out of the 15 players he's drafted the last two years.
Given that, when Mara insisted after the season that "I'm not pleased with anybody right now," many took it as a sign that Reese and coach Tom Coughlin were on the hot seat. Reese, however, said Mara's words haven't affected his offseason plans at all.
"John said basically the same thing I said," Reese said. "Nobody is happy with 8-8. That's not our standard. We don't like that. So I don't think John was saying anything that Tom Coughlin and myself hadn't already said. He may have been more sensational with how he presented it than we were. But I think we all said the same thing."
Regardless of how hot Reese's seat is, there's no doubt this draft is important. The Giants were relatively quiet in free agency other than their first-day splash for safety Antrel Rolle (five years, $37 million). They left themselves with a hole at middle linebacker and questions at running back, offensive line and defensive tackle. After the way last season ended, they know some NFL-ready reinforcements are needed.
With the notable exception of '07 second-round receiver Steve Smith, many of Reese's best picks have faded over time. To jump back into contention quickly, however, Reese may need to hit on a few immediate home runs again.
Posted 22 April 2010 - 09:44 PM
Despite perceived lack of interest, New York Giants make sure they have C.J. Spiller's cell number
BY Ralph Vacchiano
Tuesday, April 20th 2010, 11:15 PM
C.J. Spiller hadn't heard a word from the Giants throughout the pre-draft process. No workouts, no visits, no indication that they liked him at all.
Until they called him a few days ago to make sure they had the right cell-phone number in case they need to reach him Thursday night.
And they might because, according to multiple team sources, the Giants are enchanted with the Clemson running back whom many scouts believe is the most dynamic offensive player in this year's draft. He likely won't be there when the Giants make the 15th pick of the first round. But those sources said the Giants could consider trading up to get him if he escapes the Top 10 and if the price is right.
Spiller said "There have been a lot of teams calling" for his number, but he'd welcome a chance to play in New York because he believes he'd be "a good fit" with the Giants. He's got blazing speed (a 4.27 in the 40 at his pro day) and is a dual threat (1,715 yards rushing and receiving last season). He is a dangerous kick returner, too.
The only knock on him is that he's only 5-10, 194 pounds. But Spiller insisted that's not much of a knock at all.
"My weight is just three digits," Spiller told the Daily News Tuesday during a promotional appearance in midtown. "You can never question my heart or the way I play the game. So I can't worry about that. They said Warrick Dunn was too little and he lasted for a number of years."
The Giants sure could use that kind of toughness at running back because their ground game was sagging and injury-prone last year. Brandon Jacobs is coming off knee surgery, and Ahmad Bradshaw had surgery on both his feet and his right ankle. With Andre Brown (a fourth-round pick in 2009) recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles, Spiller could be the injection of youth and health the Giants' ground game sorely needs.
The problem is he might not even fall close enough to the Giants for them to move up. He took pre-draft visits to Tampa Bay (picking third in the first round), Buffalo (ninth) and Denver (11th). He also visited Cincinnati (21st), and the Seahawks (picking sixth and 14th) like him, too, according to an NFL source.
His ability, character and attitude will likely make him an attraction for many teams. Spiller isn't looking to come in and take over a team. He said he'd have no problem playing behind backs such as Jacobs and Bradshaw, helping out his new team wherever he could.
"I'm just a youngster coming in and trying to learn things," Spiller said. "You have to be willing to learn. You have to know what you're doing before you can get out on the field. I'm willing to learn from the older guys, learn the ins and outs, and then let my athleticism take over."
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East meets West on this 2 week trip through the distinctly cool, modern vibes & rich history of Europe's capital cities and lesser-known gems. From the one & only Berlin alongside Prague, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Verona, Venice, Rome & more, we'll flutter from tasting locally-distilled schnaps at an alpine farm, to personal guided tours through royal castles, to private cruises along the iconic canals & islands of Venice, to nights out in eclectic clubs filled with hipster locals, staying in centrally located quad-share hostels all the way.
Good Morning - meet up with your Trip Manager this morning as you get an early start and meet up with your Contiki Squad who your going to be hanging out with for the upcoming days. First up we have to say Arrivederci Roma. No doubt packed full of pizza, pasta and gelato, we say a fond farewell, knowing that another Italian icon is just around the corner…Verona!In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, a posse of travellers, all alike in excitement, check out the place that inspired Romeo & Juliet, yes, the very same balcony. One for the romantics of the group. We'll also check out the Roman Arena where other love stories were told.Yes, it's as cute as you imagine. Yes, you'll feel like you're part of an Italian fairytale. Yes, you are actually hanging out in the gondola clad floating city of Venice! And tomorrow it is yours to explore...
Wake-up sleeping beauties! Venice is yours for the entirety of this glorious Italian day. We'll be jumping aboard our own private boat and hitting the canals en route to the historical heart of the city. A guided walking tour and a gondola ride are up for grabs, or you can always choose to get lost on your own and see where the maze takes you.
That's it for our lengthy stint in Italy. Gelato, pizza, historical monuments, coastlines, gondolas; you have all been wonderful!Onwards and geographically upwards - it's time for the mountain ranges that made the Sound of Music famous. Also home to Mozart, you can be pretty certain this place knows a beat. Today we'll also see the largest preserved fortress in Central Europe - Hohensalzburg - and have the chance to visit a local farm and enjoy an authentic Austrian Dinner prepared by our hosts.
Austria, you are an overwhelming beauty. Although it would be nice to stay forever, it's time for us to cross the border into the Czech Republic. Here you can opt for a stop at Eagle's Nest for some WWII history and panoramic pics should you feel so inclined. With Prague on the horizon, things are looking mighty fine.Castles and bridges and gothic cathedrals make the city of Prague a surprise and delight. Compact and bursting with atmosphere, use your free time to trot around on foot and see what you stumble upon (hoping to heaven it's the traditional fruit dumpling of ovocné knedlíky).
With a full day to loiter, expect an entire photo album of Gothic architecture, market antics & you cheers-ing cheap beer; not to mention life!
Just remember, with every great city we leave behind, we get a little bit closer to somewhere new to explore. And today that somewhere new happens to be the cultural hub of Berlin. Thanks for everything, Czech!A roadtrip from Prague to Berlin would not be complete without stopping in Dresden. Destroyed by World War II, the rebuilt town is now a symbol of resilience, soaked in the rebirthed beauty of an Opera house, the domed Frauenkirche, & the Royal Residence.Come for a wall covered in art & history, stay for a culture of cool, a smorgasbord of partying & enough unique German flair to leave you desperate to see the rest of the country. Today we will shower you in iconic sites, none more interesting that the remains of the Berlin Wall.
Get into the mood of exploration. Berlin has so much to offer the hungry traveller, from the obvious icons like Checkpoint Charlie to all the obscurities tucked away in the side streets.By night this city comes alive, so get into the groove and visit one of the cool backstreet bars or clubs and rub shoulders with the locals, cos that's what travelling is all about, right?
It's time to hit the original fast-track of the autobahn and make our way out of Germany. We have one last city to tick off & it's sure to see us go out with a bang.Whatever eclectic fantasies you have about Amsterdam, the real life version will impress you more. Fire yourself up for pretty canals, a bounty of unique museums & quirky cafes galore.
This morning we head off to Edam to eat some cheese!You know the cheese, and now you're going to know the place that pioneered it. We'll cycle into the countryside squealing at windmills & going hysterical over tulip fields on our way to an actual cheese farm & clog maker's house.It's our last full day on tour & our last night to party up a storm with the squad. Use the day to explore quirky museums & sample the endless array of cuisines this city has on offer. In the mood for Dutch pancakes? Of couse you are. Just ask your Trip Manager on the best places to head. For those that can't get enough of those cute canal houses, take to the streets with your phone and get those Insta likes at an all time high. It would be rude not to go large tonight with the squad, starting with an optional dinner of Dutch favourites and a canal cruise with drinks to set the mood.
Get your tissues ready, it's time to say goodbye to your new Contiki family. We'll escort you to Schiphol Airport by about 10am.For those not leaving us until London, we'll travel south through Belgium - cross another country off your list.This afternoon we cross from France to England and then back to London-town, where you'll be left to start dreaming up your next big adventure.
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In the chilling opening of Jack Reacher, a man drives to a parking deck overlooking the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh, loads a sniper rifle with handmade bullets, and shoots dead five people walking on the riverbank. Drawing from the pages of Lee Child's "One Shot," the ninth book in the Jack Reacher series, Director Christopher McQuarrie crafts a sly crime thriller with intensity and suspense atypical in recent genre films. Tom Cruise plays former U.S. Army Military Police Corps officer Jack Reacher, a man known to readers as an imperfect, unhinged hero. The suspect in the shootings instructs investigators to "Get Jack Reacher," who arrives with his own concerns about the man in custody. Cruise is excellent here, supplementing his leading-man swagger with icy retorts and lethal fighting skills, and McQuarrie, who also wrote the screenplay, blends action, criminal procedure and human drama into a successful live-action pulp thriller.
The film wastes little time out of the gate, and the five targeted through the sniper's scope are dead within five minutes. The cops arrest James Barr (Joseph Sikora), a solider with a violent past known to Reacher, but the film pulls no punches about Barr being the only guilty party. Barr's defense attorney, Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), hires Reacher as her investigator despite her District Attorney father's (Richard Jenkins) warning that the case will torpedo her career. Reacher initially is skeptical; he knows Barr is capable of murder and lacks a conscience. Helen urges him to dig deeper, and Reacher agrees to help after forcing Helen to meet with the families of several victims. Child's novel translates well to the screen, and Jack Reacher sprints through a dense crime wave while the audience puts together the puzzle alongside Reacher.
The film necessarily simplifies Child's narrative, but remains a compelling crime thriller with shadowy villains and several lower-level pawns that factor into the conspiracy. Jack Reacher is a smart, often brutal film unconcerned with its paperback-book trappings. The characters aren't exactly multi-dimensional, but the film's conservative development works to its benefit, allowing it to move like one of Child's page-turners. Only the protracted, multi-chapter conclusion feels like it could use some trimming. McQuarrie, best known for writing The Usual Suspects, the Cruise-led Valkyrie and the upcoming The Wolverine, peppers the film with surprising bit players. Filmmaker Werner Herzog shows up in a crazy role, and Robert Duvall tests Reacher when he comes looking for answers at an out-of-the-way gun range.
Jack Reacher should quell PG-13 naysayers, as the film is surprisingly brutal. The fight scenes, some with A Good Day to Die Hard's Jai Courtney, are realistic but not especially memorable. McQuarrie reveals his aces in the film's crucial moments of suspense, like the film's opener, where the camera sickeningly pans the crowd for victims. A mid-film car chase sees Cruise commandeer a Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and is solid '60s, Steven McQueen excitement. Cruise snaps limbs and knocks adversaries out cold as no-nonsense Reacher, and I enjoyed the scene where Cruise absolutely shuts down a would-be bar suitor. Paramount undersold Jack Reacher by minimizing the connection to Child's novels, but the author's twisty crime writing is the film's best asset.
Paramount continues to hit home runs with their new-release Blu-rays, and Jack Reacher looks phenomenal in high definition. Shot on 35 mm stock, the 2.35:1/1080p/AVC-encoded image retains a light layer of grain and never strays into traps of digital manipulation. Detail is exceptional throughout; close-ups reveal minute facial features and the grooves on ammunition and gun barrels. Wide shots stretch for miles without compression artifacts, and the sunny Pittsburgh skyline is crystal clear. Sharpness is excellent, and Jack Reacher exhibits the kind of clarity and high-definition "pop" home theater owners can use to convert their feet-dragging friends to HD converts. I really can't think of any more adjectives to describe how beautifully clear and detailed this image looks. Skin tones and color saturation are both spot-on, and black levels are impressive. Only when McQuarrie intends do black levels flash purple due to nearby lighting, and the inky shadows never overwhelm the details lingering within. I did not notice a single instance of aliasing or shimmer, and can find nothing to fault the transfer for Jack Reacher.
The 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is also exceptional, and provides home theater owners an aggressive, totally immersive mix with wonderful range and clarity. This is the kind of mix where a whisper is as clear as a ringing gunshot, and the elements are perfectly separated while remaining totally cohesive. Dialogue is razor sharp, and hiss and feedback are never an issue. Directional dialogue surrounds the viewer, and set pieces like a busy police station provide ample opportunity for surround-speaker chatter. Ambient effects like crowd noise and weather play throughout the sound field, and the film's action effects are often downright startling. The dread inducing pop of sniper fire whizzes from the rear to the front speakers, where the LFE rumbles in protest. Car crashes and fights rattle the floor, and the mix perfectly balances effects, bass response and score. French, Spanish and Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks are also available, as are English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.
Paramount releases Jack Reacher in "combo pack" format. The two-disc set includes the Blu-ray, a DVD copy of the film and codes to redeem iTunes-compatible and UltraViolet digital copies. The discs are packed in a Blu-ray eco-case, which is wrapped in a slipcover that replicates the slightly cheesy cover artwork. Paramount also includes a $10 Ticketmaster sports ticket coupon and a code to access the first chapter of Child's upcoming novel. The disc includes a number of nice extras:
Director Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise adapt author Lee Child's "One Shot" into the first chapter of a Jack Reacher film series that hopefully will continue to push the gritty, paperback pulp thrills of Child's novels. Cruise plays the title character, a former soldier and current drifter, who joins a defense attorney investigating a chilling multiple homicide. Jack Reacher works well as a briskly paced crime thriller, and Cruise adds pleasing edge to his leading man charisma. Paramount's Blu-ray is technically excellent and includes some nice bonus content. Highly Recommended.
William lives in Burlington, North Carolina, and looks forward to a Friday-afternoon matinee.