This Week on the Blog

I was going to write this earlier today, but the first bit of news I saw was the story about Jay Bromley, and, thus decided to put the regular article aside for the time being.  Meanwhile, I have nothing to say about Bromley.  No judgment to make, and nothing to write about.  So onto our usual four.

Giants: The Giants will probably introduce their new coaching staff this week, and McAdoo may or may not have finished his film review of last season.  I suppose some cuts and negotiations are on the way ahead of free agency in March.  Of course, four of them are playing in the Pro Bowl tomorrow and let's hope they make it out alright.  The FO must also be at work on both their FA Board and Draft Board.  The Giants have a mind numbing number of roster needs, but also a ton of cap room and the ability to make more.

Knicks:  The Knicks have to start the week against the Warriors tomorrow night, then things will, necessarily get easier.  You have to like the effort they are giving almost every night, and a run is still not out of the question.  What's in the question is whether or not they'll make moves at the deadline, or whether they'll keep their powder dry for the offseason.

Rangers: the Rangers are on their all-star break till Tuesday, and they're another team that has to decide what to do at the deadline.  They're still capped up tight and must look at selling or selling while buying.  They need to keep playing better.  It was nice to see Miller, McDonagh and Kreider starting to come alive before the break.  Zucc needed the help, and Hayes was playing better, too.

Yanks: We're going to get a bunch of ARod the mentor stories.  And you know what, I bless him for that.  And I believe he's really into it.  The prospects have largely returned to Tampa and their supervised works out by now and it's just 18 days till pitchers and catchers report.  Of course, things can happen in February -  like ARod 12 years ago - so stay vigilant.

I'll try to get more posts done this week, but I've been distracted by a few situations.   I hope each of you has a great one.

This Week on the Blog

This past week saw the Knicks and Rangers lose some they shouldn't have, as well as Coach McAdoo starting to assemble his staff.  Thankfully, the Yanks did nothing and still have the #19 pick in the draft.  What can we expect this week?

Rangers:  The Rangers have to keep playing better, and decide whether or not they'll be buyers, sellers or both at the trade deadline.  This is Gorton's first with GM control, and it will be a huge relief if he either can find more picks, or refrains throwing future 1's in with any deal he makes.

Knicks: Now Carmelo's left knee is acting up.   And that's on top of their back to back no-shows on Friday and Saturday.  A week or so ago, I was thinking playoffs, but now I'm thinking getting a new coach is the best next step, as making the playoffs would probably make it harder to switch coaches.

Giants:  Feels like McAdoo is waiting on some DL coach whose team is still in the playoffs. Not only have the Giants not hired a DL coach, but no names have even been linked with the job opening.  Once that's done, it appears McAdoo will anounce them all at once.   Meanwhile, McAdoo and his growing staff have been self scouting and reviewing the Giants 2015 season.  Thus they have stronger stomachs than I do.

Yanks: This is the time of year when a lot of the prospects start heading to Tampa for training and instruction.  They still might trade for a starter, but it's seeming less and less likely, and they have protected their pick, so that's good.

I hope the snow isn't ruining any of your lives and wish you each a great week!

Giants Add LB Coach Bill McGovern

The Giants have hired former Eagle LB Coach Bill McGovern.  You'd think his Eagle connection would mean he's a Spags guy, but they weren't there at the same time.  In fact, it seems McGovern, who in a Coughlinesque dream scenario had been DC at BC for a long tme, might have intersected with McAdoo at the University of Pittsburgh in the `90s.   This guy brings a ton of collegiate experience and that should make him a good teacher.  The bad news is that he was Mark Herzlich's college coordinator, so we still might not be able to cut bait.

Giants Add OL Coach Solari and Others

The Giants seem to be filling out Ben McAdoo's first coaching staff.  It's just coming out that Mike Solari will be the new OL coach.  It's unknown at this point whether Lunda Wells was invited to stay on as assistant OL coach.  Solari's had a long career, and though some will posit he is a big time zone proponent, that's not altogether accurate.  Both his Chiefs lines and 49er lines were plenty physical and he should love the Giants young trio of Pugh, Richburg and Flowers.   We'll see what he can do with the rest or what influence he has over the type of OL's we sign and draft now.   He does like to get the Guards and C out to the second level, so it shouldn't be all that different from what TC liked in lineplay.

They also seem to have added Frank Cignetti Jr. as QB Coach.  McAdoo seems to have known Cignetti since college, and may actually be filling the McAdoo Confidante role that Philbin, momentarily, seemed bound for.  It's unclear how much of a QB coach Eli needs at this point, as both McAdoo and Coach Sullivan are among his favorite people and well versed in what Eli needs to do to shine.

No names seem to be emerging on the DL, and Mike Singletary was in today talking about being the linebacking coach.  

Giants Hire WR Coach Adam Henry

Coach McAdoo has begun assembling his staff, and the first name we can pencil in is former LSU WR Coach Adam Henry.  Henry coached Odell Beckham when he was at LSU.  Before that he was with the Raiders for 5 years and most recently he was with the 49ers.  Henry has tons of experience and strong production.  He also has a Masters in Education, and some of those cats can teach.  He is also said to be very close with Odell, so why not?

In other staffing news, new Eagles Coach, Doug Pederson, reportedly wants to hire presumtive Giants  DC Steve Spagnuolo.   We'll see what happens there.

This Week On the Blog

This past week, the Knicks and Rangers both showed some signs of life, while trade rumors continued to mount.   The Yanks spent a 40 spot of a short reliever with a tall ERA, and the Giants named their new head coach.  This week should be even more interesting.

Giants:  With McAdoo ensconced, it's time to build a new staff around him.  It's unclear how much of the TC staff will be retained, to wit, Herman, Izzo and Ryan are already gone and Flats at least, has been interviewing around.  The Giants were thought to be adding Joe Philbin, but he instead ended up taking the OL job for the Colts.  I sincerely hope the Giants are no longer of the mindset that top assistants aren't worth top dollar, because paying top dollar is the only way to get top assistants in this market.  And the Giants should not let their rookie HC go to war with his 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice assistants.  

Knicks: The Knicks were really starting to get exciting when Melo was injured by a careless Ref.   They lost the first full game without him, and will play without him again today against Memphis.  Melo had been playing the most team friendly ball of his Knicks career lately, and they need him if they want to make any kind of run.

Rangers:  The Rangers just beat the Flyers by way of the shootout.  But it was once again a game where they lead heading into the third, only to give up the tie and have to play more for the second point.  There are trade rumors around that they are looking for a forward.  Whoever he is better not cost a first or Buch.

Yanks:  The Yanks have been making little MLB and MiLB moves.  But it still feels like another trade for a starter is coming.  We'll see if it comes sooner or later this winter.  A few years ago they traded for Pineda in January, and back in 2004 they traded for ARod on Valentine's Day.  So stay vigilant.

And there you have it.  I hope it's a great week for all of you.

Giants Hire McAdoo

The Giants, today, officially hired the first candidate they interviewed after Tom Coughlin stepped down -- Ben McAdoo.  Given that David Shaw made himself unavailable, this is exactly what they had to do.   At tbe beginning of the process, I mentioned that if it was McAdoo or Gase I'd want them to bring in an older coach as AHC, and they seem to be doing that with Philbin.  We'll see how the rest of the staff shakes out but it looks like Mike Sullivan will be OC and Spags will get another season to prove he's still got it.  With 7 prime picks, and close to 60 million in cap room, the Giants should be able to give Spags the bodies he needs on D.   So now we're in the fun part wich includes staff hiring and, hopefully roster paring and rolling cap organization.  Big presser to introduce Coach McAdoo at 10:30 AM.

UPDATE:  Philbin is not joining the McAdoo staff.   Instead he took the OL coaching job for the Colts.

Knicks Continue to Impress

The Knicks smoked the Bucks for the second time this year, but unlike the first time, the Bucks had their "stars" playing.  Little did the Bucks know that Melo has been channeling his inner LeBron lately, and it showed up again tonight as he was just two assists shy of a triple double.  I don't think finally having guys around him like Porzingis and Affalo and Lopez, etc, excuses the ballstopper he has mostly been in his career, but when you see him play like did tonight you can't wonder what he could have been all along.  Zinger had his own set of highlights and 5 blocks and the role players also played well.  One thing to note was the way they attacked the basket from the key and the wings.  It didn't always work out, but they are more aggressive than they have been in forever.  

Just a nice night of hoops, and you have to wonder, especially if Melo is going to play like this, if a playoff run might actually come this season.

This Week on the Blog

This past week saw the Knicks rise up a bit, the Rangers maybe play a little better, the Giants part ways with a beloved coach, and the Yanks make small minor league type moves.  Let's hope this week is better.

The Giants:  The Giants are front and center right now because they need a new coach.  So far they'd interviewed their coordinators, as well as Andew Gase, who has since taken the Miami job, Teryl Austin and Doug Marrone.  In the next hour or so, Bill O'Brien could become available or available-ish, and that could interest them.  I thought when John Mara said he wouldn't rule out trading for a coach, he wasn't just talking about Payton.  They do not seem to have reached into collegiate ranks, as Mara said they would during their hamfisted press event earlier in the week.

The Yankees:  The Yanks sent cash considerations to Cleveland for yet another reliever, Kirby Yates. He had a high era, and takes up a space on the roster, which now stands at 38.  Seems like the default setting for the Yanks is "acquire a reliever."  At least this one only cost cash.  They still seem to want another starter.

Knicks: Carmelo has morphed into more of facilitator lately, and it seems to be helping the Knicks. I've insistet that this year doesn't matter, but if they can somehow cobble together a trade for a third part while in season, a playoff run might be fun.   We'll see.  But going forward, building around Porzingis remains the way to go, as he showed again last night.  Interestingly, Calderon, last night's final miss nothwithstanding, might once again be tradable.  And certainly all of those FA deals they gave out last summer are movable.

Rangers:  Egads, they must do something about the Girardi situation.  He absolutely handed a goal to Ovechkin to end the first period today.   It was a game they probably would have won within regulation but for the Girardi asssist.  Instead they lost in OT, and thus are on a modest point streak intead of a modest win streak.   Sheesh.   They need to be better all around, though Hayes did score a goal.  I sense more deals on the way.

So that about sets the table.  Hopefuly by week's end the Giants will have hired a coach and that coach will be hiring a good staff.  Otherwise, let's hope the rest of them play better, if they're playing, and that none of them do anything stupid.

Hope you have a great week.

Ranger Trade Etem to Vancouver

The Rangers got in on the early trading season flurry of moves today by shipping Emerson Etem to Vancouver for Danish winger Nicklas Jensen and a 6th round pick.  Jensen was the 29th overal pick in the 2011 draft and hasn't done much to distinguish himself.   Vigneault didn't seem to like Etem, so he never got much of a chance.  I woul have liked to see him get more run, but Glass Rules, you know.

UPDATED

Rangers Roll

The Rangers just left the Stars seeing Stars as they beat them 6-2.  Big win.  Stepan started the scoring then after just missing a shorty in the second, scored one in the third.  Yandle, Brassard, Stalberg and a called up Megna had the other goals.  Nash had three assists as was active all night.   Big, big win to get things going -- hopefully.

Giants Coaching Search Begins

This morning we heard that both Steve Spagnolo and Ben McAdoo will interview for the Giants head coaching job.   Recently we've also learned that they've reached out to Adam Gase.  I like all three of these coaches, though I wonder if McAdoo is ready.   Spags I'm not sure deserves another look as the head man.   If McAdoo does get the job, I'd hope there'd some other changes on the staff, including an older AHC or something he can lean on.

The same would go for Gase.  I believe Gase played for Saban at Michigan State, then started his coaching career under Saban at LSU.  He then went onto the SF, and then joined Foxy's staffs in Denver and Chicago.  His success with Payton may give Eli an additional comfort level, and I'd probably want an older AHC for him as well.

No word on David Shaw, yet, but he has reportedly just bought a 4.5 Million dollar home in NoCal, so he might not be interested.

John Mara said it would be an extensive search, but also a pretty quick one, so that might exclude some of the Patriot assistants.  Or it might not.

Giants: Coughlin Steps Down

Tom Coughlin today told ownership that he's stepping down.  This is a sad day in Giant land, even though the last three seasons have been brutal.  He's just a guy who should be Coach of the Giants.   I don't know what this means for the assistants or the front office.  But I do hope the Giants go find someone who embodies their traditional beliefs and not someone who is flavor of the week.  Personally, I'd probably have Stanford's David Shaw at the top of my list.

Tom Coughlin and Giant-ness

In the next hour or so, the Giants will probably have a decision on whether or not their 2 time Super Bowl Championship Coach still has his job.  While I agree that it would be perfectly fine to fire Coughlin or Reese or both based on the last few years,  it is of paramount importance that they don't throw out the Giant-ness that Tom Coughin restored to the Franchise when he returned.

In my life the Giants have had two Super Bowl winning periods, the first started when George Young was hired.  The second started when Tom Coughlin, the assistant on the second Young/Parcells Super Bowl winner returned.   The Reeves era was un-Gianty, and the Fassel era was sort of Giants-lite: some terrific players, and an NFC Championship, but no rings.  I suspect it all really started with Jim Lee Howell and his famous assistants.

Giant-ness has to do with the zeitgeist of their apt drafting, physicality, ability to run the ball, class, ability to stop the run, tendency to never give up, etc.    While the most recent versions of the team haven't really embodied all of this,  Tom Coughlin does, and if they replace him, they better find someone else who does.

While I'm not particularly in favor of promoting McAdoo, I do think they should be looking for continuity in the type of guy they bring in.  He should have D cred like Parcells had, or O cred like TC. And he should believe in all the physical stuff, as well as getting his coffee at the 7-11.  And they should let him hire a kickass staff.

The Giants will not be the Giants if they try to go away from the only things that have ever worked for them.

Giants Finish 6-10 as Changes Loom

This was a really, really painful Giant season.  Sure they had injuries, but to blow so many games in the last two minutes... We'll see how much housecleaning gets done, but holy crap, where does it start and end?

Kevin Abrams, who has been the cap controller for the Giants ever since they got control of their cap, is interviewing with the Lions.  Hopefully, he either stays or the Giants have someone equally as cap adept to replace him.   They should have a bunch of cap room as well as no lower than the #10 pick in the draft to offer new coaches or front office people.

I trust that whatever happens with be handled gracefully.   Coach Coughlin deserves it.

This Week on the Blog

Happy New Year!  Hope it's a great one for all of you, our teams, and the world.  2015 sort of sucked, so I'm glad we've turned the page, and we should start out with a big, and possibly sad week for our teams.

Giants: It's probably 50/50 that Tom Coughlin is coaching his last game for the Giants tomorrow. If it is, it will always be a sad thing that he finished on another bad season.  He was and will always be a winner, and never tried to leverage anything else out of the Giants even after winning two Super Bowls, ahem, Tuna.  I think he's a hall of famer.  I also hope the Giants lose tomorrow and we get the higher picks.

Knicks: Fisher and the players seem to be turning on each other a bit.  I really don't have a feel that he's going to be a good coach at this point, and I thought I would by now.  The team still isn't incorporating Porzingis or the other young guys like they should, and that's on the coaching.   We'll see what happens.

Rangers: The Rangers are currently down 2-0 in the middle of the second, and that's why I started writing this.  Disgust.   Something has to change, this bad play has been going on for over a month.  It's unacceptable and the GM may have to get involved.  Now they're down 3-0.

Yanks:  Last week the Yanks traded for yet another high salaried lefty closer.   Something's got to give, because without strengthening the offense and rotation, there will be no leads for the greatest bullpen ever to protect.   We'll just have to see what the cost will be for the rest of the needed pieces.

Alright, have a great one people, and if you can't at least have a better one than the Rangers are having right now.