Cadillac Mescalade: Super Bowl Stories Reaching Saturation Level

Unsure of which articles to read about the Super Bowl or perhaps tired of the hype?

Here is an easy Cliff's Notes on what you've missed, but you don't have to take my word for it.

I've got news for you! Archie Mannie served as quarterback for the New Orleans Saints for a decade during their heyday of losing! This man should be conflicted about who to root for in the big game coming up. You see, Archie's son, Peyton Manning is the starting quarterback for the Saints' opponent, the Indianapolis Colts.


Get this...Archie is going to side with his family and root for the Colts, in the words of another New Orleans legend that is a "numba one stunna." Not quite. With all due respect to Baby, and the rest of the Cash Money Millionaires, it's no surprise a father will side with his son and that this storyline is just one of the many that has been drummed up in the two week lead-up to the Super Bowl, which will finally kick off this Sunday in Miami.

The newspapers, websites, and blogs have given us interviews with the Manning's legendary housekeeper, Archie's next door neighbors, the other brother Cooper, Peyton's high school coach, college friends, and everyone short of his general practitioner to give us a better idea in how much the Manning's love New Orleans.

The other brother.

But this week they must support the Colts. Or better yet, what can these people tell us about what makes Peyton tick. We've learned that Reggie Bush has still a ways to go before he can catch the same spotlight created by backside of the girl by his side, to which I can see no downside. We've kept up with the Kardashians while finding the heartwarming story of Saints lineman Anthony Hargrove who has battled back from addiction to be a key component of the Saints Super Bowl game plan.

Pleas try to keep up.

It was let on that Saints Head Man Sean Payton, no relation to the other Peyton, ponied up some of his own salary to lure in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams, the man who has spearheaded the Saints resilient defense, one I fear will be put to the ultimate test against the Colts. However, it's the Saints offense everyone expects great things out of. If you hadn't heard, the San Diego Chargers left Drew Brees for dead and he has repaid the Saints faith ten-fold. In fact, we now know Brees is so well liked in New Orleans and not just by the secret society of well connected business man he meets with to better the community, but by the whole city who, win, lose, or draw in Miami will name their savior "Breesus" the Bacchus in 2010. This means he will reign as the 42nd King of the Krewe in the annual Carnival parade. A privilege somewhere between the Pro Bowl and eternal salvation.

A privilege somewhere between the Pro Bowl and eternal salvation.

Not to be outdone, it's evident Jim Caldwell has done just fine replacing Tony Dungy, a savior in his own right. The bond between the Colts is a strong one for a team that has a Super Bowl ring not too far removed from their rear view mirror. We know Manning is demanding, he may cuss out an offensive lineman, but rewards them with dream vacations in the off-season. Pierre Garcon took a sloppy high school work ethic, parlayed it into all-star career in Division 3 college football, and has hit the football lottery becoming part of the answer to who will replace Marvin Harrison. Keep in mind Garcon does all of this while keeping his homeland Haiti close to his heart and helping with what has been a tremendous outpouring of relief efforts across all sports.

Matt Stover has proved kickers are football's fountain of youth. This is a man that was a teammate of Phil Simms and remains a key to the Colts. But what you really need to know is that Dwight Freeney's ankle is getting better, or is it? Injury reports are often as accurate as my completed sudokus so take Freeney's self proclamations of improvement with a grain of salt. No worries. The Saints will prepare for this man and anyone else the Colts may send their way. They have Scott Fujita who isn't afraid to speak his mind, and Darren Sharper, remember nobody wanted him, not the Packers, nor the Vikings, turns out the while the city rebuilt itself, the Saints continue to rebuild careers. Cut to Jeremy Shockey smiling at the Super Bowl ring he has, but dreaming of the one he is going to get an actual chance to play for. A bigger smile might come from Manning, who know he's getting paid after this game, that's perhaps the only guarantee we have.

Oh yeah, and Madden NFL '10 has picked the Saints to win 35-31. I always did like that video game.

Kickoff is set for 6:25pm eastern, creeping ever closer to primetime. Commercials are up to 2.6 million per 30 seconds. While The Who will handle the halftime, who knew they first tried to retire in 1982? Speaking of which, Brett Favre...

NSFW, but damn amusing...

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Tiki Barber Still Doesn't Know When to Shut Up

Exact quote from Tiki Barber, doing a postgame interview with Eli Manning:

"You've stepped up as a leader and taken on a role that you probably haven't had to play in the past because of your run game. How do you feel that your confidence has grown just in the last year and a half or so?"

HHR Cynic's translation: "How in the world have you been able to win a damn game since I bailed on the Giants and I'm not around to carry your redneck ass anymore?"

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"$97M?!?!? What's that, about $8M per spiral?"

I'll admit. I thought I'd see much more negativity from Giants' fans regarding Eli Manning's contract extension. For the most part, however, G-Man Nation has been overly supportive of their admittedly average quarterback's admittedly above-average deal.

That said, there's plenty of discontent out there to enjoy, courtesy of NJ.com. Here's some of our favorites.


Posted by borotaxpayer on 08/05/09 at 7:43AM

Hope it includes a tutor to teach him how to pass.

Posted by AdamC6 on 08/05/09 at 8:22AM

I really like Eli, but "highest paid player in the league?" This doesn't make sense. Sure, give him a lucrative new deal, but why so high?

MG: Is the Manning family so cutthroat that the Giants think he'd bolt if they didn't offer him the moon?

Who in the Giants camp is driving this deal? Ownership?

Just seems a bit extreme. Hopefully we'll see the wisdom in it in both performance and value down the road.

Posted by hrpufnstuff on 08/05/09 at 8:39AM

How will the speed at WR help Eli? He will continue to underthrow them. He needs tall receivers who can adjust to his wounded ducks the way Burress could. A middle of the pack quarterback making $16M a year. Jesus. Now we know how our PSL money is being spent (wasted).

Posted by beerguy2 on 08/05/09 at 8:51AM

Highest paid player in the NFL what a joke. I hope the wind dies down this year during the playoffs.

Posted by mug12 on 08/05/09 at 10:04AM

this will pan out to be one of the worst contracts in the history of sports

Posted by Carbo on 08/05/09 at 10:21AM

$97M for a QB who can't run, can't pass with any accuracy, has a weak arm, and shows no leadership?
Good God, the idiots running this organization have just set it back ten years!
$97M?!?!? What's that, about $8M per spiral?
They should have traded Manning for a bucket of draft picks. They could have built this team into a dynasty for years to come. A sad day in Giants history, along the lines of The Fumble.

Posted by neerg12 on 08/05/09 at 11:10AM

The translation for "Eli" which derives originally from the Southern Redneck Language actually means - average QB with tendencies to pout.

Posted by mug12 on 08/05/09 at 11:10AM

Now we see why he didn't want to play for the Chargers, his daddy wanted more money for the family

Posted by dgoman on 08/05/09 at 11:30AM

Agree with everyone who says this is too much.

I still think David Carr, given the same oppty to play with a quality offensive line and running game would easily surpass Eli, who i still consider average at best.

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The Next Food Network Quarterback

The Food Network has taken obscure kitchen-bound chefs and uppity home makers and turned them into international celebrities with cross-platform marketing appeal.

They have become the face of the Network and its mouthpieces, much the way quarterbacks have for both their respective teams and the NFL in general.

Food Network stars each have their own unique styles and quirky, albeit many times annoying, personalities. Much like NFL quarterbacks.

Pull up a fork and knife because after much, much too much discussion on the matter, the HHR staff offers you its Food Network Star/NFL Quarterback comparisons.

We start off with the Dean of the Food Network, Alton Brown...

Alton Brown: Good Eats; Feasting on Asphalt; Feasting on Waves; Iron Chef America

HHR Impressions

CR Dunbar: Alton gives me the creeps like Pennington. He can manage a decent show, but will never make the leap to primetime.

the chief: ALTON IS PRIME TIME. He’s on constantly, on like 5 different shows (Good Eats, Iron Chef, and his road/boat trip series). He’s unstoppable. He's Peyton Manning. He's everywhere at once.

Ariel: But he is creepy and knows too much about food. He is not Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning could be your Bobby Flay - on lots of commericals, sort of the wholesome face of professional football, likable, a big draw....

the chief: The only thing creepy about Alton Brown is how awesome he is.

Ariel: Expert on all things culinary... extremely intelligent, but a bit too intelligent and quirky to stomach. He could be your Tom Brady. Like too perfect.

the chief: You people are blasphemous, I tell you.

Ariel: Spoken like a true NE fan. I am telling you, Alton is Brady.

The Cynic: I don't say this very often, but the chief is right on this one. Alton Brown is the shizznit. (Also something I don't say very often.) However, I like the Alton Brown = Tom Brady analogy. They're both extremely good at what they do, you don't know anybody who just hates them and yet there's something a little disconcerting about them because they're almost too perfect.

NFL QB Counterpart: Tom Brady

Paula Deen: Paula's Party; Paula's Home Cooking

HHR Impressions

Ren: She’s a squealing, old Southerner. Sounds like Favre to me.

Ariel: Paula Deen is very charismatic, charming, and lovable. And loves her some butter.

Willard: Favre should be Paula Deen. Looks great and gets results but in the end, going to kill you. His interceptions are like butter.

Ariel: I like Farve as Paula Deen, but I also like Collins as Paula Deen (always seems intoxicated).

NFL QB Counterpart: Brett Favre

Emeril Lagasse: Emeril Live; Essence of Emeril

HHR Impressions

Rusty: Philip Rivers…they both like to yell. BAM!


NFL QB Counterpart: Philip Rivers

The Neelys: Down Home with the Neelys

HHR Impressions

Ren: Much too pleasant on screen to actually like one another. Something's dead wrong about their relationship. Reminds me of McNabb/Reid.

NFL QB Counterpart: Donovan McReid

Sandra Lee: Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee

She describes the philosophy as "70% store-bought/ready-made products accompanied by 30% fresh and creative touches, allowing you to take 100% of the credit.

HHR Impressions

Willard: That is Kerry Collins. Not even his team. All of a sudden he is Jesus Christ, Superstar.

Rev. Shaw Moore: Kurt Warner has to be Sandra Lee ... where would he be without Boldin and Fitzgerald?

Ren: Leinert’s Backup. I like Collins.

NFL QB Counterpart: Kerry Collins

Giada De Laurentiis: Everyday Italian; Behind the Bash; Giada's Weekend Getaways; Giada in Paradise; Giada at Home

HHR Impressions

Ren: Pretty face surrounded by big boobs. Sounds like Tony Romo and the Cowboys.

NFL QB Counterpart: Tony Romo

Ina Garten: Barefoot Contessa

HHR Impressions

Ren: One, if not the only, calm, soothing presence on the channel.

Assassin Ave: Is there a Jewish QB?

Ariel: This person also should be like a comfort food - you can always rely on them in a pinch.

Ren: Brees?

Assassin Ave: I thought of Brees, but not sure i see him as a calming influence. McNabb may be more calming. He seems pretty chill. He was very chill on Cribs.

Ariel: Mcnabb is NOT like comfort food. He is like spicy food that always gives you heartburn - but you eat it anyway.

NFL QB Counterpart: Drew Brees


Guy Fieri: The Next Food Network Star; Guy's Big Bites; Diners, Drive-ins & Dives

HHR Impressions

Ren: Fiesty, Cliched, Flamboyant. Garcia?

the chief: Guy's Big Bite? I say Palmer. That dude bites big-time.

Ariel: What about Roethlisberger? Biker-type. Kind of badass.

NFL QB Counterpart: Ben Roethlisberger

Mario Batali: Molto Mario; Ciao America; Iron Chef America

HHR Impressions

Ariel: Mario Batali is old school, one of the originals. Been around a while, but sort of in the background. Kind of like Jake Delhomme. Consistent, but not the first chef you think of. Never has a terribly bad season, and maybe gets to shine once or twice.

Ren: Plus they can go 8-2 and no one even knows it.

Ariel: There you go.

NFL QB Counterpart: Jake Delhomme

Cat Cora: Iron Chef America

HHR Impressions

Ren: Love her. But since she does shots after each match on the Iron Ref (and I hate to do this), only one man jumps to mind: Orton.

NFL QB Counterpart: Kyle Orton

Masaharu Morimoto: Iron Chef America

HHR Impressions

Ren: Foreign. Speaks very little English, but solid. Eli Manning.

Michael Symon: The Next Iron Chef; Dinner Impossible

HHR Impressions

Ariel: Mike Symon won Next Iron Chef... but he is the new badass on the block.

NFL QB Counterpart: Matt Ryan

----------

This is the part of the show when things got a little hairy. We'll let The Cynic explain:

"We all know that Peyton Manning is the biggest endorsement whore in pro sports. So the decision really comes down to this--who is the bigger media whore between Flay and Ray? Which one would stoop to, for example, pose for a skin mag? Hmmm, I wonder."



Bobby Flay: Iron Ref America; Boy Meets Grill; BBQ with Bobby Flay; Throwdown! with Bobby Flay; Grill It! with Bobby Flay

HHR Impressions

CR Dunbar: Bobby Flay doesn't back down from a challenge and takes a unique angle. Tom Brady. Plus rugged ginger looks.

Willard: BUT, if you watch Challenge, Flay always 'loses' to the hometown guy so in that respect, he is Matt Hasselbeck.

Ariel: See I think of Bobby Flay as the Food Network whore. He has like 3 shows of his own, guest stars on about a half dozen more. Who is like the call-girl for the NFL? Peyton Manning.

CR Dunbar: You shut your mouth. Flay is the man.

Ariel: I love him but he is a whore.

Rachael Ray: 30 Minute Meals; Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels

HHR Impressions

Ren: Dumpy, Endorsement Whore. Peyton Manning.

Ariel: Well, Ray has moved beyond the Food network. She is a self-promoting opportunist. And I don't think that off-camera she is a nice person. I have heard the opposite about Bobby Flay.

The Cynic: As for the whole Bobby Flay/Rachel Ray = Manning debate, I just know this.

1. My wife worships at the unholy Church of Rachel Ray.
2. My wife would leave me in a heartbeat for Peyton Manning.

Coincidence?

----------

Too close to call. Peyton Manning is such an endorsement whore that he is nothing less than the combined whoreness of Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay.

Still Hungry? Taking in a sporting event any time soon? Find out what the locals recommend at FanFoodie.com.

Separated at Birth: Wall Street

Fredo Manning does his best Bud Fox as he poses for the cover of this month's Men's Vogue.

Come on. Who do they think they are kidding? You can't polish a turd.

Put all the fancy 80's suits on him you want. He's still a stumbling, bumbling hick, who will never be very good, will forever have his hand held by daddy, will forever be in his brother's shadow and will forever be beholden to his defense for his ring. It makes for a cute trick or treat costume though.

Is that hair gel?

(How many Giants' fans weren't jealous the Jets got Favre? Be honest.)

Training Camp Postcards, Part 1 of 8: NFC East

As you may or may not follow, SI.com has dispatched "10 writers to report on the 32 NFL training camps across the country" and is featuring their reports throughout August in their Training Camp Postcard segment.

Here at HHR, we prefer to look at actual postcards sent by players to their loved ones, as opposed to Peter King drivel.

Today, we take a look at what's going on in Bethleham, PA (Eagles), Albany, NY (Giants), Oxnard, CA (Cowboys) and Ashburn, VA (Skins) from a player's perspective.






To See the Complete Parts 1-8, Click Here.

Greetings from Training Camp

HHR reader and budding photog Rich Euliss sent along some great shots of the defending Super Bowl champs from Albany.

Two guys want to lick the Manning Brothers

I mean who doesn't. They are yummy. Oh, right. Calm down, Willard. Play hard to get. They will come to you.

Anyway, from the man with his pulse on all things Philly, Dan Gross....

Mannings put on their game faces for licking contest

Roxborough's George Stolzer, 63, a retired firefighter, and his son,Christopher, 36, of Honey Brook, a shipping manager at UMAC, will find out on July 10 as they battle the Mannings in hopes of winning $10,000 in the Oreo Double Stuf Racing League "Lick Race" in New Orleans.

I am giddy just thinking about the video and create-a-captions to come from that event.

Commercial CRitic: League of Bandwagon

The following commercial was forwarded to the CRitic for reasons that many would find obvious.

Gatorade jumped on the Eli and Giants bandwagon. I am surprised that they didn't take Nike and Reebok's route and focus on the Patriots missing the sacks rather than Eli breaking the tackles.



Did Trent Dilfer get this many advertising deals when the Ravens defense carried him to a Super Bowl victory? Or, are we finally seeing why Archie helped his boy throw a temper tantrum during the draft? New York media is like a lottery winner in a titty bar.

At first glance the commercial seems cliche with the music, but after visiting the website it is clear that the climatic chanting music is a theme for the League of Clutch, so I will cut them a break. The league also uses the increasingly popular moving photograph. Cool technology, I know Scott Baio is a fan.


I don't have many problems with the spot other than the fact that they are insinuating Eli Manning is consistently clutch. Sure that play was clutch, no doubt about it, but shouldn't there be a historical precedent in order for a professional athlete to join the league.

According to the website it currently includes Sharapova, Dwayne Wade and Manning...Peyton. No signs of Eli, not even in the coming soon section. It looks like Gatorade joined the league of companies scrambling to put together a commercial to knobjob Eli.

Hoboken to Dedicate Eli Manning Drive?

Sunday night, my sister, an Eagles fan who happens to have a soft spot in her heart for Eli Manning (thanks to their shared youngest sibling syndrome), texted me: "Mvp despite missing half a chromosome".

Looks like ol' half 'some might be honored in a fashion that would make Old Blue Eyes roll over in grave, and surely piss off my sister.

Yesterday, the day after the GMen's historic Super Bowl Victory, it was reported that the city of Hoboken is "kicking around the idea of renaming the block of Washington Street between 14th and 15th Street after our neighbor who led the Giants to one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history."

While some residents are keen on the idea in the wake of the post-game euphoria, others, thankfully, see it for the absurdity that it is.

Said Kinga Burke who lives in Manning's building, "Just because he lives in town? I think it's too much, it's ridiculous. He's not a historical person."

Sure, Fredo had a nice little 4th quarter, but he hardly lit it up throughout the game. The real MVP was the Giants defensive front, if not D Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

You want to hand the keys to the city to a guy who before Sunday had a career marred by mediocrity? Who this season alone threw 23 TDs to 20 interceptions with a 73.9 rating? A guy whose career numbers had Giants fans ready to run his hillbilly ass out of town pre-playoffs (77 TDs, 64 interceptions and a 73.4)?

Understandably, Super Bowl Champions are immortal. But let's not get carried away.

If you want to honor the Giants, how about naming a public toilet after Osi Umenyiora?

Better yet, give Spagnuolo his own gallery on NJGuido.com.

How to explain the Super Bowl to your girlfriend/wife

The pre-wife has been an avid football fan for a while. At least since the Giants knocked Dallas out of the playoffs and she watched me run around the house like a lunatic screaming 'See you in Green Bay!!!!!' She said that anything that could get me that excited must worth her time. (Insert Willard's X-rated retort to that here). Before that, she watched occasionally, usually choosing the team to cheer for depending on the cuteness of their quarterback. (She was a Lions, then Dolphins, and then Falcons supporter because of Joey Harrington. Which is depressing to me because it means Harrington is her type, and since we are getting married I must also be her type, which can only work out to Fat Willard=Joey Harrington. And that's just downright depressing.)

So, thanks to this improbable playoff run she has become a Giants fan. This wasn't an easy conversion because according to her 'Tony Romo, Brett Favre and Tom Brady are all much better looking than Eli Manning.'


Some ladies would disagree...


She even asked about Phillip Rivers during the AFC Championship but I told her I would rather her actually sleep with Joey Harrington and I'd even buy her a Harrington Falcons jersey after the deed if she promised never mention the name Phillip Rivers again. This was a huge gamble on my part because a) Harrington won't be in the league next season and I just paid $100 for his jersey and b) he could possibly have an STD. Strike that comment. Nothing with Joey Harrington every leads to the letters TD)

Anyway, so part of the fun of watching the games with her is that she is clueless about football. I mean absolutely in the dark. I don't mind explaining to her because she is interested and it feels like I am smarter for once. Here ignorance to all things football is adorable until pressure situations when she is asking me questions like 'why didn't he just run past the yellow line' and 'do you think Peyton is at the game watching.' So, on Super Bowl Sunday I am going to feel bad when I am unable to speak because I am either 1) to excited 2) to nervous 3) knocked unconscious from self inflicted headbutts to the wall.

Then I came across this handy guide for explaining the Super Bowl to your girlfriend. It's hysterical and sarcastic and I wish I wrote it.

I showed it to her and she said 'oh ok, now it all makes sense.' Thank you Bachelor Guy.

Quick Thoughts on the Divisional Round

1. Despite the sunshine and margaritas, going to Cabo was a terrible idea.

I will haunt you.

2. 12 feet of snow falls on Green Bay and Brett Favre plays like a man possessed. Just a year ago, this would have been a prime contender for one of those 3-INT, 2 lost fumble games.

It's official honey. I'm playing 'til I'm 50.

3. Tom Brady was unbelievable against Jacksonville, racking up a 141.4 passer rating and completing an NFL record 92.9 percent of his passes. He dumped screens when the defense got too agressive, found the slant when linebackers vacated their zones ... it was unreal. It was like he knew what was coming.


4. Was it necessary for Philip Rivers to scream at the Indy fans (getting gracelessly caught in the act on camera) near his bench as the game drew to a close? Seems to reaffirm suspicions raised by Denver CB Champ Bailey that Rivers is a redneck assclown.

5. As mentioned earlier on this board, Rodney H(GH)arrison is not a good role model.


6. It was definitely loud in Indianapolis yesterday. But that was no reason for all of the phantom defensive holding and pass interference calls on the Chargers. For God's sake, Norv's head almost exploded.

Norv Turner, 2008. Not a happy man.

7. As improbable as it may be, this face most certainly did not rear it's ugly head in Texas Stadium yesterday:

Wait a second ... you mean it was the other QB who threw a game killing interception?

There's Hope, NY Fans

Giant, Yankee & Knick fans finally catch a glimmer of hope as the Sunday Times Online reports today:

Hopes of custom-built organs as scientists create beating heart

This is great news, sports fans. Word is that the Giants brass is trying like the dickens to get this heart transplanted prior to today's 4:30 kickoff into their notoriously aloof field general.

Yankees can finally see the upside of their investment in Bobby Abreu.

Knicks fans now feel that if its possible to custom build organs, and they are inevitably stuck with Zeke Thomas, how long before Dolan gives in and orders a functioning brain for his head coach?

While he's at it, the Knicks owner can look into some custom made cajones he's long been missing.

Commercial CRitic: Oreos or Gravy

Advertisers at Oreo (Kraft) went to who seems to be the only guy in the NFL that can sell product, Peyton Manning, for their latest commercial. Today, TV watchers across the country saw the second installment that answered a gonorrhea-like burning question of what the Manning boys second sport would be...Cream licking.

The commercial was cheesy (slight pun), but humorous with Archie putting in some simple sidekick work. It highlighted the product and market indicators must show that Peyton could sell condoms to Shawn Kemp.

(Yahoo! Espana)

Peyton's commercials are comical and the only knock on them is that they are plentiful. To counter the over saturation that is Peyton, Oreo cut a check to brother Eli, father Archie and mother Olivia.

The problem with the commercial is that it looks like a gravy train. Peyton brought his whole brood along for the ride, sans the Coop. Peyton's coattails already banked a massive contract for Eli, but now the tails are flowing off the field for the whole family.

It is one thing to do a family spot for SportsCenter (do they get paid for those?), it is another to try to get your family some extra coin by introducing them to the general public.

The spot is slightly funny, but reminiscent of commercials past of fake retirements. In the end, it smells more like gravy than oreos.

Apology to Tiki 4 Months Overdue

(Photo: ABCNews.com)

Just before Christmas, we pointed readers to the NJ.com Giants Forum to give those of you not in the NY metro region a feeling about how fans feel and what they are saying about Giant QB Eli Manning. We ain't gonna lie to ya, there is no love lost on this site for Elisha.

Thumbing through the board this afternoon, folks up in the Meadowlands are still none to pleased with their field general.

Earlier in the season, Fat Willard and me (Ren) had an argument over Tiki Barber's comments on his former teammate. Willard, a Giants fan, basically came back with the same general response most Giants fans had at the time - "F*ck, you, Tiki." I on the other hand, never a Manning fan, said, "Hey, he's a journalist now, he's telling it like he sees it," (whether it was a dick move or not to throw his former backfield partner under the bus). Because frankly, Tiki really didn't say anything all that ground breaking. Anyone who's had the "pleasure" of watching Eli for the last four years would tell you, if they were being honest, that Tiki was simply stating what everyone already thought.

My big beef with Elisha goes back to draft day, and the shananigans he and daddy pulled to get him to New York in the first place. Sure, he wasn't the first (ahem, Elway) and probably won't be the last, but it was simply poor form on the whole family's part.

What's worse is that the aftermath has just been the complete melt down under the hot Big City lights by the bumbling little brother from Weesie-anna.

Here is a comment today by poster silviorules titled "Eli:"

Listen. Here is why people dont like Eli, at least why I dont.

A.) He gets drafted, without winning any big games in college and is the no brainer #1 where I dont know if he should have been.

B.) Draft Day, he DEMANDS not to play in San Diego, so the giants give up a quartet of draft picks to go get him.

C.) He has not made any great strides since he has joined the giants, and dont tell me he has, becasue its painfully obvious that he hasnt.

D.) They got a great offensive line, they have a great running game, they have a great pass catching TE, a #1 WR, Plax, a great #2 in Amani Toomer nad more than suitable spare part WRS

E.) He hated Hufnagle and wanted Gilbride and Palmer. He got them, and he still hasnt gotten better this season.

F.) I know people say i dont know how he is as a leader behind closed doors, id guess its the same as he is on the field. that dumb look, that flabbergasted expression constantly.

G.) You never see him consulting with players on the bench, he is always looking at the paper with his coach, football is more than X's and O's its emotion, its rhythm, its getting a feel for eachother, he doesnt have that nor does he want it.

The bottom line is, we are where we are, because we stop the run and we run the ball very well.The team is very susceptable to great passing teams, and the pass defense basically is blitzing, if they get to the QB the game is gonna go well, if they dont, we are on our backs.

When Eli puts up his best numbers are when he is in the gun facing teams in a deep shell cover 4, giving up the underneath stuff.

He flutters so many passes, makes so many crucial errors.

Rothlisberger, Brady they won right off the bat,

I cant tell you how many games i have listened to this, "Vince Young is in his second year he has to start showing improvment now" However Eli is in his 4th year and they say O well its only his fourth year...

Im sick of people defending him, let him take his lumps, maybe he will produce....

Well said, silviorules.

4 and a half months later, fans owe Tiki an apology. So does Elisha.

Seasons Greetings, Fredo

Think Eagles fans are rough on McNabb? Check out Giants' fans feelings on Eli's impending date with New England and the upcoming playoffs on the NJ.com Giants Forum.

Here's a taste of the Meadowlands' faithfuls' views on their "fearless" leader this Christmas Eve...

testarossa33:

lets not his subpar performance effect our feelings for this team. Our rushing defense got on track, and our defense played great! Don't let your opinions on Eli overcome the good from our team and the potential we have

Train64:

Sorry,we know after the Pats game our home schedule is done for year,why get Mannings confidence any lower with a meaningless game..let him rest and worry about his week 1 playoff game on road against TB..there is nothing to gain in this spot!!

Pheidippides:

[Eli's passer rating of 70] is bad enough, but when you factor in his immobility and "dear in the headlights" lack of leadership he is nothing short of horrendous. The trade for him ranks right up there with the worst in NFL history.

Merry Christmas, Fredo. Say hi to Cooper for us this holiday dinner.

Photo: SPTimes.com

Little Black Dresses, Unsubstantiated Rumors and Where's Stephen A.?

After bloggers everywhere jumped on the New York Daily News gossip columnist "reporting" yesterday that Mets pitcher John Maine "...followed an attractive young woman into the ladies' bathroom" asking her if he could try on her "little black dress," the columnist offered this clarity on the story this morning (pointed out by The Big Lead):

The Mets say pitcher John Maine is the victim of an impostor who has been asking women for their outfits. Thursday, a woman named Abby Cohen called the club Touch to get "John Maine" a table at their opening night. When the man arrived, he identified himself as the Mets pitcher and asked several young ladies if he could try on their dresses (even offering a reporter $200 for hers). Despite being "recognized" as Maine by doormen and publicists for Touch, the Mets insist that he has not been in New York since October and was in Virginia on the night of incident.

Hey look. It happens. He cleared it up. Such is the danger you run into running an admitted gossip (not news) column. The ethics behind gossipers is a whole 'nother story, that we don't need to get into.

The real question though is in light of another online firestorm...

Where is Stephen A. Smith who, as pointed out by Deadspin and many others:

"And when you look at the internet business, what's dangerous about it is that people who are clearly unqualified get to disseminate their piece to the masses. I respect the journalism industry, and the fact of the matter is...someone with no training should not be allowed to have any kind of format whatsoever to disseminate to the masses to the level which they can. They are not trained. Not experts."

Keep it real, Stephen A. Speculation fuels many avenues of the "media." Let's not forget you work for the same company that has Mort saying Eli is done for year and Herbstreit reporting Les Miles is leaving LSU.

Misleading Headlines: Giants Solution to QB Woes

Sporting News: Giants sign LB Daniels off practice squad, release HB Pass

Apparently, since Eli likes to throw TD's to the other team, time to release Plan B: The Halfback Pass.

Sound Investment

What do I care? I'm getting paid.
(photo: MSNBC)

As our buddy Eric at phillyBurbs points out via the WA Post, whats the difference between Peyton and Eli? Get this Giants fans, only $300k.

That's what you get when you invest in legacy as opposed to reality.

Peyton - Eli = $300k

Enjoy looking at the Eli face, for a few more seasons, I know I will.