Giant Hopes Ignited Today…

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Life begins today for me.

I open my eyes to a world filled with potential. I am hungry for victories and celebration dances.

The reason is The New York Giants players report to training camp today at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The first practice which is open to the public is at 1:20 tomorrow.

My sports enthusiasm has been quelled this past year. The Giants were horrendous, ending with a 7-9 record…what a debacle. The Syracuse Orange basketball team rose to #1 and then died a slow death. The NY Yankees have been devastated by injuries, especially to their lauded pitching staff and presently are 3 games out of first place in the American League East.

I need some sports joy in my life…bring on the mojo. Today dawns with high hopes.

We (gotta love the we) have some troubling injuries already. Middle linebacker Jon Beason is injured, offensive lineman, Chris Snee is a huge question mark and it looks as if he will announce his retirement today after a 10-year stellar career with the Giants. His surgically repaired elbow will not heal. A fond farewell to coach Coughlin’s reliable four-time Pro Bowl son-in-law who anchored the offensive line.

Will Beatty, who earned a huge contract for absolutely no reason except he is a big body on an O line that screams, “Where’s the beef?” is another unanswered offensive issue. Beatty broke his leg at the end of last season.

 The Giants have a new offensive coordinator. They have dumped the old (Kevin Gilbride) and hired a young buck stolen from the Green Bay Packers.

Ben McAdoo, Giants Offensive Coordinator, Giants QB Eli Manning
Ben McAdoo, Giants Offensive Coordinator, Giants QB, Eli Manning

Since Ben McAdoo took over as offensive coordinator in January, the Giants have slowly but steadily installed the new system in meeting rooms and on the field during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, but now the countdown to the regular season really begins and it’s time to start seeing more layers and wrinkles to the new-look offense.

These questions, which have tortured me during the off-season, will soon be answered.

Will Eli Manning rebound from a terrible 2013 season and improve and perform more like his brother Peyton, who had an amazing season, minus the Super Bowl?

How will Manning handle the new scheme? Personally, I am always scheming so perhaps they should recruit moi to aid in Eli’s transition to McAdoo’s new offense. I am both offensive and scheming so I would be a great quarterback coach.

NY Giant, Victor Cruz, Salsa Dancing in End Zone
NY Giant, Victor Cruz, Salsa Dancing in End Zone

Who will be the starting running back? Who will return punts? Will Odell Beckham, Jr. out of LSU, the Giants first round draft choice, meet expectations and will he be a productive replacement for Hakeem Nicks and compliment the Giants standout receiver and salsa master, Victor Cruz?

NY Giants Defensive End, Jason Pierre Paul  photo/nydailynews.com
NY Giants Defensive End, Jason Pierre Paul photo/nydailynews.com

Is JPP really back? Jason Pierre Paul is the Giants outstanding defensive end who returned  last year from back surgery and had a disappointing year. WIll JPP be able to terrorize QB’s again?

Who will be Eli’s go to tight end…again, I may be middle aged, but I have a tight end, but I digress.

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Who could live with these burning questions for 7 months? Only a devoted, obsessive, lifelong Giants fan so now you know why today is a big day in my life. The flames need to be fanned…now it is time to get some answers to these smoldering issues.

I cannot wait to see my boys take the field, looking all manly. Of course, most of them look a hell of a lot better with their helmets on, tinged with sweat and grass stains. Many have bodies one would like to explore, but few look as fine as Tom Brady and Clay Matthews.

Bring it on Giants. Opening game is September 8th against the Detroit Lions on ESPN. Let’s make 2014 a Super season…I love you, man.

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FYI…Training camp practices are general admission. Seating for approximately 2,000 is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Standing room along the fence line of the perimeter of the practice fields is also available. There is no admission charge for watching training camp workouts and parking is free. Public parking is in Lot K on the grounds of the MetLife Sports Complex.

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