Ahmad Bradshaw beats Ron Gronkowski, again

Ron Gronkowski went head-to-head with Super Bowl XLVI counterpart Ahmad Bradshaw in a grudge match in Activision's Call of duty: Modern Warfare 3 and lost once again.

Instead of the football field, the New England Patriots tight end took on the New York Giants running back on the video game's battlefield, but the results came up the same— 3-2 victory for Big Blue.

No word if Kronk hit the clubs and went dancing afterwards.

Bradshaw said he thought Gronkowski was still a little bitter after last month's loss to the Giants.

"Well sure, he wants the rematch," Bradshaw joked.  "He wants to get back at me as much as he can for scoring the game-winning touchdown, but I think I can back myself up.  I can play alright, I can do pretty good."

This wasn't any casual match-up either.  Both of these guys are are gamers.  Bradshaw even confessed that he constantly plays the popular first-person shooter and got some of his fellow Giants hooked on the game as well.

"I'm playing 24/7, man," he said.  "A lot of the guys play the game like [former-Giant] Brandon Jacobs, D.J. Ware, all kinds of guys.  I put everybody on the game so everybody gets on and plays together at times."

Bradshaw told the New York Post that the thrill of competition is what draws him to the Call of Duty joystick, as well as, the gridiron.

"I love the competitiveness of every game and in Call of Duty it's just like that," said Bradshaw.  "You have millions of guys on the Internet at the same time and you just want to get on and compete against everybody.  When I get on I want to be the best, I want to have the most kills.  You want to know the environments the same way you just want to get on the field."

Giants cut Brandon Jacobs after seven seasons

The New York Giants released running back Brandon Jacobs today after he and the team could not come to an agreement on a restructured contract which would include a pay reduction.

The 260-pound bruiser wanted to return to the Giants, but knew he was never going to get the $4.4 million he was schedule to earn in 2012.

For seven years the 29-year-old Jacobs plowed through defenses for the Giants and had two Super Bowl rings to show for it.

Only last week, Jacobs said he wanted to stay but warned, "I'm not willing to sell my soul, you know?  It's a great organization and I want to be a part of it , but if not, if they're not feeling the same way, then so be it."

Apparently, the Giants didn't feel the same way.

Still, Jacobs had no hard feelings.

"I might be leaving, but my name will stay," he said.  "But it's time to move on.  We tried, couldn't reach an agreement.  It's been great though, I can't say anything bad about anybody in the organization."

Jacobs had a $500,000 roster bonus to be paid on March 17, a sum that will not see his bank account any more.

The team wanted Jacobs for another season but at a lower price. He had one of his least productive seasons in 2011 (571 yards, 3.8 yds per carry) and went from starter to reserve behind Ahmad Bradshaw.

Last year, Jacobs took a pay cut to retain a spot on the team.

"I feel like I'm 25 years old," he said last week.

Jacobs, a fourth-round pick in 2005, leaves the Giants as the fourth leading rusher in team history with 4,849 yards.  His 56 rushing touchdowns are the most for any Giant.

Jacobs was considered a fullback when he first backed up Tiki  Barber before becoming the starting running back.  The sight of the punishing Giant knocking down opposing players was the source of Giants fan's pride for seven seasons.

His best seasons were in 2007 and 2008 when he had the only two 1,000 yard seasons of his career.

The release of Jacobs leaves the team with Bradshaw, D.J. Ware and Da'Rel Scott as the only running backs on the roster.

Bradshaw is not known as an every down back and hasn't ever played a full season without injuries.

It looks like the Giants will have to add a veteran back through free-agency or draft one out of college.

Still, the sight of Jacobs rallying his Giants teammates and riling opponents will be missed.

Eli Manning Leaves Practice Early With "Illness"

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning left Wednesday's practice early because of symptoms that head coach Tom Coughlin called "a stomach bug, hopefully a 24-hour deal."

The Giants have weathered a battery of player's injuries and sicknesses all season but, as the team gets ready to face the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's NFC Championship game, Manning is the one player they can't do without.

Manning was put on the injury report for the first time this season after he missed the majority of today's practice.

The Giants QB started practice but couldn't finish and didn't hang around the locker room to talk.

The Giants officially listed Manning as limited due to "illness."  Coughlin said he had  a "stomach flu."

Manning may have left practice prematurely but few— if any—of his teammates expect him to miss Sunday's game.

"If there is one guy who can miss a practice Wednesday mentally, it's No. 10," said guard Chris Snee.  He was probably here on Monday and Tuesday looking at game film."

"He's probably going to spend the rest of the day doing that," agreed tight end Jake  Ballard.

Backup quarterback David Carr took over for Manning— who the Giants hope will return on Thursday.

The team noticed Manning looked a little queasy from the start of today's practice session.

"You could tell he was hurting bad," said Ballard.  "He usually toughs things out like that.  You could tell he was dragging, and you don't like seeing your Pro-Bowl quarterback throwing up or feeling like that.  Hopefully, he'll be better tomorrow."

Also limited on Wednesday were defensive ends Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), Justin Tuck (shoulder), cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) and linebacker Mark Herzlich (ankle).

Another concern is Ahmad Bradshaw who completely missed practice with a foot problem.  The running back has been frequently sitting out practices while nursing the injury over the past few weeks.

While all the talk in the locker room centered around Manning, his teammates claimed that it will take more than a bug to keep their battle-tested leader out of this weekend's game.

"There's no way," said fullback Henry Hisnoski.  "I think he'll play no matter what."

Hakeem Nicks' Helmet Catch Has A David Tyree Super Bowl Look

Hakeem Nicks incredible catch off the front of his helmet gave the New York Giants a 20-10 halftime lead over the Green Bay Packers and brought back memories of the Eli Manning to David Tyree catch that led to a Giants Super Bowl championship four years ago.

While not as dramatic as Tyree's legendary catch against the New England Patriots, Hicks'  37-yard touchdown catch was sensational because it came as time expired in the half and it looked like the Giants blundered management of the clock and a chance to put at least three more points on the scoreboard.

Instead, Manning's desperate heave-ho gave them seven more points leading the way to a resounding 37-20 win over the Packers in this NFC Divisional playoff game.

Ahmad Bradshaw got the the Giants into field goal range with a 23-yard run out-of-bounds at the 37-yard line to stop the clock with :06 left in the second quarter.  With no timeouts left, Manning went back to pass but was chased out of the pocket as the seconds ticked by.

Then with one second left— and no time left for a field goal attempt— Manning heaved the Hail Mary pass to the back of the Packers end zone.

Hicks leaped between two Packers defenders, pressed the ball to his face mask and tumbled to the ground for the score.  Time remaining on the clock— :00.

Comparisons to the Giants 2007-08 playoff run to this season have been the topic of conversation for weeks and Hicks' grab could be taken as an omen of things to come. 

Like in 2008, the Giants had to roll through frozen Lambeau Field.

The first half of this playoff battle was a back and forth affair— not unlike their Dec. 4 meeting at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants were the beneficiaries of a couple of Green Bay fumbles and had the misfortune of having one taken away on a bad call by the officials.

As the first quarter was winding down, Giants defensive back Kenny Phillips recovered what looked like a fumble after a Greg Jennings catch but it was ruled that the receiver was down.  Giants head coach Tom Coughlin challenged the ruling on the field but the call wasn't overturned. Every camera angle showed that Jennings' knee never hit the ground before the ball came loose.

The Packers continued their drive and tied the game at 10-10 on a Aaron Rodgers TD pass.

The Giants failed to score on a first-and-goal from the five yard line and kicked a field goal to make it 13-10.

The Packers hit the field to start the second half with gusto while the Giants looked flat.

A field goal at 3:50 cut New York's lead to seven, 20-13.

The Packers blew a big chance in the fourth quarter when Rodgers under-threw to a wide open Michael Finley on third down at the Giants 40-yard line, then decided to go for it on the fourth.

Rodgers was sacked and the Giants took over.

The Giants didn't get a first down in the second half until almost four minutes elapsed in the fourth quarter when Mario Manningham caught a pass and the team started to move the ball once again.

The drive stalled and Lawrence Tynes narrowly put the ball inside the uprights on a 35-yard field goal to increase the lead to 23-13 with 7:48 left.

A third Packers fumble by Ryan Grant was picked up and returned by Chase Blackburn to the Green Bay 4-yard line.  On the next play Manning threw his third TD pass of the day— hitting Manningham crossing the back of the end zone.

Giants lead 30-13 with 6:48 to go in the game.

Rodgers couldn't complete a crucial third down play but a phantom "blow to the head" personal foul was called on the Giants Matthias Kiwanuka for knocking the Packers QB down.  The call gave Green Bay new life but the clock was slowing ticking down.

The second bogus call of the day against the Giants would lead to another Green bay touchdown.

Rodgers hit Donald Driver with a 16-yard TD pass with 4:46 on the clock to narrow the Packers deficit to ten, 30-20.

A second failed Packers onside kick was pounced on by Victor Cruz and left the Giants at mid-field.

Manning hit Cruz on a critical third-and-long to essentially lay the Packers to rest followed by a big run by Bradshaw to the Green Bay 10-yard line which closed the lid on the Packers coffin.

Brandon Jacobs rumbled into the end zone to make it 37-20 and put the final nail in the Packers season.
 
Next week, the Giants go to San Francisco to face the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.  The last time the two teams played each other in the playoffs was 2003.  The Giants lost, 39-38, on a botched Giants play that will forever be remembered as "The Snap."


If the Giants keep rolling along like they have, maybe the Hicks catch is a sign of things to come.

Right now, Giants fans would rather be reminded of "The Catch."

Giants Coughlin Shows Everyone Who's The Boss

Tom Coughlin made two calls—one before and one during— a game against the Dallas Cowboys yesterday that saved the New York Giants season and probably saved his job—again.

Before Sunday's game in Dallas, the Giants head coach benched arguably his best running back Ahmad Bradshaw for the first half before the season's biggest game and then later called a time-out to ice rookie Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey's 47-yard field goal seconds from sending the game into overtime.

Taking a cue from Cowboy's head coach Jason Garrett—who iced his own kicker last week in a loss against the Arizona Cardinals— Coughlin's call made Bailey attempt a do-over which was blocked by Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul.

The blocked kick gave the Giants (7-6) an unbelievable 37-34 victory and put them in first place of the NFC East ahead of the Cowboys (7-6) via tie breaker.  The two teams will clash again on New Year's Day at MetLife Stadium.

Benching Bradshaw was a game day decision after the running back reportedly violated team curfew although neither the player or coach would confirm that.  Either way, Bradshaw suited up and played ineffectively during the second half.

Brandon Jacobs, who was called a "bully" by Cowboys DB Mike Jenkins earlier in the week, got the start and lived up to the new nickname.  The Giants bruiser rumbled through the Cowboys defense for 101 yards on 19 carries and two TD's.

As many things that went right for the Giants went wrong.

Eli Manning overcame numerous tipped and dropped passes to keep the G-Men close for three quarters but when it looked like the Cowboys had the game in control, Manning came alive and led the team to 15 points in the last 5:41.

It was Manning's fifth fourth quarter comeback victory this season and after losing four straight, the Giants find themselves in the  thick of the playoff hunt.

But it all comes down to Coughlin.

Call him a taskmaster, old school or just plain out of touch with today's player—but he does it his way.

Every year there are calls for the rosy-cheeked Coughlin's head— especially when the team begins their annual December swoon.  Maybe this year things will be different.

"We needed to have a locker room celebration," said Coughlin in the Giants locker room after the win.  "We've been starving for for that."

Yesterday's victory changes everything about the Giants.  If the Giants lost, they would trail the Cowboys by two games for even the final wild-card spot and end the regular season facing division rival The Washington Redskins, New York City rival the New York Jets and, of course, their arch enemy the  Cowboys.

That road is more of a slosh through the Meadowlands swamps than a romp through Central Park.

Maybe this Giants team isn't reminiscent of Coughlin's former teams.  The running game has been anemic, the defense lets opponent's offense have their way all game long and it has given up 114 points in the last three games, but if there is a constant, it is Coughlin.

The more things change, the more they don't.

Giants Limp Into Game Against Patriots; No Surgery For Bradshaw

It didn't take long for the New York Giants to turn their practice facility back into a M*A*S*H unit after fielding a full roster for the first time last week. The only good news out of Giants camp today is the news that Ahmad Bradshaw won't need surgery on his broken foot.

The running back is still listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. 

Joining Bradshaw on the doubtful list are DE Jason Pierre-Paul (concussion), wide-out Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) and center David Baas (knee).

Tom Coughlin updated the condition of Bradshaw's right foot after Friday's practice.

"The doctors felt that it wouldn't be necessary for him to have surgery right now," the head coach said.

He said that Bradshaw might try to play through the injury but it was unlikely the team would take a chance.  Bradshaw played the last eight games of the 2009 season with the same symptoms.

Coughlin said Pierre-Paul would be a game time decision after showing signs of concussed head— the result of getting sandwiched between two helmets during Thursday's practice.

"I didn't think anything of it, and then all of a sudden he was off to the side, didn't feel so good so they shut him right down," said Coughlin.  "He had a headache, so we put him through all the tests for a possible concussion.  We'll see how that goes."

Losing Pierre-Paul would be a huge loss for the Giants pass rush.  He leads the team— and is fifth in the NFL— with 8 1/2 sacks.  His presence was being counted on against the Patriots sniper Tom Brady.

Pierre-Paul and Baas didn't work out at all on Friday.  If Baas can't play expect Kevin Boothe to make his second start of the season.

While those four players probably won't see any action this Sunday, expect four other gimpy players to hit the field.

LB Michael Boley (knee), receiver Mario Manningham (illness), DE Justin Tuck (groin/neck) and Osi Umenyiora (knee) are all listed as probable.

Giants Bradshaw Could Need Foot Surgery

The New York Giants already know they will head into Sunday's game against the New England Patriots without Ahmad Bradshaw—one of their most dangerous offensive weapons.  Now, the Giants are also in danger of losing their most valuable running back for the remainder of the season.

Bradshaw injured his foot last Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and, according to the the New York Daily News, is mulling season-ending surgery.

The Giants haven't provided full details about Bradshaw's injury but said the 5th-year veteran—who has had foot and ankle problems before— is thinking about having corrective surgery.

Both Bradshaw and Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks missed practice today.  Nicks is nursing a hamstring injury and looks doubtful for this Sunday's game.

At first glance, the Giants will use backup Brandon Jacobs as their primary running back.  Jacobs has  been ineffective so far this season and has grumbled about his lack of playing time over the past few weeks.  Last week, against the Dolphins, the 260-pound Jacobs totaled 10 yards on four carries.

Beyond that, the Giants can got to D.J. Ware (45 yards on 14 carries this season) and rookie Da'Rel Scott— who hasn't had a carry since the preseason ended but, in the last exhibition game against the same Patriots team, ran for 114 yards and a TD while returning a punt for another TD.  Expect to see a lot of Ware on passing downs.

The Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said Bradshaw was still "sore and swollen" on Wednesday.

The Newark Star-Ledger reported that unnamed sources said Bradshaw has a fractured foot but are unsure if he just aggravated an old injury.  The running back already had a screw inserted into the foot for an old fracture and tests on Thursday will determine whether or not there is a new break.

Bradshaw, meanwhile, told the source that he might be sidelined for only two weeks, however doubtful that looks.

Bradshaw's loss is huge blow to the Giants rushing offense.  He accounts for 60% of the carries—on a team that only has 440 total yards on the ground this season—and the team faces a brutal nine game schedule to close out the regular season.

Jacobs just returned from a knee injury himself after missing two games.  He has run 42 times for 126 yards this season and looks like a shell of the bruising back he once was.

The free-agent-to-be Jacobs had been yapping about his lack of playing time until this week when he vowed to turn his season around.

 Let's see if he can back it up.

Brandon Jacobs Wants Out in 2012

Brandon Jacobs is tired of playing tag-team with Ahmad Bradshaw in the New York Giants backfield and—in an interview with "Men's Fitness" magazine—said he feels disrespected by the team and doesn't expect to be back with the Giants next year.

The disgruntled running back has seen his role with the Giants diminish over the past few seasons and has previously expressed displeasure with how he is used by the team but, this time, Jacobs spills his guts.

"I can't wait to get a true opportunity to get out there and show myself again, you know?  Next year, hopefully," he said in the interview.  "This is a business and you have to look at it that way.  I just want to get out there and show myself.  It's going to have to be for another team, but it is what it is."

When asked outright if he sees himself with the Giants next year, he said, "No, I don't."

Jacobs is recovering from from a knee sprain which has kept him out of the last two games but is expected to play on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Jacobs has no one to blame but himself for his sporadic use.  Injuries and inconsistency have become his trademarks and, at times, looks more like Ron Dayne falling down on third-and-short than the bruising back he once was.

"I'm just here; doing the best I can do to help my team," he said.  "I come out to win; it's up to them whether or not they want me."

Maybe the team has soured on Jacobs already.  It's possible the Giants don't want him back next year anyway.

Jacobs restructured contract—made prior to this season—results in $500,000 roster bonus in March.  This means the team will have to make a decision on Jacobs future with the Giants quickly after the season ends, instead of later during the summer.

The big back may find himself with a new team sooner than he thinks and Jacobs could still be playing in MetLife Stadium.  I hear the Jets are looking for someone.

Bradshaw's 3 TD Runs Lead Giants Over Bills, 27-24

A late 23-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes gave the New York Giants an ego-boosting 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills in MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  The win sends the Giants in to their bye-week with a 4-2 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

Ahmad Bradshaw rumbled over the Bills defense for 104 yards including a leaping goal-line flip that put the Giants up 24-17 in the third quarter.  Bradshaw became the first Giant to run for three touchdowns in a game since Brandon Jacobs did it against the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 21, 2008.

The Giants (4-2) also found some remnants of their smashmouth style of play after losing their mojo last week in a devastating home loss against the Seattle Seahawks.  As Bradshaw helped the Giants discover the running part of their game, the defense did just enough to keep the Bills at bay.

 Bills running-back Fred Jackson gained 121 yards but most of that acreage came on an early 80-yard breakaway.  The Giants D harassed Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick all day and registered 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and made one fumble recovery.  While it's not enough to make fans hearken back to the days of L.T., they held the Bills when they had to.

The Giants' Eli Manning was facing a Bills defense which led the league in interceptions but the turnover prone quarterback came out of the game unscathed.  Manning was nearly flawless and completed 21-of-31 for 292 yards.  He had no TD throws but a couple of passes in or around the endzone were dropped by his receivers.

While the Giants were scoring on short runs by Bradshaw, the Bills (4-2) made the big plays highlighted by Jackson's run and a 60-yard Fitzpatrick pass to Naaman Roosevelt.  Jackson's scamper was the longest run given up by the Giants since Oct. 15, 2006 when the Falcon's Warrick Dunn scored on a 90-yarder.

The Giants have to feel good settling into their bye week.  They face a pretty bad Miami Dolphins at home when they resume play in two weeks and all signs are leading to Big Blue being less black and blue by then.

Chris Snee (concussion), Brandon Jacobs (knee) and Justin Tuck (neck) are all expected to be fully recovered from injuries which have them on the sidelines.

There is also talk that Prince Amukamara will be ready to suit up for his first regular season game.  Last spring's first-round selection broke a bone in his foot the first week of camp and could be ready to join the rest of the defensive backfield.

The Giants had to work hard for this victory and things can only get better with the return of Snee, Jacobs and Tuck-- all crucial parts to the G-Men's grind-it-out running and swarming defensive style.

If today's game proved anything, it's that the Bills are the real thing but the Giants are just a little better.

Eli Manning Looking To Avoid Any More Late-Game Heroics Against Seahawks

The New York Giants return home tomorrow to play the Seattle Seahawks in a game that is loaded with all the signs which suggest overlooking the opposition.  The Giants (3-1) are coming off two thrilling come-from-behind victories on the road and a three game win streak but the Seahawks (3-1) have a rousing fourth quarter rally, in their most recent loss to the Atlanta Falcons, under their belt as well.

The Giants claim they are not overconfident playing the offensively-deficient Seahawks, but after being down by 20 points in the third quarter last week against the Falcons, the Seahawks switched to a hurry-up offense and reeled off 21 points in the final 25 minutes only to fall short, 30-28, in the loss.

We all know how the Giants handle the hurry-up and don't think the referees won't be looking for some more Giants' players flopping on the field to slow it down.  Hear that Deon Grant?

The Giants return to MetLife Stadium for a three game home stand after playing three of their first four games on the road.  It could be the easiest stretch of their schedule and  make-it-or-break-it time for the G-men.  Last week's two score comeback over the Arizona Cardinals has to make the homecoming even sweeter.

Over the next month, the Giants play the still-suspect Buffalo Bills and the Andrew-Luck Lottery front runners Miami Dolphins before the team heads into a sadistic nine-game stretch against top-tier teams and division rivals.

Oh yeah, there's a bye week thrown in there after the Buffalo game.  So for the next month, the Giants can get used to familiar surroundings and an accommodating schedule-maker.

The game at hand brings in a Seahawks team juiced up with a little momentum and Pete Carroll's hurry-up to frustrate the Giants D.  I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing the giddy-up offense going at a depleted Giants defense that will be without DE Justin Tuck for the second straight week.

The Seahawks don't match up well against the Giants as their last two losses to New York will attest.  The Giants pummeled the 'Hawks 41-7 last season and 44-6 in 2008, so that overconfidence buzz could be in the back of Giants player's minds.

But these birds don't like to leave the nest either.  Seattle has lost its last six road games and the last nine games played in the Eastern Time Zone.

As for the Giants offense, the loss of Brandon Jacobs (knee) means the running game will be in the sole hands of Ahmad Bradshaw and the concussed head of Mario Manningham has turned Victor Cruz into a starting receiver.  Manningham still has to overcome last week's perceived miscommunication with QB Eli Manning and get back into the swing of things.

Manning will go to his receivers early and often.  It sounds like he doesn't want to toy with any more late-game deficits. 

"You always want to get off to a fast start, but you also don't want to get frustrated if you don't.  And if you don't get off to a fast start, you still can't afford to make mistakes or turn the ball over," said Manning.  "We are doing a better job of [limiting turnovers], and  that's keeping us in games."

The NFC's second-ranked QB is slowly making the league forget about the other Manning, Peyton, and is brimming with confidence.  The new and improved Giants QB has not thrown an interception in 90 straight attempts.  He looks almost Tom Bradyish.

The Giants now attempt to shoot down the third bird-named team in-a-row and feather their own nest.

If Manning comes out firing-- because of the Giants depleted running game -- and the Seahawks give the hurry-up a little go-see, this game could turn into a shoot-out.

The Giants hope it turns into a turkey shoot-- or a Seahawk one.