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."

Amani Toomer calls Jeremy Shockey a 'Bad teammate, worse person'

Jeremy Shockey— the former New York Giants tight end who was chased out of town four years ago— is looking for  a job and has come sniffing around the Meadowlands once again.

Amani Toomer—the Giants all-time leading reciever— thinks the hot-tempered Shockey already burned his bridges and it would be a big mistake for the Giants to sign him.

Today, Toomer didn't mince characters when he tweeted about his former teammate's aspirations.

"Bad teammate," former Giants wide out Toomer said via Twitter.  "Worse person."

Toomer's harsh tweet fueled a Twitter war between him and the 32-year-old Shockey.

Shockey, who was never one to keep quiet, immediately shot back a response and accused the retired Toomer of causing the injury which sidelined him during the 2007 season and dredging up allegations made about Toomer during his 2007 divorce.

"Amani Toomer on Jeremy Shockey: Bad teammate, Haha," tweeted Shockey.  "Well he was the lazy one who broke my leg!!  ... remember when his ex divorced him and he urinated on her cloths I guess he's the good person"

Shockey didn't stop there with his Twitter assault.  "Go get a bucket of rocks and start throwing them at your glass house."

Toomer didn't like being on the receiving end of that exchange and tweeted back.  "Shockey thanks 4 proving my statement about u being a bad person, enough said.  Have a nice day buddy."

Now boys.

Toomer and Shockey played together on the Giants from 2002-07 and Toomer— one of Giants fans favorite players— was only saying what a lot of former Giants said about Shockey's antics when he was with the team.

The former first-round pick of the Giants was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2008 after he complained about his role on the team.  He was also bitter about missing the Giants 2007 run to their Super Bowl XLII Championship because of the broken leg he mentioned in his tweet to Toomer.  Then griped when the team wouldn't fly him to the game because he was on the injured reserve list.

Shockey was blamed for stunting quarterback Eli Manning's growth and confidence because of his constant fits when one of Manning's passes sailed over his head.

Manning's career took off after Shockey was injured and unable to bully his own quarterback on the field.  Manning has two Super Bowl MVP's and the Giants have gone on to win two titles since Shockey went down and out of town.

Right before Shockey got traded, he staged a mini-camp hold-out and got into a loud argument with GM Jerry Reese that could be heard from behind closed doors.

Toomer reminded Shockey of that "meeting" in his tweet.

"' I will never play4 you again!' he yelled at Jerry Reese in 08,' Toomer tweeted.  "Let him keep his word."

Chances are slim that the Giants would ever want the troublesome Shockey back again.

And Shockey— who told The New York Daily News two days ago he wanted to return— is denying he ever wanted to return to the Giants in the first place.

"It's funny how the Ny media still try's to make money off me!"  Shockey tweeted.  "Can anyone find a quote from me on me wanting to play for the GAINTS? (sic)"

Justin Tuck wants Brandon Jacobs back in blue

Brandon Jacobs said goodbye to the New York Giants last week— after the team and the running back couldn't come to a contract agreement— but that doesn't mean the bulldozing Jacobs won't return to Big Blue, according to Justin Tuck.

It sounds like Tuck and a few of his teammates aren't convinced they've seen the last of Jacobs in the backfield for the Giants.

"Obviously [Jacobs] has been here since I've been here," Tuck said.  "We came in the league together in 2005 and I hear there is still a chance he might be back.  You cross your fingers about that," Tuck said, Tuesday night when he was honored for his part in contributing to a new Multicultural Arts Center in New York.

While a Jacobs return seems like a long shot after he was cut last week and saved the Giants from paying him a $4.9 million roster bonus, the big back always talked about returning for the right price.

The two parties tried to reconstruct his contract but couldn't come to an agreement.  The two-time Super Bowl winner and team owners parted on amicable terms.

Tuck called Jacobs the "heart and soul" of the team and said he understands that— even after seven years of service to the Giants— there's still "the business part of this football we play."

"When I think of Brandon, I think of a guy who helped us win two Super Bowls," said Tuck.  "So he's got a lot to hang his hat on, and I know that he's still got football left to play and he's going to go somewhere else and play some smashmouth football."

The defensive end might be considering the fact that he might be on the other end of that smashmouth football next season.

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.

Mayor Bloomberg: We already have a Manning in New York

Mayor Mike Bloomberg showed his love for New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez after a caller pleaded with hizzoner to to help recruit free agent Peyton Manning to Gang Green on the mayor's weekly radio show today.

"We have a Manning playing for the Giants," said Bloomberg, referring to Peyton's younger brother, Eli, who plays for the other New York football team.

The mayor— who has dictated how New Yorkers should live by banning trans fats, salt and once set his sights on curbing liquor outlets to keep us healthy— continues his assault on the things that make life more enjoyable.

Now, the second-richest New Yorker's crusade to make NYC thinner has pulled a Snickers bar from his pocket and wants to keep the Jets looking like big, fat losers.

"I think it's be a great story for the press— Manning vs. Manning, both playing in New York," he said.  "But keep in mind the Jets have a young quarterback in Mark Sanchez and he nearly led his team to the Super Bowl twice.  So let's not dismiss.  He's sitting there."

Don't underestimate how much the Massachusetts-raised Bloomberg influence has.  He got the city to allow him to run for a third term.  Look how good of an idea that was and now he goes from being a nutritionist to NFL general manager.

Bloomberg said he met both Manning brothers when they were playing golf with their father Archie on the same course as the mayor.

"I was very impressed that I shook their hands," said Bloomberg.

Plaxico: Giants are 'always a great possibility'

Another off-season and another possible Plaxico Burress return to the New York Giants.  Haven't we gone through this routine before?

It's that time of year when Burress— the former Giants receiver who caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII, shot himself in the leg, spent 20 months in jail then signed with the New York Jets— tells everyone about the prospect of his return to the Giants.

He's at it once again.  Burress, in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, today with Rich Gannon and Adam Shein, said he wouldn't mind re-signing with the Giants next week when free-agency begins.


"It's always a great possibility," Burress told the hosts.

Too bad the optimistic wide-out has probably used up his three wishes with the Big Blue genie.

Last summer— after his release from prison for weapons charges— Burress spurned the Giants after a much-ballyhooed free-agent visit to the Timex performance Center in the Meadowlands for dinner with the owners and Tom Coughlin.

The Giants offered him an incentive-based contract which Burress turned down; then promptly grabbed a guaranteed deal with the Jets.

Afterwards,  he said he never wanted to play for the Giants and had nothing but distain for head coach Tom Coughlin.

Now it sounds like the 34-year-old Burress has changed his tune... again.  The Lomabrdi Trophy can do that to a person.

"Playing in Kevin Gilbride's system is definitely one of the best," said Burress.  "You see the production those guys are having at wide receiver position.  Victor Cruz obviously with the year he had, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.  You just look at some of the plays that those guys are making out there on the edge.  And Eli [Manning] has really just become a man of his position, leading those guys the last few games of the season, the last five or six winning, and obviously the Super Bowl."

Is there a spot for Burress on the Giants?  Probably not.

The Giants are preparing themselves for the loss of free-agent Mario Manningham but still have Cruz, Hicks and a re-signed Domenic Hixon.  There are high hopes for Jerrel Jernigan and Ramses Barden and Burress didn't exactly do anything with the Jets.

The free-agent has bandied about the names of the Giants, Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles as teams he would like to join.

Burress told a Philadelphia radio station that "Nothing would make me happier" than playing for the  Eagles, but he said that last summer too.

The Giants got over the loss of Steve Smith to the Eagles without any complications.  Burress would be a no brainer.

"I haven't been able to talk to any teams as of yet obviously because it's not free-agency time," Burress said today.  "But I'm looking at all offers , I'm just looking for an opportunity to go into an offense, have fun, make some plays these last few years and the goal is always to win a championship."

Too bad he gave up that chance last season.

Eli Manning rips Saints over Bounty-gate

Eli Manning has become the first prominent NFL player to publicly speak out against the Bounty-gate scandal threatening to take down his hometown team— the New Orleans Saints.

The New York Giants quarterback is no stranger when it comes to the violence in the NFL— he has memories of his father Archie get knocked around for 11 seasons in New Orleans and has taken his share of licks himself— but from the sounds of it, Manning is sickened by the suggestion of placing bounties on NFL player's heads and ripped into the Saints if they did it.

"Obviously, it's a big deal, what's going on," said Manning before the premiere screening of the Giants official championship video, "Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants" at a Times Square theater last night. "It's not good for football and can't be a part of football.  I know [commissioner] Roger Goodell will do a good job of figuring all this out and making sure this doesn't happen again."

The two time Super Bowl MVP— who grew up in New Orleans— went on to say he has heard his own head coach Tom Coughlin instruct the Giants defense to go after opposing quarterbacks in team meetings.

"I'm kind of sitting there and I say, 'I know the opposing teams are saying the same thing about me,'" said Manning.  But when you start talking about injuring a guy and carting him off and trying to end his season or career, that's not what the game is about.  I think we should have more respect for the game than that.  It can't be a part of football."

The Giants were hammered by the Saints, 49-24, on Nov. 28 in New Orleans but Manning said he can't recall any specific foul hits on himself, so he can't say if their defensive coordinator Gregg Williams actually put a bounty on him.

Williams has been accused of collecting money to be awarded to players able to get opposing players carted off the field with injuries.

There was one vicious hit by safety Isa Abdul-Quddus in the third quarter that knocked Hakeem Nicks out of the game with a rib contusion.  Abdul-Quddus got a 15-yard penalty for hitting a defenseless player.  Nicks returned to game but looks at the hit differently now.

"It's just part of the game,' said Nicks at the screening.  "He got a good shot on me.  It wasn't the last time I got hit that hard.  I took one in the Super Bowl too.  You can't be too scared to get hit."

Asked if he thought it was a cheap attempt to injure him Nicks responded," The way he was celebrating you would probably think that regardless."

Giants safety Antrel Rolle echoed his teammate's sentiments but insisted the Giants have no bounty system and said if the accusations against the Saints are true, the tactics are "not good character."

New York Giants to get "blue carpet" treatment at film screening

Super Bowl winners Eli Manning, Jason Pierre-Paul, Antrel Rolle, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks will be strutting down the "blue carpet' at tonight's screening of a new DVD that captures the New York Giants season leading up to their upset victory over the New England Patriots in  Super Bowl XLVI.

Some might even call the DVD a remake of the Giants Super Bowl XLII win because there are so many similarities between the two championship runs.

In both scenarios, the Giants' season seemed to be over before the underdog squad gets hot down the stretch and defies all odds by making the playoffs.  Combine that with freakish last minute catches and comeback wins— over the Patriots— in both Super Bowls and you can see how the two championship runs look alike.

The two-time Super Bowl MVP Manning and the other players will be getting front-row seats for tonight's event at the Regal Theater in Times Square for the V.I.P. showing of NFL Films and Vivendi Entertainment's "Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants" which will be released today.

According to a sneak peak by The New York Post, the DVD begins with clips of the Giants' stunning upset of the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII then fast-forwards to to reveal how "eerily similar" the first championship was to the second.

The game by game account of the season highlights themes like Manning's ascension to "elite" status, the emergence of Victor Cruz and the steady hand of head coach Tom Coughlin.

After the comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys, Coughlin exclaims to his jubilant players in the locker room, "Take the star down off the mountain, put the NYG on top."

There is a slo-mo replay of Cruz's game-breaking 99-yard TD catch and run against the New York Jets and, of course, Manningham's unbelievable catch in the big game.

If those scenes don't get tonight's crowd cheering, nothing will.

Sprinkle those season-turning plays in with poignant sideline shots like Brandon Jacobs, sitting next to Manning, saying, "You're a beast, man, I can't say that enough" and there won't be a dry eye in the house.

Especially Patriots fans who will give it two thumbs down.

Even Bill Belichick gets a supporting role.  The Pats' coach commands his defense to concentrate on Cruz and Nicks before Manning lands the perfect pass to Manningham on the winning drive.

The only problem with this movie is everyone knows the ending but— as the credits roll over shots of the Giants parading up Broadway with ticker-tape raining down— Big Blue fans will already be waiting for a third installment in the series.

Domenik Hixon wants to "repay" Giants for re-signing him

Domenik Hixon is one happy man tonight and vowed to "repay" the New York Giants for signing him to a new contract even after only playing four games— due to two ACL tears on his right knee— for the team over the past two seasons.

The speedy wide-out was in New York this morning to have his knee examined before meeting with Giants GM Jerry Reese at the team's facility in New Jersey.

He signed an undisclosed contract to return for a sixth season with the Giants.

Hixon couldn't contain his enthusiasm and tweeted,"I Just got done officially signing back with the Superbowl champs!!! #blessed #readytoplay."

How doubly refreshing for a pro athlete to know when he's been given an opportunity to play on a great team and for a pro franchise to show confidence in a player with a good work ethic and bad luck by giving him another shot.

"They gave me an opportunity when I got released from Denver (in 2007)," Hixon said in a press release after the signing.  "And then these past two years with knee injuries.  They stuck with me.  They could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me.  But they didn't do that.  They treated me the same and I really appreciate that."

Hixon is confident he'll be ready for the start of training camp and was told by the team physician Russ Warren he'll even be able to get some work in during the off-season workouts, OTAs and minicamp.

The 27-year old will follow the doctor's orders and believes he can come back strong after tearing his knee during a spectacular catch in only the second game of the 2011 season.

"We're just fine-tuning things now," said Hixon.  "My goal when I get back is to be at full speed and show the training staff and everyone else I'm physically ready to play and play it for years to come."

It sounds like Hixon will be battling it out with Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan for the third spot in the receiving corps behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks if free-agent Mario Manningham leaves.

Manningham— one of 20 free-agents on the Giants— is trying to cash in on his impressive postseason and big fourth quarter Super Bowl catch.  He has already stated that he thinks the odds of him returning to the Meadowlands are slim.

On the other hand, the Giants will be keeping a player hungry to play and who downplays missing the bulk of two seasons as "interruptions."

"I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn't that big," said Hixon.  "But in this situation, I really felt like I wanted to be here.  They helped me  but time and time again.  I wanted to stay here and repay that."

Classy guy and classy organization.

Packers Donald Driver joins "Dancing with the Stars"

Donald Driver might be known for his end zone dances after scoring a touchdown for the Green Bay Packers, but now it's his chance to show if he can pull the same moves on the dance floor.

Driver— the Packers all-time leading receiver— was one of 12 "celebrities" picked to appear on season 14 of "Dancing with the Stars."

Driver was matched up with New Zealand beauty Peta Murgatroyd to compete against the likes of 67-year-old Gladys Knight (minus the Pips), Little House's Melissa Gilbert, Urkel (Jaleel White) and a bunch of C-list stars.

Host Robin Roberts introduced the smiling Driver to the Los Angeles crowd by saying, "You...Super Bowl champion you."

Driver's pairing with the Murgatroyd (her second season on DWTS)  makes them a front-runner.  NFL stars have done pretty good on the show in the past and Martina Navratilova is the only other athlete competing this season.

A lot of people were hoping Victor Cruz might appear on the ABC show, but the New York Giants salsa dancing receiver made it clear— even with the urging of his mom—that he wouldn't appear on the show for at least for a couple of seasons.

No word on if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will let Driver use his "Discount Double Check" moves.

Cruz and Manningham Rock the Grammys

It's been quite a week for Victor Cruz.  Seven nights ago, the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis and it's been a a dance in the park for him ever since.

In the following days, Cruz finalized a new multi-million dollar contract, was in a Broadway ticker-tape parade and cut the ribbon at Lincoln Center to open Fashion Week.

Tonight, the Giants star receiver was rubbing elbows with the the music industry's top recording stars at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.  He even handed out the award for "Best Rock Performance" alongside his teammate Mario Manningham.

During the whirlwind of a week, the only constant for Cruz at all of the events was re-enacting his famous touchdown salsa dance.

Tonight, Cruz was asked to do the Latin dance once again.

Cruz and Manningham were joined on the Grammys stage with NCIS star Paula Perrette who introduced the two players to cheers and shouts of "Cruuuz" from the audience.

Perrette then told Cruz, "This is a music show.  So you need to give us a little salsa."

Cruz obliged and managed a few steps before he was cut off by the Super Bowl hero Manningham.

"OK, OK," interrupted his fellow receiver.  "Save it for the field."

The award went to the Foo Fighters for their rousing rock song "Walk."

It seemed fitting because both players walked the walk on their way to the Lombardi trophy.

Bradying replacing Tebowing as latest Web craze

Tom Brady's hunched over pose during the Super Bowl loss to the the New York Giants has started new Web craze by fans that could soon replace Tebowing in popularity.

Dejected after the New England Patriots upset loss to the Giants, Brady sat on the ground with his head bowed on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Now that pose is being imitated around the country and Bradying is becoming the latest Internet fad.

Bradying is a lot simpler than Tebowing and less dangerous than planking.

It all started with the widely published photo of Brady on his butt with his legs splayed, hands clasped, shoulders slumped and head resting on his chest.

There are different reports of where the trend originated.  Most people agree Bradying started with a series of pictures posted on Boxden.  The post showed numerous people copying the Brady pose at various locations.

Tebowing had been the rage but Bradying already has an official website to document fans imitating the depressed quarterback.

While Tebowing celebrated the Denver Broncos quarterback's victories, Bradying was spawned by losing.

"It's a humbled position— shoulders down, head down— that's all about being humbled," said former Army anti-terror instructor Greg Hartley, an expert on body language and interrogation techniques.

Brady has remained silent about the fad he inadvertently started, but it's a sure bet his outspoken supermodel wife could end up ranting about it in public.

Call it Bundchening.

Cruz and Strahan salsa together at ceremony honoring NY Giants

This morning, an estimated 1 million fans lined the sidewalks of lower Broadway during a ticker tape parade honoring the New York Giants come-from-behind Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

Afterwards, at the Key to the City ceremony on the steps of City Hall, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Giants player Michael Strahan stood at a podium and honored all of the Giants players and staff by handing them each a ceremonial key to the city.

One of the highlights of the fete was when wide receiver and favorite target of Eli Manning, Victor Cruz, stepped to the front of the stage with the crowd's cheers of "Cruuuz" filling the air and performed some of his patented salsa dance moves with Strahan.

Cruz made the hip-shaking dance popular by doing it every time he scored a touchdown this season.

Strahan may not have had as much practice as Cruz has shaking his booty lately— he did have a sack dance years ago— but did hold his own alongside the smiling Cruz under the bright blue skies.

The confident Strahan— wearing a "GMEN" sweatshirt— actually nudged Cruz and coaxed him into dancing.

Something tells me that it won't be the last time we'll see someone grab Cruz to do the Latin dance in New York this winter.

Eli Manning on Tom Brady: "I don't know if he likes me"

Eli Manning has been racking up a lot of quotes to go with his frequent flier miles since leading his New York Giants team over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday.

After post-game celebrations in Indianapolis, the Giants quarterback flew down to Disney World Monday morning and later up to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City where the Super Bowl MVP appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman.

The normally uncontroversial Manning was asked by the host about his relationship with his Patriots counterpart Tom Brady.

"I don't know if he likes me," Manning said with a smirk to the supportive audience..

Manning showed up about an hour late for the taping but it was excusable since it was only a few hours before that he was riding in a parade in the Orlando, Florida theme park.

Manning walked onto the theater's stage to a standing ovation while band leader Paul Shaffer and the CBS orchestra played "We Are The Champions."

The normally quiet and reserved quarterback joked about going right to bed after the game after Letterman opened the interview by asking if it was "lights out" after the victory.

"10:30, yeah, I had a big morning," he joked.  "I had to get ready for this, so I had to get my full sleep.  I've been preparing and practicing for this."

Letterman asked Manning if his receivers ever disobeyed any of the plays he calls in the huddle.

"No.  They're trained," he laughed.  "It's like a dog."

The relaxed and confident Manning touched on everything from how happy he was for his teammates that didn't already have a Super Bowl ring to head coach Tom Coughlin's philosophies.

"It was their first Super Bowl," he said. "When you have one you have to really do it for the other guys who never had that experience."

Letterman reminded Manning about Coughlin's "frozen face" in Green Bay four years ago and asked if he was a good motivator.

"He has settled down because he has confidence in his players," he replied.  "He's big on preparation and effort and studying.  Now he knows we'll be ready."

Manning quoted the softer side of the coach's pre-game speech: " The most important thing is love.  Love of teammates is the most important thing."

The host told his guest that Eli was his favorite Manning.

"I know.  I get a Christmas gift from you every year.  I got a jacket," joked the younger Manning.  "Peyton doesn't get a jacket."

Letterman asked Manning if he is going to tease his older brother by shoving the two rings on his fingers in Peyton's face.

"No," he plainly said.

The younger Manning said he expects Peyton to play again but had no idea where it would be.

 Eli even touched on the label of "elite" that he imposed on himself during the pre-season.

"I got set up a little bit," he claimed by answering the question "Do you think you are an elite quarterback?" on a radio show.

When Letterman commented that Manning looked a lot younger than four years ago— when the Giants last won the Super Bowl— the guest out-zinged the host.

"I started shaving this past year," he joked.

Shaving or not— Eli Manning is definitely all grown up.

Gisele goes off on hecklers and Tommy's teammates

Tom Brady's supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen defended her husband after she was heckled by Giants fans right after the New England Patriots 21-17 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants.  Too bad she also threw some of Brady's teammates under the bus as well.

After a  Giants fan shouted "Eli owns your husband" outside Lucas Oil Stadium, the Brazilian stunner shot back, "My husband cannot f---ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.  I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times."

The slinky model was criticizing Patriots receivers who dropped a couple of key throws from Brady during critical times during the game.

Bundchen— who sent a new-age sounding email to "My sweet friends and family" pleading with them to pray for her "Tommy" to win before the game on Sunday— just made that mailing list a lot shorter.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the high-paid model has never endeared herself to Patriots players wives either.

A veteran team staffer said: "She may have had a point, but she should have left it to the sportswriters and other Monday morning quarterbacks... she is already not liked by many players and their wives due to her arrogant attitude... This sure won't help improve things."

According to the newspaper, Brady's wife has very few friends among his teammate's better halves.

Another source— close to the Patriots players' wives told the Sun Times, "Gisele is... so stuck up and treats them all like yahoos... In many cases, the other wives are not all that sophisticated , but Gisele has been openly snotty to all of them— making cracks about how they dress and use to much makeup.  Stuff like that."

Bundchen may be elegant on the runways but the cover girl doesn't seem to be as graceful after Tommy loses.

It sounds like the Almighty didn't see her email.

Giants Get NY Pizzas Flown To Indianapolis For Good Luck

The New York Giants had 16 New York pizza pies flown to Indianapolis so the superstitious players wouldn't jinx their tradition of downing the Italian treat every Friday after practice.

Players personally asked that the pies— from Umberto's in New Hyde Park, Long Island— be delivered because some of them thought that there was a chance they could break their five-game winning streak leading into the Super Bowl if they didn't get their weekly dose of the cheesy snack.

After a 700-mile trip that began with a early morning escort by the Nassau County Police Department to LaGuardia Airport; the pizzas arrived safely in Indy and made it to the Giants dining tables after the Friday afternoon practice.

Defensive end Justin Tuck and guard David Diehl called in the order last weekend said the restaurant's manager Gaetano Corteo.

"They were gone in less than ten minutes," said Corteo.  "They destroyed all of the pies.  There was nothing left."

Corteo and his staff personally handed out the slices to the Giants players inside the temporary practice facilities at the University of Indiana.  Maybe he should have brought more than Kobayashi could down in 10 minutes by himself

"If there had been ten more pies, they would have destroyed those too," said one of the pizza servers.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning said the pizza was "excellent."

No cold pizza for the G-Men either.

The pies— which lifted off from New York with helicopters hovering above and a police escort fit for a king— were packed in heat-retaining bags, searched by security and whisked onto a waiting Delta MD-88 jet with a flight crew adorned in Giants jerseys.

All the TSA agents reportedly found were four kinds of pizzas with light tomato sauces, mozzarella and home-made sausage on oven-baked thin crusts.

"It's all about consistency," said Corteo.  "They come in the locker room every Friday and know the pies are there.  It's part of their everyday lives, and it's such an honor for me and my family back home— it's awesome."

Everyone knows nothing beats New York pizza (except New Jersey) and it sounds like Big Blue didn't mind going the extra miles for their lucky snack.

Since it took more than 30 minutes for the delivery, I guess the pies were free.

Gisele Throws Hail Mary Plea For "Tommy" Brady Win

Tom Brady's supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen sent out a private e-mail to all of their friends and family asking that all of them pray for the New England Patriots quarterback to lead his team to victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

The new-age sounding e-mail— which was picked up and published by the New York Post— began by saying that Sunday "is a really important day in my husband's life" and "now they need us more than ever to send them positive energy so they can fulfill their dream of winning this super bowl..."


The Wed. night e-mail read:

"My sweet friends and family.
   I feel Tommy really needs our prayer, our support and
love at this time.
   So I kindly ask all of you to join me on this positive
chain and pray for him, so he can feel confident, healthy
and strong.  Envision him happy and fulfilled
experiencing with his team a victory this sunday.
   Love, G :)"

Bundchen responded to a Post e-mail and said, "I am surprised that you received this e-mail; it was a private note only sent to close friends and family."

The couple started dating right before the Giants upset "Tommy" and the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in 2008.  They married in 2009.

Earlier in the week, Brady said wifey gave him some Super Bowl pointers before he arrived in Indianapolis.

"Throw the ball quickly," he said she told him.  "She doesn't like it when I get hit often."

Last Sunday, at a pep rally, Brady himself told 25,000 Patriots fans, " We're going down there, and were going down there for one reason... hopefully we'll have a lot more people at our party next weekend."

Maybe the Brazilian model— who earns millions more than her hubby— just doesn't want Brady to lose the deposit he put down for the brazen victory party guarantee.

Super Bowl Footballs Will Give Sentimental Advantage To NY Giants

Every time a New York Giants or New England Patriots player looks at one of the 120 footballs used on the field during Super Bowl XLVI he will see the name "The Duke" embossed on the ball and might wonder 'Who the hell is that?'

It's more of a mystery for Patriots players than the Giants side because "The Duke" was the beloved Giants owner Wellington Mara— father of current owner John Mara— who passed away in 2006.

The older Mara was given the nickname by Giants players when he was a child growing up on the sidelines on the franchise started by his father Tim Mara.

And right there, prominently branded on all of this Sunday's balls— next to the "XLVI" logo and "Roger Goodell" signature— is the nickname of the deceased owner which some of the current Giants team knew and fondly remember.

The balls are made by Wilson Sporting Goods in Ada, Ohio and have been called "The Duke" for most of the league's history.

It all started when Wellington and his brother Jack made a deal with Wilson to become the official sponsor of the NFL's ball.  Former Chicago Bears owner George Halas, who partnered with Wellington on brokering the deal, suggested that the balls be named "The Duke."

From 1941 through 1969 the NFL's official ball carried the name "The Duke," but was eliminated after the AFL-NFL merger.

The name returned in 2006, after Mara's death, as a tribute to the Giants owner .

It looks like the Giants have at least sentimental advantage on the field over the Patriots.

Brady Already Planning Patriots Super Bowl Victory Bash

The New England Patriots landed in a gusty Indianapolis airport yesterday in preparation for Super Bowl XLVI but, along with the wind, Tom Brady got a little controversy swirling around the team as well.

After saying goodbye to 25,000 fans at a Gillette Stadium send-off, the confident Patriots quarterback— and New York Giants No. 1 target— Brady took it upon himself to predict a victory party celebration back home after his team faces the Giants next Sunday.

Brady's huffing and puffing also fanned the New York media's flames.


"We're going down there for one reason," said Brady before the team boarded their charter flight to Indianapolis and the showdown with the Giants.  "We're going to give it our best and hopefully we'll have a lot more people at our party next weekend."

Talk about putting a bigger bull's eye on your back.

Brady's words whipped the Foxborough crowd into a frenzy and high hopes against a team that beat them, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII four years ago.

The Pat's QB later toned down his comments after he realized they had become bulletin board material for the Giants— especially their defense.

"Well, it was a pep rally," Brady said.  "People were pretty excited.  Certainly the players were excited.  I know the 25,000 fans who were there were excited as well."

Brady wasn't the first Giants opponent to send out victory party invites before a victory.

Vernon Davis, the San Francisco 49ers tight end had his fans ready to party before the Giants beat his team, 20-17, in overtime in the NFC Championship Game last Sunday.

The Patriots Wes Welker was asked by a reporter if his quarterback's remarks meant the Patriots were already planning a party?

"No. No, not at all," Brady's favorite target said. "We're planning on this game.  And putting a game plan together and getting ourselves ready to play is kind of objective number one."

Later, an even more subdued Brady lavished praise on the the four guys who will be in his face all day next Sunday—  the Big Blue pass rush.

"It's been a strength of the their team for as long as I can remember... Michael Strahan, as great a player as he was... and I think we played them in '03 and they were still harassing the quarterback so... it seems like they always have guys that rush the quarterback," said Brady.  "Justin Tuck is as good as they come.  Osi [Umenyiora], week in and week out, he's a player that can ruin a game  for an offense."

It sounds like Brady has put the party hats and Sam Adams beer on hold.

Giants Super Bowl XLII Ring On Sale For $47,995

A diamond-studded Tiffany ring presented to one of the New York Giants players after the team upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII is up for sale.

All it takes to get one of the historic ring is a deep-burning love of Big Blue and $47,995.

Tiki Barber, are you listening? 

"For whatever reason, back in 2008, we received eight players selling their rings within six months after they received them," Tim Robbins of Champions-Rings.net.  "The majority of them were still playing for the team, which is rather unusual."

According to the New York Daily News, one of Robbins clients bought the  ring back then, but last November, looking to turn a profit, decided to sell the ring back.  It now sits on a shelf among 1,200 or so championship rings that range from NCAA Championships to the Super Bowl.

Robbins said the rings are also awarded to team staff members— which are different from the ones the players recieve— and he was kind of surprised by the number of Giants that season who were looking hock their bling.

If you are a fan of TV's Pawn Stars, you already know that the players' rings are more valuable than the staff's.

The white gold and diamond rings are manufactured by the same famous silversmith that also makes the Lombardi Trophy every year.

"The Giants rings, being made by Tiffany, it was a little surprising to see that many," said Robbins.  "But there are so many die-hard New York Giants fans that it didn't take that much time to sell them at all."

"And if you wear this out," Robbins said.  "It's the best icebreaker in the world."

But this is a special ring— nicknamed a "10-table ring" by former Giants player Michael Strahan because he wanted people ten tables away to see his pride and joy.

Robbins said the ring has been on the market for over three months and blames the slow economy for it sitting on the shelf so long.  Normally, Giants rings "don't have a tendency to last that long," he said.

In 2008, when the rings were presented to the Giants players, they had a value of over $25,000.  The face of the ring features three Super Bowl trophies— one for each of the team's titles.  One side is engraved with the score of the game (Giants 17, Patriots 14) and the other side says "Eleven Straight on the Road" in reference to the NFL record set by the team in 2007.

 Strahan, Eli Manning, Amani Toomer and Shaun O'Hara were all consultants on the design of the ring.

Players sell their rings for a variety of reasons claims Robbins and it's not always financial hardship.

"You have players where their religion prohibits them from wearing jewelery," he said.  "So they just don't need the ring."

Robbins stands by his firm's privacy policy and won't disclose the name of the player who came in and unloaded his ring.  He just said the unnamed player wasn't a starter in the Super Bowl.

One person we can definitely leave out of that discussion is good ol' Tiki.