Welcome Giants fans to the first walk around the NFL for 2009. As we prepare for the big game Sunday, let's take a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the NFL:

• Is Al Davis looking to sell more of his interest in the Raiders? Well, according to the USA Today that depends on who you ask.
• Did Boston College Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski just get himself fired?
• The Dallas Morning News is hearing from many, many, many unhappy Dallas fans. I'm no Romo fan, but is that one fan serious about Michael Vick?
• Remember a few weeks ago when we all had fun playing with the Sporting News Playoff Simulator? Well, according to the good folks at Accuscore, we're going to have several heart attacks on Sunday.
• Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson are just two of the 15 finalists announced for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• The L.A. Times says there is no need to change the OT rule. I say there is. I think OT quarters should be played until a winner is decided. The NFL is the only major league where ties are settled this way. Too much is decided on a coin flip. And yes, I know the stats don't always bear out to the coin toss winner winning the game, but I just think too much is being left to chance.

Final NFL Thoughts:

• I am rooting for Jim Fassel to get the Rams job. If he doesn't, I am afraid he will be offered the Raiders job, and will take it out of desperation. Regardless of what you think of Fassel, he deserves better than that.
• How many normal size people could fit inside that black jumpsuit Andy Reid has been wearing?
• Has anyone ever spent as much time talking about not being interested in a job as Bill Cowher has regarding the Jets opening?

Final Un-NFL Thoughts:

• We're moving to a new place this weekend, and spent the past weekend holding a garage sale. I've decided that having a garage sale ranks up there with buying a car as one of the most miserable experiences a person can have. Watching people pick thru your life and offer you 10 cents on the dollar for what you are asking is very depressing.
• Pitchers and catchers are about 6 weeks away.

Wednesday Walk Extra: 2:20 PM,  Call this "Why Eli Manning is cooler than us....." From the NY Post:

We don't know what else Eli Manning got for his 28th birthday, but his wife gave him a sexy lap dance. The Giants QB and teammates Shaun O'Hara, David Diehl, Amani Toomer, Brandon Jacobs and Kevin Boss hit Tenjune on Little West 12th Street Friday. After a few rounds of tequila shots, our spy said Eli's wife, Abby, "gave him a special lap dance" while Beyoncé's hit, "Single Ladies," blared. "They were trying to hide, but everyone on the dance floor could see them."

More importantly, nobody capped themself in the leg.

Good Morning Giants fans, as we say goodbye to 2008, let's take one last look at the stories making headlines around the NFL before we usher in 2009:

• I don't think anyone saw this coming: The Broncos have fired Mike Shanahan.
• The Pro Bowl is changing locations and when it's played. I must say while not a fan of the Pro Bowl, I am excited about it being in Miami. All the top players in the NFL will be down here in South Florida next winter.
• Were the Lions really the worst team in the NFL? This guy doesn't think so.
• Depending on who you ask, Bill Cowher may or may not be interested in the Jets job.
• The South Florida Sun-Sentinel says it can be love or money but not both for Bill Parcells.
• Matt Mosley talks about where the Cowboys went wrong.
• Speaking of the Cowboys, I wonder if all the Dallas fans still disagree with me.

Final NFL thoughts:

All the names being tossed around for available jobs, and still no mention of Jim Fassel. He had run his course with the Giants, no doubt about that, but I still find it strange he never got another head coaching job.

"The Wildcat" is fun to watch, and the Dolphins do it very well. How do you game plan for that on defense when you never know what the Dolphins are going to do? It seems like they never do the same thing twice.

Finally, on this day, I will quote Colonel Potter from M*A*S*H:

"Here's to the New Year, may she be a damn sight better than the old one"

I wish all of you the healthiest and happiest New Year,  thank you to Ed for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Giants and everything else, and I thank all of you for actually reading what I write.

Onward to 2009!

I was looking over Eli's career stats and realized today is a milestone day for Eli Manning. Breaking it down, here are some notable achievements within reach for Number 10:

• His completion percentage for the year is currently 60.4, which would far exceed his previous best of 57.7 in 2006. Coaches have told Eli that they want his percentage right around 60.
• He will finish with the lowest number of INT's in his career. He currently has 10, the next lowest is 17, and even with Darren Sharper on the other side tomorrow, the numbers won't even be close.
• His QB rating is currently 86.9, easily his career best.
• Eli's average yards per pass is 6.8, which would tie his career best, set in 2005.
• By the time Eli sits down tomorrow, he will have about 470 pass attempts, easily his career low. That arm will have plenty of juice left for January and hopefully February.
• Eli has only fumbled 5 times this year, down from 13 last year. Only 2 of those fumbles were lost, down from 7 last year. 5 fumbles is also a career low for Eli in a full season.
• Eli will finish his 4^th consecutive season without a missed start.
• 4 TD passes would give Eli a career high of 25, but somehow I don't think that will happen.

Just a few signs of the further growth of our Super Bowl MVP Pro Bowl QB.

And oh yeah, if Eli throws for 644 yards tomorrow, it will be a career high. Time for a little "Air Gilbride".

Today Big Blue View takes a look at the Vikings in preparation for their game against the Giants.

2008 Record: 9-6 (tied for 1^st, NFC North)

Head Coach: Brad Childress

Last time they met: 2007, the Vikes defeated the Giants 41-17 at Giants Stadium

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Darrell Bevell

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Leslie Frazier

NOTES AND QUOTES:

• The Vikings suffered the most embarrassing playoff loss in franchise history against the Giants. Minnesota won the NFC Central title in 2000 and then beat New Orleans in the divisional round of the before traveling to Giants Stadium. New York proceeded to crush the Vikings, 41-0, in the conference championship game. Giants quarterback Kerry Collins threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns as the Vikings were handed their second-worst defeat in franchise history.
• The Vikings also recorded one of their most exciting playoff victories at Giants Stadium. Minnesota rallied to score 10 points in the final 90 seconds for a 23-22 victory in a wild card game on Dec. 27, 1997. New York had held a 19-3 halftime lead. Eddie Murray's 24-yard field goal with 10 seconds left completed the Vikings comeback.
• The Vikings became the first team in NFL history to score on an interception, punt and kickoff return in a 24-21 victory over the Giants on Nov. 13, 2005. Safety Darren Sharper tied the franchise record with three interceptions and set a new team mark with 123 return yards. Sharper also returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown at New York in the Vikings' 41-17 victory over the Giants on Nov. 25, 2007. Since joining Minnesota, Sharper has four career interceptions off Eli Manning.
• The Vikings will continue to use Fred Evans and Jimmy Kennedy at nose tackle in place of Pro Bowl lineman Pat Williams, who is out because of a broken scapula.
• Even if the Vikings make the playoffs, Williams is expected to miss at least the first playoff game. He expressed optimism last week that he might be able to play in the Vikings' postseason opener, but it's estimated that he would miss at least a month.Williams was injured in the Vikings' 35-14 victory on Dec. 14 in Arizona.
• LB Chad Greenway returned an interception 37 yards for his first career touchdown and had six tackles against the Giants in the Vikings victory last season. Greenway helped the Vikings establish an NFL record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns in that game.
• TE Visanthe Shiancoe, who spent his first four seasons with the Giants before joining the Vikings as a free agent in 2007, can tie the team record for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a season by catching one against New York. Shiancoe has seven this season; Joe Senser had eight in 1981.
• QB Tarvaris Jackson's seven passing touchdowns over the past three games are tied for the second-most among all NFL quarterbacks during that time, behind only the Patriots' Matt Cassel. Jackson's 126.5 passer rating is second to the Colts' Peyton Manning (128.1).
• Defensive end Jared Allen has continued to play despite neck and shoulder injuries, but he failed to record a sack for the first time in three games last Sunday against the Falcons. Atlanta did pay special attention to Allen, brining in an extra offensive lineman at times, so the fact he did not have a sack could have been attributed to that. Right tackle Artis Hicks was expected to take over for the struggling Ryan Cook in late November but Hicks has continued to battle a triceps injury. That has enabled Cook to stay in the lineup for the most part.
• This will be the ninth game between these teams in the past 10 years, with 2006 being the only season the two did not play in either the regular season of the playoffs. That was Brad Childress' first season as Vikings coach.

BY THE NUMBERS:

2 -- Rushing yards Adrian Peterson needs to become only the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 3,000 yards in his first two seasons in the league.

QUOTE TO NOTE:

"We hope the Giants play their 3^rd stringers, if they have 3^rd stringers"---Viking S Darren Sharper, when asked if the he was hoping the Giants would rest their starters.

Ralph Vacchiano has been the Giants' beat writer at the Daily News since 2001. He also covered the Giants from 1993-97 for the North Jersey Herald & News before joining the NYDN for temporary duty as a hockey writer (Islanders and Devils). The Long Island native began covering the NFL in 1991 after graduating from Syracuse University. Ralph covers the Giants every day at The Blue Screen, and he was nice enough to sit down with me this week and answer some questions for Big Blue View.

Ralph also authored the book Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback, which he also talks about with us.

Ralph thanks for taking the time to talk with us on a very busy week.

1. Ralph, Have the Giants now re-established themselves as the best team in the NFL?           

 I think so. I haven't seen them all, but I find it hard to believe there's a team out there as good and as deep and as motivated as they are. They have everything you're looking for in a team right now. An outstanding defense, a dominant offensive line, a powerful running game, a quarterback who can get the job done in a big spot, speedy receivers and good possession receivers, a good pass-catching tight end, pass rushers, cover corners, excellent special teams ... That's not to say there aren't flaws, but they are built for playoff success and when they're playing at their best they have the tools to beat anybody. Who else are even the contenders? The best teams in the AFC are Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, probably Indianapolis. The Giants beat two of those teams. The Colts don't have the defense or run game that the Giants do. And Tennessee doesn't have the quarterback or passing game to match the Giants. In the NFC, the Giants have beaten everyone of significance. Now, they could certainly still lose in the playoffs or the Super Bowl. Like I said, they're not without their flaws. But if I were ranking the teams based on their talent and how they've played this season, yes, I'd put the Giants at No. 1. I wasn't so sure they were still there, but the resiliency they showed against Carolina proved to me they haven't lost a thing. 

2. Ralph, now that home field is all locked up, the Minnesota game is meaningless. How will the Giants approach this game?  

Very, very carefully. I know Tom Coughlin is all about playing to win. He believes in momentum and the integrity of the game and for both of those reasons you won't see him just bench everybody and give it a half-effort. But he's not a stupid man, either. There are other factors involved. For one thing, there are many key players who are hurting who he needs for the playoffs. Now, I have a hunch they'll all play -- and that includes Brandon Jacobs if his knee is OK -- but I don't think they'll play much. And I do think he'll start pulling starters as much as he can in the second half, including Eli Manning. He might have done it last year, too, if the game was relatively decided in the third quarter. But last year was different because the Giants were playing an undefeated team and they needed a feel-good performance before the playoffs. The Giants don't need that this year. They feel pretty good after beating Carolina.

There's another factor to consider, too. In three weeks it's very possible that the Giants will face the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the playoffs. So if you're the coaches, how much do you want to show them in this game? It means nothing to the Giants, so why expose how you'd game plan for Adrian Peterson, where your blitz is coming from, that great new trick pass play you're working on. Yes, you want to win, but you'd also like to give the Vikings very little film to be able to study if you face them in a few weeks. That has to be factored in, too.

So, like I said, they will be careful on all fronts. They don't want to get anyone hurt. And they don't want to lose their edge.

 3. The last 3 weeks, the Giants seem to be very vulnerable at linebacker. Do you see that as their biggest weakness?

Yes. And it's not necessarily because of the players on the first team -- though for years I've wanted them to find themselves a game-changer at that position. It's because of the depth. Already they've got a middle linebacker (Chase Blackburn) playing the weak side and I don't know what happens if anyone else gets hurt. Bryan Kehl looks like he's going to be a player, but he's a rookie and who knows how he'll hold up during the playoffs if he has to play extensively? Gerris Wilkinson is always hurt, and when he's been in the lineup it's not like he's been overwhelming anyone with his talent and potential. Zak DeOssie is still a complete unknown. They picked Edmond Miles off the scrap heap. So yes, the starting three have been vulnerable lately. But it's the guys behind them that should really have us worried.
 
4.  The Giants locked up Corey Webster last week with a long contract extension. Any chance they do the same with Brandon Jacobs before the end of the season? And a follow up to that question: After missing 5 games last year, and 2 games so far this year, are the Giants concerned with signing him to a long-term deal?

From what I'm told, there's no chance of a deal before the end of the season. I've heard there have hardly been any talks at all -- or at least any substantive talks with any progress. The Giants seemed to really want to wait and see if he could make it through the season healthy, and once it looked like he was on his way to that Jacobs wanted to wait until he was closer to free agency when his bargaining power would be higher. They'll have a few weeks in February to talk, and I'm sure they will. The Giants want Jacobs and Jacobs wants to stay. But his price tag is huge at the moment, and it's only going to get higher the closer we get to early March. The Giants love him and they understand how unique he is, but how high are they willing to go with a player who has had so many injuries the last couple of years? That's a good question. They are definitely concerned because there's no way around it: He's injury prone. He's a big, physical guy who likes contact and plays hard and is going to get hurt. It's not that they don't feel like he's worth $7, 8, 9 million per year. It's that they're worried that if they give him that much over five or six years, he'll get hurt and they'll have a lot of money committed to a player not in the lineup. Yes, I suppose that's a worry for every player. But for him the risk seems to be even greater because of the way he is and the way he plays.

5.  Looking ahead, what areas do you think the Giants need to focus on in the off season?

That's an interesting question, because it depends on a lot of factors. Just looking at their roster as it is now, I'd definitely say linebacker. They need depth and I'd really, really like to see them find a true impact player at that spot. I like what Antonio Pierce does for them, but I don't sense that anyone is changing up their game plan because of him. That would be my No. 1 need, I think -- again, based on their current roster -- and No. 2 would probably be a tackle. They have not been good at finding and developing a young tackle the last few years. Guy Whimper never quite made it, and it's starting to look like Adam Koets won't, either.

But, as you know, there are other factors to consider. For example, can they sign both Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward? Or can they even sign one of them? I assume they'll sign one of them, and that Ahmad Bradshaw will become the No. 2 back. If not, obviously, running back becomes a top priority. But I think if they don't bring both back, they'll still at least have to draft another young running back. And the other big factor is: What do they do with Plaxico Burress? I don't believe they'll be bringing him back next year (and even if they do, you've got to assume he'll be suspended for the first four games of the season, at least, for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy). I think they've got an array of good receivers, but remember, Amani Toomer is a free agent and 34. They need to find themselves a true, No. 1 receiver. Preferably a big, physical guy, too. I think there will be several intriguing options available on the free-agent market. So if they do choose not to bring back Plax, receiver might be their No. 1 area of concern.

Finally Ralph, you wrote a great book entitled "Eli Manning, The Making of a Quarterback". When you wrote this book, what were some of the things you were surprised to learn about Eli Manning?

First of all, thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And the truth is, there was a lot I was surprised to learn when I was writing this book. That was shocking to me because I've been covering him since the day the Giants got him and I've probably written over 100 stories on him for the Daily News. I assumed I knew it all. But there were two things that surprised me the most. One isn't necessarily about him, but about the trade that brought him to New York. I learned that the trade nearly didn't happen because Wellington Mara almost nixed it just days before the draft. If anyone doesn't know that story by now they'll have to read the book to find out, but Mara's thoughts on the deal really made Ernie Accorsi think before pulling the trigger. And the other surprising thing I learned is that Eli is more emotional than I thought. He's human. That's hard to see in his press conferences and public dealings. He's so even-keeled and ... well, emotionless sometimes. But I did find a few examples where he showed another side to other people. I learned about him expressing his frustrations with his teammates and the way he was treated by the press -- something we absolutely never saw at the time. I learned about how much he was really bothered by Tiki Barber's infamous criticism two summers ago. And I learned of other instances where his emotions did manage to bubble over, privately, just a little. He has a well-earned reputation for being unflappable, for being able to handle any situation, any pressure, by just brushing it off. But the truth is, he's affected by it, just like any other human being would be -- he just works hard, for some very specific, well-thought reasons, not to let it show.

Thanks again Ralph, for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this. We look forward to you covering the Giants hopefully all the way to Tampa!

If you guys haven't picked it up already, you can get your copy of Ralph's book, "Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback", it's available here on Amazon.com

Hi guys

Ok, I am starting an open Fan Post about Madden 09, which Santa was nice enough to bring me this year.

I know we have some Madden players on the board, so I have an opening question:

How do I update the rosters online? I want to start a new franchise, but the roster still has Shockey and Strahan on it. Can somebody tell me how to get the current rosters? I was on Xbox Live trying to figure it out, but couldn't.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Jim

Merry Christmas boys and girls, Santa has made his list, checked it twice, and he is raring to go. But before he squeezes his butt down all our chimneys, I'm sure he wants to know what's going on around the league. Since I know better than to upset Santa Claus, let's get to it!

• Deadspin takes a look at which coaches may find coal in their stocking.
• The only thing nice about the 0-15 Lions is probable Hall of Fame kicker Jason Hanson.
• Everybody loves Santa, except Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
• Sunday will be a mustache kind of day for the San Francisco Forty Niners
• NBC Sports talks about how the Bears have made winning ugly an art form.
• Here is a great story from the Washington Post about some obscure rules that can baffle the players, coaches, and even the refs.

Final NFL Thoughts:

• Peter King said on Sirius NFL Radio yesterday that the Arizona Cardinals may be one of the worst playoff teams we've ever seen. I said that in my "Thoughts from the Armchair" on Monday, so I think it's pretty obvious that Peter King reads Big Blue View.
• The date was November 24^th, the New York Jets were 8-3, had just defeated the previously unbeaten Tennessee Titans, and were being called "The Best Team in the AFC". It's now December 24^th, the Jets have only had one more win, and Jet fans and the media are calling for Eric Mangini's head. Thanks again Dad, for making me a Giants fan.

Final Un-NFL Thoughts:

I didn't go to Jared. Luckily I married a gal who knows it doesn't take a year's salary to show love.

Christmas Movies I'll be watching over the next 2 days: A Christmas Story (numerous times), Miracle on 34^th St (the original of course), It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Christmas Vacation.

A Christmas Story is one of the most timeless movies ever made. There isn't a person alive who can't relate to Ralphie Parker, and what he goes through.

Merry Christmas Jimmy and Maegan;  the two best kids a Dad could ask for, and the only presents I'll ever need under my tree.

To my Big Blue View family, the Happiest of Holidays from the jrs1940 family. I hope Santa brings you all what you ask for, and plenty of Giants gear.

Jim

Some thoughts from me on last night's game:

• Thank God the Giants are done with night games this year. I had to pop a Xanax to go to sleep last night. Last week I was too ticked off about losing to Dallas, last night I was too wired from the win. Next week, 1 p.m. game, just the way I like it.
• Antonio Pierce is becoming a liability.
• Congrats to Eli Manning for setting the record for consecutive starts by a Giants QB, no small feat in today's NFL.
• DeAngelo, who's quiet now? By the way buddy, you know what you can do with that finger.

• Jimmy Johnson was right: The Giants can win without Burress, they can win without Jacobs, they can't win without both.
• The Giants defensive backs have the worst hands in football
• When I think about Brandon Jacobs' contract negotiations, I think of Peter from "The Family Guy", "Sir, I am going to hand you a blank check, please write whatever amount you feel is necessary and I will sign it."
• I still don't think "with the wind" or "against the wind" applies at Giants Stadium.
• Was it me or did it seem like the Panthers started almost every drive on the 50?
• Over the years, there will always be Giant wins and losses that I'll never forget, last night will definitely become one of them. It's truly one of the most satisfying wins I can remember. With all of the doubt surrounding this team for the last few weeks, for them to come out and find a way to win this game, truly memorable.
• To my knowledge, the Giants have only had home field throughout twice, 1986 and 2000, and both years the Giants made it all the way to the Super Bowl.
• The Giants are back. It's Christmas, life is good.

Quickies from around the NFL:

• I watched the entire Cards-Pats game; I can never resist a snow game. It was painfully obvious from the opening kickoff that the Cardinals wanted nothing to do with that game; they didn't want to be out there in the snow and the cold. The Cardinals may be one of the worst playoff teams of all time.
• The Jets.......*snicker*. I will be rooting hard for Miami this Sunday, Chad Pennington deserves it.
• So, I guess now the Eagles are the 8-6-1 team no one wants to play? I'd be curious to ask all those Eagle fans from two weeks ago if they still don't want to trade places with us.
• Wow, can't wait to see next week's thrilling edition of Sunday Night Football as the Broncos travel to San Diego to figure out who sucks just a little bit less.

Today Big Blue View takes a look at the Carolina Panthers in preparation for their game against the Giants.

2008 Record: 11-3

Head Coach: John Fox

Last time they met:  December 10^th, 2006. The Giants defeated the Panthers 27-13 at Bank Of America Stadium.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Davidson

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Trgovac

Notes and Quotes:

"We've got a very, very tough challenge ahead of us going to their place, to the defending world champions' house," coach John Fox said. "Right now, that's about all we need to focus on."

To upend the Giants, the Panthers will rely on their 1-2 punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, a duo that has been nothing short of sensational the last seven games. Williams, in particular, has really stepped up his game. Fox said he also thinks Williams has grown more comfortable under second-year offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson. "He was a young player and the whole system was new to him as it was to our whole offense," Fox said. "I think Jeff Davidson has done a fantastic job. Like any system, it takes a while to get used to. Whatever business you're in, that first year is usually the toughest. So it usually gets better and more comfortable after that. A lot of that -- mentally, maturation, there are all kinds of words -- but he got better only through hard work, and it's a tribute to his work ethic."

If there's ever a game the Carolina Panthers need 345-pound defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu, it's this one. Unfortunately for the Panthers, it doesn't appear they will have him because of an ankle injury. Kemoeatu's primary job has been to occupy blockers and free up other Panthers to make tackles and stop the run on first and second down.

The Giants come into the game averaging a league-best 148.7 rushing yards per game and have 16 rushing touchdowns. To make matters worse for Carolina, the Giants are expected to get bruising running back Brandon Jacobs back from a knee injury. "You look at Jacobs' stats, and they're scary," middle linebacker Jon Beason said. "He's got 1,000 yards on 195 carries. So he's a big part of their offense, so getting him back, they're going to be looking to get this win."

Offensive tackle Jordan Gross and defensive end Julius Peppers were selected as Pro Bowl starters for the Panthers, while wide receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Jon Beason made it as reserves.

Matchups to Watch:

Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Giants front seven -- The last time the Panthers were in New York for a big game they ran over the Giants using a strong running game and shut them out at home to advance in the playoff. Carolina hopes to do the same this time around with Williams, who has 12 touchdowns in his past seven games and leads all NFL rushers (with a minimum of 100 carries) with a 5.5-yard average.

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Panthers DTs Darwin Walker and Gary Gibson: Jacobs is expected to return from a knee injury this week, and he will face a team likely without injured DT Maake Kemoeatu.

By the Numbers:

0 -- Number of times the Panthers have been the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs during their 14-year history.

Quote to Note:

"I hope not. I'd rather be peaking later. We haven't really operated on all three cylinders probably since the New Orleans game. I thought yesterday was probably the closest. We've played well enough to win as I've mentioned before. Some people call it ugly; some people say we can't play defense if it's a high scoring game. But we tend to look at it as just being a win. When we do have a lot and they have a little, then that's kind of a complete effort. So I thought yesterday against a very, very good offensive football team I thought defensively we stepped up; and we've played pretty well offensively over the last month and that needs to continue, especially going and facing a very, very good New York Giants defense." -- Coach John Fox on if the Panthers are peaking now.

One final note on the game:

Remember earlier in the week I showed you guys the Sporting News Playoff Simulator?? Well, Accuscore ran a projection of the game Sunday night over 10,000 times, and you won't believe the results. The stats can't get much closer than this.  

Unfortunately this story came out tonight, too late to make the Wednesday Walk. We've talked in the past about the 2nd rounder the Giants got for Jeremy Shockey turning into a 1st rounder, but there seemed to be a few differences of opinion on just how that would happen. We can differ no more, this article seems to explain it:

If ex-Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma participates in 85 percent of the defensive snaps (he has started all 14 games) and if the Saints sign him to a contract extension, the Saints would have to send to the Jets the second-round pick currently earmarked for the Giants.

And the Giants then would get a first-rounder. For Shockey.

Here is the rest of the article from The Sporting News