Football Reporters Online

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-FRO

The New York Jets controlled the big apple during the post season over the last two years. In fact, Jets fans like myself anticipated that the team would finally be the Kings of New York instead of the Giants. After all, since 2008 the Giants hadn’t come close to returning to the Super Bowl, while their former weak sisters nearly went there twice.  The Jets had control for once in New York.

But a whole new season can make a really big difference, considering where New York’s two teams are right now. Not only have the Jets free fallen into the murky abyss, they may have lost their chance to seize control of New York permanently at this rate while the Giants approach another Super Bowl.  Both teams were in control of their destiny this season.  The Giants took control while the Jets let control slide from their hands.

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By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter from LevysBakeryProductions.com & @LevysBakeryProd

Sunday’s Jets romp over Kansas City was the last Jets home game I will be filming at for my documentary.  Since August 2008, I have attended as many home games as I could to to tell countless fan stories.  Some long time season ticket holders watch the games from home while others still attend with fewer friends beside them.  There have been a few season ticket holders I have talked to who have passed away, leaving voids amongst friends and family at the games.

This last game I ventured over to the Izod Center and the non PSL parking.  I had not heard any perspective from those ticket holders yet and I needed to.  It seemed the consensus was the same from everyone I talked to.

Many non PSL holders seem to prefer parking over by the Izod.  They say it is easier to park and one does not have to wait on long lines to leave the lots.  There is easy access to any main roadway where ever you are going.  One can find a great spot for tailgating with plenty of space and not be disturbed.

Many say the walk over to the stadium takes about 15-20 minutes.  No one seems to mind the walk.  They would rather have that walk over rather than park close and fight others just to get out of the parking lot.  The non PSL lots do fill up closer to kick off as many single game ticket holders park over there.  It seems the more casual fan can find a good spot amongst the tailgaters but may have to arrive early depending on who the Jets are facing.

Even though there is a little walk, some PSL holders will park in the non PSL section.  Why?  To be able to tailgate with friends.  They prefer to keep their tailgate group together rather than break it up because the Jets say they can not park together.

Funny thing about some of these non PSL parking permits.  Some are paying $15 per game where others are paying $20 per game to park there.  I head different stories from several on different prices.  I believe the PSL holders who chose to park there pay the higher rate where the non PSL holders pay a lower ate.  I find that quite interesting.

It just seems no matter where season ticket holders park, there will always be mixed feelings on the situation.  There are pros and cons with everything.  But the bottom line here is everyone has at least one negative comment to say about the organization.  I have yet to meet one person that will say everything positive.

For many years, there was always one constant when it came to tailgating.  That constant were the Jet Nuts.  You could always tell where they were by their bus in the bus parking lot.  When I talked with Steve and the guys last season, they were not sure if they were coming back for the 2011 season.  As it turned out, they didn’t.  The costs did not warrant them to come back with the bus.  They came back in a small group and did casual tailgating, but that was it.

Steve and the guys were putting out more than they were seeing.  When you take that into account with others not purchasing a PSL or any type of season ticket there was less money to rely on.  Like other tailgating groups, they saw a decline in numbers that made it harder to keep a long standing group together.  The Jet Nuts had been together as a group since Shea Stadium.  But when an organization decides to make a change, it does not always benefit everyone.

I will be visiting with Steve and some of the other Jet Nuts before the Eagles game this Sunday.  I am sure the Nuts will have a lot to say about past and current tailgating affairs.  I already know their famed bus will not be there.  Steve sold the bus to a Jets group in Virginia.  So without the bus, a true era for the Jet Nuts has ended.

As more time passes, the long standing committed Jets season ticket holder seems to be fading out of the tailgating scene.  Being replaced by a younger, rowdier, eager to spend season ticket holder.

The make up has changed at Jets games.  The veteran fans see it.  They see less of their friends and fresher faces around.  The changing of the guard has happened.  The Jets have officially lost a seasoned, dedicated group that stuck with them for 40 years for a contingent that seems to care more about spending and  status.

If you do not believe me, check out Twitter and Facebook.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

We have word late tonight that with the exception of the suit filed by the Retired Players association, The two sides have an “agreement in principle” according to at least a few NFL players, Including Ex-Giants & Saints TE Jeremy Shockey, now with Carolina….”The Deal is done” he told a sports website in an interview monday evening. “I got a TXT while on my vacation to get ready to come back to work”

Hopefully this means the end of the longest work stoppage in the history of the NFL.

(eds. note: This is the first official installment of our 2011 Draft Report, which will run from now until the morning of the Draft)

PICKING SECOND IS SOMETIMES A GOOD THING(pt 1)

By Don Stokes Senior Writer Mid-West-Football Reporters Online

(photos-Former NY Giants  Tiki Barber & Michael Strahan: possibly two of the “greatest ever” second round draft picks. Photo of Strahan @ the Vaseline MEN event on 3/31/11 by Victor Pagan for Football Reporters)

Image via Wikipedia

I can truly relate to being second. I was born the second of two boys. I got the hand-me downs clothes and shoes from my one year older brother. So I can really understand to being number two. No with the upcoming 2011 NFL draft just weeks away every team is crossing their collective fingers that they make the best 1^st round choice. As every football executive knows making the wrong 1^st rounder can put your franchise in a serious tailspin which can take many years to recover. Ask the San Diego Chargers who chose QB Ryan Leaf with their 1^st round pick in 1998. Or the more recent 1^st round flop JaMarcus Russell by the Oakland Raiders in 2007. While no team has been totally picture perfect with their 1^st picks this piece is not about that.  But what of the second round pick? For this is about the 2^nd round choices that some NFL executives have made and for some have ultimately lost their good reputations (or jobs) over. I have taken the time and looked for 30 years of data to choose the best and the worst of each NFL teams 2^nd round picks.

First let’s go over my criteria:

A) These 2^nd round picks are a 30 year (1980 thru 2010) period. For some teams like Carolina, Jacksonville, Baltimore and Houston their NFL existence is a shorter time span.

B) The player MUST have contributed for that team in some manner which he was the choice (ex. In 1991 with their 2^nd pick Atlanta chose QB Brett Favre, a future hall of famer but didn’t contribute much for the Falcons during his brief stay with them)

C) A Pro Football Hall of famer tops any all-pro choice (see my example later)

D) A pro bowler tops a player who had a solid career (ex. seasoned veteran).

E) Playing in the NFL is extremely difficult so if you managed to have played at least 20 NFL games during your career you are not considered the worst pick for that or any team.

F) Regardless of injury and you played NO games in your career but you were a 2^nd round pick of that club you WILL be considered the best of the worst.

E) Finally, if you made the ultimate sacrifice you will be considered the best 2^nd round choice of that team.

With that in mind some of these choices were very challenging. For some teams (Cowboys, Dolphins and Patriots) they had many players to pick from while others (Redskins, Chiefs and Jets) the pickings were slim at best. Some of my choices you may disagree with but here they are:

NFC EAST

DALLAS COWBOYS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Larry Allen G 1994 Somona State

IN CONSIDERATION: Steve Wisniewski G 1989 Penn State

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Shane Hannah 1995 G Michigan State

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Brian Dawkins DB 1996 Clemson

IN CONSIDERATION: Randall Cunningham QB 1985 UNLV

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Mike Bellamy WR 1990 Illinois

NEW YORK GIANTS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Michael Strahan DE 1993 Texas Southern

IN CONSIDERATION: Tiki Barber RB 1997 Virginia

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Joe Montgomery RB 1999 Ohio State

WASHINGTON REDSKINS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Chip Lohmiller PK 1988 Minnesota

IN CONSIDERATION: Tre’ Johnson G 1994 Temple

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Bob Slater DT 1984 Oklahoma

It’s interesting that the Redskins best 2^nd round choice during the past 30 has been a place kicker. Lohmiller was the only 2^nd rounder for Washington who developed into a Pro Bowl player. Although both had great careers choosing Michael Strahan (A SB win) over Tiki Barber wasn’t as difficult is it appears. Philadelphia with the 2^nd round Brian Dawkins was a tough choice over Randall Cunningham.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Mike Singletary LB 1981 Baylor

IN CONSIDERATION: Devin Hester DB 2006 Miami

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Dan Bazuin DE 2007 Central Michigan

DETROIT LIONS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Chris Spielmann 1987 LB Ohio State

IN CONSIDERATION: Jason Hanson K 1992 Washington State

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: John Ford WR 1989 Virginia

GREEN BAY PACKERS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Le Roy Butler DB 1990 Florida State

IN CONSIDERATION: Darren Sharper DB 1997 William and Mary

WORSE 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Mark D’ Onofrio 1992 LB Penn State

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 1980-2010

BEST 2^nd ROUND PICK: Sidney Rice WR 2007 South Carolina

IN CONSIDERATION: EJ Henderson LB 2003 Maryland

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: James Manley DT 1996 Vanderbilt

Singletary was a no brainer over Devin Hester since one is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one is not (yet). The choice of Le Roy Butler over Darren Sharper was a bit more difficult. It’s interesting that the Vikings two best 2^nd rounders were drafted within the last 10 years.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Alge Crumpler TE 2001 North Carolina

IN CONSIDERATION: Scott Case DB 1984 Oklahoma

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Nathan Davis DE 1997 Indiana

CAROLINA PANTHERS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Muhsin Mohammed WR 1996 Michigan State

IN CONSIDERATION: Kris Jenkins DT 2001 Maryland

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Eric Shelton RB 2005 Alabama

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Rickey Jackson LB 1981 Pittsburgh

IN CONSIDERATION: Roman Harper SS 2006 Alabama

WORST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Reggie Freeman LB 1993 Florida State

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Mike Alstott RB 1996 Purdue

IN CONSIDERATION: James Wilder RB 1981 Missouri

WORST 2^ND ROUND PICK Dexter Jackson WR 2006 Appalachian State

The Buccaneers running backs Mike Alstott and James Wilder both had outstanding careers for Tampa. Mohammed, who recently retired had a solid NFL. The Saints Ricky Jackson, of course is a Pro Football HOF so that was an easy choice.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Aeneas Williams DB 1991 Saginaw Valley State

IN CONSIDERATION: Tim McDonald DB 1987 USC

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Tony Jeffery RB 1988 TCU

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 1980-1994

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Roger Craig RB 1983 Nebraska

IN CONSIDERATION: Ricky Watters RB 1991 Notre Dame

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Israel Ifeanyi DE 1996 USC

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Kevin Mawae C 1994 LSU

IN CONSIDERATION: Lofa Tatupu LB 2005 USC

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Andre Hinds T 1980 Stanford

ST.LOUIS RAMS 1980-2010

BEST 2^ND ROUND PICK: Isaac Bruce WR 1994 Memphis

IN CONSIDERATION: Henry Elliard WR 1983 Fresno State

WORST 2^ND ROUND CHOICE: Jesse James C 1995 Mississippi State

With St. Louis this was my toughest decision, Isaac Bruce vs. Henry Elliard. Both had great careers with the Rams as wide outs. But the nod went to Bruce (a Super Bowl title) who could be voted in the Hall before Henry Elliard. The 49ers RB’s Roger Craig against Ricky Watters wasn’t that tough. Both had solid careers but three Super Bowl rings (Craig) to one (Watters) was the deciding factor.

Tomorrow: Pt. 2-The AFC and a look at the Qb’s In this Draft By Anthony Carrillo

In a must-win game, the Giants played their worst – again. It is not the first time, either. But let’s hope it’s the last. I’m calling for a change.

Unfortunately, as we told you yesterday, that won’t come. Not for 2011. The lockout freezes everything because there is no player movement and no team-related activities.

A new coach would not formally meet with his team until the lockout is over…..which could be August. Not the best scenario if you’re starting a new regime.

The Giants may not care. That is what most of the readers and writers on this site are hoping. The brass may feel they have been embarrassed for the last time and just pull the trigger.

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by Jon Wagner / FRO Sr. Analyst

Just to put a final bow (if you’ll pardon the pun during the holiday giving season) on last Sunday’s Giant debacle – mostly, because as a Giant fan who began following the club with the first “Miracle” in 1978, it’s therapeutic for me to express in words what my eyes still can’t believe they witnessed – below are my top ten thoughts on the Giants’ colossal collapse, tempered by some reasons for optimism for the rest of the season.

(On second thought, perhaps that “bow” expression is appropriate, since what the Giants did, was gift wrap the present of a very likely two seed and a first-round bye for the Philadelphia Eagles).

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