One week from today, the Pro Bowl rosters will be announced and if history is any indication, the Giants will be disappointed. Undoubtedly, at 9-4, they feel they deserve to be well-represented in Hawaii. Chances are they won’t be.
The history of Pro Bowl voting (the fans’ vote ended today, the players and coaches will vote Thursday and Friday) is that it’s based largely on reputation and past performance, though it can be swayed by a team having a dominant season. That means the NFC squad is likely to be overflowing with Cowboys and Packers. And there aren’t many Giants whose past performance or reputation is good enough to swing the vote.
The lone exceptions, of course, are Michael Strahan and Jeremy Shockey, who have perennially been among the voters’ favorites, and both of them have an uphill fight this time around. Strahan, looking for his eighth Pro Bowl, will be hurt by the fact that Osi Umenyiora is a lock to go considering he’s the second leading vote-getter among all NFC defensive players. Shockey, looking for his fifth, will be hurt because he trails Jason Witten and Chris Cooley in receiving stats.
In the end, I think Shockey and Strahan will get there — though I wouldn’t have voted for Shockey, who has been way too inconsistent and has rarely seemed to be on the same page with his quarterback this season. I think they’ll be joined by Umenyiora, but that’s probably it.
And that’s too bad, because I can make a real good argument that five Giants deserve to go:
1. WR Plaxico Burress — I know the numbers, and I know how far down he is in the statistical rankings. But when I factor in that he’s got 62 catches for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns on a sprained ankle that’s now lingered for more than four months and a sore knee that’s bothered him for weeks, I had to include him. He’s also the MVP of the Giants’ offense and has come up with more big plays on the team than anyone else. Without him, how bad would the Giants be?
2. DE Osi Umenyiora — The only lock to go on the Giants, based on the fan voting. His numbers (12 sacks) are wildly inflated by his six-sack game against the Eagles and I would’ve preferred a more consistent performance. But since that Eagles game he has consistently gotten pressure and he is much improved against the run. He and Strahan are the best DE tandem in the league, and I’d vote for them both.
3. DE Michael Strahan — This is not a sentimental pick, it’s based on the fact that after he shook off his holdout rust in the first three games, he’s had nine in the 10 games since…at age 36…less than a year after an awful, mid-foot sprain…while he’s still drawing consistent double teams. He’s also still the best DE in the NFL against the run.
4. G Chris Snee — The way the Giants’ offensive line has played, and the way they’ve powered a rushing attack that has featured a carousel of running backs, it would be a shame if they weren’t represented in Hawaii. Snee is the best of the group — powerful, quick and steady in his performance. He’s been on the brink of the Pro Bowl since he arrived in the NFL and there’s a chance this could be his year.
5. P Jeff Feagles — I’ve made this argument before, but I’ll make it again: He’s better at his job than anyone on the Giants is at their job. He’s the most consistent punter I’ve ever seen and better at pinning teams inside the 20 or taking the return man out of the equation than any punter in NFL history. His leg isn’t the strongest in the league and his stats won’t grab anyone’s attention. But no punter is more valuable.
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The Giants got no help from the Atlanta Falcons last night, so here is the updated playoff picture for them:
The Giants are in the playoffs if they beat (or tie) Washington on Sunday night.
They can also get in with a loss if the Saints lose to (or tie) the Cardinals on Sunday AND the Vikings lose to (or tie) the Bears on Monday night.
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Good news for fans of Big Blue: The Giants have decided against wearing their ugly, red alternate jerseys on Sunday night. They will be wearing their regular blue home uniforms instead.
By Ralph Vacchiano on December 11, 2007 1:36 PM
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