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What people are talking about this morning ...
Dave Hutchinson, the Newark Star-Ledger's Jets beat writer, and I look at the new and old faces on Gang Green, and the brewing controversy between Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens at starting QB.
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What people are talking about this morning ...
Say what you want about Tom Brady, but you can't help but admire a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve. And as arrogant as he sometimes comes across, he's more than capable of being humbled.
 When he's the best, he knows it. And when he's been bested, he knows that as well.
"I have a lot of respect for [the Giants] because they work hard, and they have a lot of great leaders on that team. It's kind of a blue-collar team," said Brady. "When you do lose a game, you at least want to lose to guys you respect. And I certainly respect those guys. I don't respect everybody, but I do respect the Giants."
As much as it pains me to admit it, that was a very classy statement by Brady. But it didn't take him very long to turn it around and take a dig at New York.
"There's four letters in their name," Brady said when asked who didn't respect.
How many teams in the NFL have only four letters in their name? Well, there are two, but I think it's a pretty safe bet to say he wasn't talking about the St. Louis Rams.
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What people are talking about this morning ...
A year ago many critics thought Big Blue needed to find a left tackle who could protect franchise QB Eli Manning's back side. Whenever Giants GM Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin were asked about protecting their star quarterback, they gave the same answer each and every time: "We have confidence in David Diehl at left tackle."
Well, this past week Big Blue put its money were its mouth is by restructuring the former fifth-round pick's contract. I have always said that Diehl would be able to excel at left tackle if given the opportunity over an entire season, and last year the former Illinois standout proved me right.
In limited playing time at that position, Diehl was more than solid against quality competition. When the Giants had oft-injured left tackle Luke Petitgout unable to play, sliding Diehl over from his left guard spot was a game saver. After a season as the starting left tackle, the 27-year-old Chicago native helped the G-men win the Super Bowl and is now being well compensated for his ability.
Last season's Championship playoff run matched some of the best pass rushers in the NFL against Diehl, who often provided great protection while opening up holes for the Giants' running backs. I still see him having a little trouble against real quick edge rushers from time to time, but as he masters the position that will be less of a concern.
The reported six-year $30 million-plus contract extension is a win for both parties, as the Giants will have Diehl anchoring the left tackle spot through the 2013 season.
In the past, Big Blue has had inconsistent play on the offensive line, but with Diehl being able to stay healthy enough to never miss a start (86 consecutive), that has become a strength. The contract negotiations were kept quiet, but the Giants made some noise by restructuring a player's deal who had not whined about his situation.
Do you think a message is being sent to the rest of the team who are displeased with their current contracts? It's hard to be 100% certain, but one thing is for sure: both Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin are happy about this Diehl.
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What people are talking about this morning ...
Imagine this scenario:
You're a New York Jets season ticket holder (hang on, don't laugh -- that's not the joke) and they're trailing the New England Cheatriots Patriots by 24 in the fourth quarter. The referee signals for a timeout and the "Flight Crew" come out to entertain the fans. Since you refuse to leave the game because of ticket prices, you kick back and wait to be entertained by the lovely ladies.
Only there's a problem ... a big problem.
 Those lovely ladies are no longer lovely ladies. Instead, the beautiful eye candy has been replaced by several drag queens. That's right, drag queens!
According to Brian Bassett, a good friend of mine over at The Jets Blog, the Flight Crew's choreographer, Denise Garvey, claims she is open to hiring attractive drag queens to fill a few spots. REPORTER: There's not the kind of human variety you might find in a supermarket checkout line -- the largest body is about a size 6 -- and there are no male cheerleader wannabes.
GARVEY: We haven't had any men apply. We are looking for young women.
REPORTER: If there was a mind-blowing drag queen?
GARVEY: I guess everyone deserves a fair chance... so that would be my attitude.
I'm sure that would go over well! I couldn't think of anything angry football fans would want to see more than some dudes dressed up in women's spandex.
Let's be realistic about this: drag queens and football go together like lamb and tuna fish.
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 This week, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and Knicks TV analyst Mike Breen join me on the Boomer Esiason Show.
I will be asking them questions that you, the fans, submit.
So if you want to pick the brain of either Coughlin or Breen, drop your question in the comments section below and check back here to see their responses.
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New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan made a guest appearance yesterday at the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, but gave absolutely no indication on whether or not he would return this season.
"I have no idea," Strahan said, "that's the announcement. There are days I wake up and I want to play football, and there are days where I wake up and I don't want to play. Right now, there are probably more days where I don't want to play than I do."
It may be frustrating to think about the question marks Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin & Co. will have face going into training camp, but at this point, Strahan deserves a break. After 15 long years of tireless service and 100 percent effort, he's earned the right to take as long as he needs to contemplate his future with the Giants and his future as a professional football player.
However, despite insisting that he has not made a decision yet, several of Strahan's teammates believe their emotional leader will be back for the 2008-09 campaign.
"Oh, no question. I think he’ll be a member," said Amani Toomer. "I think he loves that fact that he’s Michael Strahan. He loves that fact that he’s playing and doing the stuff that he loves to do. He loves hanging around with the guys. I think it is going to be a hard transition. But I think it is one of those thing that when you know you’re done it becomes a pretty easy decision and for him to be toiling over it I think that that says something right there."
Like Toomer, I fully expect Strahan to return for at least one more season. He had the time of his life last year, and the fact that the Giants are likely to be contenders again will be too much for him to pass up.
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Now that former Rutgers standout Ray Rice is a Baltimore Raven, I sought out the Scarlet Knights' head coach, Greg Schiano, to get his opinion on how well Rice will do in the NFL.
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What people are talking about this morning ...
- Carlos Delgado defended his decision to not take a curtain call after his second home run in the Mets' win over Atlanta Sunday.
- Barry Zito, the $126 million man, was demoted to the bullpen Monday by the San Francisco Giants, who hope the former ace can correct his problems by working in relief.
The day after the NFL Draft, most teams feel positive about adding some impact players to their lineup. In the case of the New York Giants, winning the Super Bowl makes you have to wait around and select what's left. However, this weekend, that turned into a positive for Big Blue.
General Manager Jerry Reese had a difficult task in trying to repeat last year's magic when seven of the eight players he drafted had an impact on the team's success. This April the needs were fewer, but drafting two defensive backs, two linebackers and a wide out will help Tom Coughlin's chances at repeating.
 After three hours, Miami safety Kenny Phillips fell into Big Blue's lap at the end of the first round. The Giants not only filled a need, but also grabbed the top safety on most teams' draft board.
In a down year for safeties and wide receivers, the Giants may have come away with two future play-makers in those positions. That's because in the third round, Michigan star wide-out Mario Manningham dropped to the Giants as the 95th overall pick.
Both Phillips and Manningham decided to leave after their junior years of college. Phillips was the No. 1 player in the nation coming out of high school, but failed to live up to that hype. So after moving from corner to safety, the only real knock on him was that he wasn't in the same league as former Miami greats Ed Reed and Sean Taylor. Big Blue just hopes Phillips becomes a better safety than James Butler and former Giant Gibril Wilson.
The selection of Manningham could be looked at as a similar move to when the Jets drafted Laveranues Coles in the third round in 2000. Both players had off-the-field issues that forced their stock to drop before the draft. Of course, Coles turned out to be a steal. The Giants now take that gamble on super Mario, praying that the talented Detroit native will make noise on the field.
Last year, RB Ahmad Bradshaw was a risky character pick that dropped to the seventh round, but became an impact rookie with zero problems. Coughlin feels Manningham can accomplish the same. Soft hands and big play ability will make an organization take chances. If Mario keeps his word to stay out of trouble, watch out!
In the second round, the Giants went for USC CB Terrell Thomas who's had shoulder and knee injuries. However, Reese likes his height, speed and versatility. Plus, Thomas, as well as the two linebackers drafted -- Bryan Kehl, fourth round out of BYU and Jonathan Goff, fifth round out of Vanderbilt -- should help on special teams.
The real key will be to see if the risks taken in this draft somehow turn to rewards in years to come for the G-Men.
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We've all heard stories about the Jets and their draft day blunders -- ESPN would have it no other way. But over the last few years, New York has turned a corner. No longer were they taking O'Briens over Marinos, and no longer were they the laughing stock of the NFL.
Would that trend continue in 2008 or would the Jets revert back to their old ways?
Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State (Round 1, Pick 6 overall)
Although most Jets fans were elated when Gholston had his name called, quite a few seemed very disappointed. With all the rumors about trading up for Darren McFadden, it had to be a bit of a letdown for New Yorkers. But on the bright side, it's not exactly like they walked away with Joe What's His Name.
Gholston has incredible physical talent and a good football IQ. The one knock against him is that he doesn't give it all on every play -- something that will have to change in the NFL.
Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue (Round 1, Pick 30 overall)
After trading up to this spot, many Jets fans were expecting fireworks. Unfortunately, when Keller's name was called, they gave a typical New York reaction. However, unlike in years past, this selection wasn't a poor decision. The Jets were in desperate need of a play-making tight end, and with rumors of the Giants interest in him, drafting Keller was the best move they could have possibly made.
Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose State (Round 4, Pick 113 overall)
Lowery brings several things to the table for New York, including a ton of potential. He had a monster year in 2006, leading the nation in interceptions and catching the eye of most NFL scouts. Unfortunately, a broken jaw in 2007 really cost him some brownie points. But his loss is New York's gain. Don't think for a second that this kid can't develop into a quality NFL cornerback.
Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee (Round 5, Pick 162 overall)
Ainge was an interesting pick for the Jets in the fifth round, but provides good value so late in the draft. He has Chad Pennington-like arm strength, but a Tom Brady-like confidence. Should Kellen Clemens falter as New York's starting QB, Ainge could be a long-term developmental option.
Marcus Henry, WR, Kansas (Round 6, Pick 171 overall)
Henry is a project, but one that could pay huge dividends. His football IQ leaves a little to be desired and he has a lot of learning to do. Still, he's a very tall, very fast receiver that could end up being a steal down the road.
Nate Garner, OT, Arkansas (Round 7, Pick 211 overall)
Garner will never be confused for a starter, but will provide some depth along the offensive line. He doesn't really fit the current mold for NFL tackles and struggles when asked to pull. Of all the Jets selections, this is the most questionable.
Overall grade: C+/B-
The success of the Jets' 2008 draft really hinges on the production of Gholston. Can he be an every-down player? Will he give it 100 percent at the next level?
If he does, New York will have a powerhouse DE/LB for many years to come. In fact, we may look back on this draft and recognize him as the most successful DE/LB taken. If not, then another clip will be added to the long list of draft day failures.
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Just a few days ago, the NFL announced that it reached an agreement to have a discussion with Matt Walsh about whether the Patriots had a past policy of improperly filming their opponents.
You may recall that Walsh claims he filmed the St. Louis Rams walk-through before the 2002 Super Bowl.
 The question is: Why did this deal take so long to happen?
Walsh disclosed that he may possess some videos at the time of the Super Bowl in Feb. 2008. It then took Walsh and the NFL's lawyers over two months to negotiate what should be a relatively simple agreement.
In sum, Walsh will agree to provide all the evidence he has and be truthful. In return, Walsh will not be sued by the Patriots for violating the terms of his employment contract. That's not too difficult, is it?
The unusual length of these negotiations strongly suggests that one side may be dragging their respective feet. Either Walsh may not have the goods or the Pats want him to remain silent.
After Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with Walsh, he should provide a clear explanation of why it has taken so very long for the truth to be made public.
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What people are talking about this morning ...
- In the weeks leading up to the draft, the New Orleans Saints and several other teams approached the Giants about a trade for oft-injured Pro Bowler Jeremy Shockey, who admittedly was unhappy with his role. The Giants listened, but that was it.
- Kenny Smith, a TNT analyst and 10-year veteran of the NBA, confirmed his interest in the Knicks' GM position. (NY Times)
Although there was a lot of jawing amongst fans at the NFL Draft, there was a moment of united cheer Saturday afternoon.
 Some time between rounds 18-20 (it's too wild to remember exactly when), NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell introduced several members of the United Stated Armed Forces to the audience. Rather than ignoring their presence or allowing political beliefs to cloud their judgment, every single person in attendance rose and gave these brave men and women a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
It was, by far, the best moment of the draft and something that will not likely be topped.
While the focus quickly shifted back to football, it's a scene I shall not soon forget.
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Expectations were high for General Manager Jerry Reese and the New York Giants entering the NFL Draft. A year removed from one of the franchise's best drafts of all-time, it was up to "Jerry the Genius" to do it all over again.
Although it will be a while before the Giants see just how productive their rookies really are, things certainly look good on paper.
 Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami (Round 1, Pick 31 overall)
Phillips was widely considered the best safety in the NFL Draft and was often ranked amongst the Top-10 or 15 players available. He adds youth, speed and athleticism to New York's secondary and will almost be assured of a starting role right off the bat. Not to mention, he was clearly a fan favorite.
Terrell Thomas, CB, USC (Round 2, Pick 63 overall)
Many fans believed the Giants would draft Dan Connor at this point, but they opted to go with Thomas instead. And while that surprised many, a closer look reveals another impressive selection for New York. Not only can Thomas play both cornerback and safety, but he's also known for having an incredible work ethic. By all accounts, Thomas should have a very solid NFL career if he can remain healthy.
Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan (Round 3, Pick 95 overall)
This pick is a mixed bag for Reese and the Giants. Being able to secure a talent like Manningham with the 95th pick overall is almost unbelievable ... almost. Unfortunately, there is a reason that every single NFL team passed this kid up several times. He has amazing talent, but his character concerns and lackadaisical combine attitude cost him big; a score of six on the Wonderlic test didn't help him either.
Unlike the situation that led to Ahmad Bradshaw falling down the draft charts last year, Manningham's off-field issues have been ongoing and are quite unsettling. Still, if he can manage to turn the corner and work on his physicality, he could be the steal of the draft.
Bryan Kehl, OLB, BYU (Round 4, Pick 123 overall)
The Giants needed to add a few linebackers, and grabbed their first one after trading up in Round 4. Kelh may not be the sexiest pick, but he's very physical and has a motor that never stops. The one knock on Kehl is that he may have already reached his athletic limit.
 Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt (Round 5, Pick 165 overall)
Goff is what many consider a "value pick." Not only does he add depth to a position in need, he also happens to be extremely talented for the round in which he was selected. By all accounts, Goff was the fifth best inside linebacker available in the draft and has a tremendous amount of upside. He could be groomed to eventually replace Antonio Pierce.
Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky (Round 6, Pick 198 overall)
What? A quarterback? Seriously? That was the reaction by most Giants fans when this selection ran across the screen, but they should not have been so surprised. How many of you would actually be comfortable with Jared Lorenzen, Anthony Wright or David Carr taking any meaningful snaps? The answer: Not many.
Lorenzen and Wright are both on their way out, while Carr will probably only stick around for a year. Woodson is an extremely talented quarterback with a great arm, and while he may never start, he will provide security behind Eli Manning. If nothing else, he may turn into a terrific bargaining chip for the Giants down the road.
Robert Henderson, DE, Southern Mississippi (Round 6, Pick 199 overall)
Very few people believed Henderson would even get drafted, but obviously the Giants saw something in him. He has good size, good speed and has dominated at almost every level. As Ernie Accorsi once said, you can never have enough pass rushers.
Overall Grade: B/B+
It's really hard to accurately grade the Giants draft because you have no idea which Manningham you're getting. If he shows that he's turned the corner and plays like he's capable of, it's an easy A. Until then, however, it falls somewhere between a B and B+.
That said, Reese has earned the trust of most Giants fans, and unlike other general managers in the game, he gets a passing grade just for being who he is. The man has not made a poor selection to date, and unless there is some sort of unexpected collapse with this year's draft class, you have to tip your hat to him and expect quality results.
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Not long ago it looked like Antoine Cason was the favorite amongst Giants fans, but when it came time for them to make their selection, it was clear that someone else had won over the hearts of New Yorkers.
"Kenny Phillips! Kenny Phillips!" 
As Jets fans had done for Vernon Gholston, Giants fans had begun chanting the name of the Miami safety. And when Roger Goodell addressed the team as Super Bowl champions and announced that Phillips was their pick, the building was nearly brought to the ground.
It was a moment that made it very difficult for me -- acting as a journalist, not a fan -- to maintain my composure. I wanted to get up and yell, to chant and cheer. And in fact, ignoring every journalistic code of law, that's exactly what I did.
Several of my colleagues could not help but laugh as I paraded up the aisle toward the fans and away from the media. And much to my surprise, I realized I was not the only one!
A few other journalists and beat writers, who shall all remain nameless, had also found their way up into the crowd and were openly cheering for the G-Men along with everyone else.
All in all, it was a great selection, a great moment, and it will ultimately become another great memory.
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"The New York Jets are on the clock ..."
With those words, the crowd at Radio City Music Hall erupted in cheers and the "J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!" chants began.
With five of the six rookie invitees already out of the picture, it seemed like the Jets had only one choice: Defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston. And as the clock slowly ticked down, those chants quickly turned into "Vernon Gholston!"
As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approached the podium, the theater became deafening.
"Jets fans," Goodell began, "with the sixth selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select defensive end Vernon Gholston."
Although the building had been buzzing up until that point, this announcement brought out some boo-birds. And while most Jets fans seemed elated, quite a few seemed disappointed with their first-round draft selection.
Despite the boos, Gholston immediately slapped on his brand new New York Jets hat and happily posed with a bright green jersey in hand.
Why any Jets fan would be unhappy with this pick is beyond me. It’s clear that they wanted Darren McFadden, but by that time he was long gone. And with a glaring need at defensive end/linebacker, Gholston was the optimal choice.
In all likelihood, those are the first and last boos Gholston will hear from Jets fans.
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How often do everyday fans get to sit amongst the likes of Bob Ryan and Paul Schwartz? How often do fans get to walk into a building and immediately come face-to-face with Deion Sanders? And how often do fans find themselves sitting two rows behind various NFL executives preparing for the crucial NFL Draft?
The answer is not often, but that’s exactly where I find myself today.
 At this very moment, and for the first time in my life, I am rubbing elbows with some of the most popular and well-known sports journalists in the world. And let me tell you, it feels fantastic!
But as amazing as this experience has been so far, and will most certainly be moving forward, it’s been equally as stressful.
The day began with a canceled train reservation (into Penn Station), followed by a delay of the second train. It was beginning to look like I wasn’t going to make it here to Radio City Music Hall and that was quite disheartening. Luckily, the ball did eventually begin to roll and I made my way to the greatest city in the world.
After a few intense blocks in a New York City taxi, I had reached my destination: The 2008 NFL Draft.
The mob outside RCMH was like nothing I had ever seen before and probably something I will never see again. It was like an NFL rainbow; thousands of fans dressed in wild outfits, donning their favorite team's jersey.
Once inside, things moved quickly. I was given my NFL Draft “press box” pass, an NFL Draft “live audio coverage” radio (little did I know how important this would become), and an NFL Draftees manual, which was so large I could barely carry it.
When I was finally able to sit down, it was time to take it all in. And let me say this: TV coverage does this spectacle no justice.
To give you an idea of my view, I was two rows back from various NFL scouts and coaches, sitting two seats diagonal to Bob Ryan and almost centered in front of the main stage (slightly to the right).
Notable fan reactions:
- Any mention of the New York Jets has garnered more applause than mention of the New York Giants.
- Any video of Terrell Owens or the New England Patriots was met with a heavy chorus of boos.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was booed louder than anyone (other than the Patriots).
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It's hard to imagine Jeremy Shockey emphatically signaling his own first down in any uniform other than the New York Giants, but with less than 24-hours until draft time, that thought is slowly becoming a reality ... maybe.
 According to Clark Judge of CBS Sports, General Manager Jerry Reese has been actively shopping the often out-spoken tight end and claims a deal may already be in place.
"I can't imagine Shockey will be with that club after this weekend," said one source.
Over the past few days, the Giants have been linked to trade talks with the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and even the Detroit Lions.
But despite all the rumors and supposed "soon to be done" deals, New York has seemingly stood firm on their stance that Shockey would remain in blue.
Still, as the deadline for a draft day deal looms, you have to wonder if this is all just posturing or if something really has caught fire.
At this point, any reporting is nothing more than mass speculation. One reporter is going to tell you he's a goner, while another will tell you he isn't going anywhere.
The bottom line? No one will really know Shockey's fate until day one of the NFL Draft draws to a close at around 11:00 p.m. EDT.
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Alex Rodriguez 
The Jets stayed at No. 6 in the 2008 NFL Draft and 