There is so much to talk about as the New York Giants (5-2) visit the New England Patriots (5-2) on Sunday. These teams will always be linked due to Super Bowl 42 and it's interesting to note that this is the first time they have played since that pivotal night in Arizona (preseason games don't count).
It's not going out on a limb to say that the Pats haven't been the same since; Tom Brady got hurt the next year and they missed the playoffs in 2008 then in the last two years they've been regular season heroes but they've lost at home in their first postseason games.
More than ever, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is being questioned; not so much for his coaching ability but his terrible draft picks over the last decade. It's become apparent that he has too much power and nobody in the franchise ever so much as thinks to question anything he does.
New York appeared ready to take the next step after the unexpected Super Bowl championship but they've done nothing to dispel their reputation of being completely up and down. The Giants have missed the playoffs two out of the last three seasons.
On the injury front, New England has to be pumped that New York's best running back-Ahmad Bradshaw (broken bone in his foot)-and wide receiver-Hakeem Nicks (hamstring)-are both listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest. The Patriots defense is a train wreck but they have a much better chance of containing Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz.
Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is listed as questionable after he possibly picked up a concussion in practice yesterday. Again, that would be a huge break (no pun intended) since he's one of the best pass rushers (I had to look up the term myself) in the NFL.
New York center David Baas is doubtful with a knee injury too. Tackle Stacy Andrews is out with a back injury while fullback Henry Hynoski is questionable with a neck injury.
For the Patriots, Wes Welker (neck), Josh Barrett (thumb), Shaun Ellis (ribs), Kevin Faulk (knee), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), Albert Haynesworth (back), Aaron Hernandez (knee), Jerod Mayo (knee) and Sebastian Vollmer (back) are all questionable. As always, that's probably semantics and just injury report tomfoolery by Belichick. Dane Fletcher (thumb) is the only Patriot that has been declared out with his lingering injury.
In other news, Patrick Chung and Faulk were both fined $7500 for plays in the loss to Pittsburgh last Sunday. Chung grabbed Antonio Brown's facemask and pulled him down while Faulk committed a chop block.
Finally, in the neverending Ray Ventrone/practice squad transactions, I wasn't even going to bother to mention that Ventrone was released yesterday for the millionth time. However, New England resigned its 2011 seventh-round draft pick Malcolm Williams (a cornerback). Another cornerback, Josh Victorian, was dumped off the practice squad.
I'll keep you posted if any other injury news or pertinent information comes out in the next few days. Now excuse me while I go pray that New England's defense starts to show a pulse. If all these scrap heap bums don't get coached up, it looks like another one and down playoff trip is basically a certainty.
UPDATE 11/5: Ron Brace has been activated off the PUP list and he'll make his 2011 debut tomorrow for the Patriots. Maybe the 2009 second-round pick and defensive lineman from BC will make an impact after being nothing but a bust for his first two seasons in New England. He fills the spot that was vacant on the 53-man roster.
New England's Taylor Price (hamstring) was also added to the injury report today, he's questionable for tomorrow. Ironic, considering he's likely to get more snaps/targets than ever tomorrow if he plays.
Bradshaw, Nicks and Baas were both declared out today, advantage Patriots. New York activated WR Ramses Barden to take Nicks' spot for this weekend at least.
UPDATE 11/6: The Patriots inactives are Price, Faulk and Ellis.
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