Chris Jordan Sunday's winners ... He has been better at NFL lately...
300♦ NEW YORK GIANTS - It's very difficult to think about any other quarterback in the league who has struggled as much as JaMarcus Russell, and with the itinerary this team has endured the past eight days, I don't see him being able to do anything against this swarming defense. Seriously guys, I mean I will address the whole Eli Manning situation in a moment, but the defense can deliver a cover just as easy as the offense.
Think about it, Russell is completing 39.8 percent of his passes - he completed 43-of-108 tosses for 506 yards - with just one touchdown versus four interceptions. Now he's going to take on the No. 1 defense in the league? How about, the No. 1 passing defense in the NFL? Paaahhhleeezzeee ... you want me to be concerned about Manning's heel when the Raiders - who might be the saddest organization in the league right now - were in Houston eight days ago, then went home after being swatted 29-6 by the Texans, went home to prepare for arguably the frontrunner in the NFC and are now in Jersey for this contest?
I'm not buying into it, not one bit. Not when the Raiders rank last in total offense, last in passing yardage and 31 ins rushing yardage. And with running back Darren McFadden on the shelf, the workload goes to Michael Bush and Justin Fargas ... ahem, who?!?!?! I mean, I know who they are, but you get the point. Oakland's, I mean Russell's, only shot is if he gets the dink-and-dunk game going with tight end Zach Miller. And even then, how effective can that be against the top passing D?
Okay, so as for Manning, here's the deal ...
He participated in the New York Giants' practice Friday after missing two straight practices. Coach Tom Coughlin told reporters that Manning's availability for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders likely will be a game-time decision and that Manning "did fine" during Friday's practice and he was "encouraged" by how Manning looked.
On Saturday, he felt good enough to participate in the walkthrough and the tell-all sign was when the Giants failed to promote rookie quarterback Rhett Bomar off the practice squad, which means they are preparing to go into the game with only two quarterbacks - Manning and David Carr, who worked with the Giants' starting offense during practices Wednesday and Thursday while Manning sat out. And believe me, Coughling obviously wouldn't go into the game with just two signal callers if he was worried that Manning wouldn't be healthy enough to play.
All that being said, Manning isn't about to let that consecutvie-game streak go to waste if he couldn't play.
And since Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have been making Giants fans forget Plaxico is currently residing in a cubicle by tallying a combined 52 receptions, 717 yards and six touchdowns, I don't there'll be much the trravel-weary Raiders will be able to do.
All Giants here!
100♦ COLORADO ROCKIES (LIST Hammel over Happ) - Welcome to the blizzard-worn Coors Field. The Rockies will emerge from the wild-card ranks looking more like the higher seed than the defending champs after this one. As I said yesterday, this is a team that has a knack for going on unstoppable runs, and now it is really in a great situation to take advantage in this series.
The unconfirmed blurb I heard on the street outside of Coors Field yesterday was that maintenance crews were installing extra space heaters in the Rockies' dugout - but not necessarily in the Phillies' dugout. Whether or not that's true - or even allowed - is beyond me. But I do know there are certain home-field advantages in many old-school ballparks, so it wouldn't surprise me if the Rockies did enjoy better amenities than their visitors during this frigid faceoff.
I like Hammel over Happ, just as I did over Martinez, as Colorado's import for Tampa won five of his last seven decisions to finish 10-8. He's found great command and is throwing strikes effectively. I expect him to challenge the Phillies hitters tonight in the brutal cold weather.
Colorado won 51 games at Coors Field, the second most in the National League this season.
Play Colorado tonight.
300♦ NEW YORK GIANTS - It's very difficult to think about any other quarterback in the league who has struggled as much as JaMarcus Russell, and with the itinerary this team has endured the past eight days, I don't see him being able to do anything against this swarming defense. Seriously guys, I mean I will address the whole Eli Manning situation in a moment, but the defense can deliver a cover just as easy as the offense.
Think about it, Russell is completing 39.8 percent of his passes - he completed 43-of-108 tosses for 506 yards - with just one touchdown versus four interceptions. Now he's going to take on the No. 1 defense in the league? How about, the No. 1 passing defense in the NFL? Paaahhhleeezzeee ... you want me to be concerned about Manning's heel when the Raiders - who might be the saddest organization in the league right now - were in Houston eight days ago, then went home after being swatted 29-6 by the Texans, went home to prepare for arguably the frontrunner in the NFC and are now in Jersey for this contest?
I'm not buying into it, not one bit. Not when the Raiders rank last in total offense, last in passing yardage and 31 ins rushing yardage. And with running back Darren McFadden on the shelf, the workload goes to Michael Bush and Justin Fargas ... ahem, who?!?!?! I mean, I know who they are, but you get the point. Oakland's, I mean Russell's, only shot is if he gets the dink-and-dunk game going with tight end Zach Miller. And even then, how effective can that be against the top passing D?
Okay, so as for Manning, here's the deal ...
He participated in the New York Giants' practice Friday after missing two straight practices. Coach Tom Coughlin told reporters that Manning's availability for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders likely will be a game-time decision and that Manning "did fine" during Friday's practice and he was "encouraged" by how Manning looked.
On Saturday, he felt good enough to participate in the walkthrough and the tell-all sign was when the Giants failed to promote rookie quarterback Rhett Bomar off the practice squad, which means they are preparing to go into the game with only two quarterbacks - Manning and David Carr, who worked with the Giants' starting offense during practices Wednesday and Thursday while Manning sat out. And believe me, Coughling obviously wouldn't go into the game with just two signal callers if he was worried that Manning wouldn't be healthy enough to play.
All that being said, Manning isn't about to let that consecutvie-game streak go to waste if he couldn't play.
And since Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have been making Giants fans forget Plaxico is currently residing in a cubicle by tallying a combined 52 receptions, 717 yards and six touchdowns, I don't there'll be much the trravel-weary Raiders will be able to do.
All Giants here!
100♦ COLORADO ROCKIES (LIST Hammel over Happ) - Welcome to the blizzard-worn Coors Field. The Rockies will emerge from the wild-card ranks looking more like the higher seed than the defending champs after this one. As I said yesterday, this is a team that has a knack for going on unstoppable runs, and now it is really in a great situation to take advantage in this series.
The unconfirmed blurb I heard on the street outside of Coors Field yesterday was that maintenance crews were installing extra space heaters in the Rockies' dugout - but not necessarily in the Phillies' dugout. Whether or not that's true - or even allowed - is beyond me. But I do know there are certain home-field advantages in many old-school ballparks, so it wouldn't surprise me if the Rockies did enjoy better amenities than their visitors during this frigid faceoff.
I like Hammel over Happ, just as I did over Martinez, as Colorado's import for Tampa won five of his last seven decisions to finish 10-8. He's found great command and is throwing strikes effectively. I expect him to challenge the Phillies hitters tonight in the brutal cold weather.
Colorado won 51 games at Coors Field, the second most in the National League this season.
Play Colorado tonight.
