Who’s the Manningham now, huh?

Posted on 25. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Don’t look now, but two weeks into the season the Giants have two WR’s listed in the top-five for receiving yardage – Steve Smith and Mario Manningham. Yes, Eli doesn’t seem to miss Plaxico Burress at all early in the season (although I’m hearing Plax isn’t faring so well without Eli…) and the Giants have rolled out quickly with a 2-0 start. The younger Manning seems so cool under fire, and now with this youthful band of WR’s, Eli is finally able to lead his way. Of course, questions were rampant this offseason about the Giants WR corps and their individual/collective defeciences. Through two weeks though, it’s all good. But fantasy owners still want to decypher which WR will become a true #1, and I believe we may be getting a glimpse right now. Burress’ blunder may pave the way for another guy who has also made his share of mistakes.

Part of the reason why the Giants WR situation is so befuddling is the relative anonimity and lack of experience of so many of the players. Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith are currently listed as the starters, but are hardly the types of receivers that will keep defensive coordinators up at night. Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden are sexy rookies, but first-year WR’s rarely round into form, and Nicks is already missing time with injury. Sinorice Moss is still hanging around to collect a paycheck, but he’s never going to amount to much at this level. Ahh… but that leaves one final name: Mario Manningham.

Through two games, Mario has been super. Catching a TD in each contest so far, Manningham has risen up the ranks quickly. His 10-catch, 150-yard performance on national TV last Sunday Night may have been the coming-out party, as Eli Manning is seeing Mario’s potential. We should do the same.

Manningham is entering his second pro season, and was largely overlooked by experts and pundits due to a shaky history. He scored lower on the Wonderlic test than a ten-pound turd, and had an ego that immediately repulsed teammates and fans alike. Then there was the alleged marijuana use (which he later admitted to), that caused his draft stock to drop.  Mario ultimately fell to round three, even though he had graded out as a first-round player according to many scouts. Yes, Manningham had some major question marks around him coming out of Michigan one year ago – but he also has talent.

He’s not overly tall, fast, or big, but it seems like Mario Manningham is figuring out how to get open. He’s obviously got both Tom Caughlin and Eli Manning in his corner, which is a great start. Remember, Caughlin groomed two nice young WR’s back in his first pro head coaching gig at Jacksonville; Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, so the firey coach has experience in building stars at the position. The Giants still have a very crowded group at WR, and I’m sure they will all (except Moss) make some plays this season. I’m just guessing that by the end of the season, Manningham will have made the most.

And that would make all those other teams realize that maybe they made a mistake. A mistake just like the one Buress made, which now serves as the backdrop for Manningham’s opportunity. Mario might just be the man to replace the man who shot himself in the butt. That is, as long as Mario can avoid making any more mistakes of his own.

Sometimes you just need to hit bottom

Posted on 03. Aug, 2009 by Jesse in Blog

By now you’ve heard the news. The Super Bowl hero from just 18 months ago has been indicted on three felony weapons charges. Yes, Plaxico Burress made a real mess of things when he illegally carried a weapon into a nightclub last November and accidentally discharged it into his thigh. Now, the All-Pro wideout faces the biggest uphill battle of his life. If convicted on these charges, Burress could face a minimum of more than three years in jail.

Burress testified remorsefully on his own behalf today, but the federal grand jury didn’t see fit to excuse his reckless behavior. In fact, Burress’ lawyer doesn’t sound too optimistic, telling reporters: “When you have the mayor and the district attorney both publicly demanding a maximum prison sentence, it was perhaps too much to hope for the grand jury to conduct a sympathetic review of the unique facts of this sad case.”

Maybe it was wrong of Burress’ lawyers to expect any preferential treatment. It certainly wouldn’t have been the first time an athlete of his magnitude was exonerated on charges that would ruin the life of an average Joe like you or me. Still, I think Plax’s lawyer summed the situation up succinctly when he used the word “sad.” It is sad. Not because I love Plax or am a Giants fan, I’m not. But sad because Burress is hitting the bottom, and I know how painful that process can be.

I’ve got a beautiful wife and three great kids. Two and a half years ago, I had alienated myself from them due to poor choices and an addiction problem. Thankfully, I never had any legal repercussions whatsoever. But still, when I found myself living on my own in a one bedroom apartment, I realized how badly I’d messed up. The bottom was unavoidably agonizing. The hardest months of my life. But sometimes you just need to hit bottom.

Fortunately for me, the bottom wasn’t my end. I was able to address my problems head on, and I’ve seen a miraculous turnaround over the past 30 months. My wife and I have reunited. We just celebrated our 13-year anniversary last month. The kids are great, and I certainly don’t take them for granted any more. See, sometimes you just don’t know how good you had it until you lose everything.

Not that Burress will ever read this post, but if he did, I’d tell him one thing. Don’t shy away from the gravity of your own mistakes. A man without scars can’t be trusted. Only someone who has been to the bottom and then came out on top could understand. My hope for Plax is that someday he’ll be able to look back on this test with pride. Like me, the bottom could actually end up being a blessing in disguise.

NFL Newslinks 8/3/09

Posted on 03. Aug, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

• It’s August now, and that means we’re off to the races. Training camps have already begun, and GoHuddleUp has you covered. Our Newslinks will keep you abreast of the latest developments, so come back often.
• With Derrick Mason’s return, any speculation about Broncos WR Brandon Marshall heading to Baltimore now come to a crashing halt. Marshall continues to miss time in Denver.
• Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen denies the team has any interest whatsoever in Michael Vick. Apparently Bowlen has no plans on meeting with Ron Mexico.
• Reggie Bush missed practice on Monday afternoonwith swelling in his surgically repaired knee. Still, it’s sounding like Bush has looked explosive when actually on the field.
• The Eagles had a stellar offseason, but they got some very disappointing news on Monday when they found out that they had lost starting MLB Stewart Bradley for the season. Bradley suffered a torn ACL.
• ESPN analyst Adam Schefter believes that Falcons WR Roddy White could end up holding out “a little while. At least.” White is asking for more money, and is refusing to report to camp.
• Braylon Edwards continues to sit out with a mysterious injury. Rumors indicate that Edwards injured himself while playing hoops. That won’t endear him to coaches anytime soon, but at least he isn’t dropping passes.
• Larry Johnson appears to have had a major attitude overhaul this offseason. He’s happy to be with the Chiefs, is working hard, and is fitting in nicely.                                                                  
• Could a happier LJ produce better in 2009?
• Tony Romo knows he has critics, but he’s not letting that bother him. Instead, he’s working on the finer pointsin his game.
• Devin Thomas is looking to redeem himself for a lackluster rookie season last year in Washington. He’s on the right track. Thomas is currently starting at WR opposite Santana Moss.
• As we reported via Twitter earlier tonight, Marshawn Lynch will be suspended for the first three games of the season. He’ll be replaced by Fred Jackson, and Dominic Rhodes will also see time.
• Plaxico Burress is screwed.
• Eagles rookie WR Jeremy Maclin just got paid.
• Kellen Winslow feels the Tampa offense is quite complex, and is having a bit of a hard time adjusting. But his testicles aren’t swollen to the size of coconuts, so he’s all good.