A chat with Hogs Haven
by Ed Valentine on Sep 9, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in News
52 comments
We are counting down the days until our New York Giants kick off their NFL regular season against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. With that in mind, I recently had the opportunity to chat online with Ken from our Redskins blog, Hogs Haven.
We covered a lot of ground, I think, in our relatively short chat. The results of our conversation are below. Enjoy!
BigBlueView: In your preview piece you listed the Redskins as a 10-6 playoff team. What really makes you that optimistic?
Hogs Haven: Haha...Yeah, we are really standing alone there huh? First, I think this roster is improved from last season. I think our defense is at least as good if not better than last season. And I think that some of the lesser known quantities in the league--Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, Fred Davis, Brian Orakpo--will make positive impacts. The schedule favors a quick start, and I am of the mind that in his second season, Coach Zorn can sustain any momentum built in the first half which is where he fell flat last year.
Finally, every season, a team like ours surprises. We are not a bad team. We are capable of being the team that jumps up this season.
BigBlueView: OK. So, the Zorn question. I wondered last year, and I still wonder. Is this guy, in your mind, up to being a quality NFL head coach?
Hogs Haven: In short, yes. As a former player, he brings his own perspective as far as how a player wants to be dealt with and I have found his demeanor and style to be refreshing. If he can eliminate time management mistakes (which are unacceptable), and get the plays in more efficiently, I think he will get the wins necessary to be given the opportunity to stick around.
It's all about wins right?
BigBlueView: of course
BigBlueView: As many as he wants, to be honest. Don't forget, he also has four straight playoff appearances. I think only Indianapolis has matched that. TC will stay as long as he wants, which no one would have believed at the start of the 2007 season.
BigBlueView: You mentioned a few names. Any other Redskins we might not know about who we should watch for Sunday?
Hogs Haven: Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly are players we are going to be watching for here in D.C.! We think they are ready to contribute, but until they do it in a game, we simply have no idea. On defense, LaRon Landry and Chris Horton will have to be patient and smart if we are going to be able to keep Eli in check.
If Haynesworth has a great game, it will be guys like Orakpo, Andre Carter, and Philip Daniels who show up in the stat box.
BigBlueView: OK, let's wade into the controversy of the week. How many minutes after Sunday's game do you think it will take for the Redskins to cut Andre Woodson?
He is terrible, by the way.
Hogs Haven: Haha...yeah, that move was dubious, eh? We shall see. As you have alluded to, he will never see the field, and I wonder what kind of value he has even in running the scout team offense.
BigBlueView: One serious comment about Woodson. He will look great in practice. He throws a nice ball and looked great in camp. In two seasons, though, it never translated to the field.
Hogs Haven: Am I mistaking him for someone else or is he pretty mobile?
BigBlueView: He can move around. Just mistake-prone. It always looks like the game is too fast for him.
Hogs Haven: I wonder if he would be adept at running a scout team wildcat formation in practice.
BigBlueView: OK, here's a question I always ask rival bloggers, and it's your turn since you and I have never done this. If you could have one Giant to plug into your lineup who would it be? Why?
Hogs Haven: Great question...I hope I don't let you down.
BigBlueView: I always love the answers to this one. I am constantly surprised by what people say.
Hogs Haven: Osi Umenyiora would have to be my guy. We have lacked an elite DE for a while and he seems to just get right to the QB. Brandon Jacobs and Chris Snee would be two offensive guys I would take. And Kenny Phillips is intriguing at safety. But Osi is a huge talent and would fill a need for us right now.
BigBlueView: Interesting thought. Osi, by the way, looks fully recovered from his knee injury. I am hoping for a big year from him.
By the way, if I was allowed to take a player from you and put him with the Giants I think it's an obvious choice. Santana Moss. The Giants definitely have the wrong Moss, and Santana would answer the Giants biggest question.
Hogs Haven: Brings me to my biggest question: how will your defense look without Spagnuolo?
BigBlueView: Well, I honestly don't think there should be any big change. Bill Sheridan was hired because he worked for Spags, and he was kept on (he had been LB coach) to run the same system. That said, there are huge personality differences between the fiery Spagnuolo and the more cerebral Sheridan. You may not see quite as much blitzing from the Giants, but that is because they have loaded up so much on the front I think they are hoping to get there with four, maybe 5, rather than selling out like they had to do last season.
Hogs Haven: Which receiver for you guys is going to emerge as a guy Eli can depend on? Seems like Eli is a bit frustrated.
BigBlueView: Frustrated? I wouldn't say so. Last season when things fell apart maybe, but not now. As for who he can depend on, Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith will start, but ... the guys to watch for as the season develops are No. 1 pick Hakeem Nicks and second-year guy Mario Manningham.
Nicks has been terrific the past two weeks, and I believe he will eventually replace Hixon. Manningham is an explosive, raw guy with a lot to learn. But, if he learns he could be fabulous. I also think/hope/pray the Giants will feature tight end Kevin Boss early in the season. He is much bettter than people realize, and could be a tremendous weapon.
Hogs Haven: Yeah, the best quarterbacks really use their tight ends well.
BigBlueView: It's really a case of usage. Tom Coughlin and Kevin Gilbride are very traditional in their thinking with the tight end, and don't generally feature him unless it's in the red zone.
Hogs Haven: I guess I thought I saw Eli look a little chagrined at various points this preseason as he threw it to the right place and guys like Mario and Hakeem were not there.
BigBlueView: Well, Eli realizes there will be mistakes. There were a couple in the pre-season. The thing is, the Giants are built to win with defense, especially early on. It's up to the defense to carry this team while Eli and his receivers smooth out the wrinkles. That's why the Giants loaded up with Michael Boley, Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard.
Hogs Haven: We are definitely led by our defense, but I find that fans in this league will boo their offense even when the main job of the offense on a team with a shut-down defense is to control the clock and be efficient. Will the Meadowlands rain down boos on Eli if they become a game management unit?
BigBlueView: Yes, it will most likely. Impatient folks, but I'd hope that people understand there will be some ugly-looking plays and some bad days along the way. I think, though, that this offense should be much bettter at the end of the season than it is at the beginning.
BigBlueView: Let's wrap this up. Give me your pick for Sunday. I will say Giants, 20-14.
Hogs Haven: Prediction: Skins over Giants 24-20. Eli fumbles late to put us in position to lock it up.
0 recs |
52 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Great interview ed… I think the redskins have a lot of problems.. first off they lack leadership on offense…. they tried there best to trade there qb for a rookie and it didn’t happen… portis and zorn don’t like each other and there OL looks shaky… and if anything was to happen to there 100 million dollar man on defense then things can get very ugly in washington….
by nycity on Sep 9, 2009 8:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't fall for the national story lines
Campbell and his receivers are 100x more confident in each other and comfortable in the offense than they were last year. Portis is Portis and he and Zorn get along as well as they need to, this is a non-issue. The DT position (and the entire defense) is actually very deep. Kedric Gholston and Anthony Montgomery could start inside on a number of teams and Philip Daniels can move inside to put more speed on the end if need be.
I know that someone in the East has to finish last, but to automatically assume it will be the Skins because ESPN thinks so is foolish. All I gotta say is watch out on Sunday Eli.
by Boo. on Sep 9, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice
to both of you. I like the Skins blogger. He’s an unapologetic homer, but he’s rational and reasonable. He asked some great questions too.
Oh, and miss high kick ain’t bad either.
by TNYFBG on Sep 9, 2009 8:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can't wait till Sunday....
over at Hogs Heaven they do realize they were one of the teams the Giants sans Plax beat the crap out of right?
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 9, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love
that he’s counting on a late fumble to pull out the win. ANyway, I’ve been treated well at HH and this guy seems like a smart and thoughtful mind on football. Aren’t we all homers, a bit?
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
AND
not to be a big fat spammer but I hope a bunch of youse guys will check out the BBV football pool posted in Fan Shots
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cold Hard Football
Has the Eagles winning the division and the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins falling to make the playoffs.
by G Fan in England on Sep 9, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
cold hard football
is made up of warm, soft [female anatomy] …. oh, wait. I forgot. I’m reformed. That’s an interesting take by those fellows.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Redskins fans are awesome
in so many ways. First of all, they’re a legitimately great fanbase who really care about the Redskins through thick and thin. They’re definitely not the bandwagon fans the Cowboys have*, nor are they as aggressively obnoxious as Eagles fans.** More than that, though is how hilarious it is the after every win, the entire fan base becomes convinced they’re winning the Super Bowl, and after every loss they demand Dan Snyder sell the team. Like I said, they’re awesome.
- I know not all Cowboys fans are bandwagon, but they have a disproportionally high percentage of them
- I know not all Eagles fans are aggressive and obnoxious, but they have a disproportionally high percentage of them
by cjmulrain on Sep 9, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ugh, formatting fail
apparently typing * and ** at the beginning of a line tells it to indent. Interesting
by cjmulrain on Sep 9, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They aren't all
Hank Hill from King of the Hill.
Wow, what a joke. Have fun with that one, I'm going to Quiznos!
by MRoztheGreat777 on Sep 9, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great exchange Ed...but
You posted another pretty picture, and I am scrolling through it, enjoying it and all..and then that “Hog-Face” picture showed up!!…What’s up with that?!? I went from a “Fox” to a daggone Southern “Pig-Pickin barbecue”
by Bobbiblue on Sep 9, 2009 10:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Skins in pre-season ...
looked really bad on offense. Only time they looked O.K. was with first-teamers against scrubs.
With that offensive line, Campbell not being much more than average, and Portis maybe losing a step … that offense could be even worse than last year.
If they stumble early, like a loss to the Rams or Lions, this team could implode big time.
by Shofner85 on Sep 9, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well to be honest..
Our guys looked awful..This is going to be interesting…and again I say watch out for Dallas..I hate to say it, but they are clicking on all cylinders..We need to get the act together quickly on both sides of the ball.
by Bobbiblue on Sep 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed ... we were not world beaters, but it was pre-season
and if you compare Eli to Campbell, our O-line to theirs, and our 3-headed RB monster to Portis, I think we come out way ahead on all three. I think they’s be fine when it counts.
It just seemed like the Skins stayed with their starters longer in pre-season to see if they could get their act together, and they really didn’t. It reminded me of some of our pre-season’s past when we weren’t that good, and awful when it did count. If I were an objective Skins fan, I’d be scared to death at the prospects for my “O”.
by Shofner85 on Sep 9, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very good point..
I’d like to see us get out of the shute a little faster though..2007 is in the past..I don’t think we can afford to try to replicate that…I’m actually more worried about our defense..Sheridan needs to figure out how to productively use those guys we have. They are running around like chickens with their heads cut off..No visible plan there..and our offense has a great running game, but no stand-out receivers…If we can get our defense cranking, the offense will grow during the season and be ready for the playoff run..Right now we need that defense to click and Tynes needs to kick that ball thru the uprights..I think we’ll be fine by game 6.
by Bobbiblue on Sep 9, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Skins starters
Didn’t play much longer than other teams starters did at all. And I don’t think there were any times when the 1s were going against scrubs. Among skins fans and the local media I know there was some criticism that Campbell and Co didn’t stay in long enough in the first two games. That said, they put 17 points on the board against the Patriots starting defense.
I’m a pretty objective skins fan (OK maybe not objective, but I definitely recognize our weaknesses). I’d say the first string offensive line is actually pretty solid. Our problem is depth, especially at the tackle position. Giants have the edge there no question, but its not like Chris Samuels and Stephon Heyer will be giving Osi and Tuck a free lunch. I am also confident in Campbell and in the young receivers, Malcolm Kelly is going to have a big year.
The Redskins aren’t getting respect because there a lot of unknown components and question marks at key positions, and that is perfectly fair. But it seems that when rating the teams in this division and in the league, people look at the questions that other teams have and see the glass as half full and look at the Skins as half-empty. The proof will be on the field, but don’t be surprised if the Skins make some noise. There isn’t a single bad team in the East.
by Boo. on Sep 9, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point...
But it seems that when rating the teams in this division and in the league, people look at the questions that other teams have and see the glass as half full and look at the Skins as half-empty.
Very good point. As I said before in another post, you put the Skins in Seattle Washington, playing in the West…and they’d undoubtedly be picked to run away with the division.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 9, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ewww
sounds to me like ken’s lip is stuck on coach zorn’s zipper.
derek de pinho
by rbcarpenter on Sep 9, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
so NE would take Kiwi and Washington would take Osi...
Is it just me or are they crazy?
Tuck is our best DE. and Osi is coming off knee surgery and an entire year outta football.
by andiamo708 on Sep 9, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why
NE plays a 3-4 – so Tuck would not fit in their scheme as a DE whereas Kiwi would be the pass rushing OLB.
As for Washington – maybe Osi’s speed to draw the OT out wide to enable Haynesworth more space in the middle.
Strange – but we would take Moss off the Skins and Moss off the Pats!
by G Fan in England on Sep 9, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We got
the short end of the stick in the Moss department.
by njgiant on Sep 9, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Literally.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 9, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, figuratively.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sinorice Moss 5'8"
Santana Moss 5’10"
Randy Moss 6’ 4"
Literally.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 9, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just curious...
Are there many Redsox fans that are also Giants fans? Would not have thought those two go together….
by coops2001 on Sep 9, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are at least 4-5 on this site...
That I know of (Simms-McConkey being one of them).
And the vast majority of people in Connecticut are torn between New England and New Yorks professional teams, which leads to melting pot of fandom.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 9, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
about the Connecticut region. Forgot about that one. Sort of like the fact that the line between Giants and Eagles fans in NJ is right around Tom’s River.
I have a number of friend Giants/Mets fan, which I find puzzling. Maybe it’s just me, but would have thought it’s either Mets/Jets or Yankees/Giants.
by coops2001 on Sep 10, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
because
you’re either a fan of good teams, or of sucky team?
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 10, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually have noticed that...
I guess misery loves company, because without a doubt most Jet fans I know are also Giants fans, and most Giants are Yankees. Weird how they flock like that.
And good call on Toms River, I live in Surf City right now (Exit 63 Parkway) and it’s all Eagles fans everywhere, drives me nuts.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 10, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I attribute it to..
Giants are older established team that played in Yankee Stadium. Jets are younger expansion team that played (originally in Shea), winning their championship in ’69 (like Mets) and with young, Madison Avenue type stars (Namath, Seaver). Just my guess.
The Tom’s River came from my trips down to the in-laws that live off exit 35 near AC. Rabid Eagles fans, Phillies not so much. They detest McNabb. Go figure…
by coops2001 on Sep 10, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
of course
the sox have won a WS title more recently than the yanks, so ya pick the sox. The Giants have won a WS more recently than the Pats, so you pick the Giants. Simple logic.
(disclaimer: I have no idea who you are, Giants/Sawx fan. You may be a lifetime Giants/Sawx fan, I have no idea. The thought just was humorous to me so I thought i’d share. And in no way shape or form am I advocating being a Yankees fan. Trust me.)
by daveh873 on Sep 9, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
born '76 to find my own way in fandom
red sox ’84, Giants ’85
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it you wait for a team to win a championship to become a fan
you do not deseve to be a fan of that team.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 9, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, he was 8 and/or 9
Provided you STICK with what team you choose in those early years, it is all good. Not all of us are lucky to live in cities with pro sports teams.
by brisulph on Sep 10, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but he's not a stick.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hogs Haven
Is a very well run blog, I actually read it quite regularly. If I was him, I would want Diehl.. Because the Redskins O-Line situation is flat out scary.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Sep 9, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But
that wouldn’t be the “sexy” pick now would it? That’s more of a Mark Schlereth pick.
Wow, what a joke. Have fun with that one, I'm going to Quiznos!
by MRoztheGreat777 on Sep 9, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no,
Mark Schlereth hates everything about the Giants.. he’d rather have the entire team die in a freak goodyear blimp accident.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Sep 10, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This was great.
Well done Ed.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 9, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
is hogg kidding?
that has to be the worst prediction ive ever seen. complete denial of how piss poor that skins team is right now.
by mattlawson on Sep 9, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
With the exception of QB...
The team is pretty solid as far as offensive and defensive talent is concerned.
If they were the Seattle, Washington Redskins playing in the West I bet they’d run away with that division.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 9, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think HH is trying to say
… The Redskins are THIS YEAR’S GIANTS!
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dont get me wrong...
i cant stand the skins, boys, and iggles with every inch of my body, but if i was forced to root for another team in the NFC East besides, the Giants, it would have to be the Redskins. They have a storied history with a few championships under their belt, the Hogs are legendary, and how can you not like Clinton Portis? The guys a character!
by GiantsReignSupreme on Sep 9, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Aight
Cough up the man card, G-Men fan card and the Raiders?? Really? Really??
by gobs56 on Sep 9, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he said he can't stand'em
but if it’s life or death, I also take the skins. I never remember them having really awful characters, playing unsportsmanlike, or anything that generally IDs teams … I mean, just in this decade you have a lot of hateables on DAL and PHI. Who’s a really detestable character from the skins in the last 10 years?
Frankly, if Dallas dumps another 15 players, they’ll be less hateable too. Luckily, I hate the city of Philly and its fans as well, so even if they fielded a team of Mother Theresas I could still hate the franchise.
In case you think I’m going soft on Dallas, I still personally despise most of the team, and hate them 2nd most in the league. But honestly, I hate the Vikings and Bears more than the Redskins.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 9, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah yeah hate all you want
i got a lil Cali’ love in me
by GiantsReignSupreme on Sep 9, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Skins
Are the least of the evils when talking about teams in the NFC East, besides the GMen…As far as the prediction that the Skins will make the playoffs, John Clayton from ESPN made the same prediction. Easy non-divisional schedule for them this year. I just can’t wait till the Giants make Haynesworth pay for the trash he’s been talking this week…
by Aceholioo on Sep 9, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I respect the Skins
I like Zorn a a coach too. I never was too enamored with Joe Gibbs return engagement as coach. I also agree with the guy who said if they were in the West they would dominate.
They are only a few players away from the playoffs in my opinion. I seriously doubt anyone is going to keep Haynsworth from making a lot of plays. He is one of the best in the league.
That said, I think we can beat the Skins and I predict we will.
by giant fan since 57 on Sep 9, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Get Your Giants' Gear
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
