Here are some of the New York Giants stories floating around the Inter-Google this morning.
Offensive Line Ignores Critics, Rebounds into Smashmouth Unit - Train-a Thought
The Giants starting offensive linemen -- LT David Diehl, LG Rich Seubert, C Shaun O’Hara, RG Chris Snee, and RT Kareem McKenzie -- want people to know that they’re not a group of "too," as in too slow, too old, too injured, or too ugly.
They are "one" as in one aggressive and determined unit that’s back on track playing their patented style of smashmouth football.
"We can’t listen to the outside detractors who unnecessarily form opinions about how we perform," said McKenzie, who after a rough start has settled down to play some of his best ball. "It’s just a matter of us going out collectively each and every day to improve enough to help this team win."
Diehl, who in particular was the focus of a heavy off-season debate over what his best position was (he insisted it was left tackle, the spot he still plays today) said that the criticism he received drove him even harder to prove those critics wrong.
"When someone calls out your manhood, there’s only two things to do. Either you fight back, or you go in the opposite direction," he said.
That’s precisely what Diehl and the rest of his teammates did.
"We have confidence in one another. We’re ready to take everything on our shoulders; we’ve always been that way so I think it’s just a credit to the way we’ve worked and the way we’ve pushed each other in the off-season because we have confidence in everyone in our huddle."
Kevin Gilbride knows Eli Manning and Giants offense must limit turnovers to keep defenses honest
It's hard to argue with what the Giants' offense has done through the first seven games. They're ranked third in the NFL, producing 388.7 yards and 25 points per game. There have been times when their passing attack looked unstoppable.
Yet they have also gotten good at stopping themselves.
And that's the issue the Giants (5-2) are facing as they try to keep their four-game winning streak going Sunday in Seattle and avoid what has become their traditional second-half collapse. They have a dismal minus-5 turnover ratio that includes 10 lost fumbles, and an NFL-worst 11 interceptions.
Struggling returner Darius Reynaud still has role with Giants, but Will Blackmon is looming | NJ.com
"We haven’t had extensive conversation," Blackmon said. "There hasn’t really been discussion. I can play corner, can play safety, I can return, I can cover kicks. That’s understood. That’s on my résumé. So I’m just going out there competing. Whatever decision they make, that’s what it is."
New York Giants are sitting pretty as Redskins, Eagles and Cowboys implode in NFC East
There was a calmness in the first-place Giants locker room Monday, which is not the case around the NFC East, a once powerful division that is now imploding.
Umenyiora making a Giant difference - NYPOST.com
Despite his status as a two-time Pro Bowler with a history of huge plays -- he's the only player in Giants history with three touchdowns on fumble returns -- Osi Umenyiora headed into 2010 with serious questions as to his mental and physical makeup.
How long can Ahmad Bradshaw last?
Eight months ago, Ahmad Bradshaw had surgery to put a screw in broken bones in both of his feet and to remove some pesky bone spurs in his right ankle. For six months after that, he was unable to run.
Having joined father on Giants coaching staff, Kevin Gilbride Jr. making name for himself | NJ.com
Offensive quality control coach knew he had to earn job on merit.