New York Giants News and Notes: A Different Kind of Offseason Edition

Good morning fellow Giants fans. It sure is a different offseason so far, isn't it? When you go all the way, the entire Giants' organization and its fan base has a glow to it. We all feel great, and we are looking forward to piecing together our 2012 team already, looking forward to all of the draft shows and free agency talk with our Giants being referred to as "defending champions." Ah yes, it's a different kind of offseason. Let's see what kind of Big Blue News is out there today....

Oh, but first I wanted to personally acknowledge the passing of Gary Carter, one of the greatest Mets of all-time and one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game of baseball. RIP, Kid.

Jeremy Lin's ascent means a shortage of puns and new rules in talent evaluation - ESPN
The Giants just won the Super Bowl, yet Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and friends likely would get trampled on the streets of New York if Lin were standing behind them. Derek Jeter and the Yankees have no chance in the face on Linsanity. In fact, although baseball is just about to get started, the sport has almost no chance of moving the dial this season.

Victor Cruz, Off the Gridiron, in the Front Row - NYTimes.com
Three days after the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in a thrilling Super Bowl, Victor Cruz, the Giants wide receiver with a signature end-zone salsa dance, cut the ribbon to start Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. Then on Friday, he sat next to Bradley Cooper for his first fashion show: the Tommy Hilfiger men’s wear collection.

New York Giants Should Thank the Philadelphia Eagles for Victor Cruz : New York Giants
The Giants did not think Smith would be ready for the start of the 2011 season, so they were unwilling to give him the amount of money he desired. Who was? The Philadelphia Eagles. They signed Smith to a better offer, meaning Cruz would have a chance to prove himself in camp

Ha, don't you love how these things work out? Just like the Eagles took Brandon Graham right before the Giants took JPP. Heh heh.

Giants star Tuck honored at New Hyde Park eatery - The Island Now: News
He received a key to the county from Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and took a lesson from the owner of Umberto's Pizzeria & Restaurant on how to make a Grandma pizza. For New York Giants defensive star Justin Tuck, the celebration of his team's victory against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl continued last week with a visit to New Hyde Park. The trip was capped off when Umberto's owner Umberto Corteo and his son Gaetano presented Tuck with a $10,000 check for R.U.S.H. for Literacy, the non-profit initiative Tuck launched for children from low-income New York City communities in 2008.

NY Giants player gets key to Providence - WSJ.com
Providence's mayor has given a key to the city to a Rhode Island native and professional football player whose New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl this month. Mayor Angel Taveras (tuh-VEHR'-us) honored Will Blackmon, who attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Cranston, at a ceremony at City Hall on Thursday afternoon. The mayor called Blackmon a "son of Providence" and positive role model and declared it "Will Blackmon Day."

Springboro native, Giants' Ballard signs autographs
As the line of fans, friends and autograph seekers grew outside Cardboard Heroes at the Dayton Mall on Thursday, New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard — Springboro’s favorite son — worked his way to the back of the store on crutches. Almost on cue, Cage the Elephant’s "Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked" played over the sound system. After a breakout season with the Giants, Ballard now faces a grueling rehab for an ACL tear in his left knee that could force him to miss the start of next season with the Super Bowl champions.

Hey, why isn't this guy resting?

New offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan drawn to Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of Josh Freeman - Tampa Bay Times
There are several reasons becoming the Bucs' new offensive coordinator is a good move for Mike Sullivan. For a longtime position coach, career advancement is among them. The good vibes Sullivan got from new Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano make the list, too. But as much as anything, Eli Manning's former position coach said Wednesday at One Buc Place: "The attraction was having an opportunity to work with a special talent like Josh Freeman."

New York sports scene should inspire Mets | MLB.com: News
Thus more hope for the Mets. Which rhymes with Jets, an NFL tease in recent years. Even so, the Jets reached the AFC Championship Game two of the last three seasons after years of looking clueless -- you know, like the Mets. Oh, and the New York Giants just won the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. Along the way to both world championships, they were a mess during the season. But the Giants recovered. So can the Mets, victims of more than a few significant injuries last season. They had the ankle of slugger Ike Davis, the back of team inspiration David Wright and the shoulder of ace pitcher Johan Santana. Those players all are expected to return this season. And maybe so will the Miracle Mets. Or at least the Competitive Mets.

Um, okay. I'm just hoping for better than fifth place in the NL East. And I'm looking forward to football season again! Have a great weekend, everyone.....