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Good morning fellow Giants fans. Hey, I don't know about you guys, but I'm fired up about Eli hosting Saturday Night Live tomorrow night. Not only is it a nice diversion and something different to look forward to during the offseason, but it's a pretty big deal for Number Ten--a chance to gain even more mainstream celebrity exposure, if that's even possible after leading the the football team in the media capital of the world to a second remarkable Super Bowl title in five seasons. But there are actually quite a few bits of Big Blue news that we've gathered over the past 24-48 hours....
Giants Eli Manning again follows Peyton's act as SNL host
When Peyton Manning, then quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, hosted the show in 2007, it clicked on the funny meter. One of the highlights was a spoof of the NFL's United Way commercials. There were lots laughs, including those of Eli, who was in the crowd for the NBC airing from New York. Eli said he knew at the time Peyton had set the bar high, just as he had when he previously won a Super Bowl. So Eli turned down the initial offer to appear on the show.
Eli Manning gets a chance to top Peyton again — on "Saturday Night Live" this week (video) - The Early Lead - The Washington Post
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is hosting "Saturday Night Live" this week and, well, best of luck to him because his brother Peyton set the bar excruciatingly high. Of course, that hasn’t stopped Eli, who won his second Super Bowl to Peyton’s one in February, so there’s totally hope for this week. "SNL" and NBC have released a promo video, which is worth watching for the moment when he kills Kenan Thompson with a pass.
Osi Umenyiora replacing Terrell Suggs is unlikely - NFL.com
The Baltimore Ravens need a pass rusher, and New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese sounded like he was open to the possibility of trading Osi Umenyiora in comments made after the draft. To make it even juicier, The Baltimore Sun and the New York Daily News reported last year that the Ravens showed interest in Umenyiora for a possible trade. Sounds like a match made in speculation heaven, right? Not exactly.
NFL Power Rankings: Giants No. 3, Jets No. 17 After NFL Draft - Around the Empire - SB Nation New York
Offseason NFL Power Rankings are pretty much meaningless. Just fodder for discussion. But, hey, it is the NFL offseason, the draft is over and training camps don't start for months. So, what else have we got to talk about? That said, our friends at SB Nation have released 2012 NFL Offseason Power Rankings based on free agency, the draft and where things left off last season -- with the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl. SB Nation has the defending champion Giants ranked No. 3, while the middling New York Jets are ranked, appropriately, right in the middle. The Jets are No. 17.
I really wonder what Rex is going to say when training camp opens.
Helu, Amukamara hoping to top rookie seasons - Omaha.com
Roy Helu just got started recently on Twitter, and the first profile picture used by the Washington Redskins back is complete with a nasty bruise above his right eye. When New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara asked how he got it, Helu told his old Nebraska teammate and friend that it was from a Redskins-Giants game. "I told him, ‘We got after you,'" Amukamara said. "And he said, ‘Scoreboard.'" Helu could play that card because Washington beat New York 28-14 and 23-10 last season, with the latter mid-December triumph temporarily putting the Giants' playoff hopes in jeopardy before their eventual Super Bowl run.
Receiver Brandon Stokley stoked over his return to Broncos and reunion with Peyton Manning - The Washington Post
Stokley played in just two games for the New York Giants last year before a strained thigh led to an injury settlement. Instead of helping the Giants win another ring, he spent his winter back home in Castle Rock, Colo., wondering if his NFL career was over. He kept in shape, and when Manning signed with Denver, the Broncos quickly brought back his sidekick slot receiver who played with the four-time MVP in Indianapolis from 2003-06.
Salinas Rodeo names grand marshall for Colmo parade | The Salinas Californian | thecalifornian.com
NFL tight end Bear Pascoe, a real cowboy who enjoys roping and other rodeo events, will be the Grand Marshall at the California Rodeo Salinas' Colmo del Rodeo Parade, the Rodeo announced Tuesday. The parade takes place on Saturday, July 14, and the Rodeo takes place July 19-22. Pascoe, who grew up on his family's Central Valley ranch in Porterville, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2009 but moved on to the New York Giants. He caught his first career touchdown pass in the championship game against the 49ers in January.
It really is hard not love Bear....am I right?
People en Espanol Names The 50 Most Beautiful Hispanic Celebrities - HispanicBusiness.com
Actresses Penelope Cruz, Naya Rivera and Salma Hayek also made this year's list. Among the men making an appearance in "Mas Bellos" are NY Giants' Victor Cruz and Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee.
Henry Hynoski plays in Bo Tkach Memorial - mcall.com
Life has been good for Hynoski, the former Southern Columbia High School standout, ever since his New York Giants beat New England 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. But if Hynoski needed a reminder why he was at Blue Ridge Country Club near Palmerton, he got it with the force of a Brian Urlacher blitz when he heard about the suicide death of legendary NFL linebacker Junior Seau. "It really hits you and puts it into perspective of why we're here today," Hynoski said. "Suicide is an on-going problem and we're here today trying to raise money to help those who need it to deal with mental illness." Hynoski had just competed in the fifth annual Bo Tkach Memorial Golf Tournament. Bo Tkach, a standout student-athlete at Northern Lehigh High School and Wilkes University, committed suicide in July of 2007.
Tiki Barber on Junior Seau's death – CNN Press Room - CNN.com Blogs
Retired New York Giants player Tiki Barber on the emotional challenges that could have faced Junior Seau before his death. Barber says, "You're shocked because of the sudden nature of the death but you're not shocked that you see these things happen. There's a lot of factors that contribute to depression. One is stress, money stress, family stress…. You're surprised but you're not surprised because there are so many factors that lead toward athletes falling into deep, deep depressions and not having a way to get out of it." He adds, "I went and worked right away over at NBC doing sports and news, and things felt fine. Three years later I’m going through a divorce, I’m no longer working at NBC, I’m sitting on my couch really trying to figure out what my life is going to be, and I started to feel like I was depressed.
Ticats bolster receiving corps with Samuel Giguere - The Globe and Mail
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted Canadian receiver Samuel Giguère in 2008, and then patiently waited and kept in touch. That patience has finally paid off, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Ticats signed Giguère on Wednesday, adding a valuable piece to a compelling group of receivers heavy on non-import talent.
Former NFL Defensive Back Joins Utah Blaze - Yahoo! Sports
In Salt Lake City, there's a new Sha'reff in town. Former New York Giants and Washington Redskins DB Sha'reff Rashad has been assigned to the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.
What, you never heard of this guy? Me neither-- but hey, he's a former Giant.
One more note I will leave you guys with....Giants' OL David Diehl will be doing a meet & greet for the Grand Opening of DICKS Sporting Goods at Route 22 Retail Center, 2700 Route 22 East in Union, New Jersey this Sunday, May 6, from 1pm to 3pm. For more information, please visit here.