Giant Football Blog

Lockout update: now or never

NFL owners and players need to go into hurry-up mode as time gets short to reach labor peace.

Although both sides say progress has been made in the last month of meetings in various locations, the prospect of postponing the opening of training camps grows stronger every day. Lawyers for the NFL and the players' association sorted out contract language and details today for a second straight day, hoping it could speed the process in reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that attorneys met at a Manhattan law firm's headquarters. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a judge has directed that details of the court-ordered mediated negotiations not be disclosed. (continue)

Mara does the right thing for season ticket holders

A few weeks ago, John Mara told employees across the Giants’ organization the plan as of then was they wouldn't suffer any salary cuts, layoffs or furloughs during a lockout. It was a rare, honorable approach in a league where owners were planning to roll back costs across the board.

Turns out, the Giants will also be taking a fair approach with their fans.

In an interview with WFAN this afternoon, Mara said the Giants won’t require their season-ticket holders to pay anything until there is a resolution to the current labor dispute between the owners and the players. Mara said invoices will be mailed out next week containing a letter from Mara and executive vice president and chairman Steve Tisch explaining season-ticket holders have the option of making payment by May 1 (normally full payment is due by that date) or exercising the option to wait until a new collective bargaining agreement is agreed upon. (Ledger)

Plax's off field antics finally catch up to him, ends in 2 yr plea bargain

Ex-Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress took a surprise plea bargain Thursday that will land the talented but troubled wide receiver behind bars for two years.

The unexpected agreement with the Manhattan district attorney came nine months after Burress, 32, shot himself through the thigh with an illegal .40-caliber glock in a crowded nightclub.

"Do you wish to plead guilty?" asked state Supreme court judge Michael Melkonian as a chastened Burress stood before him.

"Is that what you want to do?" "Yes, sir," replied the subdued star, who returns to court Sept. 22 for his official sentencing. He's expected to begin his jail term the same day.

Once he reports to jail, Burress - if he avoids trouble behind bars - should serve about 20 months, said his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman. Continue 

RIP Steve McNair

He was a warrior on the field. I am curious to see what he was doing with a 20 yo in a condo that lead to 2 deaths. (Maybe he was doing nothing)

Hall to Raiders

The Falcons have agreed in principle to trade CB DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders, according to ESPN.

new poll

eom

Vick faces prison time after agreeing to plead guilty

Michael Vick's lawyer said Monday the NFL star will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a prison term.

The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although federal sentencing guidelines most likely would call for less. Vick's plea hearing is the morning of Aug. 27. Lead defense attorney Billy Martin said Vick reached an agreement with federal prosecutors after consulting with his family over the weekend. Continue

Hall of Fame coach Walsh dies at 75

Bill Walsh, the groundbreaking football coach who won three Super Bowls and perfected the ingenious schemes that became known as the West Coast offense during a Hall of Fame career with the San Francisco 49ers, has died. He was 75. Walsh died early Monday following a long battle with leukemia, according to Stanford University, where he served as coach and athletic director.

Walsh didn't become an NFL head coach until 47, and he spent just 10 seasons on the San Francisco sideline. But he left an indelible mark on the United States' most popular sport, building the once-woebegone 49ers into the most successful team of the 1980s with his innovative offensive strategies and teaching techniques. Continue

Vick Indicted in Dogfight Investigation

The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dogfighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons. It accuses Vick, Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor of "knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal fighting venture," of conducting a business enterprise involving gambling, as well as buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purposes of an animal fighting venture.

Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, were not immediately returned. A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother said the family knew nothing about the charges. Continue

NFL Considers Adding 17th Game to Season

Americans always seem to want more pro football. Yet it's the folks abroad who might be getting an extra taste of the NFL in the future. Although talks are extremely preliminary, the NFL is investigating adding a 17th regular-season game and playing it outside the United States. The extra game would take the place of one in the preseason, allowing every team to play once abroad without sacrificing a home match.

This year, the Dolphins gave up a home date in Miami to play the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London. Two years ago, the Arizona Cardinals played a home game in Mexico City against the San Francisco 49ers. "It is preliminary, but we certainly are putting resources into pulling that together," said Mark Waller, NFL senior vice president, international. "For now, we have the one game per season or two per season outside of the U.S. But we know it can be tough on home fans since we're taking a game away. Continue