Trade Rumor - Braylon Edwards to NY Giants

With the 2009 NFL draft just 6 days away, there have a number of new trade rumors swirling around. One of the hottest rumors around is the potential trade of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants. Edwards, a former 3rd overall pick in the 2005 draft is listed at 6'3", 215 lbs. Former NY Giant Plaxico Burress is listed at 6'5" 232lbs. A difference of 2" and 17 lbs. Not much of a difference, right?

In 2007, the year the Giants won the Superbowl, Burress caught 70 receptions for 1025 yards. In his BEST season, Burress caught 76 passes for 1214 yards. This was in 2005, the same year in which Braylon Edwards was drafted. It was his 6th season as a pro in the NFL.

In Edwards' BEST season - 2007, his 3rd season in the NFL, Edwards caught 80 receptions for 1289 yards.

Conclusion - Edwards was better in his 3rd season as a pro on a team that went 10-6, than Burress was in his best season on a team that went 11-5.

These numbers are very similar. However, Edwards gets the edge. because he did it in his 3rd season as a pro while Burress did it in his 6th.

Possible trade discussions have included the Giants giving up a 2nd and a 5th round draft pick(the 2 picks received from New Orleans from the Jeremy Shockey trade), PLUS either WR Steve Smith or Dominic Hixon.

I say, NO Smith and No Hixon. I think Hixon has the potential to be a solid #2 receiver, and Smith is already the perfect slot/possession receiver. Everyone else on the Giant's WR squad is tradable in my opinion.

Moss needs to be part of this trade. He is, and always has been the odd man out. Furthermore, who says we need to give them 2 draft picks and 1 player? Why not give them a combination of 2 players and 1 pick? How about giving up Wide Receiver Sinorice Moss and Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson or Defensive Lineman Barry Coefield and a second round pick. This way the Giants would still have 4 picks in the top 5.

Wilkinson was a 3rd round pick and Moss was a 2nd. That's giving up two 2's and a 3rd for Edwards who was a first round pick. Plus, they all have Superbowl experience to bring to the table.

In my opinion, Moss is a burner and just needs a shot. If the Browns select WR Michael Crabtree with the 5th overall selection in the Draft on Saturday, paired with Moss, that wouldn't be so bad for the Browns. A taller Crabtree and a smaller, speedier Moss (5'8" - 185 lbs) would be difficult for defenses to account for.

Top 10 Wide Recievers Available in 2009 NFL Draft

Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, 6-3, 214. 2008: 97 receptions, 1,165 yards and 17 touchdowns.

2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, 6-0, 198. 2008: 102 receptions, 1,260 yards, 13 touchdowns.

3. Percy Harvin, Florida, 5-11, 192. 2008: 40 receptions, 644 yards, 7 touchdowns.

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland 6-0, 210. 2008: 42 receptions, 609 yards, 5 touchdowns.

5. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, 6-1, 215. 2008: 68 receptions, 1,222 yards, 12 touchdowns.

6. Kenny Britt, Rutgers, 6-2, 218. 2008: 87 receptions, 1,371 yards, 7 touchdowns.

7. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma, 6-1, 210. 2008: 74 receptions, 1,150 yards, 10 touchdowns.

8. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State, 6-3, 199. 2008: 42 receptions, 535 yards, 8 touchdowns.

9. Mohammed Masaquoi, Georgia, 6-2, 198. 2008: 58 receptions, 920 yards, 8 touchdowns.

10. Louis Murphy, Florida, 6-2, 203. 2008: 38 receptions, 655 yards, 7 touchdowns.

'Excited' Isiah Thomas accepts FIU basketball coach job

Isiah Thomas' unfortunate career with the NY Knicks is officially over, as he accepts a job to coach the FIU Panthers. FIU has done much better fundraising in recent years than University of Miami, and is slowly making a name for itself in Division 1 sports.

BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
Not knowing where newly hired FIU basketball coach Isiah Thomas would arrive, several TV station cameramen and media waited at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood international airports.
Those stationed in Fort Lauderdale received Thomas just as he de-planed.
Thomas, wearing a dark navy blue jacket, gray slacks and sunglasses flashed a big smile and said: ``I guess you're waiting for me.''
Although his introductory news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning, there was plenty of interest in meeting Thomas on Tuesday.
Fans at the airport offered congratulations to Thomas. Others asked to take their pictures with Thomas and received autographs from the former All-Star point guard who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to two NBA championships.
Another group of cameramen and media was perched outside FIU's U.S. Century Bank Arena throughout the day Tuesday waiting for Thomas to arrive on campus.
For the most part, the Basketball Hall of Famer declined to comment Tuesday on his new job as coach of the Golden Panthers, instead preferring to speak at length in Wednesday's news conference.
''I'm excited,'' Thomas said. ``I'm happy and I look forward to working with the FIU family and doing good things. I'm happy to be working with kids and be back in the gym again.''
FIU hired Thomas to be its men's head basketball coach Tuesday morning.
Thomas signed a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Thomas replaces Sergio Rouco, who was re-assigned within the athletic department Monday.
''This is bigger than basketball and bigger than athletics,'' FIU president Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique said. ``Having a nationally recognized coach like Isiah at FIU will have a positive impact on our university as a whole, helping us achieve additional national exposure.''
Said FIU athletic director Pete Garcia: ``He's a workaholic and he's passionate about basketball and he knows the game. I am confident that Isiah Thomas can recruit quality players to FIU.''
At FIU, Thomas inherits a basketball program that last had a winning record in 1999-2000 at 16-14. The Golden Panthers, who went 13-20 this past season, have made one NCAA Tournament appearance -- in 1995 when they lost in the first round to UCLA.
But Thomas, who last coached in 2007-08 with the New York Knicks, will be welcomed by a group of players eager to learn from the former NBA great.
''Everybody is excited to learn from him,'' FIU senior forward Nikola Gacesa said. ``This is a man with great experience coaching at the highest level of basketball. He can help us win a lot of games. I called my teammates and everyone is real pumped to start playing basketball for him.''
Thomas would not comment on his coaching staff, but former Miami Heat great Tim Hardaway, who was candidate for the FIU head-coaching job, could be a possible assistant.
''Nothing yet,'' said Hardaway, when asked if Thomas had contacted him for a job at FIU. ``I'm just waiting. We have a great relationship. I'm happy he got the job and he's going to do great things at FIU.''
Besides getting a new team, Thomas will coach in a renovated home arena.
U.S. Century Bank Arena will undergo a $5 million renovation with the help of the capital improvements trust fund FIU received from the state.
The New York Knicks went 23-59 in Thomas' last season as coach. His overall record in New York, where he also served as team president, was 56-108.
Previously, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers and led them to three straight playoff appearances.
Thomas compiled a 187-223 career record as an NBA head coach.

2009 NY Jets Season Schedule

1. 9/13 at Houston, 1 p.m.

2. 9/20 New England, 1 p.m.

3. 9/27 at Tennessee, 4:15 p.m.

4. 10/4 New Orleans, 4:05 p.m.

5. 10/12 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.

6. 10/18 Buffalo, 4:15 p.m.

7. 10/25 at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

8. 11/1 Miami, 1 p.m.

9. 11/8 Bye

10. 11/15 Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

11. 11/22 at New England, 4:15 p.m.

12. 11/29 at Carolina, 1 p.m.

13. 12/3 at Buffalo, 8:20 p.m.

14. 12/13 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

15. 12/20 Atlanta, 1 p.m.

16. 12/27 at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

17. 1/3 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

2009 NY Giants Season Schedule

Week; Date; Opponent; Time; Network

1; Sun., Sept. 13; vs. WASHINGTON; 4:15 PM; FOX

2; Sun., Sept. 20; at Dallas; 8:20 PM; NBC

3; Sun., Sept. 27; at Tampa; 1:00 PM; FOX

4; Sun., Oct. 4; at Kansas City; 1:00 PM; FOX

5; Sun., Oct. 11; vs. OAKLAND; 1:00 PM; CBS

6; Sun., Oct. 18; at New Orleans; 1:00 PM; FOX

7; Sun., Oct. 25; vs. ARIZONA; 8:20 PM; NBC

8; Sun., Nov. 1; at Philadelphia; 4:15 PM; FOX

9; Sun., Nov. 8; vs. SAN DIEGO; 4:15 PM; CBS

10; Sun., Nov. 15 BYE

11; Sun., Nov. 22; vs. ATLANTA; 1:00 PM*; FOX*

12; Thurs., Nov. 26; at Denver; 8:20 PM; NFL Network

13; Sun., Dec. 6; vs. DALLAS; 4:15 PM*; FOX*

14; Sun.; Dec. 13; vs. PHILADELPHIA; 8:20 PM*; NBC*

15; Mon., Dec. 21; at Washington; 8:30 PM; ESPN

16; Sun., Dec. 27; vs. CAROLINA; 1:00 PM*; FOX*

17; Sun., Jan. 3; at Minnesota; 1:00 PM*; FOX*

*Times and networks subject to change because of flex scheduling

Picture Tour of Yankee Stadium

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankeestadium/index.html#home

Click on the link above for this post to visit the new Yankee Stadium. It's amazing. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Knick's Danillo Gallinari Back Surgery Update

The Knicks released a statement today indicating what type of surgery the 20 year old rookie from Italy will require. Judging from what they are describing in the article, it sounds like Gallo has a slipped disc in his back. Ouch! I can't imagine anyone being able to play through that. I've heard that a slipped disc can be debilitating. So, good luck with your surgery Gallo, I'm hoping it's successful!

Here is the most interesting meat from the story, taken from their website:

"Following the surgery, Gallinari said it will probably take about 15 days before he begins the rehabilitation process. He could be ready for July’s Summer League, although it appears to be a long shot at this point.

“Six to eight weeks and he’ll be halfway through the summer and start really working hard and be ready hopefully with a new body and everything else by next October,” Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Obviously, (Summer League) is not that important, but if he is healthy and playing then, yeah, he can participate. But I don’t think it’s something to think about now.”

The Knicks are more focused on getting Gallinari back for next season’s training camp and are hoping the pain will be gone following the surgical procedure that shaves the bony plate surrounding a nerve root. This will be the 20-year-old’s first surgery, but he says he’s not nervous right now.

“It’s been eight long months of playing through the pain, so I can’t wait to feel like how I used to feel,” Gallinari said. “It’s not easy playing with the pain.”

Giants Release Plaxico Burress

Amid bonus disputes, illegal gun charges, and various reports of displeasure with Giants management, Plaxico Burress was finally cut by the New York Giants. As I wrote in one of my previous blog entries, Burress is a liability to the team, and apparently, general manager Jerry Reese agrees with me.

Burress was welcomed back to the team by head coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese at the end of the 2008 season. Reese stated publicly his intention of standing by Burress. The Giants did so by renegotiating his contract, when they could have just cut him outright immediately following the shooting. So, although there was a signing dispute in progress over 1 million dollars the Giants were trying to recoup, the Giants offered a new incentive laden contract to Burress that his lawyers had advised Burress to sign. ESPN reported earlier tonight that Burress rejected the Giants' offer even after his lawyers had advised him otherwise.

This was the last straw. Burress not only helped wreck the Giants' season last year, but he also had become a disenfranchised problem to the organization. The fact that Burress' legal issues would not be resolved by the time the draft would roll around did not help. Had Burress plead guilty earlier this week, the Giants would have at least known what hand they had been dealt with Burress. The delay of the hearing until June just meant that this would drag on and on for the Giants. In the end, this, along with his rejection of the contract was the reason why Burress was cut.

Was cutting Burress the right thing to do? Yes and no. By cutting Burress the Giants lose their number one receiver (one of the few elite in the league), and a popular locker room figure and leader. The tandem of wide receivers currently on the roster don't exactly elicit fear from today's elite cornerbacks. None of them currently demand double coverage. This leaves the Giants with a gaping hole on offense.

Adversely, the Giants just dumped a major headache. I'm sure Coughlin and Reese are happy to be rid of this distraction. The Draft is coming up, and they have to focus their energy on finding a suitable number 1 replacement. Also, by cutting Burress, the amount of money that that was supposed to go to Burress can now be used towards his replacement. Names that have been rumored are disgruntled Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin, Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards, and St. Louis Rams WR Tory Holt. Of the three, Boldin and Edwards would make the best fit. Unfortunately, Boldin wants elite money, and it is unclear at this point how much cap room Burress' release frees up. Will the Giants have enough cash and considerations to land Boldin? No one knows for sure at this point.

Edwards is another interesting fit, but unfortunately his counterpart, Dante Stallworth was just charged with manslaughter charges stemming from an accident in Miami Beach where he struck and killed a 59 year old man on the MacArthur Causeway at 7am on a Saturday. Toxicology reports issued by the Miami-Dade Police Department stated that Stallworth's blood alcohol level was .12, or for a 200lb man, the equivalent of driving after drinking 6 beers. With Stallworth's legal issues and career up in the air, the Browns would be left with no legitimate number 1 receiver to throw to. This greatly diminished the likeliness of his trade. But, if anyone can make a trade happen, I believe Jerry Reese can. As we say over on the Daily News Blog: " ...In Jerry We Trust."