FanNation

After coming back from training camp in Albany, the Giants will have a fairly tough pre-season schedule to get ready for what I perceive to be a very manageable regular season.  Here is the first part of the Giants 2008 sked along with my notes on both. 

Now it's time for my Willy Wonka spiel.  "Before we enter the new season, let us be quick to remember the words of all those that continuously picked against the Giants and were proven wrong.  Is everybody in?  The ceremony is going to begin."

Pre-Season Schedule

8/9   @ Carolina:  "It's De Ja Vu all over again!!!"  The weather will be akin to the devil's oven and this is a great opponent to start with again this year.  John Fox always has them playing hard.  These two teams will meet again in Week 16 at Giants Stadium.

***Game Changed to Thursday 8.7 @ Detroit***

8/18  Cleveland:  In my opinion the Browns had the best-offseason and were already a pretty good team last year.  This is a nice test at home and the first time back since the regular season loss to the Imperfect Pats.  These two teams will also meet down the road. Week 6 has the Giants in the Dawg Pound playing on Monday Night.  There will be a severe drop in production the following workday.

8/23   @ Jets:   It always feels weird to have the Giants being labelled as the visiting team in their own building.  Sadly, that's not going to change with the new stadium which should be a domed one.  This one has little meaning due to the Giants win against the Jets last year.  I guess there's some motivation because of bragging rights.

8/28   New England:  It seems like the Giants play them every year and it's always a great opportunity to measure up once.  Should make for interesting viewing and player interaction.  Wonder if Bill will don sleeves. Couldn't ask for a better team to play just before the regular season begins.

Regular Season

9/4   Week One       Washington:  I would've preferred to be playing Dallas but that took place last year at their place.  The beating at home at the hands of the 'Skins and their Road Warrior journeyman quarterback is still fresh in my mind.  I take solace in the fact that the Giants have been selected to start the NFL Season.  This is awarded only to SuperBowl winners and needs to be appreciated.  The Giants don't want to soil the bed at home during a nationally-televised game where they're raising the banner.  Especially not to a divisional foe.  Washington is a tough opponent that should not be taken lightly.  In any case, it's going to be loud! 

Pick:  Giants by 3-7 points

9/14  Week Two       @ St. Louis:  Given the Ram's terrible season last year and the pure speed of the Giants pass rush playing on turf, this is a nice break the Giants have received.  Any team can win on any given Sunday, but Eli Manning really steps up his play in domes.   

 Pick: Giants by 10-14 points

9/21  Week Three    Cincinnati:  What can one say about the Bengals?  Another shot in the arm for the Giants as they will be playing against a defenseless team with an crime blotter longer than that of a war criminal.  Drew Rosenhaus continues to spur speculation and force the trade of Ocho-Stinko.  It will be interesting to see how he behaves in mandatory camp for the Bengals...if he's there.  The offense is still there with T.J. and Palmer but will the Bengals be able to stop the running game of the G-Men? 

Pick:  Giants by 10-14 points

9/28  Week Four      Bye Week:  The ball bounces the other way for the Giants on this one. I feel that having a bye week later in the season is far more beneficial to a team.

I'll post Part II of this blog soon.