A few of our favorite superbowl Ads

M&M’s – Just My Shell

Cars.com 2012 Super Bowl Ad – Confident You

“Business Trip” – CareerBuilder.com Super Bowl Ad 2012

Teleflora’s 2012 Super Bowl commercial starring Adriana Lima

“Transactions” Extended Version – 2012 Acura

TV Ad for Fiat 500 Abarth

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The Giants made it through the Superbowl with a major win against the Patriots, however they also suffered major injuries at the TE position. With Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum both going down with ACL injuries the Giants will be looking to bring in a free agent off the market.

Jerry Reese the Giants GM has made it known that both tight ends will likely begin the season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Which means they would both miss the first 6 games of the season next year. An ACL injury basically requires 8 months to heal from.

With Kevin Boss leaving in free agency Jake Ballard was quite the surprise this year. Ballard caught 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season. He developed some great chemistry with Eli Manning and by mid season he had Manning’s complete trust. Travis Beckum also made some nice strides at the end of the season, but now the Giants are only left with one active tight end in Bear Pascoe. Reese said that practice squad player Christian Hopkins could also be an option at tight end who is 6’5 277.

“We’ll see how they are health wise after the surgeries and see how quickly they can get back,” Reese said. “Just from my perspective right now, they’ll both probably be guys who end up on PUP at the beginning of the season and we’ll see how healthy they can recover from these injuries they have.”

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

While Burress didn’t exactly find his way back home with the Giants, he spent last season in New York playing for the Jets.

Word on the streets is Plax is now looking to play for the another team familiar with the Giants…the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly is a place that some folks thought he might land in 2011, however things did not work out as planned for Burress.

This season Burress finished with 45 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns, which isn’t too bad considering the circumstances. On March 13, Plaxico will be set to be a free agent again and he has made it clear that he would like to play for the Eagles. Burress recently spoke with WCAU-TV while he was in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl that he wants to play for the Philadelphia Eagles.

With the Eagles in deep thought about their current wide receiver situation, bringing Burress could be an after thought. The Eagles still have to decide what to do with DeSean Jackson and his contract. Do they franchise him, sign him long term or bring in another big free agent wide receiver not named Plaxico Burrress. The Eagles could be tired of waiting on Riley Cooper to emerge and I’m sure Burress could come on the cheap, if he wants in that bad.

By Jeremy Schloss

Follow Him on Twitter

1. First off, Congrats to the NY football Giants. As much as it pains me, they were the best team at the end of the season, which usually is more important than being the best team all season (see Saints and Packers fans). The championship run was benefited by a combination of getting extremely healthy, getting hot toward the end of the season, the ability to rush the passer, a hot QB, and Vegas fixing games. (OK the last one isn’t probably true, but that’s my story until someone proves me otherwise). Overall, I thought it was a lackluster Super Bowl. No team played exceptionally well and there were few memorable moments other than the last 5 minutes. Certainly the Manningham catch will live in Giant lore forever. The Hail-Mary also provided some edge of the seat entertainment. The commercials were exceptionally weak this year, although I did love the Volkswagen ad with the dog thinking he was overweight. The half time show was unusually entertaining, and M.I.A.’s middle finger, while ridiculously unnecessary and over blown, provided some controversy chatter (I prefer Janet’s breast, but that’s just me).
____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Now is it me, or did Tom Brady just not seem the same QB that we have grown accustom to? He was under pressure all night and each time he just seemed to duck into a ball and panic. There were a few times he did his best Houdini impression and escaped (although his most impressive one lead to the Blackburn pick so that erases that magic trick, but for the most part he seemed to rush throws, be content with not taking a big hit, or develop a ridiculous habit of throwing it right at JPP’s helmet). Is this the game where Brady finally shows his age and his cracks? He will be 35 next year. So much is being made of Peyton’s age, but maybe we should look at the Michigan quarterback as well. I’m not ready to send him to Del Boca Vista with Mr. Constanza to live, but he might have peaked 2 seasons ago and could be on the down swing of his illustrious career. Maybe drafting Ryan Mallet was more than just a trade chip by Belichek? ____________________________________________________________________________________________

3. The NFL has clearly aligned the rules to benefit and protect quarterbacks. If you sneeze on Tom Brady or Drew Brees you usually get a penalty. This has given high octane, elite quarterback lead offenses, the ability to rise above the rest of the league. Due to this undeniable trend, pass rushers are now at a premium in NFL. Few teams have more than one player who can consistently get to the quarterback, which allows team to adjust their protection to that player’s side and spread the offense. The Giants have three legit pass rushers in Osi, JPP, and Tuck. I believe, other than Eli’s improved play this season, this is the main reason Giants are heading to Disney Land this week to ride roller coasters with Donald Duck. Don’t be surprised if players who can rush the passer are picked much higher come draft day this April. A player like JJ Watt or Aldon Smith made a much larger impact this season than scouts initially projected. No coincidence they helped man 2 of the of the top defenses in the league this season. ____________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Biggest play of the game was by far the Wes Welker drop passed in the 4th quarter. Who’s fault was it? Seems like both parties were to blame. The old Jerry Rice adage states that if you can get two hands on the ball you should catch it. However, the throw by Brady was behind him. Brady missing wide open receivers in the Super Bowl? Weird to write. Still, he put it on his receivers hands… Welker seemed to fade a bit toward the end of the season. Maybe his 70’s porn star mustache screwed up his timing.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Tough break for both Giant Tight Ends Jake Ballard and Travis Beckhem on championship Sunday. Each of them tore their ACL’s on different plays. Besides the fact that it puts their 2012 season in jeopardy, due to a injury this late in the year, they also probably didn’t get to enjoy the victory. I’ve never torn my ACL but I imagine I would be in intense pain for quite a while after. I didn’t think to look as I turned the game off as quick as I could after it ended, but were the pair on the sidelines celebrating? How much does the injury news dull the feeling of elation? Is it like finally hooking up with the hot girl at work but then finding out she has the clap?? Your still happy about what happened, but you know the next few weeks/months will not be any fun… ____________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Pretty soon we are going to have to start talking about Tom Coughlin as a Hall of Fame coach. Two Super Bowls puts him in pretty good company. Maybe his blood red face in the cold won’t be the only thing fans will remember him by anymore. It’s easy to over look his job at Jacksonville back when they were an expansion team, taking them to two AFC title games, perhaps an even bigger accomplishment than the 2 Belichick beat downs. Coughlin might go down as the most underrated coach of the past 2 decades. Yet another success story in the Bill Parcels coaching tree, which is the USA version of a Royalty bloodline. Having worked with Parcels on your coaching resume is like having Google on your job resume. You will have little trouble finding work after that. ____________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Much was made of Gronkowski’s injury these past 2 weeks, but I half heart-idly expected him to be fine and that it was just a product of media over hype (they need something to talk about and dissect for 2 full weeks). Turns out it wasn’t hype at all. High ankle sprains suck and it completely neutralized New England’s most dangerous offensive player. You have to wonder if 2 things change in that game if Gronk were healthy.
1. The Blackburn interception. You mean to tell me that Chase Blackburn out jumps and positions our game’s best TE on a deep pass that doubled as an NBA jump ball? No way that’s the outcome if the ankle isn’t an issue.
2. The final play. Does Gronk have an extra leaping gear in him to grab that batted ball if his ankle is fine? We will never know…
Ironically I just found out that none other than Benard Pollard was the one who caused the injury. The same Benard Pollard who also took Brady out in Game 1 of the season a few years ago. Pollard seems to be the Patriot hit man. Watch out Mel Gibson. (He starred in the movie “The Patriot” some years back. Subtle and obscure reference).
____________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Speaking of Gronk, what if he comes up with that ball in the end zone at the end of the game? Is that the greatest play in Super Bowl history? Perhaps football history? Certainly it would be in the discussion of the David Tyree catch which would bring everything full circle between these two teams. What kind of a Boston hero does Gronk become if he makes that catch? Does he surpass Brady? Ortiz? Bobby Orr and Bird even?? Damon’s grand slam in the ALCS in 2004 against the Yankees will probably never be topped, due to the gravity of the situation with 80+ years of misery, but Gronk would have cemented his Boston legacy with that one play. ____________________________________________________________________________________________

9. It was amusing to watch Ahmed Bradshaw try and take a knee at the 1 yard line at the end of the game, only to fail miserably and collapse in the end zone. Bradshaw claims Eli yelled it to him after he took the handoff and he heard it so late he couldn’t stop his momentum. Why this wasn’t discussed in the huddle I’m not sure… I have a feeling the Giants didn’t expect the Pat’s defense to part like the Red Sea on that play. Should Bradshaw have figured this out on his own? Most likely, but its hard to know what is going through players minds in such tense situations. Had a thought on that though.. What if I was a Pats defensive player standing next to him as he knelt down. Do I nudge him in? Would be hilarious to see a player do that, but I’m taking my chances with Tom Brady for a minute than rather chancing the Giants somehow blowing it in that situation by taking a knee. Eli would have had to fumble the snap in order for the Pats to even have a chance. No quarterback would let something like that happen ever would they? (Sorry Phil Rivers, couldn’t resist)
____________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Super Bowl pick for next season: Early Vegas odds has NE, Green Bay, and NO as the favorites. Until any of them figure out how to rush the passer I’m not convinced. I actually like the Texans next year. Andre Johnson was hurt all season. They lost their top 2 QB’s, and they lost Mario Williams most of the year, and they still won a playoff game. If any of those bad breaks change, they might have advanced further. The Texans seem like the most complete team in the league right now and if they can bring back Foster and Shaub and Johnson stay healthy together for an entire season, (i know a big if), then I see the Lombardi trophy coming to Houston next season. Vegas has them at 12-1 right now. Bet at your own risk.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

The Extra Point: I’m sick of waiting for Microsoft or Google, or AOL to come out with a sarcastic font. I had an issue at work last week because i said something sarcastically in an email and the person not only didn’t get it, but told my boss what an a$$ I am. Can we all just collectively agree to make anything italicized mean its sarcastic? I don’t use that feature anyway. If I want something called out I just use Bold or use the “ “ marks. For this to work we all have to agree as a society. I might try it in my next column to break the ice with it. If it doesn’t work, I blame all of my 6 readers…

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

On Tuesday, March 13th at 4 pm EST, Free Agency will be upon us folks. While we wait till that day, here are some of the players that could be available. Here is your chance to drool over the possible talent that could be on your team next season ( I’ve added restricted free agents as well)

Dont worry your friends at Skinnypost.com will be updating this chart throughout the season!

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Fullbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Lineman

DEFENSE

Defensive Lineman

Linebackers

Cornerbacks

Safties

TOP RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Top Restricted Free Agents

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kickers

Punters

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Best Available:

Jeff Backus – Lions – Detroit’s linemen have had a tough time gaining exposure over the last few years due to the team’s general incompetence, but with the Lions turning things around this past season, Backus’ contributions have surfaced on a broader scale. In fact, it’s arguable he’s one of the few blockers on the team who has consistently garnered attention around the league for his work, and the job he did as the starting left tackle on a Lions club that exploded offensively in 2011 was admirable. Though an older player at age 34, Backus hasn’t missed a single game since coming into the league more than a decade ago, and would almost assuredly provide any team interested with a short-term solution on the left side of the offensive line.

Jared Gaither -Chargers – A free agent last offseason, Gaither was surrounded with questions following a four-year tenure with the Ravens, during which he mostly started at the left tackle position, with injury concerns and even the lineman’s commitment to the game arising in discussions. Things only appeared to head further downhill in 2011 when the Chiefs, who inked Gaither to a contract following the lockout, cut ties with the 6-foot-9 tackle after just a few months with the organization. Fortunately for the 25-year-old Maryland native, the Chargers gave Gaither another chance to prove his worth when they signed him as a much-needed injury replacement in November, and respectable performances, especially considering the lack of preparation he had, quickly boosted his stock as a potential target in free agency.

Carl Nicks – Saints – Regarded as one of the league’s top offensive guards after several straight seasons of Pro-Bowl-caliber performances in the middle of the Saints’ line, the mammoth-sized Nicks is expected to have the opportunity to land a lucrative contract as an impending free agent, even more so than last year because of New Orleans’ monumental list of other priorities (i.e. Brees, Colston, CB Tracy Porter). Best known for his skills as a powerful run blocker, Nicks has increased his value around the NFL by becoming an integral piece of the line that protected a quarterback who passed for a record number of yards in 2011. A two-time Pro-Bowler after just four seasons in the league, Nicks has also proven durable; he has yet to miss a game.

Ben Grubbs – Ravens – Widely believed to be the best lineman on the Ravens’ roster, Grubbs has been a force near the center of the team’s blocking unit as a starting guard, and while a toe injury kept him out of six games this past regular season, the 27-year-old Auburn product has a load of success in support of the run to boast as a coveted free agent this coming spring. With Grubbs anchoring the interior of Baltimore’s line, running back Ray Rice has consistently ranked among the league leaders in terms of rushing yards and touchdowns. While he arguably isn’t as elite as teammate Marshal Yanda at times, Grubbs could command a reasonably large contract on the market if the Ravens allow him to slip away amid other free agent decisions.

Chris Myers – Texans – As the anchor of an offensive line that’s paved the way for the NFL rushing leader and arguably the league’s most dangerous running back duo in recent years, Myers enters the free agency market as not only one of the top unsigned centers likely to be available, but perhaps one of the best players at his position around the NFL. Drafted as a guard out of Miami, the 30-year-old veteran primarily appeared as a backup with the Broncos before moving to Houston as a restricted free agent prior to the 2008 season. Since his acquisition by the Texans, Myers has started in every game and arguably developed into one of the finer run-blocking centers in the league, perhaps worthy of a hefty long-term deal.

Offensive Linemen
Jeff Backus
Carl Nicks
Jared Gaither
Ben Grubbs
Evan Mathis
Chris Myers
Kareem McKenzie
Jake Scott
Chilo Rachal
Samson Satele
Bobbie Williams
Max Starks
Scott Wells
Nick Hardwick
Demetrius Bell
Matt Birk
Jeff Saturday
Mike Brisiel
Jeremy Zuttah
James Lee
Jacob Bell
Dan Connolly
Todd McClure
Sean Locklear
Deuce Lutui
Mike Pollak
Vernon Carey
Casey Wiegmann
Will Montgomery
Guy Whimper
Derrick Dockery
Ryan Diem
Anthony Collins
Andre Gurode
Leonard Davis
Mike McGlynn
Brandon Keith
Montrae Holland
Nate Livings
Mike Otto
Stephon Heyer
Mackenzy Bernadeau
Dennis Roland
Adam Snyder
King Dunlap
John Greco
Stacy Andrews
Tony Moll
Breno Giacomini
Barry Richardson
Dan Koppen
Mark LeVoir
Khalif Barnes
Trai Essex
Geoff Hangartner
Robert Turner
Adam Goldberg
Scott Mruczkowski
Russ Hochstein
Tony Wragge
Artis Hicks
Kirk Chambers
Pat McQuistan
Mike Gibson
Paul McQuistan
Jamey Richard
Oniel Cousins
Ryan O’Callaghan
Scott Kooistra
D’Anthony Batiste
Steve Vallos
Quinn Ojinnaka
Brett Romberg
Manuel Ramirez

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Now that there is a new CBA in place things have changed slightly. Teams maximum tender for a restricted free agent is a first-round pick now. What this basically means is, you might see more teams attempting to get a top tier free agent with this new rule in place. When you think first round of the draft, you always have to think first round bust, so trading a first round pick for a quality player may be worth the price of drafting a potential bench warmer.

The only thing which will make life hard for those teams looking to get a resticted free agent is the player’s current team will have the right to match any offer he recieves. Teams still looking to get a player away from his current team will have to give up a first-round pick, and be willing to pay that player and the amount that his team will not match.

Top Restricted Free Agents

Arian Foster
Mike Wallace
Lardarius Webb
Aaron Maybin
Brian Hoyer
Desmond Bryant
Keenan Lewis
Michael Bennett
Antonio Dixon
Danny Amendola
DeAndre Levy
Geoff Schwartz
Greg Toler
Kory Lichtensteiger
Kahlil Bell
La’Rod Stephens-Howling
Marcel Reece
Steven Hauschka
William Middleton
Cary Williams
Chase Daniel
Lydon Murtha
Fernando Velasco
Corey Hilliard
Tony Fiammetta
Marcus Benard
Sammie Lee Hill
Larry Grant
Demar Dotson
Kory Sperry
C.J. Spillman
Doug Legursky
Ramon Foster
Rashad Johnson
Dannell Ellerbe
Lex Hilliard
Graham Gano
Adrian Arrington
Vance Walker
Ryan Mundy
Chad Rinehart
C.J. Ah You
Jovan Belcher
David Johnson
Russell Allen
Ashlee Palmer
Reggie Walker
Jamon Meredith
Nick Hayden
Jason Phillips
Kraig Urbik
Byron Westbrook
Dan Skuta
Brandyn Dombrowski
Lorenzo Booker
Titus Brown
Bear Pascoe
Kregg Lumpkin
Roy Lewis
Thomas Williams
Leger Douzable
Ryan McBean
Matthew Mulligan
Chris Pressley
Jake O’Connell
Ryan Baker
Jamaal Westerman
Marquice Cole
Brock Bolen
Kevin Ogletree
Kenny Onatolu
Jacob Lacey
William Robinson
Patrick Turner
Brit Miller

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Baltimore Ravens Ricky Williams is expected to retire,

On the 2011 season Williams added 444 yards and two touchdowns while backing up Ray Rice in Baltimore. Williams rushed for 10,009 yards and 66 touchdowns, to go along with 342 yards receiving and eight touchdowns catches through the air.

In 2002 Ricky Williams led the league in rushing yards in 2002 with a monster 1,853 yards. In 2004 the former All Pro suddenly retired as a result of drug issues. However in 2009, he made his comeback and rushed for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Dolphins.

Ricky Williams also set an NCAA record for career rushing yards with 6,279 and brought home a Heisman trophy in 1998.

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Could defensive coordinator Mike Nolan be the reason for someone to unretire? In the case of retired Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, that would be a yes.

Crowding recently told the Atlanta Journal Constitution he wants back in if the Atlanta Falcosn will have him next season.

“I’d love to play in Atlanta,” Crowder said. “Nolan is my guy.”

Crowder said that he even reached out to Mike Nolan via text.

“I told him if he needs a better linebacker let me know,” Crowder said. “He texted me back and said ‘I’ll keep in touch.’ “

Crowder had the opportunity to play under Nolan for one season while he was defensive coordinator with the Dolphins. Crowder also made it known, that the reason for his sudden retirement was due to the birth of his son, and now he’s ready to make a comeback.

However playing for the Dolphins is not something he is planning to do.
He had some harsh words for his old GM in Miami Jeff Ireland when he spoke with NFL.com

“Jeff Ireland “is not a good person.”

Crowder actually grew up in Atlanta and attended Atlanta’s North Springs high school. I’m sure he welcomes a reunion with the city of Atlanta as well with Mike Nolan.

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

London Fletcher could soon be mouthing the words “Home Sweet Home” making the Redskins his final destination in a phenomenal career.
It sounds as the Redksins GM, Bruce Allen, made it known that he wants the veteran back and re-signing Fletcher is something he plans to do.

In his 14th season, London Fletcher brought in a whopping 166 tackles in 2011 which lead the NFL.

“We want to, we want to and he wants to come back,” Allen said. “We’re just waiting for the season to finish, and then we’re gonna take care of business.
“He’s a captain. We want our captain back.”

Fletcher is about to become an unrestricted free agent and the he has also made it known he wants to be a Redskin in 2012.