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Former New York Giants LB Lawrence Taylor Auctioning Off His Super Bowl XXV Ring

May 17th, 2012 at 3:10 PM
By Dan Benton

Less than 24 hours after the New York Giants received their Super Bowl XLVI rings, former linebacker Lawrence Taylor has decided to sell one of his.

'On the Giants Stadium scoreboard: Lawrence Taylor enters the field. 10/25/09, Giants Stadium' photo (c) 2009, Bari D - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

The Super Bowl XXV ring has been listed on auction website SCP Auction and has an appraised value of between $75,000 – $100,000. Bidding currently stands at $67,292 (17 bids), but has not yet met the reserve. The description also fails to list any premiums or premium rates (rates usually vary from 5% to upwards of 25% on top of the hammer price). It does, however, come with a Letter of Authenticity (LOA) courtesy of LT himself.

The descriptions reads, in part:

"The ring shows considerable wear, that in some eyes, only enhances it aura. A phenomenally important memento from one of the greatest football players of all-time."

Taylor's recent and ongoing legal issues have been publicly scrutinized, and are not something he shies away from discussing. In a December 2011 interview with Giants 101, Taylor admitted he likes having fun and that sometimes fun "gets him into trouble."

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New York Giants’ John Mara on Tom Coughlin’s New Deal: “We’re Working on It”

May 17th, 2012 at 12:07 PM
By Dan Benton

Back in late March, New York Giants co-owner John Mara said the team expected to have Tom Coughlin's contract extension worked out within 4-6 weeks. Now, more than seven weeks later, the head coach remains a lame duck. However, Mara reiterated on Wednesday night during Big Blue's Super Bowl XLVI ring ceremony that a new deal is, in fact, coming.

'Coach' photo (c) 2012, Scott Rubin - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

"We're working on it," Mara said. "It will be done sooner rather than later."

Following a 2010 season in which the Giants went 10-6 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, Coughlin was given a one-year extension through 2012 to avoid being a lame duck coach. Despite two mediocre seasons and a rough start to 2011, which saw fans beginning to call for his termination, Giants brass remained loyal to Coughlin. They never wavered in their support and Mara said during the Super Bowl XLVI postgame that he looked forward to answering the many letters questioning why they chose to keep Coughlin around.

In his eight years with the Giants, Coughlin has experience only one losing season – his first (6-10 in 2004). Since then, he has compiled a 68-44 regular season record, a 8-3 playoff record and, of course, has brought the Lombardi Trophy home twice.

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New York Giants Talk Potential “Dynasty” at Super Bowl XLVI Ring Ceremony

May 17th, 2012 at 9:52 AM
By Dan Benton

Dynasty. It was a word most recently associated with the New England Patriots, who had won three of four Super Bowl championships from 2002 to 2005. Before that, you have to go back to the late 70's and early 80's to find a true dynasty in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, having won two of the last four Super Bowls, the New York Giants find themselves in a position to be thinking about their own potential dynasty … and they're not shy about discussing it.

'DSCF8093' photo (c) 2012, Ted Kerwin - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

“You get that the first time you’re in awe," defensive end Justin Tuck said last Wednesday night. “You win a second one you think ‘Maybe we can do something here.’ Let’s make it a dynasty. We want to make it a dynasty."

Big Blue certainly has the core to compete on a yearly basis, and they're built to win now, but the NFL is a diverse league and absolutely nothing is a give in. However, as Tuck says, "we got to play the games, so why not win [them]?"

Still, there's a very fine line between winning and losing, and quarterback Eli Manning will be the first to remind everyone of exactly that.

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New York Giants’ Justin Tuck #62 on NFL’s Top 100 List for 2012

May 17th, 2012 at 6:00 AM
By Dan Benton

Despite injuries that held him down for the vast majority of the 2011-2012 season, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck played well enough and with enough passion to once again be considered one of the National Football League's premiere talents, as voted on by his peers. The defensive captain was ranked #62 on the NFL's Top 100 List for 2012.

'Justin Tuck: Calm Before the Storm.' photo (c) 2009, Heath Brandon - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

"That's Justin, you know? He's going to play through pain. He's the captain up there," former Giants tackle Barry Cofield said. "I think he feels a responsibility to go out there and fight. You can see he's physically not where he wants to be; not where you're used to seeing him. He's a guy that still goes out there and fights, and when he's on the field he's going to fight hard for 60 minutes."

Teammate and fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora calls Tuck a "monster" citing his leverage, balance and ability to "get under people."

Nicknamed "Weeble Wobble", Tuck garnered the most praise for his versatility; his ability to play and succeed at any position in the front seven. During Super Bowl XLVI, Tuck gathered a sack from both the linebacker and defensive tackle position, while forcing a safety from the defensive end position.

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New York Giants’ Chris Snee Anxious to See Improved Running Game

May 16th, 2012 at 3:47 PM
By Dan Benton

The New York Giants finished the 2011-2012 with the worst rushing attack in the National Football League. It's a fact that's been beaten to death for months, and something guard Chris Snee is tired of hearing about.

'Bradshaw Sweep' photo (c) 2008, Ted Kerwin - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

“We finished last in rushing," Snee said. “A lot of factors go into it, but the big guys up front take pride in that. We’ll take all the blame, warranted or not. We’ll take the heat. Me being a leader of that front, I’ve got to get the guys going, myself included."

The three-time Pro Bowler refuses to make excuses for the poor performance, and wouldn't even use his own injuries as a cop-out as to why the offensive line struggled a year ago. In his mind, it doesn't matter … it's all about finding the problem and fixing it. Immediately.

“I blame it on nothing,” he added. “I need to play better."

Whether or not Snee wants to acknowledge it, health was a contributing factor to their struggles a year ago. David Baas was new to the team and missed quite a bit of time, David Diehl suffered a broken hand, William Beatty was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) with a detached retina and the running backs dealt with injury issues of their own. Couple that with no offseason, and it's easy to see why that aspect of the offense struggled.

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