Wednesday Reading

Giants

Coach

Ranaan NJ.com: How Tom Coughlin brought this team together so quickly
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/how_tom_coughlin_has_brought_this_giants_team_together_so_quickly.html

QB

Ranaan NJ.com: Eli Manning: Just how quickly is the ball coming out of the Giants QB's hand?
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/eli_manning_just_how_quickly_is_the_ball_coming_out_of_the_giants_qbs_hand.html

WR

Samuel NYDN: Giants rookie WR Odell Beckham Jr. may have Rashad Jennings to thank for improving hamstring
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-insider-odell-beckham-jr-rashad-jennings-improivng-hamstring-article-1.1958845

Raanan NJ.com: Mario Manningham released by Giants with injury waiver
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/mario_manningham_released_by_giants_with_injury_waiver.html

OL

Traina B/R: A Closer Look at the New York Giants' Improved Offensive Line
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2213115-a-closer-look-at-the-new-york-giants-improved-offensive-line

Rock Newsday: Giants offensive line sparked by using formula from teams of the past
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/giants-offensive-line-sparked-by-using-formula-from-teams-of-the-past-1.9450176

Stapleton The Record: Offensive line earns its stripes
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/o-line-earns-its-stripes-1.1099760

LT

Schwartz NYP: This high-priced Giant has rediscovered dominant form
http://nypost.com/2014/09/30/this-high-priced-giant-has-rediscovered-dominant-form/

ATLANTA

Ledbetter AJC: COVER 9@9: Falcons in better shape to withstand injury bug
http://atlantafalcons.blog.ajc.com/2014/10/01/cover-99-falcons-in-better-shape-to-withstand-injury-bug/?ecmp=ajc_social_twitter_2014_falcons_sfp

Ranaan NJ.com: What you need to know about the Giants' Week 5 opponent
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/atlanta_falcons_what_you_need_to_know_about_the_giants_week_5_opponent.html

Ferrin Falcons.com: NOLAN: FALCONS DEFENSE HAS TO PLAY AS A UNIT
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Nolan-Falcons-Defense-Has-to-Play-as-a-Unit/bb354c2f-5f02-4db3-801b-6941254aa31e


NFL
Gosselin Dallas Morning News: Rick Gosselin's NFL rankings: Are 3-1 Cowboys or 3-1 Texans ranked higher?
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140930-rick-gosselin-s-nfl-rankings-are-3-1-cowboys-or-3-1-texans-ranked-higher.ece

Boston Globe: What age do NFL QB's start to decline?
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/09/30/what-age-nfl-qbs-start-decline/pH7LM4e58iIU1yb4crmWGP/story.html

Freeman B/R: Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Blame Belichick—Not Brady—for Pats' Problems
"One of the few times I've ever heard the Giants and Jets agree on anything. A source on the Giants says their interest in Ndomukong Suh is "marginal." A source on the Jets said something similar. Both sources said this is likely the agent for Suh trying to scare the Lions.
The main sentiment from both teams seems to be that Suh isn't worth the money he'd want. Neither seemed scared that Suh likes to kick dudes in the groin area and is among the most penalized players in recent NFL history.
What is true is something that I've been saying all along. All indications remain that this is Suh's last year with the Lions. Things can change. Stranger stuff has happened. But Suh does want out, no matter what he says publicly."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2214826-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-blame-belichick-not-brady-for-pats-problems

BUFFALO
King MMQB: The Post-E.J. Period Begins—Already
Was it too soon for Buffalo to bench former first-round quarterback E.J. Manuel? Or did the Bills do the right thing in order to win now?
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/09/30/buffalo-bills-benching-ej-manuel/

CAROLINA
Person Charlotte Observer: a Josh Norman returns to Carolina Panthers defense to ‘compete’
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/30/5210607/josh-norman-returns-to-panthers.html

CHICAGO
Le Gere Chi Daily Herald: Bears' Bennett just getting started
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140930/sports/140939824/

DALLAS
Moore Dallas Morning News: Why Cowboys' next 5 games could be the key for a return to the playoffs
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140930-why-cowboys-next-5-games-could-be-the-key-for-a-return-to-the-playoffs.ece

Matchota Dallas Morning News: Jerry Jones: Dallas Cowboys offense is ahead of expectations
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/jerry-jones-dallas-cowboys-offense-is-ahead-of-expectations.html/

DETROIT
Birkett/Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Lions writers: The case for Ndamukong Suh to stay and to go
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2014/10/01/detroit-lions-ndamukong-suh-stay-go/16519655/

HOUSTON
Houston Chronicle: Injured Clowney regrets missing out on the action
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Injured-Clowney-regrets-missing-out-on-the-action-5792423.php

Gosselin Dallas Morning News: In Texans' J.J. Watt, Cowboys could be facing next defensive player to win NFL MVP award
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/rick-gosselin/20140930-gosselin-in-texans-j.j.-watt-cowboys-could-be-facing-next-defensive-player-to-win-nfl-mvp-award.ece

KANSAS CITY
Paylor KC Star: Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith is in a groove, having fun on the field
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article2362043.html

Paylor KC Star: Reid pleased with improvement along OL
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article2354181.html

MINNESOTA
Craig Minn Star Tribune: Rodgers might not recognize this Vikings defense
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/277685611.html

Vensel Minn Star Tribune: Vikings notes: Bridgewater misses another practice
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/277686011.html

Bowen B/R: Teddy Bridgewater Impressing Early, Producing in Vikings System
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2216015-teddy-bridgewater-impressing-early-producing-in-vikings-system

NEW ENGLAND
Barnwell Grantland: Is This (Finally) the End of the Patriots?
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/new-england-patriots-kanas-city-chiefs-tom-brady/

Volin Boston Globe: The Patriots made a lot of moves in the offseason, but were they the right moves?
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/09/30/patriots-should-have-done-more-this-offseason/Tuo1sO254rgP7STwvN0OKM/story.html?hootPostID=2c99462ffc65f7731dd88cbb486caf2a

NEW ORLEANS
Holder Nola.com: New Orleans Saints supporting defensive coordinator Rob Ryan through struggles, and other Saints news
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/10/saints_links_13.html

NEW YORK JETS
Slater NJ.com: Jets re-sign John 'The Terminator' Conner to replace Tommy Bohanon, who goes on injured reserve
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/09/jets_re-sign_fullback_john_the_terminator_conner_to_replace_tommy_bohanon_league_source_confirms.html

OAKLAND
Kawakami SJ Mercury News: Jon Gruden still Raiders dream candidate?
http://www.mercurynews.com/tim-kawakami/ci_26637927/kawakami-jon-gruden-still-raiders-dream-candidate?source=rss& utm_source=dlvr.it& utm_medium=twitter

PHILADELPHIA
McLane Phil.com: More deep passes have contributed to Foles' struggles
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20141001_More_deep_passes_have_contributed_to_Foles__struggles.html

Berman Phil.com: Eagles' Lane Johnson back and ready to go
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20141001_Eagles__Johnson_back_and_ready_to_go.html#LHSeQMdcCpGGEMEM.99

Sielski Phil.com: Marcus Smith learning tough lesson in patience
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20141001_Marcus_Smith_learning_tough_lesson_in_patience.html

Kapadia Phil mag: All-22: Dissecting the Eagles’ Offensive Issues
http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2014/10/01/22-dissecting-eagles-offensive-issues/

PITTSBURGH
Bouchette Pitt Post Gazette: Coaches Bear Some Blame Too
http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers-steelers-blog/2014/10/01/Coaches-Bear-Some-Blame-Too/stories/201410010001

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Notes: Players support Harbaugh, Davises in doubt, James signs with Miami
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/09/30/notes-players-support-harbaugh-davises-in-doubt-james-signs-with-miami/

TENNESSEE
Climer The Tennessean: Whisenhunt believes better days are ahead
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/columnist/david-climer/2014/09/30/titans-climer-whisenhunt/16513079/

WASHINGTON[
Reid Wash Post: Redskins might find that neither Robert Griffin III nor Kirk Cousins is the answer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/redskins-might-find-that-neither-robert-griffin-iii-nor-kirk-cousins-is-the-answer/2014/09/30/bc12382c-48d5-11e4-891d-713f052086a0_story.html

Jones Wash Post: Young hopes Redskins can snap prime time drought, start turnaround
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/10/01/young-hopes-redskins-can-snap-prime-time-drought-start-turnaround/

Wash Post: Jordan Reed returns to practice in limited capacity
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/09/30/jordan-reed-returns-to-practice-in-limited-capacity/

Boyer Wash Times: Barry Cofield eager to return, help Redskins defense
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/30/barry-cofield-eager-return-help-redskins-defense/

Boyer Wash Times: Niles Paul expects to play for Redskins vs. Seahawks after suffering concussion
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/30/niles-paul-expects-play-redskins-vs-seahawks-after/

Draft

Brown SOE: BLAST FROM THE PAST
The past decade has been frustrating for Nebraska, but a bright spot has emerged. Already one of Nebraska's most accomplished runners, Ameer Abdullah is taking his game to new heights in trying to recapture past glory in the Cornhuskers' backfield.
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/97075418/nebraska-cornhuskers-running-back-ameer-abdullah-emerges-as-heisman-candidate


History

8-13-1966 Giants meet the expansion Falcons for the first time

Code:

The Giants won the exhibition game played at Vanderbilt University 14-7 before 20,945 fans. Earl Morrall coming off a strong 1965 season tossed two touchdown passes. The first was to flanker Joe Morrison who had returned the lineup after suffering from a fractured hand. Then Morrall threw an interception that Falcons defensive back Ron Smith returned for a touchdown. Morrall would later lead the Giants on the game winning drive, tossing a three yard touchdown pass to Homer Jones. Morrall would start and play the whole game, while the Falcons would use former Packer Dennis Claridge and first round selection Randy Johnson at quarterback. The Falcons would threaten one final time with a first down at the Giants' fourteen, but Giant safeties Jimmy Patton and Wendell Harris would break-up a final heave into the end zone. The Falcons Bob Jencks missed three FG's and new Giants kicker Pete Gogolak missed from the 29. The game marked the starting debut of the Giants bookend rookie OT's, first round pick Francis Peay of Missouri and second round pick Don Davis of LA State. Both would start and play the whole way, fresh from participating in the college all-star game against the NFL 1965 champion Packers. The NYT would report Peay gave "broke down" three times and Davis once. The most impressive rookie starter was UDFA defensive right tackle Willie Young who did not get to the passer, but caused constant trouble with his effort at the point of attack and charges into the Falcon' backfield. The Giants LB Bill Swain and CB Clarence Childs seemed to have the most problems in coverage. Chuck Mercein filled in at fullback for the injured Tucker Fredrickson and rushed for 92 yards. Stats RUSH NYG Mercein 18-92-0 Thurlow 6-10-0 Koy 6-23-0 Bowman 4-13-0 ATL Wheelright 5-28-0 Wilson 8-18-0 PASS NYG Morrall 20-35-213 ATL Claridge 12-26-142 Johnson 1-9-3 REC NYG Morrison 7-84-1 Thomas 4-79-0 Jones 4-29-1 ATL Coia 3-21-0 Dunn 3-21-0 Mack 2-25-0

http://www.vucommodores.com/genrel/112906aab.html

Today in Pro Football History
10-01-1978
Campbell-less Oilers rally past Browns
http://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2014/10/1978-campbell-less-oilers-rally-past.html