Tuesday Reading: Media on Coughlin and a thought on Veterans Day

Giants

Lupica NYDN: NY Giants closer to NY Jets than they are to Super Bowl winning teams of recent past
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/lupica-giants-super-close-jets-article-1.2006278

Pedulla NYT: A Day After Being Run Over, the Giants Look to Recover
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/sports/football/day-after-being-run-over-the-giants-look-to-recover.html?_r=0

Schwartz NYP: Giants rewind: Simply no match for the league’s top tier
http://nypost.com/2014/11/10/giants-rewind-simply-no-match-for-the-leagues-top-tier/

Armstrong NYDN: Giants can't hide the blues after record loss to Seahawks
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-hide-blues-record-loss-seahawks-article-1.2006282

Graziano ESPN: Are this year's 3-6 Giants better than last year's 3-6 Giants?
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/149092/are-this-years-3-6-giants-better-than-last-years-3-6-giants

Dottino WFAN: Dottino’s Game Balls, Gassers: Giants Fail To Finish In 510-Yard Fiasco
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/11/10/dottinos-game-balls-gassers-giants-fail-to-finish-in-510-yard-fiasco/

GM

Traina B/R: Recent Draft Misses Playing Huge Part in New York Giants' Free Fall
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2263183-recent-draft-misses-playing-huge-part-in-new-york-giants-free-fall

Coach

Myers NYDN: Tom Coughlin should leave Giants on his own terms:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/myers-tom-coughlin-leave-giants-terms-article-1.2006208

Serby NYP: Tom Coughlin’s last stand has become a sad watch
http://nypost.com/2014/11/10/tom-coughlins-last-stand-has-become-a-sad-watch/

Sullivan The Record: Heat is on for Giants coach Tom Coughlin
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/sullivan-heat-is-on-for-giants-coach-tom-coughlin-1.1130670

RB

Raanan NJ.com: Rashad Jennings expected to return for Giants this week against San Francisco
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/11/rashad_jennings_expected_to_return_for_giants_this_week_against_san_francisco.html

WR

Traina B/R: Odell Beckham Jr. Flourishing as New York Giants' Top Receiver
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2262043-odell-beckham-jr-flourishing-as-new-york-giants-top-receiver

Defense

Raanan NJ.com: Who's at fault? Tom Coughlin dishes out the blame for Giants failure against the run
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/11/whos_at_fault_tom_coughlin_dishes_out_the_blame_for_giants_failure_against_the_run.html

NFL

Bowen B/R: Tale of the Tape for NFL Week 10
"Let’s take a look at Lynch’s final touchdown run of the day with a focus on the personnel and alignment that created a soft run box for the Seahawks to execute the zone read..."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2262080-tale-of-the-tape-for-nfl-week-10

Prisco CBS a Sports: Monday Musings: Cardinals still very much a contender with Drew Stanton
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/24795155/monday-musings-cardinals-still-very-much-a-contender-with-drew-stanton

Kirwan CBS Sports: Six from Sunday: The Browns are back; has Colin Kaepernick hit a wall?
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pat-kirwan/24795531/six-from-sunday-the-browns-are-back-has-colin-kaepernick-hit-a-wall

DALLAS
Tucker SOE: HOW 'BOUT THEM THRIFTY COWBOYS?
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/101028840/dallas-cowboys-extensions-dez-bryant-demarco-murray-jason-garrett

Cowlishaw Dallas Morning News: Jason Garrett lacked common sense late in Cowboys game against Jaguars
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/tim-cowlishaw/20141110-cowlishaw-jason-garrett-lacked-common-sense-late-in-cowboys-game-against-jaguars.ece


GREEN BAY
Silverstein Mil JS: Packers' passing offense is flying high
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-passing-offense-is-flying-high-b99387930z1-282235051.html#packers

Dunne Mil JS: Packers' Clay Matthews has right stuff at any position
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-clay-matthews-has-right-stuff-at-any-position-b99387881z1-282234321.html?ipad=y

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Texans’ coaches work on all three phases of the game during bye week
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/11/texans-coaches-work-on-all-three-phases-of-the-game-during-bye-week/

Smith Houston Chronicle: Browns stronger at QB than sliding Texans
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/11/browns-stronger-at-qb-than-sliding-texans/

INDIANAPOLIS
Keefer Ind Star: Landry will play, but starting job still Brown's
http://www.indystar.com/story/colts-insider/2014/11/10/landry-will-play-but-starting-job-still-browns/18803387/

AP: Colts' Josh McNary serves 2 duties on Veterans Day
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2014/11/10/colts-josh-mcnary-serves-2-duties-on-veterans-day/18835319/

KANSAS CITY
Bedard MMQB: Chief Concerns
A win is a win, but another ugly victory in Buffalo begs the question: Are the Kansas City Chiefs really contenders in the AFC?
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/11/10/kansas-city-chiefs-afc-contenders/

MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: Branden Albert surgery coming, out 9-12 months, LaMichael James promoted, who are new the tackles:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2014/11/lamichael-james-will-fill-vacant-albert-roster-spot.html

NEW ENGLAND
Volin Boston Globe: Patriots' first-half report card looks solid
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/11/10/patriots-worked-hard-greatly-improved-first-half-report-card/MxgGTLTGlu3Zjc6Lq8iRyL/story.html

NEW ORLEANS
Holder Nola.com: New Orleans Saints' loss to 49ers epitomizes maddening 2014 season:
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/11/larry_holder_column_15.html

Woodberry Nola.com: Will Mark Ingram maintain his role in Saints offense as other running backs return?
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/11/mark_ingram_new_orleans_saints_2.html

PITTSBURGH
Cook Pitt Post Gazette: No simple explanation for loss, or is there?
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2014/11/11/Ron-Cook-No-simple-explanation-for-loss-or-is-there/stories/201411110095

Bouchette Pitt Post Gazette: Noll's Teams Beat Up on the Bad Ones
http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers-steelers-blog/2014/11/11/Noll-s-Teams-Beat-Up-on-the-Bad-Ones/stories/201411110001

SAN FRANCISCO
Kroichick SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Aldon Smith cleared for return, Bowman may not be far behind
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/49ers-Aldon-Smith-cleared-for-return-Bowman-5884366.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Brandon Mebane is out with hamstring injury. Who will step up for Seahawks?
http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2024998858_seahawksnotes11xml.html

Millen Seattle Times: Hugh Millen’s Seahawks analysis: Breaking down Marshawn Lynch’s runs, Earl Thomas’ pick
"During Russell Wilson’s career, no team has defended the read-zone worse than the Giants did Sunday. Their defensive-end contain was asleep, and the recognition and gap integrity by weakside linebacker Jacquian Williams was awful. And when the Giants brought safety Stevie Brown down into the “alley” area Wilson exploited, Brown seemed to forget why he was there and merely filled gaps occupied by teammates."

" Why did Tom Coughlin throw his note sheet after Eli Manning’s late third-quarter pass that was intercepted? The Giants ran four vertical go routes — a play discussed previously in this space as the No. 1 way to beat a Cover 3 defense, which is Seattle’s primary coverage. The wrinkle: Manning first faked play-action before taking a somewhat truncated five-step drop. The fake opened the seam route to Manning’s left (though the would-be receiver fell down), but Manning instead looked only right and chose to challenge Richard Sherman at Sherman’s best — covering a go-fade route down the right sideline. Manning simply didn’t have enough arm to hit Odell Beckham Jr. in stride because of the fake, five-step drop, three “hitches” (or gather steps), waterlogged ball and perhaps his age. Manning should have the experience and football IQ to resist testing the 6-foot-3 Sherman with a 5-11 rookie. Especially on first down in the red-zone fringe."
http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2024997998_millenanalysis11xml.html


WASHINGTON
Allen Wash Post: The Redskins and Buccaneers deserve each other
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/11/10/the-redskins-and-buccaneers-deserve-each-other/

Jones Wash Post: Five areas to monitor as the Redskins return from the bye week
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/11/10/five-areas-to-monitor-as-the-redskins-return-from-the-bye-week/

Jones Wash Post: Gruden: Redskins ‘a play here, a play there’ from being 7-2 instead of 3-6
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/11/10/gruden-redskins-a-play-here-a-play-there-from-being-7-2-instead-of-3-6/

Clarke Wash Post: DeSean Jackson seeks to unify Redskins in support of Robert Griffin III
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/desean-jackson-seeks-to-unify-redskins-in-support-of-robert-griffin-iii/2014/11/10/a33fa7bc-6928-11e4-b053-65cea7903f2e_story.html

Allen Wash Post: DeSean Jackson compares Jay Gruden to Andy Reid
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/11/10/desean-jackson-compares-jay-gruden-to-andy-reid/

Draft

Rang CBS Sports: 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Giants, Bears bet on speed to improve defense
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24794013/nfl-mock-draft-to-improve-on-d-giants-bears-bet-on-speed

Brugler CBS Sports: 5 NFL Mock Draft: Marcus Peters slips, but not out of round one
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24793850/nfl-mock-draft-marcus-peters-slips-but-not-out-of-round-one

History

Veterans Day

During World War II it was estimated that some fifty members affiliated with the Giants at one time or another were serving overseas. The heroic and tragic stories of Al Blozis and Jack Lummus, who died in The Battle of the Bulge and on Iwo Jima respectively are well known.

Al Blozis "who could have been the greatest tackle who ever lived" according to Mel Hein, spent most of two seasons with the Giants. He sought and received a dispensation from military height restrictions. He was inducted into the Army on December 9, 1944. During training he set a grenade toss record, more than 3x the distance of a normal throw. On his first patrol, less than two months after what would be his final Giant game, in an encounter related to the epic Battle of the Bulge, he was killed.

More on Blozis:
http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2014/01/guest_opinion_blozis_a_giant_h.html

https://storify.com/DigitalFirst/athletes-who-went-to-war/elements/509d4493c57476fd250c7368

http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2014/01/guest_opinion_blozis_a_giant_h.html

Jack Lummus was a football star at Baylor and a two way end for the Giants 1941. In January 1942, he joined the Marines and became a company commander. In February 1945 he along with nearly 7,000 Americans would die in the battle to take Iwo Jima. His citation for the Medal of Honor reads as follows:

""For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for two days and nights, First Lieutenant Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic one-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition, until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Lummus had inspired his stouthearted Marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
(Signed)

HARRY S. TRUMAN
More on Lummus:

http://www.jacklummus.com/

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/jack-lummus-the-nfls-hero-iwo-jima/5223/

In a NYT article from July 7, 1944, reporter Arthur Daley recounted a conversation he had with Wellington Mara, then the Giants' secretary and talent scout. Mara at the time was serving as a radar officer aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Mara mentioned a unexpected face to face encounter with one of his own, end Jim Poole.

The aircraft carrier Mara was on had dropped anchor and the officers were grumbling about having to wear ties while in port. Mara looked out and saw a solitary figure rowing out to the U.S.S. Randolph, dressed in a sun helmet and shorts, Mara admired how the individual was tastefully attired. When he boarded the ship, the man exclaimed, "Good grief, these are the first ties I have seen in two years!" It wasn't just any beachcomber but the Giants end, now lieutenant Jim Poole. Whether it was Poole's presence or not, the next day, an order was issued rescinding ties.

While Poole is the only one Mara saw, he mentioned what he knew of other Giants..."Nello Falaschi is doing a great job on some island in the South Pacific and Pete Cole is training Chinese troops somewhere in China. I recently heard George Franck reported as a Marine fighter pilot in the South Pacific...let me think, Red McClain is running a PT boat down there, and Frank Reagan is a Marine Captain in charge of all the leathernecks on one of our newest and biggest battleships. Remember Grenny Lansdell? He is now a transport pilot towing gliders somewhere in Europe."

Falaschi had been a QB at Santa Clara, leading his team to a stunning upset of LSU in the 1937 Sugar Bowl. He joined the Giants in 1938 where his primary role was as a blocking back on offense and a linebacker on defense. After the Giants loss in the 1941 Championship game, Falaschi and 25 other Giants joined the military. For Falaschi it would mark the end of his pro football career, after the war he became a contractor. He is in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Pete Cole had been a guard for the Giants from 1937 until 1940. While serving as a supply officer for a Chinese-American detachment in Burma he became acquainted with members of the press using the shot-up fuselage of a C-47 as a press room. The plane provided shelter as well, from the menacing sun. Cole became a occupant of the airplane and his ability to find rations for the media was well appreciated.

George Franck was a All-American at Minnesota as a back, safety, and kick returner. He helped lead Minnesota to a 8-0 record in 1940 and the National Championship. He was the Giants first round draft pick in 1941. At halftime of the College All-Star game with the Bears he and four teammates were sworn into the naval air corps in front of 98,000 witnesses. Before a shoulder injury sidelined him in the game, he had a 46 yard kickoff return, then he caught a 22 yard touchdown pass. After being named MVP for the All-Stars in the game, the Navy brass was so thrilled with the favorable publicity their new recruit received, they delayed his entrance into the Navy so he could play the 1941 season with the Giants.

Franck would play both before and after the war, as he played parts of four seasons with the New York Giants. In 1941 he served as Ward Cuff's backup contributing the the Eastern Division champions with his speed, ability to return kicks as well as his punting. He intercepted four passes as well that season. During the war he was a captain USMCR/Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received nine battle stars, and he survived his plane being shot down in the South Pacific in 1945, some 200 yards from a Japanese controlled island.

He returned to the Giants in 1945 and played for them until being released prior to the 1948 season. In 1946 he rushed for 270 yards averaging 4.6 yards per carry. In 1947 he caught a 88 yard touchdown pass. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Red McClain was a back out of SMU who joined the Giants for the 1941 season. He was orphaned at a early age and was raised in a Methodist home. He would serve as a lieutenant on a PT boat in the South Pacific. After the war he would coach at SMU and be a member of their Hall of Fame.

Frank Reagan was a triple threat back at Pennsylvania who also played minor league baseball. He signed with the Giants with the knowledge that he would be going into the military during the season in 1941. He had a significant impact in the five games he participated in, rushing for 146 yards and four touchdowns. When he departed his speed was missed in the Giants' backfield. After leaving the team and waiting to be sent overseas he was quoted in newspaper articles as advocating pay for collegiate players. He would spend the next 32 months As a senior Marine officer on the Battleship New Jersey in the Pacific. After four tears in the service he was discharged as a captain, having been one of the earliest NFL athletes to go to war.

By the start of training camp in 1945 it was the hope that the Giants would regain the services of several players serving in the military such as Reagan, Franck, Merle Hapes, Lou DeFilippo, Howie Yeager, and Marion Pugh. The Giants were at the time still losing standouts to military duty such as Bill Paschal and Len Younce.

Reagan made his return but not until 1946. he had to overcome a wrist injury limiting him to six games that season, rushing for 246 yards. He was also the recipient of a nasty shot by the Bears Ed Sprinkle that sent him to the hospital during the 1946 championship game. In 1947 he led the NFL with 10 interceptions. He followed that up with nine interceptions in 1948.

In 1949 he joined the hometown Eagles pulling down seven interceptions, he also recovered a crucial turnover in the 1948 Championship game when a ball slipped from Rams QB Norm Van Brocklin's hand early in the fourth quarter with the Rams at the Eagle two yard line. The Eagle go on to win that game. He ended his NFL career with the Eagles in 1951.

Grenny Lansdell was a star back at USC and the Giants number one pick in 1940. At USC he was a member of the 1939 College Championship team and the leading rusher and scorer at USC in 1938 and 1939. He had started a year of service in the Army in 1939 and joined the Giants in 1940 for training camp. A deep Giants backfield, as well as injuries led him to being sent to the Giants' farm team in Jersey City despite showing promise. He would only play In two games in 1940. After serving as a pilot in World War II he remained in aviation as s pilot for TWA.

Before the end of the war in 1945, a total of 55 former Giants had served in the military. These were just a few of the many that served.