Plaxico Burress will face his former team Saturday.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Giants fan, GMenHQ blogger and author of Aerys Sports’ “Official’s Mailbag,” Joe Tufaro. Joe and I quizzed each other on this week’s Battle of New York then talked a little Rex, Tom, Eli, Sanchez, Plax and much more.

Part One brings you Joe’s portion of the Q&A, Part Two, with my thoughts on the game, will be posted later this afternoon.

1. Many people believe that if the Giants fail to make the playoffs again this year, Coughlin has to go one way or the other. I would love to hear your thoughts on Coughlin, his coaching style and if you feel he is mostly to blame for the team’s “struggles.” And if a change is made, what head coaching candidates are on your short list?

I respect Tom greatly.  I have been lucky enough to meet the man and see the side the national media refuses to see.  Tom is an ex-Marine, and that means loyal, organized, and disciplined.  He is not a phony in any way, and therefore his methods and rules are not phony either.  I was amazed when Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels marveled at how in “such a big game” he would discipline one of his players when he benched Ahmad Bradshaw for missing Curfew the night before the Cowboy game.  Shouldn’t they be more amazed that a player would break a rule like that the night before such a big game?  I think Tom is prepared for any situation and I hope he stays till he thinks he is done.

As far as a short list if I had to make a choice…1. Gruden  2. Fischer  3. Cowher

Eli will need to win another Super Bowl with this team to get the extra level of respect.  Until he outperforms his brother in that area, he will be the little brother that’s not as physically gifted or talented.  Comparing Easy E, as he is known to teammates, to other QB’s is silly in many ways, his demeanor is different and in this world of fantasy football, stats rule.  Not many QB’s get credit for changing plays from pass to run which Eli does with great success.  Eli has learned that taking the sack or the incompletion is better than forcing balls.  He thinks he can make any throw, which is great, except when you miss that throw by a half inch, it’s tipped, and it goes the other way.  Eli’s sacks are up, but so is his completion percentage and yardage, while interceptions are way down.

3. The traditionally stout Giants defense had struggled, both against the run and in the secondary and in distinctly different ways. Other than the obvious injury troubles, can you give your thoughts on what other factors might be contributing to the decline in defensive performance? How do you think these issues can be addressed?

I believe you and I have had an ongoing conversation about the “dumbing down” of defenses.  Somewhere, along the line, defenses are going to have to be adjusted to have the ability to cover 5 and 6 receivers with Tight Ends that look like power forwards with the hands of Wide Outs.  I think the Giants, along with all teams are going to need to get quicker and more athletic overall.  The standard 4-3-4 defenses are not going to able to get it done going forward.  Basically the Linebacker positions need to have the ability  to cover, instead of being the stout run stoppers of the past.

4. The Giants have an excellent receiving corps. As both an NFL fan and a fantasy football player, I would love to get your take on the the current receivers and how you see things looking for next season.

Victor Cruz has been the biggest surprise of all in this group.  He looked like he might be just a pre-season sensation that couldn’t stay on the field.  He has proven to have a knack for getting open, and he possesses a quickness that is indescribable at times.  Hakeem Nicks is a big, tough, WIde-out in the mold of Michael Irvin.  He has huge hands, and great leaping ability.  Jake Ballard has come from no where, actually Ohio State, and shown he also has a knack for getting open and possessing some pretty good hands.  This entire group will grow together, learn the game better, and their relationship and trust with Eli can only improve with time.  They will need to develop one more weapon on the outside to be truly unstoppable in the air.

I personally have no problems with Jet players, or even fans.  It’s Rex I object to and for only one reason.  The national media will eat his schtick up like he’s a politician, and never go back and ask what happened to all his guarantees.  I know they want to keep the golden goose talking, but its about to be three years, and I could tell you everything he says at a press conference without actually watching.  I also think some fans confuse “Players” with “Organization”.  Players come and go, some talk, some don’t. Same with coaches.  When the Giants fan talks about their “classy” organization we are referring to our owners and how we as Giants fans are treated on a regular basis.  The charity work they do behind the scenes, the special occasions, how they answer questions, concerns, and solve problems.  We feel special and part of a family.  I remember one NFL player remarked during the lockout that fans “root for players, not teams or owners”  Perhaps the stupidest thing ever said.  In the 86 years of New York Giants Football there have been many special players….but it’s The Giants we root for.

Plax made some bad decisions in his past.  As a person, the Giants, their fans, and the coaching staff, have always wished him the best in his personal life and that was their main concern.  The idea that the Giants didn’t want him is ludicrous.  The Steelers are the team he should be pissed at, they let him walk with no offer before he came to the Giants.  As I said players come and go.  Did he have the game of his life against Green Bay in the NFC Championship in ’07? YES!  We wish him well, hope he stays on the straight and narrow, provides for his family, and has learned his lesson.

You can follow Joe on Twitter @Tufdan.

There is a ton of Jets “news” out there right now (if that’s what you want to call it), most of it surrounding the epic and seemingly never-ending Jets-Giants trash talk.

Rex Ryan, who has made an art out of offering soundbytes to the media, drew first blood at his press conference Monday. He inspired the war of words with statements such as :

“Quite honestly, I never came here to be little brother to anybody. So, it’s on.”

And

“I recognize they’re an excellent football team but I think we’re better.“

And

“I want to be the best team in football – not just the best team in this city. But we’ll start by being the best team.“

Tom Coughlin, never one to chirp, responded in the only way he knows how:

“Regardless of what is said. Talk is cheap, play the game. That is the way I’ve always believed.”

That’s fair, Tom.

But it didn’t end there, though we all know that the Giants are the Jets classy big brothers (that’s sarcasm people). How could we believe they might open their mouths and fire back? But if we have learned anything from Tim Tebow, it’s that anything is possible.

Here’s what happened next…

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, when asked about matching up against cornerback Darrelle Revis, sure had no problem speaking his mind, saying, “He’s a decent corner.”

He later added that he was great and that the match-up would be “even.”

Victor Cruz also put in his two cents, adding, “Yeah, teams aren’t really scared anymore. He’s had to earn his money this year and teams aren’t really backing down.”

It sort of just went on from there. I honestly couldn’t keep up. If you are interested in learning more about the verbal battle of New York, check this out.

I think smack talk is all fine and good, except Nicks and Cruz should know that once you start calling out individual players you are asking for karma to bite you in the ass result in a dropped pass.

Much will be made of Rex, the Jets and their trash talk in the coming days, but let’s all stop acting like the Giants are holier than thou.

—

Burress has also offered the coaching staff a scouting report on the Giants.

Both cornerback Darrelle Revis and kick returner Joe McKnight continue to the lead their respective positions in the AFC voting for the Pro Bowl. The NFL released their second round of voting today. The Pro Bowl teams will be announced on December 27th at 7 pm on NFL Network.

The new PepsiMax ad featuring the New York Jets will air for the first time on Saturday. You can check out the ad below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztrHPfM_Xok&feature=youtu.be