Strahan sounds off

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan is very anxious entering his 14th NFL season, and he hopes his teammates on the New York Giants feel the same way.

After playing 13 years without winning the big one, Strahan believes this can be the Giants' year to win the Super Bowl.

"I feel great about the team, but I'm also scared too, because I feel great about the team and I know we have so much potential and the expectations are so high," Strahan said Wednesday, four days before the NFC East champions open against the Indianapolis Colts.

"Hopefully it scares everyone into preparing more, to working harder, to doing better, and if that's the case, we'll be just fine," Strahan said.

In his first interview with beat writers since the opening of training camp in late July, the 34-year-old Strahan said that:

-- he is not thinking about retirement.

-- halfback Tiki Barber probably will play as long as he does.

-- he wants Eli Manning to tell all about brother Peyton to help the defense ready for the Colts.

Strahan was not asked about his much-publicized recent divorce. Tabloids reports on the trial this summer angered Strahan, and seemingly led to his boycott of the media during training camp.

"There was absolutely nothing to say," Strahan said. "Now we're in the regular season, so let's talk football."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/09/06/bc.fbn.strahantalks.ap/index.html

 

[dominizzo]

I like the Gmen but they will lose their 1st game

 

[nyjunc]

The Giants never play well w/ expectations, they will not make the postseason.

 

[Bandit]

All reports that I've heard about the Giants say that Eli Manning didn't play any better in the preseason than he did in the last half of 2005 with the same kind mistakes (I think the articles mentioned things like throwing off his back foot, forcing the ball, etc). That's not a good sign for the Gints' playoff hopes.

Could it be Eli is like the precocious kindergartener who's so much better than his classmates the first year or so of school, but who is eventually overtaken by his classmates as the years go by? Roethlisberger's proven he's "da man" in Steeler Country, Losman has really improved in Buffalo, and Rivers in San Diego looked pretty good for as green as he is. Eli was nowhere near as good as Carson Palmer last season, and both had about the same amount of actually NFL experience.

I've got a feeling that Philly and Dallas fight it out for the NFC East and WC and the Gints and Deadskins are on the outside looking in.