Giants odds–CHECK ‘EM OUT!

By Kevin Gleason | Published: September 6, 2008 | 0 Comments

These are courtesy of bodog.com and, of course, done before the season opener:

 

Team Odds

Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII

New York Giants                        20/1

 

Odds to win the 2008 NFC Championship       

New York Giants                        7/1

 

Odds to win the NFC East Division     

New York Giants                        3/1

 

Win Totals

New York Giants Regular Season Wins

Over   8.5                       -150

Under 8.5                      +120

 

New York Giants Regular Season Home Wins

Over   4.5                       -140

Under 4.5                      +110

 

New York Giants Regular Season Away Wins

Over   4                          -155

Under 4                         +125

 

Will the NY Gaints make the playoffs?

Yes                              -115

No                                -115

 

Where will the NY Giants finish in the NFC East?

First                              3/1

Second                         3/2

Third                             2/1

Fourth                           3/1

 

Player Performance Odds

Eli Manning Passing Yards

Over/Under                    3500

 

Eli Manning Passing Touchdowns

Over/Under                    24

 

Brandon Jacobs Rushing Yards

Over/Under                    1025

 

Brandon Jacobs Total Touchdowns

Over/Under                    8.5

 

Ahmad Bradshaw Rushing and Receiving Yards

Over/Under                    675

 

Ahmad Bradshaw Total Touchdowns

Over/Under                    3.5

 

Plaxico Burress Receiving Yards

Over/Under                    1020

 

Plaxico Burress Touchdowns

Over/Under                    9.5

 

Amani Toomer Receiving Yards

Over/Under                    625

 

Steve Smith (NYG) Receiving Yards

Over/Under                    525

 

David Tyree Receiving Yards

Over/Under                    90

 

Kevin Boss Receiving Yards

Over/Under                    430

 

Justin Tuck Sacks

Over/Under                    12.5

 

Mathias Kiwanuka Sacks

Over/Under                    7

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Celebrity Farms horses excel again

By Kevin Gleason | Published: August 19, 2008 | 0 Comments

The fine work by folks at Celebrity Farms in Goshen has been overshadowed both locally and nationally by harness superhorse Deweycheatumnhowe, part-owned, trained and driven by Ray Schnittker of Middletown.

Celebrity Farms lies adjacent to Schnittker’s farm in Goshen, dueling farms that are producing some of the finest standardbreds in the land.

Celebrity Secret was the New Jersey Sire Stakes champion this year and has finished second to Dewey four times. Secret was fourth in the Hambletonian when Dewey wired the field. And on Sunday, Celebrity Secret finished second to Crazed in the $500,000 Colonial Trot at Chester Downs in Pennsylvania. Crazed finished in 1:53.2; Secret in 1:54.2.

Crazed finished second to Dewey in the Hambo. Crazed was born on Dr. Larry Sautter’s Stonehenge Farm in South Centerville, just outside Middletown.

Three other Celebrity horses finished well at the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Friday at Pocono Downs: Celebrity Juliet won in 1:57.2 as the second betting choice at 3-1; Celebrity Deville was second as the 9-5 favorite; and Celebrity Blueyes was third at 16-1.

 

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Giants practice update

By Kevin Gleason | Published: August 16, 2008 | 0 Comments

That Michael Strahan gets around. Two days after doing a promotion in our neck of the woods, he popped into training camp today, giving Strahan, as one team employee put it, more camp appearances than he made leading up to his final season. Strahan exchanged hugs with cuddly coach Tom Coughlin before chatting with him for about five minutes.

Stray also talked with former Giants linebacker Jessie Armstead, who is helping coach these linebackers, and punter Jeff Feagles. Asked about football, Strahan said, “I don’t miss it.”

Zac DeOssie, Stuart Schweigert and Kenny Phillips intercepted passes in the afternoon session before Bryan Kehl ended practice by picking off Anthony Wright and going 60 yards for a touchdown. Safety Sammy Knight tipped away a pass intended for Kevin Boss in the red zone. Sinorice Moss and Brandon London had big days, again, as they continue to make final cuts as difficult as possible on Coughlin. Plaxico Burress took part in individual drills and sat out the team portion of practice.

Players missing practice included receivers Amani Toomer (knee), Steve Smith (groin) and Mario Manningham (quad), linebackers Mathias Kiwanuka (groin) and Jonathan Goff (back), and cornerbacks Sam Madison (sports hernia) and R.W. McQuarters (hip flexor). Defensive end Osi Umenyiora stopped practice early because of a bothersome knee.

 

 

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FORTY-FIVE MINUTES WITH STRAHAN

By Kevin Gleason | Published: August 14, 2008 | 0 Comments

Michael Strahan popped into our neck of the woods today. He came up to the ShopRite off Route 211 in the Town of Wallkill as part of a promotion to fight hunger in communities.

Strahan arrived at 3:25 p.m. and spent 45 minutes upstairs signing autographs for ShopRite associates. Then he came down and spent another 45 minutes bagging groceries. Strahan was terrific, joking and laughing with everybody. I think that unlike some pros who go through the motions during appearances, Strahan genuinely had a good time. He was asked not to sign autographs to keep the line moving, and was apologetic when folks kept asking. But he conversed and took pictures with everybody.

He was as relaxed as I’ve ever seen him, which clearly has something to do with spending his days as far away from Albany as possible. Strahan is loving retirement, though he says he’s as busy now as when he played. But doing appearances and preparing for his gig on FOX has to be significantly more leisurely than getting beat up at training camp.

I had to ask him if he had any crazy notion of pulling a Favre and coming back. Stray said he doesn’t even expect to miss football when the games start.  ”Not at all,” he said. “I’m done. I was finished mentally before I was finished physically. I’m finished.”

I asked what he thought of the Giants’ chances of repeating. “You know what? They have as good a shot as anybody else,” Strahan said. “Anything can happen. I don’t think this time last year anybody was saying we had a shot.”

I wrote a column off the appearance that will run in Thursday’s paper.

Strahan’s former team didn’t practice today. The Giants will resume practice on Thursday and I’ll have updates following the last session.

 

 

 

 

 

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NEWS ALERT NEWS ALERT!!!: Plex practices

By Kevin Gleason | Published: August 13, 2008 | 0 Comments

How about that Mr. Burress throwing on the shoulder pads and helmet tonight and participating in his first practice of training camp?

“It’s like riding a bicycle,” Burress said.

You gotta love him. He practiced, like, twice until Super Bowl week last season and look what he did. Hey, I have no problem with him sitting out if the ankle’s not 100 percent. I’m just a tad skeptical, as are many Giants fans, of him putting forth some kind of silent protest because he hasn’t gotten a new contract.

Anyway, Burress ran routes with fellow receivers and lined up with the first-team offense as it walked through several plays. He didn’t take part in the seven-on-seven passing drill or the team portion of practice.

“I just wanted to go out and gauge how I feel,” he said. “I felt OK. I just got some new stuff (orthotics) in my shoes and this is the first day I ran in them. My feet are a little sore right now, so it’s something I have to get used to. Once I get used to it and get the soreness out, I’ll be back out there.”

The Giants don’t practice on Wednesday. Burress says he hopes to practice on Thursday.

Other practice highlights: guard Rich Seubert made a leaping catch in the end zone on a pass from holder Jeff Feagles in the team’s field-goal fire drill, which happens after a botched snap or hold. And who did Seubert credit for the catch? Former Army assistant Mike Sullivan, the Giants’ wide receivers coach, “for teaching me how to catch.”

Of course, Seubert’s spike didn’t go quite as well as the catch. “I tried to spike the ball,” he said. “It slipped out of my hand and I looked like a fool.”

Those not practicing included receivers Amani Toomer (knee), Steve Smith (groin) and Mario Manningham (quad), tackle David Diehl (ribs), back Derrick Ward (knee) and offensive lineman Shane Olivea (back). Defensive end Justin Tuck (foot) and linebacker Danny Clark (groin) sat out after practicing this morning. Cornerback R.W. McQuarters returned after the birth of his daughter.

 

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Ever consider owning a racehorse?

By Kevin Gleason | Published: July 10, 2008 | 0 Comments

I know I have, so I wanted to fill you in on a pretty cool event on July 27 (a Sunday) at Monticello Raceway.

It’s a free seminar for anyone interested in owning a standardbred. Those residing near Monticello or Goshen are urged to attend.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wondered what it takes (specifically how much money) to own a horse and get into the business, and how cool it would be. The seminar, sponsored by Monticello Raceway and the United States Trotting Association, starts at noon. The seminar is a must-attend for folks thinking about getting into the business because it covers all the issues associated with ownership.

Jamie Coffy, outreach administrator for the U.S. Trotting Association, will discuss trainer selection, horse selection, where to race and how to take the next steps. Betty Holt of the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State will talk about breeding and how to select a yearling. Alan Schwartz, a successful trainer-driver, will talk about his experiences and how, as a one-time moving company exec, he changed careers.

Michael Kimelman, president of world-famous Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, will speak as well. Mike has an amazing amount of horse knowledge and a real willingness to share it.

Advance registration is requested and a free lunch will be provided to those who RSVP by July 21. Contact John Manzi at 794-4100, extension 455, if you are interested. Or interested parties can call Jamie Coffy at the U.S. Trotting Association (877-800-8782, extension 3260).

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Local man in scout Hall of Fame

By Kevin Gleason | Published: July 8, 2008 | 0 Comments

Newburgh resident John Tumminia recently was honored by the Hudson Valley Renegades organization into its Scouts Hall of Fame. Tumminia was among two scouts presented in the first of six scouts Hall of Fame walls going up across the country at each of the six minor-league teams owned by the Goldklang Group. Tumminia and the other recipient, Texas Rangers assistant general manager Tom Giordano, were honored with a wall at the Renegades’ home, Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill.

Tumminia started scouting for the White Sox in 1987. He was responsible for the White Sox taking Eric Gagne in the 30th round of the 1994 draft. In 2002 he was voted “Scout of the Year’’ for the White Sox, and in 2004 was voted into the St. Francis College Athletic Hall of Fame for baseball. Of course, Tumminia earned a World Series ring in 2005.

Giordano signed a fella who wound up packaging a few games together in the bigs, guy named Cal Ripken Jr.

Joining Tumminia and Giordano in the inaugural class are Tom Kotchamn, Rudy Santin, Lennie Merullo, Buzz Bowers, Lon Joyce, Donny Rowland, Brad Sloan, Art Stewart, Phil Rizzo and Hep Cronin.

The Goldklang Group came up with the idea to pay tribute to a gritty group of baseball people who often get overlooked.

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Monticello boxing card keeps getting better

By Kevin Gleason | Published: May 24, 2008 | 0 Comments

Friday’s pro boxing card at Monticello Raceway will get a nice boost with appearances by former welterweight and middleweight champ Emile Griffith, and former heavyweight champ Tim Witherspoon. Both are International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, and both will be available to sign autographs and meet fans.

Witherspoon will be in the corner of his son, Tim Jr. of Philly, as he faces Jose Guzman of the Bronx in a super featherweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

The main event will be the New York state heavyweight title featuring Poughkeepsie native Zuri Lawrence and Darrel Madison of Long Island. Other local pros on the card are Highland light welterweight Daniel Sostre, “The Hudson Valley Kid,” and Kerhonkson heavyweight Tim Skolnick.

Nine fights are scheduled.

Tickets are $100 for premium, $50 for ringside and $30 for general admission. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 794-4100, extension 494. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first bout begins at 7:30 p.m. VIP tables and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 516-678-5622.

 

 

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HS baseball protest: The verdict

By Kevin Gleason | Published: May 22, 2008 | 0 Comments

Chester lost its protest of last Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to Tuxedo.

Chester trailed 3-1 in the top of the seventh when a Tuxedo player apparently was thrown out at home trying to score from third on a grounder to second base. The player was first called out. But Tuxedo argued that the Chester catcher illegally blocked home plate; thus the run should be allowed. The ump agreed and Tuxedo took a 4-1 lead.

High school rules say fielders can’t block the base of an oncoming runner. Chester coach Tony Mancuso argued that his catcher had the ball so far in advance of the runner approaching home that the runner would have been out no matter the scenario. The Section 9 baseball protest committee upheld the umpire’s reversal, saying the catcher blocking the plate could force the runner to alter his path.

“What it boiled down to was that it was a judgment call by the umpire,” Mancuso said. “It was good because I was able to plead my case and they understood it. The rule is kind of hazy.”

Now Mancuso’s pleading his case to the baseball committee. Chester (9-11, 4-5 OCIAA) failed to meet any of the zillion criteria for playing in the Section 9 tournament. So Mancuso was putting together an appeals letter in an attempt to get his team into the tournament.

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Boxing (and the Arts) coming to town

By Kevin Gleason | Published: May 20, 2008 | 0 Comments

We happen to have a great area for boxing, amateur and pro, with gyms popping up all over the place in the past few years and legitimate prospects working their way through the ranks.

A few of our local pros will fight on consecutive nights, first on May 29 at Tioga Downs near Binghamton, and the next day at Monticello Raceway.

Legit heavyweight prospect Nagy Aguilera (7-0, 5 KOs), trained by Newburgh Boxing Club boss Ray Rivera, will face his toughest test to date in Jason Bergman (6-5-2, 4 KOs) on the 29th. Bergman’s a tough guy to figure out. In his last fight, he fought to a draw with a guy who came in with a 3-10-1 record, Mike Miller. Yet his fight before that, Bergman won a unanimous six-round decision over previous unbeaten Moultrie Witherspoon (14-1, 8 KOs).

Local fight fans might remember Bergman losing a four-round decision to Poughkeepsie native Zuri Lawrence in August at Monticello Raceway. Lawrence swept Bergman on all three cards. Aguilera made his pro debut on the same card.

Aguilera does quite well against Lawrence in sparring sessions at the NBC, so he should be able to handle Bergman. But Bergman’s one of those unpredictable fighters capable of turning in a gem.

Three locals are scheduled to fight at Monticello on the 30th: light welterweight Daniel Sostre of Highland, heavyweight Tim Skolnick of Kerhonkson and Lawrence.

Sostre (6-3, 3 KOs), nicknamed the Hudson Valley Kid, has won his last four fights, three by knockout. He will face Mario Hayes (4-2, 0 KOs). Lawrence (23-13-4, 0 KOs), who will take on Darrel Madison (9-1, 3 KOs), hasn’t fought since giving former champ Hasim Rahman a heck of a battle in November. Rahman finally wore down Lawrence to record a TKO in the 10th and final round.

I’m really pumped to see Skolnick, a kid training at the Kerhonkson bungalow of manager Stan Hoffman. It’s Skolnick’s second pro fight (an opponent hasn’t been announced). He won his debut with a third-round knockout of Sean McClain in March. Skolnick got knocked down himself in the fight a round earlier in one of the tougher fights you’ll see for a guy making his pro debut.

Witnesses say Skolnick’s a big-time puncher and is working hard to become a boxer. He’s sparred a few times with Aguilera, and while Aguilera’s gotten the better of the sessions, Aguilera’s a much more experienced fighter.

There’s another cool local combat event on June 7 at Ice Time in the Town of Newburgh. There will be kick-boxing and Jiu-jitsu fights. The event drew about 400 fans last year with little pre-event hype and only nine fights. Event officials are hoping for a dozen or more fights this year. I’ll have more detailed information on the event in the coming days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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