Mets Trade Benson for more righties
The Mets traded Kris Benson to the Orioles yesterday for righty reliever Jorge Julio and right-hander John Maine. Reliever Jorge Julio saved 83 games for the Orioles between 2002 and 2004, and right-handed starting pitcher John Maine has Maine, 24, made his Major League debut in 2004 and has a 2-4 record and 6.60 ERA in 11 Major League appearances, nine of which were starts.
Giants get shutout 23-0
NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at Giants Stadium
Final: Panthers 23, Giants 0.
The NFC East Champion New York Giants were unable to move the football in any productive way. The Panthers realized that if they stop Tiki Barber, they will win, and they did. Eli threw 3 interceptions. The Panthers broke many tackles and the Giants defense did horrible, and they were without their 3 linebackers starting on opening day, Reggie Torbor, Antonio Pierce, and Carlos Emmons. At the end of the 1st quarter there was no score but the Panthers eventually scored and took a 10-0 lead into the half, then scored a touchdown and two field goals in the second half. Steve Smith had a couple of touchdowns and DeShaun Foster had a great day on the ground. For more info, go to www.giants.com.
The Giants missed probably every opportunity given to them.
-They got away with a fumble, even know the Panthers also did, and couldn’t capitalize on it. -they had a chance to come back after halftime because they received the ball at the half,
-they touched a punt, and the Panthers recovered,
-instead of running full speed, there were guys jogging, the defense missed tackles,
-instead of stopping the Panthers and forcing a punt after 3rd down, there was a flag
-the Giants were at home, had the crowd, had the advantage of playing where they play best, where their record was 8-1.
Thats only some of them. The Panthers offense also converted on nearly every 3rd down.
Steve Smith had a couple of touchdowns and DeShaun Foster had a great day on the ground. For more info, go to www.giants.com.
NFL PLAYOFFS - NEW YORK GIANTS GET 4th SEED IN NFC
The Giants will be hosting the Carolina Panthers in one of the two NFC Wild Card games.The other wild card game in the NFC is the Redskins @ Buccaneers. The Panthers are red-hot coming off of the 44-11 win over the Falcons in the Georgia Dome, but even at 11-5, they still weren’t able to win the division, as the Buccaneers did.
Giants beat Raiders, Win NFC East
Final: Giants 30, Raiders 21. Giants win NFC East Division Title!
The Giants have won the NFC East for the first time since the 00-01 season, and host the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium next week in one of the two NFC Wild Card games. The other game will be hosted by the Buccaneers, who won the NFC South today. There were injuries during the game, but they were minor. Strahan got poked in the eye, and will need stitches but he should be fine for the playoffs. Tiki Barber was down after a play, but he should be fine also, and Eli Manning was limping off of the field but he came back and played. Nick Greisen got hurt but I don’t think it is too serious. The Raiders played good, and Randy Moss had a couple touchdown passes from former Giant Kerry Collins, but in the end, the Raiders couldn’t capitalize on a pass interference call which put the ball at the one and it was 1st and goal. The Giants stopped them on 1st down…2nd down…3rd down… AND EVEN 4th down. Soon after, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan poured the gatorade jug all over Tom Coughlin as the Giants secured the NFC East.