Atlantic City and football trash-talk -- my two favorite things

Back from my midweek hiatus in Atlantic City I now find myself with significantly less money than I had arrived there with, but what else can you really expect when heading to such a popular tourist getaway?

I got burnt on every hand that I was dealt, even when I sat down with my favorite dealer, Sophia. I don't mean to sound cliche but if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Besides losing about a hundo on the tables, I took some time to take a run along the beach. I only ran about a mile and a half but it felt like at least three while trekking through the wet sand. It's a shame Jersey smells the way it does, too (something I noticed while running).

Also, it rained so hard on Tuesday that our hotel flooded. Yes, flooded. The rainfall was so heavy that it also flooded my grandparents car in the valet parking lot beneath the hotel. Grandma made up for it by stealing a ridiculous amount of food from the buffet, though. Props to her.

As for sports, the Jets and Giants squared off on Monday Night Football on ESPN at New Meadowlands Stadium and I must admit, I have undoubtedly missed the trash talking that comes along with every passing football season.

I thought that the Jets first team offense looked strong, besides the Sanchez pick. It looked like he tried to force it in there to his new back (LT) and the ball took a weird deflection and landed right in the Giants newly acquired DB Antrel Rolle. Sanchez rebounded with two straight scoring drives, hitting Braylon, LT, Cotchery and Keller on a few sharp passes.

As usual, the Jets defense looked strong, and left the Giants franchise quarterback with a 3-inch gash on his forehead. I couldn't help but crack a small smile seeing that. In fact, I'm smiling as I type this out, not because Eli got hurt, but because I get the opportunity to watch the Jets defense reek havoc for the next four-to-five months.

We held Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw to a combined 1-yard rushing, and without Revis our secondary still looked strong. AlCROtraz fits in perfectly with Rex Ryan's organized chaos and rookie Kyle Wilson was untested, leaving me a little wary.

Besides that, the Giants may have found Domenik Hixon's replacement in rookie WR Victor Cruz. That kid is dirty and deserved the No. 1 spot on Sportscenter's Top 10. I believe he also deserves a spot on the team, considering his play on Monday night and throughout my observations in training camp.

The Giants ended up winning the game with each teams third-stringers out on the field, but that means squat. I lost a little respect for Brandon Jacobs though, because he had the balls to run his mouth after the game after gaining negative yards against our defense. Or maybe because he denied me an interview when I was covering Giants camp, who knows?

Either way, 2010 should prove to be an exciting year for both New York teams.

Stay tuned...

Oh and Jacobs, next time you try to score from the 1-yard line, don't take four times to do so, or you might find yourself benched...again.

A little Q&A with Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka

I had some time earlier in the day to sit down and interview the Giants starting defensive end as he was getting ready for Thursday's afternoon practice. Here's what he had to say.

PF: How do you think the atmosphere is going to be on Monday night at the New Meadowlands Stadium?

MK: Oh it’s going to be banging. Number one, everybody is going to be excited to be in the new facility because it is definitely first class but you know with the Giants and Jets, it’s always a big game, were excited to play them.

PF: What's your opinion on the new turf? Do you think it has anything to do with Hixon's injury?

MK: It definitely does. Anytime you put a new surface in there’s a little bit of period of adjustment with not just the players, but the people who take care of the turf have to figure out the best way to manage it is. As players we just need to block that out of our head and put our trust in the front office staff knowing that they’re doing everything they can to keep us safe.

PF: Do you think it's a little more broken in now since your last time practicing on it?

MK: We haven't been back on it. I hope so. We haven’t been back on there but I honestly hope so. It was definitely slippery. I think that's the problem with the new turf systems when you put them in. I played at BC (Boston College) when they switched from Astroturf to FieldTurf and it's either too pouros or packed down and you can't get footing, but there's a sweet spot, a middle ground that you have to find. Whether it's limiting or increasing the number of sporting events on there to break it in, I'm not sure.

PF: Are you ready to get back on the field?

MK: Oh yeah, absolutely, I’m ready to play some games, man. This practice stuff is fun but it’s all about playing.

PF: With two weeks of training camp almost completed, in your opinion, how does the defense look?

MK: I think we look great. Obviously it’s a biased opinion but it’s night and day from last year to this year.

PF: Back to that 2007 defense we saw?

MK: Definitely. In my opinion, we’re ready to go.

What happened to throwing tomatoes at people onstange that just plain sucked?

Here's something for all you GaGa and Young Money fans, courtesy of Keith Buckley, lead singer of Every Time I Die.

Found it funny, hope you do too.

A look into the last week of my internship experience

It's been a few days since I've had the time to sit down and blog. Actually, I barely have any time to right now, but I'll manage to throw something on here.

As of late I've been in the last week of my internship at The Saratogian, and boy what a week it has been.

Earlier in the week, I covered the New York Giants training camp at the University at Albany. I'm also set to cover them this Thursday and Saturdayas well, capping off my summer internship at the paper. For my article in The Saratogian on Giants camp, click here.

I can't express how great it felt to stand on the sideline watching the team practice. It was a privilege and a blessing to have the opportunity to be a part of that. I also had the chance to speak to Head Coach Tom Coughlin and newly signed linebacker Keith Bulluck (I'll have a story about him on here sometime soon).

Other than covering the Giants, I also covered a Saratoga baseball team and their journey en route to the New York State Little League Championship.

The first game I had the chance to cover them was last Thursday. It was an 11-U Saratoga American baseball game and once they won, I kind of started to cover all of their games from then on. As a matter of fact, I did cover all of their games. It was a great experience to follow a team like that, and to be welcomed with such open arms by the coaches, players and supporters of the Americans. They were unbelievable and very respectful (and it made my job a hell of a lot easier, too). The team made it all the way to the semifinals of the New York State Little League Championship, the farthest any team out of Saratoga had ever made it, and their memorable run to the title is one that Saratoga County is sure to remember. They were eliminated from a Staten Island born team on Tuesday night.

Here's the team hoisting their Section III Championship banner after a seven run, walk-off sixth inning comeback.

Other than that, I've been preparing for the upcoming semester. I'll continue to write and freelance for The Saratogian and I'll also be writing for the sports section in the Albany Student Press. More news on that soon.

Before I go, I want to wish one of my best friends, Brian D., a safe return to his tour in Kuwait. Brian just headed back to his unit and I can't wait to see him trot through those airport doors in November upon his return.

Good luck Bri, we'll all miss you.

In a bit of a somber mood now, so here are some City and Colour lyrics to leave you with:

"All your friends have come and gone, and the sun no longer shines. And the happiness for what you long is all washed away like an ocean's tide. When all the hard times outweigh the good and all your words are misunderstood. When the day seems lost from the start, you must follow your heart."

More later on in the week.

Reaction to the Revis holdout

The Newark Jets have officially pissed me off.

The Jets may seem like an attractive team because of the promise they show, their brash attitude and big names they bring in, but as a Jet fan right now I feel like we're looking a lot like Dan Snyder's Redskins of the past decade.

Revis, you're the man and all, but I've just lost a little respect for you in your decision to hold out. We've already offered you the biggest contract for a defensive back in NFL history as well as short term contract tweaks like Chris Johnson just received and you've still continued to hold out. That's a selfish move and you've made your point the wrong way.

Woody Johnson, you are destroying the foundation you promised to build upon by being disloyal and unable to pay your best player the money he deserves. Without Revis the Jets do not make the AFC Championship last year, let alone make the playoffs. You need to re-asses your way of thinking when it comes to building a championship team and locking down players that provide for you year in ad year out. May I remind you that these are the players YOU drafted and traded up in the draft for. Your core wins championships, not your one year, ex-MVP signings.

You can see this from both sides. Darelle Revis just saw a player in Leon Washington, who wanted to be a "Jet forever" (sound familiar?), go down with a career threatening injury and have no guaranteed money for his family or fallback.

You can also see the Jets' side of the story, too. Entering a season where no guaranteed football will be played in 2011 is scary for a franchise like the Jets, who are already committed to long term contracts commitments throughout the locker room.

I just don't like the way things are looking right now. Let's just hope T-Rich is right:

"In the 16 years of playing football, all the holdouts I've seen have never caused aproblem in the locker room."

Get it together green.

A little New York football preview for NFL fans

What an interesting offseason it has been for both New York teams.

For one, the Giants have finally filled the void Antonio Pierce left behind. The move strengthens their ever-thin linebacker unit who was the Giants backbone during their run to the Super Bowl in 2007.

With the addition of Keith Bulluck, a Titan’s vet who blew out his knee last season, the defensive unit who failed the Giants quest for the postseason last year is one step closer to regaining their 2007 “defense first” mentality.

Bulluck’s 108 tackles in 2009, despite his knee injury, signals the competitor he is. And the Giants signed him for next to nothing for the quality, pro-bowl type linebacker out of Tennessee. His one year, $2.5 million contract is hardly a hit on the Giants salary.

Bulluck has done nothing but express his excitement and eagerness to take the field for the G-Men and wants to show what he can accomplish on the ‘big stage’ in New York.

Most Giant fans were flabbergasted over their team’s first round selection in Pierre-Paul after learning that Antonio Pierce would not be returning for the 2010 season. With the addition of Bulluck, Giants fan can now breathe momentarily, pending on the rehab of the veterans knee.

Although it seems that the Jets have come away with arguably one of the strongest offseasons ever, the Giants aren’t too far behind them in thd ‘need’ category.

While the Jets signed future Hall of Famer’s in Ladanian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor, the Giants secured SS Antrell Rolle, from Arizona, and now Bulluck out of Tennessee. Both signings provide the Giants the help they needed to gain back that 2007 swagger; the same swagger that put Tom Brady out of his misery in the Super Bowl.

(I forgot to mention that the Jets drafted Kyle Wilson and also signed Antonio Cromartie, Brodney Pool, and some guy Santonio Holmes? I heard he’s pretty good too…)

However, one problem that both New York teams need to assess is their needy players. Along with Nick Mangold and David Harris looking for new contracts, Darrelle Revis (who is threatening to hold out) is looking to become the highest paid defensive back in NFL history, deservingly so. Steve Smith is also looking for bigger bucks in New York and he deserves a raise too. The guy doesn’t drop a ball on third down, and he is a HUGE part of the reason the Giants receiving corps hasn’t taken too much heat since Plax shot himself.

Contract situations are also looming over both NY teams heads, and especially with no CBA deal intact for next year, there is no guarantee for football or for the players looking to be paid what’s owed to them.

One thing for certain is that the Jets are going to be interesting to watch this year, but New York is still the land of the Giants.

What quarterback is going to look up and like seeing Kris Jenkins, Shaun Ellis, Jason Taylor, Bart Scott, David Harris, Calvin Pace, Kyle Wilson, Antonio Cromartie, Jim Leonhard and Darrelle Revis on the same team?

Definitely not Eli Manning…

…Kidding Giants fans, hope you’re still enjoying ’07.

Summer session students: still waiting for those federal aid checks? Get in line…

If you're one of the thousands of students in New York State who are waiting for those aid checks to come in from the NYS budget, I feel for you.

I was told that in the second week of June that my e-Refund account at UAlbany would transfer my Federal Pell Grant and TAP award for the 2010 Summer Session directly into my bank account.

Sadly, one month and hundreds of dollars spent from hard-earned savings and credit card transactions on gas driving to Saratoga every day for my internship later, I STILL have yet to receive my aid, all thanks to our blind-in-every-way governor who has yet to enact a budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Thank you governor Paterson (and yes I didn't capitalize the 'G' in governor on purpose and I won't allow Word to fix it for me) for your help! Who knows what you do in that office of yours but because of you and your inability to get anything accomplished for this state, let alone the students and businesses that make YOU money, I've been confined to eating tuna fish and drinking tap water due to the lack of production from YOU and the rest of our NYS trustees.

You have gotten on my nerve for the last time and I figured it's time I do something about it.

I have been up UAlbany's behind from the first week in July, much like the rest of the UAlbany summer session students awaiting their payment, and all I get from the Student Financial Services center at the university is a big "check your UAlbany mail for updates," after all I have been is patient and understanding.

Well, not only have I waited on hold for approximately 20 minutes per day listening to the terrible music they have to offer while waiting to connect to an actual member of the Student Services staff, but I'VE BEEN CHECKING MY EMAIL EVERYDAY like they tell me to and I still find nothing new about the progress of the budget.

It's sad when a student, such as myself, is granted such a wonderful opportunity to intern at a daily newspaper in Saratoga Springs, and cannot afford to put gas in his car to make it to work on a Monday after a weekend of sitting inside and scratching my ass because I don't even have enough money to enjoy a decent beer at a local bar.

Imagine telling that to your editor: "Heyyyyyyy, I can't come in because I have no money and can't put gas in my car. Sorry!"

Well I had to do that, and I'm sure that most other interns and students have been put in the same financial situation I was put in. It's not funny and it's not a situation you would want to be put in. Trust me.

Thankfully, my editor Andrew Bernstein of The Saratogian understands where I am coming from and is allowing me to work from home, which I am extremely thankful for and that's why he gets a shout-out in this blog.

He actually thinks I should start some kind of group or petition against the gov' and his inability to get anything done. We'll see…

For now, it's back to tuna fish and trying to cut some beer weight. Sayonara from the 518 (preferably the 631).

Cooperstown and cow stomach

I spent this past weekend in the baseball capital of the United States: Cooperstown, N.Y.

It was my first time ever visiting the area and it was an overall great experience.

I met a handful of wonderful people, including one of my best friends parents and another couple of whom they met after vacationing in the area for over 10 years.

I do regret not heading into the MLB Hall of Fame, but me being a broke, unpaid intern with no source of income and $4 in my bank account, I simply could not afford it.

Although I didn't make my way into the Hall of Fame, I did visit DoubleDay Field, where the first ever baseball game was played. I must say, the field was in great shape and just being there in a place with such rich history was indeed special for me. Plus, it was free.

Throughout the rest of my non-baseball Cooperstown experience, I also tasted tripe for the first time. At first I thought was some kind of fish, and I was terribly wrong.

Tripe is actually cow stomach, but hey, it tastes just like chicken. No complaints here.

I also had breakfast for the first time in months, since I'm never up in time for it. You tend to forget how great home-cooked bacon, eggs, and english muffins taste after eating ramen and tuna-fish for an entire month.

As if a delicious breakfast wasn't enough, I also had my fair share of mako shark, buffalo wings, burgers and shrimp scampi for dinner, all things I can absolutely not afford to eat during my time in Albany being a college student.

After such a relaxing and ideal no-work weekend, I'm thinking about revisiting the area ASAP.

And this time I'll make sure to head into the Hall of Fame, what was I thinking?!

Oh well, too late now. Just another excuse to head back to Coop and do it all over again, minus the cow stomach...maybe.

Can't wait.