Our video of the day comes courtesy of The Fray’s really good song and video “Over My Head (in a cable car).”

If you’ve heard the song over the past year-plus (been on enough) or seen the video, then you probably know why it’s so good.

Anyway, I really like this song and love how the words have so much personal meaning which could really be applied to anyone of us.

That’s part of what makes music so special. :-) 

Maybe it’s not so bad to win the ugly way. Tom Coughlin’s 2007 Giants have done it often and produced excellent results. The latest one being a 16-13 victory over the rival Eagles Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Field.

Sure. It wasn’t pretty but how many Big Blue supporters including myself would’ve signed up for a sweep of the season series against a hated rival and a 9-4 record thru 14 weeks? Exactly.

At the beginning of the year, I felt this team was capable of winning eight to nine games. Mission accomplished.

It wasn’t easy but the Giants were able to hang on for dear life for a hard earned three-point road win- making it their sixth consecutive win away from Giants Stadium. A terrific accomplishment which could bode well next January when they probably travel to either Seattle or Tampa Bay for a possible NFC wildcard match-up.

“We’re playing pretty well on the road,” Coughlin noted to the AP later. “We hang together. We battle. We believe in each other. We believe that we can find a way to win and we never stop playing. We have good heart. It’s not always pretty, but some how, some way we scratch and find a way.”

That’s a very good analysis of his team which showed enough mettle to avoid an epic second half collapse. It was on display in last week’s stunning come from behind 21-16 win over the Bears at Soldier Field and it was again evident against the Eagles Sunday.

Trailing for more than a half, the Giants finally pulled ahead thanks to an Eli Manning TD hook-up with primary target Plaxico Burress from 20 yards out for their first lead of the day (13-10).

Burress, who has been hampered by an ankle lately had a big day catching seven passes for a game high 141 yards including a 41-yard reception later which setup Big Blue’s final three points of the day- a 23-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal which gave them a 16-10 lead headed into the final quarter.

It got real interesting late thanks to Brandon Jacobs’ second lost fumble of the game. He lost the football at the Eagle 5. A score there would’ve sealed the deal. Instead, it gave Philly a new life and they almost made the RB pay dearly. However, the drive stalled at the Giants’ 44 after a Donovan McNabb pass on 4th-and-6 was incomplete intended for Jason Avant, who might have been interfered with by Antonio Pierce.

“It was a call that was missed, but the refs are human, too,” Avant later said. “He hit me. Then the ball came.”

If you had the Giants’ radio broadcast on WFAN in New York, play-by-play man Bob Papa disagreed with ex-Giant and current analyst Howard Cross’ assessment that “Pierce got there at the same time as the ball.”

Made for a pretty entertaining listen.

Still, even though they forced the Eagles to burn their last couple of timeouts with under two minutes left, the Giants gave their opponents one more opportunity to make a comeback.

From their own 11 with only 53 ticks to go, McNabb moved his team all the way to the Giants’ 39 with six seconds remaining setting the stage for veteran lefty kicker David Akers. With a strong leg, he had plenty of distance but the 57-yard attempt hit the right crossbar and was no good allowing the Giants to escape.

And so, the Giants move on and get much closer to finally clinching a playoff berth. They next host the Redskins who are still in the hunt after a Thursday night win over the Bears.

“We’re just finding ways to win games,” Manning pointed out after putting together a decent day finishing 17-of-31 for 219 yards, a score and most importantly no turnovers. “We just have to keep it going.”

That’s all that really matters with three weeks to go.

If ever there was a symbolic picture which summed up Knicks basketball, the one above showing GM (General Moron)/Coach Isiah Thomas unable to look at his unbearable team which continued to disgrace itself by getting blown out by the lowly 76ers 105-77 at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.

Somehow, that same Philadelphia team swept Thomas’ expensive fat cats in a home-and-home on consecutive nights. Pathetic!

And so, instead of doing what any decent team would’ve done which is take both games against an inferior opponent who’s already preparing for next year’s lottery, the Orange and Blue managed to further disgrace itself and now are 6-13. So, any hope of turning it around and possibly being 8-11 is gone and so is the season.

Welcome to New York Knickerbocker basketball. Where the impossible becomes reality as things continue to get worse under Thomas and the dumbest CEO in Clown Management Jim Dolan. But then again, what would you expect from a guy who can’t even complete sentences without using his signature phrase, “The uhhhhhh…”

So what did Thomas think of this latest debacle?

“I was searching tonight. I went one through 12 just trying to find any combination that would work, any person that had some type of energy or fire. And there was nothing there tonight.“

He did say anyone. Maybe he didn’t search hard enough. I’ll bet there are a lot of people who wish they could take the court and play on Seventh and 33rd at the World’s Most Famous Arena (soon to be renamed World’s Most Shameless Arena). 

It’s certainly understandable why Stephon Marbury isn’t all there. While it’s sadly true that it hasn’t worked out quite the way Coney Island’s Finest wanted it to, the former Lincoln Railsplitter who I saw numerous times dominant games back when he ruled NYC has lost a lot of family members recently. But losing his Dad Donald Marbury to a severe heart attack when he was at last Sunday’s game before leaving for the hospital had to really drain Stephon. :(

His Dad was as passionate a supporter and hoops fan as anyone when it came to his family. And now, he’s gone too soon at 68, buried the other day. At least he got to see one of his kids live out his dream and make it to MSG. So many kids who grow up on the playgrounds in the city playing streetball dream of playing at the Mecca. It really is to die for.

I just wish it could’ve been happier times for the caring father when it came to his best son. And really it should’ve been different. But sometimes, things don’t always go as planned.

Marbury has received plenty of criticism (most deserved) for not being the emotional leader of this chaotic NBA club. He’s got as much talent as any guard in the league. But it’s that scoring mentality which sometimes gets in the way. And with his legs not what they once were, defense has become an issue. Whether it’s getting out and guarding on the perimeter or keeping an opposing guard in front of him. It’s just not there.

This isn’t just on No.3 He’s still got enough game to help his team win. What could you say about a 25 year-old overweight and out of shape plus unmotivated Eddy Curry? What’s his excuse? Fat Albert is only good for his points and that’s within five feet of the paint. Where’s the jump shot he was supposed to add? Where are the rebounds? I’ve seen stronger interior play from a high school Varsity girls player that I cover.

He just lacks motivation. Did anyone catch his postgame remarks? Good god. It was downright awful.

“Tonight was definitely a tough game,” Curry told the AP. “Two in a row, back-to-back with Philly. It’s been a while since I felt like this.”
A while?!?!?!?!?! What the heck is he talking about. What about that embarrassment at the Celtics a couple of weeks ago on national TV (TNT) no less? They got dissed and dismissed by Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith who’s their backup color to Walt “Clyde” Frazier.

When is enough enough already? Dolan was actually at the game last night and heard the boos and “Fire Isiah” chants. Or wait. He probably didn’t and had earplugs on still trying to block out his foolishness.

Not one starter reached double digits- already the second dubious time that’s happened this season.

You almost run out of adjectives to explain how unwatchable the Knicks have become.

They once were a must see. I wouldn’t miss a game for almost anything back in the day (early 90’s). Now, it’s like who cares. If I don’t see them, so what.

That’s how irrelevant they have become. Yet you continue to see headlines on the back pages and in the papers as the Mike Lupicas, Mike Vaccaros, Mitch Lawrences and Peter Vesceys continue to wonder when there will again be some sanity on Broadway.

I got a very simple answer in two words: TRY NEVER!!!!!

Not as long as Bozo the Clown continues to run things.

What gets me the most is the continued overpromotion of this awful team. I understand that basketball is the city game. But how can they be serious with all those NBA All-Star Game ballots even at Ranger games. They’re at least watchable though they’re trying their best to tick off fans lately. But with them, there’s at least hope.

Remember those idiotic Knick ads where some fan talked about how “overrated” the new look Big Three of the Celtics were. How’s that working out?

Boston: 17-2     -

New York: 6-13  11.0

 

Only with a Dolan franchise could this be possible. So, what can be done realistically to turn this around? Not much. Who’s taking Fat Albert’s salary. He’s one dimensional because he plays matador D, can’t block shots or block out and can easily be taken out of his game by smaller players who are physical.

Marbury??? You buy him out and Nate Robinson who was recently in Thomas’ doghouse is the starting PG. Yikes.

Fred Jones gives a good effort and has earned big minutes at the expense of Robinson. Elevate the former Pacer to the starting lineup over waste Quentin Richardson. While Q does care and tries hard, his back is too fragile for him to be a consistent contributor.

Zach Randolph is an above average scorer who can score in the low post and also step out and knock it down from 15-17. But he can’t play with Curry. Randolph also rebounds the ball. His problem is he tends to force the issue on offense and not trust his teammates enough. It must change.

Jamal Crawford is a streaky scorer who when on can be deadly like John Starks. But when the ball isn’t going in the bucket, it can get real ugly very fast. You see a guy with talent who’s not afraid to take the big shot. He’s got a good floater too and there seems to be desire. But does he want to do what it takes to get to that next level or this all he’ll ever be?

David Lee should be starting every night. He’s instant energy and can get double doubles. He can score inside and outside and defends well. Bench Curry and start him already.

I love Renaldo Balkman. Any hardworking forward who would even come out to a HS JV semifinal game scores points here. The former South Carolina product who was selected by the Knicks in the first round back in 2006 is a lock down defender who brings so much energy into games. He does all the little things which help you win. Defend. Rebound. Block shots. Dive for loose balls and hustle. And runs the floor and gets on the fastbreak and finishes.

If he ever develops an outside shot, he could be even better. He needs more minutes.  

So, will it ever get better for the Knicks? I don’t see how. They just aren’t team oriented. The lack of desire and D have been problems forever.

When does it finally register? I don’t have the answer.

 

For the Rangers, expectations were extremely high this season after landing marquee free agent pivots Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.

While both haven’t performed as well thus far, they aren’t the root of the problem right now. Gomez certainly has been creating and setting up goals for a while and Drury has finally started to come around after a bad start.

Each were involved in the Blueshirts’ two goals in their 3-2 loss at Atlanta- a third consecutive defeat to drop behind the red hot Devils who again won by that identical score over the Caps for a ninth consecutive win to jump into first.

With his team trailing on an early Eric Boulton goal (yes you heard right), Gomez put together a great shift with linemates Marcel Hossa and Brendan Shanahan. Believe it or not, it resulted in the younger brother of Marian Hossa tallying his first of the season on a setup from the former Devil.

Yes! Marcel actually shot the puck and it went in- five-hole to be exact. A perfect shot which beat Johan Hedberg who always seems to start these games and plays well against them. Hossa’s first goal since last season (Feb. 27).

His goal came 1:54 after Boulton’s and was a quick response. Drury then struck by finishing off a Petr Prucha shot on goal- something else which rarely happens. Prucha took a pass from rookie defenseman Marc Staal and fired a slapper from the right wing which went off Hedberg’s right pad right to a cutting Drury, who deposited it into the open side for the Rangers’ only lead.

It didn’t come too much longer after Hossa’s tally. That’s right. Two goals in a 2:23 span. And then you guessed it Ranger fans. Nothing else the rest of the way despite the great team captain Jaromir Jagr actually showing a pulse and in spite of a 32-21 shots’ edge. 

Can you tell that I’m a little ticked?

This team frustrates me to no end. And what’s more? Once again, without an injured Sean Avery, they just don’t get dirty enough to score what they need to. The record is much better when everyone’s favorite pest plays. Disturbing? Yes because he’s most likely gone next summer.

But Avery isn’t much of a hockey player or at least that’s what other fans will tell ya. For whatever reason, the former boyfriend of Elisha Cuthbert is a lot more important than anyone wants to let on. He might push the envelope a little too far sometimes but let’s face it. The Rangers are just an average team without him.

Isn’t that some sort of indictment on Jagr? The club leader who despite hitting a post and skating harder once again didn’t get his name on the scoresheet. That’s now 7 goals, 21 points in 29 games folks for one of the game’s all-time great players. But there’s this other thing that’s bugging us. Is anyone going to put No.68 in the same class as Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, Messier or even Yzerman?

Not in the least. And the reason is very simple. Those legends were natural born leaders who did more than use their talent. They were difference makers. I’m not trying to diss what Jagr’s accomplished in his career or here in New York helping this franchise turn it around.

But where is this club if not for a former seventh round pick who turned into arguably the game’s best goalie in Henrik Lundqvist? Given that for whatever reason they don’t score goals (again hit their quotient of two for the 19th time), nowhere!

That’s right. They would stink without great goaltending from King Henrik. Hey. Even Steven Valiquette has played well in relief. Tonight wasn’t his fault. And sure. Maybe he should’ve had that Slava Kozlov tricky wrister through a screen with over five minutes left. But he was very good in this one.

Sometimes, stats don’t always tell the story. If you saw the Leafs’ 6-2 win at MSG the night before where they somehow managed six goals on only 16 shots, then you know exactly what we’re talking about here.

There’s a problem also when Jagr’s line is on the ice for three more goals against. And usually, it’s him and Czech buddy and linemate Martin Straka who aren’t getting back on odd-man rushes which lead directly to goals against.

I’ve always been a fan of Straka and he’s one of the more underrated forwards out there who can play in any situation as a complementary wing. But he’s really struggled lately as has Jagr which might explain part of the problem with this team.

They’re still three games over (15-12-2) but in a crowded and ultracompetitive East, they really need to get it righted soon. Does anyone have confidence going into Sunday’s big clash with the Devils?

That’s not the same team the Rangers beat the first three times. It’s also a day after my birthday and supposed to be some kind of present. What kind will it be? Another blowout loss on home ice like the awful displays against the Canes and Leafs?!?!?!?!?!

Actually, any loss to that evil club is bad enough. They have a few snobby fans who think it’s their god given right to win. Maybe that explains why they can’t pack a brand new state of the art arena in Newark. And I don’t want to hear about the location or the prices. Their prices are better than the Rangers. The cheapest ticket at MSG runs 30 bucks. Could you imagine Dolan putting any seats available for less than 20 dollars?

Why are the Devils good? Because despite whoever they lose (Gomez, Rafalski), it just doesn’t matter. There’s still a HOF goalie in Brodeur along with their best scorer Zach Parise. There’s the new team captain Jamie Langenbrunner who once he returned was when their run started. And Colin White is their best defenseman while Paul Martin remains overlooked. Travis Zajac is also good and John Madden and an injured Pandolfo continue to surprise under new coach Brent Sutter’s new aggressive system.

Btw…they’re back to not allowing many shots again? Does that mean they’re trapping again? Oh. Who are we kidding? The Rangers play the 1-2-2 when they have a lead in the third.

Even ex-captain Patrik Elias looks better when playing with Parise and the always feisty but dirty Brian Gionta (Mr. Hacks).

So, once again, they have a formidable club which should again be around in next Spring’s tournament. 

Can the Rangers actually win for a fourth successive time against this team and stop their big streak?

At this point, it’s really about focusing on getting a ‘W’ because the longer this slump goes, the worse it could get. Just think. Marian Hossa and league-leading finisher Ilya Kovalchuk (23 goals) did nothing. Forget Hossa’s meaningless empty netter. It was just icing on the cake.

Can it get worse? Who knows?

It can’t continue.