It is amazing that despite scoring 35 points Eli Manning still has to say that the defense bailed them out against the Cowboys last night. The Offense was clicking from the start, fourteen points in the first quarter, 319 total yards, and they went 5/5 in the red zone. However, 3 turnovers, including a pick six by Manning, almost cost the Giants the game. Big Blue's defense came to the rescue, forcing 4 turnovers of their own, including two interceptions by Corey Webster. The attitude in the locker room is clear, the Defense has championship swagger, and the offense, well they are just trying to hold on.

Every win the Giants put under their belt seems to put Tom Coughlin in a better mood, and rightly so. Always feisty with the media, Coughlin has even warmed up in the post game press conferences. Despite being discouraged over the three turnovers, you can tell Coughlin is getting excited about his 7-1 Giants. Watch the video after the jump.

It was hard NOT to be energized by this year’s political season. But if you’re anything like me (and consider yourself lucky if you are), politics always pique your interest for one simple reason: athletes running for office!!

True story: when I took Advanced Placement U.S. Government my senior year of high school, I was so in over my head that I NEVER ONCE participated in class discussions… with one exception: the day my teacher asked if anyone could name a former athlete in politics. Let’s just say, considering all the nerds in my class, I swept that discussion like it was a Jeopardy category. Read more after the jump.

Let me say this: If Tampa Matt’s Rays want Aaron Heilman - TAKE HIM. Here’s the rub: Do the Mets have the prospects to trade for a Jackson or Sonnenstein? Johnathan Niese? Daniel Murphy? Carlos Marttinez? Please. Honestly, Omar Minaya’s biggest concern while he’s bowling at the GM meetings should be replacing most, if not all of the bullpen. Since Omar did NOTHING last offseason, perhaps he thinks shoring up a ‘pen is easier than a 7/10 split.

It is always such an honor to speak with former athletes who I have either grown up watching or have heard so many stories about. It is even more inspiring when these Hall of Famers and All-Stars take time away from their evenings and days to appear at charity dinners and raise funds for good causes.

I’ve said a few times in this space that sports (especially baseball) mirror life, and based on talk radio and blogs, I believe that fact is still true. The word “change” is the buzzword that drove Barack Obama’s ride to presidential history. It also put my thinking cap on. The events in our country are far more important than sports-unless you asked the agents who represent overpriced, over hyped, under achieving athletes.

This Sunday the Giants travel to the armpit of the east coast*, Philadelphia, to take on the rival Eagles. But beginning this weekend, for the first time in 25 years, it’ll be different when Big Blue comes to town.

What a country we live in. Eliot Spitzer faces no charges for his part in a prostitution ring, embarrassing the people of New York and tarnishing the office of governor. BUT: Justin Tuck is fined $7,500 by the NFL for a supposedly damaging hit on Cowboys QB Brooks Bollinger during last Sunday’s 35-14 Big Blue win over the Cowboys. The league claims that Tuck “unnecessarily” drove Bollinger into the turf. Replays show that Tuck hit Bollinger just as he threw the ball.

It’s been three weeks since the death of Rangers’ prospect Alexei Cherepanov during a game in Russia. Alexi had yet to sign with the team. Now, in a move that can only be described as callous and insensitive, the Rangers are asking for a compensatory draft pick!

As you’ll see on our video board, the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation had its annual Gala tonight at Chelsea Piers. Our MATT ESTREICH did a great job covering the event.

Yup. You heard (read) right. Bring Manny Ramirez to the Mets. Yes I know that Manny can drive a team nuts by just being Manny but the Mets need an infusion of energy. This Mets team has been eliminated on the last day of the regular season 2 years straight. In 2007 they couldn't get the big hit. In 2008 they couldn't hold a lead, any lead. So while bringing Manny to New York would not solve all the Mets problems, it would be a nice start. Omar Minaya has to justify his own contract extension by rebuilding the Mets bullpen. We know that. There are a few relievers that Minaya has his eye on, but bringing Manny to New York will kick-start the Mets quest for their first championship since 1986.

Just hours after making a surprise appearance in Madonna's show at Dodger Stadium, Justin Timberlake showed off his golf swing in Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Friday.

PHOTO GALLERY: Justin Timberlake teams up with Callaway Golf to Launch New FT-iQ Driver

JT, who is the new face of Callaway Golf, tested out the new FT-iQ Driver from Callaway. The 27-year-old spoke to WPIX's Lolita Lopez. Watch the interview and check out photos after the jump.

Playboy Playmate, Kendra Wilkinson, 23, and Philadelphia Eagles receiver Hank Baskett, 26, are going to tie the knot. According to E!, Baskett beamed her up Seattle's Space Needle last weekend where he proposed to the blonde bombshell.

AP Photo

How ' bout that Willie Randolph.
Everyone always knew he was a nice guy, and this time, it was proved. Nice guys don't always finish last.
After his very unceremonious dismissal by the Mets, it looked as though it would be a long time before Willie would get back to baseball.
He tried! He interviewed for the vacant Millwaukee Brewers job, for the third time, and for the third time he did not get it. But then fate smiled down on Willie.

David Wells (M. Spencer Green/Associated Press)

It seems everyone has an opinion about the Yankees and the task of rebuilding their crummy rotation. The biggest name on the market, of course, is CC Sabathia. Chances are the Yanks will offer CC a blank check in an effort to woo him away from his beloved west coast (the Dodgers are reportedly VERY interested).

Like it or not, it’s the Yankee way of doing things and it’s worked in the past…though not so much lately. One person I spoke with recently has a different idea of how the Bombers should handle things – and he’s a guy who’s been known to speak his mind.

I caught up with David “Boomer” Wells at the Joe Torre Foundation’s annual fundraising gala Friday night and asked how he’d fix the Yankee rotation. Not surprisingly, he had a different idea than shelling out the big bucks for CC. He suggested the Yanks trade for his former Padre teammate, Jake Peavy.

We’ve all heard Peavy is on the block, and we’ve also heard that he doesn’t want anything to do with New York. So how does Wells reconcile Peavy’s reported desire to avoid the Big Apple??....take a listen.

Stephon Marbury, MSG

The Knicks and Stephon Marbury still have not resolved their stalemate. Mike D'Antoni doesn't want Marbury to play. President Donnie Walsh is not sure why. D'Antoni diffused speculation that there is a rift between he and Walsh over Marbury's use.

"There will never be a rift between Donnie and I. ... That's not going to happen," D'Antoni said. "I'm sure he's not going to agree on everything I'm doing. We'll talk everything out, I'll convince him some, he'll convince me some, but that other thing will never happen. And we're on the same page, we'll always be on the same page."

That's the number one question I got when I came back from interviewing Justin Timberlake at a golf event. Actually, he is really nice (even when his PR rep warned him that I was quote "the last one" he joked and said "okay" sarcastically--check the video) I didn't get a roll of the eyes or a deep sigh, instead the weary JT (his eyes were so red and tired) answered my questions and would have kept going if not for a tap on my shoulder.

This game was over before it even began. It was a perfect balance of offense and defense at Giants Stadium today. Brett Favre and the Jets were seven for seven in the first half…it's hard to say it, but it's true, Gang Green played a PERFECT 1st half of football. The defense did their part too, with four turnovers including a fumble returned for a touchdown by Calvin Pace. The sad part about this game was that it was almost too boring to watch….the Rams looked like a D-III college team today. Half way through the first quarter the game was over, and the Jets just beat into them like a punching bag.

Boring as it may have been, this was a statement game for the Jets. Eric Mangini came into the post game press conference making jokes, and it was clear that Mangini was proud of the turnaround his team has made.

When was the last time the Jets and Giants were this good at the same time? They’re a combined 14-4 after yesterday’s wins. Visions of February glory are everywhere. The last time our local teams were doing this well on the gridiron, they were better-15-3 in 1986.(Gang Green was 8-1, Big Blue 7-2) The Giants romped to 14-2 and their 1ST Super Bowl, while the Jets finished 10-6 and lost a hideous second round playoff game to the Cleveland Browns. But I say now-DON’T start planning those Jet Blue and Southwest excursions to Tampa just yet.

The first shot has been fired. Baseball's offseason has produced it's first big trade and a surprising one. It's not official just yet, but word is that the Colorado Rockies are sending Matt Holliday to the Oakland A's of all teams. The Athletics have been known for getting rid of big stars, now they get one.

Brett Favre greets Dustin Keller after he scored a touchdown late in the second quarter. (David L. Pokress, Newsday Staff Photographer / November 9, 2008)

Thursday night on WPIX, check out the Jets as they battle the Patriots for first place in the AFC East. Our coverage starts at 7:30 with Countdown To Kickoff, a half hour pre game show with Sal Marchiano, Lolita Lopez, and Sports Radio 66 WFAN’s Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton. Kickoff is shortly after 8 pm. Carton getting TV air time? The half hour prior to be kickoff should be interesting.

You already know how important the game is for both teams, particularly Gang Green. No Jet will have greater scrutiny heaped upon him than QB Brett Favre.

Hall of Fame Catcher Gary Carter will be managing in New York in 2009 afterall. Not in Flushing, but a little farther out on Long Island. Carter is the new head man for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. He was introduced at a press conference Monday. Carter managed last season in the independent Golden Baseball League. He guided the Orange County Flyers to a title. In '06, "The Kid" managed the Class-A St. Lucie Mets in the Florida State League. He has been out of the Mets system since then and from what I understand it wasn't the most amicable parting.

I know plenty of Knicks fans who thought for sure that with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili out of action Mike D'Antoni's club would steamroll through the Spurs faster than Santa Ana through the defenders of the Alamo in 1836. But, as long as Tim Duncan can move, the Knicks were up against it. That's what happened last night. The Knicks lost, but you can see some positive signs.

There hasn't been a regular season game with this much hype since, well...the Cowboys and Giants two weeks ago. Ah, but THAT game didn't have WPIX' sales and advertising crew salivating profits. Big Blue and the 'Boys were on another station. Channel 11 DOES have the biggest game of THIS week, Jets-Patriots, Thursday night.

So here we go...off to Foxborough and the game that will decide the top spot in the AFC East. Jets/Pats on WPIX...we have a jammed pack live preview. Cool! (Hey even we are fans of the game.)

The Hard Rock Café was the place to be Wednesday night as Mets superstar third baseman David Wright hosted the 4th annual "Do The Wright Thing Gala."

Knicks guard Jamal Crawford prepares to make a pass under defensive pressure from Jazz center Mehmet Okur in the fourth quarter. (Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr. / November 9, 2008)

The New York Knicks haven't celebrated a winning season since 2001, and I can't imagine that this dismal streak will end any time soon. Despite starting the season at 5-3, the Knicks don't yet look like a team ready to make a playoff run. Their lack of talent, leadership, and depth will keep Mike DiAntoni from creating the type of fast-paced offense that produced his success in Phoenix. The Knicks don't have a consistent 20-point scorer, and they aren't likely to turn things around with Chris Duhon setting the pace at point guard. And the defensive unit has allowed more than 105 points per game. Don't expect DiAntoni's coaching style to allow any improvement in that department.

We were just perusing some of the leftovers from last night’s interview with David Wright and came across the following nugget...

For those of us blessed to live in large market areas, “Hot Stove” talk in the off season, and the start of the free agent signing period, is very exciting. But otherwise, it’s another example of what’s wrong with baseball.

The Jets and their fans awoke this morning in first place in the AFC East because the man who was brought in to lead a good team and maybe make it a great one did so. Last night, Brett Favre was worth all the hype and hoopla.

Yesterday, the socially conscious Bobby wrote about the haves and have nots of Major League Baseball. The teams with the most money get all the toys, or in this case, the free agents. Today however, I write purely as a Mets' fan. If the Daily News Report is right and the Mets are ready to go at it with the Yankees for the services of lefty C.C. Sabathia, great. But memo to owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and GM Omar Minaya: Decide what you're going to do, and do it. DON'T tease the Mets fans with a "good effort." Especially now that the Yankees have offered Sabathia a deal larger than Johan Santana's.Either get C.C. or look elsewhere.

Christmas comes twice a year if you're a free agent. Of course December 25th is the day we all can celebrate. Free agents can start celebrating today. Friday is the first day that free agents can negotiate with teams. C.C. Sabathia is Priority # 1 for the Yankees. The Bombers missed the playoffs for the first time in 14 years and watched as their 2 chief A.L. East rivals played each other for the American League Pennant. That must not have sat well with the boys in Tampa. They have made it clear that starting pitching is what they want. The Yanks already have started their team revamp, acquiring Nick Swisher on Thursday. Swisher, who hit .219 with 24 HR and 69 RBI last year with the White Sox, gives the Yankees some flexibility. They can play him at first to replace Jason Giambi or they can play him at one of the outfield positions and then go after a Mark Teixeira or another first baseman.

If you're an MMA and particularly UFC fan, you'll probably be tuning in to tomorrow's UFC 91 pay per view to see Brock Lesnar fight Randy 'The Natural" Couture for the UFC Heavyweight title. But the matchup has more the makings of a WWE event than a legitimate MMA fight.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kevork Djansezian

Barry Melrose was canned 16 games into his tenure as Lightning head coach. Today must be a day of sweet vindication for all the coaches Melrose criticized nightly during his 12 year tenure as head hockey analyst for ESPN.

The players' lockers at the Jets new practice facility have vents built in the back of each one...the intention: to vent all the air outward. It's really simple right? Not a big deal? But it's a HUGE deal considering the number of times we have heard of NFL players getting staph infections. According to the MedicineNet.com,

"Staphylococcus is group of bacteria, familiarly known as Staph (pronounced "staff"), that can cause a multitude of diseases as a result of infection of various tissues of the body."

The Giants toppled the supposed defense-first Ravens 30-10 Sunday at the Meadowlands. After the game the G-men were in good spirits, and frankly, how could they not be. WPIX was in the locker room and at the podium to get the players’ reaction. Here are there complete interviews:

SEGA'S latest installment of Football Manager 2009, is slated to hit the shelves this Tuesday here in the US. The popular football managing game has added a some interesting features, including one, where YOU get to address the media at press conferences. Local and national journalists grill you about your play calls, trade speculations and any other story they can dig up. After the jump check out the trailer and a screen shot with a sample media question.

Maybe it's weird to praise a team after they lose... but there might be some excitement at the Garden this winter. The Knicks lost a tough one to the Dallas Mavericks last night but you had to like what you saw before they ran out of gas in the 4th quarter and overtime. The Knicks' offense looked crisp. As Clyde Frazier would say: "They played with fire and desire." Evidence: a great play in the second quarter when David Lee saved a loose ball. The ball hit off a Maverick player, then Nate Robinson came up with a beautiful touch pass back to Lee for a layup. That's the kind of effort I saw in the 1990's with Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason. Yes, Dirk Nowitzki got hot and lit up the Knicks for 39 and yes the Knicks hot shooting went cold, but encouraging is what I would say about their play. They share the ball and they try on defense. They do... They try. With Mike D'Antoni's uptempo system, nobody will mistake their defense for Riley's Knicks. While the Knicks will score more points, so will their opponents. But what's important is they are starting to erase the losing culture that permeated MSG during the Isiah Thomas error. That was not a typo. I didn't mean era. Guys are expecting to win, not wondering how they will lose and that is a big improvement.

This SHOULD have been a great Monday for the NFL coming off Jets-Patriots, 'Boys-Skins, Giants-Ravens, the Titans still undefeated. Instead, we get another call by referees that totally boggles the mind

Lost in the Giants’ dominating 30-10 win against the Ravens was the milestone achieved by backup tight end Darcy Johnson.

With the game still close in the 2nd quarter, Johnson caught a poorly thrown pass from Eli Manning for a 1-yard touchdown. The significance? Not only was it Johnson’s FIRST career touchdown, it was the first pass he EVER caught in the NFL.

The 2nd year pro out of Central Florida played in only one game in 2006, missed all of 2007 with an injury, and finally found regular playing time in 2008 (he’s appeared in all 10 games).

With the Giants at the 1-yard line and Johnson in the game, it’s impossible to think the Ravens had Darcy pegged for anything BUT a decoy. But sure enough, the play was designed specifically for Johnson and the complete lack of any defenders around him was a testament to the brilliance of the play call.

Now as for that pass from Eli….let’s just say it’s wobbly flight pattern wasn’t helped by 30 MPH winds. So what was Darcy thinking when it was headed his way? We caught up with him after Sunday’s game and found out.

Every day on my way to work, I pass by an auto mechanic who had a Buick Skylark circa the 1950's in his shop. Turns out that though the car looks nice, you can't get the ride on the road too often without having problems. The classic Skylark is all show, no go. Such is the case with Pedro Martinez.

I'm usually one of those guys that says "give him another chance." Not this time. Adam "Pac-Man" Jones is up for re-instatement after his latest transgression. I say to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: Throw him out! Let me first say that I am not a Cowboys fan. Nor am I a Redskins, Eagles, or Giants fan. I don't have a pony in the race! But I am sick and tired of hearing about this guy and his many run-ins with the law.

There I was Saturday night hoping with just about everyone else in the free world that Randy 'The Natural' Couture would turn back the clock-again-and beat big, bad, but inexperienced Brock Lesnar at UFC 91, Sadly, it didn't happen. Couture's age and cage rust couldn't deal with Lesnar's size and power.Yes, I'm not happy that Lesnar is the new UFC Heavyweight Champion. No one deserves a title shot after three fights. But Lesnar's win does open up a whole can of worms as to who can 'stop the Brock.'

It’s no secret the Giants rushing game has been off the charts this season. But a critical component to Big Blue’s success has gone largely unnoticed.

Last Night our Sal Marchiano spent some time with Yankees manager Joe Girardi at the Oyster Bar in Manhattan talking Yankees baseball and helping out a good cause.

I have to give credit where credit is due. Mike Mussina had hinted at retirement all season, and it looks like he'll keep to his word. With only 30 wins short of 300 for his career and a dearth of pitching in MLB, no one would fault him for extending his career and a few more big paydays. But is Mussina a Hall of Famer? That is a totally different issue.

Giants practice took a painful turn yesterday, if only for a few brief moments...AND WE HAVE THE MUST SEE VIDEO TO PROVE IT!!! (Turn up your speaker volume for MAXIMUM effect).

It's Official: The Knicks have acquired Elizabeth, New Jersey native Al Harrington from the Golden State Warriors Leading scorer Jamal Crawford heads to the West Coast. Shortly afterwards, the club traded Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.

While it's true that Donnie Walsh drafted Harrington in 1998 and loves his rebounding and versatility, these deals are all about the future-one that may not include ANY of the players the Knicks acquired today.

New York Red Bulls midfielder Dave van den Bergh (11), of the Netherlands, celebrates his goal against Real Salt Lake during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Final soccer game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)

After years of playing in relative obscurity, the NY Red Bulls are on Major League Soccer's premier stage for the first time this Sunday, facing the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup.

Now I can't claim to be an avid soccer fan, but I can get excited about the World Cup, and tune in to the occasional Red Bulls game. I had no idea, however, until about a week ago when I saw a promo on ESPN, that the Red Bulls were in the Super Bowl of soccer. My question is, did anyone else know?

(AP Photo/Kyodo News)

The knuckleball. It's considered one of the most difficult pitches to learn and even harder to throw with success. Maybe not for Eri Yoshida, who has used her unorthodox side-arm version of the pitch to make history. Earlier this week, the 16 year old, became the first woman drafted by a Japanese pro baseball team. Think she could strike you out? Check out the video.

Giants fullback Madison Hedgecock was the subject of a video profile HERE on wpix.com Wednesday. On Sunday in Arizona, the “anonymous superstar” scored the FIRST touchdown of his NFL career…coincidence??

Eli Manning decks the cards. (AP Photo/November 23, 2008)

Dare we dream??? We had the Subway Series back in 2000 with the Yankees and Mets. Can we have an all New York Super Bowl??? It's not unrealistic to start thinking about it. Yesterday the Jets dismantled the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans. The Giants kept on chugging as they took care of the Arizona Cardinals in the desert, handing them their first home loss. So how might things shape up?

Brett Favre topples the Titans. (AP Photo/November 24, 2008)

You KNOW things are going bad for GM when they bail out on their advertising campaign with the most well known athlete on on the planet, Tiger Woods. With a year to go and $7 million due Eldrick, GM pulled the plug on having Woods as a spokesperson.

If you missed Anthony Rieber's column yesterday in Newsday and Newsday.com, take a look. It is time for the Mets to rethink their dealings with Citigroup and the $400 million that they are expected to shell out to the team for the club's new "state of the art world class ballpark" (as we heard on every SNY and WPIX Mets telecast in 2008) for a few substantially important reasons:

Last night, LeBron James and the Cavaliers came to town. During a 119-101 blowout that wasn't even that close, Knicks fans treated the NBA's Chosen One as if he were already wearing #23. If Quentin Richardson is still with the team in 2010, would King James have to buy the uniform number? Once again, the Knicks are teasing their fans. They're probably thinking, "You've waited 35 years for an NBA Title, what's a few more years?"

With the Jets in first place and the talk of a possible “Subway” Super Bowl with the Giants, is it time we retire (at least for this season) the phrase “same old Jets?” We went to Jets practice today and asked the players if this team is any different than the clunkers of the past.

GQ

Christmas might be coming early for some Maria Sharapova fans. The tennis hottie will grace the cover of December's issue of GQ Spain...and she's serving up some sexy poses. Check out the pics and a behind the scenes video of her GQ photoshoot.

When it comes to Thanksgiving Day, we look forward to the football almost as much as the turkey (depending on who's cooking or providing for that matter, the football is better).

The Jets return to the Meadowlands Sunday as conquering heroes, having knocked off the mighty Patriots and the even mightier Titans. Come Sunday, it will be 21 days between home games for Gang Green, and the Jets miss the ol’ swamp.

We caught up with the Jets’ all-world tackle and quote-machine Kris Jenkins to find out what he missed most about Giants Stadium these past few weeks. Take a listen, you might be surprised.

The news came down today. The Knicks suspended Stephon Marbury for a game and docked him nearly $400G in salary. The disgruntled guard tells NBC's Bruce Beck in an interview he never said he wasn't going to play, and he was "shocked" he was - in his words - "suspended for no reason." Of course coach Mike D'Antoni says differently. Check out the video.

Call him the Rudy of the 21st century, David Vobora will be making his first career start at middle linebacker for the Rams this Sunday.

Jets may be suffering from a big win hang over after last weeks win over the Titans, check out post game interviews from this weeks game against the Broncos after the link.