E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of only four sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls. Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

GOOD WEATHER FOR SUPER BOWL 48? DON'T BE SILLY,
LET'S JUST HOPE THERE ISN'T ANOTHER GUSTY SNOWSTORM

By Dave Klein
First things first, as usual. The 197-year-old Farmer's Almanac predicts a "winter storm" for the Northeast the weekend of Super Bowl, complete with high winds, low temperatures and, yes, some snow.

On the other hand, the Weather Channel reports that there is an 82 percent chance of NO SNOW on Feb. 2, just bitterly cold weather. Just the right ingredients for tickets that start (on the open market) at $2,440 each, but if you think you'll get even fair locations, think again.

Oh, and since Feb. 2 is also Ground Hog Day, look for your shadow.

The most reliable forecast for Feb. 2 calls for temperatures in the upper 20s with a 10-20 M.P.H. wind, which should make it feel like 10 degrees. Hey, at least it won't be minus-10 degrees.

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There is a rumor out there in the swirling winter winds that the Giants are considering trading – or even releasing -- defensive end-linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, who will be 31 in March. He was their first round draft pick in 2006 and is a quality performer, if not spectacular. But could they get a first round pick for him now?

Go talk to that ground hog.

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Former Giants' wide receiver Ramses Barden, who never materialized into the performer they expected and was subsequently released last season, has signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. ... March 3 is the start of the Unrestricted Free Agent signing period, and if the Giants are hoping to fill a few needs with players who already know the ropes, take a peek at these:

Denver RB Knowshon Moreno, Washington OLB-DE Brian Orakpo (sound a lot like Kiwanuka, doesn't he?), Indianapolis CB Vontae Davis, Buffalo SS Jarius Boyd, Houston RB Ben Tate, Oakland RB Rashad Jennings, Kansas City OT Brandon Albert, Baltimore OT Eugene Monroe, Green Bay DE B.J. Raji, Baltimore TE Dennis Pitta and Dallas DT Jason Hatcher.

Funny thing, Dallas has expressed a "strong interest" in interviewing former Giants' tight end coach Mike Pope, who was released a week ago. ... In fact, there were reports that he had already signed a contract with the ‘Boys, giving them – finally – a guy with a Super Bowl ring in the organization. ... The Cowboys previously lost their TE coach, Wes Phillips (son of Wade), who took the same job on the new Washington staff. ... Dallas head coach Jason Garrett, who was with Pope and the Giants for four years (2000-2004) said he "really wanted" to interview Pope and apparently shut the door on other candidates.

Did you notice that Giants' rookie tackle Justin Pugh was named to the All-NFL Rookie squad? ... Safety Antrel Rolle has become the only Giant player to be added to the Pro Bowl squad. ... Defensive end Justin Tuck, who may or may not be re-signed, said he was so disappointed in the fact that the Giants didn't make it to the Super Bowl on their "home field" that he hopes it snows every day leading up to the game, and double that on Feb. 2.

If you were the sort to wager on sports things, bet against wide receiver Hakeem Nicks being re-signed by the Giants. ... He was fined several times during the season for missing treatments and for tardiness to meetings, and we all know how much head coach Tom Coughlin dislikes the latter. ... And, of course, there were all those dropped passes and wrong routes.

Marc Ross, the Giants' Director of College Scouting, appears to be in constant demand by other teams but at the same time appears destined to remain at least one more year in East Rutherford. ... He had interviews with Tampa Bay and Arizona and a possible meeting in Miami was scrapped.

Denver is the Super Bowl favorite over Seattle, but sampling six different Nevada casinos showed a difference of between 1 and 3 points. ... Is that because the Broncos have more experience with cold and snow?

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A final note, and a sad one. I lost a good friend last week, Don Einson, who fought a long, valiantly against leukemia but, in the end, was told by the doctors there was nothing more they could do and so they sent him home. He died five days later, at the age of 67 – but never for a lack of trying to survive.

Donnie, a ravenous sports fan, always spoke with optimism about his chances, and near the end he said he hoped to see the Super Bowl and go fishing with a few of us in July. He didn't make either one, but never for a lack of trying.

A devoted dog lover, Donnie's final request was for donations to be made in his name at the Monmouth County SPCA, 280 Wall St., Eatontown, N.J. 07724. He is survived by his wife, Harriet.

Check out Dave's website at E-GIANTS where you can subscribe to his newsletters which run much more frequently than what is available here.
- Team Giants

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