The old adege a picture is worth a thousand words could not apply more...

I'd gloat, but there is no need.

This midweek ‘relief’ piece has featured a number of things in the past, starting off with some equine humor, to providing a comprehensive, if scantily-clad, public service announcement mini-series and most recently, some build up the that football game on Sunday. Now the word Relief has various possible uses, but the most common can be defined as: The easing of a burden or distress or Something that alleviates pain or distress or even A pleasant or amusing change. 

This week, G-t-W will simply stick to the facts and the plain and clear definition listed above, as events yesterday accomplished those three things, at least for me.  Selfish, absolutely.  So without further preample, I present the following piece of art.

(courtesy of Matt Cerone from Metsblog.com)

In closing though, this column was founded on the principle of presenting fair and balanced reporting, by providing a place to feature the stupid and immature.  And to some, the above qualifies.   But I’m more into making fun of others and what they like, so instead I turn the focus to the “upcoming” book put forth by the Boston Globe and, as of yesterday, on pre-sale at amazon.com: 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots.  Yes the link, which worked yesterday, does not work anymore.  But if you checked yesterday, you could have pre-ordered the collector’s item above for (and I quote) the “bargain price of $14.95.”  I’m imaging perhaps a little negative feedback might have caused the link to be disabled by Amazon, but too little to late.  If there is such a thing as jinxes, and that is something Boston fans claim to be true, it will rear its ugly head on Sunday...

Building up to the Feb 3 slaying of the evil empire, more commonly known as the New England Patriots,  by the latest incarnation of the 300, commonly known as the New York Giants, the next two ‘Relief colums will focus on some of the unsung heroes that will make this daunting task possible:

Ahmad Bradshaw

Another problematic Marshall alumni (along with the ‘other’ 81) that slid in the draft, he’s been running like he’s late for a job interview and forgetting 7th round rookies are not supposed to become key focals of an offense.  He just needs to keep that way of thinking for one more game.

Aaron Ross

Having taken notice at the fate of other Giants first round picks out of southern / midwest schools (where have you gone Jarrod Bunch, Thomas Lewis, Derrick Brown and Cedric Jones), Ross will look to break the jinx of the first rounder by looking to break Wes Welker the first time he is thrown to.

Corey Webster

From waiting for the season to be over so he can be finally cut, to shutdown corner picking off anything is his vicinity in the span of 3 weeks, the apparently now-former second round bust is ready to help Randy Moss continue his ongoing playoff disappearing act.  Just a word of caution though.. if you see him going deep, COVER HIM THIS TIME!

Domenik Hixon

Tired of being told “I thought Dominik Hasek was a white hockey player from the Czech Republic” after introducing himself, will continue to lobby to being called the Dominator of special teams by running another one back against the Pats.

Tom Brady

No, he’s not unsung… But he was the 2007 regular season leader in passing yardage.  And winning the Super Bowl is something the previous 41 owners of that distinction have not done. Yeah, it’s a stretch but when you have such a mountain to climb, you’ll take any edge you can.