NY Giants

He may be a huge NY Giants fan, but Rudy Giuliani has message for Jets Nation -- DON'T GIVE UP ON REX RYAN ... it's not his fault!!!

Rudy was out in L.A. last night -- and RAVED about his G-Men ... and even said he'd rather have Eli over Peyton if given the option!!

But when we started talking about Gang Green and their pathetic 1-6 record -- Rudy explained why Jets fans shouldn't blame Rex ... they should blame his players instead.

NY Giants kicker Josh Brown has a message for Ray Finkle -- YOU SHOULDA MADE THE FRICKIN' KICK ... even if the laces were in!!!!

20 years after "Ace Ventura" came out in theaters (yes, it's really been that long) ... we asked Brown how a real NFL kicker reacts when the holder pulls a Dan Marino and doesn't get the laces out.

Brown's response -- MAKE THE KICK!!!!!

"The times that it does happen, you just gotta go through with it ... ya just gotta swing."

What you shouldn't do ... is plot a murderous revenge on the holder on the day of the Super Bowl. That never turns out well.

NY Giants superstar Victor Cruz can rest a little easier ... 'cause one of the Jonas Brothers has his back ... when it comes to prayer.

Kevin Jonas was out in NYC with his wife Danielle -- when we talked about Kev's favorite NFL team ... the Giants ... who lost their big WR to a nasty knee injury on Sunday night.

"I feel bad for Victor Cruz," Kev told us ... "But he's definitely in our prayers."

As for the G-Men, Kevin says he still has hope ... though after that 27-0 loss to the Eagles, he might wanna pray extra hard this week.

NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch is clearly not worried about the Ebola scare in Dallas -- telling us the G-Men have nothing to worry about when they head to Big D to play the Cowboys later this season.

Tisch was leaving Dan Tana's restaurant in West Hollywood last night when we brought up the efforts to contain the virus after officials confirmed that it had reached Dallas.

"I think the Cowboys are gonna get it first," Tisch joked ... clearly not worried about a possible "Outbreak" style epidemic.

Tisch then started down a path to crack a joke about Jerry Jones ... but stopped himself.

So we finished it.

Fantasy Football doesn't have to be a 1-way street ... so says NY Giants running back Rashad Jennings who tells us there IS a way for Fantasy owners to help improve his performance on the field.

Jennings -- who's already rushed for 341 yards and 2 TDs this season -- was out in NYC today ... when he explained the most important thing Fantasy owners can do ... and it makes total sense.

Check out the clip -- and if you think you're up to the task, Rashad's Twitter handle is @RashadJennings.

Mike Vick tells TMZ Sports ... he will not fight to wear #7 on his jersey during his stint with the NY Jets -- and says it's all out of respect for Geno Smith.

NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch says he believes Colts owner Jim Irsay WILL face disciplinary action from the NFL over his DUI arrest -- telling TMZ Sports he believes the commissioner wants to "make a statement."

Tisch was out in L.A. Tuesday when he told us Jim's a "great guy" ... and he thinks his decision to enter a treatment center will make his life "a lot better."

But when it came to punishment from the NFL, Tisch explained ... "I can't speak on the commissioner's behalf ... I don't know what he's going to do ... but I feel he's going to do something."

"I think he's gonna make a statement."

FYI -- in the past 4 years, at least 3 executives from two NFL teams have been suspended by the league for at least 30 days because of DUI arrests. Because Irsay is an owner, he could face an even harsher punishment from the league.

The first openly gay NFL draft prospect is already getting major support from an NFL owner -- NY Giants honcho Steve Tisch, who tells TMZ Sports he "hopes" teams don't let Michael Sam's sexual orientation dissuade them from drafting such a stellar athlete.

The University of Missouri defensive end -- who was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year -- just completed his senior season and is very likely to be taken in the upcoming NFL Draft.

While Tisch wouldn't reveal if Sam is on his team's draft board, he did tell us ... "Michael Sam is a gifted athlete and a courageous man."

Richard Sherman's epic post-game rant DOESN'T HOLD A CANDLE to Bart Scott's legendary "Can't Wait" interview back in 2011 ... so says the former New York Jets linebacker himself.

Scott was hanging out with NY Giants kicker Steve Weatherford at Jay Glazer's Super Bowl party at Pranna in NYC ... when they told us why Scott is the undisputed post-game screaming champion.

If you remember, Scott WENT OFF after the Jets beat the Patriots in a crazy playoff game ... and Bart UNLEASHED, trashing his critics and the Patriots defense ... before capping it off with what became his catchphrase.

Seriously, Bart even trademarked the phrase "Can't Wait."

Your move, Sherman.

Giants punter Steve Weatherford tells TMZ Sports ... he's obsessed with "Teen Mom" ... but despite his super-fandom, the NFL star says he draws the line at Farrah Abraham's sex tape.

Weatherford admits he's stumbled upon a free preview of Farrah's venture into porn, but says he can't justify shelling out money to watch the entire cinematic experience.

"I'm not paying $5 to watch Farrah."

Even the esteemed Senator from New York Chuck Schumer ... knows the NY Giants suck in the worst way possible ... and tells TMZ the broken U.S. government will probably get its act together before Eli and Company will.

Sen. Schumer was out in D.C. yesterday when he was asked to predict which will happen first -- the END of the government shutdown OR the END of the Giants' pathetic losing streak.

Schumer told us he's a huge fan of the G-Men and it pains him to say it ... but the smart money's on the boys in Washington ... not the guys in New York.

Before the NFL season began, NY Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz promised ... if he got a new contract, he would get a new Ferrari.

It appears Victor is a man of his word.

Cruz was spotted pulling into MetLife Stadium in Jersey yesterday in what appears to be a Ferrari California convertible ... which reportedly starts around $200k.

Of course, Cruz signed a HUGE contract over the summer -- 5-year extension worth up to $43 MILLION. Before that, he was making close to the league minimum.

The Giants lost to the Broncos in the Manning Bowl yesterday ... but we're guessing Victor wasn't too bummed out on the drive home.

It's that time of the year ... THE NFL IS BACK ... which means it's time for our resident sports expert Harvey Levin to start picking winners!!!!

First up, The New York Giants vs. the Dallas Cowboys!!!

And heeeeeeeeere we go!!

Evan: Who ya got ... New York or Dallas?
Harvey: Wait, the Giants or the Jets?

Evan: I already told you the Giants
Harvey: Oh right. Well, given that it's the Giants I'm definitely going with the Giants.

Evan: Why?
Harvey: Because I think Steve Tisch is awesome and I think the fact that he has 2 Super Bowl rings makes me as confident as Sully flying an airplane ... and I loved 'Forrest Gump.'

Evan: But Jerry Jones has 3 Super Bowl rings
Harvey: But he doesn't have an Oscar ... and that's gotta count for something.

Evan: In football?
Harvey: Sure. Football is a theatrical sport. Just watch what they do in the endzone.

James Harrison might be on to something, 'cause "Hard Knocks" is the kind of show that can DESTROY a football team ... so says NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch.

Tisch -- and the entire Giants organization -- have made it clear the team will NEVER agree to participate in the HBO docu-series, and yesterday in L.A., Tisch explained why.

"I don't think it brings anything to the team," Tisch said ... "It's a bit of a distraction and I think it's sort of misleading for the players ... especially the young guys."

Tisch continued, "Even though It comes off as a documentary, you're asking young athletes to perform. Perform on the field ... don't perform in the locker room for a TV show."

"I don't think it's in the players' best interest."

Clearly, the Cincinnati Bengals don't feel the same way. They're currently participating on the show for the SECOND time.

Sporting some traditional red & blue bowling kicks, khaki shorts and a facial expression that says, "Errr mah gerd" ... Eli Manning hit up a NY bowling alley with his teammates Tuesday night and TMZ has the pics.

Eli, along with wideout Victor Cruz and the entire NY Giants squad, snuck into Frames in midtown Tuesday night -- with a police escort -- for a top secret bowling session.

According to Frames, the event was 100% alcohol-free ... since the team is in the middle of some hardcore pre-season training. Nothing but juice and water.

Despite looking goofy on lanes, Eli actually put up some pretty decent numbers that night -- bowling a 154.

Cruz wasn't too far behind, posting a respectable 134. Coach Tom Coughlin scored a 113.

7/12 -- Ok, look ... we're having a pretty intense convo in the newsroom. We can't really tell our Mannings apart.

Some people think Peyton's the one in the red shirt ... honestly, we can't really tell.

If only they were wearing their Super Bowl rings.

He's already got 2 ringz ... but this week, Eli Manning threw on 2 Chainz ... and gangster'd himself out (along with his brother Peyton) ... for another DirecTV commercial shoot in New Orleans, and TMZ has the pic.

With Eli sporting a red Kanye-inspired jacket and a quasi-mullet ... and Peyton sporting a Jew-fro and Birdman shades ... we're guessing the NFL superstars were doing another one of those goofy spots for Sunday Ticket.

Back in 2011, the two dressed up like cops ... it was hilarious.

More importantly ... you know what this means?? FOOTBALL SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!