'Giants wasted Eli Manning's prime' is one of the worst takes ever

Welcome to the Monday edition of The Cooler. After a long weekend, there are plenty of things to clear out:

*Every time I see another site referencing a recent story in which two former New York Giants players say the team wasted Eli Manning's prime, I become angry all over again.

Sure, I'm watching this from the outside looking in (and have never played the game), but does anyone aside from Shaun O'Hara and Justin Tuck really believe this?

Manning has been a durable, above-average, mistake-prone quarterback who put together two amazing four-game runs — culminating in two Super Bowl wins over the Patriots! — but who otherwise has largely been the master of his own undoing.

He led the NFL in interceptions three different years and in the Giants' four other other playoff berths that didn't culminate in a Super Bowl, Manning is 0-4 with three TD passes and seven INTs.

The Giants often have had stout defenses and capable offensive playmakers during Manning's tenure. If anything, getting two Super Bowls out of a QB of his caliber is the opposite of a wasted prime. It is squeezing every possible ounce out of it.

Vikings fans would be thrilled if Minnesota wasted Kirk Cousins' prime in such a fashion.

*Speaking of video, here is 70 seconds of Alex Ovechkin and teammates in various venues and in various states of impairment singing "We are the Champions." The Caps partied hard. The parade is Tuesday, and it's supposed to be 77 and sunny in D.C., in case you are looking into a last-minute flight.

*Old friend Dwane Casey landed firmly on his feet, reportedly getting a five-year deal to coach the Pistons after the former Raptors and Timberwolves coach was dumped by Toronto after a playoff loss to the Cavs. Casey, who was named NBA Coach of the Year in May, should be a good fit with Detroit.

*I played in a golf scramble in Melrose on Friday with @JohnSharkman and other known associates. I'm a mediocre (at best) golfer, but I hit a sand wedge approach from 100 yards that I was convinced was absolutely perfect. Sharkman commented "good shot" when it was in mid-air. I started walking toward it, ball still in air, and declared "GREAT SHOT!" It sailed over the green and was the worst approach of our whole group. I will never live this down. There is no video, but then again there kind of is: