Monday, January 21, 2008

Super Bowl Sunday

With the Super Bowl just hours away, some reflections on the last game these Giants played. Eli Manning hitting big throws all day long. Antonio Pierce taking on two offensive linemen to foil a screen pass that looked like it could go the distance. Corey Webster stepping up yet again with tight coverage, making a huge tackle for a loss on a pass in the flat, and of course coming up big with the big interception in OT. Tynes with ice in his veins, not waiting for Coughlin to call his name, instead running out onto the field to kick a 47 yard field goal in minus 4 degree weather - the longest field goal ever kicked at Lambeau in playoff history - all this just minutes after having missed the game winner just minutes earlier. Toomer making a huge catch on the sidelines, his body stretched out horizontally full length with both toes barely dragging inches inside the playing field. Jacobs intimidating GB early by not only running through, but totally blasting and burying GB cornerback Woodson. Bradshaw getting huge run after huge run. Ruegamer taking over when Seubert goes down and the offensive line doesn't miss a beat. And Plaxico Burress taking Harris to school, catching pass after pass, holding off while getting drilled, getting up and going back for more.

It will take a similar effort by every Giant on the field today to overcome the first team in NFL history to ever go 18-0. If these two teams had to play a best of 10 series, the Giants would win 2-4 of those games. There is no reason why today cannot be one of those 2-4 times. Statistically speaking there is probably a 30% chance that these Giants make history today.

If 19-0 is the greatest single achievement in NFL history, by definition the Giants have a legitimate opportunity to accomplish the greatest upset in NFL history. Either way, for Giants fans, this is a moment in time to be cherished - of the approximately 25,000 days in a lifetime, a fan can consider himself lucky to experience a day like today 5 times. Enjoy!

Do You Believe In Destiny?

There is a lot of symmetry to this super bowl run. The Giants started the 2007 season in historic fashion, giving up 80 points in back to back losses to the Cowboys and Packers. Then, in total contrast to that horrendous start, they ended their regular season by playing their best game of the year in a game that had to shock the Patriots and established the Giants as a legitimate threat to end the Patriot's quest for perfection.

As it turned out, those first two losses were against the eventual #1 and #2 NFC seeds by season end. As they entered the post-season, the Giants had to face - and erase - the demons of those first two games. Against all odds (and all "experts") the Giants went on to make TO cry in Dallas and then traveled to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and made believers out of the Packers.

Now, with the type of symmetry that creates history, the Giants' last game of their regular season takes on much greater meaning. New England cannot be happy about this turn of events. The sense of destiny that pervades the Giants' improbable run to the Super Bowl is palpable. This Giants team and their historic march makes them a very dangerous team that NE would be wise to take very seriously.

Oh, and one last note. Before the season started I fantasized about how sweet the payback would be for the Giants to go on a historic Super Bowl run while Tiki Barber sat and watched. Sweet destiny.

Monday, January 14, 2008

How Sweet It Is

Going into the game, the Giants knew they couldn't win a shoot out with Dallas. They needed long time consuming drives to eat the clock and limit the number of Dallas possessions. And that's just what happened. Two monster 14 and 20 plays drives that consumed 18:35 minutes of the game. That it wasn't the Giants consuming the clock just misses the point. The Giants defense took away the big play and forced Dallas into the type of game they didn't want to play. Those two drives almost guaranteed this wasn't going to be another shoot out like the first two games.

Meanwhile the Giants three scoring drives took 6 plays in 3:10, 7 plays in 0:46, and 6 plays in 2:24. The 46 second drive to end the first half knotted at 14 was all Manning at his very best. I've never believed individual statistics are particularly enlightening in the world of football, especially the QB rating. But in this instance Eli's 100+ QB rating for three straight games is huge. Eli Manning is standing tall when it counts.

And it isn't only Manning who is "stepping up". Webster has turned his game around. Smith has been a huge contributor in the two playoff games. As has Boss. We all know about Bradshaw. And it isn't just the young guys. McQuarters played a huge game. Strahan, Osi, Tuck and Pierce got pressure on Romo. And Toomer may very well deserve MVP thus far in the playoffs. And have you noticed when Whimper has been inserted into the line up over the past month? Maybe not because it has been a silent smooth transition when he's been forced onto the field. Whimper is ready folks. Watch for him next year.

Playing as they are as underdogs the past three games, I truly believe this Giants team has tremendous togetherness and momentum that has changed the dynamics of this playoff season. You can bet NE is silently praying Green Bay wins on Sunday.

Oh, and by the way, I am smiling broadly when I think of Tiki Barber. How sweet it is. Just icing on the cake to this fan.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Giants Face Dallas In Playoffs

The Giants have played two games since my last post. And those two games dramatically change my thinking about this team. The Giants played two of the best back to back games I can recall in a very long time. Although they lost to NE in the season finale, the Giants went toe-to-toe for a full 60 minutes and gave NE everything they could handle. If the Giants somehow faced NE in the Super Bowl this year, which means the Giants beat Dallas today and Green Bay next week, the Giants would beat NE.

Following the NE game, the Giants went and won their first playoff game in the Coughlin/Manning era. After the first quarter, the Giants controlled the game. Eli Manning has played two straight games in which he is playing with a tremendous amount of self confidence. The Giants, as a team, seemed relaxed heading into the game, and it showed on the field.

Today's game is going to be very difficult and the Giants may not win. But I am not one of those who are claiming the Giants will not - and cannot - win today, because they can. This is a different Giants team that Dallas has yet to face. Not only is Manning playing with new found confidence, but so are so many others. Cory Webster had the game of his career last week. Ahmad Bradshaw is playing fantastic football. Kevin Boss has made an almost seamless transition to the starting TE position. Steve Smith is starting to make some impact plays. And Gerris Wilkinson has made a huge difference at LB. His speed adds a new dimension the Giants didn't have in week one covering Witten.

This will not be an easy game. The Giants may not win. But this is definitely a winnable game for the Giants. Manning, Webster, and Wilkinson will all have to play big today. The Giants have to avoid turnovers on offense and on defense the front four have to be in Romo's face without blitz help. Having already met all expectations for the season, the Giants should be loose heading into today's game. And if they some how find a way to win against Dallas today, the momentum from a loose team with no pressure, playing great football, will make them favorites in my mind to go all the way. But of course, winning today is no guarantee. But it sure is fun.