2.05.2008

Eighteen and DOH!



One of the most shocking Super Bowls in history transpired last Sunday. And, the New York Giants upset the heavily favored and undefeated New England Patriots 17-14. We are out there, but there are very few of us Big Blue Rootin' Crew that actually thought that the Giants could do it.

I pulled out all the stops, doing everything I could think of that might help the team. I wore Giants clothing to work all week, sported at t-shirt/Eli jersey/Giants sweatshirt combo at church Sunday morning (which was spent in intense meditation and visualization and pleading to God to allow the Giants to beat the unbelievably dangerous Patriots), and other rituals not fit to mention on this family blog. It all paid off, especially the church.

The game that unfurled was BETTER than when the Giants upset the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV 17 years ago. The Patriots were UNDEFEATED. But the Giants could call their playoff run 'The Revenge Tour'.

The Dallas Cowboys had beaten the Giants twice this year, surely the #1 seed would handle these Blue Upstarts one more time.


OK, they managed to squeeze out the win against Dallas. Lucky. But now the Giants would have to go up to frozen Lambeau Field in Wisconsin, in which the legend of Brett Favre only got better as the temperature went down. Game time conditions were at -20 below zero, there would be no way the young, inconsistent Giants QB would fare better than Favre in those conditions. Tack on the spirit of the Packers playing to get Brett Favre to the Super Bowl and there was no way the Giants could win this game. The Packers also had beaten the New York in Giants Stadium Week 2.

Oh my God, the Giants are going to the Super Bowl. To face the never-before-done 18-0 new England patriots, who had set NFL offensive records all season long on their determined march to their place as the best team in NFL history.

It would take a Herculean effort for the Giants to pull off, what I consider a bigger upset than Broadway Joe Namath and the NY Jets beating the formidable Baltimore Colts in 1968. The Colts that year were not an undefeated team in a very competitive and complex era of salary caps and free agency. The Patriots were.

The Defense would have to play lights out and get to Tom Brady the way no other team had all season long.

How long, Jet fans, have you waited for images like these this season? August? September?

How about Jerry Reese, GM of the Giants? Not only did his last four drafts pay off in spades with all the contributions from young players this year, but he signed versatile D-lineman Justin Tuck to a 30 million dollar contract before the Super Bowl. All of it was worth it on this image alone:
Tom Brady got NAILED all game long. 5 sacks, a fumble, and 18 other knockdowns. When Brady tried to throw deep he got creamed on the step into his throw. He didn't complete a pass longer than 20 yards, so the big play was taken away from the best offense of all-time. Wes Welker did some damage with 10 or 11 catches but he kept out the end zone. The Giants defense did a great job with the Patriots screen game, and Lawrence Maroney had a grand total of 39 yards rushing.

The game was extremely close. That Patriots had a capable defense full of smart veterans. One play could break and the Patriots would run away with it. The game was 7-3 Patriots heading into the 4th quarter. And in the 4th quarter, a player known only in Giants circles as a stout Special Teamer, QB Eli Manning had to check down to his 2nd, 3rd and 4th options on most pass plays. The 4th option is a guy named David Tyree, who caught a TD in that critical 4th quarter to put the Giants up 10-7. However, Tom Brady is on the other sideline and there were 4+ minutes left in the game. Sure enough, Brady to Moss with 2:40 or so to go.

This is the stage that a QB dreams about. And Eli Manning, so often crticized for not being his brother, not being fiery enough, lived it. Manning to Tyree could go down as one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history: 3rd and 5 at the Giants 40-yard line, the pocket collapses on manning, he is jostled around by various Patriot defenders as the pull at his jersey, SOMEHOW Eli gets out and scrambles to his right and heaves a desperate 32-yard pass upfield to Tyree who SOMEHOW trapped the ball to the top of his helmet while up in the air and hanging on despite a scratching and clawing Rodney Harrison :
And, is this an emotional enough QB for all the critics? Here he is after tossing the game-winning 13-yard pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left in the game.

After Brady threw 4 desperate heaves that went nowhere and the clock expired and it all hit me: the Giants won the Super Bowl! My knees got weak. Then came the shower for the much-maligned head coach Tom Coughlin.

Look at Murph over to the left. Awesome. I don't know if it has all the way set in yet. The victory parade in New York City is on the NFL Network and I will watch the game again on NFL Replay Wednesday night.

I know that I have been on an island the last four years, defending Eli, Giants management, Coughlin, the Defense, one thing after another. And now to have them as the Super Bowl 42 Champions with none other than QB Eli Manning as the MVP (sorry Defense) I think all those years on my heels are over. It's in the books, the Pats were the best team of all-time and Eli pulled off the biggest 4th-quarter comeback of all-time.

Thanks all you jet fans for giving me this tribute on the blog the last couple of weeks. I know you are happy that the Pats finally lost, and it was really worth waiting all season for that loss, because it is when it really, really counted.

There is one media member I would like to send a Giant 'ha-ha' to:
How comical are those leadership skills now dumbass? Lets' call into questions YOUR decision-making. We are the best team WITHOUT you. YOU were the whole problem. F' off Tiki Barber, sit in it.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spoken like a Jets fan, he ends his blog on a negative note bashing that prick Tiki. Good job Figs!

All I can say is that I eat my words, you were right, I was wrong. Write it down, it doesn't happen often (except according to my wife, in which case I am wrong 190% of the time).

Anyhoo, it was a fucking awesome game, the Giants were incredible, Eli turned into a man, and I couldn't believe my own eyes. Congrats Figs, the Giants earned it this year, that's for damn sure.

As for the Pats, ha ha!!!!! Fuck all of them, especially Bellicunt. Losers!!!!!!

What does this mean for the Jets? They are going to get destroyed by the Pats, who will back in the Super Bowl next year with a vengence. Watching those teams on Sunday showed me how bad the Jets really are. Nobody on the Jets could have made that throw that Eli (or Brady's bombs at the end of the game for that matter) made. I know Cotchery or Coles could have made that catch, but the ball would have never got to them. And the defense - oh God the Jets have so far to go.

I respect the Giants and what they did. Eli is a humble sort, and I actually like the guy now. Not that it matters to him what anyone thinks, but he was really impressive. I never saw it coming, but Figs did. So Kudos to you Figs, you were right all along and I was wrong. Who are you picking in the NCAA Tourney Figs? What about the White House? Come on man, you're hot!!

For the record, I offically go on record as saying I can't stand the Giants again. Shit, wasn't Russia on our side against Germany in WW I or some shit? When there is a bigger evil, you have to choose sides (i.e. the Pats) but now that the war is over I loathe the Giants again.

Viva los Jets!!!!!!!!

Bring on the Mets this year! Thank God they got Santana! I will have my championship in something before I die! Thank God my kid was too young to understand what happened on Sunday or I'd be raising a Giants fan.

Anonymous said...

Its nice thatw e are back to the natural order of things, this will go back to a Jets blog soon, I'm sure. Maybe we should make it a NY pro football site. But whatever, you know I am down with the Jets.

Man, thanks for the kind words Fake. I know it took a lot to get that out of you, but pretty much the Giants went on an unbelievable late season run and became the best football team at the right time, a lot like the Steelers a few years ago. That said, I hope Strahan comes back next year. But we are pretty set for a while I would think, Eli and Coughlin will probably get locked up to long-term deals. My ideal scenario would have Coughlin coach two more years and he could hand off to Spagnuolo, who I DON"T think will take the Redskins job. Stay with the stable franchise. But even if Spags does leave, WE WON THE SUPER BOWL and that's what happens to successful assisstants. I think he is the Coach of the Year, not Belichick, not Coughlin, because the Giants would've went nowhere without that D.

It seesm weird now to reflect back to the Giants/Jets game and worrying about if the Giants would win or not.

Faker, I am happy that you are offcially off Eliu's back. He has deserved that one, as you have said.

Anonymous said...

Its nice thatw e are back to the natural order of things, this will go back to a Jets blog soon, I'm sure. Maybe we should make it a NY pro football site. But whatever, you know I am down with the Jets.

Man, thanks for the kind words Fake. I know it took a lot to get that out of you, but pretty much the Giants went on an unbelievable late season run and became the best football team at the right time, a lot like the Steelers a few years ago. That said, I hope Strahan comes back next year. But we are pretty set for a while I would think, Eli and Coughlin will probably get locked up to long-term deals. My ideal scenario would have Coughlin coach two more years and he could hand off to Spagnuolo, who I DON"T think will take the Redskins job. Stay with the stable franchise. But even if Spags does leave, WE WON THE SUPER BOWL and that's what happens to successful assisstants. I think he is the Coach of the Year, not Belichick, not Coughlin, because the Giants would've went nowhere without that D.

It seesm weird now to reflect back to the Giants/Jets game and worrying about if the Giants would win or not.

Faker, I am happy that you are offcially off Eliu's back. He has deserved that one, as you have said.

Anonymous said...

Its nice thatw e are back to the natural order of things, this will go back to a Jets blog soon, I'm sure. Maybe we should make it a NY pro football site. But whatever, you know I am down with the Jets.

Man, thanks for the kind words Fake. I know it took a lot to get that out of you, but pretty much the Giants went on an unbelievable late season run and became the best football team at the right time, a lot like the Steelers a few years ago. That said, I hope Strahan comes back next year. But we are pretty set for a while I would think, Eli and Coughlin will probably get locked up to long-term deals. My ideal scenario would have Coughlin coach two more years and he could hand off to Spagnuolo, who I DON"T think will take the Redskins job. Stay with the stable franchise. But even if Spags does leave, WE WON THE SUPER BOWL and that's what happens to successful assisstants. I think he is the Coach of the Year, not Belichick, not Coughlin, because the Giants would've went nowhere without that D.

It seesm weird now to reflect back to the Giants/Jets game and worrying about if the Giants would win or not.

Faker, I am happy that you are offcially off Eliu's back. He has deserved that one, as you have said.

Anonymous said...

Figs, isnt it a pain to write that comment three times. I guess you are just a weirdo.

At any rate, unbeleivable game!!!

The first thing I thought of after the game was "What was Tiki thinking at that moment". He must have been kicking himself. But I think you are right. I dont think we get there with him on the team, despite how good he is.

He was too much of a leader (albiet a leader in the wrong direction) to allow Eli to come out of his shell. I dont think Eli is done getting out of his shell, but I think in the next few years he will.

I beleive in Eli now. I wish we had him instead of Clemmens. I love Chad so i will never say anyting bad about him, but Eli's arm is so much stronger than his.

At any rate, I think I have the HIV...must have caught it from french kissing Fakehead the other night.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I can't explain why my comment came out so many times because I only wrote it once.

Unruler, I like how you used the word 'we' when describing the Giants. It's working,...excellent...

I bet Tiki turned off the TV and cried. I wish I knew what he was saying on his Sirious radio show with his brother , who was beaten the first round in the playoffs by Plax and Eli. That's one big, 'Doh!' for Tiki, but that, gentlemen, is called KARMA.

The thing with QB's is: it takes a while. Clemmens has the arm strength and from what I've seen he is a gamer. There has been no movement with Chad, so that will be an interesting situation as it develops.

Patience, gentlemen. What is the Jets schedule like next year?

Anonymous said...

I think I caught AIDS from a whore I fucked. Oh well, live fast and die young. As they say in the Outer Banks, "Fuck around, screw around, one day I won't be around." Fucking dumbest slogan ever. Did a Hunchack invent that or was it you Unruly? What was the other kid - Chris or something?

Anonymous said...

Wasn't Tiki at the game? He probably didn't need a tV where he was sitting. I saw him interview Eli after the game, all typical questions, no apology. He could have redeemed himself in the eyes of millions if he just said, "I WAS wrong about you Eli" but he is too much of a prick. F Tiki, I hope he gets fired now.

I hate Sean Salsbury, that guy never shuts the fuck up.

Anonymous said...

No Hunchak didnt come up with that slogan. It was some southern dick who ended up going to U of MD with you. Remember that kid. His name was like Turtle or something.

AtomicTickets said...

This was an amazing catch for many reasons, first to be able to keep that ball against your helmet while getting hit by a very good safety then being able to pull it in anad secure it, not to mention in one of the most important times in the SUPER BOWL !!

NFL Tickets

Anonymous said...

Please let me know if you're looking for a writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd really like to write
some articles for your blog in exchange for a
link back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail
if interested. Thanks!
Review my blog - codes

Anonymous said...

This site was... how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something which helped me. Cheers!
Here is my blog post :: government mortgage help

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei ultimate on-line blogshop for wholesale & supply korean add-ons, accessories, earstuds, necklace,
rings, bracelet, hair & bracelet accessories. Deal 35 % wholesale price cut. Ship Worldwide
My web blog ; Korean accessories online shop

Anonymous said...

Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few
of the pictures aren't loading correctly. I'm not sure why but I
think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.
Take a look at my page replica Pro beats headphones by dre

Anonymous said...

Hi I am so excited I found your blog, I really found you
by error, while I was looking on Digg for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to
say thanks a lot for a incredible post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don't have time to look over it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
Check out my web blog ; Weight reduction Miami

Anonymous said...

Hello! I know this is kind of off-topic however I had to ask.
Does building a well-established website such as yours
take a large amount of work? I'm brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my diary every day. I'd like to start a
blog so I can easily share my own experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new
aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!
Stop by my homepage :: backup client server

Anonymous said...

Hi it's me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this website is in fact pleasant and the visitors are actually sharing nice thoughts.
my web site :: web hosting delhi

Anonymous said...

I'm really inspired with your writing abilities and also with the format to your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it's rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.

.

My web blog - buying perfume

Anonymous said...

dr sandra cabot fatty liver you can reverse it dr sandra cabot
fatty liver you can reverse it dr sandra cabot fatty liver
you can reverse it

Feel free to visit my web blog: fatty liver treatment natural