Superfan: Super Bowl Bye Week UNCUT (1/29/08)

THE LONG WAIT… by Blue-Blooded 

What a season so far.  Imagine how much fun it’s going to be to watch the “2007 Giants Yearbook” special while waiting for next season!  As I had to learn this past weekend, we as G-Men fans are very spoiled to still have football to watch every week.  I didn’t know what I was going to do with myself last Sunday.  On the networks I had to choose from either a meaningless golf tournament, a crappy B-movie from 1992, the news, or the U.S. Figure Skating Championships (that’s what I what to keep me entertained on a football bye week – a bunch of guys skating around in makeup and leotards). 

All I have to say is, THANK GOD for the NFL Network.  The commercials don’t lie; it really is football 24/7.  And, since the Giants are one of two teams left, it’s practically G-Men 12/3.5.  Since I had nothing to watch except for analysis shows and classic Super Bowl games all weekend, I decided to look back on this dream season we’ve yet to finish. 

It began with Michael Strahan relaxing at the beach.  The organization seemed less than thrilled, the Daily News ate it up, Strahan got some personal reflection time.  We signed Simeon Rice temporarily, remember?  What a long time ago that feels like.  But, alas, Strahan made it back in time for the season opener in Dallas, and all seemed right with the world.

           The opening game in Dallas was a good game, as I recall, until around the fourth quarter.  Eli had great numbers, so did Plaxico, albeit in a losing effort.  After week two’s home-opener against Green Bay, and I swear I’m not lying, Giants’ fans wanted Spagnuolo’s head.  Strahan looked like a player who seemed to have really missed out by not going to training camp.  We were 0-2, and things didn’t look like they’d be getting any better. 

           Things really turned around in Week 3.  Not only did the Giants’ road winning streak start, but so did the game day set-up at my house.  Coincidence?  I THINK NOT!  But seriously, a simple goal line stand at the end of that game set the tone for the rest of the Giants season. 

           After that there were a lot of close wins (which a lot of them didn’t have to be), a couple ugly losses, and the Patriots game.  Surprisingly enough, the one game that I felt comfortable about winning with time left in the fourth quarter was the Buffalo game, thanks to the defensive play and Ahmad Bradshaw being the man.  The other games we made much closer than they had to be.

           But, alas, none of that matters anymore.  Our record got us into the playoffs as the fifth-seeded wild card, and we all know about the glorious path to get to Arizona.  So now, we wait a little more.  Five days from when I’m writing this, to be exact.  Then, hopefully, celebration.  Although this season deserves to be celebrated regardless.  We had a quarterback who nobody thought could take us anywhere.  We replaced a pro-bowl running back with four guys, only one of who had shown any signs of potential greatness last season.  We had two new coordinators starting the season, and a head coach who was hated by everyone in the tri-state area outside the Giants’ franchise.  Plaxico wasn’t able to practice.  And we’re in the SUPER BOWL, PEOPLE!!  Enjoy it while you can, because you don’t know when the next time will be for us.  GO G-MEN!!

Superfan: Giants vs. Packers UNCUT (1/22/08)

One Giant Heaping of Blue Cheese
by Blue-Blooded

It was supposed to be Brett Favre’s greatest moment. His final game at Lambeau, in frigid playoff conditions, in front of thousands of die-hard cheese-heads. He was going to take his young team on his back take them to Arizona’s promised land, leaving one great, final impression on an already stellar, hall-of-fame worthy career. The two-week hype and pre-game shows would have their stories already written. A quarterback match-up almost as level, and equally appealing, as that of Brady-Manning. The old legend versus the young legend. The dominating, mistake-free, near-perfect team versus the passionate, fun-loving, spontaneous, gun-slinging team of NFL legend and glory. FOX couldn’t wait.
Only, the Giants won. They didn’t put up a good fight, cause a little scare, then succumb to freezing temperatures and the “better team” and head home almost-NFC champions. No, they played like the one team from the NFC that really deserves to be playing the Patriots in the Super Bowl. And it was incredible.

Let me tell you what I think. I think the Patriots hoped they’d be playing ANY OTHER TEAM BUT US in this year’s Super Bowl. I understand that they had many close games this past season, and we weren’t the only team that came close to beating them. However, we were the only team to come close to beating them at their best level. After the game was over back in December, I thought to myself: if we play at this level during the playoffs, we’ll certainly have a shot at a rematch with them in February. You didn’t hear them saying much about things they would have liked to do better that game. They didn’t make many mistakes against us (well, Moss did drop a pass when he was wide-open, but he quickly made up for it). I really thought that was the first time all season when they felt that, even while playing at their best, this was a team that could beat them. Needless to say it wasn’t an easy task for them to keep the dream season alive against us the first time, and it certainly won’t be any easier the second.
I happened to be at the NFC championship game, as I’m sure many of you readers were, at Giants Stadium in 2001. No one gave us a shot ahead of time, yet, well, you know the rest. And we looked GREAT in that game. Kerry Collins had one of the best first halves of a post-season football game ever. His halftime stats were better than most good quarterbacks’ final game stats after a solid performance. It was ridiculous. This year’s team, however, is even better.
No, we didn’t shut anyone out or put close to 41 points on the board, but any team that could possibly do that on the road in the playoffs should be checked thoroughly for steroids. Or at least B-12. But, Eli was the only quarterback last Sunday to throw ZERO picks. That keeps his interception total at nada for the playoffs. Plaxico and Amani (except for a few dropped balls, one due to pass interference) are playing the best football of their careers. No passing game because of the cold weather? Please. Our receivers made Woodson and Harris look like they were recently picked up off the practice squad. Our secondary seems to be anything but beat up. And this time around, it sure looks like the real thunder and lightening will arrive for the big game.

The game at my house had some crazy drama with all the familiar characters, plus two new ones. My friend Jon’s younger brother, Jerome, and his friend, Ofer, came to watch. Jerome arrived during the fourth quarter, just before Lawrence Tynes missed the first of two field goals in the quarter. We were seriously thinking about making him leave, but instead just had him leave the room for Tyne’s game-winning try in overtime. Obviously, that strategy worked. Now, amidst all the joy and elation, I have a serious issue to worry about. Clearly, the act of keeping my father out of Green Bay and back in Jersey to watch the game with us worked. Now, my dad has two tickets. Guess who the other one’s for? I went to Super Bowl XXXV, so I already know what it’s like to get all built up for a game only to be disappointed. But I really feel different about this team. Is it really worth it to pass on an opportunity to see your team play in the Super Bowl because of superstition. Maybe, if it ends up working. As for now, since we’ll both be going, we might just cancel each other out of the system’s equation. If any of you know who I am and happen to see me around, and have a very valid argument why I absolutely MUST NOT GO (not going and giving you my ticket is not a valid argument), please feel free to share. I’m truly in a pickle.

But, alas, things could be worse. WE MADE IT TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!! We actually got here. These next two weeks are going to be the longest of most of our lives, but it’ll be worth it. It’ll be worth it in two weeks when Tom Brady is on the sideline, STUNNED, because Eli Manning and the Giants just completed the upset of all time. They’re looking an awful lot like Brady’s first Super Bowl-winning Patriots team. It’s our time, now. Let’s end their dream, and fulfill our own. 18-1, baby! G-MEN!

Superfan: Giants vs. Cowboys UNCUT (1/15/08)

I Really Hope I Don’t Wake Up Soon… by Blue-Blooded

The scenario: 2 buddies at a bar in North Jersey. It’s December 17, 2007, the Monday night after the Giants’ gut-wrenching Sunday night loss at home to the rival Washington Redskins…

Guy 1: “That’s it, man. Season over. Eli sucks! There’s no way a guy like that can lead us anywhere, even if we make the playoffs!”

Guy 2: “Don’t worry. Just you watch – the Giants will not only make the playoffs, but tear into it after a crazy game against the Patriots in which they almost beat them, and Eli throws 4 touchdown passes. You know that guy returning kicks for us? Something Bradshaw? He’s gonna wind up being one of the largest contributors in our run to the playoffs out of the backfield. Then, next thing you know, Eli’s gonna win two straight playoff games on the road, while throwing NO interceptions. Then, BAM, we’re in the NFC championship game, just like that.”

Guy 1 says nothing. He just sits there, staring. Then, slowly, he stands up, looks at Guy 2, shakes his head, smacks him upside the face, and walks out of the bar.

Sounds about right. If someone were to tell me a month or so ago that we’d be in the situation we’re in now, while looking as good as we are, I’d have recommended they seek professional help.
But, well, HOW ‘BOUT THEM G-MEN?!? I thought it was going to be a long time before I could have this much fun as a Giants fan again. I mean, taking down a team with the #1 ranked defense in the league on the road in the first round was great, but the Cowboys?? In Irving?? The great thing about beating a team like Dallas in their home stadium is that when you win, Jerry Jones is moping around right there on the field. If that doesn’t motivate a defense, I don’t know what does. Great camera work at the end of the game, FOX. As if all that wasn’t enough, T.O. finally gave the popcorn-worthy performance we’ve all been waiting for this season. We all just didn’t realize it was going to take place at the post-game press conference.

And the Academy Award for best male crybaby in a sympathetic role goes to…

Seriously, you’d think he was planning to ask Romo to move in with him and help decorate the upstairs bathroom. Man up! Romo isn’t crying. Clearly, this isn’t affecting him as much as it’s affecting you. No one’s even accused him of anything, yet. I’m pretty sure most everyone understands that his little “hiatus” had nothing to do with the fact that the Giants D-line was in the backfield nearly every play of the second half.
I don’t think the Cowboys felt they’d have to contend with such a productive Giants offense. Let’s think about it: the Cowboys just pulled off an incredible 20-play, ten-plus-minute drive to pull ahead 14-7 with LESS THAN A MINUTE remaining in the half. All was well for America’s team, they’d go into the locker at halftime with the lead, and get to start the second half with the ball to try and add on to it. Then, with 47 seconds left, Eli and the Giants pull off a seven-play scoring drive to completely negate what the Cowboys had just spent so much time and effort doing. All of a sudden, Romo and the ‘Boys were reassured that this was NOT the same Giants team they faced twice in the regular season. This was not the quarterback who was unsure of himself, who doubted himself, who forced passes, who would never mature into the quarterback everyone expected him to be. This was not the secondary that would give up on routes and get mixed up in coverage. This was a contender. These guys were the real deal, not some hurdle on the way to a Super Bowl run. This was not the game to give extra NFC championship game tickets to your players beforehand, Jerry. And now you know.
The only negative I’m taking away from this whole experience is that we have to watch them play on FOX again this weekend, therefore having to listen to Troy Aikman help call the game again. I understand he used to play for the Cowboys, but Troy, you’re a professional. Act like it, you homer. Every time a call went against the Cowboys, or a call wasn’t made against the Giants, Troy was complaining about it. Which I suppose made it that much sweeter when we won, but still. It was like I was listening to the game on a Dallas radio station. And you know he’ll be pulling for the Packers next week, because no one at FOX wants Brett Favre to not be playing in the Super Bowl they’re airing. Let’s just hope all the guys keep picking against the Giants in the pre-game show. It’s a system that’s been working well for us so far.
As for the gameday system, well, it’s obviously still working. All the familiar faces were back at my house to watch the game. I had a constant flow of iced diet soda flowing in and out of my body throughout. Robby went back to school, so the jersey went back on the dog. My buddy once again made the one-day trip from Delaware for the sole purpose of watching the game.
Yet, even though we won again, my dad still seems to need convincing for next weekend. He’s been thinking about going to Green Bay to watch the Giants play this Sunday, but I’m not letting him. If he wants the Giants to have a shot at going to the Super Bowl, he’ll have to make the sacrifice and stay home for this one. Same room, same seat. DON’T MESS WITH THE SYSTEM WHEN IT WORKS!
Some people seem to be worried about the cold weather expected for Sunday’s game in Green Bay. I’m looking forward to it. Honestly, the game there last weekend looked like a lot of fun. And who doesn’t want to watch an NFC championship game in the cold, frigid, snow-covered frozen tundra? (grrrrrr…) It’s the epitome of playoff football. It’s the kind of conditions you dream about playing in as a kid in your backyard (if you live up north). Plus, it’ll help take away their deep threat (Ryan Grant is another issue). And Brandon Jacobs will simply go from a steamroller to a snow-plow.
This is it, baby! One more win! Let’s go stun-and-silence one more home crowd and head to Arizona. This is our year, I’m really feeling it now. It’s time to go make it happen!

Superfan: Giants vs. Bucs UNCUT (1/8/08)

One Giant Leap by Blue-Blooded

Oh, man. I mean, wow. I was confident that we could win this one, but I honestly never expected us to look that dominant in victory. Eli looked like a seasoned vet, the d-line was as aggressive as I’ve ever seen them, and how about that secondary?
I’m not going to lie. I was very relieved when that game was over. After practically assuring a victory in my article last week, I thought for sure everyone thought (myself included) that I had jinxed us. Unfortunately, I don’t have a giant tree in my room that I could have used last week to knock on every hour on the hour to try and even things out.
Also, I wonder how many local sports writers went to bed Sunday night upset that they had hardly anything negative to write about. I’m thinking several.
I was extremely impressed with Michael Strahan after that game. Of course he was happy about the victory, but he also made it very clear that no giant monkey is off anyone’s back yet. The point is to win the whole thing, not just one. And it really looks like these guys recognize and appreciate that truism.
We’ve got a very tough opponent this Sunday in Dallas. They may not have played well to end the season, but that doesn’t mean the talent is gone. Yes, Owens isn’t 100%, but don’t forget he also wasn’t full-strength in an incredible performance in some big playoff game a few years ago. Oh, right. The Super Bowl. Let’s not count him out just yet, as much as I’d love to. Not to mention, they got Terry Glenn back at the end of the season.
However, last Sunday’s performance by our secondary was the best I can remember in the last 5+ years. Corey Webster clearly was putting on a show to try and inspire his troops for their showdown with Ohio State last night. Regardless of whether it worked, it was quite a show. I bet no one thought heading into Sunday’s game that the post-game media frenzy would encircle Corey Webster, and would completely skip over a very humbled Ronde Barber.

As for Eli, allow me to quote a conversation I had with a fellow fan during the game which happens to also be a conversation which took place in “The Matrix”:
“That’s impossible. How’s he doing that?”
“He’s beginning to believe.”

As much as (it seemed) he tried to fight it, the “Manningness” finally kicked in. I saw a quarterback who approached the line of scrimmage on every play (at least from the second quarter on) with the confidence that he would be able to make something happen. He showed incredible patience. He ran away from pressure and gave himself more time. He was able to sense immediate pressure and delivered the ball just before he got hit. He checked down to all his receivers and gave them opportunities to get open, without glaring at who he was planning to throw to each time he approached the line of scrimmage. And he didn’t make many bad throws.
The one legit criticism I could find was that he still needs to work a little bit on clock management. And to lead his receivers a little more so they’re not always stationary when they catch the ball. It’s a lot harder to gain yards after the catch that way. As far as everything else went, however, very nice.
My boys Ahmad and Brandon spoke for themselves out there. By the way, props to Coughlin and Gilbride on their handling of the running game. Ahmad was the only guy who didn’t play last week, and it seemed like Tampa Bay might have forgotten he was on our roster during the first three quarters. Nothing but bruising runs up the middle from Jacobs the whole game, then suddenly, whoosh! Ahmad Bradshaw comes in there, against a very exhausted Buccaneers defense, and is able to shake them off like Jacobs! Talk about a good change of pace.
I had a feeling early on that it was going to be a good offensive day when we opened up the game with a pass. Very rebellious, Kevin. You like to live dangerously. I dig it.

For all these reasons, and more, I’m again feeling good going into the game this Sunday. We’ve got a great system working at my house right now. A fellow fan, and friend of the family’s, Jay, always picks up pizza from the same place on the way to our place. My buddy, Jon, always shows up a little late. I always have a glass of iced diet soda on me at all times. We’ve decided for sure that while my little brother is home from school, the dog doesn’t wear the Shockey jersey (it’s also unnecessary to have any potential bad vibes seeing as how he’s not dressed for the games). My dad and I always throw ten complete passes outside, then another ten for overtime/good luck right before kickoff.
This past week, by the way, my buddy Jon and I were outside throwing the ball around during halftime. I led him on a pass across the yard, he went running for it, it was muddy and gross out, his foot got stuck, and he totally wiped out. I mean big time. Mud everywhere. Me laughing. Mothers crying. Children screaming and running in fear. Plus, he dropped the pass. (Sorry, Jon, but if it wasn’t you, you’d think it was really funny also. I promise.)
All the same characters will be back next week for more crazy shenanigans, which is good for the Giants, bad for my house’s foundation. I have all the confidence in the world that the Giants can pull this one off. Don’t forget, the other two contests were close games until the last quarters. And this is a much different, more aggressive, more confident team. With a defense that should be feared as much as, if not more than, any other in the playoffs right now.
Enjoy the way you feel right now as a Giants fan. It’s only going to get better as this train rolls on.

Superfan: Giants vs. Patriots UNCUT (1/1/08)

A Giant Outlook on 2008 by Blue-Blooded

Happy New Year’s, Giants fans! I know I’m happy, especially after last Saturday night’s game. Never before have I been genuinely pleased at a performance following a loss, but I was beyond proud of our G-men following their recent match-up with the Patriots. I noticed that the Patriots team we played was not the same team that looked so human the past several weeks. This was the polished team that everyone will remember them by when looking back on 2007. This was the Tom Brady who could pick apart defenses like a surgeon. This was the defense that came with constant pressure nearly every play. And we, the “humble” New York Giants, with nothing to play for except pride and practice, hung in there until the last play of the game with the elitist of elite NFL teams.
Our players needed some rest. Everyone knew that. But that didn’t stop anything. Our starters went out there like a playoff berth was on the line, and it was amazing. I’d hope it reminded everyone out there that, even though we’re “just” a wild card team, we’re still a ten-win team. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for the division we’re in, I’m pretty sure we’d be the #3 seed in the NFC headed into the playoffs. But don’t quote me on that.
However, I will quote a fan I overheard recently, who said, “that (the game against the Patriots)’s the best I’ve seen the Giants play in the last three years.” Bottom line, this team’s fans are pumped. And we’re ready to go absolutely crazy this weekend when we visit the Bucs.
By the way, has anyone noticed Plaxico recently? He’s playing better than I’ve ever seen him. He’s got that Lynn Swann-ball-grab-toe-tap down to a science. It’s great seeing that ups-and-hands combo again.
If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m predicting that the Giants post-season visit to Tampa will have a much better outcome than last time. And, although everyone says the Redskins have the most momentum headed into the playoffs, I believe the Giants can certainly be considered equally motivated after last weekend’s performance, even in a loss. And, our newest star is coming in with a fresh set of legs.
So, fans, make your toasts, pretend to be committed about a couple resolutions, and put the rest on hold. It’s time for the second season to begin. And I have a good feeling it’ll be a long one.

Ps – I have to say it. It’s time for Giants fans to grow up and stop hating on Tiki. The man was a Giants legend. He single-handedly carried us into the playoffs last year. What he said about Eli earlier in the season was simply his opinion as an analyst, and I believe he was being honest. Plus, he didn’t “abandon” us by retiring. It’s not like he signed with a rival team for more money. He simply didn’t want to play anymore. We should all be mature enough to respect that. Remember him for what he did for us on the field. The guy left his heart and soul out there week in and week out, and I know I’m thankful for it. And I’m sure he’ll be rooting for us as hard as anybody this weekend. Don’t hate – appreciate.