Monday, February 04, 2008
Who Saw This Coming?
By now everyone has already recapped the Super Bowl 100 times, so I’ll boil it down to the things that stood out to me:
-) The Giants defense was amazing. If you throw two TDs and lead your team to a game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left, you deserve to be the MVP, but there is no question that the Giants’ D-Line was the difference in the game (Justin Tuck, with six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble, was probably the best of the bunch). The Patriots came into the game averaging 36 points and 411 yards per game – and score more than 30 points in 13 of 18 games – yet the Giants held them to 14 points. They sacked Brady five times and probably knocked him down more than the Jets have since Mo Lewis ruptured Drew Bledsoe’s spleen. Plus, by creating such a pass rush, they didn’t allow the Pats the time it takes to go deep to Randy Moss and earn an easy touchdown. It was a truly remarkable performance.
-) Two things surprised me about the Patriots’ strategy. The Giants were coming after Brady hard, yet the Pats didn’t go to a max protection scheme to give Brady more time. It seemed obvious that the Pats O-line wasn’t handling the Giants D-line, so why not leave a back or an extra tight end in to block? Also odd was that the Pats gave up on the running game. I know it wasn’t especially effective, but a semblance of a running attack also might have slowed the Giants’ pass rushers. Maroney rushed just 14 times, and just six in the second half despite the Pats holding the ball for twice the number of minutes in the second half as the first.
-) Troy Aikman really, really loves to say Osi Umenyiora’s name. And not just the last name. The full name. Like 15 times a possession. (That was my first of two Larry King moments.)
-) A lot has been made of Belichick leaving the field before the end of the game. I can’t stand the guy—in fact, he’s my least favorite non-criminal in sports (ahead of even Barry Bonds and T.O.)—but I’m not quite ready to kill him on this one. He thought the game was over and went over and shook Coughlin’s hand. He didn’t blow him off. All that said, a coach should not leave the field while his players are still on it. He didn’t desecrate the game, but he’s still a jerk and that was one more jerky moment in a career full of them.
-) Other than that, a lot of credit to the Patriots players, who I thought were pretty classy in handling the loss. I’m sure they were devastated, but they didn’t make excuses.
-) And finally, can someone get Mercury Morris to the f&$% shut up??!!
Moving on to more important things, the Second Sportsmeat Football Pool (2007-08 edition) has finally come to its end. In this case, it swung on whether the Giants covered the spread. If they hadn’t, Budds would have won a second title in two years. Instead, I finally picked the Giants to cover and they came through (as they had nearly every time I picked against them, like with the Bucs, Cowboys and Packers).
The only person to pick the game correctly was Dave Law, who picked the Giants to win and cover and took the under, giving him all 20 points. Snoop was the only one to take the collar. So as fans go, congrats to Big Thunder and condolences to Snoop and Maxipriest.
Below are the updated, final standings:
EJ - 217 points (10 this past weekend)
Budds - 210 (5)
Joe - 206 (5)
Maxipriest - 192 (5)
Dave Law - 146.5 (20)
Big Thunder - 122 (-)
Snoop - 111 (0)
Y.A. Shoes - 35 (-)
-) The Giants defense was amazing. If you throw two TDs and lead your team to a game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left, you deserve to be the MVP, but there is no question that the Giants’ D-Line was the difference in the game (Justin Tuck, with six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble, was probably the best of the bunch). The Patriots came into the game averaging 36 points and 411 yards per game – and score more than 30 points in 13 of 18 games – yet the Giants held them to 14 points. They sacked Brady five times and probably knocked him down more than the Jets have since Mo Lewis ruptured Drew Bledsoe’s spleen. Plus, by creating such a pass rush, they didn’t allow the Pats the time it takes to go deep to Randy Moss and earn an easy touchdown. It was a truly remarkable performance.
-) Two things surprised me about the Patriots’ strategy. The Giants were coming after Brady hard, yet the Pats didn’t go to a max protection scheme to give Brady more time. It seemed obvious that the Pats O-line wasn’t handling the Giants D-line, so why not leave a back or an extra tight end in to block? Also odd was that the Pats gave up on the running game. I know it wasn’t especially effective, but a semblance of a running attack also might have slowed the Giants’ pass rushers. Maroney rushed just 14 times, and just six in the second half despite the Pats holding the ball for twice the number of minutes in the second half as the first.
-) Troy Aikman really, really loves to say Osi Umenyiora’s name. And not just the last name. The full name. Like 15 times a possession. (That was my first of two Larry King moments.)
-) A lot has been made of Belichick leaving the field before the end of the game. I can’t stand the guy—in fact, he’s my least favorite non-criminal in sports (ahead of even Barry Bonds and T.O.)—but I’m not quite ready to kill him on this one. He thought the game was over and went over and shook Coughlin’s hand. He didn’t blow him off. All that said, a coach should not leave the field while his players are still on it. He didn’t desecrate the game, but he’s still a jerk and that was one more jerky moment in a career full of them.
-) Other than that, a lot of credit to the Patriots players, who I thought were pretty classy in handling the loss. I’m sure they were devastated, but they didn’t make excuses.
-) And finally, can someone get Mercury Morris to the f&$% shut up??!!
Moving on to more important things, the Second Sportsmeat Football Pool (2007-08 edition) has finally come to its end. In this case, it swung on whether the Giants covered the spread. If they hadn’t, Budds would have won a second title in two years. Instead, I finally picked the Giants to cover and they came through (as they had nearly every time I picked against them, like with the Bucs, Cowboys and Packers).
The only person to pick the game correctly was Dave Law, who picked the Giants to win and cover and took the under, giving him all 20 points. Snoop was the only one to take the collar. So as fans go, congrats to Big Thunder and condolences to Snoop and Maxipriest.
Below are the updated, final standings:
EJ - 217 points (10 this past weekend)
Budds - 210 (5)
Joe - 206 (5)
Maxipriest - 192 (5)
Dave Law - 146.5 (20)
Big Thunder - 122 (-)
Snoop - 111 (0)
Y.A. Shoes - 35 (-)
# posted by EJ @ 12:05 PM 
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I'll add a few comments to be taken in addition to your comments.
- One point to consider in looking at the Giants' success (especially their playoff success) is the job that first year GM Jerry Reese did in last year's draft. Aaron Ross (1st Round, 20th pick) was a starter for most of the year, and already my favorite Giants DB in recent memory. Steve Smith (2nd Round, 51st pick) came on strong in the playoffs, including a number of key first down receptions yesterday (and since the Giants won, I won't kill him for the bobble that led to the interception). Jay Alford (3rd Round, 81st pick) saw a fair amount of time as a backup DT (and is also the team's long snapper - the only long snapper in the NFL that sees regular time at a different position), and he had my personal favorite play of the game when he bulldozed through Brady to set up 3rd and 20 and almost end the game. Kevin Boss (5th Round, 153rd pick) filled in well for Shockey in the playoffs, including his ginormous 45-yarder to start the fourth quarter. And of course Ahmad Bradshaw (7th Round, 250th pick) was a key throughout the later part of the season. This doesn't even mention Zak DeOssie, who was very good on special teams, and Michael Johnson, who saw a fair amount of time as a backup safety. That's a pretty good debut for Reese.
- I'm convinced that something was wrong with Brady. Flu, strep throat, migraine -- something along those lines. His face just didn't look right. He sort of had red eyes and just didn't appear focused. Yes, the Giants hit him hard and often, but he also just plain missed on about 4 throws (including a wide open Moss in the end zone, right before they did hook up for a TD).
- I don't think the Fox guys said enough about Welker. He was unbelievable, and frankly has been all year. I wouldn't have a problem with him being on an all-pro team. Nobody on the Giants could cover him.
- I agree that I was surprised the Pats didn't keep more tight ends and running backs in. The Giants were getting great pressure all day, and it was clearly the key factor in slowing down the Pats offense. Conversely, I thought the Giants O-line did a very good job of protecting Eli (though that broke down a bit at the very end).
- I don't know if anyone noticed, but I thought Rodney Harrison had an absolutely horrible game. He seemed to always be missing a tackle or having a receiver catch a ball on him.
- I actually don't hate the Pats much -- I respect what they did, and honestly think they may have been the best team of all time. However, when the Pats took the lead after the Moss TD, and Fox cut to a shot of Bruschi hugging Seau as if it were all over ... that pissed me off.
- Let's be honest. Eli did not have a great year. He was not among the 10 (or maybe even 15) best QBs in the league. But one thing that he could always do was run a two minute drill. He is always derided for his demeanor, but I think it is great for a QB, and perfect at a time when, say, the best team of all time just took the lead on you with 2:30 left in the Super Bowl. I mean, the main difference between his demeanor and Tom Brady's is that Brady has great stats, so nobody cares that he isn't all that vocal. Neither of them yell and scream all that much. And for what its worth, Eli did elevate his game in the playoffs by forcing balls into coverage less often, and also to avoid his high inaccuracy (though that reared its ugly head once or twice yesterday).
- One thing that stood out to me is that the Giants were honestly more intense than the Pats. Two players really showed this - Ahmad Bradshaw was running like his life depended on it (he always does). He didn't break anything, but during each run you could see he gave maximum effort. He was also quite good in blitz pickups. On defense, Justin Tuck was playing like his pants were on fire. His speed for a defensive tackle is unusual, and he was in the middle of things all day.
- Finally, this was just a great freaking game. Even if the Giants had lost, I would say the same thing. Someone recently said that we watch all these games all year long, and occasionally something really exciting happens, but it isn't until you see a truly great game that you recall why you are a fan in the first place. Well, the Giants have just given us three straight intense, close games, and that has made the hours of watching all worth it.
- One point to consider in looking at the Giants' success (especially their playoff success) is the job that first year GM Jerry Reese did in last year's draft. Aaron Ross (1st Round, 20th pick) was a starter for most of the year, and already my favorite Giants DB in recent memory. Steve Smith (2nd Round, 51st pick) came on strong in the playoffs, including a number of key first down receptions yesterday (and since the Giants won, I won't kill him for the bobble that led to the interception). Jay Alford (3rd Round, 81st pick) saw a fair amount of time as a backup DT (and is also the team's long snapper - the only long snapper in the NFL that sees regular time at a different position), and he had my personal favorite play of the game when he bulldozed through Brady to set up 3rd and 20 and almost end the game. Kevin Boss (5th Round, 153rd pick) filled in well for Shockey in the playoffs, including his ginormous 45-yarder to start the fourth quarter. And of course Ahmad Bradshaw (7th Round, 250th pick) was a key throughout the later part of the season. This doesn't even mention Zak DeOssie, who was very good on special teams, and Michael Johnson, who saw a fair amount of time as a backup safety. That's a pretty good debut for Reese.
- I'm convinced that something was wrong with Brady. Flu, strep throat, migraine -- something along those lines. His face just didn't look right. He sort of had red eyes and just didn't appear focused. Yes, the Giants hit him hard and often, but he also just plain missed on about 4 throws (including a wide open Moss in the end zone, right before they did hook up for a TD).
- I don't think the Fox guys said enough about Welker. He was unbelievable, and frankly has been all year. I wouldn't have a problem with him being on an all-pro team. Nobody on the Giants could cover him.
- I agree that I was surprised the Pats didn't keep more tight ends and running backs in. The Giants were getting great pressure all day, and it was clearly the key factor in slowing down the Pats offense. Conversely, I thought the Giants O-line did a very good job of protecting Eli (though that broke down a bit at the very end).
- I don't know if anyone noticed, but I thought Rodney Harrison had an absolutely horrible game. He seemed to always be missing a tackle or having a receiver catch a ball on him.
- I actually don't hate the Pats much -- I respect what they did, and honestly think they may have been the best team of all time. However, when the Pats took the lead after the Moss TD, and Fox cut to a shot of Bruschi hugging Seau as if it were all over ... that pissed me off.
- Let's be honest. Eli did not have a great year. He was not among the 10 (or maybe even 15) best QBs in the league. But one thing that he could always do was run a two minute drill. He is always derided for his demeanor, but I think it is great for a QB, and perfect at a time when, say, the best team of all time just took the lead on you with 2:30 left in the Super Bowl. I mean, the main difference between his demeanor and Tom Brady's is that Brady has great stats, so nobody cares that he isn't all that vocal. Neither of them yell and scream all that much. And for what its worth, Eli did elevate his game in the playoffs by forcing balls into coverage less often, and also to avoid his high inaccuracy (though that reared its ugly head once or twice yesterday).
- One thing that stood out to me is that the Giants were honestly more intense than the Pats. Two players really showed this - Ahmad Bradshaw was running like his life depended on it (he always does). He didn't break anything, but during each run you could see he gave maximum effort. He was also quite good in blitz pickups. On defense, Justin Tuck was playing like his pants were on fire. His speed for a defensive tackle is unusual, and he was in the middle of things all day.
- Finally, this was just a great freaking game. Even if the Giants had lost, I would say the same thing. Someone recently said that we watch all these games all year long, and occasionally something really exciting happens, but it isn't until you see a truly great game that you recall why you are a fan in the first place. Well, the Giants have just given us three straight intense, close games, and that has made the hours of watching all worth it.
One other thing. Every once in awhile, you're watching a game, and a play happens that makes you think "maybe they're just destined to win." Well, the Manning scramble / jump ball to Tyree / catch against helmet while falling backwards gave me that feeling. I had been conditioning myself for two full weeks to expect the disappointment of a Super Bowl loss. I was convinced it would be a blowout Pats victory. But after that play, I couldn't control my excitement. I was incredibly fired up. Also, Sean Salisbury made a (rare) good point on that play -- a lot of officials would have blown it dead with so many hands on Eli. Kudos to last night's crew for letting him play it out.
I completely agree on Welker and Harrison. Welker would have been the MVP had the Giants won and he was amazing this season. Plus, he and Moss work so well together -- whether by design or good fortune, the Pats put together a perfect mix of talents there.
Harrison is starting to look like a lot of safeties as they get late in their careers. They can still hit and tackle (great stop of Toomer to force a fourth down late in the game) but they can't cover deep anymore. That long Boss reception that set up the first TD was all on Harrison. I guess he just hasn't been the same since he quit the roids.
And finally, give Eli a lot of credit. The two reasons I doubted the Giants heading into the playoffs were their DBs (which held up really well, with a big assist from the pass rush) and Eli's inconsistency. Eli picked the right time to play the best four-game stretch of his life -- in every playoff game he outplayed and was more accurate than the more heralded QB he took on. And how many QBs -- or defenses, for that matter -- take out Favre and Brady to win a Super Bowl??!!
And yeah, best game of the season.
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Harrison is starting to look like a lot of safeties as they get late in their careers. They can still hit and tackle (great stop of Toomer to force a fourth down late in the game) but they can't cover deep anymore. That long Boss reception that set up the first TD was all on Harrison. I guess he just hasn't been the same since he quit the roids.
And finally, give Eli a lot of credit. The two reasons I doubted the Giants heading into the playoffs were their DBs (which held up really well, with a big assist from the pass rush) and Eli's inconsistency. Eli picked the right time to play the best four-game stretch of his life -- in every playoff game he outplayed and was more accurate than the more heralded QB he took on. And how many QBs -- or defenses, for that matter -- take out Favre and Brady to win a Super Bowl??!!
And yeah, best game of the season.
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