There will be people, primarily in the New York area, that will hail this Giants team as the team that pulled off the biggest upset in the history of sports. That can't be farther from the truth. The Giants won that game. The Patriots didn't choke, they got beat.
If you follow that logic the first time these teams was played an epic, in the 17th and final week of the season. The score differential was 3 points in favor of the Patriots. Both teams had nothing to play for. They were both in the playoffs and couldn't lose their seed. Neither of the teams pulled starters in the second half, which is common in the final week.
These teams met for a rematch in the Super Bowl five weeks later. The score differential was the same, but this time in the favor of the Giants. So in the scheme of things, they split. Yes, the Giants won the important game, and with a stellar defensive exhibition that beat Tom Brady senseless. I guess I'll continue to follow the old adage that "Defense Wins Championships." Seems to ring true.
What isn't true is that it was the greatest upset in sports. New York just wants to forget having to swallow that series that went from up 3-0 against the Red Sox, to making tee times early for the "Boys in Pinstripes." Boston went on to exorcise the "Curse of the Bambino," and now seems to own the Bronx Bombers.
I'm as happy as I can be for Eli, who six weeks ago was a bust to the majority of the media and the fans that praise him today. I'm glad Micheal Strahan got his ring, and Jeff Feely, who is now the oldest player to win, or play, in a Super Bowl. Tom Coughlin changed his coaching style and leaned on his veterans to guild the player - coach dynamic. Worked out well.
If you follow that logic the first time these teams was played an epic, in the 17th and final week of the season. The score differential was 3 points in favor of the Patriots. Both teams had nothing to play for. They were both in the playoffs and couldn't lose their seed. Neither of the teams pulled starters in the second half, which is common in the final week.
These teams met for a rematch in the Super Bowl five weeks later. The score differential was the same, but this time in the favor of the Giants. So in the scheme of things, they split. Yes, the Giants won the important game, and with a stellar defensive exhibition that beat Tom Brady senseless. I guess I'll continue to follow the old adage that "Defense Wins Championships." Seems to ring true.
What isn't true is that it was the greatest upset in sports. New York just wants to forget having to swallow that series that went from up 3-0 against the Red Sox, to making tee times early for the "Boys in Pinstripes." Boston went on to exorcise the "Curse of the Bambino," and now seems to own the Bronx Bombers.
I'm as happy as I can be for Eli, who six weeks ago was a bust to the majority of the media and the fans that praise him today. I'm glad Micheal Strahan got his ring, and Jeff Feely, who is now the oldest player to win, or play, in a Super Bowl. Tom Coughlin changed his coaching style and leaned on his veterans to guild the player - coach dynamic. Worked out well.
I'm not thrilled that I'll have to hear Mercury Morris for the next 20 years. He must sit around all day to write the catch phrase for the next time he is relevant: "Serenity Now!" Somehow he forgets to inform people that he led the team with 8 fumbles in 1972, and he spent time in the can for cocaine trafficking in the late 80's. His stat spikes during '72, and '73 are Bonds-like.
All the media that lift the dust covered note pad in the corner every time a team gets to 13-0 to find Mercury's phone number seem to forget to ask about his entire history. Maybe Congress could investigate whether or not the 1972 Dolphins team was jacked out of their minds. The NFL had no drug policy then, but when has that stopped Congress?
Finally, I'll just say: Buster Douglas.
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