Well it's over and done with. The impossible dream wasn't to be . But the ride was well worth it. And even with the allegations of cheating. Therein lies the rub. When you get caught with your hands in the cookie jar. Then you're liable to be punished. Kismet , karma can be a bit*ch and when it catches up with you . You can be made to look the proverbial fool.
Shaun O'Hara, Eli Manning and Michael Strahan of the Giants outside City Hall acknowledge the praise of their fans. picture courtesy of getty images/Nick Laham..........
Belicheck for all of his demeanor , on and off the field tact laid waste to what can be deemed unnecessary act at the end of the game. Having seen his team usurped by a much more resilient band of players. It can be said that on the day the Patriots weren't equal to the task asked of them. A chance at immortality are the things that legends are made of. On Sunday they were proven to be mere mortals on and off the field.
Strahan hold the NFC championship trophy aloft for the adulation of the fans. picture courtesy of afp/getty images / Nick Laham ..........
A 17-14 loss to the New York Giants is a bitter pill to ####. But I for one commend them on a hard fought and thrilling victory. Hell if you're going to want to see the Lombardi trophy won. Then why not by a player who many had labelled a failure. Eli Manning more than proved his worth to his team leading them by example. He did everything that was asked of him and more. And even though he won the game's MVP award. Something of a travesty considering the tone was set by indominatable play of defensive player Justin Tuck. As he went so did the Giants. Every hit that he had on Tom Brady reverberrated around the stadium. Unfortunately the Patriots weren't able to reciprocate in a similar fashion. You win some you lose some !
SBXLII MVP award winning quarterback holds aloft the Lombardi trophy to an awaiting crowd in New York. picture courtesy of afp/ getty images /Julie Jacobson ........
For Giants' coach Tom Coughlan, the days of self doubt and the calls for his resignation or firing are over. He's led his team to the promised land. The Giants' fans can bask in their well deserved victory and all the accolades that go along with it. Eli now joins his elder brother Peyton as the only NFL quarterbacking brothers to have led their respective teams to a victory in the Superbowl. Another piece of history garnered by these brothers. Eli's victory was the one deemed improbable against the team that many had predetermined was the best that the NFL had ever produced. The crowning , accolade was far too premature and if anything ill advised.
Giants' fans await the arrival of the players outside City Hall in New York. picture courtesy of getty images/Nick Laham .......
You don't get the accolades and applause for finishing second not even when it's a close ran thing. The Patriots'll now be remembered as the team that stumbled at the last obstacle placed infront of it. And as painful for me as it was to watch. I'm in no way embarrassed by the team's defeat. If anything it was a lesson well learned as it's better to get the job done and if nothing at less make a serious attempt at achieving glory. The year long effort by the team though outstanding wasn't fulfilled. The expectations though achievable was beyond them. And for the fans of Miami Dolphins and their geriatric squad of former players. This may well be one more reason for them to bask in their glory. Because that's about the only thing of worth that they've now got at this juncture. Thrity six years on and their opining about that unbeaten season. Dare one say that they're not overly concerned with the franchise and the season they've just had ?
Giants' coach Tom Coughlan's smile says it all. 'Winning is everything ' ! picture courtesy of ap/photo/Gary He ....................
For me as an avowed Pats' fan this was something of bitter pill to #### but I'll recover from by having a few bottles of Sam Adams and perhaps a few more for good measure.
And then I've always got a Manning that I'm willing to look at. See below for details.
losing the SB regardless of the regular season record is a failure season. especially since you were the favorites. chat about this in the only sports chat site that i know of: http://secfootball101.yuku.com/
al; i was happier for coughlin than anyone else. he had to go to the front office when his contract was up at the end of last year and explain why he felt he deserved to hang on to his job. what a difference a year makes..
i see you commented again on my last piece "this is gonna hurt" i replied, and left a question. and after visiting you here, i still have that question, even more so
slshusker
You're right it ain't no fun. But at least there's a Manning that's worth looking at. And she's not related to either Eli or Peyton. It's the actress Taryn Manning. Hell she's my MVP !
And I don't give a damn if she doesn't like football or not.
I'd rather suffer a flaw in the regular season so that I will recognize it when it rears its ugly head in the postseason. An undefeated regular season is cool for the history books, but it means very little if you can't carry that same dominance into the playoffs.
I gotta go with you on this one Al as good as Manning was on the field, Taryn has that upside I don't see in Eli, now if only you would post her number in you next blog and I can get down to bidness...great scribble Al..
Muniklip
You're so right as everyone was under the impression that the team was unbeatable. My thought was that if they were to achieve it then so be it ! But I'd rather the effort been put into winning the Superbowl itself and anything beyond that would be a bonus. Now it's been all for nought.
They'll be remembered but with the ignominity having to be known as the unbeaten that then lost the title game. Second place finishers are rarely remembered. And normally they only garner a byline at the end of an article. Hence the reason I'll drink my Sam Adams and ogle the picture of a Manning that looks good.
busy addict
Once again a person that shares the same feelings as I do. No one remembers the secoind place finisher. In this place the Patriots had the ignominty of being on the losing end of a game they were expected to win. I'd have preferred them coming in with a loss under their belt than having to suffer this loss. Then they'd have still had everything to play for. But at least there's a Manning in this piece that's worth looking at. And she's not related to either Peyton or Eli.
blue@orange
I'll be back to revisit the issue and try to succinctly answer your question. But as of this juncture I'm enjoying the view of Taryn Manning. No relation to either Eli or Peyton. And that's fine by me.
edhardiman
From what I understand Taryn is now taking private bookings for functions where she'll entertain her patrons. Unfortunately I don't have her number or e-mail address.
So I'm afraid I can't assist you at this juncture.
As for the game itself it was a disheartening loss for the team and fans alike. I'd have preferred them going int to the game with a loss in the regular season. Now what was a great regular season has been dampened by this inexplicable loss.
Tophatal, good post, although I had to go all the way to the bottom to see the best part of the post. Taryn Manning, YUMMY! And the article wasn't bad, either!
jon464
Now Taryn Manning is one Manning that's well worth looking at. And that'll be the way for me to drown my sorrows whilst drinking all those bottles of Sam Adams.
As for the game itself I felt that once we lost Neal that things became all too ominous. Belicheck certainly should've had the presence of mind to make the necessary changes to protect Brady. And even though it wasn't apparent what the hell were the rest of the O line thinking ? It's not as if Brady's ever been known to be fleet footed. He's got as much speed when moving as that of baby that's learning to walk for the first time.
I commend the Giants on their win as it was thoroghly deserved.
RED HAWK
Wha' d'ya want labelled on the T shirt ?
We came , we saw , we didn't , we conquered, but we lost ?
It's far better than any of the other thirty teams achieved. But on the whole like I said at least I can drink my Sam Adams and drool over Taryn Manning. That's at least one Manning that I like the look of.
Reverend Rhythm
Far be it for me to say but the game itself was a one shot and that's it. One the day the Pats were an immense disappointment. They didn't seem to apply themselves well. And certainly Belicheck didn't make the adjustments necessary after the loss Stephen Neal. They left Brady out there exposed like a cow in a pasture.
Tuck and Umenyiora from thereon in just laid waste to his ####. The Pats' O line was pathetic.
But I do believe if the game were played ten times over the Pats'd win 7 out of ten times.
But it's all been to know avail as they'll now be known as the guys who let 'the big one' getaway .
There are no prizes for second place finishers in this game.
Hence the reason why I'll drown my sorrows in drinking Sam Adams whilst ogling a Manning that I like the look of. And their names aren't Eli or Peyton .......it's the actress Taryn Manning.
I wasn't surpised so much by the fact that the Patriots didn't finish the job. They looked quite vunerable since Week 11. What surprised me is that with the Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Jags, and Packers in the mix it was the least likely team in the Giants that were able to pull the trick.
I thought with the Colts, Cowboys, and Packers losing the road set up perfect for the Pats. The Giants showed us a lot this postseason.
Street Cred
If nothing else they showed that the games are won by being played on the field. And not in the minds of the fans or eyes of the self proclaimed analysts within the media.
The Giants did what was asked of them whilst the Patriots just weren't up to the task.
Al, it seems these days that the QB is always the first stop for the MVP choice, unless someone else really out shines him.
No offense to Eli, he stepped up huge when he had to, but honestly, if it were my choice to hand out the MVP, the struggle I would have had would have been whether to give it to the D-line for being in the Patriots backfield as much as Brady was, or to give it to the O-line for keeping the Pats rush off Manning for the whole day.
As I said in mine, I rather enjoyed the lose for the reasons that you state. The Pats were built up to be this invincibal juggernaut that nobody could beat. I still think Ron Jaworski is crying in shame at some dive bar somewhere. And I'm sorry Pats fans, but you can't be considered one of the best ever when you didn't finish the job. Winning the Super Bowl is the name of the game, and pretty much everything else is secondary. Like you said, winning your first 18 is nice, but not winning the last one kind of puts a damper on everything else.
blue@orange
You know at this juncture I no longer care that they lost. Life goes and it's certainly not the end of the world as far as I'm concerend. There are now fa more important things in life to deal with. And what with looming shadow of Congress now wanting to question the situation of the team. I'd have thought they've got bigger fish to fry ?
As for Taryn Manning she eases the pain of the loss , oh so well !
thesuppoosedbuckles
As Swizz Beatz say in his song 'I've Got My Drink n' My Two Step'. That's why things are still good in my world. The fact that they lost put me on a downer but I also have the pics of Taryn Manning to pass the time away. At least that's one Manning I don't despise and she's a lot better lookin' than either Peyton or Eli.
tophatal .........
Last edited by tophatal on February 6th at 6:16 PM.
Rackman
I'll preface this by sayin' a couple of days prior to the Giants' win over the Bucs. I'd written a post titled Eli Got The Job Done But Will It Be Enough ? Since then he's more than acquitted himself well. And all of the naysayers can now stop their opining as to how bad a quarterback he was.
He's delivered his team the 'Holy Grail' and they're now better off for it. And it'll no doubt do his confidence the world of good. Now can carry on his career knowing that his 'day in the sun' took place on the 3rd February 2008. He may well have a few more of those before his career is over.
As I posted on blue@orange's blog, I am a huge college fan as well. I will watch just about any college FB or BB game.
That said, I actually told my friends when Eli was at Ole Miss that I thought he would one day be better than Peyton. That is the truth.
However, over the last two years, there have been several times that I questioned the sanity of that comment. The caveat to that is that I do believe Tiki Barber and Jeremy Shockey both somewhat stunted the growth of ELI over the past two seasons.
Tiki was a cancer to the team, and Jeremy for all his talent is a big baby when the offense does not revolve around him. Draw from that what you will, but yes, I believe Shockey is not a team player.
My dad thought I was crazy last year when I said the Giants should trade him while the rest of the NFL still thinks he's a hot property. But now, the G-Men winning the Super Bowl without him, the word might be out.
Yeah, I agree with pretty much everything. I do not like the Giants but I'm happy for them. Sure is weird for me to see photos of Eli Manning hoisting that Trophy though. Never thought I'd see that, especially not this year. If we ever meet each other, you got yourself a couple of Sammy's on me.
JCScheffres
It does seem wierd seeing the younger Manning brother holding aloft the Lombardi trophy. But they won it cleanly , fairly and you'll get no complaining from on the issue. That being said I'm looking forward to seeing 'em defend it next season. Once you've climbedd up that mountain it's not that easy to climb it again. The one's who do it again are clearly very special teams.
Rackman
I don't know that he'll ever garner the acclaim and other accolades that Peyton has. But as of now what he's achieved can't be taken away from him. And as to the naysayers who questioned his ability they're eating crow right about now.
With regard to Shockey and Barber those two players were so self absorbed in their own 'perceived greatness' that they cared little about the team and what they were striving to achieve.
I don't know that Shockey'll be able to regain his position on this team that quickly. As his replacement Kevin Boss proved to be a more than adequate replecement/understudy.
Shockey may well be more gifted but Boss just went out there and did what was asked of him without questions.
tophatal .........
Last edited by tophatal on February 7th at 9:48 AM.
I honestly would not be shocked if Giants missed the playoffs next year. Wouldn't be shocked if they won the division either, mind you, but you just can't tell these days in the NFL. We'll see how things turn out in the offseason, who comes and who goes, but if I had to make a prediction right now on February 7 of what the Giants record will be next year, I'd say 8-8.
JC-
The Giants will get Spagnola back, that is huge. How the draft goes and who they sign will have an impact. Strahan is good for another year physically, but having won it all at his age does he have the desire? I don't think they are losing anyone off the O-line, so that helps too. Jacobs and Bradshaw are young, and if they can get something solid for Shockey I say make the deal.
Coughlin, Gilbride and Spagnola should stay together one more year and keep these guys on their toes, but Dallas and Washington will be tough as well. It will be interesting.
I know there will probably be a lot of Philadelphia hate mail flooding Al's blog after I write this, but I think the Eagles will be a non-factor and are on the decline. Too much turmoil with Reid and McNabb.
Rackman I agree with your assessment of the NFC East. I love McNabbb, I love Andy Reid, but that team is going nowhere in that tough division. I still think Dallas has got to be the favorite to win that division next year, followed by the Giants, the Washington. Not sure how I feel about Spagnola because I tend to believe that that Giants' pass rush is so good that almost anybody could have had a good season with that talent. They had to be good, too, because their secondary was terrible all season long until the Super Bowl. Of course, much of that was due to injuries. I think Sam Madison has still got something left, and Strahan obviously does, but like you said, the question is with his desire.
Rackman
JCScheffres
Spagnola won't be going anywhere as he's remaining the Giants. They've offered him an improved contract deal said to be worth in excess $2.6m a year. So it'll be an in tact coaching staff and probablt more or less the same players returning to defenmd the trophy next year.
I would agree with you about Dallas being the favorite, the interesting thing to see with them is can they recover from another disappointment?
They came back from the fumbled snap by Romo to win the East, but then struggled down the stretch after clinching home field. The human mind is a funny thing, especially when it comes to sports. A couple of little things go wrong, and then all of a sudden the wheels come off the wagon.
Rackman
I'd have to concur with you on your assessment of Dallas. By no means are they favorites to win the NFC East divisional crown. If anything they've been exposed and they still have flaws that've been overlooked. And if nothing else with the draft coming up. Who knows what the hell Jerry Jones'll do ? He seems to be enamored with the talents of running back Darren McFadden. And there's serious talks afoot that he's willing to move up in the draft pecking order to obtain the 'highly prized' player. The fact of the matter is that their deficiencies aren't in that particular area. I think the only reason is that he's after this player is because of the fact he's coming out of Arkansas. And with Jones being an alumni of there. I think he feels that it'll bode well for the future.
Jerry Jones is a hard guy to figure. He may be a perfect example of the belief that money makes you crazy, or he may be a mad genius.
Either way he appears to a be a control freak, and I am astonished that we have not already had a press conference to announce the firing of Wade Phillips.
Dallas does have two picks in the first round I believe, so if that's the case, they may do well.
Miami has the top pick right? Hard to think they wouldn't take Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm. I can't see Lemon being their quarterback of the future.
Rackman
I liken Jones to Steinbrenner when was atthe height of his powers. Movin' heaven and earth to keep the Yankees at the top of the 'food chain'.
As for the Dolphins their needs are so vast that it ought to be in their very interest in moving down to acquire some choice picks in the lower echelons of the draft. Both Lemon and Beck are liabilities for this franchise. And for Marino to say that he believes Beck can lead the team back to prominance is beyond me.
I wonder what the likes of Mercury Morris thinks about the present day incarnation of the Dolphins ? He's so busy opining about the '72 Dolphins and their 'perfect' season. That he tends to forget that the '07 Dolphins are the height of mediocrity within the NFL.
Convicted felon that he is I wonder if he's still 'on the pipe' ?
I know I am opening myself up for a firestorm of criticism, but it is what is, and regarding the 1972 Dolphins and the 2007 Patriots, both teams had the luxury of playing in the worst conference in the NFL the season they went undefeated. (Maybe the NFC West was worse in 1972, call it a draw) The Dolphins also only played two teams that finished over .500 that season, the Chiefs (8-6) and the Giants (8-6), so it's not like they played any of the elite teams during the season.
I'm kind of tired of hearing about the 72 Fish. Ok, they have gotten their due for their accomplishment, but the fact that Mercury and some of the others continue to now cram it down everyone's throat, is is becoming annoying to even talk about.
Horrible division aside, yes both team finished their regular season undefeated, but seriously, the 8 wins the Patriots got in their division were like the information you get at the beginning o####eometry problem, they were a given before the season even started. Same for the Dolphins in 72 where the second place Jets at 7-7 were the next best team, while the Colts (5-9), the Bills (4-9-1), and the Patriots (3-11) might as well have just not shown up.
Granted the Dolphins also did it with their back up quarterback for most of the season, so I give them that. Some teams couldn't even play .500 ball with the back up starting. But they were built on running and defense anyway.
The accomplishment would mean a lot more if Mercury and the boys would stop harping on it every chance they get.
AL,
Good spin... I agree with all you said ... and congrats to the Giants. On that note i must say in the last 40 years I have never seen a team after a championship win disrespect their opponents as a team, their coaches, their individual players and their fans like the Giants did. Alot of the comments I have heard since sunday night about no more red, white and blue and stomping on the Patriots stunned me. Except for Coach Coughlin and Eli Manning the lack of class amoung the Giants players is crass and classless. Then of course we can add in the 72 dolphins and their #### comments. While I still commend them on the Superbowl win,to hear them talk as if they are the best team in football because of 1 victory. I guess losing 6 times means nothing as long as you win the last one. Oh well.
Maybe you missed all the trash talking by the Pats the week before SB. Nothing better to trash talk after you win to the arrogance of trash talk prior to winning. Inviting Giants players to Patriot player's victory parties? GMAB They deserve to be trashed on.
Wildman
It shows a lack of maturity if nothing else.
I don't condone it and I ferventl believe tthat the game ought tobe played on the field. But it seems to be the ever present thing amongst North American male athletes to try and prove their self worth by talking before getting the job done on thefeld of play.
If nothing else it proves how arrogant and conceited they are.
I commend the Giants on game that in the end they deserved to win.
You're right. Everyone has forgotten ALL the trash talking that the Giants took. Ronde Barber couldn't stop running his mouth about Eli and the Giants. TO invited the Giants to watch Dallas play Green Bay in his home theater, and Jerry Jones put tickets for the Super Bowl in his players lockers before the Giants game.
I didn't hear anything out of Green Bay, but then I was on the road that weekend, so I don't know for sure.
But I know once the Patriots and Giants were set as the two teams to play in the super bowl, the trash talking from the NE fans and players was non stop.
As you said they invited the Giants players to their super bowl celebration parties, the Patriots were talking as if the Giants were a minor bump on the way to their coronation. Richard Seymour was telling the Giants players to go home during the game after the Pats went up 14-10.
Talk is cheap, play the game! That was the Giants mantra before the super bowl. With the exception of Buress saying NE would lose, I didn't hear much more.
alsports101
On both sides of the equation that'd happen to be true. It seems respect for one's opponents is something of the pass. And even a coach's lack of respect for his owns players is just as bad. Belicheck's actions at the end of the game was insult to his players. He left them on there and said nothing. Disappointment is one thing but at least show some class and dignity at that juncture. I'm an avowed Pats' fan but at times Belicheck disappoints me immensely with his abhorrent behavior.
bob260505
I'm glad that you liked the piece. I do believe that word alone can't do something justice. And I feel that some visages makes the piece even more poingnant.
As for the game itself the Giants were worthy winners of the contest. Nothing ought to be taken away from them. As on the day the better team won. As a Pats' fan for me it's not hard to say. I relish a healthy competitive game more than anything else. And that's as it should be !
Will you be watching the rematch between Taylor and Pavlik tonight ? And what do you think the outcome'll be ?
Born in the UK of Caribbean parentage and having lived in the US for the last 15 years. A keen martial artist (Black Belt 2nd degree in karate. I also practice savate , tae - kwondo ) College Grad BA's in Econ and Int' Fin. Served five years in the British military. I've gotten use to the American way of life and the language. The women on the other hand, that's something else ! Sports is my great passion along with music and the movies. However I feel that having resided here for all this time , I still somewhat miss the land of my birth. That being said I 'love this great country and all that it has afforded me' An avid Pats and Spurs' fan. Soccer Chelsea ,
tophatal..... ....
Shaun O'Hara, Eli Manning and Michael Strahan of the Giants outside City Hall acknowledge the praise of their fans. picture courtesy of getty images/Nick Laham..........
Strahan hold the NFC championship trophy aloft for the adulation of the fans. picture courtesy of afp/getty images / Nick Laham ..........
Giants' fans await the arrival of the players outside City Hall in New York. picture courtesy of getty images/Nick Laham .......
Giants' coach Tom Coughlan's smile says it all. 'Winning is everything ' ! picture courtesy of ap/photo/Gary He ....................
