FanNation

    Anyone that knows me knows how I feel about NY teams. They also know that while I am a Raider fan, and modestly cheer for the Jaguars, I also root for the Pats. I just like they way they run their franchise. Sue me.
 

     That being said, that was one of the greatest Super Bowls I have ever seen. One tightly played game between very deserving teams. The Giants played a superb game, although I thought that their defense was tiring at the end of the game. Troy Aikmen pointed it out, but they were starting to look really beat. They two injury timeouts helped them some, but did not account in the game. Umenyora and Tuck were suffering from cramping from being in full fledged pursuit mode for most of the game. Alford's sack was because Tuck was on the sideline with cramping. Pierce and Strahan were very solid and confident. The secondary didn't really have to do much, because the pass rush was that good.

    The Giants offense looked decent as well. The Pats chose to take the run game away and make Eli beat them. They generally did a good job against Jacobs and Bradshaw, only occasionally letting a run slip. The Giants were equally effective slowing the rushing game of the Pats, although Maroney did have several nice runs in the 7 yard range. The Pats were the team that abandoned the run first. That is why they lost.

    Eli Manning played a decent game. I have never understood why any NFL team would draft a qb in the first round, because they take 3-4 years to develop in the NFL game. Eli found his groove in the first Pats game. He has developed well and played well in the playoffs, beating Romo, Favre and Brady. The pick he threw to Hobbs was not on him. Smith caused that pick and Eli threw it where he had to. Eli was rushed and threw it to a spot that was correct. But then came "The Play".

    Sure Burress scored the game winner and it was a nice move he put on an over-eager Hobbs, but that surely would not have happened if not for the absolutely best play I have ever seen in a game, let alone a Super Bowl. Manning pressured, gets away somehow, and heaves the ball to the middle of the field. I played qb as a youth and the rule was, never throw over the middle late. Aikman said that during the game, too. It is a cardinal rule. I have seen Parcells bench a qb (Phil Simms) for doing the same thing after a 15 yard completion. Why? Because it is a rule. Bad things normally happen.

    Watch the slo-mo Hi-def replay of the play. Manning escapes to the right, gathers himself and heaves it to the absolute middle of the field. I know that the Big Tuna was cringing as he saw that throw. I am not sure, but Manning might as well have had his eyes closed when he threw that ball. Now the scene cuts to the end of the reception and despite the fact that there are four guys within 2 yards of David Tyree (are you kidding me? David Tyree?), the ball is high and Tyree goes up and gets it, sort of. Harrison makes a nice effort to get the ball away and Tyree pins the ball to his head. What a catch!!! Reminded me of Tyrone Prothro's catch. Outstanding.

     Great game. Too bad the Pats didn't win, but I have no problems with Eli getting out of the shadow of his brother and his dad. He played a smart game. The throw for Tyree's touchdown was perfect. He couldn't have thrown it anywhere else. Samuel had good coverage and couldn't have done anything with the throw. Samuel probably hurt his team more when he had the opportunity to catch that ball and missed it. I know that if I was looking at him as a free agent CB, I would ask him why he didn't catch that ball. He wants elite cover corner money and he blows a play that elite cover corners don't miss. How much money will that drop cost him.

    Now the bad. Despite trying to find a decent wager for the game, no one at work who was a purported Giants fan would take a bet. I offered, but they all wanted 12 points.  When you are running around with your head on fire about how your NY (any NY team) is going to kick  someone's ****, you can't ask for points. If this is you, think about a droop cup, because you are an absolute moron. I tried to explain that I am not Vegas, but was willing to give 7 (like anyone gives 7). None of these clowns would bet. Now, I will be inundated with these same morons running up to me and screaming in my face like all jackass NY fans do when their team wins a championship.

    What is worse is that I have transplanted New Yorkers who live here in Florida and are Gator fans. In fact, they are the same people. You can tell Gator fan from bandwagon Gator, Yankee, Giants or whichever team is currently the champion in their respective sport. It was a great game, with both teams trying to lean on the other. There was a vibe of tension all through out the game, but nothing got out of hand. The officiating was probably some of the best officiating I have ever seen in a SB. My hat is off to Mike Carey and his crew. The commercials were okay, but what is with all the ****, throwing up commercials. If I have a baby in my house that pukes, talks, and messes with my computer, I am complaining.

    One of the best SB's I have ever seen and I am only cringing to hear all of the **** that the media spews about the peripherals to this game.