The ball was right on target to a wide open Jeremy Shockey. Fourth down and 2 and the Giants are going for it at midfield with time running short in the first half. Without a soul around him, the whole Giants season is on the line as the ball drifts through the air in slow motion. Shockey has used the media to air his frustrations with Coach Tom Coughlin, and his latest NY Post column before the game made a sarcastic reference to the Giants quitting before his not so reassuring reassurance that they would continue to fight hard. Well, he didn’t fight the demons in his mind hard enough as he tried to start running before catching the ball and then didn’t catch it. On a day where, incredibly, the Giants would not run a play in Saints territory all day, this was their best chance and could have given the Giants a 14-13 lead at the half if they got the endzone.
Instead Shockey’s drop was just another nail in a 30-7 coffin built for the Feel Bad Giants by the Feel Good Saints. Of all people who would lose concentration and drop an easy ball, bouncing softly off both hands, Shockey might cause the most anger to a Giants fan. Shockey’s mind was running down the field like a hero, but his hands were hoof-like and clumsy like the limbs of a goat. After losing 6 of their last 7 games (only beating the Panthers with crummy backup Chris Weinke), Giants are humiliating and disgracing themselves to new lows.
On the opposite side of the ball, look at the joy created by the Saints. My first memory of the Saints was the Sports Illustrated pic of a fan with a paper bag over his head from their worst-ever 1-16 season. The Saints have known true humiliation and have suffered in small market anonymity while the fat cats laughed. That they would turn around the whole image of their franchise in one season is amazing – that the one season would take place in the year after Hurricane Katrina is an incredible storybook moment for the league and the people of Nawlins.
The Saints are even led by a short, underdog QB who was castoff by the Chargers, Drew Brees. Brees showed incredible poise leading his team and great skill with his passes, such as the fade to Marques Colston in the corner of the endzone in the second quarter – totally untouchable to the Giants db McQuarters, totally pluckable from the air for Colston. While the Giants blew their fourth down conversion, Saints converted all three of theirs, on the patience in the pocket and the arm of Brees or on the strong legs of the line-samshing Deuce McAllister.
And lets not forget super-rookie Reggie Bush. One play after getting popped backwards by Giants safety Will Demps, Bush got the ball again, ran into traffic, and seemed to momentarily disappear, only to re-appear, Matrix-like, 10 feet away with confused defenders attempting to catch up.
Saints show what heart and determination can do. Giants show what bickering and selfishness can undo.
Which is why Grind It Out Sports is predicting a BIG Redskins victory tonight. Skins have had a lost season but have a lot of talent and are licking their chops at the Giants limping into town. Knocking the Giants out of the playoffs would be a season highlight for the Skins. Meanwhile, the Giants have quit. They want the season to be over. They don’t even want to be in the playoffs, they think an 8-8 record and first round loss would be an even greater humiliation, so they have declined to even try. (Brandon Jacobs in a frank interview confirms this). They all want Coughlin fired and their mutiny will be evident tonight. Look for a big loss.
Beavers….Damn!
Changing gears, how awesome was the Oregon State Beavers victory over Missouri in the Sun Bowl. Trailing by one with 24 ticks remaining, Beavers eschew the easy tie and boldly go for the two point conversion, and their running back Bernard smashed it through right into the teeth of the D on one huge play for their program. Gotta love a coach who isn’t afraid to put it all on the line. This is the Beavers second stirring splash of the season after their victory over USC. How much of a joy was it to have the Trojans’ loss take the wind out of the hype-blown sails of the all-villain, Alien vs. Predator match of USC vs. Notre Dame. The little sticks of the Beavers efforts have come together to create a mighty favorite-blocking dam this year.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Eagles Fly Off With Giants Mojo
Tiki Barber swung his arm like a baseball bat, while leaping and lunging at the same time, in a flailing attempt to prevent an interception. Tiki whiffed, actually missing the fluttering duck completely, his arm passing over the ball like a baseball player swinging right through a nasty breaking ball. Eagles defensive end Trent Cole grabbed the interception and pranced 19 yards for the game-ending, Giant-deflating TD. Strike three on Tiki and the Giants. Looking stiff and uncoordinated, Tiki, fittingly, could not prevent NY’s demise to a squad of Eagles with more heart and guts. Although both offenses showed a willingness to go 12 rounds, it was Philly’s veteran toughness on D which grabbed them an insurmountable four turnovers, and had the Eagles licking the Blue blood off their feathers back at the nest later.
In a game where momentum seemed to trade off one possession at a time, Giants got out of the box first with a rare Tiki touchdown. If the sight of the grinning Tiki getting mounted by Jeremy Shockey in celebration got Giants feeling positive out of the gate, a capable and efficient drive from Eagles QB Jeff Garcia took some of those early smiles away, tying the game 7-7. Eli and the Giants got the ball back and started off on a drive when Jeremy Shockey could be seen pointing to his head in reaction to a late hit by Eagles LB Dhani Jones. Which is ridiculously comic when you think about it since Shockey’s brain is probably the last organ anyone should emulate. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Shockey was earning a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct of his own. Which makes me think maybe the finger point at Jones was telling him: “you just acted as stupidly as me!”
The Giants drive, sailing along with 10-yard Tiki scampers, capsized moments after Shockey’s cranial indication, on the first of three huge plays by Eagles veteran Safety Brian Dawkins. Brandon Jacobs, rambling into the secondary, appeared to go extra low in anticipation of the contact with Dawkins. Dawkins, much smaller and nimbler than Jacobs, went even lower. The resulting sharp shoulder from Dawkins rippled Jacobs body and the ball oozed out like toothpaste from a tube that had just been pounded by a fist. Despite a 55 pound weight difference somehow Dawkins crushed him. Momentum Eagles.
Later Giants seem to have momentum again with a 29-yard arcing arrow from Eli to Plaxico. Then Eli, who had gone back to back games with no INTs, throws a bullet into the head of an Eagle, bouncing it high in the air. So high in fact that Fox announcer Joe Buck had enough time to inform the viewers “this ball is up for grabs” before it gently fluttered into the waiting arms of that Dawkins guy again. Leaving Philly in great field position for another drive, mostly running with Westbrook, and touchdown. Momentum Eagles.
But Giants again rise from the mat of defeat and turn the tables with some fiery play. Safety Will Demps ran right through Garcia like a mean kid trashing another kid’s sand castle, and the ball, like that beach kid’s plastic pail, was tossed aside for the G-men to pounce upon. Shortly thereafter the Giants drive was capped by their third straight field goal and suddenly its 16-14 Giants. Momentum Big Blue.
Eagles jump right back with a 64 yard kickoff return and a 28 yard Westbrook draw play through the hyper-blitzing Giants D for a touchdown. Then, as the Giants attempt to answer on the following drive, it’s that Dawkins guy again. This time as backup TE Visanthe Shiancoe rumbled forward after picking up a first down, the sneaky Dawkins slipped his hand up underneath his arm like a master pickpocket, poking the ball right out. Looked at that moment like the momentum had shifted to the Eagles for good.
Only then Jeff Garcia’s loss of concentration just HANDED the momentum back to Big Blue. Following a 10 yard first down scamper Garcia felt the need to spike the ball at the sprawled Giants defenders, earning him a 15 yard penalty for what the ref described as an “unsportsmanlike taunt.” Moments later the flustered Garcia was flinging the ball into the waiting hands of Demps. Giants were in great position after the interception and runback, including dangerous lateral to McQuarters, and quickly turned the opportunity into a Jacobs TD, and a 22-21 advantage. Momentum Giants.
The next Eagles drive, however, could only be described as effortless, as the tired Giants D returned the momentum like an unwanted Xmas gift. Eagles didn’t even need to make use of the third down, as their productive use of first and second downs had them sailing down the field, capped by a 27 yard strike to a rambling LJ Smith. Suddenly its 29-22 Eagles, but wait, Eli prepares to take the ball again on one final game shifting drive. Only problem is, first pass is batted into the air, Tiki whiffs, Trent Cole prances. 36-22 Eagles. Match Momentum Philly.
That the Giants missed so many opportunities is frustrating. That they allowed themselves to get goaded into a shootout was disappointing. Most valuable player on the field was Dawkins, whose veteran reactions netted three turnovers, and whose veteran leadership set the tone for a Philly team that had more continuity and cohesion than the Giants. While the Giants have pointed a lot of fingers this year, Shockey finally pointed the right way towards his own dome.
In a game where momentum seemed to trade off one possession at a time, Giants got out of the box first with a rare Tiki touchdown. If the sight of the grinning Tiki getting mounted by Jeremy Shockey in celebration got Giants feeling positive out of the gate, a capable and efficient drive from Eagles QB Jeff Garcia took some of those early smiles away, tying the game 7-7. Eli and the Giants got the ball back and started off on a drive when Jeremy Shockey could be seen pointing to his head in reaction to a late hit by Eagles LB Dhani Jones. Which is ridiculously comic when you think about it since Shockey’s brain is probably the last organ anyone should emulate. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Shockey was earning a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct of his own. Which makes me think maybe the finger point at Jones was telling him: “you just acted as stupidly as me!”
The Giants drive, sailing along with 10-yard Tiki scampers, capsized moments after Shockey’s cranial indication, on the first of three huge plays by Eagles veteran Safety Brian Dawkins. Brandon Jacobs, rambling into the secondary, appeared to go extra low in anticipation of the contact with Dawkins. Dawkins, much smaller and nimbler than Jacobs, went even lower. The resulting sharp shoulder from Dawkins rippled Jacobs body and the ball oozed out like toothpaste from a tube that had just been pounded by a fist. Despite a 55 pound weight difference somehow Dawkins crushed him. Momentum Eagles.
Later Giants seem to have momentum again with a 29-yard arcing arrow from Eli to Plaxico. Then Eli, who had gone back to back games with no INTs, throws a bullet into the head of an Eagle, bouncing it high in the air. So high in fact that Fox announcer Joe Buck had enough time to inform the viewers “this ball is up for grabs” before it gently fluttered into the waiting arms of that Dawkins guy again. Leaving Philly in great field position for another drive, mostly running with Westbrook, and touchdown. Momentum Eagles.
But Giants again rise from the mat of defeat and turn the tables with some fiery play. Safety Will Demps ran right through Garcia like a mean kid trashing another kid’s sand castle, and the ball, like that beach kid’s plastic pail, was tossed aside for the G-men to pounce upon. Shortly thereafter the Giants drive was capped by their third straight field goal and suddenly its 16-14 Giants. Momentum Big Blue.
Eagles jump right back with a 64 yard kickoff return and a 28 yard Westbrook draw play through the hyper-blitzing Giants D for a touchdown. Then, as the Giants attempt to answer on the following drive, it’s that Dawkins guy again. This time as backup TE Visanthe Shiancoe rumbled forward after picking up a first down, the sneaky Dawkins slipped his hand up underneath his arm like a master pickpocket, poking the ball right out. Looked at that moment like the momentum had shifted to the Eagles for good.
Only then Jeff Garcia’s loss of concentration just HANDED the momentum back to Big Blue. Following a 10 yard first down scamper Garcia felt the need to spike the ball at the sprawled Giants defenders, earning him a 15 yard penalty for what the ref described as an “unsportsmanlike taunt.” Moments later the flustered Garcia was flinging the ball into the waiting hands of Demps. Giants were in great position after the interception and runback, including dangerous lateral to McQuarters, and quickly turned the opportunity into a Jacobs TD, and a 22-21 advantage. Momentum Giants.
The next Eagles drive, however, could only be described as effortless, as the tired Giants D returned the momentum like an unwanted Xmas gift. Eagles didn’t even need to make use of the third down, as their productive use of first and second downs had them sailing down the field, capped by a 27 yard strike to a rambling LJ Smith. Suddenly its 29-22 Eagles, but wait, Eli prepares to take the ball again on one final game shifting drive. Only problem is, first pass is batted into the air, Tiki whiffs, Trent Cole prances. 36-22 Eagles. Match Momentum Philly.
That the Giants missed so many opportunities is frustrating. That they allowed themselves to get goaded into a shootout was disappointing. Most valuable player on the field was Dawkins, whose veteran reactions netted three turnovers, and whose veteran leadership set the tone for a Philly team that had more continuity and cohesion than the Giants. While the Giants have pointed a lot of fingers this year, Shockey finally pointed the right way towards his own dome.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Giants De-Claw Cats, Reclaim Hope
First, the Giants had the big game against Da Bears for Conference Supremacy. That didn’t go so well. Then they had the big game against Dallas for Divisional Supremacy. That didn’t go so well either. Sunday, they had another big game, this one to stay pace with the wild card front runners in the dredges of the mediocre NFC. Eureka! Giants found a matchup much more to their liking and defeated the Carolina Panthers, thus ending their four game losing streak. Their effort in fact pretty much put the game away in the first half. Could the sky still be the limit for these Big Blue warriors?
The game was furiously contested, back and forth (in the first half). It wasn’t decided until the final whistle (of the first half). Tiki Barber was the most dominant player (of the first half). The Giants were able to gain the momentum with their 17-10 advantage right before the break, and in the second half they provided an opportunity for Giants fans to wrap holiday gifts and happily check in with the score once in a while as Big Blue coasted to victory, led by Eli Manning’s second straight strong, mistake-free performance.
Carolina was without their starting QB Jake Delhomme, and had to clear the cobwebs off the arm of untested former Heisman winner Chris Weinke, and this Cat coughed up intercept-able passes for the Giants D like they were furballs. Furthermore, both starting Carolina cornerbacks were out with injuries, so when five minutes into the game backup CB Christian Morton goes down with a hamstring himself, it was obvious there would be every opportunity for Eli and Plaxico Burress to shine against third team pass protection.
The histrionics of Burress commanded center stage as the petulant pass-catcher pouted then preened in front of cameras and mocking Carolina fans throughout the first half. Fox commentator Joe Buck referred to the “familiar shot” of Plax moping on the sideline with his Giants visor askew, and indeed this pose was often struck in reaction to balls not being thrown to him or perceived penalties. The complaining of Plax was so annoying after a perceived “catch” in the dirt that Coach Coughlin somehow caved in and tossed his red challenge flag, later causing him to hesitate to throw his final challenge flag of the game on a more advantageous opportunity, when Carolina seemed to fumble on the Giants 10. Could have been significant if the game didn’t get away from the overmanned Cats.
Plax did break through beautifully after his clamoring and yammering. There was the 45-yard rainbow from Manning as Eli was getting pinballed around in the pocket by mighty bumpers of the Carolina defensive front, Peppers and Jenkins. This game changer was rapidly followed by Plax’s 28-yard TD grab while backpedaling in traffic at the open of the second quarter.
Plax’s turn from sulky to bulky set the tone for Jeremy Shockey, who was able to flash his garishly patriotic tattoos in victory as he delicately tiptoed the endline for the last TD of the first half, putting the G-men ahead for good, 17-10. Then in the third quarter the final blow was struck on D, as Gibril Wilson ‘s quick reaction to a floating tip turned into an interception and 25 yard return to the Panther 14, and shortly thereafter an insurmountable 27-10 advantage. Gibril, whose name sometimes sounds like “gerbil”, and who sometimes plays like one, was more like a hamster this time.
After losing four in a row, joy over the Giants victory injects hope into the Big Blue Nation. Just how realistic is the thought that the Carolina victory signals any kind of positive trend? Coming in as fellow 6-6ers, Giants got the advantage on Carolina, and stayed pace with the now 7-6 Falcons and Eagles. Eagles are without starting QB McNabb, and unless you have faith that The Redemption of Jeff Garcia will one day be a major motion picture starring Mark Wahlberg then you have counted them out of any major contention, and have chalked up today’s Eagles victory to the lameness of the Skins. Meanwhile, Grind It Out Sports reporters have learned that the Falcons, while victorious, had their entire running game carted off the field, as Warrick Dunn and his backup Jerious Norwood were both unable to return from injuries. Clearly, Giants seem to have the edge over the NFC wildcard slop bucket.
After losing four in a row, all the discussions of playoff possibilities had to create the constant grumbling caveat: “assuming we ever win again” in the minds of the Giants. Now that they’ve won one, would Big Blue really be a serious contender? After the Giants weren’t dressed up enough to get in with the Cowboys and Bears at the swanky Club NFC, they’ve found a nice barstool right next to the jukebox at the Wild Card Bar & Grill, where they are much more comfortable. Only problem is, someone put in a song by the Eagles, whom they hate more than Lebowski. However, Giants can Take It Easy and rely on their home bar advantage in the upcoming Wild Card Darts Match with Philly -- plus, finally, a little winning momentum.
The game was furiously contested, back and forth (in the first half). It wasn’t decided until the final whistle (of the first half). Tiki Barber was the most dominant player (of the first half). The Giants were able to gain the momentum with their 17-10 advantage right before the break, and in the second half they provided an opportunity for Giants fans to wrap holiday gifts and happily check in with the score once in a while as Big Blue coasted to victory, led by Eli Manning’s second straight strong, mistake-free performance.
Carolina was without their starting QB Jake Delhomme, and had to clear the cobwebs off the arm of untested former Heisman winner Chris Weinke, and this Cat coughed up intercept-able passes for the Giants D like they were furballs. Furthermore, both starting Carolina cornerbacks were out with injuries, so when five minutes into the game backup CB Christian Morton goes down with a hamstring himself, it was obvious there would be every opportunity for Eli and Plaxico Burress to shine against third team pass protection.
The histrionics of Burress commanded center stage as the petulant pass-catcher pouted then preened in front of cameras and mocking Carolina fans throughout the first half. Fox commentator Joe Buck referred to the “familiar shot” of Plax moping on the sideline with his Giants visor askew, and indeed this pose was often struck in reaction to balls not being thrown to him or perceived penalties. The complaining of Plax was so annoying after a perceived “catch” in the dirt that Coach Coughlin somehow caved in and tossed his red challenge flag, later causing him to hesitate to throw his final challenge flag of the game on a more advantageous opportunity, when Carolina seemed to fumble on the Giants 10. Could have been significant if the game didn’t get away from the overmanned Cats.
Plax did break through beautifully after his clamoring and yammering. There was the 45-yard rainbow from Manning as Eli was getting pinballed around in the pocket by mighty bumpers of the Carolina defensive front, Peppers and Jenkins. This game changer was rapidly followed by Plax’s 28-yard TD grab while backpedaling in traffic at the open of the second quarter.
Plax’s turn from sulky to bulky set the tone for Jeremy Shockey, who was able to flash his garishly patriotic tattoos in victory as he delicately tiptoed the endline for the last TD of the first half, putting the G-men ahead for good, 17-10. Then in the third quarter the final blow was struck on D, as Gibril Wilson ‘s quick reaction to a floating tip turned into an interception and 25 yard return to the Panther 14, and shortly thereafter an insurmountable 27-10 advantage. Gibril, whose name sometimes sounds like “gerbil”, and who sometimes plays like one, was more like a hamster this time.
After losing four in a row, joy over the Giants victory injects hope into the Big Blue Nation. Just how realistic is the thought that the Carolina victory signals any kind of positive trend? Coming in as fellow 6-6ers, Giants got the advantage on Carolina, and stayed pace with the now 7-6 Falcons and Eagles. Eagles are without starting QB McNabb, and unless you have faith that The Redemption of Jeff Garcia will one day be a major motion picture starring Mark Wahlberg then you have counted them out of any major contention, and have chalked up today’s Eagles victory to the lameness of the Skins. Meanwhile, Grind It Out Sports reporters have learned that the Falcons, while victorious, had their entire running game carted off the field, as Warrick Dunn and his backup Jerious Norwood were both unable to return from injuries. Clearly, Giants seem to have the edge over the NFC wildcard slop bucket.
After losing four in a row, all the discussions of playoff possibilities had to create the constant grumbling caveat: “assuming we ever win again” in the minds of the Giants. Now that they’ve won one, would Big Blue really be a serious contender? After the Giants weren’t dressed up enough to get in with the Cowboys and Bears at the swanky Club NFC, they’ve found a nice barstool right next to the jukebox at the Wild Card Bar & Grill, where they are much more comfortable. Only problem is, someone put in a song by the Eagles, whom they hate more than Lebowski. However, Giants can Take It Easy and rely on their home bar advantage in the upcoming Wild Card Darts Match with Philly -- plus, finally, a little winning momentum.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Tuna Tartare
Big Tuna Parcells was in rare form against the Giants Sunday, as his Cowpokes turned in a sushi-grade performance, lightly searing New York and seizing control of the NFC East. It was another bitter loss for Big Blue, who fittingly took the field in the wrong (red) colored uniforms. It also turned into a chance to get misty-eyed about the Giants glory days of yore under the Tuna Administration of the 80s, as one chess move after another by Parcells reminded Giants fans of bygone Sundays when the “Chunk White” master of strategy and attitude used to patrol OUR side of the Meadowlands.
It’s amazing how much football has happened since Parcells returned to coaching after his first retirement “for health reasons,” right after winning his second Super Bowl for the Giants in 1990. We’ve seen Drew Bledsoe get the Pats to the Super Bowl in their US Postal Service soccer uniforms, Keyshawn Johnson get drafted and dissed, Terry Glenn get called a woman. Amazingly, years have passed and these three guys are old school NFL vets, and now we’ve seen Bledsoe get dissed (benched in favor of Romo), Johnson get dissed again (ditched in favor of T.O.) and Glenn trading in his panties for a Dallas blue star design protective cup. Parcells isn’t just a bridge to football’s past, but the fact that he has been a consistently dominant coaching force in the NFL, as it has evolved through multiple eras, really reminds one how his unique personality was at the heart of the Giants’ two championships.
The emergence of Romo bears the stamp of Parcells, more impressively the gradual muting of the T.O. circus showed a Tuna that was not afraid to wade into the shark infested media waters. Only referring to Terrell as “The Player” was humorous and the media chuckles set the reporters a couple of steps back, reminding everyone that the Tuna really is serious, yes, it’s the team first, even above this obsequious popinjay. Cutting Vanderjagt – wow, that one was really out there. Dump the cash, forget we ever made a big deal about this guy and move on! That’s the beauty of Parcells, he’ll admit something isn’t working rather than proudly going down with the sinking ship.
So after the shocking dismissal of the “most accurate kicker in NFL history” he yanks this quirky Gramatica guy off the golf course who hasn’t kicked a field goal in two years, and THAT’S the guy who boots the totally clutch 46-yard game winner. Of course. Supposedly Parcells, who notoriously hates kickers, said he chose Gramatica because he “liked” him in the interview. Tuna just has a feel for football that you can’t explain, and ultimately the “most accurate” kicking weapon proved to be Parcells’ mind.
The Tuna had his team hustling and working hard. The goal line D was huge, keeping the Giants hand out of the red zone cookie jar like a mean, hand-slapping Mom. Romo’s scramble and 42-yard dagger to tight end Jason Witten was a gorgeous yet potentially risky play, and reflected the confidence by the coach who has seen it all in the young QB whom he knows has the ability to step into an unknown realm. After the teams fought just about to a draw, Tuna was left holding the last card, and it was an ace. (In a game in which an ace would result in a win, of course, or just a metaphorical ace).
New York at least had a bounce back performance from Eli Manning and remained competitive to the final whistle. Yet in a close game such as this, seemingly small mistakes are magnified. I was agog at the sloppy turnover by the Giants’ Mathias Kiwanucka while attempting to unnecessarily change hands on an interception return. Don’t these guys read my blog? Apparently not. That was a key turnover, just the first quarter, but a very rare golden opportunity that was given back. Here’s a word of advice – fall down, dude. You fall with the ball after catching it Sunday and you fall with Vince Young in your grasp last week and we could be discussing two wins.
Did I also see the dreadlocked braids of RW McQuarters suddenly stop flapping as he inexplicably held up while closing in on a chance to sack Romo? Did Gebril Wilson envision a sweet pick-6 and miss defending the play? Did the petulant Plaxico Burress spaz out and give back 15 yards so he could have another tantrum? Yes, these things happened, the Giants, desperate for a win, did not show the mental toughness to take this heavyweight bout that was fated to go the distance.
Coach Coughlin was certainly fuming throughout, but his sideline fits are becoming increasingly tiresome. Both Coughlin and Tuna are the “Angry Guy” style of coach, but Tuna is listened to, laughed at, respected and loved by his players in a way that Coughlin is not. Both coaches will tell you that no one ever does anything right. But somehow Parcells will tell it to you in a way that makes you want to fight for him, and want to tell him you love him by spontaneously dumping a bucket of cold Gatorade on his head. Sunday’s latest heartwarming display of Tuna Loyalty underscored the weakness of Coughlin, whose endless anger doesn’t inspire his team at all.
It’s amazing how much football has happened since Parcells returned to coaching after his first retirement “for health reasons,” right after winning his second Super Bowl for the Giants in 1990. We’ve seen Drew Bledsoe get the Pats to the Super Bowl in their US Postal Service soccer uniforms, Keyshawn Johnson get drafted and dissed, Terry Glenn get called a woman. Amazingly, years have passed and these three guys are old school NFL vets, and now we’ve seen Bledsoe get dissed (benched in favor of Romo), Johnson get dissed again (ditched in favor of T.O.) and Glenn trading in his panties for a Dallas blue star design protective cup. Parcells isn’t just a bridge to football’s past, but the fact that he has been a consistently dominant coaching force in the NFL, as it has evolved through multiple eras, really reminds one how his unique personality was at the heart of the Giants’ two championships.
The emergence of Romo bears the stamp of Parcells, more impressively the gradual muting of the T.O. circus showed a Tuna that was not afraid to wade into the shark infested media waters. Only referring to Terrell as “The Player” was humorous and the media chuckles set the reporters a couple of steps back, reminding everyone that the Tuna really is serious, yes, it’s the team first, even above this obsequious popinjay. Cutting Vanderjagt – wow, that one was really out there. Dump the cash, forget we ever made a big deal about this guy and move on! That’s the beauty of Parcells, he’ll admit something isn’t working rather than proudly going down with the sinking ship.
So after the shocking dismissal of the “most accurate kicker in NFL history” he yanks this quirky Gramatica guy off the golf course who hasn’t kicked a field goal in two years, and THAT’S the guy who boots the totally clutch 46-yard game winner. Of course. Supposedly Parcells, who notoriously hates kickers, said he chose Gramatica because he “liked” him in the interview. Tuna just has a feel for football that you can’t explain, and ultimately the “most accurate” kicking weapon proved to be Parcells’ mind.
The Tuna had his team hustling and working hard. The goal line D was huge, keeping the Giants hand out of the red zone cookie jar like a mean, hand-slapping Mom. Romo’s scramble and 42-yard dagger to tight end Jason Witten was a gorgeous yet potentially risky play, and reflected the confidence by the coach who has seen it all in the young QB whom he knows has the ability to step into an unknown realm. After the teams fought just about to a draw, Tuna was left holding the last card, and it was an ace. (In a game in which an ace would result in a win, of course, or just a metaphorical ace).
New York at least had a bounce back performance from Eli Manning and remained competitive to the final whistle. Yet in a close game such as this, seemingly small mistakes are magnified. I was agog at the sloppy turnover by the Giants’ Mathias Kiwanucka while attempting to unnecessarily change hands on an interception return. Don’t these guys read my blog? Apparently not. That was a key turnover, just the first quarter, but a very rare golden opportunity that was given back. Here’s a word of advice – fall down, dude. You fall with the ball after catching it Sunday and you fall with Vince Young in your grasp last week and we could be discussing two wins.
Did I also see the dreadlocked braids of RW McQuarters suddenly stop flapping as he inexplicably held up while closing in on a chance to sack Romo? Did Gebril Wilson envision a sweet pick-6 and miss defending the play? Did the petulant Plaxico Burress spaz out and give back 15 yards so he could have another tantrum? Yes, these things happened, the Giants, desperate for a win, did not show the mental toughness to take this heavyweight bout that was fated to go the distance.
Coach Coughlin was certainly fuming throughout, but his sideline fits are becoming increasingly tiresome. Both Coughlin and Tuna are the “Angry Guy” style of coach, but Tuna is listened to, laughed at, respected and loved by his players in a way that Coughlin is not. Both coaches will tell you that no one ever does anything right. But somehow Parcells will tell it to you in a way that makes you want to fight for him, and want to tell him you love him by spontaneously dumping a bucket of cold Gatorade on his head. Sunday’s latest heartwarming display of Tuna Loyalty underscored the weakness of Coughlin, whose endless anger doesn’t inspire his team at all.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Giants' Titanic Disaster
“We’re going to be sick about this one for…for….forever.” – Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.
It’s the year 3006 and the New York Giants mark the 1,000 year anniversary of the horrific Titanic disaster. Although it’s several hundred years after the NFL permanently phased out the playing of football games in 2412, the Giants, like many teams in the United Way NFL, still use old football lessons about hustle, concentration, and finishing off your opponent to inspire their players in their new pursuit of competitive charitable acts, such as home building and trash pickup. The NFL permanently adopted this format after modern research surrounding concussions and brain injuries spelled the end of football, which joined coffee and SUV’s on society’s scrap heap. Nonetheless, children are reminded every year about Mathias Kiwanucka’s bizarre aborted tackle attempt like it is the tale of Passover, and the Wicked Son is told that you should “never, ever tackle life’s obstacles in this matter.”
Clearly, no matter how much the world changes, the horribly painful lesson of the Giants loss to Tennessee will reverberate for all eternity. OK, perhaps Coughlin was in fact liberally pumping up the importance of the loss to attempt a self-abusive end run around his critics. And yet there really were some basic, timeless and game-transcending truths which both the Giants and the Titans put on display to the world Sunday, when the Giants cruise ship ran into a titanic iceberg within their own minds.
The Giants’ three-headed fourth quarter goat, Plaxico Burress, Kiwanucka and Eli Manning, proved that you really do need to concentrate on executing your job and hustling until the whistle blows in order to be a winner. First, Burress changed the tone of the game with his lazy, yawning play with a big lead, allowing an errant pass to sail by without defending against the DB, Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, who intercepted it. Plax was reduced to a vulnerable blinking ghost as Pac-Man ate him up for 100 points, streaking down the sideline under the protection of his power pill.
Soon after, Kiwanucka had both of his huge arms wrapped around Titans QB Vince Young in a 4th and 10 death embrace that should have ended the game right there. Seems like the Giants' rookie defensive end either anticipated an “in the grasp” whistle that wasn’t there, or thought the ball had been thrown away. All he had to do was keep hugging and fall to the ground, which right there would be nothing the more than the basic definition of a tackle. Kiwanucka’s two-hand-touch level of effort breathed life back into the Titans as Young escaped his too-gentle clutches and rambled 20 yards for a first down.
Young Eli gave the self-inserted dagger its final twist. Inexplicably, the Giants QB put the ball in Young’s hands again at the exact moment where he could do anything but that and still go to overtime. His poor execution exceeded only by his poor decision making, Eli’s mind seems to be moving one way and his arm another these days. As if oblivious of the confounding failures of goats 1 and 2, Manning seemed to want to be the game’s hero, and lacked the judgment to realize what he was risking in that ill-advised pursuit.
As much as the Giants proved that a lack of mental toughness can be a team’s undoing, Vince Young demonstrated the type of miracle that heart and skill can produce. Young was deadly with his feet and hands and seemed nothing like a rookie, hitting his receivers, and then, with his brilliant sense of timing, knowing exactly when he could scramble ahead of the scattered Giants’ defenders. Most importantly, he never gave up, and always kept his head in the game. With the lead 21-0 in the fourth quarter, and Giants fans all counting the victory and going out to pick up their Chinese food, Young seemed to be the only person in the world taking seriously the Titans chance to steal the game.
Young’s day brought back memories of his epic performance for Texas, when they defeated USC in last year’s college title bout. 30 of 40 passing for 267 yards PLUS 200 running, and “that touchdown”, that perfectly timed scramble to the corner of the endzone on fourth down. So clutch. Also brings back memories of those human interest segments about Young’s near fatal bike accident when he was six, about the disturbingly large scar on his little torso, and how he had to spend almost a year in the hospital. Young says the accident made him who he is today. You can feel that the kid has courage, he knows he his not Superman but he also believes that if he fights and does not quit he can accomplish anything.
How could Vince Young be the most confident man on the field, with all the Giants talent and their 21-0 lead? Like Tom Coughlin, I believe mankind will be attempting to answer this question until the very end of recorded time.
It’s the year 3006 and the New York Giants mark the 1,000 year anniversary of the horrific Titanic disaster. Although it’s several hundred years after the NFL permanently phased out the playing of football games in 2412, the Giants, like many teams in the United Way NFL, still use old football lessons about hustle, concentration, and finishing off your opponent to inspire their players in their new pursuit of competitive charitable acts, such as home building and trash pickup. The NFL permanently adopted this format after modern research surrounding concussions and brain injuries spelled the end of football, which joined coffee and SUV’s on society’s scrap heap. Nonetheless, children are reminded every year about Mathias Kiwanucka’s bizarre aborted tackle attempt like it is the tale of Passover, and the Wicked Son is told that you should “never, ever tackle life’s obstacles in this matter.”
Clearly, no matter how much the world changes, the horribly painful lesson of the Giants loss to Tennessee will reverberate for all eternity. OK, perhaps Coughlin was in fact liberally pumping up the importance of the loss to attempt a self-abusive end run around his critics. And yet there really were some basic, timeless and game-transcending truths which both the Giants and the Titans put on display to the world Sunday, when the Giants cruise ship ran into a titanic iceberg within their own minds.
The Giants’ three-headed fourth quarter goat, Plaxico Burress, Kiwanucka and Eli Manning, proved that you really do need to concentrate on executing your job and hustling until the whistle blows in order to be a winner. First, Burress changed the tone of the game with his lazy, yawning play with a big lead, allowing an errant pass to sail by without defending against the DB, Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, who intercepted it. Plax was reduced to a vulnerable blinking ghost as Pac-Man ate him up for 100 points, streaking down the sideline under the protection of his power pill.
Soon after, Kiwanucka had both of his huge arms wrapped around Titans QB Vince Young in a 4th and 10 death embrace that should have ended the game right there. Seems like the Giants' rookie defensive end either anticipated an “in the grasp” whistle that wasn’t there, or thought the ball had been thrown away. All he had to do was keep hugging and fall to the ground, which right there would be nothing the more than the basic definition of a tackle. Kiwanucka’s two-hand-touch level of effort breathed life back into the Titans as Young escaped his too-gentle clutches and rambled 20 yards for a first down.
Young Eli gave the self-inserted dagger its final twist. Inexplicably, the Giants QB put the ball in Young’s hands again at the exact moment where he could do anything but that and still go to overtime. His poor execution exceeded only by his poor decision making, Eli’s mind seems to be moving one way and his arm another these days. As if oblivious of the confounding failures of goats 1 and 2, Manning seemed to want to be the game’s hero, and lacked the judgment to realize what he was risking in that ill-advised pursuit.
As much as the Giants proved that a lack of mental toughness can be a team’s undoing, Vince Young demonstrated the type of miracle that heart and skill can produce. Young was deadly with his feet and hands and seemed nothing like a rookie, hitting his receivers, and then, with his brilliant sense of timing, knowing exactly when he could scramble ahead of the scattered Giants’ defenders. Most importantly, he never gave up, and always kept his head in the game. With the lead 21-0 in the fourth quarter, and Giants fans all counting the victory and going out to pick up their Chinese food, Young seemed to be the only person in the world taking seriously the Titans chance to steal the game.
Young’s day brought back memories of his epic performance for Texas, when they defeated USC in last year’s college title bout. 30 of 40 passing for 267 yards PLUS 200 running, and “that touchdown”, that perfectly timed scramble to the corner of the endzone on fourth down. So clutch. Also brings back memories of those human interest segments about Young’s near fatal bike accident when he was six, about the disturbingly large scar on his little torso, and how he had to spend almost a year in the hospital. Young says the accident made him who he is today. You can feel that the kid has courage, he knows he his not Superman but he also believes that if he fights and does not quit he can accomplish anything.
How could Vince Young be the most confident man on the field, with all the Giants talent and their 21-0 lead? Like Tom Coughlin, I believe mankind will be attempting to answer this question until the very end of recorded time.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Tiki Talks to the World
“They don’t hit you like that on ‘Fox and Friends’”.
I credit Stan Verrett of the Sports Center posse with the most humorously succinct take on the “Tiki Situation”. We understand from Tiki that his Giants teammates have known for a while of his retirement plans, but now us mere fans have had a few games to process the announcement. I was pulling for my team in the first Monday night game vs. the Cowboys following Tiki’s announcement, yet there was something else I wanted to take a closer look at. I was also high fiving my friend and fellow Giants fan Adam when Tiki got blown up on a vicious hit by 257 pound De Marcus Ware, and lost the ball quicker than I lose my keys. Why did I want Tiki to get slammed?
Its not the fact that Tiki is leaving football, but where he is going that is unsettling. The world of morning network reporting just seems so politely objective and so cheerfully perky that it should be light years away from the mentality we expect from a Sunday Football Warrior. A football player should be partisan, dyed in the colors of his team, not objectively covering all sides with the required vanilla tone of network media. As a football player one is encouraged to yell and curse and slam your fist into the lockers when pumping up your teammates before a game, wouldn’t that make it almost comical to have a football player delivering the peppy pleasantries of morning news?
But Tiki’s definitely a different type of football player, you can hear it right away in the articulate gentleness of his words and you can see it in the unrelenting charisma of his million dollar smile. As Tiki informs the world in his unapologetic Cadillac Escalade commercial, “opportunities are seldom perfect,” but when the guy ahead of you is injured, you gotta run for daylight and make the most of it. Obviously, Tiki has moved way up the ladder of morning reporter candidates because he is already a media figure and a recognizable name. But why would he want to? There are a million other ways to make money and be a public person that also don’t destroy your knees. Some of which help people and most of which have more character.
Tiki’s early retirement has been compared to that of the great Jim Brown, who left football to kick ass on screen in lowbrow but popular movies. At least he still WAS Jim Brown, a swashbuckling larger than life hero. That Tiki could still be Tiki on the morning news, that he could be the REAL Tiki while quipping with the co-anchor and straightening his papers as they go to break just doesn’t feel right. As a fan you want your team to be led by larger than life warriors, who spit out the blood when they get hit and growl back to the line for the next play. It’s safe to say Mark Bavaro never wanted to read the morning news.
I credit Stan Verrett of the Sports Center posse with the most humorously succinct take on the “Tiki Situation”. We understand from Tiki that his Giants teammates have known for a while of his retirement plans, but now us mere fans have had a few games to process the announcement. I was pulling for my team in the first Monday night game vs. the Cowboys following Tiki’s announcement, yet there was something else I wanted to take a closer look at. I was also high fiving my friend and fellow Giants fan Adam when Tiki got blown up on a vicious hit by 257 pound De Marcus Ware, and lost the ball quicker than I lose my keys. Why did I want Tiki to get slammed?
Its not the fact that Tiki is leaving football, but where he is going that is unsettling. The world of morning network reporting just seems so politely objective and so cheerfully perky that it should be light years away from the mentality we expect from a Sunday Football Warrior. A football player should be partisan, dyed in the colors of his team, not objectively covering all sides with the required vanilla tone of network media. As a football player one is encouraged to yell and curse and slam your fist into the lockers when pumping up your teammates before a game, wouldn’t that make it almost comical to have a football player delivering the peppy pleasantries of morning news?
But Tiki’s definitely a different type of football player, you can hear it right away in the articulate gentleness of his words and you can see it in the unrelenting charisma of his million dollar smile. As Tiki informs the world in his unapologetic Cadillac Escalade commercial, “opportunities are seldom perfect,” but when the guy ahead of you is injured, you gotta run for daylight and make the most of it. Obviously, Tiki has moved way up the ladder of morning reporter candidates because he is already a media figure and a recognizable name. But why would he want to? There are a million other ways to make money and be a public person that also don’t destroy your knees. Some of which help people and most of which have more character.
Tiki’s early retirement has been compared to that of the great Jim Brown, who left football to kick ass on screen in lowbrow but popular movies. At least he still WAS Jim Brown, a swashbuckling larger than life hero. That Tiki could still be Tiki on the morning news, that he could be the REAL Tiki while quipping with the co-anchor and straightening his papers as they go to break just doesn’t feel right. As a fan you want your team to be led by larger than life warriors, who spit out the blood when they get hit and growl back to the line for the next play. It’s safe to say Mark Bavaro never wanted to read the morning news.
Reflections on the Mets Elimination
The David Wright Vitamin Water ads were instantly ubiquitous on the phone booths and bus stations of New York within days of the Mets horrific Game 7 elimination at the hands of the Cardinals. “For David Wright, it works” the ads contend, below a picture of Wright, not in the blue and orange of the Mets but in the plain white, unlabeled uniform of corporate America. Still smarting from the shocking conclusion of the playoffs, in which Wright only hit .216, I find myself asking angry questions as I face the omnipresent reminders from the folks at Vitamin Water. Such as: “If it works for David, does that mean he would have would have hit .000 without it?”, “How many hours in the batting cage did he miss while mugging for those shots?”, and “Why doesn’t he have his own flavor like 50 Cent?”
Is there anyone better than David Wright on whom to pin the blame for the Mets flameout? After watching the wheels of the pitching staff come off in brutal fashion with the shocking and/or predictable injuries to Martinez and El Duque, the Mets fans knew there would be significant amounts of postseason magic needed to carry the team through. The Mets entered the playoffs with a scotch-taped-together staff but with a confidence born from a season of dominant offense, clutch play, and a flair for the dramatic that left the Mets still a Vegas favorite. The killer was, that postseason pixie dust did indeed get sprinkled on the young, untested arms of John Maine and Oliver Perez, and then even Tom Glavine, the last of 300 game winners, found the dominance of his prime with a streak of 13 shutout innings. You even have to look at veteran Darren Oliver, who contemplated retirement after some bad outings with the AAA Iowa Cubs before joining the Mets this spring, had that one last meaningful moment he imagined was left in his arm, shutting out St. Louis for 6 innings in game 2 after starter Steve Trachsel was terrible. Overall the pitching was actually just fine. Coulda been a touching story about the pitchers. They even had that awesome Endy Chavez catch. What they needed was a couple more timely hits.
Mets fans looked at the Cardinals series, knowing pitching dominates in the postseason, and conceded the Cards had an advantage in this category. They had the soon-to-be two time Cy Young winner (Carpenter), a wily journeyman (Suppan) and that surfer looking guy with the blond hair who got booted from the Yankees (Weaver). Which certainly wouldn’t have been THAT daunting if the Mets had their usual guys, but even without Martinez and El Duque, 8 of 8 of the New York Posts’ experts picked the Mets to win the series, obviously not because of their pitching, but because their hitting was so powerful, so magical, so clutch.
And it was all season. Wright was at the heart of it all, his fat .358 average with runners at third and two outs, his hustle in clutch moments gave the Mets that final, deadly advantage beyond the huge talent of Reyes, Beltran, Delgado and Lo Duca. In the Cards series you could sense Wright’s absence as these other star hitters contributed in turn. Delgado was on fire, dropping bombs throughout, looking like a series MVP and getting walked three times in the decisive game 7. Beltran and Reyes each single-handedly seized one game, as Beltran’s homer was the only offense in the Mets 2-0 game one victory, and Reyes’ leadoff shot and speed were the advantage in game 5. Lo Duca scattered productive singles throughout, hitting a respectable .275 in the playoffs. The offense wasn’t on fire, but these clutch performances at least got them to game 7. Where was the clutch David Wright performance?
Modells sales executives stated this year David Wright finally ended a 10 year run by Derek Jeter as the top nameplated sports gear seller in New York. Anyone who has been to a Mets game in 2006 can attest it seems like well over 50% of the shirts and jerseys bear his name. It’s safe to say virtually all of the women who come to Shea sporting the name of a player have David Wright gear, much of it targeted toward Wright’s sex appeal, such as the “Mrs. Wright” version of the female-cut tee. David Wright is the face of the Mets.
It’s the nature of all sports, future potential for promising young stars is richly rewarded. David Wright has been rewarded because he is the plucky and likeable son of Virginia Beach cop, a hard-working 23 year old who practices, hustles, is humble and has a good attitude, and because he SHOULD come through in a Playoff game 7. He should get that key single the other way, fouling off pitches to get to something he can handle, controlling his nerves despite the noise and situation which is making the high-priced prima donnas around him crumble under pressure. Kind of like David Eckstein was able to do for the Cards.
So, having failed to come through in Game 7 and throughout the entire postseason, Wright owes one to the Mets fans. These fans who have given him so much unconditional love before the postseason even arrived as the guy we would/should/could rely on if we ever got there. That’s what Mets fans are thinking every day when they pass those dragonberry-red Vitamin Water ads on the way to work. That and “Steve Trachsel is terrible”.
Is there anyone better than David Wright on whom to pin the blame for the Mets flameout? After watching the wheels of the pitching staff come off in brutal fashion with the shocking and/or predictable injuries to Martinez and El Duque, the Mets fans knew there would be significant amounts of postseason magic needed to carry the team through. The Mets entered the playoffs with a scotch-taped-together staff but with a confidence born from a season of dominant offense, clutch play, and a flair for the dramatic that left the Mets still a Vegas favorite. The killer was, that postseason pixie dust did indeed get sprinkled on the young, untested arms of John Maine and Oliver Perez, and then even Tom Glavine, the last of 300 game winners, found the dominance of his prime with a streak of 13 shutout innings. You even have to look at veteran Darren Oliver, who contemplated retirement after some bad outings with the AAA Iowa Cubs before joining the Mets this spring, had that one last meaningful moment he imagined was left in his arm, shutting out St. Louis for 6 innings in game 2 after starter Steve Trachsel was terrible. Overall the pitching was actually just fine. Coulda been a touching story about the pitchers. They even had that awesome Endy Chavez catch. What they needed was a couple more timely hits.
Mets fans looked at the Cardinals series, knowing pitching dominates in the postseason, and conceded the Cards had an advantage in this category. They had the soon-to-be two time Cy Young winner (Carpenter), a wily journeyman (Suppan) and that surfer looking guy with the blond hair who got booted from the Yankees (Weaver). Which certainly wouldn’t have been THAT daunting if the Mets had their usual guys, but even without Martinez and El Duque, 8 of 8 of the New York Posts’ experts picked the Mets to win the series, obviously not because of their pitching, but because their hitting was so powerful, so magical, so clutch.
And it was all season. Wright was at the heart of it all, his fat .358 average with runners at third and two outs, his hustle in clutch moments gave the Mets that final, deadly advantage beyond the huge talent of Reyes, Beltran, Delgado and Lo Duca. In the Cards series you could sense Wright’s absence as these other star hitters contributed in turn. Delgado was on fire, dropping bombs throughout, looking like a series MVP and getting walked three times in the decisive game 7. Beltran and Reyes each single-handedly seized one game, as Beltran’s homer was the only offense in the Mets 2-0 game one victory, and Reyes’ leadoff shot and speed were the advantage in game 5. Lo Duca scattered productive singles throughout, hitting a respectable .275 in the playoffs. The offense wasn’t on fire, but these clutch performances at least got them to game 7. Where was the clutch David Wright performance?
Modells sales executives stated this year David Wright finally ended a 10 year run by Derek Jeter as the top nameplated sports gear seller in New York. Anyone who has been to a Mets game in 2006 can attest it seems like well over 50% of the shirts and jerseys bear his name. It’s safe to say virtually all of the women who come to Shea sporting the name of a player have David Wright gear, much of it targeted toward Wright’s sex appeal, such as the “Mrs. Wright” version of the female-cut tee. David Wright is the face of the Mets.
It’s the nature of all sports, future potential for promising young stars is richly rewarded. David Wright has been rewarded because he is the plucky and likeable son of Virginia Beach cop, a hard-working 23 year old who practices, hustles, is humble and has a good attitude, and because he SHOULD come through in a Playoff game 7. He should get that key single the other way, fouling off pitches to get to something he can handle, controlling his nerves despite the noise and situation which is making the high-priced prima donnas around him crumble under pressure. Kind of like David Eckstein was able to do for the Cards.
So, having failed to come through in Game 7 and throughout the entire postseason, Wright owes one to the Mets fans. These fans who have given him so much unconditional love before the postseason even arrived as the guy we would/should/could rely on if we ever got there. That’s what Mets fans are thinking every day when they pass those dragonberry-red Vitamin Water ads on the way to work. That and “Steve Trachsel is terrible”.
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