One For The Ages

When the Giants were 0-2, and seemingly on their way to defeat in Washington and an 0-3 hole the season looked all but over. This team could not stop anyone on defense, and the offense was still not at its peak. Ask anyone if they thought the Giants would be playing in the Super Bowl at that time and they would probably have laughed. Now it is the Giants who have gotten the last laugh (well second to last) and are headed to Glendale Arizona. What the Giants did to get to Super Bowl XLII is nothing short of extraordinary. They went in to Tampa and beat an extremely talented defense. Then on to Dallas where they did the unthinkable and shut down a Dallas offense that scorched them twice in the regular season. Finally on Sunday they went into Green Bay, in the unimaginable cold and came out with yet another impressive road victory.

With the third coldest gametime temperature in NFL history looming down on Big Blue, especially Eli Manning the Giants came out and yet again shocked the world, yet if you ask anyone on the team, the only shock is that no one had faith that they could do it. But that feeling is the reason why they are here. This team was at the brink of destruction last season, but fueled by a new Tom Coughlin and the lack of outspoken players this time around, this team came together and has played as one. The players all rely on each other and have taken the word team to a whole new level.

There are so many performances in this game that need recognition. First off Eli Manning needs to be praised for his performance. It was not a great day for Eli, but he did exactly enough to help them win. He made big throws when needed and did suffer a few drops by his receivers. What we must realize is that Eli is never going to win football games on his own ability such as Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but he will put you in position to win consistantly, and that is why the Giants are playing in the Super Bowl.

Plaxico Burress was even more impressive with his 11 catch 154 yard performance. Pro-bowl corner Al Harris was on him all game, yet again and again Burress was able to get open. Considering he has played basically the whole season with a torn ankle ligament he deserves so much credit for what he has done. He schooled Al Harris in a way that I have never seen a receiver single handedly destroy a corner. What a tremendous performance from Burress.

Perhaps there is no one else who is more deserving of recognition than Corey Webster. The re-emergence of Webster has been a catalyst in the Giants run to Super Bowl XLII and there is no bigger play than the interception in overtime that led to the winning field goal. Corey Webster's NFL was nothing more than dead until injuries forced him into uniform again. Now he has resurrected his career and may even end up starting at corner next season.

3 other things I liked:
1. Antonio Pierce- That play on the screen was incredible. More importantly, that play would have probably gone for a touchdown if Pierce did not get through 3 blockers to make the play. He is the heart and soul of this defense.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw- I know the 46 yard TD run got called back but what a run! He is going to be a star. He has speed strength and vision, a combo that will make him a very good running back in the NFL for years to come.
3. Amani Toomer- With his best years behind him, he has risen up to the task in the 2007 playoffs. His sideline catch was one that took tremendous concentration to get his feet down. He will need to play even bigger in the Super Bowl with New England sure to try and limit Plaxico Burress.

The 2007 season for the Giants was not a smooth one. Even after the winning streak that saw them at 6-2, the Giants faltered and at one point it seemed as if Eli was perhaps incapable of leading this team anymore. At some point late in the season, perhaps in the snow in Buffalo on the day the Giants clinched a playoff birth a light went on. A season that was by many, including myself supposed to end in frustration after a loss to Tampa Bay has now become one of the most memorable in team history.

I leave you with this: If the Giants lose in Super Bowl XLII then they have done exactly what everyone expects. Furthermore if they do lose to a team that is currently 18-0 there is no shame. What the Giants can do is one more time shock the world. If the Giants can come together as a team and defeat the best team in the history of the NFL then their run will go down as perhaps the best playoff run in all of sports. A lot of glory to be had here, and somehow although I don't think that they will win, they certainly can.