Giants Win the Best Superbowl I've seen

In the best Superbowl I have seen, the Giants stepped up and silenced the doubters. If you think they weren't on a mission to do just that. Consider the words of Michael Strahan, who as he lofted the Lombardi trophy on the acceptance stage. He took time to mention that some announcer said the Giants had gained false confidence in the game against the Patriots that closed the regular season. He the screamed out that it was real confidence they had gained.

Eli Manning may never have to listen to a stupid comment about his leadership again. If he does happen to hear one, there will be plenty of people speaking up for him before he ever has to. He was every quarterback you needed him to be. He was Trent Dilfer as he made smart decisions with the football. I was very impressed by his willingness to audible into the run even though it never really broke big yardage, he stuck to what worked for them all year. He made good throws, even the one ball that was intercepted, which was certainly not a good throw. That was a safe throw down and away from the defense Steve Smith just had the misfortune to set it right into the defenders arms. Eli then showed me a little Brett Favre with even more of his growth by not letting that interception effect his play for the remainder of the game. He then pulled out his John Elway by leading them down on a game winning drive. He even squeezed a little Tony Romo into that final drive on the play where he was surely about to suffered game changing sack. He instead wriggled out of it and hucked it to David Tyree who managed to catch the ball by pinning it to his helmet. He closed out the game by pulling the Tom Brady and winning it all. Oh, and the final QB on the every qb list, big brother Peyton. He managed to impersonate him by winning the MVP.

While we pile the appreciation on to Eli Manning for the victory. Let's not be so quick to pile on Tom Brady for the loss. From the very first play of the game Brady was being knocked down, when he wasn't being sacked. He had suffered 6 knockdowns an 3 sacks by the time Tom Petty took the stage at halftime. While the numbers looked a little better in the second half, without real protection and time to throw, Brady couldn't be expected to do much better than he did. This game might actually not have been as close as it ended up had Sam Madison not fallen down covering Moss in the endzone.

For the last 6 weeks people have mocked Mercury Morris and his "don't call me when your on your way, don't call me when you're in my town, call me when you're on my block" quote. I guess the last laugh is Moriss', turns out he knew what none of us did. The Dolphins undefeated season lives in a gated community.

In the closing moments of the game I lost whatever little bit of respect I had grown for Belichick when he went all Detriot Pistons and went to the locker before the game was even over. When the Giants had finally run off that final second. Pam Oliver was the first interview on, with Plaxico Burress who held it together for a minute and then promptly started tearing up which got me looking for the can of Milwaukee's best light to drop from the sky and solve that problem.
Speaking of Plaxico Buress and his interviews. I wonder if Brady is scoffing now about the prediction they would hold them to 17. Plaxico did show his defense some love by calling for "someone to please give our defense some credit" as soon as Pam Oliver stuck the microphone to him.

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NBA Mid-Season recap (Western Conferance)

New Orleans -Chris Paul has managed to find the Tyson Chandler, we all expected him to be. As a duo the two have combined to more than double the next pair in ally-oops. Not the most solid stat but it does show Paul's direct involvement in Chandlers emergence .

Phoenix - I love to watch em play and that offense is fun, but I doubt the Suns sit down every year in the offseason and say "I really hope we entertain bloggers everywhere" No they are in it to win, and they really need to accept the fact that their system just wont take it all the way, and it isn't getting any better with age.

Dallas - Avery Johnson said last year they were spent by the time the playoffs cane around, and he wanted to pace himself. So far so good. Maybe mix in a pinch more rest (see:losses)

Denver - Not impressed there in 4th in the division. I am impressed they are there with the string of injuries.

Los Angeles Lakers - Everything was roses until Andrew Bynum went down. Now let's see which Kobe leads them through this stretch. GO GET CHRIS WEBBER. I don't think he is the cure-all that everyone seems to think he is but he is sure better than DJ Mbenga.

San Antonio - Every year they turn it on later and later. Seems like this might be the year it is to late.

Portland - Thanks to the addition of Greg Oden, Even with out Oden, Trailblazers are going to be a force in the west. How nice does this get when next year they add Oden into the mix.

Golden State - Ever since the return of Stephen Jackson , the Warriors have been rolling. Who knew all those Captain Jack jokes would fall so flat. Jackson has even had the good sense to defer the praine to Baron Davis, who is a headcase very emotional player

Utah - In need of spark for the team, the Jazz went out and signed... Kyle Korver?? Really, that is your big solution. Keep on trying. I love Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan, (if you find the opportunity, watch film of him playing. TOUGH) but you have to acknowledge the fact that he is not getting the potential from all the talent he has. The game may be past him.

Houston - I am not a Rocket(s) scientist. But even I can see simple math. Yao is a great player. T-Mac is a great player. T-mac and Yao are an average (I'm being generous) team. Trade T-mac, get what you can get and move on.

Sacramento - With all the injuries the team has suffered, the Kings have to be happy to be where they are. Now that Kevin Martin, Mike Bibby, and Ro Artest are back, thing are looking good. with a strong push, they are playoff bound. I also think they could get a good return on trading Beno Udrih in a PG point league.

LA Clippers - The most interesting thing for LA's step child is the developing drama between, owner Donald Sterling and Coach Mike Dunleavy. Sterling all of sudden decided that after 20+ years of mediocrity now he needs a winner and if Dnleavy can't do it then there will be changes. Really you have been in the bottom of the NBA for my entire life and now that you have two major players in Elton Brand and Shaun Lvingston out for the year and Sam Cassell missing a few weeks with back problems. Now he expects success. Stering, go back to sleep.

Memphis - Pau Gasol is starting to play the pre-season hype predicted. Instead of like he has the last few years. At this point it is to little to late. When you are supposed to be one of the top players in the league, you shouldn't get outplayed by a guy on your own team. Rudy Gay is talented but he shouldn't be leading your team.

Seattle - Kevin Durant will be really exciting to watch. As he fills out a little to help his defense he will be a real force. Notice all these statement are future tense, see you next year Sonics.

Minnesota - Whew, thankfully you unloaded all the Kevin Garnett baggage. Seriously, does Kevin Mchale get another ring if the Celtics win.

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AFC Championship Recap

So after the first drive I put up a little post about getting the breaks being as important as talent in the patriots undefeated season. As I was watching the second half begin and Donte Stallworth tipped that ball and San Diego’s defense got another turnover for Philip Rivers, I began to think about the chances that the Patriots had run out of breaks. What I didn’t account for was the talent part of the equation. On both of the Tom Brady interceptions the defense of the Patriots held and only gave up a field goal on either interception.

The biggest mistake that the Chargers made to start the second half was to start playing conservative D instead of going after Brady the way they did in the first half. All of a sudden they are giving up an underneath pass to Randy Moss that he strings into a first down and meanwhile no one is within 5 feet of Brady. Thankfully San Diego Defensive coordinator Ted Cotrell can’t keep Antonio Cromartie’s athletic ability down. That pick in the endzone was a game changer. It may not have put the Chargers ahead but you don’t want to get down two scores to New England.

Interesting to see what the Patriots fell back on when they seemed to be challenged. The drive they started after getting the ball back on a punt. was pretty much all Lawrence Maroney. Right up until Wes Welker made the touchdown reception underneath from about 10 yards out.

You do have to credit the Chargers for really outperforming ecpectations. I like Rivers more and more each game I see. I am even starting to tolerate the jaw jacking he does on the field. He responded to questions about that topic in the pre-game. He said that he was most pleased that you don't see him swearing or saying anything offensive on camera.(as I am writing this I am thinking he needs to take it down a notch or two seven) The thing I like on the field is that he looks the same on 3rd and 10 and he does on 1st and 10. There is no anxiety, or nervousness.

The real sign the game was over, was at the 7:00 minute mark in the 4th when you started to see the San Diego Chargers defensive players turning to the officilas to complain as each play was ending. Meanwhile the New England offense is taking small chunks, making the smart decisions; staying in bounds, going down early if necessary to do so.

The big key to this game is was the fact that you just can't field goal your way to the superbowl. Not usually, and especially not against the highest scoring offense in the NFL.