All of a Sudden, It Is Eli Manning’s World…
by edwzipper on Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 at 10:21pm
…and the rest of us are just guests.
In a Super Bowl and ending that reminded me eerily of another defensive struggle that turned on great quarterback play late (Super Bowl 23 and Montana to Taylor), Eli Manning, with two fourth quarter touchdown drives to Tom Brady’s one, led the Giants to a 17-14 upset win for the ages over the Patriots.
A few quick thoughts while waiting for the chattering classes who gave the Giants next to no chance to weigh in on the game:
—Eli Manning had best catch no shit from anyone who calls themselves a Giants fan ever again. I don’t see how he could have been better in a big spot, and made every play that the Giants had to have throughout the game, and especially in the fourth quarter. And his escape to launch the pass that ended in the best catch I have ever seen in the Super Bowl (and maybe ever, good lord but David Tyree must have freakishly strong hands) was quarterbacking at its best.
—The pressure from the Giants defense was indeed a huge part of the storyline, as they were able to cause Tom Brady no end of misery for most of the game. They finally wore down in the fourth quarter, but by then had given their offense a chance to win late. You can’t have asked for more from them.
—It is impossible not to think of Tiki Barber at this moment, and not laugh. Still willing to talk shit about your former quarterback and former coach, Tiki? I am guessing that answer is no.
–Yes, the game was over, in effect, but Bill Belichick should have been on the field as the final second ticked off. Randy Moss caught a ton of shit a few years back for leaving the field with a second left on the clock. Every columnist and sports talk host who called Moss out over that should do the same with regard to Belichick, for consistencies sake.
—Tony Spagnulo should have a head coaching job in Atlanta by mid-week. Oh, wait, they hired the guy from the Jags. Good job, there, Arthur Blank.
Wow. We’ve been lucky to have a number of extremely good Super Bowls this decade. This one takes its place in the discussion for best ever.