It Feels Like 2007....No Really....It Does

I've read and heard a lot of arguments that the run the New York Giants have had to Super Bowl XLVI mirrored their run in 2007. While I agreed with it, I didn't realize just how much the 2011 Giants remind me of the 2007 Giants:

• The 2007 and 2011 teams both started the season 6-2.
• They both beat every team in the AFC East (albeit, the 2007 team did it in the Super Bowl).
• They both lost a home game late in the season to an undefeated team (each by the score of 38-35).
• They both were swept by a fellow NFC team in the regular season (sorry to be a downer).
• They both played an NFC South team in the Wild Card round (and scored 24 points in each game).
• They both went to the home of the #1 seed in the Divisional Round and won.
• They both went to the home of the #2 seed in the NFC Championship and won on a Lawrence Tynes overtime field goal.
• Oh yeah, they're playing the Patriots again in the Super Bowl.

However, there is one glaring difference between the two teams: the offense.

In that dream season of 2007, the Giants heavily relied on the running game of Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns, Derrick Ward, and the tremendous, late-season emergence of then rookie (and 7th-round Draft choice) Ahmad Bradshaw.

The 2011 Giants running game finished dead last in the regular season in the entire NFL. Which is never the case with this franchise. Never.

Now let's take a look at the passing game....or should I say the Eli-te passing game? Prior to this season, Eli Manning was put in a no-win situation when he was asked if he considers himself an elite quarterback. What did Eli do? He said yes!

Did I agree with him at the time? No, but I loved his confidence. Do I agree with him now? You bet your butt I do.

Manning's 2007 season was nothing to write home about. Remember the four interception game vs Minnesota (3 of which were returned for touchdowns)? Remember the ghastly performance on a Sunday night at home vs Washington with a whopping 34 incompletions? OK I'm sorry...I'll stop. But we have to realize how much Manning has grown and matured in his eight-year career.

Manning's passed a lot of tests this season and now has his team back in the Super Bowl. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards. Think about that. That's never been done in the great history of this Giants franchise. It's amazing!

Manning did this after losing his number one tight end (Kevin Boss) and number two wide receiver (Steve Smith), both who he's played with in the previous four seasons. Oh....and he did this is in a drastically shortened offseason because of that whole lockout thing.

Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham improved from their already good form. Jake Ballard has been a great find at tight end. And some undrafted guy that does some salsa dance when he finds paydirt hasn't been to shabby either....what's his name? Oh yeah, Victor Cruuuuuuuuuz!

Manning has answered every question and every critic of his (which there were a few) and passed just about every test this season. The only question I see surrounding Eli now is: "Is he better than Peyton?"

Stop it.

The Day That Started My Football Life

I've been wanting to start this blog for some time now, but I could never find the right time to get it going. However, now as my beloved New York Giants will be playing in San Francisco for the NFC Championship, I felt compelled to and you'll find out if you decide to read further. I'll probably get a couple reads here and there (thanks, Mom)...but I'm just doing this for me and to get my thoughts out there....OK so anyway:

I can remember it as clear as if it was yesterday. In front of the TV, praying one kick would send my New York Football Giants to their second Super Bowl.

I really had no idea of the implications of what I was about to watch. I didn't know that if Matt Bahr's kick was no good that the Giants wouldn't play another (meaningful) game until the following September. I was unaware of the tumultuous history that my dad grew up with watching that team.

I was sitting on the floor in front of my parents' television in the living room of our house in Danbury, CT. I saw a couple huddles along the Giants sideline of players in prayer circles. Then Bahr struck the ball with his right foot sending it through the uprights with no time remaining on the clock. The Giants were on their way to Super Bowl XXV. My dad lost his mind. I mean really....lost it. So what did I do? The exact same thing. I remember crying my eyes out in tears of joy, not knowing why at the time.

I don't remember anything else from that game. I don't remember the furious physicality of the hits from that took place. I don't remember John Taylor's long 3rd quarter touchdown reception. I don't remember Gary Reasons' long scamper on a fake punt. I don't remember Leonard Marshall nearly ending the great Joe Montana's career with one devastating sack. I don't remember Roger Craig fumbling the football on San Francisco's last possession or Lawrence Taylor's recovery of said fumble. I only remember that one kick and the melee that ensued in my living room.

Had I had known what my dad put up with from that franchise throughout his life would I have celebrated more or remembered more of that game? Had I known what I'd deal with throughout the rest of that decade with the Giants (especially at the QB position -- yes I'm talking to you Dave Brown, Kent Graham, and Danny Kannell), would I have embraced it more? I have no idea, I was six for crying out loud. My main concern at the time was trying to beat Super Mario Bros. 3, let alone emotionally vest into a sport I knew very little about.

Now these two teams are meeting up in the same building at 6:30 ET this coming Sunday with the same prize at stake (oh, and in 1990, the Giants lost a one-possession game earlier that season in San Fran, just like they did this season). I will be emotionally wrapped around every second that ticks off that game clock. For the unfortunate few of you that have watched a playoff game with me, you know how big of a nerve-wracking roller coaster I'm on watching any of my teams in the playoffs....and I wouldn't have it any other way.

For those of you who have not seen the kick, or just want to re-live it, click here.