What's more loved throughout sports than a fine Cinderella story?
George Mason was treated like college basketball fans' own son when it made its miraculous run to the final four two years ago.
Fans LOVED them and cried when they lost. However, these stories, in most situations, fall short of the final destination. One can only ride momentum for so long before it finally reaches the point of reality.
The Giants' postseason run has been very impressive. If you asked a sportswriter if the Giants would be playing in Super Bowl XLII, you'd get laughed at. I guarantee you would not have been able to find one person that would have put the Giants where they are today.
However, due to a balanced running game that features Brandon Jacobs, the over-powering, diligent, reliable back who's good for at least five yards per-rush, and Ahmad Bradshaw, the explosive speedster, the Giants have been able to throw off teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers.
But really, what would a sports article on the New York Football Giants be without mentioning the name Eli Manning? The embattled quarterback has slapped Giants' Owner, Wellington Mara right across the face with his confident play.
Manning has taken Mara's words of calling Manning "skittish" earlier in the season and shoved them down his throat in the postseason.
Not only has the young quarterback stepped up in the clutch like a solid, confident player, but he has led the Giants to the promise land. He no longer throws off his back foot in fear of a 280-pound lineman hauling his face into the ground, but stands tall in the pocket and delivers his passes with accuracy and efficiency.
Of course, some credit goes to his three main wide receivers in Plaxico Burress, who manhandled Al Harris of the Packers, arguably the most physical and one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Steve Smith, the emerging star from USC and Amani Toomer, his veteran safety net.
The Giants' offense has gone from inconsistent and unproductive to dominant and overpowering due to Manning's improvement, their balanced running game and the core of wideouts.
The offense is not the only reason for the team's success. In fact, some would argue that it is the defense that deserves the credit.
It is as if a new religion has been created among Giant fans, known as Spagnuolism. He has rewritten the bible, split the sea, created day and night, and most importantly, led the "people" to the Promised Land. In football terms, Steve Spagnuolo, the Giants' defensive coordinator, has created a defense that puts pressure on its opposing quarterback and shuts down the offense of their opponents.
Tony Romo and Brett Favre looked like they were playing football for the first time against Spagnuolo's army. The defense, which led the league in sacks during the regular season, is led by a fierce front four in veteran Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins.
2 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Ari Kramer about 1 year ago
Wow. I could not agree more with your argument. As a fan of the Jets, there is no one that I would want to see win this game tomorrow, but I guess I would rather see history made by the Patriots. Love the GMU reference. Ironic thing is that George Mason's nickname is the Patriots.
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steve wilson about 1 year ago
I've got the salt and pepper, where's your hat? I assume you'll eat it pubicly and let us hear about the funeral you attended last night, is the corpse cold yet?
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