New York Giants vs. New York Jets: Why the Giants Reign Supreme in NY

Which team reigns supreme?

One that wins.  We can have all the fun we want with the "Team of New York" concept, but for decades the New York Giants have done something the Jets have not.

They have won big and in dramatic fashion: Simms(MVP) 22-of-25, Wide Right, Eli and Catch 42!

New York and the metro area always was and always will be...a New York Giants town.

December 24, 2011: The Giants beat the Jets, 29-14.  How sweet it is.

Some of the Giants' other achievements include:

• The NY Giants have history of being one of the first NFL teams (1925)—Tradition

• The NY Giants have 18 Hall of Famers—Super Stars

• The NY Giants have 11 Retired jersey numbers—History

• The NY Giants have five Eastern Division Championships—Hard Work

• The NY Giants have over 650 wins—Proof

• The NY Giants have three Superbowl Victories—Success

Even in 2011 the New York Giants reign supreme as the region's football team.

Here's why...

One of New York's Favorite Receivers: Victor Cruz

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How many obstacles has this guy overcome?

How many times was he told he couldn't make it?

Victor Cruz not only made it...he made the show on the biggest stage in country as part of the New York Giants.

Sunday against the Jets this budding star once again did not disappoint.  As he streaked down the sidelines for a 99-yard touchdown, Cruz broke into the NY Giants' record books as well as leapt to the top of the 2011 NFL receiving categories for good measure.

• Third in the NFL in receiving

• First (tied) in yards per catch (17.9) from a receiver with 50 catches or more

• First (tied) for longest reception of year (99 yards w/ Wes Welker)

• Longest NY Giants pass play of all time

This undrafted free agent from the University of Massachusetts has become a fan favorite for all the right reasons.

He is a local kid from Paterson, NJ who made good and got off the streets.

He lights up the room wherever he goes.  He appreciates the opportunity given to him and has made the most of it.  His "Big Play" ability has set the city on fire and his salsa dancing is rather refreshing.

Or:

On the other side of the stadium, the former NY Giants hero shows his true colors as a selfish, spoiled, chronic complainer who's a repeat offender and continues to bash coach Tom Coughlin.  Fans have a tendency to turn a blind eye when their team is winning.

Sometimes you might think..."what if" but the New York Giants are so much better off with out him.

Who would you rather watch on Sunday.  It's an easy choice.

Cruuuuuuuuuuz!

Another Favorite Receiver: Hakeem Nicks

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Character: Holmes or Hakeem?

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Staten Island...they all want character players.  New York only needs one Plaxico.

One might think that a first-round pick and a star wide receiver in New York might have too many distractions or become a diva...not Hakeem Nicks.

This first-round draft pick from North Carolina has turned around two back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has become a huge weapon for Eli Manning.

The Giants remain supreme because of the character players they put in uniform.  Hakeem Nicks is not brash, outspoken or obnoxious, he just goes out and performs.

What else can you ask for?

Where across the stadium Santonio Holmes has not had a 1,000-yard season since 2009 and has had numerous brushes with the law.

Hakeem Nicks exemplifies what New York football is about.  

Nicks and Cruz should make the 2012 Pro Bowl!

New York's Favorite Freak: JPP

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New York is big. 

The biggest stars, the biggest entertainment and the biggest businesses all reside in New York.

So why would anyone except anything less from their football team?

Back in the day, the Jets and the Giants had punishing defenses with the biggest pass rushers on the planet: Lawrence Taylor, Mark Gastineau, Michael Strahan, etc...

Currently, the NY Giants' second-year defensive end Jason Pierre Paul, who was a 2010 first-round pick has just become all-world. 

JPP has 15.5 sacks in 2011.  That  is more sacks than Calvin Pace, Bart Scott and David Harrison have combined!  Even Jared Allen, the one-hit wonder Jason Babin and DeMarcus Ware have nothing on this kid.  

He's athletic...very athletic, all while racking up 81 tackles and 15.5 sacks...unheard of from a defensive end.  That is the kind of effort the Giants are built on.

Note to NFL: The league office needs to get him on the Pro Bowl ballot.

New York's Favorite RB Tandem: Jacobs & Bradshaw

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The Jets do have a great offensive line but who are they blocking for?

Sorry Jet fans, but there has only ever been one L.T. in the National Football League and only one in  this city and especially this stadium.

LaDainian Tomlinson is running on fumes.  Shonn Greene is a nice back but New York football fans know that Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs bring passion to the field like no other and they deliver!

Just ask Jets safety Rodney Poole how he feels after Giants; running back Ahmad Bradshaw runs right over the top him and into the end zone.

Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw brought this region a Super Bowl in 2007 and at the end of the day the Big Apple backs a winner.  They are two totally different backs but some how it works and makes a difference for Giants football.

In 2012 New York football fans should have a new exciting wrinkle with running back Da'Rel Scott getting more carries.  This rookie from Maryland can flat out "fly"—we just need to get him carries to resurrect...Earth Wind and Fire!

Before the Personal Seat License debacle...Giant Stadium was sold out for over 25 years.  

Jet fans are NY Giant fans who couldn't get Giant season tickets.

New York's Top QB: Eli Manning

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Eli Manning has come a long way...

Sanchez needs work.

The New York Giants are the Big Apple's team of choice for many reasons, but first and foremost is the fact that the NY Giants have the superior QB.  

And New York loves their quarterbacks...just ask Joe Namath and Phil Simms.

Manning had some rough days after the 2004 season. However, looking at Eli Manning's first three full season vs. Sanchez's first three full seasons...it's Eli by a landslide.

• Manning ('05-'07)—10,342 yards; Sanchez, 8,744

• Manning ('05-'07)—1,628 attempts; Sanchez, 1,323 attempts

• Manning ('05-'07)—71 TD's; Sanchez, 52 TD's

Let's not forget that in Eli's third FULL season he won a Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP.

It's a New York Giants kind of town!

New York's Favorite Coach: Tom Coughlin

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Sometimes you wish Tom Coughlin would stand up and rip some of his underachieving players. 

That will most likely not happen.

However, for all the distractions New York can bring you, Tom Coughlin does a very good job.   How I wish Tom Coughlin would fire his coordinators and move into the 21st century where you do whatever it takes to win.

If Tom stays here in New York he will need to overhaul his defensive and offensive coordinators to make a difference in how people game plan for Big Blue.

Otherwise the Mara's might change the head coach of this football team and that usually brings uncertainty and a few years of rebuilding.

Rex is full of hot air.  It gets old.

Enjoy!