Life and Stuff

Somehow I knew it would come to this. In order for the Patriots to complete their perfect season it only seems natural that they have to go through a team from New York. New York and Boston are brothers in arms when it comes to culture and sports. One has better museum, the other has more history. One has better basketball team, the other has a better hockey team. They gloat about how our championship are tainted, and we do the same. No matter how hard we Boston fans try, we just can't break the stigma of New York breathing down our backs. Another thing to point out is that in order for the underdog to truly be considered a champion, they must go through the best. In 2004, the Red Sox may have won the World Series, but it just wouldn't be as meaningful as it is if we didn't go through the Yankees. Had we beaten the Twins for the pennant, we would still have to hear the obnoxious cries of Yankee fans saying that they may have won, but they didn't go through the best to get there. In the same vein, what Eli Manning has accomplished this post-season may be extraordinary, but if he does not beat the best, Patriots fans will believe he got lucky. So now it stands, A week from Sunday in the Phoenix suburbs an event that used to be a football game but now has become a national holiday full of meaningless entertainment and false hype will take place. This game will have an interesting rooting interest in the New England area. There are two kinds of Giants fans in New England, those who were born before 1960, who grew up Giants fans because their Fathers did or those who couldn't accept the Patriots as a New England's team because they were too used to the Giants. There will be divided loyalties and friendly wagers I'm sure, but who will prevail? Sadly, we have to wait almost two weeks to find out. How did the Patriots and Giants get here? It's time to let the bullet points do some explaining.

• For those like me who thought the weather was going to be a factor in hindering the performances of the visiting teams, chalk it up as a oversight. While the Chargers were not able to sustain a drive into the end zone, the Giants proved they can play in the coldest of temperatures.

• Admit it Patriots fans, once you saw them try a reverse with Randy Moss, you thought it was going nowhere. Weren't you glad when you saw him juke a defender and turn it into a sizable gain?

• Moss wasn't a factor in the passing game. I hate to do this, but I must ask if his impending legal troubles had an effect on his game?

• You can't fault the Chargers for not scoring a touchdown. When Tedy Bruschi runs like a madman to swat a ball away from Antonio Gates, you know it's going to be a long afternoon.

• Yes I still believe my Grandmother could kick better than Nate Kaeding, but he did kick four field goals. Although two of them looked like they barely got through the crossbar.

• If you still think Mike Vrabel isn't a valuable player on the Pats defense, take a look a the leg sweep he gave Phillip Rivers in the second quarter. The play led to a Asante Samuel interception and a Patriot touchdown. Yet again, I must remind you that Bob Sanders won Defensive Player of the Year. He's now on a golf course somewhere warm.

• Tom Brady has the vision of a fighter pilot. To see that Jabbar Gaffney was running a route up the middle when his eyes were on Wes Welker takes precise vision and impeccable timing, both of which Brady has.

• If nothing else, the phony LT is resilient. You've got to admire the fact that he was at least able to carry the ball a couple of times before his knee gave in.

• After Rivers had found Chris Chambers on a nice catch, on the very next place the ageless Junior Seau tackled RB Michael Turner. The play adverted the touchdown drive and forced the Bolts to kick another field goal. How does he do it? Maybe Geritol and Ensure shakes do work after all.

• What's more surprising, the fact that Tom Brady threw 3 picks in a game, or the rumors that Wham might reunite for a tour?

• Lawrence Maroney is quickly showing why he was worth the gamble for the Patriots to take him in the draft. With the passing game going nowhere, Maroney stabilized the offense, and prolonged drives with his power running.

• The world will end before Bill Belichick singles out a specific player in explaining why the Patriots won the game.

• The Packers and Giants have played a combined 82 playoff games. You know you've been around a long time when your playoff history spans from from the era of the flapper and the depression to Britney Spears and Guitar Hero.

• Bart Starr was an honorary captain for the Packers. If there's anyone who knows what it's like to play in the freezing cold in Green Bay, it's him.

• If there's one thing you've got to admire about the Giants, it's that they are a tough team, and they're going to be dismissed as as bunch of lightweights. The play of Ahmad Bradshaw best illustrated that point on Sunday.

• Plaxico Burress reminds me of a chameleon. You think you have him covered but he so quick and elusive that by the time he's got the ball, you're wondering where he is. He's going to wreak havoc on the Patriots secondary.

• Yes Donald Driver was open on his touchdown catch, but I think he ran so fast because he was freezing and desperate to go back to the sideline for some warmth. Of course leaping into the arms of some warm fans to celebrate the score couldn't of hurt.
  

• Lost in the shuffle of Manning, Burress, and Tynes is the heads up play by Kevin Boss to recover a fumble at the Packer 1 yard lines in the third quarter. That to me was the biggest play of the game.

• If I hear that obnoxious loudmouth Chris Berman refer to the Giants as the Geeeee men one more time, I think I'll go postal on my television.

• Maybe Lawrence Tynes would not have been the goat had the Giants lost, but what about Sam Madison? If the Giants don't answer the Packers last touchdown, Madison's penalty for unnecessary roughness would be long remembered in a city that never forgets.

• Another play that would not have been forgotten in the annals of time had the Packers won is the fumble by the Giants RW McQuarters after he intercepted Brett Favre.

• What will be remembered though is the fumble recovery by Domenic Hixson on a Green Bay kickoff. If the Packers recover, it's likely over for the Giants.

• If Lawrence Tynes is an NFL kicker, he's obviously going to make one of three kicks. Thankfully, Tynes is still looked upon as a hero in New York for giving the Giants the victory.

• There were plenty of potential goats on the Giants side but only one on the Packers side. Sadly, the man's last name is Favre. An off balance throw in overtime led to an interception and a Giants victory.

• So there you have it, a New York New England Super Bowl that will be glossed over and hyped endlessly. There will be no column on football next week because there will be no games to comment on. But look for a regular column anyway someone next week. Enjoy the game, and see you in two weeks for the final column.