Big Blue Wrecking Crew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Giants’ season was on the line.  The Dallas Cowboys were in 1st place at 7-5, and the Giants were riding a 4 game losing streak at 6-6.  If the Giants managed to win they would tie Dallas, and hold the tie-breaker against Dallas…propelling them into 1st place in the NFC East with 3 games remaining at Met Life Stadium.  They would have the season entirely in their hands. 

Giants marched into Arlington, Texas looking for a win, and holding an undefeated streak at the new $1.3B Stadium.

In a thrilling game, where the lead changed several times, Eli Manning proved himself an Elite 4th Quarter Quarterback by leading them down the field with under 2-minutes left in the game trailing by 5 points, 34-29.

With 46 Seconds left in the game, Brandon Jacobs punched it in on the 8th lead change of the game, and after a successful 2-point conversion the Giants took a 37-34 lead, leaving the Cowboys 45 seconds to try and tie.

Tony Romo lead the team down the field, and into field goal range.  The Dallas kicker lined up for a game tying 47yd field goal which appeared to be good, but Tom Coughlin called a timeout just before the kick.  So, the kicker lined up for a second attempt at the game tying 47yd field goal.  However, this time Jason-Pierre Paul got up and deflected the kick, and the Giants won the game by a final score of 37-34.

Now the Giants are tied with the Cowboys at 7-6 (holding the tie-breaker) with 3 games remaining in the regular season.  All 3 games will be at their home stadium (Met Life Stadium).  They will host the redskins, play against the Jets (away), and end the season at Met Life Stadium on New Year’s Day against these same Dallas Cowboys with the division possibly at stake.  But, at the moment the Giants hold the upper hand in the division.

Eli Manning once again proved he deserves (at least) consideration in the debate about the top 5 Quarterbacks in the league.

In my book, I would place Eli at #5 behind…#1 Aaron Rodgers, #2 Tom Brady, #3 Drew Brees, and #4 Ben Roethlisberger.

But, that’s just my opinion.

Enjoy the stretch run Giants’ fans…it should be fun…it definitely won’t be boring!

Go G-Men!

Peace
G

Speedy Pacquiao Demolishes Clottey in Flawless Victory

      (Chris Cozzone)

Deep in the heart of Texas, standing in a ring positioned on the Dallas Star on the 50 yardline of Dallas Cowboys Stadium, otherwise known as, Jerryworld, and in front of the 3rd largest crowd to ever attend a boxing event (50,994), Manny Pacquiao stood ready for battle.  Across the ring, Joshua Clottey prepared his game plan…peek-a-boo defense.  During the course of a football game, teams go through three fazes…offense, defense, and special teams.  Manny Pacquiao came fully prepared to utilize his whole repertoire.  Unfortunately, Clottey chose to face Manny by hiding behind his gloves for 90% of the fight.  The few times he attempted to throw a punch he actually hit Pacquiao, but those moments were few and far between.

To be fair, Clottey didn’t really have any chance of beating Pacquiao…Manny was much faster, quicker, and more consistent throughout the fight.  He showed exceptional hand speed and determination in getting around, over, or under Clottey’s defenses.  His offense was flawless, his defense was adequate when it was needed, and what truly set Manny apart was his special teams (in this case his heart). Clottey was the challenger, but never even tried to TAKE Manny’s belt from him…he was just content to survive.  Any opponent coming into Cowboys Stadium looking just to survive will always leave a loser…Risk is at the heart of all competition, and Clottey took absolutely no risks. As a result, Manny secured a decisively flawless victory which was a complete shutout by my scorecard (see below) as well as one of the judges and the AP.  The other two judges were feeling generous in giving the final round to Clottey, but despite his willingness to trade, most in attendance agreed that Manny still did enough to win it.

Rounds	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Pacquiao	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	120
Clottey	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	108

This fight was supposed to be between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr but as I predicted after Manny’s last fight (http://georgeantunes.blogspot.com/2009/11/we-want-floyd.html) that fight never materialized.  Now, Mayweather is fighting “Sugar” Shane Mosley on May 1st, and presumably the winner will fight Pacquiao.  If Mosley wins, which he most certainly is capable of doing, then I am confident that an agreement with Manny will surely be made…as far as Mayweather is concerned, I’ll believe it when I see it.

On the undercard, José Luis Castillo attempted to make a comeback fighting former “The Contender” contestant, Alfonso Gomez.  But, during the course of the fight it became more and more evident that Castillo was just trying to earn his paycheck to help his ever increasing debts.  By the time the fight reached the 5th round of the 10 round fight, and after Gomez dominated the fight on everyone’s scorecards, Castillo called it quits without ever going down…he just withdrew at the end of the 5th, never intending to come out for the 6th. However, still happily collecting his paycheck.  I had Gomez pitching a shutout (50-45) 5 Round to none at the time.

And, in the last Undercard, Humberto Soto faced David Diaz for the WBC Lightweight Title in a 12-round championship fight.  Humberto Soto entered the ring with 50 wins, 7 loses, 2 draws, with 32 Knockouts, while Diaz came in with 35 wins, 2 loses, 1 draw, with 17 Knockouts.  The fight was much more competitive, but in the end Soto won unanimously, starting and ending the fight with 10-8 rounds.  My Score card below.

Rounds	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Humberto Soto	10	10	10	10	10	10	9	10	9	9	10	10	117
David Diaz	8	9	9	9	9	9	10	9	10	10	9	8	109

Peace
G