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

52 Minutes of Greatness : 68 Minutes of Failure

This year, two 10-6 teams will be sitting at home watching the playoffs.  The Tampa Bay Bucs finished 10-6, and the Giants, despite the late season collapse, still finished 10-6, but by virtue of the tie-breaker, Green Bay will be the last seed in the NFC at 10-6, and the Eagles win the NFC East with a 10-6 record by virtue of the tie-breaker. 

Two week ago, the Giants were 8 Minutes from clinching the NFC East leading the Philadelphia Eagles 31-10.  For 52 Minutes, the Giants defense made the Eagles Offense, and Michael Vick, look average.  Eli Manning powered the Giants’ Offense to a 21 point lead.  All the Giants had to do was take time off the clock, and keep Mike Vick off the field.  They would have been 10-6 (at that time), and the Eastern Division would have been theirs.

But instead, the defense let Mike Vick run rampant, and score 3 quick touchdowns, and tie the game 31-31.  And, with mere seconds on the clock, the Giants punter kicked off to the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson, and as if in slow-motion watched him squirt, slide, and highstep into the endzone with 0:00 on the clock.

The Eagles won the game with no time on the clock, 38-31, and clinched the NFC East.

The following week all the Giants needed to do was beat the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, and they would clinch a playoff spot…Period!  But, for the 60 minutes of the game, the Giants looked like a punch-drunk team still feeling the effects of the Eagles shocking victory at the New Meadowlands Stadium. They got totally demolished 45-17 by the Packers.

So, 68 minutes earlier they were ready to clinch the Division, but the last week of the season they needed to beat the Washington Redskins to finish 10-6, and they needed the Packers to lose to the Bears (who had already clinched their Division).  The Giants took care of their business, and beat a very pitiful Redskins team, 17-14.  But, by virtue of the Packers 10-3 win over the Bears, the Giants will be saying…Woulda, shoulda, coulda!

That being said, the Giants have a very good team, and finishing 10-6 is testament to that.  But, I said earlier this season that the weakness of the Giants is the Special teams, and as it turned out, the Special Teams was the decisive factor in the season…But, we still finished 10-6.  That’s the bottom line…the Giants are a 10-6 team! 

So, no Tom Coughlin should not be fired for putting a 10-6 team together, but he needs to address the special teams situation for next season.  We are close to another championship…Let’s do this already! No more bullshit.

UPDATE: Giants owner announces that Tom Coughlin has been told his job is his if he still wants it.

Thanks Giants for a great effort, and an above average season…Good luck next year.

For the teams remaining, Kick-ass Peyton, and let’s go Ravens D!

See you next season

Peace
G

Vive La France! Vive La Revolution! Vive Les Taureaux Rouge!

  

New York City...The Tri-State Area...An area so rich in sports history and tradition that it manages to hold 2 Major League Baseball teams (NYY, NYM), 2 National Football League teams (NYG, NYJ), 2 Basketball teams (NYK, NJN), and 3 Hockey teams (NYR, NYI, NJD). 

Well don't look now, but there's a 10th area team making some noise! Yes, that's right the NEW YORK RED BULLS of Major League Soccer have thrust themselves into the spotlight.  By signing perhaps the best, most successful soccer player of this generation, Thierry Henry, to a 4 1/2 year contract, the Red Bull Organization has EXCLAIMED that they are for real, and they are here to stay.  And, according to everyone in charge, this is not all; this is just the beginning. 

Everyone made great hype about David Beckham signing with the LA Galaxy, and with good reason.  He is clearly the most recognizable Footballer in the world.  But, as far as talent and accomplishment, Beckham doesn't come close to Thierry Henry. 

Henry made his professional debut in 1994 with Monaco of the French First Division.  During the 1996-97 season, he was named the French Young Footballer of the Year, and helped Monaco capture the French Ligue 1 title.  In 1997-98, he set a French record by scoring seven goals in the UEFA Champions’ League, leading his team to the semi-finals.

In 1998, he was a member of the French World Cup winning team, where he lead the team in scoring with 3 goals.  To date, Henry appeared in 118 games for France, including 4 World Cups (‘98, ‘02, ‘06, ‘10), and has scored 51 goals…the most in French National team history.

He played for English Premier League club Arsenal from 1999-2007.  During his time at the London club, he appeared in 369 games, while scoring 226 goals and assisting on 92 others. He remains Arsenal’s All-time Leading Goal Scorer.  He led the club to 2 league titles (2001-02, 2003-04), and 3 FA Cup titles (2002, 2003, 2005) during his stay in North London. 

In 2007, he joined Spanish powerhouse Barcelona.  During the 2008-09 season, Henry scored an amazing 26 goals in 42 games, while assisting 12 times, and along with teammates, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o, formed an attacking trio which combined to score 100 goals for the club that season.  He was an instrumental part of Barcelona becoming the first (and only) team in history to win a sextuple.  The sextuple consists of titles in La Liga (2008-09), Copa del Rey (2008-09), and Supercopa de España (2009), also known as the Treble; in addition to winning the UEFA Champions League (2008-09), UEFA Super Cup (2009), and the FIFA Club World Cup (2009). 

 

Henry now joins a team currently in 2nd place behind Eastern Conference leading Columbus. He could however find himself on a 1st place team by the time he suits-up, if the Red Bulls are able to beat the division leaders on Saturday in Columbus.  Trailing the Crew by only 2 points, a win would propel them into first place in the Eastern Conference before Thierry Henry even plays a game. 

And, the latest word is that a 3rd Designated Player will be added in the next 2 weeks…the leading rumor being that Henry’s Barcelona teammate, (and Mexican National Team Player) Rafael (Rafa) Marquez will be that signing.  Also, a member of the sextuple winning team.

Regardless of the next signing, it’s very clear that these are not your daddy’s Red Bulls!

Go NY RED BULLS in 2010 and Beyond!!!   

Vive Les Taureaux Rouge!

Peace
G

USOC: Baby Bulls Win Again

HARRISON, NJ - The New York Red Bulls defeated the New England Revolution, 3-0, in their 2nd Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Play-in game at Red Bull Arena.  RBNY fielded a team of reserves and part-time first teamers for the second time, and for the second time, the Baby Bulls handily beat their opponent.  Like the previous game, where the Baby Bulls defeated Philly 2-1, the 3-0 scoreline was misleading, as the Red Bulls were the better team from start to finish. 5-0 would have been a more justified scoreline.  They had several opportunities where they came close, but ultimately those chances went begging.  Rookie Conor Chinn missing from pointblank range in the first half with the team already leading 1-0.

The first half ended 1-0 on a goal by the Staten Island Flash, John Wolyniec.  The play was started by a perfect pinpoint pass, by Danish Midfielder Brian Nielsen, which sent Rookie Conor Chinn one-v-one against the goalkeeper.  His telegraphed shot to the far post, however was deflected out by the Revs goalkeeper, but right to an open John Wolyniec.  Wolyniec fired a shot past the helpless goalkeeper, but the shot rocketed off the defender back to Wolyniec, where the SI Flash sent a second shot slamming into the net.  So, mark that down, 3 shots on goal, 1 goal. 

Throughout the rest of the first half, the Red Bulls continued to press and dominate the Revs defense, with Conor Chinn missing several opportunities to widen the gap. 

In the second half, RBNY continued its dominance over the undermanned Revs with Brian Nielsen causing havoc on the left wing all day.  In the 62 minute, after a foul just outside the box, Nielsen lined-up to take the freekick.  With all the Revs expecting him to cross it into the box, Nielsen squared the ball to Sinisa, who’s onetime grassburner found it’s way into the left side of the net, extending the lead to 2-0.  Then shortly there after, the Staten Island Flash again got on the end of a rebound in the box, putting away his second of the game, and setting the final margin of victory at 3-0. 

The Baby Bulls continued to have chances to add to their tally, while the Revs never really tested RBNY Goalkeeper Greg Sutton, who earned his first shutout.

Next up for the Baby Bulls…Colorado.  Bring it!

Peace
G