If anything, The Pats last night looked like the 2001 Rams -- the best offensive team on paper for they year, but they didn't really put it out there when they needed to; especially like they usually do.
This year's NY Giants been looking like The 2001 NE Pats for quite a while -- they're definitely not the best team written on paper when it comes to talent, but they were definitely still that extremely hungry, scrappy team w/ the heart, determination, and a bit of luck that would somehow find a way to pull out the win; the underdogs. A solid offense and defense; well-rounded team. And after last night's victory (for The Giants), well -- it's even more of a reflection of that NE 2001 season; that's deja vu, if I ever seen it occur.
I think the whole 13-point spread in favor of The Pats for last night's game was ridiculous, myself -- especially after the great game the Giants gave the Pats back in the regular season. Talk about the Giants getting a lack of respect, especially the contest they gave them -- gimmie a break.
13 points in the Super Bowl??? Me, I was picking the Pats by 7 points, myself...
The Pats really didn't do enough to win last night. They did not deserve it. All the mistakes that were made by The Pats, Giants capitalized on. And all of the missed opportunities The Giants tried to hand to The Pats on a silver platter, they just didn't capitalize on.
The interception and fumbles made by the Giants, early on -- Pats didn't capitalize on those at all. Whether it was Giants recovering their own fumble or the Pats not doing anything w/ the ball, they didn't do anything to put it away.
Didn't want to go for 50 year field goal?? B/c of Field positiion, Bill Belichick??? What??? In the first half, the kicker (Kastowski) should've been given the green light to go for that approximately 50 yard field goal; especially in a dome! His career long is 52 yards and he has been known to hit 50 yarders in practice no problem. At least take a shot at it; especially since Brady was off a good deal of the whole first half -- what made them think on 4th and 13, they'd get a first down??? Crazy. The Pats really should've went for that field goal. Even if they missed it, they would've lost a few yards, if they missed it -- so what? Even a punt would've been better than to go for it on 4th and 13, given how off Brady was.
The Giants front-four were awesome on defense, rattling Brady a good majority of the night. Unfortunately, The Pats' line couldn't do anything about it, most of the game. Didn't really help The Pats that Neal got injured, either....just made it even easier for the Giants to rattle Brady some more all night.
In 4Q, Absolutely ridiculous that 3 guys were all over Eli Manning and they could not pull him down. In most cases, as long as he was held, that whistle would've been blown by the refs to save the QB so he don't get killed when thrown down to the ground (that whole "save the quarterback" thing); that would've probably ended the game and its momentum. But, it was let go by the refs b/c it is the Super Bowl -- and somehow, like Houdini (on his best day), Manning got his way out of the jam. Amazing heart and determination. Give credit where it's due.
That catch was amazing from Tyree. A lot of skill and indeed a little bit of luck -- I still can't believe he Tyree came away with that, one hand with the ball on his helmet and not letting that ball hit the ground. Amazing.
The two shots at interceptions near the end of the game in the 4Q that the Pats dropped -- that could've ended the game, basically. But, nope -- couldn't keep their hands on the ball.
Ellis Hobbs has been getting burned all year long -- and in the final game-winning play of the game, Burress burned him, when it mattered most. No real surprise Hobbs got burned.....AGAIN. It's time for The Pats to get younger on defense; we're getting old on defense, which is kind of like the Yankees have been getting too old for the past few years.
The NE Pats defense has been getting progressively worse, over the years since they have beaten the 2001 Rams. They were basically mediocre, most of this year. The only thing they really did good was in the red-zone defense, most of this entire year. Other than that, the Pats gave up a lot of big 3rd down plays, all year long.
Of course, Eli was eventually bound to win one in NY, sooner or later. I mean, c'mon -- all NY needed really was a QB. And well, he made sure him and his agent were vocal to trade him to some other team during that '04 Draft. WTH? You should be happy the NFL drafts you to ANY TEAM; even if they were 4-12 the previous year. For all we knew, he could've help ignite the spark to turn San Diego around.
About Shockey -- I wonder if he might be a little worried about his job, after last night's game...They really didn't need him to win, now did they??
Regardless, congrats to NY Giants. They definitely deserved their win last night.
