Fans are excited about the launch of mini-camps around the league and the prospects of the upcoming 2008 season. But I thought I'd reflect on the instant classic that was Super Bowl XLII, three months following the shocker that saw the New York Giants knocked off the previously undefeated New England Patriots in a thrilling 17-14 comeback win.
NFL fans have had time to absorb and reflect upon what happened that fateful Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, and the buzz seemingly still remains as teams enter mini-camps and we get geared up for another season.
The performance put forth by Eli Manning and the front four is still nothing short of amazing, even three months after the fact. Remember that Manning was completely chastised by the New York media throughout much of the season, but took a major step in his overall maturation as a quarterback and proved his critics wrong.
Looking back, the upset is not on the same level as the Jets' 16-7 miracle over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, but few fans saw the other New York football team hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy.
It's not that the Giants couldn't pull it off, as the 38-35 loss to the Pats in the season finale proved they could play with any team, but that New England was favored by 12.5 points and destined for perfection.
Most media members penciled in New England and chalked up few scenarios that had the G-Men winning it all, even after their miraculous run through the NFC playoffs.
The unexpected victory for New York, in fact, is what made the game so exciting to watch for most fans around the league. We have become accustomed to Super Bowls that have been complete blowouts and sleepers, but this year's championship game, depending on whether you were cheering for the perfect season or against it, was intriguing to watch throughout.
Not only did the Giants blindside fans with their first Super Bowl since 1990s, but they also blindsided Tom Brady the whole game. Like we saw in the season finale, New York's front four was relentless in their pass rush and bombarded Brady at every moment.
The Pats offensive line was destroyed due to the pressure off the edge from Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. The pass protection, or lack thereof, gave the three-time Super Bowl champion no time to set up in the pocket and make plays, and he looked as uncomfortable as he's ever looked in his career.
Besides their first scoring drive to answer New York's opening field goal, the only other moment the Patriots moved the ball effectively was on the drive that resulted in Randy Moss' TD.
Most fans in the stadium or watching on FOX might have thought that once Moss put New England ahead 14-10, the game was over.
But Manning was impressive with his patience and poise under pressure and performed some late-game magic.
On the play of the year, Manning somehow eluded three Patriot defenders as he scrambled out of the pocket to find David Tyree, who trapped the ball on the back of his helmet to make a circus catch that will go down as one of the most spectacular in Super Bowl lore. The play set up Plaxico Burress' eventual game-winning TD with 35 seconds left.
Despite trailing for much of the game until the fourth quarter, New York controlled the tempo of the entire contest and absolutely deserved to win and capture its third championship in franchise history.
However, like most past Super Bowl champions, the Giants have a hard road back to the top of the mountain. Not only will they have another tough schedule being in the NFC East, the most competitive division in football, but teams will be circling the G-Men on their calendar.
New York will have to hope that Eli continues to progress as a quarterback and play like he did in the playoffs, not like he did most of the season, and beg Strahan to return for a 15th NFL season because we all know he's the motor that keeps that Giants defense running, along with the rest of the front four.
Feel free to express your opinion on the comments wall. Did the Giants truly beat the Patriots, or did New England merely not play well and blow the perfect season?
Keywords: Giants, Manning, Super Bowl
