Giants Talk: Payback is a Bitch

Cowboys ran their mouths for a year. Now, there’s nowhere to run or hide from the Giants Sunday


I think back to something Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said last season:

"After looking at the tape, I feel like the best team lost the game. I thought we outplayed them. I just thought that we had a better team than they had. We'd proven it twice, and I thought we proved it again."

Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips the day after losing to the Giants in the NFC Divisional playoff last year.

With each Dallas Cowboys win last year, they started talking.

And they kept on talking.

They beat the Giants to open the season last year scoring 45 points. In the rematch at Giants Stadium, they scored 31 more, another victory and more talking came shooting out of their collective mouths.

Were the Cowboys really THIS much better than the Giants?

It sure looked that way.

Tony Romo was often never touched. His offensive line and the lack of a pass rush gave him time to shred the defense. Marion Barber could not be tackled. Jason Witten was open constantly and Terrell Owens was burning every Giants defensive back that dared to line up against him. They were unstoppable and it appeared that nothing could be done to stop it.

Fate (and playoff seeding) allowed the Giants to get a third chance at the Cowboys at Texas Stadium. They insisted that the difference between the two teams was not indicative in the score. Subtle mistakes they said during the two games, were correctable and thus the outcome would be different the third time around.

Dallas obviously felt differently. They were the media’s choice to go to the Super Bowl. Not the Giants or anything else would be a hindrance to them getting to Glendale, Arizona. They listened to the Giants words and dismissed them, almost mocking them in the process.

"It's funny that those guys talk, every time we get ready to play them. What I have learned is when players have to talk about another team like that, either they are scared or they are trying to talk themselves into believing they can do it. I think they are trying to talk themselves up into believing they can do it."

Patrick Crayton, three days before the NFC Divisional playoff game against the Giants.

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones certainly did not think the Giants could do it. So much so that before the game, he placed two tickets for the NFC Championship Game (to be played in Dallas if they won) in each players locker.

As it turned out, the Giants were able to do it. Battling from behind and being able to tie the game just before halftime when the defense was sucking wind for nearly the entire half. They took the lead in the fourth quarter, and then holding on at end when it appeared that they would wilt at the worst possible moment like Giants teams of the past.

With nine seconds left, the Giants leading 21-17 and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones having made his way from his private suite to the sideline with his arms folded and within 10 feet of his head coach looked on as Tony Romo’s fourth down pass would be intercepted in the end zone by R.W McQuarters. Third time was the charm and the Giants were advancing the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay.

Dallas was dead.

Good riddance.

Those tickets in each locker now had a value price of $0 for the Cowboys. However, for the Giants, it had plenty of value.

"I don't want anybody talking about this in the media. Jerry (Jones) just sent the tickets over. So, we're all set."

Tom Coughlin, speaking to his players in the locker room after the Giants beat the Cowboys to advance to the NFC Championship.

All of their talk, excessive hubris and exuberance were dashed right on their turf as Texas Stadium was filled with the sweet sound of silence as the Giants fittingly ended their season. It was time for Big Blue to do the talking now.

"All I know is we have some butter and salt for all that popcorn everyone is trying to eat."

"We hope T.O. has his popcorn ready. Maybe him and (Patrick) Crayton can sit in his home theatre and watch us next week."

Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan, referring to Terrell Owens’ “Getcha popcorn ready” slogan that he used during the season.

The Cowboys yapped and yapped and all it got them was earlier appointment at the golf course the day after losing.

"Words have never won a football game. They can talk all they want. They can tell people to bring popcorn or whatever. But we're going to continue to play football. It's as simple as that."

Justin Tuck, speaking after the Giants playoff victory over the Cowboys.

For the Cowboys, there was nowhere to run or hide now. They were exposed as the front running frauds that they are. Crayton was nowhere to be found on the field (his dropped pass in the third quarter was arguably the key play of the game) and hid from reporters question afterward. Tony Romo could only speak in hushed tones. Jerry Jones was set to give out refunds for tickets that would go unused. Wade Phillips was still trying to figure out what the hell happened. There was Owens, sunglasses and all, trying to explain the loss and giving us a “YouTube Hall of Fame” moment.

“This isn’t about Tony. You guys can point the finger at him. You can talk about the vacations. And if you do that, it’s wrong. It’s not fair. It’s really not fair. That’s my teammate. That’s my quarterback. If you guys do that, it’s not fair. We lost as a team.”

Terrell Owens, crying at the podium lamenting his team’s “shocking” defeat.

Owens’ comments while wearing shades reflected their entire team. They were bullies. When they finally were stood up to, and then chopped down, they were unable to directly look anyone in the eye and admit defeat. As the Giants went on to become eventual Super Bowl champions, the Cowboys looked on and felt that they were still the better team.

In training camp, HBO’s Hard Knocks spent all of training camp with “America’s Team”. Watching the show and hearing them talk about the playoff loss to the Giants; they all had the sentiment that the game was nothing more than a fluke. The feeling that if that game were played 100 times, they would win 99. While the Lombardi Trophy was hanging inside Giants Stadium, Dallas seemed to be under the impression at a trip to the Super Bowl was something that did not have to be earned, but rather an entitlement and the road still went through them.

"We can fast forward through this preseason, through the regular season, get to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl or whatever and be there now.

Tony Romo on HBO’s Hard Knocks discussing expectations of the Cowboys 2008 season.

Strong words coming from a man yet to win a playoff game in his career. The same for a Cowboys team who has not won a playoff game since Bill Clinton was reelected as president. What was funny is that the rest of his teammates felt the same way. As this chatter got around, it left the Giants somewhat puzzled.

"I guess they won their Super Bowl rings in training camp, because they didn't win it last year."

Brandon Jacobs, responding in training camp to the Cowboys odd sense of bravado.

Jerry Jones decided to “go for broke”. He decided to add troubled (and at the time, suspended) cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones to a roster that was already filled with loose cannons, jailbirds and malcontents. He gave Owens and Marion Barber fat new contracts. 2008 now became “Super Bowl or bust” for the Cowboys.

One Giant was not impressed.

"Maybe it's because Dallas (has) tried to buy a Super Bowl this year. Can you buy the Super Bowl? I don't think so."

Tuck, responding to the Cowboys off-season moves.

This entire season, for as much “gravy” as I felt the season was going to be, was going to be about two teams, the Cowboys and the Giants. No one else in the NFL mattered. Everyone else in the NFC need not apply. The road to the Super Bowl was set to go through either Dallas or New York.

For the first month of the season, it appeared that way. Each team had not lost a game. Then, the Cowboys lost in convincing fashion to their archrival Washington Redskins and the wheels came off. It reached its crescendo in Arizona (ironically, the same stadium where the Giants won the Super Bowl) when they were beaten up physically and emotionally by the Cardinals in an overtime defeat.

Tony Romo broke his pinkie finger. Felix Jones injured his hamstring. Pacman Jones was awaiting suspension. With the help of Jerry Jones, he was finagled into the starting lineup because cornerback Terrence Newman was hurt. Punter Mat McBriar broke his foot on the game winning blocked punt. Owens was not getting the ball enough. The offensive line could no longer protect. The “Happy Go Lucky” Phillips had lost control and their bully team played like the least intelligent group in football.

Romo would be lost for at least a month. The rest of the team was in turmoil and no end appeared to be in sight. Jerry Jones gave Phillips the infamous “vote of confidence”, which in the league is code for “your ass is cooked”. All this, while the Giants quietly went about their business of winning football games and putting some distance between themselves and the Cowboys. In desperation, they decided to trade for Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams to “boost” the offense and gave him 50 million top of it. They couldn’t keep their own players happy getting them the ball, and now they decided to make their typical “big splash”.

Veteran Brad Johnson has since taking over Romo and the results have been horrific. They hardly resemble the same team. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett sure doesn’t look the boy wonder genius he was 12 months prior. Owens is three seconds away from going nuclear. Jason Witten has suffered a broken rib. And the defense, loaded with big money and first round picks still cannot play any cover anyone who has talent.

Their record may say “5-3”, but they are right on the brink of extinction. Just as luck would have it, the Cowboys find themselves entering Giants Stadium on Sunday with the world champions waiting for them. All of their talk has gotten them nowhere and now the Giants wield all the power. A victory would put the Dallas three games behind them in the loss column (essentially, a four game lead). This is the ultimate chance to run them over with a semi truck and leave them for dead on the side of the road.

Tony Romo is out. The same for Felix Jones. Their three starting cornerbacks, Terrence Newman, Anthony Henry and Adam (we can’t call him “Pacman” anymore because he is a “changed” man) Jones are out. Safety Roy Williams and Mat McBriar are both on injured reserve. Witten is questionable at best and if he chooses to play, is one Kenny Phillips shot to the ribs away from landing in an emergency room.

What do I say to that?

Tough.

There is no sympathy coming from here or the Giants. You want sobbing? Go somewhere else for it.

The Cowboys are like the guy hanging with both hands on the cliff their legs kicking all over, looking for a generous person to save them by lifting them up. For the Giants, it is their chance to stomp on their fingers and send them straight down into the depths of oblivion never to be seen again, except for when an autopsy is done on the body.

13 Dallas players were named to the Pro Bowl last year. By my count four of them (Romo, Newman, Williams and Witten) are either out or injured. That leaves nine Pro Bowlers by my count. At last check, they still play with 11 on both offense and defense. If not, they should forfeit and save themselves the trouble of showing up.

Let’s be clear about this: If the Giants do not turn the ball over or do anything stupid, nothing the Cowboys can do can avoid an ass whooping in the Meadowlands on Sunday. It is that simple.

If they really have the audacity of subjecting Brooks Bollinger (the Cowboys backup to Johnson and lifetime achiever of nothing), to the potential onslaught of Giant pass rushers and blitz schemes, it would be wise to take for him to either take out medical insurance or simply run like hell.

The Cowboys already have their built-in excuse for losing this game because they always have one. Reality is not something that exists in their world. Not that it matters anything to the Giants. They have been waiting for this game ever since that Sunday in January when they turned off the lights and shutdown Dallas and Texas Stadium for the season.

"We hate them."

Tuck, speaking on Monday when asked him opinion of the Cowboys.

We Giants fans hate them equally as much. All of us have been waiting for this game from the moment the schedule came out.

All of the held in emotion and hate for the team with the star on the helmet is set to be unleashed inside Giants Stadium.

They are wounded and crying out for help. The Giants hold the gun and are ready to pull the trigger.

Payback is going to be a bitch for the Cowboys.

See you Sunday.

Giants Talk: Big Blue Makes Pitt Stop

Giants slow down Big Ben, battle from behind in dramatic victory

PITTSBURGH – It is very unlikely that the New York Giants will play a more physical team and as hostile of an environment as they played in on Sunday.

They battled the Steelers, the rabid Heinz Field crowd, occasionally the referees and sometimes even themselves.

A long time ago, these elements would have caused this football team to disintegrate and end up in sure defeat.

But these Giants, the World Champion Giants, once again showed that they can never be counted out and relishes opportunities to persevere under the most adverse of conditions. They did so resoundingly by coming into Pittsburgh in a battle of two 5-1 teams and came away with a 21-14 victory.

These two storied franchises battled like an old school heavyweight title fight and the Giants ended up standing tall. After being stymied in the red zone on four occasions, this team, loaded with resiliency and character, were able to fight back. Eli Manning out dueled his fellow draft classmate Ben Rothlisberger. At the end of day, Big Ben found him under siege by the swarming New York defense while Eli was once again cool under pressure.

Early on, the Steelers (who were missing four starters due to injury and/or suspension) were going to battle through the adversity. After forcing the Giants into a punt on their possession, Pittsburgh quickly marched down 60 yards in four plays, capped by Mewelde Moore (playing in place of Willie Parker) going off right guard and shedding a missed tackle by safety James Butler for a 32-yard touchdown run.

New York quickly answered with a 26-yard field goal by John Carney, who is still in charge of kicking duties despite Lawrence Tynes’ good health. Defensively, the Giants settled in and slowed the Steelers down the remainder of the half. Offensively, the Giants controlled the ball and found themselves in the Steelers red zone on several occasions, only to get more field goals, or turned away completely without getting any points.

Starting at their own 31, the Giants moved the ball all the way down to the Steelers 2 yard line. It was here that the offense had five chances to punch the ball into the end zone. An incompletion followed up by a pass interference penalty that placed the ball at the one-yard line. On third and goal, running back Brandon Jacobs appeared to have gotten into the end zone according to the referees signal on the field.

Pittsburgh Head Coach Mike Tomlin chose to challenge the play and a replay showed that Jacobs’ left elbow was down before the ball crossed the goal line. Needing six inches on fourth down, Jacobs appeared to be turned away again as the referees indicated he did not make it into the end zone. This time, Head Coach Tom Coughlin chose to challenge the play and an overhead replay showed conclusively that Jacobs’ right arm was extended with the ball crossing the white line indicating a touchdown. However, the referees did not conclude the same and the Giants were denied.

Another Carney field goal made it 7-6. Later, Roethlisberger attempted to find Nate Washington over the middle, but was drilled from behind by James Butler and the ball ricocheted to rookie linebacker Bryan Kehl for an interception down at the Steelers 29 yard line (aided by a 15-yard personal foul horse collar tackle). Again, the offense was denied at the seven yard line and Carney was forced to come on and hit a 25 yard field goal (his third of the half) to give the Giants a 9-7 lead going into halftime.

Pittsburgh extended their lead early in the third quarter to 14-9 when Roethlisberger connected with Nate Washington on a 65-yard touchdown pass. Washington got past cornerback Corey Webster (who was playing in a zone) and James Butler was too late getting to the spot. Butler was then turned around three different times in his futile attempt at finding the receiver.

The Giants got within 14-12 with 8:21 left when Carney hit his fourth field goal of the night. On the drive, needing a yard on fourth down after calling a timeout previously, Manning tried to call another timeout (which is illegal), but instead took a five-yard delay of game penalty. Manning found Amani Toomer on a go route for 30 yards down to the Steelers 4. Once again, their defense stiffened in the red zone.

In reality, they would have taken the lead had the referees correctly called pass interference on cornerback Ike Taylor, whose right arm had a hold of Plaxico Burress’ jersey in the end zone when Manning was trying to find him for a touchdown pass.

However, good fortune found the Giants on the Steelers next possession. After being held without a first down, punter Mitch Berger was set to boot it when the snap went over his head and into the end zone for a safety to even the score. For as many times as New York was forced to settle for field goals and could have been broken by their inabilities to score touchdowns, here they were tied and with possession with less than seven minutes to go.

Manning (19 for 32, 199 yards, one touchdown), sensing blood started going in for the kill. On a third-and-seven, he found Steve Smith (three receptions-45 yards) for 25 yards to put the Giants in scoring range again. At the two-yard line, Manning would find Kevin Boss (four receptions-34 yards) in the corner of the end zone to give the Giants 21-14 lead with 3:11 remaining.

Finally, the Giants defense slammed the door on the Steelers offense. Roethlisberger saw his offensive line unable to handle the New York front, held without a first down in the final eight plays. It culminated in an interception by rookie Kenny Phillips at the end of the game.

Roethlisberger (13 for 29, 189 yards, one touchdown) threw four interceptions on the day and played perhaps his worst game of the season. He was also sacked five times (three by Mathias Kiwanuka) and his offense was held to 1-for-10 on third down conversions.

For the Giants, it was their most impressive win of the season, albeit not pretty statistically. Despite the strength of Pittsburgh’s defense, New York was one-for-six in the red zone. To date, the Giants have been in that area 19 times this season and have only scored six touchdowns. The running was not the beast as it has been all season, totaling only 83 yards.

With a 6-1 record, the Giants next face the Dallas Cowboys in their first meeting since knocking them out of the playoffs last January at Texas Stadium. Dallas is 5-3 and with a Giants win, would place them four games out and officially put their season on life support.

Tony Romo will not play. Starting cornerbacks Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry are out. Adam Jones is suspended indefinitely. Felix Jones is not playing because of a hamstring injury and Jason Witten suffered a broken rib against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Everything is lined up for the Giants to extract a piece of flesh from their rivals that has been boasting ever since the playoffs that they were the better team.

Now it is the Giants turn to answer.

Giants Talk: The Real Season Begins

Easy part completed, Giants face real meat of schedule

The cream puffs are out of the way.

If they are lucky, the next team is little consequence will be the Baltimore Ravens, who they will play in a month at Giants Stadium.

In some ways, the Giants were given a six game extension on the preseason. The schedule was set up for the world champions to get off to a successful start in defense of their title.

Having the likes of the St. Louis, Cincinnati, Seattle and San Francisco (three of those at home), coupled with division rival Washington and a road game at Cleveland, and an optimistic fan could come away with the thought of a potential 5-1 or 6-0 start.

After beating the 49ers on Sunday, the team ran their record to 5-1, but it also signaled an end to the games against the also-rans of the league and time now for the real season to come into play.

We now officially welcome you to the start of the 2008 season.

In April when the schedule was released, all one had to do is point to this moment in the year where the World Champions would finally see their first real “test” of the season. They certainly will have it this Sunday coming up in Pittsburgh against the 5-1 Steelers. This also begins a march from now until the end of the year where no game is a cakewalk.

Take a look:

Oct 26 - at Pittsburgh
Nov 2 – vs. Dallas
Nov 9 – at Philadelphia

Those three games represent will represent a great indicator of how good this team really is. With the NFL lacking any one dominant team, the door is open for the Giants to open up eyes all over football (despite media hyperbole that claims them to be currently the best team in the league). In addition, sending message to the entire NFC the road to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa will go through the Meadowlands and the Giants.

Once that trio of games is complete, the Giants will have a home game against the Baltimore Ravens and their tough defense. While they should be expected to win, it won’t be easy. After that game, Big Blue embarks on what currently is shaping up to be a difficult game in the desert, followed by an NFC East gauntlet that they will have to survive.

Nov 23 – at Arizona
Nov 30 – at Washington
Dec 7 – vs. Philadelphia
Dec 14 – at Dallas

If they can survive that second brutal stretch of games, it is likely that the Giants will have secured a playoff spot. Early projections show that it will take at least 11 wins to clinch the division title and because of the weak divisions that exist in the NFC North and West, winning the East will assure you of a much needed bye week for the first round of the playoffs. This benefits the Giants more than any NFC team because their bye week came after the third game of the season.

After week two, it looked as if the NFC East was going to be the most stacked division of good teams in the history of football. The Giants and Redskins have each done their part. However, the Eagles, after being looked at as one of the League’s three best teams several weeks ago, looks anything like that right now, but will have their chance to fatten on lower competition soon to improve their standing .The Cowboys appear to be on a path for self-destruction at any moment and at an opportune time for the Giants.

If the Giants are able to beat Pittsburgh on Sunday and Tampa Bay is able to defeat Dallas (without Tony Romo and completely terrible defense), they will be able to take a five game lead in the loss column and effectively end their season. This would eliminate their biggest threat to repeat as champions.

Now, in order for this to happen, the team needs to raise its level of play that has been sluggish at best over the last two weeks since their 44-6 rout of Seattle. At a certain point, the team’s inability to cash in scoring opportunities will rear itself. In the last two games, the Giants have had the ball inside their opponent 31-yard line on six occasions and have come away with only three total points. This may work against lower class competition. But starting Sunday, converting on these chances will go a long way from separating themselves from these other teams.

On defense, they need to force more turnovers. As good a defense as this team has, they are not a great defense. Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden in 2002 had a saying that went along to helping his team become world champions that season:

“You want to be a great defense? Force turnovers and score on defense!”

So far, the Giants defense has only forced five turnovers, with three of them coming this past Sunday. This is what has kept some of these teams in games longer than they should. Part of the reason for this is that the pass rush, despite totaling a league lead in team sacks, has been somewhat inconsistent over the last few games. That has left holes in the secondary (that has played well this season) because the quarterback has had too much time to throw, leading to not enough chances to create turnovers.

There are aspects in performance that can be corrected. Will they be able to correct those mistakes is to be seen. As it stands, starting this Sunday and through the rest of the season, they will become more and more magnified.

The season starts now.

Giants Talk: Ugly, but pretty for Big Blue

Resurgent defense makes up for sluggish offense in Giants win over Niners


The Giants have never been about “style points”. Bring up the fact that they won a game “ugly” and they will look at you as if you lack intelligence.

A win is a win in the National Football League and the World Champions will not apologize for it. Despite the 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers to push their record to 5-1 (tops in the NFC), even they know that they did not put together their best game, and will need it now that the meat of their schedule will began this Sunday in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.

San Francisco represented the final game of what many looked at the Giants final “preseason-regular season game”. The early part of the schedule represented what amounts to lower echelon competition. Early on, it appeared as if the 49ers were going to run over and have the game rendered non-competitive by halftime.

After the Niners opened the scoring with a 40-yard Joe Nedney field goal, the Giants offense took the ball on their second possession and marched 54 yards on four plays, capped off by Brandon Jacobs’ 26-yard touchdown run. On their next foray with the ball, they moved the ball 73 yards in eight plays, aided by three San Francisco penalties on defense. Again, Jacobs capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown to open the lead up 14-3.

For the second consecutive week, cornerback Aaron Ross found himself on the receiving end of another defensive breakdown. Ross was beaten on a deep ball thrown by 49ers quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan when he found rookie wide receiver Josh Morgan for a 30-yard touchdown pass. After playing arguably his worst game the previous week in Cleveland, Ross continued his slump. In the second half, he was subbed for Kevin Dockery, moving into the slot in Nickel packages.

That did not stop the rest of the defense from raising its level of play. Late in the first half, the unit finally created some turnovers. The first one came with 3:24 remaining when O’Sullivan rolled to his right and his pass intended for Josh Morgan was thrown right in the waiting arms of safety Michael Johnson, who returned the ball to the 49ers nine-yard line. This led to a Giants field goal to make it 17-10.

The second came as the 49ers were looking get points before the half. At the Giants 19 yard line, O’Sullivan was looking for receiver Arnaz Battle in the end zone. Instead, the ball found the ball found Johnson’s arms again in the end zone to turn them away.

New York’s defense did show holes, allowing seven passes of at least 13 yards or more until there was less than five minutes remaining in the game. Besides that, they were back to being dominant. Running back Frank Gore was limited to 11 yards on 11 carries; they forced three Niners turnovers and sacked O’Sullivan six times. On third down, they only converted two of 10 attempts.

In the third quarter, the Giants extended their lead to 21-10 on a six-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Plaxico Burress. They were attempting to put the game away with a field goal, when the 49ers came in and blocked John Carney’s try and cornerback Nate Clements return it 74 yards for a touchdown to trim the lead to 24-17. Suddenly, a game that looked to be a walk was now filled with agita.

While the offense continued to stumble in the second half, the defense slammed the door on the game shut. With 5:08 left in the game, O’Sullivan was pressured and sacked by Justin Tuck, lost the ball, and while it was rolling into the end zone for a potential Giants touchdown had they recovered, Josh Morgan kicked the ball out the end zone for a safety to make it 29-17 and preserved the teams fifth win of the season.

Without starting linebacker Antonio Pierce, backup Chase Blackburn played the game of his life, totaling 10 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. The offense, despite scoring 27 points themselves, did not play their best football. The swirling winds in the Meadowlands contributed to Manning’s (16 for 31, 161 yards, 1 TD) inconsistent day. Despite leading the NFL in rushing, the Giants only total 112 yards on the ground, with Jacobs held to only 69 yards on 17 carries.

Collectively, the team needs to play better as a whole as they head to Pittsburgh next week to play the Steelers, who are also 5-1. For today, the Giants simply add another victory in the “W” column next to their name.

The “real season” starts now.

Giants Talk: The Benefits of Losing

Defeat shows flaws covered up by winning


Perhaps the media can back away now.

For at the foreseeable future, I do not have to hear the constant slurping on how good our team is.

After weeks and months of hearing that our team was not that good, the praise finally came. The problem was that it came in a very sinister way. Not having the Patriots (season ending injury to Tom Brady) or the Cowboys (losers of two of their last three) to hype to the public anymore for reasons of sound intelligence, they finally descended upon the Super Bowl champions after their 44-6 thumping of Seattle last week.

Whether it is power rankings (which are a measure of nothing but to fill page space), or silly discussion (Is Eli Manning better than brother Peyton) littered with hyperbole, it infested itself in the Giants locker room. It was so much that it was difficult to ignore and easy to get caught up in the newfound love.

But once the Giants took the field on Monday night against the Browns, the hard lesson of reality set in. Just because the Browns were 1-3 did not mean they were a pushover in their own building. And just because the media anoints you the best team does not mean that you actually are. The games still have to be played and played with efficiency, toughness and poise.

It was something that these Giants developed on their surprise playoff run and carried into the first four games of the season. On Monday though, it was lacking severely. Timing appeared to be off on offense and assignments were missed on defense. The Browns controlled the line of scrimmage from the outset and forced them to play “catch up” from the outset. When it is time to get a stop on defense, they mysteriously could not get it done. Manning, who has shown incredible maturity, reverted back to careless turnovers that led to points the other way.

Maybe this was needed. They were going to go undefeated or even go 15-1. The Giants are a very good team, but not a great team. It still has its flaws that will show up from time to time. If they were truly a great team, there is no way; even in the hostile environment against a desperate team would they have lost.

Great teams put a chokehold on their opponent and would not let go. Of course, this past Monday’s performance could have been nothing more than a fluky set of circumstances that played into what took place on the field.

Losing brings out your flaws that you would normally not examine closely in victory. The inability to consistently score points inside the 30-yard line (two interceptions). The ability to generate pressure on the quarterback has been inconsistent in two of the last three games. Of course, when you are winning, this does not get much attention. But as the Browns began to pick apart the Giants defense on Monday night, it became apparent that the team is still a work in progress and much has to be done to make this a complete team in position to repeat as world champions.

Admittedly, I fell into the same trap even though I did my hardest to guard against it. Every time a positive mention was made of the Giants, I attempted to be cynical about it and look at it as the media trying to brainwash the public (including myself). Before Monday, I simply felt that as long as the Giants played “their game”, there was no way the Browns would have a chance. As I looked at the upcoming schedule, I always had the team pegged for a 6-0 start before traveling to Pittsburgh in two weeks. The possibility of a 7-0 record and the injury racked Dallas Cowboys got my thinking in loftier terms. My arrogance may have gotten the best of me despite taking measures against it. While I am nervous before every game, there was no way I could have foreseen the results of Monday night.

But this is good thing. Losing is never good, but every so often, it is good to be humbled. To be honest, I did not want the team to be undefeated for any indefinite part of the season. The last thing I wanted was talk of “Will the Giants go undefeated?” to permeate the week, threatening to spoil my enjoyment of the season unless another Super Bowl championship was the result. All off-season and into this year, I have taken this 2008 season as nothing more than gravy after winning it all last year. However, the once a week marathon of the four (and sometimes five) month schedule has so many stock market type ups and downs that it is tough sometimes to keep a level-headed approach to these games.

Win two in a row and you are printing Super Bowl tickets.

Lose two in a row and you are asking when the coach will be fired.

Such is life in the NFL. It is the design of the league.

The Giants will take their hard loss and regroup for this Sunday’s game with the 49ers. For us fans, we will absorb this loss too and be back cheering again on Sunday. Losses will happen along the way this year. It is how we respond that will matter most.

The same can be said for the Giants.

Giants Talk: Big Blue Brown Out

World Champs suffer first defeat of 2008 against lowly Browns

CLEVELAND – In pro football, rarely does a bad team beat a very good team straight up.

A myriad of factors play into it, whether it is emotion or an overall lack of preparation.

But there is one factor above all else that is the great equalizer:

Turnovers.

Losing the turnover battle in a game tremendously decreases your chance of winning. Turn the ball over three times more than your opponent on the road and you give yourself literally no chance whatsoever.

The Super Bowl champions found themselves in this position on Monday and with it, were handed their first loss of the season falling to the Browns 35-14 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. For the Giants, it was their first loss dated back to December 29, 2007 when they lost their final regular season game to the Patriots at Giants Stadium. They had won their previous eight games prior to Monday night.

It was a game that the Browns controlled on both sides for a majority of the game. However, with just under nine minutes remaining, the Giants found themselves with the ball on the Browns 9 yard line with a chance to get within six points. On second down, Eli Manning rolled slightly to his right and threw off his back foot. The pass did not have enough air on it and was intercepted by Browns cornerback Eric Wright, who returned it 94 yards for the game sealing touchdown.

For Manning, it was one of three interceptions for the night. After throwing only one pick this season, Manning tripled his total. Going back to the start of the playoffs, Manning had only thrown two of them in the last eight games combined. Those turnovers led to 10 points by the Browns.

Warning signs were in the air right from the start of the night. On the third play of the game, Browns quarterback Derek Anderson threw a quick slant to receiver Braylon Edwards. Cornerback Aaron Ross missed the tackle and Edwards was off for a 49-yard catch and run. That play set up a field goal by Phil Dawson to give the Browns a 3-0 lead.

The Giants attempted to answer on their opening possession and moved the ball to the Browns 31. Manning tried to go for the big play, but was intercepted by Bradon Pool at the five-yard line.

Answering back though, the Giants sprinted 58 yards in six play to take a 7-3 lead. It would end up being their only lead of the game. However, the Browns answered in a blink. Anderson, who was not pressured the entire night, went deep and found Edwards again, who beat Ross for a 70-yard pass play down to the Giants four-yard line. Two plays later, running back Jamal Lewis rumbled into the end zone from four yards out to make it 10-7.

The Giants found themselves trailing 17-7 before halftime when Manning drove the offense down for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-14. Plaxico Burress, back from vacation…err…suspension, hauled a three-yard touchdown reception.

Cleveland came into the game 1-3 and sporting on the league’s worst offenses (31st) and defenses (30th). However, on this night, the world champions were unable to find answers to slow down the Browns attack.

Manning's second interception came at the beginning of the third quarter when on the first play his deep ball was overthrown and intercepted by cornerback Brandon McDonald. This lead to another Dawson field goal to extend the lead to six points.

Trailing 20-14 in the third quarter, the Giants needed to make a defensive stop. Starting at their own 13-yard line, the Browns drove the ball 87 yards in 14 plays for a touchdown to make it 27-14. Despite ineptitude, which included committing five offensive penalties, the Giants defense was never able to stop Cleveland’s quick passes, or prevent holes from opening up in the middle of the defense.

Anderson was 18 for 29 for 310 yards passing on the night. He was never sacked, much less hurried once. The Browns as an offense, tallied 454 total yards, were nine for 13 on third down conversions, and were never forced to punt the entire game. Cleveland did not turn the ball over once.

Still, despite the woeful play of the defense, the team had a chance. But when Manning’s (18-28, 196 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT) pass was intercepted for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the game was effectively over.

Perhaps a market correction for a Giants team was in order. The team had put gaudy numbers through the first four games of the season and had the media anointing them as the best team in the NFL by a wide margin. A loss as humbling as this allows the team to catch their breath and show they are not invincible despite what others may say.

The next game is this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at Giants Stadium.

MLB Talk - Playoff Edition: Dodgers and Red Sox rise up, while the Cubs fall down hard

There is no worst feeling that losing in the postseason when you are the favorite.

More so when you are a prohibitive favorite.

You withstand the 162 game marathon of the regular season and within 96 to 110 hours, its over.

For the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago Cubs, the playoffs came and just like gun smoke, exited the playoffs just as quickly.

While those two teams went into the night, the main Los Angeles team, the Dodgers rose above and reestablished their dominance in the City of Angels. Their script looks like a movie straight from Hollywood. Joe Torre, the former Yankees manager exiled after last season, trades in congestion of the east coast for the palm trees and sun of the west coast. Brought to him in July was Manny Ramirez, exiled out of Boston, given the appearance of a malcontent with a chance to be reborn in Los Angeles. The former Yankee manager and the former star Red Sox, suddenly joining forces for a common goal. Add in Derek Lowe, who ended Torre’s season in Game 7 with the Red Sox when they completed the greatest comeback in baseball history, and it is the most unique dynamic baseball has seen in a long time.

In the American League, two division rivals will find themselves battling for the American League crown. While the Yankees play golf during these days, the world champion Red Sox and young Tampa Bay Rays will extend their regular season battle into the postseason. After 18 meetings, they will battle at least four if not seven more times. While Tampa is threatening to write one of baseball’s greatest stories, the Red Sox are looking to equate their success to that of the late 90’s Yankees. Another championship this year would be their third in the last five years and firmly establish themselves as a dynasty.

For the Phillies, they are almost the forgotten team. Despite having only won one championship in the last 125 years, they never regarded on the same level as the other major market teams. While America is enamored with the possibility of a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series, Philadelphia continues to wave their arms and say, “look at me!” With home field advantage, they are favored to win over the Dodgers, and maybe this team, a group of tough, talented grinders can win the city’s first championship in 25 years.

However it turns out, these next 10 days of baseball are going to be great. All we can hope for are some long series with twists and turns culminating in two very good representatives from each league meeting in the Fall Classic.

National League Championship Series

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Dodgers may have stunned the baseball world with their dominant performance against the Cubs, but any intelligent person with baseball knowledge could seen that the Dodgers had a distinct advantage with their power right handed pitchers going up against the Cubs predominantly right handed hitting lineup. With no solid hitting lefty to counteract the Dodgers, Cubs hitters found themselves hitting the ball into the ground consistently.

In this series, the strength of the Phillies lineup comes from the left side with Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. The Dodgers are not slated to start a left-hander in the series until at least Game 4, if not at all. If Philadelphia’s “Big 3” chose to chose the opposite field at home against both Derek Lowe and Game 2 starter Chad Billingsley, they will have a lot of success.

Conversely, the Phillies need to come up with an answer on how to get Manny Ramirez out. By putting patient hitters Russell Martin and Andre Ethier in front and behind Ramirez, pitching to their lineup is very difficult. The Cubs forced Ethier and James Loney to beat and they did. When they chose to pitch to Ramirez, the ball found its way into orbit. The return of Rafael Furcal has been tremendous for the entire offense. If he can continue to get on base as he did during the Division Series, Phillies pitchers are going to have a tough time stopping the Dodgers from scoring.

While the Dodgers have the better staff, some of their effectiveness is likely to be affected by the dimensions of Citizens Bank Park. If they can get a split going back to Los Angeles, it is likely they will be able to wrap up the series in Dodger Stadium.

Prediction: Dodgers in six

American League Championship Series

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

When you face each other 18 times in a season, there are no surprises. The other team has seen each player numerous times and the scouting reports are pages deep.

In the case of Boston and Tampa Bay, there is no intimidation factor. The Rays are not going to fear going into Fenway Park and have the crowd get to them. After playing there and in Yankee Stadium nearly 20 times during the season, each year over the last decade, the bright lights are not going to get to them. With James Shields and Scott Kazmir starting Games 1 and 2, they have the right two men to start the series on strong footing.

Boston is hoping to steal Game 1 with enigmatic Dasiuke Matsuzaka. Will Tampa be able to take advantage of his wildness early on and get some runs? If they can, they can take Game 1 and put all the pressure on what appears to be a non-healthy Josh Beckett in Game 2. The whole series will swing on his starts. Up 1-0, Beckett can slam the door on the Rays and give them a 2-0 lead heading back to Boston. A loss will have the opposite effect. Only having Jon Lester starting one of the first six games in this series makes their Game 3 loss to the Angels slightly problematic. Replacing the possibility of two Lester starts with Matsuzaka is not a positive.

Both teams seem to have the “it” factor. Whatever it is, it goes beyond statistics. Each team is strong all around with the only clear Boston advantage is in the ninth inning when Jon Papelbon steps on the mound. Troy Percival maybe reinstalled as the Rays closer, but anyone who has seen Grant Balfour and Dan Wheeler pitch this season and in the playoffs should now that those two are better pitchers at the moment.

Seven game series? Very much so. Give me Boston.

Prediction: Red Sox in seven

Random Playoff Thoughts

I told everyone in July that the Chicago Cubs were not to have success scoring runs in the postseason.

Why is this a shock? That lineup feasted on the awful pitching that exists in their division from Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Houston. Playing those teams 75 to 80 times with your American League style lineup was bound to produce gaudy numbers. But put them in a situation against a good starting rotation who throws strikes, and their offense, generated by the walk is negated.

This is where the book “Moneyball” falls short. Michael Lewis and Billy Beane never explained that building lineups such as the one the Cubs had is always going to struggle in the playoffs because of the quality pitching that shows up in these series.

Alfonso Soriano is becoming on the playoffs worst postseason performers.

Since the start of the 2003 AL Championship Series, Soriano is 12 for 80. This is beyond awful.

This is not bad luck. His at bats are awful. The same pitch he is flailing in 2003 is the same one he is missing now. He goes up there to hack and teams that scout him correctly used that against him.

Chad Billingsley, barring injury, will be a 20 game winner next season. He is THAT good.

Looks like the credit card the Brewers had on CC Sabathia went over its limit. No surprise there.

Starting a man on three days rest four consecutive times after he had already led the league in innings was a deadly combination. It was no surprise that with the Brewers trailing the Phillies in the Division Series 1-0 and needs a big performance from a tired man in a pressure situation, CC did not have his best stuff.

He will go on to free agency now and recoup his big bucks. 7 years and at least 22 million will get it done. Will he hold up all seven of those years is another matter.

You think Red Sox fans were wondering what happened to Manny Ramirez’s “injured” knee when he was able to score all the way from first on a double.

The LA Angels know how to beat the Yankees. The Yankees know how to beat the Red Sox. But the Angels do not know how to beat the Red Sox. It is the oddest thing.

I still do not know why Orlando Cabrera of the White Sox was attempting to kick dirt at Rays reliever Grant Balfour.

It became even more embarrassing when Cabrera struck out against him in the same at bat. Poetic justice.

Good to see instant replay has not been needed yet.

Most Intense Crowd awards for the Division Series:

Game 3 – Dodger Stadium vs. CHC
Game 2 – Citizens Bank Park vs. MIL
Game 3 – US Cellular Field vs. TB

You think the Mets were excited to see Francisco Rodriguez gag it up in Game 2 to J.D Drew in the 9th inning against the Red Sox?

Paying him for five years and 15 million a season is colossal risk. It’s not as if he’s throwing in the mid 90’s anymore.

Mark Texieira looked like pretty good player in the playoffs. But certainly not one to where I would pay him 20 million a year for the next seven or eight years.

BREAKING NEWS: Soriano just struck out again.

Giants Talk: Web of Terror

Webster proving to be a shut down corner


He used to be the butt of many jokes when his presence made its way to the football field.

There were times when he looked completely lost and it appeared the game was being played 12 on 10 at times in favor of the offensive team.

Today, he is a different player. One who plays with belief, confidence and talent that former General Manager Ernie Accorsi thought had before drafting him in the 2005 season. Now, as he mans one of the main corner positions on the Super Bowl champion Giants, his play this season has been nothing less than spectacular.

You want to throw to his side of the field? Do so at your own risk.

Through the first four games, Webster has been locking down the opposing teams top wide receivers and rendering them irrelevant during these games. From Santana Moss to Torry Holt, and from Chad Ocho Cinco to Deion Branch, he has bullied and punished them and in essence, eliminated one side of the field and has allowed the defense to put hellacious pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

In order to chart Webster’s rise as a player, it is wise to look back at his past. When he was drafted out of LSU in 2005, he was known as lockdown corner that excelled in man-to-man coverage. Measuring out a six feet and slightly over 200 pounds, he fit the mold of the “big, physical corner” most teams covet. At the time, then Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis had a defense that called for more off the ball coverage and more “soft zone” play that worked against Webster’s strength.

As a result, Webster often found himself on the wrong end of deep passes and intermediate routes as he was forced to chase and react to receivers as opposed to establishing position at the point of the play. Lewis and Coughlin felt that he was a liability and saw his playing time decrease to the point where he would be inactive for weeks at a time. After two years of nothing, Webster appeared to be placed with the label no drafted player wants to hear:

“Bust.”

Before the 2007 season, Coughlin brought in Steve Spagnuolo, who was a linebackers coach with the Philadelphia Eagles to run the defense. His style was taken from the mold of his predecessor, Eagles defensive guru Jim Johnson. The method is to be physical and attack at all times. Never to back up and react to what the offense is doing, but to make them adjust and alter what they do. Press coverage on receivers was vital and needed in it cornerbacks in order to provide maximum pressure on the quarterback from the other defensive players. All of this was playing right into Webster’s strength as a player.

The Giants already had veteran Sam Madison one side of the field, and so when they drafted Aaron Ross with their first round pick in 2007, it appeared as if Webster’s days were going to be numbered. After he started the first two games in Spagnuolo’s new system, Webster, like most of the defense, look confused and disoriented as they started to learn its nuances. Spagnuolo felt it was time to insert Ross into the lineup, which put Webster on the bench. He would remain there for most of the season, playing sparingly and finding himself on the inactive list for the week numerous times.

But during the whole process, Webster never broke down emotionally when others may have cracked. He kept his head afloat even when others looked at him as an afterthought. In the Giants clinching playoff game against Buffalo, he returned an interception for a touchdown. You saw numerous members of the defense rally around him giving him hugs and pats on the head for a job well done. Perhaps it was the confidence boost that he needed.

When Sam Madison was injured in the Giants final regular season against New England, it forced Webster’s return to the starting lineup for the Giants Wild Card playoff game against Tampa Bay. Kevin Dockery would have played, but he was injured several weeks prior. This opportunity had been presented to him. A chance to make amends for two previous seasons. Not only would he start, but also he was going to be lined up against star receiver Joey Galloway.

Webster played a starring role in the Giants 24-14 triumph. He recovered a fumble on a kickoff, intercepted a pass in the end zone, and battered Galloway all day long, limiting him to only one catch in the game with numerous pass defenses. It was a complete performance.

Against Terrell Owens in Dallas the next week, Webster was again called upon to shadow #81. He limited him to only four catches and zero after halftime in an upset victory.

Was this all a fluke? Were we seeing a reemergence of the player the Giants thought they were drafting three years prior?

In the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay, he gave up a 90-yard touchdown pass, but should not have been the victim as had a great jam on receiver Donald Driver at the snap of the ball and eventually slipped on the frozen turf. The rest of the game, Driver was a non-factor and in overtime, stepped in front of quarterback Brett Favre’s pass for an interception an eventual Super Bowl berth.

The Giants front seven received a lot of credit for its dominant performance in Super Bowl XLII against New England, but his coverage on Randy Moss was another big reason in them pulling off the biggest upset since Super Bowl III.

Four games, all in the high-pressure situations possible and Webster came out of it as one of its many stars. Yet, as the start of the 2008 season approaching, many wondered whether we would see ‘The Old Webster” or “The New and Improved Webster”.

As it has played out, the player that we saw in the playoffs has continued into the season. On the consummate “team”, he is just one of the many players making their contribution. In his case, it goes a little more noticed than others.

Teamed with the constant improvement of Ross, the Giants possess perhaps the best young tandem of corners in the NFL. Add rookie safety Kenny Phillips and second year player Michael Johnson, suddenly the secondary that once looked like a severe weakness has quickly become on the teams biggest strengths.

We will see as the schedule strength improves whether teams decide to test Webster. If the playoffs and early season are any signal, he will be more than up for the task.

Challenge him if you dare.

Random Giants Thoughts

The Giants have not started a season 4-0 since their Super Bowl season of 1990.

In that year, the Giants began the year 10-0 before finishing 13-3.

The offense may have racked up over 500 yards against the woeful Seahawks defense, but make no mistake that Plaxico Burress is needed in order for this team to repeat as world champions.

I do not know why people are stunned that Burress does not feel contrite about missing practice and not calling. Did they not read his book? In it, he explains a time in 2005 when he alerted the team he was not going to be at practice one morning because his fiancé was having an ultrasound. When he came back the next day, he found a notice that he was being fined for missing practice despite alerting the team. He asked the team why he should have alerted them if he was going to be reprimanded anyway.

Did he handle this situation two weeks ago in the best way? No. But this is not without precedent. He is back on the field and will be making plays on Monday night. We move on.

After two weeks last year, I was complaining about the play of Kawika Mitchell.

Here we are four games into this season and I have yet to mentioned Danny Clark’s name. This is a good thing. He is playing the linebacker spot originally held by Mitchell very well.

The Cowboys and Eagles may have big, meaty offensive lines, but neither team pound-for-pound are as good as the Giants.

Rarely is Eli Manning getting touched in these games. Outside of the hiccup the line had against Cincinnati, he has been able to live comfortably in the pocket and make whatever throw he wants.

When it comes to opening up holes for the running game, they are wide and plenty. Each back taking the ball and potentially finding daylight on nearly play.

By the way, where do we rank Manning among the quarterbacks in the division?

Is he better than Donovan McNabb? It’s very close.

Is he better than Tony Romo? Its even. But I would take Manning.

Is he better than Jason Campbell? Next question.

How are all these wide receivers going to find time on the field?

Sinorice Moss….HE’S ALIVE!

Kevin Dockery had one of the most entertaining interception returns I have seen in a long time. It would have been better had he taken it into the end zone.

I am still waiting for the defense to force more turnovers. That’s how you make these games non-competitive by the fourth quarter.

Message to the rest of the media: Shut up!

I find it funny now that after running out of teams to prop up, they have named the Giants the best team in the NFL in most power rankings.

What, they didn’t have fun slurping up to the Eagles anymore?

How the hell were they given the mantra of “best team” or “second best team” before the year started?

Now, here they are, finding themselves three games behind the Giants in the loss column and Brian Westbrook has fractured ribs. It wont be long before they are playing for draft positioning.

When they fell, up came the Redskins, the media’s new favorite team. Two wins at Dallas and Philly give you the crown I guess.

Here’s a suggestion: Keep doubting us!

I actually like it this way. No need to get big headed (that’s saved for the Cowboys) and cocky about it. Our team can simply go about its business under the radar and improve each week.

Until then, go find another team to like.

Giants Talk: Big Blue Train Keeps on Rollin

“Team” domination from start ignites Jints to 4-0

The rout started early.

The rout was on by halftime.

The rout continued late.

Cementing themselves as the NFL’s best team through the first quarter of the season, the New York Giants showed that they are bigger than just one star player. It was destruction so complete, the Seahawks, and even the Giants could not believe it.

Giants 44, Seahawks 6

No Plaxico Burress? No problem.

It was one of those games where everything worked to perfection. Coaches and players found themselves in “the zone”, and they could do no wrong. Every offensive play produced positive results. Every defensive call produced minimal yardage for the Seattle offense. If it wasn’t for two facemask penalties called on the Giants defense, the Seahawks likely would have been shutout.

Starting at their own nine-yard line on the team’s first possession, it took the Giants only four plays to march 91 yards for the game’s opening touchdown. After Brandon Jacobs gained 15 yards on the first two plays of the drive (9-yard reception, 6-yard run), he rumbled 44 yards down to the Seattle 32. On the next play, seeing the Seahawks were committing eight defenders in the box, Eli Manning crossed up their defense by going deep and connecting with Burress’ replacement Domenik Hixon for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

After the Seahawks got a field goal to make it 7-3, the Giants went back to work. Hixon gained 15 yards on a reverse, and Manning found Amani Toomer for receptions of 22 and 29 yards to move the ball down to the Seahawks three-yard line. Jacobs carried the ball the final three yards to open up a 14-3 lead.

Matt Hasslebeck and the Seattle offense were looking for anything to work. Running lanes were clogged up. Passing lanes were flooded with Giants defenders. There was nowhere to run and no place to hide. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo brought the pressure and the Seahawks were powerless to stop it.

On the Giants third possession, they eschewed their big play dynamic for a more cerebral approach. This time, they marched 73 yards in 11 plays, capped off by Jacobs’ second touchdown to extend the lead to 21-3. By halftime, the Giants led 27-6.

The first half saw utter obliteration as the Giants out gained the Seahawks 342 to 115 and scored on its first five possessions without having to punt. Manning was blistering, going 15 for 18 for 224 yards.

What you could see in the first half is the diversification of the New York offense. They possess so many weapons that despite not having their big play receiver, numerous players are able to step in when called upon and can produce on the field. Whether it is Hixon (four catches for 102 yards before leaving with a concussion), Toomer (four catches – 64 yards), or Steve Smith, the Giants can come at you in waves.

That is all while the offensive line continues to punish defenders at the point of attack and beyond, leaving gaping holes for Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, otherwise known as “Earth, Wind and Fire”.

Looking to stomp the Seahawks into submission, the Giants took their opening drive of the third quarter, it took only six plays to find the end zone again. Jacobs once again rumbled on another big gain of 38 yards. Two plays later, the offense unleashed another one of is many weapons when Manning found Sinorice Moss for a 23 yard touchdown strike.

At 34-6, the rout was on. It was on so much that Manning was able to take the entire fourth quarter off as switched helmet for a visor and headset and watch backup David Carr came in to finish the game. Even he got into the fun marching the team downfield and throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Moss (4 catches – 45 yards, 2 touchdowns) to finish the scoring at 44-6.

It was the Giants largest regular season margin of victory in 36 years. Every statistic was dominated by the boys in blue. The Giants finished the game with 523 total yards compared to the Seahawks 187 – running for 254 yards on 36 rushes. Big Blue’s defense held Hasslebeck (who would leave due to injury and margin of score) and their offense to one for 11 on third down.

They stand on the perch as the only undefeated team in the NFC at 4-0. Next Monday brings the Giants back on the road to take on the 1-3 Cleveland Browns. If both team trends hold, the Giants will leave Cleveland 5-0.

A Depressing Playoff Night At Wrigley

Not having the Yankees in the playoffs this year, I needed to see some playoff baseball. In this case, going to Wrigley Field for a Cubs playoff game was a perfect scenario. After having lost Game 1, the crowd I feft was going to be interesting to see. So I decided to see and finally get a feeling of what "Cubdom" felt like. I was a very interesting thing to behold.

CHICAGO- They came looking for excitement and hope.

Instead, they once again left with more bitter disappointment.

Optimism is in full supply when it comes to rooting for the Chicago Cubs. But when you have yet to win a World Series in 100 years, and have yet to even get to a Fall Classic in over 60, that optimism turns into pessimism, cynicism and downright fatalism.

Such was the case inside Wrigley Field in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

Admittedly, I have never taken to the "Cub Experience". While I root for the Yankees, the Cubs to me are like the little fly that roams around the room. You never really pay attention to it until it begins to bother you and at that point, you hope it is squashed with a swatter.

I see many Cubs fans around and they will walk around with their hats, jerseys and tee shirts. Over the past few years, it has exploded. They have in some ways become like Red Sox fans only without the winning. They are large in numbers, which gives them comfort, yet success on the baseball diamond is rarely accomplished by their team with the red "C" across the top of their caps.

This season was different. From start to finish, they were the best team in the National League. Hitting, defense and pitching were all superb across the board. It appeared this would be the team to make the World Series.

When they failed in '03, that was epic. But in retrospect, that was an over achieving team that was not expected to go anywhere and yet, surprisingly got within one game before events on (and off) the white lines caused defeat.

In 2007, they were not favored to beat win either. They struggled early and came back to win their division with only 85 victories. When they were swept, there was shock, but not complete anger.

This year was to eliminate the past. To borrow a slogan from the rival Mets, they were "The Team, The Time, The Cubs". But as they lost Game 1 to the Dodgers on Wednesday night, nervousness and doubt once again filled the air. It was as if the fans felt they were Charlie Brown trying to kick the field goal and having the ball swiped away at the last moment.

Knowing all of this, I decided to do an experiment. I wanted to get a pulse of what Cubs Nation actually was. Going to games in the middle of April or the middle of July was not going to do. I needed to see what these fans were like in a postseason situation where the agita level is turned way up and everything was on the line.

As a walked around the park in the hour before game time, it was a very mixed reaction. Some were likely going to their first playoff game and there is an air of anticipation with that. Others I could hear were already trying to decide what inning it would be before the Cubs screwed it up. It was "pre-Game 4 in the 9th inning Red Sox-esque".

When I made my way to my seat, at that point I could feel the intensity of the crowd. Fans and media had unfairly got on them for not being loud enough in Game 1, but that is hard to do when your starting pitcher walks seven batters. Tonight, the crowd to me was in "Win or go home" mode, knowing that a loss tonight would likely mean this would be the final game at Wrigley Field this season.

Carlos Zambrano mows down the Dodgers in the top of the first, capped off by striking out Manny Ramirez. In the bottom half, Alfonso Soriano lead off with a single and crowd roars in applause. Perhaps they may have seen the same number that I uncovered:

Since the start of the 2003 ALCS, Soriano is 12 for 71 in four playoff series.

He moves to second on a passed ball and it is all set up for the Cubs to get an early run. Rather than bunting (which I would not have done), manager Lou Piniella allows Ryan Theriot to swing away. Unfortunately, he is unable to move the runner over. The same can be said for Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley escapes without allowing a run, but in many ways, escaped a lot more than that. A run scored by Chicago would have put the crowd in frenzy and given the team a time (however short) to relax. When Soriano was stranded, you could feel the crowd watch in amazement. I knew there were storm warnings in the air.

The Dodgers got a leadoff single by Andre Ethier to begin the second inning. What began happening next was something that reeked of voodoo (assuming you believe in that stuff).

James Loney on a perfect hit-and-run shot the ball to the left side where Theriot was out of position and tried to bare hand the ball. It was now first and third with no one out and the crowd that was in a craze, had now been silenced. For me, it was similar to what Fenway Park would sound like during the playoffs when the team was losing to the Yankees before 2004. The fans in Wrigley were almost waiting for the inevitable shoe to drop.

Zambrano would strike out Matt Kemp, only needing a double play to escape the inning without giving up any runs. It appeared he would get it when second baseman Blake Dewitt hit a groundball to Mark DeRosa. However, DeRosa bobbled the ball and his throw to second base pulled Theriot off the bag. Everyone was safe and the Dodgers had a 1-0 lead.

Third baseman Casey Blake then hit a ball towards sure handed first baseman Derrek Lee. A Gold Glove fielder, Lee had the ball bounce off his chest and looked around trying to find it. By the time he located it, Blake was safe at first base and now the bases were loaded.

As I listened, defeat already began to set in. Boos were raining down from the people all around me. It seemed as if the crowd was resigning itself to its fate.

“Here we go again”, said one fan.

“Can you f’n believe this,” said another.

“How is this happening?” said an older fan watching with his family.

Mind you, the score was only 1-0, but it felt like much more.

Zambrano struck out pitcher Chad Billingsley for the second out and just needed to retire shortstop Rafael Furcal to end the inning. Furcal took a chance and was able to lay a bunt that got past Zambrano and too short in front of DeRosa to field and make a play. Furcal was safe, Loney scored and the Dodgers now led 2-0.

The bunt caught everyone, including the crowd, off guard. Rarely does a hitter bunt with two strikes. When he was safe, one fans voice told the story.

“What the fuck?” said a fan.

Russell Martin came to the plate, and there was still a chance to escape the inning with the minimal damage that had taken place. But as the count went to three balls and a strike with Ramirez looming on deck. Zambrano needed to throw a strike and Martin waited for it. He laced a double into the left centerfield gap that cleared the bases.

Dodgers 5, Cubs 0

Game over.

Complete silence took over the place. I saw fans putting their hands on their faces and looked helpless. One fan, who had to be about 14 years old looked at his father and said the following:

“Daddy, why is this happening again?”

The father did not have much of a response but to say, “I don’t know.” What else could he say? No reasonable response could be given that would make any sense at all. The best defense in the National League suddenly could not field a groundball. Their starting pitcher, deemed their “ace”, could not pickup his teammates and now was down 5-0, which felt more like 50-0 in the stadium.

In the fourth inning, Aramis Ramirez booted a groundball hit by Billingsley. The next inning, Ramirez drilled a Zambrano pitch to dead center field to make it 6-0. On a night where Billingsley had his “A” stuff, the Cubs were powerless to stop it. As they tried to will their team back, it sounded as if even the fans did not believe what they were saying. Their heart had been taken from them. And with each Dodger run, each Cubs defensive miscue, and each Cubs hitter strikeout and hit groundball, their heart was being squashed and dragged around Wrigley Field.

Piniella came to the mound in the seventh inning to pull Zambrano. Despite trailing 6-0, he was looked as a sympathetic figure by the fans. He may have given up the double to make it 5-0, but he should have been out of the inning. It was a team failure, but in many ways a lot fans felt as if there was more. Believing in curses or jinxes in my view has always been for losers and crazy people, but for any Cubs fan that was witnessing what was taken place, what other answer could you give?

Perhaps the Cubs and their fans earned this fate. Maybe bad karma came over them on that Tuesday night in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series when a young fan, Steve Bartman was made out to be Public Enemy #1 by Cubs fans when he tried to reach for that foul ball in the eighth inning. By fate, this led to an eight-run inning and an eventual Cubs loss, follow up by failure in Game 7.

The measures that the Cubs fans went to smear and make that person’s life a living hell in the 24 hours following that incident was sickening. Uncovering his name, where he lived, where he worked and had news choppers over his home. It was a sickening display, and for a large majority of Cubs to endorse what was going on in the excuse of “irrational passion” is ridiculous. By coincidence, they have not won a playoff game since.

Bartman has yet to do an interview since that night in 2003. Reports still say that he no longer goes to Cubs games or appears in public for fear of his safety if he were ever to be discovered. Thinking of what he has had to go through the last five years in many ways makes you lose sympathy for their cause.

Even less sympathy comes from the fact that many of their fans seemingly dismissed the Dodgers as an opponent in this series. Many were already planning for the NLCS and even the World Series. To them, the Division Series was meaningless and was to be nothing more than an exhibition.

Why?

I am still not exactly sure.

The team (and its fans) has had no such successful postseason track record to justify any such arrogance. Do they think they are Red Sox or Yankees fans?

As the final outs began to tick away, the building began to empty out. There were maybe 20,000 left in the crowd. I tried to lend my Cubs fan friend some support that the series was not over, but there was no consoling him. All that was left was for the remaining patrons to boo their players unmercifully.

Final insult came in the ninth inning when Theriot committed an error on a throw to first base. It was the teams fourth “E” of the game, and in ironic fashion, each Cubs infielder committed an error. It would have been funny if it did not feel like a comedic tragedy.

The final score was 10-3. As I got up to leave, the fans that had stuck around were crestfallen (though they had about seven innings to do that) and did not say a word. Some stayed in their seats and did not move. Others raced to get out of there so they could either beat traffic, or drown their sorrows in more beer. It was the Cubs eighth consecutive postseason loss and their season was now one loss away from extinction.

A season that brought so much promise was headed for failure. The 100-year itch is likely to continue.

Once again, there is no joy in Wrigleyville.

It is where beers are drunk, the women are plentiful, and losing on a yearly basis is never too far behind.