Big Blue trying to make amends for a blown opportunity in 2009
One of the lasting memories from the last time the Football Giants graced us with their presence was seeing Brandon Jacobs and the Giants offensive line needed one and a half yards on fourth down late in the fourth quarter and being shut down by the Philadelphia Eagles defense.
Eli Manning not being able to sneak ahead for one yard was one thing, but this was another.
The best running team in the league with the league's best offensive line somehow with the season in the balance, not being able to get the first down to keep faint hopes of a comeback alive.
It was a rocky road to go from where things were just six weeks prior. The Giants were heading to Washington to play the Redskins at FedEx Field at 10-1 and on pace to repeat as world champions. Things were clicking on all cylinders, despite the occasional brush fire. Everything was harmonious.
Then news came Saturday morning that Plaxico Burress had shot himself in a nightclub and Antonio Pierce was there. No one had any information, so the team played on. They dominated the Redskins that day 23-7 to run their record to 11-1 and it appeared as if nothing was going to stop them from getting to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII.
Problem was that it was window dressing. Playing a quarter, half or game without your most dynamic receiver is one thing. Playing without him on a permanent basis was going to be a problem.
There was a stiff wind that one December Sunday at Giants Stadium that may or may not have played a role in their 21-14 loss to the Eagles. Everyone can remember that play early in the second quarter when Eli Manning had Domenik Hixon open deep down the middle of the field only to have him drop what would have been an 85-yard touchdown reception.
There were several missed opportunities that day, but that still does not excuse the defense allowing Philadelphia to convert on 12 of 14 third down situations, eventually leading up to Brian Westbrook alone in a blown coverage one-on-one with Antonio Pierce and raced past him for a 33 yard score that put the game away.
That was the beginning...of the end.
The offensive woes the next week in Dallas as it became obvious what defenses were now doing to attack the Giants now that Burress was out. The defense could only do so much as we began to find out that their expiration date was nearing.
Back at home the next week against Carolina, they would struggle in the first half before rallying to tie the game in regulation and then winning in overtime. They were given a temporary stay of execution and were able to go less than 100 percent in Minnesota the next week, but unlike the first 12 games, what we were seeing was a completely different football team.
All of that is why the playoff loss at home again to the Eagles was not a great shock. Things were headed down a road none of us liked. The passing game had been rendered ineffective and the defense was now running on fumes. With Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan for an entire season, it was only a matter of time before those losses would eventually hurt the defense.
Justin Tuck was on a bad leg. Fred Robbins was on a bad shoulder. Barry Cofield was without two good hands. Mathias Kiwanuka was wearing down. Pierce was without his football mind with the thought of jail time parading in his head.
Their inability to get to and put down Donovan McNabb had been on display for two games. It was not a shock that in the third game, with all the injuries piling up, they were unable to muster an attack to beat the Eagles quarterback.
Everyone will remember the third down play where Philadelphia needed 20 yards, pinned inside the five-yard line. Had this been 2007, they would have been able to unleash their line and hurry McNabb into a quick, pressured throw that likely would have brought up fourth down and given the Giants great field position.
Instead, McNabb was able to avoid the rush, step up in the pocket and with the extra time allowing the secondary to break down in coverage, he was able to find Jason Avant for a 22-yard first down completion.
The playoff game was never the same after that.
Of course, we know that the offense had numerous chances to blow them out of the building in the first half, yet were on the wrong end of a 10-8 halftime score despite dominating the game. With the exception of that ill-fated interception thrown to Asante Samuel that led to the Eagles converting it into a touchdown and seizing momentum the Giants were never able to get back.
Now in 2009, they look to gain that momentum they lost in that game. Not only to take it back, but use and channel it for not only the regular season, but also to win three (or four) games and win the Super Bowl.
They have the team to do it. Stacked on both the offensive and defensive sides with the only question being who will emerge as a receiving threat to open up the offense.
Should they be the NFC favorites? Sure. The Eagles win in Giants Stadium does not change that.
However, a long road back to the playoffs starts now.
One of the lasting memories from the last time the Football Giants graced us with their presence was seeing Brandon Jacobs and the Giants offensive line needed one and a half yards on fourth down late in the fourth quarter and being shut down by the Philadelphia Eagles defense.
Eli Manning not being able to sneak ahead for one yard was one thing, but this was another.
The best running team in the league with the league's best offensive line somehow with the season in the balance, not being able to get the first down to keep faint hopes of a comeback alive.
It was a rocky road to go from where things were just six weeks prior. The Giants were heading to Washington to play the Redskins at FedEx Field at 10-1 and on pace to repeat as world champions. Things were clicking on all cylinders, despite the occasional brush fire. Everything was harmonious.
Then news came Saturday morning that Plaxico Burress had shot himself in a nightclub and Antonio Pierce was there. No one had any information, so the team played on. They dominated the Redskins that day 23-7 to run their record to 11-1 and it appeared as if nothing was going to stop them from getting to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII.
Problem was that it was window dressing. Playing a quarter, half or game without your most dynamic receiver is one thing. Playing without him on a permanent basis was going to be a problem.
There was a stiff wind that one December Sunday at Giants Stadium that may or may not have played a role in their 21-14 loss to the Eagles. Everyone can remember that play early in the second quarter when Eli Manning had Domenik Hixon open deep down the middle of the field only to have him drop what would have been an 85-yard touchdown reception.
There were several missed opportunities that day, but that still does not excuse the defense allowing Philadelphia to convert on 12 of 14 third down situations, eventually leading up to Brian Westbrook alone in a blown coverage one-on-one with Antonio Pierce and raced past him for a 33 yard score that put the game away.
That was the beginning...of the end.
The offensive woes the next week in Dallas as it became obvious what defenses were now doing to attack the Giants now that Burress was out. The defense could only do so much as we began to find out that their expiration date was nearing.
Back at home the next week against Carolina, they would struggle in the first half before rallying to tie the game in regulation and then winning in overtime. They were given a temporary stay of execution and were able to go less than 100 percent in Minnesota the next week, but unlike the first 12 games, what we were seeing was a completely different football team.
All of that is why the playoff loss at home again to the Eagles was not a great shock. Things were headed down a road none of us liked. The passing game had been rendered ineffective and the defense was now running on fumes. With Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan for an entire season, it was only a matter of time before those losses would eventually hurt the defense.
Justin Tuck was on a bad leg. Fred Robbins was on a bad shoulder. Barry Cofield was without two good hands. Mathias Kiwanuka was wearing down. Pierce was without his football mind with the thought of jail time parading in his head.
Their inability to get to and put down Donovan McNabb had been on display for two games. It was not a shock that in the third game, with all the injuries piling up, they were unable to muster an attack to beat the Eagles quarterback.
Everyone will remember the third down play where Philadelphia needed 20 yards, pinned inside the five-yard line. Had this been 2007, they would have been able to unleash their line and hurry McNabb into a quick, pressured throw that likely would have brought up fourth down and given the Giants great field position.
Instead, McNabb was able to avoid the rush, step up in the pocket and with the extra time allowing the secondary to break down in coverage, he was able to find Jason Avant for a 22-yard first down completion.
The playoff game was never the same after that.
Of course, we know that the offense had numerous chances to blow them out of the building in the first half, yet were on the wrong end of a 10-8 halftime score despite dominating the game. With the exception of that ill-fated interception thrown to Asante Samuel that led to the Eagles converting it into a touchdown and seizing momentum the Giants were never able to get back.
Now in 2009, they look to gain that momentum they lost in that game. Not only to take it back, but use and channel it for not only the regular season, but also to win three (or four) games and win the Super Bowl.
They have the team to do it. Stacked on both the offensive and defensive sides with the only question being who will emerge as a receiving threat to open up the offense.
Should they be the NFC favorites? Sure. The Eagles win in Giants Stadium does not change that.
However, a long road back to the playoffs starts now.
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