Archive for the ‘NFL’ Category

Trivia Time: Super Bowl XLII (Part II)

Posted: February 2, 2012 by Keith Stone in football, NFL, trivia
Tags: , , , , , ,
0

We’re days away from the Rematch of the Century, so why not spend some more time reminiscing about the past? Super Bowl XLII was a battle of attrition. After the Patriots scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, neither team scored until the final frame. That’s not to say the game didn’t have its share of big plays. That brings us to the Question of the Week. Get it right and a Gatorade shower is in your future. The answer, as always, is after the jump.

What was the longest play of Super Bowl XLII? (and a hint: it’s not what you think)

(more…)

J-E-T-S Still?

Posted: February 1, 2012 by Keith Stone in football, NFL
Tags: , ,
0

Look, I hate to rub things in. OK, that’s a lie. I still want to rub rock salt on the festering wound of the 2011 Jets season. I’m watching Dustin Keller on SportsCenter and it’s amazing people are still talking about the Jets. Their season ended a month ago and somehow it was so bad, it’s still in the news.

LaDainian Tomlinson is going on Inside the NFL and airing his dirty laundry. Revis Island is talking to the press about how toxic the locker room was and how nobody did anything to stop it. More and more unnamed sources and former players are coming out and saying that Mark Sanchez has been babied by the organization and Peyton Manning should be pursued as hard as possible. Former Jet and current Giant Steve Weatherford is getting the last laugh for being criticized and unceremoniously dumped last year after a good season. The list goes on and on.

The Jets have a real problem now. Who is going to want to come aboard this ship? The whole Rex schtick was fun at first but when a guy like him loses, eventually the inmates start running the asylum. You know things are bad when even he is admitting that he didn’t have the pulse of the team. Unfortunately, there’s no way he can magically become a hardass overnight.

Saying that you won’t have captains anymore doesn’t accomplish anything. With the lack of leadership last year, it’s a wonder they even had captains. The real solution is to dump the players that caused trouble and try to start relatively fresh. Of course, the team has already announced that both Santonio Holmes and Sanchez are coming back. The Jets always wanted to be the talk of the town. Now, even with the Giants in the Super Bowl, they’re still managing to make noise.

Jabroni of the Week: Chris Christie

Posted: January 29, 2012 by Keith Stone in football, jabronis, NFL
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
0

Twice this weekend while I was rocking my Eli Manning jersey, people felt the need to remind me that the Giants play in New Jersey. I don’t know if they were just haters or wanted to convert me to a Bills fan, but it’s a moot point. The Giants are my team whether they play in New York, Jersey, or go back to the Yale Bowl. Let’s face it, though. They’re a New York team. When they won the Super Bowl in 2007, there was a parade down the Canyon of Heroes and a rally at Giants Stadium. Fair enough. However, when New Jersey governor Chris Christie was on the Today Show, he said he wanted any possible victory parade to be held in New Jersey since that’s where they play and train. Did I mention that Christie is a Jets fan?

I actually like the guy. He’s a big talker but he can back it up, and he’s probably the most viable republican presidential candidate despite choosing not to run. He’s stood up against anyone that gets in the way of accomplishing his goals. In that way, he’s a little like Eli Manning. Christie needs to know his role here.  Sure, I’m a little biased against parades in New Jersey, but going from the Canyon of Heroes to the Canyon of Hobos in Newark is about as big of a dropoff as Christina Aguilera in 2003 to today.

Chris, baby, I know you’re still a little torn up about about this whole Jets collapse. Losing to the Giants on Christmas Eve probably didn’t help, but don’t be a sore loser. One day your team will have its day in the sun [tries to stifle laughter]. Don’t bring any negative attention to my G-Men. When you and Rex bring home the title at the Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, then you can have your beloved New Jersey parade. Champions do it in the Canyon of Heroes. Until then, you’re a jabroni, brother.

CBS New York

Throwback: Helmet Catch

Posted: January 29, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL, videos
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
0


Dedicated to all you Pats fans out there. See you Sunday.

Party Like It’s 2007?

Posted: January 27, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
Tags: , , , , ,
0

 

Katie Baker of Grantland does a great job writing about the pulse of the New York sports fan. She hit the nail on the head again in comparing the 2011 Giants with the 2007 version that won Super Bowl XLII. As awesome as this whole season has been, it does feel like the stakes are higher. The four years before Super Bowls feel like a lot longer, even greater than the gap between the unfortunate XXXV and XLII.  With the rise of the Saints and Packers, getting to the Super Bowl feels like even a bigger feat than 2007 with way more to lose. Fortunately, this year’s team is way more skilled at offense but with one bad bounce or one bad call, none of that might matter. Come next Sunday, we’ll see if the wait was worth it and if this playoff run, as incredible as it seems, is greater than the one that saw the demise of the only 18-0 team in history.

Classsic Suite: Pat Hanlon, Man’s Man

Posted: January 25, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
Tags: , , , ,
0

On August 5th, it seemed like only two people believed in the 2011 Giants. Five months and a Super Bowl berth later, I think it’s safe to say we were right.

New York Giants VP of Communications, Pat Hanlon, took to Twitter yesterday and lashed out against Giants fans who were upset about the team’s quiet offseason and most recently the departure of receiver Steve Smith to Philadelphia. Hanlon’s tweets included gems like:

“You like winning? Sit tight.”

“The last proclamation out of Philly that meant anything was a Declaration in 1776.”

“A lot of noisemakers end up in the ditch.”

“We don’t play on paper. You know what you can do w/ that paper?”

“Rebuild my ass! I got your rebuild.”

Hanlon is right on. He’s never been afraid to take anyone on whether it’s a fool like Rex Ryan or even his own disillusioned fans. Nobody is forcing anyone to root for the Giants. If you’re so unhappy about the team’s moves then go root for the Jets or the Eagles.

For some reason, the criticism against the Giants always seems to come doubly harsh. They won 10 games last year and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker. That’s a good season. Not great, but a very solid season in which there were a ton of injuries. They won 10 games in 2007 and then all they did was win the Super Bowl.

Management didn’t have a ton of money to spend and they weren’t willing to take big financial risks on question marks. Some guys, like Mathias Kiwanuka, took less money to stay with the Blue. Others, like Steve Smith and Kevin Boss, went for the cash and there’s nothing wrong with that. They’re both Champions who played significant roles in the greatest Giants season of all-time and they’re allowed to think for themselves and their families. I’ll personally always think of them fondly and wish them well (even Smith playing for a division rival).

The fact of the matter is that everything isn’t as bad as everyone is making it out to be, just like Hanlon said. Every significant skill player is back. Coming out of the lockout, that’s going to be important as teams have less time to assimilate newbies into their systems.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs were running really well towards the end of last year when they were both healthy and should play a larger role in the offense. Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham were also money in 2010, combining for 20 TD’s and nearly 2,000 yards. With another year of Eli’s passes coming their way, their numbers should only continue to improve. When Osi Umenyiora’s situation is resolved, and it looks like it might be soon, every healthy, young player from last year’s team will be back and ready to contribute.

The losses hurt but there are a lot of young players waiting in the wings that will need to step up. General Manager Jerry Reese has proven to be a good evaluator of talent before and hopefully guys like Kevin Boothe and Travis Beckum will pan out. He may have dug himself a hole by mismanaging the cap a bit but he is also prudent in leaving some room to make adjustments as the season gets closer and even during the season. Reese is a tough guy and knows what he’s doing. He also does a great Jim Fassel impression.

Champions know that the game is played on the field. All the Giants fans that are complaining need to take their whine somewhere else. A season isn’t lost with one injury or defection. The Dream Team can start planning their parade down Broad St. as Michael Vick rides in a float with a litter of puppies and Steve Smith brings up the rear in a motorized wheelchair. I won’t start thinking about it until February 5th. Talk is cheap. Play the game. Keep calling out the haters, Pat Hanlon. You are a man’s man.

Trivia Time: Super Bowl XLII

Posted: January 25, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL, trivia
Tags: , , , , , ,
0

It’s the Rematch of the Century. Giants vs. Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Before we whoop on those pathetic Bostonians once again, let’s look back and remember the first affair. Who could forget the Helmet Catch and Plaxico cradling the Title-winning pass in the end zone? Ahhhhhhhhh, memories. That brings us to our Question of the Week. Get it right and Michael Strahan won’t sit on you. The answer, as always, is after the jump.

Which player scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl XLII? (and a hint: it was not Jeff Feagles)

(more…)

Old Lady Butchers National Anthem At AFC Championship Game

Posted: January 24, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
Tags: , , , , , ,
0


My mistake, that’s Steven Tyler. The Aerosmith frontman and Boston native had a little trouble with the words and general tone of the Star-Spangled Banner before Sunday’s Ravens-Patriots game for the AFC Title. Tyler was later seen enjoying the game with Pats owner Robert Kraft and celebrating the win on the podium as the Lamar Hunt Trophy was being presented. At least he was a more logical choice than the time Zooey Deschanel sang the anthem before the World Series. Hey, did any of you guys hear that there was a special American Idol on after the NFC Championship Game? Gotta love that cross-promotion.

WEEK 86 – Rewriting History

Posted: January 22, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
Tags: , , , , ,
0


It was the same end of the field that Matt Bryant prepared to make a kick to keep the Giants’ Title hopes alive in 2002.

As Lawrence Tynes lined up for the field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl, I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  When the snap was low, it seemed to be happening all over again. But then, Steve Weatherford was able to get the ball down, Tynes booted the ball right down the pipes, and the Giants had exorcised the demons and were heading to Indianapolis.

Looking back, it was a great game. Old-school defensive struggles are the best. I said earlier that one of the keys of the game would be to hold onto the ball. The Giants did. The 49ers did not. I’m not going to pretend that the Giants didn’t luck out, but then again I’d rather be lucky than good. Kyle Williams has to get away from the ball when it’s bouncing on the ground. That was a horrible play. It shouldn’t have happened. The 49ers had all the momentum at that point, but the Giants cashed in when it mattered. If that second fumble doesn’t happen, I’m not so sure the game doesn’t go into double overtime the way both defenses were playing. Those are the breaks.

There were a lot of heroes, which is how Championship teams play. Eli took a complete pounding. It looked like he was hit by a bus driven by an elephant. He deserves all the credit in the world for standing in there and making smart decisions. Sure, the Niners botched a couple of potential interceptions and fumbled once but he was being hit HARD. Victor Cruz was spectacular also. He made so many great catches in big spots. Him and Nicks are going to kill teams no matter what. Then there’s Mario Manningham who only had one catch but it was spectacular and redemption for when he dropped the game-tying touchdown the last time in San Fran. Devin Thomas recognizing that first fumble and picking up the ball was huge, not to mention his second fumble recovery. Jacquian Williams forcing that second fumble was a great hustle play. Finally, Steve Weatherford getting that snap down may have been the biggest play of the game.

And so Weatherford did get the ball down and the Patriots are next. Some people might say that history is repeating itself. The Giants have gone through an NFC South team, then the #1 seed, then an underrated yet dangerous #2 seed, and now the Pats. They won the NFC in overtime on the road both times. The beat the Packers both times. Heck, the games have been played at the same times. But simply believing that history is going to repeat itself isn’t enough to win the Lombardi Trophy. Lawrence Tynes proved that history can change and Trey Junkin can sleep easy.

5 Giant Keys To Victory In San Francisco

Posted: January 22, 2012 by Keith Stone in NFL
Tags: , , , , ,
0

The Giants just don’t have to worry about the 49ers’ fearsome defense and a hostile San Francisco crowd, the rain and wind may conspire against the Giants’ hot passing game. To help them weather the elements, here are five ways to keep their playoff run going all the way to Indianapolis.

1. Break them – The 49ers have the uncanny ability to stop opponents in the middle of long drives. They bend but don’t break. It’s great to drive the ball 55 yards for a field goal, but the Giants can’t let San Fran break their momentum when things are moving. Those extra four points can go a long way to win the game or get a little breathing room and put more pressure on the 49ers’ offense. Converting on third and fourth downs in San Francisco territory is going to be paramount to the Giants’ success.

2. Hold onto the ball – The Saints had five turnovers in their loss to the Niners last week. That probably won’t happen again but San Fran hits hard so it’s important that everybody that carries the ball protects it, even at the expense of a few extra yards. The 49ers’ secondary also does a good job of disguising itself. Eli threw two INT’s in WEEK 10. He has to be more careful this time. With sloppy conditions, the game has the potential to be a low-scoring affair and a defensive score could be the difference. If this turns into a field-position battle, you don’t want to give the other team the opportunity for any easy touchdowns.

3. Don’t forget Gore – The Hydra put pressure on Aaron Rodgers all game last week. Getting in Alex Smith’s face is going to be key to beating the 49ers and trying to force turnovers. However, the defensive line has to remember about Frank Gore. They did a fantastic job against a star runner in Michael Turner in the Wild Card Round and kept Gore under wraps earlier in the season. That has to continue, especially since it’s going to be hard to throw the ball. Sometimes when Giants’ pass rush is at its finest, they over-pursue and let runners pick up big chunks of yards. Taking away the passing game means nothing if Gore is allowed to run amok. Kendall Hunter is dangerous too. He averaged more than six yards per carry when these teams met before.

4. Be patient – This is the best defense the Giants have faced in a while. The offense has been playing great but if the weather and the Niners have the unit stuck in mud (literally and figuratively), the Giants can’t abandon a mixed pass/run gameplan or take unnecessary risks. With the big play potential of Nicks and Cruz, as well as the punishing running of Bradshaw and Jacobs, the Giants should eventually break through. Like the Falcons game, if the Giants are facing a deficit and their offense is stagnant, good things will eventually come if they remain consistent.

5. Talk is cheap, play the game – It’s Coach Coughlin’s mantra and words to live by. The Giants are confident and playing great but none of that matters if they don’t take care of business on the field. They don’t appear overconfident but it’s always a possibility when you beat the best team in the league and everyone is picking you to make the Super Bowl. The 49ers are for real. They beat some good teams this year and have the ability to beat the Giants again. The teams both did a little talking over the week that was exaggerated by the media, but for sure this game is going to be decided between the lines. Everything that happened in the past is just that. You can’t be distracted by words or the weather. You have to go out there and do it.

Older Entries
Newer Entries