Monday, November 10, 2008

Eagles post mortem I

Before I talk about the actual game, the key plays, the interesting twists, I want to take a broad, panoramic view of the Giants. Giants are a gritty team with character and are completely unflappable. Nothing seems to faze them and apparent momentum turning plays by the other team just don't work against this team. Virtually every other NFL team would have folded or at least stumbled for a quarter or so after the start that the Giants had. Playing on the road, in particularly hostile territory, national game, players and fans completely pumped, the Eagle fans may have even had a few drinks to get them even more stoked and they are howling and as loud as they can be. This builds to a peak as their defense takes the field and on the third offensive play, Eagles get an interception on a great play (though admittedly slightly lucky) by their DT. They score a TD right away on a trick play, no less, with a direct snap to a WR and the house absolutely comes down. It was as loud as I have ever heard it and this emotion surely transferred to the players on the field. Many other teams would flat out lose the game right there. They'd go three-and-out, maybe turn the ball over again and the opposing offense would charge down for another score. Some other teams might not completely fold, but surely would go into a funk until half time and dig a hole for themselves probably too deep to recover from. But instead, the uber-composed Giants take the kickoff, march right down the field and score a TD. They have composure and are so cerebral, it is a pleasure to watch this team.



In fact they don't get too pumped up and overconfident either and this is also connected to the cerebral, studied approach they take to the game. It is surely one of the reasons that Shockey was not a match for this team, but I don't think that is a great test, because I don't think Shockey is a match for any team except perhaps the Oakland Raiders. Actually, he would fit well in Philly also. Donovan McNabb is not too.... let me not get into trouble here, so let's just put it this way. You won't run into Donovan McNabb on your way into a MENSA meeting. Before the game, McNabb was asked a series of questions about the upcoming Giants-Eagles game, including: was the game critical for their season and if the Giants win, would he concede that the Giants would be the best team in the division. In fact, here's the transcript:



Q: Just to clarify how you feel – if they do beat you on Sunday you wouldn’t be conceding necessarily? At least at that point they would be the best team in the NFC East?



A: Yes, that is what I am saying. What would you expect me to say?


Q: I just figured that if they had a three-game lead on you with seven games to play that it would be an indication that maybe you would consider them to be at the top of the division at that point in terms of being the best team.

A: Do you think they were the best team in the division last year and they won the Super Bowl. (PAUSE) Hello.


Um - yes Donovan - Giants were the best team in the division last year. In fact, they were the best team in football.



Sheesh - Giants still get no respect. Even from a loser like McNabb. What did he lose - like 4 conference championships in a row at home and then he finally wins one, goes to the Superbowl and chokes - literally... upchucked, yuked, did the old rainbow yawn in the 4th quarter of the game against the Patriots.. and loses the game.

While we're on qb comparisons - let's take a look at the comparison between our boy Eli and Donovan McChoke. McNabb on a team with TO as his WR loses to a very good Patriots in the Superbowl, a team that did not have Randy Moss as its WR. Then two short years later, Eli beats a much better version of the Patriots, a team that has Randy Moss as its WR and has come off a ridiculous 18 game winning streak. Far from yuking in the clutch in the 4th qtr, Eli throws for 150 yards and 2 TDs in the 4th qtr, the second TD coming after the Patriots with their all-world qb Brady marched them down field and scored a go ahead TD with a few minutes left in the game. That's the composure of a winning qb. The attitude that the team has of not panicking when things look rough certainly cascades downward from Eli who embraces that attitude himself. When Giants were losing a few years ago, everyone was saying - why can't Eli get angry. Now they are rightly realizing that quiet steady leadership at the qb position is more important.

No comments: