Giants' Gutsy Gamble

Their team was called Giants, but as the days drew closer to the Super Bowl, they were practically written off as the inevitable second placer and the team name seemed a misnomer. The Patriots were heavily favored because of their unblemished record in the regular season and the playoffs; and the fact that they bagged 3 of the last 7 Super Bowls. The much heralded Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, touted as the fair-haired boy of the National Football League, was being bandied about like a conquering hero, as if the game was all over but the final buzzer when it hasn't even begun. But the Giants quietly worked out their signals and their strategy. Nothing fancy, nothing special, just good solid teamwork and smothering defense.

Every NFL fan knows the story by now, most specially fans of the Giants in New York. I can already hear the plaudits that Dave Letterman will say together with his trademark smirk and Michael Jackson-like hoot. The Giants were the lilliputians in this battle based on all the forecasts, and the Giants fans were only hoping for an upset. But they proved to be giant killers and emerged triumphantly as genuine Giants.

The Giants took on a big gamble, putting everything they had on defense. They would ensure that no clear passes would emanate from Tom Brady. The defense was untiring and unwavering throughout the game, resulting in Brady being sacked five times. He was so harassed that he was throwing hurried, harried passes and a dozen or so bad ones. The powerful offensives of the Patriots seldom saw completion, although they led by some points. The gamble paid off and the big defensive plays were the key to the Giants victory. While write ups extol Eli Manning, the efforts of Justin Tuck, Corey Webster and Gibril Wilson should also get solid mention.

Eli Manning beat Tom Brady for MVP honors, duplicating the feat of his elder sibling Peyton last year. Booed several times by his own home state for what is perceived as lacking heart, Eli proved that he was Mr. cool under pressure with that 32 yard pass to David Tyree, putting the Giants on New England's 24 yard line. The second gamble was in the final offense, when Eli threw a pass to Plaxico Burress for the touchdown and the win. Burress missed practice all week because of a lingering ankle injury that seemed to impact on his game considerably. But he played and played wisely with what he had left. It wasn't the most spectacular acrobatic catch, but it was one the Giants needed the most.

Eli Manning has finally come out of the shadow of his elder brother to be his own man. The giants victory is indeed anchored on his ability and keen sense of how the game is progressing. The gamble was a classic strategy of putting their strength on the weakest point of the enemy, defense. It has paid off handsomely. As for the Patriots, it's a bitter and heart breaking defeat, but the lesson is clear: like a New York Opera, it's not over till the fat lady sings; and the Giants are now singing their hearts out - making it big in the city that never sleeps.


Haaaarrrrwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!