Archive for 'NFL'
Super Bowl: How the Giants won…
3 February 2008The Giants won by doing three things on defense, all designed to attack the Patriots in their strength — quarterback Tom Brady:
1) Their defensive line sold out to rush Brady, playing the run along the way. The Giants have the most talented pass rushing front four in the NFL, and they treated this game like a one-on-one drill in practice.
2) [...]
Super Bowl: Why the Giants will win…
3 February 2008My heart is with the Patriots. What a privilege it would be as a fan to see the culmination of the greatest single season in NFL history by arguably the greatest quarterback ever to play the game.
Earlier in the week, I picked the Patriots to win, 31-24. But as we approach game time, I have [...]
Spygate: Arlen Specter’s Hail Mary…
3 February 2008Congress is wallowing in its lowest approval rating in history. And from time to time they remind us why.
In a post on January 12th entitled “Steroids: Congressional Perfection,” I chided Congress for their grandstanding at the expense of Major League Baseball.
Now Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter says he wants to look into Spygate — the Patriots’ taping of opponents’ [...]
Super Bowl fans’ guide: The amazing Junior Seau…
2 February 2008What to watch for: Is New England linebacker Junior Seau making a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage?
Seau is in his 18th season, and is no longer as fast on the track as he used to be. But he is still fast on the football field because of preparation. He compensates for diminishing [...]
Super Bowl fans’ guide: Playing the officials…
2 February 2008What to watch for: Are the Giants getting frustrated by extracurricular physicality by the Patriots?
Super Bowl officials don’t want to interfere with the flow of the big game. In their desire to let the players decide the outcome rather than the penalty flags, they will allow a bit more leeway before they call penalties.
The Patriots [...]
Super Bowl fans’ guide: Giants defensive key…
2 February 2008What to watch for: Are the Giants’ defensive backs playing aggressively near the line of scrimmage, or laying back to take away the big play?
The Giants’ chance to slow down the Patriots is to hammer Tom Brady. Not necessarily sack him, but hit him as he throws, which causes errant passes and creates the best chance [...]
Super Bowl fans’ guide: Giants offensive key…
2 February 2008What to watch for: Can the Giants gain at least three yards on first down?
If they can, they can stay committed to the run. If they pound the middle of the Patriots defense early and often, they stand a good chance of controlling the clock late in the game.
But they must gain at least three [...]
Giants: Eli’s greatest moment…
1 February 2008Eli Manning’s most lasting satisfaction relative to the Super Bowl won’t be playing or winning the game.
He has been in big brother Peyton’s shadow all his life. No matter how great Eli’s accomplishments growing up, Peyton was always older and achieving even greater glory.
The greatest moment for Eli was when Peyton called him and asked: “Um, can I get some [...]
Patriots: Sneaky sneaky…
27 January 2008Is he hurt, or are we being duped?
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was recently seen walking around New York City wearing an orthopedic boot that is typically used to immobilize an injury to the foot or ankle.
Brady may indeed be injured, but I smell a rat – a brilliant, Patriotesque rat.
First of all, the what…
If Brady indeed has an [...]
NFC Championship: The cold less traveled…
20 January 2008Much has been made of the frigid temperature in Green Bay for tonight’s game between the Packers and Giants. Here are a few tidbits less covered…
A cold, dry ball is more slick than a warm, wet ball because the pores of the leather close up, making the surface of the ball super-smooth. The same happens to skin. [...]
