It is not characteristic to find myself rooting for any New York team, but it was very nice to see a Boston-area favorite go down, even if that is an outfit with a lot of nice story lines and fine individuals. The Tom Brady story, involving a sixth-round pick who didn't even start in college, the youngest child from a fine family featuring three older sisters. The Mike Vrabel story, featuring a converted collegiate DL who floundered on the Steelers' bench only to eventually emerge as a winner, leader and possible all-time franchise great. The team-first focus and the excellent personnel work that has targetted precise fits to maximum return: Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, et al.
But hearty congratulations to the New York Football Giants, the champions of the NFL for 2007-08.
Congrats, especially, to their embattled head coach, one of the real lifers who finally won it his way, the winner of more NFL games than anyone ever to win his first world's title. It is probably no coincidence whatsoever that he did so, too, without arguably the two top offensive talents of his NY tenure: RB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey, reputed clubhouse lawyers who'd undermined his objectives.
Congrats to Eli Manning, who surely helped establish an unbreakable NFL record by becoming the second of two consecutive quarterbacking brothers to walk off with the title-game MVP trophy.
Congrats to special-team ace David Tyree, the sometimes WR who teamed with Manning on what is probably the single greatest offensive play in the storied history of that legendary football franchise. Manning's determined tug free from desperately-grasping Patriot hands in order to heave a prayer of a pass toward the leaping Tyree, climaxed with the WR pinning the ball momentarily against his own headgear, positioning the hopeful underdogs inside the undefeated rivals' 25 as the game neared its final seconds, exemplifies the spirit of the championship squad.
Congrats to former Browns' center Sean O'Hara, who started more games under Butch Davis than any other Cleveland OL, but somehow was twice dismissed at the position in favor of the needless draftings of Melvin Fowler and Jeff Faine---neither of whom is still with the team and both of whom were selected when better pieces remained on the draft board.
Congrats to that gritty, tough-minded and big-play-making Giants DL, who should've collectively won the MVP trophy for its dogged relentlessness and clutch play.
Congrats to its longtime inspirational leader, the venerable 15-year vet Michael Strahan for at last ending a season as a member of the sport's best team.
Congratulations to the many no-name bit pieces on that Giants team who contributed sizeably to a championship campaign, especially obscure rookies like TE Kevin Boss, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Steve Smith, S Michael Johnson, DE Jay Alford and GM Jerry Reese.
Congrats to all of us who have resented the perceived injustice of witnessing the Boston-area fans experiencing uncommon professional sports success with their squads. The Celtics ruled the '60's with all their titles, only to dominate again during the Bird-McHale-Parish era. Then the Bosox win a pair of titles within four years (after waiting since 1918) at the same time the Pats played for four NFL titles during a seven-year span, with this year's edition scoring more points than any team in history and nearly going unbeaten.
Congratulations, too, to Head Coach Bill Belichick for cementing his reputation as a single-minded poor-sport, classless loser---regardless of his career achievements on the field. It's not as if he just couldn't wait to throw his loving arms around opposing coach Tom Couglin to share in the latter's climactic achievement. No, it's all about Billy, who somehow managed to tarnish the moment for all affiliated with the victorious Giants. So much for sportsmanship and exemplary character.
Congrats to Giants' fans. May they accept their winning with greater grace, dignity and civility than their regional rivals. Yours is a storybook ballclub deserving of distinction and one all of America can be proud of. Resiliency, indeed. Champions of adversity and the entire National Football League.
May it be Cleveland's turn next.
Read the complete post at http://www.xanga.com/MALeonard/640900619/after-super-bowl-forty-two.html