'Kudos' all around as Giants advance
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| New York Giants' cornerback R.W. McQuarters is surrounded by teammates after McQuarters' interception with 9 seconds left propelled the Giants into next weekend's NFC Championship Game. (Getty Images) |
I have to dispense with the usual 'Kudos & Wet Willies' format this morning. As far as the New York Giants are concerned, there are only 'kudos' to be handed out today, as they revel in ousting Dallas and reaching the NFC Championship Game.
In Dallas, there are plenty of 'Wet Willies,' to be handed out -- and plenty of questions to be asked. We will leave all of that to those who write about the Cowboys, however.
Let's focus on Big Blue, and this amazing run they are on that has the Giants within a victory of their fourth Super Bowl appearance.
I'm still amazed that the Giants won the game, considering the situation. A depleted secondary, a pass rush that couldn't get to Tony Romo most of the game, the inability to contain Marion Barber. Yet, somehow they found a way.
Resilient, determined, workman-like and gutty are words that come to mind to describe this team, and that's a credit to Tom Coughlin. Quite often it isn't pretty, but the Giants keep working until they get the job done.
'Kudos' mostly to the Giants' defense. Torched for 45 and 31 points in two regular-season meetings with Dallas, and minus cornerbacks Sam Madison and Kevin Dockery there was little reason to believe the Giants could slow Dallas on Sunday.
Touchdown drives of 96 and 90 yards in the first half by Dallas seemed to indicate that the Giants had no answers for the Dallas offense, and the situation got worse when cornerback Aaron Ross went out with a shoulder injury.
Yet, somehow, when they needed it most the Giants were finally able to pressure Romo. All-out blitzes of six and seven guys, and some quality work late by Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora didn't give Dallas a chance to exploit the weakened pass defense.
Speaking of that secondary, 'kudos' to Corey Webster and R.W. McQuarters.
Webster gave up a touchdown pass to Terrell Owens, and dropped an interception, yet played a solid game. Asked to shadow Owens the entire game, the fourth cornerback on the Giants' depth chart did an admirable job.
McQuarters, of course, came up with the game-clinching interception for the second straight week. Also, it was his 25-yard punt return that set up the game-winning score.
'Kudos' also have to be extended to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. With a makeshift secondary Spagnuolo covered for it by selling out with the all-out pass rush that flustered Romo and allowed the Giants to hang on.
Offensively, the Giants also had plenty of heroes.
Let's start with Eli Manning. He had modest numbers (12-of 18, 163 yards, two touchdowns). There no turnovers, though, and the game-tying 71-yard drive in the final 47 seconds of the first half was a thing of beauty.
'Kudos' also to wide receivers Amani Toomer and Steve Smith. Toomer caught two touchdown poasses, including a 52-yard catch and run for the opening score. Smith, the rookie from USC, had his best game with 4 catches for 48 yards. His brilliant, leaping catch of a Manning pass set up the second Giants' touchdown.
I'm sure I've missed a few players worthy of 'kudos.' Let me know who else you think is deserving as we continue to celebrate moving on to the NFC Championship Game.
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49 comments
Comments
Toomer
he may not be the most-talented Giant ever or the best statistically, but the guy is a superstar. he's a big-time player period.
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 14, 2008 7:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
you're right
Kudos definitely to Eli, that last-minute drive was incredible. But I'd have to give a small wet-willie to the O-line and Jacobs/Bradshaw for not being able to pick up a first down on the last 2 possessions, giving Dallas some life. They didn't score, but it would have been nice to ice the game without Romo being within striking distance of the end zone. If that happens against GB or God willing the Patriots, I guarantee Favre or Brady would have made the Giants pay.
by cjmulrain on Jan 14, 2008 7:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
1st down
by potroast on Jan 14, 2008 8:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Right, Pot
by george cronin on Jan 14, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Next level for the running game
by NYERinSF on Jan 14, 2008 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, S Baker,
by george cronin on Jan 14, 2008 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'll take your word for it george
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 14, 2008 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Toomer
by GAgiantfan on Jan 14, 2008 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Toomer
by GAgiantfan on Jan 14, 2008 10:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In a while?
Seriously, I have been watching the Giants since the mid 60's and in that time there has not been another wide receiver who has been as solid and as consistent as Toomer
by NYERinSF on Jan 14, 2008 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Shoulda defined 'in a while'....
by GAgiantfan on Jan 14, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Webster
by potroast on Jan 14, 2008 8:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
but that drop....
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 14, 2008 9:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LBs
by potroast on Jan 14, 2008 8:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Coughlin
I gotta tell you, while I want to see them beat GB, it will not bother me if they lose. The Giants are now officially playing with house money, they have so exceeded the expectations I had for them (I saw them as a 6-10 team), and they knocked the god damn ever lovin Dallas Cowboys clean into next season. I really can't ask for any more than that
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 14, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree totally
by potroast on Jan 14, 2008 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ETVal.....we need to put George to work
George mentions in an earlier post that he is approaching his 75th birthday. I think it would be great if once a week maybe George could put up a piece. Maybe a story from a game he went to, or a player he remembers, anything. I think it would be a lot of fun to hear stories from someone who was there
Jim
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 14, 2008 9:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we will
by Ed Valentine on Jan 14, 2008 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stories
by george cronin on Jan 14, 2008 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
George
by Ed Valentine on Jan 14, 2008 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, it would be.
by george cronin on Jan 14, 2008 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
See?
Problem is, nobody asks me
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 14, 2008 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, well
by Ed Valentine on Jan 14, 2008 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Funny thing is
by Ed Valentine on Jan 14, 2008 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, he did
by Ed Valentine on Jan 14, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How about some love for Jerry Reese?
by django48 on Jan 14, 2008 10:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
No doubt
by Ed Valentine on Jan 14, 2008 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Reese and the rookies...
by django48 on Jan 14, 2008 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As long as we're spreading the love
by Mr Met on Jan 14, 2008 12:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
spags
by queler on Jan 14, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Reese
by queler on Jan 14, 2008 1:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
8 picks
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 14, 2008 1:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cool
by big blue wrecking crew on Jan 14, 2008 6:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Been there many times, mostly for baseball.
by george cronin on Jan 15, 2008 11:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh, one other thing about the Polo Grounds.
by george cronin on Jan 15, 2008 11:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow,
by All Day on Jan 15, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was in the service when the Giants in '51 and
by george cronin on Jan 15, 2008 2:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Memories
by Ed Valentine on Jan 15, 2008 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not much, re the Jints and the Pack,
by george cronin on Jan 15, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Willie's my all-time favorite player too
by Mr Met on Jan 15, 2008 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he hadn't played in that stadium where the
by george cronin on Jan 15, 2008 6:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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