The best year in Giants' history?

by Ed Valentine on Dec 31, 2008 10:00 AM EST in News Comment 28 comments

The flame is about to go out on 2008. Before it does I have a question for you, the esteemed members of Big Blue View Nation.

Have we just witnessed the greatest calendar year in the history of one of the NFL's original franchises?

I have been a Giants' fan since I was a little kid, or for roughly 40 years. I will admit my memories of the 1986 and 1990 championship teams have dimmed a little, but I can't recall a better year of watching Giants' football during my lifetime.

I would love to hear what some of you old-time fans (George, 'Pot,' '57') have to say about this. I think, though, that what we have seen for the past 12 months is as good as it gets when you root for an NFL team.

The year, of course, began with an unexpected Super Bowl title. It is ending with an NFC East title and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs.

The winning, of course, if a big part of what has made this the most special year I can ever remember as a Giants' fan. It is also, however, the way in which it has all been accomplished.

The dramatic Super Bowl victory over the heavily favored and previously unbeaten New England Patriots. The victory made even sweeter by the 19-0 T-shirts the Patriots had already printed, and the arrogance they displayed in trademarking the phrase '19-0: The Perfect Season,' before the Super Bowl had been played. Tyree's catch, possibly the greatest single play in Super Bowl history, made it even more memorable.
A playoff victory over the the hated Dallas Cowboys, followed by watching the bickering 'Boys implode this season and fail to even make the playoffs this time around.
The tremendous NFC Championship game victory on a frigid night in Green Bay. I don't think I will ever forget Tom Coughlin's frozen red cheeks, Corey Webster's interception of Brett Favre or Lawrence Tynes' crazed sprint to the locker room after the game-winning kick.
This season's 12-4 record, punctuated by an 11-1 start and an amazing six straight victories over teams with winning records.
Watching Eli Manning grow into the mature, reliable leader we had long hoped he would be. At the same time, watching the other New York quarterback, Brett 'Wrong Way' Favre,' deteriorate into an old man and drive the Jets' season into the ground.

Yes, there are memories galore that I will take from 2008 when it comes to rooting for the Giants. I just don't know how it gets any better than this.

Of course, a second straight Super Bowl title wouldn't be a bad way to start 2009, either.

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Its undoubtedly the best one

Of my lifetime.

What’s been great about this year is, there was no “but”.

In 1986, the Giants won the Super Bowl, BUT there were rumors Parcells was going to leave for Atlanta, and then the league had a work stoppage, which really tarnished the title defense.

In 1990, the Giants won the Super Bowl, BUT Parcells left, and we were stuck with arguably one of the worst head coaches in sports history.

In 2007, the Giants won the Super Bowl. That’s it. It could have been “BUT Strahan retired” or “BUT Osi got hurt in pre-season”, or “BUT Plaxico is a "BUT-head”, but this team is so well coached (God, Tom, I am soooooo sorry for the things I was saying about you last year), and has such an unbelievable sense of “team first”, that they have found a way to overcome all of it.

Giants are Super Bowl Champs. No ifs, ands, or buts. No matter what happnes next week, they’ve given me my greatest year as a Giants fan.

As I get older, I learn to appreciate what they accomplish alot more. When I was 20, the Giants won the Super Bowl for the 2nd time in 4 years, I never thought it would be another 17 years before that would happen again.

Enjoy the ride kids, you never know how long it will last.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 31, 2008 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think you hit the nail on the head

they haven’t had a championship-defense like this since 1935 by my estimation (the only other time they made the playoffs after winning a championship…George, how were they in 1957?). Add the fact that the entire playoff run last year was actually ‘this year’ (the Tampa game was January 6), and you certainly have the makings of the “best year ever.” And I agree 100% about apologizing to Coughlin for all the things that were said about him, b/c he’s gone from my least favorite coach to my favorite coach ever in the span of 12 months. Pretty impressive

by cjmulrain on Dec 31, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

what makes ’08 so great is that they followed up a SB victory by winning the NFC. in ’87, ’91 and even the ’01 season, they were unable to follow up a great season with another great season.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Dec 31, 2008 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not just the coaching

This team is well put together. Deep in all positions. Reese must be given credit for the great job of drafting and signing just the right free agents. The NYG are on the cusp of a dynasty. That is the major difference between the 86 and 90 teams. This team is relatively young. Younger than both the 86 and 90 teams and is just scratching the potential of how good they can be. Even after this season, they will be able to restock via the draft (thanks New Orleans) and keep things going.

by MJ20 on Dec 31, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As far as the "calendar "year"

No question the best in my lifetime. Last years remarkable playoff run. They’re in the playoffs with first seed this year. No doubt about it…………and to reiterate one point …….DALLAS IS OUT,AND BETTER YET DYSFUNCTIONAL!

P.S. jrs, it would not be like me to reserve comment on your use of the word “arguably”…. wish I could here what you’d say off the record!
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Dec 31, 2008 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Off the record

He’s a dunderhead

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 31, 2008 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm already on record as saying that since the end of last season up until the present

we’ve seen the largest # of great games in Giants history (including those incredible defensive struggles when Jim Brown played for Cleveland.) As for the calendar year, you’re right on the money, Ed. As you know, I have serene confidence we’ll be seeing more of the same for the next few years at least.

by blue gonz on Dec 31, 2008 12:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

cj, I think you might have wanted to know how they were in '58.

Their last gqme was vs the Browns and they won in a tough defensive struggle, forcing a playoff. They beat them again in another stirring defensive battle. They went on, exhausted, to lose to the Colts in the championship game, “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” Yes, the Colts teams of 58-59 (and the 60-61 Packers) team are always mentioned when talk turns to greatest NFL teams ever, but that’s no consolation to me for losing four championship games to them.

by blue gonz on Dec 31, 2008 12:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Best calendar year

I agree with the consensus that this is the best calendar year for the Giants. I’m holding out on whether this might be the best Giants season, since there are games to play and the Jints had a better record in 1986. There are certain things about that team that will remain very special to me, especially that defense.

Anyway, we’ve never seen a calendar like this one before. Absolutely astounding. The playoff games that you mentioned plus some really memorable games this year like Eli beating Pitt late in the game, running all over the best run defense (Baltimore), grinding out a win against Carolina, and putting a spanking on Dallas.

I’d say the Plax situation has been the only downer. I’m not sure we’ll know the full effects of that until we see some playoff games.

by potroast on Dec 31, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Read this this AM.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/sports/football/30giants.html?ref=sports

Out of character for Eli but at least he’s feeling loose and confident…sniff thats my quarterback. I guess he gets a kick out of Dallas’ epic fail as much as we do.

by Lucky7 on Dec 31, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Heard about that

Funny stuff.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 31, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

Definitely the best calendar year. I’ll remember that Superbowl victory as long as I live. Definitely a more exciting win than the ones of ‘86 & ’90. The image I’ll always take away from that game is not the catch by Tyree but the sack by Jay Alford of Tom Brady, with an OL helplessly hanging on him, that sealed the deal. That was sweet. And yes the playoff victory over the Cowboys in their own backyard (get the popcorn ready) makes it extra, extra sweet.

What’s even better is I think that the Giants have one of best GMs in the league, at least in terms of drafting good players, so the future looks bright too.

by John W on Dec 31, 2008 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

The Giants may not win the Super Bowl every year, but they are set up for a Patriot-like run in terms of having a chance to be among the best every season for the next few years. They have young talent almostr everywhere, a terrific coach and a top-notch GM.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 31, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2008 was certainly the most exciting year

since 86 for me. But remember that in 1986 the Giants had never won the Super Bowl. They came into the playoffs like a steamroller though, blasting the Redskins and the hated 49’ers by a combined score in both games of 66 to 3!!!! Let that sink in for a mnute! The defense had a swagger and I believe that the term “smash mouth football” is derived from the Giants performance on both sides of the ball that year.

That said, I think I actually got more emotional about the 2008 win because of all the hurdles we overcame. In 86 we were frontrunners all year. Last year we certainly weren’t favored, even when we made it to the playoffs as a wild card.

86 was the best year…….at least to me.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 31, 2008 5:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

By the way....

I don’t think George will agree with me about this but In the late fifties and early sixties I think the Colts, week in and week out, were a much better team than we were.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 31, 2008 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's the consensus opinion and I have no quarrel with it.

Many consider that Colt team the greatest in NFL history. I certainly would never ID the Giants of that era as such. Still, those were the Glory Years for the Giants and we almost stole a championship from Baltimore in ‘58. Our current team is going to have its own more glorious years. As for ’86 being the best year it boils down to whether the front runner doing what it’s supposed to is better than an overlooked team winning the gonfalon—a matter of personal taste, etc. As SB points out, the team you favor didn’t have the kind of follow up this year’s team has had. To me, that makes all the difference.

by blue gonz on Dec 31, 2008 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hadn't considered that...I agree that this team may have longer legs than the 86 squad.

And there is a possiblity that we may be in the right place in history to witness this team develop into the kind of dynasty that the seventies Steelers, eighties 49’rs, or even the recent Pats teams enjoyed. That would be extremely satisfying for us and would add the one missing achievement for the Giants franchise.

But since the question was about which year was the greatest, it’s still 86 for me.

by giant fan since 57 on Jan 1, 2009 5:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

calendar year, 57, calendar year

This year, we won the SB and the division. You can’t do better in a calendar year.

by blue gonz on Jan 1, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right

I would say both ’86 and ’90 were better seasons than last season, and unless we win the Super Bowl this year will be better than this season as well. But when you limit it to calendar year, I definitely say this was the best.

by cjmulrain on Jan 1, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just a side note

Joe Buck’s call on Tyree’s catch is the worst call of a famous play in sports history. he’s emotionless, robotic “and it’s caught by Tyree” phrase is something that will forever tarnish that moment for me.

quite a far cry from “I don’t believe what I just saw” or “Go crazy, folks! Go Crazy” or “Do you believe in Miracles, YES!” i wasn’t hoping for the Jim Nantz’ pre-scripted bullshit there, but Buck could’ve given us something. it was clear to everyone watching live that ball never hit the ground.

as someone that works in sports radio, i wish Vin Scully (luckily Marv Albert did a great job with the Westwood One radio call of the Tyree catch) or Al Michaels could’ve been the one in the booth. Joe Buck sucks.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Dec 31, 2008 7:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Joe Buck does suck.

Calendar year: 16-4, superbowl champions. Since everybody looks to simple record as the decider — hence the ‘72 Fins being considered “better” than the ’07 Pats — then to me you’d have to find a year that included those accomplishments. And I don’t think your’e going to find that. There’s a million intangibles that go with it, of course, but to me the most important one was being perhaps one of the biggest underdogs in superbowl history — the mean side of which was derailing 19-0.
But yes, best calendar year ever. And yes, Joe Buck sucks.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 31, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Old Time Giants Fan

I was born in Montreal and became a Giants fan in the late 50’s as the only US staion carried was a local Burlington based CBS affiliate and the Giants were the team followed. I watched them as a young boy when YA Tittle, Alex Webster, and Frank Gifford dominated the NFL.
Though I have never seen a Giants game live (lord knows I always wanted to), I have watched hundreds of them on TV. I am as devoted a fan that could possibly exist, never fair weathered, just loyal to the bone. I remember how incredibly dominating that 86 team was, how masterful Simms and Bavaro were, and how that D led by the best football player in history, LT, and his incredible buddies, Martin, and Banks ad infinatum, simply played a brand of football that was just masterful artistry.
That being said, like you, I agree that this year 2008, was simply THE most incredible in their history. Their road to the Superbowl, fueled with quiet but intense desire and fortitude, was simply amazing. It is as if somebody suspended the season, and the football gods looked down on this team and said “OK boys, its time now” From Eli’s sudden quiet confidence and understood leadership, to Plaxico’s game day presence, to a D which acted like the perfect orchestra totally in tune with their conductor (Spags). And then there was Tom Coughlin, a changed man only on the surface, the master motivator and brilliant football mind. It all culminated in the defeat of maybe the best football team in history, and the beginning of another great year, even with the loss of Osi, Strahan and others.
You are correct. 2008 will never be replicated, not even if the Gmen win 5 consecutive Super Bowls. It was a combination of the true meaning of the word “Team”, the word “Leadership” and the word “Magic”. Those of us lucky enough to love the greatest team on earth, "We have lived through the greatest year in the history of our team, and we are here to write about it.
Happy New Year to all, and may 2009 bring you all health, happiness, and my personal dream, tickets to Tampa to watch our boys come home with the Lombardi again

by CPoster5 on Jan 1, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

CPoster

Nice to have you here. I suspect you and George Cronin could spend forever discussing the old-time Giants.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 1, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My dad got into the Giants because they shared players with the Alouettes

and his first game he ever saw on TV was the Greatest game Ever Played. Since then he has followed the Giants, and I know his personal opinion is that the 86 team is the most dominant one he has ever seen. I was only 6 and not following football heavily at that time, so I do not have much recall of the 86 team.

I think best calender year has been 2008, but they are not the best team in Giant’s history (as of yet).

by brisulph on Jan 1, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs