'Kudos & Wet Willies,' Dallas Here We Come Edition
There are so many things to feel good about today as a New York Giants' fan.
• The teams' first playoff victory since 2000.
• A brilliant game by Eli Manning.
• Overcoming the Jeff Garcia Curse.
• A terrific defensive effort.
• Shutting up Ronde Barber.
• Getting another shot at the Dallas Cowboys.
Short of winning a Super Bowl, it doesn't get much better than this. A playoff victory on the road and an effort from Manning that tells you he can rise to the challenge in the biggest of spots.
A visit to Dallas looms, and the tall task of trying to knock off the Cowboys, but today I don't want to think about that.
Today, I want to revel in Sunday's accomplishment. So, let's get to the 'Kudos & Wet Willies.'
Kudos to ...
• Eli Manning: His numbers (20-of-27, 185 yards, 2 TDs and no turnovers) were impressive, but they weren't the whole story. The Buccaneers dared Eli to win the football game, and he did. He made the throws that had to be made, was creative, and was in control the entire game. It may have been the most commanding performance of Eli's career, and no matter what happens next week in Dallas it bodes well for the future of the franchise.
• Corey Webster: Every Giants' fan had to cringe when they realized Sam Madison's absence meant Webster would play every down. Webster, though, played the best game of his Giants career with an interception, a fumble recovery, a pass defensed and zero coverage breakdowns.
• Michael Strahan: Note to GM Jerry Reese -- whatever you have to do, get this guy to play next season. Strahan was a force Sunday, turning the clock back with a seven-tackle, one-sack, constant pressure game that left Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia running for his life.
• Ahmad Bradshaw: Modest numbers -- 17 carries, 66 carries and one catch for 9 yards. All you need to know, though, is that when the Giants needed yards to run out the clock late it was the rookie whom Tom Coughlin trusted and not Brandon Jacobs. Bradshaw is now unquestionably an important part of the Giants' offense.
• Tom Coughlin: With the first playoff victory of his Giants' tenure, and three straight impressive performances, Coughlin has the Giants pointed in the right direction. It's not really even debatable at this point -- there will be a long-term extension given to him during the off season.
• Kevin Gilbride: You can forget about that talk that the Giants need to replace Gilbride, too. It won't happen. Gilbride can be questioned for some of what he's done in the past, but called a brilliant game Sunday. When Tampa Bay took away the run, he did something the Giants have not done well in the past -- he adjusted. First, with the short passing game. Second, by getting the lightning-quick Bradshaw into the game. He deserves tons of credit for Sunday's performance.
• Amani Toomer: Nothing flashy, but 7 catches for 74 yards and one touchdown. The best wideout in Giants' history just keeps on doing his thing.
• Gray Reugemar: Replaced Shaun O'Hara at center for the first time this season. He didn't get his name called once for a penalty or a bad snap, and the Giants line play did not suffer at all. His anonymity deserves praise.
• Gerris Wilkinson: Seven tackles playing most of the game in place of Kawika Mitchell. This kid can play, and the Giants have got to find ways to get him on the field from now on.
• Steve Spagnuolo: After an opening touchdown drive, the rookie defensive coordinator dialed up the pressure on Jeff Garcia. The Giants only got one sack, but they pressured Garcia all day, didn't make any coverage mistakes, tackled well and, for the most part, stuffed the Buccaneers' offense.
Wet Willies to ...
• Ronde Barber: You wanted the Giants, you got 'em, and now you're getting to go home. Bye, bye! Maybe next time you'll keep your mouth shut!
• Barrett Ruud: The Buccaneers' linebacker has apparently been infected by Barber Disease, or, the inability to keep his mouth shut. His assessment of Eli and the Giants AFTER getting his butt kicked? "He made little, annoying third-down conversions when he needed to. If it is third-and-8, he gets 8 1/2 yards. That was frustrating."
Jerk! That's what good teams do. You got beat. In fact, you got dominated. Now, just shut up and go home!
• Lawrence Tynes: A light-hearted 'Wet Willie,' but Tynes showed why kickers are, well, kickers, with his feeble effort to recover the Tampa Bay fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half. Thank goodness Webster was there to pick it up so that we can laugh about it now.
• Osi Umenyiora: Only three tackles, no sacks and very little pressure on Garcia from the Pro Bowl defensive end. He will have to play better against Dallas next week.
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i think
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 7, 2008 7:41 AM EST reply actions
Gilbride
Couple of thoughts
The minute Bradshaw got in the game, everything changed.
Webster may finally be turning into the player the Giants thought he would be. We will have a better answer on Sunday
I say yesterday may have been Eli's best game for the following reasons:
- The first quarter went very badly, Eli didn't flinch
- No picks
- He had great pocket presence yesterday, many times stepping up and finding a second or third option.
Congratulations to the whole team, and to Coach Coughlin, who did an amazing job having this team ready to play, and not panicking when things didn't start well
LOL, when Tynes flubbed that ball, I was yelling at the TV "Thats why you use your feet for a living!!!"
Can't wait to hear the Barber shop on Sirius
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 7, 2008 8:14 AM EST reply actions
You forgot to give kudos to the Blabbers.
Thanks Blabbers
I think Eli is due for a stinker
However, that being said, the game really comes down to which team protects their QB the best. That was the difference in the 1st 2 games the Cowboys won and that will be the key to victory in this game as well, provided T.O. is healthy and ready to go which all indications is that he will be.
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 10:30 AM EST reply actions
Yeh
thats not true
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
If that's so
because its not so
by DieEaglesDie on Jan 7, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
because they were playing at home
I can't help the fact that the Bucs have been overrated all year and the so called "experts" fell into that trap.
Also, FYI, rarely do the so called experts pick against the favorite in the playoffs. Very rare.
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
The logic you use, if you wanna call it that,
Romo
yeah, just like the 1st 2 games
I really like the chances of Romo being upright and slicing up your secondary to shreads...again!
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, you're wrong as usual
LOL!!!
Thats really funny. Remember the Pats game? Remember Moss torching you guys?? Yeah, thats the Giants secondary I know and love.
You couldn't cover T.O. in 2 games, what makes you think you can cover him Sunday?
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
It's called momentum.
momentum is highly overrated
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
remember
TO is playing on one leg. what makes you think you can cover plax? your secondary blows too.
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 7, 2008 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
and your seconday doesn't??
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
582 yds and 8 Tds in 2 games
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
Not one game this season
you keep thinking the games they played
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 5:50 PM EST up reply actions
Go away!
by Ed Valentine on Jan 7, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
ETVal
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
jessica simpson
by DieEaglesDie on Jan 7, 2008 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
Jessica Simpson
by Josh @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Josh, jealously doesn't become you sir
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
Solid
Throw in a Carrie Underwood photo or two as well.
Big bucks?
that certainly won't bug me
by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 7, 2008 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
ET said Simpson shots
by DieEaglesDie on Jan 7, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
I couldn't agree more with the posts here.
I think this game, along with others, was proof that Bradshaw should get more playing time. He is quicker to the hole than Jacobs, and that could help to offset a quick Dallas defense. I could see Bradshaw taking a majority of snaps in the first half, then let Jacobs take over in the second half when the 'Boys get winded. Nothing like a freight train running through cars parked on the tracks.
This game was also a testament to sustained drives. If we score so quickly, everyone 'high-fives' each other and forgets the effect on the defense. It's time to do as we did in this game - and do it at Dallas. If we can't run the ball well, then go to the short pass; we don't have to take it all in one play. It's better for our D if we don't go for the score in one or two plays. Obviously, if it's there, take it. Just don't force it. It hurts their defense and helps ours.
There was some idiotic predictability with our play calling early on, but it looks as if Gilbride (or someone) made adjustments to suit the situation. Good call there, Ed.
As for Blib and Blab, who cares what they say? One mouthed off before the game, and as ED posted, got his wish. Nice catch in front of him, Toomer!
The other was once on our side but I'm willing to forget that because he currently has such a penchant for bad-mouthing us. Nice job, Terdi. Oh, I mean Tiki.
Hey how about a Kudo for
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 7, 2008 11:08 AM EST reply actions
Special teams
No coverage breakdowns
Feagles put every punt where it needed to be
And a fumble recovery.
Are you still taking nominations?
From the NY Times:
"Eli, he really played kind of poor," Buchanon added. "He was not even trying to make any longer throws or do anything drastic. But the game plan they had for him was a good one. They played it safe. It was all real controlled, safe pass patterns.
"He did a good job. But we missed tackles on crucial plays and couldn't get many pass breakups."
Worst bunch of sore losers in the NFL, that Tampa team.
wow
Even your most pessimistic Giants fan, and lord knows we have a few, would have to give Eli credit for his play yesterday
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 7, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply actions
Sore losers
id be whiny to
eli surgically removed tampa bay's balls, heart, and brain with that drive.
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 7, 2008 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
From the sounds of these comments
Buchanon
Very true
Ugh
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 8, 2008 7:42 AM EST reply actions
Only one way to shut up a Cowboy fan.....
I've never met one who didn't crawl in a hole when they weren't winning
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 8, 2008 9:33 AM EST reply actions
Wow!
Where did Gerris Wilkinson come from, under a rock...........never saw it coming......his speed is super impressive......can he rush the passer that fast?
Still on Gilbrides case though, how hard is it to figure out that Bradshaw is better at the ouside sweeps than Jacobs..........how much of a revelation does it take to figure that BJ is a solid in between the tackles guy?........ugh
Terry , I give a lot of credit for any female fan of the NFL to com over here and share an opinion.......even though I detect a note of jelousy towards poor misunderstood Jessica.
by big blue wrecking crew on Jan 8, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions

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