Ed touched on this Sunday, and I'd have to agree--we feel somewhat vindicated as Giants' fans, being that the world champion Packers are the team that stole that last wild card spot from us. Well, not stole--beat the crap out of us, in Week 16. It feels somewhat okay now, for two reasons--the team that beat the Giants down were the eventual champs; and because the Packers proved that they deserved that playoff spot. Of course, the Giants could have beaten any of those teams that Green Bay did, but we'll never know that, and we should congratulate Aaron Rodgers and the Packers on a really awesome playoff run that ended with the quarterback hoisting the Lombardi trophy and winning the Super Bowl MVP Award.
Aaron Rodgers dwarfs Ben Roethlisberger in the clutch, carries Green Bay Packers to Super Bowl title
They talked about the Lombardi Trophy going home when it was over, talked about that trophy going back to Lambeau Field, to Lombardi Way and Oneida St. and Ridge Rd., making one of the most magical places in American sports into the capital of pro football again. It only happens because Aaron Rodgers was as great as any Packers quarterback has ever been with the championship of his sport on the line. It only happens because Rodgers made the plays you always dream about making in the game of your life.
I just have to say, that, after having lived in three other states besides New York, you really come to appreciate the writing of guys like Mike Lupica.
Super Bowl Ring Helps Rodgers Secure Place in Packers Lore - NYTimes.com
But on Sunday, Rodgers slammed the door on any remaining vestige of the Favre era in Green Bay. Playing on the greatest stage of his career, Rodgers was magnificent in securing the one piece of validation he needed. He won his first Super Bowl, 31-25. That gives him as many rings as Peyton Manning and Drew Brees — and, by the way, Favre.
This makes for an interesting debate, because when Rodgers was asked before the game if winning it all would erase all of the Favre comparisons, he firmly said "no." And he's right. He will always be tied to Favre, no matter how many rings he wins in Green Bay.
If you want to argue about whether or not the Giants were one-hit wonders in 2007, read this post in the San Jose Mercury News. It'll get your blood boiling just a bit. I realize we lost in the playoffs after the 2008 season, but when a team goes 12-4 the year after winning it all, they are not "one-hit wonders."
Hoss' S.B. XXV heroics almost never happened - AP Featured News - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports -
Hostetler, who spent his first five years in the league backing up Phil Simms, opened the 1990 season in similar fashion. He played in a reserve role through 14 games until Simms broke his foot against Buffalo, in week 15. Hostetler came on to close out that loss to the Bills, but he wouldn't lose again that season.
From the point of view of where Hostetler played collegiate ball, and another warming February memory.
Baseball, football share the ties that bind | MLB.com: News
• Kerry Collins: The New York Giants' Super Bowl XXXV quarterback was a thrice-drafted infielder who consistently rejected the attention, from the Tigers in 1990 (26th round) and 1991 (60th) and from the Blue Jays in 1994 (48th).
Did any of you know or remember that Collins was such a coveted baseball player? Many of you may also not know that Collins has also become an aspiring songwriter while living in Nashville these past few years.
Speaking of songs, my title this morning is courtesy of the band Semisonic for their breakout 1998 album release, Feeling Strangely Fine. Of course, the reason that album is especially relevant here is because it spawned the band's mega-hit, "Closing Time," -- appropriate now as the 2010 NFL season has officially ended, with no guarantee that the 2011 season will begin on time, if at all.......