The Patriots had high hopes for being the first 19-0 team, which some might say eclipses the '72 Dolphins' quest for gridiron immortality.
The Giants quashed those hopes in one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets, if not in my mind THE greatest Super Bowl upset (Sorry Broadway Joe......you didnt break 3 tackles and throw a bullet to a receiver only to have him catch it against his helmet, guarantee or not).
However.......let's not get our high hopes up for a repeat of that same electrifying montage of nail biting, gut wrenching and ultimately, glorifying football.
The main issue on both teams' minds: Injuries. With Osi Umenyiora out for the season during the loss to the Jets (and yes, I do believe the Madden Curse will befall the savior of Gang Green in a sort of karmic twist), and Mathias Kiwanuka shifting back to his old position at DE, it has some worrying that the defense which was so vaunted in the Super Bowl would not be the same. However, Strahan or not, this is one of the more underrated defenses in the league. As they proved compared to the Pats' been there, done that defense made up of old men (yes, Junior Seau at 39 counts), they were young and hungry enough to go out and slap Tom Brady around, unaware of any intimidation factor. This makes them very dangerous, especially on overconfident teams like the Pats. Although Brady is hobbling around with his foot injury that was the source of much speculation leading up to the title game, the Pats' line is one of the best in the league and will provide plenty of protection to whoever is in the pocket. Hence, the D-unit will have to step up and make some big plays, especially Kiwanuka. However.....if Kiwanuka cannot make those crucial stops, like he did with Vince Young a couple years back........I say we bring Mike Strahan back alimony or not.
Offensively, the Big Blue Sky is a little cloudy. Although Eli Manning has reaaaaaaaaally stepped up, same as Peyton did during his 3rd and 4th years, the receiving picture is not that great. Plaxico Burress has been hobbled by an ankle injury throughout camp, and Mario Manningham and Sinorice Moss (Santana's little bro) have both been out as well. Amani Toomer is 34, which is like 75 in real person years. He is still reliable but age is quickly catching up, a la Torry Holt. This is where your running game really starts to make things a lot easier for you. The Giants have opted to have it by committee, with 3 very talented runningbacks being the band. Small tank.........er I mean running back Brandon Jacobs will continue to smash through defenses and for all you fantasy owners out there, who else would you want in those red zone situations? Ahmad Bradshaw is very quick and maneuverable, being able to slash his way through defenses and Derrick Ward with some of the better explosive power in a 3rd man committee I have seen. The only question mark will be if Jacobs is happy with the sharing. He might not buy into the "caring is sharing" belief and he could be gone next year if he does not get the lions' share.
Both teams have been very concerned over the health of their starters. With good reason, seeing there are very high expectations on both teams. You will see 1st team offense and defense come out and showboat for a good 10-20 plays but don't expect much else. Otherwise, it should be a fun game if for nothing more than bragging rights as the last pre-season game of the 2008-09 season. It will be kept close but I do see the Giants pulling it out, 28-21.
Stay tuned for more information as the season unfolds. As a Giants fan since watching LT play breadstick with Joe Theismann's leg at the wee age of 2 1/2, the season after a Super Bowl is always most exciting. Or.......the Giants can revert back to their old ways and make them the most frustrating team to watch. Either way, it should be an excellent season with a team definetely on the rise, and it is an honor to share with you ladies and gents all the excitement of football in New York.
Have a great and safe Labor Day weekend. See you next Wednesday for my preview of Giants-Skins. Oh, and here is a lesson to be learned about Rocks, Paper, Scissors.
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