SuperBowl Reflections

So i've had about two days and a parade viewing to let all that goodness stew in the ol' mind pot, and here are my condensed thoughts after that half mindless live blogging fiasco.

An unbelievable 3 quarters of Giants defense + an unbelievable final quarter of Giants offense = a GIANT victory.

First, the Defense.
secondary
As i discussed a few weeks ago, the Giants' secondary has thrived this season off of the defensive front's ability to get pressure on the quarterback. That being said, the front played an absolutely unbelievable game, manhandling the O-line on nearly every play. But even more startling was the ability of Giant defensive backs to contain in their coverage on the outside, regardless of the pressure. There were 3 plays i can recall where pressure didn't come for about 5 seconds, and sometimes 4 or 5 wide were running patterns, but Brady STILL couldn't find any receivers. Aside from the nearly indefensible Welker, Pat receivers were really held in check. Moss had a couple of big catches, but Webster did more than his fair share, often in single coverage, to bump moss of his routes, and played generally out-of-body man coverage.
backers
The key difference defensively between the Pats and Giants is the age and speed of their respective linebacker cores, and boy did that show. Kavika Mitchell is real, real, real fast. The quality of Pierce's intelligence, natural ability, and work ethic has never been questioned (although perhaps on that pass interference penalty), and Reggie Torbor's 72 Madden rating will most likely be the same next year, but who really was paying attention. In summary, these men were all over the field, disguising blitzes, and really benefiting from the front 4 pass rush in short coverage drop-backs.
line
Nothing to be said here that wasn't brutally apparent if you were at least a block away from your television. 19 knockdowns? I think that the next "Tuck rule" the NFL looks at concerning Brady should have to do with checking #91's limbs for metallic properties.


Now, the Offense (as a whole)
Eli "Unstoppable" Manning, living up to that watch commercial i have been making fun of him for daily - i will be making fun NO MORE. That last drive rivals any of the best superbowl/common nfl season last drive ever. Eli to Tyree? 'nuf said. Eli to Steve Smith? 'nuf said. Eli to Plax? 'nuf said. They sustained drives for a good portion of the game, and scored when they needed to. Aside from some obvious miscues throughout the game, the offense executed beautifully when necessary, and aside from some errant throws, Eli showed Elway like 2 minutes drill prowess.

Quick (Additional) Shout Outs

Steve Smith - you played 4 years at SC, Jarrett played 3...where are they now? I'll tell you where Steve Smith is, he's getting 4 more yards after the catch on the sideline for the crucial first down. Dwayne Jarrett is wishing the Panthers hadn't cut Key so he could have learned how to become an NFL ready player.
Justin Tuck - Wishing he could renegotiate that 5 year 30 mil contract into a more A-rod like deal.
Eli Manning - boy have I hated on you for the greater portion of your stay in the nfl...I now offer the white flag.

Belichick - Sucker old man. You are the personification of evil, and you lost, not to mention being up 4 points and going for it on 4th and 13 (instead of trying to go up by 7...and then having to watch Tom throw to the back of the endzone to 5'10" gaffney in double coverage). As a corollary, cheaters never win...um...or at least crack perfection.

Also, under-addressed by the media following the game, WHY WHY WHY are you single covering Plaxico "i catch touchdowns over midgets when deemed necessary" Burress with Ellis "i make up for my size with speed and shiftiness, but no, of course i can't go up for a jump ball" Hobbs...for all of your genius Bill, that was a blunder, plain and simple. That was absolutely disgusting.

Tom Brady - Better check Gisele's text message log. I wouldn't be surprised to see big E all over that by now.
Randy Moss - come back to the Vikings?
Junior, Teddy, Mike, Adalius, Rodney... - get off the juice, it's bad for you and NOT allowed

Wes - you deserve better, and are an absolutely amazing talent.

Final Take.
The Giants won this game with speed and magnificent heart. Way to leave it all on the field boys...still can't beat us in the meadowlands though YOU CLOWNS