Croce_Blog-Giants

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New York Sports Franchises: What's Going On?

The New York Giants sit at the top of the NFC Wild Card standings at 9-5 and are in 2nd place in the NFC East. Most would think that at 9-5 the Giants are a shoe-in for one of the two NFC wild card spots. But I disagree. After an uninspired 22-10 lose to the Redskins, which I was lucky enough to attend, maybe the Giants destination in the playoffs is more a question than a sure answer. If the Giants do get into the playoffs, they still have a big problem; Eli Manning. Once again it was the "Eli show" but not in a good way. Although he threw for 184 yards and a touchdown, the Giants were 5-19 on 3rd down conversions. Brandon Jacobs, who is the Giants primary running back rushed for 130 yards, but dropped 5 balls. In addition to the Giants shaky offense, Jeremy Shockey, the Giants go-to tight end, is out for the rest of the season with a fractured fibula. The Giants explosive offense isn't as explosive or offensive as they were earlier in the year. The Giants defense played up to the standard as well, allowing 22 points. The Redskins Clinton Portis rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown, while the Redskins back up quarter back, Todd Collins, passed for 166 yards, while going just 8/26. Another big point is the Giants lost to the Redskins, who are another wild card contender. This lose has hurt the Giants in their playoff hopes and may come back to bite them big time in the last week of the season. But at least the Giants have a chance at the playoffs, even if it's a slim chance. The New York Jets lost 20-10 to the 14-0 steam-rolling machine of a football known as the New England Patriots. The lose set the Jets back to 3-10 in what has been a miserable season which most Jet fan wish would end now. Enough said. Finally, I come to the New York Knicks. What is there left to say that hasn't been said. They currently sit in last place in their division with a 7-17 record. Their most recent lose 119-92 to the Indiana Pacers, in what can be said as a "heartless" effort by the players. Isaiah Thomas, the Knicks president and head coach Isaiah Thomas came out Monday after the lose and described it as "not the way I play the game." It's obvious at this point that the Knicks are unsettled. They fight with each other on and off the court. Maybe Thomas isn't the man for the job; actually Isaiah isn't the man for this job. The players don't respect him. This situation needs to be resolved soon. Basically in recent weeks, New York franchises have been making mockeries of themselves on the field. Between the Knicks, Giants and Jets, I don't know who to watch because each one has a chance of a meltdown at any point in the game. Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait for the spring for the Yankees to start playing again.

Entry 2(1/6/08)

Well, it seems as if i've been proven wrong. The first team to do so is the New York Giants. At the time I wrote my first entry, the Giants had just lost to the Redskins and were on the verge of missing the playoffs. The final spot looked as if it would go to the Vikings. well, things can change at the blink of an eye. The giants came through, winning at the Buffalo Bills 38-21 to secure a playoff spot. Their next game was a showdown with the New England Patriots. The Patriots were undefeated going into the game. The Giants had a chance to put a mark on the Pats squeeky clean record and make them just another one lose team. This epic battle didn't mean anything to either team would take place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The game was a triple broadcast, across FOX, NBC and UPN9. The Giants came out early and began dominating the game. By the end of the first half, the Giants were up 21-17. They continued this dominance in the second half but the PAtriots showed why they were undeafeted. Tom Brady passed for 356 yds and 2 touchdowns. Wes Welker and randy Moss caught the ball for over a hundred yards each. On the other side, Eli Manning passed for 251 yds and 4 touchdowns. Brandon Jacobs rushed for just 67 yds in what was a passing-dominated game. The game meant nothing to either team in regards to advancing into the playoffs. Both teams had clinshed the playoffs previously. Although, it meant everything to the Pats. With this win, they became the first team to go undeafeted in thrity five years. In addition to that record, Tom Brady set the record for most touchdown passes in a season with 50, previously held by Peyton Manning. Randy Moss set the record for most touchdown catches in a season with 23, which was previously held by Jerry Rice. In addition to this the Patriots broke the single season record for points scored with 589, which was originally 552 held by the '98 Vikings. The Giants didn't let that lose get in their way either. In Tampa Bay the Giants silenced their critics, like me with a convincing 24-14 win over the Bucaneers. This win advances the Giants to the next round where they will play the Cowboys. The Giants still have some work to do but so far they've exceeded many people's expectations. We'll just have to wait and see if they can continue this dominance in Dallas. But I'm still waiting for the Knicks and Jets to turn around but I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up.

Entry 3(1/7/08)

Despite the NFL playoffs over the past weekend and the exciting results that came, I'd like to steer your attention to something else, the BCS Championship Game between No.1 Ohio State and No.2 LSU. This game is for all the chips. It will be held in the Superdome in New Orleans, Luisianna tonight, Monday the 7th. Even though Ohio State and LSU are the two teams in the championship game, do they deserve it? Well, not LSU in my opinion. I mean sure, they're number 2 but they are also the first two-loss team to compete in a BCS championship game. The other two-loss teams were Georgia and USC. Both of them won big in their bowl games. So, what makes LSU better? Well, we may never know.

Entry 4(1/15/07)

Last night, one of the big college basketball giants, number 6 Georgetown lost for the first time in Big East play. Their opponent was an injury-riddled Pittsburgh, who was ranked number 16 in the country at the time of the game. It seemed as if it would be an easy night for John Thompson III, head coach of Georgetown. But they would get more than they could handle. After both a poor performance inside and from the field, here is my question; is Georgetown still up there with the likes of Kansas, Memphis, UNC? Well, at this moment i don't think so. Last night was Georgetown's second loss of the season, the first coming from Memphis earlier this season. After that it seemed like things were getting difficult for the Hoya's. They needed a last second three from their big 7'2 Center Roy Hibbert to edge the UConn Huskies last Saturday. Do i think Georgetown is going to be there come March when it matters? Of course. They're still a great team but at the moment they're in a slump. But if Georgetown don't pick it up they could find themselves in trouble.

Entry 5(1/21/08)

It's now January 21st, a day after the NFC championship game and I'm still having trouble coming to grips with what6 happened Sunday night. If you happened to miss it or you're just not a fan of football, the New York Giants, a team doubted by many, most notable former running back Tiki barber, have defeated Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau field. The score was 23-20. It took three field goal attempts from Laurence Tynes to send the Giants through. Eli Manning ahd yet another spectacular game in -4 degree weather, throwing for over 200 yards. The Giants, as many know were in jeopardy of not evening clincing a spot in the playoffs back in December. But in recent weeks they've turned it around. Now, on February 3rd, the Giants will take on the 18-0 New England Partiots in some a more suitable climate in Glendale, Arizona, for Superbowl 42. This comes as a huge shock to many with the Giants being there, especially with Eli Manning as their quarterback. During the season eli's touchdown to interception rate was 19-19. In the playoffs it's 8-1. Eli has been playing his best football in recent weeks. Let's just hope the Giants can pull of another upset and cap this Cinderella story against this machine we call the New England Patriots.