UNHWildCats Releases Official Statement Regarding Super Bowl XLII

[UNHWildCats]

I will reserve comments on Super Bowl XLII until such a time as I can view the game tape of the closing minutes of the game.

I will say now that the New York Giants defense played one hell of a game.

And for those who had words to say about Tom Brady following this game. He did his job by driving the team downfield and scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Even the greatest of quarterbacks of all time can't be expected to go 89 yards in 35 seconds.

This loss is not on Tom Brady's shoulders.

Again, I will have no further comments on this game until I review the game tape.

Thank you.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Giants played a great game and deserved to win. However there is one play that will bother me forever. It was the play where the Pats stripped Manning and the Pats player obviously recovered the ball and was down by contact yet somehow the Giants player wrestled the ball away from him. I don't understand how Belichick didn't review that play. xconfusedx

[CoastalFan2005]

Travis, I'm not trying to be an a-hole here, but what is there to review? The Giants won; the Patriots lost. I'm confused why you need to "review the last few minutes of the game" before you can make any further comment. xconfusedx xcoffeex

[UNCBears2010]

Travis, I'm not trying to be an a-hole here, but what is there to review? The Giants won; the Patriots lost. I'm confused why you need to "review the last few minutes of the game" before you can make any further comment. xconfusedx xcoffeex

He needs to get some Prozac.

[dbackjon]

Brady played like crap - he was nervous, under pressure, made awful throws.

[Mountaineer]

A more official version.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/8751/unhpressnu8.jpg


:p :D :p

[Cleets]

Brady played like crap - he was nervous, under pressure, made awful throws.

He was getting hammered back there..!!! xlolx
The Giants D-Line worked it's ass off and won that game



xnodx

[DuckDuckGriz]

I will reserve comments on Super Bowl XLII until such a time as I can view the game tape of the closing minutes of the game.

I will say now that the New York Giants defense played one hell of a game.

And for those who had words to say about Tom Brady following this game. He did his job by driving the team downfield and scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Even the greatest of quarterbacks of all time can't be expected to go 89 yards in 35 seconds.

This loss is not on Tom Brady's shoulders.

Again, I will have no further comments on this game until I review the game tape.

Thank you.

And here is your first mistake..........
;)

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Brady played like crap - he was nervous, under pressure, made awful throws.

You're outta your mind. Brady played awesome given the fact his oline couldn't block for crap. He was 29-48 with a TD an no Ints. Brady and Welker were the only guys on offense that came to play tonight. If it wasn't for Eli's great escape Brady would have won MVP and deservedly so. The fact he was getting killed and made no throwing errors was incredible. To say Brady played like crap is about as far away from the truth as you can get.

[brownbear]

You're outta your mind. Brady played awesome given the fact his oline couldn't block for crap. He was 29-48 with a TD an no Ints. Brady and Welker were the only guys on offense that came to play tonight. If it wasn't for Eli's great escape Brady would have won MVP and deservedly so. The fact he was getting killed and made no throwing errors was incredible. To say Brady played like crap is about as far away from the truth as you can get.

Though he did not have any interceptions (Eli shouldn't have had any because the WR should have caught it), he had a lot of passes that were underthrown by about 5 yards. He didn't look like his normal self.

[FCS Preview]

I will reserve comments on Super Bowl XLII until such a time as I can view the game tape of the closing minutes of the game.

I will say now that the New York Giants defense played one hell of a game.

And for those who had words to say about Tom Brady following this game. He did his job by driving the team downfield and scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Even the greatest of quarterbacks of all time can't be expected to go 89 yards in 35 seconds.

This loss is not on Tom Brady's shoulders.

Again, I will have no further comments on this game until I review the game tape.

Thank you.

I guess you do need to review the tape.

1) The Patriots got the ball back with 29 seconds left.
2) They got the ball back on their 26 yard line.
3) They needed 74 yards for a TD, not 89...however, they didn't need a TD just a FG.
4) Their kicker's longest FG was 52 yards, so they needed to get to the 35 of the Giants. So they needed to go 39 yards...not 89 yards.

[OB55]

Yep, defensive game plan together with intensive execution equals giving the offense a chance to score enough points to win.

A very well played game, not many mistakes, a few key plays, but.............clearly won by NY.

[brownbear]

I guess you do need to review the tape.

1) The Patriots got the ball back with 29 seconds left.
2) They got the ball back on their 26 yard line.
3) They needed 74 yards for a TD, not 89...however, they didn't need a TD just a FG.
4) Their kicker's longest FG was 52 yards, so they needed to get to the 35 of the Giants. So they needed to go 39 yards...not 89 yards.

Yes, but considering they wouldn't go with Gostkowski for a 48-yarder, do you think they would for a 52-yarder?

[TheValleyRaider]

The Giants played a great game and deserved to win. However there is one play that will bother me forever. It was the play where the Pats stripped Manning and the Pats player obviously recovered the ball and was down by contact yet somehow the Giants player wrestled the ball away from him. I don't understand how Belichick didn't review that play. xconfusedx

Looking at the replays, the Pats never actually had possession. The ball appears to squirt out of his arms before Bradshaw got to it, so it looked live. Now, I might be biased ;), but given Belichick didn't challenge it and the Pats didn't seem to complain too much, that seems reasonable to me

[JackTwice]

The Giants played a great game and deserved to win. However there is one play that will bother me forever. It was the play where the Pats stripped Manning and the Pats player obviously recovered the ball and was down by contact yet somehow the Giants player wrestled the ball away from him. I don't understand how Belichick didn't review that play. xconfusedx

This is probably the wrong place for a serious question but here is one that has been bothering me. How does Belicheck get a review on a penalty call? I thought that penalties could not get reviewed. If you can get a review on too many men on the field why can't you get a review on pass interference or holding?

[ngineer]

Giant defense was awesome. The pressure on Brady was tremendous. It took a former Eagle defensive coach and Jim Johnson guru to get the Big Blue to play the way it did..saw a lot of Johnson in the pressure calls Spagnualo was calling.
Don't know what there is to review. Manning was clearly down before the ball came out.
Congrats to the Giants..at least the tough Eastern Div. showed how good it was.

[Dane96]

The Giants played a great game and deserved to win. However there is one play that will bother me forever. It was the play where the Pats stripped Manning and the Pats player obviously recovered the ball and was down by contact yet somehow the Giants player wrestled the ball away from him. I don't understand how Belichick didn't review that play. xconfusedx

You cannot review a play that is called, on the field, as a recovered fumble by one of the teams. That is the rule as I understand it.

[furpal87]

For some reason that's on the list.
I think for these reasons:
1) It's easy to see
2) Factual, non-judgemental (holding/pass interference)
3) involves a guy getting off/on sideline in time.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

This is probably the wrong place for a serious question but here is one that has been bothering me. How does Belicheck get a review on a penalty call? I thought that penalties could not get reviewed. If you can get a review on too many men on the field why can't you get a review on pass interference or holding?

I believe too many men on the field is the only penalty that can be reviewed because it's not a judgement call. It's a cut and dry call.

[Dane96]

You're outta your mind. Brady played awesome given the fact his oline couldn't block for crap. He was 29-48 with a TD an no Ints. Brady and Welker were the only guys on offense that came to play tonight. If it wasn't for Eli's great escape Brady would have won MVP and deservedly so. The fact he was getting killed and made no throwing errors was incredible. To say Brady played like crap is about as far away from the truth as you can get.

Brady did not play like crap-- He also didnt play great. The offense was dunk plays under the coverage for Welker. Great to give what the D gave him. Brady, however, did not make one big pass (distance) all game. He over threw and under threw Moss all game.

He does, however, have a rocket arm...

[08Dawg]

Singular MVP of the Game: Eli Manning
Unit MVP of the Game: Giants D-line

[Dane96]

I believe too many men on the field is the only penalty that can be reviewed because it's not a judgement call. It's a cut and dry call.

100% Correct.

[Grizalltheway]

Yes, but considering they wouldn't go with Gostkowski for a 48-yarder, do you think they would for a 52-yarder?

Looks like the Vinateri curse is alive and well. xnodx

[Dane96]

Singular MVP of the Game: Eli Manning
Unit MVP of the Game: Giants D-line

Eli was great...but the D-Line was unconscious. They were mean and nasty. That vicious sack by the rookie was on a four man bull rush. That...was impressive.

[JackTwice]

I believe too many men on the field is the only penalty that can be reviewed because it's not a judgement call. It's a cut and dry call.

Wouldn't facemask/horse collar penalties be included then.

I'm not trying to be contradictory, I am trying to get my arms around this one. It just seems a bit out there.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Looks like the Vinateri curse is alive and well. xnodx

I'm not too sure if it would have made a difference. Vinateri is not the same kicker he was 3-4 years ago. In fact he was 0-3 this year beyond 40 yards.

[brownbear]

Wouldn't facemask/horse collar penalties be included then.

I'm not trying to be contradictory, I am trying to get my arms around this one. It just seems a bit out there.

I didn't know you could challenge any penalties before that play happened. Seems like a silly rule. Also, if Belichick didn't have the benefit of a 10 minute commercial break to look over the play, I don't know if he would have challenged it in time before the Giants would have snapped it.

[Cleets]

This is probably the wrong place for a serious question but here is one that has been bothering me. How does Belicheck get a review on a penalty call? I thought that penalties could not get reviewed. If you can get a review on too many men on the field why can't you get a review on pass interference or holding?

He was simply reviewing the fact that there were 12 players on the filed... not the call

and there were 12 players on the filed...

[brownbear]

He was simply reviewing the fact that there were 12 players on the filed... not the call

and there were 12 players on the filed...

So can you challenge the opposite call: the refs throw a flag, but there actually were only 11 players on the field?

[Rob Iola]

The Giants played a great game and deserved to win. However there is one play that will bother me forever. It was the play where the Pats stripped Manning and the Pats player obviously recovered the ball and was down by contact yet somehow the Giants player wrestled the ball away from him. I don't understand how Belichick didn't review that play. xconfusedx
Are you talking about the botched handoff where Bradshaw somehow pried the ball out of the arms of the Pats defender, or the strip from behind on Mannings 5 yard scramble? On the scramble his knees were clearly down long before the ball came loose...

What I can't understand is Belichick going for it on 4th and 13 when he's got Gostkoski (sp?) who should be quite comfortable from 48 yards - that decision will be debated long and hard by the Boston sportswriters...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Are you talking about the botched handoff where Bradshaw somehow pried the ball out of the arms of the Pats defender, or the strip from behind on Mannings 5 yard scramble? On the scramble his knees were clearly down long before the ball came loose...

What I can't understand is Belichick going for it on 4th and 13 when he's got Gostkoski (sp?) who should be quite comfortable from 48 yards - that decision will be debated long and hard by the Boston sportswriters...

The handoff where Bradshaw pried the ball from the Pats defender. I was watching the game with 3 Giants fans and even they couldn't believe Belichick didn't review it. The Pats defender clearly had the bad and was touched meaning the play was over. Atleast that's what the rule states.

[Cleets]

That said... all-in-all a great game from the officials and the coaches...
one sketchy play is fairly awesome considering how ban it gets some times

[siuham]

There was another game earlier in the season where a coach reviewed the 12 men on the field thing and won...anyone remember what that was from? It was later in the season, but I can't for the life of me remember what game.

[JoltinJoe]

Brady did not play like crap-- He also didnt play great. The offense was dunk plays under the coverage for Welker. Great to give what the D gave him. Brady, however, did not make one big pass (distance) all game. He over threw and under threw Moss all game.

He does, however, have a rocket arm...

I thought maybe his ankle injury was affecting his accuracy downfield, although he was also pressured on a lot of throws too. For whatever reason, you are correct, Brady lacked accuracy beyond 15 yards or so.

[Syntax Error]

wasn't that much of an upset, I knew the Giants would win (I posted it here)... wasn't that much of an upset that App St beat Michigan either.

[Cobblestone]

Congrats to the Giants. Their D-Line played one of the best games I've ever seen any defensive line play. I remember watching Justin Tuck when he played for Notre Dame and seeing that he had pass rushing techniques that were good enough to make him an NFL player one day.

I don't think the Pats played that badly just that the Giants played better. All in all I think it was one of the best Super Bowls ever.

[BlueHen86]

I will reserve comments on Super Bowl XLII until such a time as I can view the game tape of the closing minutes of the game.
I will say now that the New York Giants defense played one hell of a game.

And for those who had words to say about Tom Brady following this game. He did his job by driving the team downfield and scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Even the greatest of quarterbacks of all time can't be expected to go 89 yards in 35 seconds.

This loss is not on Tom Brady's shoulders.

Again, I will have no further comments on this game until I review the game tape.
Thank you.

We may be waiting a while. Rumor has it Belichick destroyed the game tapes, along with those of the Jets signal calling and Rams walk through.;)

[813Jag]

Congrats to the Giants. Their D-Line played on the best games I've ever seen any defensive line play. I remember watching Justin Tuck when he played for Notre Dame and seeing that he had pass rushing techniques that were good enough to make him an NFL player one day.

I don't think the Pats played that badly just that the Giants played better. All in all I think it was one of the best Super Bowls ever.
I'm glad it turned out to be a low scoring game. Lots of good defense played by both teams with a few spectacular plays. Eli showed good escapability last night.

BTW did anyone notice Chris Berman get kind of testy with Tom Jackson after the game?

[kardplayer]

There was another game earlier in the season where a coach reviewed the 12 men on the field thing and won...anyone remember what that was from? It was later in the season, but I can't for the life of me remember what game.

Skins/Vikings Sunday Night week 16 - Vikes had too many on the field, cost them a possession. I think it might have been on a punt too.

[Rob Iola]

There was another game earlier in the season where a coach reviewed the 12 men on the field thing and won...anyone remember what that was from? It was later in the season, but I can't for the life of me remember what game.
Believe it was Redskins v. Vikings on Monday night, when all the Vikes had to do was win at home to get into the playoffs.

[BlueHen86]

I'm glad it turned out to be a low scoring game. Lots of good defense played by both teams with a few spectacular plays. Eli showed good escapability last night.

BTW did anyone notice Chris Berman get kind of testy with Tom Jackson after the game?
Didn't Burress predict 21-17 Giants?

As I recall, Brady laughed at the idea that the Giants could hold the Patriots to 17 points.

[ISUMatt]

The play of the game was on the Giants final drive when Eli got away from 2 defenders and threw up a prayer that David Tyree made an unbelievable catch with Harrison all over him. It kepy a drive alive instead of 4th and 5. The rookie Smith was awesome too. The Giants lesser known targets (Tyree, Smith, Boss) all stepped up and did the job.

[813Jag]

Didn't Burress predict 21-17 Giants?

As I recall, Brady laughed at the idea that the Giants could hold the Patriots to 17 points.
He predicted 23-17, Brady thought they would score at least 41 points. xlolx Looks like Plax knew what he was talking about.

[tribe_pride]

Skins/Vikings Sunday Night week 16 - Vikes had too many on the field, cost them a possession. I think it might have been on a punt too.

Not a punt but the Skins fumbled the ball around the 50 and the Vikings recovered the ball. Like this play the 12th guy was trying to sprint off of the field. Unlike this play, the Redskins were kind of moving in a hurryup so there was almost no time to change players. Huge turning point in that game.

[andy7171]

Up until Manning's "great escape" and completion to Tyrese, who made an equally impossible catch, I would have given the MVP to Tuck. He destroyed #71 all game. Hat's off to the Jints d-line.
But that play is something that will be in Super Bowl highlights for the rest of time.

[Mountain Panther]

I will reserve comments on Super Bowl XLII until such a time as I can view the game tape of the closing minutes of the game.

I will say now that the New York Giants defense played one hell of a game.

And for those who had words to say about Tom Brady following this game. He did his job by driving the team downfield and scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Even the greatest of quarterbacks of all time can't be expected to go 89 yards in 35 seconds.

This loss is not on Tom Brady's shoulders.

Again, I will have no further comments on this game until I review the game tape.

Thank you.

Defense wins championships.

[Thunderstruck84]

I think another reason why the Pats might not have challenged the fumble that Bradshaw supposedly recovered was that it set up a 3rd and 16 and the Giants O had been doing nothing since the first drive. So they might've figured that they'll get the ball back anyway without risking losing the timeout and it's pretty obvious they're confident in their offense (going for it on 4th and 13 while in FG range???) so the extra 35-40 yards from the punt probably wouldn't have bothered them.

Btw, anyone else think Belichick, Brady, and the rest of the Pats will receive all the same crap that Moss did a few years back for walking off the field with time on the clock?

[danefan]

Belicheck (Sp?) made a bonehead calll that have cost them the game.

4th and 13 and you go for it?
Really?
You're kicker has the leg, it was only 48 yards.
The percentage of 4 and longs that are converted in the NFL is so small. What a bonehead call on his part.

[andy7171]

Btw, anyone else think Belichick, Brady, and the rest of the Pats will receive all the same crap that Moss did a few years back for walking off the field with time on the clock?
They should, but I doubt it. Bellichick is catching all he11 for it though, but for being "classless" not a quitter.

In all honesty though, the playclock operator should have just let it run out. xcoffeex

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Didn't Burress predict 21-17 Giants?

As I recall, Brady laughed at the idea that the Giants could hold the Patriots to 17 points.


Yes he did

[Thunderstruck84]

They should, but I doubt it. Bellichick is catching all he11 for it though, but for being "classless" not a quitter.

In all honesty though, the playclock operator should have just let it run out. xcoffeex
I understand your point, but this isn't rec league basketball, it's the biggest game of the year. There was still another snap needed to finish off a very tightly contested game, maybe it would be more prudent to let the last few seconds run off if it was a 10 or 14 point game.

Back when Moss did it I hated it because I thought "What if everyone on the team would do something like that, now that would be really bush league", and sure enough, there the Pats are to prove that correct.

[Rob Iola]

The Fox playclock did go to zero and then was reset - don't know if the same thing happened on the stadium clock - hence the coaches (and the goofy guys in the lime-green lanyards with the red flags) coming together prematurely midfield. However, Belichick should've stayed on the field until his players were done playing - that's what a coach does.

[OB55]

Well......at least Moss kept his pseudo pants up. :D

[Peems]

Through all the interviews I thought Moss was the most honest, and seemed to take the loss the best.

[Peems]

Boston's other biggest homer releases official statement:D

Simmons:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080204

[Pards Rule]

Basically the Patriots were beaten up front. I also think they knew Tom's high ankle sprain was being underplayed and they realized he couldn't haul the long ball effectively. Steve "Spags", the Giants DC, just came this year to the Giants after an 8 year stint as assistant for the Eagles under DC Jim Johnson.

[Peems]

Basically the Patriots were beaten up front. I also think they knew Tom's high ankle sprain was being underplayed and they realized he couldn't haul the long ball effectively. Steve "Spags", the Giants DC, just came this year to the Giants after an 8 year stint as assistant for the Eagles under DC Jim Johnson.

Aikman said that when they talked to Brady he stated that the long ball is where he would have trouble and that is exactly where his troubles were. Spags is probably going to be the next Redskins HC.

[UNHWildCats]

Boston's other biggest homer releases official statement:D

Simmons:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080204


Am I on the same level as Bill Simmons? Maybe I should ask CNNSI if it needs a resident Boston homer lol

[tribe_pride]

They should, but I doubt it. Bellichick is catching all he11 for it though, but for being "classless" not a quitter.

In all honesty though, the playclock operator should have just let it run out. xcoffeex

I disagree. Both coaches had already come together shook hands and even hugged. I think most people thought the game was over and it was. It wasn't classless.

You are right about the playclock operator though.

[TheValleyRaider]

Boston's other biggest homer releases official statement:D

Simmons:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080204

I gotta say, he actually writes better when he's talking about his teams losing. You get that usual "perspective" stuff when talking about losing

Touchy-feely stuff over, I enjoyed reading this after his "Perfect Storm" prediction xnodx xrulesx


Spags is probably going to be the next Redskins HC.

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Please sign Mariucci xprayx

[Peems]

Am I on the same level as Bill Simmons? Maybe I should ask CNNSI if it needs a resident Boston homer lol

His homerism is sad and pathetic yours is actually inspirational

[UNHWildCats]

His homerism is sad and pathetic yours is actually inspirational
why is my homerism inspirational? lol

[Peems]

why is my homerism inspirational? lol

you love no matter what the circumstances. Simmons will complain

[UNHWildCats]

ahhhh....