Tue Feb 5 15:57:28 2008

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Giant Killers: New York writes its own glorious story

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(Sports Network) - The Super Bowl is the one game capable of forever defining a player's legacy. Joe Namath's Hall of Fame resume was built almost exclusively on his role in the New York Jets' historic upset of the Baltimore Colts nearly 40 years ago, while Scott Norwood became a household name all because of a failed last-second field goal attempt on the NFL's biggest stage.

Eli Manning and David Tyree became the latest to have their careers permanently altered because of performances that were crucial to the New York Giants' thrilling 17-14 victory over the seemingly-invincible New England Patriots this past Sunday in Super Bowl XLII.

Manning's sudden coming-of-age during the G-Men's remarkable postseason run reached its apex with a clutch fourth-quarter showing one would normally associate with the much-maligned quarterback's counterpart on Sunday, Tom Brady. He calmly and skillfully engineered two long touchdown drives in the final 15 minutes, the final one a 12-play, 83-yard march that secured what team owner John Mara would term "the greatest win in New York Giants history."

That Montana-esque series not only landed Manning the game's Most Valuable Player award, it gave the fourth-year pro membership into the most exclusive and coveted fraternity of quarterbacks, not to mention a rare opportunity to step out of big brother Peyton's omnipresent shadow. He amassed 152 of his 255 passing yards on those two pivotal late drives and capped both with scoring strikes.

The most memorable of Manning's 19 completions on Sunday came with New York faced with a 3rd-and-five on its own 44-yard line and just over a minute left to play. In a rare John Elway-like moment for the traditional pocket passer, Manning managed to elude Patriot defenders Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour and heaved the ball down the middle of the field for Tyree, who out-leaped safety Rodney Harrison at the New England 24 in the signature play of the evening.

"I found a way to get loose, and just really threw it up," said Manning. "(Tyree) made an unbelievable catch and saved the game."

That acrobatic 32-yard grab cast the seldom-used Tyree, who had a mere four receptions during the regular season, into the unlikely spotlight in much the same way the Big Game had done to previous unknowns like Timmy Smith, Jack Squirek and Mike Jones. The New Jersey native also had a five-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter that gave the Giants a 10-7 lead, and finished with three receptions totaling 44 yards.

There were other unforeseen heroes on the game-winning drive. Rookie receiver Steve Smith kept New York's hopes alive with a nifty 12-yard catch-and-run on 3rd-and-11 and only 45 seconds left on the clock. Manning's next pass landed in the arms of a wide-open Plaxico Burress, the guy who had the audacity to predict a Giants' victory over the then-unbeaten Pats on Media Day, in the left corner of the end zone for the go-ahead points.

Burress' comments garnered him plenty of heat from the Boston reporting contingent, the same group that had modestly dubbed its hometown the "City of Champions" and advertised advanced orders of a book chronicling the Patriots' supposedly inevitable 19-0 season.

As it turned out, this Super Bowl had a perfect ending of its own, albeit with a slightly different plot twist.

HIGH PRESSURE SITUATION

While Manning received much of the postgame accolades, Sunday's dramatic victory could not have been possible without a yeoman effort from a Giants defense that continually harassed and frustrated Brady all throughout the night.

The prevailing train of thought was that New York would have had to score at least 30 points in order to pull off the upset. Instead, a New England offense that racked up an NFL-record 589 points during the regular season was held to a year-low total of 274 yards and mustered only 81 of them during the first half.

The Giants' stop unit flawlessly executed another well-conceived game plan from defensive coordinator and Massachusetts native Steve Spagnuolo, one which centered on limiting the production of superstar wideout Randy Moss and making Brady uncomfortable in the pocket. The usually unflappable New England quarterback was sacked five times on the evening and put on his backside at least a dozen others.

"We felt like we could (dominate them)," said defensive end Michael Strahan. "We've done that all year. Our guys do what we always do. There was nothing special. We felt like we could (get pressure) from the beginning and did not listen to anyone who said we couldn't."

End Justin Tuck led New York's relentless attack with a pair of sacks, one which forced a Brady fumble that thwarted a Patriots' drive near the end of the first half.

Moss rebounded from a slow start to haul in five Brady passes for 62 yards, including a six-yard touchdown that gave New England a short-lived 14-10 lead with 2:42 remaining. Prior to that scoring drive, the All-Pro receiver had just two catches for 35 yards.

WORTH THE WAIT

Sunday's victory was especially sweet for Strahan and wide receiver Amani Toomer, the two longest-tenured Giants and sole remaining members from the team that suffered a discouraging 34-7 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXV back in 2001.

Both veterans each made a significant contribution to the win as well. Toomer completed his 12th season with Big Blue by leading the club with six receptions for 84 yards against the Patriots. The 36-year-old Strahan, who has spent all 15 of his professional campaigns with the Giants, had three tackles, a sack and one pass defensed while playing a key role in the defense's top- notch performance.

The wait for a Super Bowl victory was even longer for punter Jeff Feagles, who was playing in his first world title game of a prolific 20-year career. At 41 years and 333 days of age, he became the oldest player ever to participate in a Super Bowl.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

After basking in the glory of the franchise's first world championship in 17 years, general manager Jerry Reese and his staff will get to work on a potentially busy offseason for the Giants. First on the agenda will be hammering out a contract extension for head coach Tom Coughlin, as his current deal is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

While it shouldn't take long to reach an agreement with Coughlin, it's unclear at the moment as to whether the entire coaching staff will remain in place next season. Spagnuolo interviewed for the still-vacant head coaching position in Washington on Tuesday, although it's anybody's guess as to whom volatile Redskins owner Daniel Snyder will eventually choose as the successor to the retired Joe Gibbs.

The Giants only have two current starters -- free safety Gibril Wilson and outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell -- due to become unrestricted free agents in March. Re-signing Wilson will likely be a top priority for Reese, but Mitchell could be deemed expendable despite a pretty solid first season in New York and a particularly strong game in the Super Bowl. Reserves Gerris Wilkinson and Reggie Torbor (another impending free agent) were both capable when pressed into duty this year and are younger than Mitchell, plus each would be cheaper alternatives. Starting strong safety James Butler will be a restricted free agent but shouldn't prove troublesome to retain.

Reese's primary offseason targets will likely come at cornerback, even though the club used its 2007 first-round choice on Aaron Ross, and linebacker positions, as well as finding some depth along the offensive line. Getting a new punter could also be part of the wish list if Feagles decides to retire. The possibility of Strahan calling it quits also exists, but the Giants are still well-stocked at defensive end with Tuck and Pro Bowl honoree Osi Umenyiora locked up.