Outlaw Heroes
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Yeah, we lost. Yeah, it was in heart-breaking fashion again. Yeah, it seems like there's someone new to take the lion's share of the blame each time this happens (Rob Ryan says "hi"). Damned right it stings.
But you know what? I can't help but focus on the positives this time. I don't care if I get torched for it. I don't care if I'm a "happy fan" or one of "Jerry's enablers" or an "apologist" or whatever. I just can't help it.
I thought that was an all-time great game last night, with a lot of great plays being made by great players. It was like watching two desparate fighters slugging it out for 12 rounds. Would I have liked to see our guys come out on top? Of course. But I'm not going to let that poison my view of things. It was a great game that came down to the final play, and it was decided by a great player making one of a number of great plays that he made on the night. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to your opponent.
Some things that stood out:
It was nice to see Garrett come out with his best game of the season. He responded nicely to the criticism and, by and large, the offense rallied around him and turned in an excellent game.
Speaking of which, can we stop the talk about Romo not being a big game player? 21 of 31 for 321 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. This guy is just an absolute stud. Too bad it'll get lost in all the talk about Eli's fourth quarter performance.
Much as it pains me, I have to hand to it Eli. Collingsworth is right: that was just absolute clutch. Don't let your disgust with the defense allow you to take anything away from his performance. He may be little more than a slightly-above-average QB, but his fourth-quarter performance last night was nothing short of EPIC.
Speaking of giving it up: what can you say about Jason Pierre-Paul? That was one of the most dominating performances I've seen from a defensive player in years. It was oddly fitting that the game would be lost, quite literally, at his hand. That kid is a scary good. Collingsworth was right about him too.
This is a bit of an aside, but is there anyone better than Collingsworth at the job he does? Has there ever been anyone better? At least 5 or 6 times a game this guy sees something that's not obvious but sheds a great deal of light on what just happened on the field. It's a real treat to watch any game he works.
The defense had an awful finish. If you want to call it an awful night, I'm not about to argue. I have a hard time knowing how much to blame Ryan & Co. and how much to credit the Giants' (excellent) offense. I have no doubt how others will divy up the blame/credit. But I just don't see it being that simple. This much I'll say:
1. I thought Jenkins battled like a warrior out there. This one went a long way towards settling any questions regarding his toughness and desire. If he has made "business decisions" in the past, he certainly wasn't making any last night.
2. Sean Lee's interception in the red zone is the kind of clutch play by a great player that you need to win championships. It didn't work out in the end, but on many nights that play would have been the turning point. The day is soon coming when this kid will be the unquestioned lead of this defense and its best player. This team will finally be ready to compete for something serious when that day arrives.
3. DeMarcus Ware is one of the greatest pass rushers of all time. But I'm not sure he's a guy who can throw his teammates on his back when things are going badly and say "Enough!! The bleeding stops now!!", the way a guy like Romo can do for the offense. Just not sure he has the right type of personality. Luckily for us, I think, with a bit more experience and a chance to establish himself more, Sean Lee can be that guy. Ware will make a great complementary piece when Lee becomes the centrepiece of this defense.
I'm going to finish this off by saying that I may have written this team off too soon. Many of you see nothing more than another catastrophic loss. I see a team that fought its tail off but got beat by another team that was just as desparate and that has some great players of its own. On another night--say, January 1, 2012--things could easily go the other way. The team just needs to do whatever is necessary to set itself up for the opportunity by winning the next two games. After last night, I believe it can do that. Apologies, in advance, if you think that makes me a happy fan.
But you know what? I can't help but focus on the positives this time. I don't care if I get torched for it. I don't care if I'm a "happy fan" or one of "Jerry's enablers" or an "apologist" or whatever. I just can't help it.
I thought that was an all-time great game last night, with a lot of great plays being made by great players. It was like watching two desparate fighters slugging it out for 12 rounds. Would I have liked to see our guys come out on top? Of course. But I'm not going to let that poison my view of things. It was a great game that came down to the final play, and it was decided by a great player making one of a number of great plays that he made on the night. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to your opponent.
Some things that stood out:
It was nice to see Garrett come out with his best game of the season. He responded nicely to the criticism and, by and large, the offense rallied around him and turned in an excellent game.
Speaking of which, can we stop the talk about Romo not being a big game player? 21 of 31 for 321 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. This guy is just an absolute stud. Too bad it'll get lost in all the talk about Eli's fourth quarter performance.
Much as it pains me, I have to hand to it Eli. Collingsworth is right: that was just absolute clutch. Don't let your disgust with the defense allow you to take anything away from his performance. He may be little more than a slightly-above-average QB, but his fourth-quarter performance last night was nothing short of EPIC.
Speaking of giving it up: what can you say about Jason Pierre-Paul? That was one of the most dominating performances I've seen from a defensive player in years. It was oddly fitting that the game would be lost, quite literally, at his hand. That kid is a scary good. Collingsworth was right about him too.
This is a bit of an aside, but is there anyone better than Collingsworth at the job he does? Has there ever been anyone better? At least 5 or 6 times a game this guy sees something that's not obvious but sheds a great deal of light on what just happened on the field. It's a real treat to watch any game he works.
The defense had an awful finish. If you want to call it an awful night, I'm not about to argue. I have a hard time knowing how much to blame Ryan & Co. and how much to credit the Giants' (excellent) offense. I have no doubt how others will divy up the blame/credit. But I just don't see it being that simple. This much I'll say:
1. I thought Jenkins battled like a warrior out there. This one went a long way towards settling any questions regarding his toughness and desire. If he has made "business decisions" in the past, he certainly wasn't making any last night.
2. Sean Lee's interception in the red zone is the kind of clutch play by a great player that you need to win championships. It didn't work out in the end, but on many nights that play would have been the turning point. The day is soon coming when this kid will be the unquestioned lead of this defense and its best player. This team will finally be ready to compete for something serious when that day arrives.
3. DeMarcus Ware is one of the greatest pass rushers of all time. But I'm not sure he's a guy who can throw his teammates on his back when things are going badly and say "Enough!! The bleeding stops now!!", the way a guy like Romo can do for the offense. Just not sure he has the right type of personality. Luckily for us, I think, with a bit more experience and a chance to establish himself more, Sean Lee can be that guy. Ware will make a great complementary piece when Lee becomes the centrepiece of this defense.
I'm going to finish this off by saying that I may have written this team off too soon. Many of you see nothing more than another catastrophic loss. I see a team that fought its tail off but got beat by another team that was just as desparate and that has some great players of its own. On another night--say, January 1, 2012--things could easily go the other way. The team just needs to do whatever is necessary to set itself up for the opportunity by winning the next two games. After last night, I believe it can do that. Apologies, in advance, if you think that makes me a happy fan.
