What a game.
Super Bowl XLVI certainly lived up to the hype – yet the end
result was the same.
The Giants outplayed the Patriots in the clutch. I’m not
even going to touch the specifics of the game right now for several reasons. I
haven’t looked at the game film and ESPN and co. have dealt with it plenty. I
probably will go through it at some point.
Rather, I would like to discuss the ramifications of this
game – basically what it all means.
Firstly, the question now needs to be raised ‘Are the Giants
a dynasty in the making?’ Let me elaborate. Over the course of the last five
Super Bowls, the Giants have won two of them. Once knocking off the ‘perfect’ Patriots
through superior play in the clutch, something New England used to be known
for. If Eli and Coughlin win one more in the next three or four years, I think
the topic needs to come up.
On a similar subject, Eli had become ELIte. Leave him alone.
I know many people don’t like him because of the way he acted on draft day. That
was eight years ago. And it looks like a pretty good decision now, doesn’t it? Regardless
of how one personally feels about him, one must admit that he has turned elite.
I’m not a huge fan of Brady, but will admit that he is an elite quarterback.
Between setting the record for 4th quarter touchdowns and beating
Green Bay, Sand Francisco and the Patriots (all on the road), in the playoffs
when it mattered most, Eli had proven he needs to be in the conversation. Big bro
Peyton may have four NFL MVPS, but Eli had two Super Bowl MVPs and rings. Both
against New England, Peyton’s kryptonite.
Tom Coughlin—now the oldest coach to ever win a Super Bowl—has
also changed the way he will be viewed in NFL history. He has now won as many
Super Bowls as greats such as Lombardi and Parcells. He has survived New York. He
has prepared his team under pressure. He has adapted to the new NFL, yet
maintained enough of the ‘old’ coaching style. He had proved that the way to
win Super Bowls is the way coaches have for years—quiet preparation, not big
talk. He is not Rex Ryan. He controls his team, but not with an iron fist like
he used to. And he had maintained a winning atmosphere
Now, on to New England’s Head Coach and Quarterback.
Let me start by saying that I understand both Brady and
Belichick are first ballot hall of famers. Nothing will change that. What I’m talking about is how they’re viewed. Basically
the legacy effect.
Here’s what it comes down to—for Brady more than Belichick.
They won their three Super Bowls in a small window of time—just
four years. Yes, dynasty. No doubt. But long term, they didn’t have dominant
success. Yes, the 16-0 season, but Indy gave theirs up two years later and
Green Bay almost had one this year. And because they did lost the super Bowl
that year, it becomes a novelty in NFL history. A what if statement. Then followed
several years of regular season success and playoff disappointment. This year,
they once again fell short on the big stage.
All I’m saying is that a lot of the credit for New England’s
success in those years (2001-2004) went to Brady. Though he was good during
those years, the Patriots of today have shown that there was more going on
there than just a good quarterback. Those teams proved attitude, that a team
first mentality can win championships without dominant players and create a
dynasty. Players on those teams say that this mentality was the key to their
success –it helped them stay together in times of trouble and have faith they
could win the tough games. Those Patriots teams were great—there is no doubt. All
I want to raise here is how much of a role Brady truly played. Widen the scope
on those teams. Next time you want to say Brady is better than Manning look
closer at the talent around each of them. Compare the mentality of the teams. Anyway,
that is a discussion for a later time. It appears now that Brady and Belichick
have lost the magic.
Over all, this Super Bowl was good for the Giants’ legacy,
yet a blemish on New England’s long term picture. It will go down as a great
Super Bowl, though not as epic as the first match-up. After all, you only get a
chance to make a team go 18-1 once.
