championship weekend......what say you?

[jakez4ut]

this weekend has in the past been the best NFL weekend of the season. in so many years past, the championship games have been the games that go down in NFL lore. the catch. the drive.

basically, the drama leading up to the super bowl has many times surpassed the biggest stage in the NFL on more than one occasion. Most of us remember the Cowboys/bills routs. the Niners/Broncos rout. the niners/chargers rout. Bears/Pats rout. and so on and so on.

it's only been in the last decade where we've seen "the greatest" super bowls in the modern era. Broncos/Packers, Panthers/patriots, Rams/Titans, Patriots/Rams. we've also been privy to some not so pretty games, either in blow our or close game fashion....Ravens/Giants, Steelers/Seahawks and COlts/Bears.

so knowing what we know now, especially considering the Patriots are in route to another probable rout of their opponent, who ever that may be in from the NFC (i'll let you guess who i think is going to win the AFC championship game), what do we think about this year's championship games?

will we see more drama that this weekend has produced in the past? will some up and comer have an Elway like moment that could define the majority of a career, a la "the drive", or will we see a singular moment in a game by the next "golden boy" a la Montana and "the catch".

the truth is there are two such qb's playing this weekend that could be embraced in that fashion, IF they are able to duplicate or replicate their probable child hood qb heroes antics.

I give you Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers. Eli in my opinion has the opportunity to be this year's John Elway. Not saying Eli plays like John, but here's the set up:

Eli is on the road in a tradition rich stadium in the midwest where it's likely going to snow (remember the dawg pound in Cleveland in the '86 playoffs?) He very well could find himself with the ball in his hands late in the 4th qtr with the game on the line. does he step up and deliver? or does he fall in to the oblivion of what might have been like so many other that have tried before?

as for Phillip Rivers, he's got the role of Joe Montana. Again, not because of the style of play, but because of the set up:

He's from the west coast, and they're playing "the team" of the decade as a decided underdog. the only difference, he won't have the friendly confines of his own Candlestick Park in his back pocket. but looking back on that now famous Cowboys/Niners game in the early, early 80's, the circumstances are the same. a young hungry team facing the team that no one thinks they can beat. can he make "the play" that is the difference between winning and losing?

in any event, for an off season that seems to lack any drama as to the final outcome, i would like to see some of these guys still playing make their name.

every generation of sports fans has defining moments and players that they will always identify with. I had Joe Montana, John Elway, Dan Marino. In my adult life, i've had Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

the only question left to me is "who's next?"

either the incumbents maintain their status quo as the "legend" or legend in making, or a couple of new kids start writing their own chapters.

here's to hoping for some drama, even if it only lasts for a week.

[volwindy]

Ok first off, what in the world is "what say you"?


Secondly, I don't think many people are giving Eli a chance against Favre. But then again not many people gave him a chance against the Cowboys and Rivers against Peyton. I am not sold on the Packers having a clear-cut win. I think what the packers have is a home game which will help it out, but how long can Favre and his team keep going, do they have it in them? The only thing is, I don't think Eli can sit back and depend on his defense like he did a couple times in the Cowboys game, needs to move the ball and keep the chains moving. I'm on the fence with this game, still can't make up my mind, but I think it will be a good one compared to the other.

[vader]

Great stuff, Jake. I, for one, would love to see you become one of our bloggers.

Not that I believe it has a chance in hell to happen, but I think it would be a neat sub-plot if it turned out to be the Giants-Chargers in the SB. Eli vs. the team that he snubbed and the QB they took instead.

[vader]

Originally Posted by volwindy

Ok first off, what in the world is "what say you"?

It is a fairly common saying. A radio show that I listen to the podcast of has it as their opening segment now.

[jakez4ut]

Originally Posted by vader

Great stuff, Jake. I, for one, would love to see you become one of our bloggers.

Not that I believe it has a chance in hell to happen, but I think it would be a neat sub-plot if it turned out to be the Giants-Chargers in the SB. Eli vs. the team that he snubbed and the QB they took instead.

excellent point.

[myrobbins7]

Good post jake. I know who I'm pulling for.

[jakez4ut]

Originally Posted by volwindy

Ok first off, what in the world is "what say you"?


Secondly, I don't think many people are giving Eli a chance against Favre. But then again not many people gave him a chance against the Cowboys and Rivers against Peyton. I am not sold on the Packers having a clear-cut win. I think what the packers have is a home game which will help it out, but how long can Favre and his team keep going, do they have it in them? The only thing is, I don't think Eli can sit back and depend on his defense like he did a couple times in the Cowboys game, needs to move the ball and keep the chains moving. I'm on the fence with this game, still can't make up my mind, but I think it will be a good one compared to the other.

the glaring weakness for the giants is their secondary against GB's WR's. that match up is the one that will get the most attention leading up to game time. the pass rush of the giants is very good, and the giants can move the ball and run the ball. but so can the packers.

to me, this game comes down to the Giants Secondary.

what say you about that?

[volwindy]

Originally Posted by vader

It is a fairly common saying. A radio show that I listen to the podcast of has it as their opening segment now.

Oh never heard it. I don't listen to the radio too much thanks to the ipod, so that may be why....can't say I hear people randomly walking around saying that either..

[TXA&M07]

Nice work Jake, and I have to agree with Vader, you should blog in here.

The Eli v Super Chargers would be really interesting, but I doubt that the game would be as good. Granted it is the Bowl and it has been a while for both teams, but I think the best "story" is still the Old School Farve vs. "The New Guard" Brady. But Manning has been very fortunate this year so it is possible for them to get by GB. To play the advocate in the other league, the Pats should destroy San Deigo.

[volwindy]

Originally Posted by myrobbins7

Good post jake. I know who I'm pulling for.

The chargers???

Originally Posted by jakez4ut

the glaring weakness for the giants is their secondary against GB's WR's. that match up is the one that will get the most attention leading up to game time. the pass rush of the giants is very good, and the giants can move the ball and run the ball. but so can the packers.

to me, this game comes down to the Giants Secondary.

what say you about that?

Well I agree, but I think it also comes down to other things, like how well can Eli continue to play under pressure, I mean he is going somewhere he hasn't in his career. He did well last week and made just enough plays that he needed to. I think Eli is ready for this, which is why I think it gives the Giants a slight advantage for him and his secondary and well the rest of their team to step up their A-game.

[jakez4ut]

Originally Posted by volwindy

The chargers???




Well I agree, but I think it also comes down to other things, like how well can Eli continue to play under pressure, I mean he is going somewhere he hasn't in his career. He did well last week and made just enough plays that he needed to. I think Eli is ready for this, which is why I think it gives the Giants a slight advantage for him and his secondary to step up their A-game.

even the great ones weren't great until they actually did something. they all have to start somewhere. Remember, your boy brady would still be riding the bench in New England had it not been for Bledsoe getting injured. if not for that one play, it's doubtful Jizelle would have any idea who Tom Brady is.

the giants' secondary played as close to an A game as they have last weekend. they'll have to play better than that this weekend.

Giants need to run the ball, keep Favre and co. off the field and score. a lot. remeber, the seahawks got spotted 14 pts and still got blown out of the building.

[myrobbins7]

Originally Posted by volwindy

The chargers???




Well I agree, but I think it also comes down to other things, like how well can Eli continue to play under pressure, I mean he is going somewhere he hasn't in his career. He did well last week and made just enough plays that he needed to. I think Eli is ready for this, which is why I think it gives the Giants a slight advantage for him and his secondary and well the rest of their team to step up their A-game.

I think I'm going with GB on this one. This will be the better of the games. It doesn't matter, just give the ring to the Pats already.

[volwindy]

Originally Posted by jakez4ut

even the great ones weren't great until they actually did something. they all have to start somewhere. Remember, your boy brady would still be riding the bench in New England had it not been for Bledsoe getting injured. if not for that one play, it's doubtful Jizelle would have any idea who Tom Brady is.

the giants' secondary played as close to an A game as they have last weekend. they'll have to play better than that this weekend.

Giants need to run the ball, keep Favre and co. off the field and score. a lot. remeber, the seahawks got spotted 14 pts and still got blown out of the building.

Kind of why I said "step up" their A-game.


Kind of also why I said in the previous post of mind that the Giants need to move the ball and keep the chains moving.

It's early and you are already starting to restate what I said.


But yes I know what you mean with your first paragraph. Thats kind of why I'd like to see the panthers step up with the youngins, let them learn and improve themself, but they are never given the chance.

[jakez4ut]

as to the giants secondary, let me restate...i don't think they CAN play better than they did last weekend, which was their A game. meaning, last week WAS their "step up game".

knowing they'll have to play better than that, i don't give them much chance. i sort of expect them to take on their regular season form and give up some plays down the field, especially considering how much GB throws it.

[jakez4ut]

Originally Posted by volwindy

But yes I know what you mean with your first paragraph. Thats kind of why I'd like to see the panthers step up with the youngins, let them learn and improve themself, but they are never given the chance.

the most glaring difference being the patriots drafted Brady for a reason, and the panthers have drafted Stefon Lefours and Chris Weinke. neither of which are on the roster any more. the panthers have been 'scrambling' for a decent back up, hence the signing of Moore (who was released by the cowboys) and Vinny (who was on vacaton when he got the call).

you don't have time to run experiments in the NFL, a lesson we learned the hardway this season.