We said, She said: Super Bowl edition
Posted on February 1st, 2008 – 2:54 PMBy Michael Rand
For obvious reasons, we resume our bitter relationship with one Lizzy right about now. She loves the Patriots; we try to explain to her that there are reasons her favorite NFL team is doomed on Sunday. And (hopefully) a good time ensues. You can be the judge, but please note that in terms of sheer volume we bombarded her 5 points to 3.
RandBall: Lizzy, your team is pursuing perfection. Your quarterback might be the best of all time. Your wide receiver might be the best of all time. Your coach might be the best of all time. Your team might be the best of all time. But we’re here to tell you that it could all come crashing down Sunday for five very simple reasons.
1) The Giants’ pass rush: Strahan and Umenyiora won’t get in there every time, but they will get in there sometimes. If they get in on the right two or three plays against Brady and his sore man-parts, when a sack or a pressure-induced turnover becomes a game-changer, the Patriots will be in trouble.
2) The running game: The Giants stuffed Ryan Grant in the NFC title game (though our sources indicate his decision-making might have been questionable). Regardless, he was the hotshot going in, and he wound up with 13 for 29. If the Patriots can’t get Maroney going, see No. 1, but add something to it.
3) Hubris: The Patriots are smug and act like they’re above it all (see: Spygate, Belichick, et. al). They have not paid the price — yet. Fate has been waiting for its moment in the sun. That moment will come Sunday.
4) Boston deserves it. Your heads are so big right now that 86 percent of people polled by the Boston Globe said they were glad the Sox didn’t get Johan Santana because they’d rather have the youngsters. Um, what? You’re not serious, right? Or have you gone from a curse to the notion that World Series titles grow on trees? No need to get better when you’re the best, right? Please.
5) The will of a nation demands it. Roughly 75 percent of folks will be rooting for the Giants. Yes, that plucky little team from New York will be the nation’s darling on Sunday. As Chuck Klosterman wrote in an excellent piece, the Patriots will become unforgettable moreso in defeat than victory. So sorry in advance.
Lizzy: You can’t stop destiny, Rand. No matter how hard you try. It’s been a surreal and magical year for Boston sports fans, and I haven’t taken anything for granted. Because for every year like the past one, there will be ten that stink. However, the Giants WILL lose on Sunday. And here’s why.
1. They’ve gotten too big for their britches. The Giants were very aware of their underdog status every single week of the playoffs. They went in to each game just hoping to be competitive. They didn’t talk smack to the press. However, with Plaxico running his mouth at the media about how the
“Giants WILL win,” it’s clear that the “just play” mentality is gone. Ego has taken over. And you’ve seen what happens when players declare during the week that they will beat the Patriots.
2. The Patriots will get Maroney going. Actually, Tom Brady had his worst game of the entire season against the Chargers two weeks ago. What happened you asked? Maroney stepped up for ran for 120 yards. The defense, on six red zone trips, allowed four field goals. The offensive machine Patriots have been replaced with the Patriots of a few years ago. The ones who find a way to beat you every time, even if it’s ugly.
3. I won’t argue that Boston deserves it. Although anyone with half a brain knew that the Twins were absolutely not going to send Johan Santana to another American League team. And seriously, with the kind of time and money Santana was demanding, I’m not sure I would feel comfortable signing a pitcher for monster bucks through his 36th birthday. And if the Sox had traded Jacoby Ellsbury or Jon Lester, I would have been really issed-pay off-hay. The Sox have an ace in Beckett. Although the story behind the story of all this is What About Pedro? Remember how diva he got over Schilling? Because lord knows he won’t be wearing the Pants of the Mets rotation anymore.
The Giants secondary can’t hold a candle to the Pats recievers. The Patriot defense has been downright scary over the last few weeks. And (yeah, I’M GONNA SAY IT) there’s no way the Giants win in Green Bay if Brett Farve hadn’t stunk so bad. If the Gunslinger had even had a mediocre game, it’s Green Bay and New England this Sunday.
26 Responses to "We said, She said: Super Bowl edition"
I disagree with #1 from Lizzy. The Giants need to believe - however they accomplish it - that the Patriots CAN be beaten. It’s too easy to fall into the we-have-to-play-perfect-oh-God-oh-God trap; if the Giants don’t play with confidence and poise, they’re done.
I disagree, Jon. I think there’s a lot to be said about playing when you have nothing to lose. And that’s how the G-Men have been playing the last month or so.
Quality over quantity, Handball.
Lizzy - that’s what I’m getting at. Teams in big games tend to play as if they have *everything* to lose, and this will be compounded on the NYG sideline if they go into the game with the mindset that “If we slip up even a little, we’ll fail.” Whether it’s just posturing or not, the Giants need to believe that they’re capable of beating New England. All of the “mouth-running” will help.
that’s what she said.
Lizzy-
Since you’re here, I have to ask. Was that picture taken just before or just after the biggest belch of your life?
Just curious.
Josh Beckett, a bona fide ace? He had a great year last year, no doubt, but you’re not at all concerned about his ERA climbing back up to the 5.01 range from 2006? His WHIP heading north? His re-developing blisters knocking him to the DL a couple times?
Hootie-
Just before.
Jon-I see your point, although I’m not sure I agree. We’ll see Sunday for sure:)
Agreed Lizzy: Talk on G. Bay radio station (a.m. of course) was that Favre tried to push the ball to the sideline so his receiver could run under it. Who knows ? Favre’s never been the talkative type after a loss, but the guy (my hero) did suck the bag and the loss would have gone down better (at least with me) if he just said the cold was way too much for his old bones.
So, yes, the Giants caught a flyer at Lambeau and now face 12.5 odds against them, and I think with Maroney peaking and Moss itching, the Giants will lose by even more. I give Manning the lesser credit for his winning run so far but despite the old adage that defense wins games, that’s a crock esp. against one of the best offenses I’ve ever seen. Look at the Vikings. They had a great D line too (minus sack artists) and look where they ended up. This game could be good. I hope so since after the long buildup it’s always like finding a beard on your blind date. If not, there will be no fun waiting for a wardrobe malfunction on Tom Petty…
Josh Beckett had one stint on the DL due to the blisters. For three weeks in May ‘07.
But yes. He’s an ace. You don’t find many people who won’t agree.
Although he cushions it with the conditional “could,” it appears that Rand is predicting a Giants victory. As someone who has found success the last two NFL weekends using the “Rand is Wrong” formula, I regret to inform everyone that the New England Patriots will win on Sunday. I don’t like it, either, but it’s just the way things are.
Lizzy can’t be a Boston fan: I convinced her of something. SOMEBODY CHECK HER I.D.!
Too bad we couldn’t designate a deaf, dumb and blind person (maybe call him Tommy) so he could hold cash for those who would like to make some friendly bets. I’d say Patriots by 14 -17.
Ace? I guess. Better than Johan? Nope. And according to Wikipedia (which is never wrong) he had frequent blister problems in Florida. Maybe that’s been solved, though, if it’s only happened once since he left…
There was a rumor that Chuck Knoblauch was going to be the dignitary tossing the ceremonial coin, but no one could get the liability coverage in case it hit a player..
Patriots by 40.
What’s the over/under on the number of weeks it takes Vegas to send me my $$$?
Vic, the $ has to go to your broker, Tony Brakahyoarm
First, God I love these.
Second, I’m torn on this one. Part of me would love to see an NFC team led by young Eli Manning stop “destiny” in its tracks. That would be huge.
The other part of me would love to witness history in a 19-0 season. But that’s about it. I’d like to bitchslap Tom Brady otherwise.
Soooooooooooooooooooze.
Really, I have nothing to add.
But Sooze, Tom is so perty !!
P3, were you listening to Green Bay radio in the morning, or not on the FM dial?
Play by play for G. Bay games comes in better on a.m. since FM is limited to curve of earth..
[…] Robin Marty wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAnd (yeah, I’M GONNA SAY IT) there’s no way the Giants win in Green Bay if Brett Farve hadn’t stunk so bad. If the Gunslinger had even had a mediocre game, it’s Green Bay and New England this Sunday. Read the rest of this great post here […]
I think there is some irony that the spammer above confuses our fearless, childless Proprietor with new mom and Power Liberal Robin Marty. I’m pretty sure I’m the only person who has consumed beer with both and has them both as first degree LinkedIn links.
Fasolamatt, you’re such a name-dropper.
/kidding.
Lizzy. Lizzy? You OK?
