Sunday, February 5, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Crucial calls on Championship Sunday
SAN FRANCISCO
Championship Sunday ended up being, well, just Super.Two great games, decided by a total of six points, have left us with a rematch of Super Bowl XLII — the New York Giants again taking on the New England Patriots. But not before a couple of crucial fourth-quarter plays — one in which a player held on to the ball just long enough, and the other in which a player didn't hold on to it long enough — helped determine the outcome of both the NFC and AFC championship games.
ROAD TO INDY
The Giants and Patriots will kick off Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. Want more info?Let's take a look at those two key plays, starting with the NFC. Here was the situation:
New York had the ball, second-and-21 at the Giants' 15-yard line with 2:32 left in regulation. The score was tied 17-17.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning completed a six-yard pass to Ahmad Bradshaw, who was stopped by the Niners' Tramaine Brock and NaVorro Bowman. Bowman stripped the ball out of Bradshaw's hands, and it was recovered by the 49ers, but the officials ruled that Bradshaw's forward progress had been stopped.
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
- Patriots 23, Ravens 20
- Giants 20, 49ers 17 (OT)
- Marvez: Patriots living the dream
- Couch: Ravens gift away game
- Reiter: G-Men handed NFC crown
- Gay: Coughlin does it again
- Pereira: Crucial calls from Sunday
- Buy title game gear: Patriots | Giants
At the AFC title game in Foxborough, here was situation on the other key play:
Baltimore had the ball, second-and-1 from the New England 14-yard line with 27 seconds left in the game. The Patriots led 23-20.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco attempted a 14-yard pass to Lee Evans in the corner of the end zone that was broken up by Sterling Moore.
It was clearly not a catch as the ball was coming out before Evans' second foot was on the ground. Besides that, even if both of Evans' feet were on the ground, you have to maintain control long enough to perform an act common to the game of football. A lot of my Twitter followers questioned why the call was reviewed, but there was no need to review it because on this play, it wasn't close to being a catch.
Here were the other interesting calls from Sunday.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP / GIANTS AT 49ERS
THE SITUATION: San Francisco had the ball, second-and-10 from the 49ers' 27-yard line with 7:21 left in the first quarter. There was no score.THE PLAY: 49ers quarterback Alex Smith completed a 73-yard pass to Vernon Davis. The replay official initiated a scoring review of the player out of bounds ruling, and the ruling on the field stood as called. Davis was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for a celebration.
MY TAKE: Boy, was that close. How in the world Davis kept his heel off the ground is unbelievable. Replay official Al Hynes was absolutely right to initiate a review, and referee Ed Hochuli's decision to stay with the ruling was also the right call. It looked pretty clear that Davis' toe was in bounds and that the heel did not come down on the line.
THE PLAY: Steve Weatherford punted the ball 56 yards, and the 49ers' Kyle Williams let the ball bounce past him. But the Giants' Devin Thomas picked up the ball, claiming the ball hit Williams. The ruling on the field was that Thomas had downed the ball. The Giants challenged the kick touch ruling, and the play was reversed.
MY TAKE: I hate to blow our own horn, but FOX had great super-slow-motion shots of the ball deflecting off of Williams' knee. I really believe that Williams didn't feel like the ball had touched him. But the video was clear that the ball changed direction after it hit Williams' knee. Touching of a kick is always reviewable, and in this case, the Giants were awarded the ball at the spot of the recovery. Even though Williams touched the ball, it still remains a kick, and the kicking team can recover the ball, but not advance it.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP / BALTIMORE AT NEW ENGLAND
THE SITUATION: New England had the ball, third-and-10 at the Baltimore 17-yard line with 3:11 left in the second quarter. The score was tied 10-10.THE PLAY: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attempted a 12-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski that was ruled out of bounds by the officials.
THE SITUATION: Baltimore had the ball, third-and-4 from the New England 29-yard line with 3:48 left in the third quarter. The Patriots led 16-10.
THE PLAY: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco completed a 29-yard pass to Torrey Smith for a touchdown. The replay assistant initiated a challenge to the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was upheld.
MY TAKE: It was right to uphold the call that was made on the field. The camera shot from the inside made it look like Smith's heel was out of bounds. The camera shot from the outside made it look like he was in bounds. That alone is enough to let the ruling on the field stand. What it might suggest is that at some point, the NFL and/or the networks work to always have camera shots directly down both sidelines, the end lines and the goal line.
Eli will be key in Super Bowl XLVI
Nothing against Tom Brady, but Eli Manning is the best quarterback playing in Super Bowl XLVI.
Manning enters his second championship duel with a lot better resume and a fearless attitude. While attempting 64 passes against a heroic San Francisco defense, Manning was hit 20 times, knocked down 12 times and sacked six times. There was more than one play where he seemingly had eyes in the back of his head as he dodged pocket pressure and somehow delivered another pass.
Elite, you say?
Eli said he belonged before the season began and he definitely removed any doubts with his performance down the stretch, holding this offense together. Not only did he throw 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes this year, but another eight in three playoff games. Plus, he beat the supposed two best teams in the NFC in the Packers and Niners.
You have to be lucky in the playoffs and both the Giants and Patriots got their fortunate bounces and breaks. A week ago, San Francisco's special teams were picking the Saints’ pockets. On Sunday at rainy Candlestick Park, a very silly Kyle Williams allowed one punt to bounce off of his right knee, then fumbled another Steve Weatherford punt in overtime that put New York in field position for the winning field goal.
“He’s my favorite return guy in the league,” Weatherford said in a jubilant New York locker room.
In Foxborough, the Patriots dodged overtime when Baltimore’s Billy Cundiff pushed a 32-yard field goal attempt wide left. What would Jimmy Johnson say to Cundiff today?
“Goodbye.”
Who knows how veterans Ray Lewis and Ed Reed treated Cundiff in the locker room? These future Hall of Famers are playing on their last legs and this AFC title game loss may have been their last chance at a Super Bowl.
There is a lot to like about the Giants in this Super Bowl rematch. They are three-point underdogs. They relish that status. They love being on the road. They’ve won two straight on the road, so going to Indianapolis will be no big deal. Plus, Tom Coughlin knows how to energize his team and get them cranked up.
This is a new Coughlin, you know. The man had a personality change back in 2007 for the better and the players love him for it. He used to fine them for being late for meetings even though they were early. Michael Strahan could never figure Couglin out until the very end and now the two are good friends. Some New Yorkers might not even believe that, but it’s true. Strahan has a lot of respect for his old coach.
“You got to love this man, the way he held his team together when they were 6-6,” Jimmy Johnson said. “He did a remarkable job when his team could have gone over the edge.”
After beating the Patriots in New England in early November, the Giants dropped four consecutive games to fall to .500. They lost to the 49ers, Eagles, Saints and Packers. They avenged two of those losses this month in sudden-death situations. That’s a sign of character and strong will.
It’s rather amazing to think that either Steve Tisch or John Mara was ever thinking of firing Coughlin. They seemed to be loving him Sunday night in the cramped locker room, but there were rampant rumors all over New York that had he lost to mighty Rex Ryan and the Jets on Christmas Eve, he could have been receiving a pink slip. Now, Coughlin appears to be in line for another contract extension if the ownership sees fit to extend his deal past next season.
OK, the Patriots are very good, plus Bill Belichick and Brady are shooting for the rarefied Bradshaw-Montana atmosphere. One more title and they are owners of four Lombardi trophies. They had their 18-0 streak snapped by a gutty New York team four seasons ago, and this New York version has more weapons than that team. Also, Perry Fewell seems to have his defense figured out. Yes, they were burned by Vernon Davis twice on Sunday, but for the most part they dominated a San Francisco offense that converted one measly third down.
New England has a unique passing offense in that it’s centered around two tight ends: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The Patriots would be scarier if that combination was Gronkowski and a 30-year-old Randy Moss. Wes Welker is a third-down conversion machine, but that’s it right now. Brady would be home free if he had a reliable deep threat, someone to totally open the middle of the field for his able-bodied giant receivers.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis had 68 yards rushing and a touchdown against Baltimore, but he won't give New York any problems. Brady is going to have to throw and that means he’ll be seeing a lot of Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul. They may not have Strahan this time around, but the Giants can still bring pressure. Plus, linebacker Michael Boley has the legs to at least stay with one of those New England tight ends.
Right now, the Giants are playing as well as the Ravens on defense, and Baltimore forced three turnovers on Sunday. But what the Ravens don’t have is Eli Manning and his cast of playmakers. Joe Flacco is OK, but he’s no Eli.
This cannot be said in the Manning family at dinner time, but Eli is no longer in Peyton’s shadow. In fact, he has a chance to do something Peyton has never done: Win his second Super Bowl. In a family headed by a quarterback father, such an accomplishment means a lot. I believe Eli can do it, too.
Granted, his big brother has had a longer streak of amazing statistical seasons, but at this time of the year that means nothing. Eli is simply performing at a higher level than he ever has. There have been a few glitches here and there, but for the most part he has been making the right reads and throwing to the right receivers. He’s been pretty flawless down the stretch and performers like that generally win the big one when it’s on the line.
ROAD TO INDY
The Giants and Patriots will kick off Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. Want more info?Elite, you say?
Eli said he belonged before the season began and he definitely removed any doubts with his performance down the stretch, holding this offense together. Not only did he throw 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes this year, but another eight in three playoff games. Plus, he beat the supposed two best teams in the NFC in the Packers and Niners.
You have to be lucky in the playoffs and both the Giants and Patriots got their fortunate bounces and breaks. A week ago, San Francisco's special teams were picking the Saints’ pockets. On Sunday at rainy Candlestick Park, a very silly Kyle Williams allowed one punt to bounce off of his right knee, then fumbled another Steve Weatherford punt in overtime that put New York in field position for the winning field goal.
“He’s my favorite return guy in the league,” Weatherford said in a jubilant New York locker room.
In Foxborough, the Patriots dodged overtime when Baltimore’s Billy Cundiff pushed a 32-yard field goal attempt wide left. What would Jimmy Johnson say to Cundiff today?
“Goodbye.”
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
- Patriots 23, Ravens 20
- Giants 20, 49ers 17 (OT)
- Marvez: Patriots living the dream
- Couch: Ravens gift away game
- Reiter: G-Men handed NFC crown
- Gay: Coughlin does it again
- Pereira: Crucial calls from Sunday
- Buy title game gear: Patriots | Giants
There is a lot to like about the Giants in this Super Bowl rematch. They are three-point underdogs. They relish that status. They love being on the road. They’ve won two straight on the road, so going to Indianapolis will be no big deal. Plus, Tom Coughlin knows how to energize his team and get them cranked up.
This is a new Coughlin, you know. The man had a personality change back in 2007 for the better and the players love him for it. He used to fine them for being late for meetings even though they were early. Michael Strahan could never figure Couglin out until the very end and now the two are good friends. Some New Yorkers might not even believe that, but it’s true. Strahan has a lot of respect for his old coach.
“You got to love this man, the way he held his team together when they were 6-6,” Jimmy Johnson said. “He did a remarkable job when his team could have gone over the edge.”
After beating the Patriots in New England in early November, the Giants dropped four consecutive games to fall to .500. They lost to the 49ers, Eagles, Saints and Packers. They avenged two of those losses this month in sudden-death situations. That’s a sign of character and strong will.
It’s rather amazing to think that either Steve Tisch or John Mara was ever thinking of firing Coughlin. They seemed to be loving him Sunday night in the cramped locker room, but there were rampant rumors all over New York that had he lost to mighty Rex Ryan and the Jets on Christmas Eve, he could have been receiving a pink slip. Now, Coughlin appears to be in line for another contract extension if the ownership sees fit to extend his deal past next season.
THEY'RE THE BEST
Where does the first Giants-Pats Super Bowl match-up rank among the 10 best Super Bowl games?New England has a unique passing offense in that it’s centered around two tight ends: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The Patriots would be scarier if that combination was Gronkowski and a 30-year-old Randy Moss. Wes Welker is a third-down conversion machine, but that’s it right now. Brady would be home free if he had a reliable deep threat, someone to totally open the middle of the field for his able-bodied giant receivers.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis had 68 yards rushing and a touchdown against Baltimore, but he won't give New York any problems. Brady is going to have to throw and that means he’ll be seeing a lot of Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul. They may not have Strahan this time around, but the Giants can still bring pressure. Plus, linebacker Michael Boley has the legs to at least stay with one of those New England tight ends.
STARGAZING
Everybody loves the NFL, even celebrities. See A-list actors and recording artists on the sidelines.This cannot be said in the Manning family at dinner time, but Eli is no longer in Peyton’s shadow. In fact, he has a chance to do something Peyton has never done: Win his second Super Bowl. In a family headed by a quarterback father, such an accomplishment means a lot. I believe Eli can do it, too.
Granted, his big brother has had a longer streak of amazing statistical seasons, but at this time of the year that means nothing. Eli is simply performing at a higher level than he ever has. There have been a few glitches here and there, but for the most part he has been making the right reads and throwing to the right receivers. He’s been pretty flawless down the stretch and performers like that generally win the big one when it’s on the line.
Jacquian Williams forever erases obscurity to Giants Fans
SAN FRANCISCO—List the names of potential NFC championship game heroes and Jacquian Williams would not be the first person to come to mind.
However, Williams made a dramatic play that was instrumental in sending the Giants to Super Bowl XLVI. In overtime, Williams reached in and stripped the ball from 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams. Devin Thomas recovered at the 49ers’ 24-yard line, setting up the game-winning field goal by Lawrence Tynes.
After the game in the Giants’ raucous locker room, teammates teased Williams about his newfound fame. However, nobody could deny how important his play was.
"My first feeling was to go down there and make the tackle," said Williams, rookie linebacker from South Florida who was a sixth-round pick. "He made a move, I stuck my hand out and I saw the ball. It was unbelievable."
Recommended On The Web
"I always dream of making a big play," Williams said. "Tonight I had my opportunity."
Asked what was going through his head after he made the play, Williams had a simple answer.
"Super Bowl," Williams said. "The first thing I thought was Super Bowl."
Thanks largely to Williams, that’s where the Giants are headed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)