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High Super Bowl drama...

I was in the Donkey House "Green Room" alone when this relatively unknown Giants receiver named David Tyree caught the pass from Eli Manning with his helmet. I screamed in exultation as if i were an ardent Giants fan or i had just won the lottery or something. It was just such an amazing catch, and for a moment there i was almost sad that no one was around to share the moment with me or for at least a quick high-five. Because that is why we love sports! It's the drama, the unlikely heroes, the upsets etc etc etc. I mean who wants to see 19-0. Where's the fun in that?

Maybe we should start off with Eli's pass, because that in itself was a miracle of sorts. Eli escaped the grasp of what it looked like half the Patriots defensive team. I thought for sure that was the end of him. But somehow, moving seemingly unhurried and maybe even composed like he knew he could slip out, he made it happen!!! I remember saying a silent prayer against a flag too when he flinged it to Tyree because i knew right then and there (provided they go on to win the ball game) i had just witnessed an instant classic. Ala "the drive". I swear i heard at least fifteen "OH MY GOD'S!!!" or "WOW'S!" from inside the Donkey House. It was a spectacular Houdini-like escape by Eli and an even more spectacular circus catch by Tyree (with this helmet!!!). After a play like that in such a crucial moment, how could they lose the ball game? There wouldn't be any sports God cruel enough that would allow such a thing to happen (Hypothetically speaking...), would there? There was too much at stake at that game, probably an incalculable amount of bets and side bets wagered, too many fans frozen in expectation throughout the country, too grand a stage for a let down. I could not imagine it happening, Now way!!! It had the makings of a legendary game. The "stuff dreams are made of", right? I'm talking destiny here fellows. That was destiny...

Seriously though, if you were not a fan of either team who would you have rather seen win it? Me, i like the drama so it had to be the Giants. Rooting for the Pats would seemed too convenient and perhaps boring. But in perspective the Giants were not such a hard pick to win, not really. I just couldn't put a bet down because i thought betting against the Pats was a stupid idea (statistically speaking.... and were talking betting straight up, win or lose). But like Peter King said in Dan Patrick's radio show this morning, "From week 17 on, the Giants were a better team categorically speaking". I could not agree more...


In most games, Super Bowl or MLB or my basketball league i don't care much for who wins the ballgames. I just care for a good game. Of course that said, the hoopla around the Super Bowl is inescapable. You couldn't go anywhere without being asked whether you're pulling for a perfect season or for the upset. And for the most part i've said i didn't care "I'm just in it for the commercials". Which is just an affable way of saying i'm not really interested in discussing Super Bowl predictions and or possibilities. I was silently rooting for Eli Manning, maybe even for Tom Coughlin (and i've got a little compassion for the 15 year veteran Strahan, too. You have to respect longevity). Why root for Manning you might wonder? Because quite frankly no one thinks he is great QB (and you can't blame them). "Eli has been the hallmark for inconsistency" said Peter King of Sports Illustrated. And that statement couldn't be more accurate. I root for Eli because he's got so much to prove not only to the harsh and critical fans in NY and the merciless media, but himself and his family. I mean how would you like to have been in Eli's shoes? His father was a great QB (albeit his lopsided record. Thanks Adrian for the stat...) and older brother won a Super Bowl for crying out loud! How could you not root for the guy?

Posted by: Marc Gabay
Tuesday, February 05, 2008