Super Bowl (Roman Numeral) Game Log — The Pursuit Of Perfection
Posted by ubelmann on Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
When it comes down to it, I think I watch sports to see athletes pushing themselves to the limit, trying to be as good as they possibly can. Things I'm looking for today:
- A good game out of Randy Moss
- A good game out of Laurence Maroney
- The Giants to push the Patriots just like they did in Week 16
- Bill Belichick to make a couple of interesting maneuvers
Basically, I want the Patriots to get their 19-0 record, but I want them to have to work to get it.
Patriots kick the ball off to start the game. I personally prefer kicking to start the game than receiving.
I'm looking for a clean, hard hitting, well executed game by both teams. I don't really have a rooting interest, but I kind of like the underdog to cover.
Yeah, even without knowing what the exact line is, I'd guess the Giants are a decent bet to cover. Not too many people want to bet against the Patriots, even just on the spread, so it's probably a bit inflated.
I think it started at 14 and dropped down to about 12.
NY looking pretty good on this drive so far.
The last few weeks, I haven't been all that impressed with the Patriots' defense. They've been doing well enough, but it doesn't seem like much of a strength.
The Giants have a pretty methodical drive going here with three 3rd down conversions. Brandon Jacobs is large.
Yep. Eli looked pretty poised through that drive, and he's getting good protection. Too bad they only got the 3, but points is points.
Huge return by NE.
Yeah, I imagine they'd take that field position every time.
I'm watching for the new Twins ad, it's supposed to run in the first half.
Man, the Pats line blew open a huge hole on the left side on that run.
Early vote for worst ad: that Under Armour travesty. (No doubt there will be challengers.)
I kind of liked the Audi/Godfather ad.
I like the pace of the game.
I did until that last commercial break. They're packing them in today.
I must say, I liked the Twins commercial. The shot of First Avenue was particularly sweet.
Yeah, it was pretty good. I assume it will be available with all the other ads on YouTube after the game.
Great catch on the sideline, and a good call by the ref.
Beautiful sideline grab by Toomer. Holy Cow!
NY has to capitalize on this drive with a TD. FGs on every drive won't cut it.
Too bad. You can't hang that one on Manning, though. He hit his receiver.
That play points out how skewed the INT stat really is.
Those were two impressive downs by the NYG defensive line.
Nice couple of sacks by the Giants D to get the ball back.
Gigantic, even...
I'd love to see NY get the TD here and go to halftime with the lead.
I don't know what it is, but I'm having trouble getting into this game. I think I blame Joe Buck.
You know, I don't even hear him after awhile. His voice becomes a low drone in the background that my brain can easily ignore.
I think that's just the thing. A good announcer would get me more involved in the ups and downs of the game, but Buck announces every play the same way. And I even like Buck more for football than baseball.
That's a penalty that you don't mind taking. You keep possession of the ball and a chance for points.
Big 3rd down conversion for the Patriots with the WR screen there.
Moss finally becomes a factor.
Giants get the fumble with :10 remaining. Fun.
Even if NY doesn't get any points here, just preventing NE from getting any before halftime is pretty major.
At the halfway mark:
NE 7, NY 3
Time for some Petty.
I hope Mike Campbell is well-rewarded for his efforts. Pretty darn good, but Prince set the benchmark last year, IMO.
but Prince set the benchmark last year, IMO
You mean UOPIINASB? (use of phallic imagery in a Super Bowl)
The arrow moving towards the heart was right up there in phallic imagery this year.
I don't know. Be tough to top that Timberlake prick...
Tom Petty was fine, but I give him a 0 VORC (Value Over Replacement CD). I'm a curmudgeon like that.
I just got tickets for his show at the Target Center in July. A couple of years ago, my wife and I made a must see list. If anyone on the list does a show here, we have to go. Petty was on the list. Last year's list concert was Bob Seger, the year before that was Clapton. Waiting to see BB King and Pink Floyd, though.
B.B. King at Mystic Lake Casino, Tuesday Feb. 5
Thanks for the heads up, spycake. I spotted that a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately we have a prior commitment. And I'm not holding my breath for another Pink Floyd tour, but you never know.
this will be a great game if the G-men's offense shows up in the 2nd half.
Had an Allagash at Plan B (overpriced burger joint in West Hartford) - not bad, quite complex.
Allagash makes fine materials. Right up there with Ommegang and Unibroue with the best N.A. makers of belgian-style ales.
When did Mo Quadaffi join the Heartbreakers?
The Shaq Vitamin Water ad was pretty good. Certainly better than Shaq's on-court efforts this season.
Belichek 10+ there.
Funny, that tackle pushed him across the line. Ha.
I like seeing the Giants defense coming up with these big plays.
Aren't we due for a R. Moss Moon-shot?
Mebbe the endzone filed a restraining order.
I don't like that Charlie Brown ends up with the Coke. It seems like Lucy ought to deflate the balloon right before it gets to Charlie Brown.
Yes, Charlie Brown winning anything goes against character.
Yeah, but up until that point, my fave spot of the night.
Advantage: Giants
Giants take the lead. Nice drive, nice needle threading on the TD pass.
You do not mess with the Zohan. - if you're going to post something on the SuperBowl, be ready for the traffic. Messr Zohan not ready for the prime time.
I can't really tell whether it's been a good Giants defense or a poor Patriots offense, but New England hasn't really been able to move the ball.
Manning missed it big there.
I have to vote for a good Giant's defense. They've been aggressive on the line, tight in the secondary, and they're coming up with big plays in key situations.
Lots of medium passes across the middle have gotten the Patriots into the red zone.
Brady really blew that throw to Moss for the TD.
Now or never, Brady.
No problemo.
Moss is Boss. (Especially when his cover man falls down.)
Webster just fell down on that play. Moss was untouched.
While that was clearly a Bert-up, you do have to figure that the percentage of Bert-ups goes up, at least slightly, when you're lining up 1v1 on Moss.
It's not an assignment I'd relish. Rather like facing Santana, knowing that change up can make you look foolish at any time.
Well, this is the drive you dream about as a kid. Can Eli get it done?
I nominate Victoria's Secret for best ad.
Fourth and a foot with 1:40 left. Pretty much have to go for it.
Most unbelievable play of the game right there.
That was ridiculous.
I have no idea how Manning got free, and how the receiver caught that ball.
Wow, what a game. If only we had this on WGOM podcast.
Ruh-roh.
Holy Cow!
That was just a fabulous drive. Brady has his work cut out for him now.
Sacajawea.
Moss got behind the coverage, but the throw was a bit short. That could have been a huge play.
Come on, just tick the last second off the clock. Why bother running that last play?
Wild finish. That was one hell of a game.
I can't believe that NE lost. But, the Giants outplayed them the whole game.
I look forward to sampling the sour grapes Simmons' stomped tonight. No doubt an amusing little whine, I'm sure.
What an unbelievable football game. The Giants D-line set the tone early and kept NY in the game. And Eli, wow, talk about growing up under pressure this post-season.
And as a Colts fan, I'm glad the Patriots put their lack of class on display to the world by leaving the field early. Hopefully the Peter Kings of the world will actually pay attention to it this time unlike the other x times they've blown off press conferences/appearances after a loss.
Of note, Randy Moss did not leave the field early this time!
I noticed that as well. Randy stayed to the end. He's the guy I feel bad for. I wanted him to win.
But, as E-6 says, a fine Simmons whine will be enjoyed tomorrow.
Considering Simmons attended the Super Bowl last year and never wrote a column about the game after the Colts won, I'm not holding my breath. He's probably frantically entering a request for a week's vacation.
Or we'll get an NBA column tomorrow.
I was very happy to see Randy Moss on the losing end... sorry SBG, but Moss is all about Moss and he deserves to lose.
Moss never tried to weasel his way onto a specific team in the draft either. Moss is about Moss, but Eli is about Eli, just like pretty much every professional athlete is out there for himself.
An NBA column tomorrow would be perfect.
Holy crap! That was actually quite the game, and I can't say I'm upset by the outcome either.
Wow!! I predicted Giants 31-26... I sure blew that one!!
Unbelievable game... Eli is my favorite Manning!!
Woo Hoo!!
will anyone have the stones to ask Brady about his "17 points" comment?
O.k. does anyone know if Lawrence Malroney's touchdown was the first by a Gopher in a Superbowl? What would be the other possibilities? Rick Churchill for Denver against Dallas in 1976? Did Ben Utect score last year for the Colts?