TV Chatting

 

Remember the beginning of the NFL season when former New York Giant turned NBC “correspondent”/hack accused former teammate Eli Manning a poor leader who seemed confused?

 Well, while Tiki has been blabbing on TV, QB Eli has just completed the most improbable run to and through the playoffs, capped off by a brilliant performance in the Super Bowl, beating what some commentators thought was the greatest team in league history.

Do you think Tiki (and what the hell kind of name is “Tiki” for a grown man?), who is now reportedly hated by former teammates and New York fans alike, will eat crow and change his tune about Eli?

I doubt it.

Perhaps the loss of big ego Tiki from the Giants’ lockerroom was another reason the Giants were able to make their great run.

I can’t tell you how much pleasure it gave me to watch the playoffs and the Super Bowl and watch Eli Manning give the virtual finger to Barber.

Congratulations, Eli, Mr. Super Bowl MVP and to the rest of the coaches, staff, players, and owners of the New York Giants.  While you showed grit and class, Tiki tried to get ratings by ratting out his former teammates.

Perhaps there really is justice in this world.

Photo: QB Eli Manning (10) of the New York Giants before the NFC Wildcard game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA on January 7, 2007.

Ok, I’ll admit my bona fides are a little light football-wise.

• Last organized football played—Freshman year of high school.
• Soccer coach and ref.
• NFL games attended in person—2.

But I have loved the NFL (and before the merger, the AFL even more) since I was a first grader—over 40 years. And God knows how many thousands of hours of NFL games and analysis on ESPN I’ve watched.

So, I am no more or less an expert than most people.

But I predict and upset today—the New York Giants 27, the New England Patriots 24.

Here are my reasons:

• The Patriots will once again need a good kicker to win the game. They let go one of our favorite South Dakotans—Kicker Adam Vinatieri—and now have a rookie. Adam is only the most clutch kicker in the history of the game.
• Giants QB Eli Manning will not throw any interceptions and continue his near perfect play.
• The Giants pass rush will get to QB Tom Brady and disrupt his timing.
• The Patriots’ pursuit of going 19-0 finally catches up with them.
• NE QB Tom Brady’s ankle really is bothering him. (See photo above.)
• The Patriots weren’t able to cheat and tape the Giants’ run-through like they did the St. Louis Rams’ in Super Bowl 36.

And speaking of the Rams. In Super Bowl 36, they were the prohibitive favorite, had the tremendous passing attack, and were the “Greatest Show on Turf.� The Patriots were given no chance.

Well, the tables are turned. The Patriots will be smug, the Giants will be hungry.

And if I’m wrong, at least their’s Tom Petty at half time.

Regardless of the score, enjoy the game!

Photo above: Tom Brady sighting on January 23, 2008 in New York City. Tom Brady Sighting in New York - January 23, 2008.

Photo below: Actor Michael Chiklis attends the Official Super Bowl XLII Talent and Player Gift Lounge produced by the NFL and ON 3 Productions held at the Phoenix Convention Center on February 2, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Technorati Tags: Greatest Show on Turf, St. Louis Rams, Adam Vinatieri, famous South Dakotans, Tom Brady, kickers, QBs, Eli Manning, Super Bowl, Tom Petty

I think this is really cool.

You’ll be able to send and receive Twitters about the Super Bowl via ESPN.

So talk smack. Analyze the teams. Predict which adds will be the best.

My Gal Audrey has more below.

Super Bowl XLII is almost here, and to get everyone talking for the big game on February 3rd, ESPN.com is morphing their existing Twitter channel to the Official ESPN .com Super Bowl XLII Twitter Channel:

http://twitter.com/espn

This microblogging tool will post NFL headlines and feed in hot discussion topics before, during, and after the game. Here are a few to expect:

If Giants win the Super Bowl, who is the better Manning?

In the head to head match up who will win, Giants receivers or Patriots DB’s?

Who is the most valuable Patriots receiver?

This is a community so you can exchange your quick thoughts on the big game with each other online and via mobile. Want a really easy way to get into the action? All you have to do is:

Text: ‘follow ESPN’ to 40404

And you can get all the info on the Twitter (or set to just get certain updates) via your mobile!

If you think you bring the best game, email us at espnsuperbowl@wiredset.com to be added to ESPN.com’s “Followingâ€? team.

Whether you’re a Pats or Giants fan, or just plan on watching the Super Bowl February 3rd, join in on the buzz at the ESPN.com Super Bowl XLII Twitter Channel!

Photo: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 21, 2007.

Technorati Tags: Super Bowl, ESPN, Twitter, NFL, football, technology

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