Superbowl 42 is finally over, and we've learned quite a few things from this little experience.
Consider This: There's a Reason They Play The Games
I was listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning's Superbowl Sunday show, and one of them (I forget who, they're not Mike and the Mad Dog so who cares) said that they should just hand the Lombardi trophy over to the Patriots. Some other prognosticators (I'm looking at you morons at FOX Sports) were wondering if they should rename the Lombardi trophy to the Belichick trophy. This game was wrapped up with a nice bow and handed to the Patriots by almost every talking head.
But the Giants still had a game to play.
There's a reason they play every game: you just don't know what's going to happen. Sure, on paper the Patriots had this game wrapped up. On paper, the Patriots whipped the Giants. On paper, the Patriots won the Superbowl.
On paper the Patriots were the best Football team to walk the face of this Earth. On the field, the Giants showed that they were the better team this Sunday.
Consider This: Eli Manning is a Winner
I've liked Manning at times, though I've been disappointed in his performance over the past four years. Sure, he had some amazing moments, and he tarnished them with some of the most boneheaded plays I've ever seen; but, in this post-season - and in this Superbowl - Eli Manning showed us that he is a winner.
And by "winner" I don't mean Superbowl champion. No, by "winner" I mean Eli Manning does not quit and finds a way to make his team win. He stays alive, he knows he'll always have another shot at the end zone, and he knows exactly what's going on (even though he does let the play clock work against him at times).
Consider This: The Giants' Defensive Front Seven is Amazing
At the beginning of the season it looked like the Giants would have a laughable defense, but at the end of the season they look almost as dominant as the 1985 Bears or 1986 Giants defensive lines. The Giants defense hit Tom Brady more times than the Patriots had plays for positive yards. Brady was rushed more in this one game than he has been all season.
The defensive line stepped up in a big way. They proved that no matter how explosive an offense is, if your defense can break the pocket down and hit the quarterback you can win the game.
The Giants defensive line faced Tony Romo, Brett Favre, and Tom Brady - three of the NFL's four "golden boys" - and stopped all three of them.
Consider This: The Giants Could be a Frightening Team
The Giants already had a strong defense, but now they have confidence in the blitz-heavy Spagnuolo system, they believe in Tom the Terrible, and Eli Manning now understands what it takes to win a championship in the NFL.
Their offense is basically going to stay the same, their defense is only going to get better with this upcoming draft, and Spagnuolo may actually stay as the defensive coordinator. They may not dominate the league like the Patriots did, but this was a Superbowl-winning formula.
If I'm any other team in the NFL, I'm paying attention to the New York Giants.