where is the media in our town, why dont they write articles about all the crap the giants have done and said? It doesnt exist. they have spent the whole week wasting time on the owner. I really wish I had time to make that giants video.
Giants’ hate of ’Boys runs deep
By PAUL SCHWARTZ
Last Updated:5:44 AM, December 28, 2011
Posted:1:30 AM, December 28, 2011
Take what the Giants felt about the Jets based on playing them once every four years and having to share a stadium and community, take that animus and bottle it, leave it percolating decade after decade, shake it up twice a year and when the cork is popped this New Year’s the odorous ooze that flows out is what the Giants think about the Cowboys.
The Jets were the JV of villains; the varsity of bad guys comes next, making Sunday night’s playoff to get into the playoffs also a time for 51 years of festering resentment to rise from Yankee Stadium and the Yale Bowl and old Giants Stadium and swirl around MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys once prompted some rare trash talk out of the mouth of the late Wellington Mara, and what the former Giants owner handed down to his children has been passed down, one generation to the next, from fans of Y.A. to Eli, from Huff to Tuck.
It was on the back end of a lost season, the Giants at 4-7 facing the playoff-bound Cowboys at 7-4 on Nov. 24, 2006 in what would be Dan Reeves’ last year as head coach. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, as usual, was patrolling his beloved team’s sideline, but the Giants played like men against the ’Boys, scoring a 20-6 upset. So pleased to send Jones back to Dallas with a loss, Wellington Mara uttered the now-famous line: “It’s nice to see arrogance humbled,’’ and breezily added: “I enjoyed it very much.’’
Jones still is scampering down to the field, most recently last week when in almost comical fashion he bolted down from his luxury suite, rushing to ground-level to inform coach Jason Garrett that the Giants had beaten the Jets, making the Cowboys-Eagles game meaningless. Jones, who is the owner and also the general manager, easily could have gone into the coaches’ box, put on the headset and relayed this information to Garrett, but later explained he did not want anything “to drop between the lines, communication-wise.’’ Jones wanted to make sure Garrett knew enough to take key players such as Tony Romo — who had bruised his throwing hand — and running back Felix Jones out of the game.
“That’s Jason’s decision, but he doesn’t need to be making that one by himself,’’ Jones said on his radio show in Dallas, adding he told Garrett: “You make the decision, but our emphasis should be on New York.’’
It is impossible to even remotely consider John Mara or GM Jerry Reese high-tailing it down to the sideline — in full view of everyone, showing who really runs the show — to “suggest’’ to Tom Coughlin how to properly deploy his personnel.
Ownership style is merely one glaring difference between these franchises. Jones built a wondrous and gaudy football showcase in Arlington, Texas, and the Giants and Jets pooled resources to erect a serviceable stadium at the Meadowlands. Tony Romo following the 2007 regular season went to Cabo, San Lucas, with his more-famous now-ex-girlfriend, Jessica Simpson, the week before losing to the Giants in the playoffs. The next year, asked about his bye-week plans, Eli Manning — who married his college sweetheart — said jokingly “My plans to Cabo fell through.’’ First Wellington Mara with the barbs, then Eli Manning. The Cowboys have that effect on the Giants.
Left tackle David Diehl has been with the Giants for his entire nine-year career. He learned this early and hasn’t forgotten.
“I know since I’ve been a Giant, walking around New York and New Jersey, the first thing people say to you is ‘Make sure you beat the Cowboys,’ ’’ Diehl said.
Justin Tuck this week, on cue, dutifully again signed off on the sentiment that he despises the Cowboys more than any other opponent. The Eagles, Tuck was reminded, have inflicted far more painful losses in recent years, but he would not relinquish the hatred throne the Cowboys sit upon.
Why does he detest the Cowboys above everyone else? “Just because I want to,’’ Tuck said.
Tuck might have also said “It just feels right.’’
In the 1995 season-opener, a game Reeves said would show if his club had closed the gap with the Cowboys, the Giants were ravaged 35-0 on Monday Night Football, ruining the halftime ceremony retiring Phil Simms’ No. 11. In 2003, Jim Fassel was doomed as soon as Matt Bryant’s squib kickoff rolled out of bounds in a 35-32 overtime collapse.
Jones will make sure his presence is seen and heard Sunday at MetLife Stadium on a night when the Giants seek to clinch a division title, claim a playoff berth and once again attempt to see arrogance humbled.
ROLLE'S CHALLENGE ANSWERED
If you listen to the Giants, their playoff-elimination regular-season finale will be decided today on the practice field.
“That’s when the game is won,’’ Antrel Rolle said. “We just put the stamp on it come Sunday.’’
It was Rolle’s impassioned plea after the 23-10 loss to the Redskins to have all hands on deck for the team’s first practice before facing the Jets. Rolle arrived at work that Wednesday determined to show what he was talking about.
“I went out and played every play as if I was playing the game, practiced every play as if it might be my last play,’’ Rolle said. “We all flew around and we all had a very, very exciting practice and I think it carried over into the game.’’
It’s an interesting concept. Some teams can gear up for a game without needing an inspiring week, but these Giants seem to have all sorts of emotional peaks and valleys.
Maybe it’s all the rookies and the youngsters on the team who don’t know any better. Maybe it’s the low-key leadership traits of Justin Tuck and Eli Manning.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear the fire — Rolle’s fire — doesn’t burn the Giants. It heats them up.
YOUTH GETTING SERVED
Tight End Jason Witten leads the Cowboys by a wide margin in receptions with 72, but he was unusually quiet in the 37-34 loss to the Giants, catching three passes for a barely discernible 12 yards.
Witten was held in check by rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams, who last week did a credible job against another tough customer, Dustin Keller, whose longest gain was only 15 yards.
This is exactly what the Giants need, a youngster learning on the job and finally taking advantage of his great physical gifts.
If a parade of shirtless Giants walked by, Williams would be a top-five pick as far as selecting athletes to start a team. He’s a sixth-rounder without extensive college experience, and he’s made his share of gaffes, because he as been thrust on the field much sooner than expected. After 15 games filled with struggle and inconsistency, perhaps Williams is turning into just what the Giants defense needs, at just the right time.
