Sunday, Bloody Sunday

I knew it was going to be a bad day when I turned on my IPod and this was first song that popped on.

Ugh. I know I expected the Giants and Jets to lose, but it still sucks. Especially since both teams led and had a chance, if only they executed better.

The Jet-Pat match-up was a marvelous chess match between Mangini and Belichek. It was point-counterpoint throughout most of the game until the second half. Have no idea what the Jets are doing with the lateral pass to Brad Smith, sets up a field goal. After that point, the Jets were chasing. Brady and co. outlasted them. Simply, the Patriots are a better team with more talent right now. However, I think the Jets are almost there. With another of year of fine tuning and adjustment, this team could really challenge New England next year. Jet fans have been saying wait 'til next year for 38 years...what's one more?

The Giant game pretty much came down to what was expected - Giants would fight until the end and then lose. They can never, ever, ever, ever, get a big stop. The entire coaching staff has to be thrown overboard and the defense needs to be blown up. I think Eli Manning is a good enough quarterback to win, but I generally feel that the coaching around him is poor. You saw the talent there in that final drive to tie the came, he's got the ability. And that's what's frustrating. Talent wise, this team is going to get weaker with Tiki headed to television and possibly Strahan not coming back at the level he once was. There weren't many encouraging things that came out of this game, but one thing stuck out for me. Jeremy Shockey, beat up and barely able to stand growing into the leader of this team. Outside of Shockey, I can't find one vocal leader on the offense without Tiki. He's become the heartbeat, the soul, the fire of this team. It's too bad that intensity is not found anywhere else on the team, the quarterback at the top of the list.

Be back tomorrow after some quiet, angry reflection and a preview of the national championship game.