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Giants vs. Eagles: The Best Rivalry in Sports

Published: June 26, 2009

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Where would the NFL be without the leagues greatest rivalry? Over the years I’ve watched the Giants and Eagles battle like no other contest in sports. These two juggernauts have been clashing since 1933.

Seriously, try to name a better head to head confrontation in the sport. The rich history, the epic battles, and game changing dramatic plays. Sure, the Jets and Miami can be considered a rivalry, but remember the Jets and Dolphins didn’t enter into the NFL until the early to mid ’60s.

The Browns vs. Steelers and a bit of Baltimore sprinkled in can give you a good game, but nothing like when the New York Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles. There’s only two hours of asphalt between these two teams, but years of electrifying moments.

Fifteen Of the Top Plays to Remember:

Old School—Bednarik knocks out Frank Gifford putting him out of football for the reason of the year and the entire 1961 season.
“2nd-and-13”—With less than one minute to play, the Giants only need to run out the clock to preserve the win by taking a knee. The win would almost certainly knock the Eagles from the playoff picture when QB Joe Pisarcik misses the Larry Csonka handing. The ball hits the stadium turf and bounces straight up into the hands of cornerback Herman Edwards who runs for a touchdown…and the “Miracle at the Meadowlands” is born!
No. 56 Is born—The best linebacker and pass rusher off all-time, Lawrence Taylor crushes Ron Jaworski for his first sack in NFL history. LT sacked two Eagles quarterbacks, Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham 12.5 each, sharing the distinction of being Taylor’s most frequent sack victims.
Buddy’s Bad Advice—October 1986, LT has a two sack day. The second sack was amazing as LT clearly jumps four feet in the air over RB Keith Byers crushing Jaworski. Buddy would never leave only a running back to block Taylor again.
The Hit—RB Keith Byers gets retribution with the “decleater” on LB No. 52 Pepper Johnson.
Must Be the Circus—LB No. 58 Carl Banks delivered a hit on QB Randall Cunningham which cuts his legs out from under him, sending him flying backward. Randall manages to keep his balance, recovers to his feet, and throws a touchdown.
The QB Can Kick?—Randall Cunningham’s 91-yard punt!
Halloween—1999 overtime, game tied at 17. Michael Strahan bats a pass from Doug Peterson into the air, before intercepting it and taking it in for the game ending touchdown.
Two to the House—The Giants 2000 Super Bowl run was something special as the Giants had two amazing plays vs. the hated Eagles in the divisional playoff game. Ron Dixon took the opening kickoff to the house for a TD and corner back Jason Sehorn made a sensational acrobatic diving interception tipping the ball back to himself and got up to run in for a touchdown.
NFC Championship—Strahan pushes past Jon Runyon and the Eagles with two sacks and a fumble recovery of Donovan McNabb in Jan. 2001 earning their way to the Vikings in 2001.
The Punt Return—With 1:36 to play, the Giants decide to punt. RB Brian Westbrook goes to house with a 84-yard punt return to win the game. Don’t kick to B West!
Jump Ball—Jeremy Shockey tied the game at 7-7 by out wrestling Eagles safety Brian Dawkins on a jump ball in the end zone. Giants win 10-7 and earn a playoff birth.
The Comeback—Losing 24-7, Eli Manning marched his team back from the brink for 17 straight points. Eli flings a deep TD pass to a single-covered Plaxico Burress, who outmaneuvered the Eagles stud corner back, No. 24 Sheldon Brown for a 30-26 victory.
Osi…Can You See?—The boys in blue whipped No. 5 all day setting an NFL record 12 sacks including a franchise-record six by Osi Umenyiora.
Sack King—Michael Strahan does it again by sacking McNabb in Sept 2007 passing the great Lawrence Taylor.

New York Giants Defense: In the Booth

Published: June 6, 2009

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Booth or not to booth…that is the question. Being a sports fan or if you were fortunate to be athletically inclined you might find yourself over time asking yourself if chemistry is over rated? Could I have played next to that guy I couldn’t stand to be around but still function as a well oiled machine.

If I execute and take care of my assignment and he does the same, does it matter that we go our separate ways after the game? Does it matter that we don’t pump each other up before kick off or tap each other on the helmet after a great play?

Yes, it does matter. Chemistry is the fine line between success and failure…the fine line between the championship game and winning the Super Bowl. So why do so many people over look chemistry? And if successful teams and successful players have chemistry with one another…why can’t players have chemistry with their coaches?

Last month the NY Giants new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan announced to the world he won’t be changing much…except for the fact that he will be calling the game from booth! Is this what he considers not changing much?

Why would he want to separate himself from his players during the heat of battle…especially after watching Steve Spagnuolo ‘s recent success over the past two years. Being on the sidelines with your players is a vital part of a team’ success and continued growth within that unit.

This closeness and willingness to be a part of what takes place on the field instead of a disconnected bystander will help grow the trust and bond between the player and coach. This trust allows the player to be more emotionally invested in the success of the scheme. This so called “investment” increases the percentage of success.

Look back at the Defensive Coordinators in the last 25 years that have had success from the sidelines for the NY Giants. Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, John Fox, Steve Spagnuolo all coached from the sidelines…and they are all winners.

These hands on coaches were a vital part of winning games on Sundays. How many times over the years could you find a great Defensive Coordinator on his knees with a white board drawing up plays, making adjustments, motivating their players and listening to direct input from the big guys up front.

Looking back over the years… Mike Nolan, Johnny Lynn, and Tim Lewis all called the game from the booth. They were disconnected from the warriors on the field and lacked the chemistry needed to be winners in the NFL.

In 1993, Nolan took over much of the personnel from Bill Parcells. After his first year the defensive had a steady decline in success. D Ranking- 1993-1996—fifth, 11th, 17th, 14th.

In 2006 on Defensive Coordinator Tim Lewis watch the Gmen finished 25th overall, 28th against the pass and 14th against the run, as the team barely made the playoffs at 8-8. His unit allowed an average of 342.4 yards a game. That was a 15 yards-per-game increase over the 2005 figure.

Under Spagnuolo in 2007, the Giants ranked seventh, led the league with 53 sacks and won the super bowl…harassing Tom Brady along the way sacking him a season-high five times and holding down New England’s potent offense in a 17-14 Super Bowl 42 upset win.

In ’08 New York ranked fifth in the league in total defense, giving up 294 yards per game and this was without seven-time pro-bowler Michael Strahan and fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora who was lost for the season with a major knee injury.

Justin Tuck described Spagnuolo as “one of those coaches where he can kind of yell at the star player and get away with it because everybody loves him that much.”

“I wouldn’t say he’s a player’s coach, but he knows what it takes to motivate his players,” cornerback Corey Webster said. “He gets us to work hard, but we have fun and enjoy it, so it makes us want to work even harder.”

Antonio Pierce already commented that he prefers the DC on the sidelines. It’s not too late for Coach Sheridan to change his mind. Chemistry is not over rated…just ask the boys in blue.

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Giants vs. Eagles: The Best Rivalry in Sports

New York Giants Defense: In the Booth

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