The Football Diner Big Top 5
FD How To Guide: NYG Super Bowl Game Plan
by Jody Jamieson
29/1/2008
 
It's that time of year again. The media is in a frenzy over Tom Brady and his cast, the Giants are talking smack, and Bill Belichick as always is sitting in the background taking little notice of the whole situation, carefully plotting the final hurdle of the perfect season. I'm pretty sure Tom Coughlin is doing as thorough a job, but as has become a bit of a post season tradition here at the Diner, I will try and offer a helping hand to assist the downfall of the New England empire. After watching the Giants take out the Bucs, Cowboys and Packers on route to Arizona, there is no question they have a shot at competing with the Patriots. And in our third and final Football Diner How To Guide, the Super Bowl Top Fives will hopefully succeed where the last two failed as I give the five matchups the Giants will have to perform to win the game.
 
5. WR Plaxico Burress vs CB Asante Samuel
 
One thing I know won't happen in this game is that Plaxico Burress won't get inside position on an easy catch and be outmuscled by Samuels a la Chris Chambers in the Championship game. Samuels is likely to be playing his last game in Foxboro, and will want to put on a show. He will certainly have his hands full with Burress who looks as healthy as he has looked all season, while battling an ankle injury since Week 1.
 
Burress had his way with Al Harris in the Championship game as the Packers simply wouldn't give him any help, and one on one looked a mismatch as Burress totally dominated. Samuels is no mug, but he will have his hands full this Sunday.
 
4. RBs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw vs Patriots run defense
 
Bradshaw has been an excellent change of pace for the Giants offense. A seventh round pick who got his chance after Derrick Ward went down injured and Reuben Droughns proved rather ineffective, he has been showing signs in the last few weeks he can carry the ball any way you would like him to. Be it between the tackles where his legs seem to be churning at the end of every play even when he hits the deck, or to the outside.
 
The linebackers of the Patriots looked good against the run against Jacksonville, but looked decidedly shaky in zone coverage which suggested they might be slowing down a little. They were great all round against San Diego and the Giants will have to run the ball effectively through Jacobs and Bradshaw to open up the passing game for Manning.
 
3. DEs Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan vs OL Matt Light and Nick Kaczur
 
Osi is having a quiet post-season, and remains sackless through the last three games. Michael Strahan isn't exactly looking great on the statbook, but is getting pressure and making an impact. It is vitally important for the Giants pass rush, which will also include Diner friend Justin Tuck, disrupts the rhythm of the Patriots passing game. Matt Light did a good job on Umenyiora in Week 17, but the Giants as a unit got to Brady a couple of times. If Brady gets time to settle in the pocket and scan the field, it will spell trouble for the Giants. If Brady gets time, which in fairness he inevitably will, it will be up to these guys....
 
2. The Giants' secondary vs Patriots' passing game
 
The Giants had done a good job against New England in Week 17, till Randy Moss got wide open on consecutive plays downfield and after dropping the first, came back with a record breaking TD reception on the very next play. Of all the areas of the field where this game could be won or lost, I fear this could be the Giants Achilles' heel. Aaron Ross and Sam Madison are good cornerbacks, but good safety play from Gibril Wilson will be essential. Wilson will be forever etched in history as when they look back to the play that brought Brady his 50th TD pass of 2007 along with Moss's 23 touchdown, you will see Moss just shoot by Wilson, who seemed to be oblivious to the fact that Brady and Moss will kill you given that opportunity.
 
Teams recently have found a way to contain Moss, but it doesn't always make a difference to the passing game. San Diego did a good job of covering Moss and Welker, which helped create a few turnovers. Turnovers will be crucial, but unfortunately for the Giants, I'm not convinced that is a battle they can win.
 
1. QB Eli Manning vs Patriots' secondary
 
Eli's last interception was his Week 17 throw to Ellis Hobbs. Since then he hasn't turned the ball over at all and seems to be showing signs that he deserved to be the number 1 overall pick a few years ago. The transformation from some of his early season play to the playoffs has been remarkable, as Eli has really come of age in January. His stats weren't exactly mind-blowing in the Packers game, but what an excellent, gutsy performance.
 
If there is one thing the Patriots defense has struggled with, it is defending passes over the middle. While this may not be music to the ears of the Giants who like to work the sideline, they will look to take advantage of any weakness they can find. I mentioned Burress earlier, and we all know what Amani Toomer can do, but Steve Smith has had a great few weeks, and may prove to be the X-Factor in the passing game. If Manning can keep the chains moving, and more importantly Brady off the field, then the Giants can win this game.
 
I'm taking the Patriots to complete the perfect season, but I don't think it will be a blowout. Don't write off the underdog too quickly though, as New York have thrived on that tag this season, and will be no pushovers.
 
The Football Diner Super Bowl Trivia Question
 
With the Patriots looking to win their 4th Super Bowl title in seven years, can you name the players who will be appearing in their 4th Superbowl in seven years as a Patriot?
 
And Finally...
 
Stepping away from the Super Bowl and looking forward to the Draft, I have recently been reading that Miami will trade away the first pick, which is probably not a bad idea. I have to question the sanity of the Dallas Cowboys if the trade rumours are correct. Apparently they are willing to trade away their two first round picks (22nd and 28th picks) AND Marion Barber so they can pick up Darren McFadden in the draft. I could be cynical as an Eagles fan and say I hope they do it, but in truth I think it would be a ludicrous move.
 
I know that Jerry Jones loves McFadden, and the Arkansas prodigy may turn out to be an excellent back, but he will be trading an excellent back, as well as the opportunity to make some much needed upgrades in other areas, to pick up a guy who isn't proven at the pro level. In my opinion he would be better advised to pick up two other players and spend money on Michael Turner. Turner and Barber would be an excellent duo in the backfield. Here's hoping the Jerry Jones sees sense and doesn't risk the short-term future of the Cowboys on the field on McFadden.
 
The Football Diner Superbowl Trivia Answer
 
There are seven players scheduled to play in their 4th Superbowl with New England. They are as follows in numerical order - 12. Tom Brady, 33. Kevin Faulk, 50. Mike Vrabel, 54. Tedy Bruschi, 72. Matt Light, 80. Troy Brown, 93, Richard Seymour