Rivers Out Duels Manning as the Chargers beat the Giants
Coming into Sunday game both the New York Giants and the San Diego Chargers were looking to get a victory to keep up with their division leaders. In this game, it was just a matter of who would have the ball last. And luckily for the San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers threw a touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds left on the clock as the Chargers beat the Giants, 21-20.
This game mark the first time that Philip Rivers played against Eli Manning since the 2004 draft. In that draft, Eli Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers and then was traded to Giants. The Chargers would then draft Philip Rivers. It was a win, win for both teams. But, in this game, there could be only one winner and that would be the San Diego Chargers.
Eli Manning play great in this game, throwing for 215-yards and two touchdowns. And at times, the Giants defense kept the Chargers offense off balanced. However, it was not enough, as Rivers was able to get into a rhythm on the last drive that would eventually win the game for the Chargers. Also, when the Chargers defense needed to make a stop, Shawne Merriman proved that he was back. Merriman sacked Eli Manning twice, including on the last play of the game to preserve the victory for the Chargers.
For the New York Giants, this was a terrible loss going into their bye week. With the Cowboys taking control of their division, the Giants find themselves two games behind the Cowboys. The New York Giants have now lost their last four games. The Giants need to comeback from their bye and get on a roll because if not, the Giants are going to find themselves out of the playoffs.
As for the San Diego Chargers, this was great victory to keep us with Denver. But, the Chargers do have some issues. There was several plays where Chargers receivers drop the ball in curial situations. The Chargers need to catch ball to keep drives alive. Now, the Chargers have to get ready to play against the Eagles, another NFC East team. Let see if the Chargers can keep the momentum going as the Chargers look for their fourth straight victory.
(Sources: ESPN)
From Super Bowl Hero to Prison
Last year at Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-14. And, the winning touchdown was caught by Giants wide-receiver, Plaxico Burress. Probably one of best moments that any football player can dream of. However, on Tuesday, the dream of playing football ended for now. Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in prison for violating New York gun laws by accidentally shooting himself in a New York Nightclub last November. Burrers can be released from prison in about 20 months for good behavior.
Too bad for the New York Giants. Plaxico Burress was a good player for the Giants and an important one during their Super Bowl run. It’s unbelievable to think to think that one can go from being a Super Bowl hero to going to prison. However, when you don’t act responsible, bad things can happen. But, for the New York Giants, they had to move forward. The Giants released Burress in April.
For Plaxico Burress, it was a sad day, especially, saying goodbye to his wife, son and family. Hopefully for Plaxico Burress, he’ll get another chance to play in the NFL when he gets out of prison. Only time will tell what will be the next chapter in Plaxico Burress’ life.
(Sources: ESPN)
Chargers sign Rivers to a 6-year Extension
On Monday, the San Diego Chargers signed Philip Rivers to a 6-year extension for $92 millions dollars, which included $38.5 million dollars guaranteed. This was a great move by the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers needed to sign Rivers and get this issue out of the way before it became a big distraction as the team gets ready for this season.
Now, both Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers can focus on football and towards the future. Of course, some may argue that Rivers hasn’t won anything in comparison to both Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB, Ben Roethlisberger, or New York Giants’ QB, Eli Manning, who were drafted the same year as Philip Rivers and have won Super Bowls.
But, Philip Rivers is a franchise QB and you need a player like that if your going to win in this league. The San Diego Chargers and Philip Rivers will do great things together, but the only question is will the Chargers win the Super Bowl under Rivers? We shall see.
(Sources: Chargers.com, NFL.com, ESPN)
Turnovers End Giants, Titans, and Panthers Season
Whether it was fumbles, interceptions or not converting on 4th down situations, this past weekend was bad timing for turnovers. For the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers, turning the ball over during the playoffs ended their dreams of being Super Bowl Champions. All these teams worked hard to gain a bye in the playoffs, but it did not matter as a result of the turnovers.
For the defending Super Bowl Champions New York Giants, even though Eli Manning did throw two interceptions in their lost to the Philadelphia Eagles that was not the major factor that doomed them. The Giants inability to get the 1st down when they tried to go for it on 4th down was very costly. The Eagles stop them a couple of times in the 4th quarter and would then capitalize by scoring a touchdown and then eventually winning the game.
As for the Tennessee Titans, they lost only 3 games all season, but the curial turnovers by the Titans would lead to Baltimore Raves 13-10 victory. Titians quarterback, Kerry Collins, had a costly fumble when the Titans were driving in the 2nd quarter. Later in the quarter, Kerry Collins threw an interception that could had lead to points for the Titans. Towards the end of the 2nd quarter, Titans running back, LenDale White, would also fumble the football, which gave the Titans no chance of getting any points in that quarter. The final turnover that was very costly for Titans was when Alge Crumple fumble the ball at the 5-yard line when the Titans looked like they were going to score. Without these turnovers, the Titans could have scored several times, but it was not meant to be.
Finally for the Carolina Panthers, coming into their game against the Arizona Cardinals, the main issue was if the Cardinals were going to able to handle the Panthers offense, but it was the Panthers that had the issues. The Panthers main issues was their turnovers, especially during crucial times in the game by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme. Jake Delhomme threw five interceptions, which helped lead to the Cardinals victory. After falling behind, the Panthers tried to get back into this game, but interceptions stopped any chance of that happening and they would lose 33-13 to the Cardinals.
Now, as these teams looked back, they had a great season, but their mistakes in the playoffs will haunted them until next season. Tough break for Giants, Titans and Panthers to gain home field advantage and a first round bye and have it all end in one game. These teams should be back next year, hopefully for them, next time, it will be their opponents that make the mistakes.
Another Quarterback Problem for Terrell Owens?
As the Dallas Cowboys prepared to play the New York Giants on Sunday, there were reports coming out of Cowboys camp that Dallas Cowboys wide-receiver, Terrell Owens was having issues with his quarterback, Tony Romo, of not throwing him the ball enough. Owens was also applying that Tony Romo and tight-end, Jason Witten, were scheming to create plays from themselves and not to involve T.O.
This is unbelievable. This situation, were T.O. has issues with his quarterback happened with his former teams, the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and now the Dallas Cowboys. How is it possible that a quarterback would not want to throw the ball to one of the best wide-receivers in the NFL? Football is a team game and there is only one football. Last year, when the Dallas Cowboys lost in the playoffs, T.O. went in front of reporters after the game and said not to blame his quarterback for the loss. So, now what? Is Tony Romo not his quarterback any more? Sure Tony Romo would like to throw the ball more to T.O. because he is a playmaker, but defenses scheme to try to stop T.O. and the Cowboys. So, it can’t all be Romo fault that T.O. doesn‘t get the ball more.
Last week, the New York Giants had their controversy with the Plaxico Burress issue and this week it’s the Dallas Cowboys turn. The Plaxico Burress’ distraction and controversy probably contribute to the loss last week for the New York Giants. We’ll see how the T.O. controversy effects the Dallas Cowboys from now on.
(Sources: ESPN)
Plaxico Burress in Trouble Again
Once again New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress finds himself in trouble with the law. On Friday night, it was reported that he accidentally he shot himself with a hand gun at a nightclub. Of course the first question will be, why would you need a handgun to a nightclub? And, if it’s a nightclub where you need a handgun maybe you should be there. If Plaxico Burress felt that he needed some kind of security, shouldn’t he get a security team and that his security team should be the ones armed instead of Plaxico?
In the beginning of this year, Plaxico Burress was helping the New York Giants win the Super Bowl. Plaxico Burress scored the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl versus the New England Patriots. Now, eleven months later, Plaxico Burress finds himself in a bad position. What’s wrong with this picture?
What is next for Plaxico Burress? Should the New York Giants suspend or release him? Should the NFL suspended or fine him? If there was ever a wake up call, hopefully for Plaxico Burress, this was finally it. Being able to play professional football is a privilege and one should proud to be NFL player. As the legal system get into Plaxico Burress’ case, hopefully for him, he’ll get another chance. It’s up to the courts to decided, for now, all Plaxico Burress can do is hope for another chance.
(Sources: ESPN)
New York Giants Suspend Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Burress did not report to the team practice on Monday and was suspended. He will also miss the game vs. the Seattle Seahawks. There was some sort of family emergency that came about, in which Plaxico Burress had to miss practice. The Giants management made the decision to suspend him. However, Plaxico Burress agent, Drew Rosenhaus said that their going to appeal the decision. It’s just a wait and see.’
My question is, why didn’t Plaxico Burress just make a phone call? It would have taken him a minute to explain what happen. All the other Giants players made it to practice on Monday, so didn’t he have an obligation to contact someone on the team? Well, the New York Giants have other players that can make plays, but not having Plaxico Burress in the lineup could effect team chemistry. Only time will tell, stay tuned.
(Sources: ESPN)
The Kickoff to the 2008 Season Has Begun
It’s finally here, the start of the NFL Season. An exciting time for all football fans. The Washington Redskins vs. Eli Manning and the defending Super Bowl Champions, New York Giants. The Giants won 16-7. For the most part, it was a good game for the New York Giants, but what went wrong for the Washing Redskins in this game? Well, the Washington Redskins couldn’t pass the ball. Even with without Micheal Strahan, the Giants defense were able to dominate the game.
As for Eli Manning, he went 19 to 35 for 216 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. But, what’s wrong with Eli Manning, well, let me think… Oh, thats right, he didn’t want to play for the San Diego Chargers. However, thats okay. Why you ask? Well, with the trade for Eli Manning, the Chargers got a quarterback that wanted to play for San Diego, Philip Rivers. Also, in the trade, the San Diego Chargers would eventually get Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding. So, thank you, Eli. While his run to the Super Bowl is over, the run for the San Diego Chargers has just begun.