It's as much a part of the Super Bowl as entertaining commercials and a way too long halftime show. When in doubt, give the winning quarterback the MVP award.That's really the only logical reason that Eli Manning ended up with the keys to a new Cadillac. Sure, he led the Giants to two fourth-quarter touchdown drives including the game-winner in the final minute, but overall he was good not great (19 of 35, 255 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT).
But the story of this Super Bowl begins and ends with the Giants defense. Facing the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, New York allowed a measly 14 points. The unflappable Tom Brady was flapped: he missed open receivers even when he wasn't pressured, as he started to hear the footsteps of Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan even when they weren't there. The Patriots were held to only 274 yards, nearly 140 yards below their season average.
Give the MVP to Justin Tuck (two sacks, six tackles and a forced fumble) the key player of a Giants front seven that won this game. Manning may have played well, but it's the Giants defense's performance we'll be talking about for years to come.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. I don't know if i totally agree here... Of course he was a huge help in the outcome, but the whole team deserves it!
Actually, MVP should go to Tom Coughlin!
Last year Peyton won MVP and his numbers weren't great either!
Posted at 10:55PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by incognito
2. Well done Eli and the Gaints, as soon as I get my voice back I will shout it out loud!!!!!!!
Posted at 11:00PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by TINA
3. Good thing they got rid of Tiki. The Cows may learn from this and get rid of their two overpaid losers. Maybe we will see them here next year.
Posted at 11:06PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by TINA
4. Agreed
Posted at 11:20PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by rob
5. I agree. the defensive line won this game. Good for them.
Posted at 11:26PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by iRA
6. Don't agree at all. yeah the defense was great but you really have to think --- Strahan, Umenyora, Tuck, and how about Cory Webster? Manning gets my vote because 1-opening drive takes time off the clock, keeps the Pats Offense off the field and sets the tone. After that, 2- throws to everyone --- Tyree the hero this week --- gets the go ahead ---3. well yeah you all saw the final drive and 4. -- the INT was a tip ball as the receiver could have caught it --- tough catch, but you can't blame the INT on Eli. He managed the offense --- whereas the defense had many more hands doing the work.
G
Posted at 11:36PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by G
7. defensive line did the deal!
Posted at 11:37PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by arthur t. lisk
8. Hey quit picking on Tiki!
He took the money and ran to TV when the going got too tough for him. Now we are stuck listening to him on the radio and TV. They'll dump him when his numbers go down. Look what happened to Ahmad Rashad.
The Giants are the Best! BooHoo for the Pats.
Posted at 11:40PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by Joe F
9. When a Quarterback takes his team on two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter he deserves to be the MVP no questions asked.
Posted at 12:00AM on Feb 4th 2008 by tobrien28
10. I was all set to vote for Tuck until the Giant's last drive. He was the leading force on a defense that stuffed the Pats almost all day. I changed my mind after that final NY drive. The way Eli led the team down field was the way golden boy Tom Brady has done it for New England until today. Sure the Giant defense pounded the Patriots all day, but that last drive was legendary.
Posted at 12:18AM on Feb 4th 2008 by BeerClamz
11. Tuck didn't have anythink left in 4th but i still think tha d-line should have gotten the reward not just 1 player
Posted at 12:52AM on Feb 4th 2008 by cowboys rule
12. Its the stuff legends are made of. Eli's drive was bigger than any other drive in Super Bowl history. The Pats saw their team come back and then the Giants slammed the door on a perfect season.
Posted at 12:59AM on Feb 4th 2008 by tobrien28
13. Giants d-line put eli in the position to do what he did so well. Tuck and Strahan are some bbaaaddd dudes!
Posted at 1:16AM on Feb 4th 2008 by terry dail
14. This is nothing new. The sportcasters tend to believe that in a game as big as the Superbowl, the quarterback should always get the MVP unless another player has a game that is beyond spectacular. Past Superbowls clearly show their bias. A quarterback does not keep a drive going by himself, nor can a defense stop a team with just one player. Manning needed players to block, run and catch passes. If any of those things goes awry, then the Giants lose and he's not the MVP. Tuck was the clear MVP in this game. He was clearly the best player and made the biggest difference in their win.
Posted at 1:23AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Frankie
15. WOW now there will be 2 Mannings in the Hall of fame. That drive last drive was Elway,Montana like. Absolutly stunning and against possibly the best team in Nfl History the Pats. For a old Buffalo Bills Fan Its tough to see the Giants win but the same game plan beat the Bills and they did it again. Good for you Giants.
Posted at 1:58AM on Feb 4th 2008 by chuck
16. I believe I speak for every citizen of the Raider Nation when I say, "Tuck Rules!!!"
Posted at 2:09AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Paul Kalugdan
17. I was thinking the defensive line, or maybe the secondary, or even just Tuck by himself, as the MVP candidate. Then Eli breaks free from a certain sack, makes a throw and unlike Steve Smith, this time his receiver bailed him out. So, is it the pass or catch? Its a great drive, almost Peyton-like in execution. Despite that though, I think the MVP should go to the defensive coordinator, for having a game plan that actually worked on an outstanding offense such as NE has, limiting them to 2 scores.
Posted at 3:21AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Rusty
18. You have to admit, Eli has been deogged all season long as a mediocre quarterback. It's great when all the "experts" have to eat crow... He deserves it... don't take away his worth because he wasn't your choice.
Posted at 3:26AM on Feb 4th 2008 by L.J. Vajda
19. The patriots dream season is over...18-1...lol doesnt really sum it up and less they won a championship and they didnt...im glad they lost cuz i got so sick of hearin bout tha patriots and how the afc is the stronger conference...well today the giants proved that wrong and shocked the world...i used to dought eli all the time but he earned my respect this season..he is no scrub thats for sure
Posted at 3:59AM on Feb 4th 2008 by BJ Burton
20. Eli's escaping the sack on the final drive eclipses anything anyone else did in he game, qualifying him for the MVP award. Pivotal, period.
Tyree's catch also eclipses Tuck's and the rest of the defense's invaluable play.
Look at Eli's eyes throughout the game; Determination and Confidense like that is seldom seen in someone of his age in a comparable situation.
Posted at 7:11AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Butch Whitmon