In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, the New England Patriots lead the New York Giants 17 to 15 with four minutes left in the game. On the Giants 44-yard-line, Tom Brady lines up in shotgun formation on second-and-11 takes the snap. Reading the Giants cover 2 defense perfectly, Brady completes a pass deep down the left side of the field to Wes Welker. Its a New England first down inside the redzone. It virtually seals the victory for the Patriots. Tom Brady will win his fourth Super Bowl, making him one of only three quarterbacks to accomplish that feat, along with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw.
That's what could have been. Tom Brady is probably replaying the pass to Wes Welker over and over again in his head. One of the most sure-handed wide receivers in the game dropped the biggest catch of his career. Had he made the catch, everyone would be talking about Brady as the best quarterback of all time, but he didn't. Next year, Tom Brady will be 35. Father time is closing in on Brady, and he knows it. Perhaps Brady will win that coveted fourth Super Bowl, but until he does, "the play that could have been" will be haunting number 12.
As for the New York Giants, they are Super Bowl champions again. The spectacular 38-yard completion from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham, two plays after Welker's infamous drop, will be talked about for years to come. Four years ago it was David Tyree, and now its Mario Manningham. Those two miraculous catches will haunt Patriot fans for as long as they live.
The future for the Giants looks extremely bright. Eli Manning is in the prime of his career and at the age of 31, he shows now signs of slowing down. Especially with that wide receiving core of Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, who put his name on the map with his 82 receptions, 1,536 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Cruz had never caught an NFL regular season pass before this year. With a solid offensive line and a healthy Ahmed Bradshaw, the Giants offense is extremely potent.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is one of the most dominant in the game. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are both in the prime of their careers, and with the emergence of 23-year-old Jason Pierre-Paul, quarterbacks will hoping the Giants don't end up on their schedule. The line-backing core is good but not great, but with that defensive line, the line backers will have a lot of help. The secondary was a weak spot this year, but it should improve. There is definitely not a lack of talent. Aaron Ross was the winner of the 2006 Jim Thorpe award, given to the best defensive back in college football so he obviously has talent. Antrel Rolle is a two time pro bowler. Kenny Phillips had the best year of his career and at age 25, he should continue to improve. The veteran of the group, Corey Webster, has been playing with the Giants since the 2005 season and provides leadership to the secondary. If they can pull it together, the defense will make its way up the ranks and more than likely become a top 5 defense.
Although the Giants do look like the team to beat in the NFC next year, remember that they were once a lowly 7-7 team earlier in the year. They caught fire and didn't lose another game after that. But with the likes of the Lions, Packers,Saints, and 49ers also in the NFC, it will not be an easy road back to the Super Bowl. The NFC East is ultra competitive with the Eagles looking for a bounce back year and the Cowboys still in the mix. But, the power has shifted to the NFC after AFC teams like the Patriots, Colts, Steelers, Jets, and Ravens seemed to hold it for so long.
What do you think about the futures of the New England Patriots and New York Giants? Are the Patriots still the team to beat in the AFC? In a competitive NFC, how will the Giants fare in 2012?
That's what could have been. Tom Brady is probably replaying the pass to Wes Welker over and over again in his head. One of the most sure-handed wide receivers in the game dropped the biggest catch of his career. Had he made the catch, everyone would be talking about Brady as the best quarterback of all time, but he didn't. Next year, Tom Brady will be 35. Father time is closing in on Brady, and he knows it. Perhaps Brady will win that coveted fourth Super Bowl, but until he does, "the play that could have been" will be haunting number 12.
As for the New York Giants, they are Super Bowl champions again. The spectacular 38-yard completion from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham, two plays after Welker's infamous drop, will be talked about for years to come. Four years ago it was David Tyree, and now its Mario Manningham. Those two miraculous catches will haunt Patriot fans for as long as they live.
The future for the Giants looks extremely bright. Eli Manning is in the prime of his career and at the age of 31, he shows now signs of slowing down. Especially with that wide receiving core of Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, who put his name on the map with his 82 receptions, 1,536 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Cruz had never caught an NFL regular season pass before this year. With a solid offensive line and a healthy Ahmed Bradshaw, the Giants offense is extremely potent.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is one of the most dominant in the game. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are both in the prime of their careers, and with the emergence of 23-year-old Jason Pierre-Paul, quarterbacks will hoping the Giants don't end up on their schedule. The line-backing core is good but not great, but with that defensive line, the line backers will have a lot of help. The secondary was a weak spot this year, but it should improve. There is definitely not a lack of talent. Aaron Ross was the winner of the 2006 Jim Thorpe award, given to the best defensive back in college football so he obviously has talent. Antrel Rolle is a two time pro bowler. Kenny Phillips had the best year of his career and at age 25, he should continue to improve. The veteran of the group, Corey Webster, has been playing with the Giants since the 2005 season and provides leadership to the secondary. If they can pull it together, the defense will make its way up the ranks and more than likely become a top 5 defense.
Although the Giants do look like the team to beat in the NFC next year, remember that they were once a lowly 7-7 team earlier in the year. They caught fire and didn't lose another game after that. But with the likes of the Lions, Packers,Saints, and 49ers also in the NFC, it will not be an easy road back to the Super Bowl. The NFC East is ultra competitive with the Eagles looking for a bounce back year and the Cowboys still in the mix. But, the power has shifted to the NFC after AFC teams like the Patriots, Colts, Steelers, Jets, and Ravens seemed to hold it for so long.
What do you think about the futures of the New England Patriots and New York Giants? Are the Patriots still the team to beat in the AFC? In a competitive NFC, how will the Giants fare in 2012?
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