By Garrett Eagan, McDaniel Guru
The 2007-2008 NFL season can be summed up in the four words that this anthology has been branded by. There was cheating, admitted by all parties involved. The Jets assumed the whistle-blower role, squealing on the Patriots and their suspect taping techniques of the opponent’s sidelines during games. The Patriots admitted to taping the Jet’s sidelined and took their punishment. The punishment was the heftiest in league history, and the Patriots’ dream of a perfect season would be shrouded in question.
And the NFL acted in the way they know best: a guilty way. Coincidental timing, destroying evidence, covering up the whole scandal by sweeping it under the rug all raise an eyebrow to those who believe in conspiracy theories like me. The 2007-2008 season also was a season of delinquency. Over 18 players were suspended for anything from decorum on the field to decorum off the field to decorum in the strip club. Roger Goodell has dealt with more in just a season than Paul Tagliabue dealt with in 17 years as the NFL commissioner.
A champion has been crowned, and it’s not the team who was on pace for perfection. Goliath has fallen, and the team once dubbed as the greatest in NFL history is reduced to nothing more than a shadow of its former self. Instead of finishing the perfect season and shattering the 36-year-old record set by the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the Patriots are known for losing their shot at perfection. The New York Giants, who started the season at 0-2 and were overlooked as too young or too old, had completed the biggest upset in NFL history. Eli Manning, who was patronized by his own fans for his demeanor during and after the game, is now a Super Bowl MVP.
With triumph and elation, there are those who are marked with defeat. The Colts lost in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against a San Diego Chargers team; a team that forced 6 INTs from a Peyton Manning returning from a season ending in a Super Bowl victory and MVP title. However, this game was different. The Chargers were without star QB Philip Rivers and RB LaDainian Tomlinson, both out with knee injuries. The Packers also missed their opportunity to go to another Super Bowl with their star QB Brett Favre. The Packers, who hosted the Giants at Lambeau Field, were not able to continue their landmark 13-3 season against a New York Giants team surprised and as frostbitten as Tom Coughlin’s face.
And then there was the biggest choke of the last decade. The New England Patriots, 18-0 going into Super Bowl Sunday and highly anticipated to both break the perfect season record and the Giants lost their perfect season. The Patriots opted to abandon their usual “fun-n-gun” offense for a more conservative approach that slowed down their team. The Giants also had something to do with the outcome. The Giants created new defensive schemes and were able to slow down the explosive offense, controlling the game, and allowing the 17-14 outcome.
And the NFL acted in the way they know best: a guilty way. Coincidental timing, destroying evidence, covering up the whole scandal by sweeping it under the rug all raise an eyebrow to those who believe in conspiracy theories like me. The 2007-2008 season also was a season of delinquency. Over 18 players were suspended for anything from decorum on the field to decorum off the field to decorum in the strip club. Roger Goodell has dealt with more in just a season than Paul Tagliabue dealt with in 17 years as the NFL commissioner.
A champion has been crowned, and it’s not the team who was on pace for perfection. Goliath has fallen, and the team once dubbed as the greatest in NFL history is reduced to nothing more than a shadow of its former self. Instead of finishing the perfect season and shattering the 36-year-old record set by the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the Patriots are known for losing their shot at perfection. The New York Giants, who started the season at 0-2 and were overlooked as too young or too old, had completed the biggest upset in NFL history. Eli Manning, who was patronized by his own fans for his demeanor during and after the game, is now a Super Bowl MVP.
With triumph and elation, there are those who are marked with defeat. The Colts lost in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against a San Diego Chargers team; a team that forced 6 INTs from a Peyton Manning returning from a season ending in a Super Bowl victory and MVP title. However, this game was different. The Chargers were without star QB Philip Rivers and RB LaDainian Tomlinson, both out with knee injuries. The Packers also missed their opportunity to go to another Super Bowl with their star QB Brett Favre. The Packers, who hosted the Giants at Lambeau Field, were not able to continue their landmark 13-3 season against a New York Giants team surprised and as frostbitten as Tom Coughlin’s face.
And then there was the biggest choke of the last decade. The New England Patriots, 18-0 going into Super Bowl Sunday and highly anticipated to both break the perfect season record and the Giants lost their perfect season. The Patriots opted to abandon their usual “fun-n-gun” offense for a more conservative approach that slowed down their team. The Giants also had something to do with the outcome. The Giants created new defensive schemes and were able to slow down the explosive offense, controlling the game, and allowing the 17-14 outcome.