If the sports world as a whole could unite behind one resolution for the new year, it should be this one: Close the book on the anticlimax of 2007.
The past year featured three of the most boring major sports championships in recent memory. Last January saw Peyton's Colts dismantle Bad Rex's Bears; June brought the Spurs' sweep of Cleveland's one-man wonder; and in October, baseball's newest Evil Empire quickly ended Colorado's fluke-of-the-century postseason in four straight.
As much as I loved 2007 for all the good fortune it brought to New England, I have to admit it must have been a snoozer for the other 44 states. On some level (I think it's called "altruism" or "utilitarianism" or something), I'm supposed to hope for a sudden wave of parity, bringing with it a year of drama - of "instant classics."
Super Bowl XLII was not what I had in mind.
My prediction: Pats, 42-17. Tom Brady will dispel any notion of a serious ankle injury within approximately two plays. Randy Moss's embarrassment of the Giants' secondary will make even Donald Driver jealous. The Patriots' defense will learn from its mistakes of five weeks ago and remind us that, yes, it actually is the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL. And while this may go without saying, Bill Belichick will show Tom Coughlin a whole new meaning of the word "outcoached."
This past year was a boring one, sure. One might liken it, let's say, to Cinderella not fitting into the slipper. But, so far, 2008 is threatening a whole other level. This is Goliath strangling David with his bare hands and impaling him upon his own slingshot.
I feel sorry for the Giants. In the grand scheme of things, hasn't their historic January run been somewhat of a curse in disguise?
The Giants have the ingredients to win Super Bowls, but they're not quite there yet. I love Osi Umenyiora, Antonio Pierce and the Giants' disgusting depth of offensive skill players as much as the next guy. But truth be told, the Giants are a quarterback and a coach away from hoisting that trophy.
Coughlin's inability to handle his own personnel has been well documented, and Giants fans have been calling for his head for over a year. But as for Eli Manning, they seem just a bit more stubborn. As much as his fans hate to admit it, all Eli has in common with his brother are a mom, a dad and a No. 1 overall pick.
In case anyone's forgotten, here are the passer ratings put out over the last three years by New Jersey's favorite interception machine (no offense, Mr. Pennington): 73.9 this past season (25th in the NFL), 77.0 the year before (18th) and 75.9 in 2005 (23rd). In the face of numbers like that, one good month isn't enough to convince me. Honestly, I think the Giants' best chance at February glory was to tank their way into April, get their hands on Matt Ryan and go for broke in 2011.
But unfortunately for the Giants, they've suddenly stumbled upon an ability to win the big game. Now, if that ability stays with them this Sunday, I'll help myself to a crow dinner. But if not, what will the Giants have accomplished?
Not much. They'll join the NFL's pantheon of ultimately forgettable Super Bowl losers, alongside the recent inductees from Chicago, Seattle, Philly, Carolina and Oakland. And in all likelihood, they'll think of what could've been.
The Giants, for what it's worth, are NFC champions. But at what cost? They've won just enough to create an excuse for keeping Manning, Coughlin and the inevitable mediocrity of the next few years. The sickening truth is that even when the Giants win, they still lose.
Unless, that is, they can win just one more. But I wouldn't bet on that.
Evans Clinchy is a junior majoring in English. He can be reached at Evans.Clinchy@tufts.edu.
