NFL Wild Card Playoffs: New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Second Half Live-Blog

Sunday, January 06, 2008


Signal to Noise mentioned Lena Headey in the comment of the last thread. She is, in fact, amazing, but I'm not sure she can save this new Terminator show. It doesn't look, how do they say, "good".

Good start to the second half: Tampa Bay turns it over on the kickoff, and New York picks up right where they left off.

Eli rolls out, avoids pressure, and makes his first mistake in awhile, missing Boss in the end zone. The ball is tipped and almost intercepted. Next play, screen to Jacobs, first down. They haven't done a lot on the ground with Jacobs, but he's had a couple of big receptions thus far, including the first touchdown.
Missed the specifics of the last series - the baby started fussing and my wife apparently forgot that I had a prior commitment. Don't get married, kids! Anyway, the Giants take it down to the goal line but can't put it in the end zone, leaving it up to Lawrence Tynes to put points on the board. The field goal is up, and it is good.

New York 17, Tampa Bay 7

I can't wait for Cloverfield. - JD

Yeah, looks pretty good (how's that for analysis?)

Garcia picked in the end zone - way to kill that promising drive. Why aren't they using Graham more to set up Garcia, instead of the other way around?

You commenters are brutal re: Garcia, and I love you for it.

Okay, so I've missed most of the third quarter - you, the commenters, are manly men for the sheer wit and wisdom of your responses in my absence.

I'm thinking that Joe Buck doesn't actually like sports. He likes the life — he learned that from his dad, and he can recite from his notes with the best of them (and then some), but I don't think he actually likes sports (the game on the field). He got into this because it was the family business. - newmexiken

Interesting thought. Actually, that's not far from the way I tend to view sports - love the history and factual stuff, but don't often sit and just watch a game. (Did I just compare myself to Joe Buck?)

If it's a penalty for Pax, the it's a penalty for Moss, but the NFL has let Moss get away with the same thing for the entire season. - pm

Actually, Moss did get called for offensive interference a few times this season. Burress actually got away with one last week against the Patriots, in the end zone. I think everyone but Peter King saw him push Ellis Hobbs. The problem isn't with Moss getting away with it, it's with virtually every receiver getting away with it.

Third quarter is over, by the way, and the Giants are trying to get Ahmad Bradshaw moving on the ground to chew up some clock. The two basic plays at this point are a Bradshaw run and an underthrown pass from Eli.

So Joe Buck=fredo? - sam

First Eli Manning, then Jeff Garcia, now Joe Buck. NO ONE IS SAFE TODAY!

First-and-goal for the Giants, under ten minutes on the clock. Huge series of plays for the Bucs - a field goal here keeps it a two touchdown game, and they can't really afford to go down three scores with seven-ish minutes to play.

And, seconds after I write that, Amani Toomer catches the touchdown pass from Eli. I'm not quite ready to write, "It's over" in my notebook, but it's getting close.

New York 24, Tampa Bay 7

Tampa Bay's diagnosis of Amani Toomer: not benign in any way. - Signal to Noise
-1 to S2N for the groaner pun of the day. - pm

I came thisclose to writing Amani "It's Not A" Toomer. Pray for me. Pray for all of us.

"Eli Manning, one of the biggest days of his young career." - Buck

When exactly does a career get to the point where you can't refer to it as "young" anymore? I mean, it's Eli's fourth season. He's 27. Does that really still qualify as young, or am I wrong?

Tampa Bay needs to go downfield for a quick score if they want a chance in this game. Bring on Gradkowski!

I have no idea if Gradkowski actually has a strong arm or not. I just really wanted to type, "Bring on Gradkowski".

How many Bill Parcells Coors Light commercials does the world really need? It seems like there are a million of them out there.

Apologies if this has been mentioned before, but now that you notice it it will torment your enjoyment of any broadcast featuring Troy. He doesn't speak in sentences, he speaks in clauses. His conjunction of abuse is criminal.

example: "Yeah, I don't want to overstate this drive by any means Joe, BUT y'know that's a heck of a job right there by Eli Manning AS you said directing this drive, getting them down here into a position to throw the touchdown pass AND you know, who knows, whatever happens BUT we may be looking back at some point and time on this drive for Eli Manning and say, "You know what? that's when he really grew up."

I can't say anything about this. I sometimes with the word "but" had never been invented.

Touchdown, Bucs.

New York 24, Tampa Bay 14

If the game clock wasn't down to the 3:25, I'd say that this isn't over. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the Bucs have anyone who is a threat to score quickly, even if they recover an onsides kick.

"Too bad U2 didn't sing a song called, "It's A Humid Day." - Buck

WHAT? 57% humidity is cause for alarm? I find that to be as stupid as anything Joe Buck has ever said.

Oh, and good call not to onside kick there, Gruden. You can always try to hold 'em and score again in the fifth quarter. What's that? There is no fifth quarter? Well then, I'm afraid you're screwed.

Why, why, why are we still comparing Eli Manning to Peyton. Guess what, Joe Buck? Eli will never be as good as Peyton! Peyton, like him or not, is going to end up as one of the top three quarterbacks ever. Eli might, if he's lucky, make a couple of Pro Bowls. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that.

Troy Aikman is leading the league in flip-flops today. Three minutes ago: "Good call, he was out of bounds," even though there someone on the sidelines walked in front of the camera and you couldn't see where McQuarters landed. Now, "That's an interception." Troy should run for president.

Barring a miracle for Tampa Bay, this one's over. Thanks everyone for reading, and be sure to join Signal to Noise for the upcoming Chargers-Titans games.

Final Score: New York Giants 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14

Final Note: Joe Buck just referred to Jeff Feagles as "the wily veteran."

102 Comments:

Eli-the cameraman is not on your team

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:41:00 PM  

dumb penalty.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:42:00 PM  

No excuse for that penalty with the freaking play clock 15 feet in front of your face.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:43:00 PM  

Why in the world do you throw a pass to someone three or four yards away from the end zone with no blockers in front of him? I have never understood that...

Of course I've never understood Eli Manning either.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:44:00 PM  

That's a big hold by the Bucs' D; if they'd gone down by two touchdowns, they'd have been in deep shit.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:45:00 PM  

Steve Smith continuing the proud tradition of former USC WR's.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:46:00 PM  

"There is no rule in the rule book that says the offense has to score a touchdown in those situations" - TA

We know what he is getting at, but huh?

Unknown said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:47:00 PM  

I can't wait for Cloverfield

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:48:00 PM  

I love this UPS whiteboard guy. Great ad.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:48:00 PM  

For sideline reporters - Oliver and Myers are pretty good. Not nearly as annoying as most.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:49:00 PM  

I think Buck is starting to have detrimental affect on Aikman.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:50:00 PM  

Doesn't every play "depend on the spot?" Why do announcers say that? Maybe I'm over-analyzing...

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:51:00 PM  

put a skirt on garica.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:52:00 PM  

Even though there's no reason for this to matter me, I'm excited for the River from Firefly to be in the Terminator series.

Brave Sir Robin said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:52:00 PM  

Roughing the passer?

Fuck that. If you're going to call that shove roughing the passer, put the QB in a non-contact jersey or a dress.

Jesus. He hit him high, but not helmet-to-helmet.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:53:00 PM  

Mal said...
put a skirt on garica.

I'm sure he'll be glad to take you up on that offer

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:53:00 PM  

I love all of the Terminator movies but my expectations are tempered for this new "series" thing.

I can't see any good coming from it. Especially without the governator.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:53:00 PM  

he is a bit swishy isn't he

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:54:00 PM  

He does have a hot beard, err, wife, i mean.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:55:00 PM  

Anybody else think there might be a time share/RB switch in Tampa next season?

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:55:00 PM  

Weak looking arm on that one.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:56:00 PM  

Horrid pass. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Throw it with your purse next time, Jeffy.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:56:00 PM  

So much for the Bucs never turning the ball over

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:56:00 PM  

Pretty good analysis on the Cloverfield stuff, I must admit.

I just hope this isn't another pathetic attempt at Godzilla.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:58:00 PM  

@ jd - probably - Cadillac and Graham in a split-time deal might help Cadillac stay healthy.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:58:00 PM  

Garcia limp-wristed that pass.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 2:58:00 PM  

That drive could usher in "Bad Eli"

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:00:00 PM  

mal

Yea I don't even pretend to know the Bucs contract situaitons but I would have to think that would be the best situation for the two, right?

If Graham hasn't proven that he can shoulder the Bucs RB position I don't know what else it would take.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:01:00 PM  

Eli Face on the replay!

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:01:00 PM  

"They (Seahawks) will be facing Brett Favre" - Joe Buck


Anyone else hear of this team vs. man playoff game?

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:02:00 PM  

who are these losers and retards in the burger king commercials? did they film these things outside area 51 or something?

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:03:00 PM  

Every game vs. Brett Favre is team vs. man! There is nothing som much like God on earth (in Joe Buck, Peter king, and John Madden's eyes) as Brett Favre on a football field.

(That's all the Bear fan bile for today, I promise.)

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:03:00 PM  

no huddle from Bucs.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:06:00 PM  

LOL. I don't laugh at many football games outright but that pass by Garcia is gonna be bringing on some more comments, I feel it.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:06:00 PM  

I hope for Garcia's sake that was just a poorly run route

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:06:00 PM  

Nice stand from the Giants. They need to get the running game rolling at some point though.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:08:00 PM  

I'm thinking that Joe Buck doesn't actually like sports. He likes the life — he learned that from his dad, and he can recite from his notes with the best of them (and then some), but I don't think he actually likes sports (the game on the field). He got into this because it was the family business.

NewMexiKen said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:09:00 PM  

OPI called two days in a row. It's a festivus miracle.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:09:00 PM  

If it's a penalty for Pax, the it's a penalty for Moss, but the NFL has let Moss get away with the same thing for the entire season.

(cue vociferous Masshole backlash)

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:10:00 PM  

That replay of the third down pass to end the third quarter confirmed it for me:

Eli Manning = Special Ed from Crank Yankers

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:11:00 PM  

"I'm thinking that Joe Buck doesn't actually like sports."

I'm more of the mind that Joe Buck doesn't really get sports and is running the family business into the ground.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:12:00 PM  

Joe Buck only likes Joe Buck people. Oh and Bud Light and Holiday Inn.

Jan 6, 2008, 3:13:00 PM  

Love it when the players keep grinding after they lose their helmets.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:14:00 PM  

So Joe Buck=fredo?

Tough run by Bradshaw

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:15:00 PM  

Fredo! Hilarious.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:16:00 PM  

Sam,

Fredo. Perfect analogy. Except for the cocktail waitresses two at a time. No way a limpdick like Buck pulls that off.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:16:00 PM  

Perfect pass from Eli on the comeback route, you can't have better timing

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:18:00 PM  

Tampa Bay is getting hammered, Giants/Cowboys.


So as things stand, the NFC looks like this:

Seattle/GB - Kenny Albert, Moose, Goose

Giants/Cowboys - Buck and Aikman

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:19:00 PM  

Bradshaw is playing like tiki.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:19:00 PM  

"The problem isn't with Moss getting away with it, it's with virtually every receiver getting away with it."

Too true. Chambers got away with a bad one last week, as well, and then there was Hines Ward's facemask-a-go-go las night...

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:19:00 PM  

You think they'd rather have Buck and Aikman slobber over Romo than Favre?

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:20:00 PM  

And that's your game.

Jan 6, 2008, 3:21:00 PM  

This has been an 8 minute drive that ends in a TD. Bucs are done.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:21:00 PM  

Stick a fork in Tampa Bay, great drive by Eli/Bradshaw

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:21:00 PM  

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAnnnnnd scene. To quote Dandy Don, "Turn out the lights, the party's over."

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:22:00 PM  

Game over.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:22:00 PM  

Buck and Aikman never leave the NFC East unless they have to.

Jan 6, 2008, 3:22:00 PM  

Tampa Bay's diagnosis of Amani Toomer: not benign in any way.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:22:00 PM  

Sam, the Cowboys will be on FOX for the 10th time, 9 games have been called by either Joe Buck or Kenny Albert and Troy Aikman, and one game involved Kenny, Moose, and Goose. All 10 games done by FOX have had at least one former Cowboy in the booth.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:24:00 PM  

-1 to S2N for the groaner pun of the day.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:24:00 PM  

Hope this shuts up those know-it-alls at ESPN saying that the Giants would get drilled because they played balls to the wall against the Pats last week.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:24:00 PM  

http://www.armchairgm.com/Article:FOX's_NFC_East_Lovefest

Here is one link Sam.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:25:00 PM  

Yeah - a Jumper promo. I almost forgot when it comes out.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:26:00 PM  

Apologies if this has been mentioned before, but now that you notice it it will torment your enjoyment of any broadcast featuring Troy. He doesn't speak in sentences, he speaks in clauses. His conjunction of abuse is criminal.

example: "Yeah, I don't want to overstate this drive by any means Joe, BUT y'know that's a heck of a job right there by Eli Manning AS you said directing this drive, getting them down here into a position to throw the touchdown pass AND you know, who knows, whatever happens BUT we may be looking back at some point and time on this drive for Eli Manning and say, "You know what? that's when he really grew up."

egads.

Unknown said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:27:00 PM  

I'm still trying to decide if the Giants are a good team or if Tampa Bay is really that bad. I mean, if throwing at people's ankles and shins counted as receptions, Eli would have been the league MVP, not Tom Brady.

I have to say I'm impressed that Eli hasn't thrown any demoralizing interceptions. The Giants are still winning without any major yardage from Plax and only 1 sack from the defense.

As a Giants fan, I'll take it.

ChrisV82 said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:27:00 PM  

sorry, conjunction abuse, not "conjunction of abuse" whatever the heck that is.

Unknown said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:28:00 PM  

That Jumper movie looks so bad (and that's coming from someone who saw The Covenant at the movie theater).

Jan 6, 2008, 3:29:00 PM  

for the next week only, I'll be a Giants fan since I hate the Cowboys, and hope the TV analysts all pick Dallas next week too

Mark B said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:30:00 PM  

Buck fails to recognize the stark difference between "hobble" and "jog"

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:30:00 PM  

"Conjunction abuse"? didn't Michael Irvin get busted for abusing conjunction while he was TA's teammate at Dallas?

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:31:00 PM  

Wait...that was coke Irvin was on then. I always get those abuses confused.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:32:00 PM  

Mal - I believe the word you're looking for is "construda."

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:32:00 PM  

That's just the problem with Buck: he thinks he's got dramatize every single moment. He can't just call the game straight and let what goes on on the field be the story; he's got inject himself into the moment, or, if the moment isn't there, he tries to create it. He's a hack.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:32:00 PM  

And that was so grounding on Garcia right there.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:34:00 PM  

I feel a crippling turnover coming...

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:34:00 PM  

That pirate ship would be more exciting if it fired real cannon balls at the crowd.

ChrisV82 said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:36:00 PM  

Hmmm. Too little, too late, or are the Bucs going to make a game of it?

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:36:00 PM  

That pirate ship needs to have hotties in pirate wench outfits like at Treasure Island in Vegas.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:36:00 PM  

Ooooh.....let's take 18 minutes to drive when there's only 7 minutes left.

Jan 6, 2008, 3:37:00 PM  

Pirate wenches firing cannonballs in the broadcast booth. Now THAT would be interesting.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:37:00 PM  

Please Giants, beat Dallas.

Please Seattle, beat Green Bay.

Result
________________________________

Giants @ Seahawks in NFC championship game.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:37:00 PM  

Two episodes of American Dad? What did I ever do to you, Fox?

ChrisV82 said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:38:00 PM  

"Too bad U2 did write a song called 'It's a Humid Day'" - Buck. What a tool.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:39:00 PM  

Are you kidding me Joe Buck...."Humid Day" by U2????

And "Both teams gasping for breath."?

The word air would have sufficed....god I hate him.

Jan 6, 2008, 3:39:00 PM  

Nice to see Family Guy putting the lines they lift straight from the Simpsons in their promo's now. They're not even ashamed of their baldfaced plagiarism now!

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:39:00 PM  

What a sissy call. Get the first down.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:42:00 PM  

Coughlin not making friends with this play-calling...

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:43:00 PM  

Just because Peyton didn't win his first three playoff games doesn't mean Eli is anywhere close to Peyton.

ChrisV82 said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:43:00 PM  

If Buck had his own talk show....


"So a jew, a muslim, and a priest walk into a bar....oh wait, that's my writing staff as they drink their miseries away"

*crickets*

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:45:00 PM  

But wait, Joe Buck has to be The Guy who called The Game where Eli Manning ascended, in glorious victory, to the plateua of the greats, so the Joe Buck's voice will be The Voice of the The Guy who called The Game.

Joe Buck is the biggest douchenozzle to set foot on planet earth.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:48:00 PM  

And the game is over.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:48:00 PM  

Great camera work on that one. Garcia limp-wristed that rainbow of a pass.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:49:00 PM  

Nice sally toss by Jeffy-poo.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:50:00 PM  

So.....the NFC Championship Game called by Buck and Aikman will be guaranteed to have an NFC East team involved.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:50:00 PM  

Garcia's mascara is running.

Mal said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:51:00 PM  

In other news: Giants fans boycott playing home games.

TJX said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:53:00 PM  

How unusual to see a Barber standing on the sideline of the losing team.

And by unusual I mean common.

ChrisV82 said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:55:00 PM  

The NFL Today has Charlie Casserly sitting at the main desk with everyone else this week, extending it to six. Further proof that there is way too many people on pregame shows.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:56:00 PM  

Thanks for the Buck links

Damn the Giants defense has been playing well
Don't forget that the game in Dallas was closer than people remember
Let's hope this next game is somewhat close

Sam said...
Jan 6, 2008, 3:59:00 PM  

I'd be more willing to buy a Mac if instead of a hipster, the Mac was represented by an 18 year old Alyssa Milano.

Not sure how you could make that work, but with science, anything is possible.

ChrisV82 said...
Jan 6, 2008, 4:02:00 PM  

Bradshaw doing the highlights...every play they showed Bradshaw said "Giants...on the road...." Duh, Terry! You only need to say the once.

Unknown said...
Jan 6, 2008, 4:05:00 PM  

Good God! Listening to the post game show you'd think the whole future of the NFL hinges on the play of Eli Manning. They are almost creaming their jeans over the fact that "he" won a playoff game.

Anonymous said...
Jan 6, 2008, 4:07:00 PM  

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