The Sun Also Rises

Even if I could find the words... they probably wouldn't be this good.
I give you James Palmer Hallock:

* * * * *

Not really sure what to say, or what to do. All I know is that the
Giants played at another level last night, and the Patriots weren't
prepared to compete at that level. In a sense, we got out-Belichicked
by Tom Coughlin and that Defensive Line. The offensive line was
completely overmatched, and weren't focused. Justin Tuck dominated
Logan Mankins, who is probably one of the top 2 left guards in the
game. From the start, you could see it happening - the chips were
falling into place for the Giants. Four 3rd down conversions on the
opening, 10-minute drive. The back of the endzone interception that
Hobbs just missed. The fumble that Bradshaw somehow stole away from
Pierre Woods. The Thomas sack, followed by the Bradshaw penalty that
somehow kept the ball away from the Pats. Randall Gay's injury.
Kevin Faulk's injury. Tom Brady clearly not at 100%. The sacks. The
errant passes. The overwhelming arrogance that we could just send Tom
into 5 and 7-step drops and that he'd find the open receiver. The
poor use of the run. Going for it on 4th and 13 from the 31-yard
line, when you just tried to hit a deep pass on 3rd down instead of
trying to get a small chunk of yards to make it either A) a better
field goal chance or B) a better 4th down opportunity. The trash
talking, inviting the Giants to our postgame parties and telling them
that they should get ready to go home. Asante's near miss
interception. Meriweather's near miss interception. The ALMOST sack.
Tyree's catch (how did he hold on to that ball?). Burress wide open
in the end zone - why was he in single coverage on an OBVIOUS slant &
go? There it is. It's all there. Read it. Digest it. Be pissed.
Be disappointed. Be upset. You've tasted it. It was right
there...dripping from the bottle onto your tongue for a 6th time in 6
years. And it was snatched away.

Now, get up and pull yourself together. Because we will be back. And
we might not ever see 18-0 again and you know what? I don't want to.
I want to see 11-5. I want to see adversity, fear, losing. I want to
see playoff games that are up for grabs. I want to come from behind
and kick Peyton's ass. Watching his face, torn & broken as he and the
heavily favored Colts throw that final interception to seal their
fate.

I want to see 100 wins. I want to see tight games with the Yankees in
the regular season, fans hanging on every pitch. I want to see the
new generation of our great rivalry - Ellsbury, Hughes, Buchholz,
Chamberlain, Lester. I want to see the ALCS in Boston & New York. I
want to piss my pants when Rivera comes out of the bullpen and we need
to score a run to send it to extras to keep us alive.

I want to see Banner # 17. I want to see KG lift this basketball town
to heights it hasn't known since the mid-80s. I want to see the
Pistons take us to the wire, night in and night out. Emotionally
drained. Leaving it all out on the floor. For Red. For DJ. I want
to face the Spurs in the finals. I want to go down 2-0 and come back
to Boston weary, but hungry. I want to shock the World - Worst to
First.

I want to be scared again. Not of losing, but of never reaching the
plateau of greatness. All this arrogance. All this "Titletown" crap.
There's no room for it. It doesn't taste as sweet as it does when
you leave it all out there. When you fight for respect. When you
fight for what is yours. Like the Giants did.

I for one am spent after this season and I'm glad it's over. Pitchers
and catchers in 10 days. I just hope we don't start the season on a
winning streak.