The 4th time being "Defending Champs"

With all its ups and downs, the 2011 Giants season was the most satisfying and fulfilling season that I've ever followed, in any sport.  It stands alone, complete and special, no matter what happens in 2012.  But what I welcome most regarding the 2012 Giants, is the opportunity to defend their title. 

How did the Giants fare in their previous 3 chances?

1987 - Started 0-5, including the players' strike that lasted 3 weeks, during which the Giants replacement players went 0-3.  They finished 6-9 and missed the playoffs.

1991 - Bill Parcells quit (I'm not calling it a retirement as he returned to coach 3 more teams) - and the head coaching job was given to Ray Handley, a name that makes just about any Giants fan cringe.  They finished 8-8, and again, missed the playoffs following a Super Bowl win.

2008 - With most of the miracle 2007 team minus Michael Strahan back for another run, they started 11-1, and looked unbeatable at times.  But then Plaxico Burress shot himself and the team wasn't the same.  They went 1-3 in their last 4 regular season games, finishing 12-4, and still earning 1st round bye...but came out flat in the divisional round and suffered a brutal 23-11 home loss to the Eagles.

So, needless to say, the Giants haven't fared well in title defenses their previous 3 tries.  But, I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with the opportunity this year.  And when it comes to the Giants, title defense season or not, we should be prepared to expect the unexpected.

Champions

Where to even begin?

The Giants have done it again. Four years after a run that appeared to be once in a lifetime.

24 hours later and I am still trying to fully digest what has happened, but here are a few thoughts.

Eli Manning now has a legacy. Beyond "super clutch" I don't know quite what it is, but I know he no longer deserves being compared to his brother, or anyone. He's his own man, and has his own special chapter in NFL history.

Tom Coughlin is a Hall of Fame coach. I say that for lack of a better term, because the Hall of Fame itself is so arbitrary and has Peter King voting on it. But needless to say, Coughlin isn't on the hot seat anymore. Nor can anyone question whether his players love playing for him, and can still be reached by his methods.

Like I said, for me it's still sinking in, but there is a strange feeling at this point. After being all-in for an entire season that was never short on drama, there is no game next Sunday. No heavily favored opponent. No confident yet nervous feelings leading up to the game. No superstitions. (I can now cut my hair, wash my Sunday t-shirt, and not insist certain people are seated next to me while watching the game.) It's really over. 32 teams, and the Giants were the ones left standing. Again.

Yes, there is no game next Sunday. No game for about six months, in fact. Somehow though, with the tape of this game that I'll probably watch a few times over again, I think I'll make it through the long spring and summer.

(Actually, I'll be able to enjoy it more the second time, after having been too on-edge to do so while it was happening.)

Finally, on another personal note, I couldn't have picked a better year to really immerse myself in a Giants season like never before. I tried to write almost every week, and by the 2nd half of the season, Drew and I had the podcast going almost every week. This all has been a blast, and thanks for coming along on the journey with me.