GameDay Observations

By Jared Trexler

The following are observations I noticed while watching the Eagles-Giants game.

**Never watch a Giants game with a Giants fan and utter the words, "Eli is awful."**
Especially when the fan is a 14-year-old kid who watches the NFL Network during breakfast. He'll respond with shots at your club's quarterback, then roll up a hat and mimic one of your signal-caller's 21 INT's on the season.

However, my assessment wasn't that far off. The numbers didn't flow of awful, but Manning's mannerisms and technique sure did. He threw off his back foot on countless occasions, overshooting receivers on throws to the outside and living dangerously on a few more into the middle of the field. I noticed -- through taping the game and using the pause button -- that Manning almost always becomes flat-footed at the end of his drop. It leads to poor mechanics and an inability to release the ball at the proper arm angle.

**What is Pete Morelli doing officiating a playoff game?!?!**
Morelli inexplicably overruled a Troy Polamalu interception during the AFC Divisional Playoffs last season, then after the game he gave some convoluted interpretation of a rule -- one the league countered was incorrect in an apology later in the week.

I am all for second chances, but to give Morelli another playoff game?!? Twice on a Giants touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, Morelli's crew misstepped. First, the umpire called a ludicrous holding penalty on guard Chris Snee during a screen pass that Tiki Barber took instead the Eagles 15. Later on the drive, Darwin Walker pounded Manning well after the ball left his hand, yet there was no yellow thrown by Morelli.

Neither play impacted the game itself, as Manning found Plaxico Burress for a TD later on the march, but the point is they COULD HAVE. So could have a pass interference penalty called against Lito Sheppard that was a blown call.

Morelli is NOT a playoff official, and he shouldn't have been selected for the game.

**Brian Westbrook is REALLY good**
Barber said goodbye to the league yesterday, but Westbrook may have said hello as a big-time, big-game running back. His 49-yard TD run off right tackle early in the second quarter was a thing of beauty. Westbrook's best quality may not be his speed, but rather outstanding patience. He allowed wide receiver Reggie Brown to set up his block downfield, the last in a long line of blocks that sprung the score. In order to advance further, Westbrook will need to play big.

**The Giants stink**
The Eagles were the better team on the field Sunday, but that isn't saying much. The Giants flat out stink, from a slow offensive line and beat-up secondary, to second-tier linebackers and skilled pass catchers who wine more than perform. If I had to see Burress pout about being open one more time, I would have voted for a Brian Dawkins helmet-to-helmet hit. The guy is absurd, talented yes, but one of the most egotistical, unintelligent football players I have had the privilege of watching.

He did score twice, but I know of at least 50 receivers in the league that would have reached paydirt on those two busted coverages. And his shake move on Sean Considine late in the game?!? Calm down people. It is Sean Considine. Jeremy Shockey just makes things worse. He eggs on Burress and is almost his equal in the "I am always open even when I'm double covered" club. He will be pegged a hero for playing on one leg Sunday, but the guy is a serious detriment to his club, and most importantly his quarterback.

Imagine being Manning, reading the defense and checking down to Jim Finn for eight yards -- a nice, solid gain on first down. As soon as the play ends, Burress is flailing his arms and screaming to the sideline while Shockey pounds his chest and unleashes a verbal assault on Eli. Great team chemistry.

I picked the Giants because I thought they were more talented than Philadelphia, and that would be enough. I was wrong. It's not enough, especially when you have this duo moaning and crying on EVERY offensive play. The Eagles are better coached and they play together...

However, that still doesn't mean they are very good. They beat a mental mess of a team, an 8-8 NFC team at that, on their home field by three points. In the process, they likely lost Sheppard for the game against New Orleans' offensive juggernaut, and already proved in the playoffs they aren't great at shutting down an opponent's running game.

Kudos to Andy Reid, Jeff Garcia and the rest of the staff and players. They have motored along for six weeks -- nearing low fuel on talent, but high on heart, intellect and team work. It really is a testament to Reid's coaching ability.

I just don't see it continuing, especially if Sheppard doesn't play. Not only is New Orleans the better team, but just picture the noise level and emotion that will echo out of the Superdome next Saturday night. That has to be good for a touchdown advantage, seven points I don't even think the Saints need.

New Orleans 31, Philadelphia 17

The rest of next weekend's playoff predictions:
Baltimore 20, Indianapolis 14
San Diego 24, New England 13
Chicago 20, Seattle 10