28
Dec
2009
Panthers’ Steve Smith breaks arm, Giants’ backs in win (video)
By ArtieFufkin
Giants fans would probably like to forget the last game played at Giants Stadium (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
There really isn’t too much to say about the horrendous display put forth by the New York Football Giants yesterday. In their final home game at Giants Stadium, Big Blue were trounced 41-9 by the Carolina Panthers, ending their playoff hopes and leaving fans wondering how this team ever won 5 straight games to start the season.
It was so bad, it even left pro bowl DE Osi Umenyiora wondering if this wasn’t his last home game in a Giants uniform:
“I couldn’t really explain what I’m feeling right now, disappointment is an understatement, in everything, the way everything has played out this year has been absolute nonsense, very disappointed, disheartened, discouraged, whatever you want to call it. I feel all those emotions. On a day like this, for us to come out and perform like that is unbelievable to me. I don’t even know what else to say.”
“It’s an unbelievable situation, man. Last game at Giants Stadium, probably as a Giant, just the way everything has unfolded has been unbelievable.”
Needless to say, things are going to get ugly in New York over the next few weeks, and don’t be surprised if Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan loses his job as a result of his unit’s collapse this season.
The highlight of the otherwise ugly game came on this play early in the 3rd quarter. After going into halftime up 24-0, the Panthers came out and squashed any hope of a Giant comeback with a 4 play, 71-yard scoring drive, culminating with this TD strike from Matt Moore to Steve Smith. Watch after the catch as Smith takes a hit from S Michael Johnson, but hangs onto the ball and continues into the end zone. We would later learn that Smith broke his left arm on the play:
Say what you will about the man, but that Steve Smith is one tough S.O.B.
Unlike Fufkin, I think there is a great deal to say after that debacle at Giants Stadium, although the effort was not Giant at all… it was more lilyputian. There is no better demonstration of what the Giants lack than what Steve Smith did. With nothing to play for Smith breaks his arm, scores and then pushes himself up off the turf with the mangled limb. Coughlin’s squad could not push itself off the turf all day from the numerous body blows administered by a mediocre Carolina team that had not been in the playoff hunt for weeks. It looked as though the Giants were the ones with nothing to play for. But, alas, they were not only playing for the nostalgic pride of being the last ones to wear the storied uniforms in that building, but they were playing for a playoff spot!!!!!! What a disgrace. I wonder what Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor were thinking, watching Big Blue come up so small after all the great moments they had on that field.
I can maybe buy the fact that these Giants – like most professional athletes – have little sense of (or desire to know) the history of their sport or their team, but how do you play such a listless game when you are still alive in the post season chase?
Bottom line, every Giant fan, player, or member of the organization has to feel embarassed by what they witnessed yesterday. It is a major black mark on Coughlin’s regime.
Thanks John. Great post.
I guess I’m still reeling a bit from yesterday, so I just didn’t have it in me to go into detail as to how disgraceful the Giants were. But you nailed it.