Giants Win, Corzine Loses

We who call Ocean County home needed a shot in the arm because things have not exactly been going our away. Governor Corzine’s road show paid a visit to the Ritacco Center Saturday and it seems like his toll-hike plan was not very well received. Most think it’s a double whammy for us as it will crush commuters while at the same time have a negative impact on tourism.

Well at least Ocean County can brag that we have the best wrestling in the shore and maybe even the state. Wait a second; we can’t even say that right now as Long Branch beat Howell Saturday in an all Monmouth County finale to win the Shore Conference Wrestling Tournament.

If bad things come in three you can understand why many figured the Giants Super Bowl bid would go up in smoke Sunday. However you know that is not the case and if you’re a Giant fan throw out your chest and stand tall because you are the champions. Big Blue completed an incredible playoff run with a last-minute win over previously-undefeated New England in Super Bowl 42. As one who honestly thought the Patriots would win…and maybe even convincingly, I was stunned by how well the Giants played especially on defense where they made life miserable for Tom Brady, who did not play well at all.

However what I was not shocked by was the performance of Eli Manning because I have defended him all season when even the most loyal of Giant fans were criticizing him left and right. He was great during in the playoffs in wins over the Bucs, Cowboys, Packers and Patriots. The Giants third Super Bowl victory just might be the greatest in franchise history when you consider they were a two-touchdown underdog against a team ready to be crowned as the best of all time.

Some thoughts regarding the Fox broadcast. Announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were good if not great but most of what came from Terry, Howie & Jimmy was just a waste of time. Great camera work and replays and I liked the shots of a nervous Peyton Manning rooting for little brother. Some good commercials, especially those from Budweiser, E-Trade, Coke, Diet Pepsi Max, Planters Nuts, Tide-to-Go and Bridgestone Tires. I thought the halftime performance by Tom Petty and the Hearterbreakers was among the best ever…not too over the top. Alicia Keys sang well as part of the pre-game show but the leopard pants didn’t work. Ryan Seacrest and that pre-game Red Carpet was absolutely awful and out of place…just a poor attempt to hype “American Idol.” Plus we already have one and his name is Eli.