I really like the title of this article. Doesn’t it have a terrific ring to it? I can hear the drums beating and music climbing to a crescendo when I read that title in my mind. The truth is, the Monday Night Football matchup between the New York Giants and New York Jets will not live up to the hype. It is a preseason game and we already know that the starters will not be in for more then one quarter. In fact, both teams will be missing some of their starters for this game. Some due to injuries (Giants) and some due to contract disputes (Jets). Either way, this will not be the most competitive game ever played between these two inter-state rivals.
What makes this game significant is the fact that it will be played in a brand new stadium. The old Giants stadium (it still hurts to say that) has been torn down and the New Meadowlands stadium has been built right next door to it. Once upon a time, not so long ago, fans saw the blue “GIANTS STADIUM” marquee glowing in the night sky and now it can only be seen in ones memory. I’m going to miss that old stadium.
The Giants allowed the Jets to share their home for many years and now the Jets finally feel like an equal partner with Big Blue. The Jets have been extremely vocal about how they feel and have been in the media repeatedly whining about this or that. My advice to them is to talk less and let their actions on the field do the talking. The Jets still have internal issues to work out this year and can’t continue to use last year as a crutch. If they do not sign star CB Darrelle Revis soon, they could be in a lot of trouble. The Giants learned that lesson in 2010, when most of their DB’s were injured and not on the field.
The last and final game the Giants played in the old stadium was atrocious, so much so that I will not discuss it any further. The Jets experienced a renaissance last season and now look to be the favorites in their division. Even I found myself rooting for the hapless Jets in 2009 and wishing them well. It is a shame that they do not know how to handle success with all of their trash talking because they are jinxing themselves for the 2010 season.
The truth is, there is only one King of New York and that is the New York Giants. It will be fun to see them battle it out in their annual preseason game but don’t expect too much. Tom Coughlin will not let his emotions get the better of him and will stick to the script and use his players sparingly for certain. Having his players healthy when the game counts is what is important, no matter how bad he wants to shut the Jets up. Winning the battle would be nice but winning the war is the real goal.
The following Giants players have been ruled out for the game tomorrow night, WR Steve Smith, S Michael Johnson, OL Chris Snee, LB Keith Bulluck, S Kenny Phillips, WR Tim Brown and CB Corey Webster.
Monday, August 16, 2010 – Giants vs. Jets – 8PM EST on ESPN
Who do you think will win the game tomorrow night?
RD – nygreporter.com
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