Sportsgirl's swan song

Sportsgirl · 02-03-2008, 10:27 AM

Last column of the season

But, I want to thank all you guys for reading it this past season and for your comments. It's been a fun season for me at SBR - good luck to all of you today!

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pb.../80202071/1054

20Four7 · 02-03-2008, 11:37 AM

Nancy:

Just because football is over doesn't mean your not welcome

I see the Pats win but not covering. I"m holding money on the giants ML so I hope it doesn't happen. Besides you need 1000 posts so we can hook up in Vegas

First beer is on me since you think your liver needs to be punished.

Better luck next year with your steelers. It's been interesting reading your columns.

20Four7

Willie Bee · 02-03-2008, 11:43 AM

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pb.../80202071/1054

Quote:

Road-tested Giants will keep Pats from achieving historic 19th win

by Nancy Allen
published February 3, 2008 12:15 am

Upsets have always been a part of sports.

We need look no further than our own backyard to find the biggest upset of the 2007 college season: Appalachian State’s win over Michigan in Ann Arbor. And who doesn’t remember the “Miracle on Ice,” where the United States Olympic hockey team beat the Soviets in 1980.

What about N.C. State knocking off Houston to win the 1983 National Championship? Or the irony of the undefeated horse Man O’ War losing his only race to a 100-1 long shot named Upset in 1919.

But arguably the greatest upset of all came in the game we’ll all be watching today, the Super Bowl. Joe Namath’s guaranteed victory came to pass as the underdog New York Jets beat the Baltimore Colts to win Super Bowl III. Even a win today by another New York team will not eclipse what the Jets achieved.

But today’s game remains to be played, and it will take a “Miracle on Turf” for the Giants to beat the undefeated New England Patriots in Arizona. New York played a close one with the Pats in the Meadowlands during the last game of the regular season, losing 38-35.

At the center of Super Bowl conversation has been the two men at the helm: New York’s Eli Manning and New England’s Tom Brady. Many will say it will be no contest, as Brady has had a season that most can only dream of. However, Eli has proven this season that he isn’t just “the other Manning.” This Manning lead his team to 10 road victories, threw for four touchdown passes in New York’s three-point loss to the Pats, and outplayed veteran Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre to earn a spot in the Super Bowl.

Manning will need another performance like that today, but the running game of the Giants will also need to be strong.

New York will have to keep the Patriots offense on the sidelines — an offense I often refer to as “the machine.”

Time of possession will be vastly important for the Giants, as will be pressuring Brady. The Giants lead the league in sacks this season, and they will need all that and more to rattle the seemingly nerveless Brady. Great defense wins great football games.

Let’s face it, the odds are almost insurmountable against the Giants winning but, as in the great upsets of the past, there is always hope. … GIANTS, 28-20.

bigboydan · 02-03-2008, 11:50 AM

What... You mean your not covering the Pro Bowl Nancy.

Wrigley · 02-03-2008, 12:08 PM

First time I have read your column im new here even though I think Pats win very nice job, look forward to reading you next season.

Do you cover any other sports for the paper during the off season or do a NFL draft column and cover free agent movement?

CrazyL · 02-03-2008, 12:50 PM

It's been a treat reading your columns and picks all year Nancy. In a way I regret ever doing so, because all it's accomplished is show me that even a woman understands football more than myself. Not just a hot hand either, you've had quality breakdowns all year, the only sports writer I don't consider an attention seeking nincompoop to be honest.

If you are going to take a vacation at a music forum or something this offseason take me with you, I could use one too.

brock · 02-03-2008, 01:35 PM

So did you play the Giants ML today sportsgirl

RageWizard · 02-03-2008, 02:06 PM

I'm confused, this is the first post that I have read on the sbr forum by you. The others I had to search them out and hunt themdown myself. Well good luck and hope to hear from you again next july when training camp starts up.
Do you cover any other sports or just football?

BadNina · 02-03-2008, 03:04 PM

I've had the pleasure of reading her columns for the past 3 years. During this part of the year, she does columns and blogs on American Idol.

She is one of my favorite writers. And I am very biased towards her.

Wrigley · 02-03-2008, 03:18 PM

I watch American idol look forward to her columns on AI

pavyracer · 02-03-2008, 03:20 PM

Sportsgirl has balls! She picked Giants outright winners. Good luck sportsgirl.

Sportsgirl · 02-03-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20Four7

Nancy:

Just because football is over doesn't mean your not welcome

I see the Pats win but not covering. I"m holding money on the giants ML so I hope it doesn't happen. Besides you need 1000 posts so we can hook up in Vegas

First beer is on me since you think your liver needs to be punished.

Better luck next year with your steelers. It's been interesting reading your columns.

20Four7

You can't get rid of me that easy

I'll be around - just no football columns till the end of summer.
Looking forward to Vegas - les than 100 posts to go!

Sportsgirl · 02-03-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyl

It's been a treat reading your columns and picks all year Nancy. In a way I regret ever doing so, because all it's accomplished is show me that even a woman understands football more than myself. Not just a hot hand either, you've had quality breakdowns all year, the only sports writer I don't consider an attention seeking nincompoop to be honest.

If you are going to take a vacation at a music forum or something this offseason take me with you, I could use one too.

Crazyl - that avatar of yours is, ah distracting

Thanks for the kind words - not being a nincompoop in your eyes is a really compliment

No sports for me in the off NFL season, but you can check out my American Idol column every Tuesday and Wednesday - it's "music forum" of sorts!

Sportsgirl · 02-03-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadNina

I've had the pleasure of reading her columns for the past 3 years. During this part of the year, she does columns and blogs on American Idol.

She is one of my favorite writers. And I am very biased towards her.

imgv94 · 02-03-2008, 03:35 PM

Nancy please dont leave us.. Stick around.

Sportsgirl · 02-03-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imgv94

Nancy please dont leave us.. Stick around.

I'll be around, sweetie - thanks

Hey, I only need 77 more posts to get my free room in Vegas!