Text size:

Jets, Giants are NFL's most compelling stories

Bob Glauber

September 4, 2008

Good day and welcome to the epicenter of the NFL.

No matter if you're a Jets fan or a Giants fan, New York is where it all starts and ends for NFL 2008.

A typical case of self-absorbed New York elitism? Not really, even if we're guilty now and then of such arrogance (especially when out-of-towners think it's really cool).

But in this instance, New York really is the center of the football universe. Between Brett Favre's riveting performance of Hamlet that commanded an absurdly high percentage of news media coverage (hey, the guy's most compelling interview was with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren, for goodness sake), and between the Giants' attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions, there is no greater drama in the NFL this season.

Bob Glauber Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

With Spygate in the rearview mirror, Michael Vick still serving time on dogfighting charges and Pacman Jones actually playing football and not throwing dollar bills at strippers (for now, anyway - sorry, cheap shot, can't help it), Favre's Jets and Tom Coughlin's defending champs are the most compelling plot lines we've got. That it will all unfold in the media capital of the world only amplifies the drama.

So, New York arrogance aside, this really is where it's at as NFL 2008 kicks off with Giants- Redskins ... in prime time ... before a national television audience ... with the New York City skyline as the backdrop.

We are delighted to bring you every twist and turn between now and Super Bowl XLIII next Feb. 1 in Tampa.

And no matter what happens, it will be compelling theater. If Favre leads the Jets to the playoffs and - dare we say it, Jets fans, the Super Bowl - then it will be a media frenzy that only New York can produce. Even if Favre fizzles and writes just one more tortured chapter in the history of the post- Joe Namath era, it will be big news. Favre captivated us with the months-long divorce proceedings in Green Bay, where the Packers were unwilling to take him back despite his passionate entreaties. If he can deliver the biggest in-your-face in recent memory, then just imagine the possibilities. Especially if Aaron Rodgers crumbles under the weight of the Packers' most imposing legacy this side of Vince Lombardi.

And if the Great Green and White Hope can't deliver on the massive expectations foisted upon him by Jets fans, watch out; the fallout will be incalculable. And we won't need much time to get our first glimpse at whether this thing will work out: On Sunday, Favre faces Miami's Chad Pennington, the man he replaced. A week later, he matches wits against Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a year and five days after the Spygate scandal began to unfold when the Jets caught the Patriots illegally taping defensive signals during last year's season opener. And after that, it's on the road on a Monday night against AFC powerhouse San Diego.

A 1-2 start is not out of the question. Neither is 0-3. Oh, my.

Fortunately for Favre and the Jets, the schedule does lighten up significantly. But in the end, the feeling here is that the soon-to-be 39-year-old quarterback will not end up being the savior. In a division that is unwinnable as long as Tom Brady is in uniform, and in a conference that is loaded with so many quality wild-card contenders, Favre cannot simply will the Jets into the playoffs.

Impossible? No, never say impossible. We'll settle on improbable in this case. A new team. A new coaching staff. A new offensive system. And a new conference that is way better than the NFC adds up to a healthy dose of skepticism from this corner. It says here the Jets don't make the playoffs.

And if we're wrong, then we will gladly eat crow and welcome the told-you-so reminders of those more optimistic about the Jets' chances.

As for the Giants, who toiled in relative obscurity as the Favre soap opera was playing out over the summer, the view is decidedly more upbeat. Yes, the history of defending Super Bowl champions is littered with disappointment. Consider: The Giants' 1987 and 1991 teams were a combined 14-17, although a strike in 1987 and Bill Parcells' abrupt departure in 1991 were the root causes of those collapses. But even more recent Super Bowl participants haven't fared well: The Bucs missed the playoffs in 2003 after winning it all the year before. The 2005 Eagles went 6-10 a year after going to the Super Bowl. The 2006 Steelers didn't make the playoffs the year after their unexpected run. Last year's Colts lost their first playoff game after winning the title the year before.

But we get a good feeling from this year's Giants. Eli Manning comes off a confidence-building playoff performance that will only make him better moving forward. There is more receiver depth than perhaps any Giants team ever. The offensive line is solid. The running backs are deep. And the defense - even without retired Michael Strahan and injured Osi Umenyiora - is still a cut above. That said, if injuries further deplete the defense - especially the pass rush - then there will be trouble. But right here, right now, the Giants look poised and hungry for a meaningful run.

And in the end, we say New York will still be the center of the NFL universe. How does Eli beating Peyton in Tampa sound?

Glauber's picks

NFC

Division winners

East: Giants

E-mail

Single page

Reprint

Related links

Popular stories

Hampton Roads Facts, Data and Statistics

Blogs