Spring Break
Point/Counterpoint: Which New York football team is better?
Mike Mauro and Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
Kevin: The Giants have clearly gotten worse since the Super Bowl. I love Tuck, but their defense isn't as deep and won't be as effective. The Jets, on the other hand, have added a future All-Pro in Vernon Gholston and a former All-Pro defensive tackle in Kris Jenkins. Oh, by the way, they traded for this guy named Favre - and if I'm not mistaken, quarterbacks are the key to postseason success. The Jets have a BIG advantage over the Giants at that position.
Mike: Favre was a key to postseason success last season ... for the Giants. His interception to Corey Webster helped send the Giants to the Super Bowl. And last time I checked, Eli Manning has the same number of Super Bowl rings and one more Super Bowl MVP than the god known as Favre, and Manning isn't 30 yet. If you want to talk about future All-Pro rookies, look no further than safety Kenny Phillips who will be the best safety in the NFC in two years. The Giants have the experience, confidence and are still fueled by the critics who said last year was a fluke. They will make all the "experts" who think they will finish third in the division eat their words.
Kevin: Favre had one "bad" game, if you even want to call it that. Eli Manning has had many, many more over the last few seasons. He may have gained some confidence in the Super Bowl, but who's to say that will carry over to this year? The bottom line is Favre is at the top of his game and he has all the pieces around him to make the Jets an 11-5 or 10-6 team.
Mike: Favre is no longer on top of his game and he looked better over the last couple seasons by the receivers around him. Manning consistently showed in the last few weeks of the regular season and throughout the playoffs that he is a better quarterback and now that the pressure of winning is off his back he can comfortably lead this team and establish himself in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. With a supporting cast of Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward at running back and the return of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and the emerging Steve Smith at receiver, he has all the tools at his disposal to make the Giants an elite offense.
Kevin: Manning's supporting cast on offense just isn't as good as Favre's right now. Thomas Jones would be the best running back on the Giants, and I'd even go as far to say that Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are a better wide receiver tandem than Favre had in Green Bay with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Throw in the offensive line upgrades, and the superior offense in New York will belong to the Jets.
Mike: Jones is a nice back but Bradshaw and Jacobs combine to bring a better performance from the position. The Giants' top three receivers are better than the Jets as well and while the Giants offensive line isn't as well-known individually as the Jets, as a cohesive unit the Giants are better. Combine that with their still dangerous defensive line and the leadership of Antonio Pierce at middle linebacker and it's easy to see why the Giants are the kings of the New York football sphere.
Mike: Favre was a key to postseason success last season ... for the Giants. His interception to Corey Webster helped send the Giants to the Super Bowl. And last time I checked, Eli Manning has the same number of Super Bowl rings and one more Super Bowl MVP than the god known as Favre, and Manning isn't 30 yet. If you want to talk about future All-Pro rookies, look no further than safety Kenny Phillips who will be the best safety in the NFC in two years. The Giants have the experience, confidence and are still fueled by the critics who said last year was a fluke. They will make all the "experts" who think they will finish third in the division eat their words.
Kevin: Favre had one "bad" game, if you even want to call it that. Eli Manning has had many, many more over the last few seasons. He may have gained some confidence in the Super Bowl, but who's to say that will carry over to this year? The bottom line is Favre is at the top of his game and he has all the pieces around him to make the Jets an 11-5 or 10-6 team.
Mike: Favre is no longer on top of his game and he looked better over the last couple seasons by the receivers around him. Manning consistently showed in the last few weeks of the regular season and throughout the playoffs that he is a better quarterback and now that the pressure of winning is off his back he can comfortably lead this team and establish himself in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. With a supporting cast of Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward at running back and the return of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and the emerging Steve Smith at receiver, he has all the tools at his disposal to make the Giants an elite offense.
Kevin: Manning's supporting cast on offense just isn't as good as Favre's right now. Thomas Jones would be the best running back on the Giants, and I'd even go as far to say that Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are a better wide receiver tandem than Favre had in Green Bay with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Throw in the offensive line upgrades, and the superior offense in New York will belong to the Jets.
Mike: Jones is a nice back but Bradshaw and Jacobs combine to bring a better performance from the position. The Giants' top three receivers are better than the Jets as well and while the Giants offensive line isn't as well-known individually as the Jets, as a cohesive unit the Giants are better. Combine that with their still dangerous defensive line and the leadership of Antonio Pierce at middle linebacker and it's easy to see why the Giants are the kings of the New York football sphere.
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