By: Christopher Roche

Whether it is Arturo Gatti, Bobby Czyz or the 2007 Giants, the state of New Jersey is used to being the underdog.

Well, this year we pulled off the impossible. The New York Football Giants (who play in NJ) upset the New England Patriots by a final score of 17-14 in Super Bowl 42.

Bill Belichick (Defensive Coordinator) and Tom Coughlin (Wide-Receivers) were both coaches on the 1990-91 Super Bowl winning Giants, but when Bill Parcells resigned so late in the year, it was too late for the Giants to retain one of those greats as head coach. Belichick went to the Browns, and Coughlin went to Boston College. The Giants were set back at least five years because of the Tuna’s actions.

Fortunately, Coughlin eventually came back.

Ernie Accorsi’s move to get Eli Manning proved risky, but effective, and once Jerry Reese took over in 2007, the die was cast. Reese has proven to be one of the best GM’s in the NFL.

The most amazing thing is that the Giants won the Super Bowl without Tiki or Shockey, and Plax only made two catches. This was a team effort, and it is one that will live forever. The Pats were stopped at 18-1. No matter what the Red Sox fans say, this one hurts them more than they hurt the Yankee fans in 2004, when the Sox were down 3-0 in the playoffs.

Congratulations to the New York Giants!