IT HAS been too long of a wait to figure out what these Giants are all about. The wait, though, is nearly over.
The first order of business for every team is determining where they stack up within their own division, but for some strange reason the NFL schedule makers decided to delay that process with the Giants. Since their season-opener against the Redskins, the Giants bid adieu to the NFC East until November, when they finally embark on a condensed and intense five games in seven weeks against their fiercest rivals.
Before running that gauntlet, the Giants on Sunday visit Pittsburgh for a game that is perfectly timed and placed and certainly welcome after the slop recently served up as competition.
Even in the “every week is a big week” world of the NFL, this cannot in good conscience be portrayed as a huge game for either team. More accurately, it is exceedingly intriguing and likely a wonderful gauge of where two of the top clubs in their respective conferences, both 5-1, stack up. Super Bowl XLIII preview? Could be. A great mid-season quiz before the real exams? No doubt. That the Giants haven’t ventured into Pittsburgh since 1991 – far and away the longest span not having played in an opposing city – only adds to the suspense.
“I think we both are,” responded defensive end Justin Tuck when asked if the Giants are using this game as a measuring stick. “I’m sure if you go over there and ask them they’re going to say we’re a pretty good foe. We’re going to tell you the same thing about them. The team that comes out of this game is definitely going to know where they stand.”
There are team and individual themes that run deep in this clash. Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, along with Philip Rivers, were the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2004. Big Ben got out of the NFL chute much faster than Manning; the bar was set and the comparisons were constant. Roethlisberger won a Super Bowl in his second season, Manning in his fourth, and both teams are thrilled with the players directing their offense.
This is the return to Pittsburgh for Plaxico Burress, who spent his first five years with the Steelers and, despite his denials, wants to put on a show against his former team. The Giants pride themselves on hard-nosed defense that obliterates running games; the Steelers make the same claim. The Giants are determined to run the ball with power and do it exceeding well; the Steelers have the same inclination and production.
The Steelers wear black, the Giants blue, fitting colors for the bruises sure to be inflicted.
“When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers, you think of a physical team that’s going to come out there and hit you in the mouth,” safety James Butler said. “It’s definitely going to be a physical game.”
These franchises have been in the game longer than almost everyone else, with the Mara and Rooney ownership families not only held in high regard throughout the NFL but also intertwined. Chris Mara, the Giants vice president of player evaluation, is married to the former Kathleen Rooney, daughter of Tim Rooney, one of five sons of the Steelers founder, Art “The Chief” Rooney.
“Good football city,” guard Rich Seubert said. “It’s a football town. Football’s a physical game, that’s how they like to play and that’s how we like to play. Pittsburgh’s got a good team; they’re just like us, right, 5-1?”
Right.
“Obviously we know what we’re getting our hands into,” Tuck said. “The offense wants to run the football; it always starts with that running game. They’re going to be a very physical O-line, they take the lead from their coach, you can just tell how they play football. Kind of like us.”
Kind of like a game to be savored.