Eric Melendez of Ninersnoise.com had a few questions about the New York Giants and their match-up with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game this weekend.

1. What is the biggest reason why the Giants have won four games in a row after starting the season 7-7?

The Giants were injury plagued all year. When they finally were able to get Ahmad Bradhsaw and Michael Boley in particular back on the field, it made a difference in communication and the passion with which the team played.

2. With rain expected before and during the game, will the weather affect the Giants passing game?

We have rain in New Jersey too. WIth all the technology with gloves and the officials keeping the ball dry between plays, it’s different than the old days. I don’t think the gameplan changes drastically unless it’s foggy or a deluge during the game.

3. Who should Niners fans look out for on offense and defense who could have a big game for the Giants?

The Giants have turned into a Big Play offense this year. Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham create match-up problems for every team they have faced, when they have all been healthy. The Falcons in particular stated they would take away Victor Cruz, well Hakeem had 2 TD’s and 165 yards that day. On defense, #90 J.P.P. is the one to watch for big plays. He has averaged 16 tackles a game down the stretch and against Dallas had 15 tackles, a forced fumble, 2 sacks, 2 passes batted, and a blocked FG.

4. Niner fans know what it’s like to get no respect for your QB even after they play well. Do Giants fans finally think Eli Manning has been given the respect he deserves and is an elite quarterback in the NFL?

Eli has finally this year gotten the respect he deserves. He is a top 5 guy, He doesn’t throw the perfect spiral every time, but is one of the best deep throwers in the league. Having never missed a snap in his career shows just how tough he is, and being the highest rated 4th quarter QB with 15 TD passes says a lot.

What is your prediction for the game? Do you think it will be a low scoring defensive game, or will we see the Giants and 49ers scoring a lot of points?

I think both these defenses will play well…I see a low scoring affair

The Giants have always been an organization that respects and remembers it’s past.  This Sunday, when the team travels to San Francisco, three former Giants will be on the field as honorary captains.  Michael Strahan, Rich Seubert, and Mark Bavaro.  The Niners have asked former owner Eddie DiBartolo to be their honorary captain.

Michael Strahan, who now works for Fox Sports announced on Twitter earlier today that John Mara called him and asked him to represent the team, and Michael, like a good family member, was excited for the opportunity.

Mark Bavaro, of course, had a huge night 25 years ago in San Francisco, and the Giants need to bring that same physical presence to this game on Sunday to be successful. Bavaro Drags 49ers

Rich Seubert, who was always the heart and soul of the very physical offensive line for the New York Giants, is still nursing a devastating dislocated knee cap suffered last year.  He has not officially retired from the NFL, but has relocated to California.

The Giants will be well represented by these three gentleman, all of them Champions

Eric Melendez from Ninersnoise.com was kind enough to weigh in on a few topics for us.

1. What has been the biggest difference Coach Harbaugh has brought to the organization?

Harbaugh has instilled confidence and swagger inside the locker room.  49ers players like Alex Smith, Carlos Rogers and Aldon Smith to name a few, have taken that confidence and swagger and backed it up on the playing field.  It also helps that Harbaugh is an experienced head coach and played in the NFL as a quarterback.  He brought knowledge and experience to the 49ers that former head coaches Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary did not have.

2. Having been to Candelstick many times, it is obvious that either a major renovation or a new stadium is necessary.  Where do the fans come down on the idea of  a move to Santa Clara or San Jose?

Neither. Most fans will tell you, and even some former Niners players like Jerry Rice, that the team needs to stay in San Francisco and I agree.  Santa Clara is in the Bay Area, about an hour drive from San Francisco but the fans want the team to stay true to the city it was founded in.  There is a plan for a stadium in San Francisco but the 49ers owners would rather have the new stadium down south in Santa Clara.

3. The Giants and Niners have had some classic battles in the regular season and the playoffs.  What is your fondest and worst memory of the rivalry?

My fondest memory of the rivalry was the last time they squared off in the playoffs in 2001.  The NFC Wild Card game ended 39-38 with the 49ers coming out on top after being down by 24 points at halftime.  (I was there for this disaster)

The worst memory of the rivalry goes all the way back to the 1990 NFC Championship game.  The Giants not only stopped the 49ers quest for a third straight Super Bowl win, but also ended Joe Montana’s career with the 49ers with a sack by Leonard Marshall.  Montana would appear in one more game for the 49ers.
4. Do the fans believe the York family has settled in as owners, and are now serious about doing what it takes to return this team to it’s past glory, and keep it there?

This season the York’s have shown they can be competent owners.  In the past that was not the case because of the bad hires they made in the front office and with coaches.  Promoting Trent Baalke to general manager and winning the Harbaugh sweepstakes last year has shown the owners can make the right moves to continue the success beyond this season.

5. What do you feel is the biggest need for this team going forward?

The team needs a deep threat wide receiver.  We have a good short route WR in Michael Crabtree and a big target tight end in Vernon Davis.  All the offense is lacking is a deep threat WR to make the defense account for the deep passes opening other receivers.  The 49ers thought they had that with Braylon Edwards this season but he was plagued by injuries all season and was cut.

NFC Championship Game in San Francsico

IT will be the GIANTS versus the 49ers…another rematch for the GIANTS….

Giants versus 49ers.

The New York Football Giants of 1986 hosted the NFC Championship game at Giants Stadium 25 years ago this week.  It was a familiar match-up with the Division rival Washington Redskins.  It was also a contest against mother nature.

With winds whipping upwards of 30 miles an hour, the Giants and Redskins battled the elements all day.  Harry Carson, as the lone captain for the coin toss, called tails as always and wins the toss.  The words “We’ll take the wind” are now a part of Giants lore.  The Giants scored 10 first quarter points, and held Washington to just 2 first downs.  The Redskins punted three times in the first quarter and netted 23, 27, and 24 yards.  Behind 10-0, the Redskins mounted a drive in the 2nd quarter, only to have a botched snap on a field goal try of 51 yards.  The Redskins were doomed.  Jay Schroeder was forced to pass 50 times in this game, many of them futilely into the strong and gusting winds.  He finished the game 20-50 with a 3.8 yard average per pass.

After the 17-0 halftime lead, the Giants defense took over and made that the final score.  At the conclusion of the game, John Madden remarked “Last year, I thought the Bears had the best defense I had ever seen. But in the last two weeks, I feel these Giants have as good a defense as has ever played in this league.”  He was right.  They had now given up a total of 3 points in two playoff games.

The Giants, and their faithful fans, now started planning their trip to sunny Pasadena for a re-match with the John Elway led Denver Broncos.  Those of you who have been following this series of stories know that we already had plane tickets in hand, purchased the day after the Giants defeated the Broncos back in November.  It was quite a trip…stay tuned