Here’s some fun stuff from Giants.com.  The players had a long, loud, fun trip back from San Francisco last night.  Here are some of their thoughts they shared on twitter.

DE Justin Tuck (@JustinTuckNYG91): Just landed back home. But I feel like I’m still flying              

TE Travis Beckum (@TravisBeckum47): Proud to be a GIANT!! Go G-Men

FB Henry Hynoski @HenryHynoski: So excited i cant even sleep….this is a dream come true! Blessed to have this opportunity!

WR Victor Cruz (@TeamVic): Super Bowl bound baby!!!!

WR Devin Thomas (@IamDevinThomas): I love my bros on this team! ALL IN BABY! GMen fans… WE GOIN TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!

CB Prince Amukamara (@PrinceAmukamara): Shoutout to all the fans who believed in us #nyg

LB Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP): Undrafted, NFC champ, SuperBowl bound. Not bad for a Rookie… We got business to handle in 2 weeks. But tonight we rejoice! #NYG

Frank D Parent Elementary, Beverly Hills High, University of Oregon, Giants, NFC champ, Super Bowl. Reppin all of them to the fullest!

LB Mark Herzlich (@MarkHerzlich): Well finally gettin to get to sleep. Great night great win. Couldn’t be happier. #NYC #BIGBLUE #ALLIN

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (@DatBoyJPP): We won and we kept on fighting to the end thank you lord. I would like to thank the fans for believing in us thank u guys.

WR Ramses Barden (@RamsesNYG): Headed back to NY… With hardware in-hand. Goodnight.

P Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5): Lawrence Tynes is the man!!! Thank you #9!!!!!

TE Bear Pascoe (@BearPascoe): heck yes we are “@mcjunkind: “@DCarr8: The Dogs are headed to the SuperBowl

Meanwhile, players on injured reserve sat back and watched the overtime thriller like every other Giants fan.

WR Domenik Hixon (@domenik_hixon): I was yelling with you!!! Lol RT @ieyesis: @domenik_hixon did you yell at the tv in celebration like I did??? CONGRATS

WR Michael Clayton (@MClayton83NYG): Heads up play by d thomas. It obviously hit his leg. Will these ref be great rt now or will they drop the ball. They have been great so far

The New York Football Giants are heading to Indianapolis for Super Bowl 46……From 6-2, to 7-7, to 9-7 and a Division Title.  Then the first home playoff game in the new stadium, a trip to Green Bay and a domination of  a 15-1 team, to a trip to San Francisco where they held the opponent to 1/13 on third down, forcing 2 turnovers against a team that tied the record for least turnovers during the season.  With 40 minutes of possession, and 20 first downs.  The New York Football Giants are headed to their 2nd Super Bowl in 4 years.

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The Giants and the Niners renew their storied rivalry today at Candelstick Park in San Francisco at 6:30 EST.  This one should be a good old fashioned battle of wills.  Those of us who remember the match-up from January of ’91, are really looking forward to a battle royale. However, there really are a few keys to this game that ensure victory for the New Yorkers. Forget the rain, forget the wind, and forget the mirror image 4 game winning streaks.  This game will be decided up front.

Offensive Line:  The offensive line must protect Eli today at all costs.  They must find a way to open a few running lanes to allow the Giants to use the play action pass effectively.  The Niners have a very talented defensive front which recorded 3 sacks last week.  The Giants did rush for 89 yards in the last meeting in week 10, without Ahmad Bradshaw.  Bradshaw’s presence should make a big difference in this game. His physicality along with Brandon Jacobs could be a key to this game.

Defense:  The defense can turn this into a simple task.  They need to stop the run game of the Niners, force them into throwing the ball, and invite Alex Smith to beat them.  Alex looked good in the final quarter last week, but he saw one look from the Saints defense.  The Saints repeatedly brought 7 to 8 players on blitzes, which is actually a very easy read for the Qb.  This week he will see the Giants rush 4 or 5, and see many more defenders in coverage.  The Giants must remain physical when playing the wideouts and especially the tight ends of the Niners.  Throwing off the rhythm of the San Francisco offense as they did against Atlanta and Green Bay is critical.

Eli vs. Alex: No matter which side of the stadium you are on this week, this match-up is one sided.  If the Giants can make this a game of QB vs. Qb by restricting the running game of the Niners, they win.

No turnovers, No special teams mistakes, and the Giants should win their 5th game in a row as well as their 5th NFC Championship in 5 tries.  Physicality, Determination, and Finishing will get the Giants a re-match with either Baltimore or New England in two weeks

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

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.

Click the link below for a great roundtable with Matt Jergensen from RavensGab, Daniel Budick, and Joe Tufaro from GMENHQ.COM

NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF RECAP

We also explored the use of Twitter and team bonding between the Giants players, his expectations for the rest of the year, and advice to his Alma mater Fresno State.

What was it like going against the team that drafted you in 2009?

I was excited going back to San Fran. In a way I felt like I had something to prove. Off the field, it was great to have my whole family and several friends in attendance. I wish the outcome would have been different, but there were some good things to build on from that game. 

Pascoe during his 49ers tenure

 
It seems as though the rookies and the vets on the team are getting along quite well through the use of Twitter – Can you explain the dynamic with the team currently?

We have a great group of rookies, majority of them are playing every game on special teams, on offense or defense. I’m new to Twitter (@BearPascoe) but it is great because it has allowed some of us to connect with fans and have some fun with it. 

Pascoe & Ballard- The Giants Resident Tight Ends

What are your expectations for the rest of the year?

The rest of this season my expectations are to continue to get better as a player whether it be at Fullback or Tight End. As a team we plan to take one week at a time.

Your alma mater Fresno State just came off a 3 game losing streak – Do you have any advice to the guys on the team?
 
When I was at Fresno we had a rough season in 2006. Actually, in 2006, Coach Hill took the dogs off our helmets and made us earn them back. If I could tell them anything it would be to stay a team. There are a lot of outside influences right now but if they stay a fist and never stop battling they will work through this rough spot.

– Pascoe and the Giants are currently 6-4 on their way to a Monday night game against the Saints. Tied for 1st place atop the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys, the upcoming game is crucial to the Giants success for the rest of the year–

*I would like to thank Bear Pascoe and Kim Staninger for taking the time to give some insight into the Giants. *

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Statistically, the Giants won every category except the final score. They outgained the Niners in total yards, held the rushing attack in check, actually moved the ball on the ground, and generally dominated things.

The game, although sloppy, was extremely entertaining in both the defense and offense side of the ball. Eli Manning had a pair of picks, but also had some spectacular throws that proved his elite status thus more. Alex Smith, the former 1st overall pick, did his best to shush the critics on his way to his 8th win of the season.

After the 27-20 loss many names started to get thrown around as to who was at fault. Manningham could have had a spectacular grab in the end zone had he laid out more. Manning had a costly interception on the drive before that set up the game winning drive. Diehl was not successful in covering Justin Smith that led to the turnover on downs, and the game ending.

These 3 man do take a share of blame for the loss, but the man that should be looked at more than anyone is Kevin Gilbride. His lack of creativity on the offensive side of the ball, and his need to run on almost every 2nd down is a great cause of concern. If a draw play was an actual person, I am pretty sure Kevin Gilbride would be married to it.

On the last drive of the game, Manningmanaged to convert 2 out of 3 desperation 4th down conversions. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Just say No to Gilbride

While in striking distance of the redzone and what seemed to be another Eli Manning 4th quarter comeback, Gilbride did the opposite of his gameplan — He called a passing play on 2nd down. The ball went through Manningham’s hands, and Gilbrides attempt to look like a hero failed. The Giants were only 2 yards away from securing a 1st down, so wouldnt that be the perfect time to run it? Gilbride defies logic, goes for it, and fails. Then to make matters worse he runs it up the gut with DJ Ware instead of Brandon Jacobs on 3rd down and he comes up with no gain.

Incomplete pass, Turnover on Downs, Game over.

Now do not get me wrong, the whole team is at fault for the loss. A loss is the culmination of things not going right. But if you were watching the game or any game for that matter  involving the Giants, then you would see that Gilbride needs to be canned. Plain and simple.

 I don’t blame Buddy Ryan for punching him on the sideline in the Houston Oilers days. Lord knows I would.

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The Giants ran 70 plays, 305 total yards, with 93 yards gained on the ground against the best rush defense in the league.  They showed that they can overcome and fight on the road.  The Niners did what was expected of them, they had safe drives that resulted in field goals throughout the first half.  They then waited for a mistake, and pounced when it occurred.  This is how this team plays and obviously it has been successful for them.

Next up…The NIghtmare Eagles who are now 3-6 following a loss to Arizona at home.