Giants v. Packers - NFC Ice Bowl 2008 (1 Viewer)

[ericttspikes]

It may not be decided on weather, but it will be decided on QB play. What a great match-up. Eli can take a HUGE step to the next level, or Favre can be the HOF'er he is and get to one more Super Bowl. Looking forward to this one.

 

[houndirish]

Agree with the poster who said the weather in the AFC game represents the bigger advantage. Packers have maybe 6 players who can claim substantial January in Wisconsin experience. Granted one of them is the QB but I don't think the extreme cold is a substantial advantage for Green Bay to the point some are discussing.

 

[Koya]

Agree with the poster who said the weather in the AFC game represents the bigger advantage. Packers have maybe 6 players who can claim substantial January in Wisconsin experience. Granted one of them is the QB but I don't think the extreme cold is a substantial advantage for Green Bay to the point some are discussing.

In general I would agree, with one VERY KEY exception in this game: Eli Manning.There has been a lot of talk about the weather here in NY and they have brought in the old guys who played in the ice bowl and other similar cold games. It was pointed out that while yes, Green Bay is more used to this cold, EVERYONE is affected by temps with wind chills under zero. People seem to think that the Green Bay players will be immune but that is simply not the case. Considering the fact that most of them didnt grow up in VERY cold conditions and it is not as if when it is 10 degrees, or 0 degrees, these guys run out in a sweatshirt during normal life... theyll bundle up. So yes, they are a bit more ready for the extreme cold, but they will feel it, and it will hurt. Also consider the fact that most of the week the temps were in the 30s (I think?) in Green Bay so the bodies there have not been acclimating to the extreme cold all week (i.e. here in NY it had been downright balmy last week with temps in the high 40s-60. Last night it was like 35 which is not that cold at all and I was freezing my ### off because my body was not used to the cold after the warm stretch).

With that said, the BIG question is Eli. Granted we are not talking huge wind/rain, but Manning has not proven that he can handle adverse conditions. Not sure if its physical (trouble holding onto the ball, small/slick hands? I really dont know but the guy is a fumbling machine in bad weather) or mental (not able to concentrate as well?) but Manning struggles in poor weather. If that means cold in addition to wind/rain we will have to see but that has to be a HUGE question - especially when you KNOW Favre seems as immune as any recent QB to bad weather.

 

[Liquid Tension]

I don't understand how people can say the weather is a "non-issue." It's obviously an issue as you have to adjust your gameplane to account for it. The ball doesn't travel as well in the air, nor is it as easy to catch. In addition, Eli hasn't exactly had a great history in cold weather play. Many believe that his second half slides have been reflective of the temperature. Eli has been practicing with a glove on his non-throwing hand to see if it helps with snaps. You will likely see both teams try to establish a running game and play defence against the run (I have read that GB typically plays 7 in the box - don't be surprised to see them go with 8 in the box early). Is the weather an issue on game plans? Of course.side note: earlier this week I was wondering if the machisimo attitude of linemen will impact what they wear. This morning I read that one of the Giants O-lineman stated that the whole line will almost assuredly go without long sleeves. Earlier this year Strahan had said that when the weather gets cold he's going to wear long sleeves. He effectively said that doing without them is stupid.

Eli is a concern in cols weather and I am actually surprised more QB's don't wear gloves as they are so tacky that it should help. I know some do, but someone like Eli should try it.As for wearing long sleeves, i don't get why guys wouldn't? Forget about being macho, just go ahead and stay warm and play better

 

[WIFANBOY]

Will the tundra be frozen?

The field is heated.

So the field will be as soft, hard, slick, etc as the home team desires.

 

[Sabertooth]

I don't understand how people can say the weather is a "non-issue." It's obviously an issue as you have to adjust your gameplane to account for it. The ball doesn't travel as well in the air, nor is it as easy to catch. In addition, Eli hasn't exactly had a great history in cold weather play. Many believe that his second half slides have been reflective of the temperature. Eli has been practicing with a glove on his non-throwing hand to see if it helps with snaps. You will likely see both teams try to establish a running game and play defence against the run (I have read that GB typically plays 7 in the box - don't be surprised to see them go with 8 in the box early). Is the weather an issue on game plans? Of course.side note: earlier this week I was wondering if the machisimo attitude of linemen will impact what they wear. This morning I read that one of the Giants O-lineman stated that the whole line will almost assuredly go without long sleeves. Earlier this year Strahan had said that when the weather gets cold he's going to wear long sleeves. He effectively said that doing without them is stupid.

Eli is a concern in cols weather and I am actually surprised more QB's don't wear gloves as they are so tacky that it should help. I know some do, but someone like Eli should try it.As for wearing long sleeves, i don't get why guys wouldn't? Forget about being macho, just go ahead and stay warm and play better

There is certainly some element to the toughness factor. I think the reason people don't where long sleeves is that to do so is admitting that the weather is already in your head. Kind of silly if you ask me. I can say that living 2 hours from Green Bay it is super cold. Almost to the point where luck is going to be a huge factor today. That can swing either way. It is so cold that I think it becomes a wash as most people just want to get warm again.What more could you hope for though. GIANTS v. PACKERS in subzero temps in January. Vince Lombardi has his popcorn ready.

 

[MarshallRob]

I hate to say it:

Welcome to Tempe Packer Fans!

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/US...mp;from=weekend

Dry those frozen tears. The weather didn't seem to affect play at all.

 

[Texasmouth]

Im completely shocked. The Giants played a great game. Eli played within himself. Great win for the G-men. I thought this team would implode after week 2. They looked really solid in this game.

Im not sure if this is really a huge loss for Green Bay. No one thought this team would win 5 games, let alone be in the NFC Championship. The team is young and Brett Favre seems to have found the fountain of youth....oh yeah, and they are in the NFC North...

 

[Challenge Everything]

Just got back from Lambeau and my observations from the game are as follows. Not sure if they have been said elsewhere or not but here they are.

1) Congrats to the Giants and their fans. Many fans made the trip and they were good fans.

2) The Packers play calling on offense and defense stunk up the joint big time. Dinky passes... i.e. screens were just dumb plays. Giving up or not even trying to run the ball hurt greatly. Not getting to Eli on defense cost the team on defense. The defense could not get off the field on 3rd down which enabled the Giants to maintain long drives.

3) The Packers were lucky to even have the opportunity to get into overtime. The game does not fall on Brett's shoulder's because of the INT either although many will probably say it does. Plain and simple, the Packers Team lost this game today.

4) As a fan I wanted the Superbowl especially after the team was able to get this far. With that said, the Packers gave me more than I ever expected this year so I cannot be that heartbroken over this loss. The 4th and 26 still stings more than this one.

 

[BLOX]

Congratulations to the New York Giants and their fans. You guys have a very solid team. They gave the Packers every opportunity to take advantage of some situations and they just couldn't get it done. It's more a testament to how well coached the Giants are and how much McCarthy needs to work on.

Congratulations. I am one Packerfan who will don the Blue and Red in two weeks hoping for a huge upset.