GJFlash's Blog

The Trench Warriors...The True Super Bowl MVP's

By GJFlash

 

During World War One, the battles that decided the outcome of the war were fought from, to, and in, trenches cut into the earth.

 

It was a very nasty business, trench warfare.

 

The linesmen of the NFL adopted the term "trench warfare" to describe the battles that are fought at the line of scrimmage on every snap of the ball.  It's not mustard gas and barbed wire, but "life on the line" can be a very nasty business nonetheless.  Twisted fingers, indian burns, and biting are customary. 

 

Mark "Stinky" Schlereth used to befoul himself on a regular basis in order to make the battles in the trenches tougher on his opponents.  I never had to line up against Stink, but my imagination tells me that he made the battles in the trenches less pleasant than was usual.

 

Many a football aficionado has made the proclamation that games are won (or lost) in the trenches.

 

Super Bowl XLII was won (and lost) in the trenches.

 

I don't have the exact stats of the number of times Tom Brady was sacked, hurried, and hit, but if you saw the same game I did, you must have noticed that  Brady spent a lot more time under pressure than Manning did.

 

When the game was on the line, Brady was under fire.  Manning managed to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter when a "perfect season" and the Vince Lombardi Trophy were at stake.

 

I remember reading on these pages that it would be kind of cool to see the Manning boys win back-to-back MVP awards, and cool it was.  Dad must be proud.

 

But credit the linesmen of the New York (football) Giants for winning this game.

 

These unsung heroes of America's Sport usually get heaps of praise and credit only from the "skill players" like the quarterback and running back.  It is customary for the franchise QB to treat his linesmen to dinner, gold watches, and the occasional luxury SUV.  Believe me, they deserve it.  Ask Hall-of-Famer Gary Zimmerman (actually, he'll probably be his customary humble self...so ask Alex Gibbs).

 

It was indeed cool to see Manning win the MVP award, but true football fans give credit where credit is due.  In this game, credit the linesmen of the New York (football) Giants.  I'm guessing that they will get a lot of love from Manning in the weeks to come.

 

Football games are won and lost in the trenches, and football games are won and lost by the men who fight the battles there. 

 

"May the best man win", to coin a phrase.  Tonight, the best men won.

 

The Giant men in the trenches.