If you have ever been to MetLife and looked at the Giants trophy room, you will notice a few things. The Giants heavily feature the 4 Super Bowl Championship teams (as they should). There are pictures around the stadium featuring the 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2011 teams, and the 4 trophies in your face.
But noticeably absent is any real focus on the 2000 team, which won the NFC Championship blowing out the Vikings, and then were lucky not to get shut out by Baltimore in the Super Bowl.
As I recall, one of the criticisms of Jim Fassel when he was fired was that Fassel used to wear his NFC Championship ring around the Giants offices, which didn't endear him to the ownership. You don't normally think of Mara in the same breath as a George Steinbrenner (ie- championship or bust), but it appears there is something to that.
The question for BBI'ers, when I go back and I look at some of the playoff runs the Giants had in the 1980s when they didn't get to the Super Bowl, it is actually looked at more fondly than the 2000 run which ended in a Super Bowl loss. Should the Giants do more to recognize the 2000 team, or are they more or less relegated to persona non grata in Giants history?
The 2000 NFC Championship trophy is in the Legacy Club I believe.
I'm not sure what else they should really do to honor that team though. 7 years later they actually won another Super Bowl and also 11 years later. 10 and 14 years prior they won as well.
I dont think the Giants act like that team doesn't exist, but I'm not sure how you truly celebrate that team as an organization.
As a fan I look back on that team with fond memories, but i dont think the Giants can do much to honor that team than they've done
I was thinking along these lines as well. I would ask, what did the celebration and portrayals of the 2000 teams run look like BEFORE XLII and XLVI? Maybe they were more prominently featured when we only had two trophies that were prior to 2000. Then once XLII came along you make that the focal point. Once XLVI happened, I can see why 2000 gets pushed to the back of the line. Not only was it no longer the most recent success, but it was an after thought to two of the 4 amazing super bowl runs in franchise history.
I’m willing to guess that the first few years after XXXV there was probably more hoopla.
The 2000 season was amazing maybe in 2020 they will do something at halftime to honour the team and the nfc championship but it would not be expected
And major dogs against the Ravens. No team was beating the Ravens in the Superbowl that year.
I don't see how anyone could consider that season a bust. Pretty silly if they do.
And major dogs against the Ravens. No team was beating the Ravens in the Superbowl that year.
I don't see how anyone could consider that season a bust. Pretty silly if they do.
How about this: Not a bust given that we won the NFC, but one I don’t even talk about with anyone because of the choke job in the SB..Maybe the Ravens were going to win regardless, but their performance was to me, cowardly. The coaching staff didn’t do their homework. If they had, they would have used the brilliant offensive game plans of the Jets and Jaguars who gave the Ravens FITS with their offenses. Two weeks to prepare and THAT’S the O plan they came up with, not to mention no halftime afjustments whatsoever based on their continued cowering performance.
Of course, Baltimore was going to win that game. The Giants only chance was to keep things close was gone early in that game. The interception called back and Shawn Williams blown coverage against Stokely doomed any slim chance they had. Could not allow them to score first. But for the TD KO return - would have been over much sooner.
Giant offense was decent but certainly not dominant. Lack of speed at wr was a serious limitation. Raven defense was like playing with a booby-trapped ball. Every time Giants offense touched the ball, something bad happened.
I think the Maras are setting a high standard, but at the same time it seems tinged with the missed opportunities of that Super Bowl and the entire Fassel era (not to mention Gentleman Jim's off-field activities). I think the Giants remain embarrassed by the defeat and that it conflicted with the franchise identity as "tough" which was later reflected in the TC hire.
The season wasn't a bust but when you look back at 2002 and some of the Fassel era seasons, they missed a lot of opportunities to be a preeminent franchise even before TC.
Maybe it could have been a little close, but I don't that really matters.
I think the Maras are setting a high standard, but at the same time it seems tinged with the missed opportunities of that Super Bowl and the entire Fassel era (not to mention Gentleman Jim's off-field activities). I think the Giants remain embarrassed by the defeat and that it conflicted with the franchise identity as "tough" which was later reflected in the TC hire.
The season wasn't a bust but when you look back at 2002 and some of the Fassel era seasons, they missed a lot of opportunities to be a preeminent franchise even before TC.
My feelings about Fassel are well known and need not be revisited. Much of the blame goes to Accorsi. Notwithstanding The no-brainer Eli trade(regardless of who blinked first), EA was mediocre at best. I thought he was awful on the whole, but that’s just me. I’ll give him mediocre..:)..
Not bery helpful to JF, imv
To me, it looked like the offense laid down in the SB and that's never left me from that team. Perhaps others in the franchise feel the same way.
At the time, though, he had plenty to lose. Sure he would likely have been fired if they didn't make the playoffs. But imagine having a public statement like that on your record to go along with a firing - it would basically have been career suicide, and made him a laughing stock.
(again, his career trajectory afterwards isn't known at that point)
The 2000 team was a lot of fun - and they definitely overachieved. If Mara was pissed about not winning it - after his father stood at the podium poking fun at the pundits calling them the worst team to go to the Super Bowl - that's on him. They played over their heads until they ran into one of the best defenses of all time and the wheels fell off. I'm sure Fassel and co. would love a do over, and that they might have done slightly better, but I don't think any sane person has them coming close to winning, holding call or not.
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That the Jets celebrated two championship losses barely acknowledge one of the greatest Championship game wins of all-time. As someone who was there and considers it one of the great days in my fandom, I think there's isn't a simple answer.
I think the Maras are setting a high standard, but at the same time it seems tinged with the missed opportunities of that Super Bowl and the entire Fassel era (not to mention Gentleman Jim's off-field activities). I think the Giants remain embarrassed by the defeat and that it conflicted with the franchise identity as "tough" which was later reflected in the TC hire.
The season wasn't a bust but when you look back at 2002 and some of the Fassel era seasons, they missed a lot of opportunities to be a preeminent franchise even before TC.
My feelings about Fassel are well known and need not be revisited. Much of the blame goes to Accorsi. Notwithstanding The no-brainer Eli trade(regardless of who blinked first), EA was mediocre at best. I thought he was awful on the whole, but that’s just me. I’ll give him mediocre..:)..
Not bery helpful to JF, imv
BB56 - I agree with you, but the Maras made their decision on Fassel (and Accorsi) and so here we are. Accorsi got a do-over, Fassel did not.
I would have preferred a better showing in the SB, but beating that Ravens team was always going to be a tall order, they matched up too well.
For me it just reminds how underrated that 2011 win @ Candlestick was. IMO that was the best D since the 2000 Ravens and Eli beat them on the road, in the rain on natural grass. And IIRC the 49ers ground crew made sure the field was a mudpit.
One of the great performances in NFL history and nobody outside Giants fans will ever remember.
Even with their flea-bitten offensive line.
The Ravens had a generational best defense; they inflicted the punishment that any self respecting buzzsaw does ...
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/crossout/images/9/92/Buzzsaw.png/revision/latest?cb=20180124062357
One of the Eagles - corners, cannot remember which one (pro bowler) said it made a huge difference. But Greg knows better than him I suppose
I was in New Orleans for Super Bowl 47 (Ravens-49ers) with a buddy of mine who is a huge Jets fan. The night before the game he said he'd do anything for the Jets to just get to a Super Bowl. I disagreed with his sentiment based on the Raven game...if you get to the Super Bowl, you'd better win it. It's a brutal game to lose.
Walking out of the Superdome amongst a bunch of dejected 49ers fans after the game, my buddy changed his mind. If you get there, you'd better win it. That's part of what makes that game so great.
One of Giant OL players said after the game - playing against Goose & Adams was like being in a phone booth with a grizzly bear.
I m with the Mara s, not much use for that season
I thank my lucky stars every fucking day that we won the Super Bowl the very next season. Otherwise that would still sting way more than it does now.
The Patriots have lost 3 SB’s under Belichick/Brady, the Steelers have lost SB’s, Broncos, etc.
We have been incredibly spoiled to have a 4-1 record in SB’s, it’s in the top tier of the NFL. 5-0 in NFC title games!
2000 was a fun ride which I look back fondly on. Hell, we beat the Eagles in the playoffs & 3 times that year.
I thank my lucky stars every fucking day that we won the Super Bowl the very next season. Otherwise that would still sting way more than it does now.
Interesting how the ‘’97 playoff meltdown against the Vikes with 90 seconds left and up by 10 (not to mention leading 22-3 at halftime) still, IF I EVER THINK ABOUT IT, is a more devastating loss than the ‘89 Flipper game and the 2002 meltdown against the Niners. But that’s just me. Yes, I agree, we could have made real noise in 2010
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I still wonder what would have happened with the 2010 team if they had made the playoffs. I felt like that team had a run in them. But, the game we shall not speak of obviously de-railed that.
I thank my lucky stars every fucking day that we won the Super Bowl the very next season. Otherwise that would still sting way more than it does now.
Interesting how the ‘’97 playoff meltdown against the Vikes with 90 seconds left and up by 10 (not to mention leading 22-3 at halftime) still, IF I EVER THINK ABOUT IT, is a more devastating loss than the ‘89 Flipper game and the 2002 meltdown against the Niners. But that’s just me. Yes, I agree, we could have made real noise in 2010
Ugh.. Chris Calloway. Still remember that like it was yesterday. Terrible loss.
That game should be remembered for the Ravens cappping off one of the greatest defensive teams in NFL history, not the Giants getting there in spectacular fashion just to get their doors blown off.
All hail Ron Dixon.
I'm of the generation that grew up with the 80s teams, and then the crap that followed. Tge Fassel era brought back some respectability to the team. 2000 was a good year, and that playoff run was great.
And we did lose to one of the greatest defenses of the modern era, even if it took me a long time as a fan to get over it and see it that way.
That team has a special place in my heart
I'm of the generation that grew up with the 80s teams, and then the crap that followed. Tge Fassel era brought back some respectability to the team. 2000 was a good year, and that playoff run was great.
And we did lose to one of the greatest defenses of the modern era, even if it took me a long time as a fan to get over it and see it that way.
That team has a special place in my heart
I'm of the generation that grew up with the 80s teams, and then the crap that followed. Tge Fassel era brought back some respectability to the team. 2000 was a good year, and that playoff run was great.
And we did lose to one of the greatest defenses of the modern era, even if it took me a long time as a fan to get over it and see it that way.
That team has a special place in my heart
I'm with you there. After the disaster that was Handley and Reeves, the Fassel teams were an improvement despite their flaws.
Overall, it's pretty hard to believe that only four Giants seasons since 1991 (27 years!) have included playoff wins. That's kind of shitty.
That 1993 team was good enough to win it all, in my opinion, but the bye week and home game were crucial towards doing it. They were better than the 2000 team, which went (as you said) two rounds further.
The 1993 regular season finale might be -- to me, anyway -- the most monumental Giants regular season loss.