a Giant controversy?

The Giants offense exploded, Eli threw for over 500 yards, and the G-Men came back from a 14-point second half deficit this week to avoid an 0-2 start. But all the buzz has been about the last 30 seconds of the game.

What happened: In a tie game, with 1:20 left, backup running back Andre Brown found a big hole and ran 9 yards to the goal line. He stopped and slid before the goal line to keep the clock moving. On the next play, with 31 seconds, Andre Brown again found no resistance and this time ran all the way into the endzone for the touchdown. After the kickoff Josh Freeman made a couple big plays that got the Bucs within striking distance, although one was overruled as incomplete, and the Giants picked off Freeman with 5 seconds to seal it. On the quarterback kneeldown, the Bucs defense pushed through and Eli fell down. Coach Coughlin ripped Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano as unprofessional and called it a cheap shot.

The touchdown: There was a lot of criticism about this. People say Brown gave Tampa Bay another chance. There was too much time left. I disagree. I never like a guy taking a knee outside of the endzone anyway, especially in a game you aren't winning yet. After the first down, letting the clock run, with 30 seconds left it is time to make sure your team takes the lead. Do you really want to put the outcome of the game in the hands of a kicker?

Take the points. Make sure your team takes the lead. It is always better to have the lead near the end of the game than not. And taking a 7-point lead gives you enough that worst-case-scenerio, a miracle still won't beat you in regulation.

Tampa Bay made it interesting after a big return, a good pass, and another catch that was cancelled. But if you are so worried that your team's defense can't keep the Buccaneers out of the endzone within 25 seconds then you have bigger issues.

The kneel: Since Pop Warner league (and in every other sport for that matter), coaches always say play until the final whistle. This is pro football; not golf or baseball. Football is a violent game. It was a one-score difference. Catch them off guard, a returned fumbled snap would tie the game. The lineman got down in the three-point-stance; what did you expect they were going to?

The Bucs lost their final 10 games last year. Coach Schiano is trying to change the culture. I love the Giants and approve of Tom Coughlin, but he has to quit crying and move on. These are professional football players; I would hope that they can handle a shove.