TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Strahan Stomp Kicks Off Party

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: February 6, 2008

NEW YORK - On a day for jumping and whooping it up, Michael Strahan showed the throngs of jubilant fans just how it's done, New York Giants style.

The star defensive end fires up his team - a wildly improbable NFL champion - with a leap that he calls "stomping you out." And with that, Strahan jumped skyward on the podium at a Super Bowl rally Tuesday, lifting his knees to his shoulders.

"We would like to extend this to every other team in the NFL and particularly for the last team we defeated, the New England Patriots," he said, his teammates standing behind him. "Because you know what we did to you? We stomped you out!"

Two days after the Giants won the title with a 17-14 victory that ended the New England Patriots' perfect season, fans gathered at City Hall Park after a ticker-tape parade to watch their team get the keys to the city.

And those fans, umbrellas raised in a light rain, made a plea to Strahan, who is contemplating retirement. "One more year!" came the chant as soon as he got to the podium.

"One more year?" Strahan said. "We'll see."

Eli Manning, the MVP of the Super Bowl, said the team was proud to "bring the championship back to New York City."

Manning and Strahan were joined by the entire Giants organization in a parade through lower Manhattan. Afterward, the team took buses back to New Jersey, where it was met by a crowd of more than 20,000 fans at Giants Stadium. The crowd saved its loudest cheers for Coach Tom Coughlin, who emerged from a tunnel holding aloft the Super Bowl trophy.

"You believed in us and this group of young men believed in themselves," he said. "And that's why we're standing here today."

The crowd burst into cheers when wide receive David Tyree was introduced and pressed a football to his head, simulating his astonishing catch in the final minutes of Sunday's game.
State Senate President Richard J. Codey took a jab at the Patriots when he referred to their videotaping scandal at Giants Stadium against the Jets in September.

"If the Patriots were here today, they could film all they want," Codey said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Arlen Specter and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could meet next week to discuss the league's investigation into spying allegations against the New England Patriots.

The two staffs are working on setting up the meeting, Specter's office confirmed Tuesday.

Last week, Specter, R-Pa., questioned the quality of the NFL investigation and Goodell's decision to destroy video evidence uncovered by the league earlier this season.

Pats Player Pleads Not Guilty To Pot Charge

LOWELL, Mass. - New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews pleaded not guilty to drug possession Tuesday, hours after authorities said they found him with a half-pound of marijuana.

Andrews was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and driving an unregistered motor vehicle, a black Crown Victoria. Prosecutors said he had $6,800 in cash, three bags of marijuana, and no means to smoke the drugs.

Andrews was released on personal recognizance after entering not guilty pleas during his arraignment in Lowell District Court.

The Patriots declined to comment specifically on Andrews' arrest.

RAVENS: Coach John Harbaugh added two assistants Tuesday, Hue Jackson to coach the quarterbacks and Andy Moeller as assistant offensive line coach.

Jackson was the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator last season; Moeller was the offensive line coach at the University of Michigan.

PACKERS: Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy, 44, received a new five-year contract that runs through 2012 after leading the Packers to a 14-4 record last season.

REDSKINS: It's already been quite a week for Steve Spagnuolo.

Still basking in euphoria from a victory on American sport's biggest stage, the New York Giants defensive coordinator arrived in the Washington area Tuesday to interview for the Redskins' coaching vacancy. No audition tape was necessary; the defense's performance in Sunday's 17-14 upset of the New England Patriots pretty much speaks for itself.

Spagnuolo, Ron Meeks and Jim Fassel are the three remaining possible replacements for Joe Gibbs, who resigned Jan. 8.

Spagnuolo attended Tuesday's parade in New York, then picked up in one of Redskins' owner Dan Snyder's planes and flown to Washington for face-to-face talks.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT