How Appropriate

Fumbling.

The image of Ahmad Bradshaw falling ass-backwards into the end zone for an uncontested touchdown to win yesterday's Super Bowl was a perfect encapsulation of the New York Giants' last two games.

I can't recall a team that had so much postseason luck and good fortune as the Giants did during the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl. Rather than snatch victory from their opponents, New York graciously accepted the gifts bestowed upon them.

• Two fumbled punts? Check.
• A blown call on a potential game-deciding fumble? Check.
• Tom Brady - Tom Freaking Brady - taking an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone on a 30-yard pass down the middle on his first play from scrimmage, handing the Giants 2 points? Check.
• Every fumble bouncing right back into the Giants' hands? Check.
• The Patriots' receivers playing like their hands were covered in olive oil during the 4th quarter? Check.
• The "we give up, just give the ball back to our offense" defensive strategy during the aforementioned Bradshaw touchdown? Check.
  

Yeah, this is sour grapes. And yeah, I think the 49ers could have beaten both teams yesterday.

10, 20, 30 years from now, what will be the lasting image of this Super Bowl? Super Bowl I had Max McGee racing down the field to score the first touchdown in Super Bowl history. Super Bowl X had Lynn Swann's acrobatic catch. Super Bowl XVI had the Niners' goal line stand. Super Bowl XVIII had Jack Squirek's interception. Super Bowl XXIII had Joe Montana's game-winning toss to John Taylor. The list goes on and on.

Super Bowl XVLI's lasting image? A running back falling backwards into the end zone against a yielding defense while trying to keep himself in the field of play rather than score the game-winning points.

How appropriate.