WISN's Shelby Croft just called me from the road, after finishing her coverage of the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field.
She watched most of the game inside Curly's Pub inside the atrium. For the last two minutes, she went out to the stands.
"After the Giants missed the field goal (right at the end of the game) the fans went nuts," Croft said. "They all thought, 'Hey, we have another chance.'"
The team had one more shot to stay live, but it didn't happen with the Giants scoring first in the sudden death overtime.
"They started leaving immediately," Croft said of the fans that endured a full game and overtime in sub-zero temperatures and wind chills near -24 degrees.
"Some of the people were in sleeping bags and under blankets... it was, all eyes was all you could see," Croft said of the fans in the stands. "Most of the fans were just sad, they thought the team was going to the Super Bowl."
Croft said that most of the Giants fans kept their celebration quiet out of respect. "Many told me just how well treated they were by Packers fans," Croft said.
Coach Mike McCarthy called it a "disappointing loss" but didn't blame the weather conditions when he talked to the assembled press after the game.
"We had a lot of opportunities we didn't take advantage of," McCarthy said.
In two weeks it will be the Giants against New England in the Super Bowl in Arizona.
But last night we saw an exciting game, decided in overtime. It was a great run by the Green and Gold.
Break down the game with the box score here
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Third time makes it through
After watching the NFC Championship in Green Bay, I have to say this was the closest matched game of the playoffs.
The lead changed multiple times, which is a sign of a great effort. There were penalties, there were fumbles, there were interceptions. The winning team is usually the one that takes advantage of turnovers. Both teams had plenty of opportunities ...
Lawrence Tynes made the 47-yard field goal in overtime to take the Giants to the big dance.
Tynes missed two field goals in regulation ... one can only imagine what is going through his head right now. Knowing how the press works, I'm guessing he'll get that question at least 47 times tonight.
It's been a fun ride for a team that I thought would lose half of their games this year before the season started. They played higher than most expectations.
Tonight's news will be the loss for about 20 more minutes. Then, let the Favre speculation begin.
The lead changed multiple times, which is a sign of a great effort. There were penalties, there were fumbles, there were interceptions. The winning team is usually the one that takes advantage of turnovers. Both teams had plenty of opportunities ...
Lawrence Tynes made the 47-yard field goal in overtime to take the Giants to the big dance.
Tynes missed two field goals in regulation ... one can only imagine what is going through his head right now. Knowing how the press works, I'm guessing he'll get that question at least 47 times tonight.
It's been a fun ride for a team that I thought would lose half of their games this year before the season started. They played higher than most expectations.
Tonight's news will be the loss for about 20 more minutes. Then, let the Favre speculation begin.
Season over
Giants are going to the Super Bowl.
It was sudden death overtime. Packers had the chance to drive, but it didn't happen.
23-20.
It was sudden death overtime. Packers had the chance to drive, but it didn't happen.
23-20.
Halftime is a great time to reflect, or at least get some snacks
So, the Pack is up 10-6 over the Giants at the half.
Temperature was at -1 at the beginning of the game, and the wind always makes it cooler. Judging by the amount of times the ball has been blown off the tee, it looks like the wind is making it a bit cooler on the frozen tundra.
Patriots are already in the Super Bowl with the victory over San Diego today. I'm sure my colleagues working at television stations in New England are already making coverage preparations as I'm typing this.
It is a nice, close game going on in Green Bay right now. It will be interesting to see who can get the momentum going first after warming up inside the locker rooms.
Temperature was at -1 at the beginning of the game, and the wind always makes it cooler. Judging by the amount of times the ball has been blown off the tee, it looks like the wind is making it a bit cooler on the frozen tundra.
Patriots are already in the Super Bowl with the victory over San Diego today. I'm sure my colleagues working at television stations in New England are already making coverage preparations as I'm typing this.
It is a nice, close game going on in Green Bay right now. It will be interesting to see who can get the momentum going first after warming up inside the locker rooms.
Cold fans are ready of kick off
Yep, just a few hours before the Pack take on the Giants and Lambeau Field, and the fans are finding ways of staying warm.
Shelby Croft spoke to a few fans wearing whatever they could.
"We saw some deer hunter orange and camouflage," Croft said. "There were people in hunting gear, ski gear ..."
Croft said there were a lot of fires around and everyone tells her that drinking will keep them warm. There were some fans with hot, spiced wines and spiked hot chocolate.
Tonight on WISN TV, you can expect a full coverage of the team win or lose. I know, you all are going to accuse me of being a Giants fan because I mention the fact that the beloved Green and Gold could lose the game.
But this is the NFL, where what may seem impossible could happen on any given Sunday.
Personally, I'm hoping that means San Diego is going to have an incredible game.
You never know...
More to come later.
Shelby Croft spoke to a few fans wearing whatever they could.
"We saw some deer hunter orange and camouflage," Croft said. "There were people in hunting gear, ski gear ..."
Croft said there were a lot of fires around and everyone tells her that drinking will keep them warm. There were some fans with hot, spiced wines and spiked hot chocolate.
Tonight on WISN TV, you can expect a full coverage of the team win or lose. I know, you all are going to accuse me of being a Giants fan because I mention the fact that the beloved Green and Gold could lose the game.
But this is the NFL, where what may seem impossible could happen on any given Sunday.
Personally, I'm hoping that means San Diego is going to have an incredible game.
You never know...
More to come later.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
One day away
Haven't been doing too much of the on-the-field analysis of the match up, mostly because you can find that elsewhere on WISN.com.
Like here:
Brett Favre More Careful, Dangerous Under McCarthy
But what I can share with you is some of the atmosphere and feel around what is going on in and around the game.
Dan Needles got to the atrium to find a packed house Saturday afternoon.
"The place is full, with people taking tours and visiting the pro shop," Needles said.
A Milwaukee radio station was broadcasting live most of the day from there, and the national media has started to show up.
Howie Long, Chris Berman, Joe Buck ... they all are around. Needles has a few new stories to tell about some of the national writers, but we won't get into that.
What I will get into is that we can expect is a different routine tomorrow.
The 5:30 p.m. start for instance.
"I guess they'll treat it like a night game, just a little earlier," Needles said of the players' preparations. "Usually most of these guys are up by 6-7 o'clock. I'm guessing most of them will get here really early and then sit around because they'll be bouncing off the walls ready to play."
A lot will be happening this evening, right about now as I post this.
"The (Giants) players will have some free time tonight to spend with family and friends with dinner, and I'm sure they'll get out there to experience this cold," Needles said. "Then they head back in for some more meetings, so they have just a little time out there."
Needles said the Giants were told to keep quiet about questions in regards to the weather. I can't say I blame the team for setting such a policy. The cold will be a factor in the game.
Temperature in GB right now is is -5.
We'll see what it is like tomorrow.
Like here:
Brett Favre More Careful, Dangerous Under McCarthy
But what I can share with you is some of the atmosphere and feel around what is going on in and around the game.
Dan Needles got to the atrium to find a packed house Saturday afternoon.
"The place is full, with people taking tours and visiting the pro shop," Needles said.
A Milwaukee radio station was broadcasting live most of the day from there, and the national media has started to show up.
Howie Long, Chris Berman, Joe Buck ... they all are around. Needles has a few new stories to tell about some of the national writers, but we won't get into that.
What I will get into is that we can expect is a different routine tomorrow.
The 5:30 p.m. start for instance.
"I guess they'll treat it like a night game, just a little earlier," Needles said of the players' preparations. "Usually most of these guys are up by 6-7 o'clock. I'm guessing most of them will get here really early and then sit around because they'll be bouncing off the walls ready to play."
A lot will be happening this evening, right about now as I post this.
"The (Giants) players will have some free time tonight to spend with family and friends with dinner, and I'm sure they'll get out there to experience this cold," Needles said. "Then they head back in for some more meetings, so they have just a little time out there."
Needles said the Giants were told to keep quiet about questions in regards to the weather. I can't say I blame the team for setting such a policy. The cold will be a factor in the game.
Temperature in GB right now is is -5.
We'll see what it is like tomorrow.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Confidence and leadership
WISN's Dan Needles is in Green Bay today covering all of the angles for the NFC Championship game on Sunday.
In a phone call earlier today, I chatted with Dan on what type of things were going on in the press conferences and the locker room. And what I was trying to get at was more mood and feeling rather than the sound bites you'll hear in the news reports tonight.
"I think they are just very confident," Needles said. "When you get to this level, guys usually want to take center stage and may say some outlandish things. It's just not like that."
Needles said that the players are not trying to make a big deal of it, taking a lead from some of the other veteran players. The Packers are more than happy to talk about the weather and the game, but there wasn't the trash talking like what is taking place in the AFC match up between New England and San Diego.
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs contacted the Pack's Ryan Grant after the Dallas game, saying, "We (New York) are coming out there," Needles told me.
"There wasn't anything else about it," Needles said, meaning there was no animosity or tension between the two friends and former teammates.
Some of the national media was trying to get players to talk about the regular season game between the two teams, about some of the cheap shots taken.
"A.J. Hawk, who was a victim of one of those shots just said, 'Hey, that was a good hit. I probably would have done the same thing,'" Needles said.
When covering professional sports, most of the time the participants are not very professional.
Fan can truly be proud of the Giants and the Packers here. Two days before the game and they are truly professional toward each other.
In a phone call earlier today, I chatted with Dan on what type of things were going on in the press conferences and the locker room. And what I was trying to get at was more mood and feeling rather than the sound bites you'll hear in the news reports tonight.
"I think they are just very confident," Needles said. "When you get to this level, guys usually want to take center stage and may say some outlandish things. It's just not like that."
Needles said that the players are not trying to make a big deal of it, taking a lead from some of the other veteran players. The Packers are more than happy to talk about the weather and the game, but there wasn't the trash talking like what is taking place in the AFC match up between New England and San Diego.
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs contacted the Pack's Ryan Grant after the Dallas game, saying, "We (New York) are coming out there," Needles told me.
"There wasn't anything else about it," Needles said, meaning there was no animosity or tension between the two friends and former teammates.
Some of the national media was trying to get players to talk about the regular season game between the two teams, about some of the cheap shots taken.
"A.J. Hawk, who was a victim of one of those shots just said, 'Hey, that was a good hit. I probably would have done the same thing,'" Needles said.
When covering professional sports, most of the time the participants are not very professional.
Fan can truly be proud of the Giants and the Packers here. Two days before the game and they are truly professional toward each other.
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