De-Sanity 2.0

First Lin-Sanity Now De-Sanity 2.0
Photo: Michael Henriquez NY Beacon/MetLife Stadium

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

It was arguably the most exciting two-week period in the history of the franchised New York Knicks history. It also was the most talked about story in the 2011-2012 NBA season. Little used Knicks guard Jeremy Lin opened the eyes of the sports world. In a two-week period when he started 9 games, Lin scored 20 or more points in 8 of those games. In his first 5 starts, he scored a total of 136 points. The most points scored over that period since the NBA/ABA merger in1976. Thus, creating Lin-Sanity. 

 

 

After the New York Giants quarterback and New Jersey native Tommy DeVito led the team to a comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers 24-22 Monday night at MetLife Stadium in front of a sold-out stadium and national television audience for their third straight victory, DeVito has become De Sanity 2.0.

 

Green Bay would strike first after Giants field goal kicker Randy Bullock missed a 48-yard field goal. Packers quarterback Jordan Love (25-39 1TD, 1Int) moved the team to the Giants 16 and then watched as wide receiver Jayden Reed scamper 16 yards into the end zone for the 7-0 lead. The next time DeVito took possession, he would lead the on a 8-play, 75 yard drive resulting in a Saquon Barkley 5-yard touchdown run tying the score at 7.

 

 

Packers Anders Carlson converted a 36-yard field goal right before half (10-7) before the Giants would take their first lead of the game after a second Green Bay turnover. Giants linebacker Benton Whitley recovers Packers running back Daquan Holmes fumble and 3 plays later, Barkley runs it in from 1-yard out for his second score of the night taking a 14-10 lead. Green Bay cut the lead to 1 (14-13) after another Carlson field goal (32-yards). Then, the De-Sanity 2.0 effect would begin to come to life.

 

It began on the next possession as DeVito marched 10-plays in 75 yards resulting in a beautiful 8-yard pass and an even better catch by wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins on the right side in the back of the end zone giving Big Blue a 21-13 lead. Green Bay would chip away after another Carlson field goal (48 yards) cutting the lead to 21-16. Looking to put the game away, Barkley would make the only mistake of his day. 

 

After rumbling 34 yards, Barkley inexplicably falls to the turf untouched as the ball comes out. It is recovered by Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine who returns it 50-yards to the Giants 36. Said Barkley of the play, “I wish l never put my team in that position, but it could be worse. We found a way to win a game.” 9-plays later, Love finds wide receiver Malik Heath who squeezes the ball in the left pylon for the go ahead touchdown 22-21. DeVito and the Giants get the ball back with 1:33 left only needing a field goal to keep their winning streak alive.

 

 

DeVito completed his first 4 passes, the biggest a 32 yarder to wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson getting them down to the Green Bay 22. Short runs by Barkley set up the game winning field goal as Bullock converts the 37-yard field goal. 

 

Looking as cool and calm at the podium after the game, DeVito talked about the game winning drive. “Just go out, execute the offense and win the game. You enjoy it when the outcome is like this. I enjoy being on the field any play, no matter what play it is.” When asked if he told his teammates anything before the game winning drive, he said, “Let’s go win the game. It’s on us, it’s on the offense.” 

 

There is an unwritten rule in sports that a starter should never lose his job due to injury. When Giants starter Tyrol Taylor went down with a rib injury, it was assumed he would return to the starting line-up when he was cleared to play. Then De-Sanity 2.0 stepped up leading Big Blue to 3-straight victories. A team that was a virtual lock to draft one of the top 3 college quarterback prospects next year, suddenly finds themselves 1-game out of a wild card playoff spot. 

 

The New York Football Giants (5-8) travel to New Orleans Sunday afternoon to face the Saints (6-7) who destroyed the sorry Carolina Panthers (1-12) 28-6. It will have all the feelings of a play-off game with De-Sanity 2.0 playing in one of the most hostile, rabid fans in the NFL.