Bucs-Giants Quasi Live Blog, Second Quarter

In the time it took to post the first quarter, life has gotten better for Big Blue; a 3 and out after Garcia misses Galloway on a scramble toss, a short punt and a decent return, and Fredo's in business at his own 47. Then, Fredo finds Plex Burress (he's in this game!) for 4, and throws the exact same ball to Toomer, who benefits from jumped routes and bad tackling to make a big play. Giants are in field goal range at the 32, and Jacobs has his best carry of the day: three yards. Considering that they had -2 yards in the first quarter, this is Big Progress. A pump fake on 2nd and 7 and another safe throw underneath, this to Toomer, for the first down. I have to say, Fredo's success in road games this year has looked just like this; play terrible, then get an opportunity and stick around. I'm still not feeling it, because Jacobs has six carries for one yard, but they're just 18 yards away from tying this.

2nd and 9 and it's Steve Smith again (did Kevin Boss make the trip?) for no production. Blue has dropped 42 passes this year according to Fox, which leads the league... and it's another timeout that a non-Game Manager QB wouldn't have taken. The big play of the drive is another safe and easy throw to Toomer, setting up first and goal at the six. Jacobs then catches an ugly middle screen and scores, and it's Fredo Fellation time for Fox... but maybe this is just my Eagle Hate seeping through, but I'm not seeing how any of those throws were hard. The Bucs just didn't tackle on that drive, put pressure on the QB, or cover the short routes. Credit Toomer for making plays, not the QB that threw the ball all of 20 to 25 feet to him.

Very loud shouts of defense from the traveling New York army, and Strahan breaks through for a sack. Lo, how the fates have changed since the quarter change. It's three and out for the Bucs, and I'm starting to get how Blue was 7-1 on the road this year; they finally got to be in front of a supportive crowd. Fredo's got the ball on his own 35 with a song in his heart.

Two good quick plays and Blue's into Buc territory. Fredo looks confused, but hits Burress on back to back catches to set up a second and one. Oh boy, Tom Petty's playing the Super... yawn.... Bradshaw gives the Blue running game a much better look, but he fails to get the edge on a second and one. If this game is going to stay tied, the Bucs will need to come up big here, and they don't in a big way, as Smith finally makes a play, pulling down a legitimately good throw for 21. Fredo's looking frisky, all of a sudden, especially with a very clean pocket and easy underneath throws to wide-open receivers. Manning is suddenly 10 of 14 for 127 with a touchdown, and Jacobs goes in again. Man, what a change from the first quarter. Bucs need to answer with the next possession, or this is starting to look ugly the other way.

Spurlock gets the ball to the Bucs 26, and you have to admire his accomplishment in filming "Supersize Me" while also being an NFL player. On 3rd and 3, an absolutely critical play in the flow of the game, Garcia keeps it alive with a gain of 7 to Pittman. Bucs are having a hard time keeping Garcia clean right now; 10 hurries on 16 dropbacks. At the 2 minute warning, it's another 3rd and long, but at least the Bucs have taken some time off the clock. On 3rd and 8, Hilliard makes a great play but gets a bad spot, but gets the first down anyway. Just a huge play by the ex-Giant. 1:53 left, ball at midfield.

Smith for 4, and Garcia looks like he's got a little mojo back. Clock's running, though. Webster gets away with PI on Galloway on second down. On third, good protection is wasted on a bad ball to Hilliard, who lobbies for a call but doesn't get one. With 1:07 left, the Giants get it back inside the 20. It'll be curious to see how much Coughlin trusts Fredo here... and the answer is Not At All, as Jacobs takes an interior run and the Giants huddle up. They'll eat the timeouts and go into the half up 14-7. Coughlin played that only slightly more liberally than the Taliban, but he's the guy with the 7-1 road record and the 7-point lead at halftime, so what the hell do I know?