Giants' big Boss has his biggest day
Photo credit: AP | New York Giants offensive tackle David Diehl (66) celebrates with tight end Kevin Boss after Boss scored a touchdown in the second quarter. (Nov. 22, 2009)
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Photos: Giants 34, Falcons 31 (OT)
The microphones picked up each soft-spoken word from Kevin Boss as he tried to downplay his importance. But even he couldn't deny just how critical he was Sunday.
"I mean, any time you get to score two touchdowns," the Giants tight end said. "I haven't done that before. It's probably one of the better games in my career."
Boss has made his share of big catches in recent weeks, but none as meaningful as his pair of second-quarter touchdown receptions - a 28-yard missile from quarterback Eli Manning, followed by a 4-yarder - in yesterday's 34-31 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Before the Giants allowed the game to disintegrate into a nail-biter that hinged solely on the accuracy of Lawrence Tynes' foot, the Giants held a 10-point halftime lead.
That, in large part, was because of Boss' first career multi-TD game, a season-high five catches for 76 yards. "He did some great things," said Manning, who also had a career day with 384 yards. "He got off to a slow start, he was playing very well, but he has been banged up taking a lot of hits. He is tough as nails with some of the things he's been dealing with."
The Giants knew their defense would be the key. But coach Tom Coughlin also stressed the importance of their efficiency in the red - or green, as he calls it - zone. And Boss' 6-6, 253-pound frame consistently has proven to be a reliable target near the goal line.
Boss put the Giants up 10-7 in the second quarter, stiff-arming Falcons safety Erik Coleman before scampering into the end zone. Minutes later, he gave the team an even bigger cushion, taking a short pass from Manning over the middle.
But it was Boss' fourth-quarter play - on third-and-4 from Atlanta's 21 - that really caught Coughlin's eye. Manning fired another short pass to Boss, which he took up the field 18 yards to set up a short toss to Madison Hedgecock for a touchdown on the next play.
"We had the idea that this would be one way to help ourselves in the green zone. It proved true today," Coughlin said. "Kevin made some big plays. The play before the touchdown to Madison was a big play."
But for Boss, a win after four straight losses was by far the most important statistic of the day. "It's always nice to contribute to the victory," he said. "But getting a win finally and getting that monkey off our backs feels real nice."
