Giants Stadium says Goodbye to Jets-Dolphins
(Ed. note: Normally, I’d wait until tomorrow to post this, but I want people going to the game to get a chance to read it before they head out.)
One of the more underplayed aspect of this game, I feel, is that this will be the Dolphins’ last visit to (and I hate saying the name of this place) Giants Stadium. There’s been bad, there’s been ugly, but there’s been a lot of good and a lot of memories that have largely made this rivalry what it is.
And it was also where, a decade later, Dan Marino and Mark Ingram hooked up on the classic “Clock Play,” Marino’s fake spike completing a comeback from 18 points down in the second half.
Yet it was also the place where Jets quarterback Ken O’Brien outdueled a young Marino in consecutive overtime shootouts in 1986 and ’87.
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Of course, the most painful memory probably came in the so-called Monday Night Miracle. Up 30-7 in the fourth quarter in October 2000, Dave Wannstedt’s first year, the Dolphins managed a complete collapse that saw them fall 40-37 in overtime.
It was so bad that Jumbo Elliott, the great tackle, caught a game-tying touchdown pass at the end of regulation. Each Jets week for several years thereafter, Taylor would hang a Curtis Martin jersey in his locker as motivation.
“Really?” says Martin, No. 4 on the NFL’s career rushing list. “I never knew that.”
As for the “Miracle” game itself, Martin calls it “one of the most amazing displays of not dying, of perseverance.”
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“I still see the clips where Jason Taylor was on the sideline going, ‘They’re not going to come back this time! Not this time!’” Martin says. “That was one of the greatest feelings, walking off that field.”
The Fake Spike. The Miracle. Chad’s Revenge. There’s just so many memories and so many moments that you just really had to witness, either on TV or in person, to understand how great this rivalry has become in that stadium. Personally, I was there for Marino’s fake spike, Chad’s game and The Miracle and each was special and unique for it’s own reasons. I remember at the end of the first half for The Miracle, knowing I had school the next day, and seeing the score, asking my dad if we could go home. He refused and I owe him more than he knows for that. It was such a special moment to witness when Jumbo caught the TD pass and every Jets fan looked up at the replay board to make sure he held on.
I got to see the Pats and Bills one last time in that place, but I’m genuinely upset I won’t get to see the Dolphins. As I was explaining to my girlfriend during the last Jets-Dolphins game on MNF, there’s just something special about this rivalry. It means more than any other divisional game, even during the Belichick era. It’s one of those things that transcends the players and the coaching staffs. Jets-Dolphins is one of the greatest rivalries of all time and it’s risen to that level thanks in part to the fans, culture, and weather of Giants Stadium. I’m truly sad that I won’t be there in person to say goodbye to it before the move to the new place. Everyone that’s going today, make sure you treasure the game, win or lose. It’s the last one of it’s kind.
18 Responses to Giants Stadium says Goodbye to Jets-Dolphins
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fre5h says:
These memories obviously mean a lot to you, and to all of us.
Yet what does it indicate that in your fond recollections you refer repeatedly to ‘Giants Stadium’. How does this reflect upon us to the rest of the league? (Not just your TJB post of 11/1, but as a general attitude?) Is it intended to be representative of some sort of (perhaps, now, justified) Jets fan inferiority complex?
I know I will personally never have any fond memories of anything my team does in “Giants Stadium”. The sooner they implode that sorry sack, the better.
In your post, why not call it the Meadowlands. Call it the corner of NJTP and Route 3. Don’t tamely submit to exactly what the Giants ownership, and the rest of the NFL and its fans, hopes to define you as.
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TOON2388 says:
I think ’87 was the third and final strike replacement game: Kyle Mackey and Pat Ryan both played QB and the JETS won 37-31 in OT.
’88 Ryan started, JETS led 24-14 and Miami scored 20 unanswered points. O’Brien threw 2 4th quarter TDs for a 38-34 comeback win. This was one of my favorite games to have attended in the Swamps.
Was not at ’86 game, but it is almost as memorable as the Monday Night miracle (and good thing there was no replay as we fumbled OT kickoff but zebras ruled runner down).
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Hey Jets Blog! Im from Twitter. Anyway, it kinds sucks not being able to see the Jets-Fins in Giants stadium again. Unless they where in the playoffs. But, it will be a day to bring back old memories, how it started. Jets WIN!!!!!!!!
It will also remember the glorious Wayne Chrebet days. Man did i love those vs. those great games he had against the Dolphins!! -
MrJetGreen says:
I wish to offer my condolences to Jason Taylor for all the losses Miami has had at the Meadowllands…Boo Hoo Hoo…
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hank/naples says:
Corey:
My everlasting memory of GIANTS STADIUM is of Leon Hess and is the betrayal to its loyal fan base relegating the Jets to forever more “orphan son” status of in our beloved Empire State.
I stand with fre5th, they can’t implode the THING fast enough and turn it back to swamp land, where it belongs !!!
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greg sec 130 says:
Probably unnecessary but probably more accurate to say it will 99.9% be the last visit to Giants Stadium. A Jets win today and a 12-4 season followed by the Dolphins winning out to finish 11-5, or the Pats tanking, could result in an AFC Championship game here. Maybe .1% is too generous. Maybe this comment was dumb. Let’s move on. Good post — I hadn’t even thought about the many ‘lasts’ of this stadium.
I’m sure many will agree that since we came here late, haven’t had the best of days here, and are leaving for our ‘own’ stadium, it’s not all that sad to leave.
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Wise Old Jet Fan says:
I agree with both sentiments above, will be wearing my Chrebet jersey proudly today in honor of n=my faovrite players great achievements in this rivalry game in this stadium, but have nothing but animousity toward the building itself and the owners that made it and the new stadium possible.
Hess sold this team down accross the river when he agreed to this horrible deal, and Woody, although he made an effort to bring them back, eventually capitulated to the almighty green by making it worse, keeping them in the same ugly meadowlands at increased cost to the fans. No improvement, higher cost, all the while selling it as a great moment for the fans. Yeah right.
So this is my last Jets home game, vs. the Fins or anyone, not only at this stadium, but EVER. I will not set foot in the new totally unecessary building, just as I will not set foot in the new “yankee” stadium.
I will be misty when I depart, win or lose, as it is likely the very last Jets home game I will witness in person.
Thanks Woody.
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Oh yeah, if the rumors here are true, I will get to watch my last JETs home game with my favorite team wearing another teams uniforms. Exporting lovely.
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Not very often mentioned as part of the MNMiracle is the fact that going into the game, the Dolphins and Jets were both 5-1, but the Dolphins had allowed just three TDs and 51 total points in their first six games! That extended to 58 points and four TD’s through six games and three quarters.
In the 4th Q alone the Jets matched the four TDs the Dolphins had given up in almost half a season, and put up 30 pts (33 including OT). They only gave up more than two TDs in a game in the season finale, after clinching.
So it wasn’t just a sudden, unexpected outpour of points, it came against a team that had allowed less points and TDs through 6.75 games than the 85 or 86 Bears, 71 Vikings, 76 Steelers, 2000 Ravens, or any team since the merger.
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Wise — don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. Woody won’t miss your money.
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Greg, while woody will not miss my money I will, not paying extortion money to this creep.
Even then, as a NYer I am tired of the commute, was holding out hope they would return in my lifetime, not going to happen so the big screen tv is now my best friend.
Off the my final appearance, hope to return in a good mood.
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Al says:
Corey, thanks for bringing to mind this game as likely the last time the Jets will host the Dolphins in this stadium. Not living in the NY area since 1980, I never referred to it as Giants Stadium, but rathers as “the Meadowlands”, like the rest of the NFL.
I have many memories of the great Jets/Fish games in this place, but I’m looking forward to losing the stigma of playing in “Giants Stadium.” One of the last games I saw there was against the Dolphins a couple years ago.
For a while there, I was so excited to think that the Jets were going to get their own stadium in Manhattan, but now hope to visit the new stadium in the coming years.
Looking forward to many more memorable games against the Dolphins…
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So why are you paying money this year, or even last year after the decision was final that they were building the new stadium? That’s the disconnect I have with you going today and Woody using your money to build the new stadium!
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AllFish says:
Wise Old Jet Fan is a typically JETS fan…
Here is what i have to say — Boo Hoo Hoo, no one will miss you that much
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James in TN says:
SmAllfish would be a better nickname. More apt I bet.
Better give the refs a game ball, they deserve it.
Nicely written, Corey…