If the 17-0 victory over Washington in the 1986 NFC Championship Game was the stadium’s greatest moment, this last one might be the worst. Final game, Joe Morris, OJ Anderson and gang all there to participate in the festivities, the playoffs within their grasp and the Giants respond with a gutless 41-9 loss. Hard to believe. I heard George Martin was so disgusted he started walking back across America at half time.

Can you imagine a worse goodbye? I guess it’s appropriate since this will be the last goodbye for a lot of those in blue. Don’t expect to see Bill Sheridan, Kevin Dockery, C.C. Brown and others at the house that greed built next door. Heck, even Osi Umenyiora and Brandon Jacobs might not make the trip, but they’ve been missing all year so that won’t be that big of an adjustment.

I think the Giant defense would’ve done better if they just suited up the old timers. You can’t tell me LT, Carson and Banks, even at their age, wouldn’t have held the Panthers under 247 yards rushing. 247 yards! Think about that. That’s like an entire season for Jacobs.

I hope someone got Mario Manningham ginkgo biloba for Chrismas. He desperately needs help focusing. The fumble on the first drive completely changed the game. The offense seemed to be moving methodically down the field up to that point. Coming away with no points seemed to shock the Giants and gave the Panthers life.

Mostly, you have to feel terrible for all those Giant fans that have been season ticket holders for decades, but couldn’t afford the ridiculous PSL fees to move to the new stadium. Yesterday’s game was to be their last hurrah – a culmination of decades of a Sunday routine shared from generation to generation, a celebration. Instead, it was coming home to a Dear John letter, an empty house and a turd in the bowl just for good measure.

Classy way to go out guys. A season down the drain.

---PETER SOLDINGER.