Running Supe XLII/42nd Large And Important American Football Game Thread

I didn't think it was a boring game at all. The Giants defense smothering the Patriots' record-breaking offense was very compelling to watch, as was the Giants' struggle to capitalize on offense. It all set the stage for the fourth quarter: which offense would make the turn? Who knew it would be the Giants?

And I don't know that this game tarnishes Brady's legacy all that much. The boy didn't have time to throw all game, yet he still led an impressive drive to put his team ahead at the end of the game. Joe Montana made a career out of playing mediocre for three Super Bowl quarters and then leading the game-winning drive at the end. It's not Brady's fault that the defense didn't do it's job/Eli more than did his.

If anything it shows that Hoodie was outcoached. Hubris will do that to you every time.

 

Now that the field goal that wasn't kicked has been thoroughly discussed, I have a question:

Is it fair to say Adam Vinatieri was the real MVP of the Patriot dynasty?

I do.

 

Are you his agent?

 

Adjustments that might have been made had the Patriots had tape of the Giants?

 

Unfortunately no. I'd have a few more bucks in my pocket.

Just someone who thinks Vinatieri was the real reason for the Patriot dynasty.

 

By your standards, nobody but the Bears are.
And I'm glad to see Vinatieri's grandfather checking in there.

 

Not taking anything away from the Giants. They played well and deserved to win. But they DID catch a few breaks:
1) Bradshaw being able to steal that early fumble back from the Pats before the refs sorted it out
2) Asante Samuel dropping a game-ending interception on the final drive (and thus entering the Lewis Billups Hall of Shame). I'm surprised nobody's mentioned this more as part of the Pats' collapse.
3) Belichick apparently turning into Rain Man, with his lack of adjustments and mumbled five-word replies at the press conference
4) Ben Watson getting called for holding in the first half, on a first-down run by Faulk. It was a borderline call.

Again, the Giants made some of those breaks on their own and clearly outplayed the Pats. But a few things did go right for them.

 

The Giants didn't have anything positive to say about Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour after their Super Bowl win. Apparently, Seymour told some New York offensive players that they "should be ready to go home" before their last drive. That comment irritated Toomer, and it still bothered Giants running back Brandon Jacobs in the locker room.

"I'll give you a quote on Seymour," Jacobs said. "You can write that he's a soft [expletive]. He said we should get ready to go home. Well, now he's on the team that went 18-1."

 

Definitely. Their defense was exposed for the aging wonder it is. Rodney Harrison got his doors blown off by Kevin Freaking Boss, for crying out loud. Is it any coincidence that most of their close games came after Week 10? The older guys wore down.
They'll still be good enough to contend next season, but they've got to get younger.

 

Did Mike Vrabel play?
Between Vrabel, Seau and Bruschi they had 8 tackles and no sacks.

The Pats longest play from scrimmage was 19 yards.

 

1) Edit: I was thinking of a different play.
2) He really could have caught it ... if he were eleven feet tall.
3) Adjustments? Was he supposed to fly in a new offensive line? One that could ... you know ... maybe get in the way of the defensive line.
4) One holding call? One? One! One? One! That's the best you can do? One holding call?

Look, the story of SB XLII is the story of professional football. As it has been played for years and as it will be played for years. The tougher team one. The team that, physically, beat the ass of the other team won. It's really that simple.

 

It ws worth all the post-game filler to hear Emmitt Smith say that the Patriots "debacled".

Also, Peter King and Don Banks will be seeing a specialist after spraining their hands patting themselves on the back for their pre-game picks.