I'm sorry, but those were not the 18-0 New England Patriots playing in Super Bowl XLII yesterday! I had felt that the Patriots lost momentum ever since they played the Philadelphia Eagles, but in Super Bowl XLII this team looked pedestrian at best. I had hoped the Patriots were saving there best game play for last, but the final scoreboard definitely tells a different story. The storybook season ended up becoming a nightmare!
Coach Belichick likes to serve up the humble pie during the season, so as a dedicated Patriots fan, I will do the same. Everything starts at the top, so the first serving of pie must go to the Coach himself. Belichick was out-coached, plain and simple. There I said it. With a pass rushing defense that was all over Tom Brady, the adjustments just were not forthcoming. It is easy to see that Giant’s defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo owned the Patriots during Super Bowl XLII. Oh, and for someone that preaches playing for a full sixty minutes, it seemed classless of Belichick to dictate when the game ended on his own terms. With a second still on the clock, wait for the Giants final play, and then congratulate them accordingly.
OK, the question that will be asked for weeks to come: Why didn't Belichick kick a field goal instead of going for it on 4-13? Belichick should have trusted Stephen Gostkowski to make a 48-yard field goal. Ask Marty Schottenheimer if you do not believe me (same play cost him a win against the Patriots in the play-offs last year). If Belichick was punishing Gostkowski for the kick-off out of bounds, then Belichick only punished himself in the end.
It is hard to blame Tom Brady when his O-Line did NOTHING to protect him. Here are 3-Pro Bowlers allowing their Quarterback to be sacked five times. Let us not forget Matt Light’s two key false starts. Were these guys actually picked based on their talent, or based on the Patriots record? In big games you must step up and not be stepped on. Add Ben Watson to the list for having a key pass interference call in the end zone, and drawing two costly penalties (offensive holding, false start). Have some pie boys!
The two biggest passing plays of the game, (45-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss, 32-Yard pass to wide receiver David Tyree) and S Rodney Harrison beaten on both. I will give Harrison the benefit of the doubt on one of them. Had Jarvis Green sacked Eli Manning when he had him by the shirttails instead of letting go, the Tyree pass would be nonexistent. Don't worry guys, there is still plenty of pie to go around.
One minute you are getting a key interception, and the next minute you are giving up the go ahead TD. Here is the enigma called Ellis Hobbs. You just know that if the all out blitz does not get to Eli Manning, the ball is going to Plaxico Burress, plain and simple. Oh, and let's not forget Asante Samuel, who had the Super Bowl title locked up in his hands as Manning threw a pass right into those same hands on the final drive. No guys, take the whole pie! Enjoy!
So much humble pie could be made from Super Bowl XLII concerning the New England Patriots that I could open my own bakery!
My rant is now over...I hope I did Coach Belichick proud...all this talk about pie is making me hungry...looking forward to next season New England!
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