Patriots hobbled Hobbs says no excuse!

There seems to be a very good reason for why Ellis Hobbs let Plaxico Burress get by him for the scoring Touch Down. Hobbs was hobbled!

It was reported yesterday that Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs played in Super Bowl XLII with a torn labrum, in addition to chronic groin pain. Hobbs underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 12, the report states. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. Hobbs suffered the groin injury, which is not expected to require surgery, in the Patriots' first match-up with the Giants.

Hobbs isn't looking to dodge responsibility for Burress's Super Bowl TD grab, which came with 35 seconds remaining and left the Patriots a less-than-perfect 18-1. "Ellis isn't one to complain or whine. He'll say it didn't have much to do with the last play of the game. "It was other things and being the victim of a good move by a great receiver. He played with a great deal of pain for a very long time and nobody knew. He's just that type of kid. He sacrificed his body." -- Boston Globe

However, the injuries were significant enough to limit his availability in the playoffs. During the Patriots' first postseason game, a 31-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 12, Randall Gay started at right cornerback in place of Hobbs, who saw action as a sub, and wide receiver Chad Jackson replaced him on kickoff returns. Hobbs started in both the AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers and Super Bowl XLII, but he did not return kickoffs in the Super Bowl, as Maroney replaced him.

Get well soon Hobbs! We wish you all the best!