Getting Back to Work

To start off, I would like to congratulate the New York Giants on their Super Bowl victory. It has been over a week since the Super Bowl, and I still don't think I am over it yet. I cannot describe my emotions throughout that game. The only thing I can compare that loss to is the way I felt after Game 7 of thee 2003 ALCS. Pure devastation. Shocked. Depressed. That is the reason why I haven't been able to talk about it until now. The upside is baseball season is just around the corner, and the Celtics have the best record in the NBA (Excuse my bragging, I have to keep telling myself these things to keep from climbing back into bed). In order to get some closure I'd like to take a look at the Super Bowl and give my thoughts. I am excited to put this season behind us, and look forward to other things.

Five Thoughts on the Super Bowl:

1. "The Catch" part deux- There has been so much talk about David Tyree and the amazing catch he made on the Giants' game-winning drive. It was one of the best catches that I have seen, but there are other parts of that play I'd like to bring up. First, Jarvis Green and the rest of the Patriots defensive line, came so close to sacking Eli which would have made the next play a 4th and long. In my opinion, past Patriots teams would have sacked Manning on that play, and then shut their opponent down on 4th down. Maybe that was the Achilles Heal for the Patriots this year, that they were just a step too slow on defense. If Jarvis had been a step faster, he would have wrapped up Eli, if Rodney Harrison was a step faster, he would have knocked Tyree out of the game and jarred the ball lose. That is what makes the game of football so great, that the difference between a win and a loss can depend on one step, or one inch. The Tyree Catch can be seen at http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZHTwYU4syJE .

2. The Drop- Asante Samuel had the Lombardi Trophy, and he let it bounce of his fingertips. I understand he was not expecting that bad of a throw, but he is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and he should have caught that ball. This is just one of the many plays on that drive that I kept thinking could end the Super Bowl. Being a Patriots fan, we get used to the defense stepping up in clutch moments, especially in the playoffs. It didn't happen. The UCF alumni's drop can be seen at http://youtube.com/watch?v=X6BzVqSu8_g .

3. The Drive...Not.- The Giants took a 3 point lead, but left 35 seconds for Brady and Co. to work with. No big deal right? The Patriots will go down kick a field goal and win in overtime right? No. Not this time. For the first time, Brady was not able to lead a comeback at the end of a Super Bowl. The play calls were questionable on that final drive too. Why throw all deep passes to Moss instead of getting chunks of yardage. It was doomed to begin with. Brady didn't have time to even work his magic. That is credit to the Giants' defensive line. The final "drive" can be seen at http://youtube.com/watch?v=0td1tiuxpsc (If you are a Patriots fan with a weak stomach, or have considered suicide within the last 2 weeks do not watch this clip.)

4. The Decisions- The decisions of Coach Belichick to not challenge the Bradshaw fumble, http://youtube.com/watch?v=smEMWbZiZHc , and to go for it on 4th and 13 instead of kicking a field goal have been questioned by many. The fumble appeared to have been recovered by the Patriots, and would have surely affected the game. I cannot second guess Belichick on the decision to go for it on 4th and 13, because at the time, I agreed. In a game of field position though, it may have been smarter to punt and pin the Giants deep in their own zone. A 50 yard field goal from Gostowski was too risky, but looking back, it was the difference in the game.

5. Waste of a Season?- It is true that the only thing that matters is winning the Super Bowl. Even though the Patriots squandered a perfect season, it still remains one of the best season's ever. I enjoyed this football season more than any other season ever. Following this Patriots team, which everyone hated as just pure fun. Brady surpassing Manning (Peyton) as the league's best quarterback, Randy Moss becoming Randy Moss, the emergence of Wes Welker, watching them run up scores, and being perfect in the regular season made this year one of the best years ever. And you know what? This run at history was amzing, and I wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe another Super Bowl win).

Despite the Super Bowl let down, the Patriots will still be the team to beat next year. They still have a target on their backs, and everyone still hates them. I am excited for next year, but it will be nice to put this season behind us. After all, the Patriots haven't lost in the regular season since 2006.

Check back in this weekend for an overview of Winter Happenings, and an MLB Preview.