Weekend Rumblings I (1/20-21)
Super Bowl XLII is set.
Patriots 18-0
The sign of a spectacular team is one that can find ways to win despite playing sub-spectacular. Quarterback Tom Brady threw three interceptions. Randy Moss caught one pass for 14 yards. San Diego had two first-and-goals and a first-and-10 from the New England 13-yard line. And the Patriots won.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you respect them. You respect the way Brady’s emotions are kept in check. You respect how they find ways to win, grind, hang around, and then stick it to the opposition before Chargers QB Phillip Rivers could say “What happened?”
Have you heard Randy Moss pout about his performance or the frequency Brady threw to him? You’d darned near expect to, but the restraining-order-conflicted receiver refrained. This perfectly illustrates the Patriot mindset: play as a team, win as a team, and as the cliche goes, where is the “I” in this team? Nowhere, and that’s why I’ll be cheering for New England in two weeks.
Packers Go Down
Let the debate begin: Will Brett Favre’s last pass be an interception?
No one gave the Giants a chance, and most cited sub-zero temperatures as the opponent, not the Packers. But Plaxico Burress somehow maintained feeling in his hands, and won the epic game-long battle with Packers cornerback Al Harris. Eli Manning didn’t turn the ball over.
Sure, Favre struggled. You expected a feel-good game-ending drive, led by Favre, but it didn’t come. He’s human. Instead of placing the heat on Favre, someone that should be in a broadcast booth somewhere instead of leading the NFL’s second-ranked offense, the Green Bay media kept things in perspective. Instead of a plea for retirement, or cheap shots directed at the single individual that single-handedly has put Green Bay on a map, the message was simple: the Packers lost as a team. Imagine, for a moment, that Green Bay was located a few hundred miles west. If Favre and the Packers win, the Minnesota media praise his “gutsy” performance. If Favre and the Packers lose, it’s on Favre. Favre, I’m sure, takes more responsibility than the reasonable Green Bay media suggest.
And that’s why he’ll be back.