| TimothyB__Guest_ | During the last game with the Giants, Brady and Moss wanted to break Manning's and Rice's touchdown records and they went ahead and did it. I haven't seen this discussed much, but along with overcoming the 12 point deficit, doesn't this suggest that, apart from being "surprised" by the Giants, the Patriots pretty much "did what they wanted" in that game? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | Hi everyone. I understand your question, but I think the Patriots defense would quarrel with the characterization that their team "did what they wanted'' in the last game. NE gave up 4 touchdown passes in that game, and guys like Rodney Harrison and Asante Samuel have talked a lot this week about how terrible the secondary played against the Giants. It's also been interesting to listen to the offensive players talk about how fatigued they were going into that game after a short week. Truthfully, I'm not sure that final regular season game has all that much bearing on this one, because the Giants are playing with tremendous confidence right now, much of it generated from that close loss. |
| UNHgrad__Guest_ | Hi Jackie, hope my handle increased my chances of having my question asked! I was wondering if there's been any talk about throwing New Orleans back in the mix to host an upcoming Super Bowl. It seems like a lot of major sporting events have returned (Sugar Bowl, NBA All-Star Game), why not the NFL? The Super Dome is fixed, and the city seems capable of hosting again, and it would undoubtedly help revitalize the economy. Your thoughts? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I think you are on to something there. I would love to see the NFL go back to New Orleans. The economy is still in disarray there, despite the fact most of the city has been repaired. For instance, the New Orleans Hornets have the best record in the Western Conference, but their attendance is dismal. You hate to see this city forgotten. I know there has been some concerns about security, but the NBA investigated and felt safe enough to have their All-Star game there in a few weeks, so hopefully the NFL will follow suit. It won't happen right away, though - Tampa is next on the docket. |
| jc__Guest_ | Good Morning, can you see the pats letting this game slip by? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I really can't. You can't help but be impressed with the Giants and their current winning streak (especially taking 10 straight on the road), but when the Patriots are playing their best, nobody can beat them, and I don't see any reason why they won't be ready for this game. Bill Belichick is a master when it comes to preparation, and he's had two weeks to come up with a game plan. The key, I believe, is for the defense to slow up New York's running game and force Eli Manning to throw the ball. He made very few mistakes the last time he played New England; the goal, I believe, will be to force him into some hurried throws. |
| Christine__Guest_ | Hi Jackie, As a long-time Globe reader, I feel connected to you all as columnists, and just wanted to send a quick note that my thoughts and prayers are with your colleague, Bob Ryan and his family. |
| Jackie_MacMullan | It has been a very tough week out here for all of us. Bob and his family have been weighing heavily on all of our minds. I talked with him yesterday and he is doing the best he can. The outpouring of support and concern has been tremendous. |
| puppylips__Guest_ | So do you think that the Patriots need to be worried about the Giants Special Teams plays? Their kicker seemed choke a few times last week, but they did return a touchdown on us after a kickoff. I'm torn! |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I'm sure Brad Seely, the special teams coach, has replayed Hixon's run back for a touchdown about 100 times for his guys. I thought the Giants special teams hurt the Patriots significantly in the las game. You are right - their kicker is erratic. But, if New England can hold the Giants to field goals, they like their chances. |
| PatsFan__Guest_ | Which of the two teams do you feel is more under pressure at this time? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | The pressure is all on the New England Patriots. If they lose, it will be viewed as one of the biggest upsets of all time. The Giants have the luxury of knowing if they lose, it was expected, and if they win, they will make history. Having said that, I don't think pressure is something that affects this football team. If anything, I think they thrive on it. Consider all the distractions they've had to deal with this season - none of them cracked their concentration. They truly do have tunnel vision. |
| Sam_Bam__Guest_ | Hi Jackie - I was surprised by how far Tom Brady went this week when discussing Randy Moss' future with the Pats. I understand he said "If he goes, I go." I know Brady is trying to use his influence with the organization to keep his favorite receiver, but was this a little over the top? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I wouldn't read too much into that. It was a nice show of support for his receiver, but you and I both know Tom Brady isn't going anywhere, and my guess is Randy Moss isn't going anywhere either. He has genuinely enjoyed his time in New England, has been embraced by his teammates, and clearly has had a bigger impact on this team's success than any other player. I believe him when he says it won't be about the money, although certainly the Patriots will have to compensate him fairly. |
| Vincent_Brown__Guest_ | What's your Prediction? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I picked the Patriots, 31-24. I expect them to win, but I believe the Giants will give them a better game than people think. |
| JL__Guest_ | how do you think the Pat's defensive line and lb's will do against the Giants running game? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | This is a very key match-up, for sure. As Tom Coughlin pointed out earlier in the week, their offense relies heavily on the running game. When they are successful, it takes a tremendous amount of pressure off Eli Manning. The last thing NY wants is to fall behind and have to ask Manning to win it for them. I felt toward the end of the regular season, fatigue was a bit of a factor with the linebackers, particularly once Rosey Colvin was lost for the year, and forced both Bruschi and Seau into more snaps. But they haven't played in two weeks, and if you had to pick two guys to perform with everything on the line, Seau and Bruschi wouldn't be bad choices. As for the defensive line, they've been terrific all year, particularly Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren, who doesn't get enough credit for the job he does. |
| Drew_Bledsoe__Guest_ | Do you think the injury to Plaxico Buress will affect the way that the Patriots play the game? Will they have to focus more on Brandon Jacobs than Eli? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | Burress killed them the last time out. He hasn't been practicing much this week, but I'll be stunned if he doesn't play. He's so tough, and he's Eli's version of Randy Moss. Even so, I think New England's game plan is to try and stuff the run to force Manning to throw. |
| LoudMouthGiants__Guest_ | Hi Jackie, I enjoy your columns very much! How do you think Randy Moss will respond to the pressure of Superbowl? With a big game or will be shut out again? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I don't think pressure bothers Moss. And I think too much has been made of his two catches in the postseason. As Denny Green pointed out, the Jaguars devoted their entire defensive scheme to eliminating Moss from the equation, and by doing so, enabled Brady to pick apart their Cover 2 by completing 26 of 28 passes. If Moss only catches one ball on Sunday, it will be because he's seeing double coverage, and someone else is open. He has been really good about his lack of action in the playoffs. He's gunning for a ring, and, at least for now, he's been nothing but team oriented about it. |
| nithi__Guest_ | Jackie, Do you think there are parallels between the Giants and the Rockies? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | Honestly, I don't. It's a tough comparison because the Rockies had to win a 4-game series, while the Giants only have to win 1. I thought it was evident pretty early in the series that Colorado was overmatched. I don't feel the Giants are in that same category. I also believe they are coached by a man who is as deidicated to preparation and the details of a big game as Belichick is. |
| bosoxkate__Guest_ | What are the chances Burress won't be able to play? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I can't imagine a scenario in which he's not on the field. why would a guy predict his team was going to win - and supply a score - if he didn't plan on being out there to back up his words? He may not be 100 percent, but I'll be stunned if he doesn't play. |
| JL__Guest_ | do you believe the Giants have the DB's to shut down Moss? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I'm not sure any DB's can shut Moss down completely in single coverage. He was so effective against them the last time, I would expect to see them jam him at the line of scrimmage more, and show him different looks. Like Burress, his size and ability to leap above defenders (his high school basketball teammate Jason Williams told me he once saw him hurdle over a 6-foot-2 quarterback when he was playing safety and intercepted a pass) makes him such a dangerous target. If they do double him, Welker will benefit, as he has all season. |
| goPATS___Guest_ | Is there ever any thought of having a guy like Stallworth return kicks? he is fast, elusive, and the goal is always to get him into the open field... |
| Jackie_MacMullan | They haven't gone in that direction. Stallworth has been an interesting guy with his team. He's certainly shown flashes, but overall, I think they've been disappointed. He had trouble early on learning the schemes, and I think, at times, Brady was frustrated with him. He probably won't be back next season. |
| Vincent_Brown__Guest_ | Is there any realistic chance that we see "Ocho Cinco" in a Pats uniform next season? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I wouldn't count on it. I will tell you this - Chad Johnson will be playing somewhere else next season. He's very unhappy and ready for a change. |
| Greg_from_waltham__Guest_ | Hi Jackie, I was watching NFL films replay of the SD v NE game and saw the SD coaches telling the players that Tommy Terrific was tipping who he was throwing to by lookin at the reciever right before the snap.....Is this true....Should we be worried? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I didn't see the NFL films clip you are referring to, but I think Brady's numbers speak for themselves. He calls so many audibles, I don't see how looking at the receiver before the snap is a sure-fire way to determine his course of action. |
| Bob__Guest_ | Jackie, last year I read some articles in which D. Gabriel discussed Randy Moss and that he'd love NE. Did Gabriel have anything to do with Randy coming here? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | No. That transaction came from the top - Belichick and Robert Kraft. |
| nineteen__Guest_ | Anyone of note who will not be able to go Sunday? I know Jabar Gaffney has been out of a couple practices. |
| Jackie_MacMullan | Gaffney has been bothered by a bad shoulder. And, even though Brady is not on the injury report, I do think he's still favoring his ankle some. But I don't believe it will be a major factor. The only significant injury question remains Burress. |
| dboy1510a__Guest_ | Do you think Brady will make use of Maroney in thel fats and how do uyo see that fairing? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I talked with Laurence a lot this week, and his confidence is sky high. I like it when Brady throws it to him out of the backfield. In fact, I think it gets him going. He's healthy and rested and running hard, and he's changed the complexion of their offense because of it. |
| pa_pats_fan__Guest_ | Will we get to see Troy Brown play? Will it be his last game? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I wouldn't expect Troy Brown to be on the field. He'll likely be inactive, and it probably is the end of the line for him. I was talking to a couple of the Patriots coaches on Wednesday, and they were telling me how incredible Brown has been all season, working hard and staying late to do extra running after practice, even though he knows he probably won't get any time. He is one of the most popular players on the team among his coaches and his teammates, and that's why. A true pro. He's had a great run. |
| dboy1510a__Guest_ | Do Giants fans outnumber Pats fans out there? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | Maybe I've been at the wrong places, but I see more Patriots fans than anything else. I'm sure there will be a strong Giants contingent, but New England tends to travel strong. |
| JasonDC__Guest_ | I grew up a mile from the Westin Kierland and know all about the local distractions. Is the team focused on the task at hand, or out past curfew? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | There have been absolutely no reports of any problems regarding the Patriots out on the town. It generally doesn't crop up with this team, although it would be naive to say it could never happen. Ty Warren told me his week has been dinner, a movie in his room, and bed. Brady hasn't been seen at any of the hotspots. I was at the Spurs-Suns game last night, and saw LT, Phil Mickelson and other celebrities, but no Giants or Patriots. |
| crafty_bob__Guest_ | Hi Jackie. It seems like last time the Pats and Giants played, the pats didn't pressure Manning at all. Do you think the pats will have some new schemes this time to put the pressure on Manning? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I do. In discussing this with some ex-players, they expect New England to blitz more in this game than the last one. That will sound good to Vrabel, I'm sure.... |
| JakartaJohn__Guest_ | I'm confused about why some prominent experts are picking the Giants. Is this just because they think they'll look like geniuses if it happens. I see it like the Bears/Patriots in the 80s....46-10 |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I don't see how this game is a blowout. The Patriots, despite some early season scores against bad teams, don't really blow teams out. They outlast them, with talent and smarts. I do think people are impressed with New York's momentum, Eli Manning's evolution, and a Giants defense that has played very well. Coughlin also continues to receive high marks among the national pundits. |
| Natick_1973__Guest_ | What do you think of letting Randy Moss cover Plaxico, ala Troy Brown. Also, do you think Troy will play? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | It's a little late in the year to ask Randy Moss to become a full-time defensive back. He'll have enough on his plate on the offensive side of the ball. I can tell you, that both Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs are anxious to get another shot at Plaxico... |
| fendawg | How upset do you think Coughlin was at Plex for predicting that score? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | He wasn't happy about it, I can tell you that. But i think a bit too much has been made of it. This isn't Freddie Mitchell dissing the Patriots before Super Bowl XXXIX. Mitchell didn't have enough talent to back up his words. Burress does - and while coughlin has asked his players to "do their talking on the field,'' he certainly wants his guys to believe they can win. |
| heynow__Guest_ | What are your thoughts on the government calling out the NFL for destroying evidence in the Pats "signal stealing" incident? Why do it 2 days before the superbowl? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | My guess is because the nation's attention is on the Super Bowl, and if they wait until after the game is over, their argument won't have the same impact. There has been an undercurrent of Spygate here all week, but it hasn't been significant. At this point, it's hard to believe anyone can dismiss what this team has accomplished. |
| nate__Guest_ | Hi Jackie, can you tell us about the Patriots overall mood? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I have covered all five of the Patriots trips to the Super Bowl, and I think this is the most relaxed I've seen any of the teams. And I don't mean that in a negative fashion. So many of these guys have been here before, and they understand what they need to do to minimize distractions and still manage to enjoy themselves. Young guys like Maroney, who are here for the first time, have fallen into line with that. Because this team is undefeated, there is tremendous pressure for them to finish the job. All of them agree if they lose this game, the 18-0 means nothing. The incentive is there to play hard, be confident and stay away from anything that will deter the club from accomplishing that. |
| yazfan5 | Yazfan-Idaho: Hi, Jackie, always good to read your columns and listen to you as you show up on different spoorting events on network TV. Just want to put some perspective on the greatest quarter back issue. Unitas, Jorgenson, and even Baugh not only called their own plays, but also threw a football more shaped like a watermelon than todays missiles. We all love Brady and he belongs in this discussion, but you draft an Archie Manning or even a Jim Plunkett, who I saw take beating after beating in the early 70's due to no offensive line, and they would be talked about as well in the very elite. What do you think? |
| Jackie_MacMullan | I was listening to Terry Bradshaw the other day, and he was talking about how dangerous it is to compare quarterbacks from different eras. He's right. The game has changed so much from when some of the great QB's you mentioned have played. Brady is certainly among the elite - that's indisputable -but even his coach raised eyebrows this week when he was asked who he thought the best quarterback was that he ever saw. Belichick's answer was, in terms of being the best "pure passer,'' was bert jones. His quote: "As a pure passer, I don't think I could put anybody ahead of Bert Jones. I know he had the shoulder injury, but when I was there (in Baltimore), and he was just starting his career, and the succest that he had and the ability to throw as a pure passer was something.'' |
| Jackie_MacMullan | Thanks, everyone, for chatting today. I've got to run. Enjoy the game Sunday. |
