Last call for mail!
PHOENIX -- Friday marks the final day of media access at Super Bowl XLII, with Patriots coach Bill Belichick scheduled to hold a press conference at 8:30 a.m. MST and Giants coach Tom Coughlin set for 9:30.
On Saturday, the focus will turn to the Hall of Fame voting.
This will be the final mini-mailbag of the week. It has been enjoyable conversing with such a knowledgeable fan base. Look for a wrap-up mailbag in the days after the Super Bowl.
In addition to Brady, which other members of the 2007-08 Patriots team have played in the three prior Super Bowls this decade? How does that compare to the number of Steelers who played in all four Steeler SB victories in the 1970s?
Bill
A: The following Patriots have played in the prior three Super Bowls: Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Tom Brady, Matt Light, Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Larry Izzo, Lonie Paxton, and Richard Seymour. When the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years, they had 22 players who were on all those teams. The difference in numbers shows how the game has changed.
Hi Mike. Two questions for you: when you said "I felt Moss was outplayed in the Chargers game" at the end of your last mailbag, what's your basis for that? TV production teams rarely show any action away from the play, so we're just left to guess as to what the coverage was or if he was dogging anything -- not that anyone's suggested that. Anyway, second question: it makes sense that a QB would give expensive gifts to his O-line in the offseason. What kinds of things has Brady gotten his group, especially the way they've performed together for so long?
Ross
A: I spoke with Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Thursday and he reinforced what I had initially believed – that the Chargers played more straight-up coverage and won more one-on-one matchups. Unlike the Jaguars, who double-covered Moss, the Chargers entrusted Cromartie and Quentin Jammer to jam Moss at the line of scrimmage and re-route him off the early parts of his pattern, with little safety help over the top. Cromartie also noted that he didn’t feel Moss was dogging it, so I don’t think it was a case of Moss not going all out. I think I’d file this one in the category of “the other guys get paid too” category. Cromartie is one of the NFL’s rising stars, so it’s not too surprising that he’d have some success against Moss. As for the second part of the question, I did notice that some of the offensive linemen had Stetson cologne back at Gillette Stadium last week. I’m not sure what else Brady has planned.
Mike, would the Patriots be at risk for sanctions if they do not list Brady's ankle as being a problem and it turned out that in fact it is injured? We do not need more bad PR for not "playing by the rules".
Barry
A: Usually I would check with the league on this, but based on the LaDainian Tomlinson situation from prior to the AFC Championship game, I can say with authority that there would not be any sanctions. Remember how Tomlinson was not listed on the Friday injury report? The NFL decided that there was no investigation needed because the purpose of the injury report is to make sure injuries are disclosed and “everyone knew Tomlinson had a knee injury.” In this case, I’d say everyone knew that Brady was battling an ankle injury.
Hi Mike, I have a question about the national media and the perceived sudden greatness of Eli Manning. Based on watching the Pats-Giants matchup several more times on replay, the Patriots played what looked to be uninspired football--particularly on defense--for most of the game. It seemed that they were caught a bit off guard that the Giants were actually playing, and it also looked like Brady was forcing the ball a bit more than normal to a well covered Moss in what appeared to be an attempt to set the record early and just roll to a win. However, I am slightly amused that the national media now is touting Eli as being a quarterback that can face up well against the Patriots and succeed in the Super Bowl. I know he has been good, even great, over the last several games, but what are your thoughts on his ability to keep it up with the inconsistent nature of his career to date?
Pete
A: Fair point, Pete, and I think it comes down to whether you want to judge Manning by his full body of work, or just the last three games. I prefer the full body of work. Manning fired 20 interceptions in the regular season, but has not thrown an interception in the playoffs. He completed 56 percent of his passes in the regular season and 62.4 percent in the playoffs. So Manning has been a different quarterback in the playoffs than he was in the regular season. The question remains: Is that the real Manning? I’d like to see it happen over a longer period of time before making that leap.
How have you felt that the Pats have handled the pressure these past 10 days and do you see that as a potential problem for them in a close game this Sunday?
jschiller
A: I think they've handled the pressure in stride, which is what I expected based on their past experience in situations like this. One aspect that caught my eye is how the team has embraced the potential history they can make, with several veterans saying this is the biggest game of their lives. For a team that usually avoids looking at the big picture, I thought the approach was telling.
Hi Mike, love the bag. Do you have any stats on how Rodney Harrison steps up in the fourth quarter? I was watching the Giants game from Dec. 29 and he was so dominant on stopping the Giants on their final drives. On one series he broke up a pass play and made a sack. You could see him around most plays during that 4th quarter. The guy really seems to be able to shift a gear and make things happen when he needs to.
Chris
A: I don't have any specific stats regarding Harrison in the fourth quarter, but I saw the same thing you did in that Giants game. I felt as if the Patriots made a second-half adjustment to bring more pressure and Harrison was the key piece making it happen. I thought his blitzing ability shined through in that game. I spoke with defensive backs coach Joel Collier during one of the media-access sessions this week and he mentioned the same thing.
Hi Mike. I am thinking that the Pats may try to screen the Giants to death in the Big Game (like maybe 8-10 of them). I think with Neal being back for this game, his downfield mashing will be a big asset, and will also slow down the pass rush. Once they neutralize the up-field rush and tire out the front 7, they can take shots down the field to Moss, Stallworth and Gaffney. Am I the only one who gets goosebumps watching this team block downfield, from the linemen to guys like Moss and Welker? I feel like it is one of the best examples of 11 guys executing and doing their jobs Pats style.
Isaac
A: Interesting thought, Isaac, and it seems to have some validity on the surface. Football 101 tells us that when a team has a strong up-field pass rush and shoots gaps, a screen pass can be an effective counterpunch to take away some of their aggressiveness. I also enjoy watching an effective screen play. One of my favorite plays since I started covering the Patriots was a tight end screen to Daniel Graham - I believe it was against the Falcons in 2005 - in which Neal made a key block downfield and Graham had an outstanding individual effort.
Mike, How about that description of the passing game at Wednesday's practice as being "uneven." Is this aspect of the team a little rusty because of Brady's missed practices? Do you see this as an area of concern heading into the game?
Will
A: No team likes to have an uneven practice, but I don't see it as a concern, Will. As you might have seen, the practice report from Thursday indicated that things were a lot crisper. The sense I got from the players and coaches is that they were ready to play this game by Tuesday.
When I was watching "Inside The NFL" last week on HBO, they showed a San Diego coach on the sidelines talking to the defense during the AFC Championship game. And he was telling his players to watch Tom Brady's eyes right before he hikes the ball, because he looks at his primary receiver one last time before the play starts. That even when the play starts, he may look elsewhere on the field, but he eventually comes back to that first target. Is there any validity to this? Is this a tell that San Diego picked up while watching film? It would seem to explain the pick in the end zone (where Cromartie was crouching in front of Ben Watson) and also the pick to Donte Stallworth (where he had two CBs in his vicinity). And if Brady does do this, can someone tell him to stop before the Super Bowl?
Joe
A: Brady is always scanning the defense, Joe, looking for any last-minute changes. But I've watched him closely and only occasionally does he cue a receiver with a look/hand signal that the ball is coming to him. So my opinion is that there is no validity to this.
Are the Patriots going to do what they always do at Super Bowl? Leave the team hotel on Saturday and check into another hotel far away from the madness for Saturday night? What are the chances Tom Brady plays in the Pro-Bowl?
Peter
A: The Patriots will leave their current hotel and check into an unknown location, although I am not sure what day that is taking place. It might be before Saturday. As for Brady in the Pro Bowl, I'd say the chances he plays are 20-80.
Good day Mike! I envy you being in Arizona and taking in all the sights and sounds of such an exciting week. My question, while a bit optimistic and realizing there are a lot of variables, with a win on Sunday, and given next years list of opponents, how long can you see this undefeated streak going? If I'm not mistaken next year's schedule seems fairly tame compared to this years. Thanks Mike and hope you enjoy the rest of your Super Week!
Erik
A: Hi Eric, I'm always cautious to judge a schedule based on the way it looks right now, because so much can change from year to year in the NFL. And we also don't know the exact schedule to really make an accurate prediction. One aspect of the 2007 schedule that stood out to me was how tough the three straight prime-time games were after the bye. So even though the Ravens were a last-place team when they faced the Patriots this year, I think we saw how the fact they got the Patriots in the third game of a three-game prime-time stretch worked in their favor. This goes to a theory I endorse that says when you play is as important as who you play. It's tough to make a judgment on this, but I'll play along and say the Patriots could go 6-10 games into 2008 without a loss. 