The Curse of Arizona

I guess you really can’t win them all, especially in Glendale, Arizona. Last night the Patriots joined a list of teams that have been upset in Arizona the last few years. The 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: #9 Boise St Broncos defeat #8 Oklahoma Sooners: 43-42. The 2007 BCS Championship Game: #2 Florida Gators defeat #1 Ohio State Buckeyes: 41-14. The 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: #9 West Virginia Mountaineers defeat #3 Oklahoma Sooners: 48-28. Even the New York Yankees were upset in the desert by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series.

And now Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants (12-6) defeat New England Patriots (18-0): 17-14. You knew the Giants were destined for victory when Eli Manning dodged a sack in the last minute of the game and got off a pass to unknown receiver David Tyree who then caught it on his helmet for a first down, but in all honesty, it should never have gotten to that point. The Patriots play calling was bad and their Pro bowl Offensive line was worse. Brady was sacked five times and never truly got into a rhythm. Finally, when the Patriots scored the go ahead touchdown to Randy Moss they made the one mistake that has cost other teams in the past. They left to much time on the clock.

To see Brady and the Patriots not score the last points and walk-off the field of a Super bowl in defeat was surreal. To add insult to injury, now we will probably see the Manning brothers whore themselves out for even more National TV commercials. Worse yet, we have to hear Mercury Morris and the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins beat their chest for another year.

Between Spygate, Randy Moss, Giselle, and the undefeated record, it was a long exhausting season for both Patriot players and fans. It will be interesting to see how the organization handles this defeat. What moves they make and what happens to Samuel, Seau, Moss, Stallworth and Troy Brown next season, but no more football for now.

The Celtics still have the best record in the NBA and Spring Training starts in less than 10 days, so it’s time to move on from this GIANT letdown and put the long Pats' season behind us.

Notes from the Coast:

With a two week build up before the Superbowl, it's amazing how crazy the analysis of game can get. I heard ESPN's Merril Hodge say that he predicts the Giants will beat the Patriots simply because they have played them tough already this year. Analysts and prognosticators should remember that Eli and the Giants played a nearly perfect game and had nothing to lose in the week 17 match-up and it was the Patriots who felt all the pressure to complete the season a perfect 16-0. Yet one mistake by Eli was all it took for the Pats to win. Also, it was Bill Belichick, not Tom Coughlin, who got his 'genius' reputation by always making the right adjustments after playing a team the second time around. Remember that the loss the Patriots suffered to the Rams during the 2001 season paved the way for the Patriots upset of the Rams in that year's Superbowl.

• Last weekend Marc Savard became the first Boston Bruin to score a last minute game-winning goal in the NHL All-star game since the legendary Raymond Jean Bourque did it in 1996.
• 1996 was also the last time the Patriots lost a Superbowl. That year Boston Globe sports writer Wil McDonough broke a story days before the big game that Bill Parcels would be leaving the Patriots after the season. It became a major distraction that may have cost the Pats the Superbowl that year. This year the Globe is at it again. It appears the a bunch of Globe writers have already penned a book called "19-0" that is available for pre-order. Thanks guys, perfect bulletin board material for the New York Giants.
• I don't understand why the Red Sox offered Brad Wilkerson a 1 year deal to be a back-up First baseman and Outfielder when they have World Series hero Bobby Kielty waiting in the wings and Brandon Moss is already playing some first base in Winter Ball. Let's move on from the Johan Santana saga, deal Coco Crisp, sign Kielty, and focus on defending our Championship already.
• On that note, the Minnesota Twins probably overplayed their hand in the Johan Santana trade negotiations. Neither the Mets, Yankees, or Red Sox improved their offers since December and neither team was eager to sign Santana to the 7 year contact extension he desired. Also, one thing the Twins may have underestimated is the fact that because they are in different leagues, both the Sox and Yankees were never threatened by having the Mets in the mix. That's probably why the Twins were desperately trying to get the LA Angels into the talks.
• Tom Brady being injured for this Superbowl definitely adds drama to the big game and could end up growing his legendary status. If Brady hobbles to his 4th Superbowl win on a bum ankle this Sunday, not only will it bolster his reputation as a winner but he probably will surpass Superbowl heroes Terry Bradshaw and his idol Joe Montana as one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all-time.
• Maybe I am caught up in the Suberbowl hype and over analysis too because I'm still not sure if the Patriots will cover the 13 point spread this Sunday. Can the Giants get consistent pressure on Brady? Will Tom play like he did against the Jaguars or against the Chargers? Will the Giants focus on Welker or Moss? Will Randy Moss catch 1 pass or 10? Which team will win the turnover and Special Teams battles? Will Tom Petty put us to sleep with his half-time show? Too many questions to answer, so my pick is P-men 28 :: G-men 17. Go Pats!

Notes from the Coast:

You've got to love all the hype leading up to a SuperBowl. Especially when a team from New York is involved. Tom Brady is seen in a walking cast, then in cowboy boots. He is injured and now maybe he isn't? Better yet, it's a big hoax being put on the conspiracy starved New York media by Brady and Belichick. Give me a break!
As reported, Brady probably does have a mild high ankle sprain. Yes, it probably did hinder him (along with a possible flu) in the game against the Chargers. No, it won't keep him out of the SuperBowl. And no, there isn't any conspiracy. Unlike a sneaker, which Brady often wears, a cowboy boot can provide support similar to a walking brace.

• Congrats to Eli Manning for coming through against the Pack. Even though I wanted a Patriots-Packers rematch in SuperBowl XLII, I found myself rooting for the kid and the upset during last Sunday's game. They thought Steve Young had a monkey on his back before he finally led the San Francisco 49'ers to a championship after Joe Montana left town. How about having a Heisman Trophy winning father and an MVP brother who both play the same position as you? Then, you tell the world that you won't play in San Diego and instead end up in the media craze of New York City. Eli had a lot to live up to and he may have come close with those two road play-off wins against the Packers and Cowboys.
• Norm Chow is back in LA and back in college football, but not with USC. The offensive guru will be the new coordinator under Rick Neuheisel at UCLA. Before Trojan fans get all worked-up about cross-town loyalty, it was Pete Carroll and his admiration for Lane Kiflin that forced Chow out of USC and to the NFL. Now with Chow on board and Karl Dorrell back at Receivers' coach, the Bruins have an opportunity to create an in-state rivalry similar to Miami and Florida State in the 1990's.
• MLB Trade Rumors blog has a great piece on 'What Might Have Been' had the Red Sox and Florida Marlins not made the Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, et al. deal.
• Weird coincidence that Bruins' Goalie Tim Thomas gets added to the NHL All-Star team on Monday and then lets in 4 goals in 2 periods against the Canadiens that same night. Fortunately he didn't look as bad as the B's Goalie he replaced. Alex Auld gave up a goal within the first 14 seconds of the game and 4 goals in the first period of a ugly 8-2 loss to the Habs.
• With a strong running game, a Quarterback that is finally putting it all together, and upset wins on the road in the play-offs, people are comparing this 2007 Giants team to the Patriots team that went to the Superbowl 20 years ago. Unfortunately that Patriots team got killed by the Bears in SuperBowl XX 46-10 and if all goes well, the same outcome will happen to the Giants again this year.
• Also, for those who want to compare this Giants team with the squad that upset the Bills and their vaunted offense in Superbowl XXV; remember Bill Belichick was with that Giants team in 1990 but he's not with them now in 2007.

We Want the Packers!

Last year the Patriots were a dropped pass away from meeting the Chicago Bears in the Superbowl XLI and possibly a chance for revenge against the franchise that embarrassed New England 46-10 in Superbowl XX.

This year the Pats have a similar opportunity to go up against the franchise that beat them in Superbowl XXXI 35-21. If the Patriots beat the Chargers and the Green Bay Packers can get past the New York Giants next Sunday, then the Patriots and Packers will meet again in Superbowl XLII.

Even though the Giants played the Patriots tough in the final game of the season, the Packers are an exciting match-up for the Pats. Green Bay has a talented offense, an experienced defensive backfield, and of course Brett Favre. The cagy Cajun had a renaissance year and was the only player to get an MVP vote other than Tom Brady. Sharing the media spotlight as well as the favor of NFL fans across the country, the Favre-Brady storylines leading up to the Superbowl would be entertaining. Besides, the Packers are the only team left that the Pats haven’t played already this year and the unknown is far more intriguing.

So the Packers are in our sights. Bring on Brett Favre and let’s avenge the loss in Superbowl XXXI for the franchise and for those Patriots’ like Bruce Armstrong, Ben Coates, and Curtis Martin who never got to hoist the Lombardi trophy back in 1996.

On that note, here are my predictions for this week’s Championship games…

Patriots 33
Chargers 10

Green Bay 17
Giants 14

Go Pats!