Grin and Barrett, 02/05/08

February 5, 2008

Do you think the New England Patriots heard Tom Petty singing “Free Falling” during halftime? It seemed to be the theme song for the falling of the mighty Patriots.

In one of the greatest, not just Super Bowl, but football games of all-time, the New York Giants did what 67 percent of the country wanted them to do, beat the Patriots. In a poll from ESPN’s SportsNation, only 33 percent of the United States wanted to witness New England finish perfection.

I’d say in any other 7-3 first half scores, that it would be a dull half. But, there was something entertaining about the vaunted New England offense being stuffed and Tom Brady being hit so many times.

This was not just the end of perfection, but the end to an arrogance that has overwhelmed media coverage for the past six months. The Patriots arrogance was nevermore apparent than with 6:49 left in the third quarter, when New England was faced with a fourth and 13 from the Giants 31-yard-line, and Bill Belichick elected to go for it.

Instead of kicking a 49-yard field goal which would have made the score 10-3, but more importantly, the eventual margin of victory; Brady overthrew Jabar Gaffney in the end-zone and the ball was turned over on downs.

I was always taught you see the true character in a competitor in a loss, rather than victory. The Patriots sulking of their loss began before the game was even over. After not converting anything at the end of their last possession, New England began to leave the field. One problem, there was still three seconds on the game clock.

Belechick crossed the field just as every coach does to congratulate the other coach, but was met by a referee saying there was still time left. He gave his congratulations and went to the locker room with one second on the clock. The “leader” of this team was outclassed by his players. When you are outclassed by Randy Moss, it’s time to begin thinking of changing your attitude.

This is not golf Belichick, you can not just “concede the hole” to the Giants and walk away. As a coach, it is your responsibility to stay on the field with your team, and at least congratulate Eli Manning, or the New York defensive line complete one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Maybe he was running to the locker room to destroy those alleged videotapes on the 2001 Super Bowl practice of the St. Louis Rams.

As far as the Patriots being the greatest team ever and how they will be remembered, ask yourself how many times you think how great the 2001, 116-win Seattle Mariners were? If the team does not win the biggest game, they are simply a future “Trivial Pursuit” question.

Every time I begin to think sports is on its death-bed with off-field legal woes, steroid issues, and cheating/ videotape sagas, there is some “David vs. Goliath” story that keeps things going. It keeps the fans watching, a record 97.5 million to be exact, it keeps us believing that anything can happen. No matter how great the other team is, they can be beat.