History Hath Repeated Itself

Well, I said it last night, but if I knew I was going to watch what was basically a carbon copy of Superbowl XLII, I would have drank a lot more and a lot more often. I've heard a lot of people say that they hate the Giants a lot more than they hate the Jets and the Yankees and I just don't understand that. As crushing a loss as this was, and let's not understate this, it was a loss of monolithic proportions, but the Giants talked the talk and then walked the walk. But, if you don't respect them than you don't get sports.



Also we should talk about the real elephant in the room, Tom Brady. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer, but Joe Montana he's not. Tom Brady's career is seemingly A Tale of Two Women, since Gisele Bundchen came into Tom Terrific's life he hasn't won a Superbowl, and what's worse yet, he's lost two. I don't care how smoking hot she is, if that's not grounds for "The Big D" I'm not sure what is. Bridget Moynahan our lonely hearts bleed for you.



All joking aside, Tom Brady was flat out ordinary in a game where New England needed him to be extra-ordinary. Under no circumstances can Tom let a safety happen on their first drive and he can't under throw Gronkowski especially knowing that he can't jump or explode like he usually does. A lot of this is because of the pressure of the Giants D-Line but at the same time, three critical drops in the 4th quarter can not happen. Welker's drop was the most infuriating because that was the play that would have sealed a victory for the Patriots.

Rob Gronkowski's injury was real and for the first time all year was a non factor. This was the biggest detriment in the Patriots quest of winning one for MHK. I believe that if he was healthy not only would he have caught the Hail Mary but it wouldn't have even gotten to the point of needing a Hail Mary. It is now where you all can join me in flipping off Bernard Pollard once again.

Not that it matters, but Eli Manning is in the same class as Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. There aren't many quarterbacks in the league that can place the ball any better than what Eli Manning spotted that ball with Mario Manningham.

The Patriots Defense showed up, do NOT blame the defense. Tom Brady took a safety and the Patriots gave up an INTENTIONAL touchdown to try and get Brady the ball back with one timeout. That drive would have resulted in a field goal so the Patriots defense gave up essentially 16 points. Yet once again the Patriots were held under 20 points. The blame game should be pointed at the Tom Brady ran offense.

The one thing that was uncharacteristic of a Bill Belichick defense was the mental errors. 12 men on the field. 12 MEN ON THE GODDAMN FIELD when there was a forced fumble on the play?! Ninkovich jumping offsides on another forced turnover. The Patriots Defense is an opportunistic defense in which they HAVE TO create turnovers in order for the Patriots to win the game. They didn't have any take-aways on the day and that ended up costing them. One less possession for the G-Men and the Patriots win the game.

So I guess the question is: How can the Patriots improve and return to glory? They need to draft a play maker on defense. It almost doesn't matter which position. What the Patriots need is raw talent for Belichick to mold. More matchup nightmares but this time on the defensive side of the ball. Think of a Rob Gronkowski-type on defense. For all of the Patriots honkies that think they need receivers they don't. The only way I take a receiver is if you can get the top receiver on the board, that's it. The Patriots defense is by design a laid back unit that waits for you to implode and make a mistake and they usually pounce on it. When they can't create take-aways they don't win: Bottom line.

In terms of competition this was a spectacular game. In terms of execution there were plays/points left on the field and that was the most disappointing part of this crushing defeat. I'm going to grit my teeth as I say, Congratulations New York Football Giants.

Stay Tuned

Norton