Posted
on 01/30/2008 5:20 PM
By: CappersPicks.com NFL Football Handicapping
Staff
SUPER BOWL 42: FOOT AND MOUTH CONCERNS - Superbowl Handicapping
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It seems like foot
and mouth disease has been the subject
of a lot of focus for Super Bowl 42: The
foot of QB Tom Brady and the big mouths
of some of the Giants. Patriots coach Bill
Belichick is always hush-hush about injuries,
even minor ones. His thinking is not to
let the opposition know anything, no matter
how minute. He would rather force the other
team to prepare for every player, rather
than let the opponent know who's in and
who's out. Yes, it's a bit Nixonian in
its secrecy, but Belichick is a guy who
looks for every possible way to gain an
edge on an opponent and the injury list
is one.
As I see it, the problem with Brady's foot is no problem at all. He was seen
limping around outside his Boston home last week and videotaped wearing a protective
boot. However, it was so minor he played the entire AFC Championship game with
no mobility problems. It wasn't until after the game that he wore the boot. This
week Brady said, "It's feeling good. I'll be ready to go."
There's no reason to doubt him or, more importantly, to factor a Brady foot injury
into your handicapping for the big game. Brady has admitted over the years that
he's a fast healer. He never misses games. Back in January of 2002 he was knocked
out of the AFC Championship game with a high ankle sprain in the second quarter.
QB Drew Bledsoe had to finish the game, leading New England to a 24-17 win at
Pittsburgh.
That week there was all kinds of speculation as to who would quarterback the
Pats. In fact, because of the terrorist attacks the previous September, that
NFL season had only one week to prepare for the Super Bowl, not the usual two
weeks like this one. Brady still was able to play and had no problems with his
mobility, even winning MVP as the Pats upset the Rams 20-17. His ankle injury
was far worse then and he only had one week to get ready between games. The bottom
line: Brady should be fine for this game.
From foot to mouth, the trash talking that's been going on has been even more
interesting. Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora called out Patriots left tackle
Matt Light for what he felt were questionable tactics in the Patriots' 38-35
victory Dec. 29 in Week 17. "Now we are really going to go at it this time," Umenyiora
said.
Giants WR Plaxico Burress alleged the Patriots were delivering low blows, while
Patriots safety Rodney Harrison fired back that Burress had targeted his knees.
The smashmouth battle of words continues to get chippier. Pats DE Richard Seymour
said there was only one way to deal with all the barking from the other team: "For
us, we have to put our blinders on. We can't control what anyone else says or
does. The only thing we can do is control the way we handle the situation and
look forward."
Throw in the fact that Pats nose tackle Vince Wilfork stuck his finger in the
eye of Bradon Jacobs, for which he was fined $15,000 for unsportsmanlike behavior,
and it's clear these teams don't like each other. But talk is cheap, you have
to get it done on the field. The Patriots know all about this.
Six years ago the some Steelers admitted they already had their bags packed for
the Super Bowl when they met New England in the AFC Championship game. Three
years ago Eagles' WR Freddie Mitchell talked all week about how he was going
to have a big game tearing up the Pats secondary. Mitchell was invisible, with
one catch for 11 yards as the Eagles lost, 24-21.
Two months ago a Steeler defensive back guaranteed a win over the Patriots. Final
score: New England 34, Pittsburgh 13. A few weeks ago San Diego defensive end
Igor Olshansky said, "Who? New England? Seriously, I mean, they're more
worried than we are, I promise you. Believe me. They know what's up." Final
score: New England 21, San Diego 12. Again, talk is cheap -- and it can provide
motivation not for the player's team but the opponent!
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