No-Name Pats D
By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com contributing writer
Every year, right around this time, stories start popping up about the anonymity of the New England Patriots.
The annual rite is easy to figure. First of all, the Patriots are usually still alive in late January. And, because of that, media types worldwide struggle to find story angles. Typically, they all come to this simple conclusion: There just aren’t any.
That’s the way New England likes it. Take away Tom Brady and this is a team without stars. They are a team in every sense of the word, mind you. And the Pats protect that identity better than any other team in NFL history. But, in the eyes of the media, for the most part, they are boring, nameless and faceless. And no unit personifies that more than this year’s defense.
“Sunday’s game is going to be about who executes the best, who plays the hardest and who makes the most plays.”
That was a generic quote from defensive back Artrell Hawkins, regarding the AFC title game against the Colts Sunday. Quick, how many of you know who Hawkins is? That’s the point.
This unit is filled with Hawkins-types. On the other side of the defensive backfield, there’s Asante Samuel. At linebacker, there’s Mike Vrabel. In the middle of the line, there’s Vince Wilfork.
Sure, there are die-hards out there who know who these guys are. But as the postseason wears on, and more and more casual fans start tuning in, these guys become more and more anonymous.
“We have to be clicking on all cylinders to have a chance.”
Another canned quote, this one from linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. Most people can’t even pronounce his name, much less know who he is.
“We’re not going in with the mentality that we can stop every play. However, when we do get our opportunities we need to make them worthwhile.”
That offering was from Ellis Hobbs. He plays cornerback, as well, by the way.
So you get the idea. The “Who Are These Guys” idea.
But the funny thing, is they don’t care. That’s the Bill Belichick way. Prepare the right way, work harder than anyone else and win at all costs. Style points mean nothing. Headlines mean nothing. Names mean nothing.
And you have to admit, it works. The Chargers and Jets sure were befuddled by the Patriots’ defensive schemes. And surely, Belichick will have another airtight plan for Peyton Manning and Co.
“Throwing the ball before they are even in their break, getting the ball out of his hands fast, changing and adapting to the routes, and knowing where the receivers are going if he has to scramble,” Hobbs said of the way Manning handles his offense. “All those little things are what makes them so good.”
We’ll find out just how good on Sunday. Indianapolis is -3 on WagerWeb.com.
FIRST-YEAR HONORS: The NFL 101, a national media committee which features 101 sportswriters and broadcasters, honored two rookie coaches this week. The group named the Jets’ Eric Mangini and the Saints’ Sean Payton the AFC and NFC Coach of the Year, respectively.
The Jets, under Mangini, went 10-6 and lost to the Patriots, 37-16, in the wild-card round. The Saints, under Payton, won the NFC South, defeated the Eagles, 27-24, in the divisional round, and will meet the Bears in the conference championship game Sunday. Chicago is -2.5 on WagerWeb.com.
EXTRA POINTS: The Giants officially promoted Kevin Gilbride to the offensive coordinator position vacated by John Hufnagel this week. … Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown has been battling the flu, but has returned to practice and will play against the Colts Sunday.