New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles

[pds]

New England Patriots (-6.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (+6.5)

[singlguy9]

Pats Will Roll.............bet The Farm!!!!

:)

[Funnymantrip]

I blew the Credits Wad on the Pats.

[Wetterhorn]

Well, since I already made a bet on the Pats -7, I decided to let roll 100 credits on New England.

I just can't see how the Eagles can stay close to the Patriots. New England shut down the best offense in the league in the Colts and then hung 41 on the Steelers NFL best defense.

At least that is my logic... :confused:

[radar]

Go Pats

[mr.c]

WOW Only 50 credits so far on the Eagles. :r I hope it is a good, close game and not a blow out.

[miketafc]

Double or nothing on what I won so far.

GO Pats!

[TheSmokingHiker]

I am not even goign to be able to watch most of the game...oh the joys of delivering pizza...

[Butch]

There seems to be a lot of pats fans on this site...hmmm is there much rejoicing going to happen or a lot of tears?

I am hoping a lot of tears, not only because I bet on the eagles but might make for some interesting posts.LOL

NO I just want an entertaining game that is decided in the last minutes by a hail mary TD. Not asking for much am I, and ya if it happens that way I will buy lottery ticket too.

[coppertop]

Well I am betting the EAGLES....bad bet or not I don't care. I'm an Eagles fan....and I don't want the Pats to win again

[Wetterhorn]

There seems to be a lot of pats fans on this site...hmmm is there much rejoicing going to happen or a lot of tears?

I am hoping a lot of tears, not only because I bet on the eagles but might make for some interesting posts.LOL

NO I just want an entertaining game that is decided in the last minutes by a hail mary TD. Not asking for much am I, and ya if it happens that way I will buy lottery ticket too.

I'm not a Pats fan, but had to place my credits on them. I can't see how Philly can stay close to New England.

Can anyone help me out and make a case for the Eagles?

:confused:

[TheSmokingHiker]

I'm not a Pats fan, but had to place my credits on them. I can't see how Philly can stay close to New England.

Can anyone help me out and make a case for the Eagles?

:confused:

I wish I could, but I cant bet for the Pats...I really dont want to see them win again.

[horrorview]

Woooo hooooooooo! Go Pats!

I live just south of Boston, and the Pats had been living in the shadow of the Red Sox this whole season. They had that consecutive win streak going, and people seemed to have this "Bah, the Patriots will be fine, let's talk about baseball" attitude.

However, as soon as they lost to Pittsburgh, fans here seemed to start caring about them again. :r

[Lamar]

I so hate to jump on this bandwagon, but the Pats are just plain the better team. Combine that with all the Super Bowl experience that they have and they are just plain tough to overlook.

[linusvanpelt]

Just threw down my 25 points on the EAGLES. gotta go with the underdog.

Now where did I put that Campbells Chunky soup???

[miketafc]

How can anyone root for a team who's fans bood Santa Clause at one game and even threw snowballs at em...... Philly's got a lot longer to go on the Santa Clause Curse. :bx

Go Pats!

[IHT]

I am not even goign to be able to watch most of the game...oh the joys of delivering pizza...

at least you'll get a chance to see/hear it at all. i'm stuck in korea... i'll have to read a paper to find out who won.

[Sickboy]

How can anyone root for a team who's fans bood Santa Clause at one game and even threw snowballs at em...... Philly's got a lot longer to go on the Santa Clause Curse. :bx

Go Pats!
I agree. Philly fans also threw trash at Daunte Culpeppers wife in the stands during the recent playoff game. Classy.

[megasolo]

wow since everyone is on one side of the fence, i'll go to the other. I'll let ALL my credits ride on the Eagles. I have a whopping 18. lol. I really don't care who wins, but i'd like to see a good game.

Go Chiefs....errr Eagles.

[Steeltown]

I'll post some info on the game by services I am alligned with:

NE (14-2) vs PHI (13-3)

Game Prediction: NE 30, PHI 20

(Line - Patriots by 7)

After 256 regular season games and ten post-season matchups, we end up with the game that almost happened last year. The Patriots cruise in to their third Super Bowl in the last four years with a shot at tying the Cowboys for a four year span of all-time dominance. The Eagles finally get past the NFC Championship curse that kept them out for the last four years. For all the hoopla about parity, there's nothing very unusual about the Super Bowl this season. It came within one win from being the same two teams in two of the last three seasons.

The Patriots have remained intact enough and won so often that they take on the look of a team that pretty much only tries as hard as it needs to try. After so many wins, until the playoffs get underway there is not a lot to get excited about. True to form, the Patriots looked certainly good enough during the regular season but once the playoffs began, the only real difference has been that this season they finally have a rushing game with Corey Dillon. Tom Brady is only even more experienced this season and finally has a rushing game to balance out the offense.

The Eagles come in after having secured the NFC Championship without the services of Terrell Owens. That's no major surprise since they enjoyed homefield in their two post-season games and Owens was not necessary to get to the NFC Championship game the last three years anyway. The main question that will need to be answered is if his absence makes the difference in the Super Bowl. Owens has not been given clearance to play by the doctor that performed the surgery on him but Owens still contends that he will play. The Eagles passing attack takes on a completely different look when Owens is in there and if nothing else, the specter of Owens could influence how the Patriots prepare. The reality with that though is that it probably wouldn't anyway. When Owens plays, the Eagles passing game has a major focus on getting him the ball to the exclusion of other receivers. The Patriot defense is certainly good enough to cover one man and especially since even the best case scenario is that Owens will not be 100% in the game if he plays.

These offenses match up fairly well. The bigger weakness of the Patriots is against the pass but the Eagles will have to make do with Todd Pinkston, Freddie "the mouth" Mitchell and Greg Lewis. The Patriots were one of the best defenses against the run last season so while Brian Westbrook should be a lock to meet and exceed the five catches a game he had the last couple of games, he's not likely to rack up much in the way of rushing yards.

McNabb had 286 yards and two scores in the Divisional Round, but the Vikings secondary usually allows that as a baseline. Against the Falcons, McNabb again threw for two scores but only needed 180 yards since the game was well in hand. He should manage the two scores this weekend as well and could end up with some very nice yardage if the Patriots get an early lead.

This should be a fascinating game in the sense two teams square off with good defenses. In most matchups like this, the first part of the game tends to be lower scoring as both feel out their opponent before the points start raining in the second half. The difference here will be all about Donovan McNabb. He won't likely see a big help with Westbrook's rushing and will have to make the passing game succeed which is already the bigger weakness of the Patriots anyway. Tom Brady already has two Super Bowl MVP awards but this time likely won't have to be such a major component of the offense now that Corey Dillon will be there and will be very motivated to play well.

Unfortunately for forecasting performances, the Patriots always have a varying scheme in every game so who does well is always harder to predict by design. The Eagles biggest weakness this season was against the tight end but the use of Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria will depend upon how much the Eagle defense blitzes and forces the Patriots to keep extra blockers in. The biggest weakness of the Patriot defense is against wideouts, but the Philly crew was already below average before Freddie Mitchell threw a bit of gas on the fire with talking smack about the Patriot secondary.

Look for the game to remain close and competitive throughout the first half with a fairly even score until the Patriots start to build on a lead in the second half with the luxury of running or passing. The Eagle's defense will keep them in the game for a while but McNabb alone is not enough to beat the Patriots, not without a healthy Owens to influence the secondary.

[DsrtDog]

A Bronco Fan at heart...I have to go with the Eagles, if nothing else...Revenge.

DsrtDog

[Steeltown]

Insider Preview: Patriots at Eagles
Scouts Inc.


Why To Watch
The Super Bowl XXXIX matchup pits familiar versus new, as the Patriots, headed to the title game for the third time in four years, look to defend their title against an Eagles team making its first appearance in the championship game in 24 years.

Injuries will occupy much of the pregame hype. The Patriots know they will be without both starting cornerbacks, Ty Law and Tyrone Poole, but the status of standout DE Richard Seymour still looms. The even bigger question surrounds the health of Eagles star WR Terrell Owens – and it isn't likely to be answered until kickoff Feb. 6.

Patriots QB Tom Brady is 8-0 in the postseason, and he leads a much more balanced attack into this Super Bowl than a year ago, thanks mostly to the presence of RB Corey Dillon. In reality, though, the most highly anticipated matchup is on the other side of the ball, where two of the NFL's brightest offensive minds (head coach Andy Reid and coordinator Brad Childress) try to crack the code of defensive gurus Bill Belichick and coordinator Romeo Crennel.

After watching the Patriots generate four interceptions while allowing fewer than 500 total passing yards against Pro Bowl QB Peyton Manning (Colts) and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has to be feeling some pressure as his team game-plans this week. If the Eagles don't do a better job of protecting the football than the Patriots' last two opponents, the city of Boston will be holding its second championship parade (Red Sox) in four months and its third in four years for the Patriots.

When the Patriots have the ball

Rushing: The Patriots' offense is among the best in the NFL at recognizing an opponent's weakness and game-planning in order to successfully attack it. The Eagles have been much improved versus the run since making some personnel changes midway through the season. By inserting Jeremiah Trotter into the starting MLB spot and shifting former starting MLB Mark Simoneau to WLB, the Eagles have become much bigger, stronger and more physical along the second level of their defense.


Simoneau missed the two playoff games with a high-ankle sprain but is expected to return. His replacement, Keith Adams, has been outstanding, so even if Simoneau can play only a limited role, the team shouldn't suffer much of a drop-off. The other key move the Eagles made was getting 305-pound DT Sam Rayburn on the field more. Rayburn is more stout versus the run than starters Corey Simon and Darwin Walker, and rotating Rayburn in more has allowed the active and more athletic starters to stay fresh.
However, as improved as the Eagles are agasint the run, it remains the weak link of their defense. The Patriots don't match up overly well in pass protection versus the athletic and attacking Philadelphia defensive front, but they do have the size, strength and efficiency to wear the undersized unit down. Furthermore, Dillon is a bruiser. He runs with good pad level, breaks several tackles and always seems to be falling forward at the end of runs. At 225 pounds, his north-south running style can wear on a defense after awhile.



One big key for the Patriots will be getting Dillon enough carries (25-plus) in order to allow him to wear out the Eagles. Staying dedicated to the run also will allow the Pats to control the clock, neutralize Philadelphia's athletic advantage up front, and put Dillon in good shape to close out the game agaisnt a weary defense in the fourth quarter.
The other big key for the Pats will be to spread the Eagle defense out with multiple-receiver sets. If New England can get the Eagles into their nickel personnel and limit their safety involvement in the box in run support, it's odds of successfully running the football improve greatly. Dillon has been New England's MVP this season, and it would be fitting for the newcomer to win the award in his first trip to the Super Bowl.

Passing: The Eagles' pass rush is unrelenting. When it isn't recording sacks, it is flushing opposing quarterbacks from the pocket, disrupting the timing of routes and forcing the QB to make ill-advised throws off his back foot. The Eagles' secondary is solid – make no mistake about it – but it is the pass rush that puts the secondary in position to make as many big plays as it does.

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is known for his kamikaze schemes. What he doesn't get enough credit for, however, is his ability to bring the blitz from so many different directions with so many different players getting involved. Opponents can't seem to come up with a trend-analysis in order to execute against it. In the last two games we've seen two of the league's best quarterbacks (Daunte Culpepper and Michael Vick) absolutely collapse under the pressure. Pocket passers like Culpepper don't have enough time to make their reads and wait for their receivers to come out of their breaks, and athletic quarterbacks like Vick can only buy so many chances before the speed of the Eagles' defense catches up.

The Eagles have a significant advantage in athleticism in the trenches. LDE Jevon Kearse will require double-team attention from ROT Brandon Gorin and either a back or tight end on almost every passing down. LOT Matt Light will have some trouble of his own against the emerging Derrick Burgess (RDE), and the interior of the Patriots' offensive line (OC Dan Koppen and OGs Joe Andruzzi and Stephen Neal) will be overmatched by the initial quickness and overall athleticism of Eagles DTs Corey Simon and Darwin Walker.

With potentially six members of the Patriots' offense required to block just the Eagles' front four, Brady's options will be limited to at most four receivers running routes on a given play, and there will be several open gaps for Johnson to attack with blitzing linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks.

As previously mentioned, the first thing the Patriots must do is spread the Eagles out. With David Givens, Deion Branch, Troy Brown, David Patten and Bethel Johnson all active, the Patriots are as healthy at wide receiver as they have been the entire season. Using three- and-four receiver sets will help neutralize the blitz while also generating some mismatches against the Eagles' safeties and/or sub package cornerbacks, Roderick Hood and Dexter Wynn. Brady isn't likely to have enough time to take as many vertical shots as he did in the AFC championship game against the Steelers, but the threat the Patriots' deep receiving corps poses should at least be enough to limit the number of blitzers Philadelphia can bring on any given play.



This game very well could come down to Brady's ability to handle the Eagles' blitz. Running the football will be a big part of the Patriots' game-plan. But, as always, they should be able to supplement the run with a low-risk, short passing attack. Few quarterbacks in the NFL are as efficient as Brady when it comes to beating the blitz, and much of that has to do with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who does a brilliant job of finding opponents' soft spots underneath.

The Eagles upgraded their run defense by inserting Trotter at MLB, but they also weakened the athleticism of that group with the move. As a result, teams are having more success completing throws over the middle. Look for Weis to target the underneath middle and also to put Brady in position to work the other underneath zones that are vacated by the blitz. If Brady can effectively neutralize the blitz by making sound "hot reads" and mixing in the screen play in a timely fashion, the Patriots can win this game without many big plays from their perimeter passing attack. That's why Dillon and TEs Christian Fauria and Daniel Graham could have much bigger roles in the Super Bowl than usual.

When the Eagles have the ball

Rushing: The Eagles will have to be creative if they are going to run the football with any real success against the Patriots. RB Brian Westbrook is a versatile and explosive back. He has terrific vision, burst and shiftiness in the open field, which makes him difficult to bring down.



The problem, however, is Westbrook lacks the size and power to hold up with a high-carry load, and he certainly isn't the type to wear an opposing defense down. Westbrook is at his best when he can find cutback lanes or bounce runs to the outside where he can make things happen in space. Against one of the league's most disciplined defensive fronts, getting Westbrook those "space" opportunities will be tough.
The Patriots don't blitz a whole lot, and their linebackers rarely get caught out of position, which is why draws, cutbacks and screens won't be as effective options as usual. New England has had one of the stoutest run defenses in the NFL since the second half of the season, when rookie Vince Wilfork and second-year pro Ty Warren finally seemed to grasp the scheme. Within its 3-4 alignment, the responsibility of New England's front three is to use leverage and hand placement to occupy blockers up front.

On most running downs, OLBs Mike Vrabel and Willie McGinest will be cheated up on the line, essentially giving New England a 5-2 look. If the defensive front does its job, ILBs Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson have the room they need to roam in order to pursue the run from sideline-to-sideline. With DE Richard Seymour expected to return after missing the first two playoff games with a knee injury, the Patriots will be at full strength and as deep as ever.

In addition to being disciplined, this group is deep. The Patriots consistently rotate five defensive linemen (Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Jarvis Green and Keith Traylor) while also using three outside linebackers (Vrabel, McGinest and Rosevelt Colvin), which allows their defensive front to remain better rested than opposing offensive linemen as the game progresses.

Passing: The big question here is obviously the health of Owens. The Eagles have gotten by so far in the playoffs without him, but they'll have an awfully difficult time attacking the Patriots' hobbled secondary if Owens is watching from the sideline or is being used simply as a decoy.

There is no question the Patriots are vulnerable at cornerback with Law and Poole out. RCB Asante Samuel is a decent starter on one side, but Randall Gay is a target as the starting LCB and Earthwind Moreland and Hank Poteat are targets in the sub package. The Patriots have been able to overcome these weaknesses by getting physical with the Colts' finesse receivers and by exposing Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's inexperience and thumb injury.



If Owens is in the lineup, the Patriots won't be able to play such an aggressive scheme. In both playoff games to date they've used their cornerbacks and outside linebackers in press coverage against opposing receivers and tight ends, while using their safeties in two-deep zone over the top. If Owens is a factor, the Patriots will be forced to honor his playmaking skills by rolling coverage to his side. It likely will cost them a safety over the top and a linebacker dropped into the flat, which will leave the middle of the field more vulnerable and will limit the Patriots' options with the blitz.
Without Owens, the Patriots can use a similar scheme to the one they have used so far. The Eagles' receivers have combined for 15 receptions and 273 yards in the playoffs, but their top two targets, Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell, lack strength and toughness. Mitchell has some trouble breaking the press and will get frustrated against physical coverage, while Pinkston is notorious for being one of the softer receivers in the NFL. The Eagles' lack of depth at receiver will prevent them from exposing the Patriots' thin secondary, and the absence of TE Chad Lewis will limit the Eagles' ability to attack the Patriots down the middle with their two-tight end package of Lewis and L.J. Smith.

Scouts' Edge
Owens' presence and production will play big parts in the outcome of this game. Against a healthy Owens, the Patriots will have a much more difficult time matching up. If Owens can't play or is limited to a decoy role, the Eagles simply lack the playmakers and toughness in the passing game to exploit the Patriots' hobbled secondary.

Much like the gameplan versus the Colts, the Patriots will use their cornerbacks and outside linebackers to outmuscle the Eagles' finesse receivers and tight ends at the line of scrimmage. McNabb's athleticism will help, but he won't have room to run versus the zone defense like he has had in the past against man-coverage that turns its back to him.

Furthermore, Westbrook will be working against a crowded, veteran, disciplined and physical Patriots defensive front, which will do a good job of taking away the Eagles' favorite offensive play – the screen.

Johnson's blitz-happy defensive scheme will test New England's patience, but Brady is as good as it gets versus the blitz. The Patriots won't get many big plays on the perimeter, but their efficiency in the short passing game combined with Dillon's ability to wear down the Eagles' undersized front will result in several time-consuming scoring drives.

The Patriots' overall edge in veteran experience and on special teams will play a big part in their success in this game. In the end, however, it will be Dillon's ability to wear the Eagles' defense down and Brady's ability to beat the blitz and manage the game that leads the Patriots to a second-consecutive Super Bowl title – their third in four years.

[Steeltown]

Take 2: Patriots vs. Eagles
Scouts Inc.

QB RB WR LB ST Coach Overall = Pats
OL DL DB = Eagles

Eagles WR Terrell Owens' status is too up in the air for New England to ignore. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel are famous for scrapping last week's game plan for a new one on an almost weekly basis. This time around the Patriots might be forced to enter Super Bowl XXXIX with two completely different defensive strategies and play a wait-and-see game as to Owens' effectiveness early on.


Owens
In Plan A (with Owens), the Patriots will need to play a lot of "combo" coverage in their secondary. LCB Asante Samuel will spend most of the evening matched up one-on-one against Owens, and he'll likely take a physical approach in order to impede Owens' release and frustrate the hot-headed receiver as the game progresses.
If Owens is healthy, the Patriots know they'll need extra help inside, and that's where the "combo" coverage comes in. The Patriots will be forced to roll a safety over the top of Samuel, and that safety's role will be to pick up Owens downfield and inside, as Samuel will play an "outside technique."

To cover all their bases, the Patriots will often need to drop one of their outside linebackers into the flat, which will take away the quick slant and crossing route for Owens. The upside is that Owens should be kept quiet against what is essentially triple coverage. The downside, however, is that the Patriots will be using three defenders to cover one receiver, which will leave a lot of room open for other receivers, TE L.J. Smith and RB Brian Westbrook in the passing game.


Plan B (without Owens) will look a lot more like the defensive scheme/philosophy that the Patriots used against the Colts three weeks ago. With Owens out, the Eagles not only lack a go-to-receiver and vertical threat, but they also become very "soft" from a skill-position perspective. Similar to that Colts game, look for Belichick and Crennel to use their outside cornerbacks (Samuel and Randall Gay) in physical press coverage against WRs Freddie Mitchell and Todd Pinkston, while also assigning OLBs Willie McGinest and Mike Vrabel to press coverage versus Smith and Westbrook.


Wilson
HarrisonThe Eagles obviously own the advantage in terms of athleticism and speed, but the Patriots proved against the Colts that they can use their size, strength and toughness to overcome the athletic mismatch by slowing the skill players down at the line of scrimmage. If this is the plan of action, safeties Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson become important players in deep-half responsibility. If one of the Eagles' receivers is able to break the press and get over the top, Harrison or Wilson must reach the sideline in time to break up a potential big play.


With or without Owens, the Eagles need to spread the Patriots' defense out. The depth of the Eagles' receiving corps isn't great (especially if Owens isn't a factor), but TE Smith and RB Westbrook can help the cause as "flexed-out" slot receivers from time-to-time.
Spreading things out is important not only to generate more one-on-one matchups against the Patriots' hobbled secondary, but also to give the Eagles' offensive line better numbers as run blockers. If on first and second downs the Patriots can walk their outside linebackers up to create a five-man front and cheat SS Harrison up as a third linebacker in what realistically becomes a 5-3 look, the Eagles will have no chance of establishing Westbrook on the ground.


Look for the Patriots to employ a similar scheme against LDE Jevon Kearse to the one they've used in the past against the Colts' premier edge rusher, Dwight Freeney. Knowing that ROT Brandon Gorin is incapable of holding up on an island in pass protection versus Kearse, Weis and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia must find creative ways to give Gorin help without completely taking a running back or tight end out of a passing play.


Kearse"Chipping" Freeney with a receiver in motion, tight end on the line or back releasing to that side has served as an effective means of slowing him down while also allowing the skill player to get involved as an underneath receiver. If the Patriots can do so and get away with it against Kearse, they will. Mixing up the "chip" block is essential because it keeps Kearse guessing as to which skill player will be coming after him upon the snap of the ball.


The discipline of the Patriots' zone defense is going to make life a lot more difficult on QB Donovan McNabb and RB Westbrook. For starters, McNabb, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry during the regular season, won't find nearly as much running room as he is used to against defenses that play primarily man-to-man coverage schemes in the secondary.
Instead of turning their backs to McNabb in order to stick with their assignment downfield in coverage, the Patriots' linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties will almost always be facing McNabb in their zone-coverage scheme and will be able to close on him a lot quicker when they see him tuck the ball and run.

Secondly, the zone scheme combined with the instincts of veteran players – such as DE Richard Seymour, LBs Tedy Bruschi, Ted Johnson, McGinest and Vrabel, and SS Harrison – will make it extremely difficult for the Eagles to get Westbrook as involved on screens as they typically like.



Brady
Patriots QB Tom Brady needs to take some shots downfield early. The Pats did exactly that against the Steelers, and it really helped to loosen things up. New England is vastly overmatched up front in terms of athleticism in the passing game, and it will have a difficult time not only protecting Brady from the front-four rush but also picking up the heavy-blitz package.
By using some three- and five-step drops early on to throw some vertical routes, it could help to keep safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis backed off a bit more. The Patriots will win or lose this game with their ability to establish RB Corey Dillon and wear the Eagles' undersized defensive front down. They'll have a much more difficult time doing so if they come out and play too conservative early on, allowing Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to load up with eight-man fronts and blitz as much as he wants.


There are a few intangibles to take into consideration that could work into the Eagles' favor. For starters, Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress could have extra motivation after reportedly getting beat out by Crennel for the Browns' head-coaching job.
Building on that point, both of the Patriots' coordinators, Crennel and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, have had major distractions that they haven't had to deal with entering past Super Bowls. Crennel obviously had to spend more time interviewing and discussing the Browns' head position, while Weis had to once again share his time as Notre Dame's new head coach during a key stretch in recruiting.

Finally, while Patriots SS Harrison always plays with a chip on his shoulder, he's certain to enter Sunday's game with more intensity than ever following the back-and-forth between him and Eagles WR Mitchell. While many believe this motivation could work in the Patriots' favor, Harrison needs to "play smart." He can't afford to let his emotions to get the best of him and give the Eagles a big break early on with a personal foul.


Eagles OC Hank Fraley is going to be overmatched in the middle. Fraley is a solid veteran with good technique, a great feel for the game and adequate athletic ability, but he gives up 40 pounds to Keith Traylor and 44 pounds to Vince Wilfork. Wilfork doesn't get a lot of attention because he's a rookie who struggled early on and still isn't even listed as an official starter on the Patriots' two-deep.
However, after learning to play with better hand placement, leverage and discipline, Wilfork came on strong in the second half of the season. With Traylor and Wilfork rotating in and out, they both stay fresh and make matchups that much more daunting for the opposing center. Assuming the Eagles will need to consistently give Fraley double-team help from one of their guards (Artis Hicks or Jermane Mayberry), it will significantly diminish their ability to get blockers out on ILBs Bruschi and Johnson, who can be absolutely suffocating with room to roam.



Trotter
The Patriots need to attack MLB Jeremiah Trotter in the passing game. Since Trotter was inserted in the starting lineup midway through the regular season, the Eagles' run defense has been significantly upgraded. He brings size and a physical presence to the position that the unit was previously missing.
However, at 262 pounds with marginal top-end speed and change-of-direction skills, Trotter is a target in coverage. Dillon isn't a great pass-catching running back, but he is capable. The Patriots also need to find ways to get Kevin Faulk into the game more in order to generate an even bigger mismatch in that facet.

Special Teams


The Patriots' advantage on special teams should play a big part in the outcome. The one area the Eagles could have the edge is on kickoff returns. It hasn't always mattered which return specialist has been in the game, as both J.R. Reed and Roderick Hood have had success in this facet. Reed has been more explosive when healthy, as he has a long of 66 yards and an average of 23.1 yards per return, but Hood has been nearly as consistent with his 22.4 yards-per-return average. The Patriots have done a good job of staying disciplined in their coverage lanes on kickoffs throughout the season and they can't afford to make a mistake in the season finale.


Akers
Vinatieri
If the Patriots avoid a letdown in kickoff coverage, they should dominate the rest of the facets of special teams. Eagles PK David Akers has had an excellent season, but he is still nowhere near as efficient and reliable as Patriots PK Adam Vinatieri. Akers has connected on 27 of 32 field-goal attempts compared to Vinatieri's 31 of 33 for the regular season and postseason combined. Considering Vinatieri's proven track record as a clutch kicker in the playoffs, the Patriots certainly have the mental edge if this game is decided by a late field goal.

The Patriots have an even bigger advantage in the punting game – on both sides of the ball. For starters, WR/CB/PR Troy Brown has reclaimed his role as the team's starting punt return specialist during the playoffs. He hasn't made a huge impact yet, but Brown has a lot more experience and explosiveness than Eagles rookie PR Reno Mahe, who averaged just 5.7 yards per punt return during the regular season.
Eagles PT Dirk Johnson is also a lot less gifted and has much less experience than Patriots PT Josh Miller. Johnson finished the regular season with almost the exact same yards-per-punt average (42.1) as Miller (42), but Johnson has been inconsistent during the postseason. Miller, on the other hand, has shown very good directional skills in the Patriots' first two playoff outings.

Matchups


New England ROT Brandon Gorin vs. Philadelphia LDE Jevon Kearse

New England WR Deion Branch vs. Philadelphia LCB Lito Sheppard

New England RB Corey Dillon vs. Philadelphia MLB Jeremiah Trotter

Philadelphia WR Terrell Owens vs. New England RCB Asante Samuel

Philadelphia OC Hank Fraley vs. New England NTs Keith Traylor and Vince Wilfork

Prediction: Patriots 24, Eagles 20

[Steeltown]

Defenses show good mobility
Scouts, Inc.

Scouts Inc. offered its initial Super Bowl scouting report last week and will present its second look and game prediction Monday. In the meantime, a week of studying film on the Eagles and Patriots has revealed some interesting truths and tendencies about each conference champion. Here's a look:


PHILADELPHIA

Secondary might be the most physical in the NFL. They all hit and are excellent open-field tacklers. They have excellent ball skills and close on the ball quickly.

Linebackers have excellent speed and range – they get to the perimeter in a hurry. Will be tough for Pats to run outside on them. They get off blocks well.


This defense is completely different with Jeremiah Trotter at MLB. He gives them a more physical identity and is all over the field. He is a great inside run stuffer. Strong defense up the middle with four DTs rotating, Trotter at MLB and physical safeties.

DEs Derrick Burgess and Jevon Kearse do a good job of containing on the edges. They are disciplined and stay home. They play Kearse at LDE, RDE and will stand him up at DT in pass-rush situations. They drop him into coverage in zone blitzes.

DCs Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard can play man-to-man and zone. They push receivers around, they are feisty and love to challenge the offense.

OL does an excellent job and is underrated. They are excellent at trap blocking and do a good job in pass protection. Center Hank Fraley is smart and instinctive, gets great position on his blocks, and is key to the line.


Brian Westbrook is almost impossible to cover by a linebacker or even a safety when he's lined up at wide receiver. Has excellent open-field moves and a little easier to cover out of the slot and backfield. He is the key to the offense and is a better inside runner than most would believe. It's tough to get a clean shot at him.

Donovan McNabb is excellent at scrambling when defenses play man-to-man and DCs turn and run with receivers and have their backs to the ball. He loves to run bootlegs. He has improved his pocket presence and accuracy.


SmithThey love the screen game with Westbrook and sometimes TE L.J. Smith. They might try it seven or eight times versus the Pats.

Eagles wide receivers can be taken out of game with tight man-to-man coverage. They don't separate well. McNabb's favorite targets are Westbrook and Smith.

NEW ENGLAND

Despite injuries, DBs still play any style. They run their entire coverage scheme and do not try and protect their corners due to the loss of Ty Law and Tyrone Poole. They will play tight man-to-man and press schemes with unproven corners; they play a lot of cover 2 behind it and don't give up the big play.


HarrisonRodney Harrison is all over the field and will play DC at times in cover-2 to get closer to the LOS, where he can blitz off the edge. He still has good range, but he's not a great cover guy. Don't think he can cover Westbrook one–on–one.

Linebackers are smartest and most instinctive in NFL. The Pats are never out of position, very disciplined and always around the football. They "sniff out" screens and never get caught inside on a reverse and they string out the outside play. They show excellent lane discipline, take on blockers and are excellent pass rushers and pass defenders. Mike Vrabel is great at never getting hooked on outside; Willie McGinest is pass rusher off edge; Ted Johnson is good run defender; and Tedy Bruschi is their best defensive player. They are interchangeable and can play 3-4 and 4-3.


BruschiBruschi gets better jump on ball than any LB we have ever seen. Rare instincts. Underrated cover skills. Played man-to-man versus Edgerrin James and blew up three Colts screen plays and forced Peyton Manning to throw the ball into the ground because he was sitting in screen hole. He might draw man-to-man assignment versus Westbrook, but the Pats will also use other LBS to bump Westbrook off line of scrimmage.

Interior DL has improved. Keith Traylor and Vince Wilfork have tightened up on first and second down. Entire DL are good pass rushers and they never quit on a play and get a lot of hits with second effort.

OL does a good job in pass protection, but they are more finesse than power. They are not a strength of this team. LOT Matt Light struggles versus outside speed rushers and they may have to help him by "chipping." Will the Eagles move LDE Kearse to RDE to take advantage of matchup?


FaulkWe know about Corey Dillon, but the X-factor might be Kevin Faulk. When he comes into the game, the offense gets a spark. He's quick, explosive, catches the ball and can get outside. He has more big-play potential than Dillon.

Receivers are all disciplined and run great routes. They block and are unselfish. Brady always knows where they are going to be -- and instinctive and underrated group.

Brady is coolest quarterback in the pocket. He waits for receivers to get open knowing he is going to take a hit. He's greatly improved the deep ball, and the only time he seems "human" is when the blitz comes. He doesn't make mistakes or turn the ball over.

Special teams are great because several starters play on cover teams. Another example of unselfish Patriots.

Very innovative in goal-line offense and defense. They will use OL Russ Hochstein at FB, OLB Vrabel at TE, etc. They are very unpredictable in the red zone on both sides of the ball.


Scouting Mismatches: Superbowl
Scouts Inc.

The NFL game is all about individual matchups. They're what send coaches to the film room for hours on end, looking for any advantage. Sometimes the mismatches are obvious; other times, not so much. Our scouts have identified the one matchup in each of this week's games in which one team has a clear edge.

New England at Philadelphia
New England ROT Brandon Gorin vs. Philadelphia LDE Jevon Kearse

The Patriots do a better job than any team of overcoming mismatches with creative schemes. This time around, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia will have his hands full protecting Gorin versus Kearse. Gorin is an efficient tackle with great size and a wide wingspan. He plays with good awareness and shows some power at the point of attack.


KearseThe problem is Gorin lacks the initial quickness to get set versus Kearse and also lacks the lateral movement skills to handle Kearse's fluid and explosive double moves. Gorin should do an adequate job in the running game, but pass protection will be a whole different story. In order to guard against this mismatch and to protect QB Tom Brady's front side on passing downs, the Patriots will consistently be forced to keep an extra back or tight end in. Not only will that limit Brady's weapons but it also will leave New England short-handed versus the Eagles' heavy blitz package.

Experience counts during SB week
By Sean Salisbury

I don't care what anybody says – in the NFL experience counts. This week's Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles may very well come down to the experience each team brings to the game.
I'm not talking about a veteran team versus a young team. I'm talking about how prepared a team is for the unique experience the Super Bowl has become. This isn't just a normal game week. This week is equal parts circus, football game, media event and instant pop culture event combined with the emotions of playing in a game that most players have dreamed about since they were small children.


Belichick and Brady's ability to maintain composure during SB week is why their composure doesn't waver during the game.
Football players and coaches are slaves to routine and even the subtlest change can throw a player or team off. It's imperative for a coaching staff to maintain the routine and keep the team's collective head in the game. Obviously this week is one that invites distraction, with the myriad media and family distractions that come with playing in the Super Bowl. The NFL realizes that, and that's one reason why they've set up media day – for the media to get all the players at once for interviews. That way the players have the rest of the week to maintain focus on the game.

Obviously the Patriots have more experience with Super Bowl week coming into this game. This is their third Super Bowl appearance in the past four years, and they seem to have gotten better every time. That's due in large part to the preparations this team takes during the week of the Super Bowl to the point they've perfected how to prepare for Super Bowl week.

In their first appearance, against the St. Louis Rams, the Patriots were the young upstarts that no one thought had a chance. They were facing an explosive offense that looked unstoppable. Everything seemed to be going against the Pats in that game – they had an inexperienced quarterback in Tom Brady and no real running game. They were also facing a team that had won the Super Bowl two years before. It seemed the Patriots would get beaten badly, since their only asset was their resident defensive genius – head coach Bill Belichick.

He did a great job getting his team to avoid the distractions that take a team out of its mindset during Super Bowl week. Belichick had been to several Super Bowls as Bill Parcells' defensive coordinator, and he knew how to keep a team focused. The Pats maintained their focus and put together a great defensive game plan that stymied one of the most explosive offenses in league history.

Two years later the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl, this time as heavy favorites over a young Carolina Panthers team that resembled the Pats' previous Super Bowl team. The Panthers came out and looked nervous and slightly distracted in the beginning of that game and weren't able to mount a big enough surge at the end to overcome their early mistakes. It was definitely a case of a team not being able to properly handle the emotions at the beginning of a game when every minute counts.

This year, the Patriots face an Eagles team that is hungry to win a Super Bowl after four consecutive appearances in the NFC Championship game. The Patriots also will have to deal with the questions as to whether they are a dynasty, in addition to the normal pressure a team faces when playing in the Super Bowl.

This Eagles team realizes how narrow the window to the world of greatness is and will try to take advantage in its first chance. They are dealing with the distraction of being the first Philadelphia team in a few years to play for a championship. They are carrying the mantle of every fan in the Philly area, and let me assure you – that's a heavy load. These are passionate fans and that's going to weigh on the minds of the players.

This team also has to deal with the notion they're underachievers, because of their inability to get over the hump all these years. Factor in that they are playing against a dominant team that's attempting to defend its championship, and it's obvious this week is filled with distractions for the Eagles.

The team that handles the distractions the best this week is the one that's going to win this game.

[Steeltown]

Ask Joe Theismann!

Welcome to The Show! On Monday at 5 p.m. ET, NFL legend Joe Theismann will hop in to talk football.
Send in your questions now, then join Joe on Monday at 5 p.m. ET!



Buzzmaster: (4:57 PM ET ) Joe Theismann is up next, so hang tight and send in some questions!

Joe Theismann: (5:03 PM ET ) Hello everyone! Welcome to Jacksonville and Super Bowl XXXIX!




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Derek (illinois): Does Philadelphia's run defense hurt them or play into their hands in stopping the Patriots offense?

Joe Theismann: (5:04 PM ET ) I don't think their run defense is a liability at all. They have the ability to stop the run. They just can't give up big plays. Not too many teams have beaten the Eagles. They are 15-1 team. I don't even count the last two games. The run defense is just fine. If NE decides they can run the ball, that plays right into Philly's hands.


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Joe (Philly): Hey Joe, what hope does the Eagles average (at best) group of WRs have against a secondary that has shut down Indy and Pitt on consecutive weeks?

Joe Theismann: (5:06 PM ET ) First of all, the thing is, Philly's offense doesn't necessarily throw downfield. That is what NE did against Indy. They wouldn't let them throw deep. Pittsburgh had a rookie QB and so, to me, the Pats defensively are going up against a complete team for the first time in the playoffs. I think the passing game that Philly uses really is a plus.

Joe Theismann: (5:06 PM ET ) First of all, the thing is, Philly's offense doesn't necessarily throw downfield. That is what NE did against Indy. They wouldn't let them throw deep. Pittsburgh had a rookie QB and so, to me, the Pats defensively are going up against a complete team for the first time in the playoffs. I think the passing game that Philly uses really is a plus.


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James (Kentucky): Will Philidelphia use Westbrook as a reciever or will they use a large rushing attack?

Joe Theismann: (5:07 PM ET ) I think Westbrook should be used more in the running game. But if there is a liability for Philly offensively, it's the fact they are really a passing offense. When you lost Staley and Buckhalter got hurt, you lost the running element. Westbrook, to me, is the closest thing to Faulk we have seen. His strength is mismatches in the passing game.


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Fitzy (Brockton, Mass): Joe, enjoy the repoirte between paul macguire and yourself. As a former NFL quarterback, can you give some insight as to how you would have attacked the Romeo Crennel, Bill Belicheck defense?

Joe Theismann: (5:09 PM ET ) The way I would try and go after this defense would be to work against the LBs. I'd spread them out. I would instead of going 2 backs or 1 TE, 2 WRs, I would spread them out. In the SB, you have 2 weeks to prepare and you have to do something diff. than you have done all year. Everyone says dance with the girl you came with, but if you do something different, you have a big advantage. The other team has studied you for 16 weeks. If you can show something different, it's hard to adjust.


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sam (boston): do you think bethel johnson will have an impact on the game in the special teams catagory seeing he is one of the best return men in the league

Joe Theismann: (5:10 PM ET ) I always think special teams are a big part of championships. Johnson has been important to this football team. You have two very good special team coaches, probably the best in the league. You just can't make a mistake on special teams at this level. Common sense tells you special teams is really important. Bethel Johnson will be big in creating field position for NE.


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Chuck (Memphis): Hi Joe - Obviously there is a difference in scheme, 3-4 vs 4-3, but NE showed they could withstand Pitt's blitzes. Will Jimmy Johnson back off or still bring the heat against the Pats?

Joe Theismann: (5:12 PM ET ) I think in the case of Johnson and the Eagles, they are a pressure defense. He will pick his spots. Philly will not change defensively much. One of the keys in this game will be how much pressure the Eagles get on Brady. If they can be effective rotating their DL and keeping them fresh and making Tom feel uncomforable, the defense will be doing their job.


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Rob (Honolulu): Pass or run game? Will the Brady/Branch combo hurt the Eagles the most or will Corey Dillion?

Joe Theismann: (5:13 PM ET ) I think Dillon has to be effective for Brady to do his job. So I look at it this way, both are relying on each other to be effective.


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Chris ((Longmont, CO)): How's the leg? Can anyone beat Billy Boy with two weeks to prepare? Any comparisons to Gibbs?

Joe Theismann: (5:14 PM ET ) I don't think anybody can beat Belicheck with 1 week to prepare! Seriously, what's very important to understand is the players still have to execute the plan.

Joe Theismann: (5:14 PM ET ) It's great to see some bulletin board stuff in a Super Bowl finally. Makes it fun for all of us. Reminds me of the good old days of the Cowboys!


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Steve (Toledo): Can Jeff Thomason be a surprise factor if the Pats overlook him due to his being out of the game the past two seasons?

Joe Theismann: (5:15 PM ET ) I think the TEs are important in what the Eagles do. But dont' forget Jeff was a part of the team awhile ago. Him coming back isn't really like he's been gone very long. I don't necessarily see him having a big factor, plus or minus.


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Tim(Eagle Fan) (Dalls): If TO is used and he's not 100%, maybe 75%. How do you think Andy Reid should use him and will he be effective?

Joe Theismann: (5:17 PM ET ) My opinion about TO is how will he look if he finally practices? He didn't practice with the team all last week. So he could only get 3-4 days this week. I just don't know how effective he could be. Certainly the Eagles have proven they can live without him. He makes them better I think but the Eagles have to approach this game thinking he will not be there. If he plays, that's a bonus.


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Jack (Idaho Falls, ID): Do you think there is a lot of hype for this game?

Joe Theismann: (5:19 PM ET ) I think the hype for this game is less than ususal. Just because the Pats are making this a habit. The SB is a place for fresh faces. Certainly from a media standpoint, how much more can we find out about Brady? I do think it is exciting for a guy like Corey Dillon and the Eagles players. They have worked so long to be here. Thank goodness for Freddy and Rodney!


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Jon (Philadelphia): Joe: do you think the comments by Freddie Mitchell are going to lead to more reckless and excessive personal fouls by the Patriots Defense?

Joe Theismann: (5:20 PM ET ) I don't think so. The Pats are a hard hitting team. Freddie has to be careful of the LBs. I dont' think it will lead to any dirty play, but if I was Freddie and only had one chin strap, I'd look for one with a double chin strap! They will hit him given the chance!

Joe Theismann: (5:20 PM ET ) Certainly you wouldn't want to do what Pinkston did where ''the ball got lost in the lights.'' I hope Freddie doesn't lose any ''balls in the light''.


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Rob (Honolulu): How does the kicking fit in, we see a lot of talk about running and passing, but NE seems to always get a lot of crucial points from Adam V.

Joe Theismann: (5:22 PM ET ) Vinateri and Akers are both going to the Pro Bowl. So the kicking game here is very unique.. two great kickers. There are two areas NE got better this year.. RB and punting. The punting has improved tremendously. I think it does make a difference in this game. Field position will be huge. Super Bowl XVII and XVIII that I played in both had big kicking plays.


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Ed (Boston): Do you think the Patriots can keep up the pace? Or are we bound for another slump in Bosotn?

Joe Theismann: (5:24 PM ET ) If everybody stays healthy in NE, I certainly think NE will be a top team in the league for some time. I've felt that way for 2 years now. Homefield is very important. Ben Roethlisberger will have a year under his belt, Peyton Manning keeps getting better, so it will be tough. Also, NE is losing their coordinators. We don't really know what the personality of this team will be moving forward. But I think they will stay the best team in football.


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Troybank (Orem, UT): Any chance of the Eagles using Owens primarily as a decoy?

Joe Theismann: (5:24 PM ET ) If TO plays in this game, he better not be a decoy. Then you are wasting space.

Joe Theismann: (5:25 PM ET ) If he plays, he better be productive.


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sean (bethesda, md): joe, whats your favorite aspect of this years super bowl?

Joe Theismann: (5:26 PM ET ) The matchup I'm looking forward to is the Pats DBs against Philly's WRs. A year ago, these Philly receivers got manhandled by the Panthers in the NFC championship. But the key player for Philly is McNabb. He has to play the game of his life. I think he will need 50-60 yards rushing to help his team. Probaby 60 at a minimum.


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Aaron (Sydney, Australia): Hello Joe, How does New England go about finding new Offence\defence cordinators? Does that impact hurt them next year?

Joe Theismann: (5:27 PM ET ) I'm sure Belicheck has addressed this but they won't make any announcements until after the Super Bowl. If you coach your team to be successful, the likelihood of your assistants moving on is great. You have to have a system in place where even though one guy is the coordinator, another guy is being groomed to take over. Not many teams are run as well as the Pats.


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Jeremy (toronto): Please enter yourDo you think that peytonn manning will ever win a Super Bowl if so when? question.

Joe Theismann: (5:29 PM ET ) Peyton Manning has a chance at winning a Super Bowl is Indy can do a better job defensively. Atlanta was a very good offensive team, Indy was a good offensive team, and the key word here is team. You have to be complete in every aspect to succeed. Right now Indy is not. I would hate to see Peyton have the same destiny as Dan Marino. Each year that passes, Peyton will grow more and more frustrated. Everyone will get a year older.


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dan (mass): who do u beileve is the most dangerous reciever is on both teams?

Joe Theismann: (5:31 PM ET ) I think Deion Branch is the most dangerous for NE. I think Westbrook is the guy for Philly. With both of them, you can create matchups. In NE's case, it is against a safety. I like that matchup. If I'm Philly, I like Westbrook on anybody, except the corners maybe. Also, whether you are an Eagle or Patriot fan, you have to admire the job Troy Brown has done learning to play DB. Hats off to the job he has done.

[Steeltown]

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John (Washington, DC): Joe...do you find the Patriots style of play boring to watch (no big playmaker). It's like watchin the New Jersey Devils play the "trap" between the blue lines

Joe Theismann: (5:32 PM ET ) John, winning never gets boring! Always remember that! It's not boring, it's methodical, it's like watching a no-hitter!


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Paul (Philly): If you were Andy Reid, would you put an end to this T.O. situation?

Joe Theismann: (5:33 PM ET ) No. Great question though. I don't think it is a distraction. It's an evaluation he has to make at some point. But it is not a distraction right now. So no sense in stopping it. This IS the Super Bowl. Everybody is watching and TO is a lighting rod anyway. So if Andy tried to stop it, TO would do something to see that it wasn't stopped.


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Dallas (Philidelphia): I am bored with the Joe Montana/Tom Brady comments, with the addition of Dillon, dont these patriots look a lot like the cowboys of the early 90's?

Joe Theismann: (5:35 PM ET ) I think it is unfair to compare Tom to Joe. Montana was the greatest ever. But because Tom does so many things so well, the comparisons are natural. I don't compare them so much to the Cowboys. With NE, you don't have that dominant receiver. They really just got Dillon while the Cowboys had Emmitt the whole time. They are more like the 49ers with the diff. RBs and WRs Montana had.


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John (Boston): I know the hype has to keep everyone interested but really do you see anything but a blow out?

Joe Theismann: (5:36 PM ET ) I don't see a blowout at all. Look at the Pats history in the Super Bowl. They haven't blown teams out. It always seems to come down to the last second. And Philly has some terrific players and coaches. A blowout would surprise me.

Joe Theismann: (5:37 PM ET ) If Donovan throws some INTs that get run back, or a kick is blocked, etc. Then it could be a blowout. But not under normal circumstances. Who would have ever thought NE and Carolina would be the game it was a year ago?

Erich (Gervais, Oregon): Hey Joe it seems to me anything the Eagles can do well, the Patriots can do better. Do the Eagles have an advantage anywhere?

Joe Theismann: (5:38 PM ET ) I think there is one are where the Eagles have an advantage and that is in Donovan McNabb's improvosation skills. Donovan can create problems for NE defensively. Just his ability to escape and make plays on the run. That is a big advantage.


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sean m (silver spring, md): how could you say montana was the greatest ever?? i know manning is still playing and has a lot to prove and maybe until he wins a super bowl he cant be considered; but dont you think manning is a better qb? and what about otto graham???

Joe Theismann: (5:40 PM ET ) I think Joe was the greatest because he won early in his career, he won late in his career, he won after injuries, he won with different people on his team, he just won. I like to list plusses and minus in my life.. the good things and the bad things. I do the same thing with QBs. What does he do well? What does he have a problem with? When I look at Joe Montana and Tom Brady I see lots of positives but I'm hard pressed to find things they don't do well.


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Joe (St. Paul, Minnesota): Joe - is this do or die for the Eagles this year or can they possibly get to a record 5th consecutive Conference Championship and the Super Bowl next year (win or lose this Sunday?)

Joe Theismann: (5:41 PM ET ) I think the Eagles are so well managed and have such a great corp of players, you have to figure they will be even better next year. As long as McNabb is taking snaps, they will be an elite team.

Joe Theismann: (5:42 PM ET ) Although I think the teams in their division will be better .. everybody else was 6-10 but that will change.

Joe Theismann: (5:42 PM ET ) How about this .. let's just say Minnesota decides to get rid of Randy Moss. Wouldn't he make the Eagles just a little bit more interesting? Food for thought!


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jim (phoenix): Joe?If the pats win where do they fit in terms of history and dynasties in the NFL??

Joe Theismann: (5:45 PM ET ) If they do win, I believe it is fair to call them a dynasty. I use five years as a rule. How good were they over a five year period? I gauge it a bit different than the dynasties of past, because those teams were able to keep their core players longer than teams can in this era. Keep in mind, the foundation of the Patriots was built a few years ago when they paid $17 million for 22 free agents. That's in bonuses. Keep in mind, Vick's singing bonus was around $38 million and Peyton Manning's was $34 million. They have done a great job managing their people and money. I'd almost call the Eagles a mini-dynasty. But if you don't win the SB, people don't look at you the same way.


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sam (mass): I have heard a lot about how the patriots are the worst team on preventing teams of getting good field position on kick off's do you think so? and if you do why?

Joe Theismann: (5:46 PM ET ) They stop people from scoring! So I don't agree with that.


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Eric (Iowa) (Altoona): Flat out Joe, whos going to win the game?

Joe Theismann: (5:47 PM ET ) I like New England. I said it in September and nothing has changed. But to every Eagle fan out there, the Dolphins beat the Patriots this year. Can it happen again? Yes. Will it? I don't thinks so!

Thanks! I'll come back again the same time on Friday!

[Steeltown]

Talk Super Bowl with Scouts, Inc.!

Welcome to The Show, live from Jacksonville for football's big game! Nobody knows the road to the Super Bowl like the guys from Scouts, Inc. They've been analyzing the players, talking to the insiders and breaking down the tape since teams broke camp in the sweltering summer heat. So not only does Gary Horton know the Patriots and Eagles almost as well as Bill Belichick and Andy Reid, he knows what every other team in the league needs to do this offseason to get to next year's game.

Horton will be joining us from Jacksonville each day at 3 p.m. ET during Super Bowl week, Send your questions now and join Gary in The Show on Monday at 3 p.m. ET!

Buzzmaster: Hello from Jacksonville! Scouts. Inc.'s Gary Horton will be taking your questions. Send 'em in now!

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david (bogota, colombia): howz the weather buzz??

Buzzmaster: Beautiful right now! Sunny .. and a little chilly actually! Gary Horton will be by moomentarily to talk X's and O's! He'll be here each day this week at 3 ET!


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Rob (NY): How does this compare with Houston so far?

Buzzmaster: Uh, still feeling it out. Everything is a little more spead out here in JAX. The big story today is that the media isn't getting the usual gift of a nice computer bag with a Super Bowl pin .. just a lousy notebook with a pad of paper in it. Not a good start to the week!

Buzzmaster: Gary is here!


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Jonathan (Buffalo): Hey Gary, do you get stay on one of the Cruise ships or the real hotels.

Gary Horton: I'm on the Holiday Inn cruise ship!


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Dave B (Lansing, NY): What's the secret to keeping Brady's completion percentage low, which is probably the only way for the Eagles to win? QB pressure or tight coverage?

Gary Horton: Brady has very few weaknesses. But he is not the same guy when the blitz gets to him. As well as he reads defenses, he can make mistakes against overload blitzes and pressure that leads to hits on him. As cool as he is under pressure, it is hard to find weaknesses. But you can bet the Eagles will try to get hurries and hits on him and now allow him to move around the pocket and miss the blitz. We could see more inside blitzes in this game to flush him out.

Gary Horton: Brady has very few weaknesses. But he is not the same guy when the blitz gets to him. As well as he reads defenses, he can make mistakes against overload blitzes and pressure that leads to hits on him. As cool as he is under pressure, it is hard to find weaknesses. But you can bet the Eagles will try to get hurries and hits on him and now allow him to move around the pocket and miss the blitz. We could see more inside blitzes in this game to flush him out.


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Ric (Portland): Gary, It seems that most analysts are picking the Pats to win (which may be the smart choice), but many of them are also suggesting that the Pats will win big. I think the Eagles are being just a bit underestimated by lots of people, don't you? While I suspect that New England will win, my guess is that the game could be as close as last years. Your thoughts?

Gary Horton: I don't think that this is a blowout game by any stretch. After watching a lot of film on both teams, I think it could easily be a low-scoring defensive type game as long as neither team turns the ball over. These are both outstanding, intelligent defenses. Both are rarely out of position. Both teams tackle. And both play a variety of schemes that makes it difficult to attack. In my opinion, this becomes a game of either which team turns the ball over and gives away field position, or if either offense guesses right and creates a big play or two. But I do not think the Pats are going to move the ball up and down the field with ease against the Eagles.


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bob (nyc): Although they run the short pass west coast offense, the Eagles are a team that likes to go for the home fun especially early in games. Are they going to able to exploit the Pats in this fashion, or will they ignore the long ball like the rest of NE's hypnotized opponents?

Gary Horton: I think that will be very difficult for a couple reasons. 1) Without TO or at least a healthy TO, they don't have great deep threats. 2) The Pats will likely play a lot of zone defensive schemes and even if they play man to man underneath, they will stay in a lot of cover 2 .. with 2 safeties patrolling the deep half of the field. I just don't think the Pats are going to give them straight man to man schemes to get deep, nor do they have the receivers.


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Rob (NY): You said, "as long as neither team turns the ball over" What makes you think these defenses won't cause turnovers? Philly played well last week, but still put th eball on ground twice and McNabb threw a floater into the flat which any connerback on NE would have easily picked off.

Gary Horton: Good point. That is something they probably preached in the pre Super Bowl practice. I just don't think either offense is careless. But, both defenses have big hitters and this will be a physical game which could lead to turnovers. The Eagles may be the most physical defensive back 7 I have seen this year. They are physical, great open field tacklers. Ball security for both offenses will be important.


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phil (sactown): I've noticed both teams made it through the playoffs with "average" receivers. How do you explain that?

Gary Horton: Well, first of all I wouldn't call the Patriots group average. David Givens is a rising star. Deion Brach has big play capability. And the rest of them are very efficient and smart. On the Eagles side, you almost have to count Westbrook as a receiver. But their are other guys are just average. But the threat of Westbrook and even TE LJ Smith, has given Mitchell and Pinkston a lot of single man coverage. But I would certainly think when the Pats go to their 4-5 man sets, they are pretty efficient. But I don't think the Eagles will win the game because of their receivers, with the expection of Westbrook.


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Sewell, NJ: Is the media over-hyping all of this "dynasty" talk? Granted the Pats are very good, but in both SuperBowls they won on last second field goals. Hardly the dominating performances of the 49'ers and Cowboys during their championship years.

Gary Horton: If they win this week, I don't know how you argue 3 Super Bowl championships in 4 years. Esp. in this era of free agency where it is so difficult to keep the core of your team together. Maybe that is really the argument. We think of a dynasty as a team that stayed together .. like the Packers, Cowboys and 49ers .. but in today's NFL, you can reshape your team almost year to year. The organization's philosophy almost becomes more of the dynasty than the actual players. This is probably not the most talented group to win this many games, but this is a smart, efficient group and that is what you need to win in today's NFL.


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david (bogota, colombia): quick q gary, which is the matchup you are looking foward to seeing on the field? im going to love watching the watching matchups between reid and the genius belicheck.. you thoughts

Gary Horton: I'm very curious to see if the Eagles will move Jevon Kearse to RDE to match up vs. Matt Light. Light struggles vs. speed outside rushers and this may be a matchup that the Eagles think they can exploit. I also love the matchup between Bruschi and McNabb as Bruschi will sit inside, read McNabb's eyes and does a better job than anybody I've seen at reading draws, schemes, etc. He will also be the guy in the hole is McNabb decides to tuck it away and run. One other matchup that intrigues me is Eagles OC Hank Fraley vs. either Wilkork or Traylor. I didn't relize how good Fraley was until I watched all the film this week. But he is more of a posiition guy who takes all the right angles. The Pats two massive DTs can come right over the top. That is a good inside matchup to watch.

Jeff (Cleveland): Gary, do you think that T.O. can be used effectively either as a decoy or a target in short yardage and/or red zone situations where he can go up and get a ball, without haveing to run fast or far?

Gary Horton: I just don't see how he is going to be ready to play even close to being effective. The Pats are to smart to pay any attention to him, unless he is a real target and healthier than we all think he is. I dont' think it will change their gameplan or approach. I think they will probably play a lot of zone, even though it would be tempting to play man to man against Pinkston and Mitchell. You can take them out of the game in single coverage. But the real disadvantage to tight man to man in this game, when you turn and run, the DBs have their backs to the wall and that is when McNabb is most dangerous to scramble. I think you will see lot so combo schemes with cover 2 in the secondary. If TO is playing, they will keep him underneath and try to hit him when he comes into their area.


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Tom (Louisville): I saw Deion Branch run a reverse for a touchdown recently. Do you think the Patriots will play it safe in this game or run more trickery?

Gary Horton: I think they are absolutely capable of trickery on both sides of the ball. One of Belicheck's big strengths is giving a group of really smart players, very creative gameplans to keep their attention. You can bet he will have some special plays cooked up on offense and defense. Esp. on the offensive side with the Eagles blitzing and gambling as much as they do. He is going to try and put Brady in a position to make big plays when the Eagles do gamble. But the Pats never play it safe or close to the vest. These guys, esp. on defense, are so smart, they can make adjustments on the fly. The other thing they will do is give McNabb a variety of pre-snap reads and movement to try and confuse him.


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Tyson (Poultney, Vt): We have not heard much about Seymore's progress on the injury front, but if he does recover enough to start, how do you see this changing the game? Green has played pretty well in the playoffs but he's just not seymore, particularly if the eagles have to double him in addition to doubling either Traylor of Wilfork, couldn't this be a big boost both to the run D and the pass rush?

Gary Horton: I don't think it impacts the game much if Seymour plays. I think he will play at less than 100 percent. But this Eagles OC is underrated in run block and pass protect. They will do a good job handling the Pats DL. They could have a problem is the Pats blitz a lot off the edge. But as good as Seymour is, I'm not sure he's a big impact in this game.

Gary Horton: I don't think it impacts the game much if Seymour plays. I think he will play at less than 100 percent. But this Eagles OC is underrated in run block and pass protect. They will do a good job handling the Pats DL. They could have a problem is the Pats blitz a lot off the edge. But as good as Seymour is, I'm not sure he's a big impact in this game.

[Steeltown]

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Tom (Philly, PA): Has Belichick seen many QB's with the running ability of McNabb? How will he game plan against him?

Gary Horton: He has seen every scrambling QB that is in the league. I'm sure he will adjust for the threat of the run. But if you watch film now, McNabb stays in the pocket much more than you would think. Interstingly, vs. the Colts for example, Teddy Bruschi covered Edgerrin James man to man in the passing game. But an example of where Belicheck will adjust .. you would think Bruschi would do the same vs. Westbrook. But I think the Pats will not want Bruschi chasing Westbrook to leave that inside hole open, which he could get away with vs. a non-scrambling QB like Manning. Instead, I think he will stay in the hole, reading McNabb's eyes and almost spying him on potential scrambles. And as we mentioned earlier, this may be a game with a lot of zone, so they are facing the QB rather than with their backs to him.

Gary Horton: He has seen every scrambling QB that is in the league. I'm sure he will adjust for the threat of the run. But if you watch film now, McNabb stays in the pocket much more than you would think. Interstingly, vs. the Colts for example, Teddy Bruschi covered Edgerrin James man to man in the passing game. But an example of where Belicheck will adjust .. you would think Bruschi would do the same vs. Westbrook. But I think the Pats will not want Bruschi chasing Westbrook to leave that inside hole open, which he could get away with vs. a non-scrambling QB like Manning. Instead, I think he will stay in the hole, reading McNabb's eyes and almost spying him on potential scrambles. And as we mentioned earlier, this may be a game with a lot of zone, so they are facing the QB rather than with their backs to him.


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bob (nyc): How important is Terrell Owens in the grand scheme of things? Last I saw I believe the line was -7 for the Pats, but if T.O. was 100% what would the line be?

Gary Horton: Probably not 7 pt. favorites if Owens is healthy. Owens provides a trickle down effect in several areas. Without Ty Law, the Pats lack a shut down corner. Although they are playing good pass defense. Even if they had a Ty Law, it is very difficult to cover Owens without help and that compromises things. In addition, a healthy Owens means you are taking attention away from Westbrook and maybe even LJ Smith, and not allowing the Pats to use combo coverages or double teams vs. them. Also, TO gives you your best option in the red zone and 3rd down because the Pats don't have a DB who can jump with him.


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GT (Chicago): Gary, I've heard some thoughts Westbrook might return punts and that'll be a boost for the Eagles return game, but I think Bethel Johnson on kickoffs could break one for the Pats. What are your thoughts?

Gary Horton: Both of these teams are very solid in the kicking game on coverages. The Pats use their veteran players and both teams have excellent open field tacklers. I do not see the return game being a big factor. Both cover teams will be excellent.


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Steven (Dallas): Gary, please give us a plug of your War Room Services. When will there be an expanded detail of the players background and rankings, and a mock draft?

Gary Horton: We are actually finishing up our Free Agency book right now, which will go on Insider for ESPN.com after the Super Bowl. We will have full reports for all unrestricted free agents, potential salary cap casualties, trade possibilities, etc. Including an overview on all 32 teams leading into free agency and the Draft. All of your Draft content will roll out in February and March. Trust me, by the time you get to the Draft, you will be tired of us!

Gary Horton: The word I'm getting out of the Pacific Northwest is that we are keeping the lumber service in business with the paper we are using.


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Todd (Salt lake City): the pats killed the Panther last year with play action and hitting Graham over the middle behind the Lb's - you see that same thing against the aggressive Trotter?

Gary Horton: Brady is an excellent play action QB and has had great success in forcing defenses to bite on the playfake. It probably is an issue for this defense. Trotter loves to attack and if Dillon is running early, the play fake becomes more of a weapon. But as much as this Eagles defense attacks, they are still very disciplines and obviously they have been well schooled by their coaches to not let Brady beat them with the play fake.


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Rob (NY): Do you think using Westbrook to return punts is a good idea? Wouldn't they want to keep him fresh for rushing/receiving?

Gary Horton: I don't think it's a good idea. As good as he is in that area, I don't think the Pats are going to give run lanes. Westbrook is such a huge part of the gameplan, it is important to not overuse him. He is probably the one guy the Pats know they have to stop. He is going to have to play a very physical game. Asking him to also be a returner just doesn't seem to fit in this game.


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Robb (Madison): Oh Gary, how could we ever tire of you?

Gary Horton: Trust me, the longer we chat . . . the more you will tire of me! After the first 45 minutes, it's all downhill! My creative thought process clicks off. Seriously, one of the things you have to guard against this week is overanalyzing.. you watch so much film and you think you know the teams so well, you can be your own worst enemy!

Gary Horton: Speaking of overanalyzing, I'll be here everyday this week at 3 ET for your questions! We have nice offices here in Jacksonville, a room full of film a beautiful set, and sun! Life couldn't be better! Talk to you tomorrow!

[Steeltown]

Belichick, Reid share similar philosophies
Scouts, Inc.

It shouldn't be surprising that the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have been among the best teams in the NFL for the past few years, and are meeting in the Super Bowl this week.
Excellence in the NFL starts at the top and has to filter down through the organization, and one look at how these teams go about filling out their rosters and preparing to enter the season reveals why they have had so much success.

To begin with, these are the two best scouting departments in the NFL. They just approach it differently than other teams. They're also both teaching staffs, which is really important. There are so many coaching staffs in the NFL right now that are scheme-oriented, worried about cover-2 rather than teaching a corner to play press coverage. The Eagles and Patriots, in contrast, take football players that are interchangeable and mold them into a championship-caliber roster.

New England's Bill Belichick, probably more than any other coach, realizes there are very few "ultimate players" out there. Philosophically, most NFL teams take a "what can't this guy do" approach, trying to find holes in his game. Belichick is just the opposite – what can this guy do, and let's get that out of him.

Like Belichick, Eagles coach Andy Reid also is a big believer in teaching. That partly explains why the Eagles have had such sustained success with a roster that, this year alone, had 21 players who were undrafted free agents or were signed after being released by other teams.


Like Bill Belichick, the Eagles' Andy Reid looks for players he can mold to fit his system.
So many coaches in this league are "scheme" coaches. They expect players to have certain skills by the time they reach the NFL, and they just want to focus on schemes. Belichick is a teacher. If a player is a pass-rusher, then make him a pass-rusher, whether that's 10 plays a game, 15 plays a game or more.

For every Richard Seymour, the Patriots' complete defensive tackle, there are many more situational players, guys who have specific skills. Belichick's approach is to find those skills and plug them into his system. If you don't have the skills in certain areas, the Patriots' won't ask you to do those things.

When the Patriots study players, they look for intelligence and specific skills. Belichick can massage the draft better than any coach in the league in terms of trading down and getting extra picks. The Pats always have a multitude of mid-round picks on their roster, because Belichick is so hands-on in the scouting that he knows exactly what he's getting from players well outside the top 100.

In most organizations, when you get into the third, fourth or fifth rounds, the head coach is out of it. He's basically deferring to his scouting department or his position coaches and saying, "what do you think?" Belichick, though, has already seen those prospects and has a feel for them.

Tedy Bruschi, for example, was a sack artist at the college level – a pure pass-rusher, get-up-the-field kind of guy. Belichick has turned him into a complete player. Mike Vrabel also was a pass-rusher. Belichick has them both playing linebacker, and Vrabel even plays tight end in goal-line situations. He never really cracked the lineup in Pittsburgh in his first four years but now he's filling a number of roles for the Patriots.



Vrabel actually is a great illustration of Belichick's foresight, too. The Patriots' coach was defensive coordinator of the Jets when Vrabel came out of Ohio State in 1997. After a lengthy one-on-one interview at the combine in Indianapolis, Belichick told Vrabel he didn't think the Jets would be able to pick him on draft day. But, the story goes, the coach said, someday I want to coach you. Now he's getting his chance, and both he and Vrabel are making the most of it.
Another great example is Dan Klecko, a college nosetackle before Belichick got hold of him. Belichick worked Klecko out and knew him. Klecko, who hurt his knee against the Jets on Oct. 24 and missed the rest of the season, is undersized, but he's a football player. Most teams would pass on him – he's not really athletic enough to be a linebacker and is too small to be a nose tackle – but Belichick saw the raw skills. Maybe he could be a fullback, maybe a pass-rusher in some cases, maybe play inside in some schemes, but the coach had a feel for him.

I guarantee you Belichick thought about all the different places he could play the former Temple standout long before he ever got to training camp his rookie year.

The list goes on. Belichick had veteran wide receiver Troy Brown take snaps at corner in training camp, long before he knew the team would lose two starters to injury and Brown would wind up as a regular in nickel situations. That's Belichick looking ahead.

Similarly, Eagles coach Reid preaches the idea that if his scouts and position coaches can find an undrafted free agent and coach him well enough to fill out the back end of the roster, it's a lot cheaper than signing a veteran free agent. Moreover, filling the last 10-15 roster spots with that type of player makes your team young and enthusiastic, helps on special teams and saves salary-cap space.



The Eagles take pride not only in going deep in the draft, but in their willingness and ability to coach those low-round or undrafted players and mold them into valuable contributors. Take Reno Mahe – 25 of the 32 running backs coaches in the NFL wouldn't want to give him a lot of time, because he's an undrafted free agent. The Eagles emphasize the idea that, if this kid has the skills, if he makes it, it takes pressure off the team. The coaches work with the kid, teach him and give him every chance to make the roster.
It's really a unique philosophy, this notion of "what can you do?" Bill Walsh used to tell his coaches, if I see a player do something once on film, I know he's capable of doing it. I'm paying you, as coaches, to make sure he does it consistently. If I see he's capable of doing it, then he doesn't do it 10 times in a row, there's a reason – and that's coaching.

And that kind of vision for how a young player can contribute is just part of another organizational philosophy shared by both Super Bowl qualifiers – neither team is afraid to turn over its roster.

It's a tough business, but the Patriots do a better job than anyone, with the exception of the Eagles, of making those tough decisions. Instead of growing old together and all of a sudden saying the run is over, they'll get rid of a marginal veteran player in favor of youth. So if you go in as a fourth-rounder, you have a legitimate chance to make the roster, partly because the organization is willing to play everyone, and partly because the coach was personally involved in drafting you.

The Patriots, with a lot of one-year contracts, are not built on the star-system. They have 53 interchangeable parts, and one reason they're so consistent is they can survive injuries. If a starter goes down, there's a replacement. The organization has decided it won't be held prisoner by one or two players that are the keys to their success. The minute Tedy Bruschi can't make plays any more, they'll cut him. There's no sentiment. It's fair, and it's consistent.

Like New England, the Eagles are not afraid to make tough personnel decisions. They will continue to have a Super Bowl or playoff-type roster, because they will not allow any one player to hang on too long.

The perfect example is when they drafted Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown in 2002. People wondered why they'd waste picks on corners when they had Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent, two of the best in the game.

But they have a crystal ball – they see a guy just before he gets to the edge of the cliff. Most teams that are good are so sentimental that they stick with a player a year or two too long, and then find themselves stuck with a player with a big salary and declining skills.

So three years later, Taylor and Vincent are gone, and now Sheppard and Brown have stepped in and the team hasn't missed a beat. The Eagles let Jeremiah Trotter go (and ultimately brought him back, on their conditions). They let Hugh Douglas go. They do a tremendous job of evaluating when a player's skills are going to deteriorate. They could have paid them and kept them, but much like New England, they'll cut guys rather than overpay.

And that's another reason so many young guys make these teams – they're constantly looking to plug in new players. And those young guys know they're going to be expected to contribute, not just take up space. In that way, the Patriots get more out of their 53-man roster than any team in the NFL, including the Eagles.

When you change your scheme or approach as much as Belichick, it keeps the players' attention, because they know they're going to be challenged mentally. They have to be sharp, because there are going to be changes. When the players go in on Wednesday to get the game plan, they know it's going to be unique. The players are going to be paying attention, because they know they're going to be doing something they didn't do last week. The concentration factor is huge.

Belichick is constantly pushing the envelope, and it takes intelligent guys with good character to grasp that and be excited. They're challenged twice – on Wednesday, when they get the gameplan, and again on Sundays, because Belichick is also the best game-day coach at making adjustments.

There's a tremendous trust involved, but it goes both ways. The Patriots' players, more than any others in the league, trust their coaching staff. They know day-in and day-out that the coaches are going to give them the best chance for victory.

Eagles, Pats catch breaks on way to SB
By Joe Theismann

The Patriots and the Eagles have both been lucky during their playoff runs. Neither has played a complete team yet and that's definitely played to their advantage.
Philadelphia played the Minnesota Vikings with Randy Moss on one-and-a-half legs. The Vikings are a completely different offensive team when Moss isn't 100 percent and they played like it. I'm not saying the Eagles still wouldn't have beaten the Vikings, but their job was made easier by the absence of a healthy Moss.

In the championship round the Eagles faced the Atlanta Falcons and knew going in they just had to stop QB Michael Vick to win. Granted, that's easier said than done, but it's nice to know that if you just stop one player then you'll probably win.

Meanwhile, the Patriots played a Indianapolis Colts team that possessed a great offense, but a seriously flawed defense. The Pats were able to control the clock with RB Corey Dillon. It's much easier to stop a great offense when it's not on the field.

In the championship round, the Pats faced a rookie quarterback, which is akin to not facing a whole team. Ben Roethlisberger had a great regular season, but he had a terrible postseason as he learned that the playoffs are an different animal altogether.

Now the Eagles and Pats will square off, and both have obvious strengths and few weaknesses. We have two complete teams playing against each other and that's why it should be an excellent game.


Reflections from my first Super Bowl

While passing the Eagles' practice facility today a flood of memories came over me from my first Super Bowl. It was an incredible two weeks full of great experiences that really didn't hit me until the game was over.
There are a couple of things that really jump out at me. The first is just remembering how cool it was to be escorted everywhere by the police. It was great not having to wait for anyone or anything and it made the Super Bowl experience that much more special. It was great to know that our team had done something so incredible that we were deemed special enough to warrant such special treatment.

Something else that jumped out was the attention we received for our accomplishments. As a professional football player you're accustomed to a certain amount of media attention, but it goes to another level during the Super Bowl. The attention you receive from the media and family is absolutely astronomical. It may sound like a lot of fun, but that attention comes with more responsibilities. All of a sudden you have to take care of family housing, transportation, tickets and numerous media obligations. That's all on top of having to prepare for the biggest game of your career!

The first week was a complete whirlwind as those obligations just completely ate me up and spit me out. I was pleased as punch when I made it to Pasadena, Calif. I was happy to be able to focus on football. That's what is going to be extremely important to the Eagles and Patriots this week … getting the chance to focus on football. After all the distractions and hullabaloo that these players put up with last week they are ecstatic to simply just get back into their routine and focus on the game.

At least that's what I remember from my first Super Bowl.

[singlguy9]

I put more on the Pats.............I think they're just too good at this point.

:z

[linusvanpelt]

Geez!!!

When did this thread turn into Steeltown's personal newspaper/football site???

[Steeltown]

Geez!!!

When did this thread turn into Steeltown's personal newspaper/football site???

All of the info I posted was from pay-services, meaning myself or someone else paid to receive that type of info. It's not like it's from any old gazette. If you want in the future I can post it in a separate link. I thought at least a few people would appreciate the info.

[radar]

Geez!!!

When did this thread turn into Steeltown's personal newspaper/football site???
Me thinks somebody likes Philly!
:r

[miketafc]

Thanks for the Info Good Stuff!

[Steeltown]

Thanks for the Info Good Stuff!
Thanks man - wow 65 Pats bets to 9 Philly - Public money is all over the Pats....

Make that 66 to 9!

[mr.c]

1330 credits placed on the Pats. Now I hope its a blow out! IF I win I will donate credits to the homeless :r

[cookieboy364]

1330 credits placed on the Pats. Now I hope its a blow out! IF I win I will donate credits to the homeless :r
What do you know about football anyway?

[mr.c]

50 credits on the eagles... ehhh ? The Idea is to win and get more credits :r

:tg :tg :tg

[cookieboy364]

50 credits on the eagles... ehhh ? The Idea is to win and get more credits :r

:tg :tg :tg
oh we'll see who wins. That 50's gonna win big time.

[cookieboy364]

50 credits on the eagles... ehhh ? The Idea is to win and get more credits :r

:tg :tg :tg
sure are a whole lot of lost credits tonight. All we needed was to cover the spread.

[singlguy9]

they scored with less than 2 minutes left............ouch :hn .............................then I was pissed when the guy intercepted the ball and took a knee at the end of the game :pu ...............his family must've taken Philly!!

:D

[radar]

Damn Point Spread!
:hn