Nich Hall

All the hoopla and dumb questions are over. This morning the Patriots completed their final media availability before Super Bowl XLII. After wedding proposals and seemingly endless press conferences the Patriots can get back to where they are the most comfortable, the football field. The Patriots will now practice as if it were a normal week for them, with practices each day leading up to game day.

Yesterday the much anticipated injury report was released by both clubs. Tom Brady as expected was included but not for the reason expected. His ankle has been the subject of much speculation in the past two weeks but it was his right shoulder that has him listed as “probable” for Sunday. But that shouldn’t be too much of a concern his shoulder has been a staple of injury reports for the past three seasons, regardless he has started 126 consecutive games. One surprise from the Patriots was the inclusion of WR Jabar Gaffney who has had limited participation due to an injured shoulder. Gaffney’s injury could mean the Pats will activate veteran receiver Troy Brown.

By far the most interesting comments of the last couple of days came from Giants receiver Plaxico Burress. Burress not only predicted the Giants would win Super Bowl XLII but gave a score as well, 23-17 Giants. Of course Burress joins a long line of opponents who have predicted wins in the Patriots 18-0 season. The Patriots responded as you might expect with a smile and a chuckle. Tom Brady was more than a little surprised by the prediction, “We’re only going to score 17 points?” Randy Moss probably said it best, “We’ll see when the game clock is zero on Sunday.” In this season where the Patriots have won in almost every conceivable way they’ve also seen this routine time after time. And to this point at least for the Patriots well done has beat well said 18 times.

As Tom Brady wrapped up his last press conference he was asked about the significance of this game, specifically if it was the biggest of his career. His answer was surprisingly candid, “I think it’s the biggest game in all of our lives, the entire team, and coaches, we’re going to be remembering this game for as long as we live.” Win or lose that is certainly true, with now just three days until Super Bowl XLII the Patriots are inching ever closer to their destiny.

Tomorrow I’ll post some notes from Bill Belichick’s press conference which is scheduled for 10 am.

Saturday look for my official Super Bowl XLII preview.

Tim Anderson

WGR550.com is reporting that the Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement to play one regular season game per year, for the next five years, in Toronto’s Rogers Centre. The deal also includes three preseason games over the same five year span. According to WGR’s report, the Bills are expected to make the official announcement one week from today.

As frustrating as it may be to lose one game in Orchard Park per year, Bills fans need to embrace this change, as it may be the only way to keep the team in Buffalo. Nevertheless, let me know how you feel.

Dave Carsley

In the week leading up to divisional playoff weekend, I predicted that the Pats would lose. I didn’t say who they would lose to, I just forecasted a loss to one of their remaining opponents this year. Unfortunately, neither the Jaguars or the Chargers’ B Team could pull off an upset win in Foxboro, so that leaves the G-Men as the last remaining team that could prevent me from having to apologize to any and all those who wagered their hard-earned money on my fearless prognostications.

The Giants, in my opinion, have been the best team this postseason. Unlike the Steelers of two years ago, who needed major strokes of luck (a Carson Palmer injury and a Mike Vanderjagt miss and a Patriot loss to Denver to name a few) to win their three road playoff games, these Giants were the better team in all three of their playoff games. They dominated the Bucs and Cowboys and Eli Manning led the offense to three game-winning drives against Green Bay. Tom Coughlin has mastered the art of game-planning during this playoff season and Manning has become a quarterback who consistently makes the right football decisions. It’s hard not to believe in him.

Prior to the playoffs, the Giants and Patriots met in a game that meant a heck of a lot more to New England than it did to New York. Nevertheless, the Giants played their hearts out and nearly prevented the Pats from completing their 16-0 season. The Giants defined themselves in that game and proved to the football world that they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Regardless, a Giant win will depend heavily on the strength of their pass rush. I expect New York to blitz early and often because they will need to wreak constant havoc on Brady. A zone won’t work because if Brady has time, he’ll pick apart the weak Giant secondary and no linebacker can cover Wes Welker. The Giant front-7 will have about 2.5 seconds to get in Brady’s face and will have to be effective on nearly every down.

Offensively, Eli can’t just play mistake-free football. He has to throw touchdown passes and match every New England score because New England will score. No matter how well the Giant defense plays against the Patriot offense, New England will still put up 27 points, so it’s imperative for the Giants to match every score. They absolutely can’t fall too far behind.

I think the Giants can and will do it. As I said before, Coughlin has mastered the art of game-planning this postseason and I’m sure he’s aware of what his team has to do to not just stay in it against New England, but to BEAT New England. Manning has become a mature, poised quarterback who can establish himself as one of the game’s elite, if he gets the job done.

In any event, this game will be a dandy. I can’t wait!!