Picking Splinters

This is why the game is played. And this is why the week prior to the Super Bowl is one of my least favorite weeks of the year. During the never-ending buildup to the Super Bowl there were a plethora of issues bandied about. The most prominent story was the health of Terrell Owens’ ankle, but there was the story line of oven-mitt wearing wonder Freddie Mitchell and his smack-talking, Donovan McNabb’s mother, Tom Brady’s grandmother, and a potential Patriots’ dynasty. Those were just some of the place holders as we journalists used to kill time before the big game. Let’s see how some of these pre-game storyline/myths held up.

Pre-game Belief: Terrell Owen’s ankle injury would make him a non-factor and his determination to play was simply selfish.

Post-game Assessment: It pains me to say this, so let me get it out of the way. T.O. was extremely impressive. When his doctor diagnosed him with his broken-ankle that would take 12 weeks the at least to heal, I figured he was done. When his doctor wouldn’t clear him to play, I scoffed at his comeback attempt and thought that he was just trying to force his way into the Super Bowl, where the only way he could contribute would be as a cheerleader. Though admittedly he’s been pretty handy with pom-poms before.

He was right when he said that people were labeling him as selfish, I was one of them. But Owens proved me wrong and turned in a gutsy performance, hauling in nine catches for 122-yards. He’s still a jerk. But if there’s one thing he proved Sunday, it’s that even though he talks the talk, he’s prepared to walk the walk. Even if he must do it on a bum ankle.

Pre-game Belief: Freddie Mitchell’s mouth was more impressive than his game.

Post-game Belief: Yup.

At the other end of the blowhard spectrum is pretty-hands Freddy Mitchell. Prior to the game all he could do was talk. Yes he was witty. Yes he was clever. And yes he’s a third-string wide receiver. And that’s precisely what he played like. Before the game Freddie Mitchell called out Patriots’ safety Rodney Harrison, saying “I’ve got something for him.” Apparently what Mitchell had for Harrison was one catch for 11 yards.

Harrison on the other hand one-upped his loud-mouthed foil, snaring two catches from Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. One interception snuffed out a potential Eagles’ drive in the first quarter and the second sealed the victory with nine-seconds left. Oh, and not only was Mitchell bested on this day by a defensive player, but the Patriots’ Mike Vrabel, a linebacker sometimes used on offense, caught his third touchdown of the regular and postseason Sunday, one more than Mitchell posted during that same span. Mitchell’s oven mitt media stunt was right on the money though, considering he played like Betty Crocker out there.

The lesson: Keep your mouth shut and your oven mitts to yourself.

Pre-game Belief: Super Bowl Experience would make a difference.

Post-game Belief: Conventional wisdom is conventional for a reason.

McNabb might not have lost the ball on the first possession of the game, but it didn’t look like it sat well with the stud QB. Poor decision making plagued him all night and he looked rattled and nervous, with three interceptions to tell the tale. Even if he was sick, the game was far below his sterling standard.

The unflappable Tom Brady, wasn’t particularly impressive, but it was far from costly.

Pre-game Belief: The Patriot’s coaching staff is far and away the best in the game.

Post-game Belief: Turns out the boys from Bristol, CT weren’t just playing hometown favorites with their hype.

Andy Reid apparently just graduated from the Joe Gibbs School of Clock Management. Trailing by two scores and with the clock ticking down under two minutes, the Eagles displayed all the urgency of a soporific sloth on Prozac getting to the line and getting plays off. Come the final drive of the game, surprise, surprise, time was a factor. Even if Harrison hadn’t picked off McNabb, there would have been scant time left to get into field goal range.

Meanwhile on the other sideline, the Patriots offense managed to pick up every blitz the Eagles through at them, allowing only two sacks and letting Brady pick apart the Eagles secondary. And defensively, the Patriots absolutely shut down the Eagles running game. Yes they allowed (300+ yards) passing, but when those big plays aren’t set up by a consistent rushing attack, those plays just go for big gains and not scores. Pre-game Belief: Boston fans relish every championship after such a historical drought. Post-game Belief: Hmm … I hope the majority of Pats fans are more excited about the win than my roommate who told me “The novelty has worn off.” Wasn’t this exactly what Bostonian’s said they despised about Yankees fans? That championships had no meaning any more and titles were as plentiful as Tic-Tacs? I tell you, one World Series win and two Super Bowls and the fans of Boston are already apathetic. You’d think they believed championships were as regular as Adam Vinatierri accounting for the deciding three points in the Super Bowl. Oh, wait …

Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com