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Mythical theories Going with the flow isn't always best in personnel issuesPosted: Wednesday January 30, 2002 3:54 PM
NFL clubs copy each other all the time, especially when it comes to building winning franchises in this modern era. Here are four commonly held theories about the game that went out the window when the Patriots and Rams landed in New Orleans for the world championship.
Well, Donovan McNabb didn't make it to New Orleans. Neither did Rich Gannon, Jeff Garcia or Kordell Stewart. The three remaining signal callers are Kurt Warner, Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady, and they can't run. They are tall, traditional pocket passers who rely on accurate throwing and good decision-making and will never win a game with their feet.
Gone from the equation Sunday are Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress and Keyshawn Johnson. There won't be one starting receiver over 6 feet tall in this game. Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are 6-0, Troy Brown and David Patten are both 5-10. These receivers are fast and have the ability to change direction with great quickness. The Rams' duo caught 13 passes for 142 yards in the NFC Championship Game, while the Patriots' pair snatched 12 for 160 yards. Don't tell these teams they need bigger receivers.
Sure, the Ravens played great defense with Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams tipping the scales near 400 pounds a piece last year, but they're not in the big game this time around. Neither are Chicago's Ted Washington and Keith Traylor or Green Bay's Gilbert Brown. The four starting tackles Sunday will be Brandon Mitchell and Richard Seymour for New England and Brian Young and Jeff Zgonina for St. Louis. The group is lean, quick and averages 295 pounds. It's clear that both of these defenses are built on speed, not bulk.
The Patriots proved there are still a number of pearls among the oysters. During the past two seasons New England has bought in cheap veteran players they targeted as hungry. Six offensive starters (Mike Compton, Joe Andruzzi, David Patten, Antowain Smith, Marc Edwards and Jermaine Wiggins), five defensive starters (Bobby Hamilton, Anthony Pleasant, Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer and Otis Smith) and another seven backups, special teams players, and nickel and dime backs were signed off the street to complete a roster that now has to be under a microscope around the league. Every year teams study the two Super Bowl rosters and ask how those clubs got to the big game. These are four solid areas open for discussion when people sit down to evaluate their personnel issues. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com.
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