Roche: Super Bowl XLVI Is Finally Here
INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) - Hard to believe, but we are finally zooming in on kick-off of Super Bowl XLVI here in Indy as the Patriots face the Giants.
It's been a long, but fun week. It started with the Pep Rally at Foxboro Stadium last Sunday where 25,000 faithful fans showed up. Tom Brady got some grief from the NY press for saying he hoped Yo have a bigger party next time. Thought it was pretty funny. In fact, all the trash talk is pretty fun. If you take it in the lighthearted manner it should be taken then it's fine. What matters is how things unfold on the field. Period.
As far as the week here in Indy goes......
- It was great to hear Bill Belichick begin the week with his 4th and 2 reference on the night of the team's arrival. Perfect way to get his team to relax. Belichick was as relaxed as could possibly be all week. Even around the Patriots team hotel the guys seemed at ease. Doug Flutie told us this morning on Patriots GameDay that he had dinner with Belichick this week and he seemed as relaxed as he'd ever seen him. Flutie took that as a sign of confidence. Belichick seemed to be the opposite of 2007 when it looked like nobody enjoyed their incredible 18-0 run until the loss in the Super Bowl. That year it looked like no one was having fun. Maybe too much pressure.
- Tom Brady seemed to follow the lead of his coach and seemed to have a good time. Many of his teammates though commented on how laser sharp Brady's focus was this week. He will be looking to bounce back from a sub-par week in the AFC Championship game. Brady seemed to be soaking everything in all week and by Thursday he seemed pretty confident in the team's game plan. What does that mean? Certainly a good sign, but don't forget turnovers, injuries, and penalties mean everything and can completely change a game either way.
- Plenty of Gronk talk all week. It was the story of Indy. Good sign that he got out on the practice field, but you still have to wonder how effective he can be. Pushing off, cutting, and moving may be more and more difficult as the game goes on. What I loved about Gronk all week was his attitude. He must have been asked about the ankle a hundred times, but was kind in every response. We also found out just how much his teammates love having him on the team. Tom Brady also said that he talked all week with Gronk about staying focused and involved in the game plan even though he was rehabbing. Brady would know having dealt with ankle sprains before the 2001 and 2007 Super Bowl.
- Great to see the humor of Wes Welker all week. From saying the reason Bill was more relaxed was because of his girlfriend Linda as well as telling us about Tom Brady's toilet, he was awesome. More importantly, Welker said that he has no worries about his contract which runs out. He plans on being back which is great news for Tom Brady and the offense.
- It was the same old story for the defense here. All we heard all week was how and it was during the regular season. And, that's true. However, they make plays and did so when they had to in the postseason(hello Sterling Moore). They completely shut down Denver and made enough plays to hang on against Baltimore. No reason why that should change.
- By the way, I like Rob Ninkovich to make an impact in this game in some way. Ninky always seems to find the ball and make a play.
- Finally, I think the Patriots will find a way to win today. I don't think they deserve to be the favorite in this one. The Giants beat them this season and in the biggest game possible 4 years ago. However, I believe in the whole Myra Kraft influence. I think that's a powerful thing to have. With that said, I also think Tom Brady is the best player on the field today and will come up big.
- Don't forget to watch Patriots 5th Quarter right after the game on WBZ-TV 4 with Steve Burton, yours truly, Levan Reid, Scott Zolak, Steve DeOssie, Jonathan Elias, and others. We'll be live on the field. Also, if the Pats win.... as the official TV partner of the Patriots....we'll be live from the Patriots Super Bowl party from 1-2am.
Prediction: Patriots 31 Giants 27
