Man, it's been a long time since I was on this site, and a long time that I posted a story on my blog. But what a perfect time, as the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS are SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!!!! We finally got back on top of the world, and what a crazy game that was. I can tell you I was like a little kid in a candy store after the Malcolm Butler interception!
Knowing it was going to be a challenging game, and nobody invited my to a Superbowl party I went over to my parents for the big game. It was a Superbowl that I was so nervous for, after the bull crap deflate-gate garbage story, and knowing how physical the Seahawks are. I was preparing for the worst while hoping for the best, and as long as we didn't get blown out like the Broncos from the previous year. I didn't watch any pre-game crap until 5:35pm, knowing I didn't need any more nerves to start acting up that night. I was ready to go into the game with minimal build up from so many fake analyst, many who badgered the Patriots the weeks leading up to this game. Victory not only would bring piece to me, but the sweet victory to witness #4, remembering each game like it was yesterday.
The Patriots first drive ended after getting a first down, and lead to a punt which a questionably flag (running into the kicker) wasn't a personal foul as the rules state. The nerves started up, especially since we received the ball first and the offense was shut down. But the defense was able to hold there own, not letting Seattle cross into our territory. And the first quarter overall was a very fast pace, and led to no scoring.
The 2nd quarter things started to go in motion, as Brady started finding Gronk and Edelman. But it came on the goal line when Brady was under pressure and threw a bad pass on 3rd down that was intercepted by Jeremy Lane. The drive ended with no points, and the momentum that was built was gone. The defense came up again with solid stops, and got the offense the ball back. The pats drove down the field and Brady found Lafell for 7 on a 11 yard pass. All I could do was a small fist pump, knowing that was a good start, but we needed to keep the momentum and pressure going. But as easy as that lead was, the Seahawks managed to move down the field, as Lynch ripped some good runs off. Wilson also had a couple key throws, but it was lynch from the 3 who pounded it in to draw a tie at 7-7 with 2:16 left. Brady and company though once again moved the ball, with help from Shane Vereen and Edelman in between the zone defense. It led to a Rob Gronkowski touchdown who was in coverage by Bruce Irvin I believe. Connecting for 22 yards, and giving a Gronk spike made it a 14-7 lead with 0:31 seconds left. But the Seahawks got a 19 yard run by Robert Turbin, followed by a big scramble by Russell Wilson and they were in business. After a costly roughing the passer, it set up a terrible defensive play by Logan Ryan allowing Wilson to find Chris Mathews for 11 yards and the score. The game went into the half 14-14 with Seattle getting the ball in the 3rd.
The opening drive was evenly distributed with good runs and solid passes, with Seattle getting a field goal and taking up 3:51 to take a 17-14 lead. The Patriots offense couldn't get anything going, with a couple drives getting first downs but nothing more. Legarrette Blount was non-existent in this game, and couldn't break off any good runs. After the start of a drive, and getting a first down Tom Brady tried squeezing a ball to Gronk which was picked off by Bobby Wagner. At that point, I thought the game was over. The Seahawks had all the momentum, and they were in good field position on our side of the field. This drive went 3:13, and 50 yards after some penalties but led to a Doug Baldwin touchdown and mocking of Revis who was picked on the play by the ref. Richard Sherman also joined the mocking by showing 2-4 (Revis Number) then pointing to the scoreboard and signaling a touchdown, score being 24-14. The Pats next drive lead to a quick punt, nothing built offensively and the 3rd quarter was turning over to the 4th.
Now, at this point I was relaxed and felt things looked grim for the team and it would be more criticism for me at work after another big loss. The Pats were able to get a very strong drive going, throwing out of the shot-gun and getting consistent catches to move down the field fast. The drive was capped off by the oft injured Danny Amendola in the back of the end zone for 3 yards. I had found hope, seeing the team drive and score in just over 4 minutes and having 7:55 left in the game. Knowing that the defense had to play big and hold any drive to 3 points or nothing. And they did just that, containing Lynch from any monstrous runs and the defense not letting receivers get open down field. That gave Tom the ball back with Tim to do what he does best, drive the team down the field and have a chance. And they executed on that, when Tom led a pass heavy drive to the 3 yard line, and found Edelman on a Zig-Out leaving the corner jumping the slant fake and not coming close to making a play. It was 28-24, they overcame a 10 point 4th quarter deficit (most in a superbowl) and I was off my seat witnessing the greatness that Tom showed he had left. So it left Russell Wilson with 2:02 left, and the defense had to close it out like they didn't against the Giants in 2007 and 2012. It didn't start well with Lynch beating Collins for a big gain getting over the 50 yard line. After a small catch, then a incompletion I witnessed what looked to be the 3rd time a miracle catch would defeat the Patriots. Jermaine Kearse made an insane catch, that he tipped, which then hit his leg that he found and hauled in above his head while hitting the ground. He was able to get up and get to the 4 yard line. I was beyond hurt, knowing how each game versus the Giants had a similar play that lead to a touchdown. With Beast Mode ready to pounce at a chance to run it in, his first carry went for 3 yards to the 1. But the Seahawks tried to get cute, running a classic pick play allowing the back receiver to undercut and get open on a slant. But Malcolm "Who Are You" Butler made one of the greatest plays in the superbowl, jumping the route 4 yards deep in the end zone and cutting in front of the receiver beating him to the ball. He feel to the 3 yard line, and I jumped off the couch and ran down the halls screaming "It's OVER, WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I was almost in tears seeing a interception with 20 seconds left and Seattle at 1 timeout. The option of throwing over giving the beast the carry will echo with "Why did they pass" for years to come. All that mattered was the Patriots were kneeing the ball and taking that confetti shower. The Golden Boy did it at age 36, bringing his team down and winning it, but with the help of a undrafted, no name Malcolm Butler. The storybook ending came true, and I was there at 257 S. Fourth Ave watching the 4th Ring come to the New England Patriots.
It's been almost 4 weeks since the win, and I still look at the big picture, we now won another ring, but how can we keep improving? How can we dictate those salaries, lower our cap and obtain more talent? The win is still as sweet as summer pineapple, but the cycle of the combine, free agency and draft lead to look to the near future and how to improve and defend our title. It's still February, but it's still football season to me.
