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Over-rated Brady shouldn't get past Philadelphia
By Stefani Rebekah Black January 31, 2005 |
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There has been a lot of talk this week with all the media assumptions of victory, and all kinds of dynasty talk for the New England Patriots, so my article is about how Philadelphia can beat New England. How can the Eagles win a championship 24 years removed from their last Super Bowl? The answer: There are a few ways that Philly can beat New England. But first, the obvious answer is that Tom Brady is the quarterback whose 28-touchdown, 14 -interception record this season does not match the cheers of praise. Brady is no Joe Montana and Dan Quayle is no John F. Kennedy. The key is pressure. Put a spy on Brady, like an extra linebacker, safety Brian Dawkins and the Eagles' middle linebacker must be able to adjust and be prepared to attack the defensive linemen. Several Pro Bowlers in that six-man front have got to fight through the holding that is customary by the New England offensive line. This unit must force turnovers with the same intensity as the New England defense did against the Colts' offensive line in their last post-season game. The Pats strong armed the Colts like the Soprano family, and Payton Manning paid for it. This is the mentality that the Eagles must have and they are completely capable of having that mentality, because they have been able to fight during this season against other competitive offensive lines. They will shock and rattle Tom Brady. He didn't see that kind of pressure, of course, consistently throughout his 2004 season, facing teams like the Browns, the Dolphins, the Bengals and the 49ers and who should have beaten them is New England -- a Brady claim to fame and that's no claim to fame. In other ways, the Eagles' offensive line can provide success against the New England Patriots. Let's just hope that Donovan McNabb is no John Kerry and can see before the decision is in. McNabb is a well-rounded quarterback with intelligence and a great arm for accuracy. McNabb has the skill in the pocket that will buy time to get to his receivers, which he will do with or without T.O. He also has Michael Westbrook and Dorsey Levins to bring experience and Super Bowl play to the game. Westbrook, who demonstrated speed and versatility as a 2002 Raider, Charlie Garner has great hands as well, and you could beat a defense on a deep cross pattern because Westbrook has the speed to get it done. Westbrook is a key for this offense, just as McNabb is, and the stellar offensive line that has been playing great for McNabb this year will play continually well this post season. In terms of weather for the Super Bowl, it's going to be great, although security is tight and providing some gloom and doom for people who are coming to the Super Bowl. They will be searching, standing and they will have x-rays, searching fans at the Super Bowl. And because they have a lack of first class hotel rooms in Jacksonville, the NFL had to bring in five cruise ships to add 3500 hotel rooms. That just makes me think, "Wow, why can't San Francisco or Oakland host the Super Bowl? The Bay area has quality hotels and they don't in Jacksonville. Very interesting for the NFL. I'm looking forward to an exciting Super Bowl, not predictable like the many in the past. We know these grand balls of the NFL have been extremely predictable and frankly very boring. Hopefully, this will bring more excitement by allowing an Eagles win, and having an Eagles victory 24 years removed from their only Super Bowl appearance, and 45 years since the Eagles' last NFL championship. Stefani Rebekah Black co-hosts "Sportstalk" and is also heard on raiderfanradio.com. You can catch Stefani on 1430 KVVN San Jose and KLIB 1110 Sacramento on Super Bowl Sunday for exclusive coverage. |
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