1.09.2006
foo'ba'!
I love the Patriots. I love watching them play, I love watching them steamroll over teams. I love watching the weird trick plays that they end up using. The drop-kick against Miami was inspired genius. Last Saturday's direct snap to Kevin Faulk, who handed it off to Andre' Davis was a sweet surprise.
In fact, I've been surprised by the calibur of trick and unusual plays recently. I was online about a month and a half ago talking with my friend Eric about how I'm surprised that football teams don't throw laterals or drop-kick anymore. The bottom line was, in that conversation, that I watch too much rugby. Which is true.
But it did get us thinking: why don't teams try lateral passes anymore? It's such an integral part of the game in rugby, and so effective, that I am honestly surprised that more teams don't use that method to move the ball. Then Michigan (GO BLUE!) tried it in the Alamo Bowl. It didn't win them the game, by any means, but it did make for fantastic Sports Center highlights. And Doug Flutie used a dropkick on New Year's Day, which made for more incredible Sports Center highlights too. I'm amazed that it worked, frankly, but if anyone's going to use a trick play, it's going to be Belichick. Like the Adam Vinateri touchdown pass in 2004 against St. Louis.
Bill Simmons' Playoff Manifesto 4.0 has a very simple rule. Don't bet heavily against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick under any circumstances. I could not agree more.
Oh, and just an update on the macaroni and cheese thing. Crusty mac & cheese is still #4 on the New York Times' Top 25 emailled list. The creamy variety is off the board. I figured that this would last into Friday at the latest. It's Monday, and the recipe is still being emailed. I love it.
In fact, I've been surprised by the calibur of trick and unusual plays recently. I was online about a month and a half ago talking with my friend Eric about how I'm surprised that football teams don't throw laterals or drop-kick anymore. The bottom line was, in that conversation, that I watch too much rugby. Which is true.
But it did get us thinking: why don't teams try lateral passes anymore? It's such an integral part of the game in rugby, and so effective, that I am honestly surprised that more teams don't use that method to move the ball. Then Michigan (GO BLUE!) tried it in the Alamo Bowl. It didn't win them the game, by any means, but it did make for fantastic Sports Center highlights. And Doug Flutie used a dropkick on New Year's Day, which made for more incredible Sports Center highlights too. I'm amazed that it worked, frankly, but if anyone's going to use a trick play, it's going to be Belichick. Like the Adam Vinateri touchdown pass in 2004 against St. Louis.
Bill Simmons' Playoff Manifesto 4.0 has a very simple rule. Don't bet heavily against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick under any circumstances. I could not agree more.
Oh, and just an update on the macaroni and cheese thing. Crusty mac & cheese is still #4 on the New York Times' Top 25 emailled list. The creamy variety is off the board. I figured that this would last into Friday at the latest. It's Monday, and the recipe is still being emailed. I love it.
