***Super Bowl 36 Thread***

Stardate: 0202.3

[The Wizard]

Well sporets fans, here we are....a big game, heavy security and away we go....I have to be for the rams because belichick screwed the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

[SamAdams76]

The situation with Parcells in 1997 is a perfect example of why the NFL has a tampering rule. I only wish they enforced it more seriously. When the Jets tampered with Parcells, their only penalty was to give three of their draft picks to New England. Not much different than what might have happened had the teams simply negotiated in the off-season. I say that Parcells should have been made to sit out for two years before coaching the Jets (the time remaining on his Patriots contract) with no pay. That would put a stop to tampering right away. What happened this year in Tampa Bay was inexcusable as well.

[eddie willers]

Three years ago, former Falcon Eugene Robinson was arrested for soliciting a prostitute...

He was the physical emotional and moral center of that surprising, upstart squad.
He was arrested the night before the game and it just devastated the team.
If you talk the talk, you'd better walk the walk.

[SamAdams76]

Our Patriots menu today will go like this:

Brunch. Around 1PM. Steamed clams and mussells. Pilsner Urquell beer.

Pregame. Around 4PM. Roast turkey with stuffing, gravy, sweet potatos and corn. Sam Adams lager. In fact, turkey just went in the oven now.

Snacks during game. Mixed nuts, smoked salmon, cheese and crackers. Beer will be from Germany. Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer - Urbock, a smoked beer that I have only once in a while. Delicious. Especially by a roaring fireplace and with smoked salmon.

[sharktrager]

Game Update

Rams 0
Patriots 0

Stay tuned for further updates

[kcvl]

How long does it take to get from Arkansas to your house?

[Kaslin]

What is a sporets fan?

[oldvike]

My prediction: Rams 147 Pats -4

[SamAdams76]

I don't know but you're not getting into my house unless you are dressed in full Patriot's gear!

[woofer]

He's an Iowegian

For the geopolitically challenged, that means he's from southern Minnesota.

[diamond6]

Love that story!

[diamond6]

How about some predictions on the score for the game! My prediction: The Rams defense will be the real key. They will score two touchdowns themselves and will overwhelm the inadequate Patriots offense (The Pats have only scored two offensive touchdowns in two playoff games). Warner will again have over 300 yards passing, and the Rams will win going away, 42-17.

[The Wizard]

I must hope you're right, but we'll see

[diamond6]

By the way, head coach, Mike Martz, and assistant coach, Henry Ellard, are both graduates of Fresno State. No wonder the Rams are so good. I am also a member of that proud Bulldog fraternity.

[SamAdams76]

The Patriots score as much as they need to win. When your defense and special teams are scoring touchdowns, that takes the pressure off the offense and they can concentrate on holding the ball and running off the clock.

Whether you win a game 47-10 or 13-10, a win is a win.

Don't forget that these teams played in November already and the score was 24-17 Rams. The Rams felt lucky to get out of that game with a win because they turned over the ball a few times and they were able to recover a fumble on their own 4-yard line (that would have put the Pats ahead at halftime). The Patriots are excellent at adjusting. They lost to the Jets and Dolphins earlier in the season but then came back to beat them later on.

[diamond6]

Dream on. This is the Super Bowl. Did you know that 11 of the last 18 Super Bowls have resulted in a margin of victory of 15 or more. I guarantee you the Rams have learned something from that game as well. Relying on special teams for your touchdowns will not bode well for the Patriots, not with the Rams scoring at least 5 touchdowns. By the way, Warner passed for 402 yards last time these teams faced each other; what do you think he's going to do this time. Finally, the Rams defense has improved a lot since they played last time, and that will have a major effect on what the Patsies will be able to do on offense this time.

[diamond6]

What's your prediction for the score, Sam?

[SamAdams76]

Well obviously I'm biased but I pick the Pats to win 27-24. I say the Patriots game plan will be to stop Marshall Faulk and force Warner to throw. I see Warner throwing at least two interceptions and the Patriots converting those into 10 points - a TD and a field goal. I also see another spectacular play on special teams. Maybe another blocked field goal or a punt return for a touchdown.

I think Warner is a little banged-up. He hasn't done a lot the past few games and has relied much more on Marshall Faulk. If the Pats can stop Faulk, they've got a real chance to win this game.

Hey, if I didn't think the Patriots were going to win, why even bother watching!

[Who dat?]

Rams will win going away, 42-17.

Seems high to me. Most books are posting over/under at 52 – 53.5 so I’d bet on the clock.

If I was forced at gunpoint to guess something I’d say 31-17 Rams.

[The Wizard]

Go Rams

[TheOracle]

I have some questions for historians of the New England Patriots:

How did they come to be located in Foxboro, halfway between Boston MA and Providence RI?

Foxboro looks to be 30 to 40 miles from downtown Boston. Is it considered a suburb of Boston? Are the Patriots considered a Boston team?

Why is the team called the "New England" (versus "Boston" or "Foxboro") Patriots?

Thanks!