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Super Bowl XXXVI - Pats 20, Rams 17 Congratulations Patriots!!!
NFL ^ | 2/3/02

Posted on 02/03/2002 2:25:46 PM PST by Dales

NEW ORLEANS -- The St. Louis Rams are the "Greatest Show on Turf" and the New England Patriots have struggled in Super Bowl's in New Orleans.

But that means nothing to the players.

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"We don't care if we win by 20, if we win by 30 or if we win by one," said Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who set a Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards two years ago.

"We've been called 'underdog' all year, so it's not something we feed off of anymore," Patriots receiver Troy Brown said. "If we play well, we can beat anybody."

But the "Big Easy" has been anything but for the Patriots, who lost in their previous two Super Bowl appearances here by a combined score of 81-31.

St. Louis finished with the NFL's best record and seeks its second Super Bowl title in three years.

The Rams posted a 24-17 victory at New England on November 18 and dominated statistically, getting 26 first downs to 13 for the Patriots and 482 yards to 230. But St. Louis coach Mike Martz had a premonition after that game.

"I told the guys that night they beat a Super Bowl-caliber team," Martz said. "They were certainly the most physical team we played."

"(Martz) was right," Rams receiver Isaac Bruce said. "They played us well and went on to win eight straight after that. He definitely knew what he was talking about."

The Patriots trailed 10-7 in the second quarter and were marching for the go-ahead touchdown. But Antowain Smith fumbled after being hit by linebacker London Fletcher at the St. Louis 3 and cornerback Aeneas Williams recovered for the Rams.

It was the turning point of the game as Warner directed an eight-play, 97-yard drive that culminated with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Pro Bowl running back Marshall Faulk with 31 seconds left in the half.

"I lost that game against the Rams. I take responsibility for it," Smith said. "I'm happy for the chance to play against them again."

But Patriots coach Bill Belichick cannot be happy to see the Rams again. Known for his intricate defensive game plans with a multitude of blitz schemes, Belichick had difficulty combating St. Louis' explosive attack. Warner completed 30 of 42 passes for a season-high 401 yards and three touchdowns, Faulk accounted for 153 yards and Bruce caught seven passes for 130 yards.

New England intercepted Warner twice, one of which nickel back Terrell Buckley returned 52 yards for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, St. Louis' defense intercepted Tom Brady twice and held the Pats to 10 points. Fletcher starred with 11 tackles, an interception and the pivotal forced fumble.

  New England QB Tom Brady says he'll be ready to go on Sunday.
  New England QB Tom Brady says he'll be ready to go on Sunday. 

Brady will get the Super Bowl start after proving during the week that his sprained left ankle is healed. If not, the Pats will turn to backup Drew Bledsoe, who suffered a chest injury in Week 2 and lost his starting job to Brady.

A 2000 sixth-round draft pick, Brady led the Patriots to an 11-3 record and the AFC East title and threw for 312 yards in the snow in a divisional playoff win over Oakland.

Bledsoe, who was signed to a 10-year contract last March, finally got a chance to play again when Brady suffered a sprained ankle late in the first half of last week's AFC championship game. And the nine-year veteran showed no signs of rust, passing for a touchdown and committing no turnovers in a 24-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brady will have to make more than his share of plays to match the Rams on turf, where their speed is accentuated.

Belichick probably will start with five defensive backs to contain receivers Bruce, Torry Holt and Az-Zahir Hakim.

"Definitely the best group of receivers I ever had to defend," Patriots cornerback Ty Law said. "And Kurt Warner is a very accurate quarterback."

And then there's Faulk, the only player in NFL history to gain more than 2,000 yards rushing and receiving in four straight seasons. Faulk and Williams were born and raised in New Orleans and both were vendors at the Superdome.

"I could not have written the script any better," said Williams, who celebrated his 34th birthday Tuesday. "To have this opportunity and to do it in front of your hometown in the Superdome, where I sold popcorn, peanuts and Coke, where I played high school and college games, is great."

Williams spent his first 10 years with lowly Arizona before he was acquired by the Rams last April. Martz paid him the ultimate compliment, saying Williams is as valuable to the defense as Faulk is to the offense.

On Sunday, Williams will match up against Brown, who set a club record with 101 catches. Brown seized the spotlight in the AFC championship game, returning a punt 55 yards for a touchdown, recovering a blocked punt and lateraling it for another score and catching eight passes for 121 yards.

St. Louis' revamped defense also has shined in the postseason, intercepting Brett Favre six times -- three of which were returned for touchdowns -- in a 45-17 rout of Green Bay in the divisional playoff and effectively containing Donovan McNabb in the NFC championship game win over Philadelphia.

Under defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, the Rams changed eight defensive starters and reduced their points allowed from 471 to 273. Fletcher, end Grant Wistrom and cornerback Dexter McCleon are the only defensive starters who remain from the Super Bowl team two years ago.

The Rams are appearing in their third Super Bowl overall, losing after the 1979 season to Pittsburgh and defeating Tennessee.

The Patriots were pounded by the Chicago Bears, 46-10, in Super Bowl XX and lost to Green Bay, 35-21, in Super Bowl XXXI.

Nine Patriots remain from that team, including Bledsoe, Law, Brown, safety Lawyer Milloy, cornerback Otis Smith and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

New Orleans is hosting the Super Bowl for a record ninth time.

The Rams lead the series, 5-3.
Copyright 2002 SportsTicker Enterprises, L.P.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: masslist; monacofreetedmaher
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To: Walkin Man
Terry, Terry, Terry ... those Cowboy defenses must have done more damage to your head than you let on ... ;)
461 posted on 02/03/2002 4:33:10 PM PST by strela
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To: Chuzzlewit
They could have had the names go up with Ray Charles singing, then had U2 come later for the finale. RC singing America the Beautiful as the names scrolled by would have been the ultimate.
462 posted on 02/03/2002 4:33:21 PM PST by Unknown Freeper
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To: jwalsh07
I heard Bono was entertaining Chelsea.
463 posted on 02/03/2002 4:33:28 PM PST by Sungirl
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To: Diddle E. Squat
That was a beautiful halftime tribute.

People can say what they want about Bono's politics, but the man is consummate show-business professional and he does love America.

I don't even think U2 is Irish anymore. They have all expat'd here just like all other zillionaire musicians from the UK.

464 posted on 02/03/2002 4:33:30 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: Dales
did you ever see the phil hartman SNL sketch where he plays Sinatra slamming Bono?

"I was playing these joints when you were were tear in your drunken mick dad's eye."

(I'm Irish I can say these things.)

465 posted on 02/03/2002 4:33:30 PM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99
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It's been a hard day's night.............


466 posted on 02/03/2002 4:33:59 PM PST by hole_n_one
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Terry biffed the lyrics.

When you sing with one of the Beatles, don't biff the lyrics - even if you ARE a big clown.

467 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:07 PM PST by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
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Halftime show sure better than that crap they gave us last year...Aerosmith with N'Stink (or whatever boy band it was).
468 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:11 PM PST by CounterCounterCulture
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To: Chuzzlewit
weren't there any meaningful american bands that could have played here

I think what they're trying to do, to show the world, there's a united front amongst the world with the Americans.

469 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:12 PM PST by nicmarlo
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To: Diddle E. Squat
Why the heck isn't Snoop Doggy Crap in jail?

Maybe because he doesn't have any charges pending against him? < /sarcasm>

470 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:22 PM PST by rdb3
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To: 3catsanadog
Re: What is the meaning of that song? When Bono was helping with famine relief in Africa, he was working in a tent city (where the streets had no names). The song is about knowing that when God is on your side, no act is too small or irrelevant, even if you feel your small contribution can't possibly make a difference.
471 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:35 PM PST by Mago
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To: 3catsanadog
I think "where the streets have no name" is decrying nationalism, versus the individual who can spread love,peace and all that. of course I could be totally wrong. isn't Bono a pacifist ? I know he's been involved with Amnesty International.
472 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:44 PM PST by Chuzzlewit
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To: hole_n_one
I'm positively stunned!!! What a spectacular and unforgettable sight. I'm up to my ankles in tears.
473 posted on 02/03/2002 4:34:52 PM PST by JessicaDragonet
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts
I can't stand U2. And by the by....why, with all of this Patriotic fervor being slavered all over the place do we have two Brits doing the entertaining? McCartney and U2? Whassup widdat? Where the hell are the American bands?

I always wondered what Freeper name Pat Buchanan used here.

474 posted on 02/03/2002 4:35:08 PM PST by Diddle E. Squat
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To: 3catsanadog
My husband said he thinks Terry Bradshaw will be talking about this for days. LOL!

Now...back to the game.

475 posted on 02/03/2002 4:35:19 PM PST by Miss Marple
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To: cyberaxe
.....well the inside of his coat is kewl.....

That it was. I think Bono & U-2 as well as McCartney realize that some of their fellow countrymen died on 9/11 as well.

It was a tremendous half-time show. It could have been that egotistical Diana Ross ("oh, yuk" was my review of her performance at a previous Super Bowl).

476 posted on 02/03/2002 4:35:41 PM PST by Catspaw
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To: jwalsh07
I agree, the roster of names from 9/11 was very moving, but I just can't get away from the phony concert setup with all the Bono worship.
477 posted on 02/03/2002 4:35:52 PM PST by Eagle73
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To: tet68
All those bathroom lights going on simultaneously, toilets flushing, that's gotta cause a power spike!
478 posted on 02/03/2002 4:36:13 PM PST by TrappedInLiberalHell
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To: Squantos
Irish not Brit.....

As proud Irish American, I'm glad to hear that.

Back to the game. Go Pats!

479 posted on 02/03/2002 4:36:27 PM PST by PoisedWoman
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To: hole_n_one
Show off.
480 posted on 02/03/2002 4:36:28 PM PST by Tennessee_Bob
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