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Volume CXXXIII, Number 15 |
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Ask J.P. on sports
J.P. BOX
ORIENT STAFF
Would Drew Bledsoe have led the Patriots to victory in
Super Bowl XXXVI? -anonymous
Drew Bledsoe would have played significantly worse than
Tom Brady, or he would have played significantly better. Sounds like too
easy of an answer? Stay with one, because it´s not as obvious as
it may seem.
After a dramatic 20-17 victory, it is hard to second guess
Brian Billichik´s decision to start Tom Brady instead of Drew Bledsoe.
After all, Brady patiently waited for his opportunity to seize the game,
while the Patriots defense absolutely dominated a great offensive football
team.
Brady made all of the right moves-the didn´t turn
the ball over, force his throws, or do anything that would have hurt his
team. He also hooked up with David Patten for the Pats´only offensive
touchdown. With the help of an insipired defense and a primetime kicker,
Brady led the Patriots to the franchise´s first championship.
So, why is there still a quarterback controversy? Simply
put, Tom Brady´s performance this year reminds me too much of Trent
Dilfer. Backed by great special teams and a punishing defense, Dilfer
too led an underrated team to Super Bowl victory.
Dilfer too played mistake-free football throughout the playoffs
and during the regular season. And like Brady, he too threw a touchdown
in his Super Bowl debut. Dilfer´s only job was to not lose the game.
Billichik decided to start Brady instead of Bledsoe because
the coach feared that Bledsoe might lose the game. Instead, he conservatively
chose Brady, a quarterback who surely would not lead the Patriots to defeat.
Billichik had to make a choice between Tom and Drew: smart passer or gun-slinger.
On the other side of the ball, Mike Martz started a gun-slinger
named Kurt Warner, who happens to be a two-time NFL MVP. And it cost him
big time. Warner tossed three picks, including one that went for a touchdown.
Game, right there.
So, would Bledsoe have won the game? Bledsoe would have
either won the game or lost the game. Great quarterbacks- like Warner,
Brett Favre, and Bledsoe-factor into every game. They control the outcome.
However, currently NFL head coaches are more content to
let a smart passer manage the game. Jim Miller of the Bears and Tom Brady
of the Patriots are the prime examples of this trend.
What would you rather see?