12-20-2010, 03:26 PM
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#1
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All Pro Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 19,221
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Bruschi gets into connolly's mind
Quote:
Getting into the mind of Dan Connolly on the unforgettable 71-yard kickoff return. Connolly plays on the back row of the kickoff return unit. I was a member of that unit for the majority of my career. You're back there because you can block, but the coaches also have enough trust in your abilities to know if a ball was squibbed your way you can field it and get some kind of positive yardage. I have had my share of returns, but nothing even close to that of Connolly's 71-yarder. Because Connolly sustained a head injury, he didn't speak with reporters after the game, so here is my attempt to get into his mind for that once-in-a-lifetime experience:
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AP Photo/Tim Cook
Dan Connolly was already chugging when he delivered this stiff-arm to extend his memorable kickoff return.
"OK, here we go, I've got the L5 to block, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Got it. Get ready, here comes the kick. It's a squib! It's coming right at me! I've got this. Wait for the bounce & time the bounce & there it is, it's up in the air. I've just got to get under it. Got it! Now don't fumble!
Get both arms around this bad boy and just run straight ahead. They'll tackle me soon. I see a lot of Packers in front of me, why don't I try to go left. Yeah, good idea. I should be tackled soon anyway.
Wait, where is everybody? I'm still running? They're gonna tackle me soon, right? I'm in the clear! Run faster! I can't believe they haven't tackled me yet! I'm still running! Why am I carrying the ball like a little girl carries her teddy bear? Just keep running! Oh man, so this is what it feels like. I'm pretty good at this!
Here comes somebody. Let me try this stiff-arm. I've seen Benny [BenJarvus Green-Ellis] do this a lot. It worked! I'm still running! I can score! Oooh blockers, sweet! Block the kicker! Good job! Cut back time, baby! I've never run this far in my life! I see it! I can score!
How will I celebrate? Should I dance? Why am I falling? I can't believe they tackled me. Is it over? How close was I? Four-yard line? I should've scored!"
And THAT is a dream come true for any offensive lineman or linebacker that has ever played the infamous "back row."
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Bruschi On Tap: Observations from Sunday's close call for the New England Patriots - ESPN Boston |
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