I love how Tom Curran lists the 1985, 1996, and 2001 Patriots among the worst teams to ever go to a Super Bowl, yet leaves out the Ravens (2000?) that had ZERO offense and NONE of the Buffalo teams that lost 4 Super Bowls in a row. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples.
I know I'm biased, but I'd say it was a pretty crappy article:
The worst teams in Super Bowl history
Well, for the benefit of Mr. Curran, let's step into the Wayback Machine (on loan from Mr. Peabody!) and refresh his memory a bit....
In '85, of course, they ran into the buzz saw that was the Chicago Bears. Except for the Dolphins game that season, they bullied everybody. But I do remember reading that year about scouts on other teams telling their guys at the start of the season that the Patriots had the talent to go to the Super Bowl. Whether or not they did was another matter entirely.
Given the season the Bears had, would it have mattered
who played them in the Super Bowl? And would Mr. Curran have then substituted whoever did play them that year into his "Worst List"?
Let's not forget, too, that the Pats were leading that game 3-0 when Lin Dawson got hurt and left the game. Now, I'm not saying the game hinged on that, or that in the end it would have made a difference, but a good blocking tight end like Dawson would have helped against that "46" defense.
If I recall correctly, the two teams played again the following year, when Dawson was healthy, Flutie was QBing, and McMahon was knocked out of the game. The Pats won that one going away.
In '96, if Desmond Howard does not not make that return TD (i.e., Hason Graham actually tackles him), I can see the Pats winning that game, and I'm not the first guy to say that, either. That wasn't a bad Patriots team, and I'm a little surprised he's added that one to the list.
He (Curran) goes on to remind us that "the Broncos were knocking Denver from the playoffs", which was an interesting revelation.
Many of you have more than adequately covered the '01 team and it's many facets, but I just want to add that when the Pats squared off against the Rams earlier that season, if Antowaine Smith Doesn't fumble at the goal line at the end of the first half, and instead scores, I like their chances to win that game. Remember, too, that after that game, the following week the Rams lost to Tampa Bay, which was
their last loss that season until the Super Bowl.
That '01 defense was a roughneck squad that would have gladdened any defensive coordinator's heart, and that team was the foundation stone of the current dynasty. Curious, too, that Mr. Curran would add that one.
In fact, it's still curious that Curran even has a public forum these days for tripe like this that is pawned off on the rest of under the guise of "journalism" and "analysis".
What's even more interesting is that he is writing for something called "Arkansas Matters". Maybe these were the only guys that would publish this pap.
Before leaving the subject, why does he say these teams he lists are the worst "ever", and then tell us it's since 1985? Why'd he use that date? I though the Super Bowl started in 1966?!? What about those Bronco teams that regularly got their asses handed to them? What about some of those Viking teams? Surely a little more depth would have promoted some degree of knowledgeableness and persuasiveness?!?
Or is it just me?
This whole thing has
forced me to drink another cup of coffee....
