Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Tight End Reportedly Undergoes Successful Arthroscopic Ankle Surgery

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski spent his Thursday night courtside watching the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers, bathing in a standing ovation from the TD Garden crowd and listening to Kobe Bryant's pitch that the tight end should join the Philadelphia Eagles.

Friday morning, Gronkowski reportedly underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured ankle.

A source told Sports Business Journal's Liz Mullen that Gronkowski's surgery was successful and he is expected to take 10 weeks to recover.

After mustering just two catches for 26 yards and zero touchdowns in a 21-17 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, Gronkowski made noise while being caught on camera dancing the night away at a nightclub. Just hours after the Super Bowl defeat, Gronkowski and teammate Matt Light were shirtless dancing at a bar.

Furious callers to radio stations WEEI and 98.5 The Sports Hub questioned Gronkowski's commitment, but the fact that he played the Super Bowl on an ankle that needs 10 weeks of rehabilitation should go a long way toward repairing whatever bits of his reputation were lost on that dance floor.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit.

Media Roundup: Sports Are Fun, Except In Boston Sports Media

Sports are supposed to be fun, right? Well, it doesn't always come across that way in the Boston sports media world, and that has become increasingly evident during the fallout from the Patriots' loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Bradying Now Has Its Own Website

Rodney Harrison Not Pleased With Rob Gronkowski

Giants' Brandon Jacobs To Gisele Bundchen 'Stay Cute And Shut Up'

Steve DeOssie On His Comments At Giants Party: 'I Called It Like I Saw It'

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots' Kevin Faulk Undecided On His Future

Super Bowl 2012: Bradying, A Sad New Trend?

Super Bowl 2012: Comcast SportsNet New England Apologizes For Pregame Patriots Championship Advertisement

Chad Ochocinco Pleads Guilty To Traffic Charge Monday

Super Bowl 2012, James Ihedigbo: Can't Point Fingers At Anyone

Following the New England Patriots' heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, there was a lot of finger pointing after this one. The person who is receiving the most blame for the loss is wide receiver Wes Welker, who had a crucial drop that would have give the Patriots a big first down and would have gotten them into the redzone.

However, when it's all said and done, there's nothing they can do about it. As veteran safety James Ihedigbo puts it, the entire team had something to do with this loss.

"You can never point fingers at anyone," Ihedigbo said. "You look at the plays that [Welker]‘s made all year long to put us in this position an dhow he played that game, how hard he prepared that game, and across the board. Look, we wanted it just as bad as they did. They just made some key plays there at the end and came out on top, so hats off to them." (via WEEI)

Either way, finger pointing isn't going to make anything better. The only thing's for sure is that this loss is going to sting the players on this team for a while.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Deion Branch: 'This Is Where I Want To Retire'

Following the Patriots' devastating 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, every player on their roster was very upset that they didn't pull off a win. However, when it's all said and done, they want another shot at it, playing for this team.

Among them is 11-year NFL veteran Deion Branch, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in a matter of days. Assuming the Patriots will bring him back (which is a lock), Branch wants it known he wants to not only return, but finish his career in New England.

"This is where I want to be, this is where I want to retire," he said after Sunday's 21-17 loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. "This is why I came back, for the opportunity to play in this game. I'm pretty sure I will be here in this position next year." (via ESPN)

In 2011, Branch was instrumental part of the Patriots success, totaling 51 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft's Season-Ending Statement

The following is a full transcript of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's season-ending address following the team's 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Courtesy of ESPN Boston.

"I want to take this opportunity just to say thank you to all the media here who has done such a great job covering us all year. Also to the fans, when we dedicated this season to my sweetheart, I met with the players and coaches and asked them to do everything they could do to make this season special in her honor. The fact we had 18 undrafted free agents, and we're changing the team, and we started our 5-3, I think our fans were just terrific the way they stayed with us.

"I must tell you, the strength of spirit that I saw with this team is unlike any other team I've seen in my 18 years in the NFL. I think that sense of spirit was ignited by our fans, the way they supported our team and also the way they supported our family. That's something I'm forever going to be grateful for, because I think this was a memorable season and one that I won't forget for a long time.

"You have a six percent chance of going to the Super Bowl and a 3 percent chance of winning. I think the coaching staff and players really did a remarkable job this year.

"I thought back, this is our 18^th year of ownership of the team, and in those 18 years, we've had two seasons that are losing seasons - 1995 when we went 6-10 and 2000 when we went 5-11. In the next 16 years, we were able to have winning [or .500] seasons - we went to seven AFC Championship games and six Super Bowls. I think what's happened is that we've set a level of expectation here that is high. I'm very happy with that and it's the way we run all of our businesses.

"I'm actually very excited about the core group of players we have on this team, about the young players that have come in, and I'm also excited that we have two 1s and two 2s in this upcoming draft. So I really want to say to those fans who supported us all year and who came out even now, even though we arrived early, it's just unbelievable to me. I felt it all week. It's the first time I've ever spent eight days in Indianapolis and there were a lot of wonderful Patriots fans there, and they've continued to support our team and our family.

"We're not going to change the way we run things. Look, we're all disappointed in what happened. The beauty of the NFL, and, I can say this as chair of the broadcast committee, the reason the networks pay us the large fees they do is that no one knows what is going to happen in a game -- head coach, quarterback, owner, d-linemen. No one knows. It's two or three plays that make the difference but makes the game so exciting.

"I'm very proud of this team and what they accomplished this year and I will forever remember the special effort and support that the fans have given to my family and to this team. And I thank you all for the coverage."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: Tom Brady's Wife Gisele Bundchen Upset At Pats WRs

Traditionally when a team losses any game, whether it was the championship game or the season opener, fans can be pretty upset. Last night after the New England Patriots were taken down by the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, we saw several of those cases, one of which might be of particular interest to everyone.

Following her husband's loss at the hands of Eli Manning once again, Tom Brady's wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, had some choice words for some of Brady's teammates after the loss. Based on her comments, she was targeting Patriots receivers Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Aaron Hernandez, who all had crucial drops in the final minutes.

"My husband can not f------ throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times," Bundchen said in a video captured by theinsider.com, a gossip website. (via ESPN)

So much for Gisele Bundchen not caring about the Patriots. Sounded like a fan's opinion to me.

It appears the receiver that was clearly targeted here was Welker, who had a crucial drop in the fourth quarter that would have set the Patriots inside the Giants' 30-yard line. With that catch, the Patriots could have at least put up a field goal and taken more time off the clock. When asked about whether or not he agreed with his wife's perception of Wes Welker in particular, Brady defended his teammate.

"Wes is a phenomenal player and a teammate," Brady said. "I love that guy." (via ESPN)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012 Aftermath: Josh McDaniels Promoted To Offensive Coordinator, Bill Belichick Confirms

One day after his team dropped a heart-breaking Super Bowl to the New York Giants, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed Monday that Josh McDaniels will take over Bill O'Brien's role as offensive coordinator in 2012.

After Steve Spagnuolo was fired as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, the Patriots capitalized and hired McDaniels from Spagnuolo's staff as an offensive coach for the team's playoff run. McDaniels coached for the Patriots in a previous stint from 2001-08, which included a run as offensive coordinator from 2006-08. He left after the 2008 season to become Denver Broncos head coach, but was fired 12 games into his second season.

O'Brien is leaving to take over as head coach of Penn State University.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl XLVI Was Third Most-Watched Super Bowl Of All Time

Super Bowl XLVI was the third most-watched NFL season finale of all time, as the epic rematch between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots (which New York won 21-17 on Eli Manning's game-winning drive) drew a 47.8 rating. This year's Super Bowl was just one tenth of a point off of last year's game between the Packers and Steelers.

In Boston, it was the most watched NFL game ever, pulling a 56.7 rating. For reference, a rating represents a percentage of houses with televisions in a given market that were viewing the game. Boston led all markets included in the ratings, while New York came in 18th with a 49.7, which was the second highest Super Bowl rating for the city.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots Come Up One Play Short Against Giants

In reality, the New England Patriots had no business being in Super Bowl XLVI. Despite their defensive incompetency, Tom Brady and the Patriots came within one play of beating the New York Giants. Alas, they couldn't finish the job.

2013 Super Bowl Odds: New England Patriots Labeled Favorites

After dropping a heart-breaking 21-17 decision to the New York Giants in Sunday night's Super Bowl, the New England Patriots probably won't find much solace in the Las Vegas sports books. But if they did, they would be happy to learn they have been labeled next year's Super Bowl favorites.

According to MGM Grand's sport book, the Patriots are the favorites to win Super Bowl XLVII at 5/1 odds. The Green Bay Packers trail at 11/2 odds, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, both given 6/1 odds. The New York Giants have 8/1 odds to repeat as Super Bowl champions next season.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Madonna Does A Higher Rating Than The Super Bowl

It's amazing how popular Madonna is after all these years.

The superstar did an incredible job during the halftime show and was rewarded with a 48.3 rating. The actual Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots drew a number of 47.8 according to John Ourand.

Even though two very large market teams were involved in the showdown, the rating wasn't an all-time best. Of course, the record was established just last year with Green Bay and Pittsburgh, ironically two of the smallest markets in the NFL.

Many people were complaining about the lack of a fresh face to perform the halftime mini-concert, but the league got it right again. Flanked by LMFAO, Cee-Lo, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Of course, M.I.A. gave the now infamous middle finger to the viewing audience which gave the performance a controversial feel.

For someone who is 53-years-old Madonna can still get a crowd rocking, even a young one.

As far as the game goes, this Super Bowl was a bigger hit than the previous match-up between these two. The 2008 version drew a 43.1 rating.

For more news on the Pats, be sure to visit SB Nation Boston and Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012: 14 Arrested At UMass-Amherst Riots

In response to the Patriots' loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, many students rioted at the UMass Amherst prompting the police to arrive and disperse the crowd with flashbanks and smoke grenades. The police were expecting the riot as this is not the first time that riots have broken out on campus. They rioted in response to sports related events in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and in 2007 and they rioted in response to the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed in May.

A spokesman from the university told ESPN Boston that 14 have been arrested in response to this latest riot.

A spokesman for the University of Massachusetts in Amherst says 14 people have been arrested after police in riot gear were forced to disperse hundreds of students when the Patriots lost the Super Bowl.

Of the 14 arrested, 13 were students and are now facing posible disciplinary action from the university. According to the spokesman, no property was seriously damaged and nobody was injured.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl Commercials: From Dogs, To Dreams, To Talking Babies

The Super Bowl is a big deal for many reasons, but one of those reasons, of course, is the commercials. The game is watched by so many people that big companies pay millions of dollars for just a minute, even less, or air time. As a result, some of the funniest and best commercials are released during this one three-hour period.

And, without further ado, here are the commercials from Super Bowl XLVI:

Bud Light introduces Platinum on the factory lines:

Audi headlights aren't good for vampires:

Elton John is king in Pepsi's court:

A Cheetah may not be faster than a Hyundai, but it is faster than a man:

Naked M&M's: It's that kind of party....

Polar Bears drink Coke and they're superstitious:

To survive the coming 2012 apocalypse, all you need is a Chevy truck:

Another GoDaddy tease:

Lexus: change cannot be contained:

Celebrate the end of prohibition with a Budweiser:

Dog bribes man with bag of Doritos:

Grad thinks he's getting a new car:

General Electrice: Power and Beer:

Getting your taxes done is like peeing in the pool?:

Fat dogs and Star Wars.... enough said:

David Beckham makes me not want to own any mirrors:

More Coke polar bears:

Chevrolet Anthem:

Underdog literally wins a race thanks to some new kicks:

Be confident when you shop for cars:

Doritos sling-shot baby:

It wouldn't be the Super Bowl without the E-Trade baby:

Hulu represented by Will Arnett:

Toyota Connections:

LMFAO and Bud Light:

Dirty Harry talks halftime and America:

Fiat 500 Arbath:

Coke Zero Guy Wins Pepsi Max prize:

Everyone wants to have the first new Acura:

NFL safety timeline.. pretty cool:

Ferris Bueller takes another day off:

Dog named HereWeGo:

Hyundai.... think fast:

Kia... A cowboy riding a Rhino... Best. Dream. Ever.:

There were of course a few more and a handful of movie trailers worth watching (if you're into GI Joe and The Avengers). For more on commercials from Super Bowl XLVI, check out their commercial stream.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: A New York Perspective

Ed Valentine is Regional Editor of SB Nation New York and Editor of Big Blue View.

'Nightmare.' 'Total Disaster.' Shocked.' Players having "suicidal thoughts." There are riots in the streets.. These are some of the things I am reading about on this website after the New England Patriots 21-17 loss to the New York Giants Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI.

I am not here to gloat. Seriously, I am not. The editor of this fine site, Gethin Coolbaugh, was kind enough to offer to share some of his post-game thoughts at SB Nation New York. I am here only to return the favor.

After reading some of these things, I have to ask -- did you not think it was possible that the Giants would win the game Sunday night? If you didn't, you aren't alone. I think there are many people who, until Sunday night, still wanted to underestimate the ability of Eli Manning, the talent on the Giants roster and the resolve of a team few thought could do this just seven weeks ago.

The Giants have earned a reputation for talking smack, and I know Brandon Jacobs talked his fair share Sunday night after the game. I am not here to do that.

I have watched all five Giants Super Bowl games, and the last two victories over the Patriots are special. Partially because any Super Bowl victory is special, but beating an organization and a quarterback/coach combo as historically good as the one the Patriots have is special. In many ways the Patriots are still the standard-bearers for how things should get done.

Having Tom Brady with the ball in his hands in the final minute with a chance to win was the nightmare scenario for the Giants. They have to feel fortunate to have held on.

Brady is still a special quarterback, and even with the loss the Patriots are still a special franchise.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots LB Brandon Spikes Tweets He's Having "Suicidal Thoughts" Following Loss

Following the New England Patriots' 21-17 loss in Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants, Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes tweeted that he was having "suicidal thoughts."

I would think that announcing that you're having suicidal thoughts on a social media site like Twitter is more of a hair-trigger reaction, a cry for help or a very poor attempt at a joke, but I guess you never really know. Hopefully there is nothing else to report on this story.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Riots Break Out At UMass Amherst After Patriots Loss; Police Were Waiting

If one class needs to be mandatory for all UMass Amherst students when they come to the university, it should be How Not To Riot 101. According to Brian Canova of MassLive.com, the student body of the university broke out into riots after the New England Patriots lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI by a score of 21-17.

Immediately following the end of the New England Patriots' loss in Super Bowl XLVI thousands of students from the University of Massachusetts erupted in a much predicted riot in the concrete concourse of Southwest Residential Area.

Fortunately, the police were there before the riot broke out and worked on stopping things before they got too far out of hand. The crowd, chanting "U.S.A. and [expletive] the Giants," set off firecrackers and broken up bottles as police used flashbangs and smoke grenades to calm them.

While this riot may be controlled because police responded quickly, the response was so quick because authorities have had to deal with riots at UMass Amherst many times before.

They rioted in May in response to the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed, they rioted after the Patriots lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII in 2008, they rioted in response to the Red Sox 2008 playoff elimination and there were other riots in relation to area sports teams in 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003 and in 2001. It's easy to see that the police could probably see this one coming, especially since there were students Tweeting that there would be riots.

Here's a video of the UMass riot following the Super Bowl (warning: there are obscenities in the following video):

Former Minuteman and now Super Bowl Champion wide receiver Victor Cruz, on Vimeo, asked UMass students to "watch the game, be safe,enjoy the parties, and don't hurt anybody or anything." Obviously they didn't get that memo.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Wes Welker "Has To Live With" Dropped Pass

There's always one or two big plays that could change the outcome of NFL games had they gone a little differently. One of those plays in Super Bowl XLVI was a dropped pass from Tom Brady to wide receiver Wes Welker.

On a second-and-11 play in the fourth quarter when the Patriots were still leading the Giants by a score of 17-15, Brady threw a pass to a wide open Welker that would have given them a first down. Unfortunately for the Patriots, Welker dropped the pass that commentator Cris Collinsworth believes he would have caught 100 out of 100 times.

On the very next play, Brady was unable to complete a pass to Deion Branch and the Patriots were forced to punt. The Giants scored the game winner on an Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown on the very next drive.

Boston Globe writer Greg Bedard caught up with Welker after the game and the league's second leading receiver in the 2011 regular season had to fight back the tears when he talked about it.

This single play will be one of those plays that gets played over and over again as Patriots fans, and fans from every team, wonder if things would have been different had Welker caught an extremely catchable pass.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Giants Quarterback Eli Manning Named Super Bowl MVP

After leading the Giants to their second Super Bowl victory in the last five years with a 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, New York quarterback Eli Manning has been named the Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career.

Manning completed 30 of his 40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown, which he threw to Victor Cruz in the first quarter, for a quarterback rating of 103.8. This was compared to Tom Brady's 91.1 quarterback rating from completing 27 of 41 passes for 276 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

This is the second time Manning was named MVP in the big game after winning the award in Super Bowl XLII for leading the Giants over the Patriots by a score of 17-14.

Now that he has won one more Super Bowl and has been named the Super Bowl MVP one more time than his big brother Peyton Manning, it appears as if Eli is finally casting his own shadow and not living inside his older brother's.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Eli Manning Leads Giants On Another Game-Winning Drive, Leads 21-17

The New England Patriots are suffering through a terrible case of Deja Vu. After a pair of dropped passes cost the Patriots their chance to seal the game, Eli Manning led the New York Giants on a long touchdown drive that may well prove to be the deciding score in Super Bowl XLVI.

Despite having plenty of time on the clock, Eli Manning wasted no time getting downfield. The first play from scrimmage went down the left side to Mario Manningham to bring the Giants all the way to the 50-yard line. Two more passes to Manningham netted 18 more. Turning to Hakeem Nicks this time, Manning brought the Giants into the red zone with a 14-yard gain.

Now facing an impossible situation, the Patriots could only watch as the Giants worked the clock down into the last two minutes. After a 2nd-and-3 pass set up first-and-goal, Bill Belichick opted to let Ahmad Bradshaw through for the touchdown in order to conserve a minute on the clock. A failed two point conversion leaves it 21-17, still out of reach of a field goal.

Super Bowl 2012 Final Score: Giants Shock Patriots Again, 21-17

Ahmad Bradshaw made a mistake that could have cost his team the game. That mistake? Scoring a touchdown with 57 seconds left, putting the New York Giants up by four points. Alas, the Giants defense came up big and stopped Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, preserving a 21-17 victory in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday in Indianapolis.

New York has now defeated New England twice in the Super Bowl, doing so also in Super Bowl XLII.

Brady finished with 276 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception for New England. Aaron Hernandez racked up 67 receiving yards on eight catches for one score and Danny Woodhead had four catches for 42 yards and a score.

Eli Manning, who was named the 2012 Super Bowl MVP, threw for 296 yards and one touchdown, including a game-changing deep pass to Mario Manningham (five catches, 73 yards) down the left sideline, similar to the David Tyree catch from Super Bowl XLII, that set up the eventual game-winning touchdown run.

New England came out flat in the first quarter, surrendering nine straight points. Brady was flagged for intentional grounding in the endzone on the Patriots' first offensive play from scrimmage in his own endzone, resulting in a safety -- the first in a Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXV -- to give New York a 2-0 lead with 9:00 to play in the opening quarter.

Manning was on target in the early going, connecting on his first nine pass attempts. Manning found Cruz for a two-yard touchdown pass with 3:29 left in the first, giving the Giants a surprisingly 9-0 early lead at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter, though, was all New England. Brady led the offense down the field on a 10-play, 60-yard drive, but the Pats ran out of gas and had to be content with a 29-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski, cutting the lead to 9-3.

Then, Brady caught fire. New York pinned the Pats inside their own five yard line with nearly four minutes left in the first half, but Brady led his troops on a Super Bowl record-tying 96-yard drive, capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead, who made his first catch of the entire season, with 15 seconds left to secure a 10-9 halftime lead.

Brady led a Pats resurgence to start the third quarter, leading them down the field once again on an eight-play, 79-yard drive spanning 3:40 and found Hernandez for a 12-yard score with 11:25 remaining in the third. Brady had a terrific stretch during the second and third quarters in which he was perfect, completing 16-of-16 passes -- another record. The old record of 13 consecutive completions was held by Brady's idol, Joe Montana.

Ever persistent, the Giants crawled their way back into the game. Lawrence Tynes, who hit the game-winning field goal in overtime of the NFC Championship Game that sent New York back to the Super Bowl, made two field goals -- a 28-yard shot and a 33-yard make -- to bring his team within two points, 17-15, after three quarters of play.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012 Final Score: Giants Shock Patriots Again, 21-17

Ahmad Bradshaw made a mistake that could have cost his team the game. That mistake? Scoring a touchdown with 57 seconds left, putting the New York Giants up by four points. Alas, the Giants defense came up big and stopped Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, preserving a 21-17 victory in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday in Indianapolis.

New York has now defeated New England twice in the Super Bowl, doing so also in Super Bowl XLII.

New England came out flat in the first quarter, surrendering nine straight points. Brady was flagged for intentional grounding in the endzone on the Patriots' first offensive play from scrimmage in his own endzone, resulting in a safety -- the first in a Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXV -- to give New York a 2-0 lead with 9:00 to play in the opening quarter.

Manning was on target in the early going, connecting on his first nine pass attempts. Manning found Cruz for a two-yard touchdown pass with 3:29 left in the first, giving the Giants a surprisingly 9-0 early lead at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter, though, was all New England. Brady led the offense down the field on a 10-play, 60-yard drive, but the Pats ran out of gas and had to be content with a 29-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski, cutting the lead to 9-3.

Then, Brady caught fire. New York pinned the Pats inside their own five yard line with nearly four minutes left in the first half, but Brady led his troops on a Super Bowl record-tying 96-yard drive, capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead, who made his first catch of the entire season, with 15 seconds left to secure a 10-9 halftime lead.

Brady led a Pats resurgence to start the third quarter, leading them down the field once again on an eight-play, 79-yard drive spanning 3:40 and found Hernandez for a 12-yard score with 11:25 remaining in the third. Brady had a terrific stretch during the second and third quarters in which he was perfect, completing 16-of-16 passes -- another record. The old record of 13 consecutive completions was held by Brady's idol, Joe Montana.

Ever persistent, the Giants crawled their way back into the game. Lawrence Tynes, who hit the game-winning field goal in overtime of the NFC Championship Game that sent New York back to the Super Bowl, made two field goals -- a 28-yard shot and a 33-yard make -- to bring his team within two points, 17-15, after three quarters of play.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Giants Take 21-17 Lead With One Minute Left

With only one minute left in Super Bowl XLVI, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored a touchdown giving New York a 21-17 lead over the New England Patriots after a failed two-point conversion. Bradshaw took the handoff from Eli Manning and it looked as if he tried to stop before he entered the end zone in an effort to take more time off the clock and keep Tom Brady on the sidelines, but his momentum carried him into the end zone.

The Patriots have 57 seconds and one timeout left to score a touchdown. If anybody can do it, it's probably Brady.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Tom Brady, Wes Welker Can't Connect On Big Play

The Patriots hold a two-point lead in the last few minutes of Super Bowl XLVI but nothing is certain and Eli Manning and the Giants are easily capable of winning the game. What will help the Patriots is to score to get some breathing room, what won't help them is dropped passes.

On a second-and-11 play in the Patriots' last drive, Tom Brady dropped back and threw a pass to a wide open Wes Welker, which would have given New England a first down. Unfortunately, Welker was unable to come down with the ball.

Here's commentator Chris Collinsworth saying that Welker would catch that pass 100 out of 100 times.

The Patriots still lead but the Giants are threatening. This single play could be the biggest in the game, at least in the minds of Patriots fans, depending on the outcome.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Giants TE Jake Ballard Off To Locker Room; Giants Down To One TE

New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard left the game in a cart on the way to the locker room after he was unable to even stand on the sidelines.

The injury to Ballard leaves the Giants with just one tight end, Bear Pascoe, as Travis Beckum tore his ACL earlier in the game.

The Patriots currently lead the Giants by a score of 17-15 halfway through the fourth quarter.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Halftime Show: Madonna Impresses Some More Than The Game So Far

The Giants and Patriots have been able to put a combined 19 points on the board throughout the first half and have left some football fans wanting more. Super Bowl halftime shows haven't necessarily been too terribly impressive in the last few years but as Madonna left the field after her performance, many, according to Twitter, were impressed.

And of course, if you're interested in the betting action on Madonna's halftime show, you can check out SB Nation's results.

Here's video of Madonna's performance:

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Scoring Update: Patriots Lead Giants 17-15 After Third Quarter

For the first time in Super Bowl XLVI, both the Giants and Patriots scored in the same quarter. The Patriots started the second half with all the momentum, scoring on their first drive on a touchdown from Tom Brady to tight end Aaron Hernandez capping off an eight play, 79-yard drive.

The Giants answered right back but in the form of a field goal instead of a touchdown. Once again the Patriots defense bent but didn't break as they stopped Eli Manning and the Giants offense from making their way into the end zone. However, they did give up three points as Lawrence Tynes put a kick through the uprights, narrowing the Patriots' 10-point lead to eight.

The Patriots went three-and-out on their next drive, giving the ball right back to the Giants. Once again, Eli and the New York offense was unable to get into the end zone Tynes was able to put another three points on the board in the form of a 33-yard field goal.

Brady and the Patriots' offense took over with less than a minute left in the quarter and still had the ball when time ran out. They went into the fourth and final quarter leading by two points with a score of 17-15.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Giants Inch Closer With Another Field Goal, Trail 17-15

The Patriots have held on to their lead after another late stop, but the Giants managed to inch within two points at 17-15 by picking up their second straight field goal.

With Tom Brady and the Patriots offense being derailed deep in their own territory, the Giants were able to start their drive past the 50-yard line after Zoltan Mesko's punt. The drive very nearly ended on the second play when Hakeem Nicks coughed up the ball after a big catch, but with only Giants in the area it was an easy recovery for New York.

Brandon Jacobs took the next two plays for 10 yards before Eli found Bear Pascoe for 12 more to bring the Giants just shy of the New England 10. Once again, though, the Patriots defense tightened up late. Ahmad Bradshaw was held to just two total yards on a pair of runs, and as Eli Manning looked for the first, Rob Ninkovich and Mark Anderson came down on him for the sack, forcing fourth down and a field goal.

Super Bowl 2012: Official Super Bowl Attendance Is 68,658

The official Super Bowl XLVI attendance has been released and in a stadium that holds 73,000, only 68,658 of the seats are filled. This is somewhat surprising considering the much anticipated rematch of Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and Patriots, both supported by major market cities.

As the Patriots lead the Giants by only two points nearing the end of the third quarter, those 68,585 look like their in for a big finish to the big game.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Giants Net Field Goal, Climb Within 17-12

For the first time since they took a 9-0 lead, the Giants have picked up some points on a 38-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes.

After a nice kick return brought the Giants out to the 35-yard line, Eli Manning and his running backs picked up a series of short gains to push into New England territory. Hakeem Nicks picked up the first double-digit gain of the drive on an 11-yard pass, but found himself down on the sidelines on the next play when a devastating hit from Patrick Chung broke up what would have been a big gain.

Strong pressure on the next play forced Manning to get rid of the ball as he was taken down from behind, and a short pass to Mario Manningham would not provide enough for the first down. Facing fourth down, the Giants turned to their kicker, who just squeezed the ball around the left upright to get them back on the board, down five points at 17-12.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Patriots, Perfect Tom Brady Open Second Half With Touchdown, Lead 17-9

Ever since throwing a couple of passes into the arms of defensive linesmen, Tom Brady has been absolutely perfect, leading the Patriots on their second straight touchdown for a 17-9 lead early in the second half.

After completing 10-of-10 pass attempts in the touchdown drive that ended the first half, Tom Brady maintained his momentum as the Patriots got the ball to start the third quarter. Chad Ochocinco made a surprise appearance on the first play, picking up 20 yards down the left sideline. Brady went to BenJarvus Green-Ellis for another eight, and then handed it off to him for a big run to the right side that netted 17.

With Wes Welker picking up five yards on a quick pass, the Patriots went to the ground to get into the red zone, but from there it was all Tom Brady. Welker made another grab to bring the Patriots to the 12, and with his next throw Brady found Aaron Hernandez, who bounced off a tackle and into the end zone to give the Patriots an eight-point lead.

Super Bowl 2012 Scoring Update: Patriots Take 17-9 Lead In First Second-Half Possession

After taking a one-point lead in the last seconds of the second quarter, the Patriots must have taken all of the momentum as well. They received the ball to start the second half and in less than four minutes, Tom Brady threw a pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez for a 12-yard touchdown, giving New England a 17-9 lead after the Stephen Gostkowski extra point.

Brady's second touchdown pass of the game capped off an eight play, 79-yard drive. At this point in the game, Brady has completed 20 of 23 passes. His only three incompletions were an intentional grounding call and two batted down passes. He has set a Super Bowl record with 16 straight completions.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl XLVI Score Update: Patriots Lead Giants 10-9 At Halftime

It's safe to say that the first quarter was all Giants as New York scored nine points on a safety and a touchdown early in the game. However, as you can see from the headline, the Patriots went into the locker room at halftime with the lead, so it's safe to say the Patriots owned the second quarter.

The Patriots got on the board early in the second quarter with a field goal sent through the uprights by Stephen Gostkowski, cutting the Giants lead down to six points. The field goal capped off a drive that began in the first quarter.

For the rest of the quarter, the Patriots defense bent, but it didn't break. They gave up 39 yards on eight plays to Eli Manning and the Giants on the next drive but were able to stop New York just as they entered Patriots territory, forcing them to punt. The Patriots got the ball back on their own 20-yard line after Steve Weatherford's punt rolled into the end zone but Tom Brady and the New England offense were unable to get anything going as they went three-and-out.

They gave the ball back to the Giants and, once again, gave up a couple first downs but got the ball back. This time, Manning and the Giants offense went 22 yards down the field on seven plays before they were stopped, partially thanks to a holding penalty on Kevin Boothe. Weatherford came back on the field and, for the second time in the game, was able to pin the Patriots deep in their own territory.

The Patriots didn't start what would become the last drive of the half off on the right foot as a false start penalty took them even closer to their own end zone. The last time they were in that position, Justin Tuck hit Brady as he was throwing from the end zone and the referees called an intentional grounding penalty which resulted in a safety. Despite facing a healthy dose of pressure, that didn't happen this time, though.

Brady and the offense, starting at their own two-yard line, were able to navigate 98 yards down the field, capping off the drive with a four-yard touchdown to running back Danny Woodhead with less than 15 seconds left on the clock. The touchdown gave the Patriots a one-point lead over the Giants as the two teams headed for their locker rooms.

Since the Patriots deferred after winning the coin toss, they get the ball first in the second half.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: First Half Thoughts And Notes

First halves don't come much worse than that, do they? Right from the start, the New England Patriots looked flat and confused, and it showed. Tom Brady's first pass attempt in the endzone to no target in particular down the middle of the field was called for intentional grounding. In the endzone, that's a safety. Just like that, the Giants lead 2-0. Ugly, ugly.

It didn't get much better for the Patriots, would couldn't get much of anything going on either side of the ball until the second quarter. Meanwhile, Eli Manning was razor sharp, completing his first nine passes before finding UMass product Victor Cruz for a two-yard touchdown pass with 3:29 left in the first quarter. Not surprisingly, it was a quarter to forget.

The second quarter, though, was much better on the Patriots' end. Brady and the Pats stalled out in the redzone, but Stephen Gostkowski made a 29-yard field goal with 13:52 to go before halftime, trimming the New York lead to six.

After several uneventful drives, Brady and the Patriots got the ball back at their own four yard line with around four minutes to play in the quarter. What ensued was vintage Brady, as he led his troops 96 yards down the field and capped the drive off with a four-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead, his first catch of the year, with 15 seconds left.

Somehow, after that worse-then-horrendous start, the Pats found a way to take a 10-9 lead.

That certainly wasn't the start that Brady or Bill Belichick were probably looking for, and you can bet they're sorting things out in the locker room. Brady finished the quarter out strong, going 10-for-10 on the quarter closing scoring drive and finished the first half with 147 passing yards on 15-of-18 passing.

Meanwhile, Eli Manning and the Giants went the other direction in the half. After a strong start, the Giants petered out and succumbed to Brady's excellence. Manning had 130 passing yards on 13-of-17 passing in the opening half.

Not what anyone was looking for, but I'm sure both teams will take such a close score.

NOTES

The safety on the Patriots' first offensive play from scrimmage was the first in a Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXV...New England has not scored in the first quarter in the last five Super Bowls it has appeared in, and the Pats have won three...Brady's half-ending drive of 96 yards tied a Super Bowl record for the longest drive in the game's history.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Tom Brady Caps Off 96-Yard Drive With Touchdown, Lead 10-9 At Half

The Patriots have taken the lead for the first time in Super Bowl XLVI after Tom Brady capped off a 96-yard (98 after a false start) drive with his first touchdown pass of the game.

Once again pinned very deep by Giants punter Steve Weatherford, who left the Patriots at the 4-yard line on a terrific directional punt. After a false start, the Patriots opened up with an empty backfield, with Brady finding Wes Welker for seven more yards of breathing room. Shortly thereafter, Rob Gronkowski finally made his way into the books with a 20-yard reception with Brady throwing perfectly over the top of numerous Giants defenders to find his tight end.

From there, it was a two-man game between Aaron Hernandez and Tom Brady. Hernandez picked up 18 yards on the next two passes, and after a holding call backed the Patriots up into a 2nd-and-12 situation, it was Hernandez who made the next two for another 20 yards. Patriots fans had a nervous moment when Hernandez lost the ball at the end of one of his catches, but with his elbow hitting the ground, New England held on to possession at New York's 33-yard line.

The push to the end zone would come down to the wire both in terms of time and downs as passes to Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead brought the Patriots to the 3-yard line with only 20 seconds left. Woodhead would end up being stuffed for a loss on the next play, but facing 3rd-and-2, Brady fired to the end zone, where the diminutive running back was waiting to give the Patriots the 10-9 lead.

That's 10 straight points from the resurgent Patriots, who can now look to build their lead when they get the ball to start the second half.

Super Bowl XLVI Score Update: Patriots Lead Giants 10-9 Thanks To Last-Second Touchdown

After stopping the Giants for the second time in the second quarter, the Patriots were once again pinned back deep in their own side of the field, thanks to another great punt by Steve Weatherford. After a false start penalty, the Patriots backed themselves up even farther. They started at first-and-12 on their own two-yard line, and the last time they were in this position, they gave up two points to the Giants on a safety thanks to an intentional grounding penalty while Tom Brady was in the end zone.

Things were different this time, though. Brady led the Patriots offense 98 yards down the field in 14 plays and the drive was capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass to running back Danny Woodhead.

After taking a one-point lead, the Patriots kicked off to the Giants, who took a knee and headed into the locker room. The Patriots get the ball back to start the second half and with a one-point lead, things are starting to look up for Brady and company.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Giants Tight End Travis Beckum Out With Torn ACL

New York Giants tight end Travis Beckum had to be helped off the field and into the locker room after injuring his right knee early in the second quarter.

Once in the locker room, his injury was diagnosed as a torn ACL and he will not return to the game and may have miss the 2012 regular season as well.

Without Beckum, the Giants only have Jake Ballard and Bear Pascoe, but Beckum leads the three tight ends in receptions throughout the playoffs.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Patriots Forced To Settle For Field Goal, Trail 9-3

In their first real offensive drive of the game, the Patriots marched their way into the red zone, but came up short of the end zone, leaving them down 9-3 early in the second quarter.

Brady, appearing more in his element then he did on the intentional grounding, completed passes to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Deion Branch, and Wes Welker as the Patriots drove from their own 29-yard line to the Giants' 17 with a first down. Aaron Hernandez was the next target, but could not call upon his usual elusiveness against strong New York tacklers, gaining just two yards on the play. A run from Green-Ellis set up the Patriots with a 3rd-and-4. Again targeting Hernandez, Brady may have been able to find another first down were it not for a leaping Jason Pierre-Paul, who got his hands on the ball and knocked it to the ground, incomplete.

Stephen Gostkowski managed to put the ball through the uprights from close range to make it 9-3, but the Patriots had to be hoping for more after the Giants' strong start.

Super Bowl XLVI Score Update: Patriots Trail Giants 9-0 After First Quarter

The Patriots started the game off by stopping the Giants at midfield with two sacks on Eli Manning but things took a bad turn when punter Steve Weatherford pinned New England back on their own six-yard line. On the very first offensive play, Tom Brady was hit as threw a ball deep out of his own end zone to no receiver. He was called for intentional grounding and since he was in the end zone, they were charged with a safety.

As if giving up a safety on their first offensive play wasn't enough, the Patriots had to give the ball right back to the Giants and the Giants took advantage of it. On a nine-play drive that started at their own 22-yard line, Eli Manning and the Giants were able to score the game's first touchdown on a two-yard pass from Manning to Victor Cruz.

The Patriots were driving down the field as time ran out in the first quarter, looking to get back into this game before things get out of hand.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Touchdown Drive Puts Giants Up 9-0 In First

The Patriots find themselves in trouble early in Super Bowl XLVI after a tired defense proved incapable of keeping the Giants out of the end zone following Tom Brady's costly safety.

Where the New England defenders were impressive on the first drive, making strong tackles and getting pressure on Eli Manning to force a punt, the second drive was an entirely different animal. Having been off the field for all of one play, the Patriots were simply overpowered for New York's run into the end zone. Broken tackles and stiff arms from the likes of Ahmad Bradshaw turned small gains into big ones, bringing the Giants into the red zone in a hurry.

The Patriots had their chances to fight back in the red zone, but bad mistakes once again cost them on the scoreboard. A fumble forced by Sterling Moore after a catch was erased by a 12-men penalty, and despite running a perfect defensive route on the touchdown play, Jerod Mayo never got an eye on Manning and the football, turning a potential interception into a hopeless flail as the ball whipped past him into Nelson Cruz' waiting arms for the 9-0 lead.

Super Bowl XLVI Score Update: Giants Score First With Safety

The New England Patriots got down early to the Giants after taking a safety on their very first offensive play. After the Giants were stopped on their first drive down the field, punter Steve Weatherford was able to pin the Patriots deep back in their own zone. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense took over at the six-yard line. On the first play, Brady faked a hand off to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and then dropped back into the end zone looking for a receiver. He couldn't find one and just as Justin Tuck hit him, Brady threw a pass deep to nobody.

Brady was flagged for intentional grounding and since he was in the end zone, it was ruled a safety, giving New York a 2-0 lead and the ball.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score: Giants Jump On Top 2-0 After Safety

Just when the Patriots thought they were off to a fast start, stopping the Giants out of field goal range on the first drive of the game, a good punt and a bad throw from Tom Brady has them behind 2-0.

After allowing the Giants to move up towards field goal range with a few complete passes on the opening drive, the Patriots came up with some big sacks from Brandon Deaderick and Mark Anderson to push New York back and force the punt on a 4th-and-19.

In the end, however, they may have preferred the field goal attempt. A friendly bounce kept the punt out of the end zone, leaving the Patriots a 94-yard field to work with. With little room between Brady and his own end zone, the Patriots never-the-less elected to go to the play-action with their first offensive play of the game. The offensive line held for a while, but eventually Justin Tuck managed to make his way into the backfield, and Brady opted to heave a long ball downfield, far enough from all receivers to force the referee's hand. The call was intentional grounding, and with Brady having released in the end zone, it resulted in a safety for the Giants.

Super Bowl 2012: President Barack Obama Shares Thoughts On Patriots Vs. Giants

There’s a reason why President Barack Obama is the commander-in-chief and not a football analyst. With Matt Lauer in the White House to talk, ostensibly, the Super Bowl, President Obama decided that Patriots vs. Giants was just too close to call—though he didn’t hesitate to say that it might come down to "a turnover or some ball on somebody’s helmet."

Thanks, Mr. President.

Of course, Matt Lauer is always one to ask the hard hitting questions, and so conversation soon turned to Iran and Israel Tom Brady’s good looks and whether or not he has any female fans in the Obama family or any poster representation in the East Wing.

For the whole story, including references to Super Bowl XLII and XLIII, the electoral impact of football games, and Justin Bieber, check out the full video:

2012 Super Bowl: Bill Belichick Sits Down With NFL Network's Michael Lombardi

Before the New England Patriots take the field for Super Bowl XLVI, their head honcho Bill Belichick was able to sit down with NFL Network's Michael Lombardi for the Super Sunday Sitdown.

After discussing the difference between this team and the other seven teams Belichick has been involved with in a Super Bowl, he goes into the moment he realized this year's team could compete for a Super Bowl. That moment was, believe it or not, after a Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Belichick notes how the team battled despite falling behind 10-0 after the first quarter in a rabid environment. New England lost the next week to their opponent today and then rattled off eight straight wins.

There's plenty more to hear, so check out the full interview here.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Patriots Vs. Giants Inactives: Ahmad Bradshaw Will Play

On Saturday, many New York Giants fans held their breath when they heard that starting runningback Ahmad Bradshaw was absent from the team's final walk through on Saturday. The team announced their list of inactive players for the game, and Bradshaw was not on the list. Good news for the Giants, bad for the Patriots.

In 2011, Bradshaw accounted for 659 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games played as the Giants' primary running back. While his numbers don't appear to be all that great, they would have been better had he played all 16 games. Either way, it's great news for the G-Men.

One notable that is on the list is former Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich. During his playing days at BC, Herzlich established himself as one of the best linebackers in school history. Not to mention, he captured the heart of many in the city of Boston when he fought his way back to football after he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

For the full list of Giant inactives, click here

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012 Inactives: Mark Herzlich Won't Play For Giants

Mark Herzlich, a Boston College graduate and a cancer survivor, will be inactives for the New York Giants, as an ankle injury will keep him out of Super Bowl XLVI as his team takes on the New England Patriots at 6:29 p.m. EDT on Sunday.

Herzlich has not played since November with the ankle injury but had hoped to play in the Super Bowl. The absence of Herzlich in the Super Bowl is devastating for Boston College fans, as Herzlich has represented the school so very well.

Herzlich had 12 tackles in his first season with the Giants in 11 games as a rookie.

Joining Herzlich on the Giants' inactives list are Ramses Barden, Da'Rel Scott, Jim Cordle, Jimmy Kennedy, James Brewer and Justin Trattou. For the Patriots, Ryan Mallett, Kevin Faulk, Shane Vereen, Gary Guyton, Donald Thomas, Nick McDonald and Ron Brace are all inactive. Brace is also a Boston College graduate.

Rob Gronkowski and Chad Ochocinco will both suit up and play for the Patriots.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news

Super Bowl 2012, Prediction: New England Patriots Defeat New York Giants, 31-21

With a few hours away from the kickoff of Super Bowl XLVI, SB Nation Boston Associate Editor Jared Stegall offers his prediction of the final score of tonight's epic rematch between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

Since we are approximately two and a half hours away from kickoff, it's time to start making some predictions of who will take home the Lombardi trophy tonight. Will the dynamic quarterback-head coach duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick who will take home their fourth super bowl win and first since 2005, or will it be Eli Manning and the New York Giants who once again spoil the Patriots' Super Bowl aspirations, as they did back in 2007.

Only time will tell in reality, but this is how I ultimately believe this game will pan out.

New England Patriots 31, New York Giants 21

In a very honest opinion, if I didn't think the Patriots wanted this one more than the Giants, I wouldn't pick them. For me, this Patriots season has really been about heart and desire. Whether it was the passing of Myra Kraft, a woman these players loved and cared for so deeply, or the chip on their shoulder they've had since last season's playoff loss to the Jets, or the pure determination of Tom Brady. This team has more of a desire to win than any other team in the NFL. Not even close. Nothing is perfect for these Patriots.

In this game, I believe that that desire that we've seen all year in these players shows up again tonight. The desire to avenge a loss that happened nearly four years ago to this very same team in the Giants.

My bold prediction for this game is that Tom Brady throws for 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns and absolutely zero turnovers. In order for this to happen, the Patriots offensive line would have had to have been stellar, and that's what they'll be tonight. A group that is full of veterans in Matt Light and Logan Mankins won't allow anything to get to Brady tonight, because they know they let him down in 07'. It goes back to that desire this group has. Don't believe these guys for a second when they say they've moved on from 2007. They haven't

As for who will catch Brady's TDs, I've got Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Rob Gronkowski being recipients. I do however believe where the Giants will win the day is against the pedestrian rushing attack of the New England Patriots.

As for the Patriots defense, they'll be exposed by Eli Manning on several occasions. However, only enough for them to put up a mere 20 points. Eli throws for 280 yards and 2 TDs. Brandon Jacobs gets the other on a goal line situation. Hakeem Nicks grabs a TD while Jake Ballard gets the other. However, that's all I think the Pats defense will allow in this one.

Against a red hot Giants offense, I believe this unit really comes through in this one. While they've only faced Tim Tebow and Joe Flacco to this point, two QBs nowhere near Eli's status, I think they have a big day against him. When it's all said and done, I see linebacker Jerod Mayo coming up with an interception against him and Vince Wilfork having two sacks and forced fumble in another dominant performance.

In the end, the Patriots just have so much they are playing for in order for this one to get away. Tonight, they will capture their fourth Super Bowl title as both Tom Brady and Bill Belichick establish themselves as the best QB-Coach duo this league will ever see. This team will be playing for what has been the driving motivation behind their season, their owner Robert Kraft and the memory of his wife, Myra Hiatt Kraft. But most importantly, they will get their revenge against the team that stole their season away, back in 2007.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: SB Nation Boston Live Chat

Are you ready? Super Bowl XLVI is almost here, so come talk about the big game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. SB Nation Boston is hosting a live in-game chat. Join us!

Patriots Vs. Giants Inactives: Rob Gronkowski, Chad Ochocinco In

When the New England Patriots announced their inactives for Super Bowl XLVI, tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco were not listed. For Patriots fans, the first was a huge sigh of relief. The second, not so much.

Gronkowski suffered a high ankle sprain in the Patriots' win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago. Gronk's ankle had been the topic of conversation during Super Bowl week, as Gronk is arguably the team's top receiving option. Gronkowski had a tight end record 17 touchdown catches and 1,327 receiving yards on 90 catches.

Ochocinco, meanwhile, had done very little for the Patriots in the regular season, racking up only 15 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown. It appeared likely that Ochocinco would dress after wideout Tiquan Underwood was surprisingly released from the team on Saturday. Many believe that Ochocinco could fly under the radar and be key for the Pats.

The complete list of the seven inactive players for the Patriots can be seen here.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Patriots Vs. Giants Inactives: No Kevin Faulk, Gary Guyton For Pats

The inactives for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI have been released, with the Pats down seven players, including veteran running back Kevin Faulk and linebacker Gary Guyton. Rounding out the list of inactives are Ryan Mallett, Shane Vereen, Donald Thomas, Nick McDonald and Ron Brace.

Faulk is the longest tenured Patriot and has been seldom used all season, but as a fan favorite, this is hard news for a man that has represented the Patriots franchise so well during his career. In 13 seasons, Faulk has 3,607 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 864 career carries. Again, to recap...

New England Patriots - Super Bowl XLVI - Inactives

Ryan Mallett
Kevin Faulk
Gary Guyton
Donald Thomas
Shane Vereen
Nick McDonald
Ron Brace

Giants inactives have not been released yet. More to come when they're announced.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Tickets Still Available Online

Quick, there is still time to get your ticket for Super Bowl XLVI. As of 4:00 p.m. EDT, there are 448 tickets left on StubHub.com for the clash between the New England Patriots and New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The tickets range from $1,081 to $295,000. The cheapest ticket would place you in the Terrace End section 625, row 20. Meanwhile, if you feel like splurging and spending just under three hundred grand, you can get Field Level Suite 29.

Hey, it's a much better deal than it was earlier in the week, when a suite was going for as much as $400,000. In comparison, that's a bargain. Seriously, you might as well buy that now. $200,000 is pocket change for most.

If you seriously want to buy tickets, though, visit StubHub.com before it's too late!

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Predictions: Patriots Are The Underdog According To Twitter

The New England Patriots enter Super Bowl 2012 as 3-point favorites over the New York Giants Sunday, however, Twitter isn't buying into what the betting odds as many fans, celebrities and experts are picking against the Pats.

However, there are a few out there that are trusting quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick to get the job done and avenge the loss from 2008. Here they are:

Former Notre Dame Head Coach and ESPN College Football annalist, Lou Holtz (@ESPNDrLou):

"I predict a close game today. #giants are tough but going with #patriots @SportsCenter"

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman, Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria):

"BTW...my prediction: 20-17 Pats..MVP Brady."

Former New York Times Sports Editor, Tom Jolly (@TomJolly):

"I picked the New England Patriots to win the Superbowl. See my predictions @nytimes and fill out your own."

Homeless Guy located near Boston Common via @JonDietrich:

Homeless guy in Boston Common was yelling his Superbowl predictions this morning, "the Patriots will win the game 24-17."

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: The New England Patriots Place In History With A Win

The New England Patriots aren't just playing for a Super Bowl victory. They're playing for a piece of NFL history.

Only one other quarterback-coach combination have ever won four championships in the Super Bowl era, that of course being Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Noll of the 70's Steelers.

With a victory tonight, Tom Brady would join the aforementioned Bradshaw and Joe Montana, the man he grew up watching at Candlestick Park, as the only quarterbacks to ever win four Super Bowls.

The Patriots are already considered one of the great dynasties in NFL history, but this win would elevate them to another level.

New England should be thought of as the most impressive of all in some aspects. Bill Belichick is doing all of this in a salary cap era, something the 49ers of the 80's and Steelers of the 70's didn't have to deal with. It was much easier to stay on top back then with less changes to the roster.

It would be hard to argue this Patriots team is individually a great group. Outside of Tom Brady, nobody is headed to Canton off of this current squad in all likelihood.

In fact, this particular 2011 squad isn't even good all-around compared to past champions. The defense has been brutal for stretches and the running game is average but Brady and the passing attack have propelled this march to glory.

If New England can pull off one more win, it will be looked upon by history as one of the greatest teams to ever play.

When you factor in the previous three championship teams that reside in Foxboro, it's hard to diminish the incredible legacy they'll leave behind.

Super Bowl 2012: Rob Gronkowski Ready To Go For The New England Patriots

Nobody can ever accuse Rob Gronkowski of being soft after Sunday's game.

According to ESPN's Ed Werder, the youngster will be taped heavily and re-evaluated in pre-game warmups.

While Gronkowski is dealing with perhaps the most famous high-ankle sprain of all time, he's ready to play in the biggest game of his life. There's a very legitimate chance that Gronkowski will need surgery in the coming days, but that's the price he'll pay for a potential Super Bowl ring.

After hurting the ankle in the third quarter of the AFC Championship against Baltimore, Gronkowski's ankle has been the hottest topic of conversation in the NFL.

It's a mystery how productive the All-Pro tight end will be against the Giants. Will he be a huge factor or a mere decoy? At the absolute worst, it should keep New York honest if he can make a play early in the game.

One thing to consider is the elongated halftime. Sitting for a while might hurt Gronkowski, so the first half could be more productive for him than the second..

Super Bowl 2012 News: Will Holding Be The Key To Patriots Success?

The New England Patriots offensive line will face a very big challenge Sunday, as they will need to try to find a way to stop the relentless pass rusher of the New York Giants defensive line in the 2012 Super Bowl. Well, according to Patriots blogger Tom E. Curran the answer is simple:

"Holding," wrote Curran.

"On Friday night, I ran into Tim Ryan, co-host of "Movin' The Chains" on SIRIUS XM NFL Radio along with Pat Kirwan As we talked about the Giants pass rush, he started dropping some eye-popping stats. In the two Conference Champioship games, there was one holding penalty called on a pass play.

"In the entire playoffs - 792 passing attempts and 10 games - there have been nine holding penalties. Four of those were against the Giants, according to Ryan."

The strategy is an interesting one and probably would work and who can blame the Patriots' offensive line for trying to bend the rules a bit to keep their star quarterback Tom Brady upright. We all know that if New England is going to be successful its because Brady has time to find wide receivers Wes Welker and All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Chris Canty Brushes New England Aside On Twitter

New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty couldn't care less about Tom Brady and his high-flying offense. According to WEEI, he was responding to a Jason Romano tweet asking for Super Bowl predictions. Canty more than obliged with a 28-17 Giants response before the tweet was removed a few hours later.

It's doubtful the Patriots need any added motivation considering it's the Super Bowl against a team that halted their march to perfection in 2007. However, it certainly can't hurt the cause.

Canty also stirred up some controversy earlier in the week when he proclaimed New York would be holding a parade on Tuesday. New England has steered clear of any trash talking, deciding to take a very Bill Belichick like attitude leading into Super Sunday.

The Giants have been extremely confident all week and not afraid to show it. It'll be interesting to see if that translates on the field after a two-week layoff.

We'll find out very soon with the kickoff rapidly approaching.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Attendence: Lucas Oil Stadium Will Not Set Capacity Record

The NFL is expecting a capacity crowd of about 68,000-plus Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, as the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants in the 2012 Super Bowl. According to a Washington Post blog post, the NFL added 265 seats behind one of the end zone's of the stadium, which usually holds about 63,000 Indianapolis Colts fans.

The total attendance Sunday will not even come close to breaking the Super Bowl record, which was many years back in Pasadena, CA during Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl (103, 985). Last year, Dallas Cowboys Stadium came close to breaking the attendance record, as it packed 103, 219 football fans into the newly built stadium.

Here's a list of the attendance for all 46 Super Bowls via About.com:

I - Los Angeles - 61,946
II - Miami - 75,546
III - Miami - 75,389
IV - New Orleans - 80,562
V - Miami - 79,204
VI - New Orleans - 81,023
VII - Los Angeles - 90,182
VIII - Houston - 71,882
IX - New Orleans - 80,997
X - Miami - 80,187
XI - Pasadena - 103,438
XII - New Orleans - 75,583
XIII - Miami - 79,484
XIV - Pasadena - 103,985
XV - New Orleans - 76,135
XVI - Pontiac - 81,270
XVII - Pasadena - 103,667
XVIII - Tampa - 72,920
XIX - Stanford - 84,059
XX - New Orleans - 73,818
XXI - Pasadena - 101,063
XXII - San Diego - 73,302
XXIII - Miami - 75,129
XXIV - New Orleans - 72,919
XXV - Tampa - 73,813
XXVI - Minneapolis - 63,130
XXVII - Pasadena - 98,374
XXVIII - Atlanta - 72,817
XXIX - Miami - 74,107
XXX - Tempe - 76,347
XXXI - New Orleans - 72,301
XXXII - San Diego - 68,912
XXXIII - Miami - 74,803
XXXIV - Atlanta - 72,625
XXXV - Tampa - 71,921
XXXVI - New Orleans - 72,922
XXXVII - San Diego - 67,603
XXXVIII - Houston, 71,525
XXXIX - Jacksonville - 78,125
XL - Detroit - 68,206
XLI - Miami - 74,512
XLII - Glendale (AZ) - 71,101
XLIII - Tampa - 70,774
XLIV - Miami - 74,059
XLV - Arlington, Texas - 103,219

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Boston Red Sox Wish Pats Well

Nowhere else is the sports community as tight knit as it is in Boston. It seems like all of the coaches of the four major teams -- the Patriots, the Red Sox, the Celtics and the Bruins -- are all friends and fans root for each and every team.

That brotherly love was put on display Sunday afternoon, when the Boston Red Sox sent out a Tweet to the New England Patriots, who take on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, wishing them luck and cheering them on.

Of course, the Patriots took notice, and they thanked the Red Sox for their well wishes.

The Sox will be represented at Super Bowl XLVI, as newly hired manager Bobby Valentine will be in attendance and watching from a box. It wouldn't be surprising to see some other Red Sox players there, too. Unfortunately, there may even be some Yankees there, too. I know, who would give them tickets?

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Odds 2012: Is The Coin Toss Fair?

Its a statical fact that no matter how many times you flip a coin the odds of it landing on tails or heads is 50-percent. Well, then how is it possible that for the past 14 Super Bowls the odds of winning the coin toss have favored the NFC?

That's right, for 14 straight years the NFC has won the coin toss -- crazy right? According to this ESPN's Stats and Info writer Albert Larcada, the probability of that happening is .006-percent. That last time AFC team team to win a coin toss was, ironically, the New England Patriots back in 1997.

Currently, Super Bowl prop bets have the coin-flip money line at (-115) for both head and tails.

Now, of course, you won't know what AFC or NFC team will be call what before kick off. However, I guess the odds are stacked against the AFC no matter what.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Jeff Green Says Super Bowl Has 'Vibe' Behind It

Jeff Green (formerly of the Boston Celtics) chimed in with his thoughts on Super Bowl XLVI, which is being played on Sunday night between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Green said that this Super Bowl seems to have a special vibe around it, unlike any other.

Green went on to say he's pulling for the Patriots, as well as his man Chad Ochocinco.

Green had season-ending heart surgery early in January after doctors discovered an aortic aneurysm in his physical after the forward signed a one-year deal to return to the Celtics this past offseason. Green has averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 315 NBA games through four seasons.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: New England Roster Features Five Starters From '08 Squad

New England Patriots fans remember the 2008 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants well, however, the same might be said to a lot of the Patriots players, who will be playing in the Super Bowl Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC). According to Matt Pomeroy, a NFL Network Researcher, the Patriots have just five remaining starters from the '08 squad, and just one left on the defensive side of the ball -- defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

The other four starters are: quarterback Tom Brady, wide receiver Wes Welker, offensive linemen Matt Light and Logan Mankins.

Meanwhile, the Giants have eight players on their active roster that played in five years ago in the 17-14 victory over the Patriots.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: The Hunger Games Teaser

Take The Running Man and re-imagine it as kids running around killing one another until one is left standing, throw in some social commentary and add a dash of Twilight-esque love-triangle action and you've got yourself The Hunger Games.

It's a big deal. The book series was a best-seller and your mom/girlfriend/wife/daughter has probably read them. Now the first book in the trilogy is a live-action movie starring Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson.

How do I know? Because a teaser trailer that will be broadcast before the Super Bowl has made it's way online already.

Good luck finding an embeddable version but you can watch the teaser here.

Now commence your "Who would survive The Hunger Games, Eli Manning or Tom Brady?" discussions. I'm going with Tom if only because I think he can somehow fashion his Uggs into a weapon.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: belVita And The Breakfast Police

Kraft's new belVita breakfast biscuits apparently give you enough energy to tackle the morning ahead as well as any wild rabbits you might find roaming your garden.

The Breakfast Police are two bumbling local cops who snack on belVita biscuits and suddenly find they have all the energy in the world. And for this sleepy town, that's a bad thing.

belVita's official tagline is "Power Up, People." It's unofficial tagline is "eating this gives you free reign to insult little league pitchers," which might sell a few more packs if you ask me.

This commercial will run before the game and not during the game itself, likely because no one gets punched in the groin during it. That's a Super Bowl commercial requirement, I think.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Ahmad Bradshow Injury: Giants Coughlin Says Running Back Will Be Ready

The inactive list for the 2012 Super Bowl is hours away form being posted, but it seems as if New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw will be ready to go against the New England Patriots Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC). According to Boston's WEEI, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said to the media Friday that "(Bradshaw will be ready."

"He got in two good days of work prior to this," Coughlin said. "He’s prepared."

Bradshaw did not practice Friday after practicing both Wednesday and Thursday. However, that was the plan going into the week, as Bradshaw did want to rest the ankle a bit before the NFL's biggest game of the year.

The NFL will release the Super Bowl's complete inactive list about an 1 1/2 hour before schedule kick off.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Hulu, Will Arnett Together At Last

Will Arnett is the new pitchman for Hulu and, more specifically, Hulu Plus, replacing Alec Baldwin.

The online TV & movie provider has released a teaser previewing their Super Bowl commercial this year and it features Will Arnett doing Will Arnett things as he attempts to get into Hulu HQ:

Keep an eye on the Twitter hashtag, #mushymush, which seems to be what TV on Hulu Plus is trying to turn your brain into, if regular TV hasn't done that already.

See how many TV show references you can find in that teaser. I think I caught SNL, Battlestar Galatica, Arrested Development, The Larry Sanders Show and All In The Family. Plenty more when Hulu premieres their Super Bowl commercial during the, uh, Super Bowl.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Rob Gronkowski Injury: Patriots Tight End Will Play In Super Bowl

New England Patriots inactives list is a few hours away from being released, but tight end Rob Gronkowski will play in Sunday's Super Bowl. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Gronkowski is a go for the Super Bowl despite battling a high ankle sprain that has been analyzed to death for the best two weeks.

"As agent Drew Rosenhaus told NBC SportsTalk this week, Gronkowski wouldn’t play if it wasn’t the Super Bowl. And Gronkowski may end up having surgery after the game."

Of course, Gronk is going to play that really wasn't the question all week. The real question is, how effective will the 6-foot-6, 256 pound tight end be with a bum wheel?

SB Nation Boston's Gethin Coolbaugh asked and answered this question earlier in the day.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Recipes: Chocolate Covered Bacon For Dessert

By now, you're probably already heating up the crock pot, cooking the beans, sorting the wings and ordering the pizza. You've got your Super Bowl meal sorted out as you get ready to watch the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants.

But have you considered dessert? A box of doughnut holes isn't gonna cut it. But you know what will?

Chocolate-Covered Bacon (Via A Boston Food Diary’s Fiona Coxe)

Here's what you'll need:

• 5 strips of bacon, cut in half to create 10 smaller pieces
• 2 1 oz square of semisweet chocolate
• Water

1. Lay the bacon flat on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil, bake at 400 degrees until crisp.
2. Remove from baking sheet, and set aside to cool.
3. Fill the sauce pot with water until it is just touching the bottom of the glass bowl. Bring the water to a boil, and add the chocolate squares.
4. Monitor the water to make sure it doesn't boil over.
5. Once the chocolate is completely melted, dip the pieces of bacon into it, using a silicone brush to fill any cavities and to brush off excess chocolate.
6. Place the coated pieces onto a piece of wax paper and allow to cool and harden.
7. Eat your chocolate-covered bacon!

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012 News: Tiquan Underwood Tweets About Being Released From Patriots

Less than 24 hours before the New England Patriots were to take on the New York Giants in the 2012 Super Bowl, the Patriots made an interesting roster transaction by releasing wide receiver Tiquan Underwood to make room for defensive end Alex Silvestro.

Well, shortly after his release, Underwood took to Twitter to address his depressing news.

"This Is Nothing But MOTIVATION....," was Underwood's first response.

"I Been Thru A LOT...But There Are Ppl In This World w/ More Serious Problems So I Cant Hang The Head....Thank You Lord."

"Good Luck To The New Enland Organization, The Coaches, & All My Teammates... #PatsNation"

"THANK YOU To Everyone Supporting/Wishing Me Well (Fam,Friends,Ppl Who Dont Kno Me Personally) To Those Happy About What Happen...God Bless U."

Good news for Underwood is that he will get a share of the Patriots Super Bowl winnings and get a ring if they're victorious.

Underwood, played in just six games for the Patriots this season. In those games, Underwood snagged three catches for 30 yards, including a 13-yard reception against the Denver Broncos in the Patriots' Divisional-round victory.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Coca-Cola Polar Bears Back For More

Would it be a Super Bowl if there wasn't a Coca-Cola commercial featuring those lovable, high fructose corn syrup-addicted polar bears? Of course not. However, this year, things are a little different...the commercial might change depending on how the game turns out.

For now, the commercial features two polar bears, one rooting for the New England Patriots and one rooting for the New York Giants (though it's hard to tell which is which since they're both wearing colors that work for each team). One of the bears is upset over the game but gets super-psyched when some of his buddies, who are just lounging instead of watching the Super Bowl for some weird reason (Canadian bears?), offer him a Coke.

From there, things get slippery...

Depending on how the game is going for both teams, the spot will be altered to feature a fan of the team that's losing. Regardless, everyone still gets a Coke in the end and, therefore, we are all winners. At least in polar bear world.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Downy Remakes Mean Joe Greene Classic

The New England Patriots and New York Giants will both bring it during the Super Bowl on Sunday, but will the commercials as well?

In 1980, the iconic Mean Joe Greene Coke commercial set the tone for how to integrate football players into commercials. It's become so well know that it's been parodied roughly 5,000 times...and here's one more.

This year, Downy brought in Amy Sedaris to tackle the seminal role of "the boy" who meets Pittsburgh Steelers LB Mean Joe Greene on his way to the locker room.

The ad's a winner because it covers every base. It's got the nostalgia factor, reenacting one of the most famous football commercials of all time. Sedaris pulls in "the kids" or whatever demographic is said to be fans of Sedaris. And there's a body function joke, the core of any good Super Bowl commercial. If they could have somehow worked in a fart or a guy getting kicked in the groin, it might have been an all-time great.

When Greene says this is the last commercial he's going to do, let's hope so. There's only so many times we can go back to this well and I'm pretty sure we're there.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Who To Follow On Twitter

Twitter is the place to be for Super Bowl XLVI, in which the New England Patriots will face the New York Giants at 6:29 p.m. EDT at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday. Here's the lowdown of who to follow for game coverage.

Of course, you can start by following both @SBNationBoston and regional editor @GethinCoolbaugh on Twitter. Also follow @Jared_Stegall, @BenBuchananSBN and @DShookSBN for our local coverage. We will have all of your pregame, in-game and postgame updates all day and week long. Also follow @SBNation for updates.

Coverage of Super Bowl XLVI on Twitter can be found below. Be sure to follow!

GENERAL SUPER BOWL XLVI COVERAGE

@SBNation - SB Nation is your home for the greatest sports coverage on the net.

@SBNationLIVE - SB Nation's live gameday account.

@SBNationBoston - We'll have Patriots-Giants coverage, plus other goodies!

@NFL - The official Twitter account of the NFL. They've got the good stuff.

@SuperBowl2012 - The official Twitter account of Super Bowl XLVI.

@LucasOilStadium - Official Twitter account of the Super Bowl's host stadium.

@ESPN - The Worldwide Leader. Ever heard of them?

@SNFonNBC - It's Sunday Night Football on NBC, y'all!

@AP_NFL - The AP's collaborative NFL coverage feed.

@AlbertBreer - Bostonian and current NFL Network reporter.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS COVERAGE

@Patriots - Because, you know, they're playing in the game.

@PATRIOTSdotCOM - The Patriots' official website Twitter feed.

@PatsPulpit - The official Patriots blog of SB Nation.

@MikeReiss - One of the best Patriots beat writers of ESPN Boston.

@RapSheet - Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald. Awesome stuff.

@CapeLeaguer - Chris Price of WEEI.com. Great guy, great reads.

@Trags - Mike Petraglia of WEEI, offering great in-game Tweets.

@GregABedard - Boston Globe Pats beat writer. Quality writing.

@TomECurran - Tom Curran of CSNNE and WEEI.

@WEEI - Quality stuff from WEEI.com, as always.

@ESPNBoston - The local branch of the Worldwide Leader.

@GlobePatriots - Collaborative Boston Globe Patriots reporting.

@CSNewEngland - Local branch of Comcast SportsNet.

@985TheSportsHub - The radio home of the Patriots with Gil and Gino.

@7News - For a local news perspective on the big game.

@Ochocinco - Pats wideout. Because he may not even play.

NEW YORK GIANTS COVERAGE

@Giants - The official Twitter account of the Giants.

@BigBlueView - The official Giants blog of SB Nation.

@BigBlueView - Giants List - List of all things Giants on Twitter.

@TheBlueScreen - Ralph Vacchiano, who covers Giants for New York Daily news.

@Giantspathanlon - Pat Hanlon, team spokesman for Giants.

@JudyBattista - NFL reporter for The New York Times.

@SamBorden - Covers Giants for The New York Times.

@MikeFrancesaYES - Mike Francesca. Need I say any more?

@IanBegley - Giants reporter for ESPN New York.

@AndrewMarchand - Senior Writer for ESPN New York.

@TheJRob - Jeff Roberts, Giants reporter for The Record.

@ESPNNewYork - The New York branch of the Worldwide Leader.

@SNYtv - SportsNet New York's official Twitter feed.

@NYTimesSports - The official sports Twitter account of The New York Times.

@NYPost_Giants - The New York Posts' official Giants account.

@CBSSportsNFLNYG - CBS Sports' Giants account.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Sasha Baron Cohen Is 'The Dictator'

Sure the New England Patriots and New York Giants are going to the main event of Super Bowl Sunday, but it's time to admit you're kinda interested in the commercials as well. At least some of them.

Sasha Baron Cohen struck gold with Borat and watched his mockumentary empire crumble with the failure of Bruno. He's hoping third time is the charm as he unveils The Dictator during the Super Bowl this year.

If you're going to premiere a raunchy comedy during the Super Bowl, this is the blueprint. Open with a direct reference to the Super Bowl itself ("I know the final score."), lead with footage of the most attractive women in the film (Megan Fox), insert a topical reality TV joke that everyone's mom will get ("What do I look like, a Khardashian?") and then find the closest scene you've got in the movie to actual sports because for some reason advertisers seem to think we need to actually see sports in the movie while watching a sporting event (track meet).

Also, make sure you check out the official site for the film, RepublicOfWadiya.com. Find out all about the Republic of Wadiya and it's beloved leader Shabazz Aladeen, but make sure you translate into English first. I'm guessing you can't speak Wadiyan.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: What If ... Rob Gronkowski Doesn't Play For Patriots

Rob Gronkowski has successfully stolen the spotlight leading up to Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, he's done so for the wrong reason.

More: Check out the pre-released 2012 Super Bowl commercials.

Gronkowski suffered a high ankle sprain during the Patriots' 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, creating extreme media speculation over the last two weeks. The question: will he play or won't he?

Chances are, Gronk's going to play. He's a gamer. It would take a lot for any player to miss the Super Bowl.

But what if Gronk can't play? Maybe this ankle injury is worse than we all though, and Gronk just won't be ready. That's certainly a big blow for the Patriots and Tom Brady, who has used the second-year beast tight end as a safety blanket.

Gronkowski is much more than a safety blanket, though. He's an all out machine. This season, Gronk had a tight end record 17 touchdown receptions while racking up 1,327 receiving yards on 90 receptions. That's pretty good, no?

The sad truth is, if the injury is worse than expected, the Patriots may not miss Gronkowski if he misses Super Bowl XLVI. The reason is complex. First, even if he does play, it's likely that Gronkowski will not be as effective as he could be, and on a big stage like this, that would be a blow to the Pats' chance.

Secondly, the Patriots are pretty set in the receiving department without him. Sure, Gronk would be missed, but the Pats still have playmakers like Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez and former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. Maybe even Chad Ochocinco. We all certainly hope Gronk can play, but all hope isn't totally lost without him, either.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

2012 Super Bowl Prop Bets: Coin Toss, Kick Off, MVP Award, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski

The Super Bowl prop bets are finalized, and one can't imagine the kind of things that a degenerate gambler can bet on during the NFL's biggest game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC). According to the sports betting website Bovada, a sports fan can bet on the simple things (who will win the coin toss?) or very outlandish things (will Madonna wear a hat during her halftime performance?)

Currently, Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady is the favorite to win the game's MVP award with odds of 7-5, while Eli Manning is the second-best option with odds of 9-4..

Surprisingly, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is the favorite to score the contest's first touchdown at 6-1. Teammates, tight end Aaron Hernandez (7-1) and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (15-2), have the second and third best odds, respectively.

As for the outlandish? Well, if you'd like to bet on how many times Brady's supermodel wife Giselle Bundchen will be shown on TV. You can, and the over-under is set at 1/2-times with a money-line payout of (-300) for the over and (+200) for the under.

For a full list of Super Bowl prop bets click here.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Lucas Oil Stadium Notes & Facts

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is the site of Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, which is set to kick off at 6:29 p.m. EDT on Sunday, February 5. The stadium, which opened in 2008, is one of the most unique in the National Football League, and it's a more than worthy site to host the biggest game in America.

Construction on the stadium began on September 20, 2005 and officially opened on August 16, 2008. It cost $720 million and was designed by HKS, Inc. Lucas Oil paid $122 million to secure naming rights for 20 years. The stadium is owned by Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority, which is a fancy way of saying the state of Indiana.

The stadium normally seats 63,000 fans but has been expanded to hold 73,000 for Super Bowl XLII. It features a retractable roof (the panels weight six million pounds!) that takes between nine to 11 minutes to open and close. In addition, the north window is the largest moveable glass wall system in the world, according to USA Today's preview, featuring six glass panels that span 88 feet. The glass window opens in roughly six minutes.

Lucas Oil Stadium's top arch is 264 feet tall, which makes it one of Indy's tallest buildings. To learn more about the stadium, it's history and architecture, visit the building's website.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

2012 Super Bowl Odds And Line: Patriots Are Three-Point Favorites Over Giants

For the second time in five years, the New England Patriots will enter the Super Bowl as the odds-on favorite to beat the New York Giants Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC). According to the Bovada website, the Patriots (13-3) enter the contest against the Giants (9-7) as 3-point favorites with the over-under set at 53 1/2 points.

The last time these two franchises met in the Super Bowl was 2008, and the Patriots entered as 12-point favorites over the Giants. Of course, New England fans know very well how that turned out.

However, if betting the line just doesn't do it for you, well, no worries there, as Bovada has hundreds of different prop bets like: Who will win the coin toss? Who will be the game's MVP award? What kind of outfit will national anthem singer, Kelly Clarkson, wear? Over-under of how many times NBC shows Peyton Manning.

For a full list of Super Bowl odds, betting line and or prop bets just visit Bovada.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: What If ... Tom Brady Gets Hurt (Knock On Wood)

It's a dangerous subject to bring up amongst New England Patriots fans. If you want to get someone riled up, then you'll mention it. Talk about it too much and you'll likely be tackled and have your mouth taped shut. So I will be very brief.

What if Tom Brady, the Pats' all-century quarterback, gets hurt in Super Bowl XLVI?

OK, don't shoot. Hold on for a minute. It could happen, so it's worth it to look at the options.

Brady is the Patriots. Plain and simple. Without him, the Patriots take a huge hit. Wait, what's that you say? The Patriots actually did well without the guy? When? Oh, right, Matt Cassel. New England barely missed the playoffs that year.

But Cassel, who is now a starting quarterback on another NFL team, isn't around anymore. Instead, if Brady goes down (again, knock on wood), there are three options, really: Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and Zoltan Mesko. Yeah ... yeah.

Hoyer is, of course, the top backup to Brady. Hoyer is in the fourth year of his NFL career. In all that time, he has only 27 completions on 43 attempts for 286 yards and one touchdown. This season, he has 22 passing yards on one pass.

As for Mallett, it's likely he may not even be an option. Nor would you want him to be one, really. Mallett was been inactive for a handful of the Patriots' games in the regular season, and putting a rookie in that spotlight isn't optimal.

Then, we have Mesko. Hey, he's the punter, so after Brady and Hoyer, he'd be the next best option. Right? Right?

Let's hope and pray that it doesn't get to that point. Hoyer is a more-than-serviceable backup, one that any team would probably love to have. But that's the thing -- he's a backup. And that's how it should remain.

Again, knock on wood.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012 Kickoff Time, Live Game Coverage, Scores And More

The start of Super Bowl 2012 is almost here! The New England Patriots will face the New York Giants for the second time in five years in the NFL's biggest game, which will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

The contest will feature two of the best NFL organizations that are each trying to earn their fourth Super Bowl title and trying to gain ground on the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have six overall.

Location: Lucus Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Pregame TV start: 2 p.m. ET on NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color), Michele Tafoya (sideline)
Kick off time: 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Live Stream: NBC.com (click the link)
National anthem singer: Kelly Clarkson
Halftime show performer: Madonna

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Patriots Vs. Giants, Super Bowl 2012: TV/Radio Schedule, Time, Odds, Anthem/Halftime Show And More

Super Bowl XLVI is here! Tom Brady and the New England Patriots battle Eli Manning and the New York Giants in the game of the year on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

Event: Super Bowl XLVI, New England Patriots vs. New York Giants.

Date/Time: Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 6:29 p.m. EDT.

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Capacity: 73,000), Indianapolis, Indiana.

Broadcast Info: Super Bowl XLVI will be broadcast worldwide on NBC, with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth serving as the broadcast team. In addition, the game will be broadcast locally on both 98.5 The Sports Hub and WEEI 93.7 FM.

Odds: New England is a three-point favorite with the over-under set at 110 points.

National Anthem/Halftime Show: Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthmen prior to the game. Madonna will be performing at this year's halftime show.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: What If ... Chad Ochocinco Is The Key For Patriots?

Would you really put it past Bill Belichick? We've all learned by now that Belichick does the unexpected. So would it really be that much of a stretch to see Chad Ochocinco, the wide receiver who has done nothing all season long, be the key to the New England Patriots' victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday?

Ochocinco had 15 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown in the entire regular season. Ocho's number of tweets per minute is likely higher than his total catches. It was that bad. So much for the former Pro Bowler making an impact, huh?

Well, now, wait a minute. Talent doesn't just abandon someone. After all, this is a man who has 11,059 career receiving yards and 67 touchdowns on 766 career receptions. Ochocinco was always a Belichick fan, and he wanted to be here.

It just doesn't add up that Ochocinco had that kind of regular season given all those factors. There's the fact that Ocho was too busy enjoy the non football fame that comes with playing in the NFL. He certainly has done plenty of that.

Or, maybe, Ochocinco was here for this very reason. Belichick knew that he had enough receiving talent to get the job done in the regular season with the likes of Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Deion Branch.

Chances are, some Giants players have already counted out Ochocinco. With the release of Tiquan Underwood, it appears as if Ochocinco might be dressing for the Super Bowl. The cards are starting to fall into place.

Granted, this is mere speculation. Maybe Ochocinco doesn't even dress. But if he does, and knowing Belichick, you shouldn't be surprised to see No. 85 have the biggest game of his career. In Bill we trust.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Watch Super Bowl Online: Live Stream Of Game Available For Free

The 2012 Super Bowl will more than likely set a record for number of hours of pre-game hype, and if you don't want to miss any of the hoopla, well, don't worry because NBC is live streaming all of its Super Bowl coverage via NBCSports.com.

Starting at 2 p.m. ET, NBC will begin to live stream its Super Bowl 2012 coverage and promises exclusive online stuff that a viewer can't get by even watching on television. According to the NBC website, there will be exclusive online-only camera angles, in-game highlights, exclusive sideline reporting from reporter Michele Tafoya, in-game chat with Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, live-in game tweets by Jimmy Fallon and Super Bowl commercials available on-demand.

Phew.

If you'd like to tune in just before kick off time, well, the New York Giants and New England Patriots are set to begin their fight for the Vince Lombardi Trophy at approximately 6:30 p.m.

So, basically if you can't watch the NFL's biggest game of the year via television you can watch it live at NBCSports.com by clicking this link.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Patriots Vs. Giants, Super Bowl 2012: Legacies On The Line For Pats, Giants

One game for one legacy. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning all have a lot to prove as the New England Patriots and New York Giants meet in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium at 6:29 p.m. EDT on Sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday: It's Already A Holiday, So Let's Make It Official

It's already a holiday, so why not make it official? Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest celebrations in America, uniting diehard football fans with those who couldn't tell you what a football looks like. It should be a federal holiday.

Patriots Vs. Giants, Super Bowl 2012: What Did Tiquan Underwood Do?

Flying under the radar (mostly because it just happened on Saturday) is the release of wide receiver Tiquan Underwood by the New England Patriots. Normally, this is a non story. Underwood wasn't exactly the world's best football player.

What was strange, though, is the timing of his release: one day before Super Bowl XLVI.

Now, any roster move in the NFL shouldn't be surprising. Bill Belichick especially has been known to make some head scratching moves, for better or worse. But this one is just odd. Why drop Underwood now?

The team won't tell us for sure, but one has to wonder if it is related to his behavior.

In his place, the Patriots signed rookie defensive end Alex Silvestro. I'm certainly not inside the head of Belichick or the Patriots, but do the Pats really stand to benefit that much more from Silvestro than they would have from Underwood.

True, the two are different players at different positions. It's not like the Patriots are thin at wideout, either, and there are quite a few players ahead of Underwood on the depth chart. But again, the timing is very peculiar.

Maybe this really is a football move. With Belichick, who knows? However, it's not likely.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Patriots Vs. Giants, Super Bowl 2012: Bill Belichick, Food Dictator

Bill Belichick is the dictator of New England Patriots land. What he says goes. If not, then you're gone. Isn't that right, Randy Moss (and as recently as yesterday, Tiquan Underwood)? The following is just further proof of that very fact.

According to our sources, the team has been on serious lockdown this week when it came to meals. We're told in Indianapolis ...the players HAD to eat what was put on the table. (via TMZ)

Talk about controlling. Belichick doesn't trust his own players to even eat right beforehand.

Well, he may have a point here. After all, these are mostly young men who may not have the best eating habits to start with. Ever see that guy Vince Wilfork? Case and point. All in all, this is probably for the best. In Bill we trust!

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

NFL MVP Award 2012: Aaron Rodgers Prevails Over Drew Brees, Tom Brady

There just isn't any love for Tom Brady. That was the case for the 2012 NFL MVP Award, at least, as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won the award over both Drew Brees of the Saints and Brady of the Patriots.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: At Last, The Wait Is Finally Over

After two weeks of buildup, the wait is finally over. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots face their greatest challenge yet in Eli Manning and the New York Giants as the two teams battle for the ultimate prize in Super Bowl XLVI, starting at 6:29 p.m. EDT (TV/Radio: NBC/98.5 FM, WEEI) in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday.

Obviously, both teams are riding high coming into the big game. Brady and his Patriots are coming off a thrilling 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago. Billy Cundiff missed the potential game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter, giving New England its fifth Super Bowl berth in the last 11 seasons.

Manning and the Giants were pushed to the brink by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago, but New York pulled off a 20-17 victory. Manning threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns and Lawrence Tynes sent the Giants back to the Super Bowl with his 31-yard field goal with 7:06 remaining in overtime.

Of course, the Patriots and Giants aren't strangers. New England and New York met back in Super Bowl XLII, with the Giants pulling off a stunning 17-14 upset to derail the Patriots' perfect season. Manning had 355 passing yards and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the corner of the endzone. On the drive, Manning completed an improbable (and that's really, really underselling it) pass to David Tyree.

Brady and Manning also clashed once this season, with Manning's crew escaping with a 24-20 victory at Gillette Stadium. Ironically, Manning had almost exactly the same passing numbers -- 250 yards, two touchdowns, one interception -- as he did in Super Bowl XLII. Brady, meanwhile, threw for 342 yards, two scores and two picks.

Alas, this is it. One game for all the glory. Who will win the rematch? We shall soon see.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs news, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl Predictions: Madden 2012 Simulation Has Giants Edging Patriots, 27-24

The EA Sports video game, Madden 2012, has predicted the winner of Super Bowl 2012 after a simulation was played and posted on YouTube. According to the popular game, the New York Giants will edge the New England Patriots, 27-24, in the Super Bowl.

The Giants will defeat the Patriots for the second time in five years in the NFL's biggest game on a time-expiring field goal by kicker Lawrence Tynes. The kick was made after Patriots quarterback Tom Brady connects with wide receiver Wes Welker on a touchdown that ties the game with 1:50 remaining.

The Patriots game-tying touchdown was setup by a late-fourth quarter interception thrown by Giants' quarterback Eli Manning.

Madden NFL 12 - Super Bowl XLVI Sim - Patriots vs Giants (via EASPORTS)

Now, the end results didn't end up in the favor of Patriots fans, but if the Super Bowl is going to be this exciting, at least, the casual fan will enjoy it.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Tiquan Underwood Released By Patriots Less Than 24 Hours Before Super Bowl 2012

There's no NFL franchise that treats the football more like a business than the New England Patriots, and they proved it against Saturday, a night before Super Bowl 2012, when they released wide receiver Tiquan Underwood and promoted defensive end Alex Silversto.

"I am told there were not disciplinary reasons for the move," wrote the Boston Herald's Patriots blog Saturday night. "Underwood did not do anything wrong, and I expect him to be back next year. But perhaps they wanted another defensive linemen on the field."

The Herald also said the move almost guaranteed that wide receiver Chad Ochocino will be on the Patriots active roster when they face the New York Giants in Super Bowl 46 in Indianapolis, IN (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

Underwood is still expected to earn a Super Bowl ring if the Patriots win.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots Hold Final Walk-Through On Saturday

The following is Satruday's practice pool report from Patriots practice, filed by Tom E. Curran of Comcast Sportsnet New England.

INDIANAPOLIS - Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were the last Patriots to walk off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday afternoon after a 90-minute outing with friends and family that included official team Super Bowl photos.

From just past noon until 1:30 p.m., Patriots players, coaches and staff mingled with family and posed for picture after picture as the clock ticked down to Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants.

Brady and Belichick will be trying Sunday to win their fourth Super Bowl in five appearances.

Leaving their team hotel on the campus of IUPUI at 11:45 a.m., the Patriots traveled through a raw drizzle in a 10-bus caravan.

Asked how many friends and family made the trip to Lucas Oil, Patriots Vice President of Media Relations Stacey James smiled and said, "All of them."

Given the light atmosphere, it was no surprise to see a relaxed, happy group of players.

"It really is (good to see the players enjoy the day)," said Belichick. "These guys have worked hard, they've earned this trip. We know we're here for a job but it's also a fun thing to be part of this game so it's fun to be seeing them enjoying it. This is what we all work for. To be here. You want to be here, you want to enjoy it, there's a job to do but you want to be able to enjoy the trip."

All official team photos were done by 12:30 p.m.

Seventy Patriots players - including all practice squad players and those who'd landed on injured reserve during the year - were in the final team photo taken before position group photos were taken.

Julian Edelman, who played 25 snaps on offense and 25 on defense in the AFCChampionship Game, posed with both the wide receivers and defensive backs.

Belichick, wearing tan khakis and a navy blue hooded sweatshirt with three-quarter length sleeves and a Super Bowl XLVI logo on the right sleeve, knelt in the front row of a photo taken of the Patriots coaches.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski showed no trace of a limp for the 75 minutes he was on the field posing first for team photos and then with assorted waves of teammates' family members. Gronkowski, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, walked briskly from the field and up the tunnel headed for the buses outside. He was listed as "questionable" on Friday's injury report.

"I think he's doing better," Belichick said before the team went on the field to begin the session. "I think he's doing a little better each day. We'll just have to see where things (are) and get through tomorrow."

The Patriots will spend Saturday night at their team hotel on the campus of IUPUI on the edge of downtown Indianapolis. Belichick said there were no stragglers that missed the team's Friday night curfew.

After the stadium session, the team returned to its hotel. The Patriots will have a team meeting in-between lunch and dinner. There will be a curfew Saturday night as well. The time was undisclosed.

Belichick said his teams have often treated Super Bowl Saturdays like this when there's been a bye week between the Conference Championship and the Super Bowl. The exception was before Super Bowl 36 when there was no bye week before the Patriots played and beat the St. Louis Rams. Saturday was the 10-year anniversary of that shocking, 20-17 upset of the Rams.

Super Bowl 2012: Pats Pulpit's Greg Knopping Chats With Sergio Brown

Greg Knopping is the managing editor of SB Nation's New England Patriots blog and SB Nation Boston affiliate blog Pats Pulpit. Greg is on assignment in Indianapolis to cover the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. On Satruday, Greg sat down with Pats safety Sergio Brown to talk about his 2011 season and the big game on Sunday.

On turning training camp opportunity into bigger role:
I stepped up into a bigger role after those guys [Meriweather, Sanders, McGowan] left at the beginning of the season and played a little bit more and now I'm just contributing to the team [any] way I can. It's a blessing because I'm better than last year and I just keep taking steps forward.

On how he has improved as a player:

Experience; I've gotten older and I've been able to focus on the important things while trying to weed out the things that don't matter. I'm just really focused on getting better and everything we need to do as a football team.

Thoughts on his emergence as a special teams player despite up-and-down playing time on defense:

Special teams is a big part of the game - there is a lot of hidden yardage in special teams and whatever value we can get we need to have. So every chance I get out there to do anything I just want to give it 100% and try to contribute to the team.

On transition in defensive backfield and how the secondary has coped with it and improved:

We just want to play our best football after Thanksgiving - play our best football going into the playoffs. And once the playoffs hit, we wanted to really narrow down and really, really play our best football because it's like another chance, or another season. In the whole scheme of things, once you get to the playoffs, that's the only thing that matters. It doesn't really matter what happened before or anything so we just [have been] trying to come together as a group and play our best, best football in the playoffs - the postseason.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, PHOTO: Giants Apparently Thought They Didn't Have To Play To Win

On Sunday, Super Bowl XLVI will be played and will be watched by millions and millions of people around the world. Apparently one of the teams, the New York Giants, thought they didn't have to participate in the event to proclaim themselves the best football of 2011.

Last year, The Miami Herald proclaimed the Heat the champions of the NBA in the paper the following morning the team lost to the actual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks in Game six of the NBA Finals. On Saturday, this appeared on the New York Giants' official website periodically. Was this a mistake or were Chris Canty and Antrel Rolle the webmasters on duty?

It's one thing to make a mistake after the final game was played, but before the game was even played? As Herm Edwards used to say "You play to win the game". You can't win a game you didn't play. Oh well, it's all good fun.

For New England Patriots fans, let's all hope this can be like the famous "Dewey defeats Truman" headline.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: New England Patriots Have Allowed Second Most Points In Super Bowl History

Super Bowl 46 will kick off tomorrow in a re-match between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. The game is both a re-match from earlier this season, when the Giants defeated the Patriots by a final score of 24-20, and a re-match of Super Bowl 42 when the Giants and Eli Manning ended the Patriots perfect 18-0 season by a final score of 17-14 with the help of David Tyree's famous helmet.

The game is filled with story lines beyond the re-match. Tom Brady and Eli Manning's legacy's are both on the line and there's also the Peyton Manning watching his arch rival Tom Brady face off against his little brother Eli, in his home stadium.

The Patriots are 3-3 overall in Super Bowls, allowing the second most points in SB history with 165. The Giants are 3-1 all time.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Pats Pulpit's Greg Knopping Sits Down With Dane Fletcher

Greg Knopping is the managing editor of SB Nation's New England Patriots blog and SB Nation Boston affiliate blog Pats Pulpit. Greg is on assignment in Indianapolis to cover the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. On Wednesday, Greg sat down with Pats middle linebacker Dane Fletcher to talk about his 2011 season and the big game on Sunday.

On the up-and-down season ending in a Super Bowl XLVI appearance:

You know, it's been ups and downs, peaks and valleys this year, for sure. My thumb injury - broke it a couple of times - and now I'm here at the Super Bowl and I'm trying to play at the top of my level. So it's a great experience.

Thoughts on Fletcher's new "wrinkle" defensively, lining up at defensive tackle on third downs in sub-packages:

It's cool, man. Any way they want to utilize me on defense, I'll take it. I played a little d-line in college and linebacker here so they're trying to use me as a hybrid guy.

Whether he feels more comfortable in the 3-4 base or the 4-3 base:

Either one - I like playing linebacker a little bit more than d-line, generally I feel more comfortable there. I like dropping back but I also like hitting blitzes, I like getting in there and making plays either way.

What Brandon Spikes' return has meant to the Patriots defense and how he feels he compliments Spikes and Jerod Mayo:

Spikes brings a lot to our defense and he comes in and he's a hard hitter and I just bring a little versatility I feel like - whatever they ask me to do I'll do.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: Pats Pulpit's Greg Knopping Chats With Julian Edelman

Greg Knopping is the managing editor of SB Nation's New England Patriots blog and SB Nation Boston affiliate blog Pats Pulpit. Greg is on assignment in Indianapolis to cover the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. On Thursday, Greg sat down with Pats wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner Julian Edelman to talk about his 2011 season and the big game on Sunday.

On what versatility means to him:

Versatility, as it's defined, means "to do a lot of things." For me, it means anything you can do to help contribute to the team winning the game. That's mostly the reason why I'm here and I'm excited for the opportunities.

His response to those who doubt his ability to cover receivers:

I really don't worry about what people say. If I'm worrying about that, I'm worrying about the wrong things. I'm more worried about preparing this week for the New York Giants. This is the last game of the 2011 season... or 2012, whatever it is. And that's what I do.

Thoughts on the challenge of covering Victor Cruz in the slot:

Like you said, he's an explosive player. He's got great short area quickness and he's got long speed. He not only plays the slot, he can play outside and he's got good run after catch ability. He's definitely a very good player and we have our hands full.

On how NFL career has progressed based on his initial expectations and his development as a receiver:

I'm still learning; the day you're done learning is the day you're done. I don't really think about my career in the past, I think about this week, right now. And once this season's over I'll go back and I'll evaluate what I have to do better for the upcoming season.

Based on all of his recipes and good things to eat posted on Twitter, what his best omelet is:

I can make a killer sweet potato casserole omelet, little thing, where you sauté the onions and all that stuff. I like to do that, but I literally just throw whatever I have in the kitchen into the omelet. I enjoy making those breakfasts and they're pretty tasty.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Bill Belichick Prepares For Madonna's Halftime Show

Through the years, Bill Belichick has earned a reputation as a meticulous coach who prepares for any situations. After Tom Brady used a quick-kick punt in the AFC Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos, for example, Brady noted that it was about time the Patriots used the play: he'd been practicing it for five years.

So it's no surprise that Belichick scripted practice this week with Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show in mind. (via WEEI)

"Normally our halftime is 12 minutes and this halftime will be closer to 30," Belichick said during Friday's press conference. "It gets into a whole restarting mentality. It's not like taking a break and coming out in the second half. It's like starting the game all over again. It's like playing a game, stopping, and then playing a second game, a doubleheader in baseball if you will. I think that makes it a little bit different.

"We tried to simulate that in practice on Wednesday. We had the players go through that process of restarting. You can have a meeting about it, you can talk about this is what it's going to be like. I just felt that it was beneficial for our team, this year, to actually put them through that-go out there and warm up, practice, take a break, shut it down for a half hour, go into the locker room, simulate what a halftime would be, in terms of corrections, adjustments, and re-starting our bodies both mentally and physically to restart the game."

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Top Smartphone Apps For Super Bowl

If you're wealthy and connected (or maybe just lucky), you might watch the Super Bowl in person. If you're at home or with friends, you'll probably watch the Super Bowl on television. Regardless of how you watch the game, you can use your smart phone to enhance your Super Bowl experience.

Some of the top Super Bowl smart phone apps, via Fox News:

Super Bowl XLVI Official NFL Game Program

The Super Bowl XLVI Official NFL Game Program provides viewers with the ability to look back at highlights from the Giants' and Patriots' quest to the Super Bowl. Viewers can also use the app to watch Super Bowl highlights from years past.

Download Super Bowl XLVI Official NFL Game Program: Apple iTunes

SB XLVI Guide

For those who have tickets to the Super Bowl, the SB XLVI Guide app is a must. It provides an interactive 3D map of Indianapolis, as well as a guide to local restaurants and Super Bowl events.

Download SB XLVI Guide: Apple iTunes

Chevy Game Time

Answer questions, potentially win prizes. Sounds good, no?

Download Chevy Game Time: Apple iTunes
Download Chevy Game Time: Android marketplace

Super Bowl 2012: Majority Of ESPN Analysts Pick Patriots Over Giants

ESPN recently grouped together all of their NFL analysts' picks into one convenient place, and in that convenient place, it's easy to see that the majority of them predict the Patriots will beat the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. There are some who think the Giants will emerge victorious, though.

It should come to no surprise that ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Tedy Bruschi, Jackie MacMullen, Mike Rodak, Chris Forsberg, Steven Krasner and ESPN Boston Radio's Adam Jones and Andrew Brooks all picked the Patriots to win. Bruschi, a former Patriot, believes the game will come down to the wire.

I see this game going down to the wire. Both of these teams are playing great football. There are matchup advantages for both teams in all three phases. In the end, I see New England winning. Throughout this year there have been breakout players that have established themselves as championship caliber -- Gronkowski, Hernandez, Spikes, Mayo, Chung, just to name a few. Stephen Gostkowski will add his name to the list. Adam Vinatieri will no longer be the only Patriots kicker to say he kicked a game-winner with a world championship on the line. It's good.

Likewise, it shouldn't be a surprise that everybody, well almost everybody, from ESPN New York picked the Giants. Ian O'Connor wrote that the Giants will win because of their pass rush.

Four years ago, the Giants' pass rush negated the talent difference between Tom Brady and Eli Manning. This time around, the pass rush is just as fierce, and there is no discernible talent difference between Brady and Manning. No David Tyree required in the rematch.

ESPN's Adam Schefter, Eric Mangini, John Clayton and Jon Gruden side with the guys at ESPN Boston. Schefter believes the Patriots will win because they're a more complete team.

The Giants are the better and more complete team. But they also have to figure out a way to beat Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the memory of Myra Kraft.

And of course we can't forget about Madden. Not John Madden, but a Madden '12 simulation. In that simulation, which counts for nothing as far as I'm concerned, the Giants win by a score of 27-24. If you're curious, here's how the Madden simulation went down.

Kicker Lawrence Tynes kicked a game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Giants past the AFC Champion Patriots, bringing home the Giants' second Super Bowl championship in four years. Giants Quarterback Eli Manning was named the game's MVP, completing 25 of 39 passes with two touchdowns and an interception. New England's Tom Brady also had a big day, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Most of Brady's best moments came late in the game. Trailing 24-10 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Brady led New England on a furious rally, scoring two touchdowns to tie the game 24-24, the second coming on a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Wes Welker with 1:50 left on the clock.

For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit and for updates on the Giants, head to Big Blue View.

Super Bowl 2012, VIDEO: Boston Bruins Wish Patriots Good Luck

One of the coolest things about having several different professional sports teams in one city is that they all rally around each other and support one another. When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007, or when the Celtics won the Finals in 2007 or just recently when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup of 2010; all the teams rallied around one another.

Now, it's the Patriots turn. Even though it's hard to believe, they are in the longest championship drought of any pro sports team in the city. Talk about a title town when the Patriots, who last won in 2005, have the longest drought of winning a championship.

On Friday, the Boston Bruins released a video via their official website to wish the Patriots good luck in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday against the New York Giants. The video features head coach Claude Julien, Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas, Patrice Bergeron, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Andrew Ference and Shawn Thornton. Something that's worth a watch.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: Official From "Fourth-And-Two" In Super Bowl Crew

Remember that play? It was from 2009 and became known as the fourth-and-two play that pretty much cost the Patriots their game against the Colts. Bill Belichick didn't like the call, which was made by Tom Stabile, and he may want to think twice about making a similar risky call in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday because he's not only going to be in the same city, but Stabile will be a part of the officiating crew.

From WEEI.com:

Tom Stabile, in his 17th season making calls in the NFL, is part of the crew that will be headed by 12th-year official John Parry. Stabile was the head linesman on Nov. 15, 2009, and he ruled that Faulk did not demonstrate control until after he was pushed behind the first-down marker. The Colts took possession at the New England 29 with just over two minutes left and scored the game-winning touchdown three plays later for a 35-34 victory.

Parry, who led the group of referees in the NFC Championship game, will be joined by Stabile, line judge Gary Arthur, field judge Gary Cavaletto, side judge Laird Hayes and back judge Tony Steratore, who combined have combined 95 years of experience officiating.

For more Patriots coverage, check out Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012, Commercials: VW's 'The Dog Strikes Back'

One of the best parts of Super Bowl for many people around the country that have little to no interest in football whatsoever are the commercials. On Sunday, Volkswagen will be running the following ad, 'The Dog Strikes Back' during the big game:

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Recipes: Chef Bobby Flay's Guide For The Big Game

On Sunday, one of the biggest games in sports will occur, as the New England Patriots and the New York Giants will battle in Super Bowl XLVI. While Sunday will be a big day for both of these teams, it's an even bigger day for, well FOOD!

On Super Sunday, we all tend to eat more than we should. Shown below is master Chef and Food Network personality Bobby Flay's plan for the big game.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: Giants Friday Practice Report

The following is Friday's practice pool report from Giants practice, filed by Peter King of Sports Illustrated.

INDIANAPOLIS - After practicing the first two days of the New York Giants' work week at Super Bowl XLVI, running back Ahmad Bradshaw was held out of Friday's practice because his injured right foot "was a little sore,'' coach Tom Coughlin said.

"But he's okay,'' Coughlin said after the Giants' 70-minute afternoon practice at the University of Indianapolis' practice bubble. "He'll be ready. He'll be listed as probable. In fact, I don't believe we'll have anyone listed as questionable for the game.''

Running backs Brandon Jacobs and D.J. Ware took the repetitions against the Giants' scout team, simulating the Patriots, during Friday's padless drills; the players wore shorts and helmets. Bradshaw was present, and dressed, but did nothing besides stretch. Coughlin didn't seem concerned about Bradshaw's absence because, as he said, "He got in two good days of work prior to this. He's prepared."

The Giants, as Coughlin said, listed six players as probable. Aside from Bradshaw, defensive Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee) and special-teamer/safety Tyler Sash (foot) were limited in practice, while wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) and linebacker Jacquian Williams (foot) practiced fully. All but Bradshaw and Sash appeared to be running and working without limitations Friday for the third straight day on the UIndy campus seven miles south of downtown Indianapolis.

Sash, a sixth-round draft pick from Iowa last April, had his foot stepped on midway through practice and left the field to have the foot wrapped. He told the club's vice president of communications Pat Hanlon after practice: "I'm okay."

Coughlin was at his detailed best this week in practice. The Giants were told Lucas Oil Stadium would have an on-field temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Sunday at the 6:29 p.m. kickoff, so Coughlin directed the temperature in the bubble be set at 70 each day. "We were able to get a good sweat going, working in conditions like they'll have Sunday,'' the veteran coach said. "Of course, we didn't have 60,000 people watching.'' To that end, for the third straight day, the Giants had crowd noise piped into the facility.

"So far this week, we've accomplished what we needed to accomplish,'' Coughlin said. "The players have practiced hard and spirited. I think we'll be well-prepared for the game.''

As he has all week, Nicks caught everything thrown his way. And as he has all week, Eli Manning threw the ball crisply and with accuracy in preparation for the game against New England.

Giants players and family members, who arrived Thursday, will be on their own Friday night with a midnight curfew. Curfew will also be enforced Saturday night at the club's downtown Indianapolis hotel at 11 p.m. The Giants will have a jog-through situational practice Saturday morning, and players will be off during the afternoon. As is the usual custom for a road game, Coughlin will have 75 minutes of night meetings and then evening chapel service and a team snack before curfew Saturday.

The Giants' full management team was on hand to watch Friday's workout. Club president and CEO John Mara, who has been present all week, was joined by chairman and executive vice president Steve Tisch and treasurer Jonathan Tisch, and multiple family members of the ownership group were on hand. Also Friday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, a 2008 Iraq War double-amputee and consistent presence around the team since he gave the team an inspirational speech in 2008, was on the sidelines. Several players, including defensive end Justin Tuck, spent time speaking with Gadson Friday.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots Friday Practice Report

The following is Friday's practice pool report from Patriots practice, filed by Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.

INDIANAPOLIS -- An hour-long walk-through capped New England's week of indoor Super Bowl XLVI practices Friday at Indianapolis Colts team headquarters.

"This is kind of like Saturday for us," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, referring to the usual light session conducted on the day before a game. "We've had a little bit of extra time this week (to practice).

"I think we're ready to go. We've worked hard this week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in practice, and we had good practices back (in Foxborough, Mass.) last week. We went through some mental-review things out there (Friday)."

Tight end Rob Gronkowski participated in the session, which never saw players run faster than a trot while executing plays. Gronkowski practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since spraining his left ankle January 22 in New England's AFC Championship game victory over Baltimore.

Dressed in gray sweatpants, gray sneakers and a dark blue t-shirt bearing the popular "Yo Soy Fiesta" phrase he recently coined, Gronkowski moved without a limp when the Patriots executed their offensive plays. He is listed as questionable on New England's injury report for Sunday's matchup against the New York Giants.

"He practiced yesterday. He didn't do anything today," Belichick said. "We'll see where he's at on Sunday, but hopefully (he'll play). I saw no setbacks. He's still making progress."

Belichick returned to his special-teams roots during the practice. He served as an offensive lineman on punts, trying to draw the punt coverage team offsides by setting his hand on the ground just before the snap. Belichick and Patriots special teams coach Scott O'Brien also worked as defensive linemen when New England's Stephen Gostkowski was kicking field goals.

"We were just going through the looks," said Belichick, who coached special teams on three different NFL teams (Detroit, Denver and the Giants) as an assistant during the 1970s and 1980s. "We have key guys based on where they line up. We just try to show them that as a final reminder."

The Patriots won't practice Saturday but will have a team photograph taken at Lucas Oil Stadium, the site of Super Bowl XLVI.

"We'll have meetings and we'll do some reminders and things like that in our hotel but we're not going to actually practice," Belichick said.

New England players do have a Friday night curfew.

"This will be what we normally do if we were on the road Friday night (for a Sunday game)," Belichick said. "We would have curfew."

Super Bowl 2012, Adam Vinatieri: 'Not Amazed' Pats Are Back In Super Bowl

Former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, and current Colts kicker, said in an interview in Indianapolis on Friday that he's not surprised to see his old team back in the Super Bowl. Vinatieri, who has been fortunate enough to play in six Super Bowls, winning four of them and has an 82.9 percent field goal percentage, believes New England's sustained success comes from three people: owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

"I am not amazed. They have a great organization. Obviously, [owner Robert Kraft] does everything in his power to make sure the team has got what they need to win," said Vinatieri, who kicked for the Patriots from 1996 to 2005 before signing with the Colts and spending the last six years in Indianapolis. "Bill Belichick is, in my opinion, probably the greatest football coach. I can't say that I've ever played for Chuck Noll, [Vince] Lombardi, but in this modern day era, I don't think there's anyone better out there. When you've got guys like Tom Brady playing quarterback, you're going to win a lot of games with that setup. So no, it doesn't surprise me at all that they've continued to be successful year-in and year-out."

When asked about his most difficult and most memorable kicks, Vinatieri said both of them came from when he was with the Patriots and both kicks came in the same year.

"I think the most memorable one for me is probably the one in the snow, and I'd say that was probably the most difficult one. You can't stack up a more difficult situation," Vinatieri said, citing his kick in the Snow Bowl that propelled the Patriots to a 16-13 overtime win over the Raiders in the divisional round of the playoffs in 2002. "You're down by three, there's a minute left, give me three or four inches of snow on the ground, 45 yarder. If you make it, you're just tied and you still have to win the game. If you miss it, you pack up your lockers and go home. I think that's the one of proudest of just because of sheer difficulty.

"Most memorable: Probably you're first Super Bowl, because there's no experience like winning your first championship, and having it come down -- as a kid, you dream about playing in Super Bowls. As a kicker, you dream about making that Super Bowl winning kick. You couldn't have wrote the script any better than that. To have all that happen in the same year, those are my 1A and 1B. The Snow Bowl one is probably the one I'm most proud of because of difficulty. The other one is probably the most memorable because it's your first Super Bowl."

Because of Vinatieri's success on the field and the fact that he almost has enough Super Bowl rings to fill one hand, many believe that he could find himself in the Hall of Fame one day. If that's the case, he would join Patriots Nick Buoniconti, John Hannah, Mike Haynes and Andre Tippett in the hall of Canton. However, that's not something that he's thinking about at this point in his career.

"The people who are in the Hall of Fame are the ones who have won championships, won Super Bowls," said Vinatieri. "I've been very fortunate to have been a part of six Super Bowls. I've won four of them with my team. That may help me out a little bit.

"I try not to think about that, because I still feel like i've got a couple chapters in my book to write, and hopefully I have an exclamation point or two yet to put on my career," he added. "If I'm fortunate to have that happen, it would be unbelievable. If it never happens, I still feel honored to be in those conversations. For me, having those rings, having the career I've been blessed with, I couldn't ask for anything more."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Jonathan Kraft: Feeling Of Loss Shared Among Pats Fans

In more conversation with WEEI's "Dennis And Callahan", New England Patriots team president Jonathan Kraft shared some thoughts about his mother, Myra Kraft's passing just prior to the start of the 2011 NFL season.

As we all know, the 2011 season for the Kraft family has been a very emotional ride. Kraft characterizes the feeling of loss as something that affects everyone.

"Most of the people who are Patriots fans have probably lost in the last 12, 24 months somebody they care about," he said. "And they'll think about them, too, when that game's going on -- if you went [to Patriots games] with your dad and your dad passed away, your grandfather. Remember when the Red Sox won that first [World Series]. You heard people saying they went to gravesides to tell their loved ones about it. They feel like they're with them. It's something you share. That's what's so great about sports. (via WEEI)

Before the season began, the Patriots had a patch that read "MHK" sewn onto their uniforms and dedicated their 2011 season to Myra Hiatt Kraft. If the Patriots are able to win on Sunday against the New York Giants, her son knows that she was there in spirit, smiling down on them.

"If we're fortunate enough to win on Sunday, I know my mother will have been with us spiritually, in a spiritual way. And I just wish thatch was there physically. But a lot of people have to deal with that." (via WEEI)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Jonathan Kraft: We Try To Do The Right Thing

Stop if you've heard this one before: "In the NFL, the New England Patriots are what the New York Yankees are to baseball. They are easy to hate and they have a unlikable coach in Bill Belichick. But to their credit, all they do is win." Well, that's not how everyone sees it. Especially the man who helped create the Patriots' image

On Friday, Patriots president Jonathan Kraft joined WEEI's Dennis and Callahan to discuss the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI matchup between his Pats and the New York Giants. In the interview, Kraft was asked about the controversial image his team has around the league. For Kraft, the Patriots have never stopped at doing what they think is the right thing.

"You'd like people to think highly of you, but if they don't just for some emotional reason, there's nothing you can do," Kraft said. "We try to tangibly do the right thing, both on and off the field. I know that some people look at some of the things or some of the ways our organization operates and it doesn't always appear warm and fuzzy to the outside, but I think that's how you consistently -- at least with our existing football leadership structure -- how he believes you get the best results.

"I think we try to make up for it as an organization on the non-football side of things. But I understand if people aren't crazy about it."

(via WEEI)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Adam Vinatieri: Former Pats Super Bowl Hero Joins WEEI On Friday

On Friday, Former New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri joined WEEI's "The Big Show" to talk about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game between the Patriots and the New York Giants. Here are some soundbites from Vinatieri's Friday radio appearance, courtesy of our partners at WEEI.

On the future of the Colts and Peyton Manning: "I'm too low on that totem pole. I'm glad I don't get to make those decisions. Times are changing at West 56th Street, which is where our organization is located at. Obviously, a new GM, new coach, new coordinators, lots of new players, I sure hope that Peyton's going to be back. If you read, you see what's going on, that's a very big if right now, but I know he'll be back playing next year. There's nobody that tries or prepares harder than he does. I'm sure he'll have a helmet on and throwing touchdowns. Hopefully it's with us, but if not, I wish him all the success in the world. Hopefully if we get some new guy named Andrew Luck, he'll do well as well."

On returning to New England since joining the rival Colts: "I expect New England fans to be very passionate about their sports. I would expect nothing less than that. The great thing is, when I ran out on the field to start the game and when I ran off the field after the game, they were very, very nice to me, generous to me. They cheered for me, they said nice things. Then that 60 minutes in between, they gave me the business and I would expect nothing less than that/ When I come back for reunions and stuff when I'm not playing anymore and hopefully they'll be nice to me at that point. New England fans are passionate about their sports and I completely respect that. Along the way, they gave me a lot of well wishes and thanks for all the things I'd done in the past. I completely understand it."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, PHOTO: Rob Gronkowski Wearing 'Yo Soy Fiesta' Shirt

Super Bowl 2012: Pats Pulpit's Greg Knopping Sits Down With Patriots Safety Pat Chung

Earlier this week, Greg Knopping over at Pats Pulpit got the unique chance to sit down with New England Patriots safety Pat Chung to talk about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI matchup between his Pats and the New York Giants. Knopping has been on assignment in Indianapolis covering the Super Bowl for PP.

Knopping and Chung talked about a variety of topics, including his thoughts on the big game and adjustments he's had to make throughout the season. See for yourself! Here's the interview transcript, courtesy of our New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit.

On returning in the regular season finale and how he feels now:

I feel good. I've got no complaints; we're in the big show. So I mean, it's all good, man, I'm ready to go.

Thoughts on progression heading into fourth year after Sunday's game:

I mean, it's only my third year, man. You don't know progression until years and years into [your career]. Some guys have been in the league for years and haven't made it. You've got to have the mentality to stay focused and always strive for perfection - just keep working hard.

On covering the Giants talented receiving corps:

Just cover them. I mean, they're good, we're good. It's going to be a battle, they have a quarterback that's getting the ball to them and he's on fire right now so we are going to have to play hard man. We'll have to play physical, play hard, play fast, and play focused.

Thoughts on playing more slot in 2010, and more traditional safety in 2011:

Whatever coach wants. It's not our decision. Whatever coach wants to do, whatever position he wants to put you in that he thinks will help the team, that's what we have to do.

On turnover in secondary and all the new faces week in and week out:

It could be a challenge if you let it be and guys [head coach Bill Belichick] puts there, he has faith in those guys, like [Matt] Slater coming over and Julian [Edelman]. He has full faith in those guys. Regardless of who's being shuffled around, we're in the same room, we're all on the same page, we're all on the same playbook, we all have to be able to communicate with everybody on the field. We have smart guys that can play any position, so I have full faith in anybody.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Adam Vinatieri: 'Couldn't Wish For Anything More' With Career

While the New England Patriots haven't been to a Super Bowl since 2007, they haven't actually won since 2005. While he didn't have to kick any game winning field goals in 2005 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Adam Vinatieri's leg is what brought the Patriots the Lombardi trophy in both 2001 and 2004.

Vinatieri (one of my all time favorite Patriots) joined WEEI's "The Big Show" on Friday to talk about the Patriots returning to the Super Bowl in a place he now calls home in Indianapolis. For Vinatieri, he knows he wouldn't have had the opportunity to win the big game without the man under center getting him in position.

"You've got really good kickers across the league that never got opportunities that I've had the pleasure of being a part of," Vinatieri said. "I'm very, very fortunate not only to have a nice long career that I've had up to this point, but to be able to be placed in key positions and been fortunate to make most of those kicks that helped our team win championships and Super Bowls.

"Having guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, you're going to have opportunities to win games," he added. "You just never know when your time is going to be called and hopefully you're ready and prepared for it when it happens."

(via WEEI)

Through his 16 seasons in the NFL, Vinatieri has established himself as one of the greatest clutch kickers the sport has ever seen, and has even been involved in Hall of Fame discussions. For this, Vinatieri is eternally grateful.

"To have people even mention me in those kinds of talks is a tremendous honor for me, but I try not to think about it at all," Vinatieri said. "If I'm fortunate enough to have that happen, that would be unbelievable, and if it never happens, I still feel honored to be in those conversations. For me, having those rings, to have the career that I've been blessed with, I couldn't wish for anything more." (via WEEI)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Robert Kraft: More From Kraft's Friday Appearance On WEEI

On Friday, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft joined WEEI's "The Big Show" to discuss the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game between his Patriots and the New York Giants. Here is more from Kraft this afternoon, courtesy of our partners at WEEI.

On his decision to trade Drew Bledsoe and his relationship with Bledsoe since: "It goes back to my philosophy of business, how I hire people. Number one is integrity, loyalty and character. Number two is work ethic, hard work ethic. Number three is brains. If you don't have one and two, three doesn't matter. To me, Drew, for the first eight to nine years of this franchise, was really the face of it. When we had all the problems with the coaching and everything, he remained loyal, he was a great representative. You could see when we inducted him into the Hall of Fame, at that game, you could see how the crowd responded to him. He's just a class act. When I invited him...he said he would come. He's the first non-Kraft family member to stay at my home. We stayed at my house and he slept over. We actually stayed up until 2 a.m. I just had such a good time with him.

"That was very hard for me because I had such a warm affection for Drew. And in the end, in long discussions with [Bill] Belichick, I agreed to him being traded conditional to him going to a place where his contract would be honored and he would be paid in full. If I want to hold Bill Belichick at the time accountable, I've got to let him make the key decisions. He knows more about football than I know. I always wanted people smarter than I am around me in everything. Most people in life can do 95 percent, but don't know how to pull the trigger and do the last five percent right. I had to break one of my tenants that hurt me a lot with Drew, but I knew the most important thing for me is winning football games. The low of losing is much greater than the high of winning. Our family is always going to work to put ourselves in the best position to allow this franchise to win. I love the guy, I really do. He considers himself a Patriot."

On taking risks as an organization: "We're in a league that's built to be 8-8 and how do you differentiate? If you do well, you draft at the top and get a tougher schedule. Any team can win one year because of the way the league is set up, which makes it so appealing to fans in every marketplace. But to sustain success, you have to be willing to take risks continuously that other people aren't willing to take."

On lessons learned as owner of the Boston Lobsters of World Team Tennis: "I learned a lot from that, that we had to control our venue. That was key. Owning the Boston Lobsters taught me a lot about dealing with agents and, especially if you're owning a team in your hometown, controlling all the revenue streams. That helped lead me to do what I did."

On being on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week: "It's like my son Danny said - the only time you look at the cover of Sports Illustrated is the swimsuit issue. We're hoping Bar Refaeli should be there. It was a real surprise. For a little kid from Fuller Street in Brookline to wind up on the cover of Sports Illustrated is just pretty cool. It was unexpected, so I don't know what to say other than that."

On Mrs. Kraft's reaction to buying the Patriots for $175 million in 1994: "When we paid that, that was the highest price paid for any sports franchise anywhere in the world. So Myra really thought I had lost my rocks. That was the first time in our marriage she questioned my financial acumen."

On one of his first calls after buying the Patriots: "The first night after I buy the team, noontime the next day we announce it in a press conference and the first call I got was from the Cardinal. I think it's pretty cool a guy from my background getting a call from a Cardinal. He says, ‘Every priest, every nun, everyone in the whole parish is going to be praying for the Patriots every Sunday. Congratulations.'" So I call up [Bill] Parcells and I say, ‘Bill, I've got some news for you, I'm a big shot now' and tell him about the phone call. He said, ‘Let me tell you something. I've got a friend who's a priest in New Jersey and he said the same thing. Say, ‘Father, your prayers will be heard a lot better if the players are bigger and faster.''"

On telling his team of the MHK patches at the beginning of the season: "I'm a great believer in spirituality and karma. Before the season started, I met with the team and I didn't know if I'd break down so I brought Jonathan with me to explain that they'd all be wearing these MHK patches over their heart. I think it's the first time an owner's wife has been honored in that way and it was important to us to dedicate this season in Myra's honor because of the kind of person she was and what she represented. [Pause] I had a chance to say what values were important to her - the mental toughness, the honesty, the sense of teamwork, letting other people get the credit, but doing acts of kindness and being a team player."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Robert Kraft: 'I Hope For Something Special'

Super Bowl 2012 Odds: Patriots Favored But Giants Are The Popular Bet

The New England Patriots are the 2.5 point favorites to win the Super Bowl this Sunday over the New York Giants. The Patriots opened at 3.5 point favorites but that number quickly moved down to 3 points. However, the Giants are the popular bet right now. Our partners at Odds Shark give us some insight as to why.

Overall, underdogs are 7-3 ATS in the past 10 Super Bowls. (via Odds Shark)

In addition to the Super Bowl numbers, how about the head-to-head matchups between the Giants and Pats?

The last three times the Giants faced the Patriots, they were double-digit underdogs, winning outright twice.

New York is also 6-2 against the spread against New England since 1987.

Can the Patriots turn things around on Sunday against the Giants and beat the odds in their Super Bowl rematch? They'll have to first overcome the coin toss which has gone the NFC's way in the past 15 Super Bowls.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012, Bill Belichick: Full Press Conference Transcript From Friday

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Patriots Injury Report, Friday

According to the New England Patriots official injury report, tight end Rob Gronkowski participated for the second straight day in a limited fashion during Friday's practice, the team's last before Sunday's Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

Earlier Friday, Bill Belichick said Gronkowski is progressing well and has not experienced any setbacks since returning to the practice field.

Gronkowski is one of 11 Patriots considered questionable for Sunday's game.

The entire injury report follows:

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: SportsFans.Org To Run Blackouts Ad In Buffalo

Blackouts have long been a problem for smaller market NFL teams. Sure, here in New England, we never have to deal with them at home. Alas, there are plenty of teams and fan bases that are inconvenienced by blackouts on Sundays.

SportsFans.org has had enough of this. To help combat the ongoing blackouts, they will be running an ad entitled "End Blackouts!" during the Super Bowl in Buffalo, New York this Sunday. Watch their advertisement here.

The ad promotes the website EndBlackouts.com, which allows fans to send comments to the FCC regarding blackouts and how they affect the area and fan bases. SportsFans.org is attempting to run this ad in all NFL markets locally during the Super Bowl, but they need financial assistance. To donate to this cause, visit this link.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: SB Nation Boston Hosting Live Chat For Super Bowl XLVI

Super Bowl 2012: Tom Coughlin Is Fine With Giants' Confident Talk

Tom Coughlin doesn't take issue with the recent confident statements from his New York Giants player, saying that the statements from his players haven't been much different than that of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

"I don't," Coughlin said when asked if he has a problem with the bravado coming from his players at his final press conference before Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI. "I know there have been one or two quotes out there. But to be honest with you, I don't know that any one of them have been any different than Tom Brady's."

"I think it is just a matter of our team has played good football against great football teams," Coughlin explained. "We always pull for our team. Humble enough to prepare, confident enough to perform. That is the way we look at it."

Coughlin has a chance to win his second Super Bowl while Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Brady are on the brink of winning their fourth championship together.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots' Bill Belichick Isn't Pondering Retirement

Bill Belichick isn't going anywhere. For now, at least. Of course, that could all change following Super Bowl XLVI between his New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Belichick addressed the notion of retirement, saying that it isn't on his mind right now. Belichick would have four Super Bowl titles with a win Sunday and will be 60 in April.

I enjoy all the aspects of the job. I enjoy the team-building, the drafting, the free agents, team acquisitions - those kind of things. I enjoy bringing in the young players and working with guys who haven't been in the NFL and teaching them the basic fundamentals in how to become a professional football player for the New England Patriots.

And I enjoy working with the veteran players, the Tom Bradys and the Vince Wilforks and the Wes Welkers and all those kind of players that can do really special things because of their not only talent, but experience. And I enjoy the competition on a weekly basis. Not just on Sundays, but the preparation leading up into the game. So I enjoy all of it. It beats working. (via WEEI)

Good to know. Next to Tom Brady, who actually goes on the field and gets the wins, Belichick is the most important part of the Patriots' success over the last decade. Losing him would be big. So for now, enjoy the good years, Patriots fans.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Super Bowl 2012: Rex Ryan Offers High Praise For Bill Belichick And Patriots

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Rob Gronkowski 'Moving In Right Direction'

Day by day, tight end Rob Gronkowski has been making improvements for the New England Patriots. At least, that's what he and Pats head coach Bill Belichick continue to tell up. Belichick reaffirmed this notion to the media again on Friday.

"I think he was OK this morning, I think he was OK," Belichick said. "We'll see how it goes today. Rob has worked extremely hard and has got treatment morning, noon and night. He's gotten better on a daily basis. Hopefully he'll continue to make progress today, tomorrow and all day Sunday. We'll see how that takes us, but I think he's coming along and we'll see where he gets to. But certainly moving in the right direction and getting better on a daily basis." (via WEEI)

Gronkowski injured his ankle during the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago and was later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. Gronk practiced on Thursday for the first time since the injury.

For Patriots news, visit our team page and Pats Pulpit. For 2012 NFL Playoffs coverage, follow our stream. Visit SB Nation New York and Big Blue View for Giants news.

Bill Belichick To Retire After Super Bowl?

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Comparing Two Elite Offenses

Tom Brady and Eli Manning will both play a significant role in the outcome of Super Bowl XLVI, but there are plenty of other offensive players waiting for a chance to shine. Luke Hughes explains which team has the advantage on Sunday.

Media Roundup: Boston, New York Media Differ Greatly On Patriots, Giants Coverage

Boston and New York differ greatly when it comes to sports media, and that has been on full display as the New England Patriots and New York Giants prepare to duke it out in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

Super Bowl 2012, Bill Belichick: Full Press Conference Transcript From Thursday

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answered some questions about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game against the New York Giants during his Thursday press conference. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(Opening statement)
"It was good to get out on the practice field yesterday. After being off on Tuesday, I thought we had a real good effort from the players. They had a lot of energy. There are still a lot of things to work on. It is starting to come together, so we will polish a few situations up today. We are closing in on it. It's been a good week, and I think the players are really focused and excited to play. It's been a good week of preparation down here."

(on what he thought didn't go well in Wednesday's practice session)
"I probably have used the term 'clean up' a number of times through the year - plays we need a little bit tighter, a step here, a little bit deeper route, a little bit quicker match defensively on a pattern and a little bit better fit. We kind of have the right idea on it. We are doing the right thing, and we understand the concept of it. It just needs to be a little bit better. We run it at practice, and we don't quite have the timing of it how we need. We watch it on film, and we come back the next day and, hopefully, get it right."

(on not having TE Rob Gronkowski at practice Wednesday)
"I think that is something you deal with all year. There are a lot of times when not every player is out there for every practice or can't participate in every practice. You do what you can do, and we will just see how it goes. We'll take it day to day. Of course, we'd love to have everybody out there for every practice all of the time, but it's not the way it is all of the time."

(on facing the Giants' offense and if they need to score a lot of points to win)
"We have to score more points than they do - that's really what it comes down to. However many points that is, we'll just have to see how the game goes. It's really hard when you start going into the game saying it's going to be 51-50, 3-2 or 7-3. I don't think you can coach the game that way or play it that way. You have to go out there and play the game, and as it unfolds and develops, you play it accordingly, like in our first game with the Giants. We go out there and it's 0-0 at half, and there was 45 points, or whatever it was, scored in the second half. It could be the reverse, with 45 points in the first half and nothing in the second half. You just don't know how it is going to go. Every time we go out there offensively, we send the offense out there to score. When we are out there defensively, we go out there and try to stop them. It doesn't make any difference what the score is. That's our goal every time we walk out on the field. I don't know how you can do it any other way."

(on when he gets the sense of team cohesiveness)
"It's a tough question. On a football team you've got a lot of people - a lot of players and coaches. It's a big number relative to other sports. There are a lot of different dynamics and relationships within that team. Overall, this team works hard and prepares well. They care about their performance, they care about their teammates' performances, and they try to be helpful in different ways, whether it's their teammates on their side of the ball or the other side of the ball that you are trying to put a look out for on the field. Again, when you've had a good season like we've had and won a lot of games, it builds the overall feeling and attitude in the locker room. I'd say it's good. I think it's good that the players get along with each another and spend time with each other off the field - that is a positive thing. In the end, it still comes back to the way you perform on the field. Some of that is a little overrated."

(on if he ever considered putting T Sebastian Vollmer on the reserve/injured list this year)
"The two things that kept me from doing it were, number one, how good of a player he is and how much he would help our team if he's available, and secondly, his injuries didn't warrant it. Had he not had a chance to return to play, that would have been one thing. That simply wasn't the case, and he has the opportunity to come back through both situations. Hopefully, he will be ready this Sunday."

(on if he is more relaxed at this Super Bowl)
"That's different than it normally is? I don't know. I'll leave that to you and to the experts. Look, I'm just down here trying to coach a team in the biggest game of the year. It is a big challenge for us, but we've earned the right to be here. I'm proud of that, and I think the team is proud of that. Now, we have a big challenge ahead of us. We are going to put everything we have into it, and we will be ready to go out there Sunday. Whatever attitude that is, then that's what it is."

(on his reaction to those who believe that his Super Bowl championships are tarnished in any way by the Patriots' videotaping violation)
"We moved on from everything in the past. We are focused on this game. That's it."

(on what team-building tenets he's lived by during his time with the Patriots)
"Amongst the things is that each year is its own year, that's for sure. I don't think you can really accomplish something this year based on something from some previous year. I think you have to rebuild the foundation every season at the beginning, whether it's in the offseason, or in training camp. You have to rebuild your timing or execution, your awareness and all of those things that go into it. There are a lot of different ways to motivate a team, and there is probably an application to all of them - sometimes it's individual players, and sometimes it's units. Sometimes, it's the entire team. There are a number of different ways to do that. Probably keeping it moving and not saying the same message. Even if you say the same message, say it in a different way. It's probably an effective way for the players to hear it from other people. I've had other people talk to our team. I've shown other examples from other sports of players, coaches and teams performing at a high level, and I try to relate some of the things they do to what we are trying to do. I wouldn't say there is one specific straight-line answer I could give you, but it's a combination of things. It's definitely starting over every year."

(on what tight ends coach Brian Ferentz brings to the Patriots, and on Brian being the son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who was an assistant under Belichick in Cleveland)
"Brian is very mature for his age, and he has a lot of football experience. He only has a few years of coaching experience and a number of years of playing experience at Iowa and in the NFL with the Falcons. I think that the whole life experience of growing up in a coaching family, growing up with a coach and having football in your blood almost from the day you were born, you pick up some things by osmosis and being around it. I know that is the case with him, as it was with me and many others who have lived the life in a football family. Kirk (Ferentz)
is a great friend of mine and a tremendous coach. I have so much respect for Kirk for what he did for me in Cleveland in his coaching career, and Brian has learned from probably the best. I don't think that anyone does it any better than Kirk does, and Brian brings that overall awareness, instinctiveness and that aptitude for the game. I think the game comes easy to him in terms of techniques, Xs and Os and schemes because of his experience with it. He's done a great job in all of the responsibilities that he has, particularly in the development of our young tight ends. Even though he is young in age, he's much more experienced in terms of overall football knowledge."

(on common traits of four Rutgers players on Patriots roster - DB Nate Jones, CB Devin McCourty, WR Tiquan Underwood and practice squad DE Alex Silvestro)
"I think all four players are very team-oriented, and they come from a great program. I think that program has, under Coach (Greg) Schiano, prepared their players well for the NFL. I think if you look around the NFL, you see a lot of players from Rutgers in the league, not necessarily all of them are high draft choices like (Devin)McCourty, also including other players who were not drafted or lower draft choices. They've made teams, and I think that speaks to the preparation of that program in terms of getting players ready to play in the NFL - how to prepare, how to work, how to train, how to compete, how to play football similar to the way it is played in the NFL. Those four players have done a good job for us. In terms of the program, you can see those types of players on a lot of teams. When they get to the NFL, most of those players end up making it, at least for a while."

(on if it is smarter to keep TE Rob Gronkowski off the practice field until Sunday)
"If that is what the medical people recommend that we do, that is what it will be."

(on what LB Jerod Mayo means to the Patriots)
"Jerod is another very good player who came out early, and who had a very productive career at Tennessee. I think that he does a lot of things well on the football field that you could see when we evaluated him in college. He is active, he makes a lot of tackles, has good range, is fast and quick and diagnoses and recognizes plays quickly. We saw that in college, and we see that in the NFL. I think what we didn't see much of in college, that has been extraordinary, has been his leadership, dedication and work ethic. He really is one of our best leaders on the team, and that would start the first day of our offseason program and end on the last day of the season. He sets the pace. He will be the first one there and the last one to leave. He will know the most about all of our calls and adjustments on defense as Tom (Brady) does on offense. The game runs through him. (Safeties coach) Matt Patricia makes the calls into Jerod, and Jerod calls the signals and makes the adjustments and checks we need to make. We value his ability to stay calm under pressure, make good decisions, communicate well, be totally prepared and be physically be able to really do everything that a linebacker needs to do in terms of run, tackle, play the run, the pass, man coverage, zone coverage and the kicking game. He is versatile and very valuable with a lot of intelligence, leadership and work ethic. He's got a great unselfishness about him. It's never about him, it's about what's best for the team. What makes him so well-respected in the locker room and on our football team is how committed he is to the entire team."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Injury Report: Rob Gronkowski Returns To Practice As Limited Participant

The New England Patriots finally got tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) back at practice on Thursday (via WEEI.com). The All-Pro tight end was limited in practice today but is determined to play on Sunday in the Super Bowl against the Giants (via Boston.com). Gronkowski had missed practice last week after sustaining a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Here are the rest of the Patriots who were limited in practice today:

OT Marcus Cannon (ankle)
S Pat Chung (knee)
LB Dane Fletcher (thumb)
DL Kyle Love (ankle)
G Logan Mankins (knee)
LB Rob Ninkovich (hip)
LB Brandon Spikes (knee)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (flu/back/foot)
WR Wes Welker (knee)
LB Tracy White (abdomen)

The following Patriots were not limited in practice:

WR Deion Branch (knee)
C Dan Connolly (groin)
S James Ihedigbo (shoulder)
OT Matt Light (flu)
WR Matthew Slater (shoulder)

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit. For more on the Giants, checkout Big Blue View. Be sure to stay tuned to our StoryStream for more Super Bowl XLVI updates.

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Comparing Two Resurgent Defenses

The focus on Super Bowl Sunday will be on the men under center, but two resurgent defenses could have something to say about that.

Super Bowl Patriots Vs. Giants, Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Patriots Tight End Will Play, Barring Setback

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, who suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, will play in Super Bowl XLVI barring a setback in practice this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Many have presumed the second year tight end would play, and Schefter also noted that he will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Gronkowski suffered the injury while being tackled by Ravens' safety Bernard Pollard, and was forced to leave the game for medical examination. He later returned to the contest and finished the game on the field.

Upon the team's arrival to Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, Gronkowksi was spotted in a black walking boot. By media day on Tuesday morning, he had shed the boot and walked without a noticeable limp.

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit. For more on the Giants, checkout Big Blue View. Be sure to stay tuned to our StoryStream for more Super Bowl XLVI updates.

Super Bowl XLVI A Sad Reminder Of Better Times At Boston College

Boston College football was once a proud program, as seen by the six players representing the school for the New York Giants and New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Alas, the glory days are gone, and all we have are memories.

Chad Ochocinco Just Being Himself

2012 Super Bowl, Patriots Injury Report: Rob Gronkowski Only New England Player Held Out Of Practice

The latest available injury report for the New England Patriots shows only tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) held out of practice on Wednesday (via WEEI.com). Gronkowski is out of the walking boot he has been in to protect the ankle. The injury report for the Pats as they prepare to face the New York Giants in the Super Bowl is still quite lengthy.

Here are the Patriots who were limited in practice today:

OT Marcus Cannon (ankle)
S Pat Chung (knee)
LB Dane Fletcher (thumb)
DL Kyle Love (ankle)
G Logan Mankins (knee)
LB Rob Ninkovich (hip)
LB Brandon Spikes (knee)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (flu/back/foot)
WR Wes Welker (knee)
LB Tracy White (abdomen)

The following Patriots were not limited in practice:

WR Deion Branch (knee)
C Dan Connolly (groin)
S James Ihedigbo (shoulder)
OT Matt Light (flu)
WR Matthew Slater (shoulder)

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit. For more on the Giants, checkout Big Blue View. Be sure to stay tuned to our StoryStream for more Super Bowl XLVI updates.

Super Bowl 2012, Bill Belichick: Full Press Conference Transcript From Wednesday

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answered some questions about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game against the New York Giants during his Wednesday press conference. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(Opening statement)
"So we are through with yesterday. It was a good day for us as a coaching staff to regroup and look at Monday's practice to see where things are at. We are looking forward to getting back out on the field today and cleaning some things up from Monday. Moving the week along, this will be a regular Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for us from here on out. Hopefully, we can take those days of preparation and be ready to go."

(on how Julian Edelman's workload will be split up)
"Julian will be ready to go on everything as he always is. Based on game plan, and how it goes, we'll see how that all turns out. He will be ready for all three phases."

(on if TE Rob Gronkowski will practice Wednesday)
"Rob is doing better, so we just have to see where he is today. I think he is making improvement and getting better every day. We'll just take it day to day and see what he is able to do today. I'm not sure."

(on the Patriots' tight ends)
"When you draft a player, you take the qualities that he has. That's why you take him, obviously. You see how it all works out. Until you've really had a player in your system and in your offensive and defensive system, it's hard to know exactly what he can do, because of what you are asking him to do. You can see what he can do in another system, but usually what the other system asks him to do is different from what you will do. Whether it's mental adjustments, route adjustments, coverage adjustments, formations or whether it's a technique. When we drafted them, we thought both Aaron (Hernandez) and Rob (Gronkowski), they both had good skill sets, they were both productive in college in the opportunities they had. They were in both systems a lot different than ours. We thought they were skill players that we wanted to work with. How it turned out was something that developed once they got here. It wasn't something we could see that far in advance. They do complement each other. Both guys work hard. They really compete on the practice field on a daily basis. I think they learn from each other. They are both good. They both have good techniques. They know what they are doing. They have good pad level, good balance and all of those kinds of things. One guy sees the other player do it, and he can take some of those points and put it into his route or his blocking, whatever it happens to be. They work well together, and they communicate well. Tom (Brady) works well with them, and there is a good flow there.(Patriots tight ends coach) Brian Ferentz has done a good job with those guys the last two years taking those two young kids and all of the things they have to do in our offensive formations - blocking, pass receiving, split out in the backfield, on the line of scrimmage, in motion. We ask them to do a lot of different things. They are smart guys who work hard and been well-coached."

(on status of T Matt Light and his role at left tackle)
"Saw Matt yesterday afternoon and last night. He is doing better, so we'll see how he is today. Hopefully, he'll be able to do a little bit, at least, and get out there. Matt has been a real solid guy for us at left tackle since we drafted him in 2001. He's gone up against a lot of great players playing on that left side. He's battled them. He's tough, and he's smart. He has real good technique, footwork and hand placement. (Assistant head coach/offensive line coach) Dante (Scarnecchia) does a great job coaching those guys. Matt's worked really hard to perfect it. I'm sure Tom (Brady) has a lot of confidence playing behind Matt, as he's had for over a decade. Matt really gives us solid play out there. From time to time, we've used other guys there. (Sebastian)Vollmer has played there a little bit, and (Nate) Solder played there some this year, particularly at the beginning of the year, and in training camp. Matt's held that down for a long time. He's done a great job."

(on how the Patriots simulate the Giants defensive front at practice)
"They (the Giants) have great quickness up there as well as power. Those inside guys can really knock the line of scrimmage back. When they move (Jason) Pierre-Paul and (Justin) Tuck and those guys inside in passing situations, they have great quickness in there, too. (Chris) Canty is a long guy, and he is slippery in the pass rush. They play strong in the running game. Of course, their ends are a good combination of power, speed and athleticism. We try to move our guys around a little bit, and get them to play like the Giants play. I don't know if anybody can play like the Giants play. They have so many talented guys up there. We do our best to simulate that. They try to bat some balls down, even in 7-on-7 when there is no pass rush. We get some guys up there at the line of scrimmage to try to distract the quarterback, and bat balls down, things like that, because they are good at that, too."

(on WR Julian Edelman and the plan to develop him)
"We saw Edelman as a good athlete. At Kent State, he played in the Mid-American Conference, and he played against some good level of competition, for example, Ohio State. I think they opened with them that year. You could see Julian was tough and quick. He made a lot of plays. I wouldn't say he had an inordinate amount of blocking in front of him. At times, he was kind of on his own against two or three guys running the dive option and things like that. We really didn't think he was a quarterback prospect, but we thought he was tough, quick, good with the ball in his hands and a guy who had a real good desire to learn and improve. We thought he could be a punt returner, kickoff returner, wide receiver and slot receiver. That's where he started off. It was a big transition for Julian, going from being a quarterback to playing a receiver position and also returning kicks, which he hadn't really done before. (Special teams coach) Scott O'Brien really worked with him in the return game as well as the coverage game, kickoff coverage, things like that. Chad O'Shea, our receivers coach, spent a lot of time with him as a slot receiver, and he expanded that role to where he plays on the outside some because Wes Welker gets so many plays in the slot. We got into some injury situations, and his skill set as a slot receiver carried over to the same skill set that we look for in our slot corners, so we started to use him some there in 1-on-1 after practice. He has a knack for it, he picked it up quickly, Again, he's a smart hard-working guy. If you ask him to do something, he'll work really hard to get it right and try to do it. He developed a little bit as a defensive player this year, especially when we had some injuries. He had more play time - I think his first game was against the Jets - about a third of the way through the season. He takes a lot of plays in practice on both sides of the ball and the kicking game. He is in good condition, and he's tough, smart and works hard. Those are the things he has going for him. He has good hands."

(on if he shared QB Tom Brady's disappointment with his AFC Championship Game performance)
"I think when we all look back at that game, all of the players and coaches, we all can look back and say that there are a couple of things we could have done better, things you wish you could have had back. I certainly feel that way. I certainly could have done a better job from a coaching standpoint in several areas of that game in terms of our preparation, our play-calling, that kind of thing. But you always feel that way. I don't think that's anything unusual. You go out and play competitively, and there are going to be a lot of things you will be happy with, and there will be some things you look at and will be disappointed in yourself with. I don't think that's unusual. I think Tom does a good job in his preparation every week. He is one of our hardest workers, certainly one of our best-prepared players. I think you get from Tom a consistent effort on that every single week. It's not up and down. I meet with Tom at the beginning of the week, and he always has seen all of the film, as much or more than I have going back to previous games. I'm sure he will be well-prepared for Sunday's game like he always is, and he will go out there and do his best like he always does. At the end of every game, we can always all look back and say, 'I wish I could have done this better. I wish I could have done that better.' That's just competition."

(on the Patriots' personnel turnover during the last four years since Super Bowl XLII)
"I think there is a pretty high level of turnover throughout the league over a four-year period, no matter what team you go to. You can look at the team we are playing, they have a few more guys than we do. Not all that many. I think that's common in the league. After four years, you are going to see that kind of turnover. We certainly knew at the end of the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 range, right in there, we could certainly see a lot of our key players aging. We knew, sooner than later, we would have to replace some of those players. We ended up replacing quite a few in the last couple of years, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. That's just the way our team was. We won a lot of games with those guys in the 2003-07 stretch in there, but it doesn't last forever in football. Somewhere along the line, young players come in, and old players move on. That was the timeframe in the last couple of years, particularly on defense. We've had some turnover on the offensive side of the ball, too, particularly at the running back position in the last year. Last year, we had guys who were well up into their 30s in that position, and you know that's tough when you have that kind of age at that position. Some players we've drafted and other players we've brought in, however they got here, it doesn't really matter. Look, this is a young man's game. The young guys coming up are putting pressure on the veteran players, and I know at some point, they are going to push them out. You just have to try to remain competitive by bringing in good quality talent, let them compete against each other, and take the best players. We had a lot of competition in training camp this year. There were a pretty large number of players who didn't make our roster who played throughout the league this year, and some of them played at a good level. In the end, we kept the ones we felt were best for our football team, and we've played with those."

(on contributions of G Dan Connolly, RB Danny Woodhead and RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis)
"They have contributed a lot, as have a lot of other guys who fall into that category, too. Our personnel department, our college department with guys who are not drafted, we spend a lot of time and effort on those players. We really pull through all the guys. We try to find the guys who fit our system and who we feel like we can develop into players, not that we just that we want to bring to camp to take some reps as part of training camp, but really try to look at players. In our system, number one, if they have enough talent, but number two, if they work hard and if they are smart and they can take coaching, they can improve. I've always felt like if a player can understand what you are telling him, and if he has the concepts and the aptitude to understand what you are coaching, and then he works hard at it, then he's got to improve. That has got to happen. A player who can take coaching, who can understand football concepts, who will work hard, has to improve. And if he has a good talent level, then hopefully at some point, he will be able to improve to utilize the skills he has in becoming a productive player. In general, those are things we are looking for. Again, our college scouts after the draft, and our pro scouts, whether there are players that other teams have released, or as we go through the preseason, we look at other teams' rosters and get a sense of which guys are on the bubble and which guys may be released, and really try to work hard on those players. Then if they actually become available, like Danny Woodhead is a good example of, then if they do hit the market, we know we have to get on them. Usually, there will be pretty good competition for those players, too, especially after a week or two in the early part of the season if teams sustain injuries in certain positions. I know those guys are going to get picked off pretty quickly. Sometimes being able to get on them and keep them, like Kyle Arrington is another good example of a player who was released and came to our roster, and who was on our practice squad. There was some competition from other teams to sign him off of our practice squad. Had we not brought him up, he would have probably have signed with somebody else. If you have a player on your roster, even though he is not quite ready and you feel like he is going to contribute, then you have to make that decision on whether or not you can put him on your team and carry him a little while, even though he is not ready because you think there is an upside to it or whether you just have to let him go, or not be able to do that, and go with the guys you have relative to your roster situation at that current time. There is a lot of juggling on the roster, particularly in the early part of the season, and Nick Caserio, our personnel director, and Jason Licht, our pro personnel director, do a great job of that on a daily basis. We update that stuff daily. We stay on top of it. We work out a lot of players during the course of the season just to see where they are at physically and get the medical information on them, and see if we need them and they are ready to go. Those guys get a lot of credit for staying on top of it in those areas."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Vince Wilfork: Full Interview Transcript From Wednesday

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork answered some questions about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game against the New York Giants during Wednesday's media access. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' comments about the Pro Bowl not being competitive)
"That's a privilege to play in a game like that. Everybody's going to have their opinions about playing in that game, but guys play a whole season, and it's a tough, physical, brutal season, but you get rewarded. So, the last thing you want to do is go out in a game and hurt yourself. That's not good for the individual or the organization. I really haven't paid too much attention to it."

(on the Patriots having a number of unheralded players playing key roles)
"I think some people use it as a motivational tool, not being drafted or slipping in the draft because there was something negative that was put out, but I think you can always find a diamond in the rough no matter where you go. I think some guys get overlooked because the bigger the school is-the higher name or the stars on that team. But if you look deeper, you find guys like that. Our organization does do that. They look past the big names and the stars, and they look for that diamond in the rough, and we've been pretty successful by doing that."

(on if having unheralded players makes for a better team)
I think this team, we fight towards one goal, no matter where you were drafted, no matter how you got here in the league. Everybody has the same mindset of wanting to win ball games, wanting to be a team player, and I think that's one thing that we have, a lot of guys that aren't selfish. They care less about themselves, and it's more about the team, and it shows. We don't have one guy that's playing good football. We have a bunch of guys that kind of step up and play some good football for you."

(on what linebacker Jerod Mayo has brought to the team)
"When Jerod came in, it wasn't about, 'Can he play?' or, 'Can he lead?' The first day he came in, you could see right then and there that this guy was a leader. He had what it takes to run our defense. He had what it takes to be a younger leader for us. We had guys around for a long time that were there-like (former linebacker) Tedy Bruschi and more guys-but he got a chance to come in and learn the ropes from those guys. You see right away his mindset, his hard work, the passion he has for the game, and I always say he didn't look like a rookie. When he came in, he didn't act like a rookie, didn't play like a rookie; it's like he was always at this level, so that was better for us. It was definitely better for us, but I've seen Jerod grow from a player to a friend to a father, so he's been growing. But like I said, it seems like when he first got here, he had all of those things already in order, like someone taught him the right way."

(on his rookie season and how early trials shaped his career)
"My rookie year, I had a bunch of guys around me, leaders and veteran guys. It was more of a veteran team, so new blood coming in-it wasn't the easiest thing to come in on a team that had just won a Super Bowl against Carolina. Then all of a sudden, you're drafted there, and the expectations are high. Just being able to see these guys work, what it takes to be a professional, just seeing the difference between college and pros-how they approach the game, and how they approach the week, time management, things like that-I got a chance to learn a lot early. But, I was always like that, my whole life. I always was a leader on the football (team) or a leader on the basketball (team) because of the passion I had for sports. It doesn't change now. I still have love for the game. I still have a passion for the game. I think a good leader leads by example. I don't think you need leaders all the time that talk. I think if you work hard and put everything you have into it, your younger guys will flock to you."

(on the most athletic thing he does that surprises people)
"Probably dunk a basketball. People look at me and are like, 'He's a butterball, he can't.'"

(on if his excitement for the Super Bowl in increasing)
"As an individual, for me, it's slowing down for me with the media coming to town, getting ready to play, getting ready to practice-doing this, doing that- now all of that stuff is going to slow down a lot, and you get a chance to really focus in on your target, and that's playing football. For me, that's where I'm at. It's a long week until gameday, and guys get anxious, but at the same time, we have to be able to take it one day at a time because you don't want to get too amped. You don't want to get too over the top, because we're still a ways out. But for me, it's slowing down now. It's starting to slow down, and everything's starting to get back to a normal week for us.

(on keeping a routine and if it helps maintain focus)
"I think the more you can stay on a routine, the better it is. If you go outside and do something that you're not used to doing, throw something in the schedule that you're not used to doing, I think it will screw people up. This is a little different. We always have media, but we never have it before meetings, so this is not a big deal for us. I think going on to meetings, once we get into that meeting, we know exactly how it runs. We know the times. You're not running around saying, 'What do I have to do? Man I missed this.' It's not like that."

(on his main concern about the Giants offense)
"The running game. I think that's probably one of the biggest threats. When you have three backs who can run the ball, you get 10 carries apiece from those guys. That's 30 carries. That's 30 carries, and (Brandon) Jacobs and (D.J.) Ware and (Ahmad) Bradshaw, those are some tough runners. I've faced all of them, and every last one them is a tough runner. I think defensively for us to be successful, we're going to have to slow it down. If they come out and run the ball and we can't stop them, we're going to have a problem."

(on Bill Belichick's biggest strength as a coach)
"I think Bill focuses a lot on the little things. He'll sit in his office for hours and hours and hours and come out with one thing, and you'll look at him like, 'Are you serious? This is what we're doing?' But he always comes back to it. I don't know what he does; it always comes down to that little thing that he gives us. I learned that as a rookie, just listen because this guy's been around for a long, long time. Just listen and trust what he does. I've been doing it for eight years, so he hasn't failed me yet. So, I'm going to continue to listen, and whatever he brings to the table, I'm sure he put a lot of thought into it, and I think it's going to carry us a long way if we keep trusting in him because he keeps delivering."

(on the drastic changes to the roster since they played in Super Bowl XLII)
"I don't really think about that. I think the biggest satisfaction I got this year was winning the AFC Championship. From the organization to the fans, to my teammates, coaches, we put a lot into it. We put a lot into it, and these guys deserve it. They worked their tails off all year. It wasn't perfect, but nothing's perfect."

(on having success with so much roster turnover)
"It just goes to show you, the coaches that we have, the guys that we bring in, understand their roles. We've probably got the best coaches out there. We believe that. We definitely believe that. We believe in what Bill(Belichick) teaches us. We believe in the coaching staff and what they teach us. That's everything. When you can have a team that believes in what we're doing and in what the coach is trying to get through to you... Sometimes it may be a no brainer, but if the team believes-because that's one thing special about this team. They believe. They have a passion for it, the love it, and they believe."

(on what he tells newcomers to the Patriots)
"The first thing I tell them is you can't think about yourself. In this organization, it's all about the team, so if you can understand that, you're okay. Guys that didn't understand that, they had a problem, and they're probably not here. But for the most part, these guys understand that and they come to work every day ready to work, ready to get better. That's all we're asking for."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Jerod Mayo: Full Interview Transcript From Wednesday

New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo answered some questions about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game against the New York Giants during Wednesday's media access. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on preparing for the game)
"I've been watching film for a long time now. They're playing good football right now, running the ball, passing the ball, so you've just got to try to take away some of the weapons. You've got to try to contain them. I don't know if you can really just stop them all together because (Giants QB) Eli (Manning) is hot right now. The running backs are running the ball well, the offensive line is blocking well, so we've just got to do a good job trying to contain them."

(on trying to contain the offensive weapons the Giants have)
"They're clicking on all cylinders. It's like, 'What do you do? Who do you take away?' Do you try to take the run game away and then you open up passing lanes and you try to take the pass game away and then you have(RB Ahmad) Bradshaw and (RB Brandon) Jacobs and (RB D.J.) Ware running the ball, so it's like what do you do?"

(on the team's mood)
"I think this team is ready to go. Everyone is working hard. Yesterday after media day I saw guys in there watching film and they're still studying to prepare for this game. I think the sense of urgency is there and we've just got to keep it going."

(on if he's enjoying the atmosphere)
"Definitely, but we're not out here to go to all the festivities and concerts and things like that. We're out here to win a football game. That's our mindset. Even though we have a young team, we have a focused team, a hungry team ready to go."

(on some Giants players predicting victory)
"To be honest with you, they're a great team. They wouldn't be in this game if they didn't have a good team. It's good to have that type of confidence. That's their opinion and we'll play the game on Sunday."

(on the mindset today after an off day yesterday)
"It's go back to work and pick up where we left off. Guys were still studying yesterday, so it wasn't a true off day. I think guys really know that this is a big game. The sense of urgency is there, and everyone is ready to go."

(on keeping the routine similar to the routine all season)
"Obviously this isn't normal right here, but at the same time we're pretty much isolated from everyone. They set it up so it's just like our complex pretty much. We feel comfortable in the hotel and comfortable watching film here and practicing."

(on if the team is excited to play)
"It's like counting down days before Christmas. Guys are very excited and anxious to get on the field."

(on if keeping the routine the same plays a big part in preparation)
"Definitely. I think the coaches have done an excellent job making it feel like home and making everything the same except for things like this, obviously. We're ready to go, we're ready to rock, and doing the same things we would be doing if we were back in Foxborough."

(on how Head Coach Bill Belichick has organized the week)
"Meeting rooms are the same. Meeting times are the same. He's still getting on us about little things, and that's the way we like it."

(on other linebackers he looks up to)
"I've always been a big fan of (former Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB) Derrick Brooks my entire career. He was a great linebacker who could do it all; cover, he could tackle, play the run, do it all. Also (Baltimore Ravens LB) Ray Lewis. Obviously the career that he's had is a great career and he's a great player."

(on if his body feels better after a bye week)
"Definitely the body feels better. We're getting guys back healthy and it's huge. This will be our third bye week, right? We had the first round bye, we had the regular bye week, and now this one. So guys are getting back healthy and it's always good to have that extra week of preparation."

(on learning from the group of linebackers before him)
"I didn't feel pressure at all. I was fortunate enough, like you said, to come in with (Tedy) Bruschi, Junior (Seau)was here, Rosevelt Colvin. All those guys really took me under their wing. I really didn't have to do too much. I just had to be a sponge and learn as much as I could from those guys, and they taught me a lot."

(on how he was able to adjust to the level of play in the NFL so quickly)
"I think it came from my upbringing. My grandfather always taught us about work ethic, and then coach John Chavis at Tennessee taught me how to study film and break down film and be a professional. He's a great coach."

(on his expectations prior to being drafted and if they've been met)
"To be honest with you, the year before I got here they won 18 games and lost in the Super Bowl. It's like, you go first round to a team that won 18 games, it's no pressure. If they need me to come in and play on special teams and that's it, I was willing to do that. This is everything I expected. Great owner, great coaches, great teammates, and no selfish players on this team and I like it like that."

(on the Patriots finding key contributors that went undrafted)
"I think that's just a testament to the scouting department and Coach Belichick just finding guys that no one else wants. He brings us all here for a reason and that's to win football games."

(on getting motivated for the game)
"Any time you're playing with an extra chip on your shoulder, it's huge. That extra motivation can go a long way, and then it's the Super Bowl on top of all that. I think guys are ready to go and guys are focused on the game."

(on the role that former teammate Tedy Bruschi played in his development)
"A huge role. I learned a lot from Bruschi not only on the field, but off the field as well. He's a huge figure in the Boston area, in the New England area, in the community and he's a great player. I learned a lot about studying film from him. All the things that he's done, it's hard to even think about matching what he's done for the community."

(on if he's glad to really be getting down to the game plan)
"Definitely. I'm ready to start tightening down all the loose nuts and bolts and get this game plan in cement and see what we can do on Sunday."

(on if he's worried about Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning helping his brother Eli prepare for the game)
"To be honest with you, I'm not worried at all. We're going to go out here and prepare like any other game. Peyton is a (University of Tennessee) Vol, so hopefully he'll take it a little easy on me. I know they're probably breaking down film together, but they're great quarterbacks. Eli is playing as good as anyone is right now, and he'll be a tough challenge for us."

(on the evolution of the tight end position)
"I'm not sure, to be honest with you. I think sometimes tight end is a forgotten position, but now everyone is kind of looking towards them and they're making a lot of plays deep down the middle of the field and spreading them out, moving them to different positions, and I think it's been huge for the game."

(on if it's difficult to cover tight ends)
"Well, in the deep part of the field, sometimes it is when you have a tight end streaming down the middle and have two good wide receivers on the outside. It's like, 'Who do you take away?'"

(on being a team leader)
"To be honest with you, I didn't come in here trying to be a leader or anything like that. I just try to lead by example and go to work every day, bring my hard hat. I'm a blue collar kind of guy, so I just like to put in the hours and put in the work and hopefully guys follow."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Rob Gronkowski: Full Interview Transcript From Wednesday

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski answered some questions about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game against the New York Giants during Wednesday's media access. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on if he plans to practice today)
"I have no clue. I'll see what the trainers say. I'll meet up with them right after this, once we start our day after the media (session). We'll see how it goes."

(on if his ankle feels better today)
"Definitely. I feel better every day. That's the goal. That's the positive direction you want to be going. You want to be moving forward every single day. If you are going backwards, that's not good at all. I am feeling good every day. The rehab is going well. Everything is moving forward and we're on pace of just feeling better every day."

(on what he was able to do yesterday)
"Rehab with the training staff. Whatever they have me do, I just do. It felt better yesterday and every day I do a little bit more. It's going good."

(on what rehab they are doing)
"Moving forward every day. Like I said, we are making positive strides and every single day we do something more. We add on a new rehab. We add a new pressure point or something, so I can move better. Overall, we are moving ahead, making progress strides moving forward."

(on if he has been able to run yet)
"Whatever the training staff has me do. I am not going to disclose information about what I am doing."

(on what they have seen that is different now from when they faced the Giants during the regular season)
"We haven't seen much difference, because they have such great players. They have a great front four. They have a great secondary. They have great linebackers. Basically, they are playing the same football they have been all year, but they are playing at a higher level now. They are all working together. They are all playing hard. They are all playing fast. We just have to be ready for their whole defense."

(on the similarities between this game and when they faced the Giants in Super Bowl XLII)
"I wasn't part of the team here. It's a whole different time now. I wasn't on that team. It is just about this year. I love being on the team here. We have great teammates, great coaches. I love playing with everyone. It's a huge game this week, obviously, it's the Super Bowl. I am excited for it and can't wait."

(on if he emerged as a top tight end because of the system or because of the things he has done)
"I would say overall both. It's listening to the coaches, listening to the players around me, having other great players, having other tight ends, having other great receivers, having a good o-line. It's just everyone going out there and working together as a team. It's everyone working hard and opportunities just come up. It's attributed to my teammates and everyone working together. It just happened that I have been making some plays and stuff. I give all the credit to my teammates and coaches. "

(on being able to share this moment with his family)
"It's awesome. My brother (Chris) was on the Colts this year, so he has a house about 20 minutes away. The last three nights I got to hang out with him for about two or three hours at the end of the day. We are just having a blast, catching up with my brothers. My other brother (Dan) just got in town, so we are hanging out, having a good time, catching up about our football lives. Because we really don't get to see each other during the season, so it's just a blast to be out here and an honor to have my brother out here with a house that we can chill at."

(on if he has bragging rights over his brother because he got to a Super Bowl before them)
"Obviously, every once in a while we brag to each other like I'd say something to them. But, it's all fun and games. We are just having a good time."

(on if he expects to play)
"I am just taking it day-by-day. Obviously, I want to be out there. I am anxious to be out there. I want to help the team out as much as possible. It's the Super Bowl, obviously I want to be out there. I am trying everything I can do to be out there."

(on how much of an asset it is to have big hands)
"I guess it's good to have big hands. The ball fits in easier, you can get a better grip. In blocking you can get your hands on the opponent to drive them out. That's not what brings you success - having big hands - I'd say it helps a little bit. In the end, it's your form in the passing game and your form in the blocking game. It's practicing hard and doing extra reps so you get everything down."

(on if he is amazed at all the attention his ankle is getting)
"It's the Super Bowl, that's why it's all going on. If it was a regular season game, it really wouldn't matter. It's the biggest game in sports history every year. It is what it is. You have just got to put your blinders on and you have got to be focusing every single day on the playbook and the Giants. So, when it comes to game time, you are not distracted and you are just ready for the game."

(on if his ankle is better than it was yesterday)
"Yes, definitely. Every single day I am improving. It's feeling way better than it was a week ago. It's feeling better then yesterday, so it's just making positive strides every single day."

(on if it is possible that he doesn't practice all week and still plays)
"Anything is possible. I could be practicing the next three days or I could be not practicing at all. Anything is possible."

(on where his cardio level is now)
"That's what I am wondering too, but the training staff has us doing things to keep it up - eating healthy every single day, making sure you are not eating trash, just staying at your weight and doing what you possibly can do, so you can stay in shape."

(on if he has done running in the last week)
"Not really. The training staff proposes things to me that I can do, and what we can do together. We'll see what we do today. I am excited, I am anxious to be out there and see what we can do."

(on if they have to worry about pass protection against the Giants more than normal)
"Every single week the blocking game is just as huge as the passing game. It's actually bigger. You have got to be able to run the ball to be able to pass the ball. You have got to make some holes open for our running backs, so they can run the ball and get some yardage."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Tom Brady: Full Interview Transcript From Wednesday

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady answered some questions about the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI game against the New York Giants during Wednesday's media access. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on making improvements when playing a team for a second time in a season)

"Over the course of the season, whether it was from one Denver game to the second Denver game, or the first game of the year to the last game of the year, we've always tried to make improvement. I think that's really been the hallmark of a Coach Belichick-coached team. He really keeps the pressure on us from the first meeting of the season to the last meeting of the season. Maybe early in the year you try out some combinations of players and plays and so forth, and then you realize that they don't work so you don't use them anymore and you go to the stuff that does work and you try to do those things more consistently. I think that's where we're at the point now. We're doing the things that we do a decent job of and we just try to improve those things so we're at our best for this particular game."

(on managing the high expectations for his own level of performance)
"I feel like when I played a game like I did a couple of weeks ago, quarterbacks never try to turn the ball over, and if there's one thing that correlates to winning games, it's turnovers. To turn the ball over two times like I did, I didn't feel like that was certainly my best performance. I said yesterday and I wish I didn't say it because I didn't want to take away from what the team had accomplished, and certainly we had accomplished a lot to get to this point in the season and to be a very good team in the AFC Championship Game, to fight back like we did - we were down in that game - I think we've proven that we're a pretty mentally tough team. We're trying to put our best out there this weekend. It's nice to be here Wednesday and get back to work and really settle into the week. This will really feel like a solid week of preparation so we can go out there and play on Sunday."

(on the leadership of Vince Wilfork on defense)
"Vince has been a great leader on this team. He sets the example, he sets the tone in practice. He's an extremely consistent player. He plays at a very high level every week. You feed off guys like that. When you look across at the other side of the ball and you see guys like Vince who is always holding himself to a very high expectation, ultimately he plays at a Pro Bowl level every year, it's great to see. He's been a great leader for this team since he got here. When he first got here as a young guy and he was surrounded by a lot of veteran players that brought some great leadership qualities to him, and he's really taken that over."

(on Deion Branch's penchant for coming up big in big games and whether he can repeat that on Sunday)
"Deion is a big part of what we do. As you saw in the Denver game, when he makes those big plays down the field - and he's made some big ones in AFC Championship Games and Super Bowls - he's a very clutch player. He always seems to show up for the big games. I've always enjoyed working with him. For him to come back last season - he told my last week on the bye week how excited he was to be back in this game and how grateful he was and that he went away from our team and didn't really experience what he wanted to experience at the other place - now he's back and we have this opportunity again. He just kept telling me, 'Tom, you don't know how happy I am to be back playing for this team and in this game. It's great for all of us.'"

(on the importance of bringing Wes Welker back in 2012 and the possibility of this being their last game together)
"We haven't talked about that. I would never want to think about that. Wes is one of my great friends. I hope he's back. He certainly deserves it. He's done a great job since he's gotten here. He led the league this year in catches and in yards. Really as an underdog he has continued to show his character. Every year he seems to get better and have an understanding of our offense and what he does. He's a great player on this team."

(on the support of his father - Tom Brady, Sr. - over the years)

"It's one of my favorite topics, talking about my Dad and my relationship with him. He was my role model growing up. I really enjoyed spending time with him. I had three older sisters, so when you're the youngest, the baby boy and the only boy, you get spoiled by your Mom and your Dad, which I certainly did. My Dad would always take me on trips together. We always enjoyed playing golf together and doing things one-on-one. When I was in high school and I really started enjoying the game and understanding the game we went to some camps at some different colleges. We went to the University of Arizona one year, UCLA one year and Arizona State one year.

(on the support of his father - Tom Brady, Sr. - over the years )
"He was always there to support me. He's been there every step of the way. Then I went to school a long ways from home (University of Michigan)
and he and my Mom were there at every home football game that they could possibly be at and a lot of road games, too. And even when I started my pro career, he traveled to Buffalo. I don't know if you guys have ever been to the hotels in Buffalo - they're not the nicest places in the world - but he would still travel to those. It was just great to grow up in a house like that and feel so supported by your Mom and Dad. I've always had that great support at home. I certainly wouldn't be standing here if I didn't have the love and support of my parents and my sisters and my family."

(on being back in the Super Bowl)
"It's great. This is everything that you ask for as an athlete and as competitors. I said yesterday when you're not playing in this game it sucks to turn on the TV these days. Every channel you turn on is talking about this game and the players in this game. As a competitor you want to be here, you need to be here. This is why we've worked so hard over the years - high school, college, pros - to prepare for games like this. It's a fun game. I've had an opportunity to be in a few of them, and it's hard to imagine the football season ends in five days for us, but it does. It's been a great season for us, and hopefully we can make it extra special with a win on Sunday."

(on whether he can be rattled after his knee surgery when defenders are around his legs)
"You hear that every week from teams that you play that they want to get to the quarterback and hit the quarterback. In our team meetings, Coach Belichick talks about getting to the opposing team's quarterback and hitting the quarterback. That's just what defensive football is all about. It wouldn't be the Super Bowl if they weren't talking about coming to knock me down and trying to knock me out. That's what I expect, and you know what, our offensive line gets paid to keep those guys out of there. This team (Giants)
has a very good pass rush. I've seen it game after game this year. They can get to the quarterback. They can hit the quarterback. They can force the quarterback into some bad decisions and some bad throws. We're going to try to eliminate those. We really can't afford too many of those on Sunday. We had too many of those the last time we played them, and we're not going to be able to win the game making mistakes."

(on when he started using the wristband for play calls on reading the small print)
"It's really a means of backup communication if the headsets go down. It has all of the plays on there. If for some reason the coach-to-quarterback system doesn't work, then we can go to the wristbands. It's pretty small print, but I have decent eyes. Maybe when I get a little bit older I won't be able to see it and I may have to go with two wristbands, but right now I'm pretty good with one."

(on whether he's seen Chad Ochocinco getting more comfortable in the offense and what his trust level is with him)
"Chad has worked hard every day. I've really loved having Chad on this team and being able to play with him. I met him a while ago at my second Pro Bowl, I think he was there. His still has that childlike quality in terms of his enthusiasm for the game and practice and competition. I was excited to get him this year. I wished that he would have had a bigger role on this team. We've just had other guys who have played more snaps with Deion(Branch), Wes (Welker), Rob (Gronkowski) and Aaron (Hernandez), who are obviously so hard to take off of the field. Chad's done a great job. He comes to work every day and he's willing to do whatever it takes to win. I think he's enjoying this experience this week, too. To play in this game for the first time, he's been telling me how excited he is. I'm excited for him."

(on what longtime family friend and mentor Tom Martinez meant to his development as a quarterback)
"He's obviously a great friend of mine and a great friend of my family's, and has been for a long time. He taught me how to throw the football at a young age. I'm forever indebted to him. We've worked together for over 20 years trying to work on my mechanics and nail those down. He's had a great commitment to me. He's always calling and texting and saying, 'Get your shoulder down and get your arm up and close your left side and take a shorter stride.' Talk about a perfectionist, he's a perfectionist and he doesn't let anything slide with me. I owe so much to him. I love him. I love his family. He's got a great family and I enjoy being with him and working with him. He's hopefully going to get a kidney pretty soon. He's been looking for a kidney transplant for a long time, and I'm sure hoping he gets one."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady Full Interview Transcript

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady addressed the media during Super Bowl Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on playing in his fifth Super Bowl)
"To be in this game one time is a pretty unbelievable experience, and to think that this is my fifth time, my fifth Media Day and fifth Super Bowl is pretty incredible."

(on anything he wished he could do over from the Patriots' last Super Bowl appearance vs. the Giants)
"All the games you lose, there are plays that you want back. Certainly, every time you lose, you think there is more that you could have done to help the team win. But when you win, you don't think about any of those things, you think about what you do well."

(on growing up a 49ers fan watching games at Candlestick Park)
"I remember being in the parking lot (before games) throwing the ball, wearing my (Joe)
Montana and (Steve) Young jerseys. It was really great to grow up in the Bay Area at that time and watch two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play. That's really where I began to love football."

(on whether his late-round selection in the 2000 NFL Draft is still a motivating factor)
"I don't think it's just that 2000 NFL Draft. What you're always trying to do as an athlete is prove it to yourself. You go through a college career and think you do a decent job - not that you get overlooked, it's just that there are other guys who they feel can do a better job - so you just keep working hard, you just keep believing in yourself and looking for your opportunity. Unfortunately, I got my opportunity through Drew (Bledsoe)
getting injured. At the same time, I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity. Life is about taking advantage of opportunities, and you never know when you're going to get them. You have to be prepared to take advantage when you get them. You try to go out there and be confident in yourself so you can inspire confidence in others. I always tell young players, 'How do you expect me to be confident in you when I look at you and see that you're not confident in yourself?' You're always bringing that level of confidence so guys look at you and say, 'I know he's going to get it done, so this is how I'm going to prepare myself.'"

(on what the return of Josh McDaniels brings to the coaching staff and the offense)
"It's great to have him back. It would be a challenging position for any coordinator to come into, and having Josh back, I think it makes it very seamless because of his familiarity with our offense, our style, our locker rooms, our meeting rooms, all of the other coaches. He's been a great friend of mine since the day he got to the team. He's a great addition."

(on what stands out from his first Super Bowl experience 10 years ago compared to this one)
"That was the 9-11 year, so there was only one week to prepare. We went down to New Orleans and there was so much happening, not just with Super Bowl week. I had actually hurt my ankle in the previous game, so I spent a ton of time in the training room getting ready for that game. We were playing one of the greatest teams in football (St. Louis). From what I do remember, it was a pretty crazy week. There was a ton to do in a very short amount of time."

(on not taking the Super Bowl for granted)
"Look at this (Media Day). How could you ever take this for granted? It's pretty cool to think as a kid growing up that a bunch of people would come watch us play a football game. We love to play the game, practice, prepare and to have this experience, as well."

(on whether he wanted a Super Bowl rematch against the Giants as much as many Patriots fans did)
"There is a great rivalry, there has been between Boston and New York for a long time. When I got to the team, it was always Red Sox-Yankees. We've had some pretty meaningful games against the Giants over the past few years, so I don't think anyone is disappointed that it's the Giants."

(on what he plans to do to ensure a better outcome than the last Patriots-Giants Super Bowl)
"I want to make sure I don't throw any interceptions. I want to try to play really well. They're a good team, that's why they're here. They force you into a lot of mistakes. But we can't go out there and make mistakes and expect to win. We have to go out there and play a very clean game."

(on his advice to younger players in this game)
"I know this (Media Day) is a big part of the week, dealing with a lot of requests, not just media requests, but also family requests. But ultimately, when that game is kicked off, you'd better be ready to play. It's a game that we've played all year. The rules are the same, but you'd better be doing everything you need to do during the course of the week to get ready."

(on whether his sons understand the magnitude of this game)
"I have a four-and-a-half-year-old who is much more interested in the Millelnium Falcon and his Lego sets than football. I try to keep tossing him the ball. My two-year-old, he's definitely going to be a little athlete. One thing over the years that has really changed is being a parent. It's a little different (balancing) your work and your parenting. I'm sure everyone here deals with that, as well. That's obviously a great part of my life."

(on how much a win would mean in this game after a loss against the Giants in Super Bowl XLII)
"A win means everything. That's why we're here. It's certainly not going to be easy. I know there is a lot of build-up around the fact that we played these guys five years ago, but those were very different teams five years ago."

(on how whether he's reflected on how far he's come since his college days at Michigan)
"Not on a daily basis. I think those experiences of competition, those serve you well as you mature. I think I was very fortunate in college to go through some pretty stiff competition in order to withstand that competition once you got to the next level. A lot of the lessons that I learned when I was 18, 19 years old have served me well when I was 23 and 24. This game is about competition. You have to compete every single day in practice because if you don't, you're not going to be around very long. The most competitive guys that I've been around - Rodney Harrison, Willie McGinest, Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Randy Moss - these guys wanted to win at everything. I think that's why they've always worked hard to compete and put themselves in a position to win."

(on whether the Patriots are more relaxed heading into this Super Bowl)
"I think you're most relaxed as a player when you're prepared and when you're confident. You're not worry about what they're going to do. I think we're playing good football. We've won our last 10 games. It's a confident team. If we go out and we play well, we expect to win the game. I'm sure the Giants feel the same way. We have to go out there and earn it. It's not going to be easy. They're a very good team. We played them earlier in the year. They gave us everything that they could handle. We've been pretty good at home over the years and they beat us at home. They are good in every area. They score points, they play good defense. It's going to be a great challenge."

(on how the joy of winning a Super Bowl compares to the agony of losing one)
"Any time you lose, it's a tough thing. We've lost one Super Bowl. I remember waking up in Arizona the next morning after an hour of sleep thinking, That was a nightmare, that didn't happen. After time, you learn to move on and get over it. Anyone who loses in the playoffs knows it is difficult to deal with. When you win, you still probably get an hour of sleep, but that feeling doesn't go away for a long time. The winning, the things that go along with winning, those are really special memories that you have with a lot of close friends. It's a great feeling."

(on any advice that he has received from his wife)
"Throw the ball quickly. She doesn't like it when I get hit very often. My guys up front do a great job of protecting me."

(on growing up with three older sisters)
"It was great, I didn't have anyone to share clothes with, I didn't have to fight over the bathroom. They were pretty easy on me. They dressed me up a few times in their clothes and painted my nails once, but it was nice. It was pretty easy when you were a kid and you had three older sisters. They'd bring all of their girlfriends over to the house. It was pretty cool. They (my sisters) were the best athletes in my house. They were certainly better athletes than me. They all had successful athletic careers. It was a very athletic family. We grew up on baseball and soccer fields. I loved just tagging along. I'd loved going out there and cheering them on. I was living and dying with every win and loss that they had."

(on the key to Kevin Faulk's longevity with the Patriots)
"I think he's a Patriot type of player. He's tough, smart and he plays well under pressure. He's made some huge plays for us in our biggest games. The last time we played the Giants in the Super Bowl he had a huge game. If you look at the plays he's made over the years - catching the ball out of the backfield, blitz pickup - he can really do everything. It's great to have a guy like that in the backfield who understands what you're trying to do on every play."

(on how important the dedication of this season to Myra Kraft is to him and his teammates)
"She is a woman who has been smiling down on us over the course of this season. I think Mr. Kraft and his family have had a challenging six months. Mr. Kraft said the other day that he is a very spiritual person, and hopefully we can go out and get a win for him. I think it would make this year very special for him and special for his family."

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Patriots Wide Receiver Wes Welker Full Interview Transcript

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker addressed the media during Super Bowl Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on the Super Bowl atmosphere and the set up in Indianapolis)
"Yeah, it's definitely set in. It's a pretty incredible place and four years ago, I believe, I was in the stands doing interviews and everything. It's kind of nice to have a seat."

(on becoming more of a marquee player since his last Super Bowl Media Day)
"It's kind of surreal in a way. You just strive to be the best you can, and do what you can out there on the field. It's great to see your career develop and into what it is today."

(on how it feels to be where he is after all of the hard work he's put into his development)
"I don't know if you can really describe it. It's a lot of hard work. A lot of late nights and early mornings, and everything else to get to this point-it's never easy, you don't really take it for granted. You just go out there and play the best you can and do what you can to be here. Now we're here and it's a great deal."

(on if he's noticed a change in Bill Belichick's demeanor this year, he's been more light hearted publicly)
"I don't know, I think he's enjoying himself. I think he's got a lady in his life, so that could definitely be the case; I don't know. We're just coming here to try and win a ballgame. However we do that or whatever demeanor we have to take, that's what it's going to be."

(on how he plays the game out in his head going into the Super Bowl)
"Hopefully good, we've put a lot into this and this is what you play for. This is why you run those extra sprints in the offseason, why you lift all those weights, this is why you play the game-to be in the position that we're in, it's the best and we have to take advantage of it."

(on if this is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII)
"It's just the same organizations are going at each other. It's different players, really, different teams playing the game. I don't think there are too many guys who are here from '07."

(on who had the better offensive weapons, Tom Brady or Eli Manning)
"I think both teams have really good offensive weapons, so we'll find out on Sunday night who does."

(on if Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback in NFL history)
"I'm a little bias, but yeah I think so. Just watching him in person, the way he works, what he does out there, it's pretty incredible."

(on his concern level for Rob Gronkowski's health)
"Rob's a big boy. He's tough and everything else, so I'm not too worried about him. I know he's going to give his best out there and do whatever he can do to help us win the game. I think everyone, collectively, is going to do that."

(on how much of an impact Rob Gronkowki's injury will be if he isn't fully healthy for the Super Bowl)
"I think everybody has to step up and make plays-across the board. It's not all on Rob, and it hasn't been all year. We have to come together and make the plays necessary to win the game, and that's what it's all about and guys stepping up to do that."

(on how he can relate, as a kick returner, to San Francisco 49ers return man Kyle Williams)
"I don't think you really worry about that. The plays happen out there, they happen, and you can't really worry about it. You just have to go out there and do the best you can and make the plays necessary to win the game."

(on if sympathizes with San Francisco 49ers returner Kyle Williams being a kick returner himself)
"Sure, sure-it's tough. That's a tough position to play in critical situations. It's never easy to go out there and make those plays, but you have to do the best you can and hopefully have a better outcome."

(on if he thinks the Giants' defensive backs can cover him)
"I think they can, but hopefully not on Sunday."

(on if his confidence level is high right now)
"I think you always have to keep a high confidence level-at all times. That's the only way to play this game and how you have success out there."

(on if he has taken notice of what Giants WR Victor Cruz has done from the slot position)
"Yeah, absolutely, he's done a really good job. He has good quickness; he does a good job of setting up his routes. Watching him, he and Eli (Manning)
seem to be on the same page, as far as doing that 10-yard downhill out in the slot. He sets that up with faking that route and bending it into the middle. It's something I try to tell our defensive backs to be ready for, because either he's going to do that or he's going to try and wrap it in there and get open faking that 10-yard out. I think those two routes really set up each other well in what he does, and he does a good job with them."

(on if he watched Patriots teammate Chad Ochocinco on 'Dancing with the Stars' and if he'd ever be a contestant on the show)
"I may have caught like one episode or something like that. I think he did terrible, didn't he? He didn't last too long, did he? For being an athlete, you would think he'd be in the top two or three, right? I mean, come on. To answer your question, I really don't see myself being on Dancing with the Stars; it's not really my deal."

(on if there is a revenge factor going into the Super Bowl after the Giants beat them in Super Bowl XLII and ended their perfect season)
"I don't think you really worry about that. I think you go out there and play your game and do whatever you have to do to try and win the game. You don't get caught up in the past, you just understand that you have a great opportunity here and you just try to make the most of it."

(on how he would describe his journey from high school to sitting on a podium on Media Day before playing in his second Super Bowl)
"Long. It's been kind of crazy. I feel like it's been long, but I've just been taking it day-by-day, and every day trying to get better and trying to improve myself to get to this point. I continue to do that, and that's what you have to do. It's put me in the Super Bowl now, and even now, every day just trying to get better, and I think that's what you continually have to do."

(on some of the plays that TE Rob Gronkowski has made this season that have made him say 'wow')
"Some of the catches he makes, down by his shoelaces, being as big as he is, and being limber enough to be able to reach down and make some of those catches. We see some in practice that you just kind of shake your head. You can't really describe it. The guy has a lot of talent, and he's a really good player for us. Not only receiving, but blocking-he's a hell of a player."

(on if he'd like to say anything to the United States troops overseas)
"I just want to say, 'Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to our country! Thank you for allowing us to come out here and play this game. Without you all protecting us, who knows where we would be right now, so thank you.'"

(on how difficult it was to come back from a major knee injury, and how long it took before he felt comfortable on the field)
"I think just continuing to work, and continuing to do what you need to do to get better. It's a long, hard process, and on days that you're sore and you don't feel like pushing it, you have to. That's when you really have to put yourself in a position to get better. No matter how bad it hurts or how you're feeling, it's always those days when you want to take a day off and rest that you have to push it even more."

(on his biggest fears when he first injured his knee)
"Being the same player-being able to come back from it. Being able to cut and doing all of those different things, it was definitely a fear of mine. You know, 'What is going to happen to my career now?'"

(on how he feels going from an undrafted free agent to now sitting on a podium, getting ready to play in his second Super Bowl)
"I'm so excited. To get to this point, you know how hard it is. It's never easy. We're definitely blessed and excited to be here, and hopefully we can take advantage of the opportunity." For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Patriots Defense Tackle Vince Wilfork Full Interview Transcript

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork addressed the media during the Super Bowl Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Courtesy of Patriots.com

(on the 'MHK' patches the Patriots wear in honor of the late Myra Kraft) "It means a lot, what she brought to this organization, what she brought to this team. For her not to be here physically with us, I think everybody thinks of every moment that she was around. This year is dedicated to her, and hopefully we can finish it off with a good outcome for her and for the Kraft family. This is the biggest stage. This is the biggest game. We would like to go out on top on this stage. It's a good place to be."

(on Myra Kraft) "She was always in the community. You never knew something was wrong with her, because she was always out and about. She was doing. You would see her around the stadium, but she spent most of her time in the community just helping folks. That was her biggest thing, you know, making a difference in the world, just helping people that weren't able to help themselves-were it physical or financial or whatever it may be. She just had a big, big heart for being such a small woman. She is absolutely missed from all of us, and I'm pretty sure from around the world because of what she meant to a lot of people."

(on what he remembers about getting his Super Bowl ring in 2004) "I don't too much take it out, but it's a memory that you'll never forget. Being on the biggest stage in sports, you're going to always remember it. Win or lose, you're going to remember it. That was the first- I've had the pleasures of (winning) two, to be the three. This will be my third one-win one, lose one. Any time you can get to this step, it's a big, big accomplishment, because it's so hard to win and so hard to compete. We're talking about the best athletes in the world competing on one stage, and it's just tough to win. So, any time you get here, it's always special. I think guys have got to understand that. It's not by mistake we're here. We work very hard, and I'm pretty sure there are 30 other teams out there that are going to be looking and saying, 'We could have been there. We beat these teams,' and stuff like that, but you know what? There are only two teams that remain standing, and it's us and the Giants."

(on reaching out to the young players on the team about what to take from the experience) " I think these guys have done well. I think there are a lot of distractions, but at the end of the day, you have to remember that once the ball kicks off, it's going to be a football game. I think everything leading up to the Super Bowl, with family and fans and friends and stuff like that, is big. Everybody wants to be a part of it, this game, because like I said, it's probably the biggest game in sports. Everybody wants to be a part of this, which is understandable. So, as a player, you have to understand how to distance yourself at a certain point in time in the week and understand that we have to get the work. Gameday, once that ball kicks off, it's 'lights camera, action,' but it's a football game, and you have to understand that. I think these guys have been doing a real good job with that. They've been focusing and practicing well. Guys understand what it means to be a professional. I think this is probably the biggest test of everyone-young guys, veterans. It's probably the biggest test to see what it is to be a professional. It's distractions, not because you made it a distraction. It's just the big stage, so it's going to test a lot of guys, even the young guys. Right now, they don't even know they're getting tested as what it means to be a professional, but they're doing it. So, at the end of the day, they'll always look back and say, 'That was probably my biggest challenge- on Super Bowl Sunday-as a professional."

(on getting over the 2007 Super Bowl loss) "That wasn't hard at all to get off of that loss. Any time you lose a ball game, you try to move on. I don't think anything was said in our locker room about that season or that loss or it being a rematch or anything like that because I don't think it means anything. Both teams are so different now, so it really doesn't mean anything. It's just you have the two same teams that played playing again, but as far as revenge and they're holding the torch and all, I don't think it's anything big there. It's another football game. Like I said, it's two good football l teams that are playing, two good teams that are very well coached, very disciplined- two tough teams that are playing in the Super Bowl. That's the way it's supposed to be. We earned the right to be here. The giants earned the right to be here. Some people may agree, some people may not, but it is what it is. You made the plays to get you here, and hopefully, we walk away with the 'W.' At the same time, I'm pretty sure the Giants are saying the same thing. If you lose this one, there's no more next week. It's see you next year. There's a lot riding on this game, but at the end of the day, it's going to be a game. That's what it's going to be on Sunday. Once the ball is kicked off, it's going to be a regular football game."

(on his relationship with the late Myra Kraft) "I think it was more personal than anything. She was always the type that she cared less about who you are as a football player-which it meant a lot to her-but she was more on the part of who you are as a person, where your heart is. I think in this locker room, you have a bunch of guys that have that similarity in them, a good football player but an even greater person off the field. That's what she was all about. It seems like every week she was in the community doing something. Who it may be for didn't matter, but she was always helping. That was her motto. She always wanted to help; she always wanted to make a difference in someone's life. She touched a lot of people's lives, not just in America but across the world. She touched a lot of people's hearts, and she had the biggest heart-a small, small person- but she probably had one of the biggest hearts ever. I think a lot of people respect her for that, and I think a lot of people saw deeper past football when it came to Myra Kraft."

(on his relationship with Patriots Owner Robert Kraft) "We've always had a good relationship. I think our relationship got deeper once she (Myra Kraft) passed because, like I said, it was more than football there. My wife and I always were true believers in helping people, and it's just like we're the same people as Mr. and Mrs. Kraft. So, I think it got a little deeper just because of the relationship that we did have and the bond that we did have over the years. I think it just got deeper. I think it's two guys that really understand what it means to have a good woman behind you and to lose someone as close and dear to your heart. So, I think our relationship is probably one of the best relationships that a player and owner probably have in this game."

(on playing in the Super Bowl for Kraft) "It's always amazing to get here, and to see him every day and know that he's hurting, it's big for him. We're very happy dedicating this season. We're very happy with being in this situation for this organization, but mainly for Mr. and Mrs. Kraft. I think she would be here right with us today with Mr. Kraft walking around on a day like today, but she's not. She's got the best seat in the house though. Like I said, it feels good to be here in this type of season. It's been a long season. It's been a stressful season. You could look back at this season and say a bunch went on that year. A bunch went on that year, but hopefully we'll be looking back and smiling and laughing."

(on the secret to being a Patriot) "I think you can't be selfish. I think the Patriots are all about team, family, smart football players, things like that. I think the older you get, and you've probably been in the organization for however long-to come to this organization, right away you'll see it's a different organization because of, first, our head coach, how he handles business. He wants nothing but the best. He won't settle for anything other than that, and that's for a rookie and 15-year vet. So, he holds everybody accountable. If you don't have that team spirit or that team motto coming in here, it won't work. A lot of the guys have it, some guys don't have it, but you know what? Who wouldn't want to play under (Head Coach) Bill Belichick? He's going to go down as probably the best coach ever. Even if he doesn't, I'm already putting him there. He's the best coach ever."

(on stopping the Giants' running game) "That's probably one of the biggest things we have to do in this game is to, first of all, be able to handle the run. They have three good backs that can actually run the ball, and trust me, they're tough. They're tough backs, and Eli (Manning), he's playing lights-out ball right now. He's going to be pretty tough to maintain in the pocket, because he doesn't get rattled quick. He doesn't get rattled quick, so we have to do a good job for 60 minutes playing good football. If that's stopping the run more or getting pressure on Manning- just making it tough on those guys. It's going to be a challenge for us, but it's the big stage."

(on carrying over the momentum from his performance in the AFC Championship Game) "I don't change anything. My preparation doesn't change, because I prepare well. I prepare to go into battle each week and play my heart out. So, if that's what it takes, then that's what I'm going to do."

(on if he will eat his pregame meal with the team) "Absolutely, trust me. This game isn't any different from any other game that I've played. It's just the biggest game of the year, but the way I approach it won't be any different from how I approach any game, because I approach every game to win."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick Full Interview Transcript

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media during Super Bowl Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

(on hire of Patriots offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien as Penn State's head coach)
"I think the credit has to go to those people. Bill O'Brien has done everything he normally does, and everything he can possibly do. I'm sure he's spent some extra hours early in the morning and late at night doing things for Penn State. He's done everything we've asked him to do here, and he has been very diligent in his responsibilities."

(on what the Patriots need to do to win the Super Bowl)
"It is the same as it is every week. We have to go out and play a good football game all the way around in all three phases of the game. The Giants are good on offense, defense and special teams. They are well-coached, disciplined and tough. We will have to match their effort and do a little bit more."

(on the success the Patriots have had with undrafted free agents and low-round draft picks)
"Well, our personnel department, (Patriots' Director of Player Personnel)
Nick Caserio and his staff, have done a great job in finding players in various corners that we look in. I think it really is a credit to those players. They have come in and worked hard. They aren't big-name, high-profile guys coming in, but they have outworked and out-competed who they are competing against for those roster spots and that playing time. Big credit to those guys. It's not how you get to the Patriots, it's what you do when you get there."

(on Giants QB Eli Manning)
"He is an outstanding quarterback. He's had a great year. I think his performance speaks for itself."

(on Giants WR Victor Cruz)
"Victor Cruz is an outstanding player. He's made a lot of big plays for the Giants over the last couple of years, not only down the field but on catch-and-run plays. He is a hard guy to tackle, he is a good route runner and he is strong. Whoever we have on him, it will be a big challenge for him along with all of their outstanding skill players."

(on how the Patriots make Super Bowl week as normal as possible)
"I don't think it's that difficult. We've played in a lot of big games, and we've had a routine all year. We will try to stay in that routine. There are some things like this (Media Day)
that are different, but we will adjust to those and get to back to doing the things we need to do to prepare for the game. I think the players will be well-prepared."

(on QB Tom Brady)
"Tom is a really competitive guy who responds well every week, so I'm sure that he will do his best, as he does every week, to prepare and play as well as he can in this game, just like he does in every game. He has been very consistent with that approach, and I don't think it will change this week."

(on the Giants' defense)
"The Giants are very good defensively across the board. They have good pass rushers, pass linebackers, physical linebackers - big guys - and they are good in the secondary. They have a strong defense."

(on the Giants' offense)
"I think both teams have been productive offensively. The Giants are a great offensive team. They have a strong quarterback, good running backs, good receivers and tight ends, a good offensive line. They are well-coached, so they are a tough team to stop."

(on how he feels about the game of football)
"Certainly as it relates to football, I've been very fortunate to be given the opportunities I've received through the years. The game has been great for me and my family. I want to try to give that back in any way that I can, whether to younger people, people who support us, or what have you. I've been very fortunate in all of the things that have happened to me through the course of my life and football career. I try to give that back. I know that I can't give back as much as I've been given, but I try to reciprocate."

(on Patriots RB Kevin Faulk)
"There are a few players that I think you can put into Kevin's category in terms of his contributions, his unselfishness and being a great teammate. Everybody loves Kevin, as they should. He contributes so much to our football team. He is so unselfish, and he always tries to help the younger players and help the team in any way he can. He sets a great example. He is not the most vocal guy, but he will speak up, and it is always in a positive way. You can't say enough about Kevin Faulk. He was here when I got here. His rookie year was the year before I came in. He's been a great player and a great teammate for all of us here over the years."

(on his relationship with Patriots Senior Football Advisor Floyd Reese)
"Floyd and I were together in Detroit in 1976 and 1977. Floyd came into the league a couple of years before I did. It was my second year in the league when I was in Detroit. Floyd really gave me a lot of advice and direction. He was a younger coach, somebody who I could definitely relate to, but he had more experience than I did, and he did a great job in giving me direction and guidance when I got to the Lions. We worked together on special teams. He was on the defensive side of the ball, I was on the offensive side. We rode to work together, and we lived a couple of blocks away from each other. We had conversations about football and non-football and general life conversations. He is a good friend and a guy who I go way back with. He really provided a lot of direction, and he was, to a degree, a mentor - one of my mentors as a young coach."

(on Floyd Reese's experience in the NFL)
"He did a tremendous job with the Titans. He's certainly been a huge asset to us over the last three years here with the Patriots in a number of different roles administratively with contracts, personnel, scouting and so forth. He's been good."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Full Interview Transcript

New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft addresses the media at Super Bowl Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Courtesy of Patriots.com.

(on the season being dedicated to his late wife Myra Kraft and how it feels to be in the Super Bowl) "It's been a tough year. I believe in spirituality and this team has really saved me personally. Fifty-three guys have bonded together and have been like sons to me. You think in this world, where athletes can be so narcissistic in so many ways, they planned an oil painting to be in our locker room on Sunday with my wife's initials and the players dedicating the season to my wife. But the fact that they can relate to that and plan that six to eight weeks in advance. That had meant something to them so it had been very fulfilling."

(on the Patriots embracing the Kraft family this season) "People use the word "family." In a family, you don't cut players. The unfortunate part is that you can't keep everyone that you want. We try to differentiate by creating a family environment. People there know that I love my wife dearly. They knew she was the real deal. They felt my pain and they have tried to comfort me. In a way it's created a unique bond in the locker room. I believe in spirituality and I think many of the players do. I just think she's been with us and she's smiling with us."

(on the run to the Super Bowl being more special due to the team embracing the Kraft family) "(The team) saved me. I never understood what the word heartbroken meant. It's hard for anyone to relate to it. My wife was 19 and I was 20 when she proposed to me. We had five kids right away. Then they left and we became best pals for 25 years. She was 98 pounds, read four books a week and was healthy. I thought she would outlive me for 30 years. This horrible cancer came and it's wrecked my life. Having this team has been a savior for me."

(on the team's return to England next season) "First of all, we're very excited to come to London. I'm told we're the number one team in London. Our name is the New England Patriots and the Patriots are going back home. I think there is a tie in that. They asked me if we'd be willing to do that and our players and coaches loved being there. It's a great bonding experience for the team traveling there. We look forward to playing there at the end of October next year."

(on his message to the fans of London regarding the Patriots return for a second time) "We have a great Patriots fan club in the United Kingdom whose fans come over once a year and I get them tickets. One of my best friends in the world lives in England. His name happens to be Sir Elton John. He's excited that we're coming back. We hope to have a lot of fun there."

(on the next time he will visit Russia with his Super Bowl ring) "As you know, the last time I was in Russia, I had the pleasure of meeting your President. We had just given our Super Bowl ring out and I showed it to him. He liked it a lot. In an act of friendship and respect to the people of Russia and the President, we gave him that ring. I'm glad he's a Patriot fan and he's a good guy to have on your side."

(on how he feels about having his team in the Super Bowl especially regarding his hard work in the CBA negotiations this offseason) "It was wonderful. There was a whole committee that worked hard. John Mara, the owner of the Giants, worked hard too. I developed a new friend in Jeff Saturday. I never thought I would grow to love and respect the guys who Peyton Manning put his hands on his tush every day. The players were lucky to have him representing him at the union table. He's a very capable man."

(on his feelings during the negotiating periods this offseason) "It was a tough time in my life because my sweetheart was ill with cancer. I didn't do anything for four and a half months. She knew how important this game is to America and she gave me more credit in my ability to help negotiate things. She thought I was better than maybe I really was. That's the only thing I ever left her side for. When things got a little cuckoo with the lawyers, I wasn't going to waste my time. I think the players and (NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice) Smith understood that. I hope in a small way that helped us to get a resolution. Jeff (Saturday) was very kind to give me that hug right after she passed away. All of the players in the NFL should be indebted to him and Smith. They have a 10-year agreement and we promised them that if they did a 10-year agreement that we would make sure they had a good deal. We went out and did these media deals afterwards and there will be stability in the NFL for the next 11 years. He should feel good about it."

(on his message to the team) "There is a special bond on this team. Our locker room is a special place. You can feel it. Even before we came out on the field, there is a camaraderie bond that is special. Part of it is that I'm a believer in spirituality. I think in some ways our players have to execute. We have very high-quality people on this team and I'm hoping that it all comes together on Sunday."

(on why this season means more to him emotionally than other seasons) "I never understood what it meant to lose someone who you had great respect for. (Myra Kraft) was the greatest person in my life. It's hard to understand what losing some (means) unless you've gone through it. She was my best pal. It's hard for anyone to understand the heartache unless they've gone through it themselves. The fact that I'm privileged to own an NFL team in my hometown - these 53 guys have been my savior. They have been respectful to me. They presented me with an oil painting when we clinched the bye. I don't know what's going to happen after Sunday, but they have sure kept me busy every night right through now."

(on his prediction for Sunday's game) "It's going to be a great game. I'll tell you this: I think it has the potential to be the most watched program in the history of all television. I really believe that."

(on what he has told the team) "First of all, the fans in Boston were so great. We had 25,000 people show up at the stadium. That's probably the most emotional sendoff we've ever had. The fans love this team, as I do. We have a group of players that are really special."

(on how special this team is compared to ones in the past) "This team is very special to me. There isn't one person on this team I wouldn't have at my dinner table. They've shown me, personally, great love, respect and support. They helped me get through the hardest period of my life."

(on how gratifying it is to be in the Super Bowl considering the preseason talk about other teams that would overtake the division) "To tell you the truth, I think there are 32 teams every year that have a chance to go to the(Super Bowl). I don't think about other teams because I know how hard it is to get to this game. This team who is playing this Sunday might not be our best team that we've had in the last 18 years. There are a lot of things that can go different ways. I never root against any other team. I only care about our team and I'm excited that we're in this game."

(on constantly battling Peyton Manning and how weird it is to try and beat Eli Manning instead for a second time)"We're in Peyton Manning's locker room. I have great respect for the Mannings. As a matter of fact, my grandson, Harry, goes to their football camp that they teach at. He's a quarterback. The Manning family represents what's best about America and football. We're proud to compete with them. But, I'm pretty proud to have Tom Brady as our quarterback and there is no one I'd prefer to have more than Tom Brady."

(on what he did to make the Patriots a dominant force in the NFL) "You get good people with you, you set the tone, and you encourage them to be bold and take risks. When they take risks that are in the best interests of the team and they don't work out, you back them."

(on what Bill Belichick and what he's meant to the Patriots) "I think we're lucky to have the finest coach in the history of the modern game, especially with the salary cap. I'd also like to think that we've developed a system in our company where we've supported him and supported his strength. In the end in the NFL, what happens often is division from within. Our job is to always get everyone on the same page and do the best we can."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Bill O'Brien Keeping Focus On Patriots, Not Penn State

Wednesday is one of the biggest days of the year for college football coaches. Hundreds of high school seniors will be faxing their letters of intent to play football at the schools of their choosing. New Penn State head coach, and still current New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien won't be in Happy Valley, however, as he prepares to coach in the 2012 Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

"This is a week about the Patriots, and really not about Penn State right now," O'Brien said. "I'm trying to do the best I can to put together, with the staff, a great game plan for Sunday."

He added, "I'll be at Penn State on Monday or Tuesday after the [Super Bowl], and we'll go from there. We've got a lot of great people at place in Penn State that are doing a great job up there of seeing that through."

That's good news for the Pats, though Nittany Lion fans may be a little anxious to have their head man start working full time at his new gig. In case you wondering, he also gave a requisite non update on tight end Rob Gronkowski.

"We had a good practice yesterday," O'Brien said. "We're moving forward with the thought that we'll be ready for anything. We have a lot of good, instinctive players that will be ready for any role we ask them to do, right up to game-time, during the game. They're adjustable guys, flexible guys, so we feel really good about where we're at right now."

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit. For more on the Giants, check out Big Blue View. Be sure to stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

Super Bowl 2012: Gethin Coolbaugh Talks Patriots, Giants On 'In The Trenches'

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Matt Light (Illness) Misses Media Day

New England Patriots offensive lineman Matt Light was kept from Tuesday's Super Bowl media day due to a stomach bug that has gone around the Patriots organization, according to an NFL.com report.

A team official told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that Light is the only player believed to be affected by illness, but other team employees have dealt with a similar sickness in recent days.

Light, one of seven Patriots remaining from the team that lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, started 15 games this season for the Patriots and is an important part of their offensive game plan. The 33-year old has scuffled with the Giants multiple times in the past, leading to Osi Umenyiora's tongue-in-cheek response to hearing about Light's sickness.

"Matt Light, please get well soon," Umenyiora said, smiling. "I hope to see you on Sunday. You are one of my greatest friends."

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit. For more on the Giants, checkout Big Blue View. Be sure to stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Victor Cruz Excited By New England Patriots Secondary

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz admitted Tuesday during media day at the Super Bowl that he does not consider the New England Patriots defensive backs his equals.

Asked by NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders whether he smiles when he looks at the Patriots' secondary, Cruz laughed and noted, "A little."

Pushed further, Cruz noted, "You know, you're watching film and just naturally, when you see that one of their defensive backs is a wide receiver, and he's going to be potentially covering you, you automatically just get excited. You understand that's not his natural position and you want to do your best to exploit that. As a receiver and as a competitor in general, when you see a matchup you think you can exploit, you want to take advantage of it."

During a 24-20 regular season win against the Patriots on Nov. 6, Cruz notched six catches for 91 yards.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Patriots' Sebastian Vollmer Will Play Against Giants, According To Report

During media day on Tuesday, New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia revealed that his team will receive a boost in Sunday's Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

Scarnecchia reportedly told WEEI's Christopher Price that offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer will return to the lineup Sunday after back and foot injuries have kept him from playing since Nov. 27.

During his press conference on Monday, coach Bill Belichick said Vollmer's condition has improved, but failed to confirm that Vollmer would play Sunday.

"Sebastian has gotten a lot better over the last few weeks. He came out of his cast, I'd say, before the Denver game. And then he practiced last week before the Baltimore game, and I would say he was close, but obviously, he wasn't ready to go, and we didn't activate him. This week, he is further along than where he was before the Denver game. He practiced today, so we will see how the week goes and see how he holds up. But I think there is definitely a possibility. We will just have to see how he tolerates the added work. If he does well, then I will think you will see him. If not, then it will be where it was in Baltimore. I don't know if we will know about that until we put him through the full week of practice. He is definitely making progress, so he is getting there."

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012, Media Day: Rob Gronkowski Talks About Injury To Ankle A Lot

The hottest topic at the Super Bowl 2012 Media Day, at least, from the New England Patriots standpoint was the ankle injury to tight end Rob Gronkowski, who fielded question after question about a small portion of his very large 6-foot-6, 265-pound body Tuesday. Gronkowski answered questions on the ankle that was for the first time in days not being protected by a walking boot.

"I’m not really worried about if I’m not playing or not yet. That’s on Sunday," said Gronkowsk, who's hopeful to face the New York Giants in Super Bowl 2012, which will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

"The only thing I’m worried about is Tuesday. Just keep on moving forward, going in a positive direction, and that’s all that counts."

According to The New York Post's Justin Terranova, Gronkowski was asked about his current status a lot and answered with "day-to-day" about 10 times. Terranova said when Gronkowski was asked if he could play yet, the tight end answered:

"I don't know yet. I'm doing everything I can to help the team. I'm getting better every single day."

When asked about his chances of playing Sunday, Gronk said:

"[The game is] six days away," Gronkowski said. "I could be 100 percent by then. I could be 2 percent by then. We’re just taking it day by day.

"I’m young. I’m healthy, and I feel blessed like that. Whatever it is, I hope I’m a quick healer."

Gronkowski, who set single-season tight end records in 2011 for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327), sustained the ankle injury in the win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Rob Gronkowski Injury: Patriots' Tight End Out Of Walking Boot, Making Improvements To Play In Super Bowl 2012

Rob Gronkowski, the tight end for the New England Patriots, answered questions Tuesday at the Super Bowl's annual Media Day and did so without his protective walking boot that he has been wearing for the past few days. According to the Boston Globe, Gronkowski is reportlely still questionable for Sunday's 2012 Super Bowl vs. the New York Giants (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

"Gronkowski said he was "day by day" when asked about his status and did not predict if he would play on Sunday. Gronkowski suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC title game win against the Ravens.

"He said that shedding the boot was a sign of improvement, however, and added he was not wearing a compression wrap under his sock."

Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady said that he hopes that Gronkowski can play consdering that he's a huge part of the New England offense.

Gronkowski, who set single-season tight end records in 2011 for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327), sustained the ankle injury in the win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012: Bill Belichick, Patriots Should Take A Lesson From WWE's Kane

Revenge isn't a factor for the New England Patriots when they face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, at least not in the eyes of head coach Bill Belichick. But should it be? The Pats should take a lesson from Kane of the WWE.

PHOTO: Super Bowl XLVI In Legos

Super Bowl 2012, Tom Brady: Not Taking Opportunity For Granted

When Tom Brady takes the field against the New York Giants on Sunday, he will be starting in the fifth Super Bowl of his career. He refuses to rest on his laurels, however, especially when it comes to how he performed against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. On Monday, he clarified what he meant when he said he "sucked" after the win.

"There's nothing that correlates more to winning than turnover ratio," Brady said. "I think coach Belichick said when you're minus-two in turnovers, you have a 17 percent chance of winning in the playoffs. When you think about that, you pretty much escaped. Yeah, we won, but it's not going to happen - it's 17 percent of the time, and I'm responsible for that. So, when you're sitting on the sideline and watching Baltimore go down the field at the end of the game, you're thinking, 'I blew this game for us because of those two plays.'"

With a win, Brady would tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for the most Super Bowl wins by a quarterback with four. While Brady understands the hard work that goes into making it this far in the playoffs, he also understands that luck plays a part as well.

"Last year, I thought we had a great team, and we lose in the divisional round of the playoffs," Brady said. "Green Bay had a pretty damn good team this year, and they lost in the divisional round. You can have a great team. You need some things to go your way, too. Ultimately, the thing we can control is playing good.

"I'm not taking this for granted. I'm enjoying every second of it. The opportunity to play this game, to represent the Patriots, I don't take that for granted."

For more on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit. For more on the Giants, checkout Big Blue View. Be sure to stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

Super Bowl 2012, Devin McCourty: 'Difficult Challenge' Facing Giants WR's

As I wrote in my column here yesterday, the secondary of the New England Patriots could be in for a doozie this weekend when facing the Giants receiving corps of Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham. Looks like the Patriots are well aware of this fact.

In his Monday press conference, Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty spoke about the Giants three-headed monster at receiver. McCourty couldn't put it any simpler, it's going to be a difficult defending these guys.

"It's a very difficult challenge. I think it all starts with their offense, how balanced they are with a good running game, a good quarterback and they have three very good weapons outside at receiver. We are really going to have to prepare and come to play, because any of the three of those guys are capable of having big games." (via WEEI)

As every Pats fan has noticed over these playoffs, the defense that was ranked No. 31 in the NFL overall has been looking pretty good. For McCourty and his mates on defense, they echo their coach, they've got to not rely on the past and focus on the task ahead.

"I hope so. We have been playing well. We have had some good games. I think the biggest thing is like coach (Bill Belichick) tells us, ‘The past won't matter.' When we take the field on Sunday, how we played two weeks ago against Baltimore won't help us play. How we played against the Giants the first time won't help us play. We have to string it together in practice, have some good days and then come out and execute on Sunday." (via WEEI)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Super Bowl 2012, Patriots Vs. Giants: Revenge Not A Factor For Bill Belichick

So get a load of this: This year's Super Bowl is rematch of the New York Giants and New England Patriots showdown from four years ago. I know your mind is probably blown right now, but it's true! Shockingly, Bill Belichick didn't seem too fazed by this remarkable fact, despite only being reminded of it about 3,000 times since winning the AFC Championship Game. Belichick, somehow, kept his cool and managed to give a long, dull response to the media on Monday.

"You can talk to all of those guys," Belichick said. "Their opinions are their opinions. But I see this game as this game. There aren't all that many people who played in the last game four years ago. This team is this team. I think our team is different than it was at midseason and different from what it was in December. I think the Giants are a different team than when we played them in November and I think they are a different team than where they were in early December. This game, the elements of it are what we have in front of us, not what happened two months ago or what happened two years ago or four years ago."

The Pats and Giants will kickoff in the Super Bowl, again, on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET

For more on the Patriots, head over to the SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit. For more on the 2012 Super Bowl, stay tuned to this StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012, Pat Chung: 'Play To The End'

After the Patriots narrowly escaped defeat against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship, they head into the week of Super Bowl XLVI with more bad to reflect on rather than good. Why? Because their the Patriots, they expect nothing less.

Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday, Patriots safety Pat Chung echoed the demeanor of the team, as he knows there is certainly a lot to improve on. As Chung puts it, he learned the importance of perseverance against the Ravens.

"The main lesson? Play to the end. That's all I can really say. Play to the end because you never know what's going to happen." (via WEEI)

If you know that Patriots, they have to be the most focused team in the NFL as represented by head coach Bill Belichick. Chung acknowledges that playing in the Super Bowl is supposed to be a fun thing, but he says for he and his team, it's pure business.

"We were happy. It was time to get back at it. We're on a business trip. It's the Super Bowl festivities and it's fun and all that, but when we're on the field, it's go time - business." (via WEEI)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

VIDEO: LMFAO Parody 'Party Gronk' On Toucher And Rich

Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Patriots Tight End Misses Practice, According To Report

New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski was not at practice today according to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (via Dan Hellie's Twitter).

Gronkowski was seen in a walking boot on the tarmac in Indianapolis on Sunday. Belichick said his tight end was "day-to-day" (via WEEI.com). Gronkowski missed practice last week and was listed last Friday as questionable for the Super Bowl against the New York Giants. it is possible that Gronkowski will not practice at all this week. He sustained the ankle injury in the win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

While Belichick refused to speculate on the availability of Gronkowski for the Super Bowl, the tight end himself is certain that he will be playing on Sunday.

Gronkowski set single-season tight end records in 2011 for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327).

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Wes Welker Press Conference 01.29.12: Welker Remembers The Tough Times

Wes Welker wasn't always a great player. In fact, Welker remembers the days well when he was just another player fighting for a roster spot.

"Oh yeah. Trust me, I take nothing for granted as far as football goes and as far as my career and understanding that you never know when your day is up. They can cut you at any time. I remember back then, I made the team and being a rookie, I didn't know that they could cut you in the middle of the season after that. The next week I was cut. It was definitely a very humbling experience for me, but hopefully I don't relive that again."

All of those times makes this second Super Bowl trip so much sweeter for Welker, who is looking for his first ring. After such a magical season in 2007 came crashing down, the slot receiver realizes more than ever how hard it is to get to this point.

"In a way you almost do take it for granted. After having a great season like we did back then, you do almost think you are going to go every year, and ‘we'll be back next year.' It's really hard to get here. It's a tough, long road. I think I've learned to appreciate it and make sure the younger guys know just how special this is and how hard it is to do, and to take full advantage of every possibility to do what's right for the team, so we can win on Sunday."

One difference (other than not being undefeated), is the mood of Bill Belichick lately, according to Welker.

"We wonder about that all of the time. I don't know if it's a lady in his life or what the deal is, but he definitely smiles a little more than he used to. But trust me, he is just as hard on us as what he's been since day one, at least with me. He is on all of the time. He works very hard and tries to put us in the best position to win."

However, Welker and co. now that it's all business with the Giants across the field once again.

"They are playing very confident football right now. They are playing really well. They are getting turnovers, and every time they get a turnover, it seems like they are turning it into seven points. They are always hanging around the ballgame and making the plays in the end to win. They are definitely a scary team. We are definitely going to have to go out there and play a very good ballgame to win."

For the rest of the press conference, follow the link.

Also, for more on the Patriots, be sure to visit Pats Pulpit.

Logan Mankins Press Conference 01.29.12: Mankins Is Ready For Giants Pass Rush

Logan Mankins understands very well how many problems the New York Giants pass rush can cause. He remembers playing against them not only in the Super Bowl XLII loss, but also this year's more recent defeat. Mankins knows it will be an all-day job to stop this formidable foe.

"The thing that makes them unique is they have four guys out there at all times that can rush the passer. They're really good. Their tackles are good. At times they put four defensive ends at one time. They have the personnel to really get after you."

Mankins is ready for the additional challenge of a relatively new Giant on the front, who can certainly be a headache.

"They added a guy - Jason Pierre Paul. He's pretty good. He had a heck of a year, and he does a lot of things that other players in the league can't do. He makes it really tough."

While New York's line may very well be the best in the league, it doesn't draw anymore ire than another according to Mankins:

"...We don't like any defensive line, so they are on the list. I don't think there's any more than any other team."

For the rest of the Logan Mankins press conference, follow the link.

Also, for more news on the Patriots, be sure to visit Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Rob Gronkowski May Not Practice, But Will Play Sunday

2012 Super Bowl: New England Patriots Sent Off By 25,000 Fans At Gillette Stadium

With an exactly one week separating us from Super Bowl XLVI, the New England Patriots set foot in Gillette Stadium one final time before an estimated 25,000 fans for a final send-off rally before boarding a plane to Indianapolis, Indiana where they will face the New York Giants on Super Sunday

The rally began at approximately 10 a.m. in Gillette Stadium, with fans dawning Patriots gear and cheering as loud as they have throughout the playoffs.

The only player that was absent from the send-off rally was tight end Rob Gronkowski, who continues to nurse a reported high ankle sprain. Gronk has been frequently spotted in a walking boot, but it is believed that he will play in the Super Bowl next Sunday night. He was reportedly seen with the same walking boot when he got off the plane in Indianapolis Sunday afternoon.

For the exception of Gronk, entire Patriots team and coaching staff was in attendance including team owner Robert Kraft. Kraft, whose been through a very emotional year after losing his wife Myra to cancer, has been very appreciative of the fan support him as well as his team. As Kraft knows, there is one hurdle left to clear before capping off a season dedicated to Myra right.

"I want to thank you all for coming here today and giving us the warmest welcome in the history of this team," said team owner Robert Kraft, addressing the crowd from a stage set up along the Patriots' sideline. "(It's) our send-off to Indy, where we intend to do business." (via ESPN Boston)

As for head coach Bill Belichick, this Super Bowl will be his fifth in New England. For him, it's all business and it's been that the whole season and was reflective in his comments on Sunday.

"It's a great honor to be representing the AFC and New England in the Super Bowl," Belichick said. "We're really excited about the trip. (We) appreciate the support. I'm sure we'll see some of you out in Indy. Go Pats." (via ESPN Boston)

As for the leader of the Patriots, Tom Brady, he is looking to redeem himself in a performance where he admitted he "sucked". Brady was brief in his comments on Sunday, and was very appreciative to a fanbase he call "the best fans in America".

"We're going down there for one reason," Brady said. "We're going to give it our best and hopefully we'll have a lot more people at our party next weekend." (via ESPN Boston)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

2012 Super Bowl Schedule: Large Gillette Stadium Crowd Sends Off Patriots

An estimated crowd of 25,000 fans showed up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA Sunday to send off the New England Patriots, who addressed the crowd then loaded team buses which headed to the airport so the AFC Champions could board a plane headed Indianapolis, IN -- the location of Super Bowl 46, Feb. 5 (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

via p.twimg.com via Patriots' official Twitter.

"We have the greatest fans in America. You guys have proved that year in and year out with your support," Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady said to the large crowed before his team boarded buses. "I wish I could take all you guys to Indy with us. We're going down there, and we're going down there for one reason. We're going to give it our best and hopefully we have a lot more people at our party next weekend."

The Patriots' opponent, the New York Giants, will arrive Monday and begin a week-long hype-fest that is known as Super Bowl week. On Tuesday, the two teams will hold media day, as the Patriots will begin theirs at 10 a.m. ET, while the Giants will have theirs at noon.

The most obvious story lines that will be discussed this upcoming week will be, of course, the rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, which featured the Giants downing the Patriots, 17-14, thanks to the famous "Helmet Catch" by former New York wide receiver David Tyree. Another hot topic will be the health of the ankle of Patriots' tight end Rob Gronowski and the comparison between the two starting quarterbacks -- Brady and the Giants' Eli Manning.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Patriots Secondary Faces Challenge In Hakeem Nicks, Giants Receivers

Wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham of the New York Giants have flat out dominated their opposition throughout these playoffs. As Jared Stegall writes, Feb. 5 will be judgement day for the New England Patriots secondary.

Phil Emery, Not Jason Licht Named Chicago Bears General Manager

2012 Super Bowl: Giants' Corey Webster Takes Shot At Wes Welker

After being infamously known as the man who ended Brett Favre's run in Green Bay in the 2007 NFC Championship, New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster has made his way back to the Super Bowl as he and the Giants will once again be facing the New England Patriots.

On Saturday, Webster gave an interview to the New York Daily News about the upcoming matchup between the Giants and Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. In the interview, Webster had some choice words for Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, as he believes his success should be fully credited to quarterback Tom Brady.

"I don't know if it's that Welker is the challenge, or he has a great person throwing him the ball," said Webster, who mostly covered Randy Moss in Super Bowl XLII. "Kind of throwing off the timing between the quarterback and the receivers, I think, will help us a lot." (via NY Daily News)

Webster, who covered Deion Branch in the Giants vs. Patriots regular season meeting, believes he should be given more credit for what he's done this season. In other words, he thinks he should be mentioned in the same breath as another cornerback in New York.

"I think I'm great. I think I'm the best thing out there. I don't think I'm second to nobody." (via NY Daily News)

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

2012 Super Bowl, Logan Mankins: 'It's Going To Be A Big Challenge'

The last time the New England Patriots were in a Super Bowl, the offensive line was clearly outmatched by the Giants' pass rush, which caused all sorts of problems for Tom Brady and company. Four years later, All-Pro guard Logan Mankins and the rest of the line are ready for redemption.

While Dan Connolly, Brian Waters and Nate Solder were not on the 2007 18-1 Patriots team, he and left tackle Matt Light were, and are ready to try and contain the three-headed monster of Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora that is the New York Giants pass rush. Mankins was asked about how legitimate the new group of pass rushers are.

"It's very good. They have good pass rushers across the board and when their backups come in, they're good too. You can always have four guys that are very good pass rushers in the game." (via Patriots.com)

Mankins, who's been to three Super Bowls with the Patriots, knows the pressure the Super Bowl can bring to you. For Mankins, anything less than perfection won't be good enough come Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

"It is going to be a big challenge. We're going to have to play our best game of the year, probably the best game of some of our careers. That's when you want to play your best game, is in the Super Bowl. You want to do everything perfect which we know that's not going to happen, not everything is going to happen the way we want it but as many plays as we can, we want them to go the right way." (via Patriots.com)