The New England Patriots Fan Guide to the Super Bowl
I’m still pretty depressed the Patriots aren’t playing in the Super Bowl. But you have to root for someone on Sunday, right? For me, the choice is pretty easy. I’m going with the 49ers. Here are five reasons why.
1. Randy Moss
The 49ers wide receiver, who spent three-plus seasons in New England, is going to turn 36 in a few weeks. He’s never won a title (despite the fact that against the Giants in February 2008, he scored what should’ve been the game-winning touchdown). Moss has been on fire this week, telling the media that he’s “the greatest receiver to ever do it.”
2. Bernard Pollard
Let’s see: the Ravens safety wrecked Tom Brady’s knee in September 2008, was involved in the play in which Wes Welker got hurt in January 2010, injured Rob Gronkowski’s ankle in January 2012, and two weeks ago, knocked Patriots running back Stevan Ridley out cold. Also, apparently Pollard likes to conduct interviews naked.
3. Stubborn pride
The Ravens pounded the Pats in the AFC Championship Game. Afterward, the Baltimore players went off on New England. (As was their right, I must admit.) Terrell Suggs called the Patriots “arrogant f——!” Since my sensibilities as a sports fan haven’t really changed since I was 12, I’m still very upset at Suggs’s mini-outburst.
4. Colin Kaepernick
Like Tom Brady before him, the 49ers quarterback had a hell of a first season as a starter. In 2012—his second year in the NFL—he threw for 1,814 yards and 10 touchdowns, completed 62.4 percent of his passes, had a QB rating of 98.4, and rushed for 415 yards. More importantly, Kaepernick is infinitely more interesting to watch than Joe Flacco, whose own father told the New York Times that “Joe is dull. As dull as he is portrayed in the media, he’s that dull. He is dull.”
5. Ray Lewis
To his credit, Ray Lewis is not dull. But his shtick has gotten old. The other day, I heard author John Feinstein refer to the camera-magnet linebacker as “Red Light Ray.” Here’s hoping his retirement tour ends with a loss. For a more complete examination, please see Drew Magary’s “Hater’s Guide To Ray Lewis.”
