Following the New York Giants' incredible upset victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, Michael Strahan jubilantly declared that they had come into that stadium and killed a dynasty. Prior to the game the team wore all black, essentially claiming that this would be a funeral for the death of the Patriots' age of dominance.
Was he right? Did the crushing defeat on the doorstep of history break the back of what has been the most dominant football franchise in the new millenium? Not likely.
What Strahan, the Giants, and the rest of the NFL have forgotten is that the Patriots' dynasty was not founded on the backs of superstars. Analysts bemoan the departures of players like Asante Samuel and Donte Stallworth. They talk of the resigning of Randy Moss as if this was a season saving move for the Patriots. They seem to forget that it was not too long ago that Pats were beating teams like St. Louis and Philadelphia (w/Terrell Owens) using players like Randall Gay, Earthwind Moreland, and even Troy Brown (wide receiver/return man/cornerback). What people used to love about the Patriots was the way they won as a
