As I mentioned yesterday a significant number of the Giants were dressed in black suits as they got off of their chartered flight upon arriving in Arizona and I cracked that it was like they were dressed for their own funeral. Apparently I wasn't that far off. John Tomase of the Boston Herald (http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/patriots/index.php/2008/01/29/funeral-plans/)reported that the real meaning behind the all-black garb was to signify the death of the New England Patriots undefeated season. On the surface the team claimed the suits represented that they were on a business trip. Of course, as we've learned this week, the New York Giants can't seem to keep their mouths shut and word leaked out about what it really meant.
The only distraction for the Pats this week has been the status of Tom Brady's ankle. He looks like he has a slight limp but I assume with the adrenaline and collection of injections he'll get before the game I firmly believe he'll be close to 100%. The Giants on the other hand can't seem to stop shooting themselves in the foot. Plaxico Burress' prediction ("It's okay to dream" was his response when asked if he stood by his words, I find something really disturbing about Plaxico), Osi Umenyiora calling out Matt Light, and now this, all grade A bulletin board material for the Pats. Of course it is kind of funny that not even the whole Giants team were dressed in black. I guess not all of them believe it will be the demise of the Pats dynasty?
Sure, all the Patriots players tell the press that they don't need any extra motivation to get up for the Super Bowl. But if you think that all of these things aren't going to be mentioned prior to Sunday behind closed doors you haven't been following the Pats this year. After the Pittsburgh Steelers Anthony Smith predicted victory in December all the Pats downplayed their reaction to his comments. But then after Smith got torched for TD in the game there was Tom Brady right in his face. The Patriots are a proud bunch and if you do your talking anywhere else than on the field they are going to use it to gain an edge. Bill Belichick is going to do whatever it takes to make sure his team seizes this opportunity and every word the Giants seem to mutter this week is only throwing more gas on the fire. Seriously Giants, there's still four days until the game, just shut up now...
