Seeing Brady, Law, and friends return to the national stage, it was impossible not to think back to two years ago when this experience was so very different.
Last time they arrived in New Orleans on Monday, just a few hours after winning the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh. This time they flew into Houston after being home for five weeks. Before yesterday, the Patriots as a team hadn't been in an airplane since before Christmas when they made the short flight home from the Meadowlands.
Last time the Patriots had a mini-quarterback controversy early in Super Bowl week. It's hard to believe now, but there were a lot of "Tom or Drew?" stories early in the week. Brady was injured in the AFC Championship game, Bledsoe picked up the win in relief, and tight-lipped Bill Belichick wouldn't show his hand until mid-week. This time Brady comes to the game a certified superstar. He hangs out with the President and finds himself endlessly (and favorably) compared with Joe Montana. "This year, nothing is taken for granted," said Brady.
Last time the Patriots were considered the luckiest team in football. A lot of bounces, calls, and coin flips went their way in the championship run of 2001-02, none more critical than the little known "Tuck Rule", which saved them from a playoff loss against Oakland. This time they are considered the best team in football, already inspiring comparisons with the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 1985 Chicago Bears (absurd, yes, but we've got two weeks to fill between games).
Last time they played against St. Louis, the Greatest Show on Turf, a cast of stars only two years removed from Super Bowl glory. This time they are playing the Carolina Panthers, the most unlikely championship contender since the Florida Marlins (speaking of the Marlins, do you think Ugueth Urbina was flashing his World Series ring when he fired those shots from a 9 mm revolver into the air in Caracas the other night?).
