Kevin Faulk

But rather than take the PAT, Belichick opted for a two-point try, which failed when Kevin Faulk's rump touched the turf before he stretched the ball over the goal line. This gaffe was magnified later, when Indy answered with a scoring drive of its own and added a successful two-point try, building a 15-12 advantage.

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on the offense (David Givens, David Patten, Deion Branch, Christian Fauria) and tough short runs by Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith.  Defense was about big plays when they counted. Ty Law getting four interceptions against Peyton Manning in a snow storm. Troy Brown picking off opposing quarterbacks 3 times despite being an offensive player his entire career. Willie McGinest stopping Edgerrin James on fourth and goal at the one yard line. That was what Patriots football was all about. It was their smash mouth, in-your-face toughness and desire that beat opponents. 

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was a ticky-tack, stringing together long drives compromised of short/midrange passes to guys like Kevin Faulk and David Givens, with tough short yardage gains by Antowain Smith. Defense was a matter of bending without breaking. This was a team that beat teams with players like Randall Gay (undrafted), Earthwind Moreland (practice player), and Troy Brown (veteran wide receiver) on defense. They weren't the best players, they weren't the fastest or the strongest, but they played hard and found ways to win (say, for example, by stopping the Colts four times on the goal line with seconds left in the game).

Continue reading "Pats vs. Colts: Why it used to be ..."