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[bryant]

In SI today, Peter King asks "How lucky are the Patriots to have Troy Brown (third interception vs. Cincinnati) to ride to the rescue of their secondary?"

Not lucky at all. The Pats have Troy Brown in that position because Bill Belichick has a policy of taking advantage of his best athletes whenever possible; this is why Mike Vrabel caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXXVIII, and it's why you see Richard Seymour lining up as fullback from time to time. Thus, Belichick asked Troy Brown to play a little defense during the pre-season this year, way before there was any hint of trouble or injury in the secondary. People thought it was a risky idea at the time. You'd think we'd have learned not to try and outthink Belichick by now.

Comments

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

I thought Vrabel should've been at least mentioned as a SB MVP candidate.

Sure, it's exciting that Troy Brown is getting INTs, but i wonder how much of that is QBs thinking, "That dude's out of position, i'm gonna throw it past him."

[bryant]

Me too, but it's harder to win that one as a defensive player. And Ty Law was soaking up all the defensive praise that year.

[ratmmjess.livejournal.com]

Well, that's King for you--anything a little more difficult than 2+2=4 becomes headscratchingly tough for him.

[bryant]

Although top marks go to the gentleman who reported (breathlessly) that Troy Brown was only the second WR to make three interceptions in his career.

Out of, you know, the two or so people who've been put in a situation where they could be both a WR and a defensive player.

[ratmmjess.livejournal.com]

And let's not forget those cutting-edge comments about whichever Starbucks he's visited lately and, of course, the food he eats in training camp....