A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 2019
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A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES • FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 2019
Page 2 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – SUPER BOWL – Friday, February 1, 2019 Super Bowl: Pats vs. Rams in a meeting of past vs. future By The Associated Press touchdown-fest in a 54-51 Rams vic- It began in 2002, back when the tory in November. Rams were in St. Louis and the Patri- Instead, we get a “rematch” of that ots were a plucky underdog standing in 2002 Super Bowl, won by the Patriots the way of a potential dynasty. 20-17. So much has changed. The Rams came into that game as a This hasn’t: Bill Belichick and Tom franchise on the edge of a dynasty. Brady. They were one season removed The duo, every bit as formidable from their first Super Bowl win, led by now as when they won that first title, quarterback Kurt Warner and known as face the Rams, now back in Los Ange- “The Greatest Show on Turf” for the les, in a Super Bowl rematch of sorts fake grass they burned up at their sev- that pits the NFL’s past against its fu- en-year-old home in St. Louis. They ture. had amassed what was then unheard At 32, Sean McVay is the youngest of — 500-plus points in three straight Super Bowl coach. At 66, Bill Belich- seasons — and were a two-touchdown ick has an NFL-record 30 playoff wins. favorite against Belichick and Brady, At 24, Jared Goff is the youngest who was in his second year and best quarterback to win the NFC champi- known as the sixth-round draft pick onship. At 41, Brady will be the oldest Belichick stuck with after Drew Bled- quarterback to start a Super Bowl. soe got injured. The Rams (15-3) are back in the Su- New England used ball control, de- per Bowl for the first time since that fense and a last-second field goal to meeting against the Patriots — and topple Warner and the Rams. On the for the first time as the “Los Angeles surface, the task figures to not be all Rams” since 1980, when they fell to that different this time around, though the Steelers. The Patriots (13-5) are Brady is showing he’s perfectly capa- back for the third straight time — they ble of matching opponents touchdown- lost to Philly last year — the fourth in for-touchdown. Sunday’s win adds to five seasons and the ninth since Belich- a Week 6 victory over Kansas City by ASSOCIATED PRESS ick got the New England dynasty on the score of 43-40. The Patriots ranked New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) celebrates a touchdown track in the 2002 win over St. Louis. fifth in overall offense this season, only The Rams duo of McVay and Goff 28 yards a game behind LA. with quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of the AFC Champion- has spent the past two seasons herald- Theirs is an offense built around ship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 20, in Kansas ing the coming of a new age of football Brady, his mastery of diagnosing de- City, Mo. — one in which McVay’s reimagined fenses at the line of scrimmage and his offense has dealt a blow to the old, in- ability to use interchangeable parts on creasingly dated adage that teams ulti- his offense over the years. (Receiver mately must win championships with Julian Edelman and tight end Rob defense. The Rams have cracked 30 Gronkowski have stood out most re- points in 13 of their 18 games this sea- cently.) son. A generation ago, that would’ve And stability. been novel; now, it’s normal. Offensive coordinator Josh McDan- But to officially usher the NFL into iels has interviewed for jobs virtually a new era, the Rams will have to get every year since returning to Foxbor- past New England, which is a 1-point ough after short stints in Denver and favorite for the game in Atlanta, set for St. Louis. He was out the door for Indy Feb. 3 — exactly 17 years to the date last year, but changed his mind and of the last Super Bowl showdown, and returned once again to call plays for a bit more than three months since the Belichick. Boston Red Sox topped the LA Dodg- As for the Rams, they improved ers for the World Series. (Who will from 10th last year in offense to sec- Magic and Bird cheer for? Stay tuned.) ond this season, as McVay and Goff Is Brady up to it? found their footing. But maybe the Well, on Sunday, he drove the Pa- most telling sign of their success is triots down the field for three straight that McVay’s offensive assistants are, touchdowns — two in the fourth quar- as a group, the most sought-after side- ter and once in overtime — for a 37-31 line talent in the league. Two left after victory over the Chiefs , the only team last season. Two more, quarterbacks that gained more yards than Los Ange- coach Zac Taylor and tight ends coach les this season. Shane Waldron, are drawing attention ASSOCIATED PRESS It put an end to the dream of a re- this season. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks prepares to make a catch ahead match between two teams of the future Now, the ultimate question: If they of New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams during the first half of the NFL — Rams vs. Chiefs — who delivered leave, will they do so with a Super a wildly entertaining, defense-optional Bowl ring? football NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 20, in New Orleans.
Friday, February 1, 2019 – SUPER BOWL – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 3
Patriots’ defense on
track heading into February Specials
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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — It has done a really good job of it.”
o $2 Pints of Custard
took an entire regular season and some
tough losses, but the Patriots defense fi-
Defensive line coach Brendan Daly
said some of it has been as simple as o Don’t forget to pick up a Party Pack of Pints for
nally likes where it is at heading into its guys speaking up more on the field.
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geles Rams. munication and those guys’ ability to
It hasn’t been perfect, but after a
slow start to 2018 and fighting to find
communicate with each other, get ev-
eryone on the same page in some very
February 11-Operation Go Lakeside Share Night
an identity following the departure of
defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, the
critical and difficult situations and be
effective,” Daly said. “We’re going to
from 5pm-8pm
Patriots have found stability for a group
that gave up 25 or more points five times
have to continue to do that.”
It’s all come together thanks in part February 14- Happy Valentine’s Day! Celebrate
through its first 10 games. to the leadership of de facto defensive
The Patriots rarely revisit the past, coordinator Brian Flores, who took over with Buy One, Get One Free 2-Scoop Regular
but last week linebacker Kyle Van Noy primary play-calling duties this season.
said that part of their issues early on had
roots in their Super Bowl loss to Phila-
Initially he didn’t deviate much from
the way Patricia did things. But he’s
Sundaes.
delphia in February 2018.
“It was just a humbling experience,”
tried to simplify the scheme over the lat-
ter part of season, which has helped his
February 18- $2 Pints of Custard
Van Noy said. “I feel like defensively
we didn’t play well, so it’s just humbling
players be a lot more aggressive.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore has par- February 19- FFA Day!!
to go through that opportunity like that.”
Over the latter part of this season, the
ticularly thrived in Flores’ system. Dur-
ing the regular season he was second on February 25-Sullivan Elementary Share Night from
Patriots have used that disappointment the team with two interceptions, had a
as motivation. team-best 20 pass defenses and recorded 5pm-8pm
Following its bye in Week 11, New his first career sack. His efforts earned
England’s defense held all but one of the seven-year veteran his first All-Pro
its final six opponents to 17 or fewer team selection.
points. The exception was a 34-33 loss
at Miami , which ended with the Dol-
“He’s done a great job,” Gilmore said
of Flores. “He can be a friend, he can
February 18-23 is FFA week! All FFA members, who
phins scoring on a wild final play.
Last season the Patriots finished fifth
be a coach and get on you so he can do
everything for you. He really cares for wear their Blue Jackets to Culver’s Johnson Creek,
in the NFL, allowing 18.5 points per
game. This season they were just slight-
the players. He pushes everybody every
week and gets the best out of his play- will get $2 off any Value Basket!
ly worse, allowing 20.3 points per game ers.”
— seventh best in the league. He said preparation in practice has
In the playoffs they’ve had some of also paid off.
their best moments of the season. “Just trusting each other on the back
They held Philip Rivers and the Los end and those guys getting pressure up
Angeles Chargers to seven first-half front,” said Gilmore, who has the team’s
points in the divisional round, then lone interception of the playoffs. “Ev-
limited a Kansas City Chiefs offense erything goes hand-in-hand and we’re
that averaged a league-best 35.3 points just trying to play fast and aggressive.”
during the regular season scoreless in The defense has also benefited from
the first half of the AFC championship having a starting lineup that collectively
game. Both times it allowed the offense missed just five games to injury.
to establish a cushion it would need in Linebacker Dont’a Hightower missed
the second half. one game during the regular season, but
“I think our team has done a really his 15 starts are triple the five games he
good job of putting the last week be- was limited to last season after he suf-
hind us and focusing on that week that’s fered a season-ending shoulder injury. Culver’s of Johnson Creek
ahead,” Van Noy said. “You learn from He finished the regular season with 525 Village Walk Ln., Johnson Creek, WI 53038
those mistakes whether they’re good or 50 tackles, a sack and his first career (920) 699-8420
bad and you try to fix those and keep
trying to get better and better. This team (Continued on page 15, col. 4)
Page 4 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – SUPER BOWL – Friday, February 1, 2019
Goff, 17 years Brady’s
junior, on equal ground
at Super Bowl LIII
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — season victories in the past two games.
Jared Goff was 7 years old when Tom Goff didn’t have many plays on his
Brady beat the Rams to win his first shoulders two weeks ago when the
Super Bowl in early 2002. The kid has Rams’ ground game ran over the Dallas
been a fan of the superstar ever since. Cowboys. He played a larger role in the
Goff is now 24, the same age as Brady Rams’ wild victory over the Saints, and
was then. When Brady plays in his ninth he emerged with the renewed respect of
Super Bowl next weekend in Atlanta for his coaches and teammates.
the New England Patriots, Goff will be Goff clearly has the arm and the abil-
on the other sideline for Los Angeles, ity to succeed in McVay’s offense. In
neither star-struck nor cocky. New Orleans last weekend, he demon-
Their 17-year age gap is the biggest strated his ability to do more.
between starting quarterbacks in Su- “It’s big, I think, anytime you can go
per Bowl history. Yet the passing years into an atmosphere like that, go down 13
apparently mean little to Brady, and (points) early, and then show the poise
they’re just as unimportant to Goff, who and perseverance and get through adver-
sees no advantage in his youth and no sity the way we did and be able to come
disadvantage in his inexperience. out on top late in the game,” Goff said.
“It’s a guy that you’ve looked up to It wasn’t his best performance of the
for so long,” Goff said Thursday. season, but it was probably the most sat-
“Now I get a chance to play in one isfying.
with him. We do respect him, but I’m
going to go out there and do my best and Goff went 25 of 40 for 297 yards with
be the best I can be, and hopefully come one touchdown and one interception
out with a win.” against the Saints. More importantly, he
Both quarterbacks will be under a calmly rallied the Rams from an early
relentless spotlight in the next week. 13-point deficit, and he made enough
Brady lives his life under that glare, big plays down the stretch to keep the
while Goff is still getting used to it after Rams in contention in that topsy-turvy
just three years of being a No. 1 over- game.
all pick who stumbled early, but grew “What stood out was the way that he
quickly into a successful quarterback. was able to weather the storm,” Mc-
Goff doesn’t admit to seeing this Vay said. “The mental toughness was
Super Bowl as a chance to step into displayed by the team as a whole, and
Brady’s echelon as one of the league’s Jared kind of personified that with the
elite passers, even if that’s what much way that he handled the game, his over-
of the football world is telling him. But all command, making big throws when
after Goff led the Rams to 24 wins and we needed it the most. ... Jared (showed)
two playoff victories over the past two his ability to be at his best when his best
years, the Rams already think he’s there. was required. The competitive greatness
“We’re very confident in his ability to showed up in a big way.”
lead us, knowing that it’s a big game,” Goff and Brady have only faced each
Rams coach Sean McVay said. other once before. In December 2016,
“I think Jared will be himself, which Brady became the NFL’s career victo-
is exactly what we want him to be.” ries leader in a 26-10 victory at New
Goff and Brady are from different England, while Goff threw two intercep-
generations, but the quarterbacks have a tions in his third career start.
few things in common. Goff met Brady for the first time at
They’re both from the Bay Area, with that game. They’re friendly, but not yet
Brady growing up on the Peninsula and close.
Goff in Marin County. Neither was a When asked if it feels surreal to be
can’t-miss NFL prospect heading into heading toward a Super Bowl show-
college, but neither let it stop him. down with the mighty Patriots and a
Already the winningest quarterback quarterback who has been winning
in NFL history, Brady will play in his championships for his entire life, Goff
40th playoff game in Atlanta. Goff is stifled a grin.
playing in his fourth, but he is riding the “No,” he replied.
momentum of his first two career post- “I’ve played these guys before.”
Friday, February 1, 2019 – SUPER BOWL – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 5
Steratore back at Super Bowl, this time as CBS analyst
By The Associated Press curve at the beginning of the season but
Gene Steratore is heading to the Su- has gained confidence throughout the
per Bowl for the second straight season, year.
this time in a very different capacity. “He has a lot of natural ability to ar-
Steratore wraps up his first year as ticulate what we need in a short window.
CBS rules analyst at Super Bowl 53 in I’ve been able to carry on a conversation
Atlanta on Sunday. He will be in the with him as if we’ve been doing this for
booth with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo years,” Nantz said. “The way the rules
whenever a replay decision or officiating are these days I can’t imagine operating
call needs interpretation as the Los Ange- your show without someone.”
les Rams face the New England Patriots. Viewers of last Sunday’s AFC cham-
CBS hired Steratore last summer pionship game between New England
when he retired after a 35-year career as and Kansas City didn’t hear much from
a football and basketball official. He had Steratore during the first three quarters,
been an NFL official since 2003 and was but there was a period during the fourth
a referee for 12 years. His final assign- quarter when Steratore was offering
ment was last year’s Super Bowl be- more analysis than Romo.
tween New England and Philadelphia. Julian Edelman’s apparent fumble
“I’m maybe a little more nervous of a Kansas City punt was reversed be- ASSOCIATED PRESS
about this game. It’s good, nervous en- cause there was no clear evidence that
ergy because there’s the lack of 35 years he touched it. Chiefs receiver Sammy
In this Feb. 4, 2018, file photo, official Gene Steratore views a replay to confirm
of experience (in television),” Steratore Watkins also had a reception nullified a Corey Clement touchdown during NFL football Super Bowl 52 between the
said in a phone interview. when replay showed the ball hit the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots in Minneapolis. Last year
Steratore was in the network’s New ground when he was unable to maintain Steratore was preparing to be the referee for the Super Bowl. Steratore will be
York studio on Sundays during the regu- clear possession.
lar season, but he did work the Chicago- A catch by the Patriots’ Chris Ho- at the Super Bowl for the second straight year but this time he will be in the
Detroit Thanksgiving game in the booth gan was upheld even though one angle booth for CBS as its rules analyst. Steratore has transitioned well from the field
to get used to working with Nantz and showed he wasn’t able to maintain pos- to the booth in his first season and has done a good job conveying rules inter-
Romo. He has been part of the crew session before it hit the ground. There
throughout the playoffs. pretations amid a season where there have been plenty of controversial calls,
He acknowledged he had a learning (Continued on page 15, col. 1) including in both of last weekend’s championship games.
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Page 6 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – SUPER BOWL – Friday, February 1, 2019
Offensive lines key in Super Bowl for both Rams and Patriots
ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Ange- per game, ranked fourth in the NFL.
les Rams and New England Patriots are It hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Patri-
bringing two of the top scoring offenses ots’ 41-year-old quarterback.
in the NFL to the Super Bowl. In the days after their AFC champi-
The reason they’ve both played so onship game victory over Kansas City,
well has a lot to do with the big guys Brady posted a picture on Instagram of
playing up front. his spotless jersey. He tagged each of his
Los Angeles had the same offensive offensive linemen in the post, writing,
line starters for all 16 games and both “Not even 1 grass stain!”
playoff contests. Their consistency has The last time Brady wasn’t sacked
been key to everything Rams coach through two playoff games was the
Sean McVay does with a team that aver- 2003 season, when he wasn’t sacked at
aged 32.9 points per game, ranked sec- all during the Patriots’ three wins, in-
ond in the league. cluding their Super Bowl victory over
A line that has nobody who has ever Carolina.
played in a Super Bowl is being reward- “I think they’ve performed incredible
ed. all year really,” Brady said. “We really
“Having that consistency is big in haven’t had many sacks this year and
everything we do,” left tackle Andrew I think they’ve done such a great job ASSOCIATED PRESS
Whitworth said. “We know each other protecting, and the run game, I think In this Jan. 20 file photo New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12)
very well at this point, and that’s some- that speaks for itself. That was just an calls a play during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game
thing that you can rely on when you’re incredible effort last week and we’re go-
in a tight game, when you need to ex- ing to need it again because this group is against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The Los Angeles Rams and
ecute at an important time in the game.” obviously exceptional at (the defensive New England Patriots are bringing two of the top scoring offenses in the NFL
The line has been just as dependable line). to the Super Bowl.
for the Patriots. “The D-line is certainly a great
Tom Brady has not been sacked in ei- strength of theirs. We’ll be challenged. and steady leadership ever since he left Saffold, center John Sullivan and right
ther of New England’s two playoff wins, All those guys will be challenged.” Cincinnati to join McVay on the West tackle Rob Havenstein.
with defenses getting only three quarter- The 37-year-old Whitworth is the Coast two years ago. He has started ev- The Rams’ continuity on the line is
back hits while chasing an offense that cornerstone of the Rams’ offensive ery game except one in the past two sea- remarkable in the modern NFL. Their
is part of a team averaging 27.3 points turnaround, providing brilliant blocking sons — and so have left guard Rodger (Continued on page 14, col. 1)
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Romo approaching first Super Bowl like regular season game
By The Associated Press amus” during the fourth quarter of the
New England’s Tom Brady and Los AFC championship but noted that his
Angeles’ Jared Goff are going into the partner isn’t a fortune teller. Instead,
Super Bowl with plenty of momentum, it is Romo’s 13 seasons of preparation
but the quarterback that might be on the as quarterback of the Cowboys that has
biggest roll is CBS analyst Tony Romo. translated from the field to the booth.
The former Cowboys signal-caller “My partner had to have been in his
will call his first Super Bowl on Feb. 3 Cowboys day and remains some sort of
coming off acclaim for his analysis of sick film room guru who took the time
the Jan. 20 AFC championship game that was needed to completely solve the
between New England and Kansas City. puzzle,” Nantz said. “When you have
Romo made 15 predictions, accord- these key moments late in the game, this
ing to Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Kaduk, of is a testimony to years of his work and
what the Patriots or Chiefs would do preparation. He is suggesting where the
before the snap. He was correct on 12 play should go, and it married up and
plays, including going 10 of 12 during was in perfect symmetry.
the fourth quarter and overtime. “We and the viewers are the ben-
Romo said during a conference call eficiaries. They are having a wonder-
earlier this week that he intends to call ful ride and seeing a broadcast that has
the game the same way he has others for tipped off plays more than ever before.”
the past two seasons. Romo’s deep dive into film has many ASSOCIATED PRESS
“I try not to predetermine too much similarities to what he did when he was In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, CBS football analyst Tony Romo walks across
stuff I can say because the game is the a player but now it takes less time. His
story and you’re going to call it,” Romo biggest task during the week is diving
the field during warm-ups before an NFL football game between the Kansas
said. “Sometimes you just get passion- into the different systems the coaches City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. Romo is finally in the Su-
ate and excited in the moment, really have and trying to figure out the rules per Bowl. After being unable to lead Dallas to the big game, Romo will call the
talking out loud about what is going they have for their teams. game for CBS in his second season in the booth. But just like Jared Goff and
through your brain. Sometimes you see “Everyone is usually under their own
a lot of stuff and try to articulate that.
Tom Brady, Romo is coming in with plenty of momentum after his call of the
umbrella. Once you figure out some-
Once in a blue moon, you get lucky.” one’s system and rules, you can figure AFC Championship game — where he predicted many of New England’s plays
Jim Nantz called Romo “Romo-strad- (Continued on page 14, col. 2) and tendencies — drew universal accolades.
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KEYS TO THE GAME
AP PR O FOOTB ALL WRITE R
By ARNIE STAPL E TO N
Head-coaches-in-waiting Taylor, Flores focused on Super Bowl
ATLANTA (AP) — Quarterbacks coach “The important thing is to not allow it 33-year-old boss. “It is something that all the ongoing speculation about his job sta-
Zac Taylor isn’t allowed to talk about what to be a distraction,” Taylor said of his head coaches strive to do at some point in their tus.
will happen next week after the Los An- coaching interviews during the Rams’ career, but the important thing is to not al- “I’m very good at compartmentalizing.
geles Rams’ trip to the Super Bowl is over playoff push. “Sean has been really great low it to be a distraction.” Right now my focus is squarely on the
and the Cincinnati Bengals hire their next to let us take our day to handle that busi- An hour after Taylor gently deflected Rams,” Flores said. “I love the guys on
head coach. ness, and then put it to rest and move on questions about his future, Flores did the (the Patriots). To think about anything else
Brian Flores, the New England Patriots’ and remain focused. He wants to see the same. Late in his 15th season with the Pa- aside from this game I think is a disservice
unofficial defensive coordinator, says it best for us, and so he’s been very helpful. triots as a scout and coach, the former Bos- to them. So that’s where I’m at.”
would be disrespectful for him to discuss That’s one of the many things you appreci- ton College linebacker wouldn’t address Flores would be the ninth former as-
what’s going on with his own career un- ate about Sean.” widespread reports that he will take over in sistant to Bill Belichick to become a head
til next week, when the Miami Dolphins Taylor spent one year as the University Miami after the Super Bowl. coach. That group includes current offen-
make their own head coaching hire. Until of Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator be- “Right now my vision is on Sunday’s sive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the for-
then, these two assistants on the rise are fore joining McVay’s staff in 2017. He has game,” Flores said. “That’s where my head mer Denver head coach who was named
making sure they’re doing everything pos- risen rapidly in the NFL’s estimation along is at.” Indianapolis’ head coach right after the
sible to walk into their next jobs with a big, with just about everyone who has worked That’s the same posture taken by for- Super Bowl last season, only to withdraw
shiny ring. with, worked for or spoken to McVay, who mer Patriots defensive coordinator Matt from the position later that day.
The 35-year-old Taylor is widely ex- has his long-struggling franchise in the Su- Patricia last season when he interviewed Flores started with the Patriots as a
pected to be hired by the Bengals to re- per Bowl in his second season. for the Detroit Lions’ head coaching job scouting assistant in 2004 after he sent a
place Marvin Lewis once the Rams’ season Along with Taylor’s apparent success during the Patriots’ playoff run. He then letter to all 32 NFL teams asking for a job
ends Sunday. While he couldn’t confirm with the Bengals, former Rams offensive was swarmed with questions about his fu- and even offering to work for no pay.
the decision during the opening media ses- coordinator Matt LaFleur took over the ture heading into the Patriots’ Super Bowl
sion of Super Bowl week Monday night, Green Bay Packers three weeks ago. Cur- matchup with Philadelphia. “Brian has been with our organization
Taylor used his first public comments since rent Rams passing game coordinator Shane New England lost the game on Feb. 4, for a long time in a lot of different roles,”
the interview process to praise Rams coach Waldron also interviewed for unspecified and Patricia was officially named Detroit’s Belichick said at media night. “He’s done a
Sean McVay for his advice and leadership head coaching jobs in the past month. coach on Feb. 5. great job for me, and he has the respect of
Friday, February 1, 2019 – SUPER BOWL – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 9
during their two years together. “Sean has been great,” Taylor said of his Flores said he hasn’t been distracted by everybody in the organization.”
Page 10 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – SUPER BOWL – Friday, February 1, 2019
After tough year, Gronk coming alive at right time for Pats
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — a blocker might be the most underrated coming up with big grabs down the portunities for Gronkowski to show the
Even as Rob Gronkowski turned in a part of his game. stretch. combination of size, strong hands and
vintage performance with his big grabs “He’s one of the most dominant block- Brady was 5 for 5 on third down in agility that has made him a matchup
down the stretch in the AFC champion- ing tight ends in the league,” Brady said. the fourth quarter and overtime, with nightmare throughout his career.
ship game, the veteran Patriots tight end “He’s a threat any time he’s out there.” two of those passes going to Gronkows- His chemistry with Brady means he
also did plenty of dirty work. One of his biggest plays in the Patri- ki. Those catches, for 25 and 15 yards, knows the ball could always come his
Gronk the blocker? The label didn’t ots’ overtime victory over Kansas City set up the go-ahead and game-winning way, no matter what kind of game he’s
fit in the past. But this season, one of the for the AFC title came in the run game. touchdowns. having.
best receiving tight ends in NFL history After the Chiefs took their first lead, It was nothing new for the 29-year- “You’ve got to have confidence in
and Tom Brady’s longtime favorite tar- New England responded with a 10- old Gronk, who entered the season with each other,” Gronkowski said. “That’s
get made some big contributions to the play, 75-yard drive that ended with 75 postseason receptions — the most by what practice is all about. That’s know-
Patriots’ rejuvenated running game. Gronkowski pushing aside Kansas City a tight end in NFL history. In the regu- ing each other is all about. Knowing that
“Whatever coaches call, whatever linebacker Justin Houston on fourth- lar season, he has the most TD catches when it comes to those situations and
plays we call ... blocking, receiving, no and-inches and allowing Sony Michel to thrown by Brady to any player (78). you’ve got to put that ball up, I’ve got to
matter what is, whatever play is called, jog into the end zone from 10 yards out. make the play. ... That’s the trust that we
just got to go out there and do your job,” Gronk’s future beyond this season is The Rams’ defense was the second- have with each other. We love playing
Gronkowski said. once again an open question. He will be worst in the league this season, giving with each other. Just a bond we have, to
It was an underwhelming season sta- entering the final season of a six-year up 1,075 yards receiving to opposing go out there and always be on the same
tistically for Gronkowski, who contem- contract in 2019 and is scheduled to tight ends. It should mean plenty of op- page.”
plated retirement after last year’s Super make about $9 million. Before the sea-
Bowl loss. He appeared in 13 games son, he acknowledged he would like to
as he fought through nagging back and rework the deal, and he skipped a vol-
ankle injuries, finishing with 47 catches untary offseason workout. He later had
for 682 yards and three touchdowns. bonus incentives added to his contract.
But Gronk did more of the things that He’d be missed if he doesn’t return.
don’t appear on the stat sheet. And he’s After a quiet performance in the Pa-
fine with that as he heads into a Super triots’ divisional playoff win over the
Bowl matchup with the Rams eyeing the Chargers, Gronkowski was targeted a
third ring in his nine-year career. season-high 11 times against the Chiefs,
Brady said Gronkowski’s ability as catching six passes for 79 yards and
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Build it and the Super Bowl will come
By The Associated Press NFL’s senior vice president of events. “Part of the reason we have a policy chise is run, either. It’s an issue of the
Build it and the Super Bowl will “There are lots of factors that come into in place that we don’t play a Super Bowl market, the hotel rooms and the stadium.
come. it in determining where and when we go in the first year after a building opens So we know that Miami (2020), Tampa
While that’s not exactly how the sites and what is the right sequence. So that’s is you understand and learn from the (2021), New Orleans (2024), Texas, Ari-
of the NFL’s championship extravagan- not necessarily a truism ... though cer- events and the games in there. One of zona (2023), LA and Las Vegas will get
za are determined, it sure doesn’t hurt to tainly there is a track record of a number the positives is a number of the key ven- them.”
have a brand new, billion-dollar facility of recent buildings that have been built dors who work on the Super Bowl work The process for securing a Super
in your city. that are incredible facilities.” on other major events. Clearly, in this Bowl has changed. No longer do cities
Including the 2004 game in Houston, Atlanta last hosted a Super Bowl community it’s a really collaborative bid against each other — Ganis notes
the league will have staged nine Super in 2000, when it was hit with severe spirit.” that a so-called loser in the bidding
Bowls in metropolitan areas with new weather, including ice storms that nearly Of course, hosting a Super Bowl is could be embarrassed despite putting
stadiums in the past 15 years: Detroit, shut down the city. The NFL didn’t go about a lot more than spirit. It’s about up a very strong presentation, and that
Phoenix, Dallas, Indianapolis, New back until this year, in part because the dollars, millions of dollars. a lengthy series of ballots doesn’t look
York, San Francisco, Minneapolis and, Georgia Dome no longer was a state- Economic impact studies tend to show good for anyone.
now, Atlanta. Arizona and Houston ac- of-the-art venue, and in part because of the value of the NFL’s big show ranges Now, O’Reilly and the owners’ Super
tually have hosted twice, but obviously memories of 2000. from $200 million to $500 million for a Bowl committee go to each club seek-
neither of those buildings was new the Since Mercedes-Benz Stadium city. Plus, more than 100 million view- ing an expression of interest in hosting
second time around. opened in 2017, Atlanta has been the ers across the country are seeing that the game. Many cities know they have
There’s nothing written on a game site of several major sporting events, city being showcased. Minnesota might no chance, perhaps because of weather
plan sheet guaranteeing such an award including the college football playoff. not have been a winter vacation destina- concerns at an outdoor stadium — it’s
from the NFL, it’s more a nodding Atlanta United of MLS has set all sorts tion to many people before it was spot- unlikely any such venue in the North-
agreement it will happen. And it will of attendance records in the building. lighted for last year’s game. east except MetLife would be consid-
once more in Los Angeles in 2022, and Those successes matter in the Super Naturally, Minneapolis wouldn’t have ered — or lack of stadium size or insuf-
very likely in Las Vegas before the end Bowl race. gotten the Super Bowl without having ficient infrastructure or hotel space.
of the next decade. “We do attend and we watch all those built an ultramodern indoor stadium. The committee identifies a city that
“It really depends, but a world-class events that are coming into a venue,” The only outdoor game in a cold weath- fits best for a particular year and asks it
stadium is critical, and we are going says O’Reilly, who also oversees the er city was in 2014 at MetLife Stadium for specifics for hosting.
through a run with Minnesota and Mer- staging of the draft that has become a in New Jersey, and that was a given once “We end up with optimizing the se-
cedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and other traveling show and heads to Nashville the Giants and Jets agreed to foot most quences, avoid a scenario where mul-
new buildings,” says Peter O’Reilly, the this April and Las Vegas next year. of the bill for the facility. With a wink tiple cities are spending significant time
and a nod, Detroit was destined for a Su- and resources on a bid and ultimately
per Bowl once Ford Field was ready and they’re not rewarded,” O’Reilly says.
All Your Auto & Truck Service Needs the Lions moved back downtown from Suggestions that the game could wind
the suburbs. Indianapolis, which put on up in London seem farfetched, and the
a sensational Super Bowl week, never NFL certainly would need a franchise
would have been considered without there before it could happen. Besides,
Lucas Oil Stadium being constructed. Ganis says there will never be a short-
“There’s nothing formal,” explains age of U.S. locales interested in hosting.
Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp, “I focus on the tremendous amount of
a Chicago-based consulting firm, and new money coming into the community,
an adviser to several team owners. “It and not just the week of the Super Bowl,
is an understanding that if you build a but all the planning and the attention
new stadium and have the facilities for that takes place, and the money spent
a Super Bowl and the community gets from outside (the venue) on that. Those
behind it, you will get a Super Bowl. things are almost impossible to put a
Maybe you will only get one, like India- price tag on, as is the visibility over a
napolis — as great a job as Indianapolis number of years focused on those two
did, it’s really on the edge of a com- weeks in your city. It is almost always
munity that can support a Super Bowl. very positive.”
They made up for it with the great com- ———
munity support. More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/tag/NFL and
https://twitter.com/AP-NFL
“It is not an issue of how well a fran-
Super Bowl winningest coaches
DOMESTIC & IMPORT MATT
ZICKERT 5 — Bill Belichick, New England, 2002, 2004, 2 — Tom Landry, Dallas, 1972, 1978
920-262-1616 Owner/ 2005, 2015, 2017 2 — Tom Flores, Oakland-L.A. Raiders, 1981,
ASE Master 4 — Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1984
Certified Technician
1980 2 — Bill Parcells, N.Y. Giants, 1987, 1991
3 — Bill Walsh, San Francisco, 1982, 1985, 1989 2 — Jimmy Johnson, Dallas, 1993, 1994
701 E. Main Street • Watertown 3 — Joe Gibbs, Washington, 1983, 1988, 1992
2 — Vince Lombardi, Green Bay, 1967, 1968
2 — George Seifert, San Francisco, 1990, 1995
2 — Mike Shanahan, Denver, 1998, 1999
(next to Hardee’s) 2 — Don Shula, Miami, 1973, 1974 2 — Tom Coughlin, N.Y. Giants, 2007, 2011Friday, February 1, 2019 – SUPER BOWL – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 13
Snead’s big bets on Rams’ future pay off in Super Bowl trip
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Snead knows some of the Rams’
— One year ago, general manager Les moves were greeted with raised eye-
Snead and the Los Angeles Rams’ front brows. Talib and Peters are well-known
office decided they had to jump through for their strong personalities, with Pe-
the championship window that had sud- ters particularly enduring rough patches
denly, shockingly appeared before them. in college at Washington and again with
Now that they’ve landed on their feet Kansas City.
in Atlanta, Snead has zero regrets about Yet there hasn’t been a hint of serious
writing the checks and making the com- conflict in the Rams’ harmonious locker
mitments necessary for his Super Bowl- room. Despite some up-and-down per-
bound team to make that leap. formances, Peters allowed the Rams to
“After winning the division last year, get past the loss of Trumaine Johnson,
after contending last year, we sat back their top cover cornerback last season,
and said, ‘We definitely feel like we while Talib is a team captain who has
can do this, and we could do this con- been the Rams’ top cover man since re-
sistently for a little while,’” Snead said turning from injury in December.
Wednesday. “I think the moves this year Suh didn’t immediately have the
were (about saying), ‘Let’s improve. dramatic effect many expected after he
That wasn’t good enough.’” signed for one season at $14 million, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Rams reached the playoffs last but he was incredibly disruptive in the
season for the first time in 13 years, with Rams’ two playoff games — which also In this April 6, 2018, file photo, Los Angeles Rams new defensive tackle Ndamu-
rookie coach Sean McVay leading a sev- happened to be the first two postseason kong Suh, center, poses for a photo after a news conference with coach Sean
en-win improvement for a franchise that victories of his nine-year NFL career. McVay, right, and general manager Les Snead at the NFL football team’s prac-
hadn’t had a winning season since 2003. Snead gives much of the credit to tice facility in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
But Los Angeles promptly lost its first McVay and defensive coordinator Wade
postseason game to the Falcons, putting Phillips, but he also isn’t surprised. maybe give Jared a raise in due time.” “All that’s done now is (to) put you in
a slight damper on that incredible one- “We always say around here that Snead plans to enjoy the next two a spot where you’ve got an opportunity
season turnaround. we’re not collecting talent,” Snead said. weeks, but he isn’t ready to reflect fully to go get a bigger trophy, and that’s the
Knowing the tenuousness of NFL “We’re building a team, and there’s on the success of his moves — not while focus,” said Snead, who spent his for-
success for every team except the Pa- more to team than just a skillset on the he’s still spending several hours a day mative front-office years with the Fal-
triots — and realizing the impact that a football field. I like to say, ‘You can’t preparing for the draft and free agency. cons.
Super Bowl run could have in the Rams’ bring someone in that’s going to be a
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already time to do everything possible lead to them thriving.”
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ib and Marcus Peters and edge rusher Snead had one clever move left for attendees.
Dante Fowler to bolster their defense. the winter, signing veteran running back
They gave huge contracts to Gurley and C.J. Anderson last month after Gurley
Donald — and even to receiver Brandin
Cooks, who had just been acquired from
was slowed by a knee injury. Anderson
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Security inside stadium and out for Super Bowl in Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) — When Super with,” Shields said. a couple of people lying on the ground. During a soccer game between France
Bowl 53 kicks off less than two weeks The chief said law enforcers have Shields said there was a desire at the and Germany near Paris in November
from now, legions of police and federal been preparing for two years, during time to make the park “family friendly,” 2015, it was outside the stadium where
agents will be positioned to protect fans which time they visited Super Bowls so the decision was made to keep secu- suicide bombers blew themselves up,
inside and outside the Atlanta stadium in Houston and Minneapolis to observe rity more lax there. killing a bystander. And in May 2017,
where the New England Patriots and the safety measures taken by their counter- “In hindsight, that was a mistake,” it was as fans left a concert by singer
Los Angeles Rams face off. parts. she said. Ariana Grande in Manchester, England,
The game will bring international at- Recent attacks in the U.S. and around In the days leading up to the Super that a bomb was detonated, killing more
tention, which makes it a potential target the world have taught authorities that Bowl on Feb. 3, the park — which has than 20 and wounding more than 100.
for terrorism, said Brian Levin, a former they must be prepared to defend more been closed off with high chain-link In recent years, threats have evolved
New York City police officer who is than the obvious targets. fencing in some places — will play a from large terrorist groups to small cells
director of the Center for the Study of Atlanta knows this well. During the central role as it hosts numerous con- or “lone wolves” who can be harder to
Hate and Extremism at California State Olympic Games in 1996, a man set off a certs and other game-related celebra- identify. Some become radicalized on
University, San Bernardino. pipe bomb at Centennial Olympic Park, tions. the internet, borrowing hatred from oth-
“We fortify these events because a downtown public space that lacked the In addition to increased security er groups and blending it with their own
we have to,” Levin said. “They’re the high security of the athletic venues and around the city, Atlanta Fire Rescue views, Levin noted.
brightest bug lamps that attract an array Olympic Village where athletes were will put some of its paramedics on bi- The motives of others are difficult
of possible extremists and also unstable staying. Shrapnel from the bomb tore cycles so they can reach patients in ar- to discern, such as the sniper in a Las
people as well.” through a crowd of concertgoers on July eas crowded with pedestrians, Chief Vegas high-rise who opened fire on an
Authorities won’t discuss specif- 27, 1996, killing a woman who was hit Randall Slaughter said. And Shields outdoor country music concert, killing
ics of their security plan. But they say in the skull with a nail, and wounding noted that a joint operations center that 58 people and wounding more than 800
they will safeguard areas beyond the more than 100 others. will also include officials from Georgia others in October 2017, Levin said.
downtown Mercedes-Benz Stadium “Our main focus at that time was Power and the city’s mass transit system
and make officers visible across the on the Olympic Village,” said Richard is set to open Saturday. Cedrick Alexander, a former pub-
city. The city’s police department has Stogner, who was in charge of finances Authorities will not take their prepa- lic safety director in the metro Atlanta
worked with more than 40 state, federal for the Olympics and as such was in- rations for granted, however, because county of DeKalb, said he believes At-
and local law enforcement agencies to volved in security meetings weeks and terrorists “never stop creating, they nev- lanta “is going to be one of the most-
develop the plan, Atlanta Police Chief months before the games. Stogner wit- er stop thinking,” Shields said. prepared cities in America” because of
Erika Shields said. Officers will work nessed the deadly violence from his of- In Atlanta in 1996, “the guy just de- its experience handling national events.
12-hour shifts and will “position our- fice overlooking the park. He recalled cided that he wanted to blow up people, But he notes that the lesson of the Las
selves so that we can react immediately walking onto his balcony and seeing a so he set a bomb off,” Stogner said. Vegas massacre is that “you have to be
to whatever scenario we are confronted large cloud of white smoke and at least “That’s hard to prepare for.” prepared for anything.”
Offensive line groups driving force behind both teams —
(Continued from page 6) New England lost two starters on its Cannon and Trent Brown taking their regular season, compared with 35 times
only change from 2017 to 2018 was offensive line in the offseason when spots, joining center David Andrews last season.
made at right guard, where Austin tackles Nate Solder and Cam Fleming and guards Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney,
(Continued on page 15, col. 4)
Blythe replaced the suspended Jamon left in free agency. But with Marcus Brady was sacked 21 times during the
Brown for the first two games of this
season and played so well he never re-
linquished the spot.
Romo excited to call first Super Bowl game —
The Rams’ offensive line is a reli- (Continued from page 7) As Romo prepares to become the looked up to. While Madden brought in
able barometer for the success of their out how far to go and how to take ad- 23rd analyst to call a Super Bowl, it is the telestrator and made football easier
powerful offense. When the linemen are vantage,” he said. hard to believe many had doubts about for the masses to understand, Romo has
playing well, as they did through the Nantz and Romo have called 14 Pa- whether he would be successful. But he taken it to a new level with a generation
first 10 weeks of the season, quarterback triots games the past two years, includ- has been one of the few ex-players to of fans consumed by analytics and who
Jared Goff operates smoothly behind his ing five this season. They have done just make a seamless transition while earn- have access to the same kind of video
protection and Todd Gurley finds gap- one Rams game, which was against Se- ing praise for his ability and enthusiasm that coaches watch.
ing holes in their opponents’ defensive attle earlier in the season. Even though to translate the game for the viewer. Network executives’ efforts to find
fronts. he has not seen Los Angeles as often as Nantz said Romo has been consistent the next Romo is something that has
When the line struggles, as it ap- New England, Romo said he wouldn’t since their first game together — Oak- started to gain steam the past two off-
peared to do at Detroit and Chicago be viewing more tape than usual. land at Tennessee in 2017. But to get to seasons.
in December, the offense stalls. Goff Romo said he does have to guard that point, Romo watched plenty of tape “It is hard to find someone with the
was pressured 51 times in a four-game against getting swept up in the informa- to find his voice. ability to communicate the game like he
stretch late in the regular season after tion overload that is a part of every Su- “It is the same as throwing the foot- does,” Nantz said.
getting pressured just 78 times in the per Bowl. ball, it is getting reps and then you ad- Nantz, who will call his sixth Super
first 10 games, directly leading to the “You have a lot of smart people talk- just from there,” he said. “This is the Bowl, has said his biggest advice for
Rams’ losses to the Bears and the Phila- ing a lot of things. In some ways it is natural version you are hearing. It is me Romo is to enjoy Super Bowl week but
delphia Eagles. great but also you can start to move down watching myself and seeing what I don’t to approach it the same.
“Everybody knows how much I love different paths or things you want to talk like. You sit there and nitpick and start “I’m excited for him. He has such
those guys,” Gurley said. “They’re re- about,” he said. “My routine is going to to find your voice.” an appreciation for television and old
sponsible for everything. We’ve got the be pretty similar. I always watch a lot Romo, the 11th QB turned analyst broadcast teams. I want to see him soak
best line in the game, in my opinion, and of tape and will have them down pretty to do a Super Bowl, said John Madden it all in and then we’ll drop in and enjoy
they show it on the field every week.” good. It will be a fascinating matchup.” stands out as an analyst he has always doing the game,” he said.You can also read
