Injuries Could Affect Super Bowl
Patriots, Giants Hold Breath on Brady, Burress, Others
New England QB Tom Brady, New York wide receiver Plaxico Burress may not be able to play up to expectations due to injuries suffered earlier in season, playoffs.
As the New England Patriots and the New York Giants prepare to face off in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, both squads have several players who must be considered walking wounded. How their injuries affect their play could prove to be a crucial element of a game that could either be a blowout or a squeaker.
Perhaps the two players who need to be healthy if their respective teams are going to register a check mark in the win column are New England quarterback Tom Brady and New York wide receiver Plaxico Burress. But illness and injury have also struck lesser luminaries on both squads, as well.
Tom Brady’s Right Ankle
After being photographed in an orthopedic boot a week ago Monday while visiting his supermodel girlfriend, Brady quickly found out what it’s like for heiress Paris Hilton and pop tart Britney Spears. In essence, the pursuit of the paparazzi.
Brady, who suffered a “mild, high ankle sprain” during the third quarter of the Patriots’ AFC Championship win over San Diego, didn’t practice while New England worked out at their home field last week, and was reported as limping during the Pats’ initial practice session in Arizona last Monday. But pool reporter Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune reported late Thursday that Tom Terrific looked fine during Thursday’s practice.
Brady’s not the most mobile quarterback in the NFL to begin with, but he needs to be able to vacate the pocket if the Giants’ mount the kind of pass rush everyone expects of them. He also needs to be able to pick up the odd first down if his receivers are hemmed in.
Actually, the Patriots report that Brady's endless right shoulder injury is much more of a concern than the gimpy ankle, according to the Boston Herald. “A little fatigued so (I’m) going to be going out and trying to move around the best I can and make all the throws."
Plaxico Burress’ Left Knee
In New York head coach Tom Coughlin's final press briefing before Super Bowl XLII, he described Burress as "day-to-day," but knowing the determination of the massive wideout, he'll no doutb start Sunday's contest.
Burress played a good part of the season without practicing during the week because of a bad right ankle. Now it seems he’s suffered swelling in his left knee. He couldn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, although Pompei reported that he loosened up and caught a few passes during Thursday’s session. New York head coach Tom Coughlin said the knee has been problematic in the past.
"[Burress] has an ankle that always has been a problem, but he also has some issues with a knee that off and on in the past has bothered him," Coughlin explained. "That's the thing right now. Between the two of them, that's why he's not working. He comes out and tries to go and can't go."
If Burress is hampered by both in the Super Bowl, it could literally cripple the Giants’ chances of pulling off an upset. The man is big and fast, and can out-reach and out-jump most defensive backs.
Jabar Gaffney’s Shoulder
Although the No. 4 wide receiver on the Patriots’ depth chart, Gaffney has repeatedly played a big part in many of New England’s 18 wins during the team’s 2007-2008 campaign. He caught 36 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season, averaging 12.5 yards-per-reception. Pompei reported that Gaffney’s practice sessions have been limited because of a bad shoulder.
Other Miscellaneous Injuries and Illnesses
The Giants seem to have the edge in this category, as starting cornerback Aaron Ross, along with several other teammates, apparently had a flu bug early in the week. New York does expect to be able to play backup cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip flexor) and offensive guard Rich Seubert (sprained knee), as both practice this week while in Arizona.
