HOUSTON -- You'd think Tedy Bruschi was a kicker by the way his
leg has become such a hot topic of conversation over the past week and a
half. Everyone is wondering whether the injury the Patriots linebacker
suffered at the end of New England's AFC title victory over the
Indianapolis Colts will keep him out of action for Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Citing the team's policy not to discuss injuries, Bruschi would not shed
any more light at yesterday's media day on what is reportedly a strained
right calf muscle. He did say, however, that he didn't take part in the
team's light workout on Monday.
But the defensive captain wanted to assure Patriots fans that he wants
nothing more than to be ready to go against the Carolina Panthers on
Sunday.
"It feels pretty good today, and it feels better than it did last week,"
Bruschi said. "Each day, I've been making significant strides, I feel,
to get on the field on Sunday. I want to be out there and I just want to
let everyone know that I'm going to do everything I can to be out there
and help this team win."
Bruschi's ability to play may not seem to be cause for great alarm on a
team that has proved time and again this season that it can handle the
loss of just about anyone, thanks to a corps of reserves that has
stepped up when needed. And indeed, veteran Ted Johnson is certainly a
very worthy replacement if need be.
But when it comes to the biggest game of the year, any team would cringe
at the thought of not having the services of an eight-year veteran
making his third Super Bowl appearance.
Bruschi's play up the middle -- especially his ability to rush the
passer and cover running backs and tight ends -- has had a good deal to
do with New England's dominating defense this season.
The 30-year-old San Francisco native has enjoyed one of the most
productive seasons of his career, recording 137 tackles, 3
interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 3 sacks, a fumble recovery and 16
passes defended.
Bruschi became the first player in NFL history to return four
consecutive interceptions for touchdowns after picking off Detroit's
Joey Harrington and Oakland's Rich Gannon in 2002 and Miami's Jay
Fiedler and Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb this season.
Somewhat undersized for a linebacker at 6 feet 1 inch and 247 pounds, he
more than compensates with an intensity that is tough to match.
"You can't say enough about this guy, the way he practices regardless if
he's hurt or if he's not feeling well," said safety Rodney Harrison.
"Just his leadership, his consistency, his playmaking abilities. He's a
very underrated player. I felt like he definitely should have made the
Pro Bowl. I mean, what other linebacker other than Ray Lewis [of
Baltimore] inside had a better year than him?"
What's more, Bruschi has proven he can rise to the occasion in the big
games.
In his first Super Bowl appearance as a rookie in 1997, he registered
two sacks in New England's 35-21 loss to Green Bay -- a team Super Bowl
record for sacks and one shy of the all-time Super Bowl mark.
He then recorded four solo tackles in the Patriots' 20-17 win over St.
Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI.
"I want to win," said Bruschi. "I want to be on the best teams. I want
to be a member of the best teams. I don't really strive for individual
accolades or any type of individual goals or anything like that. I've
never set any individual goals. I just want to win. I've told myself to
do everything I possibly can to help the team win."
Although Bruschi will have had the benefit of two weeks in between the
AFC Championship and the Super Bowl in terms of his recovery, he has
remained sidelined, spending that time receiving almost constant
treatment.
While he says he will not go out on the field Sunday if he feels he
might hurt his team's chances, he is going to do everything in his power
to be ready.
"I'm a tough guy, and I've dealt with a lot of pain before in the past,"
said Bruschi, who has played through a good part of the season with
elbow and knee injuries. "And this is the biggest game of my career.
I've been in two Super Bowls before, but this is the one that is right
now. . . . So it's going to be very difficult to hold me out of this
game."
