Let’s face it — the Eagles outperformed the Patriots, and proved that they had the deeper and more talented team. This was certainly an Eagles win more than a Patriots loss.
Having said that, my ultimate conclusion is this:
The Patriots defense was thoroughly embarrassed, exposed, and needs a total makeover … and Bill Belichick’s handling of Malcolm Butler was the biggest reason that New England could not keep up.
I’m not a huge stat guy admittedly, because there are many sides to any given number. I’m not saying that stats are useless or invalid, but my upcoming judgments are based heavily on what I personally saw on Sunday.
First off, the Patriots need three new linebackers this offseason.
Kyle Van Noy was about as bad as any player on the field on Sunday, and showed why less than two years ago he was a bubble player on the Detroit Lions … yes … the putrid Detroit Lions.
Van Noy can’t cover, and it showed on Zack Ertz’s touchdown (Devin McCourty blew it too), and he also is poor against the run, which averaged over six yards per carry on Sunday. Elandon Roberts is no better, and still looks like a lost rookie who is about one bad training camp away from working behind a desk.
Sure, Dont’a Hightower will be back. Remember though, Hightower hasn’t played a full season since 2013, and was allegedly out of shape and failed his physical last season.
The defensive line was no better this game, and also is in desperate need of reinforcements.
Not only did New England fail to sack Nick Foles, but I’m not totally sure if he even realized they were there. The Eagles offensive line proved once again why it is the best in the business, but the fact that Foles was essentially running a 7-on-7 for 60 minutes is disturbing.
Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown and Deatrich Wise are a nice bunch, but the back end of the line is a pile of hot garbage (to say it kindly).
I get that Belichick is outstanding at maximizing his assets, but if you string together a team of castoffs, it will eventually pile up and bite you.
If someone said that the Patriots would be using a 39-year-old, an undrafted rookie, a draft bust who was gifted to you for a seventh-round pick, and a rotational player who was on his fifth team in seven years as core pieces on your defensive unit in the Super Bowl, we would all be looking for the nearest waste basket to vomit in.
Luckily the high of making it to the big game was able to keep the chili, nachos and beer down, but unfortunately that is what the Patriots had in James Harrison, Adam Butler, Marquis Flowers and Lawrence Guy on Sunday.
As far as the secondary goes, I’m actually not all that down on it.
Sure, the Eagles had their way the majority of the night. However, I do believe that Stephon Gilmore and McCourty are good enough focal points to lead the way next year.
The only addition the Patriots need in the secondary is a cornerback, now that Belichick has officially run Butler out of town … which brings me to my next point.
I disagree with those who say that if Butler had played on Sunday New England would have won. I would have liked their chances better obviously, but who knows what adjustments Doug Pederson would have made to counter.
So, I’m not saying that Butler’s absence lost the Patriots the Super Bowl, but the fact that Belichick decided to take the risk on the biggest stage was the worst decision he’s ever made … other than Chad Ochocinco.
The reason behind the benching is still in he-said-he-said mode, but let’s be real here. If Butler committed an egregious offense, like hitting a coach, missing a practice, having a wild frat party in is hotel room the night before, he wouldn’t have even suited up. Butler has denied being involved in anything like that also.
It’s all speculation, but my feeling is that Belichick was simply sick of him.
Butler whined last spring about his contract, had a down year, was rumored to have been frequently late to meetings, and then got sick on Super Bowl week and dogged it in practice.
If that was all true, I would have no problem with Belichick sitting him out to start the game. But to be trailing, and to have Philly approaching 300 yards at halftime, sitting him in the second half was foolish.
I’ve unabashedly said that Belichick means more to this franchise than anyone, including Tom Brady. However, his decision to bench Butler throughout the entire game was nonsensical, ego-driven and hypocritical. Belichick let the team down.
Don’t get me wrong, this team is still in good shape and will be the favorite in the AFC next season. Tom Brady and the offense were stellar in this game, and were the sole reason that it wasn’t a blowout.
Once again though, I have to give credit where credit is due.
The Eagles have an outstanding offensive line, playmakers that are as explosive as they are dynamic, Pro Bowl quarterbacks, an elite defensive front, and a strong coaching staff. They deserved their first-ever Super Bowl, and thoroughly, systematically humiliated the Patriots. I don’t care that the Patriots kept it close and pulled ahead in the fourth, the Eagles were in control the whole way.
Disregard any “what ifs,” or “could haves,” the Eagles deserved this win.
As for the Patriots, it’s time for the players to go back to the drawing board, and for Belichick to look in the mirror.
— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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