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February 3, 2008

No Troy; no joy

GLENDALE -- It's probably the right move -- heck, with the Patriots at 18-0, if Belichick made it, it's undoubtedly the right move -- but, sentimentally, it would have been wonderful to see Troy Brown active for tonight's game.

He has played in only one game this season -- against Miami in the final, regular-season home game. He returned six punts for a total of 55 yards, with a long of 28. But he also fumbled a punt, which the Patriots lost, although it didn't wind up costing them any points.

Brown has played in three Super Bowls during his 15 years in New England. He missed Super Bowl XXXI against the Packers. Some people felt that, if he had been in his usual spot on special teams, Desmond Howard might not have broken free on his game-breaking, 99-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

In Super Bowl XXXVI against the Rams, Brown had 6 receptions for 89 yards. He caught 8 passes for 76 yards in Super Bowl XXVIII against Carolina, and had two catches, for 17 yards, in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Eagles.

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 5:55 PM | Permalink