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Becht Impressed By Pats' Perfection

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2008

TAMPA - For five consecutive years beginning with his 2000 rookie campaign, Anthony Becht and his Jets teammates faced New England twice a season.

The Patriots won six of those 10 meetings against their AFC East rivals, and Becht played again at New England in 2005, when the veteran tight end joined the Bucs as a free agent.

After that 28-0 setback at Gillette Stadium, former Tampa Bay linebackers coach Joe Barry labeled the Patriots, "the best opponent I've ever faced," during his six seasons with the Bucs.

This edition is markedly superior.

"It's a remarkable feat, it really is," Becht said, referring to the 18-0 mark the Patriots take into next Sunday's Super Bowl against the NFC champion Giants. "I don't think people understand just how hard that is to do."

Becht has played on three division winners and five playoff teams in eight pro seasons, but he realizes he's watching NFL history unfold.

"So many things can go wrong every year," he said. "You've got injuries, silly things happen. There's tipped balls, fumbles ... and then you lose. Not these guys. To get through all that and stay unbeaten, that's hard to fathom."

The Giants have just knocked off three division champions, all on the road, yet they will arrive in Arizona Monday as 12-point underdogs on a neutral field.

Don't take it personally, Eli.

The Vegas line is just another indication of how unique the 2007 Patriots have been and reflects the dominance of Bob Kraft's franchise since 2001, when New England won the first of three Super Bowls within a four-year span.

"They're doing it right over a long stretch of time," Becht said. "They do the best job of teaching their players how to play the position."

These Patriots are easy to dislike, impossible to dismiss.

Some scattered skeptics remain, the kind of people who stare at a work of art and immediately look for a smudge mark.

The Patriots haven't been blowing teams out lately. Only one of their last five wins has come by more than 11 points.

Heck, that's even more impressive.

Lousy teams lose. Average teams win when they play well. Great teams win, period.

"It's only special if we can finish it," said New England linebacker Junior Seau. "The 18-0 record is nothing without finishing."

Becht has great respect for the Giants and their stirring playoff run that began three weeks ago at Raymond James Stadium.

Eli Manning hasn't thrown a pick, Tom Coughlin hasn't thrown a fit and New York just made the 14-4 Packers look like the Arizona Cardinals.

The Giants have tapped into a winning formula, blending a solid ground attack, a dynamic defense and outstanding special teams to survive the NFC playoff gauntlet.

Beating the Bucs, Cowboys and Packers in consecutive weeks at their house is impressive, but New York is about to step up in class.

As Super Bowl week lurches on, look for the Giants to insist all the pressure rests with the unbeaten favorites.

That's all right with the Patriots.

"Bill Belichick made a great point about this five weeks ago," New England wide receiver Donte Stallworth said. "He said, 'Put a 2x4 on the floor and walk across it. Do you feel any pressure? No you don't. You put it 300 feet up in the air and walk across the same two-by-four, do you feel any pressure then? You shouldn't, it's the same two-by-four, but your mind is letting you know, 'hey, if I slip or fall, that's it for you.'"

Through 18 games, these Patriots haven't fallen.

They've stumbled, they've been wobbly, but they don't fall.

"Not to say they can't be beaten, but they do all the little things right," Becht said. "In the end, New England's going to be too good."

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