Primed Patriots hope the wrinkles on offense provide an advantage

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 2/3/2002

Game graphic: This combination of a Rams passing formation and a Patriots blitz was seen several times in the first meeting.

EW ORLEANS - The final walkthrough lasted five minutes, and the one wearing No. 11 was 4-year-old Stuart Bledsoe, who outran his father and spiked the ball in the end zone.

If Tom Brady's ankle is tender, Drew Bledsoe's body is sore, and Damon Huard cuts his finger on the clipboard, young Stu is ready for tonight's Super Bowl XXXVI between the Patriots and St. Louis Rams, which begins at 6:28.

After five minutes of football, the remaining hour turned into family day, players interacting with their children and players having fun with each other. For example, Ted Johnson catching passes from quarterback-of-the-day Larry Izzo.

''We're ready,'' said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. ''We think we've covered everything. We're ready to go.''

For now it looks as if Stu will be on the sideline as Brady, who sprained his left ankle in last week's AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh, has had a pretty good week physically. The ankle has responded to treatment and there were no setbacks in practice. He will wear a brace but it didn't appear to be hindering him in workouts.

''He had three good days of practice,'' said Belichick. ''I don't think it'll be a problem.''

Bledsoe warmed up all week in case Brady has a relapse. Belichick will not pull Brady for any reason other than his ankle hurting or hindering his performance, according to Patriots sources.

It's Brady, sink or swim.

The Patriots believe they have the right game plan to stop the Rams and leave the Superdome as Super Bowl champions.

Former Patriots offensive coordinator Larry Kennan, now the president of the NFL Coaches Association said, ''They sure do have a chance because they have a nice blend of veterans who really understand what playing football is all about. As a coach, when you give them a plan to implement, they're not overwhelmed by it. They've seen it all before. They don't panic. In a game the magnitude of the Super Bowl, you're going to see that type of veteran presence in the game.''

That's what the Patriots are banking on.

They have been a tremendously resilient and tough team. Rarely this season have they been outmuscled in the trenches, and their offense with Brady has had a tremendous sense of timing.

Two things to look for offensively: the possibility of going to a no-huddle scheme at times so the Rams can't put their nickel packages in the game, and coordinator Charlie Weis perhaps trotting out a few new trick plays.

''We're always looking for an edge,'' said Weis. ''We study a lot of tape and when we see an opening somewhere, we attempt to exploit it. It doesn't always work, but we're going to try. We're not going to go into a shell in this game. We're going to do the many things we've done to help us get here, and that's running a balanced offense where we can run and pass the ball short and long.''

Belichick has informed his team not to overlook the Rams' defense. St. Louis is known for its offense, but the Rams have had one of the league's best defenses this season. Weis believes the Rams' defense mirrors that of Tampa Bay.

''When you study the two teams, there are a lot of similarities,'' said Weis. ''Both are very tough, aggressive defenses.''

The Patriots will have to disrupt Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.

As a pocket passer with little mobility, Warner, while amassing high yardage totals, has made mistakes. In addition to defensive ends Anthony Pleasant and Bobby Hamilton needing to apply pressure, rookie defensive tackle Richard Seymour has to collapse the middle.

The Patriots are banking that pass rusher Willie McGinest will be disruptive, perhaps even a key to the game. If he can get Warner to hurry, or move out of the pocket, the Patriots feel they will have an edge.

The pass rush is extremely important because any time the secondary stays with the Rams' receivers would be a plus. Pressure will be on Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law and veteran Otis Smith. Neither will be the fastest player on the field, but both can get physical with speed guys. That also will be the role of safeties Lawyer Milloy and Tebucky Jones, who intend to ''make them pay'' when they catch the ball over the middle.

Milloy and Jones also may be involved in covering running back Marshall Faulk out of the backfield. In many respects, the Patriots fear Faulk as a receiver more than as a runner.

Patriots linebackers have been very good at stopping runners this season. Though the Patriots likely will start in a 4-3 defense with Roman Phifer, Tedy Bruschi, and Mike Vrabel at linebacker, they may end up playing a lot of nickel coverage with Terrell Buckley or Terrance Shaw entering the game to spell one of the backers. Because the Rams are so pass-oriented, don't look for Ted Johnson or Bryan Cox to play a lot.

But the most important aspect of the game could be special teams.

The Patriots appear to have a huge edge in this department. Against Pittsburgh, they scored two special-teams touchdowns. Because Troy Brown couldn't play in the 1997 Super Bowl following hernia surgery, he's ready to make his first Super Bowl something to remember.

''My job is to make plays,'' said Brown. ''That's what they pay me to do. Whether it's as a receiver or punt returner. As a returner, I have the best chance to impact a game. I would like nothing better.''

In a dome, with no elements to consider, the kickers - the Rams' Jeff Wilkins and Patriot Adam Vinatieri - have even footing. The Patriots have a huge edge in punting because Ken Walter rarely gives up returns because his hang time is so good. The Patriots should make it tough for the Rams to get great field position. But that doesn't often matter with the explosive St. Louis offense.