Superbowl facilities draw Patriots’ ire
Looking to become the second team to win three Superbowls in a four-year span, the Patriots held a lively two-hour practice on yesterday afternoon at Bartram Trail High School.
“We were kind of out there on an ice rink today,” Belichick said. “It’s slick. We’re not even going full speed and guys are falling all over the place.”
Belichick’s complaints came even though the NFL donated more than $250,000 to upgrade the field and put in a new drainage system and new grass.
Belichick felt the facilities were so unsafe that he didn’t want to put Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour, who missed both of the Patriots’ play-off games with a knee injury, at risk in practice.
“After I saw the field there was no way I was going to put him out there today ... throw him out there when everyone was slipping and sliding around,” Belichick said.
A year ago, the future hall of fame coach didn’t like the crown on the college field the team used in Houston and wound up moving to a new practice facility.
Trying to become the first coach to win three Superbowls in a four-year span, Belichick did say yesterday’s practice was more a review of things done last week rather than full game-plan preparations, which begins in earnest tomorrow.
Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson was held out of practice due to stiffness in his leg.
While Belichick was upset, Eagles coach Andy Reid was pleased with his club’s practice facilities at the University of North Florida.
“This is a great set-up,” said Reid, whose team practiced for 70 minutes. “The field is good and is similar to what we will experience at the stadium on Sunday.”
The big news for the Eagles was the return of star wide receiver Terrell Owens, who practiced for the first time since suffering a broken fibula and a severe right ankle injury in a December 19 game against Dallas. He underwent surgery three days later.
Owens took part in a portion of the 30 offensive plays, and he was thrown the ball each time he ran a pass route. After his final play, Owens high-fived fellow receivers Freddie Mitchell and Todd Pinkston.
“He looked good with the work he did,” Reid said. “We took it nice and slow today and we’ll see how he is tomorrow. The plan is to keep increasing his workload every day.”
Eagles Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins is confident Owens will play on Sunday: “I would not bet against it.”
Linebacker Mark Simoneau, who missed both of the Eagles’ play-off games with an ankle injury, also returned to practice.
