Time for recognition

There comes a time when it becomes clear to recognize and respect the little things that directly lead to wins in NFL games.

Actually they are big things -- namely big plays.

How many times have you seen a stop on a run up the middle, a blind-sided sack, a tipped pass, or a teams secondary jamming receivers be the game-breaking play that effects the outcome?

There is one NFL veteran that has become very proficient at making big plays over the last few years: New England Patriots defensive lineman/linebacker Willie McGinest.

McGinest has been with New England his whole career.

Drafted in 1994 with the fourth overall pick, McGinest was as true an NFL linebacker prospect as there could be and he was, then head coach, Bill Parcells first defensive first round pick, so there were high expectations.

The ex-USC Trojan played in all 16 games his first three years, coming into his own in year two with 11 sacks, 69 tackles (17 assists), and four forced fumbles.

Even with 9.5 and 9.0 sacks in 1996 and 1999 respectively, he would never come close to his numbers in 1995, the Patriots second Super Bowl appearance.

Injuries plagued him from 1998 through 2001 -- ones that didn't take him out of too many games, but severely limited his effectiveness.

At one point fans even questioned his heart, myself included.

We would all be proven wrong when Big Willie came back into his own, fully healed, for the teams Super Bowl drive in 2001.

McGinest also made very intelligent financial decisions along the way, allowing his contract to be renegotiated to avoid becoming a salary cap casualty.

Unlike another Patriots Linebacker Chris Slade, McGinest knew he fit in well with the Patriots, and also knew his limitations.

Slade still felt he was the man, and still wanted to rush the passer instead of becoming more of a run stopper and coverage guy, per request of the defensive coaching mindset at the time.

Four years removed from his single Pro-Bowl season, Slade played out his contract and signed a one year deal with Carolina. Unfortunately for him, Carolina went 1-15 that year, the Patriots won the Super Bowl, and Slade found himself out of the NFL for good.

McGinest swallowed some pride for a much longer term payoff, which ended up producing a lot more green, as well as two Super Bow rings.

Big play #1 was his overall game in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Number 55 had one job in that game -- shadow Marshall Faulk, hit him hard on every play and make every hit count.

Faulk was tremendously frustrated and it showed when he only had 17 carries and four receptions for 130 yards total. He did not have a single touchdown in that game after having scored 21 all year.

Specifically, Willie made up for an earlier killer defensive holding call with a 16 yard sack of Kurt Warner on St. Louis's second to last possession.

Big play #2 came on November 30, 2003 when the Patriots were going for their eighth win a row.

Indianapolis had the ball on the Patriots one-yard line with 11 seconds remaining in the game when McGinest made a monster stop, nailing Edgerrin James for a loss on fourth and goal.

It was this play that may have defined his whole career -- coming through big when it counts.

Roll forward to the Colts at New England in Week 2 this year.

With Peyton Manning facing third and eight on the final series of the game, down by three points, they ran into the Homeland Security Commander-in-Chief yet again. McGinest came in untouched and sacked the QB for a 12 yard loss.

After "Money" Mike Vanderjagt missed the 48-yard field goal it was yet another sweet Big Willie big play.

McGinest will go down as one of the ultimate Patriots warriors of all time.

In these days of free-agency his commitment to the team and to the fans of New England has been exemplary.

All we can hope for is another injury free year, a few more big plays, and, of course, another Championship.

Respect given.