It was a different time. A different Tom Brady. But it still is worth a great debate.
Would the 2001 New England Patriots -- which Brady helped lead over the Rams for the franchise's first Super Bowl win -- have beaten Brady's latest Super Bowl team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Ahead of Sunday morning's EA Sports/Madden simulation between the teams, Jermaine Wiggins - who was a member of the 2001 Pats - offered his thoughts. (To watch the game, go to WEEI's Facebook page, with kickoff taking place at 11 a.m.)
"Yeah, 2001, because of our defense. We had a few Hall of Famers on there," said Wiggins on the Greg Hill Show Friday. "And when you look at what gives the current Tampa Bay Buccaneers problems it is very, very good defense that can get after the quarterback. That’s what we were able to do. Offensively, we were built to run the football. We just need to be efficient in the passing game, run the football and we would take the football away from Tom Brady and that offense."
Wiggins made two catches in Super Bowl XX, including a key grab on the Patriots' game-winning drive. For that playoff run the former tight end managed 14 catches in three games.
How many does he expect when the two teams face off Sunday?
"It depends on the flow of the game, which direction it’s going," he said. "If it’s a run heavy game maybe two or three. If it’s a game where we have to throw the football, I would say over four or five."
Greg Hill Show producer Chris Curtis summed up many of the New England fans' sentiments when punctuating the discussion.
"I just love that game because no matter what, Brady wins," he said.