1. In non-Super Bowl news this week, the biggest story in the NFL was Alex Smith getting traded to the Redskins and reportedly signing an extension worth over $90 million with over $70 million guaranteed. This is great news for other quarterbacks — Jimmy Garoppolo — who will be getting new deals this offseason. Garoppolo should do everything he can to sign a long-term deal this offseason because his value is extremely high and the market is very good for quarterbacks to get paid. Worst-case scenario for him is playing the year under the franchise tag (which is over $20 million) and then not having as good of a year as he did in five starts this year. This would mean he likely wouldn't get as good of a deal next offseason. It is a negotiating game with the 49ers, but if they really believe in him they should, and will, give him a long-term contract this offseason. It was interesting to see Patriots players' reactions when asked about the former Patriots quarterback this week. They knew he was a special talent and are extremely happy he got the opportunity to play.
2. Sunday night will mark the end of a long, successful run for the Patriots coaching staff. It almost certainly will be Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia's last game working under Bill Belichick. Since McDaniels returned to New England and Patricia was named defensive coordinator in 2012, the Patriots have been to the AFC title game every season and this will be their third Super Bowl appearance. They also have amassed a 114-21 record in the regular season. The continuity of the coaching staff often goes overlooked when discussing the success of the Patriots over the years. A lot of credit should go to McDaniels and Patricia as they have not let this become a distraction at all during the last two weeks. Heck, they both won't formally acknowledge they will be head coaches next season.
3. As for their replacements, it appears like current linebackers coach Brian Flores will be the next defensive coordinator. NBC Sports Boston's Gary Tanguay reported Greg Schiano, a close friend of Belichick, will get a look, but from this viewpoint it seems more likely he would get hired as more of a consultant if anything. Flores comes across very strong in interviews and seems more than ready for the job. On the other side of the ball, it seems wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea is the leader in the clubhouse, but a sleeper is current assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski. Tom Brady is likely closer to Schuplinski and the quarterback certainly has a say in the matter, so that is just something to consider. Flores also appeared more confident than O'Shea did this week when speaking to the media. This is nothing against O'Shea, and certainly not suggesting he would do a poor job, but just worth noting he shouldn't be viewed as a lock.
4. Appearing on Barstool Radio Friday, Julian Edelman gave one of the realist quotes perhaps has ever been given about Belichick. "I love Coach Belichick," he said. "He gave me my first opportunity. He believed in me and a lot of people didn't. He's an asshole and I hate him a lot of times and this, that, but I still love that man to death. I know the day my production goes down and I'm not playing well he's going to get rid of me. It doesn't mean I don't love him for what he's given me right mow in my life." It's rare a player ever speaks like that regarding Belichick, but Edelman has the ability to do so given his past and time spent with him.
5. With Brian Dawkins getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, it certainly begs the question why isn't Ty Law in? Dawkins had 37 interceptions in 16 seasons, while Law had 53 interceptions in 15 seasons. Dawkins added four postseason interceptions, while Law added six. Sure, Dawkins played safety and Law was a cornerback, but it's just little curious. Even Rodney Harrison has a legitimate argument compared to Dawkins. Harrison totaled 34 interceptions in 15 seasons.
6. USA Today published a great story this week on Jack Easterby, the Patriots' character coach. The story unveiled for the first time he was hired by the team after Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder. The Patriots are the only team in the league to employ a character coach, but many players spoke to how valuable Easterby is. He's on the sidelines every game and was the person who stepped in between Brady and McDaniels during their sideline spat in Buffalo earlier this season.
7. It certainly was a unique week in Minnesota. Unlike past Super Bowls, there was no traveling to team hotels for media access, as both teams stayed right at the Mall of America. The Patriots even stayed there Saturday night, as typically they change hotels to get away from the action. The security outside the hotel was extremely tight all week and people wanting access to the hotel needed to go through three checkpoints before getting to the lobby. As for the Super Bowl ever coming to Minneapolis again, we don't see it. Lots of business was lost with the inability to hold a lot of things outdoors. Also, snowy conditions on Saturday didn't help things, either.
