Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Mentions Parcells: A Biography

Thanks to Bob Matthews in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

•The new biography Parcells, by Carlo DeVito, includes some interesting items on the New York Giants' 20-19 upset victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.

Wrote DeVito, "It is without a doubt the most incredible game plan ever devised in the history of the Super Bowl.


"Parcells brilliance was that he would use his offense to his advantage. The Giants offense was a slow, churning, smashmouth running game. Parcells concept was to 'shorten' the game."

The Giants were prepared to let Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas roll up yards on the ground and thus limit quick-strike opportunities for Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

Parcells had nicknamed 38-year-old defensive coordinator Bill Belichick "Doom" because of his constantly sour demeanor: "His glass was usually half-empty."

Super Bowl historian William Bendetson wrote of Parcells the motivator: "He told them (the Giants players) that Thurman Thomas fit himself for a Super Bowl ring four days before the game. Players also witnessed first hand the Bills violating curfew by partying throughout the week."

Parcells told his players when practice week began, "You guys are going to read a lot of things from my mouth this week in the press. Don't believe a word. I'm going to blow so much smoke up Buffalo's skirts all week. Let 'em start believing how good they are."

Parcells asked Lawrence Taylor to start a fight with teammate Jumbo Elliott during practice to fire up the team. He did and it worked. Parcells told Elliott he used the ploy to help get Elliott ready to face Buffalo star pass rusher Bruce Smith.

At halftime, down 12-10, Parcells told his team that "the first drive of the third quarter" was the key to the game. The Giants responded with a 9:29 drive for an Ottis Anderson TD and a 17-12 lead.

After the 20-19 victory, Parcells said, "Power football wins games. It's not always the fanciest way, but it can win games. ... I realized a long time ago that God was playing in some of those games. He was on our side today. We played as well as we could. If we played tomorrow, they would probably win 20-19."

Read the who article at:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111118/SPORTS0101/111180343/Soccer-Sam-wanted-Branko-Segota