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From how's the QB to what's at stake is all the stuff of dreams

By STEVE SOLLOWAY January 26, 2008

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fret not, Patriots fans. If Tom Brady can't play in next weekend's Super Bowl, the team will be in the sure hands of Donte Stallworth. Or so Stallworth said, responding to, ahem, persistent questioning regarding Brady's apparent balky ankle.

"(Coach) Bill (Belichick) brought me into his office this morning," said Stallworth, the Patriots' wide receiver. "He asked me if I wanted to move to quarterback and we're going to put in a whole new offense. He wants me to run the option."

Tom Osborne, the former Nebraska coach, had been called to Gillette Stadium suddenly to teach the option offense, said Stallworth. "I've met with him. Tom (Brady) is going to let me take the reins for this game."

Standing nearby, Patriots media relations chief Stacey James listened in disbelief. Minutes later, fellow receiver Wes Welker said Belichick had pulled him into his office.

"Coach told me I was going to be the quarterback," said Welker. "I think (Donte) overheard our conversation."

Later still, linebacker Adalius Thomas said either teammate was up to the task. Stallworth has a great arm, said Thomas. He can read the defense and pick up the receivers as well as anyone.

"And Wes can do the fumble-rooski because he's so small."

Whatever that means.

Plainly the Patriots were having fun Friday.

They will play the New York Giants in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in what will be the biggest game of their careers. Win and the perfect, unbeaten season is reality. Win and every player will share in the glory as football's greatest team for a long time.

Lose and the disappointment will haunt them forever.

The quarterback who led them to this point may simply be nicked up and ready to play, as Brady says. Or what is said to be a high ankle sprain could affect his performance. Belichick, with an uncharacteristic grin for a second straight day, reminded that the injury report with more details is due out Wednesday.

While others hyperventilate, the Patriots smile. The muted sound of Fleetwood Mac mixed with the clink of dominos played by giant linemen Nick Kaczur and Billy Yates in the middle of the locker room Friday.

Rodney Harrison joked that the only player not feeling the aches of an 18-game season was rookie Brandon Meriweather because he's only 21 years old. Actually, Meriweather turned 24 about 10 days ago but you get the point.

Everyone feels a little pain and everyone ignores it. Brady will, too. Wait and see.

Stallworth majored in pyschology at Tennessee. He understands about the power of the mind. Nobody understands that better than Belichick.

"Bill made a great point (about pressure) maybe six weeks ago. He said, put a 2-by-4 on the floor and walk across it. Do you feel any pressure? No.

"Put it 300 feet up in the air and walk across the same 2-by-4. Feel any pressure? You shouldn't. It's the same 2-by-4, but your mind is letting you know, hey, if I slip or I fall, any miscalculation of a step, that's it for you.

"You stay focused on walking across that 2-by-4 and then there's no pressure."

Simple stuff when you hear someone else say it. The players fell in behind Belichick long ago.

That happens when your chances of winning another Super Bowl are greater than anyone else. Even when two receivers are each claiming to be Belichick's next-best option after Brady.

Stallworth and Welker were kidding, of course. Brady will play and Matt Cassell is the No. 2.

After beating San Diego last week, Stallworth left a message on his cell phone for callers trying to reach him asking for Super Bowl tickets. He didn't need those distractions. "Hey, I don't have any tickets," the message says. "Don't call here asking me."

Pressure? No, said Stallworth. Yesterday was fun. Today is fun. Tomorrow and the days after will be fun.

"I've always been a big NFL fan. I've seen the whole circus that goes on. It's all fun and good, but we all...