Coach Artz Breaks Down Super Bowl

While Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are gearing up for Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants, head football coach Jim Artz is coming off a Super Bowl appearance of his own.

Last fall, Artz led the Tigers to their and the program's While he is waiting to begin his 7th year at the helm for OA, we asked him to break down this year's NFL Super Bowl.

Here are Coach Artz's five keys to the game:

Key No. 1: Rob Gronkowski.

The health of Gronkowski will greatly alter the Patriots' game plan. If healthy and ready to go, it creates many matchup problems for the giants.

The Patriots do a great job in their no huddle high tempo offense with both of their tight ends on the field. Aaron Hernandez can line up in the slot or in the backfield and now the Giants are stuck in their nickel or dime packages and the Patriots can run or throw.

The TE position has transformed this year and the Patriots have two of the best in the game. Watching Veron Davis in the NFC Championship shows the damage that can be done.

Key No. 2: Patriots Offensive Line

The ability of the offensive line to handle the Giants rush and blitz scheme is pivitol for the Patriots' success.

The Patriots lack the downfield threat and rely on short crossing routes and timing throws. This will require Brady to have his eyes downfield and reading coverage. If Brady can get to his spot and feel comfortable he can pick any defense apart. When forced to move off of that spot he lacks the mobility to make plays.

Matt Light and the return of Sebastian Vollmer will be key in giving Brady time. Vollmer’s return could also give some flexibility with Nate Solder being able to play TE, having done so this season.

Key No. 3: Patriots Defensive Line

True to his words, Eli Manning has proved he can be an elite quarterback. The one knock on Manning has been his propensity to throw bad interceptions. While struggling all season, the Patriots have now played lights-out defense, putting a great deal of pressure on the QB.

Eli is a pocket passer that can extend plays with timely runs. The Pats need to press up field and with Vince Willfork and collapse from the outside with Mark Anderson and Rob Ninkovich. Containg Eli will go a long way in stopping the Giants.

Key No. 4: Patriots Defensive Backs

The most maligned group that has seen the most changes would be the  defensive backs. They have their work cut out for them.

The last time the Patriots played the Giants in the Super Bowl, the Giants' game-plan was run-first and keep teams honest with the pass. Now Eli has raised the level of his play. He threw 58 times in the NFC Championship game, completing 32 mixed with some timely runs.

The Giants have a very good receiving core with the like of Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. This threesome proves a very difficult matchup for the pats. Throw in the TE Jake Ballard and the DB’s will need to play their best football of the season.

Key No. 5: The Mystery Player

As seen in many Super Bowls before there have been many games where the player not heard from before makes the key or remarkable play that turns the momentum and wins the game. Names like Tim Smith of the Washington Redskins, Larry Brown of the Dallas Cowboys, David Tyree of the New York Giants all unkown before the game became Super Bowl Heros.

Big games like this afford everyone the biggest stage and could make a new hero. Names like Julian Edelman and Danny Woodhead could play key roles through special teams, offense or defense and just might be the key to the Patriots bringing the Vince Lombardi trophy back to Foxboro.