Former Patriots LB Larry Izzo (USPresswire)
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For PatriotsInsider.com
Posted Feb 2, 2012
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Former New England Patriots special teams ace and reserve linebacker Larry Izzo is getting ready for the Super Bowl. Only this time, it's his job to beat the Patriots rather than to help them.
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Former Patriot Larry Izzo now coaching for Giants
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
The last time his team played the Patriots, assistant coach Larry Izzo
was a loser even though the Giants came away winners.
Despite New York's win over New England in late November, the
first-year special teams assistant was nailed by the Giants' kangaroo
court for violating the hugging rule - a $20 fine per hug for greeting
his former Patriot teammates before the game.
Izzo, a special teams player for the Patriots who won three Super Bowls
and lost another to the Giants in 2008, won't say how much money he
handed over that day, but he'd gladly pay the price again if his new
team beats his old one in Sunday's Super Bowl.
PHOTO
GALLERIES
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Bill
Belichick (USPresswire)
( click on
image for Photo Galley)
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''I would say that was a low moment as a player as far as you are there
and there was a lot on the line, big picture, and we didn't get it
done,'' Izzo recalled about his last trip to the Super Bowl. ''We got
outplayed. Anytime you have a game like that whether it's the Super
Bowl or whenever you lose it (hurts). Multiply that times a million and
that's (what it's) like losing the Super Bowl.''
Izzo's special teams can play a big role in helping the 37-year-old
coach avoid that losing feeling again. Still, it's strange competing
against former buddies such as Tom Brady, Matt Light and Deion Branch.
Before the NFC title game against San Francisco, Izzo ran into former
Patriots special teams coach Brad Seely, who now has the same job with
the 49ers.
''How weird is this, we are watching our teams warm up, the Patriots
are on the big screen playing the Ravens and we're about to go at it
with our guys,'' Izzo said. ''That was the extent of the conversation.
It was: `Good luck' and you really don't wish him good luck because you
want to win. It's just a conflict.''
After being out of football for a year, Izzo said his biggest
satisfaction is watching his guys make plays such as the one when
rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams caused a fumble on a punt return to
set up Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field goal in overtime against the
49ers.
''As a coach you are excited for them,'' Izzo said. ''As a player you
are excited for you.''
Counting the preseason, this will be the third time the Giants have
played coach Bill Belichick's Patriots with Izzo on New York's side of
the field.
''It's not the first time looking across the sideline and seeing the
hoodie over there, or seeing guys I played with,'' Izzo said. ''Most of
them I don't know. There has been a lot of change in that organization,
and a lot of change in this organization over time.''
As he speaks, the memories of former teammates such as Tedy Bruschi,
Willie McGinest, Roman Phifer, Bryan Cox and Rosevelt Colvin return.
''We always had a lot of fun,'' Izzo said. ''When you win as much as we
did, it makes all the work very easy. It makes it fun and not everyone
has that chance. I was lucky.''
Izzo said his main concern is making sure his unit is prepared to
perform up to expectations.
''If you are a rookie coach, to work with the group that we have, I
can't think of a better situation,'' Izzo said. ''I've been fortunate
that I've come to a place that was as attractive from a coaching
standpoint.''
Running back D.J. Ware likes Izzo's style.
''It's like he was shot out a cannon,'' Ware said. ''He has been here
and done this several times. You've seen him lay his body on the line
several times for his team going down on kickoffs. He is a great guy to
get some experience from.''
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