FOXBORO, Mass. — The luster has been taken out of this edition of the Patriots-Colts rivalry, a lot of which centers around two of the greatest quarterbacks in football history.
But that doesn't mean the rivalry can't be open for reflection, and Patriots safety James Ihedigbo recalled the good times he had while growing up as a Pats fan and getting geared up for these games in the dorm rooms at Coolidge Hall at UMass.
Like many from New England, Ihedigbo — a native of Amherst, Mass. — most fondly remembered the AFC Championship in January 2004, when cornerback Ty Law had three interceptions and safety Rodney Harrison had one of his own.
"They're historic, from snow bowls to playoff games to everything," Ihedigbo said. "You see those types of guys that you look up to make big plays in games like that, you're just like, 'Wow.' You go crazy. I remember being in college watching that and getting definitely excited.
"Being a fan, those were big-time games that you were excited to watch. The storyline and buildup that comes behind them, then going out and watching the Patriots dominate on defense and guys stepping up to make big plays."
