Law Top Ten

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On Football: Ty's Top 10
By Christopher Price
BPB.com Staff

Today, Peyton Manning is the happiest guy in the world.

Ty Law — who, since the 1990s, has treated the Indianapolis quarterback in the same manner a cat might treat a litter box — is out of his life, at least for the 2005 regular season. Law's new team, the New York Jets, isn't scheduled to face the Colts during the upcoming season. Which should make Manning's life a whole lot easier.

More often than not, Law got the better of Manning — especially when the Colts came into Foxboro. Of Law's 36 career interceptions, seven came at the expense of Indy's favorite son. If we're putting together a list of our favorite Law moments as a Patriot, you know at least one of his battles with Manning is going to be on there. Here's the rest of our favorite moments:

No. 10) Oct. 5, 2003. With the Titans on the march late in the contest — and Law suffering from an injury — the veteran cornerback baits young receiver Tyrone Calico into thinking he's made a nifty catch. But Law jumps in front of the Steve McNair pass, taking it to the house to insure a 38-30 win over Tennessee.

No. 9) Oct. 20, 1996. Another one at the expense of the Colts, but this isn't his usual modus operandi. In this win over Indianapolis, Law make a career-high 12 tackles — including 10 solo hits — as well as two passes defensed in 27-9 win at the RCA Dome.

No. 8) Jan. 19, 2002. In the Snow Bowl, Law teamed with Tedy Bruschi to stop Zack Crockett for no gain on a key 3rd and 1 situation late in the game. The stop led to a punt and a major momentum swing. That would lead to … well, you know the rest.

No. 7) Sept. 9, 2002. With a national television audience tuned in for a rematch of the 2001 AFC Championship Game between the Patriots and Steelers, Law and the rest of the New England defense put the smackdown on Pittsburgh. Law doesn't pick off any passes, but registers a season-high 10 tackles — as well as a sack — in the 30-14 win over the Steelers.

No. 6) Nov. 3, 2002. With the Patriots' defense on the ropes and facing the Bills — the second-highest scoring offense in the league at the time — Law picked off one pass and batted down two others as the New England defense holds Buffalo to one TD in a 38-7 rout.

No. 5) Nov. 16, 2003. In the brutal cold of Gillette Stadium, he picks off two passes, makes three tackles and knocks down a season-high four passes in a 12-0 win over the Cowboys. He limited Terry Glenn to one catch for eight yards, and assures the Patriots of their first shutout since 1996 when he intercepts a Quincy Carter pass in the end zone on the games' final play.

No. 4) Spring, 2004. A Top 10 list of Law's history with the Patriots that didn't include his verbal dustup with Bill Belichick wouldn't be complete. Seeking a new deal, Law called Belichick a liar, telling The Boston Globe and ESPN he wants out. But after a meeting with Belichick during minicamp in June, Law backpedals, saying everything was cool between him and the coach.

No. 3) The entire 1998 season. It was arguably the best overall season of his career. He led the league with nine interceptions, two of which came in the home opener against Manning and the Colts. It marked a year where he picked off at least one pass each from Manning, Steve Young and Dan Marino. To cap it off, he went to the Pro Bowl, where he picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown, earning co-MVP honors.

No. 2) Feb. 3, 2002. He returns a Kurt Warner interception 47 yards for a score in Super Bowl XXXVI against the Rams. Dashing down the near sideline with a hand in the air, the Louisiana Superdome got so loud the roof was near to popping off. It was the sixth interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl history, and the longest interception return in Patriots' postseason history. (Law made the play, but credit linebacker Mike Vrabel with the assist — Vrabel came flying in off the edge, untouched. Warner simply flung the ball out there, allowing Law to gobble it up.)

No. 1) Jan. 18, 2004. His three interceptions against Manning and the Colts to help win the AFC title. Law picked off a Manning pass intended for Marvin Harrison in the second quarter, added another pick when he stepped in front of a pass for Edgerrin James, and completed the trifecta when he plucked a floater intended for Harrison in the fourth quarter. All in all, he held Harrison — still one of the best receivers on the face of the earth — to just three catches for 19 yards.