Larry Izzo: Steppin' Onto the Field

Here we are, day two of five of my Super Bowl Stories You May Not Think Of.

I led off yesterday with a look at Tedy Bruschi—but for today's feature, you don't have to go much farther down the depth chart.

How do you make three Pro Bowl rosters and never start a game in the NFL?

How do you amass the second-most tackles all time at your position and receive less playing time than a third of the players in the rest of the league?

How do you become one of only two players on the 1996 Miami Dolphins to be ensured a spot on the team. (The other player? Dan Marino.)

How can you get the opportunity to be the first person on the field every game if you've never been named a starter?

Easy...so long as your name is Larry Izzo.

On a team full of superstars, Larry Izzo is undoubtedly an afterthought to fans outside of New England. On the field, however, he's one of the best special teams players money can buy.

Just ask John Clayton.

In July, 2006 Clayton named Izzo to "The Best Team Money Can Buy" as a reserve linebacker, and more importantly on the special teams coverage unit.

But Izzo's reputation goes beyond his name being included in a famous Jay-Z song; he's also one of the best special teams players ever. 

Now special teams tackles aren't an "official" NFL statistic, but if they were there would be a lot more of a buzz around the 33-year-old from Texas.

For his career, Izzo has the most special teams tackles by an active player in NFL history with 243, as well as 22 special teams tackles in 20 career postseason games. As for the All-Time list, Izzo ranks second behind Mark Pike's 283 special teams tackles.

Already with three seasons of 30+ special teams tackles behind him (1999,2000,2003) it appears that Izzo is primed to take over the lead from Pike. Izzo's special teams prowess doesn't just stop at tackles though.

In 1996 against Houston, and again in 2000 against Green Bay, Izzo ran the ball off of a fake punt for 26- and 39-yard runs respectively. He did the same thing in the 2005 Pro Bowl and became the AFC's leading rusher after three quarters with 27 yards.

Izzo has also been able to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball, totaling 220 tackles for his career, as well as recording an interception (against the Bills in '03) and a recovered fumble.

Throw into that equation that Izzo has only missed one regular season game since the 1999 season, and that he's appeared in 103 straight games for the Patriots (including the playoffs) and Izzo is a picture of longevity.

But it's more than the records, the three Super Bowl championships, or even the fact that he's been recognized as the captain of the Patriots special teams unit for seven consecutive years.

For Izzo, he just seems to be content to go out each day and do his job. 

So many players go out and complain about special teams, saying that it's "not where they can make an impact" or "they deserve to start," but Izzo sees it as it is: a contribution to a winning unit.

But that's just the kind of special guy Larry Izzo is.