We don't like to think back to the final moments of Super Bowl XLII. If we could, we'd erase the name Plaxico Burress from our memory, and we'd focus on the good times we've had with Ellis Hobbs.

But on Tuesday, Boston was asked to go back to the Super Bowl and that second, 35 from the end of the game and a perfect season, when Burress beat Hobbs and scored the touchdown that set New England into a state of disbelief. You know, the moment when we all said, "Why, Ellis? WHY?"

The question was answered: Hobbs was playing hurt. Not Tom Brady high sprain kind of hurt, but torn labrum in shoulder/chronic groin pain kind of hurt. Bone bits floating in his shoulder and everything. Hobbs had surgery about a week after New England finished up 18-1, and the good news is that he should be fine and good to go for next season.

The better news? Hobbs was all about keeping it quiet; a source close to the player reported the news. Hobbs, according to the Globe, was determined not to make excuses for what happened. Given that we can't change the outcome of the game, the least we can do is appreciate someone who gave everything he had when the game was on the line.

Speaking of injured shoulders (oh come on, you saw that coming a mile away), Curt Schilling followed up on the Parking Lot Chat with a post on 38Pitches: "I will pitch again, and win, but it will be on a timetable I just don’t know yet."

Also on the battled and beaten front, there was good news and bad news out of Denver on Tuesday night. Kevin Garnett was back in the starting lineup! The Celtics lost, 124-118.

The Bruins, however, saved the day for local sports fans. Sure, they let a perfectly sensible two-goal lead fall to the wayside late in their Tuesday game against Carolina, but they followed through when it mattered. Tim Thomas, en route to a 45-save win, shut out Matt Cullen and Sergei Samsonov; Phil Kessel and David Krejci found net to give the Bruins their 3-2 shootout victory.

Image of Ellis Hobbs by flickr user patriotworld