Dillon caps off turnaround

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Corey Dillon picked up a new moniker Sunday night — Super Bowl winner.

Labeled as selfish and a troublemaker in seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dillon proved his critics wrong this season by meshing perfectly with a New England team that thrives on unselfishness.

"I really don't know what to think right now. It's been a long season — a great one, too," Dillon said after carrying 18 times for 75 yards and scoring a 2-yard touchdown to help the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 for their third NFL title in four years.

"I had fun. For the first time in my career, I enjoyed every minute of the season. To actually come here and be Super Bowl champions is awesome. This is what it's about. This is why I came here."

The seven-time 1,000-yard rusher set a Patriots record and career-high with 1,635 yards rushing despite missing a game due to injury. He averaged 109 yards in each game he played, the most in the league.

Against the Eagles he averaged 4.2 yards per carry, giving the Patriots just enough of a running attack to take some of the pressure off quarterback Tom Brady.

When the Patriots obtained Dillon, who played at Dixie State, from the Bengals in an offseason trade, some people questioned whether he would be a good fit in a locker room devoid of big egos. He set out quietly to repair his reputation.

"I knew we would win football games . . . You would dream about situations like this, but you never know until you get here," Dillon said. "But we got here, and we won, and it's awesome. It feels good. I can't even describe it right now."

Despite impressive personal statistics, he never appeared in a playoff game before his 144-yard performance against Indianapolis three weeks ago.

Dillon earned the nickname "Clock-Killin' Dillon" in the second-round victory over the Colts. He wasn't as dominant in the Super Bowl, but his TD run finished a 66-yard drive that snapped a 14-14 tie less than 2 minutes into the fourth quarter.

"I'm so happy for him," said Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, who sealed the victory with an interception.

"It was good to see him walk off with a smile," defensive tackle Keith Traylor added.

Dillon said all he needed was the right situation to bring out the best in him.

"In training camp, this is what you envision," Dillon said. "God put me around some good people, a good owner, good teammates, great coaches. ... The reward is great."

VERSATILE VRABEL: New England's Mike Vrabel has become one of the most prolific receivers in Super Bowl history. Not bad for a linebacker.