RECOUNT SHOWS PATT NFL NOTES Karen Guregian

The 2012 season is in the books. We’ve had a week now to digest the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game loss to the Ravens and assess the implications going forward.

Looking back one final time, we thought we’d crank out a list of superlatives and provide a few moments that made an impression along the way:

• Greatest Brandon Spikes hit (physical): No one brought the wood like Spikes. Trying to pick one of the middle linebacker’s signature blows is tough, but if you add in meaning and consequence, his burst into the hole and violent collision with Buffalo’s C.J. Spiller, forced a fumble on the goal line, preventing a touchdown before the half, keeping the Pats within striking distance in that Week 4 game.

The turnover, one of two forced by Spikes in the gane, was a momentum-changer in the Pats’ 52-28 win.

• Greatest Brandon Spikes hit (verbal): He didn’t talk very often, but when he did, Spikes was certainly engaging. There was always something he uttered that got your attention. During a conversation with colleague Jeff Howe a few weeks ago, he talked about how he morphs into a beast on the field.

This is hands down, my favorite quote of the year. It’s incredibly descriptive, and a little nuts:

“It feels like I put the uniform on, kind of like Superman, I transform,” Spikes said. “It’s like the craziest thing ever. Before the game, I’m chilling. Then I put the uniform on and it’s like I’m a gladiator going into an arena. I’m ready to compete. I would die out there on the field if that’s what it is because I’m going to leave it all out there.”

• Worst kick from a non-kicker: That honor belongs to Tom Brady, who while sliding on a scramble last Sunday, flipped his foot up toward on-charging Ravens safety Ed Reed. It was reminiscent of a bad karate kick, glancing Reed in a not-so-kind area. Brady was fined $10,000 for his unsportsmanlike kick. Before the league’s ruling came down, the fine officially levied for unnecessary roughness, Brady had called and apologized to Reed for the unfriendly launch.

• Biggest surprise of 2012: The Pats may have actually snagged a draft pick who can play corner. That would be Alfonzo Dennard. The list is long of failed picks at the position, be it Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley, or the perpetually injured Ras-I Dowling, who should be lumped on the pile at this point. We thought Devin McCourty was the answer, but he’s proved better at safety. Dennard, a seventh-round pick, was inserted as a starter when Aqib Talib arrived and the Nebraska product made positive strides with every game. He may lack ideal height, but he’s aggressive and tenacious. He learned well from Talib, and should be even better next season. Although a word of caution: All of the aforementioned flops also had promising rookie years.

• Best “next man up” moment: We could give that to Wes Welker, whose snaps were reduced as the season began, but jumped back into full time duty after Aaron Hernandez injured an ankle Week 2, but given the importance of the game, Shane Vereen gets the nod in the divisional round matchup with the Texans. Much of the early game plan involved Danny Woodhead, but when Woodhead injured a thumb on the first series, Vereen was inserted to assume Woodhead’s role. He calmly delivered 124 all-purpose yards.

• Most dominating performance: - There were a few contenders - in this category. But ultimately,, it was tough to beat how Vince Wilfork manhandled the Texans offensive line during their prime-time Week 14 meeting. All the talk during the week was on the Texans’ J.J. Watt, and how he could singlehandedly - disrupt an offense, butt in that game, Wilfork was a giant pain in the rear. Thanks in part to the push Wilfork got up front, constantly knocking two blockers into the backfield, Arian Foster had nowhere to run. Wilfork also swatted down passes and forced fumbles.

• Best stifling of a salute: Watt’s signature move after making a sack or a big play is to stand at attention and make a salute to the crowd in military fashion. In two games against the Patriots, he was able to bring that move out just once, and it was for a shared sack. The Pats offensive line did some of its best work containing the Texans defensive end, who figures to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors.

• Most impactful play: Wishh that could have gone the Patriots’ - way. Rob Ninkovich certainly has a few in the top 10, but Baltimore safety Bernard Pollard easily claims the first two spots on this one. No. 2 was last Sunday’s helmet-to-helmet blow on Welker forr which he was penalized. Just a feww plays later, the true effect of thatt hit was felt on a key third-down play. Welker was caught peeking — looking for Pollard — and droppedd the ball. As for Pollard’s No. 1, thatt was separating Stevan Ridley from the ball with a devastating hit that knocked the running back out. Itt was the play of the game, and playy of the season, with the Ravens recovering - to shift momentum. At the time, the Ravens led, 21-13, and turned that midfield fumble recovery into a second Anquan Boldin touchdown and a 28-13 lead in the fourth quarter. That was pretty much the ballgame.

• Lasting impression that won’tt go away: The Pats are a finesse team. That’s what happens when you keep getting beaten in thee playoffs by more physical teamss like the Giants and Ravens, teamss that punch you in the mouth, andd