Archive for the 'Super Bowl XLI' Category
Super Bowl Preview (Wednesday) Special Ed.
Today, we continue with part 2 of our 5 part series dedicated to the Super Bowl. Yesterday, we took a look at the venue.  Today, we look at another phase of the game that could create an advantage. Special Teams.
I’m just gonna go ahead and get this outta the way. The Bears have a HUGE advantage on special teams thanks to the return capabilities of Devin Hester, and the inability of the Colts to cover kicks.
The Colts are a lot of things. Good on special teams isn’t one of them. Only the 49ers (13.2) allowed more yards per punt return than the Colts (13.1). Luckily, the Colts punted a league low 47 times, which sorta helped negate this problem area. The Colts kickoff team was another story. They were 3rd last in the league, allowing 26 yards per return, and allowed 2 return TD’s.
Add Devin Hester to the mix and you’ve got major, major problems. Obviously, the Colts will probably attempt to punt the ball away from Hester, when and if they punt. However, they can’t just “kick the ball out of bounds” as Dr. H suggests, and give the Bears the ball at the 35 yard line. They’ll have to kick away, and take their chances with Hester. Remember, the Colts allowed the Patriots Ellis Hobbs to murder them on kick returns….6 for 220 yards. If they haven’t devised a scheme to stop Hester…look out. If Hester or Rashied Davis give the Bears good field position, Rex Grossman’s job would become a LOT easier.
It is also worth mentioning that the Colts have a very capable returner of their own in Terrence Wilkins. I’m honestly not sure where the hell he’s been since 2003, but he returned to the NFL this season and has been better than capable returning both punts and kickoffs for the Colts. A guy like Wilkins would make the perfect Super Bowl hero, as in nobody would be expecting it. The Bears cover game on kickoffs is top notch and they are fair at covering punts. It is not out of the realm of reality that Wilkins pop a big one.
As for the actual kickers, you’ve got two of the leagues best in Gould and Vinatieri. I’ll give a slight edge to Vinatieri based on him being clutch and past Super Bowl Experience.
The slight edge from Vinatieri isn’t enough to push the Colts over the top in the Special category. Devin Hester going against the Colts special teams is just too lopsided. It is important to remember that the Colts could completely negate Hester as a punt returner by simply not punting. Who knows, maybe they move the ball so well that they end up punting a limited amount of time. However, if they score, they’ve got to kickoff…and they’ve got to score to win. Hester makes the Bears more than just a one trick pony (defense).
The Bears win for the 2nd day in a row, putting them up 2-0. Tomorrow we take a look at another X-factor.
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No comments“Dear Peyton”
We’ve been waiting for the guy known as “Dr. H” to release his Super Bowl edition of his Peyton Manning videos. Well, it’s out, and I gotta say, he really doesn’t disappoint. In my opinion, this is his best work yet, although for some reason Dr. H reminds me of Napolean Dynamite during this video. Anyway, here it is:
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I have no idea how he figured out all this personal information on many of the Bears players. Also, I love the part where he says they’ll just kick it out of bounds to defend Devin Hester….”the 35 yard line, how’s that sound!?” Simply classic.
Previous Work From Dr. H
Damn if feels good to have Peyton
3 commentsSuper Bowl Preview (Tuesday)
Ok, I will not begin my first actual installment of an attempt at a Super Bowl Preview. Basically, I’m going to give you a preview each day for the rest of the week, through Saturday. Each day will contain a theme. That’s 5 previews if you’re counting. I’m going to leave out the normal stuff like this being Peyton Manning’s first Super Bowl, or the 2 black coaches thing and try to focus on tiny Super Bowl nuggets that are important to me.
It’s funny, when I use the word nuggets, it makes me think of my dog, Apollo. Apollo is generally a good dog, but I have to leave him at home alone during the day. He hates his cage, so I set him free in my garage. If you’ve been visiting my site for some time, you’ve seen webcasts from my garage and know that it is all done up with sports stuff, carpet, pool table, etc. Well, every day that I leave Apollo in the garage, no matter how many times I have taken him outside, he feels inclined to leave what I call Apollo Nuggets all over the floor. I will not bestow you with a picture of Apollo’s steaming nuggets, but I do feel the need to post a Pre-Super Bowl Photo of my dog:
Apollo can not speak, but I am almost certain that he is pulling for the Colts.
Ok, now, onto the Tuesday Preview.
Today’s theme is going to be venue. As I’m sure you know, this years game is being played in Miami, Florida. This marks the 9th Super Bowl to be played in Miami. The first 5 were played in the Orange Bowl (Old Dolphins Stadium). All the others were played in the same venue, just under a different name. First it was called Joe Robbie Stadium, then Pro Players Stadium, and now Dolphins Stadium. I know, totally meaningless, who cares? I’m going somewhere with this, I promise.
Quite a few memorable NFL moments have gone down in Miami Super Bowls-
The Green Bay Packers put a stamp on their dynasty by defeating the Oakland Raiders, 33-14 in Super Bowl II, in 1968.
In 1969, in Super Bowl III Joe Namath and the Jets came through on Namath’s guarantee and defeated the heavily favored Colts, 16-7.
The Colts one and only Super Bowl win came in Miami, Super Bowl V, in 1971, as the Baltimore Colts beat Dallas 16-13 in what was called the “blooper bowl”.
Dallas and Pittsburgh played both of their classic 70’s matchups (Super Bowls V and X) in 1976 and 1979 in Miami. Pittsburgh won 21-17 and 35-31.
Joe Montana led a last minute drive, hitting John Taylor for the winning score in Super Bowl XXIII with less than a minute to play in 1989. The 49ers won 20-16.
Steve Young threw a Super Bowl record 6 TD passes as the 49ers dismantled the San Diego Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX, in 1995.
The most recent Super Bowl played in Miami was the last game John Elway played, as the Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 34-19, in Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999.
So, as you can see, Miami is a venue with a great deal of history attached to it. In fact, Miami holds a bit of personal history for myself as well. I was able to attend Super Bowl XXIII in 1989. My Uncle obtained 2 tickets and invited me to go along with him. I was a 16 year old kid going to the Super Bowl. Our tickets for that game were $100. We drove all the way to Miami, from North Carolina. Here is what I can tell you about that Super Bowl, and Miami.
One of the first things we did was enjoy Miami’s sprawling beaches. As you can see, they were crawling with scantily clad young women. In all seriousness, I am not sure why this photo was taken other than the extremely short-shorts I was wearing. I do recall seeing my first ever real live bare breast on Miami Beach. Not sure why we didn’t photograph that.
We enjoyed luxurious hotel accommodations, complete with cool “beachy” lamps and bedspreads, and a very modern kitchen. Seriously, the hotel was fine for the time. I’m not sure what exactly was going on with me “fashion wise” during this period of my life. I didn’t seem to care too much, but at least I was representing N.C. State, even as a kid. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
People dressed differently in the late 80’s
Funny dressers included myself. Check out those tight jeans, big hat, and glasses. Also, I had some elaborate camera case for some cheesy camera. Is it me, or were my feet way to big for my body?
Ok, if I had to do a ranking of favorite moments during our trip they would go: 4. Hearing Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing” played 40 times consecutively on a radio station. 3. Seeing my first bare breast on the beach. 2. Montana to Taylor, 38 seconds to play. 1. The girl on the right. As a 16 year old kid I had never been near boobs like that. No, that jughead hat and “Cobra” sunglasses did not impede my vision.
I remember it was VERY hot and humid, and we arrived in the stadium as soon as the gates opened.
It’s a shame every kid can’t get a chance to watch Joe Montana play.
As for the game, it of course was a classic. Montana led the Niners on a late TD drive to earn Bill Walsh his 3rd (and last) Super Bowl. I’ll never forget it. Some notes on Miami:
Obviously, it is hot and humid in Miami. Sunday is actually looking pretty good weather wise, a high near 80, 20 percent chance of rain, and partly cloudy. Rain can come at any time though. It’s also very breezy in Miami, but it doesn’t appear to have much effect on passing games. I’m sure it’s not an issue now, but the grass they had down in the stadium in ‘89 was terrible. It must have been new and wasn’t rooted well, because it was coming up in chunks by the end of the game.
What impact will the venue have on each team? Well, no one can be certain, but you can try to make some guesstimates.
Rex Grossman has obviously played in Florida before. The last time he played in Dolphins Stadium he was coming off the bench (curfew violation) in the 2002 Orange Bowl, leading the Florida Gators to a romp over Maryland. Grossman threw for 248 yards and 4 TD, in a little over 2 quarters. Grossman’s season splits offer little as to what his performance might be this weekend thanks to his inconsistency. He’s been a slightly better home QB, but nothing to make a big deal over. He’s been a better rated QB on turf but again, nothing big. He’s better at night, and better when it’s warm, but again…no huge discrepancies. Long story short on Grossman? He could play on the moon and you couldn’t predict his performance. Nothing jumps out when looking at the Bears backs as far as venue is concerned either. The Bears, as a team, are obviously used to (and built for) playing on grass.
Peyton Manning is a different story. It’s also a story that might surprise you. Over the last 3 years Manning has actually been a slightly better QB on grass. He’s thrown for about 15 yards more per game, added a couple percentage points to his completion percentage, and actually has a higher QB rating (by a whopping 1 point) on grass. The variations here aren’t huge, but with so much emphasis placed on the Colts being a fast, turf team, it’s interesting that Manning holds his own on grass. It’s nearly as hard to pinpoint Manning’s performance as it is Grossman’s, but for an entirely opposite reason. Manning is so danged consistent in almost every situation that it’s impossible to find huge variations. The wildcard for the Colts will be their run game. Joseph Addai is built for turf, and averages a full 1 yard per carry more on turf. Same goes for Dominic Rhodes. On grass, he’s losing nearly a yard per carry, compared to his turf average. Could the Bears physical defense shut down the Colts run game, forcing them to go exclusively to the pass? Would this be a bad thing for the Colts?
History would seem to side with Peyton Manning. Miami’s Super Bowl History has been about quarterbacks; Starr, Namath, Bradshaw, Montana, Young, and Elway are all part of the Miami legacy. His name seems fitting to add to that list.
Verdict: I don’t think the venue will make a huge difference, BUT if it does create any advantage, I think it would be with the Bears. The Bears are built for playing physical football on grass. The Colts (offense and defense) are built around speed. History don’t mean squat as nearly every Super Bowl has been about building the legacy of a quarterback. Round 1 goes to Chicago.
Better Not Barbecue At the Super Bowl
First things first….remember the Bears fan who put herself up for bid on E-bay as a companion for someone willing to part with a ticket? Well, turns out, Axe (you know, the body spray) rewarded her with 4 tickets and she is holding open auditions for the 4th and final ticket. Deadspin has the entire scoop on her, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.
If you do by chance fall into her good graces and obtain that Super Bowl ticket, don’t expect to be doing any tailgating. CBS4 in Miami is reporting that the Super Bowl XLI has BANNED tailgating within 1 mile of the stadium.
“There is no tailgating allowed in the Dolphin Stadium parking lots,” Sue Jaquez, a member of the Super Bowl XLI Host Committee, confirmed on Tuesday. “And there is no tailgating anywhere within a one-mile radius of the stadium.” “And there are no RVs allowed.”
The rules put in place say that if you are caught “grilling or drinking alcohol” you “could be charged”.
Ok, not to get picky, but this is a bit much. No tailgating at the Super Bowl!!? What? One game a year where you have this great collection of fans from both teams assembling on a neutral site and you can’t tailgate? A really bad idea. Don’t eat burgers within a mile of the stadium, UNLESS you pay 8 bucks for the concession ones. Oh yeah, and don’t crack any beers open….unless of course you buy the watered down tap stuff on sale for 8 bucks a pop. First, they send Thursday and Saturday night games to the “NFL Network”…now, you can’t tailgate at the Super Bowl. What’s next, a foam finger ban? Will they ban me for wearing the jersey of my favorite player?
This whole ban leaves me with a few important questions:
1. What if I happen to live within one mile of the stadium? I know there probably aren’t any homes in this radius, but just what if? Would they bust in my house and stop me from making those tasty grilled cheeses I like to make?
2. Does this have something to do with the Miami Heat?
3. I wonder what exactly will constitute “tailgating”. If I pull into a parking space and simply sit on my tailgate am I going to be asked to leave?
4. I know they offer the whole “NFL experience” to all ticket holders. Are they going to add a “tailgating experience” to make up for the lack of the American tradition? Instead of throwing footballs into a tire, or kicking extra points, they could have the kids line up for “beer bonging” and give away pieces of watermelon saturated with everclear.
5. Finally, maybe this is a worthy ban….god forbid terrorists craft a bomb from charcoal, chicken wings, condiments, and your drunk uncle Joe.
Whoever is behind this ban……..you suck.
A Happy Ending For That E-Bay Bears Lady (Deadspin)
Tailgating Forbidden On Super Bowl Sunday (CBS 4 Miami)
No commentsTicket Girl Update
With Leather has dug up the dirty on the girl that put herself up for bid as a Super Bowl companion.
Your Gratuitous Sarah Spain Update (With Leather)
No commentsGot Super Bowl Tickets?
If you do, maybe you could bid on this girl to go with you. Bids for this got out of hand and it seems E-bay has since removed the item from bidding.
Bears Fans Are Hot, Desperate (With Leather)
No commentsTank Johnson Cleared To Play In Super Bowl
Wow.
You can’t play in other games Tank…but come Super Bowl time…yeah, you can go to Miami and play in the Super Bowl. Not only that, but you aren’t required to adhere to any curfew or other restrictions. The city of Miami is your’s for the pillaging my friend. Something tells me that Miami, and a guy with obvious gun issues doesn’t mix, but oh well. I’m sure this will tighten the spread by a point or so.
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