NFL 2010 Superbowl Discussion

[Kendergardener]

One Big Match Up

1. New Orleans versus Indianapolis, 6:25 P.M. EST on CBS – This year, two teams have been head and shoulders above the rest of the league. For the first time in NFL history, we witnessed two teams win their first thirteen games of the season. We saw these teams winning in big blowouts, in close calls, and in fourth quarter comebacks. Both have shown that they have many different ways to win. Given their performances in the regular season, you might think that predicting a Saints-Colts match up in the Superbowl would be a gimme. But the playoffs are tough, and unpredictable. Teams like the 2005 Steelers, 2007 Giants, or 2009 Jets can get rolling and you never know what might happen. We have not seen a match up of two first-seeded teams in the Superbowl since 1994. Yet the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints weathered the playoff storm with flying colors. The Colts practically dismantled the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round, stopping the run and controlling the clock to secure a 20-3 victory. They followed it up by defeating the hottest team in the playoffs with a win over the Jets at home. Here, the Colts showed poise, down 17-6 with little more than two minutes left in the first half, Indianapolis never let New York score again, and answered with twenty-four points to seal a 30-17 victory, punching their ticket to the Superbowl. The Saints, for their part, demolished the Cardinals, holding the explosive Arizona offense to a meager fourteen points, and lighting up the scoreboard with their own aerial attack to the tune of forty-five points and the win. No strangers to close calls, New Orleans showed their guts and pulled one out at home against Minnesota. Despite six fumbles, two interceptions, and five turnovers total by the Vikings, Brett Favre and the Minnesota offense looked to be one field goal away from the Superbowl. Instead, one bad penalty and great Saints interception of Brett Favre later, the game went into overtime, and Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense marched down the field to set up Garrett Hartley for the game-winning field goal.

The Saints offense is about as impressive as it gets. Bolstered by a two-pronged rushing attack with Pierre Thomas running the hard yards and Reggie Bush making defenders miss on the edge, Drew Brees unleashes a passing attack that finds every receiver on the field. Whether he’s hitting favorite target Marques Colston, slinging it out to Devery Henderson, or even showing that Jeremy Shockey still has something left in the tank, Drew Brees and the New Orleans O are formidable foes for any defense. The Colts offense, led by Peyton Manning, has shown an ability to score points almost at will. Despite a middling running game with Joseph Addai’s production sinking, the loss of Marvin Harrison, and the injury to his expected replacement Anthony Gonzales, the Indy O has been as productive as ever. Whether calling plays at the line, breaking in new guys like Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, or making the most of checkdowns to Dallas Clark, Manning has almost perfected quarterbacking into an art. But he’ll face a Saints pass rush that bruises and batters quarterbacks. New Orleans’ defensive coordinator Greg Williams has stated his defensive philosophy as “Kill the head and the body will die.” The Saints’ rush, anchored by Will Smith, knocked Kurt Warner into retirement and sent Brett Favre limping off the field more often than not. With linebacker Jonathan Vilma and wily veteran Darren Sharper, the New Orleans defense will try to hit Manning, hit him hard, and disrupt the Indianapolis offense. The Colts’ defense is all about speed. Defenders like Gary Brackett and Melvin Bullitt will fly around the field to make the tackle. It’s not unusual to see five or six Colts all come in for the stop at the same time because they’re just that fast. With a boost from edge-rushers Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney, the Indianapolis D will try to give Drew Brees some problems of his own.

And then of course there’s the storylines coming into the game. For the Saints, it’s about their city, and their history. The crowds roared in the Superdome every time an opponent came to play. The stadium was packed by rowdy spectators, die-hard fans, and even a few nuns. Bourbon street came alive after the Saints NFC Championship victory. For a city that has suffered quite a bit in recent years, the Saints have been a source of pride and joy for the Louisiana faithful, giving the people of New Orleans something to cheer for. But it’s not just about recent hard times, it’s about the history of the team. Even in their best years, the Saints have always seemed to be “one year away,” coming up short time and time again. A mere ten years ago, the “Aints” had never won a playoff game, let alone a Superbowl. Yet in the past decade, the team has seemed poised to make a championship run on multiple occasions, particularly the 2006 team that narrowly missed an earlier trip to Miami. Still, New Orleans has always just missed the cut. No more. The Saints are in the Superbowl, laughingstocks no more, and are one win away from being World Champions. For the Colts, this game is about Peyton Manning’s legacy and about validating a system and a style that Tony Dungy put in place and Jim Caldwell has continued into the future. Many around the league, including fans, writers, and players alike were disgusted to see the Colts choose not to make a run at history. Indianapolis is not a brash team, or a boastful team, or boisterous team. The system put in place, and the character of the organization is about one thing, and one thing only – taking care of business. Jim Caldwell has silenced the critics as a rookie coach taking his team to the Superbowl, and doing it his way. For Peyton Manning, a win here would cement his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game. He has a Superbowl ring and an MVP trophy to show that he can win the big one, but now he’s trying to show that he can do it again, and lead his team to victory. He must do it against his father’s old team, whom he rooted for as a child when Archie was suited up in the black and gold. It’s no small order, but Indianapolis will face the challenge head on. The Colts last Superbowl victory came in Miami, and they’re hoping that history will repeat itself. But really, who needs storylines? You have what are indisputably the two best teams in football squaring off. What more could you ask for?

Thanks for sticking with me for all these months. It’s been fun, and I hope these things have been worth reading. Enjoy the Superbowl.

[buckdiddy]

GO LIONS

[Boner]

No Pro Bowl thread? Color me disappointed.

[Kendergardener]

One Small Match Up

1. AFC versus NFC, 7:20 EST on ESPN - Watch the exciting action as the best players in the league lazy it up in a game where they'll each probably play little more than a quarter, and there's no blitzing or anything else that would make them have to actually try. Roar with excitement as the best players sit out or decline to play as the guys from the strongest teams are banged up or tired after the playoffs and have no motivation to play a meaningless game, especially since they don't even get a trip to Hawaii anymore! Catch Probowl fever today!

[Mousehole]

Not a fan of the pro bowl I take it?

[PeteMoss]

pro bowl is terrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible.

[Kendergardener]

I don't know. I don't have any real objection to it, it's just kind of pointless. Football games are just too taxing for the NFL to have a meaningful all star game in the middle of the season like baseball, basketball, and hockey. On the other hand, by having it after the season is over, everybody is too worn out, injured, or just enjoying their time off to give a shit. There's no real solution.

[Mousehole]

Would you watch an All-Rookie game?

[Kendergardener]

Might be fun. There'd at least by greater potential that the guys playing care. It'd never happen, but I always wanted to see the worst team in the NFL take on the BCS Champions.

[Kendergardener]

Rookies vs. Free Agents or something could be interesting.

[anarchyutd]

Dude, Bryant McKinnie got kicked off the NFC team this morning because he spent all weekend partying and didnt bother showing up to practice. It was so bad that apparently the Cowboys' line coach said he would've had trouble blocking even in the dumbed down scheme.

Plus there's David Garrard, eighth-string AFC QB.

If the players treat it like a joke, why should anyone bother watching? I can live without seeing all nine Eagles play one more meaningless game.

[Boner]

I was joking btw.

[Kendergardener]

I know, just a great opportunity to dump on how pointless the probowl is.

[PCC]

Pro Bowl is shit

We'll all be watching the rumble anyway

[PeteMoss]

Football is too violent of a sport for an all-star game... really baseball is the only sport where you can have a semi-legitimate all-star game...

[anarchyutd]

The NBA All-Star Game is great. It's like the dunk contest and 3-point contest come together with actual stars!

[Mikey]

NBA All-Star game is my favorite. 131-124 as guys pretend to play as a team while all trying to win the MVP award and get more endorsements. Main bad point is the fan voting. Don't let Jay Mariotti vote either, just let the coaches vote or something. I don't want to see Tracy McGrady or Allen Iverson ever again.

MLB All-Star game is what it is. I'd care more if they cared more. Playing all of the starters for 5 innings is just silly if the winner gets home field in the World Series.

The NFL Pro Bowl is a joke. That's why it was such a huge deal when the late Sean Taylor (RIP) destroyed that Bills punter.

You Tube

You Tube

"HOLY CRAP SOMEONE TRIED!" is something that should never be thought of during a professional sporting event.

[Mikey]

And the NFL should be laughed at for this Pro Bowl. No Colts, no Saints.

I believe the AFC's QBs were originally Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Rivers. Manning is in the Super Bowl, Brady doesn't give a shit about fan interest and wants to play golf and Rivers is recovering from a playoff loss.

I believe the AFC QBs that are now "Pro Bowlers" are Vince Young, Mat Schaub and Lou.

[Kendergardener]

Go Lou!

[buckdiddy]

Schaub was decent this year.