But what better way to say adios to the ultimate American sport than with a bon voyage bash filled with playmakers, characters and a living legend. Super Bowl 44 in Miami showcases the best quarterback matchup since Brett Favre and John Elway squared off in 1998 (truth is, this year's air show is almost sure to be better).
Seven months ago training camp began. HBO was introducing Mr. Ochocinco to the world, Vince Young was washed up, and Tavaris Jackson was the Viking's starting qb. Oh, how far we've come. The frauds (Chargers, Cowboys, Patriots, etc.) have been kicked out of the party, which has broken down to a two team tango.
The 44th edition of America's favorite non-religious/non-government holiday features the 18-0 Indianapolis Colts against the extremely likable New Orleans Saints and the ever-growing Who Dat Nation. Yeah, yeah I know Indy isn't undefeated and on the verge of being the first team to finish 19-0, but that just sounds better doesn't it? Imagine the extra hype surrounding this game (as if more hype were needed at the Super Bowl) if head coach Jim Caldwell and team president Bill Polian hadn't decided to flip a Rex Ryan-sized bird at the NFL history books by calling off the dogs in week 16. I guess it still gives Manning the edge over Tom Brady in the "I choked away an undefeated season at the very worst possible time" department.
Unless you're as cold-hearted as Bill Bellicheck, it's hard not to appreciate what the team formerly known as the 'Aints have been able to accomplish this season. Hurricane Katrina recovery aside, this franchise has come a long way. Sean Payton and his staff have been piecing together a great offense for a few years now. But is wasn't until he brought in defensive guru Gregg Williams that the team really got rolling. Behind safety Darren Sharper's stellar 13th go-round in the league and defensive end Will Smith's (StarCaps case anyone?) career year, New Orleans balanced things out just enough to become elite.
Drew Brees is the man. He's always been a company guy throughout his career and has never brought negative media attention to his team (i.e. Jay Cutler, Ben Rothlisberger). Brees was the odd man out when the Chargers acquired Philip Rivers on draft day in 2004. He found a new home in N'awlins and never looked back. Today he is regarded as one of the league's top passers and with Kurt Warner now headed off to pasture you'd be hard-pressed to find a more accurate qb in the NFL.
Peyton Manning is the man (+1). Much like Brees, "The Sheriff" is the ultimate franchise quarterback. Indy was a joke before Peyton arrived; now they're a "class franchise". Many football experts believe him to be the most intelligent and well-prepared player to put on a uniform. He's the only 4-time NFL MVP and has developed wide receivers better than any offensive coordinator out there.
Four years ago, when the great Brady vs Manning debate really got going, the comparison was pretty cut and dry. Brady was Joe Montana, leading the dynasty of the decade up and down the field. Manning was Dan Marino: stats out the wazoo but no bling. Now here we are at the dawn of a new decade and the situation has changed tremendously. With a win Sunday, Manning can add ring number two to his gaudy stats and really put the pressure on Brady for title of greatest qb of their generation (perhaps eventually all-time).
That Colts D ain't too shabby either. The unit is unquestionably undersized, but it's one of the quickest and most instinctive groups in the league. I love the fact that two Rutgers alumni (defensive captain Gary Brackett and d-lineman Eric Foster) will be suiting up in the same locker room for the biggest game of their lives. Dwight Freeney's ankle has been the most talked about story of Super Bowl week, and rightfully so. The man has a third-degree ankle sprain, which includes ligament damage. Freeney was arguably the best pass rusher of the past decade so, needless to say, his health will have an impact on the game.
My guess is Freeney plays limited snaps but I doubt he'll look like the D Free that qbs have nightmares about. Either way, I think Brees will light it up. He may deal with some jitters on the first couple series but when it's all said and done he might just break the Super Bowl record for yards and completions - as a losing quarterback. Giving Manning two weeks to find out how exploitable your defense is may as well be a death sentence. He's just too darn (Peyton's go-to curse word) smart and skilled.
So here's how I think the cookie crumbles...
- Reggie Bush pulls out all the tricks on a mind-blowing, "He's baaaack!" type of play. Then he proceeds to do absolutely nothing of consequence for the remainder of the game.
- Miami alum Reggie Wayne scores at least twice. Somewhere Marvin Harrison takes a break from petting his gun to applaud his former protege.
- Peyton Manning is dialed in from the beginning and the Saints, bless their hearts, can do nothing about it. Which number will be higher at the end of the night, Kim Kardashian's tv appearances or Peyton's incompletions? My money is on the former.
- Tony Dungy will watch a team he coached win the Lombardi Trophy the year after his departure for the second time in seven years. He will claim that he had nothing to do with the Colts' success this season and say he's incredibly impressed by the work of Jim Caldwell, just as he did when Jon Gruden won with Tampa. Nice try Tony but we know better than that.
Prediction: Colts 38, Saints 27 ...Immediately after, all of us football junkies will begin to scurry for our stopwatches in anticipation of the NFL Draft combine.
That Colts D ain't too shabby either. The unit is unquestionably undersized, but it's one of the quickest and most instinctive groups in the league. I love the fact that two Rutgers alumni (defensive captain Gary Brackett and d-lineman Eric Foster) will be suiting up in the same locker room for the biggest game of their lives. Dwight Freeney's ankle has been the most talked about story of Super Bowl week, and rightfully so. The man has a third-degree ankle sprain, which includes ligament damage. Freeney was arguably the best pass rusher of the past decade so, needless to say, his health will have an impact on the game.
My guess is Freeney plays limited snaps but I doubt he'll look like the D Free that qbs have nightmares about. Either way, I think Brees will light it up. He may deal with some jitters on the first couple series but when it's all said and done he might just break the Super Bowl record for yards and completions - as a losing quarterback. Giving Manning two weeks to find out how exploitable your defense is may as well be a death sentence. He's just too darn (Peyton's go-to curse word) smart and skilled.
So here's how I think the cookie crumbles...
- Reggie Bush pulls out all the tricks on a mind-blowing, "He's baaaack!" type of play. Then he proceeds to do absolutely nothing of consequence for the remainder of the game.
- Miami alum Reggie Wayne scores at least twice. Somewhere Marvin Harrison takes a break from petting his gun to applaud his former protege.
- Peyton Manning is dialed in from the beginning and the Saints, bless their hearts, can do nothing about it. Which number will be higher at the end of the night, Kim Kardashian's tv appearances or Peyton's incompletions? My money is on the former.
- Tony Dungy will watch a team he coached win the Lombardi Trophy the year after his departure for the second time in seven years. He will claim that he had nothing to do with the Colts' success this season and say he's incredibly impressed by the work of Jim Caldwell, just as he did when Jon Gruden won with Tampa. Nice try Tony but we know better than that.
Prediction: Colts 38, Saints 27 ...Immediately after, all of us football junkies will begin to scurry for our stopwatches in anticipation of the NFL Draft combine.
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