NFL Network is broadcasting a show called Sound FX. I've caught it a few times. The show takes a few football games from the recent playoff stretch and has players wearing microphones during the actual game. In one episode they take the Super Bowl with Sean Payton and Reggie Wayne wired. It's interesting to see what is said throughout the game. The microphones also pick up what opposing players and teammates say. Peyton's best line comes when he chastizes Mike Bell for not wearing cleats early in the game. Mike Bell slipped and fell on 3rd and goal from the 1.
They also have Rex Ryan wired in the Jets/Bengals game. I haven't yet to see the Jets/Chargers edition, but it should be good.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Saints March to a Championship
Wow, Wow, Wow. The arguably best quarterback of all time throws a pick 6, A PICK 6, in the final minutes to essentially seal the deal. Tracy Porter, whose dat? A second year cornerback picks off Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in back to back playoff games in the closing moments of the game.
There were a handful of memorable plays in this game. What will this game be remembered for? Here's what they may be talking about years from now.
The Pick - Peyton Manning doesn't throw pick 6s, and he definitely doesn't throw them in 4th quarters. This wasn't Neil O'Donnell or Rich Gannon, this was Peyton, son of Archie, brother of Eli, this was a 6'5 230lbs Quarterback with a laser rocket arm. Not only that, but Manning was thrown on his ass attempting the typical half effort by a QB realizing he just blew it. Maybe this is going to far with it, but it was like seeing Kobe Bryant getting the ball stolen from him and turned into a fast break slam dunk to end Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Was it a choke? Maybe.
Garcon's Drop - The Colts don't give defense gifts. You might have the occasional Addai fumble, but a drop with nothing but open field ahead of Pierre in the 2nd quarter turned to be huge. We'll never know for sure, but it certainly looked like Garcon could have taken it all the way, or at least into field goal range. Unfortunate for what he'd been through the last three weeks.
Reggie Wayne Gave Up - Is it just me or did Reggie Wayne pack it in sometime in the 3rd quarter? His body language showed frustration. He seemed to give up on a couple routes and had a very bad drop on the Colts' last offensive play.
The Saints going for it on 4th and Goal? - WHY? Why would you go for that and not take the points?! I've told anyone who will listen, Sean Payton did the total opposite, went for it, ran a terrible play, and turned it over instead of taking the points and reducing the deficit to 4. For some reason the mighty mighty Colts couldn't pick up a 1st down and punted inside their own endzone. The Saints were able to turn it around to a field goal as time ran out in the first half.
Had the Colts gotten the first down and not left the Saints with enough time to kick a field goal, the Saints may not have kicked the onside kick.
The onside kick! I was on my way to my friend's house and heard the onside on the radio. Maybe one of the great Super Bowl plays and I missed it. But sometimes the best moments are heard over the radio at least that's what I'll be able to tell my kids.
In the end the Saints came back and outscored the Colts 31-7 after being down by 10. The Saints scores came from Pierre Thomas and Jeremy Shockey. You may hate Shocey's obnoxious, Chris Rock on steriods routine like I do, but you have to admit feeling good for him after missing out on the Giants run 2 years ago.
I don't know how I'll survive the next 6 months. But there are a lot of offseason stories that will be on going. Hey has Brett Favre decided to retire or not??
There were a handful of memorable plays in this game. What will this game be remembered for? Here's what they may be talking about years from now.
The Pick - Peyton Manning doesn't throw pick 6s, and he definitely doesn't throw them in 4th quarters. This wasn't Neil O'Donnell or Rich Gannon, this was Peyton, son of Archie, brother of Eli, this was a 6'5 230lbs Quarterback with a laser rocket arm. Not only that, but Manning was thrown on his ass attempting the typical half effort by a QB realizing he just blew it. Maybe this is going to far with it, but it was like seeing Kobe Bryant getting the ball stolen from him and turned into a fast break slam dunk to end Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Was it a choke? Maybe.
Garcon's Drop - The Colts don't give defense gifts. You might have the occasional Addai fumble, but a drop with nothing but open field ahead of Pierre in the 2nd quarter turned to be huge. We'll never know for sure, but it certainly looked like Garcon could have taken it all the way, or at least into field goal range. Unfortunate for what he'd been through the last three weeks.
Reggie Wayne Gave Up - Is it just me or did Reggie Wayne pack it in sometime in the 3rd quarter? His body language showed frustration. He seemed to give up on a couple routes and had a very bad drop on the Colts' last offensive play.
The Saints going for it on 4th and Goal? - WHY? Why would you go for that and not take the points?! I've told anyone who will listen, Sean Payton did the total opposite, went for it, ran a terrible play, and turned it over instead of taking the points and reducing the deficit to 4. For some reason the mighty mighty Colts couldn't pick up a 1st down and punted inside their own endzone. The Saints were able to turn it around to a field goal as time ran out in the first half.
Had the Colts gotten the first down and not left the Saints with enough time to kick a field goal, the Saints may not have kicked the onside kick.
The onside kick! I was on my way to my friend's house and heard the onside on the radio. Maybe one of the great Super Bowl plays and I missed it. But sometimes the best moments are heard over the radio at least that's what I'll be able to tell my kids.
In the end the Saints came back and outscored the Colts 31-7 after being down by 10. The Saints scores came from Pierre Thomas and Jeremy Shockey. You may hate Shocey's obnoxious, Chris Rock on steriods routine like I do, but you have to admit feeling good for him after missing out on the Giants run 2 years ago.
I don't know how I'll survive the next 6 months. But there are a lot of offseason stories that will be on going. Hey has Brett Favre decided to retire or not??
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Super Bowl XLIV - Prediction
Two and a half hours from kickoff!
The Colts will be ready early. If the Saints can whether the storm I think they will take the Colts into the 4th quarter.
Oddly enough, there may be more pressure on Manning than Drew Brees. Brees hasn't had to hear the question of whether he's the greatest Quarterback of all time, nor will he have to worry about answering it this evening like Peyton.
The Saints defense will put pressure on Manning and they will make big plays. They won't stop the Colts from scoring and will probably give up close to 30 points. Through all this I think the Saints offense has been left underrated. They can match the Colts offense touchdown for touchdown. This game will be tight and a 1st half play could be the difference down the stretch.
Saints 31 - Colts 27
The Colts will be ready early. If the Saints can whether the storm I think they will take the Colts into the 4th quarter.
Oddly enough, there may be more pressure on Manning than Drew Brees. Brees hasn't had to hear the question of whether he's the greatest Quarterback of all time, nor will he have to worry about answering it this evening like Peyton.
The Saints defense will put pressure on Manning and they will make big plays. They won't stop the Colts from scoring and will probably give up close to 30 points. Through all this I think the Saints offense has been left underrated. They can match the Colts offense touchdown for touchdown. This game will be tight and a 1st half play could be the difference down the stretch.
Saints 31 - Colts 27
Gameday!
It's 9:30am and I'm already tuned in to pre-game. This is the most uneventful week in Super Bowl week history. The biggest story so far has been Dwight Freeny's ankle. And just when we got bored of that, Reggie Wayne left practice early, oh my!
Now we have the two biggest stories NO ONE's talking about. That's right, two NFL Network Analysts have been accused in improper conduct with women. The first, Michael Irvin is carrying on with life and has filed countersuit. Just when I was finishing up my Michael Irvin jokes another bombshell dropped. Warren Sapp appearantly got into an altercation with a woman who had voluntarily entered his room. Sounds like a Kobe Bryant incident, the woman says she was choked and thrown on the ground.
The only difference is that Warren Sapp is nowhere to be seen on the airwaves.
Back to news I actually care about, the pregame! Wait, did you know that Peyton Manning has a dad who played for the Saints a long time ago??
Now we have the two biggest stories NO ONE's talking about. That's right, two NFL Network Analysts have been accused in improper conduct with women. The first, Michael Irvin is carrying on with life and has filed countersuit. Just when I was finishing up my Michael Irvin jokes another bombshell dropped. Warren Sapp appearantly got into an altercation with a woman who had voluntarily entered his room. Sounds like a Kobe Bryant incident, the woman says she was choked and thrown on the ground.
The only difference is that Warren Sapp is nowhere to be seen on the airwaves.
Back to news I actually care about, the pregame! Wait, did you know that Peyton Manning has a dad who played for the Saints a long time ago??
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Leaning...
Best Quarterback ever...Terry Bradshaw? No probably not, on a defensive team right? Alright, Tom Brady, definitely entitled to the conversation, 4 Super Bowls and won 3 of them. But John Elway's been to 5, the most all-time for a quarterback. Ok he only won two, but he was there throughout his career. If you're not from Denver can you name anyone on the team the years they didn't win, most of you couldn't. If your arguement is defined by Super Bowl wins and losses you have to say Joe Montana right? 4-0 and part of a dynasty we will all remember, and oh yeah, he got to throw to the greatest receiver of all time.
If you don't have to win a Super Bowl to be in the conversation the obviously Warren Moon is the best to ever play the game.
Ok why am rambling about this? "How 'bout, Peyton Manning, 6'5 250 quarterback with a laser rocket arm." I think if you've never seen Peyton Manning play you'd have a hard time believing someone trying to explain to you he's the best ever. I mean, he's never won the big game, well once. But he played in a boring Super Bowl against a one hit wonder Bears team, hardly memorable. He also has kind of a big head (which there's nothing wrong with), kind of stale with interviews, and he beats the Titans at least once a year but usually twice. His dry sarcastic sense of humor and clean cut interviews and hair cut makes a lot of people hate him. I hated him once. Then he won the Super Bowl and made a bunch of funny commercials so now I respect him and hope he wins his 2nd Super Bowl. I'm just not so sure I don't want the Saints to win more.
Peyton will be most remembered for his audibles at the line of scrimmage, his perfect passes, and the fact that he may go his whole career with out taking a serious hit. He's certainly on his way to breaking Marino and Favre's passing records. Most analyists and water cooler chatter say if he wins on Sunday he WILL BE the best ever. Quite a statement, but I'm starting to believe it myself.
So who do you root for? Peyton or Katrina? Reggie W or Reggie B? I've said it before, if this were the Saints 3 years ago I'd be all for them, but they're not the pobrecito team anymore. It would be awesome to see one of the worst football franchises of all time win the ultimate game. But we could also be watching the greatest quarterback of all time reach the pinnacle of his career.
The only thing that's decided for me at this point is that the score needs to end Saints x6 to Colts x1 and I won't care who wins.
If you don't have to win a Super Bowl to be in the conversation the obviously Warren Moon is the best to ever play the game.
Ok why am rambling about this? "How 'bout, Peyton Manning, 6'5 250 quarterback with a laser rocket arm." I think if you've never seen Peyton Manning play you'd have a hard time believing someone trying to explain to you he's the best ever. I mean, he's never won the big game, well once. But he played in a boring Super Bowl against a one hit wonder Bears team, hardly memorable. He also has kind of a big head (which there's nothing wrong with), kind of stale with interviews, and he beats the Titans at least once a year but usually twice. His dry sarcastic sense of humor and clean cut interviews and hair cut makes a lot of people hate him. I hated him once. Then he won the Super Bowl and made a bunch of funny commercials so now I respect him and hope he wins his 2nd Super Bowl. I'm just not so sure I don't want the Saints to win more.
Peyton will be most remembered for his audibles at the line of scrimmage, his perfect passes, and the fact that he may go his whole career with out taking a serious hit. He's certainly on his way to breaking Marino and Favre's passing records. Most analyists and water cooler chatter say if he wins on Sunday he WILL BE the best ever. Quite a statement, but I'm starting to believe it myself.
So who do you root for? Peyton or Katrina? Reggie W or Reggie B? I've said it before, if this were the Saints 3 years ago I'd be all for them, but they're not the pobrecito team anymore. It would be awesome to see one of the worst football franchises of all time win the ultimate game. But we could also be watching the greatest quarterback of all time reach the pinnacle of his career.
The only thing that's decided for me at this point is that the score needs to end Saints x6 to Colts x1 and I won't care who wins.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Run Game
One aspect of Sunday's game you won't see much of is the running game, and for good reason. The Colts will use Joseph Addai in short running situations. In most cases at the goal line, you'll see play action with Dallas Clark falling forward as if to block, then streaking along the back of the end zone for a wide open pass. In fact, if you see him at the bottom of your screen watch him, the Colts love this play and use it against the Titans nearly every trip inside the 5 yard line.
On the other side you have a trio of backs, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush (yes I'm counting Reggie Bush), and Mike Bell. And four if you want to count the spirit of Deuce McCallister. Thomas like Addai will not break a big run. He gets most of his production either on screen plays, or late in the game when the Saints are protecting a lead. By then defensives are playing on their heels from being burned by Brees' arm, and it's easy for Thomas to pick up 7-10 yards a carry.
It will be interesting to see either team try and balance their attack with running plays. Neither team is a run first team, which is part of the reason Vegas' over/under is at 50+.
I would have to give the advantage to the Saints in the run game, not only do they have a powerful back in Thomas, but they have a deep threat in Reggie Bush. Although Bush is not as good as he was advertised out of college, he often seems to be in the right place at the right time late in games. This could be the first Super Bowl where no running back has more than 10 carries.
Advantage: Saints run game
On the other side you have a trio of backs, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush (yes I'm counting Reggie Bush), and Mike Bell. And four if you want to count the spirit of Deuce McCallister. Thomas like Addai will not break a big run. He gets most of his production either on screen plays, or late in the game when the Saints are protecting a lead. By then defensives are playing on their heels from being burned by Brees' arm, and it's easy for Thomas to pick up 7-10 yards a carry.
It will be interesting to see either team try and balance their attack with running plays. Neither team is a run first team, which is part of the reason Vegas' over/under is at 50+.
I would have to give the advantage to the Saints in the run game, not only do they have a powerful back in Thomas, but they have a deep threat in Reggie Bush. Although Bush is not as good as he was advertised out of college, he often seems to be in the right place at the right time late in games. This could be the first Super Bowl where no running back has more than 10 carries.
Advantage: Saints run game
Monday, February 1, 2010
Super Bowl Week - Woohoo!
Well it's Super Bowl week! Seven days full of anticipation for a 1 hour game spread across 5 hours of commercials, analysis, lukewarm half-time entertainment, and more commercials.
There used to be a joke about the Super Bowl being known for its commercials and not the game itself. That's all changed over the last several years with last minute field goals and touchdown drives. This year should be no different, at least that's what I pray for every Super Bowl week. I have no personal attachments to either team, but I was a bigger Saints fan the first time they made a run and lost to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship. I'm still a fan now, but having listened to a few Drew Brees interviews and seen Reggie Bush NOT live up to the hype, has brought me back down to Earth.
So what's my pick going to be? I don't know yet. When Peyton Manning is clicking he can't be beat. When most people thought the Saints lost their magic, they beat 2 of the hottest teams in the NFL including The Brett Favre in last week's NFC championship game. It's a toss up for me at this point, but I'll cover a few matchups that I think will be important the rest of the week.
It's easy to talk about the high powered offenses in this game, but either defense could really dictate the outcome. The Colts run a pretty organized and conservative defense. They know the offense has their back and by preventing the big play they have the best chance to win. All season they played consistant keeping their opponent under 20 points in 10 games out of a meaningful 14. That won't mean much against the Saints, but what does is the Colts league best only 33 plays of 20 yards or more. The Saints will have to earn their points with long drives.
On the other side you have a very choatic and attack oriented Saints defense. They love to blitz.
The Good:
A total of 39 turnovers in the season and 8 defensive touchdowns, good enough for 2nd and 1st in the the NFL respectively.
The Bad:
A total of 59 plays over 20 yards or more, bad enough for 3rd worst in the league.
The key for the Saints Defense will be applying extreme pressure on Manning without getting burned. Ok, they're going to get burned here and there. But the key for them will be to have more good big plays than bad big plays.
Advantage: Colts Defense
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