Super Bowl XLIV

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

For those that care Scott Green will be the referee for the Super Bowl.

Damn, I was hoping it would be you.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I only watch the Super Bowl if Brandon Jacobs is playing. He's the best.

Edit: whoops posted this from the wrong account

I knew it!!

[MikeVic]

NFL won't let Superdome host Super Bowl viewing party | ProFootballTalk.com

So stupid, can't they air commercials and count all the viewers as part of the ratings?

[Logan]

I doubt it really has to do with ratings, unless all those fans happen to be Neilson households. Even still, you're talking about missing out on thousands of people for a game that gets 100 million viewers. Probably more to do with the NFL charging bars a ton of money to get the NFL package based on the audience they can serve, and this being a slippery slope way to get around it.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by MrDNA

We've had two of the best ALL TIME in the past few years; this will have to be quite a doozy to beat Giants/Pats or Steelers/Cards.

That's really interesting phrasing.

[Greyroofoo]

Originally Posted by NFL.com

News
Colts’ Polian calls new Pro Bowl setup ’stupid’ Posted: January 26th, 2010

Colts president Bill Polian lashed out against the NFL’s new Pro Bowl setup, saying that playing the all-star game the week before the Super Bowl instead of the traditional week after is “stupid” and “a disruption” to his players.

Polian told Dan Dakich of 1070 the Fan in Indianapolis on Monday (via Sports Radio Interviews) that having the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl will be an issue for the seven Colts who will be honored. The players were supposed to have the weekend off but instead will fly to South Florida on Saturday, eight days before they face the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.

The seven Colts will not play in the Pro Bowl, but they must fully participate in pregame introductions and other festivities in order to earn a full player’s share.

“It’s stupid,” Polian said. “It’s a disruption, but we’ll deal with it.

“Well, we’ll come back to practice on Wednesday. We’ll practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. They’ll have off Saturday. If it weren’t for the Pro Bowl disruption, they would have the weekend off, but they can’t because we have to send those players to Miami to do Lord knows what. We’ll come back and practice on Sunday, and the Pro Bowl players will go and do whatever they have to do, and then the team will leave on Monday.”

Polian was unsure if the players would travel back to Indianapolis after the Pro Bowl, then go right back to South Florida with the team Monday.

“I think they plan to keep them down there that evening,” Polian said. “They haven’t even told us yet what this is all about. We don’t even have any details or anything like that. Maybe they will call us Friday and tell us.

“In any event, the fact of the matter is that we’re thinking that they’re down there Sunday night and they will meet us Monday, which is a hell of a thing, isn’t it? It sends a great message to all the young people out there and all the coaches that talk teamwork that you take your best seven players and split them up from your team at the ultimate moment in sports.”

I know the pro bowl was seen as anti climatic and everything, but can a game really be an all-star game if one of the QBs is David Gerrard?

I'd rather leave it at the end of the season so I can see the players from championship teams play and not David Gerrard.

[Logan]

Why do they have to show up to earn their money?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Logan

Why do they have to show up to earn their money?

BECAUSE THE PRO BOWL IS SACRED

[RainMaker]

Johnny Knox somehow made the Pro Bowl from the Bears and we didn't even start him most of the year.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

NFL won't let Superdome host Super Bowl viewing party | ProFootballTalk.com

So stupid, can't they air commercials and count all the viewers as part of the ratings?

Same thing was done this past year with Pens playoff games and the huge outdoor setup they've had the past 2 years.

Games aired on FSNP and Versus were shown outside, but NBC wouldn't allow it, citing the same reasons.

[MrDNA]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

That's really interesting phrasing.

...I try my best?

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Logan

I doubt it really has to do with ratings, unless all those fans happen to be Neilson households. Even still, you're talking about missing out on thousands of people for a game that gets 100 million viewers. Probably more to do with the NFL charging bars a ton of money to get the NFL package based on the audience they can serve, and this being a slippery slope way to get around it.

It's just like how the NFL won't let churches host SB parties with the game on. It's a very dumb rule.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Logan

I doubt it really has to do with ratings, unless all those fans happen to be Neilson households. Even still, you're talking about missing out on thousands of people for a game that gets 100 million viewers. Probably more to do with the NFL charging bars a ton of money to get the NFL package based on the audience they can serve, and this being a slippery slope way to get around it.

I don't know, the NBA has allowed it. One way to view it is that a lot of people are so excited that they want to pay to pile into a giant stadium to consume your product on a jumbotron. You'd think that would be a good thing for the NFL and the promotion of its product.

For as popular as they are, they are such anal bitches about stuff like this.

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Johnny Knox somehow made the Pro Bowl from the Bears and we didn't even start him most of the year.

He's going as a return specialist. I had to look it up first though. The guy only had 500 yards receiving, so there was definitely some sticker shock.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

He's going as a return specialist. I had to look it up first though. The guy only had 500 yards receiving, so there was definitely some sticker shock.

Well I guess that makes a little more sense. Still shows how dilluted the pool is. He didn't return punts at all and split kickoffs with Daniel Manning. Had a good average but just seems odd that he's in there since he wasn't really our starting returner.

[Greyroofoo]

So is the AFC South the division with the best quarterbacks? All their starting QBs are in the pro bowl except for Peyton, who I think is doing more commercials instead... or something of that nature.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I only watch the Super Bowl if Brandon Jacobs is playing. He's the best.

Edit: whoops posted this from the wrong account

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Logan

But on an individual basis, these guys all know it could either be their only shot at a championship, or for guys who have one already, could be their last shot at another.

You totally stole that from Major League.

[Chief Rum]

I got a good workout in today. I have to be ready, in case a spot in the Pro Bowl opens up for me. I figure I'm in the top 10 M or so potential replacements.

[Sgran]

As much as the Saints are a feel-good story, I don't see them hanging with the Colts. The Saints were extremely lucky to beat the Vikings -- you can't expect them to cause that many turnovers again. I'm expecting a game like the Jets game, only the Saints will manage to trade a few more TDs with the Colts in the 4th quarter. Colts 39, Saints 30.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

You totally stole that from Major League.

Shut up Pumpy.

[Eaglesfan27]

Not that anyone cares, but my friend who treated me to the Saints game 2 weeks ago and who is a life long Saints fan and season ticket holder missed out on the lottery, but managed to buy a ticket through other channels. He is flying out to the Super Bowl later this week and is as happy as I've ever seen him.

[flere-imsaho]

That's awesome news.

[DanGarion]

Tecmo Bowl predicts 34-31 overtime nail biter to be won by the Saints!

[Passacaglia]

Was it the version that had Eric Dickerson on Indianapolis, or Albert Bentley? And what did they do about New Orleans?

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Was it the version that had Eric Dickerson on Indianapolis, or Albert Bentley? And what did they do about New Orleans?

No, it's completely edited teams with the players of today.

More info.
http://knobbe.org/joomla/component/k...44-winner.html

[Doug5984]

I leave tonight to head to New Orleans, sleeping at the girlfriends place- flight leaves at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Will be in Miami by 2.

This is the trip of a lifetime.

Now onto game talk- the more I think about it, and look at the numbers I think the Saints are the better team (yes I'm a homer - but normally a realist). All the talk is about the all mighty Peyton Manning- but Drew Brees put up better numbers, our offense is the # 1 offense. The question shouldn't be how are we going to stop them, but how are they going to stop us? In the playoffs we've already played what I would consider 2 of the top 5 passing offenses (us, and Indy being 2 more) and we beat them.

Also all the talk is- they can't force that many turnovers again, well we've heard that all season and every game the D steps up and makes a huge play when we need them too so why should this game be any different?

All in all it will be a great game, what I consider the 2 best teams and even if we lose- it's been a great ride this year.

[Kodos]

WE MUST BREAK YOU.

[PraetorianX]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

I leave tonight to head to New Orleans, sleeping at the girlfriends place- flight leaves at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Will be in Miami by 2.

This is the trip of a lifetime.

Now onto game talk- the more I think about it, and look at the numbers I think the Saints are the better team (yes I'm a homer - but normally a realist). All the talk is about the all mighty Peyton Manning- but Drew Brees put up better numbers, our offense is the # 1 offense. The question shouldn't be how are we going to stop them, but how are they going to stop us? In the playoffs we've already played what I would consider 2 of the top 5 passing offenses (us, and Indy being 2 more) and we beat them.

Also all the talk is- they can't force that many turnovers again, well we've heard that all season and every game the D steps up and makes a huge play when we need them too so why should this game be any different?

All in all it will be a great game, what I consider the 2 best teams and even if we lose- it's been a great ride this year.

The Colts have played two of the best defenses in the league (Ravens and Jets) and Manning picked each of them apart.

And how exactly does Brees have THAT much better numbers than Peyton? The difference is so small that it's really not very relevant, imho.

The Colts defense has also made the plays needed to keep the Colts in games all year long. Not to mention shutting down two of the best rushing attacks in the league (Ravens and Jets again) in the playoffs. Of course, this game will likely be about passing more than running.

Ultimately though, both teams are where they are for a reason, and it's never an 'easy' game or a 'sure' thing for either team, no matter how good. Teams don't get to the Super Bowl by chance.


This ought to be a good game, I'm just waiting for the inevitable low scoring defensive battle that will happen because of all the hype about their offenses.

[sterlingice]

Figure it's time for a bump.

I keep hearing a lot of people on tv and just around the office talking about how uninteresting this game is and I don't get it.
-It doesn't have two traditional bandwagon teams, but it's the two best teams in the league this year.
-Not only that but they're offensive juggernauts (who I think will both come out a bit nervous so I'd bet the under. I would bet the over on "announcers using the boxing 'fighters feeling each other out' metaphor", however).
-Peyton Manning is the most recognizable player in the game so he brings the star power (my wife on the phone last night: "I know it's the Saints and whatever team Peyton Manning plays on").
-Everyone knows the Saints story and very few people would actively root "against" New Orleans. Heck, that goes for both teams. There's not a lot of hate for either teams as they're both pretty likable.

This is one of my more anticipated Super Bowls in quite a while. Most of the recent games have felt like one good team + one dud. I understand there's some fear of a blowout and that could happen. But the upside for a great game is there for me in a way I can't remember for a few years.

SI

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Figure it's time for a bump.

I keep hearing a lot of people on tv and just around the office talking about how uninteresting this game is and I don't get it.
-It doesn't have two traditional bandwagon teams, but it's the two best teams in the league this year.
-Not only that but they're offensive juggernauts (who I think will both come out a bit nervous so I'd bet the under. I would bet the over on "announcers using the boxing 'fighters feeling each other out' metaphor", however).
-Peyton Manning is the most recognizable player in the game so he brings the star power (my wife on the phone last night: "I know it's the Saints and whatever team Peyton Manning plays on").
-Everyone knows the Saints story and very few people would actively root "against" New Orleans. Heck, that goes for both teams. There's not a lot of hate for either teams as they're both pretty likable.

This is one of my more anticipated Super Bowls in quite a while. Most of the recent games have felt like one good team + one dud. I understand there's some fear of a blowout and that could happen. But the upside for a great game is there for me in a way I can't remember for a few years.

SI

Agreed with all of this. I'm looking forward to today's game much more than the last few.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

There's not a lot of hate for either teams as they're both pretty likable.

Maybe that's the answer.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by sabotai

Maybe that's the answer.

I guess I'm don't get that aspect of sports fans. I don't tune into the World Series to watch the Yankees lose. I want to try to watch a team I would like to watch win. And that includes even if it's not my teams.

Let's say that next year the Rays or Mariners and DBacks or Rockies are in the World Series, I'd be pretty happy about that. If you make the World Series, you have some star power: it'd be, I dunno, Cliff Lee and King Felix against Dan Haren and a rejuvenated Brandon Webb. Or a matchup of the 2007 and 2008 World Series losers. The teams I don't like didn't get in and I can just get excited about watching some good teams play.

I'm sure network execs would be slitting their wrists. But I'd be happy.

SI

[terpkristin]

Only bummer about the game for me is that my party guests can't come (stupid snow), so I'll be watching by my lonesome. Cheering for the Saints.

/tk

[Greyroofoo]

I hear ya, I'll be watching the game by myself also.

Go Colts!

[tarcone]

Making my famous homemade pizza. Pepperoni, italian sausage and bacon. Wife is making her chili dip and I will make nachos. Wife and kids and me all in front of the TV waiting for th HUGE snowstorm to hit (6 inches possible )

Go Good Game!

[Eaglesfan27]

I'll be watching by myself as well, because a bunch of people down here are superstitious and want to watch the game at home where they watched it all year.

[molson]

The matchup is somewhat flat and un-interesting for me (though I'll be watching every second anyway)

I don't like either team (The Colts in the rival of the Patriots way, not that I think anyone on the team is actually personally unlikeable, and I'm still annoyed by them passing on the perfect season, this game could have been about 100X more interesting, and I'm convinced they were just afraid to go into the playoffs undefeated - The Saints in that it's particular "feel good" story does nothing for me anymore, and is overplayed).

And I'm afraid of a shootout - I hate football shootouts when the game is more about who has the ball last than field position.

And there's nothing really interesting about either team to me. They're both just really, really excellent teams - but not particularly compelling.

I would have been more interested in Jets/Saints, Jets/Vikings, even Vikings/Colts.

[Izulde]

I'm debating whether it's worth the hour trek to a crowded, noisy bar or not.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by molson

And there's nothing really interesting about either team to me. They're both just really, really excellent teams - but not particularly compelling.

I would have been more interested in Jets/Saints, Jets/Vikings, even Vikings/Colts.

Errr, and what's interesting about the Jets?

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Errr, and what's interesting about the Jets?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Doesn't every team have a fat asshole associated with them?

[molson]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Errr, and what's interesting about the Jets?

I couldn't back it up with facts that would convince anyone else.

But Ryan, Sanchez, the Jets' odd history, the big market factor, the fact that people would be polarized and into it (either pro or anti-NY).

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I had a dream that I fell asleep watching the game and awoke to a 19-16 Colts victory.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by molson

I couldn't back it up with facts that would convince anyone else.

But Ryan, Sanchez, the Jets' odd history, the big market factor, the fact that people would be polarized and into it (either pro or anti-NY).

That's cool. I certainly can't argue against your opinion. I've just always thought that the big market factor and pro/anti-NY stuff applied to the Giants a whole lot more than it did to the Jets, which seems strange, I know. In any case, I see where you're coming from.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

That's cool. I certainly can't argue against your opinion. I've just always thought that the big market factor and pro/anti-NY stuff applied to the Giants a whole lot more than it did to the Jets, which seems strange, I know. In any case, I see where you're coming from.

Ya, one of the interesting things about the Jets to me is that they're like a small market team in a big market. They're big market, but not successful, and not a part of American culture like the Yankees and Giants.

In the same way, I'd find a Clippers NBA finals run to be very compelling.

And I just tend to be most interested in a finals/super bowl when you have big market v. small market. Two small markets or two big markets doesn't have the same feel.

[Greyroofoo]

Apparently Defense doesn't win championships

[jbergey22]

Very good preview from football outsiders!

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Super Bowl XLIV Preview

They basically say the Saints are the better all around team but the Colts have Peyton Manning making it 50/50.

[Icy]

Ok i'm ready for some football!!

Will be a long night for us Euros, from around 00:30 to 4:00 in the morning, with tomorrow being a work day, hope will be worth it.

[Noop]

I think the Colts win this game but if they don't put pressure on Brees and force a few turnovers it will be a shootout.