Say it isnt so Bill!!!

Here the media is all a twitter with how Bill Polian said the Colt’s Offensive line failed in the Superbowl. Let me first say that Bill Polian knows so much more about football than anyone who would write or read this blog that my opinion, or anyone else’s is of little consequence in the world of any NFL pro-scout, much less one of Bill Polian’s stature. That said, I really honestly believe that the Colts O-line was not the first place to look for the Superbowl loss. The game was ridiculously close, if not for the really bad route by Reggie Wayne and a Oh-My-God-Where-Did-This-Come-From interception (see my previous article on this specific issue) by Tracy Porter we would probably have ended up watching the first overtime in Superbowl history, but I digress.
I look at the statistics and at the gameplay equally. Statistically, Peyton Manning did not get sacked; he did not even get hit often. The Saints decided to battle Peyton from a coverage standpoint which is surprising considering he usually leads his team effortlessly downfield when all he has to do is recognize the coverage, Favre would have given his game check to have seen as little pass-rush attention as Manning did, so that is a win for the Offensive Line. Next up run blocking: during the regular season the colts averaged a bottom dwelling 3.5 yards per attempt, in the Superbowl that average rose to 5.2 yards per carry, one carry of which included a goal to go touchdown run by Joseph Addai. Another win by the Offensive line by just about any standard. I understand Polian being a smidge frustrated, but of all the places to dish out the blame, the Colts Offensive line was not the place.

Here We Go Again!

And so it begins, the world which once seemed dark and unforgiving begins to blossom with new possibilities from an aged presence which promises to bring renewed life into a previously stagnant stature.

What? You thought I was talking about Mother Nature initiating spring? No, that was a direct reference to Favre switching teams again. I mean c’mon, three franchises in 3 years, he was supposed to be the God-sent to all of them, and his retirement is constantly discussed yet we all know better than to think he will actually stop playing football. The reason I watch sports networks of any kinds is to know and learn more about sports. Perhaps some of you are laughing at my statement that seems exceptionally obvious, however, watch ESPN, or even NFL Network (albeit to a lesser degree) this offseason, all Brett Favre, all the time, doesn’t really matter what the specific idea is, just that we get some good ol’ fashioned drama. I did not turn on Desperate Housewives, I do not want drama, I want sports, sports that are specifically free of drama.

Each person has a certain ‘drama bank’ if you will, that they can pull from, the size of which is dependent on how much you have done in the league. For instance, Peyton Manning has a huge bank, uses very little. Brady, dates a supermodel, uses a fair amount of his drama bank, Favre, and I recognize this is the medias fault and not his (mostly) is in a massive Federal government style budget deficit in his off field drama bank.

All I want this offseason is to not here about Brett Favre, that is it. If I had a genie in a bottle, that would be wish number 1, no Brett Favre offseason drama, ever again. But, as with all things that are a part of the very fabric of the universe, this could not and will not happen, woe is….well, all true sports fans.

By: Matthew Walden & Aaron Tull

Super Thoughts

Ok, so I know the few of your in the free world who wither away your lives by reading this blog are looking to make me eat some crow for saying that this game would be all offense, all day. Listen, the defenses played a part, but when the losing quarterback completed over 65% of his passes and only 1 turnover was created the whole game through, I have to be given some credit.
Furthermore, I contend that the big nail-in-the-coffin interception-return-for-touchdown by Tracy Porter was not nearly so much a great defensive play, more so a situational hazard. So, if you are still reading this it is probably only to punch a hole in my theory, but here goes it: Watch the play in slow motion: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/09000d5d81646e9e/SB-XLIV-Can-t-Miss-Play-Porter-seals-it .

The first thing one should notice is that the Saints are in man coverage with one safety over the top. Now focus on the slot receiver to the playside, Austin Collie, and observe how fast he makes his cut for the slant pattern. Then rewind and watch Reggie Wayne. Absolutely night and day, no comparison really. Wayne is supposed to do a slant pattern just like Collie, but instead does a little shake n bake to try to waver Tracy Porter’s man coverage. No dice Reggie. Manning throws the ball where Wayne should have been, but instead hits Tracy Porter in the gut. I played football for a few years and I got a couple interceptions in my day, but none came any easier than Tracy Porters game winner. Seriously, look at where Porter is standing when the ball is thrown, the ball literally would have given him a charlie-horse on the leg if he had not caught it. Not taking anything away from porter, he did his job, but let’s not create another Larry Brown episode OK people?

By: Matthew Walden & Aaron Tull

Wayne not Manning

I am a huge believer that football is a team sport. It takes everyone on the field to win or lose a game. Each effort on every play is equally important. One play can decide a game, a season or even a championship. No single triumph or mistake is the reason for success or failure. That being said, there are some actions whose consequences are greater than others.

Peyton Manning is getting a lot of flak for his late game interception during Sundays Super Bowl that all but sealed the victory for the New Orleans Saints. Many are saying that he lost them the game on one pass. Peyton has even taken the blame for the Mistake that was made, and that is the sign of a great leader. However, that play was not Peyton’s fault, nor was it the fault of the Indianapolis Colts team. The Colts were the better team in this game, and I thought out played the Saints even without their second best player (Dwight Freeney).

So who does the blame fall on? As much as I hate to say it, Reggie Wayne! He is one of the most underrated players of all time, and a staple of the Colts dynasty. His play is part of what has made the Colts so great for so long. All the same, he is the reason for the late game interception, not Manning. If you review the play, Wayne was on an option route. It was Wayne’s responsibility to recognize the coverage (Tracy Porter) playing off the receiver heads up. That reads as a slant route. Instead, Wayne ran a flag route. When a quarterback throws the ball, he does it before the receiver makes a move so the coverage can’t jump that pass (get in front of the receiver and intercept the ball). If Wayne had cut under the cornerback on a slant like he was supposed to, it would have been an easy pass and catch for 12 yards, instead the ball went straight into Porter hands.

To top it all off, Wayne had a relatively easy pass to tie the game with a couple of minutes left to tie the game. This would have at least given the Colts a chance to get an onside kick and the ball back. And we all know that if Peyton has the ball in his hands, there is a good chance he is going to score, especially since the saints had not stopped him all day.

I love ya Reggie, and I would still want you on my team any day. I feel for you, but to those of you blaming Manning, it wasn’t his fault. That was ALL on Wayne.

By: Matthew Walden

Best Worst Call in Super Bowl History

I just want to start by congratulating the New Orleans Saints on their first Super Bowl victory. They had a great season, and brought much needed celebration to a city so deserving. I think they are a hell of a team. I think Swan Peyton is an great coach, Drew Breeze is one of the top three quarterbacks in the league (no longer a two man race of Peyton and Tom), and their Defense was nothing short of stellar all season.

But not that I got that out of the way and can’t be called a Who Dat hatter, let me just say that I am already sick of hearing about Sean Peyton and his gutsy calls. I am disturbed at the fact that he is being applauded for his coaching triumphs. I cannot believe that there are so many sports announcers, columnist, bloggers and analysts out there singing his praises. Are you all stupid? Sorry for the word usage there, I know it’s a little elementary and strong, but no less appropriate.

I like Sean Peyton. I think he is a great coach, but that was the worst called Super Bowl I have ever seen. Yeah, ok I know it is easy to sit here after the win and it looks genius, we all know without a doubt that those fair weather fans in New Orleans would have had his head if they had lost the game.

Those calls were ridiculous. You are down 10 – 3 (1 Touch Down) and you go for it on fourth and short in the 2nd quarter? That is the hardest four yards in football. Then, not only do you go for it, but you take your bruiser running back to the outside against possibly the fastest defense in football. Then you don’t learn your lesson and try it again. That is plain and simply idiotic, not heroic. I though Drew said after the game that Peyton trust them, then why did he feel as though he had to score right then.

Second worst call of the game was the end around in the second quarter. One, the Colts Defense is too fast if you hadn’t noticed. Second, the defense has to be cheating for that to work. I mean even Madden players know that, how come an NFL coach doesn’t?

And for the “Best Worst Call in Super Bowl History”, the onside kick. You were only down four points! And that is after you managed to get three before the half ended after your last mistake! Don’t get me wrong, it was beautifully executed and obviously practiced. If it weren’t for the other awful calls that Sean Peyton had already made, I probably would have just called it gutsy, but he was making every rookie coach mistake he could.

The saints won that game, and even deservingly so, but NO THANKS TO SEAN PEYTON.

By: Matthew Walden

Peyton v.s. Tom and Super Bowl, and Super Bowl XLIV

One of the more famous debates among football circles is that over the best Quarterback in the league, or of all time. It is a timeless event for fans and professionals alike. Nothing gets our fan blooded hearts beating like arguing for our favorite players. We take pride in living vicariously through these discussion as if we were a tangible part of those players and teams that we have so invested yourself. This is one of my favorite things to do with friends, and one of the most famous debates over the last decade has been “Who is the best, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?”

The arguments have been fierce and competitive, but Brady fans have always had one trump card that has been able to hush the Manning fans, and that is the three Super Bowl rings. My question is, does that all change if Peyton takes home his second on Sunday?
Peyton obviously has the statistical advantage. He has 50,000 passing yards to Brady’s 30,000. Peyton has 366 touchdown passes to Tom’s 219. Manning’s career passer rating wins by a margin of 95.2 to 93.3 (I do not believe passer rating is a good indication of quarterback quality; see my article Best Quarter Back Ever at http://fortruefootballfans.webs.com/.

However, Tom has three Super Bowl Victories and four appearances to Peyton’s one victory and one appearance. We all know that is the key stat for most of these conversations. It is the only reason Terry Bradshaw is even mentioned, and what keeps Dan Marino out of the argument.
So, does this close the discussion and serve to solidify Peyton as the winner? The answer is no… Peyton was already the winner.

We all respect Brady, but the truth is, it only took Brett Favre incredible numbers and one Super Bowl victory with a second appearance to be mentioned. Even though Tom has good numbers (including some amazing single season records), he just doesn’t touch Manning.

By: Matthew Walden