Aftab Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 4th and 26 don't mean jack if you can't get it done when it's all on the line. Seeya next year Philly. The caption for the photo below - "Um . . . . . . yeah." Oh, by the way - GO RAIDERS! (and Packers, too) Quote
chris Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 With the Colts giving the ball away like old fruitcake in January, at least this game was less boring than just plain ugly. Conn, defense may sometimes win championships, but you act as if this is some kind of golden rule rather than just one fairly recent (and short) trend. Tell me, where was the vaunted defense on these teams in just the last decade: St. Louis, Denver, Green Bay, Dallas, San Fran, Washington? That's just back to 92. Defensive teams winning superbowls is a fairly recent phenomenon, and I will grant you that it may happen this year too, but if you were a betting man and you bet on defensive powerhouses for the last decade, you'd have lost a lot of money... Indy showed today that they don't have the competent defense needed-- which is indeed the most common super bowl winning combo: a competent defense and an outstanding offense. And I think Manning finally came down and played like a mortal and-- as I suspected might happen and wrote right here-- big game experience became the real factor... Oh well. Maybe Philly will win tomorrow and we'll also get record low television ratings too-- things can't get much worse for me Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 There are always exceptions, Chris, but I still think a great defence will beat a great offense. Those San Francisco and Dallas Super Bowl winners had good defences too. I also remember the Steel Curtain years; the Dallas "Doomsday" defence years. When the Redskins won the Super Bowl during the Gibbs era, they had a great defence as well. The Chicago Bears team that won the Super Bowl was probably the most overwhelming defence I had ever seen. In the meantime, the teams with overwhelming offenses like the Dan Marino-led Dolphins and Dan Fouts' Chargers would always lose the big game. I guess we can't agree on this score. And, of course, there are always exceptions to the "golden rule." Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 BTW, with a fistful of draft picks next year along with a healthy salary cap situation and a bunch of young players, that darned boring New England team will continue to win lots of games in the upcoming seasons. Must be rough on you.... B) Quote
chris Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 I don't know why I've been thinking that it's Saturday all day-- I see that Philly lost as I predicted, so all is not lost for the big game (that's what two days of indoor soccer tournament while it is -50F and colder will do to your brain)... I should also note that of those teams I listed, most had a competent defense (as is my thesis) but Green Bay actually had a pretty exceptional defense at the time. Of course, that wasn't the only thing that made them fun to watch (what with a few little things like Favre and Freeman, etc)... Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 Pats have their hands full with Carolina in the Super Bowl. Panthers have an excellent defense and they've got a few weapons on offense. Belichick will try to confuse Delhomme with his schemes and he'll probably succeed. Pat's defense likes to create turnovers. Still, the Panthers D will give Brady & Co. a hard time, I think. The two teams aren't very familiar with each other and I think we play better when we know our opponent well. Pats are early 7 point favorites. BB and the coaching staff will have to make sure the players don't read too many newspapers. Gotta stay hungry. Carolina is obviously playing good ball. We'll have to stick Ty Law on Steve Smith. postscript: was watching Tom Jackson's analysis on "NFL Primetime," and he showed one play where Rodney Harrison was at the line of scrimmage while Ty Law was back in coverage. Before the ball was snapped, they switched positions; Law moved up and Rodney back. They throw so much at a quarterback. Even a student of the game like Peyton Manning had trouble. Quote
chris Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 Yeah, you are starting to reach way back now-- I maintain that the overwhelming combination is a potent offense and a reasonably competent defense... And I'm not in love with high scoring. One of my favorite sports to watch is soccer, whose athletes put our pros to shame with their grace, and a 1-0 or 0-0 scores are sometimes the most exciting to watch. For some reason, though, watching the Patriots make their yeomanlike march down the field is nowhere near as interesting as the strategies, strikes, and feints of Man-U or Brazil. It helps to be able to have the ball constantly going both directions if you are going to be as boring as the Pats. The Panthers have an above average defensive line, though, so perhaps that will help. As for next year, I'll happily bet you right now, Conn, that Patriots don't make it to the Super Bowl next year. How much confidence do you have? Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 As for next year, I'll happily bet you right now, Conn, that Patriots don't make it to the Super Bowl next year. How much confidence do you have? Man, it's so hard these days to make it two in a row. Let's see the composition of the team first. Belichick is not afraid to dump players and Ty Law's contract is due for a $9 million cap hit. They're hoping to rewrite the contract to make if more cap friendly; obviously, they were unable to do that with Lawyer Milloy right before the first game of the season. Damien Woody's contract expires in 2004 as well. Not sure if he will be kept. On the positive side, the team has two 1st, two 2nd, and three 3rd picks in the 2004 draft. (I just love the way BB and Scott Pioli work their magic. ) In addition, we will see the return of LB Roosevelt Colvin, who was supposed to be one of the prize plumbs of free agency. He's been out with a fractured hip all year. Old but steady Center, Mike Compton will also be returning from injury. Let's see who will be on the team first. Team personnel changes so dramatically each year in the NFL. The Pats will basically have the same people, but I'm curious about the makeup of the other teams. In the meantime, let's just focus on winning this year's Super Bowl. I agree with ESPN's Sean Salisbury that the Panthers match up with us pretty well. They've got a tough defensive line and their secondary is as physical as ours. Quote
JSngry Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 "On paper" picks - Eagles & Colts. My brain says Carolina's been playing good solid, fundamentally sound ball all season and shows no signs of stopping now, whereas Philly's been kinda up and down (admittedly up lately), and with them, you never can predict when it's gonna be "up" or when it's gonna be "down". Shit happens, right Cheeseheads? My brain also tells me that although Manning seem to be on a mission from God this season that in football, Hell is not hot, it's cold, and Foxboro is it's name. My gut tells me that this is the year for non-glamour, so it'll be Carolina and the Pats, w/the extra non-glam Panthers winning the Bowl since it's in Houston and there's a BUNCH of Cajuns around Houston. Never, EVER, underestimate the power of a bunch of Cajuns all "on the same page", so to speak. You do so at your peril. Paper, brain, gut. Which one to trust? Gut, obviously, and this time it and the brain were on the same page (wish that happened more often...). Shoulda known... And watch out for that "Cajun Power" in the Bowl. Sounds "non-relevant" I know, but believe me when I tell you it's not... BTW, the Dallas teams of the early 90s had GREAT defenses. Dave W. is STILL living off of that. The end came when the salary cap went into effect. The first of many instances to come of Jerry Jones shooting himself in the foot. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 Congrats on those "gut" picks, Jim. I obviously had trouble caring about the winner of the Eagles-Carolina game as my full focus was on the other game. If I had thought it through, I would have went for Carolina. The Eagles have looked awful recently. Quote
Soulstation1 Posted January 19, 2004 Author Report Posted January 19, 2004 (edited) my stone cold lock picks were "stoned" cold at this point what is the sense of playing the super bowl. i wanted to see "the edge" on media day at the superbowl i lost $15 yesterday son of a gun soag1 Edited January 19, 2004 by Soulstation1 Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 Pats have been covering the spread all season. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 (edited) Hey Chris: Super Bowl will be a big snoozer for you. Carolina thinks defense first as well. They look like a younger version of the Patriots. That DT Kris Jenkins is a load. Check out Pasquarelli's comments on espn.nfl. Pasquarelli says Keyshaun wants to play for the Pats and that Troy Brown's contract needs to be reworked. Sorry, I'll keep Troy over Keyshaun any day. I'd bet BB is thinking the same way. Edited January 19, 2004 by connoisseur series500 Quote
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