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Loading...Well it’s Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday and I wish I could say I was excited about it. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good football game no matter who’s playing, but this one’s not “hiking the ball” for me and it seems like folks in Tooele County and the country for that matter, feel the same way. Everyone I’ve talked to about the game says, “So what? Big deal?” or make some other colorful remark.
Frankly, I was looking forward to a Harbaugh brothers’ rematch, with John coaching Baltimore and Jim coaching San Francisco. I like the “same family” angle and Alex Smith would have been a nice touch for Utah fans. But thanks to special teams, there will be no Ravens vs. Forty-Niners matchup this Sunday.
The Ravens’ kicker Billy Cundiff pulled a potential tying field goal wide left on a 32-yard attempt with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. Worse than that, two plays before, Lee Evans dropped a touchdown pass from Joe Flacco. Those two gifts moved the Patriots on to Super Bowl 46 for the fifth time in eleven seasons — they’ve won four of them.
The 49ers were just as chartable to the Giants. Backup punt returner Kyle Williams was standing in for an injured Ted Ginn Jr., when he fumbled a punt on the 49er’s 24 yard line in overtime, setting up New York’s game winning 31 yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes. Prior to that, Williams got caught in “no man’s land” advancing on an erratically bouncing punt that glanced off his knee, setting up the Giants go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown. Williams was just trying too hard to make something happen in both cases, so now he’s left being the most hated player in San Francisco, death threats and all, for his good intentions.
Really, it’s not his fault. To win football games, your team still has to score points and San Francisco has had trouble doing that for some time now. This game, like many before it, showed again the 49ers’ offensive weaknesses. They were 1-of-13 for third-down conversions and had only one wide receiver with a catch, which came from Michael Crabtree.
You can blame Williams for both unfortunate fumbles, but the one in overtime should never have happened because the 49ers should have moved the ball 30 yards and kicked the game-winning field goal. Instead they went a pathetic three-and-out.
So now we’re stuck with a northeast pairing in Indianapolis this Sunday, kick-off is around 4:30 p.m. If you’re having a hard time getting excited like the rest of us, there is always the commercials, food and getting together with family and friends, which no matter who’s playing, is always a good time.
We’re going to give Richard’s Roundup Barbecue a call in Grantsville Friday and order ribs for pickup Saturday night. They are closed on Sunday, so a Saturday pickup will provide ribs to warm up just around game time. There’s nothing like southern barbecue to brighten your spirits.
Well I guess I should say something about the game, even though interest is waning. Super Bowl 46 should be entertaining for several reasons. Here are a few of them.
Big number 90 for the G-Men, Jason Pierre-Paul is a monster with one thing on his mind — to sack opposing quarterbacks. He could make life hard for Tom Brady.
Also keep an eye on the Giants’ wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks. He’s the best receiver in the playoffs with 18 receptions, 335 yards and four touchdowns. His dominance will help free up fellow receiver Victor Cruz – this is a one-two punch for New York.
Don’t forget about seven-time Pro Bowler Tom Brady, not that he will let you. Despite his dismal showing against the Ravens, the Pat’s QB passed for over 5,000 yards and 39 touchdowns in the regular season, not to mention his 363 yards and six touchdowns against Denver.
You probably haven’t heard of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs? Didn’t think so —these two no-name G-Men running backs aren’t fancy or prolific, but they run clean and never fumble.
The Pats’ tight end Rob Gronkowski is a “beast.” There is no question that he was the best TE in the NFL this season. He’s tough, unstoppable, and a big play maker.
Last but not least watch Eli Manning. The reason the G-Men are playing in the Super Bowl is because Eli has developed his pocket presence and decision making which has resulted in eight touchdowns, one interception and a 103.1 passer rating in the playoffs.
Regardless of the football action, make sure to watch the commercials, they are what make the Super Bowl so “super” to begin with. I’ll see you from the sidelines.
