Super Bowl XLVI The Return of Giants vs Patriots

Wherever and however you are viewing this today, thank you for making this a part of your busy day. The Super Bowl is upon us! The New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots in Indianapolis. Unless you have been living under a rock you have seen the headlines. Most of the speculation surrounds star tight end Rob Gronkowski’s and how he will be able to play with a high ankle sprain. Another major headline: will Eli Manning now be considered better than brother Peyton if he wins a second ring? I want to cut all of this speculation out and just look at this game as we would normally.

Eli Manning- Setting his sites on getting
out of Peyton's shadow.

Let’s pretend this is not the Super Bowl, but a game with teams coming off bye weeks at the same time. Both teams had two weeks to prepare for this game. Also, factor in that they played earlier and the Giants won.  Then include the way each team played their last game. Both teams played solid defensive games that ensured a win. What this says is that the game will be close and will be determined late in the game. I would guess it will come down to turnovers and who has the ball last.

Sure fire locks to this game:  Both Eli and Brady are great on final drives with the game on the line. While New York’s pass rush has been great, they do not play well against two tight end sets, which New England will be playing a lot. New England does not have a great defense, but they play within their ability and are well-coached. The defenses are even. Special Teams are about even with a slight edge to New York because of kicker Tynes who has big game experience. It all comes down to two players...

  Brady vs. Manning

The winner will be determined on the shoulders of both quarterbacks. This has been Eli’s best season, and Tom Brady has been his regular, terrific self. This game is on them. Whoever plays better will win the game. From that perspective, I pick Brady.  (My mom just died a little from that pick) I want Eli to win. Personally, even being from Tennessee, I have always favored Eli to Peyton because he is the underdog. This win would bring him out of Peyton’s shadow for good, but I can’t pick him over Brady. Brady has overcome just as much as Eli.

Tom Brady- There is a reason every time
we list top QB's he is in the top 3.

I am basing my decision of what team will win on three BIG things. One, I will take Brady over Eli. Two, the Giants won earlier and how hard is it to win twice against a great coached team? (Ask LSU) And three I will take the better head coach Bill Billichick (NE) over Tom Coughlin (NY). Sorry Mom, please don’t hate me! I am taking the Patriots 23-20 over the Giants.

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One foot, Bad Thumb, No Problem for Ben!

Wherever and however you are reading this today, thank you for making the Gray Matters part of your busy day.  Ben Roethlisberger may just be the toughest NFL player in the game. In the second quarter, Ben was knocked out of the game when a defensive lineman landed on his ankle.  The high ankle sprain injury keeps most professional athletes sidelined for three to four weeks, but not “Big Ben.” Already playing with a fractured thumb, Ben once again led the Steelers to victory.

This guy is old school.  Ben is a throwback player to the early days of football when the only way you got out of the game is if a broken bone was through the skin. Looking at his injuries over his career would lead most to believe he was a motocross rider or a daredevil.  With all the Tebow talk lately about his desire to win, people should be directing their attention to Roethlisberger. No one knows just how long he can keep this up, but I would imagine he won’t quit until he is forced to or physically cannot. Not many quarterbacks connect with their city more than Ben. Pittsburgh is known for being tough town and the Steelers embody the blue collar mentality of their city. Brad Kiesel said it best: “When Ben is hurt it just seems to work out well for us.”  It’s because he is always fighting some injury late in the season when the playoff race is in a full sprint.

Coaches and analysts say “attitude reflects leadership.” No one can deny that tough attitude reverberates through Steelers entire team. One thing is for certain. Every time an opponent lines up against Ben, he will do whatever it takes to win. The Steelers’ next challenge is against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. With a few extra days to recover, you can bet #7 will be ready come game time.

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In Tebow Denver Trusts.

Wherever and however you are viewing this today, thank you for making this blog part of your day. Tebowing is a term that has been brought up in the media and twitter trends the last few weeks. What is Tebowing? By definition it is to get down on one knee and pray, even if everyone else around you is doing something else.  Tebowmania has swept across the nation since starting quarterback Kyle Orton was replaced by Tim Tebow just a few weeks ago in San Diego.  Tebow just might be the most polarizing quarterback in the NFL next to Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles.  The main difference is that Vick is hated for dog fighting while Tebow is disliked for his strong faith in Christianity. Or is he hated for being an unconventional quarterback? Maybe he is just too good of a person? Whatever the reason, there is a clear division of those who support Tebow and those who want to see him fail.

Tebow strong in faith and character

In college, he was one the greatest players ever to play the game capturing two national championships, a Heisman trophy, and dominating the best conference in college football. Tim is now in the NFL trying to continue his success with more pressure than he ever faced at Florida. He has a coaching staff who did not draft him. No legitimate play makers to aid him in winning games.  Yet, Tebow is now 4-1 as a starting quarterback this season.  He has the support of his teammates, most notably star corner back Champ Bailey. Bailey has spoken out several times to the media expressing how special Tebow is to the team. The big question is can Tebow win a Super Bowl?

2008 National Championship

Yes, he can. With the commitment from the Broncos organization, Tebow can win. In order to win, they have to build a team that fits his style of play.   A good example is the Eagles with Michael Vick, who is surrounded by extremely fast and versatile players.  The Eagles use Vick’s ability to run and pass to the full advantage of the team. Philly will use their screen passing game to set up for the running attack. Vick can attack the line of scrimmage like he is going to run only to flip the ball to running back LeSean McCoy. Coach Andy Reid makes it simple: get the ball to your best players. Denver needs to draft fast receivers who can stretch the field vertically and a versatile back to run inside to wear the defense out. By drafting those types of players, it will give Tebow the best opportunity to be successful.

Fox must commit to Tebow's play style

With Tebow, the coaching staff knows they are going to get the hardest working player in the NFL. He wants to get better at passing the ball. He is willing to do whatever it takes to win games. Tebow is exactly what everyone wants in a quarterback as a leader and as a role model.  He just needs time to develop into a better passer. He may never be a John Elway throwing the football, but Tebow could win like him.  Most people want to see Tim succeed in the NFL and prove all the naysayers wrong.  Only time will truly tell if he will be given the opportunity to bring a championship back to Denver. Whatever side you are on, it is most definitely Tebow Time!

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