Manning Wins the Super Bowl

Ok. The above statement doesn't seem too out of place; until you realize that it wasn't Peyton. Anyone who says that they saw this coming even a month ago is probably being a little less than truthful. A few things came to my mind...

• It was cool to watch a brother root for another in such an authentic way
• Could the dynasty over the next few years be how many Manning SB wins there will be?
• How unfulfilled must the Patriots feel?
• that play where Eli escaped the sack, and then heaved the ball to Tyree (who made and incredible catch) could be a career defining play
• was Belicheck leaving the field before the game was officially over an act of emotion or of poor sportsmaship?
• The Pats offensive line had the worst game of theor careers I think
• Congrats to the Giants.
• I'll probably watch the Pro Bowl; because thats it for football until August!

Man of faith

Its a pretty good thing when your character and faith in God outshines your ability to coach a Super Bowl winner... great photo

Super Bowl Recap

The game is over the Colts (be careful how you type) are champs. Its cool to see Peyton win one. It's also cool to see a coach. team, and organization that is built around doing things the right way get it done. Its also really cool to see it be done by a coach who is a Christ Follower and not afraid to say so and place the praise in a proper way. You can just tell that iti s much more genione than the typical "I'd like to thank God..." speech we have come to expect from athletes and performers.
From a purely sports aspect, I posted here a breakdown of how I thought things were. This post is about reviewing these points. We'll see if my predictions/ assumptions panned out.

QB: While neither guy had a spectacular game by any means Peyton did what has become the reason I think they won it this year. He did what he could and didnt try too much, except that first quarter interception. Rex never got a rythmn going. I think he is being given WAY too much blame for the loss.
RB: Once the fumble fest subsuded in the 2nd quarter, most of these guys were steady. Like I previously mentioned, no rythm for the Bears/
WR: Reggie Wayne had the biggest play of the night on a busted coverage. Someone always seems to come through for the Colts.
TE: Dallas Clark was all he was expected to be and Desmond no where to be found.
OL: I'll have to mark this one a push. Neither team was great here but there were no major faux pas either. Just solid mediocre football by both squads.
DL: The Bears were doing theor best to get after Peyton but after the bomb to Wayne they backed off big time. Fairly solid against the run. The Colts stopped the run and made Rex the deciding factor; they win becaue they executed their game plan.
LB: Urlacher is just amazing. He is everywhere and playing what seems to be the right position every time. The Bears did not lose for his lack of effort.
DB: Even without Harper for the full game the Colts did enough here to stop the run and never gave the big pass away.
Kick D: The Bears win becuse they were just OK.
Kick Returns: Hester is an animal! The fact that he ran the opener back led to a success for the Colts when they squibbed it and it was fumbled. The Bears then pulled him the next time just so the Colts would actually kick off. He's truly a game changer.
Punter: Maynard never really got the chance to change the field on the Colts; Smith did his job (except that he botched that xtra point)
Place Kicker: Vinatieri actually missed a Super Bowl kick! Both guys got 1 through: PUSH

In my original post I had 6-5 Bears, this post gamer makes it 7-3 Colts. They just simply executed their plan better than the Bears. A good game. Interesting to say the least with the weather. Both teams should be contenders again next season. Great times for the upper midwest!!!

Christ Followers in the spotlight

I asked in a previous post if Lovie and Tony would be recognized or remembered for their abilities rather than their race. Add to that the story of their faith. I'm glad someone is noticing.

ESPN Article

Super Bowl Breakdown

Thought that I would take a look at the positions in the matchup and see who has an advantage.

Quarterback:
Not much to say here; easily the most one sided comparison.
Colts

Running Backs:
Both teams have a quality two back attack. Very similar to each other in this aspect. I'm giving a slight edge to Jones and Benson because they are better at catching passes out of the backfield.
Bears

Wide Recievers:
Muhammed is always underrated and Berrian has had a great season but Harrison and Wayne are in the elite class.
Colts

Tight Ends:
Good players on both teams here but Dallas Clark is a versatile weapon.
Colts

Offensive Line:
Both teams are running the ball well and protecting their QB. Would be a push except Indy has been drawing sevral penalties per game of late.
Bears

Defensive Line:
The Indy front's new commitment to stopping the run makes them lethal. The Bears are just SOLID. Both lines get after the QB well.
PUSH

Linebackers:
Just like the wideouts, one team is good but the other has top shelf talent at this position. Urlacher and Briggs, enough said.
Bears

Defensive Backs:
Both teams are kinda beat up, especially at the safeties. Bob Sanders has proven to be the missing link and gives the slight advantage.
Colts

Kick Defense:
This has been the weakest link in the Indy arsenal all 3 weeks.
Bears

Kick Returns:
Devin Hester... period
Bears

Punter
Smith is a top-shelf kicker; Maynard is a field position weapon
Bears

Place Kicker
Gould has been incredible with a capital I, especially considering he is outdoors in Chicago. But you cannot go against the guy who has already made two game winners in the Super Bowl.
Colts

Final tally: 6-5 Bears. I think that this game will be much closer than people are giving credit; unless Rex implodes. If you are a wagering person, I'd take the 7 and run with them right now.

Are you this dedicated? How much do you love your team?

I had to comment on this article. This woman actually had her labor inuced so her husband could go to the game. What does that say about us? priorities? Are we this dedicated to our church, families, and being a christ follower? hmmmmm

Who will you root for?

Well the dream SuperBowl for MIchiana football fans has happened. Colts or Bears? I think at first glance it is going to be a good game. I'm sure I'll have plenty mor ein the coming two weeks on this matchup but here are the keys as I see them right now:

• who has the healthiest team? lots of bumps and bruises for both in key areas. week off will help
• Can the Colts D continue their run stopping prowess? If not, Jones and Benson will run up and down the field. If so, Grossman will have the game on his shoulders -- that would make for some excitment.
• will Peyton get past all the media hype to be able to concentrate on the game?
• can Tony and Lovie get credit for being good coaches instead of black coaches?
• will someone offer me a free trip to Miami to watch? (you gotta dream)
• Will Reggie Wayne ever catch another pass?

Looking forward to sitting back and enjoying this one. Can't say that I "prefer" either over the other. Like both of them. Looking forward to the 4th for family time, nachos, commercials, hot wings, and who knows what else. I'm praying Prince double checks his wardrobe b4 going on stage...