Friday, February 2, 2007
Super (Bowl) Thoughts
Good morning everyone! Well, I know there are a lot of readers that could care less about football, but it is Super Bowl weekend, so I figured a day in which we get several opinions on the big game is fair. Also, the opinions you will read below are all somehow baseball related, so that is something.
Check out the links page over at JustinMorneau.com!
Honestly, in years past I talked about how I didn't watch a lot of football. But that wasn't true. I have always watched at least Vikings games and had the TV on football the rest of Sundays and then Monday nights. This year, I may have watched a combined two or three Vikings games all year. So, in no way am I an expert. In fact, I'm not even sure if I will watch the game on Sunday. OK, I probably will, if only for the commercials.
With that enthusiastic football lead-in, here are the thoughts and predictions of several great baseball minds (and me) ... talking football!
Seth's Thoughts
First things first, I think that the Bears are boring. I'm a big fan of Brian Urlacher, but the rest of the team, with the exception of that Hester guy, is unexciting. I've always been one of those guys who says that a player's 'greatness' and 'legacy' should not be tied into how his team does or doesn't do in the playoffs. I don't think it's fair, especially in a team sport. Peyton Manning has been bashed for not winning the big game. Well, two weeks ago, he won a big game and helped the Colts to the Super Bowl. Can he win one more big one? I think so. I think that Manning will put on a display and throw for a lot of yards. But I think that the key players will be Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes. They may not run for a lot of yards, but I think that each will score a TD, and more importantly, they will help suck in the safeties. Of course, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne will each have a TD. And for you Gophers fans out there, maybe we can even get one for Ben Utecht! Final Score - Colts 38, Bears 13. MVP - Of course it is going to Manning!
Kyle Waldrop - Twins Pitching Prospect and SethSpeaks' NFL "Expert" Pick Champion!
I'm sticking with my preseason pick and going with my Indy Colts to take it all with a 27-20 victory. Manning will be my MVP with 2 TD's and 275 passing yards. I hope they can take it all and keep my preseason picks right for me!
David Bergner - The Baseball Savant
I think the Colts are going to route the Bears in the worst way. The Bears have young safeties that aren't that great and Manning is going to be able to slice up the secondary with the Colts receivers. Dalls Clark should also have a big game. The Bears are missing All-Pro players at DT and Safety and the Bears defense that was so great early on isn't the same defense it is right now. That is the biggest difference. The Colts are going to score 20-25 points in this game and the big question will be whether or not the Bears can put up close to 30 points to win the game and the Bears on the biggest stage in the world aren't going to blow up offensively. Peyton didn't get this far to lose. He'll carve up the Bears secondary on his way to a Super Bowl MVP and immortality. What people are missing is that this is still the NFC. The Bears beat Seattle and New Orleans. They beat two NFC teams with a combined 19-13 record. The Colts beat Baltimore, New England, and Kansas City. Those teams were a combined 34-14 and they didn't benefit from playing a soft NFC schedule. Hats off to the Bears, but would they have even made the playoffs in the AFC? COLTS 45 BEARS 10
I've got the Colts. I think they are the better team and I hope that Peyton Manning goes out and validates his career with a big game. He's been the best player in the game for some time and now it's his turn to get the big prize. So, Colts and Peyton gets the MVP. Then again, what do I know about the NFL anymore?
Josh Taylor - Taylor's Twins Talk
I think it's going to be a close game - Grossman has played ok in the playoffs, and that's what he's going to do in the Super Bowl - not make any horrible mistakes, not throw any interceptions, and give the Bears defense a chance to make something happen. In the end, the Colts will win - Manning will throw 2 interceptions, but they aren't going to matter in the end. Colts 24, Bears 17. MVP will be one of the Colts wide receivers - for nostalgia sake I'll say Harrison.
Nick Nelson - Nick & Nick's Blog
I think the Colts will dominate the game, with Peyton Manning capturing the MVP award. In my opinion, the only thing stopping the Bears from being the best team in the NFL is their quarterback, and Rex Grossman's uneven play will prevent them from being able to win the game.
Cliff - Bronx Banter
Colts walk, a member of their secondary wins the MVP, Grossman goes down in history of one of the worst quarterbacks ever to reach a Super Bowl, and I'm left wondering why I haven't been inundated with "Super Bowl Shuffle" references yet. C'mon, people, it's Tuesday already, I should have been sick of that stuff a week ago!
Al Bethke - Al's Ramblings
I feel Indy will win easily, 38-13 or so. Peyton will go from a guy who can't win the big game to a star, just like John Elway, and others.
Vic Quick - KTVZ Sports Director
Bears defense will force the Colts to kick field goals. Chicago will score a
touchdown on either on a punt return or interception return.
Bears 20, Colts 16.
MVP brian urlacher
Jonathan Mayo - MiLB.com
The Steelers aren’t in, so I don’t really care. But I’ll go with the Colts, in a closer game than people think – 24-20. I’m going to say that Joseph Addai will be the surprise MVP…
Kyle Geiger - Twins Catching Prospect
Indianapolis : 31
Chicago : 24
Manning: 28-38, 215 yrd., 2 TD 1 INT
Grossman: 21-34, 195 yrd., 1 TD 1 INT
Danny Santiesteban - Twins Outfield Prospect
I think Indianapolis is going to win. Manning will out play Grossman. The MVP will be Manning cause all he needs is to win the big game to top it all to be the best wait and see.....
Kevin Slowey - Twins Pitching Prospect
In my fairly expert opinion, the Colts are your super bowl champs by the
score of 31-14... The MVP will be Marvin Harrison after catching 2TDs and
amassing 100+ yards. Feel free to place your bets on this prediction.
Grant Balfour - Milwaukee Brewers
For the SuperBowl I will go with INDY and Petyon Manning. I think Manning will have a huge game and be the MVP.
Marty Andrade - Martin Andrade Blogs
The game will be close at first, by the end of the first quarter it won't be clear who's in control but by the end of the second quarter the Bears are going to score decisively and will be in control of the game going ino the half. The Chicago defense is going to keep Peyton Manning off his game and the second half is going to be a blowout with Chicago taking a three score lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter.Indianapolis? Chicago?Chicago will dominate defensively as Manning barely holds his own against them in the first half. Grossman is going to play well but the game will be won by Chicago's defense.Will Rex Grossman outplay Peyton Manning?It's not that Grossman is going to outplay Manning, Manning is going to be outplayed by a better Chicago defense in the same manner John Elway was kept out of sync with his receivers in Super Bowl XXIV. It won't be as bad for Peyton Manning as it was for John Elway but I don't see Manning as being particularly effective against Chicago this year.Who will win?Chicago 31-10Who will be the MVP?Brian Urlacher
Now it's your turn. Be sure to post your Super Bowl predictions in the Comments below.
As always, please feel free to e-mail me any time with your thoughts, comments, stories or ideas for future stories.
Have a great weekend!
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