So Super Bowl XLI is history.
The 41st version of the National Football League's post merger championship should be remembered as the Scripted Bowl, in that there weren't many surprises. As predicted, Peyton Manning had little trouble leading the Colts to victory, flawlessly running an Indianapolis offense that dominated the Bears in every statistical catagory. As expected, erratic Chicago Quarterback Rex Grossman imploded on the biggest sporting stage that this continent has to offer. As anticipated, Devin Hester spent the first 13 seconds of XLI showing the world that he is quickly becoming Football's most electrifying game breaker. Even Prince, as mandated, showed that he is not the riskee showstopper of a decade ago, nor is he an over the hill fogee, but a pleasant, albeit thoroughly uninteresting medium.
As time passes however, Super Bowl XLI should also be remembered as an NFL crossroads where torch was passed, from fading dynasty, to a possible heir apparent, and from the game's Golden Boy to the game's ultimate student.
The Colts played with an aire of poise and confidence rarely before seen, in giving Chicago a thrashing that was not done justice by the final score. This performance as well as its predecessor, Indianapolis' thrilling come from behind victory over its biggest tormentor, New England in the Conference Championship may be an indication that the Colts are, at long last ready to usurp the Patriots as perennial AFC favourites.
The struggles of the Colts over the last several seasons were mirrored by their leader. Manning was repeatedly forced to settle for individual records while the one prize that he valued most, a championship, was won by the Tom Brady led Patriots 3 times. Perhaps XLI did not have that one defining moment that would undoubtebly etche itself into our minds and memories. A moment like Steve Young, on the sidelines in the waning moments of a fifth 49ers championship, a game in which Young threw for a record 6 touchdown passes, jubulantly shouting, 'will somebody take this monkey off my back' - a reference to the immense pressure of playing in San Francisco, and in 4 time Super Bowl Champion and city icon Joe Montana's shadow. Or a moment such as 37 year old John Elway hurling himself towards the goal line, hammered by two Green Bay Packers coming from opposite sides, spinning Elway like a helicopter propeller, but landing and gaining a crucial 1st down, that would result in a Denver Touchdown, that would contribute to Elway's 1st Super Bowl victory and also contrivute to another moment, Elway triumphantly hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy, grinning from ear to ear.
Manning may not have provided us with any one specific visual to be linked to XLI but he, like Elway and Young before him has shedded his, 'greatest Quarterback never to have won a Super Bowl', label, and has added his name to the 'greatest Quarterback ever' debate.
Then again, maybe the moment in question came at the very end, with Manning walking onto the field as time expired, wearing a subdued grin, equal parts relief, and satisfaction. The look of a man weary from years of battle, but now victorious. The look of a man sincerely content.
The 41st version of the National Football League's post merger championship should be remembered as the Scripted Bowl, in that there weren't many surprises. As predicted, Peyton Manning had little trouble leading the Colts to victory, flawlessly running an Indianapolis offense that dominated the Bears in every statistical catagory. As expected, erratic Chicago Quarterback Rex Grossman imploded on the biggest sporting stage that this continent has to offer. As anticipated, Devin Hester spent the first 13 seconds of XLI showing the world that he is quickly becoming Football's most electrifying game breaker. Even Prince, as mandated, showed that he is not the riskee showstopper of a decade ago, nor is he an over the hill fogee, but a pleasant, albeit thoroughly uninteresting medium.
As time passes however, Super Bowl XLI should also be remembered as an NFL crossroads where torch was passed, from fading dynasty, to a possible heir apparent, and from the game's Golden Boy to the game's ultimate student.
The Colts played with an aire of poise and confidence rarely before seen, in giving Chicago a thrashing that was not done justice by the final score. This performance as well as its predecessor, Indianapolis' thrilling come from behind victory over its biggest tormentor, New England in the Conference Championship may be an indication that the Colts are, at long last ready to usurp the Patriots as perennial AFC favourites.
The struggles of the Colts over the last several seasons were mirrored by their leader. Manning was repeatedly forced to settle for individual records while the one prize that he valued most, a championship, was won by the Tom Brady led Patriots 3 times. Perhaps XLI did not have that one defining moment that would undoubtebly etche itself into our minds and memories. A moment like Steve Young, on the sidelines in the waning moments of a fifth 49ers championship, a game in which Young threw for a record 6 touchdown passes, jubulantly shouting, 'will somebody take this monkey off my back' - a reference to the immense pressure of playing in San Francisco, and in 4 time Super Bowl Champion and city icon Joe Montana's shadow. Or a moment such as 37 year old John Elway hurling himself towards the goal line, hammered by two Green Bay Packers coming from opposite sides, spinning Elway like a helicopter propeller, but landing and gaining a crucial 1st down, that would result in a Denver Touchdown, that would contribute to Elway's 1st Super Bowl victory and also contrivute to another moment, Elway triumphantly hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy, grinning from ear to ear.
Manning may not have provided us with any one specific visual to be linked to XLI but he, like Elway and Young before him has shedded his, 'greatest Quarterback never to have won a Super Bowl', label, and has added his name to the 'greatest Quarterback ever' debate.
Then again, maybe the moment in question came at the very end, with Manning walking onto the field as time expired, wearing a subdued grin, equal parts relief, and satisfaction. The look of a man weary from years of battle, but now victorious. The look of a man sincerely content.
posted by average john at 10:34 PM
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