Is The U.S. Getting Ready To Lose The Super Bowl To London?

I’ve never been a fan of NFL games being played abroad and to be honest I just don’t get the point. When you compare the infrastructure of the league to other professional sports leagues the NFL is clearly head and shoulders above the NBA, MLB and NHL. They market like crazy and turn profits as often as a NASCAR driver turns left. So why punish the fans who made the NFL what it is today by moving it out of the country?

Pre-season games were one thing but then they led to regular season games and now representatives from the Mayor of London's office and Visit London, the city's official visitor organization, have received assurances from the NFL that there is a commitment to bring the Super Bowl there in 2014 according to an English newspaper, The Telegraph. While I admit that this is a genius business decision it is a horrible PR decision that will most likely have lasting consequences.

The Euro is killing the American Dollar in the world markets. The additional money to be made by moving the biggest single sporting event of the year to London is mind blowing and apparently worth the risk to the league’s management. However, the knowledge of being sold out to the highest bidder is something that fans will remember for a long time.

Marketing strategies can sometimes be too good, like selling the Super Bowl for possibly billions of extra dollars to gain the biggest payday in the history of the sport. The problem is that another strategy will be needed to win back the fans here in the United States when it’s over.

Super Bowl Doesn’t Disappoint

Eli Manning’s game winning drive against the New England Patriots last February was one of the greatest moments in Super Bowl history capping one of the greatest Super Bowls to be played. Who would have thought that a year later it would have been topped by the Steelers and Cardinals?

After Pittsburgh’s James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a score the Steelers seemed to be in control with a 17-7 halftime lead. However, after bumping their lead to 20-7, Pittsburgh inexplicably decided to move their safeties all the way back to Miami leaving Larry Fitzgerald all the room he needed to make the type of big plays we’ve come accustomed to seeing from him in the playoffs. The combination of deep safeties and Arizona’s version of Tecmo Bowl made for one of the greatest 4th quarters the NFL’s biggest game has ever seen.

There are, and will continue to be, rumblings about unfair officiating and while there are some interesting arguments out there I’m not buying it. Both teams made some stupid penalties throughout Arizona just made more. I for one appreciate the fact that the officials didn’t penalize Santonio Holmes for his end zone tribute to Lebron James. In the same way they didn’t penalize the Cardinals for their team celebration following Fitzgerald’s 64-yard 4th quarter explosion.
Were there blown calls in the game? Sure there were! Yes, the Cardinal fans have a gripe but so does every other fanbase whose team has lost a heartbreaking contest in the final seconds. That’s what makes the game great! What would be the Super Bowl be without controversy? Controversy is what creates greatness and this game was absolutely great!

Super Colts

Congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts who overcame a start about as sloppy as the weather in Miami to win Super Bowl XLI 29-17 over the Chicago Bears. Here are some final thoughts on the game.

Peyton Manning was named Super Bowl MVP but did he deserve it? Manning did throw for 247 yards and a touchdown with one interception but Dominic Rhodes averaged 5.4 yards per carry going for 113 yards and a score. Joseph also rushed for 77 yards as well as racking up 66 receiving yards on 10 catches. Part of me thinks that Manning’s MVP award could be somewhat of a lifetime achievement award.

Was Rex Grossman as bad as he looked? I’m going to buy into the sloppy conditions caused sloppy play theory here. The tide did turn quickly for Grossman and the Bears but he did complete 71.4% of his passes and had a touchdown. Granted there were some fumbles and interceptions in there as well but before you pick on him to much name another part of the Bears offense that was effective.

Would the game had been different had Cedric Benson not gotten injured? I say no! Benson had two carries. The first was a fumble and on the second one he was injured. Chicago accomplished all they were going to in the running game with Jones.

Sloppy Bowl Halftime Report

16 – 14 Colts, Six turnovers in the first half between these two teams! Yes, I would say the weather is affecting the game.

How about Devin Hester’s opening kick-off! Take that away and the Bears are in serious trouble in this game. How about Vinatieri’s missed field goal just before the half! How huge was that to keep the Bears within 2 points.

For the Colts to win they just need to continue doing what they were doing in the first-half. Keep the Bears offense off the field and keep Peyton Manning in rhythm.

For the Bears to win they have to capitalize on Indy mistakes and move the ball and quit making mistakes of their own. Rex Grossman is going to have to make some plays for the Bears to have a chance and they are either going to have to start making tackles or get out of the zone defense.

Thanks to all who joined us on the message board in the first-half. See you again in the second!

Super Bowl Game Thread

Check in here early and often to leave your comments about the Super Bowl. The thread has been up so that you can post before, during and after the game. It should be a very entertaining one!

Blogging the NFL – Super Bowl

Stop by here and post your Super Bowl predictions. If you have been in the play-offs contest with us then you are picking for pride unless your screen name is true2osu to which we simply must say congrats.

If you have not been a part of the play-offs contest then go ahead and show us what you are made of anyway.

No Dirt from the Super Bowl
So far there has been no dirt come from the Super Bowl interviews. No trash talking or name calling, nothing but a bunch of respect for the other team. Who do these guys think they are? Where are Jerramy and Joey Porter when you need them?

Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison both enjoyed long visits with the media on Tuesday.

Singletary is a Legit Candidate for Cowboys
Who knows what Jerry Jones is thinking when it comes to hiring a new head coach but I do know two things for certain. First, there will not be an announcement today introducing a new coach like some media outlets suggest. Secondly, Mike Singletary is a legitimate candidate.

There was speculation that the former Chicago Bears All-Pro was getting the required “minority” interview but simple logic tells you that you don’t meet with a guy for seven hours as a courtesy.

Niners/Raiders to Build Stadium Together?
The San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders are considering building a joint stadium in Santa Clara. 49ers owner John York met with Raiders management about the possibility late in the season.

The Raiders current lease in Oakland expires in four years, near the time the 49ers hope to have their new stadium built.

Your Super Bowl Winner Is

Da Bears - 27-21