I am debating as
to a nickname for this Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXXVI to be exact.
Could call it Chucky Bowl, because of Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden’s
resemblance to a certain classic film star, as well as the fact
he coached Oakland, the AFC Champions, last year.
The All-Mouth Super Bowl would also fit. On one side, we have Warren
Sapp, who’s in his own league when it comes to interviews.
Tampa Bay also has Keyshawn Johnson, who is anything but old school
when it comes to demeanor.
Oakland is smooth confidence. Bill Romanowski once talked so much
trash that he didn’t have time to swallow excess saliva, causing
spit to fly out of his mouth into an opposing player’s helmet.
A lot of media analysts are declaring it the Sexy Super Bowl, mainly
because of Oakland’s highest-rated offense against the No.
1 defense of Tampa Bay. However, sexy is not a term to be used here.
These are guys with faces only momma could love, not faces on the
cover of GQ.
No, I think I’ll call this Super Bowl what I always end up
calling it: The Game.
It’s simple, yet refined.
Of course, my three other choices (well, except for the “sexy”
incident) are true. Gruden is a great coach who Oakland let go to
Tampa Bay for a paltry $8 million and draft picks. Tampa Bay used
it to their advantage, making it to “The Game” for the
first time in history.
Oakland didn’t seem to be fazed all that much, taking an unknown
Bill Callahan as their head coach on the way to a 11-5 record and
home field advantage in the playoffs.
This is a different Tampa Bay offense from years past. Quarterback
Brad Johnson was sensational the last two months of the season.
Oakland’s defense is a tough group of guys. Romanowski is the
definition of what a football player should be. He’s tough,
arrogant and leaves every last drop of blood and guts on the field.
The entire front seven will have to be on their toes, flying around
and hitting Tampa Bay’s very large and athletic wide receivers
early and often.
Tampa Bay has major players at every position. Ronde Barber won
the NFC Championship Game with that huge interception return to
put Tampa Bay up 27-10. Linebacker Derrick Brooks was AP Defensive
Player of the Year, deservedly so.
He’s a madman, running to the ball and creating havoc wherever
he goes.
The man stopped Mike Vick, declaring a man the rest of the league
was afraid of, to be human. Now that is impact. Simeon Rice is the
extreme pass-rusher. He will rush at Oakland’s Rich Gannon
every play, daring Gannon’s ancient body to run. Sapp creates
a monster presence in the middle. He has the uncanny ability to
act like he is being blocked, then at the last moment create separation
and make a huge tackle.
Oakland, however, does have a high-powered offense. Gannon was the
league MVP for throwing it to all of the different options he has.
Jerry Rice, the best wide receiver ever, still caught 92 passes
this year. He’s no longer a touchdown threat, but as a possession
wide receiver he is still the best. Charlie Garner caught 91 passes
out of the backfield, adding to the options at Gannon’s disposal.
Jerry Porter is the big threat for the Raiders, as he is the guy
who will try to match up with a slower Safety and run straight down
the field for a long TD. He is the X-factor for this Oakland offense.
In my opinion Tampa Bay will win, 24-17. The Raiders will stage
one last comeback drive, but Gannon will run out of steam and will
be the meat of a Sapp-Rice sandwich to end the game. |
