Super Bowl Time
Troy Senik, Ed. ·
February 3, 2012 at 6:38pm
Just moments ago, Meghan Clyne, Diane Ellis, Keith Urbahn and I concluded recording the long-overdue return of "The Young Guns" podcast. There are many reasons to listen (not least Diane's demonstration of some remarkable vocal gymnastics), but this episode also has upped the stakes for this weekend's Super Bowl. Ms. Clyne, an unrepentant New York Giants fan, and myself -- a New England Patriots supporter -- have a wager that will determine how the next episode of the podcast begins.
We've planted our flags. How about you? Who are you pulling for this weekend and why? And what will be greater -- the number of points scored or the number of worthwhile commercials?
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Comments:
May '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
... continued from above - what 200 word limit?
They both suck in pass defense and are both about equally substandard in run defense.
The Giants had a mediocre season, but are peaking at the right time - Eli has something to prove. But betting against Tom Brady is always a dangerous proposition.
I look for a high scoring game likely decided by turnovers. I'll take the Pats by a touchdown (maybe 35-28, unless someone actually wants to bet, in which case I'll back off to 2 1/2 points.) This is mainly because I remain devastated by New York beating my Packers (yeah, I know, no defense, but neither do the Giants) and I just can't abide the Lombardi trophy going going to such a blatant bastion of liberalism.
May '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
Katievs, Brady was drafted in the 6th round, but due to some administrative matters, he was in the supplemental draft. But it is still as much of a draft as the regular event.
I like Eli, good kid. But Brady's aunt lives next door to us, and I take care of the dogs when they go to Foxboro to attend games in the luxury box with Mr. & Mrs. Tom Sr. So I have to be loyal, even though both Massachusetts and NY are unrepentant blue states (the color of the Ricochet logo.....)
May '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
Don Seim: ... continued from above - what 200 word limit?
They both suck in pass defense and are both about equally substandard in run defense.
The Giants had a mediocre season, but are peaking at the right time - Eli has something to prove. But betting against Tom Brady is always a dangerous proposition.
I look for a high scoring game likely decided by turnovers. I'll take the Pats by a touchdown (maybe 35-28, unless someone actually wants to bet, in which case I'll back off to 2 1/2 points.) This is mainly because I remain devastated by New York beating my Packers (yeah, I know, no defense, but neither do the Giants) and I just can't abide the Lombardi trophy going going to such a blatant bastion of liberalism. · 4 minutes ago
The only bright part of this NFL season was seeing the Packers 1) lose to KC, then 2) choke at home in their first playoff round.... (broad grin)
May '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
Choosing between New York and Boston? It's the Land of the Insufferable vs the Land of Boorishly Provincial. Is there a way to swing it so that both lose?
Out in the wilds of fly-over country, we ask the eternal question "How do the Cleveland Browns make it to the Super Bowl?" Answer: One ex-player at a time.
This year the privilege goes to DT Gerard Warren of the Patriots, who graduated from the Browns after the 2004 season.
Dec '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
EJHill:
Out in the wilds of fly-over country, we ask the eternal question "How do the Cleveland Browns make it to the Super Bowl?" Answer: One ex-player at a time.
I haven't heard that one before - hilarious! When it comes to the NFL, I usually root for whichever team has a former UO Duck on the roster. In this case, the Giants have Spencer Paysinger and the Pats have Patrick Chung. Therefore no clear cut favorite.
Mar '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
I'll probably DVR the game and fast-forward from commercial break to commercial break.
Which is which? I'm always getting this one wrong.
Mar '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Vince Wilfork, Wes Welker, Tom Brady. Gronk will play, health issues and all.
Oh, and the 4th Quarter: TCB's magic quarter. And 2008? There will be blood in the water after 2008.
Jan '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Actually, I think this could be an exciting Super Bowl. Tom Brady is, well, Tom Brady, and Eli Manning is Mr. Clutch this year (he set the record for most 4th quarter touchdowns). The defenses have been lit up at times ... and that means that neither team will be out of it.
Look for how the officials call the game. If the refs call a few penalties early, especially if they're ticky-tack interference calls, the teams will adjust, and get more cautious - meaning they'll take fewer chances, and give a less exciting game.
If they call holding penalties early, that'll free up the pass rush. If they call holding, especially against the Patriots, then the Giants' pass rush will come strong, and limit Brady.
The key to stopping Brady is not just pressure, but pressure up the middle. When the rush is directly in front of him, no quarterback ... not even Brady ... will be very good. The funny thing about the Giants is that Eli has been under pressure all year, but he's managed to adjust.
How they call the game will make a lot of difference, especially this year.
I'll guess Giants win.
Apr '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Well, since you asked . . .
I overheard something at the gym last night, so I asked if this were SB weekend. I didn't know who the contestants were until I saw the graphic for this post.
I gave up on professional sports in 7th grade, when Cal Griffith sold off Roy Sievers; I didn't even notice 2 years later when he took the whole team to Minneapolis .
I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I know what cities this year's SB teams "represent". My only excuse is an undisciplined and weirdly retentive memory.
Thus ends my SB participation for A.D. 2012.
Apr '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Oh Duane, how could you.
No need to be quite so gleeful about it.
Where's EThompson on this thread? I bet she's got some major plans for Sunday.
Packers notwithstanding, I absolutely love Superbowl Sunday as a glorious secular American holiday. Looking forward to it--Mr. Charlotte will be grilling cheeseburgers, and I shall make some fresh guacamole and a batch of brownies. It almost won't matter who is playing.
Almost.
Apr '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
I will cheer for the Giants. I am an Eli fan. Got to see his father play back in high school. My team always won, but Archie was a joy to watch. I have been a fan of the Mannings ever since. Living in Las Vegas, I will make a bunch of proposition bets and just enjoy watching the game.
May '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
Need everyone to root for the Giants this Sunday. A market-forecasting indicator using the Super Bowl has had an 80% success rate historically. Looking back at the 45 previous Super Bowls, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has usually finished up for the year after a win by an "original" National Football League team (before the merger with the American Football League), while the market's gone down when the AFL side has won. Go Giants!!! I don't really care all that much about the game. But it's such a great excuse to have a party with friends.
Jan '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Should we have a Ricochet Poll for best SB food?
As long as they include a steady supply of Irish boilermakers (Guinness & Jameson), I'm always up for new recipe ideas. Anyone have any good football food recipes?
Jul '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Unlike most people here I live next to a casino and have walked in and bet already. Large as a matter of fact. Patriots money line -135.
Jul '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
The 8th Biggest Beer Day of the Year
Aug '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
I had Pat's season tickets back in the Grogan days at the old Schaffer Stadium (it was new at the time.) After all the fights on a Monday night game, they banned Monday night games and they banned all but non-alcoholic beer. We invented both the fake camera and the fake binocular flasks. I moved away, but my old buddies have kept the seats. They're now on the fifty in row 28.
So I'll be rooting for my boys. Gronk won't have to catch a ball with his helmet to win this one.
Pats 41, Giants 28.
Edited on February 3, 2012 at 10:27pmMar '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Doug: Have you been to a game at Gilllette yet? I've seen several concerts there, and a game or two, but my first game (youngan days we're talkin' now) was in old Foxboro. Thoughts?
Dec '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
I'll go with the Giants, though both teams are merely placeholders for my World Champion Jacksonville Jaguars.
KC, this is very tough to beat. Tip: you gotta keep them warm, else they'll turn into a sugary-meaty brick.
Dec '11
Re: Super Bowl Time
Charlotte
Oh Duane, how could you.
Where's EThompson on this thread? I bet she's got some major plans for Sunday.
Really Duane, that was cold! ;)
I am a nervous wreck and may have to remove myself from any public setting, at least for the first half. I'll check in during half time.
Need I say... Go Pats!!
Dec '10
Re: Super Bowl Time
As to commercials, here is a fun one that will apparently only be shown in Canada.