Python
01-26-2007, 11:50 PM
Coaches prepare for the Super Bowl by studying the opponent on videotape and assembling a game plan.
Players prepare by studying videotape, learning the game plan, and practicing the plays.
Editors and writers?
We've been putting together a list of the best story lines to pursue beginning on Jan. 29 -- when the hype machine for Super Bowl XLI cranks into full gear -- and continuing right up to the Feb. 4 kickoff between the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears.
Aside from breaking news and any other stories that might develop unexpectedly, here's a glimpse at some of the topics you can expect us to address in the coming week:
Tony Dungy will get lots of attention, but his matchup with Lovie Smith may get more.
-- Tony Dungy of the Colts and Lovie Smith of the Bears making history as the first African-Americans to coach in a Super Bowl. Dungy and Smith will field endless questions on this topic the moment each sets foot in Miami. They take tremendous pride in their milestone achievement and are willing to discuss it at great length. However, in their eyes, it will be secondary to the challenge of trying to win the game.
-- Peyton Manning playing in his first Super Bowl and finally getting the chance to shed the label of not being able to win the "big one." Manning took a giant step in his career by leading the Colts back from an 18-point deficit to win the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. He will be asked repeatedly to recount the comeback and especially the winning scoring drive that he led in the final moments. He won't like it, but he will be hounded by questions about whether he feels a Super Bowl victory would fill a gaping void in an otherwise brilliant career. He can count on hearing this question over and over: "Do you feel you have anything to prove?"
-- The status of Manning's throwing thumb, which he injured when his hand accidentally collided with the helmet of offensive tackle Tarik Glenn in the AFC title game. Manning, who is one of the NFL's most cooperative players with the media, has had little to say about the thumb beyond telling reporters that he would take part in practices this week and next week. He joked that he attended the "Bill Belichick School of Discussing Injuries," which is another way of saying there would be almost no discussion. It is worth noting that the injury occurred in the fourth quarter and that Manning, despite showing initial discomfort and testing his grip on the ball, did some of his best throwing afterward.
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Have a question for Vic on anything NFL related? Don't just sit there -- send it to [Only registered and activated users can see links], and the best questions will be answered throughout the season right here on NFL.com!
-- Rex Grossman's inconsistent play and the heavy media and fan criticism he received heading into the postseason, especially after admitting to not being prepared for the Bears' meaningless regular-season finale against Green Bay on New Year's Eve. Grossman recovered from his poor finish to the regular season with solid playoff performances. His 75.4 postseason passer rating is actually better than Manning's 68.8. However, Grossman didn't do anything special in the Bears' victory over New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game. Supported by a dominant defense and strong running game, Grossman simply had to avoid major mistakes, which he did by not throwing an interception or losing a fumble. Of course, Super Bowl media will not allow him to forget the fact he had a league-high five games with passer ratings of 40 or lower. Grossman stopped answering questions about the criticism he received before the NFC title game, and was no more willing to address the topic in his postgame news conference. It will be interesting to see how he handles a week of what figures to be uncomfortable interrogation in Miami.
The Colts are playing much better defense with Bob Sanders on the field.
-- The Colts' defensive resurgence in the postseason. The Colts found their defense in the playoffs. The return of Bob Sanders, who had missed 12 regular-season games with a knee injury, has done the most to bring about the improvement. But the unit also has been helped a great deal by a change in attitude. Reporters covering the Super Bowl will explore how Dungy and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks were able to get the members of their defense to play with greater urgency and do a much better job of swarming to the ball. Indianapolis defenders have long tired of the criticism they heard for having the NFL's worst run defense during the regular season. They are bound to be a little bit testy while being asked repeatedly about what went wrong from September through December.
-- The Bears' defensive resurgence in the NFC Championship Game. Before beating up on the Saints, the Bears' defense had experienced a bit of a slump. It gave up an average of 307 passing yards and at least two passing touchdowns in the last four games of the regular season. The Bears also allowed 25 points per game through their last four regular-season games and divisional-round victory over Seattle. Season-ending injuries to safety Mike Brown and tackle Tommie Harris have done the most to weaken what had been a consistently dominant defense during the first half of the regular season. The off-field problems of Tank Johnson, who had been under 24-hour home confinement in Chicago after three arrests in the past 18 months but who has been allowed to travel to Miami because of a judge's ruling, also will figure prominently into this story line.
-- Brian Urlacher. A perennial candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he is another in a long line of great Bears middle linebackers. Is Urlacher the best of them all?
-- Lovie Smith's contractual status. The Bears are expected to extend his deal, which puts Smith at the bottom of the NFL's coaching pay scale, and has one year remaining after the Super Bowl. Still, this subject no doubt will get plenty of play during Super Bowl Week. The question Smith is going to hear, over and over, will be, "Is your contract a distraction?"
-- Dungy's coaching future. Just as he did after the Colts' playoff loss to Pittsburgh last season, Dungy said he would have to ponder whether he would return for another year after the Super Bowl. He already is coaching one season longer than he intended.
-- Devin Hester's remarkable return ability. How will the Colts be able to stop, or even contain, the rookie who had an NFL-record six returns for touchdowns this season (on three punts, two kickoffs and a missed field-goal attempt)?
-- Adam Vinatieri back in the Super Bowl. The Colts' kicker helped New England win three Super Bowls, two directly because of a swing of his "money" leg. Will Mr. Clutch deliver another game winner?
source ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Players prepare by studying videotape, learning the game plan, and practicing the plays.
Editors and writers?
We've been putting together a list of the best story lines to pursue beginning on Jan. 29 -- when the hype machine for Super Bowl XLI cranks into full gear -- and continuing right up to the Feb. 4 kickoff between the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears.
Aside from breaking news and any other stories that might develop unexpectedly, here's a glimpse at some of the topics you can expect us to address in the coming week:
Tony Dungy will get lots of attention, but his matchup with Lovie Smith may get more.
-- Tony Dungy of the Colts and Lovie Smith of the Bears making history as the first African-Americans to coach in a Super Bowl. Dungy and Smith will field endless questions on this topic the moment each sets foot in Miami. They take tremendous pride in their milestone achievement and are willing to discuss it at great length. However, in their eyes, it will be secondary to the challenge of trying to win the game.
-- Peyton Manning playing in his first Super Bowl and finally getting the chance to shed the label of not being able to win the "big one." Manning took a giant step in his career by leading the Colts back from an 18-point deficit to win the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. He will be asked repeatedly to recount the comeback and especially the winning scoring drive that he led in the final moments. He won't like it, but he will be hounded by questions about whether he feels a Super Bowl victory would fill a gaping void in an otherwise brilliant career. He can count on hearing this question over and over: "Do you feel you have anything to prove?"
-- The status of Manning's throwing thumb, which he injured when his hand accidentally collided with the helmet of offensive tackle Tarik Glenn in the AFC title game. Manning, who is one of the NFL's most cooperative players with the media, has had little to say about the thumb beyond telling reporters that he would take part in practices this week and next week. He joked that he attended the "Bill Belichick School of Discussing Injuries," which is another way of saying there would be almost no discussion. It is worth noting that the injury occurred in the fourth quarter and that Manning, despite showing initial discomfort and testing his grip on the ball, did some of his best throwing afterward.
Ask Vic!
Have a question for Vic on anything NFL related? Don't just sit there -- send it to [Only registered and activated users can see links], and the best questions will be answered throughout the season right here on NFL.com!
-- Rex Grossman's inconsistent play and the heavy media and fan criticism he received heading into the postseason, especially after admitting to not being prepared for the Bears' meaningless regular-season finale against Green Bay on New Year's Eve. Grossman recovered from his poor finish to the regular season with solid playoff performances. His 75.4 postseason passer rating is actually better than Manning's 68.8. However, Grossman didn't do anything special in the Bears' victory over New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game. Supported by a dominant defense and strong running game, Grossman simply had to avoid major mistakes, which he did by not throwing an interception or losing a fumble. Of course, Super Bowl media will not allow him to forget the fact he had a league-high five games with passer ratings of 40 or lower. Grossman stopped answering questions about the criticism he received before the NFC title game, and was no more willing to address the topic in his postgame news conference. It will be interesting to see how he handles a week of what figures to be uncomfortable interrogation in Miami.
The Colts are playing much better defense with Bob Sanders on the field.
-- The Colts' defensive resurgence in the postseason. The Colts found their defense in the playoffs. The return of Bob Sanders, who had missed 12 regular-season games with a knee injury, has done the most to bring about the improvement. But the unit also has been helped a great deal by a change in attitude. Reporters covering the Super Bowl will explore how Dungy and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks were able to get the members of their defense to play with greater urgency and do a much better job of swarming to the ball. Indianapolis defenders have long tired of the criticism they heard for having the NFL's worst run defense during the regular season. They are bound to be a little bit testy while being asked repeatedly about what went wrong from September through December.
-- The Bears' defensive resurgence in the NFC Championship Game. Before beating up on the Saints, the Bears' defense had experienced a bit of a slump. It gave up an average of 307 passing yards and at least two passing touchdowns in the last four games of the regular season. The Bears also allowed 25 points per game through their last four regular-season games and divisional-round victory over Seattle. Season-ending injuries to safety Mike Brown and tackle Tommie Harris have done the most to weaken what had been a consistently dominant defense during the first half of the regular season. The off-field problems of Tank Johnson, who had been under 24-hour home confinement in Chicago after three arrests in the past 18 months but who has been allowed to travel to Miami because of a judge's ruling, also will figure prominently into this story line.
-- Brian Urlacher. A perennial candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he is another in a long line of great Bears middle linebackers. Is Urlacher the best of them all?
-- Lovie Smith's contractual status. The Bears are expected to extend his deal, which puts Smith at the bottom of the NFL's coaching pay scale, and has one year remaining after the Super Bowl. Still, this subject no doubt will get plenty of play during Super Bowl Week. The question Smith is going to hear, over and over, will be, "Is your contract a distraction?"
-- Dungy's coaching future. Just as he did after the Colts' playoff loss to Pittsburgh last season, Dungy said he would have to ponder whether he would return for another year after the Super Bowl. He already is coaching one season longer than he intended.
-- Devin Hester's remarkable return ability. How will the Colts be able to stop, or even contain, the rookie who had an NFL-record six returns for touchdowns this season (on three punts, two kickoffs and a missed field-goal attempt)?
-- Adam Vinatieri back in the Super Bowl. The Colts' kicker helped New England win three Super Bowls, two directly because of a swing of his "money" leg. Will Mr. Clutch deliver another game winner?
source ([Only registered and activated users can see links])