feature The Magical World of Super Bowl Week by Jeff Scott 1 February, 2006
I was talking to a couple of friends of mine about all the festivities surrounding
the Super Bowl. Both of them liked seeing the new commercials and I don't think
they are alone in that feeling. Many people I have talked to think that's one
of the better aspects about the game.
I can still remember a few years ago when about 18-20 dot com companies advertised
during the game. One year later only 4 of them were still in business. Advertisers
know they have the biggest audience of the year, so despite the exorbitant
rates, the league never has a shortage of companies willing to shell out millions
for 30-45 second spots. In Canada , we sometimes miss the bigger commercials
because the CRTC pre-empts the American feed and we get Canadian commercials
instead.
Another new activity that has taken off is the NFL Experience. This is a series
of interactive games and displays that highlight the history of the league
and allow fans access to things they never get to see. It is very popular with
the kids and generally stays in the host city for 1-2 weeks.
My favorite aspect of the week leading up to the game is all the talk about
who will win and why. I know this bores a lot of people but as an analyst,
I love hearing what all the talking heads have to say about the game. I listen
and decide if I think they're making a good point or just blowing hot air.
The media day is a tiresome affair and just serves to remind everyone that
the game is almost upon us. All in all, the pre-week hype isn't as bad as most
people think but a lot of it is just fluff also.
Another part of the pre-week hype is trying to pick who the Super Bowl MVP
may be. Most years an established offensive star (usually a QB) gets the nod
but there have been some players that were surprise choices. A few years ago,
FS Dexter Jackson got the nod when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walloped the Oakland
Raiders. The defense featured established stars like DT Warren Sapp, DE Simeon
Rice, OLB Derrick Brooks and SS John Lynch but it was Jackson who earned the
honors with some big interceptions.
Speaking of multiple picks, Dallas’ CB Larry Brown copped the honors
in 1996 after Pittsburgh Steelers QB Neil O’Donnell drilled him in the
gut with two passes. While O’Donnell looked very bad on those passes,
both were a result of a wrong route being run. Brown was a decent player but
nothing special. He got a lucrative contract from Oakland (that he failed to
live up to) as a result of catching two passes thrown right at him.
A year later, Green Bay’s PR-KR Desmond Howard parlayed some big returns
into the award. He remains the only special teams player to be named MVP. Another
name that was a surprise was WR Fred Biletnikoff in 1977. Freddy was my favorite
player growing up and before the game, the TV analysts compared players on
both teams position by position. Freddy was matched up against Minnesota Viking
WR Ahmad Rashad (yes, Michael Jordan's biggest fan). The analysts gave the
nod to Rashad and I reacted like any 15-year old would when someone slagged
their favorite player: I yelled at the TV, stomped around a bit and then reveled
when he caught three passes at Minnesota’s one-yard line. All led to
TDs.
Who will earn the honors this season? It could be Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger
or Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck. Maybe Seattle’s RB Shaun Alexander or
Pittsburgh’s Jerome Bettis will be worthy. A surprise pick? The Steelers’ WR
Antwan Randle El or one of their LBs could take the honors. The Seahawks? MLB
Lofa Tatupu, WR Darrell Jackson or TE Jerramy Stevens could pull it off. History
has told us that the top offensive player from the winning team will be named
MVP. The only player from the losing team to win was Dallas Cowboys MLB Chuck
Howley. Few defensive players from the winning team have won either.
In the end one of the two QBs is the best bet to win this year.
This week in the Super Bowl I'll side with the Steelers. They are playing
very well on both sides of the ball and I think their defense will be the key.
Well that's my last pick of the year and I need it to be on the right side
of the ledger. Good luck.
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