Looking Back at a Super Game

We Ain't That Bad!

Congrats to the "Who Dat Nation" for an outstanding football game and the first Super Bowl title in Saints history.

The big story in Super Bowl XLIV was the amazingly efficient, smart performance from Drew Brees. 32-of-39 is the best number, considering it tied Tom Brady's Super Bowl record for completions. The 288 yards, two touchdowns and 114.5 QB rating are solid totals as well, but the 7.4 yards per completion stat shows the kind of football Brees loves to play.

He's not going to kill you by throwing it 30-plus yards downfield. But, if you give him space at the second level (which struggling Colts linebackers did in coverage), he will abuse you. There were a couple of the "no, yes" throws that I mentioned last week but he didn't turn the ball over. That wins football games.

Long Island's Finest

Hofstra no longer has a football program, but that doesn't mean the pride of the artists formerly known as the Pride can't shine on the big stage. 106.5 million people (the most watched TV show ever) saw Marques Colston grab seven receptions for 83 yards and nearly 12 yards per catch. The former seventh-round pick had a "gimme" pass go off his face before hauling in some very tough outside routes later on.

Staying with the Saints' receivers, Toledo's Lance Moore (at just 5-foot-9, 190 lbs.) completed one of the most impressive two-point conversions that you'll ever see. Props to the CBS "SuperVision" cameras for picking up that play with some outstanding angles.

The Bayou's Own

I really thought that I'd never hear the name Tracy Porter again after he picked off Brett Favre in the NFC Championship Game. The second-year player, who was born in Louisiana, proved me wrong.

He picked the right time to jump a poorly-executed route by Reggie Wayne and returned a fourth quarter interception of Peyton Manning 74 yards to ice the game at 31-17.

To all of the pundits who are calling Manning a choker-- give up your jobs, now. Peyton threw for over 330 yards and was well on his way to leading another comeback drive. He is still one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game... period.

Tracy Porter made a couple of great signal callers shake their heads on two of the biggest stages possible in the NFL.

RU Rah-Rah

A shameless plug for Rutgers is on its way (cover your eyes if you hate New Jersey).

The Colts' goalline stop in the second quarter was a combined effort by two former Scarlet Knights-- Gary Brackett and Eric Foster.

Brackett, Indy's defensive captain, was the only player in the game with double digits in tackles (13 and 12 of which were solo).

CBS Puts on a Show

While I wasn't a huge fan of Phil Simms' analysis, I thought that Jim Nantz and the entire CBS crew did a phenomenal job. Nantz is always a good storyteller-- even if he's not that exciting-- and CBS utilized their new cameras very well. Add that to some very quick stat work with the onside kick after halftime and you've got a great broadcast.

As for commercials, I give Doritos the win for the night. Great stuff with the kid, the creep and the mom.

Overtime

I wish I could have been in Roger Goodell's booth during the Colts' fourth-quarter drive. Watching him squirm while thinking about a potential one-drive overtime would have made my night. I had to settle for Betty White getting crushed and Punxsutawney Polamalu instead to put me on the floor.

Take Care, Football...

The Super Bowl is awesome. The NFL is just okay. I'm not that sad to see this football season end (especially as a Giants fan). Let's bring on March Madness and Spring Training.