Super Bowl Open Thread
By Does anybody remember what happened the last time Denver was in the Super Bowl? Back in the ancient mists of history, when Peyton Manning could throw the ball more than 20 yards without winding up like Juan Marichal? It’s slowly coming back to me…
All kidding aside, I don’t have a lot to add to my initial analysis. Carolina is clearly the better team, they match up better against Denver than New England did, but the Broncos have a great defense and it’s certainly possible that they can grind out another close one even if Manning keeps playing at replacement level.
This Barnwell piece about the Panthers is also really good. What Gettleman and Rivera have been able to accomplish given the cap hell Hurney left them with is pretty remarkable. (And as I said a couple weeks ago, unlike Andy Reid Rivera has been able to fix things he did badly so they stopped undermining what he does well.) I should also mention that while I’m generally very skeptical about having former stars serving as executives, Elway has been an exception to the rule.
Have fun even if we have to listen to Nantz and Simms, the Coldplay of NFL football broadcasters.