I’m in a bit of a quandary here. There are two deserving teams in the Superbowl this year and I have reason to root for each of them. Let’s break it down.
Da Bears
Chicago is geographically closer to Iowa. Normally this doesn’t count for much, but when a team is this close, you will find more fans. The team closest to my place of residence is representing me by degree of proximity. Though Indianapolis is considered a Midwestern team, Chicago is just closer. You can find fair weather fans of any team around here, but teams from Minnesota, Kansas City, Green Bay and Chicago are the most loyal in lean years.
Chicago has had a strong defense through most of the year. I respect that. They may have slipped in the past, but they have the defensive weapons to control most teams. Most teams, but not all. Can they control the Colts? No. But they may be able to keep this game from becoming a blowout. If they can score, they will have a chance in the game.
Chicago is in the same division as my team. That can work both for and against them at times. For example, I have a very hard time rooting for the Vikings. I have tried and tried, but just can’t get my heart into it. I have been able to root for the Bears at times, but never without reservation. I mean, this is a rival team, right? But they are the division champs as well as the conference champs and that does count for something in my book. The Packers didn’t win the NFC North, but the team that did won the entire NFC. That salves the wound. If they win it all, the closure to this season will be much sweeter.
The Colts
Peyton Manning is the darling of the NFL. He has been for quite a few seasons, and many people have speculated that the recent emphasis on contact with a receiver past 5 yards is a direct result of the loss the Colts suffered to the Patriots. I agree with that assessment and think the league will emphasize any existing rule if that will help a fan favorite get to the championship game. That is more a reason to root against him than for him, but I remind myself that the rules were not rewritten but reemphasized. But then, what’s the real difference between an deemphasized rule and no rule at all?
Manning seems like a good guy. He studies hard, practices hard and plays hard. His mind is always focused and he runs the most intelligent offense in the league. He is known to bait defenses into showing their intentions before changing the play and running it with moments to go before a delay of game call can be made.
Entire game plans are drawn up with the intention of keeping the Colt offense off the field for as long as possible. That is the plan. The Colts are today’s “Greatest Show on Turf” with two of the best receivers in the league and perhaps the best receiving tight end out there. I know Gonzalez is usually given that distinction, but Dallas Clark just may have an edge on him. That edge is Peyton Manning.
Peyton Manning is funny and has the sense of humor needed to laugh at yourself. I admire that in a man. Most football players are far too serious about everything, but Manning has found the time to have some fun and make a few bucks as well.
I mentioned Dallas Clark earlier. He and Bob Sanders are both former U of Iowa players, and that counts for something around here as well. Iowa is not a state that produces a huge number of professional athletes. When a team in the Superbowl has two prominent players from an Iowa school, we are compelled to cheer them on.
That’s my quandary. Two teams have given me reasons to cheer them on. In the end, I have one final reason to vote for each team.
- My pastor is a Bears fan and I will be watching the game with him.
- I am tired of hearing about how Manning is the next Marino. The greatest QB of his day, but no Superbowl ring. A victory would end this worn out topic.
What to do? I’ve already told Pastor Bryan that I’d cheer with him or weep with him, either way. That has to count for something, but Bryan is not interested in a short term professing fan of the Bears. He wants us to love the Bears from a changed heart. Folks, that just isn’t going to happen. But I won’t be able to give the Colts my full support either.
What about you? Who are you cheering on? Were you a fan of either team a month ago? A year ago? Or are you a fan because they are successful? I’m curious about this. The fans of 30 teams have no direct reason to put their full heart into the game. If you are in this majority, how are you handling it?
Tags: NFL
Oblate Spheroid Indeed Considering this Sunday at Coffee Swirls.
For me, resident in Chicago for almost 30 years -> the Bears. Plus I tend to like good defense over good offense.
[...] Considering this Sunday at Coffee Swirls. [...]
Being from the greater Indianapolis Metro area, and having a father who “won the lottery” for season tickets in the early 80’s when Indy “stole” the Colts from Baltimore, I have been a fan for over twenty years.
I lived through the QB revolving door saga of Art Schlichter, Jack Trudeau, Chris Chandler, Jeff George, Gary Hogeboom, Jim Harbaugh, and now Peyton Manning.
I have suffered through scandals in the like of Indy “stealing” the Colts during the night, the Cornelius Bennett trade, Art Schlichter and Jeff George.
Great Running Backs like Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk and most recently Edgerrin James have come and gone without much of a positive impact on the team.
I have felt the emotional rollercoaster ride along the way ranging from a 1-15 season to last year’s hyped [near] perfect-but-still-coming-up-short with much disappointment.
The Indianapolis Colts have been the mules of the NFL since their inception; call it small market bias, I don’t care, but the have NEVER had the respect of the public.
The Colts have always had one of the perennial greatest punters in the league: Hunter Smith…(because he got used so much).
Now we have not one great player, but we have a great TEAM.
Tony Dungy, Coach
Peyton Manning, QB
Marvin Harrison, WR
Reggie Wayne, WR
Dallas Clark, TE
Joseph Addai, RB
Dominic Rhodes, RB
The offensive line, led by Jeff Saturday, C
The resurrected defense led by:
Dwight Freeney, DE
Robert Mathis, DE
Rob Morris, LB
Gary Bracket, LB
Cato June, LB
Nick Harper, CB
Marlin Jackson, CB
Anthoine Bethea, DB
Dexter Reid, DB
Bob Sanders, DB
Hunter Smith, P
Adam Vinatieri, K
Learn these names before or after, but these guys rock!
BTW, I can’t explain the post-season defense…maybe the guys were sandbaggin’ during the regular season to lull other teams to think they were weak; the post-season play by the defense has been OUTSTANDING!
[...] Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 in video, football, superbowl, colts Here is my response to CoffeeSwirl’s post entitled “Divided Loyalties.” [...]
Working my way toward a prediction – which will be revealed in part 2 of my Dickensonian post “Da Bears Song in prose.”. But I think you can figure the direction I’m heading. Based on the title of your post – you have also made up your mind, whether you know it or not. You have chosen wisely.
Being from Carolina, I have been readily disappointed this season, every year we hear how good the Panthers are going to be only for them to screw it up. As a native Floridian I have always pulled in the back of my mind for Miami, but their day was over many years ago.
As far as this superbowl, I will probably cheer on the perceived underdog, Indi, but I don’t think they are an underdog. I subscribe to the axiom that the best defense is a strong offense.
That being said I believe that Indianapolis will come out on top. Heck I like the bears too and have to give kudos to Lovie Smith as well as Tony Dungie, but all things being equal I think that Indi’s offense will pull it out.
Next year—-The Cowboys will be back—-Until then I just hope it is a good game….