Got to figure this was Roger Goodell’s deal with the devil: The NFL avoids a weather nightmare with temperatures in the 50s at kickoff. In return, the devil sticks the league with a terrible game.
Peyton Manning’s four-hour disaster also made for a long night for Fox, which had to pull out the blowout filler material right after Percy Harvin’s touchdown to open the second half.
All I can say is when Denver loses a Super Bowl, they do it in a big way; the combined score in its five losses is 206-58.
The game literally was over after the first play. As a result, the entire evening was one big buzz kill for everyone not living in Seattle. And that goes for the commercials too.
Here are a few of my observations:
Apologist: While I’m sure other people did–they always do–I didn’t have any problem with Joe Buck-Troy Aikman call. Like everyone else, they were stunned by the rout. Aikman appropriately blitzed the Broncos for playing as if they were wearing weighted shoes. That has to be the reason why they looked so slow and sloppy.
My biggest issue with Aikman came late in the game. Perhaps channeling his inner-QB, he insisted this loss wouldn’t damage Manning’s legacy and that he still would be considered a top 5 QB of all time. Not so sure about that one, Troy. The stink from this game is going to follow Manning for a long time.
Still Joe: Speaking of great QBs, 45 years after he guaranteed a victory in Super Bowl III, Joe Namath was trending on Twitter. Quite a fur coat. Too bad he wore it on a night where a golf pullover would have sufficed.
TB: Fox NFL Sunday faced a difficult challenge in having to do the pregame show without Terry Bradshaw. He was with his family following the death of his father, Bill, Thursday. In a nice touch, Curt Menefee said the Fox crew dedicated the game to Bradshaw’s father.
Bradshaw’s buddies definitely missed him. The show lacked his energy and zaniness. His absence shows Fox will have big shoes to fill once TB decides to retire.
Enough: I did an entire post on why it is time to eliminate the president interview during the pregame show.
More: I also did a post on Frank Caliendo’s Super Bowl bit on ESPN. Forget the commercials, it was the funniest thing you saw all day.
Celebrity interviews: What a coincidence, stars of Fox shows just happen to be at the Super Bowl. For me, any time I saw a celebrity interview, it was my cue to turn to NFL Network. I hardly think I was alone.
NFL Network: Speaking of the league-owned network, I really like what they do. Rich Eisen does a terrific job of directing the traffic, and the panel carries the weight of NFL Hall of Fame pedigree. Plus, they are entertaining.
He’s right: Jimmy Johnson kept saying that a healthy Percy Harvin would be a big factor in the game with his speed. He was right. Imagine if the Seahawks had a healthy Harvin all year.
Randy Moss: He continues to be impressive as an analyst. He will be promoted to the first team sooner than later.
Lockerroom culture: Solid piece by Andrea Kremer on the culture in NFL locker rooms in the wake of Martin-Incognito controversy. Here is the link.
Quiet man: OK, I get it. Marshawn Lynch doesn’t like to talk to the media.
Favre watch: Apparently, Brett Favre couldn’t be bothered with flying to New York to be part of NFL Network’s pregame show. So they had him on via remote, perhaps from some mountain cabin judging by his epic beard. If I’m Gillette, I’m contacting Favre tomorrow.
The segment did have one funny moment when Favre was asked what advice he had for Manning about retiring. “I’m not sure I’m the best person to ask that question,” he said.
Halftime: After a run of old-timers like The Who, Rolling Stones, and Springsteen, it appears if the NFL is done with performers who can qualify for Medicare. Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Pepper tried to revive an audience after the 22-0 first half.
And was that really Jerry, George and “Hello, Newman” back at the diner? Never gets old.
Pat Summerall: Joe Buck remembered their old Fox colleague with a nice tribute.
Ad time: The blowout probably didn’t help the advertisers who spent big bucks on the game. Viewers aren’t as engaged, especially in the fourth quarter.
The number of poor ads continues to be astounding. Aren’t the best people in advertising working on them? Someone put in a call to Don Draper.
I really like the Tim Tebow ads for T-Mobile. The 80s’ flashback ad for Radio Shack was well done.
However, I tend to go for things that are simple and cleaver, not over-the-top production and contrived. That’s why my favorite ad was the one for Cheerios.
That’s all: For now, folks. Football is done. At least until the combine, and then the draft….
In the process of working on a golf-related story on Jim Nantz, I talked to CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus. Last night, I realized there is a McManus quote about Nantz in the piece that gets to a big part of CBS’ new deal with the NFL for the new Thursday night package.
