|
|
|
Will it be coaching brothers, John Harbaugh vs. Jim Harbaugh; veteran coaches, Tom Coughlin vs. Bill Belechik in a Super Bowl rematch of 2007; Super Bowl winning QB’s Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady again as in 2007 or QB newcomers so to speak, Alex Smith vs. Joe Flacco or some other combination of match-ups for Super Bowl XLVI.
This weekend, the NFC and AFC title games will decide the fate of those match-ups.
Harbaugh Match-up
This possibility intrigues me the most. It’s been well documented how competitive these brothers were growing up. A TV analyst last weekend noted, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that they would fight over a piece of gum.
While that may be an exaggeration, the point made is that John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh were success-driven in any arena they competed as a player and throughout their coaching career. Defeat wasn’t acceptable and they constantly challenged themselves, their teammates and now their players to leave no stone unturned to reach success.
While John Harbaugh’s success at Baltimore (45-23) has the Ravens (13-4) on the Super Bowl doorstep, Jim Harbaugh’s success at San Francisco (14-3) in his first year is nothing short of incredible.
In a day and age where coaches demanding all-out effort all the time is a high-wire walk at any level, Jim Harbaugh has managed to convince the 49ers to buy in to such a demand.
Coughlin-Belechik
Tom Coughlin seems to be on the hot seat every season. While it may be true his seven-year, regular season records aren’t eye-popping (8-8, 2006), (8-8, 2009), 10-6 (2010), 9-7 this season, 10-6 en route to the Super Bowl title in 2007, Coughlin’s squads play their best ball down the stretch.
His two best regular seasons were: 11-5 (2005) and 12-4 (2008).
Before the Gaints’ Super Bowl run in 2007, Coughlin was considered too old school (too demanding), not being able to relate to today’s players.
Belechik went 36-44 at Cleveland as a head coach but with the Patriots he’s been a considered a genius. Three Super Bowl titles and a 154-58 record speaks volumes about his tenure at New England.
Manning vs. Brady
Eli, never seemingly getting the credit he deserves as one of the elite QB’s, enjoyed the Super Bowl victory celebration in 2007 but Brady, one of the most successful QB’s ever and Hall of Fame bound at some point has seemed like a man on a misson in recent weeks. A rematch would be fun to watch.
Smith vs. Flacco
Alex Smith was floundering before Harbaugh arrived. Suddenly Smith is as dangerous a gun-slinger as any. Flacco, one of the league’s youngest QB’s, has heard the criticism about his play but guiding his team to the post season in each of his season’s at the helm isn’t to be taken lightly.
Other Storylines Out There
Other storylines could take the forefront depending on the Super Bowl combatants.
Personally, I may be pulling for San Francisco placekicker, David Akers. A year ago during playoff week as the kicker for the Phila. Eagles, he was told his daughter had to be tested for cancer. The day before the game, he was informed his child would have to be treated for cancer. He had also lost nearly his entire life savings to that point when he thought he was investing his money wisely but fell victim to a Ponzi-scheme like a number of NFL players.
He missed a field goal that weekend that proved to be the difference in the game. He was let go by the Eagles but picked up by the 49ers this season.
He signed a three-year, $9 million contract and his daughter is recovering. Akers has enjoyed a great season. Perhaps, a storybook ending is on the horizon.
Penn State fans are keeping close tabs on Patriots’ offensive coordinator and new PSU head football coach, Bill O’Brien. The Patriots offensive success has Nittany Lions’ fans dreaming about a new offensive attack starting in 2012.
Will it be coaching brothers, John Harbaugh vs. Jim Harbaugh; veteran coaches, Tom Coughlin vs. Bill Belechik in a Super Bowl rematch of 2007; Super Bowl winning QB’s Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady again as in 2007 or QB newcomers so to speak, Alex Smith vs. Joe Flacco or some other combination of match-ups for Super Bowl XLVI.
This weekend, the NFC and AFC title games will decide the fate of those match-ups.
Harbaugh Match-up
This possibility intrigues me the most. It’s been well documented how competitive these brothers were growing up. A TV analyst last weekend noted, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that they would fight over a piece of gum.
While that may be an exaggeration, the point made is that John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh were success-driven in any arena they competed as a player and throughout their coaching career. Defeat wasn’t acceptable and they constantly challenged themselves, their teammates and now their players to leave no stone unturned to reach success.
While John Harbaugh’s success at Baltimore (45-23) has the Ravens (13-4) on the Super Bowl doorstep, Jim Harbaugh’s success at San Francisco (14-3) in his first year is nothing short of incredible.
In a day and age where coaches demanding all-out effort all the time is a high-wire walk at any level, Jim Harbaugh has managed to convince the 49ers to buy in to such a demand.
Coughlin-Belechik
Tom Coughlin seems to be on the hot seat every season. While it may be true his seven-year, regular season records aren’t eye-popping (8-8, 2006), (8-8, 2009), 10-6 (2010), 9-7 this season, 10-6 en route to the Super Bowl title in 2007, Coughlin’s squads play their best ball down the stretch.
His two best regular seasons were: 11-5 (2005) and 12-4 (2008).
Before the Gaints’ Super Bowl run in 2007, Coughlin was considered too old school (too demanding), not being able to relate to today’s players.
Belechik went 36-44 at Cleveland as a head coach but with the Patriots he’s been a considered a genius. Three Super Bowl titles and a 154-58 record speaks volumes about his tenure at New England.
Manning vs. Brady
Eli, never seemingly getting the credit he deserves as one of the elite QB’s, enjoyed the Super Bowl victory celebration in 2007 but Brady, one of the most successful QB’s ever and Hall of Fame bound at some point has seemed like a man on a misson in recent weeks. A rematch would be fun to watch.
Smith vs. Flacco
Alex Smith was floundering before Harbaugh arrived. Suddenly Smith is as dangerous a gun-slinger as any. Flacco, one of the league’s youngest QB’s, has heard the criticism about his play but guiding his team to the post season in each of his season’s at the helm isn’t to be taken lightly.
Other Storylines Out There
Other storylines could take the forefront depending on the Super Bowl combatants.
Personally, I may be pulling for San Francisco placekicker, David Akers. A year ago during playoff week as the kicker for the Phila. Eagles, he was told his daughter had to be tested for cancer. The day before the game, he was informed his child would have to be treated for cancer. He had also lost nearly his entire life savings to that point when he thought he was investing his money wisely but fell victim to a Ponzi-scheme like a number of NFL players.
He missed a field goal that weekend that proved to be the difference in the game. He was let go by the Eagles but picked up by the 49ers this season.
He signed a three-year, $9 million contract and his daughter is recovering. Akers has enjoyed a great season. Perhaps, a storybook ending is on the horizon.
Penn State fans are keeping close tabs on Patriots’ offensive coordinator and new PSU head football coach, Bill O’Brien. The Patriots offensive success has Nittany Lions’ fans dreaming about a new offensive attack starting in 2012.
