It's Game Time!

Super Bowl XLIV is here!

Practice is over.  What the media says does not matter.  The regular season does not matter.  The only thing matters is what each player does on each down.  

I don't have anymore to add to this story except that it looks like not only is Dwight Freeney going to play, he is going to start.  Guess whatever he is feeling in his ankle is not going to stop him from blitzing tonight!

This is war.  Each player has to step out on the field and treat each down as a battle.  As they said in The Program, "Let the paramedics sort 'em out!"

Follow us on twitter (@ heelsnhelmets) and we'll let you know what the paramedics say.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets

Super Bowl XLIV Champs Are...

This Super Bowl is going to be a high scoring game!  As you saw this week, both offenses are superb with very talented quarterbacks.  This game is about the #1 Offense going against the #2 team in passing yards.  So you can expect that they both will put up a lot of points.

Many people think that this game will only be about the offense.  I am excited to watch because I know that Drew and Peyton are going to put on a great show!  However, I agree with Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and still believe that defense wins championships.  The teams are equally matched up on defense.  While both defenses have struggled this season, it did not stop either team from reaching the Super Bowl.  The Saints have an All-Pro Free Safety, Darren Sharper to watch out for Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon.  The Colts have an All-Pro Defensive End, Dwight Freeney who is #3 in sacks in the league and will focus on chasing Drew.   Whichever defense steps it up gives their team an edge.

So, with equally matched teams, who does the advantage go to?  I don't have "a team."  I just enjoy watching the game.  If this were the regular season, I would just pick the team with the most former Michigan players to have someone to cheer for.  However, these two teams are equal there too!  The Colts have Mike Hart (Running Back) and Marlin Jackson (Defensive Back).  The Saints have Jonathan Goodwin (Starting Center) and Adrian Arrington (Wide Receiver).  Congratulations guys, GO BLUE!

With anything, I believe half of it is what you do and the other half is how you approach it.  I think that the Super Bowl Champs will be the team that has the experience and the right mentality.  This will allow them to be poised under pressure.  This team is focused and understands that business for this season is not over until Sunday, the championship game.  This was displayed when they won their conference title.  One team celebrated as if the goal had been accomplished.  This mind set will cause them to feel proud just to be in Sun Life Stadium.  The other team did not celebrate as if they had reached their goal.  They were enthusiastic about another win, but ready to prepare for the next game.   

So, the 2010 Super Bowl Champs and winner of the Vince Lombardi Trophy are the Indianapolis Colts with a final score of 42 - 35.

If you need a reminder on any parts of the game that we have discussed go back to a previous post.  Otherwise send an e-mail to heelsnhelmets@gmail.com.

Enjoy watching the game!

Ciao!

Heels &  Helmets

Super Bowl XLIV: Colts On Defense

The Indianapolis Colts are not exactly known for their defense. They have a history of allowing other teams to get a lot of yards running the ball. Out of the 32 teams in the NFL, they rank in the bottom half on defense. They have shown some improvements during the playoffs, but as you learned yesterday, the Saints offense is good with everything. The Colts' Defense certainly has their work cut out for them.

The star of this defense is Dwight Freeney. He is a Pro Bowl Defensive End that is known for his toughness because he plays through injuries. He was #3 in the NFL this season in sacks accumulating 13.5 sacks during the regular season. He also owns the team's record for career sacks with 84. Clearly, he knows how to get to the quarterback. If he is healthy, Drew better watch out!

Here are all of the players that will potentially start when the Colts Defense comes out on Sunday. (Go back to the article Defense Wins Championships! to review the roles.)

Tackles and Ends - These guys are going after Drew and his Running Backs.

Antonio Johnson (#99) - Defensive Tackle

Dan Muir (#90) - Defensive Tackle

Robert Mathis (#98) - Defensive End

Dwight Freeney (#93) - Defensive End. Ankle is injured, so we will have to wait to see how much he plays.

Linebackers

Philip Wheeler (#50)

Gary Brackett (#58) - Leader of the defense. 99 tackles during the season even with the injuries.

Clint Session (#55) - Led team in tackles.

Cornerbacks

Kelvin Hayden (#26) - Only had one interception. Defending the Saints wide receivers will not be easy.

Jerraud Powers (#25) - Didn't play in AFC championship game because of foot injury.

Safeties

Melvin Bullitt (#33) - Strong Safety. Not consistent because of injuries.

Antoine Bethea (#41) - Free Safety. Started every single game.

It is going to be tough for this group to handle the speed and versatility of the Saints Offense. If they do, their counterparts on offense will need to come out and score. This should not be a problem. You'll see why tomorrow when I take a look at the Colts Offense.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets