Super Bowl - in-depth analysis

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

Manning's velocity is not what it used to be, but let's give credit fully where it is due and that is to the Seahawks....they totally dominated this game and it had nothing to do with Peyton Manning's lack of this or that. Peyton Manning attempted to do what he did all year long, but the Seahawk's defense was way too stingy to let that happen. They have the #1 pass defense for a reason and it showed up ready to go tonight.

I know it doesn't matter that Manning set a record in the game, but he still completed a boatload of passes...so what was the difference again? The Seahawks defense made several plays resulting in a lot of turnovers and points. So to throw Manning on the ground and kick dirt on him is clearly the wrong way to view how this game panned out.

The Seahawks were the better team tonight and the Broncos were not prepared for them. It's weird...it's still hard to fathom the final score. I've never seen such a prolific team so dominated like the Broncos were tonight...just crazy!

Hey Mike, I'm definitely with you in giving Seahawks full credit (no matter how much it hurts me).. and I also have huge respect for what Manning's been able to accomplish with diminished physical skills (though I do think people put too much emphasis on the pure stats). That said, this matchup was probably the single worst he could have faced in the Super Bowl.

Manning's lack of arm strength is not why the Seahawks DBs are good or looked great tonight.. but his limitations really played into their strengths. Those guys are always on the receivers' hips contesting the every completion.. far more so than any other team's secondary. If there were ever a time to place a premium on pure arm strength, it's when facing the Hawks. That is often the only way someone's able to be able to squeeze the ball into very tight windows on the intermediate to deeper routes with any consistency (and "consitency" v Seahawks does not equal "consistency" v others) against these guys.

Underneath stuff (pick plays, option routes, slip screens, short drags, etc) worked great for the Broncos all year, and they have some great play makers.. but the Seahawks secondary hits/tackles like no other as well. I think there were like three 3rd and 1s the Broncos converted by gaining 1 yard... Seahawks make teams work for yards like no other. Best D in league and maybe best secondary ever.

(That said--- I still gotta give a shot out to my Niners as having a great D and the best linebackers in the game... this rivalry picks up from the Steelers/Ravens as the most physical/bruising old school style football)

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

Hey Mike, I'm definitely with you in giving Seahawks full credit (no matter how much it hurts me).. and I also have huge respect for what Manning's been able to accomplish with diminished physical skills (though I do think people put too much emphasis on the pure stats). That said, this matchup was probably the single worst he could have faced in the Super Bowl.

Manning's lack of arm strength is not why the Seahawks DBs are good or looked great tonight.. but his limitations really played into their strengths. Those guys are always on the receivers' hips contesting the every completion.. far more so than any other team's secondary. If there were ever a time to place a premium on pure arm strength, it's when facing the Hawks. That is often the only way someone's able to be able to squeeze the ball into very tight windows on the intermediate to deeper routes with any consistency (and "consitency" v Seahawks does not equal "consistency" v others) against these guys.

Underneath stuff (pick plays, option routes, slip screens, short drags, etc) worked great for the Broncos all year, and they have some great play makers.. but the Seahawks secondary hits/tackles like no other as well. I think there were like three 3rd and 1s the Broncos converted by gaining 1 yard... Seahawks make teams work for yards like no other. Best D in league and maybe best secondary ever.

(That said--- I still gotta give a shot out to my Niners as having a great D and the best linebackers in the game... this rivalry picks up from the Steelers/Ravens as the most physical/bruising old school style football)

No doubt, Ian...I hear what you're saying. I just had to put my two cents in and let everyone know that this game was clearly won by the Seahawks and not lost by Manning.

I thought the Niners were in the driver's seat a few weeks ago when they jumped out to that lead, but that's why they play the whole game!
The NFC West is going to be crazy for a few more years down the road. Defense is key to winning IMO and it showed tonight. My team is the Buccaneers and I've liked them ever since I was little back in the eighties, so I know how to take 'em on the chin if you know what I mean. The Bucs were known for their defense when they started getting better and that's what I loved about them...their defense. I always wanted to see more offense from them and it was often frustrating to watch them mostly shutdown a team, but lose 13-10. But lately their defense has been horrible and I see how important it is to have that great defense...it's a must! Unless of course you have a decent defense and a great offense

[Runscott]

The 49'ers and Seahawks will both be great as long as Harbaugh and Carroll stay put. I see a chess match between these two each time they meet, with either team winning on any given Sunday. Using Kaepernick more as a runner in the NFC Championship was a great plan, even though it put him at a lot of physical risk that most coaches wouldn't be okay with. I think he knew he couldn't win any other way - Carroll had seen Harbaugh's team twice and was ready for Gore and Boldin. I don't think it would be far-fetched to predict that one of these two will represent the NFC for the next three years.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Runscott

The 49'ers and Seahawks will both be great as long as Harbaugh and Carroll stay put. I see a chess match between these two each time they meet, with either team winning on any given Sunday. Using Kaepernick more as a runner in the NFC Championship was a great plan, even though it put him at a lot of physical risk that most coaches wouldn't be okay with. I think he knew he couldn't win any other way - Carroll had seen Harbaugh's team twice and was ready for Gore and Boldin. I don't think it would be far-fetched to predict that one of these two will represent the NFC for the next three years.

I can see that as well, but we all know how much teams change during the course of one off-season. Teams that look great this year, may lose a few players or just might not be as good as what other teams have assembled. I heard that there was a chance that Lynch doesn't sign back with the Seahawks...I'm not sure about this, but I know it's a possibility and now that they are SB champs, it's that much more possible to happen. Only time will tell I guess. I can see teams like the Panthers and possibly the Rams becoming playoff contenders sooner rather than later. I always root for teams that aren't always in the mix to get in and do some damage. Parity rules!

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by Runscott

The 49'ers and Seahawks will both be great as long as Harbaugh and Carroll stay put. I see a chess match between these two each time they meet, with either team winning on any given Sunday. Using Kaepernick more as a runner in the NFC Championship was a great plan, even though it put him at a lot of physical risk that most coaches wouldn't be okay with. I think he knew he couldn't win any other way - Carroll had seen Harbaugh's team twice and was ready for Gore and Boldin. I don't think it would be far-fetched to predict that one of these two will represent the NFC for the next three years.

Couldn't agree more. One of my best friends is a huge life long 49ers fan and we both talked before the game the Superbowl was definitely decided two weeks ago...looks like we were right. I think two weeks ago had that last pass somehow passed thru Sherman's outstretched hands...that today would have had the same NFC outcome...Defense never slumps.

[Rickyy]

Peyton didn't have much of a chance today...Me being a 9er fan and regular game attendee I know the Seahawks MO all too well LOL....the Seahawks D pretty much did what they have been doing all year. Its hard to score against a D that puts pressure from the front four without having to blitz a lot.....and the back 7 is SO Fast and breaks to the ball quickly. They basically man cover to the outside and roll everything into a zone defense when the plays turn in towards the middle...the LB's are fast enough to stay with most RB's, TE's and even some wide outs...and the two safeties are always at the back patrolling what come in front of them and they do a great job of reading the plays and all at the same time staying disciplined in their assignments.... they can play aggressively at the line and get the receivers off balance because they know they are fast enough to recover and they always have Chancellor and Thomas at the back end...

I agree the 9ers are still a force and am happy where they're at with a good D of their own, but I hope they get even more younger, bigger and faster on the Defense to keep up with the Hawks... we got a #1, 2 #2's and 3 #3's picks in the coming draft so hope we can continue to load up on young talent.

Ricky Y

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

Peyton didn't have much of a chance today...Me being a 9er fan and regular game attendee I know the Seahawks MO all too well LOL....the Seahawks D pretty much did what they have been doing all year. Its hard to score against a D that puts pressure from the front four without having to blitz a lot.....and the back 7 is SO Fast and breaks to the ball quickly. They basically man cover to the outside and roll everything into a zone defense when the plays turn in towards the middle...the LB's are fast enough to stay with most RB's, TE's and even some wide outs...and the two safeties are always at the back patrolling what come in front of them and they do a great job of reading the plays and all at the same time staying disciplined in their assignments.... they can play aggressively at the line and get the receivers off balance because they know they are fast enough to recover and they always have Chancellor and Thomas at the back end...

I agree the 9ers are still a force and am happy where they're at with a good D of their own, but I hope they get even more younger, bigger and faster on the Defense to keep up with the Hawks... we got a #1, 2 #2's and 3 #3's picks in the coming draft so hope we can continue to load up on young talent.

Ricky Y

From where I sit (longtime Niner fan, former season ticket holder, and present at all 3 of those damn Seahawk games this year) I think that's dead on the money. There's so much more flexibility for a defense when you don't have to blitz regularly to get pressure. People like Peyton/Brady/Brees make a living spotting and exploiting blitzes, but Seattle has 7 guys in coverage consistantly.. and as seen the past 2 years, all those guys had a lot of trouble with this team (Brees looked completely lost against them twice this year). The Niners are able to do the same, but think the Niners' front four gets pressure more consistently, and in essence helps cover our secondary by doing so.. whereas I feel the Hawks secondary (and linebackers) does a great job of forcing QB's to hold the ball, in essence helping their front four get pressure. If you could combine the Niners' and Seahawks' defenses you would have THE PERFECT D... can you imagine our linebackers flying all over, with their DB behind them??? (and that's not to take away from Seattle LBs or Niners' DBs, both very good units).

I've been telling my buddy (who works for the Hawks) and a few others that I have a man crush on Kam Chancellor. That dude is an absolute ballplayer... supports the run like a Tim McDonald, hits like a bigger Ronnie Lott, and is still fast enough to catch Kaep from behind on his long run in the champ game. I'm worried we may lose our guy "Hitner" this year, and don't to have to hope we score another Eric Reid caliber safety.. but agree, we do need to keep bringing in some grade A young talent.. in the secondary, on the D Line, and we need a WR that can stretch a D (still want to strangle for Scott McCloughan for passing on DeSean Jackson not once, but TWICE!) The Niners are still pretty young though, but the Seahawks are younger. It'll be an arms race for new/young talent in the NFC west for a while.

Scott F- re Kaep running, I'm fine with his continuing to run (it's an amazing and often undefensable weapon) and he's been very good about avoiding big hits. He's rarely been completely "blown up" on a run (J Rice had that ability too), and most often seems to get what he can then duck out of bounds or slide.. or just cut back inside, run through some arm tackles and house it. Wilson seems similar in avoiding the big hits (and is the most functionally elusive QB in the league).. as opposed to RGIII who seemingly would get blasted with regularity his rookie year. My only problem is if Kaep's running remains a hinderance to his development as a complete QB.. a crutch he relies on when a play devolves or his primary isn't open. So far, I think it has, as he's been prone to give up on plays early, to force balls and to make a lot of pre-snap decisions. That said however, he's been very effective up to now and we have no reason to doubt he'll keep getting better. After watching Seattle dominate Denver, I'm sure Kaep's always big shoulder chip is growing larger and larger. I promise this- there will be no more playful video game bet/shaving eyebrow commercials this offseason.

[Rickyy]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

From where I sit (longtime Niner fan, former season ticket holder, and present at all 3 of those damn Seahawk games this year) I think that's dead on the money. There's so much more flexibility for a defense when you don't have to blitz regularly to get pressure. People like Peyton/Brady/Brees make a living spotting and exploiting blitzes, but Seattle has 7 guys in coverage consistantly.. and as seen the past 2 years, all those guys had a lot of trouble with this team (Brees looked completely lost against them twice this year). The Niners are able to do the same, but think the Niners' front four gets pressure more consistently, and in essence helps cover our secondary by doing so.. whereas I feel the Hawks secondary (and linebackers) does a great job of forcing QB's to hold the ball, in essence helping their front four get pressure. If you could combine the Niners' and Seahawks' defenses you would have THE PERFECT D... can you imagine our linebackers flying all over, with their DB behind them??? (and that's not to take away from Seattle LBs or Niners' DBs, both very good units).

I've been telling my buddy (who works for the Hawks) and a few others that I have a man crush on Kam Chancellor. That dude is an absolute ballplayer... supports the run like a Tim McDonald, hits like a bigger Ronnie Lott, and is still fast enough to catch Kaep from behind on his long run in the champ game. I'm worried we may lose our guy "Hitner" this year, and don't to have to hope we score another Eric Reid caliber safety.. but agree, we do need to keep bringing in some grade A young talent.. in the secondary, on the D Line, and we need a WR that can stretch a D (still want to strangle for Scott McCloughan for passing on DeSean Jackson not once, but TWICE!) The Niners are still pretty young though, but the Seahawks are younger. It'll be an arms race for new/young talent in the NFC west for a while.

Scott F- re Kaep running, I'm fine with his continuing to run (it's an amazing and often undefensable weapon) and he's been very good about avoiding big hits. He's rarely been completely "blown up" on a run (J Rice had that ability too), and most often seems to get what he can then duck out of bounds or slide.. or just cut back inside, run through some arm tackles and house it. Wilson seems similar in avoiding the big hits (and is the most functionally elusive QB in the league).. as opposed to RGIII who seemingly would get blasted with regularity his rookie year. My only problem is if Kaep's running remains a hinderance to his development as a complete QB.. a crutch he relies on when a play devolves or his primary isn't open. So far, I think it has, as he's been prone to give up on plays early, to force balls and to make a lot of pre-snap decisions. That said however, he's been very effective up to now and we have no reason to doubt he'll keep getting better. After watching Seattle dominate Denver, I'm sure Kaep's always big shoulder chip is growing larger and larger. I promise this- there will be no more playful video game bet/shaving eyebrow commercials this offseason.

About Kap...I don't mind his running so much since its an element of his aresnal that works... but I agree with you...he needs to still refine his QB skills.... esp his footwork and being more patient and going through progressions particularly in the red zone where the field is more condensed and congested...I think that's why they've had to settle for FG's so often inside the 20 yd line...

NFC West is now how NFC Central and East used to be ... rough, tough and physical... I think the Bronco's weren't prepared for that time of play...

Ricky Y