PHOENIX — The Broncos lost four regular-season games this season. The Rockies would consider that a good week. Denver won its division and lost its head coach, John Fox mutually parting ways for more security in Chicago. The Rockies have never won a division title.
The differences between my current and former beat remain stark. The NFL masters the event, creating drama, hype and interest from all demographics. As a noted columnist told me when I first traveled covering the NFL in 1997, “Football is one-night stand. Baseball is a romance.” The World Series can’t compete with football. Attention spans have changed. Only a Game 7 draws a strong audience as baseball has become a regional sport. Passion remains strong in cells, but is not universal once a city’s team is eliminated.
Football, again, brings everybody into the tent. This is my fifth Super Bowl. My first, Super Bowl XXX, pitted the Cowboys vs. the Steelers. I chronicled the game for The Yuma (Ariz.) Daily Sun. It was a nice break from my usual beat following the Yuma High Criminals. Yes, that was their nickname. The school started in a territorial prison. A cop car chased the football team onto the field. The basketball team wore sweats that matched those in Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” video. I still have my 1996 Yuma High football shirt as a keepsake/evidence.
The Cowboys won as Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell made Dallas cornerback Larry Brown millions on that sunny day. I attended for the Longmont Daily Times-Call when the Broncos won back-to-back titles over the Packers and Falcons. And I sat in MetLife Stadium when Seattle smothered the Broncos. My notable contribution to last year’s coverage? The “Seasick” headline.
I have never been around a professional team more confident than Seattle last year. They acted like they had the answers to the test. Turns out they they did. They remain confident, but there is a slight difference. The Legion of Boom is hurting. Richard Sherman (elbow), Kam Chancellor (knee) and Earl Thomas (shoulder) are dealing with injuries. I expect a close, low-scoring game. And those three slightly compromised will be the difference allowing Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski to make the deciding play.
My prediction: Patriots 20, Seahawks 17.
I have shared thoughts of others from the red carpet last night at the NFL Honors event, beginning with Hall of Famer Jim Kelly above followed by Marshall Faulk and Chad Pennington.
Faulk:
Pennington:
