This 2014 Super Bowl Media Day story comes to us from Eli Hershkovich, host of The Lineup on Radio DePaul.
Super Bowl week is finally here, with 2014 Super Bowl Media Day commencing tomorrow. Here are five things people should be talking about at and just after 2014 Super Bowl Media Day:
1. Richard Sherman vs. DeMaryius Thomas:
The story should be over and done with, but Richard Sherman will be the in the spotlight come tomorrow. Instead of continuing to ask him about his post-game antics, maybe the media should focus a little more on his match-up with DeMaryius Thomas. Although Thomas didn’t have to face off against Aqib Talib for much of the AFC Championship, he has faced some tough cornerbacks on the season, including Pro Bowlers DeAngelo Hall and Brandon Flowers. In two games against Flowers, Thomas posted eight catches for 227 yards.
Sherman is facing a tougher task than Michael Crabtree this Sunday.
2. Peyton Manning’s Legacy:
The first question for Peyton Manning might be “How many times will you say Omaha,” but it shouldn’t be the real concern. Manning has a chance to go down as the greatest quarterback ever if he pulls out his second Super Bowl championship. Beating the number one defense in the league will go a long way in cementing what has already been an outstanding career.
3. John Fox’s Legacy:
Not only is this game important for the quarterback commanding the Broncos offense; John Fox has something on the line as well. Fox’s career head coaching record spans out to be 107-85 in the regular season and 8-5 in the playoffs, which isn’t too shabby for a coach who has seen Jake Delhomme and Tim Tebow at the helm. However, without a Super Bowl championship, Fox has yet to put the icing on the cake for his coaching career. If the Broncos win Sunday, Fox can separate himself from the great coaches who could not win a championship.
4. Pete Carroll’s mindset:
After being fired from the Jets 20 years ago, Pete Carroll is back in the New Jersey area. He will be blitzed all week with the idea of Manning not playing well in a cold weather game. Should Carroll be rooting for a snowy or rainy field, come Sunday though? Remembering the Seahawks win over the Saints in the Divisional Round, it was a cold, rainy day in Seattle. Russell Wilson’s performance didn’t show he could handle the elements well either, completing 50 percent of his passes for 103 yards and a quarterback rating of just 25.9.
5. Brian Dawkins’s speech:
Although Brian Dawkins is retired, on Friday he spoke to his former Broncos teammates.
In an article written in the New York Post, Dawkins mentioned how he was too focused on the game itself in Super Bowl XXXIX with the Eagles, instead of enjoying the moment. If there’s one player who needs to take this idea to heart, it’s Champ Bailey. Bailey, who is currently in his fifteenth season, will appear in his first Super Bowl. Without Chris Harris, the Broncos secondary will be tested against Wilson’s arm, as well as to get off their blocks in case the front seven whiff on Marshawn Lynch. Bailey had three tackles against the Patriots in the AFC Championship; in order to play well against Seattle, he must stay composed in the biggest moment of his career.