Seattle Came To Play

Unfortunately, The Super Bowl wasn’t much of a game to watch. It was expected to be closer and more competitive. But, for us Broncos fans, it might have been a possible disastrous career end of one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks. Yes, I am a Peyton Manning fan. He represents the meaning of a class act. He’s graciously humble and demonstrates, to me, the true meaning of leadership. But, this game was all about an exhibition and impact of outstanding defense and how it can control a game of such high caliber. The Seahawks lived up to the media coverage of what was expected from their preventative game. If there is such a thing as a flawless game, in any sporting event, the Seahawks were very darn close to that achievement. Seattle had zero turnovers. Denver lost two fumbles and two interceptions—one resulted as a touchdown by the Seahawks’ linebacker and Super Bowl MVP, Malcolm Smith. Seattle’s Russell Wilson was excellent in his Super Bowl debut as quarterback and I was surprised that he was not awarded MVP. My article, of last week, I predicted a Bronco’s win. All I have to say is, “Ouch!” Seriously, I thought the experience of Peyton Manning and his seasoned teammates would have that in their corner. On paper it was plausible. Football is a game of emotions and the Seahawks proved that their readiness to play, along with the inspiration of head coach Pete Carroll, was the spark that could have ignited an eruption from the dormant volcano of Mt. Rainer, outside the city of Seattle. Let me talk about the coach, a little. Pete Carroll is one of the few professional football coaches who have won a collegiate championship (two) and the Super Bowl. Coach Carroll has been around the gridiron most of his life/coaching career. He started coaching football at the collegiate level, 1973-1983, as an assistant, and did all the things they say you need to do before becoming a head coach at the college level. From 1984-1999 he was an NFL coach, and after a few years as an assistant he was able to get two head coaching jobs, the Jets and the Patriots. During his early tenure as an NFL head coach, his record was just above the mediocre mark. In 1999, he was given the opportunity to move into the collegiate level, when he signed a five year contract with the University of Southern California (USC). All after an ugly departure with New England and the scrutiny from the L.A. press about his history in the NFL. But, as the USC Trojans’ head man from 2000-2009, he took a dying football program and brought it into national prowess with an astounding 67-7 record, during his tenure. He obviously proved his critics wrong with his success. In 2010, before an NCAA violations investigation, Pete Carroll left behind his $4 million a year salary at USC, and signed a five year $33 million contract with Seattle. For Carroll and his Seahawks, they have fulfilled a dream, but it’s also possible the dream isn’t over. The average age of Seattle is 26.3, with quarterback Russell Wilson being only 25 years old. Seattle is a team with the whole package: a great defense (the best in the entire league) and an offense that has a quarterback with the ability to throw, run and orchestrate. The coach is a focused man of conviction, who has the ability to motivate his young team, as if they were still playing for their respective college teams. Carroll can make the necessary adjustments for his followers to be competitive with any team in pro football. One reporter called Carroll the Pied Piper. The coach has paid his dues to be where he is and has earned his kudos by leading the young Seattle Seahawks to be crowned as the National Champions of Super Bowl XLVlll—nice work and congratulations. A final note of interest: Will the NFL’s five-time MVP, Peyton Manning, retire? Denver was ranked the No. 1 offensive team in the NFL’s regular season. I guess someone forgot to tell that to the Seahawks’ defense. And to think about the gamble the Denver Broncos’ front office took when they acquired Manning, with his history of neck surgeries. If Manning comes back next year and hoists a Lombardi Trophy, what happened in the 2014 Super Bowl will be forgotten. I don’t think he’ll retire because he doesn’t want to go out this way. After all, he is the greatest regular season quarterback in NFL history and to his credit, the last chapter of his biography and legacy, has not yet been completed. He will return…I hope.