THE MASH-UP: SPORTS AND POP CULTURE COLLIDE
Don’t expect a Super game
By GREG MOORE
The Kansas City Star
The Super Bowl isn’t going to be much of a game. The Patriots’ offense is going to do to the Giants’ defense what the “Cloverfield” monster did to Manhattan.
Believe me, I’ve been picking Super Bowl winners since Rambo was shooting BBs.
Rising
•New England quarterback Tom Brady: Brady is going to be more harsh to the New York secondary than the weather in Green Bay was to Giants coach Tom Coughlin’s face.
Let’s assume Brady’s ankle is so messed up that it will limit his mobility — which we wouldn’t know if it hadn’t been for paparazzi staking out his girlfriend’s place — that won’t matter. NFL players are expected to play through injuries, especially in the big game.
Besides, the Patriots’ offensive line this season has made sure that Brady hasn’t had to be elusive to be effective. Brady has been sacked just 24 times. He spends more time in the pocket than your car keys.
The Giants have 56 sacks, the most in the NFL. But they got to Brady only once in the regular-season finale Dec. 29 when the Patriots beat the Giants 38-35.
If the Giants try to get pressure on Brady by blitzing with linebackers and safeties, then that is going to leave some cornerback you’ve never heard of in one-on-one coverage against Randy Moss. Putting one defender on Moss and calling it defense is sort of like putting a washcloth on your bed and calling it a sheet — neither is going to provide adequate coverage.
For the record, here’s the pick: Patriots 42, Giants 21.
Holding steady
•Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard: Howard, who went to Missouri State, will be on the cover of the video game “MLB 08: The Show,” which is set to be released next month. Mets third baseman David Wright was on last year’s cover and had a great season. But Wright’s year didn’t end so well when Howard’s Phillies overtook the Mets for the NL East title. We’ll see how it goes for Howard.
Slipping
•Dallas quarterback Tony Romo: He’s dating Jessica Simpson … He’s not dating Jessica Simpson … He’s dating … Look, who cares? The Cowboys’ season is over, so now we should ignore Romo’s love life like smokers ignore the surgeon general.
•Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre: Let’s just wait another week or so before we worry about whether he’s retiring. Until the Super Bowl is over, Favre should act like E. Honda and give the hand to any reporter who asks about his future. (“Streetfigher” fans can explain that one.)
By the way, let’s skip the drama — he’s coming back.
To reach Greg Moore send e-mail to gmoore@kcstar.com
