Fans watching this Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts will also see college football star Tim Tebow, not in any team’s NFL jerseys but in a “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life” ad paid for by a conservative Christian group.
When the 30-second ad finally airs in the first quarter of Sunday’s CBS telecast—at a cost estimated at $2.5 million—it’s expected to show the devout quarterback and his mother, Pam, sharing the story of how she gave birth to him in the Philippines in 1987 after spurning a doctor’s advice to have an abortion for medical reasons.
It’s to be shown despite protests from National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and other liberal women’s groups, who launched a protest campaign aimed at pressuring CBS to scrap the ads. Anti-abortion groups and other conservative activists swiftly mounted a counterattack denouncing the campaign against the ad as a clumsy attempt to squelch free speech.
Besides Tebow ad, there will also be ads for beer and soft drinks, cars and candy bars, Denny’s restaurants and the new “Dante’s Inferno” video game during the Super Bowl game.
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Colts Guard Lilja missed practice with back injury
The Indianapolis Colts guard Ryan Lilja missed practice Thursday because of a back injury but remains possible for this Sunday’s Super Bowl game against the New Orleans Saints, as Colts Coach Jim Caldwell confirmed on Thursday.
As one of six players to start all 18 games after missing the 2008 season, Lilja had emerged as one of the fixtures on the offensive line, starting 43 games from 2004-2007. He was a 290-pound interior force that helped stabilize the running game. But after undergoing three surgeries on his right knee, Lilja’s career was placed in jeopardy. Though he regained his starting job upon returning to join the training camp, it has still been expected that he would be replaced sooner or later.
It is likely that one of Mike Pollak and Jamey Richard will take over Lilia’s job if he is unable to play. Both candidates were drafted in 2008 by the Colts and started several game in their first season in Colts jerseys. Pollak started thirteen games at right guard before losing job to first-year pro Kyle DeVan and Richard started seven games, four at center and three at left guard.
As one of six players to start all 18 games after missing the 2008 season, Lilja had emerged as one of the fixtures on the offensive line, starting 43 games from 2004-2007. He was a 290-pound interior force that helped stabilize the running game. But after undergoing three surgeries on his right knee, Lilja’s career was placed in jeopardy. Though he regained his starting job upon returning to join the training camp, it has still been expected that he would be replaced sooner or later.
It is likely that one of Mike Pollak and Jamey Richard will take over Lilia’s job if he is unable to play. Both candidates were drafted in 2008 by the Colts and started several game in their first season in Colts jerseys. Pollak started thirteen games at right guard before losing job to first-year pro Kyle DeVan and Richard started seven games, four at center and three at left guard.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Saints CB Porter and Colts DE could be X-factors in Super Bowl
This Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts is more than a showdown between star players from both teams. We are also expecting some unknown players to provide their teams with big plays at critical moments. Such X-factors have emerged from their obscure roles.
On the Saints side, cornerback Tracy Porter is believed to be the essential defensive player to blanket wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon on the outside. Putting on his Saints jersey again after taking off some time to take care of his injured knee, the second-year cornerback witnessed Saints’ defense regaining its opportunistic prowess. With the existence of Porter, coordinator Gregg Williams is able to use some of the exotic pressure packages that have been a hallmark of his defenses for years. And Porter’s performance will determine how often Williams could use the scheme that has always caused problems to opponents during the postseason games.
On the Colts side, defensive end Raheem Brock will be a valuable contributor of scores. He may also be added to the starting lineup if Dwight Freeney turns out unable to play the playoff because of his ankle injury. Having 3.5 sacks in the regular season, Brock has shown a knack for getting to the quarterback in the past, and came up with a critical forced fumble in the divisional-round win over the Baltimore Ravens. Brock will surely be used as an edge rusher to put pressure on Drew Brees and disrupt his rhythm in the pocket, in case Freeney won’t play.
On the Saints side, cornerback Tracy Porter is believed to be the essential defensive player to blanket wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon on the outside. Putting on his Saints jersey again after taking off some time to take care of his injured knee, the second-year cornerback witnessed Saints’ defense regaining its opportunistic prowess. With the existence of Porter, coordinator Gregg Williams is able to use some of the exotic pressure packages that have been a hallmark of his defenses for years. And Porter’s performance will determine how often Williams could use the scheme that has always caused problems to opponents during the postseason games.
On the Colts side, defensive end Raheem Brock will be a valuable contributor of scores. He may also be added to the starting lineup if Dwight Freeney turns out unable to play the playoff because of his ankle injury. Having 3.5 sacks in the regular season, Brock has shown a knack for getting to the quarterback in the past, and came up with a critical forced fumble in the divisional-round win over the Baltimore Ravens. Brock will surely be used as an edge rusher to put pressure on Drew Brees and disrupt his rhythm in the pocket, in case Freeney won’t play.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The final rosters of Pro Bowl teams came out
With the Super Bowl game to be played just one week later, it had been expected that the original Pro Bowl teams’ rosters would not work. With players from super bowl teams not to play in the game, the all-star game will be much less starring, and thus other big-name players find few reasons to play the game for the team they are in is in lack of star teammate or opponents.
In a word, it is a bad decision to have Pro Bowl game before the Super Bowl game. The supposed-to-be all-star game turned out to be starless. Most of the best players will be absent for this or that reason. How can still call it an all-star game when there are not such star players like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers?
In order to avoid any possible risk of being unable to put on their Saints jerseys or Colts jerseys in time for the Super Bowl game, Brees, Jonathan Stinchcomb, Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper and Roman Harper from the Saints will not play in the Pro Bowl, so do Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Antoine Bethea from the Colts.
Those gave up their chance in the Pro Bowl with excuses of injuries include: Chargers Rivers and Nate Kaeding, Patriots Brady and Wes Welker, Dolphins Jake Long, Texans Brian Cushing, Bills Jairus Byrd, Vikings Favre, Sidney Rice and Kevin Williams, Rams Steven Jackson, Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cowboys Andre Gurode, Bears Lance Briggs, Packers Charles Woodson and 49ers Patrick Willis.
In a word, it is a bad decision to have Pro Bowl game before the Super Bowl game. The supposed-to-be all-star game turned out to be starless. Most of the best players will be absent for this or that reason. How can still call it an all-star game when there are not such star players like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers?
In order to avoid any possible risk of being unable to put on their Saints jerseys or Colts jerseys in time for the Super Bowl game, Brees, Jonathan Stinchcomb, Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper and Roman Harper from the Saints will not play in the Pro Bowl, so do Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Antoine Bethea from the Colts.
Those gave up their chance in the Pro Bowl with excuses of injuries include: Chargers Rivers and Nate Kaeding, Patriots Brady and Wes Welker, Dolphins Jake Long, Texans Brian Cushing, Bills Jairus Byrd, Vikings Favre, Sidney Rice and Kevin Williams, Rams Steven Jackson, Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cowboys Andre Gurode, Bears Lance Briggs, Packers Charles Woodson and 49ers Patrick Willis.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Manning’s masterful mind is a key to Colts’ victory
Being the AFC Champion this season, the Indianapolis Colts proved again what a correct choice they made when they made Peyton Manning the No. 1 draft pick in 1998, after a 3-14 1997 season. Manning’s gifts are more than in football.
He has relentless thirst for knowledge, passion to know opponents better than they know themselves and uncanny ability to recall crucial details in split seconds. All of these have made him such a different quarterback than many others who just throw a ball. More than remembering his opponents’ numbers on their NFL jerseys, Manning also remembers everything from their first or last names to high school information.
And he knows well how to utilize the ability to remember almost everything he sees and hears. Regurgitating and analyzing, he plays football like a good chess player who can see 10 moves ahead. The New York Jets witnessed how he uses his talent in Sunday’s AFC championship game. For much of the first half, the Jets kept the Colts’ offense in check. But Manning altered a few things after a brief discussion with receiver Pierre Garcon, and then the Colts had touch downs on three of their next four possessions and finished the game with a 30-17 victory.
Many NFL observers have been wondering how, exactly, does Manning’s mind work? Even his teammates are confused with that. Just as receiver Reggie Wayne jokingly said, “Just tell me the end result, that’s all I need to know.” And his existence in Indy itself means hope of victory.
He has relentless thirst for knowledge, passion to know opponents better than they know themselves and uncanny ability to recall crucial details in split seconds. All of these have made him such a different quarterback than many others who just throw a ball. More than remembering his opponents’ numbers on their NFL jerseys, Manning also remembers everything from their first or last names to high school information.
And he knows well how to utilize the ability to remember almost everything he sees and hears. Regurgitating and analyzing, he plays football like a good chess player who can see 10 moves ahead. The New York Jets witnessed how he uses his talent in Sunday’s AFC championship game. For much of the first half, the Jets kept the Colts’ offense in check. But Manning altered a few things after a brief discussion with receiver Pierre Garcon, and then the Colts had touch downs on three of their next four possessions and finished the game with a 30-17 victory.
Many NFL observers have been wondering how, exactly, does Manning’s mind work? Even his teammates are confused with that. Just as receiver Reggie Wayne jokingly said, “Just tell me the end result, that’s all I need to know.” And his existence in Indy itself means hope of victory.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Indianapolis City is ready for Super Bowl XLVI in 2012
Although it is time of economy recession, Indianapolis has already been prepared ahead of plan for the 2012 Super Bowl XLVI in financing and other prep work.
Indianapolis got the right to host 2012 Super Bowl last year, and organizers raised $25 million in private donations before NFL owners ever voted. This is the first time Indianapolis won the right of hosting Super Bowl game and it is the first city raised sou much donation before voting.
NFL vice president Frank Supovitz said Tuesday that Indianapolis has exceeded other host sites in terms of financing and prep work.
"When Indianapolis came in to present itself for the Super Bowl, all those (financial) commitments were already in place," Supovitz said. "In fact, Indianapolis is one of the cities we're less concerned about."
The Super Bowl will be held in Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Colts. Next year's men's basketball Final Four and the 2011 women's Final Four will also be held in Indianapolis. Preparation costs the city a lot, but the league has no concers about money, because the value of the worldwide exposure the games will bring to the city will be much more that what had been cost.
Indianapolis got the right to host 2012 Super Bowl last year, and organizers raised $25 million in private donations before NFL owners ever voted. This is the first time Indianapolis won the right of hosting Super Bowl game and it is the first city raised sou much donation before voting.
NFL vice president Frank Supovitz said Tuesday that Indianapolis has exceeded other host sites in terms of financing and prep work.
"When Indianapolis came in to present itself for the Super Bowl, all those (financial) commitments were already in place," Supovitz said. "In fact, Indianapolis is one of the cities we're less concerned about."
The Super Bowl will be held in Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Colts. Next year's men's basketball Final Four and the 2011 women's Final Four will also be held in Indianapolis. Preparation costs the city a lot, but the league has no concers about money, because the value of the worldwide exposure the games will bring to the city will be much more that what had been cost.
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