MEDIA BLITZ
By John Molori
Gumbel and Simms in championship form for Colts-Pats tilt
It is said that big time players make big time plays in big time games. The same can also be said for announcers and analysts.
Sunday’s AFC Championship game was a stage on which CBS announcers Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms could perform. They did not disappoint.
With 13:39 remaining in the first quarter and the Patriots facing a fourth and one, Simms stated that Belichick might go for the first down. The Patriots did so successfully.
While most analysts tell what happened, Simms is adept at telling what will happen. He also lets viewers in on pregame conversations with players and coaches.
Early in the game, Simms quoted Tom Brady as saying, “We can run it a bit and we can throw. Our receivers can have a big day if we are aggressive.”
Regarding Peyton Manning’s constant audiblizing at the line of scrimmage, Simms, a former Giants quarterback, stated, “A lot of quarterbacks point here and there. It amuses the quarterback. In truth, it’s all nothing.”
He also called attention to the underrated Patriots’ blockers stating, “Not much is said about the New England offensive line, but they’ve lost a Pro Bowler in Damien Woody and are still great.”
Overall, CBS’ coverage was strong given the adverse weather conditions. They did, however, use a horribly fogged field-level camera shot six times before forsaking the angle.
Gumbel played the perfect Abbott to Simms’ Costello, setting up his analyst and providing the audience with some timely statistics.
After Ty Law’s first interception, Gumbel pointed out that Law had five career interceptions against Manning. Law, of course, went on to pick off two more passes.
Regarding Manning, Simms stated, “The Patriots know that the way to beat Peyton Manning is to make him move around. If they do this, Manning is not as effective.”
Again, Simms was correct. The Patriots constant pressure discombobulated Manning and forced him into some key mishaps.
When Gumbel stated that Peyton Manning was a great quarterback long before his current playoff run, Simms accurately retorted, “If you don’t win the championship, you are not going to get your due as a quarterback.”
In the second quarter, Simms again shared some inside information. He referenced a pregame conversation with Bill Belichick, quoting the coach as saying, “We’ve won 13 in a row, but if we play the same way against Indianapolis, it will be over. We must play better.”
CBS’ halftime studio crew was up to the level of Gumbel and Simms. Boomer Esiason gave much-deserved credit to Matt Light for taking vaunted Colts defender Dwight Freeney out of the game.
Jim Nantz stated that New England had won its last 23 games when leading at halftime.
The third quarter began with sideline reporter Armen Keteyian relaying the thoughts of Pats’ offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Weis told Keteyian that the Patriots have to “give Indianapolis no hope and put the game away in the third quarter.”
Midway through the quarter, Simms again proved prophetic stating that the Colts should give more touches to running back Dominic Rhodes.
Said Simms, “Rhodes is faster than Edgerrin James and more explosive. He’ll break one if given the chance.” On the next play, Rhodes broke off a first down run to the New England 15-yard line.
Having roamed the Giant sidelines with both Belichick and Bill Parcells, Simms understands that the true strength of this Patriots team is its staunch defense.
He stated, “For New England, it all starts with defense. Everything else is just a compliment.”
Gumbel continued to provide viewers with relevant statistics. When Tom Brady was picked off in the fourth quarter, Gumbel related that it was Brady’s first interception in his last 330 pass attempts at Gillette Stadium.
Later in the quarter, he relayed that Colt receivers Brandon Stokley and Marvin Harrison had just one reception apiece.
When the Patriots had the win secured, Gumbel stated, “This football team has won its fourteenth game in a row. They are now 5-0 in the postseason under Belichick and have won every playoff game by seven points or less.”
The Colts-Pats tilt was the highest rated AFC title game since Jets-Broncos in 1999.
It earned an average overnight household rating/share of 26.6/46, up 1% from last year’s Titans-Raiders clash and up 11% from the 2002 Pats-Steelers AFC Title game. The Colts-Pats game rating peaked at a 30.2/48 from 6:00-6:15 p.m.
The rating marks only the third time that the AFC Championship Game has beaten the NFC Championship Game since 1994. This year’s NFC Championship earned an average overnight household rating/share of 25.1/36.
Similarly, Simms and Gumbel rated high in their performance, but ironically, neither man best described the essence of these Patriots.
For that, we turn to an IBM ad that ran throughout the game. In the words of John Wooden, “A player who makes a team great is better than a great player.” The Wizard of Westwood must truly love this Patriots crew.
Mike’s mess
In the wake of Peyton Manning’s four-interception performance versus the Patriots, Mike Wilbon, cohost of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption,” was both piercing and petty.
Wilbon stated that Manning “single-handedly” cost Indianapolis the game. This assertion as inane as it is incorrect. It is impossible for any one player to blow a game in any team sport.
Granted, Manning had a horrible day and was forced into some questionable decisions, but he did not single-handedly lose the game.
It is clear that Wilbon’s sports knowledge is limited to individual sports such as bowling and golf.
Did Manning surrender 100 yards rushing to the plodding Antowain Smith? Did Manning allow Tom Brady to riddle the Colts with a barrage of accurate short-range passes? Did Manning allow the Patriots to convert two crucial fourth down situations?
To make matters worse, Wilbon basically absolved Philly QB Donovan McNabb of any blame in the Eagles’ NFC title game loss to Carolina. In fact, Wilbon lamented that the Eagles’ receivers let McNabb down.
So, Peyton Manning blew the game for the Colts against a top seeded opponent, but McNabb was innocent in the Eagles loss to a Johnny-come-lately playoff foe? Hmm.
Imagine if ex-ESPN blowhard commentator Rush Limbaugh had pinned the blame for the Eagles loss solely on McNabb.
Wilbon clearly let personal feelings cloud his judgment, having referred to McNabb as “my man” earlier this week. Manning deserves to hear it from the press and the fans, but to lay blame solely on him is idiotic.
Let’s hope that in addition to the interruption, Wilbon asks to be pardoned for his indiscretion.
John Molori’s Media Blitz column is published in The Boston Metro, The Providence Journal, The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, The Lowell Sun, Patriots Football Weekly, BostonSportsMedia.com and MethuenOnline.com. John can be reached via E-mail at JOMOL3@aol.com.
