Viva Veracruz

[BJ]

Having an older brother who played college football, I learned to understand the game details as an adolescent. When our kids were young, I continued enjoying televised games, mostly collegiate, but sometimes Pro, especially when I lived in cities with pro teams; Denver and Dallas.

This interest didn't begin to wane, until after our sons entered college, and were no longer playing competitive football.

Other things interested me more, and I often didn't know who was playing whom, or anything remotely related to American football.

So here we are two Louisianians living in Xico, Veracruz, and it's a couple of hours post Super Bowl.

Only because I grew up in Louisiana did I hope the Saints would win, BUT . . .

Both the offensive and defensive line of the Colts were pretty specatcular, Manning got so much "protection", I was surprised that he didn't complete more touchdown passes.

IMO, Tracey Porter, #22 of the Saints, who scored that final Saints touchdown on a 74 yard interception run, should be congratulated for his brilliant interception, but SHOULD be FINED about 20% of his Super Bowl earnings for "showboating" when he was still 30 yards from the goal line.

Showboating and arrogance, while the game is still being played. should be neither encouraged nor tolerated, by either fans, or by the coaching staff and team owners.

I'm sure that a lot of you out there recall Roger Staubach in his glory days. A whole "helluva lot" can happen in the final two or three minutes. It's "not over till it's over.

In all fairness, if the successful team members want to dance, shout, holler, run naked or whatever AFTER a victory, by all means they should enjoy the moment and "go for it."

[Ignacio]

I was amazed at the successful 'on side kick' to start the second half.

I also believe you should give the players 'some' latitude to express their happiness, so NO I don't think #22 was over the line.....

what are you going to do, fine all the tennis players when they score and close their raised fists ? r just for mumbling "YES ! "?

[BJ]

Interesting take, Ignacio. I appreciate your response, but respectfully disagree with some of what you wrote.

A tennis player celebrating with a happily clenched fist, or whatever, AFTER winning A POINT, or serving a well placed "ACE", is a very different story. Unless the tennis match is doubles, the celebratory gesture, generally affects only the person related to it (aside from viewers, etc), and is AFTER THE POINT!!!!

You don't see a tennis player arrogant enough to make that, or a similar, gesture BEFORE serving, or during a volley. The point is played out.

In a team sport like football, many may be impacted by the premature celebratory act of a single teammate. IMHO, a momentary celebration AFTER a TD, or a 1 or 2 point conversion, is FINE. It may buoy spirits a bit, and "fire up" players, but any momentary celebrations (before a game is over), should be just that, MOMENTARY, and should never linger as they may distract players and diminish their focus and drive, which are especially critical in a "close," high stakes game.

I still think that coaching staffs (at all levels) should discourage any kind of "pre-score" "showboating/celebration", by establishing some kind of meaningful consequences, as a deterrent. A player's premature action sends a message that the player is not disciplined, and is a ME/I player, not a WE/team player.

A faster Colt might have wreacked havoc with Porter, in his moments of euphoria, and distraction, as he began his excited arm waving, finger pointing, arrangance 30 yards before he reached the goal line.

Sadly, I missed the onside kick that you mentioned, but was mesmerized & thrilled by the referrees' reviews of the "instant replay" of the Saints" 2nd. half two point conversion.

I can hardly wait for the World Cup this summer. Hopefully, there won't be a repeat of any violent acts like that of the skilled, retiring, French player, in the title World Cup match in 06, I understand that some, maybe many soccer fans, think that his brutal, foolish and selfish act of "head butting" an opponent (on purpose) cost his team the title.

What a way to end a career! Ugh!

[joaquin]

BJ, they will keep the violence and celebration down to a minimum. Perhaps you could get a 10 second delay so you can avoid the action.
_________________
I worry that all of my wisdom is derived from bad analogies.