Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : The new NFL -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Oral Roberts who wrote (16114)	1/26/2007 10:04:25 PM
From: sandintoes	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89693

Updated: Jan. 26, 2007, 4:50 PM ET Who'll be the surprise impact player?ESPN.com The Bears and Colts are headed to Miami for Super Bowl XLI. The game is more than a week away, but we asked our experts for their opinions on the five Burning Questions for Super Bowl XLI. 1. What two under-the-radar players could have a huge impact? Mark Schlereth: Desmond Clark and Dominic Rhodes are the two players who will have a major impact on this game. Clark is going to be pivotal in terms of blocking and getting his running backs to the second level. He's also one of those guys who can get open down the seam. Meanwhile, Rhodes will be huge catching the ball out of the backfield. There will be an area open in the middle of the field four to seven yards downfield that he'll be able to exploit because of Brian Urlacher's responsibilities downfield in the Cover 2. Merrill Hoge: Desmond Clark could have a big impact in the running game because of his blocking ability. He made some critical blocks in the NFC Championship game. Also look for Robert Mathis to have a big game on the other side of Dwight Freeney. He's not going to get as much attention, but he can create some havoc off the edge. 2. Lovie Smith or Tony Dungy: Who do you want coaching your team in The Big Game? Schlereth: I'd want either one to be honest. Forget about X's and O's for a second because they've both done a wonderful job doing that. Both guys are amazing coaches, but the biggest thing they bring to the table is they preach character and integrity and adhere to it. There are a lot of people in this league who preach it, but don't live it. These two are unwavering in their beliefs and that's why they have players who will run through walls for them. Hoge: I'm going with Dungy because I've known him my entire career as a player and analyst. He reminds me of Chuck Noll in terms of his calmness and the perspective he brings to every situation. That is what makes him a great coach. I know of his lineage and what kind of person he is and I feel he's a great person. Brian Spurlock/US Presswire Peyton Manning beat the Patriots, but he'll be under a lot of pressure in the Super Bowl. 3. If Peyton Manning doesn't win the Super Bowl, will he finally have the monkey off his back? Schlereth: It should be off his back, but it won't be. We can shower Manning with accolades, but he's still in the same boat as Dan Marino until he wins a championship. It's not fair because great teams win Super Bowls, but it's the way we look at it. Hoge: He's won a big game and did it in dramatic fashion so to me that monkey is dead. He finally executed it against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. The Super Bowl only gives him the ability to erase the fact that the monkey ever existed. 4. Will this be a good game? Schlereth: Yes, you have one of the best offenses in the league and one of the best quarterbacks facing one of the best defenses in the league. This is going to be a great matchup featuring two teams that execute well at every level. Strength on strength makes this a potentially great game. Hoge: I think it has the potential to be a blowout, but there is a way for it to be a very good football game. The Bears have had all three elements (offense, defense, special teams) win games for them this season. They need all the elements working to win this game. They've done it many times and if that takes place this will be a great game. 5. Who wins and who is the MVP? Schlereth: The scales will tip slightly in favor of Indy because of the presence of my pick for MVP: Peyton Manning. Hoge: I'm going with the Colts to win this game with Peyton Manning as the MVP. sports.espn.go.com