Super Bowl chat with Vic Carucci
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETVic Carucci
19 comments
NFL.com senior writer Vic Carucci will be chatting live on Friday, Feb. 5 at Noon ET about all of the key issues heading into Super Bowl XLIV.
-
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Hello, everyone, and welcome to this week's chat, which is coming from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., site of Super Bowl XLIV. Very excited to be here and to have the opportunity to chat with you. Let's get started. -
Frank, Orlando, FL
12:02 PM ET
After playing two of the top defenses already in the playoffs, shouldn't that help the Colts breathe easier in the Super Bowl?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I don't know if the Colts would ever say that they can "breathe easier" because of their success vs. a couple of top defenses in the playoffs, but it certainly has provided them with an additional level of confidence. Overall, their offense has been successful vs. a variety of defenses, so they would likely go into this game feeling good about how well their offense would be able to perform, regardless of the defenses they've already faced in the postseason. -
Tyler Ogden, Bloomington, Indiana
12:06 PM ET
If this super bowl was to end up in OT and the team won by a field goal, could there be a new way to settle OT considered by the league?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'm sure, if this Super Bowl is settled in overtime, and especially if the team that wins the coin toss wins it on its first drive, that would lead to all kinds of public outcry to change the OT rules so that both teams have a chance to score. Of course, no one would be happy if either Peyton Manning or Drew Brees was standing on the sidelines and watching the other guy march his team to the winning score and unable to answer it. But I have my doubts that there would be any overhaul of the OT system. I don't see the NFL adopting the college version. I think the league places value on having the same rules that applied in regulation, including kickoffs, stand in OT. And I don't think, other than playing until there is a winner, the league wants the postseason version of OT vary from the in-season version, because the chance of extending regular-season games could present problems from network-TV scheduling, etc. -
Michael, Avon, Indiana
12:13 PM ET
How can the Saints manage to get sacks on Peyton Manning?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
It won't be easy, but it's certainly quite possible. The best way would be for the Saints' secondary to do a tremendous job in coverage to help force Manning to hold the ball and not release it as quickly as he would like. Along those lines, another factor would be the Saints' ability to try and at least slow down Manning's pre-snap reads by disguising coverages and so forth. Everyone knows that that is extremely difficult to do, because Manning is by far the game's best at figuring out what he's seeing across and line and avoiding confusion. -
Kyle Hess, Worcester,MA
12:17 PM ET
In the case of a lockout in '11, what happens in regard to draft picks like the one the Patriots received for Richard Seymour?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
That is a tremendous question, and I honestly don't know the answer. I would put that in the category of many issues that would be in limbo if there was a work stoppage. During his Super Bowl news conference, Commissioner Goodell was asked about what would happen to the Super Bowl that is scheduled for Indianapolis after the 2011 season, and he said that the league hasn't given that any thought because its focus is on getting a labor deal done. My sense is that other matters, including draft picks, are probably being seen in the same light. -
nicky, dc
12:20 PM ET
what does it mean when they say the colts are the home team?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Home and away at the Super Bowl alternates each year between the AFC and NFC teams. This year, it's the AFC's turn. What it means is that the Colts have the same status that any home team in the NFL would. And in that context, they can pick which uniforms they'll wear (home or away). The Colts have picked their home blue jerseys. The home team also calls the coin flip. -
Ben R., Columbia, MS
12:24 PM ET
How do you see the Colts handling the Saints offense? Will they be able to slow down the running game?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think there's reason to believe that the Colts' defense could do a fairly decent job of containing the Saints' running game. The Colts' speed and quickness on that side of the ball should serve them well vs. the Saints' speedy backs. And if they're successful at limiting with New Orleans can do on the ground, I think that could enhance the opportunities of getting some pressure on Brees and at least disrupting the Saints' passing game somewhat. -
Dan , ND
12:30 PM ET
Do you think the Saints will get away with the cheap late hits on Manning like they did on Favre? Some of those were borderline criminal!
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
My sense is that the officials will be on top of that. That doesn't guarantee that such hits won't happen, but I do think the officiating crew is going to be ready to throw the flags if they do occur. And let's face it: The Saints would not be the first team to try and put late hits on Peyton Manning. It is not a tactic that has worked for anyone else, so I have my doubts it would work for them. Bottom line, Manning has only been sacked 10 times this season and he simply does not get hit very often. -
Alvaro, Italy
12:37 PM ET
What about the impact of Reggie Bush on this match? I'm a Sants fan ...
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
It seems to me that the Saints' best hopes for winning are having a fairly big performance by Reggie Bush as a runner and receiver. If Bush is rolling, it likely means that Drew Brees is rolling, and the Saints' offense in general is functioning well. -
Nikolas Rabogliatti, Belgium
12:41 PM ET
Is there a chance that we're overestimating the Colts D against the Saints. They played well against the Jets and the Ravens, but they were one dimensional run-teams. The Saints can both run and pass, plus the saints have such a large amount of formations, the colts will rarely have their standard 4-3 set in place (substituting a linebacker or D-line man for a safety and or corner) Couldn't the Saints Offense be the one to give them the most trouble all season long?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
The Saints' offense gives a lot of defenses trouble, and it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if it were able to move the ball well vs. Indianapolis' defense. The same could easily be said about the Colts' offense vs. the Saints' defense. I guess that's why so many of us are seeing the distinct possibility that this game will turn into a shootout. -
Josiah , Hummelstown, PA
12:44 PM ET
Who do you think will win Sunday?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I'm picking the Colts. -
Nathan, Seattle
12:45 PM ET
Vic do you think like me that Collie and CLark will be the X factors, with BRown setting up the play action?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I go into pretty much every Colts game assuming that Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne are going to be the biggest difference-makers in the passing game. However, I also expect opponents to focus their coverage accordingly (as was the case with the Jets in the AFC Championship Game), and if they're able to limit them in any way, then I expect Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon to step up as they did in the conference title game. At some point, the Colts' running game comes into play, but only with just enough rushing attempts to try and imply some sense of balance to keep the defense honest. So Donald Brown and Joseph Addai would figure to have a role in that process. -
Danny , Fort Wayne, IN
12:49 PM ET
Why does it seem everyone is crediting the Saints with the "underdog" status? I believe these are two very equal teams.
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I agree that these teams are fairly equal. There probably is a little too much weight given to the fact that the Colts have a core of players, including Peyton Manning, who won a Super Bowl not too long ago. That's important, but probably not overwhelmingly so. I, too, am giving the Colts an edge, but it's a fairly slight one. -
Josiah, Hummelstown, PA
12:52 PM ET
Why do you pick the Colts?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
Manning, their ability to keep him well protecting, the receiving corps, their defensive speed, and their recent Super Bowl experience. -
George, Stratford-Upon-Avon
12:53 PM ET
Could Freeney not playing be the difference between who wins and loses or is that an insult to the Colts defense?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
If Freeney doesn't play, that would definitely be a significant drawback for the Colts. However, I do think they would find a way to overcome his absence with a solid rotation within their defensive line. I'm also expecting Freeney to play. Jim Caldwell said this morning that Freeney is "still improving," which is an encouraging sign. I just don't think he will allow himself to miss this game if there's any chance he has to play in it. -
Ray , Erie PA
12:56 PM ET
Vic, do you see the colts keeping addai for very much longer, or do you think they'll move on and go with the combo of Brown and Hart?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I know the Colts value Addai, but it's hard to imagine them not giving serious thought to moving forward with Brown and Hart, especially given how little production they had in their running game. The major determining factor is their faith in Brown and Hart when it comes to picking up blitzes. Addai does that extremely well, and no back sees the field for the Colts unless he can handle blitz pick-up. -
Nathan , Seattle
12:57 PM ET
A lot of Saints fans are saying that the Saints secondary is better than the Jets, and that Sharper is better than Ed reed, what do you think, especially when they are like 26th against the pass?
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
I think the Saints' secondary is good, and has definitely been opportunistic. Much of that stems from the pressure they've been able to put on quarterbacks, but Darren Sharper and others have excelled at being around the ball and making plays. -
Alex Oreshonok, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
1:01 PM ET
Are kickers cope the pressure of SB? in playoff they always fail in the decisive moments.
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
The Saints' have a rookie kicker, but he delivered the winning kick in OT to win the NFC Championship Game. And the Colts have Matt Stover, who is one of the better pressure kickers -- and kickers, period -- in the game. So I think both teams have that area covered reasonably well, although the Saints' kicker, Garrett Hartley, will be playing in his first Super Bowl. Stover has been here before. -
Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist, NFL.com
That's going to do it for this week's chat. As always, it was a pleasure to your questions. Enjoy the Super Bowl!
Previous Chats
-
NFL Draft chat with Paul Burmeister
Paul Burmeister
Mar 19th 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET 30 comments -
Carucci's Corner
Vic Carucci
Mar 19th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET 19 comments -
Wyche's Word
Steve Wyche
Mar 18th 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET 32 comments -
NFL Draft chat with Bucky Brooks
Bucky Brooks
Mar 18th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET 23 comments -
NFL Network Insider: Jamie Dukes
Jamie Dukes
Mar 17th 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET 45 comments
