Gridiron Magazine: Issue XX
If Peyton Manning-Tom Brady XVII was the final meeting of the NFL’s legendary recent leading lights then Super Bowl 50 promises to be a changing of the guard. From lining up against his fellow near-40-year-old, Manning must now drag his ailing body onto the Santa Clara turf to face his antithesis in Cam Newton. Where Manning runs like a man being dragged backwards by the Hulk, Newton glides across the turf with dizzying speed; where Manning throws floating passes, Newton fires jet-fuelled power balls.
Of course, the game is actually the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos. While the quarterbacks steal the headlines, this fixture will be determined by those who aren’t operating under centre. Thankfully we look beyond the quarterbacks in our comprehensive big- game preview, from Carolina’s unknown guard to the stars of Denver’s defense.
There is much more, too, as we roll into celebration mode for the 50th anniversary of the biggest show in sports. Neil Reynolds brings exclusives with Dan Marino, John Elway and Jim Kelly; Simon Clancy provides an oral history of the half-time show; and Liam Blackburn discovers how ‘One Yard Short’, the game’s greatest finish, came to pass by speaking to the key protagonists.
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For now, here are some goodies to whet your appetite:
Kelly’s first real introduction to the professional ranks was perhaps the most intoxicating hour of football I’ve ever seen. – Gridiron editor Matthew Sherry on San Francisco’s controversial hiring of Chip Kelly.
When the city couldn’t sustain one franchise in the 1990s, are we all comfortable that jumping right back in with two is the right move? – Neil Reynolds has some burning questions on his mind surrounding the NFL and Los Angeles.
What makes the Super Bowl unique is what makes it television’s most profitable show: a single day on which the championship is decided. Super Bowl Sunday, not Thanksgiving or Christmas, is the day more Americans do the same thing at the same time. – Iron Mike Carlson looks back at his life through Super Bowls.
“It turned the game into the biggest national holiday since Lincoln gave us Thanksgiving.” – Simon Clancy digs deep on the Super Bowl’s annual concert by speaking to those in the know.
“You know millions across the world are watching and to come up short in the biggest game of your life is a hard pill to swallow.” – Kevin Dyson remembers the day he came up just One Yard Short.
“You go into every season with confidence and feeling like you can compete for a world championship but the reality is that it is very difficult to achieve.” – John Elway on the agony and ecstasy of his Super Bowl life.
Their defense is going to have to play every bit as well as they played against New England. – Jeff Reinebold outlines the daunting task facing the Denver Broncos.
It really goes back to the 1920s; they have a series of plays that are from the days of Pop Warner and Knute Rockne. – Our resident coach also offers up some fascinating insight on the origins of Carolina’s offense.
“Where is this thing next year? Is it in Tampa? Is that where it’s at? We’ll see if we can reload and go do it again.” – Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is ready for another tilt at the College Football Playoff title.
It is time, folks, to recognise Nick Saban as the greatest coach in college football history. – Ian Parker doesn’t need anymore convincing of the Alabama head coach’s credentials.