NFL Offseason: Big Money, Big Draft, & Big Ben Follies

[Jenny]

I know Bruce has more talent in his pinky than most of the people topping the charts today, but I honestly couldn't name one song off of his latest album. But I can name four Lady Gaga hits from the past year. I guess half-time show stadium-worthy rock is basically dead. Sorry about the thread drift; it's just kind of weird to see this every year at the Super Bowl since the whole MTV nipplegate fiasco.

Perhaps we are in a different age group then, because while I can think of three songs from Bruce's latest CD that I've heard outside of my own house, I can only think of one Lady Gaga song, in spite of the fact that I also own that CD.

I do agree that The Who was a bit misplaced though. I was a huge fan back in high school, and there was a time when they could rightfully be counted among the best acts in the world, but IMO they are long past their due date. All the songs they played were pre-1978, and they aren't even American for goodness sake, which I would think would be something more relevant for the biggest sporting event in America. To hear a couple of men pushing 70 sing about teenage wasteland was just silly IMO. I don't think the director had any idea who they were, because they kept cutting to the drummer of all people.

Methinks that CBS got them to promote their CSI franchise.

[susan6]

Methinks that CBS got them to promote their CSI franchise.

Either that or they figured that the name went with the "hoosiers" and the "who dat". But, yeah, I kept waiting for Horatio Caine to show up and put on a pair of sunglasses.

My biggest sympathy regarding performers is whoever gets stuck with the nerve-wracking responsibility of singing the national anthem. The range in that song is brutal. American Idol has given us singers who definitely have vocal talent and can handle live performances, but Carrie Underwood was hitting her limits in that song.

[Jenny]

I thought Carrie did an admirable job - I noticed Queen Latifah was having trouble with her monitor, so I wonder if Carrie's was also not working for her. Both are big stars and all that, but might not be used to performing with that much noise competing and possibly a lot of interference on their earpieces.

I did think Carrie was an ideal choice for the job - talented, hardworking, appealing across age groups and musical genres, all-American pretty, and representative of the American dream in how she came to be where she is now.

[numbers123]

I don't know who said what or did what re: Payton and supposedly not shaking hands or congratulating him. But did you see the chaos that happened with that win? I can not imagine anyone who wasn't a Saint, a Saint fan or a news media being about to get to Drew. And it was truly a Saint moment.

As for a win, the Saints were the heart strings favorite team. One that represented the heart of coming back. And a tugs at the heart story. And perhaps one that gives hope to all in this recession. If New Orleans can come back, the nation could come back?

[Cheylana]

I like Peyton, and of course he's super-talented, but I believe it is tradition to shake hands, and I don't see how he is above doing the same. The SuperBowl endings are always a little chaotic, what with the confetti and all, and players have still been able to get on the field and shake some hands. Aside from Reggie Wayne and Peyton, the rest of the Colts players got on the field and shook some hands. Even if he couldn't locate Drew, he could have at least gotten in there, shaken some of the other players' hands, and make an attempt. Instead he beelined for the locker room before the final seconds even ticked down. If nothing else, it's bad PR. If I recall correctly, Tom Brady was ripped apart for doing something similar at some recent big games, so why does Peyton get a break? I feel like many skaters have been vilified for a lot less "unsportsmanlike" conduct. Just my opinion.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I agree with you Cheylana.

[jenny12]

I like Peyton, and of course he's super-talented, but I believe it is tradition to shake hands, and I don't see how he is above doing the same. The SuperBowl endings are always a little chaotic, what with the confetti and all, and players have still been able to get on the field and shake some hands. Aside from Reggie Wayne and Peyton, the rest of the Colts players got on the field and shook some hands. Even if he couldn't locate Drew, he could have at least gotten in there, shaken some of the other players' hands, and make an attempt. Instead he beelined for the locker room before the final seconds even ticked down. If nothing else, it's bad PR. If I recall correctly, Tom Brady was ripped apart for doing something similar at some recent big games, so why does Peyton get a break? I feel like many skaters have been vilified for a lot less "unsportsmanlike" conduct. Just my opinion.

I see your point, but Peyton did call Brees afterward to congratulate so it's not like it was total sour grapes from him. Sure it's tradition to shake hands, but I don't think what Peyton did is the biggest sin in sportsmanship history.

Here's a link to an article saying he contacted Brees: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Peyton-Manning-storms-off-Super-Bowl-field-Is-h?urn=nfl,218314

[Rob]

Yeah, yeah, congrats to the Saints! And Gregg Williams!

[Yehudi]

Former Saints QB Bobby Hebert in drag to celebrate the Saints making the Super Bowl. Man, I wish Jim Kelly was this much fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO8HMO8_xsM

[Rob]

My favorite commerical was the FloTV My Generation. I am looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. I liked the violin playing beaver (Monster.com), and I found the Brett Favre car commercial mildy amusing. Other than that, most of the commericials were dumb or forgettable.

[genevieve]

Brees was on Letterman last night...Letterman was of course rooting for the Colts and made no secret of it, but said that seeing Brees with his son made him realize that it was the right result (seriously, Letterman is just batshit for kids ever since Harry was born, especially sons - any guest on his show with young children is going to spend most of their time talking about the miracle of parenthood). Brees seems like a very well-centered guy and handled himself very well, esp considering the taping was probably less than 24 hours after the biggest game of his life.

[Cheylana]

I see your point, but Peyton did call Brees afterward to congratulate so it's not like it was total sour grapes from him. Sure it's tradition to shake hands, but I don't think what Peyton did is the biggest sin in sportsmanship history.
Yeah, he called Brees after the media noted in the press conference that he didn't stick around. After all, he has his image and endorsements to protect. :o Pardon my cynicism. Not the biggest sin in sportsmanship history, but it does lower my opinion of him just a lil' bit. Ok, I'll stop kicking Peyton now...

[jenny12]

Yeah, he called Brees after the media noted in the press conference that he didn't stick around. After all, he has his image and endorsements to protect. :o Pardon my cynicism. Not the biggest sin in sportsmanship history, but it does lower my opinion of him just a lil' bit. Ok, I'll stop kicking Peyton now...

I'm biased because I like the Colts, but I just think what he did wasn't a big deal. It's not like Brees or anyone from the Saints approached him and he snubbed them. Then again, I didn't think it was a big deal when Bill Belichick did that against the Giants either and I'm not much of a Patriots fan. But if people have a low opinion of Peyton because of this, I understand. It's just with all the crap so many pro athletes do, this seems like kind of a small issue to me.

[Theatregirl1122]

The half-time show had me wondering....yes, they always dig up and dust off the rock superstars of yesteryear for the show. Some of them do a great job, some not so great, but they always make me wish they could have a band or artist that's a little more "now" playing. BUT....at the Super Bowl half-time show, you need to have at least 3-4 loud, rocking songs that everyone in the stadium knows, and the show has to be clean enough to be televised (thank you Justin and Janet). Quick, name me an artist that is still making relevant, chart-topping, popular music today (this rules out U2, Bruce Springsteen, the Who, pretty much all the halftime performers I can remember) who have 3-4 songs like this.

I actually thought that Tom Petty two years ago was a perfect choice. I was at a party full of college students and absolutely everyone was singing along. I was watching the super bowl with a few friends this year and, after about 2.5 minutes of discussion (so not very in depth), we decided that Bon Jovi was the answer.

[numbers123]

The ongoing celebration is normal, but sheesh, don't tell me that you had only 24-48 hours to prepare a parade for the Saints. It is not like parades in N'awlins is unusual and not like you don't have all the makings for a parade. The story on the NBC Nightly News was :rolleyes:.

And I think that the Saints deserve the celebration, but I am a little tired of "when the Saints come marching in...".

ETA - TG, it took you 2.5 minutes to decide Bon Jovi was an excellent choice? That was 1.2 seconds for me :P