Out o
Super Bowl XXXIII shouldn’t be
Reeves vs. Shanahan
If the media’s job is to find the
ultimate way to destroy everything
good in sports, then they are doing
a masterful job with the Super
Bowl. Arguably the biggest event
in all of sports, the NFL could have
had the two weeks before the Super
Bowl to tell of the shocking Atlanta
Falcons and the fact that John
Elway would be playing his last
game.
But instead of asking Elway
about his feelings toward the game
and his career, the media is
shooting questions about the
stormy relationship Dan Reeves
and Mike Shanahan had in Denver
years ago. The press conferences
are beginning to sound more and
more like a trial as the coaches are
being forced to answer questions
about the matter.
For myself, I don’t care about the
bad relationship these two coaches
had back when 1 was just learning
the basics of football. Coaches all
around the league, even now, have
their disagreements. This isn’t a
new concept that has evolved with
the growth of the league. We just
pry at it a little more these days.
In fact, we have pried so much
that fans are even beginning to take
the side of the team with the coach
that makes better arguments in the
conferences. “Did you hear what
Reeves did to Shanahan in Denver?
And did you hear what Shanahan
had to say about Reeves?” Who
cares?! The more important
questions that should be asked are,
“Can you believe Reeves coached
the Falcons to the Super Bowl after
having quadruple bypass surgery
weeks previously? Do you think
Shanahan can coach the Broncos
to two straight Super Bowl wins?”
That’s the only coach’s storyline
that should be focused on. Not
what happened in the past, but what
will happen in just three days.
So it’s time to begin to focus on
the positive stories as Super Bowl
XXXIII approaches. And believe
me, there are many of them.
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1.) The Teams- Denver Broncos vs.
Atlanta Falcons. This Super Bowl will
bring together two teams with very
different pasts, but also very similar
game plans. The Broncos have always
been known as a contender for the
championship. In fact, the Broncos have
five Super Bowl appearances as opposed
to none for the Falcons. This year’s
Denver team returns most of last
season’s Super Bowl championship
team. The Falcons on the other hand,
bring only two players with Super Bowl
experience; Cornelius Bennett and
Eugene Robinson. The season to this
point seemed routine for the Broncos,
while the Falcons had to continuously
prove themselves week in and week out.
Nobody thought that a team that went
3-13 just two seasons ago, could now
be legitimate contenders for the Broncos.
Advantage: Broncos
2.) The Quarterbacks- John Elway
vs. Chris Chandler. Sounds simple,
right? Denver’s hero that has started in
four Super Bowl already vs. a quiet man
from Atlanta that has played for six
teams in eleven seasons. Not that
simple. Atlanta knows their key to
winning the big game weighs heavily on
the shoulders of Chandler. To this point,
he has responded. And looking at the
stats of Elway and Chandler, you'll see
what I mean. During the regular season,
Chandler finished with a higher QB
rating, more touchdowns (25-22), more
passing yards (3,154-2,806), and
virtually the same completion
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vs.
percentage (58.1 %-599 f). And if you
can believe this, Chandler leads in all
categories (attempts,
yards, touchdowns, and rating) except
interceptions (0-1) in the playoffs.
But due to the pressures that Chandler
faces and just the fact that he is facing
a man called Elw'ay who might be
playing his last game... Advantage:
Broncos
1 r Jr'W
3. The Running Backs- Terrell
Davis vs. Jamal Anderson. Just the
story of these two players is enough
to get the respect of fans around the
nation. It doesn’t sound like players
chosen in the sixth end seventh rounds
of the NFL Draft should be in the
spotlight for the Super Bowl. But
Davis and Anderson have proven that
they are the premiere backs in the
NFL. Davis became only the fourth
man in NFL history to run for over
2,000 yards for the season. Last year,
he battled a migraine to lead the
Broncos to the Super Bowl win and
be named Most Valuable Player.
Anderson finished second in rushing
yards this season to Davis, with 1,846.
He can also lake credit for “Dirty Bird
Fever" sweeping the nation. Due to
his durability and heart.. A surprising
advantage: Falcons.
4. Receivers- Ed McCaffrey vs.
Terance Mathis. Statistically, these
two receivers are equal. Both caught
64 passes during the regular season
for over 1,000 yards. However,
Mathis has made more of an impact
message
Sports
JASON SNYDER
so far this postseason, catching 11
passes for 144 yards with 2
touchdowns. McCaffrey has only
been on the receiving end of six passes
for 118 yards and no touchdowns.
The Falcons, however, use a running
oriented offense which limits Mathis’
effectiveness. In a close game, the
Elway to McCaffrey connection
might be more effective than the
Chandler to Mathis attack.
Advantage: Broncos
5.) The Defenses- The Broncos’
defense has stepped up their defense
for the playoffs, only allowing 13
points for their opponents. Neither
Miami or New York were able to put
any points on the board in the fourth
quarter. The Broncos have only
allowed one touchdown in the
playoffs and have given up only 28
total rushing yards in two games. The
Falcons have seemed to be slipping
defensively, giving up 45 total points
to the 49ers and Vikings. Atlanta has
to be given credit though, as the
Vikings broke the record for points in
a season. The Broncos have proven
they can step it up at
anytime... Advantage: Broncos
As you can see, there are many
important match-ups besides the
battle of the coaches. The finale of
John Elway’s career and the
Cinderella story of the Falcons should
highlight Super Bowl XXXIIi. With
so much good that can happen in this
game, why pollute it with irrelevant
stories of two men that have gone their
separate ways. Rather, talk of the
successes of these two coaches. Not
everything is bad in sports like the
media seems to portray. There are
actually stories that go beyond their
dirt-digging. Reeves vs. Shanahan
won't be written in NFL history. I
think it will be a story of two even
teams that put on a show for all of the
nation to see. The media can watch
the sidelines, but they’ll be missing
history.
Snyder is the sports editor for tlte
Beacon. Out of Bounds appears
weekly on this page.
Housing and Food Service
Athlete of the Week
Name
Sport:
Class:
Position
Date:
Jen O’Lare, a sophomore forward, has been named the Housing and Food Service Athlete of the Week.
O’Lare has helped lead the Behrend Lions to a perfect 4-0 AMCC record and 11-6 overall.
On Wednesday, O’Lare was 4x7 from the floor and 10 of 10 from the free throw line in the win over
Pitt-Bradford. O’Lare earned 18 points, four rebounds, and had three assists. Saturday night the Behrend Lions
traveled to Pitt-Greensburg and won 66-46. O’Lare had another strong game with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4
assists and a steal and block.
On the year, O’Lare is leading the team in scoring at 11.9 ppg and second in rebounds at 6.5 a game
She also shoots 49% from the field and 70% from the charity-stripe.
O’Lare is a graduate of Bethel Park High School.
BEHREND BRIEFS
Lion Ambassadors
winners at Student
Organization Night
The Lion Ambassadors took full advantage of Behrend’s
Student Organization Night in Erie Hall. The organizations in
attendance at the Lady Lions’ basketball game against the
Washington and Jefferson Presidents were able to enter a raffle
for a free pizza party at halftime.
At the half, with Belnend leading the game 24-15, Behrend
Director of Athletics Brian Streeter drew the Lion Ambassadors
as the winners. Because of their loyalty to Behrend athletics,
they will get eight pizzas and pop.
Lion Ambassador member Sarah Edwards, 02,
Communications, commented on the night saying, “I enjoyed
watching the ladies win and I will also enjoy eating the pizza.
It’s all about Behrend, baby!"
Greek Night packed
with activities
On Saturday, January 30, Eric Hall will be a busy place as it will be
hosting Greek Night. The men and women basketball teams will be hosting
a double-header against AMCC opponent Laßoche.
The women will tip-off the night at 6:00 p.m. as they hope to remain
unbeaten in AMCC play. The men will then attempt to stay on the heels of
AMCC leading Pitt-Bradford as they too will battle Laßoche at 8:00 p.m.
Along with the double-header, there will be a 3 on 3 competition and the
finals for the three-point shootout that was started on January 26. The
women's competition was already decided as Amy Laßocca beat out
Michelle Mackanos for a gift certificate to Damon's. The men’s finals will
have Lee Ericson and Anthony Armstrong battling during halftime of the
men’s basketball game.
Fan participation is strongly incouraged as the Lions' basketball program
continue to excel in AMCC play.
Buck shooting up
three-point list
Tiffany Buck needs only one three-pointer to tie Becky Swartz for
second on the all-time three-point list at Behrend. The next women’s
basketball game will be this Saturday against Laßoche on Greek Night.
Jen O’Lare
Women’s Basketball
Sophomore
Forward
January 18 - January 25
January 28,1999 - The Behrend College Beacon - page II