Cheap Seats: Cam Newton should make most of moment,
Let me tell you a story ... It was mid-January of 1985. The Miami Dolphins were on their way back to the Super Bowl (XIX), led by a second-year wunderkind quarterback named Dan Marino. A gunslinger from Pittsburgh, he was embarrassed when still available near the end of round one. Don
Shula happily claimed him with the 27th pick and one of football’s great pro careers was launched.
The Dolphins got to that Super Bowl primarily because Marino became the 1984 MVP by throwing for an astonishing (especially at the time) 48 TD passes, leading Miami to a 14-2 record. (In the AFC East, New England was second at 9-7 if you are keeping score.) On to Stanford Stadium in northern California, not far from San Francisco, to slay the dragon — Joe Mon
tana and the San Francisco 49ers, who had been 15-1 that season. Montana-Marino. Marino-Montana. And if you had a Miami connection, even as a non-homer sports writer from Orlando, you knew this was the coronation. I was there for nearly a week with my wife to explore the area.
I did not wonder nor worry about whether Marino would win the Super Bowl. No, I simply guessed at how many.
And, of course, he won none. Never played in another after the Niners’ pounded the Dolphins 38-16. Marino threw for one TD but was picked twice. Montana accounted for four TDs and rode off as MVP.
“I was 23,” said Marino this week, talking of his reaction back then. “OK, we lost. We’ll be back. I’ll win a Super Bowl.”
But he did not. It was not his last rodeo. It was his only rodeo.
Marino is safely ensconced in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. You do a list of the 100 greatest and he’s somewhere in the twenties. However, start a discussion about the wonders of Marino and in mere seconds, someone will say, “Yeah, but he never won a Super Bowl.”
It’s the one check mark left forever unchecked.
... So that story we just told is a cautionary tale today
for Carolina Panthers fifthyear wunderkind quarterback Cam New
ton. You watch the exuberance, confidence and outright cockiness of his play. This young man, 26, expects to win this Super Bowl and many, many more. And when you consider the all-around strength of the Panthers, it has to be considered.
Meanwhile, there is that third story, the one of the aged wunderkind quarterback of the Denver Broncos — Peyton Manning. He has one Super Bowl victory (and two defeats). He’s been there, done that.
This is the story that has dominated the media mania, as apparently every sports guy everywhere has “a source close to the situation” who says this is Manning’s last game. And if it is his last game, it will be sweet entertainment to watch him ride off into the sunset (even though the sun will be down).
(But won’t it feel anticlimactic if he wins but stubbornly comes back, too? ... Nah.)
And, yes, losing will seem a shame, whether he comes back or goes away. But Manning losing presumably means Newton won, launching that new story into the stratosphere.
Perhaps we should be pulling for Cam Newton and the Panthers, even if that does sound like a bad ’70s rock band. Looking forward instead of back?
See final score below ...
Super Bowl score ...
Carolina 42, Denver 17 This, of course, is a foolish prediction and not just because it was made by me. Both defenses are terrific and nearly everyone expects little scoring. But I think that Carolina D will take the ball without asking — and nothing destroys confidence more than losing the ball. A pick, a fumble and perhaps one great career ends while another officially begins.
Or I could be wrong.
... And another story
I’m spending this week at my favorite Central Florida Health Spa — South Seminole Hospital, a member of the OrlandoHealth group, in Longwood. I’m sure our other hospitals are fine, but this where I’m at due to a few issues. And I’m sure some of you may disagree with my thoughts because different folks have difference experiences.
In my opinion, these folks are great. The doctors and support staff are there to help you get better and help you make lifestyle decisions that may keep you out of hospitals. But a special thanks to the nurses. The short definition of “nursing” given to me by Mr. Google is “the profession or practice of providing care for the sick and infirm.”
That’s true, but also cold and without subtext. Good nursing is also about providing a competent and caring hand to someone who feels alone and could really use a friend. Nursing is about the giving of hope.
I wasn’t planning on watching the Super Bowl here, but if I do, I’ll be with friends.
Rage about Rodney
Indignation and anger everywhere about Rodney Harrison saying that, in his day, a defender would have tried to hurt Newton to get him out of the game.
Harrison, former Patriots safety and current NBC analyst, said on “The Dan Patrick Show,” “I would go right to his knees. That’s the goal.’’
Not sure if that’s the goal exactly, but I hope Harrison is not punished for an honest and believable answer.
Harrison came into the NFL around 20 years ago when the savagery was more acceptable.
In most sports and businesses, you do what you can get away with. But today you’re more polite.
These are notes, folks
Did you see the cover of our Calendar section Friday? A sorta fullfrontal photo of “Naked Boys Singing,” who are performing at the Parliament House.
Of all the singing groups in the universe that I could not join, that’s the first.
“No, Coach Harbaugh, you cannot use real wolverines next year!”
Been watching all the political circus, and I swear I’ve seen this all before on “The West Wing.”
Have we all agreed that we are past the point during which Johnny Manziel seems funny? We talk about the career endings of Manning and Kobe Bryant, but none seems as sad as the way things are grinding down for Tony Stewart.
It’s spring! The Rays came out and lost their first player arbitration case.
Finally, one last stat from the regular season. Rushing: Newton 636; Manning minus six.