Super Bowl Player And Moment Awards

Unlike the Tony's and Emmy's, BackupQuarterback could not get Neil Patrick Harris to host its First Annual Super Bowl Awards presentation.

Too bad.

He could have discussed one of the most widely watched Super Bowls of all-time and a football game that will be remembered as legen….wait for it….dary!

MVP/MVC:

Drew Brees’ 32-for-39 passing performance, during which he tied a Super Bowl record for completions, was nice.  But for the first time in history the top individual hardware should have gone to someone who never left the sidelines. Player or not, no one was as instrumental to this outcome as Saints coach Sean Payton – who pushed all the right buttons.

His best decision – and the true turning point – was going for the touchdown on fourth-and-goal late in the first half facing a 10-3 deficit. Sure, the offense got stopped on that play but kicking a field goal would have required kicking off – which means giving Peyton Manning field position and a chance to execute the two-minute drill and get back the three points.

Turning the ball over on the 1-yard line only meant the Colts – who can be more conservative than Tom Selleck and more cautious than a first-time mom – would play for a first down and run out the clock.

Payton’s decision to go for it on offense really was a vote of confidence for his own defense, which forced a punt and the Saints ended up kicking their field goal anyway. It was delayed gratification – a sudden theme for the city of New Orleans.

Also considered:

Drew Brees – Think San Diego misses this guy?

Garrett Hartley – The Saints’ kicker’s season began with a four-game performance-enhancing drug suspension and ended with three 40-plus yard field goals in the Super Bowl. Hmmm…

Goat:

Has anyone with such a damaged track record ever inspired so much widespread confidence? Manning’s postseason resume includes a 9-9 record and a slew of disappointing losses, and yet NFL nation deemed it undeniable that Manning would drive down the field for the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Instead the man who is credited for his unwavering trust in Average Joe receivers forced a pass to top target Reggie Wayne – when Austin Collie was open on a shorter pattern – and wound up with the most famous pick-6 in the Super Bowl since Neil O’Donnell threw two passes into the breadbasket of Larry Brown.

To compound matters, Manning also fouled up the next drive. After moving the Colts inside the 10-yard line, he called for a timeout – then unsuccessfully tried to take it back. This bonehead move is sure to get lost in the shuffle but if the Colts had scored a touchdown, they would have been forced to try an onside kick because of Manning’s timeout call. Otherwise, will all three timeouts left, they could have kicked off normally and played for field position. If you don’t think this is a big deal, ask Norv Turner.

As long as we’re talking about Joes, this Super Bowl proved that Peyton is no Joe Cool.

Also considered:

Reggie Wayne – The target of 11 passes had 5 catches for 46 yards. Those pedestrian numbers are fine against Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis but you can’t become a permanent decoy.

Robert Mathis – Everyone learned his name last week when Dwight Freeney’s injured ankle became a headline. Everyone will forget it this week after a no-tackle, nowhere-to-be-found performance by Freeney’s opposite defensive end.

Most Underrated Performance:

The Saints’ offensive line not only stifled Freeney and Mathis – Freeney’s one sack was the only serious hit Brees took all game – but excelled in the screen passing game. The most notable example is the downfield blocking on Pierre Thomas’ 16-yard touchdown catch, but running backs Thomas and Reggie Bush combined for 93 receiving yards – many of which came because of the athleticism of the offensive line. Besides, how cool was it seeing an offensive lineman in pre-snap motion a few times?

Also considered:

Marques Colston – He made up for his facemask blooper on the second series by finishing with seven catches for 83 yards

Joseph Addai – No running game for the Colts? Tell that to Addai who had 13 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Gary Brackett – The former undrafted free agent turned Colts’ defense captain posted a game-high 13 tackles – 12 solo.

Best Play:

If you’re not a fan of The Who and not quick with a remote control, you probably missed the best play of the game. The onside kick to start the second half showed guts and an example of how much film the Saints’ coaches must have watched to notice such a tiny vulnerability in the Colts’ special teams. Of course, what did you expect from the man who fumbled away the kick? Hank Baskett could have come back to catch the game-winning touchdown pass (ala Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes) and his biggest score still would have been landing his wife, Kendra Wilkinson.

Also considered:

Tracy Porter’s interception return for a touchdown

Too bad we didn’t see…

Overtime. Maybe if the Super Bowl ended on a coin flip, the NFL finally would understand its overtime rules are outdated. Remember, Manning’s gripes got the pass interference rules changed a few years back. If the Saints had won the toss and scored without Manning touching the ball, then you can bet that Roger Goodell’s first phone call Monday morning would have been to the NCAA. It would have begun something like this: “So both teams get the ball no matter what?”

Best Commercial:

Not a great overall selection relative to years past – how can it be without Pepsi participating? – but the winner is the Snickers’ commercial featuring Betty White. Who knew the former Golden Girl could take a huge hit and talk smack? And the new slogan – “you’re not you when you’re hungry” practically convinced me to heat up more wings.

Also considered:

Doritos’ man wearing the dog collar

E-Trade’s cheating babies

Google’s progression of a relationship