A Different Super Bowl Perspective

A Different Super Bowl Perspective

Gina Sue Erle

There are three different types of people who watch the Super Bowl. There’s the people who watch to make it a social event with their friends, the people who watch because of the commercials, and then there are the actual sports fans. Why did I watch the Super Bowl? One word, three syllables: Beyonce. While most people who write about the Super Bowl would give you a play by play of every touchdown, field goal, and penalty, I’d rather give a play by play of Beyonce's amazing performance during the half-time show.

It began with flashing lights and people running onto the field and then BOOM! An explosion of fire lit up the stage revealing the portraits of two women's faces in fire. And then with another burst of light, Beyonce is there, in all her glory, surrounded by spouts of fire. Smoke and noise surrounds her as she stands there hip-popped and ready to rock the audience. Then it goes quiet except for the sounds of the crowd. As Beyonce raises her microphone I felt the chill of anticipation run down my spine. “B”stands there, cloaked in shadow as she belts out, “baby it’s you” from “Love on Top” and the she proceeds to strut her stuff across the stage. Waiting for the dramatic pause she stops and then she is finally revealed, looking extraordinary in her black leather leotard. She acknowledges the crowd and then lights flash as she starts singing, “Crazy in Love.” Although I was a bit disappointed her hubby Jay-Z wasn’t there to sing with her, she still rocked the song and hit every dance move with sass and passion. Then a guitarist comes with a sparkling guitar solo and not just because it was a well-played part, but because there were literally sparklers shooting off from the guitar. 

She then transitioned into “End of Time,” which to me lacked a little luster as it isn’t one of her best songs. But Beyonce and her back-up dancers didn’t even seem to break a sweat as they performed the number. Beyonce then rocked the crowd to “Baby Boy,” where she danced in front of a screen with an infinite number of Beyonces. It was a beautiful visual that must have taken hours to perfect and left every girl who has no rhythm wishing they had 1/100th of the talent Beyonce has.

And then it happened. The moment people had spread rumors about. The moment people had been dreaming of for years. In came the tempo of the oh-so familiar “Bootylicious.” Then boom, Kelly popped up and then Michelle. Destiny’s Child had re-united for the Super Bowl and it was like I was eleven again. Every girl watching squealed in delight remembering how amazing Destiny’s Child was. It was a wonderful blast from the past as they began singing “Independent Women” surrounded by fire and flashing lights. Then the past caught up with the future and the three ladies collaborated on Beyonce's hit, “Single Ladies.” And then in an instant Michelle and Kelly were gone as Beyonce waved them off the stage and continued dancing with a plethora of background dancers surrounding the stage.

Beyonce then took it down a notch for a stunning rendition of “Halo.” I personally try to avoid listening to this song, not because it’s bad, but because I tend to cry every time I hear it; that’s how much emotion is put into this song. So there I sat crying watching Beyonce sing “Halo” surrounded by people deeply concerned for my emotional response. Wiping away my tears, I watched Beyonce finish her performance on her knees, belting the last notes with lights going just as crazy as the crowd and smoke danced in the background along with the music. 

Beyonce cannot be a real human. She danced and sang for a solid 12 minutes while wearing high heels. I can’t even run five minutes at the gym without needing to take a break. Beyonce definitely brought her A-game and had one of the best Super Bowl performances of all time.

Through My Empirical Lens

Through My Empirical Lens

Nick Dobis

The Changing of the Guard

Photo Via Sporting Universe

Linebackers can be incredible creatures.

The best ones appear to be half human, half beast. On the field their eyes need to pierce their prey. A heart-stopping stare with the ability to waiver a tailback’s determination and shake the confidence of a quarterback. They need the prudence of a predator, stalking their prey with precision. Then, in that moment of truth, they must unleash their tempered intensity in a spectacle of controlled violence. They must rile up the pack before the fight, and steady its nerves in times of doubt with their actions. Instead of fearing danger, they must have an insatiable thirst for it. Pain for them is an afterthought reflected upon long after the fight is complete.

They are athletes who mesmerize us with their speed, strength, and cunning instincts. But what separates the good linebackers from the incredible? The heart of a lion. A a fitting analogy for Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis. According to a Yahoo Sports report, Willis has often endearingly referred to Lewis as “Mufasa”, The Lion King.

There will be no shortage of incredible linebackers when the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens step foot under the brightest lights in all of American sports tomorrow, but number 52 will be the player to watch for both teams. The question is which lion will lead their pride to victory, the young up and coming Simba, or Mufasa, who in his final game has nothing left to lose?  

Ray’s Last Ride

Photo Via Injoymint

I was too young to remember an NFL in which Lawrence Taylor laid waste to offenses, but ever since I first became truly infatuated with the game, Ray Lewis has had as much of an impact on the game. Since entering the league as a first round draft pick out of the University of Miami in 1996, Lewis has been the physical and emotional cornerstone of the Ravens. In his hall of fame career, Lewis has registered 2,061 tackles (1,567 solo), 42 sacks (his first ever was against Jim Harbaugh, current 49ers head coach), 31 interceptions and 13 Pro Bowl selections. The last time he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl in 2001, they blew out the New York Giants 34-7 and was awarded MVP of the game. After tearing one of his triceps in October, Lewis returned to field in the Wild Card round against the Indianapolis Colts, vowing this season would be his last. It is that emotional momentum the Ravens have ridden all the way to the Super bowl.

Although he is beloved by the city of Baltimore, and many others around the league, there are those who cannot separate the extremely vocal and passionate player from the man with the off-field controversies. He is often marred for by his murder case and its misconceptions, along with the most recent allegations of his use of a banned substance. Despite the uncertainty of his overall legacy, two things do remain certain. One, The Raven’s need a lights-out, disciplined performance from Lewis and the defensive front-seven in order to stop a dynamic 49ers offense from being victorious. Two, the NFL will not be quite the same once he steps off the field for good Sunday. 

The Heir Has Risen

Photo Via Opinionsfordays

There are two specific plays from the linebacker’s days at Ole Miss which revealed Patrick Willis' potential as the chosen one to fulfill Lewis’ legacy. The first is this one against the Arkansas Razorbacks. If you don’t recognize the young man taking the snap in the Wildcat formation, that is Darren McFadden, future first round draft pick and current starting NFL tailback :




Still not impressed? This next one against LSU should do the trick:

Satisfied? Since entering the NFL as a first round draft pick in 2007, Willis has registered 812 tackles (622 solo), 18 Sacks, and seven interceptions. He was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007 and has received six Pro Bowl nods in his young career. Despite having led the 49ers to the post season only twice, Willis transferred his regular season excellence when its mattered most, registering 35 tackles and two sacks in four playoff games. Though not as vocal or emotional as Lewis, Willis is the glue which holds together a stout 49er defense. Not only does he have the speed to chase down the league's best running backs, but he matches up nicely with almost every tight end. If the 49ers wish to hoist the Lombardi trophy in New Orleans, Patrick Willis must help bottle up a dangerous Ray Rice, and be a constant nuisance for Raven’s tight end Dennis Pitta. 

The Edge?

I usually love favoring the salty veteran, especially since he’s likely to play with reckless abandon in his final game. But I expect the young lion to help his team claim a 6th super bowl title for the red and gold. This is a 49er defense which has played arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL against its premier quarterbacks this season, largely proving their worth in those games. No matter the outcome, The NFL will see the torch be passed on to Willis, and shall hear Baltimore's favorite Raven say, "nevermore."

A Tale of Two Brothers: The Harbowl

Examining Jim and John Harbaugh

Dan O'Brien

Photo Credit: theshadowleague.com

Let's face it: the NFL has lost a bit of its luster. Perhaps it is the ridiculous contracts or just the slowing down of the game to make it safer, but there is something about it that lacks the energy it had more than a decade ago. When the only thing we can point to for drama in the game is a late field goal for a win, I think it is time to reevaluate what it is about the game that makes it so enticing. Frothing-at-the-mouth fans tune into the NFL to watch a game that challenges the perseverance and the strength of the human condition, both physically and mentally. I am not going to turn this into a tirade about why distilling the game to a final kick in the final seconds has damaged the league (I will leave that to Skip Bayless), but instead talk about what drew fans to football in the first place: smash-mouth football. 

The Harbowl, as it is affectionately being called, is a return to a much older time in football, better times in the opinion of many fans and analysts .Strong defenses unwilling to give up an inch and a run game that keeps linebackers and defensive backs honest. The Baltimore Ravens have been this kind of team with Ray Lewis as an emotional and physically impressive centerpiece since he walked on the field. Over the past two seasons, the 49ers have emerged from the ashes to become a defensive stalwart and a truly impressive offensive presence. This Brother's Bowl has rejuvenated a love of football for many fans, creating a dramatic stage that has been painfully absent over the past couple of seasons. My inclination is that the threat of a Brother Bowl might lurk long after the final moments tick off the clock in New Orleans this Sunday. 

John Harbaugh

Photo Credit: fox59.com

Following nearly a decade in Philadelphia as a Special Teams coordinator and then working with the secondary and safeties in his final year (2007), John's coaching career really started at Western Michigan University in 1984 as the running backs and outside linebacker's coach in 1984. From 1988 until 2006, John was the man behind the Special Teams, an interesting career path of a coach in the Super Bowl. There has been a lot of talk recently of NFL head coaches who spent time as Special Teams coordinators and the value that front offices might place on that in the head coaching selection process. Looking at John's record, there might be something to that. 

As coach of the Baltimore Ravens, his all-time record of 80-54 (a .675 winning percentage) is quite impressive. The worst record he has carried as head coach was 9-7 in 2009, which was the last time they did not win their division. Going into the Super Bowl, he is 8-4 in playoff games, though he has yet to hoist the coveted Lombardi trophy. 

Jim Harbaugh

Photo Credit: usatoday.com

The turnaround in San Francisco was intense and dramatic and is due to the personality of its coaching staff heralded most prominently by Jim Harbaugh. He has been referred to as a player's coach and I imagine this comes from his time spent on the field doing precisely what he expects of his player's every time they step on the field. There is a mantra that I live by and it has served me pretty well: do not demand something of someone else that you are unwilling to do. Jim Harbaugh has stood in the pocket and taken a hit from Ray Lewis and can demand that toughness of his own players. 

Drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1987 (26th overall), Jim would spend the next 13 years as a quarterback in the NFL. He would not remain with Chicago, spending time in Indianapolis, Baltimore, and San Diego before retiring in 2000. He only posted two winning seasons as a pro quarterback and that was with the Chicago Bears in 1990 and 1991. His journey as a coach began at Western Kentucky in 1994 and then was highlighted by his time at Stanford. It is the radical change in philosophy that we saw transitioning from Mike Singletary to Harbaugh that speaks to his tenacity on and off the field. In only two years as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Jim was one game away from a Super Bowl and now coaching in one. He has helped create a football culture in San Francisco that is reminiscent of the Bill Walsh days. San Franciscans have a team to cheer for once again, and they have Jim Harbaugh to thank for it. 

Opinion Time

Who do I think is the better coach? 

This is a tough call. What I would look to in determining this is an upward trajectory in terms of team play. John  made a risky move in bringing on Jim Caldwell to call the offense and it helped propel the Ravens into the Super Bowl. Jim created a stir in San Francisco by benching Alex Smith and starting Colin Kaepernick in his place: this turned out pretty well. If I had to choose one, then I would go with Jim because of the sudden transformation of the 49ers without changing any other piece other than him taking the helm. Jim Harbaugh essentially used the pieces that had been left behind from a sub .500 team the year before and made them a team to be feared in a division that was roundly dismissed until the 49ers started crushing teams and the Seahawks became the upstarts of the league. 

The larger point that looms is that one Harbaugh brother is going to win a Super Bowl and one of them is going to have to watch his brother lift the Lombardi trophy above his head. The novelty of a Harbaugh winning a Super Bowl regardless of who wins is a special moment in NFL history. A conference for Jim and John's parents best illustrates what it means to experience crushing defeat and overwhelming joy in the same breath. 

More about the author: A psychologist, author, philosopher, freelance editor, and skeptic, Dan O’Brien has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, The Portent, The Path of the Fallen, Book of Seth, and Cerulean Dreams.

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Harbaugh's Heroes: Ray Rice vs. Frank Gore

Ray Rice vs. Frank Gore

by Dan O'Brien

Photo credit: cbsnews.com

The comparisons continue; this time with two premier backs. Frank Gore became the leading rusher in 49ers history this year and has stuck with the team through thick and thin. Ray Rice became the main attraction of a powerful run game the moment he stepped on the field. Both of these running backs are strong downfield runners who are not afraid of some contact. Part of what makes this Super Bowl (or Harbowl) so fascinating is that the match-up is between two old-style clubs: a strong run offense and a hardnosed, lights-out defense.

Ray Rice

Photo credit: sports-kings.com

Ray Rice is a complete running back. He is great off-tackle and he is great in the open field. He has the speed and the strength to be considered an elite running back, which he most certainly is. When he came into the league in 2008, he was not the first option for Baltimore. This, however, quickly changed. In 2009, he rushed for 1339 yards and 7 touchdowns. He caught 78 passes for 702 yards, solidifying his presence as a double-threat back. In 2012, the year that matters because the Ravens are in the Super Bowl, he rushed for 1143 yards and 9 touchdowns; he added to that 61 receptions for 478 yards. Despite a strong season, this was by no means his best season. 

Frank Gore

Photo Credit: examiner.com

Frank Gore is a part of 49ers history and this game might mean more to him than a lot of the other guys on the team. Gore, while being a powerful runner, is not the same dynamic back that Rice seems on track to be. He rushed for 1695 yards and 8 touchdowns in his first year as a starter (2006), which are monster numbers, but he managed to only hover around 1200 yards for the remainder of his career. If you add 61 receptions for 485 yards, then you are talking about more than a 2000-yard season in 2006. Fast-forward to 2012: this was a pretty good year as well, as he rushed for 1214 yards and 8 touchdown, adding to that 28 receptions for 234 yards. It seems clear to me that he never recovered from the knee injury, taking a little power and speed out of his step.

Opinion Time

Both teams are going to threaten the run. Both defenses are prepared for the run. Both of these running backs are willing to stretch and fall for that extra inch. I feel like Kaepernick should be included in the running back conversation, simply because the threat of his quickness and the Read-Option make the 49ers running game more of a threat. Gore average 4.7 yards per carry for an average of 75.9 yards per game. Rice average 4.4 yards per carry for 71.4 yards per game. Those numbers are too close to call. Gore had three fumbles on the year, one of which was taken back for a touchdown, while Rice had only one. I think whichever team wins the contested run game will inevitably emerge victorious this Sunday. With numbers this tight between two powerhouse running backs, something has to give.

More about the author: A psychologist, author, philosopher, freelance editor, and skeptic, Dan O’Brien has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, The Portent, The Path of the Fallen, Book of Seth, and Cerulean Dreams. 

Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) 

Visit his blog at http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com.

Harbaugh's Heroes: Flacco vs. Kaepernick

Flacco vs. Kaepernick

by Dan O'Brien

As the drama unfolds this Sunday in the aptly named Harbowl, there is something fascinating brewing in the background, estranged match-ups that seem ripe for comparisons. Leading up to Super Sunday, we here at Empirical are going to provide our two cents about the marquee match-ups in this brother bowl. Joe Flacco has been called many things, chief among them "weak under pressure" and a "loser" for not making it to the Big Show. This has now changed, right before a contract year I might add, in that it certainly puts into perspective a winning quarterback who had yet to win it all. Colin Kaepernick was at the center of a QB controvery in the Bay that turned out to be less a controversy and more a misunderstanding by the public as to what was in the best interest of the team.

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.

Joe Flacco

The 6’6” quarterback from the University of Delaware has over the course of his short career (starting in 2008) racked up some impressive statistics: an average completion rating of 60.5 percent; 102 touchdowns to only 56 interceptions. The worst season under Joe Flacco the Ravens went only 9-7, a telling statistics given the presence of a playoff wrecking ball like the Steelers being in the same division. What is most interesting about this run of winning seasons (every season since Flacco has started has been a winning season) is the lack of jewelry, the true testament to the efficacy and noteworthiness of a quarterback. Another notable Flacco fact, despite not appearing in the big game at season's end,  he does hold the NFL record for most playoff road wins. While his averages are striking when juxtaposed with the same quarterback class, which includes another perennial winner as-of-yet to make it to the most important Sunday of the season, Matt Ryan, is the criticism that he [Flacco] does not have what it takes to join other Super Bowl winners.

The more important and relevant statistic is how Flacco stood up this year. The Ravens went 10-6, though this seems better than the late-season lull in Baltimore right before Ray Lewis announced his retirement at the end of the season and the AFC juggernaut gathered steam. He completed 317 of 531 passes (59.7 percent) for 3817 yards over the course of 16 starts. (I realize that you know a regular season is 16 games, but it becomes important we when compare him to a fresher quarterback who started half as many games.) He was fairly efficient, throwing 22 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. He had an 87.7 Quarterback rating; a statistic that I think has been given too much weight in the current NFL climate.

A pretty solid year for a consistent quarterback chasing greatness.

Colin Kaepernick

The 6’5” quarterback who came out of Nevada-Reno has been spectacular this year. There was some speculation about his game and field management when Jim Harbaugh first benched Alex Smith after a concussion. I would think that the doubters, for the most part, have been silenced by this point in the season. With Kaepernick at the helm, the 49ers were able to do what they could not do last year: make the Super Bowl. In the 7 games that Colin started, San Francisco went 5-2. He made 136 out of 218 passes (62.4 percent) for 1814 yards. He threw 10 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. His QBR of 98.3 is impressive, but I do not think it is as telling as many people would like to believe.

Not bad for a second-year back-up quarterback starting for a team in the Super Bowl.

So What?

Looking at the numbers, you might shrug and say So What? The numbers are pretty close and if Kaepernick had played a whole season his numbers would be about the same or marginally higher. I could regale you with statistical analysis (but this is not ESPN and I do not get paid as much as John Hollinger), but needless to say a little goes a long way in terms of what is significant.

There is a key difference between these two quarterbacks that warrants mentioning: mobility. Both are tall and athletic, but Kaepernick has a very similar game to RG3, Russell Wilson, and Michael Vick. The threat of the Read-Option, even if it is only run three times per game, gives defenses the fits. Jim Caldwell calling the offense certainly gave the Ravens a much-needed boost in the passing game, but there are only so many times that you can Ray Rice the ball on a first down before a defense knows it’s coming and renders it ineffective. The 49ers have quietly created a three-headed monster with a dynamic passing game (with Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, and an aging, but spry, Randy Moss), a monster running game fronted by Frank Gore, and the late year brilliance of a young Kaepernick.

I think we might be in for a slugfest this Sunday after all….

More about the author: A psychologist, author, philosopher, freelance editor, and skeptic, Dan O’Brien has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, The Portent, The Path of the Fallen, Book of Seth, and Cerulean Dreams. 

Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) 

Visit his blog at http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com.

Our Pacific Northwest: Ticketmaster Helps a Fan's Super Dreams Come True

Our Pacific Northwest

Ticketmaster Helps a Fan's Super Dreams Come True

Ticketmaster, criticized in the past by some musical artists and their fans for unfair ticket prices, displayed a rare act of compassion for one unfortunate Bay Area resident. Earlier this week, the Oakland Tribune reported Santa Clara resident Sharon Osgood was duped out of Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens. According to the Tribune, Osgood wired nearly $6,000 to a Raven’s fan for tickets, only to receive an empty box with “Go Ravens! LOL!” written all over it. Soon after the Tribune released this initial story, they reported today Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard personally called the Osgood residence to inform them they will be receiving four free tickets to Sunday’s game in New Orleans. The 49ers front office also made a call to the season ticket holder with another free ticket offer. Altogether, Osgood received five free tickets for her and her family to cheer on their team after all. Empirical would like to commend Ticketmaster for reaching out and exhibiting a seldom seen act of kindness for a resident of our Pacific Northwest.

Sharon Osgood, Photo Via Oakland Tribune

Our Pacific Northwest

Our Pacific Northwest

Seahawks Surge Past Washington with Griffin Wounded

After facing a 14-point deficit early in their wildcard match-up against an equally hot Redskins squad, the Seahawks scored 24 unanswered points to claim their first post-season road win in nearly three decades. Although Seattle’s stingy defense kept Alfred Morris (second only to Adrian Peterson in rushing yards this season) under 100 yards, and a solid performance from rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, it was the knee of Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III that drew most of the attention throughout the game on Sunday. Griffin, who appeared to re-injure a knee still healing from a sprain against the Baltimore Ravens on December 9, 2012, remained in the game despite showing obvious discomfort. While the Washington faithful will have an entire off-season to ponder the health of their rookie phenom, and whether or not he should have remained in the game after Marsawn’s Lynch’s trademark beast-mode playoff touchdown, the ‘hawks prepare for a battle of the birds in Atlanta this weekend. The Falcon’s went 13-3 in their 2012 campaign, but have wavered in recent playoffs. The Pacific Northwest will anxiously wait to see if the Seahawks can win another road game and earn a spot in the NFC Championship game, where they could potentially meet their divisional foes, the 49ers, for a trip to the Super bowl.