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The Super Bowl's stars
Here are some who could make a name for this game
Posted: Tuesday January 16, 2001 1:01 PM
Every Super Bowl has its storyline. Every Big Game has its hook.
But what to make of a game that no one expected? What's going to be the story? Other than The Game No One Expected, I mean.
Super Bowl XXXV rolls over us next weekend, like Tony Siragusa on his way to a buffet, with few recognizable names and two remarkably unheralded teams. When the most recognizable player in this Super Bowl is the most recognizable only because of his offseason problems in the courtroom ... well, what we have here is a Super Bowl without a real identity.
Hey! The Super Bowl Without a Real Identity.
Please, allow us to help ID the particulars for the biggest show in sports.
Kerry Collins, New York Giants redeemed quarterback. The hero of New York, a soda-swigging former beer drinker and troublemaker who picked apart Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game. His function in the Super Bowl: To prove his game against the Vikings was no fluke.
Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens redeemed linebacker. His murder trial in early 2000 made him a household name, and his play in late 2000 made him the NFL's most feared defender. His function in the Super Bowl: Create havoc on the field. And stay out of trouble off it.
Trent Dilfer, Ravens quarterback and designated whipping boy. A bust in Tampa Bay, he's OK with the people in Baltimore. For now. As long as he doesn't mess up. His function in the Super Bowl: Don't mess up. Just don't mess up.
Jim Fassel, Giants head coach, purveyor of guarantees. Blow-hard promise with seven wins down and five games left in the season was made to look like the biggest risk since Dustin Hoffman agreed to do Ishtar. His function in the Super Bowl: Finding a way to crack the Baltimore defense. Good freaking luck.
Brian Billick, Ravens' chameleonic head coach. He's an offensive whiz ... but, no, he loves defense! He's an intellect. No, he's a psyche-whipping maniac! His function in the Super Bowl: Stay out of the way of the defense, and make sure Dilfer doesn't mess up.
The Baltimore defense, the bad guys. Its function in the Super Bowl: Maim and destroy.
The Baltimore offense, the really bad guys. Its function in the Super Bowl: Stay out of the way.
Art Modell, Cleveland pariah, Baltimore savior, long-time owner and sufferer. He's a sympathetic figure in his first Super Bowl to anyone not living near Lake Erie, or to anyone who hasn't lost a beloved franchise to another town. His function in the Super Bowl: Stay low and, for goodness sake, don't mention Cleveland.
Wellington Mara, Giants boss, son of the Giants' patriarch and patron saint of the NFL -- or at least as much of a saint as you can be as an owner. You know the NFL would rather see him with the hardware than Modell. His function in the Super Bowl: The elder statesman. And the guy Clevelanders pray to in this game.
Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber, Giants running backs and meteorological brothers. The big Dayne (Thunder) and the scatty Barber (Lightning) have been New York's running hopes this season. Their function in the Super Bowl: To serve as chum for the Baltimore defense.
Jason Sehorn, Mr. Angie Harmon. OK, he plays a pretty damn good cornerback for the Giants, too. But when Ms. Harmon is around, no one notices. His function in the Super Bowl: Lucky stiff.
Shannon Sharpe, Ravens tight end and diarrheic mouth. Reviving his role from XXXIII and XXXII, the never-quiet Sharpe will spend his week amusing and incensing. His function in the Super Bowl: Backing it up.
There will be lots of bit players, too, in this game in search of an identity. Siragusa (and his weight), Rob Burnett, Rod Woodson, Michael Strahan etc. All of them could play a big part in how this one turns out. And who knows? By the time this one's over, it could end up as The Greatest Super Bowl Ever.
Or One of the Worst.
John Donovan is a senior writer for CNNSI.com. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
Comments? To e-mail Donovan, click here.
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