The Sports Monitor

Random thoughts from Super Bowl XLIV: Give Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams some credit. He was masterful with his adjustments. After giving up 10 first-quarter points, the Saints outscored the Colts 31-7. Drew Brees is a logical choice for MVP. I couldn't argue with Tracy Porter being picked, too, after his game-clinching interception. Heck, coach Sean Payton deserved consideration if a coach could get the award. What about Thomas Morstead? He's the kicker who had the best onside kick ever. It doesn't get much better than that. My memory's fuzzy, but I recall Santonio Holmes having a touchdown overturned in last year's AFC Championship Game against the Ravens. He fumbled after diving into the end zone after getting two feet down to make the catch. I'm still not sure how that was ruled incomplete and the Saints' Lance Moore got credited for a catch on the 2-point conversion. That said, Payton made a great call to challenge the catch.  Porter ...

Peyton Manning had a chance to cement his legacy Sunday night. The Colts were trailing the Saints 24-17 with less than 6 minutes left in Super Bowl XLIV. The Colts needed a touchdown. Manning needed to lead his team. Neither happened. Manning's pass was intercepted by Tracy Porter and returned 74 yards for a touchdown. It wasn't James Harrison rumbling 100 yards for a score, but it was the nail in the coffin for the Colts. Game over. A year ago, a quarterback with something to prove needed to lead his team down the field at the end of the game to win the Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger did it. Manning didn't. Manning can have the statistics and MVP awards. Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings to Manning's one. I'll take the titles. Whatever he does the rest of his career, Manning will never be able to join Joe Montana or Terry Bradshaw as having a perfect record in the big game. Roethisberger still has that chance. And Manning still had a lit...