For Manning and Dungy, a Long-Awaited Championship - New York Times

For Manning and Dungy, a Long-Awaited Championship - New York Times.

Super Bowl XLI: Colts 29, Bears 17
For Manning and Dungy, a Long-Awaited Championship    
By CLIFTON BROWN, Published: February 5, 2007

[Left, screenshot of story photo from NY Times]

MIAMI, Feb. 4 — In a rainy Super Bowl XLI, the Indianapolis Colts refused to let an elusive championship slip away.

Peyton Manning no longer has to worry about a career without a Super Bowl title. Tony Dungy, who joined Lovie Smith as the first African-American coaches in the Super Bowl, became the first African-American coach to win it. The Colts’ defense, often maligned for being too soft against the run and too unreliable in key situations, forced five turnovers and held the Chicago Bears to just 3 points in the second half to secure a 29-17 victory Sunday night at Dolphin Stadium.

I loved the game, and the outcome, having predicted the Colts this week and felt they were the better championship-ready team; it was their time this year, though watch out for the Chargers on a mission next year (sounds like the Padres' tale - wait 'til next year).. still, looking back, 3 point loss to Patriots.. the Colts would have had to come to San Diego's home, and beat them there.. who would have won this hypothetical game? I think next year, we might find out more..

..And congrats to Manning-Super-Hero champ, Tony, the great Colts defense and that awesome offensive line.. the dome team in the rain outplayed da Bears, who would have thought it possible? The rain, the blurry CBS long-range camera shots, and the giant stage for a great quarterback.. it made me nostalgic for some other great Super Bowl games.. and, appropriate this feat was done in Miami, in some way a tribute to another great quarterback who never got the ring, Marino.. he made you feel welcomed to Miami every time he was on tv.. was this Super Bowl One for the Ages? No, but it was fun game.. the ads, well, so so.. Coke had some of the best, IMHO.. see for yourself at CBS link to ads: http://cbssportsline.com/superads ..