COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
THURSDAY, January 31, 2013 — Page 3B
NFL SUPER BOWL
Tough to pick a brother Ravens are the underdogs, but 49ers’ offense will need to show up By BARRY WILNER
The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — The San Francisco 49ers never have tasted defeat in a Super Bowl, going 5-0. It’s the most impressive mark for any franchise in the big game. Baltimore also is undefeated, with the Ravens winning their only appearance, in 2001. Someone will have the Super
Bowl blahs for the first time after Sunday’s title game in the Superdome. The Ravens (13-6), who are 3½ -point underdogs, are on one of those runs reminiscent of recent NFL champions. Indeed, the New York Giants reached the Super Bowl a year ago in a similar manner, winning a wild-card game at home, then two playoffs on the road, including an overtime thriller. The Giants got healthy down the stretch, something the Ravens have replicated, particularly on defense where star linebackers
Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are giving vi ntage performa nc es following injuryshortened seasons. “I believe we have found a way to believe in each
other, and nothing else matters,” said Lewis, who will retire after the game. “That is one thing about our sideline. When we are on our sideline, there is only one thing that matters, when this game ends, we will be victorious, and everybody believes the same thing. That’s what’s been our road, no matter who’s been up, who’s been down, who’s been hurt, who’s been injured. We found a way to pick each other up.” Baltimore’s path to New Orleans led through New England, where the Ravens fell to the Patriots in last year’s AFC title game. But they outscored the Patriots 21-0 in the second half to earn their spot in the Super Bowl. San Francisco (13-4-1) also came up one win short a year ago, losing to the Giants for the NFC championship. That defeat has driven the 49ers just as much as the Ravens’ failure in 2011 lifted them. These Niners are built around a physical, stingy defense — that also has been the Ravens’ persona for years, although not as much in 2012 as in Lewis’ other 17 pro seasons. Linebacker Patrick Willis, who like Lewis wears No. 52 and is a perennial All-Pro,
San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, and Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh are getting ready for the “Harbowl” when the Ravens play the 49ers in New Orleans on Sunday.
is the anchor. “As a kid, you grew up watching,” Willis said. “Just to have the opportunity to be able to play in this game given my first four years (out of the playoffs), we were at home at this time watching other teams play. Last year we were one game away. To be able to be here, is truly special.” To make it extra special, San Francisco’s offense will need to outdo Baltimore’s. The Ravens have scored 90 points in three games, and the Niners have 73 in two.
defense in the league. Then again, the 49ers must deal with Joe Flacco, the only QB to win a postseason game in each of his first five seasons. Flacco also has six road playoff victories, a league record. He’s also outplayed Brady, the most successful quarterback of the last dozen seasons, in two straight AFC title games.
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES • 49ers back to first Super Bowl in 18 years, perfect 5-0 in Super Bowl history during 1980s and 90s behind Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young. • Baltimore in second Super Bowl; beat New York Giants 34-7 in 2001 Super Bowl. • First matchup of teams in Super Bowl. • San Francisco’s five Super Bowl wins tied for second most in NFL history. Pittsburgh has six titles and Dallas also has five. • Ravens have won last three meetings. • Ravens QB Joe Flacco’s six postseason road wins most in playoff history. Flacco only QB to win playoff game in each of first five seasons. • Ravens Ray Lewis’ final game before retirement. Had 14 tackles in AFC title game vs. Patriots and has 44 in three postseason games after missing 10 weeks with torn right triceps muscle. Was Super Bowl MVP after 2000 season. Performs signature “Squirrel Dance.” • “Harbowl” or “Superbaugh” features pair of coaching brothers for first time — Ravens’ John Harbaugh, 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh. • 49ers second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick makes 10th career start. Is 7-2 as a starter with 101.2 passer rating, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, and 440 yards rushing with four TDs.
Baltimore’s defense has made big plays against Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Now it gets an entirely different type of quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. His combination of running skill, powerful arm and surprising cool for a second-year pro makes him particularly dangerous against the Ravens. Baltimore does not have the fastest
• 49ers rallied from 17-0 deficit to win at Atlanta for NFC championship, second-largest comeback to win a conference title behind Indianapolis, which erased 18-point deficit against Patriots in 2006. • Ravens tied franchise record with nine sacks to end San Francisco’s eight-game winning streak in ‘11 meeting. • Jim Harbaugh played QB for Ravens in 1998.
The Associated Press
Crabtree hoping to finish career Long snappers avoid spotlight season with championship ring 49ers wide receiver will be a big threat to the Ravens in the Superdome By JANIE McCAULEY
The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — Michael Crabtree refused to remove the black 49ers beanie and reveal his hair. Nope, not going to do it. Crabtree is trying to maintain every possible element of surprise he might still have left heading into his first Super Bowl — and will certainly take any advantage he can get this week. Not that his ‘do has much to do with it. But this is Crabtree, quirky and superstitious, a guy still trying to shed that diva label he picked up as a college star at Texas Tech. It’s something his San Francisco teammates are quick to dismiss, insisting that’s not the case. The dynamic, play-making wide receiver will be a primary focus for the Baltimore Ravens’ secondary come Sunday at the Superdome. Crabtree is as dangerous after the catch as he is dodging defensive backs to make acrobatic catches or finding ways to keep both feet inbounds while tiptoeing the sideline. “A lot of coaches can coach a route and how you catch the ball, but after the catch it’s really all you,” he said. “That’s what makes you special.”
‘A lot of coaches can coach a route and how you catch the ball, but after the catch it’s really all you. That’s what makes you special.’ MICHAEL CRABTREE On making plays
No matter his catches or number of chances this weekend, Crabtree cares about only one thing: capping his career season with a championship ring. The fanfare and media frenzy, he’ll take it or leave it (his voice was hoarse Wednesday from all the talking). He is still coming to terms with being a public figure, and the constant scrutiny that goes along with it. Just last week, Crabtree learned he wouldn’t face
charges for an alleged sexual assault in a hotel after the 49ers beat Green Bay in the NFC divisional playoffs on Jan. 12. The San Francisco district attorney announced Friday there would be no charges “at this time.” The wideout was never arrested or detained, and police said he cooperated with the investigation. “I was disappointed in the allegations,” Crabtree said Wednesday morning, before heading off to practice at Saints headquarters. “It’s over now.” Crabtree still carries a chip on his shoulder and is out to prove he should have been drafted higher. He held out for 71 days as a rookie before signing in October 2009 and becoming a starter less than three weeks later. He wouldn’t change much about how things have gone so early in his NFL career. “I watched him as a youngster, I watched him in college,” Baltimore receiver Jacoby Jones said. “When he came out and he held out, I was interested to see what he was going to do. He came in and I was like, ‘This kid can play.’ I like his game. He’s got great hands, great route runner.” Colin Kaepernick sure thinks so. Crabtree quickly became the second-year quarterback’s top target after he took over the starting job under center midseason.
Ravens and 49ers long snappers will do everything to avoid getting any attention on Sunday By PAUL NEWBERRY
The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — They look at the world upside down between their legs. The only time they get noticed is when they mess up. Such is life for a long snapper. In Sunday’s Super Bowl, Brian Jennings of the San Francisco 49ers and Morgan Cox of the Baltimore Ravens will be snapping for punts, field goals and extra points. They have the same goal: Don’t do anything that draws a lick of attention. “That’s part of a long snapper’s personality,” Cox said. “We just want to stay in the background.” It may seem like a simple skill — hiking the ball between your legs — but it takes years of practice to be able to perform it with the consistency, accuracy and velocity required in the NFL. They know one slight miscue could cost the game. “You’ve got guys who’ve been out there banging their heads for 3½ hours,” Jennings said. “You don’t want to go out there and screw it up.” While snappers, like kickers and punters, are viewed as something of outcasts compared to the rest of the roster, there’s a growing appreciation for what they do. Camps have sprung up around the
MARK HUMPHREY/The Associated Press
San Francisco long snapper Brian Jennings, right, interviews former 49ers player Michael Shumann on Tuesday in New Orleans. The seemingly simply skill takes years of practice to reach the NFL level. country dedicated solely to the art of hiking the ball — 7 or 8 yards to a holder for field goals and PATs, 14 or 15 yards to a punter. A player who has no chance of making it to the NFL based on arm strength or his 40 time can now carve out a niche on special teams. Don’t chuckle. Jennings has managed to stay in the league for 13 years — all with San Francisco — doing nothing but snapping the ball. Cox is finishing up his third year with the Ravens and he, too, hopes for a long career looking at the world from a different perspective. “I snap the ball accurately for a living,” the 36-year-old
Favre will join NFL Network crew for Super Bowl The three-time MVP QB will appear on NFL Network, NFL GameDay Morning By BARRY WILNER
The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — Brett Favre is returning to the NFL — to work for the NFL Network. The retired three-time NFL MVP quarterback will join the network’s crew for daylong coverage of Sunday’s league championship game between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Favre hasn’t been heard from much since retiring
after the 2010 season. He returns to the city where he led the Green Bay Packers to a 35-21 win over New England in the 1997 Super Bowl. “I don’t miss the grind and stress of day-to-day football, but I do miss my teammates and coaches,” Favre said in an email to The Associated Press. He chose to appear on “NFL GameDay Morning” because he could work with friends such as Steve Mariucci, Deion
Sanders and Warren Sapp, and because the game is in New Orleans. “Players and coaches who I have great memories of, and to do it from the field where I won a Super Bowl was a tough combination to pass up,” Favre said. “Between my appearance on NFL Network and my work with Virtual Fan Network, a new digital sports marketing company, it will be great to reconnect with NFL fans around the Super Bowl.”
Favre will join host Rich Eisen and several Super Bowlwinning players, including Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner and Sanders. “There aren’t too many retired athletes who continue to attract the attention and draw that Brett Favre does, and NFL Network is thrilled to have him,” said Eric Weinberger, executive producer of NFL Network. “Brett should give our viewers some unique insight and analysis into the
game and his life away from the field.” Favre left the NFL in 2010 after two aborted retirements. He starred for the Packers from 1992-2007, leading them to two Super Bowls. He played the 2008 season with the Jets, then was with Minnesota in 2009-10 — losing the ‘09 NFC title game at the Superdome to the Saints. He spent much of 2012 playing fantasy football, finishing next to last in his league.
Jennings said. “I think that’s awesome.” If there’s a drawback, it’s catching grief from their teammates about the massive amounts of time they spend standing around on the sideline. But that’s all in good fun. Everyone knows the snapper has a vital role to play. “Whenever somebody puts his hand on the football, his job is very, very important,” 49ers safety Donte Whitner said. “One snap over the kicker’s head, one snap that’s wide right or a little low, can be the difference in a football game. People don’t really notice you unless you do something bad at that position.”