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Chat Reel: Pat Kirwan
Giants should take to the air early
Posted: Monday January 22, 2001 4:44 PM
Updated: Monday January 22, 2001 4:44 PM
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Kerry Collins hopes to have better luck against the Ravens' defense than the likes of Rich Gannon and Steve McNair. AP |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's Super Bowl chat with Pat Kirwan. Welcome Pat and thanks for joining us.
Pat Kirwan: My pleasure to be here -- Day One in the countdown.
From Jeannine in Boca Raton, Fla.: Why does the NFL make it so difficult for die-hard fans to go to the Super Bowl? Not everyone can afford the ridiculous prices that the scalpers want!
Pat Kirwan: This is America and supply and demand is always the order of the day. The tickets are always expensive, but may be double in price when a New York team is in the Super Bowl. If you really want to go, almost every Super Bowl I've been to, about 10 minutes after the game starts, some desperate guy is standing outside the stadium because his group didn't show. You might be able to get them for half price.
From the: Will the Giants come out throwing? And will they be successful passing the ball?
Pat Kirwan: Yes, they will come out throwing. No one has been that successful running the ball against Baltimore on early downs, and the Giants have been throwing on early downs against other opponents with great success.
From Joe: Hey Pat, what do you think of Herman Edwards as the Jets new head coach?
Pat Kirwan: Friends of mine that know Herman think he will be an excellent coach in time. This is a tough to city to start your NFL career, and following Bill Parcells will make it even more difficult. You will need patience, which New Yorkers are not known for. And remember, he has an older club and some tough decisions will have to be made in the near future.
From Jamie Broderick in Warner Robins, Ga.: How valuable is Emmanuel McDaniel to the Giant's defense?
Pat Kirwan: He is one of the critical players on this team. Offenses dictate what personnel the defense will be in. If he were a weak link, you would see a lot of four-wide-receiver sets. But he leads the team in interceptions, and last week had one of the most important plays in the championship game when he intercepted a touchdown pass intended for Cris Carter.
From ravens: Will the Ravens shutout the Giants?
Pat Kirwan: If anyone could shutout the Giants, it would be the Ravens. They've made a habit of doing that to teams, but I don't think they will this week.
From Joe: Pat, do you think Bill Parcells is a lock for this year's Hall of Fame?
Pat Kirwan: I think Bill Parcells will get in the Hall of Fame this year. He's had an extraordinary career and deserves to be in. As soon as he gets in though, I believe he will go back to coaching. And be the first person to ever coach as an active member of the Hall of Fame.
From Ravensfan: Pat, do you think the national media is only hurting its reputation by constantly badmouthing the teams in this Super Bowl?
Pat Kirwan: It's clear to me that most people evaluate football from the offensive side. You have to really understand the game and appreciate defense to think this is one of the great Super Bowl matchups. Many games have been hyped by the media in prior years, and the game has failed to entertain us. You will be entertained on Sunday.
From sandersfan20: Pat, do you know if there is any updated info on Barry Sanders coming back to the Detroit Lions?
Pat Kirwan: Barry, to my knowledge, has already stated he's too old to play. And may be more interested in a front office job with the club. If I were the Lions, I'd give him any job he wanted and let the fire come back in his belly next summer. Almost every ex-player I've ever known, when they're in the football environment feel they can still play. Get Barry back at the team facility and that might happen.
From ravens: Where do you think Marvin Lewis will end up? Will he stay with the Ravens?
Pat Kirwan: It would be a shame if Marvin doesn't get a head coaching job. I think Buffalo would be the perfect place for him. He knows Tom Donahoe and Tom knows him. And defense has always been very important in Buffalo.
From Joe: Hey Pat, I heard on a New York sports radio show that Edwards has selected Paul Hackett as the offensive coordinator. Is that correct? I heard he doesn't have a good background, is that also true?
Pat Kirwan: I think that is rumor at this time. I think they know each other quite well from their days in Kansas City, and Hackett has a fine offensive mind.
From the: Why do the Giants think they will fair better than Oakland or Tennessee?
Pat Kirwan: That's a really good question. Let me point out a few things about the New York Giants. They only lost four football games this year, yet people don't think of them as an elite team. Last week, they shut out a team with Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Robert Smith and Daunte Culpepper. If I did that, I would think I had a pretty good chance to beat anyone.
From Willie in La Vergne, Tenn.: What must the Giants do to win? What must the Ravens do to win?
Pat Kirwan: The winner of this game probably will have to score on defense. Or at the very least, set up a short-field touchdown for the offense. Keep your eye on the punting game, especially Kyle Richardson from Baltimore who led the NFL in kicks inside the 20-yard line. That could force the Giants to make a mistake and turn the ball over on a short field where even Trent Dilfer might score.
From Sean Farah in Santa Cruz, Calif.: What is the status of Jonathan Ogden, Edwin Mulitalo, Ben Coates, and Lomas Brown for the big game, seeing as they all at least suffered minor injuries at the end of their respective conference championships?
Pat Kirwan: From the information I received today, they are all going to play. They used last week to rest.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Pat Kirwan. Pat, thanks for joining us. We will chat with you again tomorrow.
Pat Kirwan: See you tomorrow - enjoy your evening!
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