EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Chat Reel: Trev Alberts

Super Bowl hype starting to build

Michael Strahan leads a Giants defense that matches up well with the legendary Baltimore defense. Andy Lyons/Allsport

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's Super Bowl chat with Trev Alberts. Welcome Trev how are things going in Tampa?
Trev Alberts: They're getting better. I have to be honest when I first got here, and on the plane, I was disappointed about this matchup. It was made worse by the fact that it's dead in Tampa, there's not a soul in sight. I couldn't believe the Super Bowl was going to be here, but it was early. And now you're starting to see more faces and there are now some celebrities here. It's picking up and I'm beginning to get more excited about it.

From Doreen L in Brooklyn, N.Y.: Do you think the Giants and Ravens are evenly matched on defense? I feel right now the Giants are so hot and so motivated they will win it. Well I hope they do, I am a big fan of theirs.
Trev Alberts: Yes, I think, obviously everyone is focusing on the Ravens' defense and rightfully so. They are prolific. But make no mistake, the Giants are fantastic on defense also. And the thing you have to remember is that they have absolutely nothing to defend. The more I go this week, the more I like the Giants.

From Dick Shelko in Upland, Calif.: Do you foresee the Giants using a lot of cover 2?
Trev Alberts: Well, no. Cover 2 is not needed against this offense. Cover 2 can leave you vulnerable in the middle of the field, and that's right where Shannon Sharpe roams. If I'm the Giants, I would mix it up. But when I need to I'm going man-to-man with a man free. What I mean by that is I would have my cornerback man-to-man against their wide receiver, and I would keep one safety in the middle of the field. That way I can use my other safety to get involved in the run game to stop Jamal Lewis.

From pigskin: What do you think of the way Ray Lewis dealt with the press on media day?
Trev Alberts: Well, I didn't agree with it. But I didn't expect much more from him. Look at how Kerry Collins has handled this week, and look at how Ray Lewis has handled this week. Kerry I thought did a great job of confronting issues and talking openly. Ray chose to be more confrontational, which I think he feeds off of as a player. I have to be honest, what happened a year ago is horribly tragic, but I really don't care about that now. We're here to cover a football game between the "two best teams," but it does sicken me a bit that some idiots can only focus on past events. We're here for a week to file stories and this one is a layup. You'd be much more of a journalist to come up with a new story rather than focus on the old things and take a layup.

From apurist: Trev, I'm all for parody, but to me there is something special about a dynasty. To me dynasties are better for the game because dynasties give fans a team to love or a team to hate. What do you think?
Trev Alberts: I tend to agree. I remember when the Cowboys were winning Super Bowls in a row and at the time I was tired of them. But thinking back, that's what made the NFL fun. I agree with you Mr. Purist. I loved to hate the Cowboys, and I still hate the Cowboys, even though the old guys don't play there anymore. In Super Bowls past, you could always count on the fact that 90 percent of fans would either love the team or hate them. What's made this game difficult is that so many people are ambivalent about these teams. I can't really dislike them and I can't really like them either.

From Jack: Who do you think will be the difference maker in this game. I think it will be someone like Jermaine Lewis or Tiki Barber?
Trev Alberts: I think he's absolutely right, Of all the people you've been hearing about, they don't end up being the guys making the big plays. I have a guy that I think is going to have a big day. He plays for the Giants. His name is Pete Mitchell. Pete didn't catch a pass in the NFC Championship Game, but he's one of the better pass-receiving tight ends in the NFL. And I think there will be matchups he can win. And if I were Kerry Collins, I would find Pete Mitchell in the middle of the field on Sunday.

From Chuck: Trev, do you think Trent Dilfer can handle the pressure in a Super Bowl game?
Trev Alberts: That's the big question. At media day I stood and listened to him answer questions. I have to be honest. I was impressed with his composure. But all through the last half of the season and playoffs, he has managed to control his emotions and play within the framework of the offense. Now he's in the biggest game of his life. Can he possibly keep his emotions in check, one last time? If he can, the Ravens have a chance. If he can't, game over.

From ravenman: How do you think Tony Dungy and the Bucs' front office feel now that Trent Dilfer is playing in the Super Bowl in Raymond James Stadium?
Trev Alberts: Well, I bet they're still happy he's not on their team. I think everybody needs to understand that Trent Dilfer could be the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV, but he will not be the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens next year, That's really it. I feel good for him. He's a good story and great person. But not the long-term answer for the Ravens.

From XXXV: So, Trev are you going to make a pick now or wait until later in the week?
Trev Alberts: I'll give you a pick now, and I'll probably change it. But when I was on the plane, I thought the Ravens because I wasn't going to pick against that defense. But right now I would pick the Giants. Here's the reason why: I believe at some point in a game like this, weaknesses are exposed and the Ravens offense will have to do more than they've done in the last 10 games if they're going to win the Super Bowl. I'm saying 17-10 Giants.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Trev Alberts. Trev, thanks for joining us today.
Trev Alberts: It was good!

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.