Seattle Seahawks Win their First Superbowl, as They Defeat the Denver Broncos 43-8
Superbowl 48 was not a game. Rather, it was a showcase of the Seattle Seahawks' dominant defense, and potent offense. One one of the first plays of the game, Broncos C Manny Ramirez botched the snap, resulting in a safety. From this point, the game spiraled down for the Broncos. At first, Denver held Seattle's offense in check, forcing the Seahawks to sttle for a pair of field goals. Then, "Beast Mode" Marshawn Lynch ran for a touchdown. Here, the game blew out of control. Eventual Superbowl MVP Malcolm Smith intercepted NFL MVP Peyton Manning, and returned it for a touchdown. Seahawks reciver Percy Harvin would return a kickoff for a touchdown soon-thereafter. Next, Russell Wilson, the Seahawks quarterback, found Jermaine Kearse for a twenty-three yard touchdown pass.
Denver finally got on the board, as Peyton Manning threw a touchdown pass to De'Maryius Thomas. However, Wilson threw a second touchdown, this one to Doug Baldwin, and the game was officially over. Peyton Manning crumbled under pressure, throwing two interceptions, as the Legion of Boom rattled him all night long. Manning threw for nearly 300 yards, but only one touchdown. Superbowl 48 was the first cold-weather outdoor Superbowl, and (despite the score/lack of a close game) was quite a success.
Peyton Manning retires
Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning won his fifth NFL MVP award follwoing the 2013 regular season. Manning led the Broncos offense to break several records: Manning broke rival Tom Brady's regular season touchdown record with 55, Manning broke the league record for single season passing yards with 5477. The Broncos offense scored a league record 606 points, among several other records. However, Manning crumbled under pressure in the Superbowl, throwing two interceptions en route to a humiliating loss. Following the game, Peyton Manning announced his retirement. Manning is a one time Superbowl champion and MVP, 13 time Pro Bowler, 10 time All Pro, 5 time NFL MVP, 2 time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and a three time AFC Champion. Manning, without a doubt, will be remembered as one of, if not the, greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Tom Brady Retires
Following Peyton Manning's retirement, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady announced that he too would retire. Brady is a 3 time Superbowl champion, 2 time Superbowl MVP, 2 time NFL MVP, nine time Pro Bowler, three time All Pro, 5 time AFC Champion, 5 time Offensive Player of the Year, and held the NFL single regular season touchdown record with 50 touchdowns until Peyton Manning broke the record in 2013. These are all accomplishments by a sixth round draft pick out of Michigan. Brady was defeated by Manning and the Denver Broncos in the 2013 AFC Championship game. With both men retiring, it is the end of an era in the NFL, and a changing of the guard in the AFC.
NFL Free Agency 2014:
Free Agency tends to be one of the most exciting and wild time periods of the year for NFL teams and fans alike. Below is a summary of the 2013-2014 Free Agency.
DeMarcus Ware Signs With the Broncos
The Dallas Cowboys cut one of the best defensive in the history of the team in DeMarcus Ware. The cap-strapped Cowboys asked Ware to take a paycut, and he declined. The Cowboys went on to release the 7 time Pro Bowler and All Pro, 1 time NFC Defensive Player of the Year, and 2 time NFL sack leader. Within 24 hours, Ware signed with the team that lost in the Superbowl, the Denver Broncos.
The Rich Get Even Richer: Broncos Sign CB Aquib Talib and TJ Ward
The Denver Broncos are clearly on a mission to improve the team in a "win now" mentality. The Broncos signed CB Aqib talib from their rival, the New England Patriots. Talib is a Pro Bowler, All Pro, and former Defensive Back of the Year. Talib strengthens the Broncos' secondary, even after Denver released Champ Bailey, a 12 time Pro Bowler, 7 time All Pro, 2 time DB of the Year that has began to steadily decline. The Broncos also signed TJ Ward, formerly a starting safety on the Browns. Ward is also a Pro Bowler and All Pro.
This is War: The Patriots Sign Darrelle Revis
In response to the flurry of moves by the Broncos, and Denver signing New England's own Aqib Talib, The Patriots have struck back. New England has signed CB Darrelle Revis, formerly of division rival the New England Jets, and most recently of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Revis is a five time Pro Bowler, 3 time All Pro, former AFC Defensive Player of the Year, and former Comeback Player of the Year following an ACL injury that cost him most of the 2012 season. Revis returned to his "Revis Island" form following an offseason trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers made Revis the highest paid NFL defensive back of all time. Following the 2013 season, Tampa tried to trade Revis, but was unsuccessful. The Buccaneers released Revis, who then signed with the Patriots despite rumors that he was in talks with the Jets.
Retirements:
Dwight Freeney, Tony Gonzalez, James Harrison, Michael Vick, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Carson Palmer, Josh McCown and Julius Peppers, most notably.
Buccaneers Spending Spree
With new coach Lovie Smith and new GM Jason Licht, the Buccaneers are entering a new era. The team signed CB Alterraun Verner (a Pro Bowler and All Pro) DE Michael Johnson (one of the best DEs in the NFL) and T Anthony Collins , among others.
Other Notable Moves:
Devin Hester, Felix Jones and Parys Haralson to the Jets, along with Eric Decker
Brian De La Puente and James Ihedigbo to the Redskins.
James Jones and Rob Ninkovich to the Giants
Maurice Jones-Drew to the Saints, Champ Bailey to the Falcons.
Jermichael Finley to Patriots, Brandon Spikes to Giants, Josh Freeman to the Cowboys, Knowshon Moreno to the Bills.
One can't help but applaud the Baltimore Ravens for their management of this offseason thus far. The team locked up tackle Eugene Monroe and tight end Dennis Pitta to long term deals. Baltimore got Terrell Suggs to take a pay cut, and also resigned returner/receiver Jacoby Jones. The team did lose talented defenders Art Jones (to Colts) and Corey Graham (to Bills) as well as starting safety James Ihedigbo to (to Redskins.) The team looked poised to sign veteran WR Steve Smith following his release from the Panthers. However, Smith decided to retire. Yet, the Ravens got a a far more versatile receiver in Julian Edelman, one of the New England Patriots' top weapons.
The Ravens signed CB Josh Wilson, who played a season in Baltimore back in 2010. The Ravens also signed DE Ricardo Matthews, G Jamon Meredith, and HB Antone Smith.