Theismann: Yes, all players prefer grass. But because of the footing on artificial turf -- particularly in domes -- you can stop, accelerate and start quicker. The advantage goes to a quicker ballclub, and that's why teams like Atlanta play better in domes. The Falcons' defensive line is built for speed. On artifical turf, there are no chances of your foot sliding
out from under you. It allows you to use optimium power and strength in your legs. Dome teams haven't played well in Super Bowls because during the regular season, they throw and kick in a perfect environment. Teams tend to draft players from the same environment they've played in. And dome teams have to go undefeated at home and win two on the road to be 10-6 and get a playoff berth. That's the thought process of coaches when building a team.
From Ronnie Guy, Chesapeake Beach, Md.: I see a lot of similarities between Denver and the 1983 Washington team. Both were 14-2, had high-powered offenses and were defending champs. In hindsight, what do you think led to the Redskins' Super Bowl XVIII loss and could the same thing happen to Denver?
Theismann: Yes -- the same thing can happen to Denver. And you're very observant in realizing the similarities. We were a team that based its performance on John Riggins running the football. In that Super Bowl, the Raiders did a great job of controlling our center and two guards, and we weren't able to run the ball effectively. We wound up with a lot of second- and third-and-long situations. When you are third- or second-and-long, it's hard to get first downs. If you can't make first downs, you have to take shots downfield and make plays. The Raiders' corners pressed up, and we couldn't get balls downfield. If you look at that Super Bowl, the Raiders blocked a punt that went for a touchdown. I threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. And the Raiders had Marcus Allen's great run. So 21 of the 38 points came on those three plays. That's one thing Denver has to guard the against: making the big mistake. Atlanta has been a much more consistent team than Denver has been.
From Ed Grey, Parkville, Mo.: Do you think Denver's defense has a chance of winning the Super Bowl? I
don't think they can stop Jamal Anderson.
Theismann: I tend to agree. Denver's offense is going to have to carry the load. The more the Broncos can score, the easier it will be to take Anderson out of the game. As long as they are close to Denver, Anderson and Terrell Davis will be big factors. If the score is 21-3, and one of the teams is looking to make up a lot of points, that will take the running backs right out it.
From Bruce Hilgendorf, Prescott, Ariz.: What is the biggest challenge for coaches of Super Bowl teams in
preparing for the game?
Theismann: The biggest challenge a coach faces is getting a team ready too early. I speak from experience -- we had two weeks to prepare for Super Bowl XVIII. We put an awful lot of our offense in the first week, and we
practiced it through the first part of the second week. If we would have played Thursday, we would have been at our peak. By the time Sunday came along, we were flat. A head coach needs to pace a team to have them hungry and ready on Super Bowl Sunday. Because of bye weeks during the season, it's a little bit easier for coaches to judge and prepare for a two-week break now than it used to be.
