Super Bowl XLVI: The Rematch
Posted by
Eric Reddy on Fri, Feb 03, 2012 @ 12:33 PM
Two BiddingForGood Employees Make Their Cases and Predictions for Their Favorite Teams
The following is transcribed from a heated exchange leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, which took place in the BiddingForGood offices. This weekend’s Big Game matches the New York Giants against the New England Patriots, in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII. BiddingForGood colleagues and bloggers Brian D’Angelo (5’10”, 180 lbs., Aries, a true-blue Giants fan) and Thomas Nolan (6’3”, 195 lbs., Boston College alum, die-hard Patriots fan), who collectively have zero years' experience playing professional football, sat down to talk about their memories of their favorite teams, talk a little trash, and offer up predictions for this Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Q: What is your earliest memory of your favorite team?
Thomas: My favorite moment is a mix of a lot of moments. My dad is a big Patriots fan as well and I always remember us gathering around the TV to spend some quality time watching games together.
Brian: I think it’s actually a tie between the Scott Norwood kick (Norwood was a kicker for the Buffalo Bills who missed a short field goal in Super Bowl XXV, giving the Giants the victory instead of the Bills), or being at Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor’s last home game as Giants. That day, as a young boy, I cried just like Thomas is going to when the Pats lose on Sunday.
Q: What is your favorite Super Bowl memory involving your team?
Thomas: I think winning it all in 2002 on Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal is mine.
Brian: David Tyree’s catch against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. No doubt… without that, they don’t win that game over the Pats.
Q: Why do you think your team will win on Sunday?
Thomas: Actually, I think the Patriots defense is key to their winning. They have been playing great of late, and you can never discount Rob Gronkowski, the best tight end in football.
Brian: No way can the Pats cover Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham (Giants wide receivers) at the same time. And Eli Manning isn’t that bad either…
Q: Who is your favorite player on your respective favorite team?
Brian: Jason Pierre-Paul… he’s a freak!
Thomas: Vince Wilfork… he’s the man! I would love to hang out with him for one day; he seems like he is always having fun.
Q: Who is your favorite player on the team you are not rooting for?
Thomas: I think it’s Mark Herzlich (Giants linebacker who overcame a bout with cancer while in college). I knew him a little at Boston College, and his story is great. He is the only Giant I like.
Brian: I like Wes Welker (Patriots wide receiver). He’s gritty and goes across the middle of the field... tough player.
Q: What form of clam chowder do you each prefer, New England or Manhattan?
Both: New England
Q: Where will each of you be watching the Big Game?
Thomas: At my apartment with friends.
Brian: At a friend’s party, where I will be the only Giants fan in attendance.
Q: How does the Super Bowl relate to online auctions?
Thomas: The items in an auction are like players on a football team. You need to have big-time players in order to reach the Super Bowl, and you need to have some big-time items in order to raise high dollars.
Brian: Marketing… the Super Bowl wouldn’t be as popular as it is if it had not been marketed correctly as it grew. Just like an online auction, if you need to market to as many people as you can, for the auction to be successful.
Predictions:
Brian: Giants 27-24
Thomas: Patriots 21-17