I was just wondering what you guys think is the meaning to the following football phrase you hear tossed around after the super bowl is over. "Now that the Colts won the super bowl, it will be harder for them to repeat b/c teams will be gunning for them." What the hell does this mean? All the announcers use this phrase and so do many fans. The phrase seems to imply that teams went easy on the Colts this year, but now since they are super bowl champs, teams won't take them lightly next year. Is it just me or is this a really dumb phrase that gets tossed around that has no meaning?
Yes, it's pretty dumb considering the Colts have been SB contenders for years. I think it would apply to a team like the Panthers a couple of years ago when they surprised everyone and made it to the Super Bowl. But teams have been gameplanning the hell out of the Colts for a long time.
You definitely get more amped up when facing the defending champs. Everyone wants to know that they can beat the best. There's probably no extra preparation or anything but I think it's definitely a true phrase. I'm sure no one took it easy on the Colts this year.
I am not only referring to the Colts this year, but for when the phrase is used after every super bowl every single season. The phrase seems to imply that because you suprised teams this year they did not adequately gameplan enough for you. But now, with a ring, other teams will gameplan more just becuase you won a super bowl? My point is winning a super bowl does not in any way make a team gameplan for you more the next season. It makes no difference.
"Gunning" is definantly a stupid phrase to use. What I think they mean though, is that people will look forward to playing them for the opprotunity to beat the champs. They assume that somehow CS's plan more, and teams play harder when there playing the reigning SB champion. I'd hate to be a fan of those kinds of teams.
I hear what you're saying, but I don't think anyone is implying that extra game-planning happens when facing the defending champs. It's more of just a little extra locker room fodder to get amped up. It's just about proving you can best the world champions.
They give you the toughest schedule next season to see if it was a fluke or the real deal. and odds are you dont return back to the superbowl because of free agency, salary cap, injuries, or unfortunate mishaps. plus to say everyone will be gunning for you and trying to dethrown the champ first.. people were sayin this before the colts won the superbowl.. we could of almost beat the colts when we played them this season. so with that in mind people associate that with we are not far from the superbowl. now imagine the teams that beat the colts this season what they might be thinking for next season.
I dont necessarily agree with that statement but i do understand where they are coming from. Mediocre(sp?) teams tend to use a game against there toughest opponent as a measuring stick game to see how good they really are so they want to prove that they are contenders. e.g. the Jets was the Pats game. Now, of course the Colts have been used as measuring stick games for the last 4 years or so. So obviously my logic doesnt really flow here...
teams will take it more seriously if it's against a major rival or a team that just won the super bowl. like, a team facing the patriots will have a different mindset than a team facing the lions or cardinals. It is true. Being the champ does make you somewhat of a target/
No they don't. The Colts' 2007 schedule would have been the same whether they won the Superbowl or lost to KC in the Wildcard round.
This concept comes from the FACT that nearly all Super Bowl champs fail to win as many REGULAR SEASON games as they did the year before. This is true even of teams that repeat...e.g., the 17-0 Dolphins did not go undefeated in 1973. Why does this happen? For some teams, the urgency is gone. They become fat and satsifed. Also, if a team wins the Super Bowl this year, it probably means you didn't have too many injuries. Chances are good you won't have the same luck next year. Add in a tougher schedule, more primetime night games which may be distracting and you can see why it looks like the opposing teams are playing better. And the fact is, every other team -- even the Cardinals -- is gunning for you. They're going to play their most focused game because they know if they don't, they've got no shot. And if they win, it makes their whole season, regardless of their record.
