Giants Super Bowl XXI MVP QB Phil Simms talked strategy for today’s title clash between the Ravens and 49ers with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Tell me about your production meeting with 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.
A: He’s so young, and you can sense he’s young when he’s there — he’s “Yes sir, no sir” — he’s always smiling. … A lot of pep to him no doubt. Somebody — I couldn’t remember if it was from the PR staff at San Francisco or Jim [Harbaugh, coach] says, “Do you know Phil there put up one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history? And he played 15 years, and he did this and this.” And Colin Kaepernick goes, “Really? Is that right?” He had no clue (smile). Which was great. It was funny, we all had a good laugh over it. He goes, “Oh boy, this is good karma!” And then something came up, and Jim might have asked him, “What day are you born on?” He goes, “Oh, I was born on November third.” And I said, “You know, that’s my birthday too.” He goes, “Oh, this is great!” So we all started laughing about that.
Q: Can you sense that from sitting down with a guy that this game will not be too big for him?
A: It doesn’t matter what I sense when I sit down with him, ’cause I’m not gonna judge athletic performance on the field about how they answer my questions or how they are in that setting, because that setting sometimes is harder for athletes than playing. I’d be really, really surprised if the bigness of the game or the difference in the game that they all feel because there’s really a funny rhythm to Super Bowl games, that it would be so-called too big for him. Just because his style of play, truly his youthfulness — he doesn’t know anything but one speed, that’s “Let’s go.” And the fact that he’s a terrific thrower of the ball. But I think what’s a great advantage for him is that he can run the ball. And what I mean is, he gets to read the option. Reading that option gets you involved in the flow of the game, so that’s almost like a pass to him, ’cause he’s in the action. And he can get hit running the ball. Which gets him into the rhythm of the game quicker, too. I think it makes it easier for him than it will for a Joe Flacco.
Q: How much of a factor do you think the Pistol will be in this game?
A: I don’t know, I really don’t know. I’m anxious to see it. I’m anxious to see what new variations the 49ers have with it. The 49ers are a great scheme team — by that I mean is that they draw up a lot of new stuff every week. So, who knows? They could line up and have two linemen in the backfield with a tight end, who knows? They’re pretty creative that way. Look, you know what they do? I think the 49ers every single week, they come out, they show a few Pistol looks, they run a few of their plays out of it, they see how they’re gonna be defensed, and then they make the decision —is it worth keep running it, or abandon it and go to something else.
Q: And Flacco?
A: Very loose. Same old guy that we see all the time. He’s always quiet, but always lets you know, in his own indirect way, that he has talent, and he has high belief in his talent. … When he walked out of the room this time, all of us, Jim, myself, everybody in the crew, we just smiled and we just go, “We’ve been covering Joe Flacco for five years, and it’s amazing personality-wise how we’ve seen all the stages of it.” From afraid to look at us … three-word answers … to finally looking at us, the answers getting a little longer … and now, sitting up straight, looking at us, and telling stories … and like Wednesday, being quite funny. His dad called him dull, but I’m telling ya, he was pretty funny with us the other day.
Q: You’ve always been a Flacco supporter.
A: I don’t know all the statements that have been made about Joe Flacco, but I know this — all the ex-quarterbacks, even the ones that are not on board with him, are always a little careful because they know. And what do they know? We all know, when we see him throw it, we know that’s different, OK? He can just really throw the ball. And for all these football people out there, all the people on all the channels, they want to downplay that — “Oh, it’s all about your charisma, it’s about being smart, it’s about. ” … That’s all wonderful. But the main thing is, “Can you really throw it?” And I think we’re seeing in the NFL right now who [are] having great success. It’s really the guys that can really throw it. And Joe Flacco’s one of those guys. Even now, he could be the Most Valuable in the game tomorrow. And he might hit 45 percent of his passes. And there’ll be people when it’s over … “He just didn’t hit a high enough percentage.” He plays in a system that’s not built for him to win the quarterback rating war. He’s not gonna be the highest-rated quarterback in the league ever. Because of the way he sees the field, the way he throws it down the field, and the system and the team they built in Baltimore, is not about that.
Q: What do you think of Jim Harbaugh?
A: He’s driven, and he’s just as tough as they come. Jim coaches like an ex-player, or a player. John [Harbaugh] coaches more like the guy that’s really in charge.
Q: Coaches like a player?
A: He’s involved in everything, and he’s got the energy of a player, he’s in the huddle, he’s talking, and he can talk the lingo because he’s an ex-player, knows how to talk a little trash. You can tell he relates to his players in a very physical way. Just his energy on the field, you just can’t believe it. And John is more the president in charge. I think on the inside, they’re the same guy, but once it comes out of their body, they react in different ways. John, on the field and in his presentation to you the media, is different than Jim. Jim, what’s on the inside, is the same thing that comes to the outside. I’d have a hard time picking one over the other, I really would. If I was a player, I probably would lean toward Jim a little just because I’m a quarterback, and he seems to have a pretty magic touch with getting production out of quarterbacks.
Q: Which brother is more likely to be a riverboat gambler in the Super Bowl?
A: If I had to guess, I’ll say John. It’s always calculated, but I think he has the courage to do it.
Q: Can you imagine coaching against your brother in the Super Bowl?
A: I couldn’t even dream that.
Q: Postgame handshake prediction?
A: The winner will hide his emotions, and the loser can’t hide his emotions in that handshake.
Q: You think it’ll be a handshake or a bearhug?
A: It’ll be both, they’ll shake hands and hug, I’m sure.
Q: The emotional impact of Ray Lewis?
A: Not much, if any. I think Ray Lewis can’t be an emotional leader. He’s gotta be a physical leader. He’s gonna have to have a good game tackling, and being tough on the inside.
Q: How wary of Ed Reed does Kaepernick have to be?
A: With Ed Reed, it’s gonna be interesting … his role. Will his role be to rove around the line of scrimmage to maybe be a run-stopper, or will he be really back there far and try to play a little cat-and-mouse, which he’s pretty good at and try to take advantage of Kaepernick throwing the ball? We’ll know that answer real quick, too. … I gotta tell ya, the information was tight this week. The Harbaugh brothers tightened it up. John, who’s usually free-flowing with information, was not. And I think a lot of it had to do just ‘cause he knows his brother’s over there giving up nothing.
Q: With Paul Kruger and Terrell Suggs, are the Ravens fast enough to deal with Kaepernick?
A: We’re gonna find out. One of the first questions I want to know: Is the speed of the Ravens defense good enough to stop the quarterback running, and Vernon Davis receiving.
Q: The Cowboys mauled the Ravens on the ground earlier in the season.
A: That game means nothing to me. That was before they fixed their defense.
Q: How critical is Haloti Ngata?
A: He’s another huge part of the puzzle. Because when you play Army, Navy and Air Force, the first thing you have to do is take away the dive play. The inside defense has to take away the dive play. Kaepernick’s not gonna read the inside defense, he’s gonna give it to the running back. If the defensive end’s out there waiting for him, now can the inside of the defense hold up and take away it all? The great thing about this two weeks, Haloti Ngata plays a lot of plays, so he’s got a chance to rest up. I thought up in New England, it’s about the best I’ve seen him play in quite awhile, so he must have finally gotten over what was bothering him. I’m not giving away any inside information, he was running around pretty good in practice too.
Q: Vonta Leach versus Patrick Willis?
A: I don’t know if anybody in the NFL wants to take Vonta Leach head-on. When you see him coming, you better figure out a way to do something instead of butting heads with him. Because I’ve seen him go through there and make some of the best linebackers in the NFL cower — look for ways to get away from him.
Q: You like Willis though.
A: I think he’s tremendous. Like I said, you gotta be smart. We’re all tough, but I’m not gonna go try to hit a train coming at me with my forearm.
Q: Why could Vernon Davis have a big game?
A: Why? Because he’s the fastest tight end in the NFL. When you have a quarterback that likes to throw it so deep down the field, and you have the fastest tight end in the NFL running, there can be some voids there. It’s gonna happen. He’s gonna have an impact.
Q: Torrey Smith?
A: His speed is gonna create opportunities for Ray Rice and Dennis Pitta.
Q: Randy Moss?
A: These are good corners for the Baltimore Ravens. They’re physical too. So Randy Moss is a tall receiver, which plays right into their hand. Randy Moss could be a factor if the running game is working, because then the corners have to back off ‘cause they gotta be able to back off and help in the running game maybe. … Randy Moss then could honestly end up catching more short passes than long ones.
Q: Niner corners vs Anquan Boldin and Smith?
A: If I had to give an edge to a group, I’d give just a slight edge to Baltimore’s wide receivers. They’re pretty physical, so even when they don’t get open, they’re able to fight and get the ball.
Q: Justin Smith versus Kelechi Osemele?
A: It’s a rookie going against one of the run defenders in the NFL. Listen, Justin Smith is a grown man.
Q: Why hasn’t Aldon Smith been getting to the quarterback?
A: The 49ers are so intent on not giving up certain plays that they kinda handcuff his pass-rushing ability. He’s hitting the tight end before he releases, he’s going upfield and sticking his arm on the running back who’s going out for a pass. When you do those type of things, you’re not gonna get to the quarterback. But when he just goes strictly at the quarterback, even though he’s not 100 percent — still pretty good.
Q: Frank Gore?
A: Gore’s having the luxury right now of running some of these Pistol runs where he gets through there and there’s nobody there when the defense messes it up. That’s a big advantage for him when you put him head-to-head with Ray Rice.
Q: Jacoby Jones in the return game?
A: He’s definitely an X factor.
Q: An under-the-radar matchup that bears watching?
A: I’m gonna guess the matchup to watch is Ed Reed in space. In other words, can Ed Reed be a big factor in the option game. That’s what I really want to see.
Q: How many Super Bowls have you done?
A: This is No. 7.
Q: What is it like doing a Super Bowl?
A: It’s great, you know it’s special just because of all the people that are around and everything like that. Just the city, you can feel the energy … but in all honesty, when the game starts, it’s true, it is another game for us. I think we’re a little bit like the players, the only thing different is the timing’s a little different — a bigger halftime, might be more people around us, but nothing changes for Jim [Nantz] and I. People go, “Hey, did you do anything special for the Super Bowl?” Well no, I like to think I do the same amount of work every week getting ready for a game. The only difference is that we have two weeks, but I don’t get to use these two weeks in preparation. Last week is when I did as much work as I possibly could, and this week we’re down here and we’re promoting CBS.
Q: So if the game was played last week, you would have been ready.
A: Yeah, I mean I’ve gathered a lot of facts this week — I did get to go watch each team practice one day, which was great, so you get to see certain things with your eyes. All the film breakdown, talking to people — most of the stuff I really wanted to know was done last week.
Q: Did you get to see the teams on the same day?
A: We spent all day Wednesday with Baltimore and all day Thursday with the 49ers.
Q: General impressions from watching the practices?
A: The energy level of practice, you can notice it immediately. Everybody’s excited, they’re rested from having the week off, and the anticipation of the game is always on the players, it’s there with ’em. And I think probably the hardest things for the coaches is to gear ’em down just enough so they don’t expend too much energy or get too physical where somebody would have as a chance to get nicked during practice.
Q: What are your thoughts on the New York Super Bowl?
A: It’s gonna be great, just because it’s so different. And I think fans want to see cold-weather or element football. I hope it’s not too extreme, but it would be just awesome if the temperature’s 25 degrees, and just a nice little steady snowfall. Ohmigosh, it’ll be the greatest look in the history of sports.