Chat Reel: CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan

Final reflections before Super Bowl Sunday

Posted: Saturday January 29, 2000 06:47 PM

CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan participated in a chat with Web site users on the evening before the Super Bowl. An edited transcript follows:

CNNSI Host: Hello everyone! Welcome to today's Super Bowl chat with CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan.

CNNSI Host: Welcome Pat. Thanks for joining us.
Pat Kirwan: Glad to be here. The Super Bowl's one day away and we're all getting excited.

From Guest: What's the mood like in Atlanta. I hear the weather is bad.
Pat Kirwan: The weather is awful. Not the way it should be for a Super Bowl, but the NFL cannot control the heavens. When it comes time for the game, though, everyone will forget about it and be inside for a great football game. Definitely didn't have to pack any Hawaiian shirts for this one.

From Guest: Do you think that all of the recent pundit prognostication favoring the Titans will get the Rams charged up even further for the game?
Pat Kirwan: There is definite momentum for the Titans right now. The more you study them, the more you realize they have a chance. They had to win in Indianapolis, win in Jacksonville, tough games. Steve McNair has really emerged, and you have to admit they have the tools to win. I still haven't been fully captured by Titan Mania, though.

From Guest: Will the Titans' defense confuse the Rams' offense as much as the Bucs did?
Pat Kirwan: No, it won't. The "46" defense sets up very nicely to offense with 2 RB a TE and 2 WRs. I expect the Rams to come out with 3 and 4 receiver sets and break down some of the structure of the 46 defense. In the end, no matter how they configure the front, the corners are still man-to-man on the WRs and the Rams understand that. When you count the pass plays, sacks and scrambles from the last time they met, there were 53 pass plays called, including sacks and scrambles. And the Rams are fully aware there's big play opportunity down the field with the man-to-man coverage, so expect 50 to 55 passes again.

From Guest: I believe this Super Bowl is the biggest coin toss, I can remember in recent years. What is your opinion?
Pat Kirwan: I agree wholeheartedly. I think this game is close. It will come down to the field goal kickers. At that moment, I might give Tennessee a little edge on the kicker, but this will be a close defenses. Two great defenses. We don't talk enough about the Ram defense, but they held George to 68 yards rushing, and coaches think they'll be able to corral Steve McNair. The last game, the 21 points scored by Tenn. in the first quarter were caused by two fumbles deep in their own territory, then the Rams roared back and scored 21 points on legitimate drives. A field goal separated them last time and it will come to that again.

From Guest: Many people are saying that Miller can't handle Kearse but Miller has drastically improved since their previous meeting. How do you see this match-up?
Pat Kirwan: First off, the last time they played, the game was in Tenn., young tackles typically have problems on the road with the noise, so some of his problems were inability to hear the snap count. At the time, people weren't sure Jevon Kearse was what he is today, so the scheme seemed to leave Miller alone with Jevon. That won't happen this time. They'll send in a back to help him. The Rams will also throw the ball on a three-step-drop rhythm, so they'll get rid of it before Mr. Kearse can get to the QB. Jevon will still have a sack or two, but they're smart enough now to know how to neutralize them a little.

From Guest: Have you received any updates on the condition of WR Y. Thigpen?
Pat Kirwan: To get to the Super Bowl, everyone's going to play as hard as they can, and play with everything they have. Unfortunately, sometimes players can try to mislead coaches with regard to their health. Yancey said that playing on turf might be an advantage, but I'm not sure. I'm skeptical if running on turf with a broken bone in their foot is a good idea. Last time they played, he caught two balls for 49 yards... that's deep for them and they're going to miss that. I can't believe he'll have the speed he did when he was healthy. I have a feeling he won't be healthy enough to provide that kind of depth.

From Andy: Since McNair isn't the most accurate of passers in the NFL. Do you believe if the Rams defense stops the Titans running game that we could see Neil O'Donnell enter the game?
Pat Kirwan: No. I think Neil only plays in this game if there's an injury to McNair. I think the world of Neil, and I think he'll be a starter somewhere next year, but Jeff Fisher will go with Steve on this one.

From Guest: Pat, Why is it that the Rams offensive yardage in the previous Tenn. game is being overlooked. Tenn. couldn't score on the Rams when they got the ball in their own territory.
Pat Kirwan: I pointed out yesterday in my show that after they settled down on the road in Tenn. and stopped the fumbling, they had three plays that were typical Rams football. Three strong drives that scored for them... that's what they'll need. The guy that Tennessee is most worried about is Faulk. The Titans have not solved him. I'm with you... the Rams' offensive yardage is big.

From Guest: What are the most interesting superstitions of the Rams and Titans heading into the Superbowl?
Pat Kirwan: Hmmm... I'm not sure of any... I'll make a comment, though... When I was with the Jets, players didn't like to talk about their superstitions... that's how superstitious they were. Watching Ronnie Lott this morning, I remember that he used to used acupuncture on himself before games.

CNNSI Host: From Guest: How will the turf effect McNair. I think it would be more painful than on grass?
Pat Kirwan: I think that last week, Steve showed that his toe is not a problem anymore. Whether it's the injection he took to numb the pain, or it's getting better, or both. I don't think it'll be a factor. After I saw him run last week, I don't think it'll be a factor.

From Roy: How do you think the recent playoff controversies involving replay -- most notably the overruling of Bert Emmanuel's clear catch -- will affect the system for next season?
Pat Kirwan: I think the system was a gigantic improvement from no replay at all. There were so many good calls this season that I think it's better to have it than not. I think the unfortunate overruling of the Emmanuel catch means we should look more at what makes a reception. Any time you're going face down, the ball will touch the ground. This kind of replay will force people to redefine what a catch is. I think it's a definite improvement over having the people on the field making all the calls. I don't think this one bad call should result in the system going away.

From Guest: Which team has looked more relaxed-less tight going into tomorrow's game?
Pat Kirwan: I think Tenn. has been very relaxed. Jeff Fisher has been relaxed, his team reflects that. Part of that is because of the style of offensive and defense they play. It's a power running team with the pressure defense, so they cold and rain hasn't affected them. The Rams, who play for big downfield pass plays, have had to practice with a lot of wind, so that might affect them. I'm in favor of two weeks wait for the Super Bowl. Tennessee is definitely looking looser. They've grown accustomed to the underdog role, since they aren't favored, and I think they like it.

From Guest: Which Kurt Warner will we see against the Titans? The one who threw 40+ TD passes during the season or the one who stumbled against the Bucs?
Pat Kirwan: I think we're going to see the one that's the MVP of the NFL. Last weeks' game was a very good thing for the Ram offense to reacquaint themselves with what it takes to win. I think it's unrealistic to think that a team will score 30+ points every week. He threw for 384 yards last time they played and he's going to be seeing man-to-man defense, which he'll be comfortable with.

From Jonnie: Will Eddie George and McNair be able to run against the Rams, or will the Rams be able to contain them as they did the first meeting?
Pat Kirwan: He had only 68 yards rushing, and he only carried 17 times, so they need to give him the ball at least 25 times. The Rams defense, which I contend isn't talked about enough, is really strong. D'Marco Farr, London Fletcher, Ray Agnew is a strong run tackle.... Eddie's going to get more carries and I think he'll be strong. As far as McNair, a lot of people make the statement that no one's contained Steve McNair. The Dolphins, though, beat them 17-0 and did corral him. He's had great success taking his team out of the fire by running on 3rd down. You don't want to get near the end zone with him. I think they'll pay much more attention to this guy inside the red zone. In the open field, they'll let him run a little more because you can't cover him all the time. He's the X-factor.

From Wag: How much does the loss of Marcus Robertson hurt the Titans going into Sunday?
Pat Kirwan: I think it's a very important injury. Nothing to take away from Anthony Dorsett, but they're playing a team that throws the ball down the field. The Rams will run a bunch of plays to find Anthony Dorsett... they're going to try to work around him.

From Guest: If you were coaching the Titans, what would be your strategy to beat the Rams?
Pat Kirwan: First thing I do, is I keep the Rams offense off the field as much as I can. That means establishing the running game and using the clock when I have the ball. Getting to 3rd and short and converting those. They have two RBs who can do it... Eddie George and Steve McNair. The stats on sacks and turnovers prior to Kearse were poor. If I'm Jeff Fisher, I'm taking a lot of chances to get to Kurt Warner. The MVP of this game could be a punt returners. He cannot let Horne and Hakim get through. The irony is that the Titans got here with special teams. They've lived by the special teams, and they can't give it up. Jeff's best special teams player is Dorsett, who's an alternate for the Pro Bowl, will be key.

From Guest: Same question -- switched. If you were coaching the Rams, what would be your strategy to beat the Titans?
Pat Kirwan: The Dick Vermeil philosophy is "pass to set up the run. I'd come out early and throw that ball up top and not worry about incompletions... I wouldn't worry about that. Very early in the game, I'd put Faulk out as WR and try to get a match-up with Dorsett.

From Guest: Who's your pick for the Super Bowl and why?
Pat Kirwan: This is a hard game to pick. I'm on record as picking the Rams. Their offense has enough firepower. I think the Rams' defense can really slow down the Titan offense. I don't believe in point spreads, but I think the game will be very, very close.

CNNSI Host: Thank you very much for joining us today, Pat.
Pat Kirwan: My pleasure. Enjoy the game tomorrow. See you on Monday. Don't call in if the Titans win. *Laughs*

CNNSI Host: Thanks for joining out chat, everyone.

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