Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000

Top five stories within THE story

A rundown of the most captivating figures at this year’s Super Bowl

By Dan Arkush, Executive editor

Theismann, who knows a thing or two about Super Bowls and the unique atmosphere that surrounds the game, is talking live from Atlanta, the site of this year’s extravaganza, and he’s explaining how different the early-week media treatment appears to be from previous years.

"All you see are guys flipping wildly through media guides, trying to figure out who these players are. Even real good ones, like Bruce Matthews," Theismann says. "There is no real special attraction, at least not yet. The usual Super Bowl atmosphere has yet to sink in."

With that in mind, as Super Bowl week really only begins to heat up, here’s my list of the five most captivating figures at this year’s Super Bowl. Two of them are no-brainers. Two others are relative no-names. And the last one is just plain off the wall.

1. Dick Vermeil — For crying out .loud, you’ve got to go with Vermeil as the featured attraction. This, of course, is the new Dick Vermeil. The warm, fuzzy, grandfatherly Dick Vermeil. Not the same Vermeil who coached the Eagles in Super Bowl XV — a game this reporter vividly remembers. As the week wears on, keep a close eye on the veins in Vermeil’s neck. By the time the Thursday before SB XV rolled around, those veins were popping out like Dolly Parton. I swear the poor guy looked as though he were going to snap in half, or perhaps just explode into a thousand pieces. Clearly, the man was a nervous wreck, and on Super Sunday, his Eagles were an accident waiting to happen. While Philly couldn’t have been more tentative, the Raiders were just the opposite. While Vermeil had the Eagles locked in their rooms all week as if they were monks, the Raiders were monkeying around Bourbon Street into the wee hours every night (yes, that included Saturday, too). It wasn’t long, of course, before Vermeil burned out before our eyes, only to resurface the last three years in St. Louis. Vermeil knows his approach was wrong vs. Oakland, and he has vowed that he will handle this game — and the week leading up to it — a lot differently. So far, from what I’ve seen, he looks quite collected. But keep an eye on that neck!
2. Kurt Warner — In another vein, we’ve got the Super rags-to-riches story of a former stock boy turned NFL MVP. All year, this guy has been too good to be true, both on and off the field. Yes, he does tend to wear God on his sleeve. But he seems very much like the genuine article. And he’s played his butt off — except last Sunday when he was up against Tampa Bay’s terrific defense. Are butterflies starting to take their toll? Or was it a one-game aberration in a season full of near-masterpieces? We shall soon see, won’t we?
3. Gregg Williams — As the Titans continue to gain more of a national identity, the names of Jevon Kearse, Eddie George, Steve McNair and blue-collar coach Jeff Fisher are the ones most mentioned at the moment. But if you’re looking for a real unsung hero, my vote goes to Williams, who is greatly overshadowed by his St. Louis counterpart, offensive coordinator Mike Martz, whose state-of-the-art attack has become the sharpest blade on pro football’s cutting edge. Williams’ defensive approach down the stretch has been nothing short of brilliant. He’s from the Buddy Ryan blitz-crazy school of defense, and we all remember the Bears’ 46 scheme in Super Bowl XX, right? Against the Colts in the playoffs, Williams devised a scheme designed to shut down Indy’s triplets (QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James and WR Marvin Harrison), and it worked to perfection. In the freakishly amazing Kearse, he has a tremendously explosive weapon he can employ in a lot of different looks. On Super Sunday, the best defense will win. Right now, Tennessee’s is better — but not by much.
4. Frank Wycheck — OK, maybe he’s not such a no-name. Clearly, the Titans’ tight end is always right where the action is. We all know about the part he played in the Music City Miracle. And he’s been McNair’s go-to receiver all year. But even when the usually sure-handed Wycheck screws up, good things happen. Right after he fumbled near the Jaguars’ goalline in the AFC championship game, Williams’ defense took over, storming Jaguars QB Mark Brunell at the goal line and registering a safety that turned the tide in Tennessee’s favor. Look for Wycheck to be closely involved in at least three key offensive plays on Super Sunday.
5. Ron Pollack — OK. Off the field, who are the hot celebrities? Dennis Rodman? Intent on one last wild fling in Atlanta before joining the Dallas Mavericks? Jesse Jackson? Marching around Atlanta, protesting the Confederate flag? Paul Tagliabue? Trying to put a positive spin on a season and a sport that has its fair share of blemishes at the moment? No. None of these guys holds a candle to Pollack, who did something this year that has gone unnoticed by just about everyone in America except his fellow PFW editors and a few bookies in Vegas named Sergio — finish 53 games above .500against the spread in PFW’s Handicapper’s Corner! Forget Chamberlain’s exploits — on the hardcourt and in the bedroom combined. Babe Ruth? Just a candy bar in comparison. No, Pollack’s feat is unsurpassed in the "Amazing Stories" department. How’d he do it? As far as I’m concerned, he should be bombarded with attention down in Atlanta. He is a real story. The Super Bowl? Nine times out of 10, it’s just another game.

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