Lighting Optional...

So they tell me that this was the most watched Super Bowl game ever. I guess part of it had to do with the fact that there were so many storylines to this game that a lot of people tuned in just to see how those particular tales would play out.

Then again, there was a 34-minute power outage early in the second half that darkened part of the Superdome and play could not continue until the power was back on full bore. When the lights went out the San Francisco 49ers trailed the Baltimore Ravens 28-6. When the lights came back on the score was 28-23. How did that happen? Yes, I’m kidding but it certainly seemed that way didn’t it? I’m sure many people that hadn’t been watching the game turned it over to CBS when they thought the game was over to watch the next program and that time registered on the Nielsen TV ratings, which may have put the game over the top. Who knows for sure?

The 49ers defense had trouble stopping the Ravens all night, especially when they really needed one. The Frisco offense started clicking after the lights came back on, and the momentum that came with it made me think that the Niners would keep their Super Bowl unbeaten streak alive. That, of course didn’t happen.

I’m not sure if I was rooting for either team in particular. I was rooting for a good game and in the second half, it did become one. Don’t ask me why, but I like Ravens’ Coach John Harbaugh more than his brother, 49ers’ Coach Jim. I like 49ers’ QB Colin Kaepernick more than Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco. I’ve liked Kaepernick since he played QB for Nevada. Of course, when they play Seattle this coming fall I will most likely hate all of the 49ers so I won’t get emotionally attached, okay?

There are a few things I won’t miss about the Super Bowl. I will not miss all of the Ray Lewis talk about his greatness or his checkered past. That questionable past won’t go away, even when he is selected to Pro Football’s Hall of Fame in five years or so. But when he is introduced that will all be forgotten and he will enter as the patron saint of middle linebackers.

Randy Moss, 49er WR, could have been the best receiver in all of the NFL, instead of in his own mind. His lack of effort over the years for several teams will always be worse than his all world performances as a Minnesota Viking. But to me, he will be remembered as the guy who should have made the big plays when they really counted. Talent will only get you so far, whereas mental strength and attitude will take you to the top.

When the game was in the late stages, and the 49ers were closing in on a go ahead TD with a first and goal at the eight yard line, I was surprised with the play calling. I know that Kaepernick can throw flaming rockets but when the field got smaller he needed a change up or a lob to the end zone and he had trouble with those throws.

For those of you who have watched Russell Wilson this year, you know that his best play is the play action, naked bootleg that has provided the Seahawks with big yards and touchdowns. I would have thought that San Francisco had a play like that in their arsenal but if they did I certainly didn’t see it on Sunday. The lanky 49er QB is fast and an option to run or pass would have put a lot of pressure on the Ravens’ defense. It would have forced the Ravens to come after Kaepernick, and he would have been able to loft a pass as opposed to burning one into the receiver, which he did in the first half.

I guess it’s fun to replay big games, and wonder what might have been. I think it would also have been interesting if the lights stayed on in the Superdome. It made me wonder if someone had installed a Clapper!