THIS WEEK IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Rule Tide: BCS Champ Alabama on the Cover of This Week’s Sports Illustrated
Tim Layden highlights the legacy of Alabama and its head coach Nick Saban; Von Miller is already one of the best linebackers in the NFL but Jim Trotter writes he’s still a work in progress; Thomas Lake chronicles the heartbreak of being a lifelong falcons fan; Peter King picks the packers to win the super bowl
(NEW YORK – Jan.09, 2013) – Alabama running back Eddie Lacy, the offensive MVP of Monday’s BCS title game, tramples over two Notre Dame defenders on the cover of the Jan. 14, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated, on newsstands Wednesday. This is the 23rd time that Crimson Tide football has appeared on the cover, which includes 12 covers in the past four seasons. You can purchase this week’s cover here.
Alabama’s 42-14 dominating victory over Notre Dame earned the Crimson Tide their third BCS Title in four years, firmly securing Alabama’s place in history. Fans and players alike, including Alabama senior center Barrett Jones couldn’t help but speak of a dynasty. Jones spoke to senior writer Tim Layden (@SITimLayden) on the field after the game. He said: “There’s a SPORTS ILLUSTRATED cover hanging in my room because I’m on it—from 2010. It says, DYNASTY. CAN ANYONE STOP ALABAMA? I’ll never forget looking at that thing and wondering if we really could be a dynasty. Three out of four. I’m no dynasty expert, but that seems like a dynasty to me (page 33).”
Even more impressive is the run by Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who has now coached teams to national championships in four of the past 10 seasons. Only Paul “Bear” Bryant’s six titles at Alabama compare, yet Saban told Layden: “There is no continuum of success. History can’t help us win (page 34).”
Download a high res image of the cover here
WORK IN PROGRESS? SCARY— JIM TROTTER (@SI_JimTrotter)
While Peyton Manning’s arrival may be the most credited reason for Denver’s ascent to the top of the AFC this season, the maturation of Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller from one-trick pony to a complete linebacker may be just as significant. After earning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 thanks in part to his 11 ½ sacks, Miller has taken his game to the next level this season, having recorded 18 ½ sacks, six forced fumbles and his first career NFL interception (which he returned for a TD). While initially being known just as a dominant pass rusher, Miller now wants to be considered amongst the best all around defenders in the league. “I’m a true linebacker. I believe that in my heart,” says Miller. “I want to be a dominant run stopper. I want guys to say when they see 58, they’ve got to go to the other side.”
Miller grew up in East Texas in a home where his parents instilled values such as hard work, respect and accountability. His father once told him, “You have to be your biggest critic.” At only 23 years old, he has certainly taken his dad’s advice to heart. “It’s not the amount of success you’ve had,” says Miller, “it’s the respect you get in the locker room as a leader, as The Guy. The organization brought me in to be that guy, and I feel like I’ve taken steps in that direction. But I still have a long way to go (page 58).”
HELLO. MY NAME IS THOMAS, AND I’M A FALCONS ADDICT – THOMAS LAKE (@thomaslake)
After 46 years in the National Football League, the Atlanta Falcons remain one of 14 teams that have yet to hold the Vince Lombardi trophy and call themselves Super Bowl champions. To be a fan of the Falcons is to accept the inevitable feeling of complete and utter disappointment. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED senior writer Thomas Lake, a lifelong Falcon fan, describes how his fondest memories of the Falcons are fogged with the eerie understanding that even the most outstanding victories can be followed by season-halting losses. Whether it was the debacle that was their first Super Bowl appearance in 1999, the complicated love-hate relationship and bitter divorce with Michael Vick, or last year’s playoff shutout loss to the Giants, Falcons fans have learned to live with heartbreak. But as the Falcons gear up for this year’s playoffs, Thomas and his brother, Red, stand together amongst a sea of red and black waiting for their turn to come. Could this be their year? History says no, but their eternal optimism and devotion is telling them yes.
THE FINAL EIGHT FORECAST – PETER KING (@SI_PeterKing)
After a wildly entertaining—and often mind-boggling—18 weeks of football, Peter King is sticking with the Super Bowl pick he made at the start of it all: the Green Bay Packers.
Final Eight (Divisional Round)
AFC: No. 1 Denver Bronocs defeat No. 4 Baltimore Ravens
AFC: No. 2 New England Patriots defeat No. 3 Houston Texans
NFC: No. 5 Seattle Seahawks defeat No. 1 Atlanta Falcons
NFC: No. 3 Green Bay Packers defeat No. 2 San Francisco 49ers
Final Four (Championship Round)
AFC: No. 1 Denver Bronocs defeat No. 2 New England Patriots
NFC: No. 3 Green Bay Packers defeat No. 5 Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl
Green Bay Packers defeat Denver Bronocs
BEST OF 2012 IN THE NFL – PETER KING (@SI_PeterKing)
MVP: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota
Offensive player: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota
Defensive player: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston
Offensive rookie: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle
Defensive rookie: Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle
Coach (tie): Bruce Arians, Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis
Comeback player (tie): Peyton Manning, QB, Denver; Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota
Executive: John Schneider, GM, Seattle.
THIS WEEK’S FACES IN THE CROWD
- Anders Broman (Duluth, Minn./Lakeview Christian Academy) – Basketball
- Sydney Sladek (Pahrump, Nev./Pahrump Valley High) – Soccer
- Caeleb Dressel (Green Cove Springs, Fla./Clay High) – Swimming
- Kelly Hunter (Papillion, Neb./Papillion LaVista-South High) – Volleyball
- Tyrone Notice (Gardner, Mass/Framingham State) – Football
- Pearl Weggler (Northfield, VT./Bard College at Simon’s Rock) – Basketball
To submit a candidate for Faces in the Crowd, go to SI.com/faces. Follow on Twitter @SI_Faces.
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