SUPER BOWL 52 NOTES: Canton's Class of 2018 takes a bow at the Super Bowl. Alan Page greets the crowd. Mike Holmgren makes some amusing observations.
RESPONSE TO LEWIS MIXED
Ray Lewis drew a combination of applause and boos when the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 was introduced during a break in the first quarter.
Lewis flashed what looked like a playfully puzzled grin as he waved to the crowd.
The next man introduced drew a monstrous cheer. It was Brian Dawkins, whose former team, the Eagles, had just made a long drive to open the game.
Also stepping onto the field in front of the Eagles' bench were Class of 2018 members Jerry Kramer, Brian Urlacher, Robert Brazile and Randy Moss.
Terrell Owens and Bobby Beathard, the only Class of 2018 members not at Saturday's press conference after the election, weren't present for Sunday's introduction, either.
ALAN PAGE GREETS CROWD
Alan Page, a charter member of the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame, addressed the Super Bowl crowd during a break in the second quarter Sunday.
Page spent most of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career with the Vikings en route to a 23-year run as an associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. He played high school ball at Canton Central Catholic.
The 72-year-old former defensive lineman kept his remarks light, welcoming the huge crowd to his adopted state, joking about the arctic weather, and saying, "We've got an exciting game going here."
HOLMGREN'S TAKES
Former Browns president Mike Holmgren provided sometimes amusing analysis on the Westwood One national radio broadcast.
After Stephen Gostkowski chunked an extra point on the heels of missing a short field goal, Holmgren said, "I only ever had one piece of coaching on that … kick it between the uprights."
After a touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery, Holmgren said, "If anyone had a question about (quarterback) Nick Foles, he's playing the game perfectly. What confidence!"
Tom Brady moved the Patriots the length of the field on his opening drive.
"He's taking advantage of Philadelphia's Achilles heel," Holmgren said. "Play action."
Holmgren chastised veteran tight end Zach Ertz for a false start that perhaps cost the Eagles a touchdown.
"That's a penalty that shouldn't happen," Holmgren said.
Ertz redeemed himself with a 20-yard catch that set up a touchdown, but …
"Ertz got away with one," Holmgren said. "He pushed the safety, Jordan Richards, right in the chest."
Holmgren touched on a key to New England falling behind early.
"That was the fifth time in the first half Brady has been hit, or close, while he's throwing. Philadelphia's cornerbacks are vulnerable, but not so much if the Eagles rush is getting to Brady."
NEW BROWN BUILT SUPER ROSTER
Former Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan popped up as a new Browns personnel-department consultant during Super Bowl weekend.
The best behind-the-scenes nugget in McCloughan's résumé is his role as director of college scouting for the Seahawks from 2001-04. That was when Seattle was building a roster that would reach the franchise's first Super Bowl, in 2005.
McCloughan was a scout in Green Bay in the 1990s when John Dorsey, now the Browns' GM, was the Packers' director of college scouting an Holmgren was head coach.
LEWIS AND CROWELL
Patriots rushing leader Dion Lewis never played a regular-season game for the Browns, but he spent parts of 2013 and 2014 in Cleveland.
Lewis still had a chance to be a factor for the Browns' roster going into the 2014 preseason finale against the Bears, but he got only two carries and ran for 9 yards. Undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell used a 13-carry, 102-yard performance to win a roster spot. Lewis soon was cut.
Lewis was the Patriots' rushing leader during the regular season with 896 yards (180 carries, 5.0 average). Crowell gave the 2017 Browns 853 yards (206 carries, 4.1 average).
Lewis and James White totaled 65 rushing yards in the first half to help keep the Patriots' offense moving.
EXTRA POINTS
- Wideout Alshon Jeffery, whose big first half included a circus catch for a touchdown, was a second-round pick of the Bears in 2012,taken shortly after the Browns chose tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Jeffery signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in March. In December, he signed a four-year, $52 million extension.
- Brandin Cooks, who gave the Patriots a 100-yard receiving game in the AFC finals, was knocked out of the game in the first half. The wideout who cost the Patriots a first-round pick in a trade did not have a catch.
- Corey Clement, the backup Eagles running back who made a 56-yard catch and run late in the first half, was undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2017.
Clements hadn't gained more than 11 yards on any play across his last five games.
Clement had a 25-carry, 164-yard game against Ohio State in a 2016 loss.
Reach Steve at 30-580-8347 or steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com
On Twitter: @sdoerschukREP