Super Bowl Notebook

By ROB LONGLEY -- Toronto Sun
  TAMPA -- New York Giants coach Jim Fassel knew the facts, but he couldn't find a way for his team to change them.

 A Baltimore Ravens defence that had forced an NFL-high 49 regular-season turnovers renewed the pursuit last night leading to a dominating 34-7 win in Super Bowl XXXV.

 "They caused turnovers all year," Fassel said. "They're a physical team. The front four is a lot quicker and agile than probably anybody has given them credit for."

 Fassel was referring to defensive tackles Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams who, at a combined 700 pounds, refuse to allow the offensive line to penetrate. That allows the linebacking corps led by Ray Lewis, to tackle at will.

 As has been the case all through their playoff run, the Ravens stuffed the offence from the starting point.

 "They took away everything," said Giants go-to running back Tiki Barber, who was held to 49 yards on 11 carries.

 "There are certain ways you have to attack (the Ravens defence) and we weren't able to do it.

 "Five turnovers against a defence that plays this well consistently, is not going to get it done."

 The turnovers allowed the Ravens to take control, winning the battle of possession (34:06 to 25:54) and total yards (244 to 152).

 "The further you go, the bigger the pill to swallow," Fassel said. "But this doesn't change the way I feel about this team. This team will be back to this game."

 WORK OF ART: With no apologies to the city of Cleveland from whence the Ravens came, team owner Art Modell revelled in his first Super Bowl win.

 "They stuck together and they pulled together," Modell said. "(Vince) Lombardi (for whom the Super Bowl trophy is named) told me years and years ago -- in order to win, you have to love each other."

 BACK-TO-BACK BREAKERS: Ravens coach Brian Billick felt Jermaine Lewis' 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to answer a 96-yard Ron Dixon score on the previous play polished off the Giants.

 "The emotional flop, even though the points were the same, had to be devastating," Billick said.

 SEE SEHORN SLIP: On two first-half coverage collapses, Giants pretty boy cornerback Jason Sehorn was beaten so badly you had to wonder if he was looking for fiancee Angie Harmon in the Raymond James Stadium stands.

 "I got beat," Sehorn said, of letting receiver Brandon Stokley get clear for a 38-yard touchdown. "I don't place blame on anyone but myself."

 On another play, Sehorn slipped and fell, leaving Ravens' Patrick Johnson wide open. He was saved only when Baltimore quarterback Trent Dilfer misfired.

 EXTRA POINTS: The 21 combined punts obliterated the previous record of 15 held by the Washington Redskins-Los Angeles Raiders in 1984 and the New England Patriots-Green Bay Packers in 1997 ... The two kickoff returns for touchdowns marked a first for the Super Bowl. In fact, only five had been returned for touchdowns in 34 previous games ... Dilfer left briefly in the third quarter after injuring the pinky finger on his left hand. Backup Tony Banks came in for one series ... The Giants were the "home" team last night but there was no advantage. The "visiting" team has won 20 of the 35 Super Bowls.