With the Super Bowl mere HOURS away, the very mention of the name “Jerramy Stevens” probably makes you want to puke, as well it should.
There has been absolutely nothing in the way of compelling storylines during Super Hype Week. Jerramy Stevens and Joey Porter have been sniping at each other, but well, you know, who cares.
The good news is, while the buildup has been less than remarkable, we should be in for a really good football game on Sunday. Both teams’ weakness lies in their secondaries, which means you should see a lot of chucking the ball downfield.
Nobody is going to confuse Hines Ward, Darrell Jackson, Antwaan Randle El, Bobby Engram, or Joe Jurevicius with T.O., and thank Jah for that, but don’t be surprised if one of these guys breaks out huge to be Super Bowl MVP.
I’ll break things down in painstaking fashion in a bit.
But first, some news:
Brett Favre has told reporters that he hasn’t made up his mind as to whether or not to come back next season, but at this point he is leaning toward retirement. Favre told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that he probably will make his decision some time around training camp. Much was made of the fact that Favre told Mortensen, ‘What if it’s crunch time, 2 minutes left, do you want the ball?’ I don’t know if I do”. But keep in mind that there was a larger context to that quote. The full quote was:
“There’s days I wake up and say, ‘You know what? I can’t retire. Don’t be stupid. What will I do?’ There’s other days, I go, ‘What if it’s crunch time, 2 minutes left, do you want the ball?’ I don’t know if I do. If I was to come back and play, I would hope that I would be totally committed to the team because I’ve always been that type of player.”
While Favre may be hanging them up for good, Edgerrin James may be moving on to another city. James told the NFL Network regarding the possibility of him getting a long term contract (he’s been the “franchise” player on a 1 year deal this season), “I don’t see nothing happening. You can read between the lines and from the things I’m hearing, nothing’s going to happen. And that’s crazy, man. I’m part of the solution, I’m not part of the problem. Crazy, man.”
The Redskins have stated they are NOT interested in Terrell Owens. Make a note of that. Kansas City, meanwhile, has said they ARE interested in Terrell Owens. Me, I’m not interested. I was shocked the other day to learn that no team has ever won the Super Bowl with Terrell Owens playing for them.
For some reason even though the Steelers and Seahawks are playing in the Super Bowl, I keep seeing Donovan McNabb on my TV this week. Something about him and TO not liking each other. I’m not really sure. My brain defaults to coma mode whenever I hear anything regarding either of those guys and how they no love each other.
Mike Martz was going to be the Lions’ offensive coordinator, but now he’s not. He all of a sudden remembered these were the LIONS he was thinking of working for. The Lions did manage to land a D coordinator though, landing former Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Edwards this week.
Ousted Vikings coach Mike Tice has found new work. He will be the assistant head coach/offense in Jacksonville under his good friend Jack Del Rio. The two were teammates in Minnesota in the early 90s.
Another Jets coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger, wasn’t being let out of his contract by the Jets, even though he wanted to leave. They finally acquiesced and this week he signed on to become the new offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. Heimerdinger will be replaced by Marty Schottenheimer’s son Brian, who has been coaching the Chargers quarterbacks.
Heimerdinger will be replacing Gary Kubiak, who this week finally made it official that he will be the new head coach of the Houston Texans.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome has denied reports that he has been in discussions with the Vikings to work out a trade for QB Daunte Culpepper.
Tom Brady’s going to be doing the coin flip at the Super Bowl. Probably will be putting his hands on his head and shaking it back and forth as they dump confetti on his head afterwards.
The Bills have a new head coach, and it is former Bears coach, and most recently the Lions interim head coach, Dick Jauron. Jauron has begun interviewing candidates for his coaching staff, and has spoken with Bears defensive backs coach and former Jane’s Addiction lead singer Perry Fewell, and Ravens DB’s coach Johnnie Lynn. Jauron has already hired former Rams offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild to run his offense.
Want to know how Carson Palmer’s rehab from his knee injury is going? You can find out directly from him. He’s set up an online journal of his rehab at www.carsonpalmer.typepad.com.
Recently ousted Saints coach Jim Haslett will be the Rams defensive coordinator next year.
Those wacky Raiders still don’t have a head coach. Former Rams czar Mike Martz withdrew his name from consideration last week. Now they are reportedly thinking Jim Fassel or Steelers O coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.
The Falcons hired former Redskins quarterback coach Bill Musgrave last week Musgrave will be the third guy since 2001 charged with the task of trying to mold Michael Vick into something resembling an NFL quarterback.
Alright so that’s it for news. Now, onto the BIG GAME. Meet YOUR starting lineups for YOUR Super Bowl XL combatants, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks!!
STEELERS
Offense
QB Ben Roethlisberger #7 Miami (Ohio) 2nd season
At 6-5 241, Big Ben is a towering presence in the pocket. He has reached the Super Bowl in only his second season in the league. Roethlisberger came to the Steelers from Miami of Ohio, becoming the latest in a recent line of Mid American Conference quarterbacks who have had success in the NFL.
Roethlisberger is known for his accuracy. He sometimes has a tendency to force passes into coverage though, which can lead to interceptions. That hasn’t been a problem for him in these playoffs though.
RB Willie Parker #39 North Carolina 2nd season
In the 2005 season, Parker went from being an unknown special teams player at the start of training camp, to now being the feature back on a Super Bowl team.
Parker made the Steelers’ squad as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina when he led the team in rushing in the 2004 preseason. He won the starting running back job in this season’s training camp, and led the Steelers with 1067 rushing yards this season. This despite the fact that before the season The Sporting News ranked him 105th out of 105 NFL running backs.
He has used his blazing speed to make his mark in the NFL. He is most dangerous when he is able to turn the corner and outflank the opposing defense.
FB Dan Kreider #35 New Hampshire 6th season
Kreider’s on the field to do one thing, block. He also does it very well. He’s one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league.
Like Willie Parker, Kreider was also an undrafted free agent, who made the team out of New Hampshire in 1999. He’s listed at a stout 5-11, 255, and having him as a lead blocker is like having a mini-offensive lineman lined up in th backfield.
WR Hines Ward #86 Georgia 8th season
In the long and storied history of the Steelers, Ward is the best wide receiver ever to play for them. While he is not flashy or flamboyant, as many others who play his position are, he is recognized as one of the elite. He doesn’t have great size, nor does he have great speed. What he does have are great hands, great toughness, and great competitiveness.
Ward led the Steelers with 935 receiving yards this year, and 11 touchdowns. He doesn’t just bring receiving ability to the table though. Many feel he is the best blocking receiver in the NFL.
WR Antwaan Randle El #82 Indiana 4th season
Randle El may be the best pure athlete in the NFL. As a collegiate at Indiana, he not only excelled as a receiver and kick returner, but also was one of the best college quarterbacks in the nation. As if that weren’t enough, he also played on the Hoosiers’ baseball and basketball teams.
As a pro, Randle El is one of the most exciting players in the game. This season, he caught 35 passes for 558 yards. He also scored 2 touchdowns as a kick returner, and was perfect on 3 pass attempts including one for a touchdown. He’s very dangerous as a slot receiver, and while his hands aren’t among the best in the league, he is a threat to take any completion and turn it into a big play.
TE Heath Miller #83 Virginia Rookie
Miller was the 30th player taken in the first round of the 05 draft, and he’s paid off big. He was instrumental in the Steelers’ shocking playoff win over the Colts. Catching 3 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. That game broke a dry spell of 10 straight games without a TD, after he caught 6 touchdown passes in the first 8 games of the season.
C Jeff Hartings #64 Penn State 10th season
Hartings is a 10 year veteran out of Penn State. He has struggled with knee injuries late in his career, but in 2005 was one of the anchors of the Steelers’ formidable offensive line.
There are few at his position who are better than Hartings. He’s a great pass protector, plays with good mobility, and is considered one of the elite offensive players in the league.
RG Kendall Simmons #73 Auburn 3rd season
Things can change quickly in the NFL. Last year, Simmons was on the sidelines for the entire season after tearing his ACL in August. This year, he’s playing in the Super Bowl.
Simmons was the Steelers’ top draft pick in 2002 after playing his college ball at Auburn. At 6-3, 313, he doesn’t give the impression of being a mobile man, but don’t let his size fool you. Simmons is known for his quick feet, which allow him to keep pace with defensive lineman trying to fool him with complex moves and stunts.
LG Alan Faneca #66 LSU 8th season
Faneca is a relentless player, who is usually regarded as the best player at his position in the league.
The play doesn’t stop for Faneca until the whistle has blown. As a run blocker, he is known for getting downfield to make key blocks. While Parker may be a running back that relies on speed, opposing defenses can be sure that they will still get a healthy dose of high speed collisions, courtesy of Faneca.
Faneca’s the Bus Driver
LT Marvel Smith #77 Arizona St. 6th season
Smith was a second round pick for the Steelers in 2000. Eyebrows were raised in 2003 when he got a huge contract to remain with the team, but he has since agreed to restructure his deal to help keep the team under the salary cap.
Like most of the Steelers’ linemen, Smith plays with quickness that belies his size. He is skilled at getting himself out to the second level of the defense to block linebackers, and spring big running plays. He has been hampered by a neck injury throughout his career.
RT Max Starks #78 Florida 2nd season
Starks is the son of former Bengals’ star Ross Browner, and the nephew of longtime Vikings safety Joey Browner. He is also, very, very large. How does 6-7, 340 pounds sound?
The Steelers put faith in him this season, naming him the starting right tackle after allowing Oliver Ross to leave via free agency. He’s repaid them by doing a creditable job as the starter this season. He’s a hard worker, with the physical tools to be a good offensive lineman for a long time in the NFL.
K Jeff Reed #3 North Carolina 3rd season
One of the hardest things to do in football is kick accurately in Heinz Field. Reed has managed to do that well enough to retain his job as the Steelers’ kicker.
Reed has is leg strength, but he missed both of his attempts from outside of 50 yards this season. In a game that should be close, that matters.
STEELERS DEFENSE
DE Aaron Smith #91 Northern Colorado 7th season
Smith isn’t the fastest defensive lineman, or the most exciting, but he’s tough as nails and a big reason why the Steelers are so difficult to run the ball against. Shaun Alexander may become familiar with Smith on Sunday.
NT Casey Hampton #98 Texas 5th season
We’ve heard a lot of Steelers linebacker Joey Porter this week, but one of the guys most responsible whenever Porter makes a play is Casey Hampton.
Hampton is a fire hydrant who ties up blockers, and allows the linebackers to get around the field unimpeded in the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme.
DE Kimo von Oehloffen #67 Boise State 12th season
Kimo can be aptly described as being a “cagey veteran”. He’s been in the league a loooong time, and he provides veteran savvy to the defensive line, even if he isn’t the pass rushing threat he once was.
LOLB Clark Haggans #53 Colorado St. 6th season
In the Steelers’ defensive scheme, the main pass rushing threats are the linebackers. One of those threats is Haggans.
Haggans had 9 sacks this season, and that’s what he does best. He’s not great in pass coverage, and can get fooled on draw plays, but when he’s able to turn it loose and rush the quarterback, he’s very dangerous.
RILB Larry Foote #50 Michigan 4th season
While Haggans and Porter bring the pass rush from the outside, Foote is a solid anchor in the middle of the field whose primary responsibility is to stop the run. The young linebacker did that very well this season, notching 102 tackles.
LILB James Farrior #51 Virginia 9th season
Farrior is the closest thing the Steelers defense has to being the total package. He does everything well. He’s strong against the run, as evidenced by his 121 tackles. He also is an excellent pass defender and is a threat as a pass rusher.
ROLB Joey Porter #55 Colorado St. 7th season
Somebody’s gotta be the center of attention during Super Bowl Week, and this year, Joey Porter has taken that spotlight for himself. His war of words with Hawks TE Jerramy Stevens has been the only hint of controversy in this otherwise sedate week.
Porter may be the best athlete the Steelers have on their team. He had 10 ½ sacks this season, and 2 interceptions. He plays with abandon and an aggressiveness that can dominate a game. He also takes a lot of risks. The Steelers hope that his aggressiveness, and his vendetta against Stevens, won’t lead to a foolish and costly mistake in this game.
LCB Ike Taylor #24 UL Lafayette 3rd season
The corners may be the soft spot of the Steelers’ defense, but, they were good enough to beat both the Bengals and Colts high powered passing offense in the playoffs, so they aren’t that soft.
The Hawks have 3 wide receivers that can cause damage deep in the opponents secondary. Expect Taylor to be tested early and often.
FS Chris Hope #28 Florida St. 4th season
Hope plays things by the book, and doesn’t take a lot of gambles. That has worked well enough for him this season. He can unleash some big hits, but he also has been known to miss a tackle here and there.
SS Troy Polamalu #43 USC 3rd season
Polamalu is impossible to miss. He’s the one with the flowing black mane cascading out of his helmet. He also distinguishes himself with his playmaking ability.
In only his third season, he’s already considered one of the best at his position. He is equally effective against the run or the pass, and on occasion creates havoc for opposing quarterbacks on the safety blitz.
And You Will Know Me By My Trail Of Hair..
RCB DeShea Townsend #26 Alabama 8th season
Physical gifts are not what has kept Townsend in the league for 8 years. At 5-10, 190, it’s not easy for him to defend tall, physical receivers. Seattle happens to have one of those in 6-5 Joe Jurevicius. He has managed to get by with a good feel for the game, and good coverage instincts. Still, he’s far from being one of the elite at his position, and he’s one of the people the Hawks will be looking to beat in this game.
P Chris Gardocki #17 Clemson 15th season
I was working for the Bears when Gardocki was a rookie a million years ago. In his rookie year, he was given the nickname “Beavis”. It was because his locker was next to Kevin “Butthead” Butler, and they hung out a lot. That’s all I got on him.
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE
QB Matt Hasselbeck #8 Boston College 7th season
“We want the ball, and we’re going to score!” was Hasselbeck’s statement to the referee after the OT coin flip of his first playoff game. The Hawks got the ball, but they didn’t score, and the Seahawks lost in the first round. Last year brought more first round frustration. This year, Hasselbeck has matured and has been the steady second threat in the Seattle offense after Shaun Alexander. He’s done what he has had problems doing throughout his career, playing smart and limiting mistakes. This season he threw 24 TD passes against only 9 INTs en route to a 98.2 rating.
RB Shaun Alexander #37 Alabama 6th season
Alexander’s 2005 season was one of the best seasons anyone in the NFL has ever had. He ran for 1880 yards, and a league record 27 touchdowns. The outcome of this game rides on his legs. If the Steelers don’t stop him, they won’t win. But, the Steelers run defense is as tough as they come, and that’s what makes this game such an even matchup.
FB Mack Strong #38 Georgia 13th season
Part of the reason Alexander’s so good is that he has some REAL good blocking in front of him. One of those guys clearing the way for him is Mack Strong. He’s one of the best run blockers in the game, at any position. He also can break a run or two himself if given the chance.
WR Darrell Jackson #82 Florida 6th season
D-Jack missed most of this season with injuries, but when healthy, he was a force. In six games this season, he caught 38 passes for 482 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had a huge game in the playoffs against the Redskins, going off for 143 receiving yards.
Jackson’s main problem throughout his career has been dropped passes. He also doesn’t present a height matchup problem for the Steelers smallish corners.
WR Bobby Engram #84 Penn St. 10th season
Engram is exactly what people have in mind when they use the term “possession receiver”. At 5-10, he doesn’t have great size. But he does run great routes, is fearless in traffic, and keeps the chains moving. He had 778 receiving yards this year and was the Hawks primary wideout for much of the season.
TE Jerramy Stevens #86 Washington 4th season
This week’s hottest couple has been Steelers LB Joey Porter, and Stevens. They’ve been engaged in a game of verbal grabass all week. Stevens does present all kinds of matchup problems for defenses. He’s six foot seven, and has a body and athletic ability like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. But he hasn’t had near the same level of success. He has begun to come into his own this year though, catching 5 TD passes.
LT Walter Jones #71 Florida St. 9th season
Jones is almost universally recognized as the best offensive lineman in the game, and is a future Hall of Famer. You just don’t get a sack against him, ever. Pittsburgh loves to blitz from the outside. For that to be successful, they’re going to have to get around Jones, which isn’t likely.
Imposing
LG Steve Hutchinson #76 Michigan 5th season
The left side of the Hawks line doesn’t get any less solid when you move over one spot. Hutchinson is one of the top guards in the league. He doesn’t have exceptional athletic ability, but he is a great technician. The Hawks love to run to the left side, where Jones and Hutchinson usually have a path cleared.
C Robbie Tobeck #61 Washington St. 12th season
Tobeck gives you exactly what you would expect out of a 12 year offensive lineman. He’s like having a coach on the field, a coach that can block 320 pound defensive linemen. The center plays a huge role in whether or not an offensive line picks up a blitz. Pittsburgh loves to blitz. Tobeck will have a big role in keeping Hasselbeck in good hands.
RG Chris Gray #62 Auburn 13th season
If the Steelers want to find a soft spot on the line to blitz, the right inside spot may be it. Gray doesn’t have a whole lot of quickness, so Pittsburgh may try to take advantage of that. He does know every trick in the book though, and we’ll see if that’s enough to keep people out of the backfield on Sunday.
RT Sean Locklear #75 NC State 2nd season
On an offensive line loaded with experience, Locklear is the young pup that may have the most problems with the Steelers’ complex schemes. He’s got the athleticism that a lot of the old guys on the Hawks line lack, but not the savvy.
K Josh Brown #3 Nebraska 3rd season
Again, this game could come down to a field goal. Brown has hit 5 of 8 from 50+ this year, including a long of 55 yards. He’s going to be a factor.
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE
DE Bryce Fisher #94 Air Force 4th season
Fisher was inconsistent in his 3 year stint as a St. Louis Ram, but a change of scenery in 2005 did wonders for him. He had 9 sacks this season. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he got to play woeful teams like Arizona, SF, and the Rams twice either. Will he be able to get a rush on Ben Roethlisberger?
DT Grant Wistrom #98 Nebraska 8th season
Another former Ram, Wistrom is perhaps best known for his truly heroic white man’s afro. He’s also a pretty good player. He commands resources in order to get him blocked, and he’s got athleticism that allows him to find his way into the opposing backfield with regularity.
DT Rocky Bernard #99 Texas A+M 4th season
2005 was by far the best season of Bernard’s career. After previously posting a career high of 4 sacks, he got nine this year. He also has 5 fumble recoveries. You don’t hear much about him, but he’s a guy that can change the momentum of a game.
DE Chartric Darby #91 South Carolina St. 5th season
Darby came to the Seahawks this year after a 3 year tenure in Tampa, where he stuck with the Bucs after being an undrafted free agent. He’s adequate at best. His 2 ½ sacks this season are less than what you’d want out of a defensive end.
OLB Leroy Hill #56 Clemson Rookie
Hill was a THIRD round pick this season. While the first overall pick, SF quarterback Alex Smith, looked like someone that couldn’t win the IFC Cup in flag football for his frat this year, Hill was busy getting 7 ½ sacks and being one of the most productive rookies in the league.
MLB Lufa Tatupu #51 USC Rookie
But not as productive as the guy that plays along side of him, Lufa Tatupu. Tatupu slipped to the second round last April due to questions about his size. He answered all those questions. He has been the most dynamic player on the Seahawks defense, and seems to get better every week. He will be heard from in this game. He’ll also have to bring down a Bus a few times.
Lofa Ain’t No Scrub
OLB DD Lewis #54 Texas 4th season
In his third season, Lewis is the old man of the Hawks linebacking corps. He was also born in Germany. Would you like to touch my monkey?
LCB Andre Dyson #21 Utah 5th season
You might remember Andre’s brother, Kevin. In the 2000 Super Bowl as a member of the Tennessee Titans, he was the guy that was tackled one yard short of the goal line, preserving the win for the Rams. That would be awesome if something like that happened to him in this game. Not awesome for him, just kind of awesome in general. On second thought, being he’s a DB, maybe HE can tackle someone else one yard short of the goal line as time expires to preserve a Seahawk win. That would be a feel good story.
SS Michael Boulware #28 Florida St. 2nd season
Another young DB, that could be victimized by the Steelers’ surgical passing attack. Boulware has got a whole lot of speed though, so if he is underestimated, the price will likely be an interception. He has 4 of them this season.
FS Marquand Manuel #33 Florida 4th season
Manuel is in the starting lineup because he is pretty stout against the run. He’s also in the lineup because the normal starter, Ken Hamlin, is out for the season after being beat within an inch of his life outside a bar earlier this year.
RCB Marcus Trufant #23 Washington St. 3rd season
Trufant is going to be a very important player in this game. Most likely, he will be the guy given the responsibility of shutting down the Roethlisberger to Hines Ward connection. The Steelers have advanced thru the playoffs by using the run to set up the downfield pass. Trufant is going to have to keep that strategy from being successful.
He’s on the cusp of being one of the best corners in the league. He has excellent athleticism and speed. His weakness is that he doesn’t quite have the sixth sense that great corners have for knowing what a QB is going to do before he does it. He is going to be a key player in this game.
P Tom Rouen #13 Colorado 13th season
Punted in a Super Bowl as a Denver Bronco.
Now that you know the lineups. Who is going to win? Well, I’ll tell you. Right now.
SEAHAWKS 27, STEELERS 17
“Whaaa?” Well, let me explain.
RUNNING GAME
Shaun Alexander had a historic season. He also got to play some really bad teams with really, REALLY bad defenses in 6 out of his 16 games. The Steelers ain’t the 49ers, friends. That said, Shaun is still very good, and the guys he runs behind, Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson, and Robbie Tobeck, are really good too. Shaun may not set the world on its ear on Sunday, but he’ll get his 100.
The Steelers haven’t run the ball very well in these playoffs. It sounds odd to say that because they’re the Steelers and running the ball is what they do, but they haven’t been very effective at it so far in the postseason. But one thing they do have is a lot of options. They can come at you with Willie Parker’s speed or Jerome Bettis’ power. They will also run the ball 35-40 times whether they are having success with it or not, and that’s usually a good thing. I’m going to go ahead and call this area a dead heat.
ADVANTAGE- TOSS UP
PASSING GAME
BEN! BEN BEN BEN!!! BEN BEN BEN!! BEN BEN BENNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!! The NFL wonks are just DYING to use this game to anoint Ben Roethlisberger as the next Tom Brady. Ben’s been really good in these playoffs too. But you know what? Matt Hasselbeck’s been real good too.
Last week against a very strong Carolina defense, he completed 20 of 28 passes for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns. He did it spreading the ball all over the field. Pittsburgh loves to pressure the QB, but so do the Panthers, and Hasselbeck dealt with that pressure pretty well last week.
Seattle doesn’t play a very exciting brand of defense, but everyone does their job and it’s effective. They made Jake Delhomme look sick last week, holding him to 15 completions in 35 attempts, and picking him off 3 times. They generate a good pass rush, and they have a shutdown corner in Marcus Trufant, something the Steelers don’t have.
ADVANTAGE- SEAHAWKS
VARIOUS AND SUNDRY
The Steelers are a real confident team right now. They’ve won 7 in a row, and 3 road playoff games in consecutive weeks. They, much like Hansel, are just so hot right now.
But, the last time the Seahawks regulars lost a regular season game was on OCTOBER 2. I am pretty sure my body is comprised of a completely different set of atoms than it was the last time the Seahawks lost. The Seahawks have won 16 out of the last 17 games that they have tried to win. They are a very, very good team, even if you don’t know it.
ADVANTAGE- SEAHAWKS
So, based on all that, I get the Seahawks winning by 10. You don’t like it, I’ve got two words for you, I love you.
These Guys Will Be Happy On Sunday Night
Okay, well that’s it for the Super Bowl Preview. I’m going to be the douchebag at the Super Bowl Party with a laptop, reporting on the goings on at the party and what’s going on in the game, so you’ll get that on Monday or Tuesday. After that, I’m going away for a while. Because nothing happens in the NFL in February. I’ll be back the first weekend in March for the start of free agent season, then we’ve got the draft, then next thing you know we’re back in training camp.
So, enjoy the Super Bowl everyone! See you in a couple of days.
