It's All Come Down To This.

I wrote a poem about the Green Bay Packers 1997 Super Bowl run for my 2nd grade class. Today, it proudly hangs in my bedroom in a frame. I read it every once in awhile reflecting on how special that season was for my childhood. I watched the game with my parents and 4 year old sister.  No one else around us, just the family. It's how we wanted and how we still do it with playoff games. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I can't be around people who don't focus on the game. I need people who are as dialed in as me. My whole family is invested in the Packers' success.

I also remember the 1998 Super Bowl how I cried in my room for a good 10 minutes afterwards. I thought the Packers were invincible and people made it seem like John Elway choked away big game situations. I thought the Packers would steamroll the Broncos, oh how wrong I was. I hated Elway from that day forward and still feel ill-will when I hear "This one... for John."  Looking back on it, I can never forgive Mike Holmgren for playing prevent defense for the Broncos' final drive.

After the Packers lost last season, I felt sick. I explained to my dad,"I am unlike you because there are 80 things you have to worry about each day, I have like five, the Packers being one of them, it hurts."  I believe a lot of 18 to 25 year olds feel that way, and care so much that a loss will cripple them for a couple days or weeks if it's a horrible one like Big Ben winning the game in under 2 minutes. When they win, it puts you in a better mood and everything in life seems easy.  I am not sure if many fan bases can say that about their football team. People bleed green and gold all over the United States and around the world. I hope that all the Packer fans who are overseas are able to watch their team try to bring back the Lombari Trophy to its rightful owner.

As for the game, I feel strangely confident for this one more than I have in the past five weeks. I hate myself for saying that but it's true. Maurkice Pouncey not being able to play will affect this game more than anything else. The center position is very important on the football field and when going up against B.J. Raji, it could be a nightmare for the Steelers. The other thing, the Steelers cornerbacks aren't special. Bryant McFadden plays off, which will allow for the quick plays like slants and screens from the wide receivers. All I ask is if the Packers have a chance to step on the Steelers' throat, do it. If they give Ben Roethlisberger extra chances, they will lose... simple as that. I like the Packers to win 31-21 

Remember, just like last week.. Win or lose, this has been one of a hell ride and I'm glad to be a part of it.  Go Pack Go.

-Charlie.

3. Band of Misfits

Remember the 2004 Boston Red Sox? They titled themselves a 'bunch of idiots'. The Sox were a group of misfits that just really didn't belong. Some of them really didn't do anything after that championship season such as Kevin Millar and Bill Mueller.  The Green Bay Packers are starting to look like the NFL version of them.

I am willing to bet that there will be 3 or 4 guys that will play a key role in Sunday's game will probably not be a factor on the Packers' roster. The artful job by Ted Thompson to pick up guys who no one even heard of. I know a lot of people, but I couldn't tell you who Howard Green, Erik Walden, somewhat Sam Shields, and James Starks did before this season.

Who would win an eating contest between Howard Green
and B.J. Raji. How much would pay to see it? 

Green got picked up for the New York Jets game after the Jets waived him because he gained too much weight after the Jets' bye week. People including me thought that Green would just be a filler for one game, but he ended up playing  a key part in getting the Packers to the Super Bowl.  Green played very well when Cullen Jenkins was out with his calf injury, and now gets put in on run packages. Green ends up making one or two big plays every game.

Another guy was Erick Walden who got picked up to fill the linebacker void as everyone got hurt in a three week span. I hope Walden plays on Sunday because he played so well down the stretch and actually looked the best out of Frank Zombo and Brad Jones. Walden provided a solid pass rush opposite of Clay Matthews, and honestly, I think he might get a shot for next season. Walden is an agressive pass rusher, and showed some signs in the pass defense.

I jumped on the Shields' bandwagon early, but I never thought he would be a great starter for the Packers. I just thought he ends up being a great special teams player, which the Packers haven't had since Desmond Howard. Instead, Shields played nickel cornerback and went from a guy that everybody picks on to a guy that is becoming a problem. I will like to see the matchup between Steelers Wide Receiver Mike Wallace and him on Sunday.

Switching over to the offensive side of the ball, James Starks came out nowhere. I saw people bang the drum about how good Starks was when we were watching Michael uhh Brandon Jackson dance in the backfield. I thought it was just typical Packer fans always looking at the greener grass on the other side. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. Starks played like a madman this postseason and will give the Packers a legit 1-2 punch in coming years.

These idiots aren't a bunch of wildy veterans who are finally getting their shot, they are just a bunch of young guys getting their first chance. Now that Green, Walden, Shields, and Starks all have that opportunity and they are not going to let it go with ease.

-Charlie.

5. Legacy Doesn't Matter

I am here to put a damper on one of the more overblown stories of Super Bowl XLV, the question of what will the legacy be for either quarterback if they win the Super Bowl.  I hate the term legacy with a current player because a writer/analyst always lives in the moment and describes what the player has (or hasn't) accomplished in the past year.

Tom Brady has won 3 Super Bowls and that will be apart of his legacy when he retires, but right now, people see Brady as the guy who married Giselle Bundchen, has too long of hair, and recently is not very clutch in the postseason.  Peyton Manning is on pace to have one of the best statsitical careers of any quarterback, and has one Super Bowl win. But right now, people still have visions of New Orleans Saints' cornerback Tracey Porter running back a Manning interception to seal the Super Bowl for the Saints. The NFL is a 'what have you done for me lately' league therefore legacy is not important until retirement.

If the Steelers win, Ben Roethlisberger will have his third Super Bowl win in six years. That is a great accomplishment, and he will be considered one of the best winners in the NFL. People will force themselves to include Big Ben in their top five quarterbacks lists even when statistically he hasn't done much. But what people forget is the Steelers are an old football team. Many of their guys start to head into to the twilight of their careers in the upcoming seasons. It would not shock me if this will be the last time we see Big Ben on the grandest stage for multiple years as the Steelers quietly rebuild through the draft.  Does it diminish his legacy if it happens?  Hell no. Win or lose, Big Ben has a bright NFL future.  

The legacy issue reaches a bigger deal with Aaron Rodgers. A Packer victory ensures Rodgers a spot in the Top 5 quarterbacks discussion, and people begin to tout how great Rodgers is in the postseason. Fair or not, Rodgers gets put on a brand new pedestal just because of one win at age 27. Another reason some people on the national stage believe he needs to win the Super Bowl is to become as popular as Brett Favre... Child Please. First off, the Favre questions need to stop, let Aaron be Aaron.  Second off, why does it matter?  People love the guy, he is the most popular athlete in the state of the Wisconsin, hands down.  So what if nationally, he isn't on Favre's level yet, he will be. Additionally, if Rodgers were to lose on Sunday, he has a loaded team that could be back next year, or the year after. The Packers are stacked at every position with young talent. Just so Rodgers doesn't turn into Jim Kelly, I will be perfectly fine with it. 

The reason why the word legacy is passed around like Charlie Sheen's crack pipe is it's an easy topic. Usually, people choose their sides defending them to the death.  There is an old saying 'don't judge a book by its cover.'  So then why does the national media judge an NFL player when the book isn't even finished. Let's wait and see what happens with Roethlisberger's and Rodgers' careers before we anoint their legacies. 

-Charlie. 

6. The Maurkice Pouncey Effect

Even though his coach Mike Tomlin doesn't rule Pouncey
out, I think it's safe to say he will not be playing.

I am going to try to fit this in before the day ends.  We had a ton of traffic this month, and I want to thank all of you. Hopefully, we will continue to grow and become better for you guys. Seriously, if there is something you would like to see, or something done differently, email me at tritscca@uwec.edu  We will get a SNO Tap email up sometime soon.

To me, this is the most important story of the Super Bowl. I might be biased because I am former offensive lineman, but I know games are won and lost in the trenches. Maurkice Pouncey not being able to play in the Super Bowl is a critical injury for a team already missing a ton from that unit.  If the Steelers had Jay Cutler or Matt Schaub at quarterback, they wouldn't be playing in the Super Bowl



The Steelers' offensive line gets more bail outs than an American car company. Ben Roethlisberger's mobility saves this team from being a nonfactor in the NFL. Big Ben makes his line look much better than what they actually have playing.  The Packers need to find a way to actually bring Roethlisberger down instead of letting him extend plays like he so often does on third down situations. All I know is the front seven should be licking their chops.

The Freezer also known as B.J. Raji has been improving every week it seems. He demands double teams, and I could definitely see the Steelers having problems calling out those double teams. Communication is key with an offensive line, and sometimes with rotating parts, it's hard to understand the calls early on in the game even at a professional level. Legursky isn't the only one who has to worry, the tackles, Jonathan Scott and Flozell Adams also should be shaking in their boots.  Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders said on the BS Report, "Scott played great against the New York Jets, and that is amazing because he sucks." Well then. Scott will deal with Erik Walden or Frank Zombo while his buddy Flozell will have deal with Clay Matthews.

Anyone who follows football knows Adams' history. The guy always seems to get about two or three penalties a game. I really hope the refs keep their eye on him because I guranatee you he will have some obvious holds. One Las Vegas prop bets should be "How many times does Charlie Tritschler yell out Sir! when they miss a Flozell Adams' hold?, 4.5 times maybe(I understand they can't get em all).  But with all that being said, Adams could be the goat of this game. If they decide to double Raji then that leaves Matthews alone with Adams unless they keep Heath Miller, the Tight End or the backfield as protection therefore limiting Big Ben's opitions.

Pouncey became the bright spot for the Steelers' offensive line netting second-team All Pro selection.  Now, he is out for Sunday's game, the Steelers are looking for answers because they know the Packers will be coming at them like a train. The question is will they find a way to stay on the track?

-Charlie.

7. The Balanced Question

Consider this the start of the 'SNO Tap Super Bowl Coverage'.  I am going to be writing one article each day devoted to the Super Bowl. We decided not to jump the gun last week because this is the true week that matters. The first six will be various topics regarding the Super Bowl, and I will finish off Saturday with a cumulative post about what it means to be here with my prediction included. I assume I am not the only who will be writing about the big game so strap in and sit down, it should be a fun week here on the Tap.

Chad Clifton has the toughest assignment
of the year dealing with James Harrison

One of the discussions this weekend between us was if the Packers should even to attempt to run the ball?  There were compelling arguments for each side, yet I still haven't come to a conclusion. I wrote off the Packers' rushing attack last week saying they had no chance with the powerful Chicago Bears' rush defense.  But my reverse jinx magic came in handy as the Pack proved me wrong by being fairly successful with James Starks rushing for 74 yards plus about 40 yards from Aaron Rodgers. I am starting to believe that Brandon Jackson might be worse than I believed. I see how Starks hits the hole, and it's like Ryan Grant.  When a team uses a zone blocking rush scheme, they can ill-afford to have a dancer like Jackson in the backfield.

If we use the analogy of supermodels to rush defenses... the Bears are like Marisa Miller and the Pittsburgh Steelers are Brooklyn Decker, both top notch. The Steelers have only allowed 62.5 yards a game to teams, which is one of the lowest in NFL history.  Premier running backs like Michael Turner, Chris Johnson, and Ray Rice didn't even gain 50 yards on the ground against the Steelers. The highest yardage they allowed was 87 to the Law Firm when the Patriots got the best of them.

That game stands out like a snorlax amongst a group of smokeshows. When the Patriots offense went Charlie Sheen crazy on the Steel Curtain, they spread the field using four and five wide sets to expose their average secondary.  Don't get me wrong, Troy Polomalu is a monster, but I really don't consider him part of their secondary. He plays like a rover like Charles Woodson so it's hard to really include him with the others. The others include Bryant McFadden who takes lessons from Jerry Azumah on how to get burned.  Ike Taylor makes big plays, but gets hurt by being overtly aggressive looking for the game changing play.  I do like Ryan Clark, although he likes to dish out the big hits more so than playing smart football at times. Trust me, I want McCarthy to get greedy a couple times and hit them over the top with a couple longballs.

Notice I said a couple times because I worry Mike McCarthy will start dialing up the twenty plus yard plays on every down instead of trying to run the football, and the slant routes that work very nicely for this football team.  At the end of the day, this is a good problem for the Packers. Against a team like the Steelers, I am thankful the Packers are a pass-first offense.  

-Charlie.  

Big Ben In a Class of His Own

Ben Roethlisberger has played in more big games in his short NFL career than most quarterbacks play their entire lives, and somehow, he always comes up huge when it matters most.  This past Sunday Big Ben made two huge completions that iced the AFC Championship and sealed another trip to the Super Bowl for the Steel City.  The thing that has really boggled my mind the last few days though is that Ben played an absolutely terrible game right up until that last drive.  I mean, it was a stinker.  And yet, somehow, the media hasn't made one mention of it.  If you listen to Sportscenter or NFL Live you would think that Roethlisberger carried that team the entire game, when in actuality the defense dominated the Jets in the first half and did enough to stay atop down the stretch.  That is how the Steelers win; they rely on defense and a running game to just keep them in the game despite mistakes by their quarterback, and then in the last two minutes Big Ben comes alive and makes a play to win the game.

I've been thinking about this since Sunday.  Has their ever been a player, in any sport, who consistently puts up below average numbers but is still considered one of the best to play the game at his position because of that "clutch factor".  I can't even think of one; not on the level of Big Ben.  To give you an idea of how bad he played Sunday, take a look at his stat line.

10/19, 133 yards, 0 TDs, 2 ints, 35.5 passer rating

Its crazy that two clutch completions at the end of the game can mask a stat line like that.  What if the teams had been reversed.  What if the Jets had won the game, what if  Mark Sanchez had put up those stats but made a few plays when it mattered most?  I'd bet my bottom dollar that ESPN analysts would have been saying "The Jets won in spite of Mark Sanchez, he is their glaring weakness going into the Super Bowl."

Now, let me clarify something before I get harassed with comments for a week.  Winning in the NFL is everything.  Super Bowl rings have been and will always be the true test of a great quarterback.  Stats don't get you anywhere if you can't come up big in big situations.  I know this, and in fact I agree with it.  I think Big Ben is a top 5 quarterback in the NFL.  What boggles my mind is that fact that I know how bad he usually plays and I still think that. 

Again, has there ever been another player that can hoodwink so many people with a few clutch plays?  I say no.

AFC Championship Breakdown: Jets-Steelers

Eric already wrote a terrific article on the Jets so I will try to keep it more to the Steelers, but I completely agree with him. The Jets have reinvented themselves overnight and we are seeing a different ball club than the one in November and December.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing consistent football like they have all season. They had some losses, but nothing that made people think what's wrong with the Steelers.  This game has a bunch of different angles to attack it from so I am ranking them by importance.

1.) The Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line- Honestly, this is a problem that for whatever reason people aren't talking about enough about. Maybe it's because no one wants to talk about the hog mollies. The other reason they don't talk about is due to Big Ben being like Iron Man and shake off defenders like he once did investigators. Their offensive line is a disaster unit, and it amazing it didn't cost them last week. I expect a steady blitz from all angles.    

2.) Troy Polomalu's Health- Everyone says he is the greatest defensive player in the NFL, and it's very hard to dispute that. He makes some unbelievable plays and is a game changer in all facets of the game. But against the Baltimore Ravens, I didn't really think he made that much of an impact. He will be needed in the rush defense if they want to win on Sunday.  Honestly, I don't think the reason the Jets won in late December was because Polomalu didn't play, they were the better team that day. 

3.) Mike Wallace- I personally think that Wallace is one of the most underrated wideouts in the game right now. He reminds me of Steve Smith, an undersized speedster than can spread the field leaving the underneath routes open. The Jets secondary is a mixed bag; they have an excellent corner, a good corner, but two average safties.  I said last week that Wallace would hit one over the top, and got the wrong receiver because that's exactly what the Steelers did with Antonio Brown. Don't be surprised if they try a couple vertical throws to Mr. 60 Minutes.

4.) Jets Running Game- The Steelers have been damn near impossible to run on. The Jets are built on running the football.  In the first matchup, they rushed for overall 106 yards with 3.9 average.  Honestly, do you really trust Mark Sanchez to carry the Jets to the Super Bowl?  He played better last week, made key throws, and all of that good stuff yet I picture him overthrowing every receiver like he did against Indianapolis. Not to mention, the Steelers' front seven is the best one he has faced in the playoffs

5.) Kicking Game- You might wonder why this is final point, but let's be real here.  Heinz Field is one of the hardest places to kick a field goal in the NFL. Add to the fact, it will be bitter cold outside, and two unproven kickers.  Nick Folk has a leg, but he is susceptible to shanking one or two.  Shaun Suisham was picked off the scrap heap to replace Jeff Reed.  I could totally see one of them costing their team a chance to play in the Super Bowl.

My prediction is the Jets prevail on the road winning 13-10. It will be a defensive struggle, but the game will turn when Roethlisberger will be shrugging defenders off and the ball gets stripped from his blindside. The Steelers were underrated sloppy last week, but the Ravens ended up being more sloppy. The Jets have that swagger back, and Sanchez can do just enough to give them the victory.

-Charlie.

The Best Beard Left In The Playoffs

This is Brent Keisel, defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I saw him on NFL Live today and had to post a picture. What an epic display of facial hair. They said he has kept this going since June.  I might pull for the Steelers on Sunday because of that beard.

-Charlie.

The Divisional Picks.

This could be one of the better divisional rounds with all four rematches from the regular seasons, and two games with hated rivals. I will be missing Sunday games with work, which leads me to my first DVR football day.  I will probably know who wins before the games end, but that's okay.  Here you go with the picks. 

Saturday 

Baltimore at Pittsburgh- In my opinion, this is the best rivalry in the NFL because these teams hate each other, but still have respect for one another. The Ravens impressed me with their beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs after trailing 7-3 at halftime. The big news today though was Ray Rice caught the stomach virus, which could be a factor and we all know the flu sucks. It will be interesting to see if Rice plays or even contributes. I still don't trust Joe Flacco as much as I do with Ben Roethlisberger.   

People forget how good Big Ben is in the playoffs.  He has two Super Bowl rings already, and has a true deep threat in Mike Wallace.  The Ravens aren't that great against the pass, and I am willing to bet Wallace has at least one touchdown.  The one that pulls me towards the Ravens is the weak Pittsburgh cornerbacks. Bryant McFadden gets picked on all the time, and Anquan Boldin had two pretty solid games against the Steel Curtain.  I am torn on this one, and when that happens, you take the home team by three. PITT 23-20 (OT)  

Green Bay at Atlanta- The Packers are receiving a lot of hype in the last week as they were with Philadelphia but it still scares me.  A must for the Packers is to come out and hit the Falcons in the mouth in the first quarter. The Falcons haven't played a meaningful game since New Orleans further you can argue that game still didn't matter much because they knew Carolina was up next.  This leads us to their last important game on Thanksgiving weekend against The Pack.  If the Packers have a solid first quarter say a 10-0 lead or like a 14-3, this will be a Packer victory.  

Atlanta is a very good team when they have the lead.  They are not built as a quick strike offense that can score touchdowns at will. The Dirty Birds need to ride Michael Turner and long exhausting drives to win this game. In no way can Matt Ryan carry this team throughout the game.  For some reason ESPN fails to mention... Matt Ryan hasn't won a playoff game! Granted, it's just one game but that's the same thing with Aaron Rodgers but whatever. The Falcons are very poor against the pass and every good quarterback has done very successful against them. The Packer offensive line will be the key to this game, if they are great this could be a rout.  But it's a road playoff game so you expect to be close, and that's what I see.  GB 27-21  

Sunday 

Seattle at Chicago- I cannot believe people are buying the Seattle hype. I know this is Jay Culter's first playoff game, which scares me than becoming a part of the Human Centipede. I will be interested to see how he handles himself, but trust me, he will do enough to beat Seattle.  Here's the thing, the Hawks do have the momentum, but they went 2-6 on the road. In addition, Matt Hasselback looked the best he has in three years last week against a weak New Orleans secondary. Not to pile it on like my name is Clay Bennett, but Marshawn Lynch will not do anything against the second-best rush defense. They have four of the best tacklers in the front seven.     

Now that I am on fire like Reggie Miller at MSG, you mean to tell me that Russell Okung, the rookie left tackle has to stop Julius Peppers?! Child please.  I have a feeling we see Clipboard Jesus by the third quarter. To finish off why the Bears will win by large margin, the Seahawks are in the bottom tier at stopping the run and Matt Forte, if Mike Martz allows it, will run wild. The Saints weren't able to balance the run and pass leading to their defeat. The Bears will do it and win handily.  CHI 31-10

New York Jets at New England- People are pumped about this one because the consistent shit talking going on throughout the week.  While the Ravens-Steelers let their play do the talking, the Jets-Pats do not carry that same credence. If I am the Jets, I will take the Packers game plan from a couple of weeks ago. Just use their running game as much as possible, and try to control the clock to keep Tom Brady off the field.  But I keep coming back to Mark Sanchez's noodle arm.  I tweeted last week "Mark Sanchez blows" and "Glad to see the Jets figured out Sanchez has a noodle arm."  He isn't okay, I really think he is hurt. 

Another quick prediction is that Brady will go over the top on Antonio Cromartie in the first five plays of the game and if it's a touchdown, the rout could be on. Most people think this will be a blowout, but I honestly see a close game to the very end with Brady leading a last second drive for the win over Cromartie.  NE 31-28  

-Charlie.

Big Lady Loves The Steelers

So if you were a compulsive shoplifter, what would you steal? Video games? Movies? Maybe iPods? Evidently the answer is none of the above for one thief in Pennsylvania, who has chosen to make her money stealing tons and tons of Steelers jerseys:

The white woman, described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds, was first observed July 2 on security video at the JCPenney store at the mall in Hempfield. The camera caught her placing almost two dozen game jerseys in a large bag and leaving the store without paying, according to state police at Greensburg.

The stolen jerseys were valued at $1,650.


So if you live near Pittsburgh and a 200 pound woman approaches you trying to pawn off a Willie Parker jersey, just know that it is probably stolen. The fun doesn't stop there however, as our Jerome Bettis-sized bandit wasn't satisfied with twenty jerseys; she needed more:

On Sunday, a woman matching the same description was observed by store security personnel entering the store at 2 p.m. while carrying a large shopping bag....

When the woman was confronted in the parking lot by store security, she fled, police said.

When store personnel opened the bag hidden inside the store, it contained 15 Steelers jerseys and bedsheets, valued at more than $1,000.

35 Steelers jerseys? And bedsheets? Again, this woman obviously hasn't seen the re-sale potential of consumer electronics. The best part though, is that she is still at-large. So if you live near Pittsburgh you better hold on tight to your Steelers swag, because there is a big lady coming to get it.

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