Super Bowl Preview Part II

Tuesday, I took a look at the offenses of Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Today I look at two of the strongest Defenses in the National Football League. Hair seems to be the theme of these two Defenses. Green Bay has the long locks of Clay Matthews and the underrated hair of A.J. Hawk while the Steelers have the mane of Troy Polamalu and the Viking style beard of Brett Keisel. Let's break them down.

Defensive Line

During the regular season, Pittsburgh's Defense was the best run-stopping team in the NFL. They barely gave up 1000 yards for the entire season. They have to be licking their chops at the prospect of taking down Green Bay's running attack. Green Bay had a good line as well, giving up about 115 yards per game during the regular season, and the Bears and Falcons combined for only 128 yards on the ground in the last two playoff games. Rashard Mendenhall is going to be a guy they really have to key on in this game. B.J. Raji has been absolutely great during the post-season and the Green Bay lineman had a pick-six against the Bears. Both of these lines will pressure the opposite QB but what it really comes down to is the...

Linebackers

Clay Matthews has been an absolute beast this post season. James Harrison has been a force of nature as well. With 3.5 and 3.0 sacks, respectively, these guys will be a big part of their team's plans when it comes to putting pressure on the passing game. Clay will also be called upon to help shut down Mendenhall when he does get past the lineman. A.J. Hawk has been a bit of a presence too. While he hasn't been in the backfield as much as Matthews but he has nine solo tackles. He could have more than that in the Super Bowl alone, depending on how the Green Bay line affects the running game of Pittsburgh.

Defensive Backs

Tramon Williams and Sam Shields have been absolutely eye-popping this post-season. They have combined for five interceptions (one pick-six) 16 tackles and a forced fumble. In the Conference Championships, both passing defenses performed pretty well, giving up 236 (GB) and 219 (Pit) yards. The Jets passing Defense was able to shut down the Pittsburgh passing game and Green Bay should be able to do the same. Troy Polamalu will be looking to fly in from the outside to get to Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's offensive line will have to be on its toes to keep Rodgers safe.

So, what will the outcome be? I honestly feel that this game is going to be one of the best Super Bowls of my lifetime. Maybe that's because I think that the Packers are going to roll. I would not be surprised if the Packers Defense kept the Steelers out of the endzone for the entire game. That being said, I think the final score will be 24-9 in favor of the Green Bay Packers. Yes, I know that Ben has been here before and it is a new experience for Aaron Rodgers, but Green Bay has played five straight playoff games. First, they had to win their last two regular season games just to get into the playoffs and they have flown through the NFC side of the playoffs to get to the Super Bowl. The Packers are the best team in this game.

Super Bowl Preview Part I

You see what I did there? I used the whole Roman Numeral thing, just like the Super Bowl does. How awesome is that? I know what you're thinking. "This guy hasn't posted a blog in AGES! Now that one of his favorite teams is in the Super Bowl, NOW he decides to write a blog?" Well, yeah, that and I've had the writing bug for a while now with no time to give in to it. So, here it goes, back and better than ever, Part I of my Super Bowl Preview. Today, I will look at the offenses and Thursday I will tackle the two MONSTER Defenses that are playing in Big Game XLV.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Ben Roethlisberger

As much as it pains me to say it, Ben Roethlisberger is not a bad quarterback. But, he is also not of the same caliber, passing-wise, as Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers had 28 TD's to Ben's 17. Rodgers out threw Ben by over 700 yards. Rodgers completion percentage was slightly better, but still better. Rodgers did throw 11 interceptions to Ben's 5 but he also threw almost 100 more passes and played in four more games. Rodgers also had a higher QB rating than Ben and did not find his name in the Police Blotter as many times as Roethlisberger. In my opinion, Green Bay has a huge advantage in this department, especially since this game is being played in a dome. Look at what Rodgers did to the Falcons in the playoffs. Those numbers are ridiculous. Both of these guys are the faces of their franchise. Rodgers face is much, much better.

The Running Game

Pittsburgh clearly holds the advantage on the ground. Rashard Mendenhall is a freak of nature and picked up right where Jerome Bettis left off in the "running people over" department. He picked up almost four yards per carry in the regular season, scored 13 touchdowns and racked up over 1,200 yards. On the other side are the Packers and their "Runningback by Committee." Because of injuries and under performances, Green Bay's leading rusher, Brandon Jackson, finished the season with just three rushing touchdowns and just over 700 yards. Your Quarterback should never be your team's second leading rusher (unless said QB is named Michael Vick, then he could be #1) but that is exactly what happened in Green Bay. Pittsburgh will attempt to pound the ball down Green Bay's throat and Green Bay will have to find a way to stop them.

Receivers and Tight Ends

Let's look at the top threats for each team: Greg Jennings of Green Bay and Mike Wallace. These guys are frighteningly similar. They each went over 1,200 yards but Wallace did it in 16 less catches, averaging almost 20 yards per catch. Jennings was slightly lower at just under 17. Jennings had two more touchdowns and is great at going after the deep ball. Wallace likes to catch the short passes and break big runs after the catch. They both have the ability for YAC's but Wallace is slightly better. Overall, I think the Packers hold a slight edge in the Receivers game with Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and James Jones all contributing in big ways.

When Jermichael Finley went down, it was a big blow to the Packers passing game but the other receivers were able to pick up the slack. Pittsburgh doesn't have to worry about that as Heath Miller was one of Ben's go-to-guys, but mostly outside of the red zone. Miller had just two touchdowns this year, down from six last year. Teams really keyed on him and focused on shutting him down. That combined with Mendenhall's ability to run over people on his way to the end zone made Miller a little less important in the Steelers game plan.

These two offenses are both very talented. In the playoffs, Green Bay has been the Number One offense while Pittsburgh is fifth on the list, behind even the Seahawks in total yards. That's right, a Super Bowl team is lower on the total yards list than a team that lost in the 2nd round. Green Bay has put up 90 points in this playoffs to just 55 by Pittsburgh. The Packers have gained almost 100 yards more per game in this playoffs and I don't see them slowing down any time soon. The offensive edge definitely goes to the Packers.

Check back on Thursday for my look at the two Defenses that will be battling in Super Bowl XLV!

The World Cup

For those of you that know me you know that I am not a soccer fan. I have never liked the game and for years have denounced its claim to be a "sport." Somehow, however, every four years I get sucked in and find it hard to not glance at the matches taking place as part of the World Cup. Just this morning, as I was getting ready for work, I flipped on ESPN to see South Korea taking on Greece. Immediately I began rooting for the Republic. My Aunt taught there for a few years so I feel a small connection to South Korea. As for Greece, gyros are good but not enough to back the Papadapalous' of the world.

That's what the World Cup does to people. It makes them pick their favorite of two countries and root against the one they deem the "bad guys." Each match is like a little war between countries with the winner taking home much more than bragging rights. But all politics are put to the side. There is no discussion of peace treaties or terrorism at the World Cup. This is a get away, for many countries, from the bad things that are taking place in their homes. All they have to think about is soccer...or futbol if you want to be technical.

So, yes, I will be breaking my own rule today and watching as the United States goes up against England in their first match this afternoon. England is heavily favored, but hey, they were favored in 1776 too...how'd that turn out? The U.S. also handed England one of the biggest losses in their history back in 1950 I believe. Again, a heavily favored English team got taken down by a bunch of scrappy no-namers. It may be one of the first matches in this edition of the World Cup, but it's a match as big as the World itself.

The Strasburg Era Begins

Tonight, Stephen Strasburg takes the Major League mound for the first time and it could potentially change the course of the Nationals history for years to come. If he's good, the Nats have the #1 spot in their rotation filled for the next decade. If he's bad, they've got a ton of money locked up in a player who can't be the integral piece to their team that they need him to be. Either way, we will learn a LOT about the future of the Washington Nationals tonight.

I have to say, this is the most excited I've been for a baseball game all season. I have never been a die-hard Expos/Nats fan but I like pitching. It's my favorite part of the game, and when someone like Stephen Strasburg comes along and is touted as "The Next Big Thing," I can't help but be a fan. I will definitely be watching tonight as the Pittsburgh Pirates head to the Nation's Capital to face Strasburg.

The Nationals couldn't have planned Strasburg's arrival any better. I hate to say it but the Pirates are the closest thing to the Minor League competition Strasburg will see. It's a good team to get his feet wet against. The only real threat to his ego will be Andrew McCutchen. Luckily for Strasburg, Major League rules prohibit "Cutch" from batting before or after himself. Strasburg will probably be on a pitch count in the 80-90 range which should, if he pitches well, get him to the 6th inning or so.

In other baseball news, the Nationals selected Bryce Harper with the first overall pick in the 2010 First Year Player Draft. The other reason I'm curious to see how Strasburg does is because it's pretty rare that back-to-back #1 picks turn into everyday players in the Show. I think Harper has the potential to possibly be a bust. All his power has been shown with Aluminum bats and the switch to Wood could hurt him. Luckily, he's only 17 years old so he'll be given a couple years to develop in the Minor's before he is expected to perform at the Major League Level.

So, enjoy your look into the future this evening. One way or another, it will be historic!

Remove LT From the Hall of Fame???

This morning, on my way to work, I was listening to "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on ESPN Radio. They were talking about Brian Cushing, the Houston Texans player who failed a drug test and has had his Defensive Rookie of the Year title stripped so that the vote can be re-done due to this new detail. This, in turn, became a discussion about Lawrence Taylor being removed from the Hall of Fame. Basically, they were asking whether or not, due to the circumstances of Taylor's alleged involvement with a 16 year-old prostitute, this should somehow disqualify him from Hall of Fame eligibility.

The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame voting ballot contains a portion which states that players should only be voted in if they had great careers on, and off, the field. It says that their character, leadership and other human qualities help make them eligible. It is basically stating that "If Player X was a jerk, cheater, gambler, philanderer he should not be elected to Cooperstown." While I agree with this, to a degree, a player's enshrinement into a Hall of Fame should be dictated by their performance on their respective playing surface.

So now, back to Taylor. Lawrence Taylor is a Hall of Famer and he should always remain as such. If you remove him from the NFL Hall of Fame for a character issue, you have to also remove people like Ty Cobb (self-proclaimed racist and bigot) from Cooperstown, Michael Jordan (Gambling problem, cheated on his wife) from the NBA Hall of Fame and Michael Irvin (Drugs, Domestic Violence) from Canton. According to the ballot, Cobb shouldn't have been elected in the first place. You cannot keep someone out of the Hall of Fame just because they were a bad person.

This is where I state my case for Pete Rose. Did he bet on baseball? Yes. Did he EVER bet AGAINST his team? No. The man tore up the field for several years, set the mark for career hits which will never be broken and was nicknamed Charlie Hustle for his style of play. If you take his numbers alone, there is no way that Rose doesn't make the Hall of Fame but because Bart Giamatti decided to give him a lifetime ban from the game, Cooperstown has been devoid of one of the greatest hitters of all time.

Back to Taylor. Is what he allegedly did despicable? Yes, absolutely, without a doubt. Does it diminish any of his accomplishments ON the field of play? No, absolutely not, without a doubt. You can't take this man, or any other man, out of any Hall of Fame based on a character flaw. If you did that, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be empty based on drug use and infidelity alone. Unless you want to talk about letting Pete Rose be eligible for the Hall of Fame, leave things just the way they are.

Round One in the Books, Holmgren Still Team President

I'd like a show of hands from people who thought that the Browns would bungle their first round draft pick. Shame on all of you! Mike Holmgren is in charge now! There is no way anything like the last decade of "drafting" would take place again. Ok, ok, I admit it. I was sweating bullets too. Up until the long "o" sound that came after the "j" sound, I thought the Browns would be the biggest blunder of the draft by taking Jimmy Clausen. Instead, the Browns shored up their defensive secondary a bit by taking Joe Haden from Florida. As for Clausen, Round 1 came and went and he stayed in the "Available" column. Wow.

Even more surprising was the fact that Tim Tebow, who some predicted as a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick, was taken by the Denver Broncos after they traded UP to get him! All in all the first round went pretty much according to plan. That is, until the Oakland Raiders went on the clock. JaMarcus Russel has been a complete bust for the Silver and Black ever since his holdout ended his rookie year. So we're all sitting there, waiting for the Jimmy Clausen pick to be made, but remember, I said he's still available. The Raiders seem to be moving towards an "11" defense where they use 11 Linebackers, no D-Lineman, no Secondary, just Linebackers. Granted, the Raiders are more than just one player away from contending again, but Linebackers rarely touch the ball. They can't effect the outcome of a game the same way a Quarterback can. I texted my friend the following after that pick: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Al Davis! I think he just makes picks to try to be that one Funny Guy Owner who is always like 'Hey ya'll, watch this pick! It's gonna be hilarious!'" and every other owner is thankful that Davis will never give up control because he will always make their pick look a little less dumb.

Sam Bradford went to the Rams as expected, Ndamakong Suh went second as expected and Gerald McCoy went third as expected. After that, it was pretty clear which players would be chosen it just wasn't very clear as to which order they would go in. Of course, ESPN ruined all the drama of the pick being read by Commissioner Roger Goodell by showing the player about to be picked either crying, on the phone, jumping up and down, hugging his family members or any combination of the four. Please, ESPN, lose about three cameras, move the draft start back to Saturday afternoon and keep it a 2-day affair.

In day two, I look for the Browns to find a Quarterback, and I'm hoping it's Dan LeFevour from Central Michigan. I think with with tutelage of Jake Delhomme, LeFevour can eventually take over the reigns a la Aaron Rodgers, minus the Hall of Fame waffler he's replacing. I also think the Browns will try to grab another couple guys on the defensive side of the ball and maybe a long shot offensive play maker. Whatever the case, Mike Holmgren will make sure Cleveland doesn't take Al Davis' title anytime soon.

12 Games In and my Head Hasn't Exploded

As I watched the Indians play their first game of the 2010 campaign, against the White Sox in Chicago, I thought it wouldn't be long until my blood pressure reached a point where I could be in the danger zone for a heart attack. Then they won the next two games. I was able to calm down. Things were looking good. A trip to Detroit followed which saw the Indians blow a 7-run lead and lose in the 9th inning. I can remember shouting at the television and thinking to myself "This team is going to lose 100 games and I am going to have to start smoking five packs a day." When the got home for their Jacob's Field opener against the Texas Rangers, I was a bit more optimistic, until the bullpen brought out their gas cans and matches.

After a five-game losing skid, I was ready to write-off the season. But that's how we Indians fans are. It's how we've always been. We, as Clevelanders, are conditioned to expect the worst at the first sign of trouble. Things turned around though. The Tribe was sitting at 2-6, had one game left with the Rangers and then a three-game set with the ChiSox. That last game with Texas was looking grim heading into the 8th inning, that is until the Rangers remembered that they are the Rangers. Two errors and a ChooBomb later, the Indians were on top, 3-2 and David Huff told the men of fire to stay in the 'pen and let him get a complete game. Victory for the Tribe, first career complete game for Huff. Nice.

Now the Sux come into town and we're looking at our number five starter, Mitch Talbot (I never heard of half these guys!) against the perfect-game wielding Mark Buehrle. Paul Konerko, who has been KILLING the Indians for a couple years now, led off the second inning with a homer and every fan had that "Here we go again" feeling. But Talbot retired the next 12 South Siders that came to the plate. Then, in the 4th, the Tribe got on the board with an RBI from Austin Kearns and a 2-run blast from Luis Valbuena (Who had a Grand-Slam wasted in the Motor City). The White Sox got another run in the top of the 6th but Cleveland responded with three of their own in the bottom half, with help from some suspect defense. Talbot shut Chicago down the rest of the way and got HIS first complete game and first victory.

That was two in a row. One more, and we call it a "Winning Streak!" The Indians did just that. After scoring a run in the first inning, the Tribe bats went silent until the 8th inning when Asdrubal Cabrera smacked one out to right field and then Choo doubled home Grady Sizemore to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. Chris Perez then came on, but didn't bring flammable things with him. It was great. The only scary part was the long fly-ball by Konerko but Grady tracked it down.

On Sunday, the Indians went for their, get this, FOURTH straight victory. They started off the game hot, getting three runs in the 1st and then a ChooBomb good for four runs (we call that a Grand-Slam) out the Indians ahead 7-0. After that though, the Indians couldn't find a way to get another run home. The White Sox scored three runs in the 5th and then another in the 9th before Chris Perez came in to finish the job. I don't know what he did to fix himself after the s*** show in Detroit, but he's got four saves now and looking very good.

So, we sit at .500 with a great test over the next nine games as the Indians travel to Minnesota, Oakland and Anaheim. These games will tell us all we need to know about the season. I just hope that it's a positive message that gets sent to the fans, rather than one that shows us just how bad this team really is. If the Indians don't start hitting soon, it's going to be a bad year. This pitching is not going to carry us for the whole season. I hope my blood pressure can take it.