SUPER BOWL!

I suppose it’s time I broke down Super bowl 40. Motor city madness might just be appropriate for a change, for this game should indeed be a drop down drag out street fight to the finish. There aren’t a lot of secrets here, both teams are consistent in what they want to do on both sides of the football, and both clubs won’t stop doing it until their opponents give in to it. Two major factors will influence the outcome of this world championship. The Seahawks linebackers and secondary will have to hold stronger than usual without the aid of a tremendous pass rush. The Pittsburgh offensive line is outstanding, and that passing game has been as smooth as silk in these playoffs. Ben Roethlisberger may not have a Marvin Harrison at his disposal but he certainly has a bevy of sure handed reliable targets; Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Antwaan Randle El and last weeks stud performer Cedric Wilson. Naturally the Steelers would just assume run the football, but that will be hard to force until the fourth quarter. On the other side of the ball Seattle will also have their work cut out for them trying to get their ground game going, but the league MVP is patient gaining most of his yardage in the second half of ball games. It will be Seattle’s ability to pass protect and pick up blitz packages that could make the big difference. Matt Hasselbeck can pick a defense apart if he gets enough time, which he almost always does. If not Hasselbeck can also escape and make a few plays on his own, I’m not saying he Michael Vick but he can do some damage on the edge and buy some time. We know “Big” Ben can scramble but it doesn’t have as big an impact because Seattle’s offensive line is so dominant at pass protection missing those rare opportunities to sack Hasselbeck is twice as deflating. Although I believe the Steelers will be misguided to try and pass rush via heavy blitz packages, if they can’t get there in time the Hawks will unload intermediate passes to their sure handed receivers Bobby Engram and Joe Jeruvicius. If you’re looking for a dark horse candidate to play hero for Seattle, look no further than Jurevicius. If you want the real hero look no further than the Steelers Troy Polamalu. This freakish athlete give Pittsburgh a huge edge in defending the intermediate passing game that Seattle make their living with. Troy can play up close to line of scrimmage to watch for Shaun Alexander and still have the recovery speed to drop back into the mid ranged passing game the Hawks will try to use against the Steeler blitz. Both teams will have a tough time moving the ball early but the Steelers short, crisp passing game should mount them a lead, and in the fourth, and fittingly, the Bus will run rampant.

Who’s going to make a fool of themselves?
Every year a player does something ridiculous the week of the super bowl. Remember Atlanta’s NFL man of the year safety? Barret Robbins? The Bengals tailback? So far I think Joey Porter would have to be the front-runner, but I’m not big on that pick. A lot of people are talking about Roethlisberger running his mouth, but I don’t see him breaking the law, or picking up a prostitute or any such monkey business. The Seahawks have an offensive tackle by the name of Locklear that has been in trouble with law recently. The Seahawks tackle will reportedly face charges for beating his girl friend after the season. The candidate I’m really looking for must be both young, and in some way instrumental. It’s always an impact player, who is supposed to play a big part in their team’s championship chances. When the Falcons lost their safety Eugene Robinson the night before their super bowl against Denver, for soliciting sex. It was a deep vertical John Elway passing game that undid the Falcons. Likewise the Raiders center Barett Robbins who went coo-coo for coco puffs had a big job in helping to block the Buccaneers vicious front four. Cincinnati tailback Stanley Wilson overdosed the night before their game against SanFrancisco. When I look at these two teams one name jumps out at me, the Pittsburgh running back “fast” Willie Parker. Parker’s young, dumb, and important. Plus if Parker got himself into a jam, and couldn’t play in the big one he’d be giving us what we all really want anyways. The “Bus.” Naturally this is only guesswork, so send me your best guess. You tell me, who’s going to play the fool this week in Detroit????????