Where is the love for hockey?

Each spring, both the NBA and NHL maintain roughly the same playoff schedules, starting in April and ending in June. Basketball appeals to a much bigger audience (and hence, better ratings). But, what is it about hockey that makes it the red-headed stepchild of major sports? Let's examine this in greater detail.

1. Hockey lacks well-known personalities. The game's best players are arguably Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. Crosby is, by many accounts, a very sheltered individual. The only thing we know about him personally is that he lived in Mario Lemieux's (Penguins owner and Hall of Fame player) basement. Other than that, we know he really likes to play hockey. His interviews are frankly quite bland. Ovechkin offers a glimmer of personality. The Russian-born player with his jack-o-lantern smile has done some commercial spots that are fairly amusing, but many consider him to be a dirty player. The skill that these two possess is not being questioned. As faces of their sport, they need to generate interest in hockey. While their stellar play may motivate people to watch or play hockey, the lack of personality doesn't add to the intrigue of the NHL.

One of the faces of the NHL?  How recognizable are hockey stars to the casual fan?

Look at other sports. There are glamour names, for better and worse, where we feel that we know a lot about the superstars. In baseball, you've got Derek Jeter - playboy, but generally a good guy - and Alex Rodriguez - narcissistic, huge ego, dates celebrities. Basketball - there's LeBron James - his infamous "The Decision" - and Kobe Bryant - adulterer turned devoted family man (at least that's how he's selling it). In football, Tom Brady - enjoying being Mr. Gisele Bundchen and the modeling life - and Brett Favre - folksy southerner who can't make up his mind on retirement and sends graphic texts to co-workers. Maybe some of these guys aren't the game's best players, but they're certainly among the elite. Can you name one true national or international personality in the sport of hockey? I can't. FYI - Sean Avery doesn't count - he's just a prankster who never grew up.

Whether you like him or not, I'm pretty sure any sports fan knows who this guy is.

2. Media coverage is pathetic. It really bothered me that the NHL signed a deal to continue being shown on NBC and the Versus networks through the 2021 season. Sure, the NHL grabbed the best deal possible, but the combination of these networks are making a lackluster effort to market the game. It's tough when NBC shows 13 games a year, and calls that "coverage." Versus at least offered 78 televised contests this past season, but can you even find the network on your cable or satellite provider? If I found it, I'd have to spend $5 more per month to watch games. No thanks. Increase the schedule to 150 games with a nightly telecast and you might have a buyer. Instead, keep going with the always exhilerating bullriding. The new contract allows for 90 games on Versus. At that rate, you might be able to see your favorite team six or seven games.

The NHL would have been better off to allow ESPN, Turner, or Fox (all potential bidders) to take the bid. I don't know about you, but when I can't find somethinig decent on television, I find a basketball game - usually college, but occasionally the pros - to watch. Think of all the casual observers that Turner and ESPN bring in because this country is filled with sports enthusiasts and looking for something entertaining to watch. The NBA showed 140 games on channels that are in your regular cable lineup, with an additional 96 contests on NBA TV. You'd be able to watch your favorite team upwards of 15 times.

Wow, that is a sight for sore eyes.  I miss the nightly recaps of hockey games.  Perhaps I should move to Canada.

2. (b) Sportscenter. ESPN only carries hockey stories if it is an absolute necessity. I find this to be despicable. From May 17 through May 21, I calculated the air time that was provided to basketball and hockey on ESPN's signature show. The study found an average of 17 minutes and 30 seconds was devoted to the NBA (about 40% of the show). How much time did they specifically devote to the NHL Conference Finals this week? A measley 3 minutes and 5 seconds per show (7%). Disgusting. And, if you listen to other national podcasts (like Mike & Mike), you won't hear a peep about the NHL. Like it or not, hockey is one of our major sports. Let's give it a little more attention.

Maybe the network doesn't want to roll out Barry Melrose every time hockey needs to be discussed. That's understandable. ESPN allows Magic Johnson to speak on a regular basis to share his viewpoint on the NBA. I know for certain that ESPN could employ someone (frankly anyone) to speak more intelligently about hockey than Johnson does about hoops. For instance, John Buccigross offers an exceptional hockey mind to the network.

3. Poor market choices. Our friends north of the border may have invented the game, but how many franchises still reside in Canada? Five - Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver. Truth be told, the reason hockey migrated south each winter leaving franchises like Winnipeg and Quebec, was for the 'Benjamins,' not the loonies. The American economy has been in the toilet for the better part of a decade now, yet the public still clamors for entertainment, attending hockey games throughout the country, even in smaller markets (Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo have fantastic fans). There are, however, some franchises that are suffering through poor management and poor attendance. Hockey is like religion throughout Canada - imagine the passion that true hockey fans can bring to the game. Why not re-discover rabid fanbases to spark interest in the game? Are you telling me that Phoenix (71% attendance in 2010-11) and Atlanta (73% attendance in 2010-11) have more hockey fans than Winnipeg, Hamilton, Hartford, or even Saskatoon? Just because there is a larger population doesn't always translate to interest. Rumor has it that Atlanta may relocate to Winnipeg next year. I say that's a step in the right direction. Let's relieve some of these struggling franchises and invigorate regions that want a team to follow. Each of the remaining Canadian franchises had a 100% or better average attendance this past year...just sayin'.

The crowd at the Bell Centre in Montreal is considered among the craziest in the sport.

By contrast, here's a crowd at a Phoenix Coyotes game.  Hmmm...

4. The only sport where fighting is acceptable behavior. The NHL has taken small steps towards improving the health of the game by attempting to eliminate head injuries with more severe suspensions. Intent to injure another player has no place in any sport whether it's Matt Cooke pummelling Ryan McDonagh or Andrew Bynum flattening Jose Barea. The NHL should further investigate whether fighting needs to go from a 5-minute penalty to an automatic game misconduct. I'm not one of those touchy feely people who want the elimination of all violence. As we learn from the severity of untreated concussions, it makes me wonder what a 10-plus year career as a goon may do to a person's brain. Maybe we can ask Rob Ray, Tie Domi, or Daniel Carcillo. As a youth, it was always a magical moment to witness a fight at a hockey game. Now that I'm older, I see the potential for chronic illness. Maybe we should see this disappear from the game. It would have an additional benefit to improve teams by eliminating the 'necessary' enforcer role and allowing someone with puck-handling ability or scoring touch to make the roster.  Would you rather have a guy on your team like Eric Godard, whose sole purpose is to fight or protect your star player, or Tyler Kennedy, a hard-working winger who found ways to score this year when the Penguins needed goals (when Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were injured)?

5. Leadership. Although a sport's commissioner is rarely a popular figure, Gary Bettman has been a laughingstock since he assumed the position in 1993. He has been a part of two labor stoppages, including the loss of the entire 2004-2005 NHL season. In my estimation, he is nothing more than a used car salesman. He's always looking to make the quick buck instead of improving the game. 

We are missing the boat by not getting to know more about this fantastic sport and the people who play it. Maybe if there was more exposure to hockey, personalities would emerge. The Winter Classic is a great event, but the hockey season is an 82-game grind. We should appreciate how truly skilled and tough these individuals are. The playmaking abilities including puck-handling, shot accuracy, deflections of shots is something to behold, never mind doing all of this while skating and trying to avoid crunching bodychecks from an angry defender.

The Harlem Globetrotters - Entertainment for Everyone

For those of you who are looking for a night of family entertainment, I would highly encourage you to check out the Harlem Globetrotters. We went to one of their 'games' over the weekend. Of course, basketball is what you're going to see but it is entertainment, dancing, athleticism, but most importantly, showmanship and performance. Both the Trotters and their perennial opponent, the Washington Generals, put on a good show for adults and kids alike.

Staples of the Harlem Globetrotters experience were certainly evident. They ran the three-man weave several times throughout the game. The alley-oops were beyond impressive. It made you think that the rims were lower than the 10-foot regulation height after seeing the high flying acrobatics that these guys displayed. The Trotters experience wouldn't be complete without many of the guys spinning the red, white, and blue basketball on their fingers, arms, and torsos (during one time out, one of the Trotters spun the ball on a young girl's finger, too!). And, of course, you're going to hear their theme song, 'Sweet Georgia Brown.'

The Globetrotters' red, white, and blue ball

They've managed to incorporate quite a bit of pop culture into the show (it's not a game, it really is a show). Pre-game featured the self-proclaimed world's most popular mascot, Globie, and a number of males dancing and styling to the likes of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Vanilla Ice, and Michael Jackson.  Globie's dance moves were spot on at emulating the moves of these celebrities. 

Globie styling as Eminem with his dance crew

Big Easy was the most prominent member of the team. He was miked up throughout the game and acted as a Master of Ceremonies of sorts. It appeared as though the crowd was drawn to him, perhaps thanks to his and Flight Time's venture as contestants on the reality television show, The Amazing Race, in 2009. Throughout the evening, he was slapping fives with the closer spectactors and fake flirting with some of the women. Heck, we even learned firsthand that he wears Elmo briefs with 'Tickle Me' across his back side thanks to a retaliation from one of the Generals.

Big Easy taking a seat among some fans

The Washington Generals were their usual good sports about the festivities. Their coach played up the role of villain to the crowd, successfully bringing out resounding boos. The Generals had a few pretty solid players with above average shooting skills and athleticism. But, their performance was intentionally muted compared with the flashy ways that the Harlem team scored.

Known for their creativity in the game of basketball, the Globetrotters experience included two intriguing innovations.

1. A penalty box. If someone did something excessively out of hand, say, dropping the shorts of an opposing player or poking his head up through the net to ensure an opponent couldn't score, the referee could send one or more players behind the velvet ropes next to the scorer's table. There was one instance where the referee issued three Trotters to the box. This scripted set of fouls allowed two of the better ball-handlers dribble and slide all over the court, leaving General defenders in their wake as they worked their magic.
2. 4-point shot. There were four circles on the court located near each sideline 35 feet from the basket. If a shot was made within this area in the last three minutes of each quarter, the field goal would count as four points. Both teams struggled mightily from this range despite being wide open for every attempt...that is, until one of the Washington players caught fire down the stretch in the fourth quarter. I think that the Globetrotters should ditch this idea...it stagnated an otherwise great flow of action. After all, the players are human - making 35-footers isn't exactly easy. 

Here's a diagram of the 4-point areas on the floor

Because it is such a loose, relaxed environment for the guys to play, they interact frequently with the fans. A number of lucky guests were able to be on the court for some of the team's antics, including:

• children getting autographed jerseys for making shots
• adults dancing and being part of off-the-cuff skits
• crazy jersey / warmup dressing and cycling races for the kids
• fans in the audience getting soaked (myself included) with buckets of water 'intended' for the referees (I thought it used to be confetti, not water!?) 
• some players signed autographs for up to a half-hour after the game concluded

One of my favorite portions of the game was an elaborate game of 'football.' This showcased dancing to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This," a center-quarterback exchange with a gastric disturbance, one of the players named Dizzy (that may need some medication to treat ADHD) gyrating like a jackhammer, among other things. After 3-4 minutes, the touchdown pass was successfully executed and the entire sequence was rewound backwards and done flawlessly.  Check out a variation of this football game at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bfrz2SUrEY

The most side-splitting moment of the night was during a time out, featuring an inflatable version of Globie performing some dance moves when the song changed to Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping." The familiar chorus to this song goes "I get knocked down, but I get up again...never gonna keep me down" and repeats over and over. Now, picture the mascot abruptly smacking its head on the hardwood, but getting up again, only to take a few steps and pound its head again, right in time with the lyrics of the song. It brought my wife to tears - she was laughing so hard.  Check out the 30-second mark at the following video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x2oncj0laY

The Globetrotters won the 'game' 126-122. Surprise, surprise. The outcome is never the most meaningful part of the game, considering the team's winning percentage is approaching 99% over its lifetime.

Abe Saperstein championed the Harlem Globetrotters in 1926-1927 to give promising, African-American basketballers an opportunity to play exhibition games. They have become a worldwide phenomenon. I think he would still be proud of the entertainment that they provide the world today. They might not quite have NBA skills, but they are a treat to watch in person.  Next time, we might even take the kids.

Super Bowl XLV Preview

Team History
It is impossible for me to pass up an opportunity to write something about the upcoming Super Bowl. After all, it is a contest between two storied franchises - the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of which is my favorite team. The Packers legacy was forged with legendary coach Vince Lombardi when the modern Super Bowl era began. He had the good fortune to have quarterback Bart Starr and running backs Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor as members of the first two Super Bowl winning teams. Of course, the rosters have changed through the years with the likes of James Lofton, Brett Favre, and Reggie White donning the green and gold for the small town in Wisconsin. Now, they are led by everyone's favorite QB of the present and future - Aaron Rodgers - while the defense features linebacker Clay Matthews, Jr. and defensive back Charles Woodson. The Steelers' rise to success came several years after the Packers rise to prominence. Their leader, Chuck Noll, drafted the right players to fit his team's identity with QB Terry Bradshaw, RB Franco Harris, DL Joe Greene, and LB Jack Lambert. Most of the team stayed intact during their run of four titles in six years from 1974 to 1980.

Both franchises experienced some rather dark years in the 1980s after their superstars retired from football. Sure, there were a handful of playoff berths, but neither team was ever considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Then, the decade of the 1990s brought about a return to prosperity. Green Bay was able to pry Favre away from Atlanta in 1992 for a first round pick because the Falcons were sure that Jeff George was the answer at QB - oops. Mike Holmgren's Packers brought home a Lombardi trophy to Titletown in 1997 by defeating Bill Parcells' New England Patriots. Bill Cowher invigorated the Steelers franchise with a new enthusiasm in the early 90s. The Steelers didn't break through with any Super Bowl victories until the past decade (when they got two more), but the foundation for the two franchises have been rock solid for the better part of two decades.

But, that history has little to do with the upcoming weekend's game. It is merely a talking point for the media. What effect will Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Chuck Noll, or Terry Bradshaw have on the outcome of this game? Zero. It only affords reporters the opportunity to interview each franchise's longtime veterans on this most over-hyped week of the season. The focus should be on each team's current roster, not the glad-handing of retired professionals. There are 106 players (let's not forget the coaches, too!) who are dying to win a Super Bowl ring. Let's make this week about them. They are the ones who are building a team's history before our very eyes.

Offense / Defense / Special Teams
The game itself will feature two excellent defenses. Green Bay's defense has made vast improvements over the second half of the season. While Clay Matthews' sack numbers have slightly declined since his torrid early season pace, the overall team concept of defense has solidified. B.J. Raji has become a force in the interior defensive line. A.J. Hawk is an exceptional athlete that has progressed in becoming an every-down linebacker. The strength of the secondary is Charles Woodson. His ability to play any secondary position allows defensive coordinator to provide multiple looks intended to confuse the opposing QB and offensive coordinator. Tramon Williams was worthy of a Pro Bowl selection and has nearly become a shutdown corner.

Pittsburgh has been steadier throughout the year with solid but unspectacular line play, allowing James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley to be formidable pass rushers. The secondary has some holes that can be exploited. Bryant McFadden gets picked on quiite often as a result of CB Ike Taylor's superb one-on-one defending. Troy Polamalu provides unprecedented playmaking ability that can affect opponents' gameplans.

It is quite astounding that the Packers made it to the Super Bowl with the number of starters that are on injured reserve - RB Ryan Grant, TE Jermichael Finley, and LB Nick Barnett are the most prominent names. In total, 16 Packers are on IR. Pittsburgh has suffered many injuries on the offensive line, the worst of which was last week's high ankle sprain (and broken bone) to Pro Bowl C Maurkice Pouncey. Also, Pittsburgh insiders believe that there is a lingering injury affecting all-world SS Troy Polamalu's play. He and his flowing hair usually run miles each game, forward and back, sideline to sideline to mask the opposing QB's ability to read the defense. But, the Steelers have chosen to use him primarily 15-20 yards from the line of scrimmage in playoff games.

Neither special teams unit generally makes significant plays. I think both teams would be happy if they plodded through the special teams game and didn't allow a big play.

The offenses may be just dynamic enough to overcome very slight weaknesses in defenses. Aaron Rodgers can throw the ball into such tight windows. Of course, it helps that each member of the receiving corps can get open. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, and even RB Brandon Jackson notched better than 40 receptions. This just goes to show that Green Bay can pick you apart in a number of ways. The running game, which had become an afterthought for much of the season, is gaining steam in the playoffs with James Starks filling in admirably as the go-to guy. He's going to find some tough sledding this weekend against the league's best run defense. Expect the Packers to give him the ball early to see if they can maintain a balanced attack. If not, they would be just as comfortable using 4WR and 5WR sets to spread out the Steelers, hoping to force Dick LeBeau (Steelers defensive coordinator) to use more nickel and dime packages. I'm sure that LeBeau would prefer to use a 3-4 base defense where he can mix up the playcalling with more exotic pressure packages. RB Rashard Mendenhall made Jets defenders miss all last week, but I wouldn't expect him to surpass 120 yards in the big game unless he breaks a long run. He won't be able to grind out 5+ yards as often as he did last week, especially behind the patchwork Steelers offensive line. WR Mike Wallace has big play capability, but has been awfully quiet in the postseason, as has Hines Ward. Tight end Heath Miller will be a tough draw for any Packers defender. He is the Steelers' best hope at opening up the passing game for the other receivers. Ben Roethlisberger's consistent knack for extending plays could frustrate the Cheeseheads' pass rushers if he continues to get loose to make throws downfield.

Super Bowl Minutiae
If you look at the past five Super Bowls, those quarterbacks that are making their Super Bowl debuts have had their difficulties, with the exception of Drew Brees last year.
Year      QB                                   Rating
2009      D. Brees                          114.5
2007      E. Manning                      87.3
New York Giants / New England Patriots. Yes, Eli Manning got MVP Honors, but it wasn't until the 'helmet catch' that the Giants believed they could win.
2006      P. Manning                      81.8
Indianapolis Colts / Chicago Bears. Peyton Manning may have also received MVP honors, but it was a total team effort that won the title for Dungy and company.
2006      R. Grossman                   68.3
Indianapolis Colts / Chicago Bears. Rex Grossman played poorly throughout the game for the NFC champion Bears despite being handed an early lead by Devin Hester.
2005      B. Roethlisberger            22.5
Pittsburgh Steelers / Seattle Seahawks. Ben Roethlisberger could have put the game away in the 3rd quarter, but woefully underthrew a corner route that allowed the Seahawks back into the game.
2005      M. Hasselbeck                67.8
Pittsburgh Steelers / Seattle Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck also experienced the first Super Bowl game jitters and threw a costly interception that promptly set up a Steelers 2nd half touchdown.

The last few Super Bowls have featured a game-changing play late in the game, but I don't expect that to happen on Sunday.
2009 - New Orleans Saints / Indianapolis Colts - Porter's interception of Manning
2008 - Pittsburgh Steelers / Arizona Cardinals - Holmes' toe tap in the end zone
2007 - New York Giants / New England Patriots - David Tyree's helmet catcfh

Tale of the Tape
Subject                           Green Bay                           Pittsburgh
#6 seed                                  +
Linemen                                 +
Nickname                               +
SB Experience                                                                 +
Playoff Beards                                                                 +
Home crowd                                                                   +
Signature food                       +                                       +
Scandals                                -                                        -
Tutoring                                                                         +
Karma                                   -                                         -

#6 Seed: The only other #6 seed to enter a Super Bowl (like the Packers are doing this year) won it. It was Pittsburgh, defeating Seattle 21-10 in Super Bowl XL. The #6 seed was favored by the Vegas line in that contest, and Green Bay is a 2.5 point favorite in this one, too.
Linemen: No team has ever won a Super Bowl that started one of its five intended offensive linemen from training camp. That's the mountain the Steelers need to climb with Chris Kemoeatu being the last man standing.
Nickname: Titletown is a far better nickname than Sixburgh (or potentially Stairway to Seven).
Super Bowl Experience: Pittsburgh certainly has the experience edge of the big game with 18 players attempting to win their third ring with the team.
Playoff Beards: For the superstitious, playoff beards are in vogue (thank you hockey players for this tradition!) and Aaron Rodgers made the crucial error of dispensing with his facial hair this past week (Former Pittsburgh QB Neil O'Donnell parted with his 'Grizzly Adams' look right before Super Bowl XXX, and the Cowboys picked him off three times en route to a 27-17 victory). Big Ben has maintained his beard. Brett Keisel...well, I wouldn't call it maintenance. After seven months, his beard is just awesome.
Home Crowd: Steeler Nation will travel better than Cheesehead fans to Cowboys Stadium. Although it won't quite feel like a home game, I'd expect 65-70% of the crowd to be Pittsburgh fans.
Signature Food: Bratwurst or Primanti Bros' signature sandwich? Tough call...I can't pick.
Scandals: Picture-gate or Miiledgeville? Which will have an effect on the game? Neither. Once the ball is kicked off, both scandals will be the furthest thing from players' and coaches' minds.
Tutoring: Aaron Rodgers is turning to Trent Dilfer for advice? Yikes (Dilfer is widely regarded as the WORST quarterback to win a Super Bowl game). Meanwhile, cancer survivor and tough as nails RB Merril Hoge is in Roethlisberger's ear from time to time.
Karma: Rodgers being mum about his new helmet that may prevent concussions (check out this link to Julius Peppers' headshot on him last week - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guG2vd-uAfY). Roethlisberger's indiscretions. They're both endangering public safety.

Predictions
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Aaron Rodgers will experience early game butterflies. Look at last week's contest versus the Bears. Once Rodgers got beyond the pre-scripted plays (of which there are usually fifteen), he looked uncomfortable and was playing 'not to lose' as opposed to keeping his foot on the throat of the defense like he did the previous week against the Falcons.

Being a Steeler fan, I will openly admit a bias when making predictions. So, let's put it this way. If I project a score using only my head, I'd say Green Bay wins 30-24. But, it's difficult to not factor in my heart, so I'm going to say Pittsburgh 27, Green Bay 23. I believe that the Steelers will take the lead into the 4th quarter and hang on for dear life...similar to the AFC Championship game against the Jets. I don't think it will offer quite the offensive fireworks that last season's Steelers 37-36 regular season victory did. But, I don't expect either defense to dominate play. It won't be a game for the ages. Rather, it's a matchup between two solid teams that did what it took to get here.

The prize at the end of Sunday.  Everyone wants it...a precious few get it.

A Brutal Rivalry Renewed

I've had the good fortune to attend a handful of regular season NFL games. However, my first playoff game was a week ago at Heinz Field to witness my favorite team - the Pittsburgh Steelers do battle against the Baltimore Ravens. I chose to write this article not to provide a synopsis of the game, but rather, to discuss the atmosphere of a playoff game.

All I can say is thank goodness that the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Winter Classic this year. You may say, what in the world does this have to do with playoff football? Well, without the temporary bleachers that were erected behind the south endzone, I probably wouldn't have gotten tickets. My wife and I got seats a few rows up with a view directly between the goalpost uprights. They provided a fantastic perspective of the field of play, one that you rarely get on television.

The matchup that we witnessed was between two bitter rivals who have equal part respect and loathing for one another. The Baltimore Ravens franchise came into existence in 1996, when Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell decided to chase the money and move the Ohio city's beloved team to Baltimore. The Steelers and Browns shared a rivalry that lasted not for years or decades, but generations. People from each city usually use colorful language when describing folks from the other town. When the Browns disappeared, the Steelers were left without a natural rival.  But, by the beginning of the new century, Baltimore proved to be the replacement for the rival Browns (even though Cleveland got its franchise back in 1999).

The recent history of the rivalry has been fairly even. Ray Lewis has been the heart and soul of the Ravens team since its inception. Primarily due to their stellar play on defense, the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2000. The Steelers once proud Super Bowl tradition was invigorated by championship wins in 2006 and 2009. The two teams have combined for nine of the last eleven AFC North division titles (Cincinnati won it in 2005 and 2009). The teams mirror one another with their styles of play - you can count on facing a hard-hitting, stout defense any time you face either one of these teams.

Yet, when these two teams square off against one another, the hitting is turned up more than a few notches. We all know the vicious hits that have been a part of the fabric of this rivalry. The first few images that come to mind are Willis McGahee being nearly decapitated by a torpedo strike from Ryan Clark in the 2008 AFC Championship. I can't forget a regular season contest in the 2008 season where Ray Lewis tackled Rashard Mendenhall so hard that his scapula broke. I don't think I've ever heard of that injury occurring in an NFL game before or since. The most deflating hit came in the 2006 season when Bart Scott came untouched for one of the Ravens' nine sacks of Ben Roethlisberger. Both players still mention that hit. Scott lauds himself for knocking all the air out of "Big Ben," while Ben recalls that was probably the hardest he's ever been hit. Then, there is the incessant jawing between the combatants. Hines Ward gets under opponents' skin with his aggressive play at the wide receiver position. Ed Reed and company give it right back to the man with the ever-present smile. You get the point - it's nasty. Smash mouth football at its finest.

Both teams stepped onto Heinz Field that freezing cold day (game time temperatures were in the low 30s) with something to prove. The Steelers wanted to keep the Ravens down by defeating them for the third time in as many tries in playoff games. Baltimore wanted to show that they were the team to be reckoned with, and that Joe Flacco can win a meaningful contest with the game on the line.

 A glimpse from afar of the tailgating scene outside Heinz Field

For the majority of games that I’ve attended, you walk in and see some late-arriving people get to their seats. When we finished tailgating with friends nearly an hour before gametime, it was as if a sea of people began moving towards the entrances to the stadium. You'd better get in, get your seat, lock in your chinstrap because the epic battle was due to begin. By the time the anthem was being played, you could feel the wave of emotion in the crowd. The fighter jets flying over elicited an ovation that drowned out the end of the Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

The starting defensive lineup being announced to the delight of a Terrible Towel waving crowd

The home crowd was ecstatic when the Steelers scored a touchdown on their opening drive. As the first half progressed, the fans were very antsy because the Ravens had hung 21 points on their team, thanks primarily to two turnovers that set up Baltimore for quick scores. As the half came to a close, Pittsburgh missed a field goal after sustaining a decent but unspectacular drive. The best way I can describe the vibe at halftime was seething. There were a lot of grumbles. There were a select few who were choosing this moment to begin increasing the vulgarities towards men wearing purple jerseys in the stands. And, I overheard one individual guaranteeing a Steeler victory.

What the crowd needed was a spark...something to get everyone back in the game. For the beginning of the third quarter during regular season games, you would regularly see many seats open seats due to restroom lines, the need for more food, or last call for alcohol. Not tonight. There were still some seats open, but the crowd was ready and waiting for something...anything to happen. Pittsburgh got the ball to start and began driving, but stalled before reaching scoring range. When Baltimore got the ball back, they decided not to go into an offensive shell and mix up the playcalling. On a third and long, a safe play turned into disaster for the road team...and started the next 90 minutes where the crowd was in a frenzy. The short pass to Ray Rice, a man who never fumbles, was stripped by safety Ryan Clark and recovered by LaMarr Woodley. Two short plays later, Roethlisberger pump faked, then hit a wide open Heath Miller for an easy TD pass. The crowd had arrived!

After the ensuing kickoff, a television timeout afforded the Heinz Field public address system to simply say, "You want it, you got it," before beginning the rallying cry for Steeler faithful. The jumbotron went black then the images of Steeler highlights began rolling as the chords of "Renegade" by Styx could not be heard due to the throng of screaming and yelling amongst the Pittsburgh faithful. As the music went from placid to the drum beats that kick off the rocking part of the song, the Terrible Towels united as one.  It was precisely at this time that we learned why these bleachers were temporary. As the crowd throbbed, so did the stands to the tune of the entire section of bleachers pulsing back and forth nearly a foot each second. We all looked at each other like "What? Really?!" My wife only said, "Just land on your butt if we're going to fall" as we were about 12 feet off the ground.

The offensive huddle pinned deep in its own end.

The home team did not disappoint by getting the gift of a terrible read by Joe Flacco that resulted in an interception that once again positioned the Steelers for another quick score - this time, a Hines Ward touchdown catch. He promptly searched out a fellow #86 in the crowd to hand-deliver a memory to a lucky fan. The score at the third quarter was 21-21. The Pittsburghers had all the momentum and their defense had stymied a diverse Baltimore offense with only 92 yards through three quarters.

You always expect that the fourth quarter will decide the Steelers / Ravens games and this was not going to be an exception. Both teams mustered a field goal, but each team continually shot itself in the foot with dumb penalties and other gaffes. Baltimore had a punt return for a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty. There was an audible gasp of horror during this play until everyone saw the yellow flag on the field. Marcus Smith was incensed that he was called for holding and visibly upset on the sideline.  Meanwhile, big money receiver Anquan Boldin failed to catch a sure touchdown pass on the goal line that would have given the Ravens a four-point lead midway through the 4^th quarter.

As the Steelers began to approach midfield with four minutes to go, the palpitations of the crowd could be felt. The game is in our hands. This can be won.  Then, came a sack on first down.  Loss of nine.  Second down was a perfect pass to rookie Emmanuel Sanders, but the ball was separated from his leaping attempt by Ed Reed – incomplete.  So, it’s 3^rd and 19.  The play doesn’t come in from the sideline quickly enough forcing Pittsburgh to call a time out to avoid 3^rd and 24.  My goodness, the slippery slope that the game was headed down…all of a sudden, the possibility that Baltimore could get the ball back with two minutes and three time outs against the Steelers’ inconsistent secondary was becoming a reality.  Then, lightning struck.

Roethlisberger fires a long pass to rookie Antonio Brown, who gets one step behind the Baltimore cornerback.  58 yards later, the crowd erupts as Brown pins the ball to his helmet to secure the catch before going out of bounds.  Most of us didn’t even see how he pulled it in, but we knew that the big play just happened.  The crowd was able to revel in the glory of that play during the two-minute warning.  The previously half-naked guy (who smartened up and put on his clothes) hugged me like a long-lost brother.  It was a sense of euphoria.  Five plays later, Rashard Mendenhall made a tough goal line run to punch in what proved to be the winning score.  It felt like the end of the film “Rudy.”

Of course, we had to rely on the defense one more time…and they didn’t disappoint.  Ziggy Hood’s third down sack put the Ravens in a precarious 4^th and 18, also forcing John Harbaugh to call his final timeout with just over a minute to go.  An abbreviated version of “Renegade” was played, but the crowd didn’t need any prodding.  The screams of DE-FENSE were growing in intensity, not lessening.  As the 4^th down play transpired, T.J. Houshmandzadeh easily shook William Gay’s coverage to get wide open for what would have been a first down pass.  But, he dropped the ball that was well-placed by the Ravens’ quarterback.  As T.J. stormed off the field in obvious frustration that he let his team down, Heinz Field nearly imploded.  Ravens fans scurried out, Steelers fans were able to celebrate another playoff victory over their archrival.

A postgame view of the jumbotron underneath the giant ketchup bottles

The regular season tilts that I’ve seen pale in comparison with the Steelers / Ravens playoff game.  It was well worth the price of admission.  There may not have been any breathtaking hits to recollect (no, the headbutts between Ike Taylor and T.J. Houshmandzadeh don’t count), but the magnitude of each play was its own scene in a five-act drama.  The postgame wave of relief, giddiness, joy, and festival-like atmosphere extended from the stadium in every direction in a web-like fashion.

I, for one, was fairly certain that would have been the last game played at Heinz Field in the 2010-2011 season.  But, the New York Jets had different ideas, allowing Pittsburgh to host the AFC Championship game.  The crowd must have been as fired up for that showdown with the Super Bowl on the line.

Youthful Innocence

This editorial article is a vast departure from my other writings.  I’m sure that next week’s entry will return to the usual ranting and raving.  Hopefully, you’ll see why I chose to write these words at this specific time.

Some people say that sports are passed down from parent to child.  If a parent was involved in athletic pursuits as a youth, then their child is obviously inclined to follow in their footsteps.  This particular case is no different.

Baseball is in the genes.  Not only did this youngster get a passing interest of glory days gone by from the parents, but there was a living, breathing ancestor who had made it to the ‘big show.’  One of the child’s relatives had been a bona fide Major League baseball player with eight years of playing experience, eight years as a manager, and even performed the duties of general manager.  In addition, the child’s father still serves as a professional baseball scout supervisor.  So, it was ingrained in this youth to have a fervent passion for the sport.  Little League was, of course, an important part of life.  As with many children, the desire to become a professional athlete was unmistakable.

With many children, their interests are as diversified as the colors in a 96-count box of Crayola.  This youth was no exception.  Baseball is a family passion, but in this case, swimming is also a favorite pastime.  Other interests include helping less privileged children via charity work and a budding fascination with student government.  It is every parent’s wish to have children with an unquenchable desire to throw themselves fully into life.  After all, a well-rounded child usually grows up to be a balanced, upstanding individual…one to be proud of.  The parents must have been absolutely beaming by how their little third grader had grown up, while still enjoying a youthful exuberance.  At such a young age, an adolescent should be carefree, able to pursue each endeavor with a ravenous appetite. 

But, life can sometimes throw you an unexpected curveball – one that changes everything in a heart-stopping instant, one that hits you in the chest and leaves you breathless, literally in this case.  That is what happened to the happy-go-lucky, future Major Leaguer in this story…the one who was such a pleasure to her parents.

This nine-year old girl, who also loved ballet, gymnastics, and horses was struck down…not by an inside fastball or some illness, but rather, by a Glock 9mm bullet.  As most Americans know by now, her name was Christina Green.  She was the girl whose light left this world as a result of Jared Loughner’s attempt to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011.  Unfortunately, Christina was one of six people murdered and 14 others injured by this disturbed individual.

Christina’s thirst for more knowledge about government led her to attend Congresswoman Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” at the local Safeway shopping center.  She had just been elected to student council and was interested to speak with the elected official. 

How could anyone have known that Loughner’s apparent psychosis would lead him to take out his delusions by spraying the crowd with gunfire?  There were many red flags in his troubled past, but no one could have foreseen his antisocial behavior, uneasy demeanor, and drug use causing a national tragedy.

Everyone is thankful that Rep. Giffords is exhibiting what can only be described as a phenomenal signs of recovering after being shot in the head.  While that is absolutely wonderful, we have seen six lives extinguished with no earthly hope for a new day.

I always picture my kids living long, healthy, and fruitful lives.  Every child deserves an opportunity to do just that.  An abominable incident like this quickly brings into focus that the promise of tomorrow is not always granted.  Would Christina have realized her dream of becoming the first female MLB player?  Would she have become a veterinarian?  A lawmaker?  Cured cancer?  Perhaps not, but the point is that we will never know.

Kids have this youthful innocence that is so endearing.  You can see it in the sparkle in their eyes.  Children can make an entire family feel “young.”  To know that the Green family has to lay one of their two children to rest has united a country in mourning.  Our collective heart is hurting with you.

Eerily enough, young Christina was born on September 11, 2001.  Her father, John Green (the pro scout) remarked that Christina “entered the world on a tragic day and she went out on a tragic day.”  But, for the time between, she was a beacon of everything that is right with the world.

2010 "Expert" NFL Playoff Predictions

The National Football League's postseason is here, so let the prognostications begin. Back in September, I originally thought that Green Bay would defeat Indianapolis in the Super Bowl. I correctly selected seven of the 12 playoff teams - not the best percentage, but who forecast that the (still) hapless Seahawks or even the Chiefs in the playoffs this year? But, this column is meant more for discussion, debate, and enjoyment. So, here goes nothing.

Wild Card Round

AFC
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
This matchup could not be more of a battle of contrasts. Jim Caldwell - calm, mild-mannered, team manager. Rex Ryan - brash, outspoken, and more of a "details" guy. Peyton Manning - NFL superstar, veteran leader, can read a defense like nobody's business. Mark Sanchez - game manager, sophomore QB, makes erratic throws at times. Indy's running game - a huge question mark with three decent but unspectacular options in Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, and Dominic Rhodes. Jets' runners - LaDainian Tomlinson is a first ballot Hall of Famer, but his production has slipped significantly lately while Shonn Greene has been steady, although not the impactful halfback the Jets would have expected based on how he finished 2009. Indy's receiving corps has taken major hits with season-ending injuries to Dallas Clark and Austin Collie. Blair White and Jacob Tamme have filled in, but the weight falls on Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon to get open for Manning. Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards are great weapons at the wide receiver position, and Dustin Keller could be a nightmare matchup for Indianapolis' defense. The Colts' speed pass rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are most effective when Indianapolis gets a lead. If this game remains close and New York can run the ball, expect the threat of those defensive ends to primarily be neutralized. Gary Brackett is a beast of a linebacker, who is all over the field. Antoine Bethea has bolstered the Colts' secondary since Bob Sanders found himself on injured reserve yet again. The Jets' defense was touted as the league's best before the season began. They have faltered a bit down the stretch. Darrelle Revis is still a fantastic cover corner, but his dominance has not achieved his 2009 levels. Jason Taylor is no longer a preeminent pass rusher. The linebacking corps is often left vulnerable by the risky, blitzing schemes that are called by Ryan at almost every opportunity. Special Teams - the kicking game favors Adam Vinatieri and the Colts due to Nick Folk's penchance for missing makable field goals. However, Brad Smith is an elusive return man for the Jets, and could provide an offensive spark if a gimmick play is called at the opportune moment. 
Rob's bold prediction: the Jets pull the upset and defeat the under-manned Colts by forcing Manning to rely on underneath routes. Sanchez plays adequately, but it's the defense that earns the victory. Jets 24, Colts 20.

Can Revis Island make an appearance against Peyton Manning's depleted receiving corps?

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
The state of Missouri went from absolutely inept in 2009 (St. Louis was 1-15 and Kansas City was 4-12) to nearly having both its teams winning divisions this year. Matt Cassel has shocked many (myself included) with his precision, and ability to lead the Chiefs to the AFC West crown and a playoff berth. Jamaal Charles is averaging over 6 yards per carry. No, that's not a misprint - 6 yards!! Dwayne Bowe had a huge comeback season this year with 15 touchdown receptions. Meanwhile, Tony Moeaki exhibits great hands at the tight end position. Tamba Hali creates havoc in the opposing backfield and the defensive secondary features playmaking youngsters, Brandon Flowers and Eric Berry. The wild card on the team is the shifty return man / running back / wide receiver Dexter McCluster. Supposedly, Kansas City looked ahead of their final regular season opponent, Oakland, by preparing for the Jets and got trounced 31-10. Now, they face a more seasoned team in the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco has led his Ravens to road postseason victories over his first two seasons, so facing a hostile Arrowhead Stadium crowd likely will not phase him. Ray Rice is a dual threat out of the backfield and Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Todd Heap offer Flacco options all over the field. Then, there's the vaunted Ravens defense. They are best suited for stopping the run with Haloti Ngata at nose tackle, Ray Lewis still runs sideline to sideline to make plays. Terrell Suggs has revved up his motor over the past two months by intimidating QBs with his relentless pass rush. The cornerback position is especially weak for Baltimore, however Ed Reed makes up for many liabilities with his ballhawking mentality. It is youth versus experience, upstarts against veterans. If you look closely at the past four games, the Ravens won...but, "Cool Joe" Flacco has looked lost. He has all these options, a good running game, a talented offensive line and the wins are there, but the stats aren't. 
Rob's bold prediction: the Chiefs' home field advantage is not overcome in back-to-back weeks. Baltimore's offense does not score enough points. Chiefs 21, Ravens 13.

Will Arrowhead's aroma of barbecue distract Joe Flacco and company?

NFC
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Well, it's nice to know that we have at least one worthy playoff team in this matchup. The Saints are defending Super Bowl champions and deserving of their 11-5 mark. They have all-world quarterback, Drew Brees. He distributes the ball so well to whoever the open guy is. That could be any one of the weapons in the arsenal - Marques Colston, Robert Meacham, Reggie Bush, Jimmy Graham, Lance Moore, etc., etc. Sean Payton has a very pass-happy offensive gameplan for New Orleans. So, running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush aren't primary options. Their defense forced turnovers consistently in 2009, but guys like Will Smith haven't put as much pressure on QBs and ball-magnet safety Darren Sharper has been out most of the season. But, Jonathan Vilma still leads a reliable group of linebackers. Then, there's the 7-9 Seahawks. They're not a playoff team but unfortunately, they are. I think it would be a disservice of me to try and break down the prominent players on the Seahawks because there aren't any. The only one worth mentioning is the 12th man - the home crowd at Qwest Field. They're the loudest stadium in the league, but it won't affect Brees and company.
Rob's ho-hum prediction: Saints 34, Seahawks 10 in a yawner. I'm bored even writing about this one.

Anybody who thinks this man is a legitimate NFL quarterback deserves to be ridiculed.

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
By my estimation, these teams are mirror images of one another. This contest could be an absolute shootout, rivaling that of the Green Bay / Arizona playoff game from a season ago. Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers with their respective passing games will give viewers the most entertaining game of the weekend. Having said that, Philadelphia's offensive line has allowed a few too many hits on their redemption story QB down the stretch and Green Bay has seen Rodgers face two concussions recently. Neither team is known for running the ball - the Eagles because of their West Coast passing offensive philosophy, the Packers because of a season-long injury to their starter, Ryan Grant. LeSean McCoy is a versatile runner for the Eagles, but his forte is getting out of the backfield as a receiver. Don't be surprised if there is between 700 and 800 passing yards between the two teams and 60 to 70 points scored. The triple threat of Eagles receivers DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, andJason Avant spread out the field to allow Vick to use his arm or, more dangerously, his legs. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are the recipients ofAaron Rodgers' laser rocket passes. Both defenses feature elite pass rushers in Clay Matthews, Jr. and Trent Cole. Each secondary has a lurking defensive back that can find the ball, if the opposing quarterback makes an errant throw; Rodgers and Vick should be mindful to avoid Asante Samuel and Charles Woodson. Expect both defenses to dial up the pass rush because (1) neither team has a dominant running game, (2) the vertical passing game is the biggest threat for both offenses, and (3) the backup QB for both teams is not nearly as capable as the top dog. I think that the difference between the two teams is the defensive coordinator position. Dom Capers will show some wrinkles that will fluster Philly's offensive braintrust (Andy Reid, Marty Morninhweg, and Vick) with the pre-snap look of the amoeba defense. If Jim Johnson hadn't succumbed to cancer and was still spitting along the Philadelphia sidelines as the top "D" man, I'd pick the Birds.
Rob's hair-pulling, teeth-gnashing prediction: The Cheeseheads makes one timely play on defense to bring a Philly scoring drive to a halt. Packers 34, Eagles 28.

Michael Vick would have a long day if he saw enough of Clay Matthews, Jr. to determine what shampoo he used.

So, there you have my first round predictions. I'm not going to go into an exhaustive discussion on subsequent games because the matchups could certainly change, but I do have a general feeling of how I think things will shake down as the playoffs progress.


Divisional Round

AFC
New York Jets at New England Patriots (projected matchup)
Tom Brady will pick apart the Jets, not to the tune of 45-3, but it will still be an easy victory.

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (projected matchup)
The Steelers' run defense will contain the Chiefs' ponies, making them one-dimensional. A close game because of special teams, but Pittsburgh prevails.

NFC
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (projected matchup)
I usually look at QBs when making selections as playoff rounds go deeper. Brees vs. Cutler? I'll take Brees and New Orleans.

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (projected matchup)
A tantalizing rematch of an outstanding regular season game where Atlanta kicked a last second field goal to win. Matt Ryan and crew are a year away from a Super Bowl. The Cheeseheads are victorious.


Conference Championships

AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (projected matchup)
The Pats (and more specifically Tom Brady) are the Steelers' kryptonite. The curse continues...New England goes back to the Super Bowl after a three-year absence.

NFC
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints (projected matchup)
The most difficult matchup for me to predict. Two excellent teams, but I'm going with Green Bay. Brees makes an inopportune mistake to allow Rodgers and GB to head to Dallas.


Super Bowl

As much as I would like to stick with my preseason selection of Green Bay to win it all, I can't foresee anyone defeating the Patriots. Brady is picking apart defenses so easily right now. If someone could force him to throw a few interceptions, I would predict a Patriots loss because they give up a lot of yards and points. But, no one is doing that right now.

Mr. Gisele Bundchen might hoist Lombardi for the fourth time in his career, this time with floppy hair.