Super Bowl XLV: Yet Another Prediction...and other Stories

Leading up to the big game, there have been five prevailing storylines emerge.

1. The weather.
Hard to believe that it's been so atrocious down in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. People injured from ice falling off the top of the stadium. Airports temporarily shutdown due to ice on the runways. It's made travel an extreme headache. And those that have hosted radio and/or TV spots during the time there have experienced the adverse conditions.

I'd still rather be there in the cold than not at all.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

2. The saga of a team picture.
The Green Bay Packers were scheduled to have their team picture taken on Tuesday of this past week, media day. The issue became those players that were on IR for Green Bay would not be arriving until Thursday. Some Packers players voiced their frustration over the matter via Twitter (doesn't everybody these days?).

Packers captains Charles Woodson and Aaron Rodgers addressed the matter with head coach Mike McCarthy. The Packers had the taking of the pic moved to Friday to include those players.

But the issue wasn't so quickly over. Someone asked Rodgers of his take (via NFL.com):

"I'll say this, I was on IR back in 2006 and I chose to stick around and finish out the season with my guys and be here every game. Some of those guys didn't," Rodgers said. "Some of the guys who were injured, they still are part of this team, but they didn't choose to stick around."

And he's right. It's like the family member that you really won't want to be in the family pic, but you give in because he/she "is family".

3. Ben and the piano bar.
Much was made when a TMZ report surfaced that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and some of his teammates went out to dinner and then made way to a piano bar. The report also stated that Big Ben missed the midnight curfew. That was quickly blown off by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (via Boston Herald):

“I am not concerned about that one iota,” Tomlin said when asked about the TMZ report. “It’s normal for guys to eat dinner, believe it or not, every now and then during the course of the week leading up to a game. So, this week is no different than any other.

“I understand that some things may be reported and viewed differently, but that’s not our concern, really. During the course of the season on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, or what have you, believe it or not, guys live lives.”

Case closed. Of course, there are those thast suggested that Roethlisberger not even go out due to his off-field occurrences. That's a load of crap. As Tomlin said, they have lives.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

4. Maurkice Pouncey.
Pouncey was ruled out for playing today due to a high left ankle sprain he suffered against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship. Ponucey was placed on IR and will not even be available for the game. So who would step in to replace the rookie Pro Bowler?

Signs were pointing to Doug Legursky, the same who replaced Pouncey in the Jets game. But I heard an interesting take on this just a couple of hours ago.

Trevor Pryce was on ESPN's First Take and was asked about Legursky and the potential of issues with Packer NT B.J. Raji. Pryce thought that Legursky might not even be the guy to snap the ball. He suggested that since there were two weeks to prepare, the Steelers could move a guard to play center. If that's the case, Legursky would be playing guard, his natural position.

5. Aaron Rodgers.
Has nothing to do with his take on the team pic. He's the hottest commodity in the NFL right now. He has earned it. If the Packers can win today, Brett Favre, still revered by some within the Packers fanbase, will become a smaller dot in the rear view mirror.

So...on with my outlook and prediction for the game.

Ben on the Move?

Update (4/21/10): Roethlisberger has been suspended for 6 games, but provided he adheres to guidelines set forth by the commish, it could be lessened to 4 games.

This shouldn't surprise you.

NFL.com is reporting that the Pittsburgh Steelers have had internal discussions on trading quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In the wake of two offseasons with allegations of sexual assault, it easy to understand that the Rooneys are growing tired of having the proud Steelers name dragged through the mud. Now that there has been a release of documentation from the investigation, people, including the Rooney family, are most likely to view Roethlisberger in an even darker light. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette obtained a copy of the documents for a story released today.

Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com writes this:

The Steelers' front office has talked internally about possible trade scenarios that could be feasible and what makes sense for the team. According to a source, if other teams called about Roethlisberger, the Steelers would intently listen.

The Steelers could envision several trade scenarios, but they're skeptical about other teams taking on Roethlisberger, given his baggage. However, they also realize his contract is tradeable in an uncapped year, with the bonuses already paid and Roethlisberger signed for six more years at a manageable salary for a franchise quarterback ($8.05 million in 2010, $11.6 million per year from 2011 to 2014, and $12.1 million in 2015).

Talk about things that make you go "Hmm...".

LaCanfora elaborates even more in that Pittsburgh would consider trading Roethlisberger to the St. Louis Rams for the #1 overall pick in next week's draft. The reason is obvious. The Steelers love Sam Bradford. The Rams are rumored to take Bradford with that #1 pick. Would the Rams be willing to make this move straight up, #1 overall pick for Big Ben? Would the Rams want to take on the baggage of Roethlisberger in light of the released documents?

So, if Ben is moving, where? Who needs a QB?

Many teams do. Buffalo is one. Some mock drafts have them taking Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen at #9. Cleveland. They hold the #7 pick, but I don't see this due to the perceived rivalry between the organizations. It might be a bit different now that Mike Holmgren is in charge. Oakland. Yes, Oakland. They have the 8th pick and we all know the varied opinions on JaMarcus Russell, shed weight or not. Seattle sits at #6. With Matthew Hasselbeck getting a bit long in the tooth and no clear option after his days are done, Ben is a great pickup for Pete Carroll. With these teams, it could depend if Pittsburgh is as high on Clausen as they are on Bradford. If it's close, it's possible.

There's a few more. San Francisco, Carolina, Denver and Arizona could also be in the "mix". Problem here is that none of the teams would currently have a legit shot at getting Bradford or Clausen. The Broncos pick the earliest of these teams at #11. San Francisco has two picks in the first round at #13 and #17. The Cardinals are at #26. Carolina has no first round pick as they traded that to San Francisco during last year's draft.

But let's be real. It will take more than just a first round pick for any of these teams (or others) to acquire Roethlisberger. The Seahawks and 49ers have an added advantage of having two first round selections in next week's draft (Seattle is at #6 and #14). If either team approaches Pittsburgh and offers both of their first round picks, it would be hard for Pittsburgh to decline. Plus, if a deal is made with either of those teams, Pittsburgh would have three first round picks this year as the currently have #18. That #18 pick and Ben sent packing? Not seeing it, but never say never.

The most likely deal would be for a team to offer the Steelers their first rounder this year and next year.

Then again, Ben can sit back, sit out a rumored two game suspension and stay in Pittsburgh forever.

Provided he behaves.

More Troubles for Big Ben?

Update #2: It has been reported that Roethlisberger talked to local authorities on the night of the alleged incident. He states he did not have intercourse with the alleged victim, but there was contact. Also in his "statement" was that the alleged victim slipped on the floor and hit her head. Roger Cossack, an ESPN legal analyst, says this could somewhat paint Roethlisberger into a corner if this is actually Ben's side of the story. The investigation could now center on disproving this account.


Also, a sample of Roethlisberger's DNA has been requested. Ed Garland, Ben's attorney, has refused this request.

Update: The local authorities will be examining evidence taken from the club in which the alleged assault occurred. The GBI also wants to interview up to eight individuals including Roethlisberger. The Roethlisberger camp in stating that no assault occurred. Roethlisberger has hired a high profile attorney Ed Garland. Garland is noted for representing Ray Lewis and T.I.

As impressive as he is on the field, it's his off the field prowess is becoming less impressive.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been identified as the accused in an alleged sexual assault of a 20 year old college student in Milledgeville, Georgia. Both Big Ben and the accuser have been interviewed and no charges have been filed. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations has since joined in the investigation and more work was to be done on the case. The story was first reported by TMZ.

This wouldn't be so big if there wasn't an open civil case involving Roethlisberger in Nevada. Last year, Andrea McNaulty filed a civil suit against Big Ben claiming rape and she was asking for $440,000 in damages from the two-time Super Bowl winning QB. No criminal charges were ever filed in this instance.

McNaulty had offered a deal to Roethlisberger, but that was denied since a public admission of the wrong doing was rumored to be part of the agreement.

Is this merely another case of Ben's fame possibly being used against him due in part to the Nevada issue or is there actually a developing pattern? Roethlisberger's agent is wary of the accuser's motive due to the alleged incident in Lake Tahoe. Roethlisberger has been cooperative with the Milledgeville and GBI authorities.

I have a sense that there's something afoot here. While TMZ is breaking this story, many will immediately dismiss it as rubbish. Some may perceive the angle in which TMZ covers a story as an unfavorable one. We may have to slightly adjust those thoughts. All other media outlets are acknowledging that TMZ has first crack at this one...and the information is correct. Sometimes, ignorance is not always bliss.

I realize that other news outlets have their stream of sources and contacts, but who's to say those are any more or less reliable than those under the arm of TMZ? All I'm saying is that it boils down to reputation.

And regardless of what transpires in Georgia, Big Ben's rep got sacked once again.

NFL Midseason Awards...and Others

We have (sort of) approached the halfway mark in the NFL season. And what goes along with that? The midseason awards! And a couple you might not have seen coming!

MVP - This is a tough call. The three that have my attention are all quarterbacks, Indy's Peyton Manning, New Orleans' Drew Brees, and Minnesota's Brett Favre. Yes, Favre. The Colts, Saints and Vikes are a combined 21-1, with Minnesota having the only loss. When it comes down to it, I'm opting for Manning. Unlike Brees and Favre, he does not have a running game to lean on.

Best Offensive Player - You can't go wrong with any of these guys: Titans RB Chris Johnson (just ask him), Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, or Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. The only knock on Johnson is not that he plays for a 1-6 team, but that of his league leading 824 yards, 425 of those yards have come in only two of the Titans seven games. Not totally his fault that Tennessse has given up so many points and had to abandonthe rush. Roethilsberger is interesting because we all used to view the Steelers as a run first offense. Can't anymore since the rushing game has sputtered since Jerome Bettis left. But I'm going with Rodgers. Despite being sacked a league leading 31 time, he still leads the NFL in passer rating. Better than Manning, Brees and Favre.

Best Defensive Player - I'm considering these three: New Orleans safety Darren Sharper, Minnesota's defensive end Jared Allen and Denver's "morph" Elvis Dumervil. Sharper has 7 int with 3 return TD. Allen leads the NFL with 10.5 sacks and Dumervil is right behind with 10. We all know what Allen brings to the table, massive intensity. But look at his line mates? Playing with the Williams guys and Ray Edwards will get you a better blocking matchup...and more sacks. Dumervil is more of a product of Mike Nolan's defensive system. My nod goes to Sharper whose been the biggest inluence on the Saints D.

Best Rookie - Minnesota's "do everything" Percy Harvin, Buffalo's CB Jairus Byrd and Texans linebacker Brian Cushing. Byrd is tied with Darren Sharper for the NFL lead with 7 INT, all coming in the Bills last four games. Byrd did not become a starter until week 3. Harvin does eveything for the Vikings. He catches and he returns kickoffs...to the tune of 5 TD overall. It's easy to go the way of Harvin, but I'm going with Cushing. He stands 6th in the NFL in total tackles (1st among rookies), and Cushing has been a major reason the Texans defense has improved this season.