NFL Quarterback Power Rankings

No position in the NFL is more highly scrutinized, debated, and discussed than the quarterback. It’s impossible to build a consistent winner without one (and people who follow the Cleveland Browns would tell you that it’s impossible to find one period).

After this weekend’s Packers loss to the Bucs, Aaron Rodgers was a popular topic of conversation on Twitter. I made the comment that he has not shown me that he has the “it” that people always talk about when it comes to QBs. Some agreed and some disagreed, but it got me thinking about where Rodgers falls in relation to today’s crop of QBs.

Thus, I set out to rank the quarterbacks currently holding starting NFL gigs, taking into account their current age and skill level, future potential, past accomplishments, and the general confidence level I would have if that player was the QB of my team.

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Fantasy Football Week 5 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Lineup Advice and Projections

Watching the Packers-Vikings game as I type this, so I will try not to be too distracted. Week 5 is a big week and we’ve all got to be on top of our games this week.

If you’re 0-4, this is your last chance to stay alive and have a prayer’s chance at the playoffs. If you’re 1-3 or 2-2, a win in Week 5 can potentially get you into first place or a game back, depending on your league. And if you’re 3-1 or 4-0, you’re looking to put some distance between you and your foes.

Either way, Week 5 is a huge swing week that will put you in the position of either being the chased or the chaser over the next few weeks.

Let’s hop to it, starting out with a quick look back at Week 4 and then a glance forward to Week 5 with your usual rundown of start ems and sit ems.

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Steelers-Titans Thursday Night Football Preview and Prediction

In case football fans needed anything else to get them warmed up for the 2009 season, Miami and Florida State engaged in an epic battle last night that came down to the final play. The U ended up stealing one at Doak Campbell Stadium — and, by the way, did anyone else come away really impressed with Graig Cooper? — putting an exciting capper on a solid first week of college football action.

This week, the big boys get added to the football queue, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans kicking off the 2009 NFL season on Thursday night.

Tell me that you aren’t just a little more excited this Tuesday than you’ve been on Tuesdays over the past few months. A little over 48 hours, that’s all we have to wait.

Before we delve into any matchups, here are all of the particulars that you need to know for the Steelers-Titans NFL season opener, courtesy of our MSF NFL Week 1 Preview and TV Schedule:

Tennessee Titans (0-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)

• Titans-Steelers Date: Thursday, September 10th
• Titans-Steelers TV & Kickoff Time: 8:30 ET on NBC
• Titans-Steelers Location: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh
• Titans-Steelers Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Titans-Steelers Point Spread: PIT -5.5 (as of 8/8 via DocSports’ NFL Odds)
• Titans-Steelers Over-Under: 35
• Injury Report: NFL.com Injuries
• StubHub: Steelers-Titans ticketsas low as $170.
• TickCo: Steelers-Titans tickets as low as $190.
• RazorGator: Steelers-Titans tickets as low as $195.
• TicketsNow: Steelers-Titans tickets as low as $169.

(Note: the low prices cited about for tickets are as of Tuesday, September 8th. This could obviously change between now and gameday.)

So, now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about what to watch for and see if we can tease out a prediction that we feel comfortable with.

First, let’s take a quick look at how these teams compared statistically in 2008 (all Titans-Steelers stats courtesy of NFL.com):

• Total Offense: Tennessee – 313.6 (21st) | Pittsburgh – 311.9 (22nd)
• Rushing O: Tennessee – 137.4 (7th) | Pittsburgh – 104.6 (23rd)
• Passing O: Tennessee – 176.2 (27th) | Pittsburgh – 206.3 (17th)
• Total Defense: Tennessee – 293.6 (7th) | Pittsburgh – 237.2 (1st)
• Rushing D: Tennessee – 93.9 (6th) | Pittsburgh – 80.2 (2nd)
• Passing D: Tennessee – 199.8 (9th) | Pittsburgh – 156.9 (1st)

Quite obviously we can see that these two teams were led by their defenses in 2008. So you would think that their one matchup was probably pretty low scoring right? That the Titans’ vaunted 1-2 rushing punch of Chris Johnson and LenDale White probably struggled mightily against the 3.3 yard per carry average the Steelers’ D held opponents to last year, right?

Well, that’s not quite what happened. The Titans won their Week 16 matchup against the Steelers last year 31-14 on their way to the #1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. Chris Johnson and LenDale White carried 31 times for 117 yards (3.8 yard average) and scored 2 TDs. So while the Steelers did hold the Titans to 20 yards below their season average rushing the ball, the Titans were effective enough on the ground to win.

If you just looked at the stats, without knowing the outcome, you might actually think Pittsburgh won the game. The time of possession was even, Pittsburgh outgained Tennessee 374-322, and Pittsburgh converted 46% of their third downs compared to only 21% for Tennessee.

So what the hell happened?

As is often the case in the NFL: turnovers.

Ben Roethlisberger threw two INTs and and also fumbled four times, losing two of them. Tennessee, on the other hand, did not turn the ball over once. Add to that the fact that Pittsburgh carried the ball 25 times for 73 yards, and it balances the scales a bit and makes the Titans’ romp (21-7 in the second half) a little more understandable.

But as we all know, the Titans flamed out in the playoffs while the Steelers righted the ship and did not lose again, all the way through the Super Bowl.

What can we expect this year between the Titans and Steelers in their regular season matchup? I think it will be a game very similar to last year, except that that Steelers will be more protective of the ball, will be at home, and will squeeze out a victory as they begin their defense of Super Bowl #6.

A couple quick reasons why I think the Steelers will win:

1 – Ben Roethlisberger has had another hellish offseason and no doubt wants to put it all behind him and just start making plays on Sunday again.  The Titans present a formidable matchup, as they are still very sound defensively even without Albert Haynesworth, but I don’t think Ben turns the ball over four times.

2 – Heinz Field is not an easy to place to come into and steal a win.  The Steelers were 6-2 at home last year with their losses coming to the Giants and Colts. On Thursday night, I think the Heinz Field will be an especially tough place to play. The towels will be waving, the energy level will be extra high, and the Steelers will no doubt be immensely fired up to begin their title defense. I have a lot of faith in Mike Tomlin, despite my hatred for the Steelers, and am not picking against he and the Steelers at home in the team’s first game since winning the Super Bowl.

3 – Willie Parker’s yard per carry average has dropped each of the last three seasons, plummeting all the way to 3.8 yards per carry last season. He does, however, usually play well in the first game of the season or in his first game after a long break.

Case in point: last year Willie Parker had 138 yards on 25 attempts in Week 1 against Houston. He followed that up with 105 yards on 28 attempts against the Browns. Then he got hurt, missed four games, and over his next two starts carried the ball 46 times for 185 yards.

Clearly, Parker is at a stage in his career where he gets worn down when used consistently. The Steelers have already said they will use Rashard Mendenhall more to spell Parker, plus it’s only Week 1…so he can’t worn out yet. Contrary to what happened in Week 16 last year, I think a fresh Willie Parker allows the Steelers to run the ball for better than a 2.9 yard average this year.

Also, I think the Titans will struggle to clear the 100 yard mark on the ground Thursday night. I have Chris Johnson in a bunch of fantasy leagues, so I hope I’m wrong, but that Steelers D is going to be fired up and ready to make a statement that their dominance of 2008 will continue in 2009. Teams will have to wait until later in the season, when the Steelers are a little bit beaten up, to get any traction on the ground. And while the Titans brought in former Steelers Nate Washington to provide a deep threat, the Titans WRs and Kerry Collins’ ancient arm do not inspire me.

I do think that this will be a close, hard-fought game all the way through. However, the 4th quarter will be owned by Pittsburgh, I think Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu will come through big plays late (like they always seem to), and the Steelers will pull away down the stretch. 

If I were a betting man I’d take the Steelers and give the points. I’m not, so I’ll just sit back Thursday night and enjoy the first game of what should be another awesome 17 weeks of regular season NFL football.

**********

* – James Harrison / Chris Johnson photo credit: Getty images via ESPN.com

* – Mike Tomlin photo credit: LifesAboutADream.com

LOTD: Video of Ben Roethlisberger Press Conference Responding to Sexual Assault Allegations

Ben Roethlisberger made his first public comments today regarding the sexual assault allegations that have been brought against him Andrea McNulty. The video is below, courtesy of…ESPN…who refused to cover the story until just yesterday, but now it’s listed first among their headlines on the front page. Just saying.

Video of Ben Roethlisberger Press Conference Denying Sexual Assault Allegations

I think it’s pretty much what everyone expected, although Ben seemed a little more defiant than I expected.  But if he really is innocent (and at this point we have no way of knowing either way) then I would expect a little bit of the anger that his words seemed to be coated with.  Florio, as usual, had an insightful take on the Ben Roethlisberger press conference video over at PFT.

Now some other links for you:

 

• Florida town manager fired over marriage to porn star — (MoonDog)
• Scoring chicks at a bar: simple math or skill? — (Regretful Morning)
• John Calipari launches website…well, he tried anyway — (Straight Pinkie)
• Just Manny being amazing — (Josh Q. Public)
• The Cubs Offense is really that bad — (Not Qualified to Comment)
• Is the pressure getting to Tony LaRussa — (Zoner Sports)
• New reality show idea: Keeping Up With the Mattinglys — (Busted Coverage)
• Why I don’t like the SEC’s new TV deal — (Major League Jerk)
• LeBron James smoking pot is NOT a story — (Sharapova’s Thigh)
• Jay Mariotti is, apparently, a girl? — (Deadspin)
• Cultural Oddsmaker: Next Great Sports Scandal — (Deadspin)
• Tim Tebow is a virgin — (The Big Lead)
• Who is to blame for the Erin Andrews scandal? — (Jason Whitlock)

LOTD: Erin Andrews, Ben Roethlisberger Coverage Choices Has ESPN Under the Microscope

To be more apt, the title of this post should probably say “non-Coverage” choices, since the WWL has basically refused to cover the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault story, and has understandably been very brief in its comments and coverage regarding the secret video that was shot of Erin Andrews.

There have been a lot of interesting perspectives about ESPN regarding these stories, and I am beginning to think that is morphing into a quasi-defining moment for the moment, especially with respect to Roethlisberger.  Are they truly holding firm to an internal principle regarding civil lawsuits, or just being hypocritical and trying to protect a star so they can maintain access?  I am beginning to think the latter, and it is not increasing my respect for a network that, for the most part, I obviously love.  

Anyway, I find this story interesting, and hopefully you do too.  If so, here are some good links for you to check out and then some other non-related links that are still worthwhile:

Erin Andrews Coverage

• Is ESPN Going to Cover the Erin Andrews Story? — (The Sports Bank)
• Erin Andrews and Guilt: Imagined or Otherwise — (Will Leitch at Deadspin)
• CBS takes the low-class approach to covering the Erin Andrews story — (Tommy Craggs at Deadspin)
• USA Today’s Christine Brennan has choice words for EA — (The Big Lead)
• NY Post keeps its Erin Andrews coverage classy (not) — (The Big Lead)
• Memo to NY Post Numbnuts: Erin Andrews Peephole Videos Uploaded in February — (Busted Coverage)

Ben Roethlisberger Sexual Assault Coverage

• ESPN Ignoring Biggest Stories of the Day — (Deadspin)
• Is ESPN ignoring the Ben Roethlisberger story? — (Awful Announcing)
• ESPN will not report Roethlisberger story — (Fang’s Bites)
• ESPN issues “do not report” memo on Roethlisberger story — (Pro Football Talk)
• Last word on ESPN’s civil suit policy — (Pro Football Talk)

Update: Can’t forget our good friend John Gonzalez (for the record, I’m not being facetious or sarcastic) at the Philly.com who has a great take on ESPN’s lack of coverage regarding the Roethlisberger story:

• Roethlisberger’s Pass — (John Gonzalez)

Other Links:

• Why Your Team Sucks: Detroit Lions — (Blog Down, Chicago Bears)
• Michael Jackson in the Year 2000 — (Zoner Sports)
• This Week in Chicago Sports Quotes — (Not Qualified to Comment)
• Larry Rothschild Doesn’t Think You Should Be Calling His Phone, And He Definitely Isn’t Interested In Your Opinion — (Not Qualified to Comment)
• 10 Funniest Deceased Comedians of All-Time — (Hail Mary Jane)
• 9 Stand-Up Comedians Who Should be Stars — (Screen Junkies)
• Lil’ Buddy Drills other Lil’ Buddy with a Louisville Chugger — (Straight Pinkie)
• Happy Birthday, Nina Moric — (MoonDog)
• I’m retiring douchebag, new word is dingleberry — (MoonDog)
• A Quick Guide to the Cuban-Perot Lawsuit — (Dallas Sports Fans)
• Should the Browns go after Matt Jones? — (Cleveland Frowns)
• Interview with college football analyst Tony Barnhardt — (Sparty and Friends)
• 2009 College Football Preview — (Major League Jerk)
• Top 10 NFL Training Camp Locations — (My Sports Rumors)

 

Specific Details Emerge of Sexual Assault Complaint Against Ben Roethlisberger

Late last night, Pro Football Talk broke the story that Ben Roethlisberger was being sued by a woman named Andrea McNulty in Nevada for sexual assault. Most everyone has probably heard the story by now, but here are some background links in case you need to get caught up:

• Roethlisberger gets sued in Nevada — (PFT)
• Roethlisberger denies civil allegations of sexual assault — (PFT)
• In Roethlisberger case, it’s important to keep an open mind — (PFT)

The latest report by PFT contains a recap of the sexual assault complaint filed by McNulty.  As Florio explains, it contains extraordinarily detailed descriptions that prove one of two things: either the event occurred and Roethlisberger in some serious hot water; or, that the accuser has an extremely active imagination.  Numerous blogs I’ve read have compared this case to the Kobe Bryant sexual assault story and trial that broke a few years back, and those comparisons certainly seem apt…whether the outcome is similar remains to be seen.

Here is an excerpt from PFT’s report, detailing the sexual assault complaint that McNulty filed against Roethlisberger:

McNulty claims that, when she arrived at the room, he was wearing a T-shirt and athletic shorts.  She adds, for no apparent reason other than to show the clarity of her recollection, that the room was a mess.

Roethlisberger showed her the television that was malfunctioning, located in suite’s bedroom.  Using the remote, she determined that there was no problem with the television or the sound system.

She claims that, as she tried to leave the room, Roethlisberger blocked her path, and that he “grabbed [her] and started to kiss her.”

She claims that she was “shocked and stunned that this previously friendly man, that appeared to be a gentleman in her previous contacts with him was suddenly preventing her from leaving, was assaulting and battering her.” 

PFT’s report goes on to discuss how McNulty claims she told Roethlisberger that he “did not want to do this” and that she was not on birth control, to which he allegedly replied that he would “pull out”, which she claims he did.  After the altercation, Big Ben allegedly became concerned by the fact that there were cameras in the room, which leads to this statement: “If anyone asks you, you fixed my television,” he allegedly said.  “You fixed my television.  Now go!”

As always, it is important to note in cases like this that Roethlisberger’s representatives have denied the charges wholeheartedly.  Additionally, this is a civil suit and not a criminal investigation.  I’ve seen no report stating that a criminal investigation is impending either.

It is easy to jump to conclusions in cases such as these, but doing so would be wholly inappropriate.  We’ve seen cases such as these where athletes were indeed guilty, and we’ve also seen cases in which athletes are victims of money- and/or fame-hungry women.  So the best bet for everyone, in the interest of fairness, is to consume the information that is being reported but withhold judgment until each party is able to state their case publicly and in a court of law.

And a court of law certainly seems to be the place where this case is headed.

Update: Just caught this post over at TMZ that discusses the fact that Roethlisberger’s accuser has been seeing a psychiatrist recently.  The post includes the following bizarre background information on Andrea McNulty:

Sources connected with the case tell us a former co-worker of McNulty’s at Harrah’s came forward with this incredible story — that around the time McNulty hooked up with Roethlisberger, she was allegedly involved with a married man. The man’s wife, we’re told, created an email account, posing as a U.S. soldier in Iraq. The wife began corresponding with McNulty to gain information. We’re told the former co-worker has said McNulty fell in love with the fictitious soldier and began telling people she was engaged to him. When the wife stopped the correspondence, McNulty then began telling people the soldier was killed in action.

The TMZ report also says that sources have informed them that Roethlisberger has admitted to a “sexual liaison” but that it was consensual.  Here is Florio’s take on the TMZ report.

Update: TMZ has also now posted pictures of Andrea McNulty.

Who’s Got Six? Super Bowl 43 Gives Browns Fans and NFL a Much Needed Reality Check

By Much Needed Reality Check, Proud Non-Midwesterner

Super Bowls: for the denizens of Ohio, they’re like the 4-feet-two kid reaching for the cookies up on the 6-feet-high shelf. When you’re from Pittsburgh, however, they’re like an icy cold six-pack (sweet sweet appropriate image!) waiting for you in the fridge, just chilling, anytime you’re ready to crack one open.

As a Steeler fan, then, I feel it’s my duty to inform you poor deprived souls of what it’s like to watch your team win it all. (Call it charity, maybe I can write it off.) As someone who actually just returned from the big show, I’m in an especially fine position to do so.

So, what’s it’s feel like to see your team claim the biggest sports prize of all? Well, it’s hard to describe exactly, but let me try:

It’s like getting a call from those just-turned-legal blonde twins who’ve set up a threesome with you – saying they’ll be late because they forgot to pick up the Cristal and the blow.

It’s like hitting the lottery exactly one day after your divorce papers come in the mail.

It’s like a getting a one-way ticket out of Cleveland – to anyplace you want.

As for the experience itself, allow me to recount. First stop: the President’s club at the airport, for a couple of cocktails Friday night before the flight to Tampa. A couple more on the plane for the movie – let the party begin!

Arrive in Tampa, surrounded by a sea of black and gold. Is Steeler Nation awesome or what? Smirk at a couple of poor schmucks in red, gawking at the sheer awesomeness of the Steeler fans gathered around them. (Wait til they get a load of us at the game!)

Saturday afternoon: tickets waiting for the NFL Experience. Kick a field goal, toss a couple passes through some hoops (picked off, if you’re a Cleveland fan), walk over to the pavilion for a couple of exclusive NFL Films presentations.

Exercise done, down a couple of beers in the warm Florida sun. Smile as you think of the poor bastards shivering up north. Wave to – who’s that? — why yes it is! – Jerome Bettis, passing by on his way to the NBC booth. Now there’s a guy who know’s a thing or two about Super Bowls. Who’s that guy carrying his bags – is that Brady Quinn? Sure looks like him.

Saturday night: dinner at Bern’s or one of the town’s other finer steakhouses. Sip after-dinner cocktail, looking forward to the evening.

Saturday night, later. Tampa’s got two main industries: cigars and strip clubs. Enjoy both, not necessarily in that order. Have pretty girl wave Terrible Towel – gets a big cheer from the other Steeler faithful gathered! Can it get any better than this?

Sunday late morning: why maybe it can! Go to massive Steeler tailgate at lots just outside Raymond James (no partying allowed in the parking lot) – gaze at rows and rows of cars and RVs decked out in black and gold. Cold beer, smooth shots and lots of loud music. Who’s that in the lot next to us? Why none other than Luke Steelerstahl, JRod’s favorite mayor. If only I had my cam, I’d have taken a shot of him hoisting an ice-cold Iron (note that six-pack theme running through here!). But put that image in your mind.

Sunday late afternoon: all warmed-up and ready to hit the stadium, aka “Heinz Field South.” Find your seat – watch the team stretching on the field. Ben Roeth looks calm – see how that plays in about, oh, four hours. Pre-game highlight: the Air Force jets whooshing over the stadium. If you’ve never had the chance to experience this live, before a Super Bowl, pray you get the chance someday. (If you’re from Cleveland, pray extra hard.) Swim in a sea of yellow towels – no fan base travels like the Steelers’!

Almost kickoff time – time to grab one more beer. Back in seat just in time to see Big Ben come out smokin’ on that first drive. I won’t go into a game recap, as you all know what happens. But let me say this: maybe the sweetest moment of it all was knowing how giddy all you haters got when Fitzgerald scored that last TD – only to have your candy yanked away, like little babies, crying in your cribs.

I could just hear you: ooh the Steelers are going down! Ooh ooh! I turn to my buddy, admittedly looking a bit grim, and say: “don’t worry, their defense sucks and we’ve got number 7.” And then, sure enough, in a mere two football minutes, your hater dreams are crushed by the greatest drive in Super Bowl history. (Insert Dr. Evil laugh here.) Yep, some teams get the glory of legendary drives – some teams are forever known as the victims of them.

It’s over! Pop the champagne and let the confetti fly! Stay to watch Ben and Holmes raise big number six – hey there Mike Tomlin, youngest coach ever to win the big one! You goin’ to Disney World too? Watch that last little scattering of Arizona fans leave all crushed – have a safe trip home! Oh and see ya later, too, Dallas and San Fran fans – enjoy your mere five Lombardis.

Then off to the after-victory, fire up those Churchills – quote Robert Duvall “smells like victory!” Sure does! Party on into the warm night surrounded by 50,000 or so of your closest friends. Life is sweet and creamy as the cigar right now!

Monday: late breakfast, coffee tastes like victory too. Hangover? A hangover never hurt so good! Even a rainy day like this is beautiful when your team wins the Bowl.

Anyway, back to you, JRod. But before I go, let me just say…

If there were bulletin-board material for fans, this would be it:

——————————————————————
Ryan Russell
Aug 27th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Much needed reality check,
Talk as much shit as possible before the season starts, because the Steelers will be lucky to beat out Baltimore for 3rd place in the division. Nobody outside of Pukesburgh thinks that Big Gay Ben is carrying that douche-squad into the playoffs.
I dare you to come back to this site after week 9 when the Steelers are 2-6 or 3-5.
——————————————————————-

Thanks for the inspiration, Rusty. I couldn’t have done it without ya.

From Sixburgh, this has been Much Needed Reality Check asking “got six?”

Pot Calls the Kettle Black: ESPN Talking Heads Say Big Ben Needs to Be Center of Attention

Late last night, I wrote a post about Pat Knight going apeshit that began with the cliche “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.” Today, let me trot out another oft-used cliche: the pot calling the kettle black.

This morning on ESPN’s NFL Countdown, the talking heads (John Clayton, Steve Young, and Trent Dilfer, specifically) have been razzing Ben Roethlisberger for being a drama queen.

During a report about an hour ago, John Clayton downplayed any notion that Ben Roethlisberger’s rib injury, for which he needed X-Rays earlier in the week, would adversely affect him come game time. He also said that it always seems like something comes up related to injury with Ben Roethlisberger in big games.

Then, about five minutes ago, Steve Young and Trent Dilfer both spoke to the notion of Ben Roethlisberger needing to be the “center of attention” in big games. Steve Young surmised that it could relate to Ben Roethlisberger wanted a built-in excuse if something goes wrong. Trent Dilfer was a little more pro-Ben, saying that it is perhaps Roethliberger’s way of getting motivated for the game. Either way, Steve Young doesn’t think it will have any affect on the game, saying that the ribs are a perfect place of a pain-killing shot, so Ben Roethlisberger should be fine.

Of course, the irony of all of this being broadcast on ESPN jumped out at me immediately. ESPN’s outgoing ombudsman, LeAnne Schrieber, has chided the network for making itself the story far too often, as opposed to fulfilling the network’s stated purpose of covering news (not making it). ESPN consistently tries to make itself the center of attention and shine the spotlight on itself during big sporting events as stories, as much if not moreso than it shines the spotlight on the event.

Sure, Ben Roethlisberger has a history of drama-queenish actions. Heck, Matt Hasselbeck even called him a girl. And he does always seem to be fighting some nagging injury so he can look like Willis Reed out on the football field. So ESPN isn’t reporting anything erroneously. The juxtaposition is just ironic, and ESPN should probably look in the mirror before calling someone out for needing to be the center of attention.

Because, as the old cliche goes, don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house (or something like that).

And for the record, before you flame me Steelers fans, Big Ben is my pick for Super Bowl MVP. So while he is a drama queen and will probably milk the rib injury rumors for all they’re worth, I still think he comes up big tonight and brings another title to Pittsburgh.

Super Bowl 43: Steelers-Cardinals Prediction – Get Ready For Sadness and Nausea Browns Fans

We are still 4 days and 21 hours away (thanks NFL.com) from the kickoff of Super Bowl 43 as I write this Steelers-Cardinals prediction post. Yet, I feel pretty confident that no one is going to get injured or get in trouble between now and Sunday that could materially affect the outcome of the game.

Earlier today, I updated you on the current injury status of Pittsburgh WR and Super Bowl 40 MVP Hines Ward. His sprained knee is hurting, and he won’t be 100%, but he will play. And seriously, it’s Hines Ward. Would you expect any different? JJ Arrington is a different story for Arizona, but he is obviously far less critical to his team’s success than Hines Ward.

If you want need a refresher of any of the particulars for this Sunday’s game (time, date, location, halftime entertainment, etc) click on over to the Super Bowl 43 Quick Preview that we did last week. It should be able to answer all of your questions.

As far as the point spreads go, here are the latest lines, courtesy of our friends at DocSports:

• Sportsbook.com Point Spread: Steelers -6.5
• Bodog Point Spread: Steelers -7
• BookMaker Point Spread: Steelers -6.5
• SuperBook Point Spread: Steelers -7

And the Over-Under odds for the Steelers-Cardinals game:

• Sportsbook.com Steelers-Cardinals Over-Under: 46.5
• Bodog Steelers-Cardinals Over-Under: 47
• BookMaker Steelers-Cardinals Over-Under: 46.5
• SuperBook Steelers-Cardinals Over-Under: 46.5

So, as they have been all week, the Steelers sit at right around a one touchdown favorite with an over-under average just under 47 points. I don’t know whether or not the Steelers will cover — I will leave that up to spread experts like Fraschetti to decide, as he did in his Cardinals-Steelers prediction post — but I do think that the Steelers will win Super Bowl 43, and that the two teams will go above the over.

This, of course, means that all Browns fans will have to once again live in a world in which the Steelers are the Super Bowl champs for an entire year. I know…the thought of it makes me nauseous too.

But as Rasheed Wallace once said, “it is what it is, and it do what it do.” (Side note: who knew that Rasheed Wallace could be so existentially brilliant?)

Steelers-Cardinals Super Bowl 43 Prediction

Before I get into the three reasons why I think the Pittsburgh Steelers will in Super Bowl 43, let’s discuss three reasons why the Cardinals could win the game.

1 – As Fraschetti pointed out in his first Super Bowl 43 preview article, the achilles heel of the Steelers’ defense throughout the years has been vulnerability through the air. The Steelers are monsters up front, and make it difficult for any team to run the ball, but they have been susceptible to big pass plays. This year, the Steelers ranked #1 across the board in defense, so I’m not sure this reason really holds much water (hence why I think the Steelers will win), but if the Cardinals are going to outscore the Steelers, they will have to do it by throwing the ball.

2 – Piggy-backing off of #1, the Cardinals have an absolutely outstanding passing game. If the Cardinals were a run-first team, I would say they have no chance. But with Kurt Warner and his deadly trio of Larry Fitzgerald, a healthier and probably extremely motivated Anquan Boldin, and the underrated Steve Breaston, the Cardinals will be able to move the ball through the air. In fact, I think the Cardinals will make this a higher scoring game than people think and get the final score above the Over-Under. And Kurt Warner proved in the 4th quarter of the NFC Championship Game that he still has some of the magic that made him a Super Bowl MVP once before.

3 – The Cardinals defense has been playing better. I don’t buy into some of the over-hyping of the Cardinals defense that I’ve read this week by some purported “experts”, but this is a defense that has proven itself to be opportunistic. Super Bowls can often turn on defensive serendipity — being in the right place at the right time for turnovers. Just ask the Steelers, who suffered their only Super Bowl loss because Larry Brown just happened to be standing right in the path of two Neil O’Donnell misfires. If the Cardinals are going to win, the defense will have to come up with a couple of key turnovers.

However, I don’t see this happening enough to get the Cardinals over the hump, which leads me to the three main reasons why I think the Steelers will be victorious in Super Bowl 43.

1 – Ben Roethlisberger will have a big game and be named Super Bowl 43 MVP. Big Ben was just an inexperienced youngster in Super Bowl 40. He was managing games for a strong running team with a great defense and he played a pretty poor game individually against the Seahawks. He is older, better, and now the unquestioned offensive leader and lynchpin of this year’s Steelers. He has Santonio Holmes on one side and Old Reliable Hines Ward on the other, plus a healthy Willie Parker behind him. Roethlisberger will have two or three plays that he will try to force — he always does — and the Cardinals have to turn these plays into turnovers to have a chance.

I don’t see it happening. I think Ben Roethlisberger is extra, extra motivated to have a big game Sunday to erase the memories of his poor performance in Super Bowl 40 (no matter what he might say about not thinking about that game or it being in the past). He’s an athlete and he’s human. He’s thinking about it, and very much wants to compensate for it with a signature Super Bowl win. His legacy and the beginnings of his potential Hall of Fame candidacy — yeah, I said it — are on the line Sunday. He has burned the Browns too often for me to not have confidence that he’ll have a big game.

(For the record, I can’t believe I’ve somehow turned into a huge Ben Roethlisberger cheerleader, especially after writing this horrific post before the season started, but such is life when your team starts Ken Dorsey for half a season.)

2 – Troy Polamalu and James Harrison are two of the 5 best defensive players the Cardinals have faced all season. And this is an unscientific statement; I didn’t go down the Cardinals’ schedule this year. Polamalu and Harrison may very well be the two best defenders they have faced, bar none. Kurt Warner has proven that he is susceptible to fumbles when hit in the pocket — enter James Harrison and the zone-blitzing Steelers. Warner has also proven that he will force throws, especially to Larry Fitzgerald, when the pocket collapses — enter the eye-reader Troy Polamalu.

I have a feeling that both of these guys will be involved in crucial, game-changing turnovers that will prevent the Cardinals from scoring enough points to win.

3 – Mike Tomlin. He’s a Steeler, but I love this guy. In fact, I have absolutely no idea how Eric frickin’ Mangini is every going to beat Tomlin. He is tough, he is old school, and he is absolutely the heartbeat and emotional leader of this Steelers team. I like Ken Whisenhunt and I think he is a very solid coach (better than Eric frickin’ Mangini), but Mike Tomlin just seems to have that extra gear of will and enthusiasm that trickles down to his players and gets the Steelers over the hump.

Mike Tomlin inspires a physical style of play in the Steelers that the Cardinals have not seen this year. I think the Cardinals are too skilled offensively to not score some points, but when push comes to shove — and it will — the Steelers will out-tough the Cardinals to the victory.

So sorry Browns fans, the nightmare continues. I will be rooting for the Cardinals, and hoping to be dead wrong with this prediction — I just don’t think I will be.

My official Steelers-Cardinals prediction:

• Pittsburgh Steelers 27 | Arizona Cardinals 24 (Over-Under covered)
• Super Bowl MVP: Ben Roethlisberger

What is your prediction?

Who do you think will win Super Bowl 43?

• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Arizona Cardinals

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List of Super Bowl MVP Winners by Year and a Super Bowl 43 MVP Prediction

As part of our week-long project to educate you on Super Bowl history and get you ready for Super Bowl 43 this weekend, yesterday we offered up the Super Bowl winners and losers by year, as well as the list of teams who have won and lost the most Super Bowls.

Today, we are breaking down the history of the Super Bowl MVP award, as well as offering up a prediction as to who will be the MVP of Super Bowl 43.

Before we get into any predictions, let’s get a historical perspective by looking at the Super Bowl MVP winners by year, as presented to you in the table below:

* – Chuck Howley, the 1971 winner, is the only Super Bowl MVP from a losing team. The Cowboys were defeated by the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V.

* – The Cowboys are also the only team to have Co-MVPS, when Harvey Martin and Randy White split the award in 1978.

* – The Super Bowl MVP breakdown by team goes as follows:

• Dallas Cowboys – 7
• Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers – 5
• Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Oakland/LA Raiders, Washington Redskins – 3
• Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins – 2
• Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1

* – The Super Bowl MVP breakdown by position goes as follows:

• Quarterback – 22
• Running Back – 7
• Wide Receiver – 5
• Defensive End, Linebackers, Safety – 2
• Cornerback, Defensive Tackle, KR/PR – 1

Based on history, there are a few things that we can reasonably anticipate about who will be the MVP in Super Bowl 43:

• There is better than a 50% chance that the Super Bowl 43 MVP will be the QB from the winning team.
• There is a better than 95% chance that the Super Bowl 43 MVP will be a player from the winning team.
• There is better than a 75% chance that the Super Bowl 43 MVP will be a “skill position” player from the winning team.
• If the MVP does come from the defensive side of the ball, he is usually one of the stars of a historically great defense.

With that being said, if I was forced to bet on whO the Super Bowl 43 MVP will be, my money would be on Ben Roethlisberger. I think that the Steelers are going to win the game, and after Big Ben’s putrid performance in Super Bowl 40, I think he will play well Sunday. Plus, while Arizona’s defense has been solid, they are not great by any stretch of the imagination. Roethlisberger should have a chance to put up pretty good numbers.

However, I would not be surprised to see either James Harrison or Troy Polamalu come away with the trophy. Kurt Warner, while he has been spectacular for most of his career and for most of this season, can be prone to turnovers. Additionally, the Steelers do have a historically great defense. Defensive players from the ‘85 Bears and ‘01 Ravens won the MVP trophy, and I could see one of the Steelers players getting the award too. Polamalu and Harrison would actually be my #2 and #3 choices for Super Bowl 43 MVP.

Assuming that the Steelers win, and assuming the percentages play out, an offensive player will be the MVP. I know that Hines Ward won the trophy in Super Bowl 40, but Big Ben was just a young pup then. He is absolutely the catalyst of the Steelers offense this year. If he does not play well, Arizona has a chance to win. If he does play well, he will get the requisite numbers to win the award. I don’t see another Steelers offensive player trumping him, unless something fluky happens.

Should the Cardinals somehow with the game, either Kurt Warner or Larry Fitzgerald will come away with the award. I think Fitzgerald would have to just be phenomenal to overcome the whole “storybook” aspect of Warner taking home another MVP trophy. Fitzgerald is certainly capable, but any numbers he gets would also go to Warner. My prediction, if Arizona wins, is that Kurt Warner takes home the trophy.

So, if I was handicapping the race, my Top 5 Players Most Likely to win the Super Bowl 43 MVP list would go something like this:

1. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
2. Kurt Warner, Cardinals
3. Troy Polamalu, Steelers
4. James Harrison, Steelers
5. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals

What do you think?

Who do you think will be the Super Bowl 43 MVP?

• Troy Polamalu
• James Harrison
• Ben Roethlisberger
• Someone not listed
• Kurt Warner
• Larry Fitzgerald

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Matt Hasselbeck Calls Ben Roethlisberger a Girl

Many Steelers fans are probably thinking that Matt Hasselbeck is due for a much needed reality check right about now for calling their beloved Ben Roethlisberger a girl.

From a Browns fan perspective, Matt Hasselbeck deserves a standing ovation.

While making my typical afternoon perusal of ProFootballTalk.com today, I came across a short blurb in which Florio relays a story from www.king5.com in Seattle about Matt Hasselbeck going to school with a local sixth-grader.

The story is a very heart-warming tale (if such things actually warm your heart) of a lovely day spent between Matt Hasselbeck and little Andy Co at Issaquah Middle School in Seattle. We are regaled with interesting anecdotes about Andy beating Matt Hasselbeck in a game of Wii Madden between the Seahawks and 49ers that provided funny lines like, “yes, Seattle even loses in the virtual world these days.”

The most entertaining part of the story comes towards the end in which the following exchange takes while Matt Hasselbeck was leading a school assembly on the importance of staying active and physically fit:

“Do you think girls should be allowed to play in the NFL?” one girl asked.

“Girls can play in the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger plays for the Steelers, right?” Hasselbeck said, in a playful flashback to Seattle’s Super Bowl loss three seasons ago.

“Joking. Totally joking. That was a joke,” Hasselbeck said, chuckling.

As one of my old high school friends Jay would say, “Oh, snap!”

I am only upset with Hasselbeck that he did not stand by his comment and felt the need to say it was a joke. The last time Hasselbeck stuck his foot in mouth and said something he would no doubt regret later, I didn’t hear him saying it was a joke:

Reducing the sarcasm for a minute, this was undoubtedly a very exciting experience for the kids of Issaquah, and Matt Hasselbeck seems like a hell of a guy. In fact, Andy Co said so much when asked about the Hasselbeck visit.

“It was cool,” Andy said. “He’s a normal guy who’s just really good at football.”

For Browns fans, however, nothing in the article with galvanize goodwill for Matt Hasselbeck like calling the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers a girl. I am sure that plenty of Browns fans will now add this term to the usual list of Ben Roethlisberger descriptions such as turd, douche, boner, and loser. Who cares if his team is in his first place. Damnit, if Matt Hasselbeck doesn’t respect him, then why should we!?

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So during a week in which Browns fans have had to come to grips with the fact that Ken Dorsey will be quarterbacking our attempt to upset the Tennessee Titans, and starting for the rest of this God-forsaken season, at least Matt Hasselbeck was able to give us all something to smile about.

Ben Roethlisberger Injury Update – Shoulder | Steelers Beat Redskins on MNF

(Update, 11/7 11:35 am: According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ben Roethlisberger has not practiced this week but will attempt to practice today — indicating that he should be ready to go this weekend against the Colts.)

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Washington Redskins last night on Monday Night Football, further twisting the knife into the backs of Browns fans who had it inserted the minute Braylon Edwards dropped the infamous bomb from Derek Anderson late in the Browns’ loss to the Ravens.

Surprisingly, the Steelers were able to win with Ben Roethlisberger on the bench for the second half. Roethlisberger was having shoulder problems again and was replaced by Byron Leftwich at halftime. Leftwich played well and led the Steelers to a key road victory that keeps them firmly atop the AFC North.

The early indications on the shoulder injury of Ben Roethlisberger are that he has a bruised AC joint, but that there is no ligament damage. As of right now, Roethlisberger is day-to-day and should be ready for Steelers next game this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

We’ll keep you updated if anything further emerges regarding the status of Ben Roethlisberger and his perpetually tender shoulder.

[tags]pittsburgh steelers, ben roethlisberger, nfl, football[/tags]

Cleveland Browns: Thoughts After Loss to Steelers

by Jerod Morris

Some thoughts after watching the Cleveland Browns lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight 10-6.

1)    Ben Roethlisberger is really tough, and really good.  He played tonight with a separated shoulder and the Browns (especially Shaun Rogers) knocked him pretty good a few times.  Obviously his stats were not overwhelming, as the game was played in pretty strong winds and occasional rain, but he made big plays when he needed to.  Ben Roethlisberger did what it took to win, and that is the first line of the job description of any quarterback.  Obviously, I must eat a little bit of crow for the article I wrote a few weeks back claiming (tongue-in-check…I swear!) that Derek Anderson is the best QB in the AFC, but at least after today we know one thing: Carson Palmer is definitely third!

2)    The Browns offense just is not clicking yet.  Derek Anderson looked very hesitant in the first half, and was guiding the ball more than he was throwing it.  He looked much better in the second half, but we could not finish drives.  We needed to get into the endzone and all of our drives stalled before we could even get into the redzone.  I think Derek Anderson will get better as the offense gets their timing back.  Remember, very few of the starters played together after the preseason debacle against the Giants.  Derek had a concussion, Braylon got hurt, Jurevicius and Stallworth were out, etc.  The Browns had a rhythm, timing, and swagger going on offense last year.  I think they can get it back, and it needs to happen quickly.

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Who is the Best QB in the AFC North?

by Jerod Morris

For those of you who read the Chicago White Sox – Chicago Cubs Tale of the Tape, you know that I am capable of nothing less than absolute objectivity. Well, with football season on the horizon, I have decided to extend my aptitude for objective analysis to a burning and pertinent NFL question: Who is the best quarterback in the AFC North?

To answer this question, let’s begin by first removing all Baltimore quarterbacks from the equation. Whoever starts for Baltimore, be it Troy Smith, or Joe Delaware, or Kyle Boller, or Brian Billick…it doesn’t matter. When one of the backups in your division (Brady Quinn) is clearly better than any of your starters, you do not get to enjoy being part of a debate like this.

So as we set out to decide who the best QB is in the AFC North, we have three candidates: Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, and Derek Anderson. Who is the best?

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