FSH NOTEBOOK: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

February 7th, 2011, Monday

Monday Morning Huddle
(Late Evening Edition)


Super Bowl XLV Champions

Green Bay Packers

Packers 31 – Steelers 25

The 2010-2011 Season is a Wrap

It didn’t quite come down to the very last play, but the Packers and Steelers second-take was every bit as dramatic and exciting as their prolific matchup back in December of 2009. The Packers offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers stifled the Steelers top ranked defense much of the game and it was linebacker Clay Matthews Jr., with his golden locks that came up with probably the play of the game. With the momentum on the swing and the Steelers in position to maybe take their first lead of the game, Matthews delivered a hit on running back Rashard Mendenhall forcing a costly fumble and setting up the Packers offense to ice the game.

On queue Rodgers led the Packers downfield for the game deciding touchdown that would put the Packers up 28-17. It would be all the Packers would need to win. The Steelers fought the good fight showing no quit and coming right back with a quick score and two point conversion to make this one close, but ultimately this day belonged to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

In front of a packed stadium in the house that Jerry built Rodgers and the Packers captured their 13th NFL title and 4th Super Bowl. It was a spectacular moment in the Green & Yellow’s history, but a great leap in the future of young Mr. Rodgers.

Rodgers’ performance on the greatest stage of all was brilliant and unquestionably put him in the same breath of some of the other great performances we have seen in this era, but it was performance throughout the post season is where his greatness lies and his name was made. The Packers new gunslinger has yet to reach legendary status, but his memorable run through the playoffs has definitely launched him well on his way.

Aaron Rodgers has not just stepped out of the shadow of one legendary NFL Icon, but he has cast his own great shadow upon the sport that he dominated for the past two months, leading the Packers to six straight victories which included the last four away from the comforts of Lambeau. Rodgers was spectacular and dominate at times completing 68 percent of his passes and throwing 14 touchdowns with just three picks in his last six starts; he also added two rushing touchdowns in the playoffs.

After returning from his second concussion and faced with his greatest adversity he had seen since taking his first step out from the shadow of the great Brett Favre, Rodgers responded with true grit and the heart of a lion. Rodgers and the Packers were sitting at 8-6 and the only way they would ever reach this moment in time, sitting on top of the world as champions, re-writing NFL history, they would have to just win.

And win Rodgers and the Packers did.

In the ultimate team sport the Packers did like Al Davis used to say “just win baby.” They were led by their fiery quarterback who let his play lead the historic franchise (Packers). Needing two wins to reach the Playoffs Rodgers was great; needing three road wins to reach the Super Bowl, he was brilliant, needing the game of his life to hold the Lombardi trophy in his hands at the end of the game, Rodgers was legendary.

He’s not quite there (An NFL legend) yet, but buckle up folks, hold onto your seats, and get your popcorn ready, it looks like this ride is going to be a great one!

Just my take on things.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: ON THE COVER

January 31st, 2011, Monday

On the Cover

Super Bowl Sunday

Packers & Steelers II

Showdown in Texas

It was just 13 months ago that the same two teams that will meet on Super Sunday got together for one of the greatest games played in the history of the NFL; 73 points scored, almost 1,000 yards of offense combined, with the final play deciding the outcome. As if written by some Hollywood play-write, these two historic franchises with some of the richest history in the game we love so much will take to the field of battle this Sunday on the greatest stage of modern sports ever created.

And while last year’s meeting will have very little impact on this year’s matchup on Super Bowl Sunday, one thing worth noting, both teams have changed very little and will likely do a lot of the same as they did a year ago.

What that will mean to the loyal football fan who is planning on being glued to his set to watch and experience this historic battle of two well respected and very successful franchises (Steelers have 6 SB titles, Packers own three); plan your bathroom breaks carefully and make sure your TIVO is working. You won’t want to miss a thing.

In last year’s memorable matchup, nine touchdowns were scored, one two-point conversion made, two pass plays of 60 yards or more for a touchdown (including an 83 yarder by Greg Jennings), 94 combined passes thrown by both quarterbacks, 46 combined first downs, and 848 total passing yards in the game. The element that was missing from this matchup was the evidence of a ground game; the Packers rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries, while the Steelers picked up 65 yards on 19 carries. This years’ meeting could very well take on the same look and feel as a year ago, but both teams will undoubtedly make a real effort to try an establish some kind of ground control; if anything to at the very least slow down the opposing teams pass rush.

Whatever shape or form this game eventually takes on, one thing we can all be sure of this will most certainly be must-see TV. So get your popcorn ready!

By David Ortega

FSH: MORE FROM THE HUDDLE

February 3rd, 2010 9:07pm PST

More from the Huddle

With the Super Bowl less than a week away, it's time to start getting pumped for what will more than likely be a classic matchup of a pair of good ole fashion gunslingers. It looks like the folks in Vegas are expecting a shootout with the over under set in the upper 50's and they would be right (if you asked me).

The Saints boast the number one offense in scoring and yards, while the Colts will have Peyton Manning and it add and there's just too much offense. Expect more fireworks on Sunday than the fourth of July.....

10 Things...

that should make this a Super Sunday Shootout!!

1. The Saints quarterback Drew Brees passed for over 4,000 yards in 2009 for the fourth consecutive season.

2. The Saints big play offense has scored nine touchdowns in the post season and the team is averaging 38 points per game.

3. The Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has passed for over 600 yards in the playoffs and thrown five touchdowns.

4. Running back Reggie Bush has totaled 149 yards in the playoffs and is averaging over eight yards each time he touches the ball; he also has an 83-yard punt return for six.

5. Both Saints wide receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachum each caught nine touchdowns in 2009 to lead the team.

6. The Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark each hauled in 100 passes in 2009 to lead the team.

7. Both quarterbacks are hot in the post season with each coming off a three touchdown performance in the title games.

8. Both the Saints and Colts ranked in the top five this season in passing with Brees throwing 34 touchdowns and Manning tossing 33 of his own.

9. The Saints defense has been opportunistic with 39 takeaways in 2009, but they ranked 26th against the pass allowing nearly 240 yards in the air per game.

10. The Colts defense had their troubles in 2009 with the ground game ranked 24th and allowing more than 125 yards per contest.

Remember to check back for “More from the Huddle!"