2011 Pro Bowl Starters

Game Time
January 30th
7PM EST (Fox)


Offense
                AFC                                     NFC

Philip Rivers	QB	Michael Vick
Arian Foster	RB	Michael Turner
Vonta Leach	FB	Ovie Mughelli
Reggie Wayne	WR	Roddy White
Brandon Lloyd	WR	Calvin Johnson
Marcedes Lewis	TE	Jason Witten
Joe Thomas	OT	Jordan Gross
D'Brickashaw Ferguson	OT	Tyson Clabo
Kris Dielman	OG	Jahri Evans
Logan Mankins	OG	Chri Snee
Jeff Saturday	C	Andre Gurode

Defense

              AFC                                  NFC

Robert Mathis	DE	Julius Peppers
Jason Babin	DE	John Abraham
Haloti Ngata	DT	Jay Ratliff
Vince Wilfork	DT	Justin Smith
Cameron Wake	OLB	DeMarcus ware
Terrell Suggs	OLB	Brian Orakpo
Ray Lewis	ILB	Jonathan Vilma
Darrelle Revis	CB	DeAngelo Hall
Devin McCourty	CB	Brent Grimes
Brandon Meriweather	FS	Antrell Rolle
Eric Berry	SS	Adrian Wilson

Special Teams
           AFC                                        NFC

Shane Lechler	P	Mat McBriar
Billy Cundiff	K	David Akers
Marc Mariani	KR	Devin Hester
Montell Owens	ST	Eric Weems

Coaches: AFC - Bill Belichick
               NFC - Mike Smith

The Titans and Jeff Fisher Part Ways

NFL Network reports that the Tennessee Titans and head coach Jeff Fisher are parting ways. The report said an official announcement could come as early as Friday, but the decision was not confirmed as a firing, resignation, or as a mutual parting.

After 16 seasons together, the Tennessee Titans and Jeff Fisher go their separate ways.

Notes:

Fisher took the Titans to the their only Super Bowl in 2000 (Loss). 
Fisher is only 5-6 (career) in the post-season and has not won a playoff game since beating Baltimore in a Wild Card matchup  (January 2004). 

In addition, the Titans lost a Wild Card game against the Chargers in 2007, as well as wasting their AFC's top seed in 2008 with a loss to the Ravens.

Super Bowl XLV: Title Town USA vs The Steel Curtain

So are you ready for the Super Bowl yet?

This year's Super Bowl is between two teams with huge football traditions, there are too many Hall-of-Famers to count between the two teams. Green Bay has won more League Championships than any other team, and the Steelers have more Super Bowls than any other team in the league. 

Title Town USA vs The Steel Curtain will pit two of the best defensive coordinators against one another; Packers' defensive coordinator Dom Capers and the Steelers' Dick LeBeau are arguably two of the best in the business, and with both of these coaches involved, you can be sure to see some zone-blitzing, a lot of movement, and a lot of match-up variations; these two coaches are very good at disguising defenses, as well as confusing the opposing quarterback and offensive units.

On the other side of the ball, these are two of the best quarterbacks in the league at finishing and keeping plays alive, both Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) and Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) are able to use their feet to either buy time in the pocket, or to scramble for a first down.

Neither quarterback is, by definition, a running quarterback; however, when the time is right and it is needed, either quarterback can burn the opposing defense with a 50 yard pass while on the run or a quick scramble to move the chains. There movement oftentimes make defenses break their assignments, leading to big plays; however, both the Green bay Packers as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers have disciplined defenses that understand how to keep the opposing offense in front of them.

Another aspect of the game that will be interesting to watch is how well either team runs the ball. Both teams have legitimate running games, both offenses can pound it out when necessary, and both offenses have wide receivers and tight-ends that will block down-field.

The receiving core of either team is top notch; Pittsburgh's Hines Ward is a tough experienced wide receiver that always makes it complicated for the other team's defense, Mike Wallace has the ability to outrun anybody on the field at any given time; there is the reliable TE Heath Miller, as well as rookie wide receivers Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, who have made some big catches this year.

The Packers may have the edge at receivers, they bring to the table veterans Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson, whom many say are the best receiving core in the NFL.

Regardless of how this game ends, if it compares to the last time these two met...get ready for some fireworks!

Pittsburgh and Green Bay met back on December 20, 2009, where both teams came out passing the ball (100 pass plays were called during the last contest), there were 73 point scored in that game between the two teams, as well as over a thousand total yards for the game. 

Note: A factor in this game is Pittsburgh's center Maurkice Pouncey's ability to play, he was injured during the AFC Championship game.

Win or Go Home: Packers and Bears

This is it! Third time's a charm 

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will go head-to-head for the third time during the 2010/2011 season. However, the stakes and importance of this game far outweigh the previous two meetings.

 Win or go home is the motto come January, and that is just what one of these team will do. The Bears and Packers are the oldest rivalry in the NFL, dating back to November 27, 1921, where the Bears won 20-0. 

During this season, the two teams met first in Soldier Field in Week 3 (20-17 Bears victory), then the two teams took a leap to Lambeau Field, where the Packers won during Week 17 (10-3); by the way, the Bears lead the All-Time Series 92–83–6. Also, this is the first time the two teams have met in an NFC Championship Game. 

This game will be played in Chicago, and because of this fact, many believe the Bears will have the advantage; they have the crowd, they have the veteran linebackers, and they have the difference-maker, Devin Hester, who is able to score anytime he touches the ball on either a punt or a kick return.

At the quarterback position, there is no one hotter than Aaron Rodgers right now; NFL Network also claims that green Bay has the most talented wide receiving crew in the NFL; in addition, Green Bay has their own set of linebackers, and although they may not have the same number of years under their belts as the Bears linebacking squad, they are very aggressive, fast, and intelligent; and the Packers' differnce-maker continues to be University of Michigan's own Charles Woodson (cornerback and last year's Defensive player of the Year), who can change the tempo of the game at any time. 

Both quarterbacks have only increased their productivity through this year (Jay Cutler has seemed to calm down and make better decisions than in years past), and while Rodgers and the Packers' offense are playing at a high level, they still have to go in and prove their point in Chicago, which by the way, will be a very unwelcoming and non-compassionate place to play this Sunday.

Bears favored by 3.5 points.

NFC Championship Game

Sunday, January 23

3:00 p.m. ET (Fox) 

AFC Championship Game: Steelers vs Jets

The Jets enter Sunday's game after posting back-to-back road upsets against the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. Can they overcome the odds again and win on Sunday? If these NY Jets do win the game, it will be their first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl III (1969).

Since their Wild Card game against the Colts's the Jets' defense has had no fear, though the Colt's were undermannned, the Jets' defense still looked impressive, holding the Colts to 16 points and one catch by Reggie Wayne. The Jets' offense, 2 rushing touchdowns by LaDainian Tomlinson (Shonn Greene added 70 yds), looked efficient. 

Defensively, the Jets held the Colts to 1 touchdown (3 fiield goals made); Reggie Wayne caught one ball for the day and the Jet's defense held the Colts to uder 100 yards rushing. Peyton manning had 225 yards in the air but only threw for the one touchdown.

The Patriots win was more of a surprise, the Jets won 28-21 as 9-point road underdogs.

The Jets picked-off Tom Brady, who has been all but perfect during the regular season; the Jets sacked Brady 5 times, and not one Patriot ran for more than 50 yards. 

Brady threw for 299 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Mark Sanchez threw for 194 yards, 3 touchdowns, no interceptions.

The Jets will enter Sunday's game again as the underdogs (-3.5); the Steelers enter the game knowing what to expect since this is there fourth AFC Championship in seven years. 

The Steelers and Jets met during Week 15, where the Steelers were 4-point favorite, the Jets ended up winning that game 22-17. 

Three sacks and a safety by the Jets during the last meeting between these two teams may have been the difference makers, and whichever defense plays well during this game will also decide which team will go onto the Super Bowl.

AFC Championship Game (CBS)

Sunday, Jan. 23

6:30 p.m. ET

Ben Roethlisberger Gets No Respect

Why the lack of respect for Big Ben?

Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings, one more than Peyton Manning, and one less than Tom “Terrific” Brady; Ben Roethlisberger is the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, beating the record previously held by Brady; Ben Roethlisberger has never lost a Super Bowl (both Manning and Brady have a loss); Ben Roethlisberger is one game away from leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to their third Super Bowl in six years; however, he does not receive the same respect as Brady, Manning, or for that matter, Drew Brees.

So, why if his accomplishments are as good as they are, does he not receive the same respect?

• Statistically speaking, Roethlisberger does not put up the same numbers as Brady/Manning, Pittsburgh is a grind-it-out type of team that can pound the ball when necessary.
• Roethlisberger's fundamentals are not as fluent or pretty as Brady/Manning.
• In addition, his decision making, in recent years, off-the-field, has landed him in some hot water (something neither Brady nor Manning has ever faced). 

Besides his statistical accomplishments, we should allow Roethlisberger some praise; he shows up on Sunday (unless suspended), he does what is necessary to win, and he makes the big plays.

Brady, Manning, Brees, and Roethlisberger all have at least one ring, and while they all have reached the top of their profession, they are not all viewed as equal.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers come up in conversation, one of the first things brought up is there tireless defense, along with their power-running game; and although their running game and defense has won many games for them; remember, it was a Roethlisberger to Holmes pass that won their last Super Bowl, not the Steelers' Counter 34 Pike run-play that won it.
        So while Roethlisberger's arm motion, release, and off-the-field actions may be ugly, he is one game away from having the opportunity of winning his 3rd Super Bowl, which would make him dead-even with the already guaranteed Hall-of-Famer, Tom Brady.

Is Being Athletically Gifted Enough For Cam Newton?

After Andrew Luck (many considered him to be the first overall draft pick in 2011) decided to stay at Stanford, he created a void. He also left an interesting, somehwat damaged, draft class of quarterbacks behind him. In addition, since the Heisman and National Championship winning Cam Cameron entered the draft, there has been a shift. 

Take the off-field issues of Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), the on-field struggles of Jake Locker (Washington), as well as the questionable NFL-readiness of Blaine Gabbert (Missouri), and the choice for the first quarterback selected in this year's draft may be simpler than it seems.

Newton is undoubtedly better than JaMarcus Russell (first overall pick 2007) was coming out of college; he has better decision-making skills, he's hard to take down, and his leadership skills far outweigh the examples of, previosly drafted and athletically-gifted, Vince Young and Russell (Young and Russell's leadership skills were either non-existent or on pins and needles; both of these quarterbacks have shown us that physical skills and attributes do not lead to a strong or tough individual, which are characteristics needed at that position); however, Newton's players follow him, he is a leader.

Yes, the structured offense in Auburn may have given us the illusion that Newton is better than he actually is, and yes, we understand that running quarterbacks do not win Super Bowls; however, in my opinion, Newton is athletically superior and more of a natural passer than Tim Tebow (picked in the first round during the 2010 draft, 25^th overall) if that counts for anything.

Newton is not free and clear though. As fast as he may be, his college off-the-field issues will follow him all the way to draft day.

His cheating scandal, as well as a missing laptop will come under fire; nonetheless, like many before him, his on field actions may overshine those accusations (don't look for Tampa Bay, Miami, or Jacksonville to draft him, if you catch my drift).

As quarterbacks go, Newton is not a Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or any structured pocket-passer that will simply drop back and find his man. Cam Newton is what Michael Vick is now; Cam newton is a valuable and versatile asset, not to mention the fact that he is bigger than Vick.

Newton is an agile, strong, and solid quarterback that will play and win games for whichever team decides to draft him.

Relying On A Kicker

We've seen it before, a kicker wins a game for a team that has fought hard; a kicker puts one through the uprights in order to win a game where the defenses were tough and the offenses almost irrelevant, which is often the norm for a Steelers/Ravens game; and may be the same for this upcoming AFC Championship game. 

Surprisingly, the kicker was the one who decided the Jets/Colts game, with Nick Folk winning it for the Jets; and by the way, the Jets have beaten both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to get where they are now.

This is the same game the Jets lost last year; however, with an upgraded offense, as well as a different look on defense, these Jets come into the game with a more mature roster, as well as a better (regular-season) winning record than in 2009 (9-7 in 2009, 11-5 in 2010).

Still, with two great defenses on the field, points will be earned the hard way; the Jets will play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, where it already is tough enough for kickers; then, add into the equation that Folk's inconsistencies are infamous, and the ending of this game could be quite a ride.

Folk had a horrible 2009 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, and was waived two games before the playoffs after missing a kick in each of the Cowboys' final 6 games; the decision maker may have been a 24-yard miss on December 19, late in the season against the New Orleans Saints.

As a fan, you never want to see a game decided by a kicker (unless you're a fan of the winning team), but with two of the best defenses in the league facing each other in the biggest AFC game-to-date this year, we may end up seeing which kicker will put their team over the top.

And the kicker is...

Shaun Suisham (Steelers Kicker) 2010 Stats

FG Attempted	FG Made	FG %	Longest
15	14	93.3	48

Nick Folk (NY Jets Kicker) 2010 Stats

FG Attempted	FG Made	FG %	Longest
39	30	76.9	56

Bears to Call the Shots in Minnesota

Two Bears can win in Minnesota.

Mike Singletary and Leslie Frazier, two teammates from the dominating, Super Bowl Winning, Super Bowl Shuffling, 46 Defense Playing, Attack-the-Quarterback At All Cost, Hard-Hitting, 1985 Bears' roster that so many remember, wil again be reunited in a place where they have wreaked havoc in the past.

The two will collectively be part of the Minnesota Vikings' organization, Singletary, who spent his entire playing-career with the Chicago Bears, should have great influence on the likes of Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson, as well as fellow linebacker Ben Leber.

Singletary's knowledge on defense, along with his intensity should transfer nicely to an already stout defense; although these Vikings didn't live up to expectations on defense last year, the motivation and work ethic that Coach Singletary will bring to the Vikings' linebacking crew should transfer into a more dominating defense once again.

Frazier, one of the Bears' cornerbacks during their Super Bowl-Shuffling days, has obviously had an impact on owner Zygi Wilf; he signed a contract back on January 3, 2011, upgrading him from interim head coach to head coach.

Frazier, as a player, lead the Bears in interceptions during the 1985 season (6) before his career ended, after injuring his knee returning the opening kickoff against the Patriots in Super Bowl XX (1985 championship team).

Frazier, as a coach, has increased his team's defensive output on every level that he has coached; and while this will be his first head coaching job in the NFL, Frazier has experience at the high school level, college level, as well as being a defensive or defensive backs' coach for the Colts, Eagles, Vikings, and Bengals. 

Singletary, coming off a tough couple of seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (18-22 in two-plus seasons as head coach) may find it an easier task to concentrate on one aspect of the team, as opposed to the demands of his prior head coaching job.

Either way, the first order of business for the Minnesota Vikings may be finding a quarterback to run the offense. Since NFL's Iron Man Brett Favre has decided to call it quits,

Frazier has expressed his views; stating that finding a franchise quarterback is a priority during this off-season.

Although Frazier and the Vikings aren't commenting on their coaching-staff assembly process until it's finalized, we already know of two pieces to the Vikings' puzzle that should effectively fit together.

Various Opinions and Off-season Predictions for the Dallas Cowboys.

So the Dallas Cowboys didn't live up to this year's hype; yes, we know what they were supposed to do; however, they did not get it done this year.

This is the NFL and their strive for excellence will continue...You can count on that! 

As Jerry Jones invites the winner of this year's AFC (Steelers or Jets) and NFC (Bears or Packers) Championship game into his house, here are a few actions Mr. Jones has already taken in order to prevent a repeat of this year; in addition, several ideas that may be on his To-Do list during this off-season:

Dallas Cowboys: 10 Bold Offseason Predictions After a Tough 2010 Season Ends | Bleacher Report


No Single Reason Explains This 6-10 Season

New Cowboys' DC Rob Ryan Hopes to Keep 'Em Guessing

One huge positive for the future of these Dallas Cowboys is WR Dez Bryant

Jets vs Patriots

This is it...the New York Jets and the New England Patriots have this one opportunity to prove who is the better team. More important than than all the words exchanged during the week, the winner of this game will adavnce deeper in the playoffs. 

Put up of Shut up; the only thing that matters is Right Now and the final score...Whoever wins this game will have bragging rights until next year.

Jets' coach Rex Ryan said this game is personal; he pitted himself against Patriots' coach Bill Belichick; Jets' CB Antonio Cromartie let Patriots' QB Tom Brady know how he felt about him earlier in the week, and while all that showed how much this game actually means to the players, This Is Where All The Talking Stops.

By splitting the games 1 and 1 in the regular season, these two teams showed us that there are no guarantees, and we'll have to wait til the 4th quarter to see who wins this one.

The New Kids on the Block vs. The Franchise is a game we have all been waiting for; Patriots winning 45-3 on December 6th and the Jets winning the previous macthup... 

We'll see who wants it more this time....After all, it is personal.

Seahawks Uphill Battle

The Seattle Seahawks (Team Cinderella) went 3 and out on today's first possession, they then surrendered a 58-yard Jay Cutler to TE Greg Olsen touchdown pass; it has been downhill since.

        Seahawks TE John Carlson bounced his head off the frozen turf in Soldier Field while leaping to avoid a tackle by Bears safety Danieal Manning; Carlson, a 3rd year player out of Notre Dame, remained motionless on the field while medical staff tended to him.

He was carted off the field on a stretcher with his neck immobilized. FOX's Tony Siragusa announced that Carlson had a head injury, he did not elaborate. 

Carlson's 2010/2011 Notes: Finished tied for fourth on the Seahawks with 31 reception; last week he caught 3 passes for 17 yards and 2 touchdowns in a game Seattle was not suppose to win, beting the Saints 41-36.

Cameron "Cam" Jerrell Newton...

Heisman trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton, along with the Auburn Tigers, put a punctuation on a perfect season with a fast-paced, well played victory over the Oregon Ducks in The NCAA Championship game on Monday.

Auburn's kicker Wes Byrum booted a 19-yard field goal as time expired to deny any late game heroics by the Ducks, and with his kick, Byrum and the Tigers clinched their first national title since 1957; this win should definitely overshadow any thoughts about Newton's investigations over recruiting violations, which could have destroyed his college career.
  "Cam” spun all his negatives this year into gold, first by winning a Heisman, followed by a game in which he completed 20 of 34 for 265 yards, with 2 TDs to boot, then by helping the Tigers win a National Championship.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, we thought we would see the two offenses opened up in the second; @richeisen on Twitter tweeted, “I feel like I'm watching two 10-year old on 8 bags of Skittles play a video game.” which summed up the game rather well.

This game was high-octane and played at a very fast-paced; not as much offense as we expected; however, the two teams showed how prepared for one another they were, both coaching staffs did an excellent job preparing players for this game.

With a 16 -11 halftime lead (Auburn) Newton already tossed touchdown passes to Kodi Burns and Emory Blake. After the half, we thought there would be fireworks on both offenses, since the top-ranked Oregon offense averaged 49 points a game all season; however, The Ducks were held to only two touchdowns by a stingy Auburn defense.

This victory will be the crowning moment of Newton's college career, and this achievement should also open up several teams' eyes in the NFL; making Newton the topic of discussion in several of the teams with early pick in the draft next year. That is, if Newton, who has until Saturday to decide if he will enter the draft (a junior), decides to take thatt leap. 

Newton's Stats in 2010 – 20 rushing TDs, Heisman Trophy winner, National Championship winner, and threw for 28 TDs as the nation's top-rated passer.

Seahawks Advance

This was one of the biggest postseason upsets in the NFL. Last year’s Super Bowl Champion, the New Orleans Saints are now out of the playoffs thanks to the Seattle Seahawks. The loss comes during their Wild Card game, the first game of the playoffs on Saturday.

The loss, a 41-36 defeat, shows how the Seahawks, a team that struggled all season and only put together a 7-win regular season are now one game closer to the unimaginable.

Their odds of them winning this game were slim, but it goes to show you that in the playoffs, anyone can win…the regular season has no meaning come January.

The Seahawks entered this game as the only playoff team in a non-strike season with a losing record; led by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (finishing 22 of 35 for 272 yards and 4 touchdowns) the Seahawks put together a team effort and walked away playoff winners.

Hasselbeck understands that his opportunities of winning a ring are limited, if not down to this season. In addition, the Seahawks, along with first-year head coach Pete Carroll, are the first team with a losing record to ever win a playoff game,which is something to be proud of regardless of how the regular season went down.

Hasselbeck, a 12-year veteran reaches the end of his contract (expiring at the end of this season) and as of now, his future is uncertain.

If this game proved anything, it was that in the NFL, there are no guarantees and that every game is a game of inches. Win or go home time, and from the looks of it, these Seahawks will be in the playoffs at least for another week.

If today was Hasselbeck’s final game, he made it a memorable one.

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This Year's Super Bowl Winner

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Who will win this year's Super Bowl??

NFC Seeds

1. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)

2. Chicago Bears (11-5)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

4. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

5. New Orleans Saints (11-5)*

6. Green Bay Packers (10-6)*

AFC Seeds

1. New England Patriots (14-2)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

3. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)*

6. New York Jets (11-5)*

*Wild Card Qualifiers