By the time the clock runs to 0:00 on February 6th in Dallas, every heavy to moderate football fan in America will know at least a few random facts about the Steelers or Packers that they didn’t know in the first place.

Fans will also hear about 6,000 recycled storylines throughout that week, whether they see them on ESPN or FOX or the internet. Yes, as great and majestic as the Super Bowl is, there are thousands of crappy, boring storylines that will be played ad nauseum throughout the week leading up to the big game.

With that, I give you part 1 of my ‘Overhyped Super Bowl XLV Storyline” series…

1. Aaron Rodgers replaces Packers legend Brett Favre

Oh man Packer fans, if you thought you had it rough back in 2008 during Favre’s messy divorce from Titletown, you ain’t seen nothing yet. This is the storyline of the Packers run to the Super Bowl. Not how great the defense has played, not how Mike McCarthy coached a severely injured team to the Super Bowl, but Aaron Rodgers replacing freakin’ Brett Favre.

You just cannot escape it. I can see Pam Oliver’s gripping feature story on how much #4 and #12 didn’t really become best buds during their time together. Lots of dramatic music playing in the background, some still shots of Favre looking like a mess while Rodgers waits patiently on the sideline. And seriously, how many times will they show this picture? 100 times? 200 times? You simply cannot quantify how many times that picture will be shown.

What I dislike most about journalists (or journalism for that matter), particularly sports journalists, is that they never seem to drop an issue. They assume that there must be someone out there who hasn’t heard the gripping tale of Aaron Rodgers patience in waiting for the Old Gunslinger to retire.

News flash: everyone and their brother has heard the story. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing, new to report on it. Every conceivable angle has been taken, every “authority” on the subject interviewed, and every ancient ex-Packer dug up for a quote or two.

Alas, fans will still hear the story. There will be the obvious Steve Young comparisons (replaces legend, goes on to Super Bowl glory, carves out niche within the organization, possibly opens football-themed steakhouse adjacent to stadium).

And really, what more do people want Aaron Rodgers to say regarding the situation? Do you expect him to say, “You know what, Terry Bradshaw (or Pam Oliver), I actually really hate Brett. I hope there’s a thousand massage therapists lined up to sue him.”

Actually, that would be really sweet. But it’s not going to happen. So please, sports media professionals, drop the storyline and give us something else.

Stay tuned for part 2 of ‘Overhyped Super Bowl XLV Storylines’ in the days leading up to February 6th.

#52 Clay Matthews is the best selling jersey for the Green Bay Packers. As such, it’s easy to forget that there are a few other linebackers on the roster. In fact, since the starting lineup imploded due to injuries, there are even more names to know than ever before.

LB Desmond Bishop has been hanging out in the Packer clubhouse since he was drafted by the team in the 6th round of the 2007 draft (192nd overall). His role prior to this year was fitting for a 6th rounder – sub packages, and a steady backup. But Bishop was thrust into the  starting role in week 5 when veteran LB Nick Barnett went down with a season-ending wrist injury. Bishop started the remaining 12 games at inside linebacker and left no doubt that he was a capable Packer. Bishop capped his season with 103 tackles, 75 solo, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. The interception was against Brett Favre and Bishop took it to the house for a touchdown, earning him some serious brownie points with Packer fans.

This week, the team showed it’s gratitude by signing Bishop to a four year contract extension worth a reported $19 million. This leaves Green Bay with some interesting roster decisions to be made at the inside linebacker position. When Nick Barnett returns, he’ll be due $6 million as a 30 year old player who has spent a year away from football activities. Similarly, LB A.J. Hawk will be due a whopping $11 million next season. That’s a pretty standard contract for a first rounder, but Hawk’s failure to meet the high expectations associated with his draft status, especially when compared to fellow first rounder LB Clay Matthews, is certainly a talking point for the payroll department.

This offseason will answer all of these questions. The only sure thing so far is that Desmond Bishop will be a Packer for at least 4 more years.

LB Erik Walden wasn’t even a Packer to begin the NFL’s 2010 campaign. He was signed in the waning days of October to serve as fresh meat for a linebacking corp that had been through the grinder. After spending a lot of extra time with LB coach Kevin Green, Walden bumped his play from average to special with his standout performance against the Chicago Bears in the final game of the season; a playoff clincher. DDS originally gave Walden credit for 2 QB Sacks on Bears slinger Jay Cutler, but official stats now indicate Walden is credited with 3 sacks in the game. He served as a “spy,” keeping tabs on the nimble Cutler, and keeping the running game in check as well. He logged 11 tackles, 10 of which were solo.

For his stellar performance, the NFL has named Erik Walden the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. From out of work, to league recognized for wonderful play, DDS congratulates #93 Erik Walden on being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Good show, chap!

Lineup:

the Badgers are looking strong at the right time

• Chris Dennis
• Adam “Big A” Maritato
• Brian Peoplis
• Greg “Grego” Boulanger

Topics: (segment duration)

1. Big Ten and Big East basketball conference tournament preview (Beginning – 11:05)
2. Packers Free Agency:  has the Packer’s front office been smart or complacent (11:20 – 23:05)
3. Bucks basketball: Where can the Bucks end up come play-off time (23:20 – 33:40)
4. Convince Me! Brewers:  Do the Brewers have enough to reach the post season? Shout Outs! (34:00 – End)

For the past few years we have all witnessed what Favre does to his team in the offseason.  He holds the team hostage until training camp (this year it was until after two-a-days), then decides to return.  Year after year he talks retirement and returns to play, but will this year be different? I think not.

This year is eerily similar to the way Favre imploded in the 2007 NFC Championship game.  He then proclaimed that he was retiring, which turned out to be a lie, and wanted to come back after the Pack had moved on.  He tried to hold the whole business/organization hostage even after they presented Favre with a fair offer, which was that he would compete for the starting spot. What more can you ask for?

Nothing is given Brent, everything is earned.  I hope Vikings fans were watching when that drama queen wanted his way because they are in for a parade.  Yes, Favre has proven that he has some fumes left in the tank, but will he finally hang it up?

I caught the beginning of the press conference after the 2010 NFC Championship game last night. Favre held back the water works this time, but he sounded like an old man at the end of his road.  He sounded drained, especially after losing in the manner that he loves ( going down in flames). The gunslinger has lost a few MPHs on that fastball of his – he may need to use that Wrangler Jean wearing brain of his and make better decisions.  But has he ever?  No.  Will he ever?  I hope not (retire!)

It has been a long and storied career for the Ironman, and he should go down as the second greatest QB of all-time – second to Peyton Manning.  Favre should think about his last two shots at getting to the Super Bowl.  Once he threw the ball right to Corey Webster and once into a group of Saints with the same outcome – interceptions that blew his team’s shot at winning an overtime game to get to the Super Bowl.

I think Favre’s main reason for unretiring was to stick it to the Packers, but did he?  Yes, he won both games against the Packers.  Yes, he ALMOST made the Super Bowl which was the team’s goal, but he has also stunted the growth of whomever is going to be the Vikings quarterback – which I appreciate!  He is also the sole reason why Brad Childress got  a contract extension – which I also appreciate!  As a Viking, Favre has done some good for us Packers fans.  But that should all be over now. Let’s enjoy as the Packers control the NFC North for years to come.

I hope the next time i see Favre will be on a “Just for Men” commercial, starring opposite Emmitt Smith.  Now that’s entertainment.

Lineup:

Brett Favre could return to the Super Bowl

A few months ago many Vikings fans thought Head Coach Brad Childress’ job was in jeopardy. Sure, the Vikings did win the NFC North last year with a 10-6 record. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs with a dominant defense and running game. Fan sentiment in the Twin Cities was that the Vikings needed a new Head Coach to get them over the hump of mediocrity.

Then a young whipper-snapper named Brett Favre came along. OK, maybe he’s not so young anymore. But 10 weeks into the NFL season, 40 year-old Brett Favre has the Vikings off to an 8-1 start and a commanding lead in the NFC North division.

Brad Childress’ ass four months ago:  Definitely on the Hot Seat

Brad Childress’ ass right now:  Quite Possibly on a Gold Toilet Seat

Financial terms have yet to be officially disclosed, but ESPN is reporting that the deal is between $4 and $5 million a year through the 2013 season (for the sake of comparison, the Packers’ Mike McCarthy is signed on through the 2012 season for about $4 million a year).

Why was Childress on the Hot Seat, you ask? Well, we could go for hours on that topic. But here is a microcosm of Vikings fans’ frustrations from the past few years under Childress:

3rd Down & 9.
Handoff to Adrian Peterson Off Tackle.
7-Yard Gain.
Vikings Punt.

Isn’t it funny what a good Quarterback can do for a Head Coach? Despite having one of the best defenses in the league (no question best defensive line) and easily the best Running Back in the league, the Vikings could only go so far without a decent Quarterback.

While frustration over Childress’ conservative offensive play-calling of years past is certainly understandable, it is also very misguided. What, besides the best Running Back tandem in the league (Chester Taylor would be starting for the Packers), is a coach supposed to lean on when he has no legitimate Quarterback?

Which brings me to my next question. How much of Childress’ new contract is he forking over to #4 for essentially saving his ass?

"Chili, give me your wife for one night and we'll call it even"