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.

There were many milestones passed in last night’s 21-16 Packers victory. To start, QB Aaron Rodgers notched what many believe will be the first of many postseason victories. Rookie RB James Starks proved that, “hey, the kid can play,” galloping for 123 rushing yards – more than any Packers rusher all season. The game also served as a turning of the page, closing the book on the Al Harris chapter. CB Tramon Williams, whose stellar play was directly related to the release of the veteran CB Harris at mid-season, came up with the game saving interception in the end zone, leaving no doubt that the tandem to remember was no longer “Harris and Woodson” but rather “Woodson and Williams.” A final milestone is worth mentioning. Until last night, the Packers were yet to beat the Eagles in the postseason.

To compliment the introduction of their retro 1929 championship jerseys, the Packers ran a formation straight out of that ancient playbook – the “T formation”. Also seen as the wishbone, or 3 back set, this formation from the days of Bart Starr and Ray Nitschke usually features 2 halfbacks and a full back or vice versa. Either way the message is smash mouth and up the gut. This formation was only used 34 times in the regular season by all teams combined. The Packers account for 20 of those downs. Kevin Seifert over at ESPN’s NFC North blog, has nicely collated RB James Starks success last night in the T formation, and otherwise:

…………………T formation…………..Otherwise

Attempts………….8…………………………15
Yds/Att…………..7.6……………………….4.1
1st Downs………..3…………………………..1

In a league that no longer seems to stress the fundamentals of tackling, the Eagles were pushed all over the field by the 3 back set. It just goes to show what dedicated blocking can do for the running game. The Packers, known largely this season for their impotent ground game, seemed comfortable feeding Starks often, leading to a 32-27 run/pass ratio.

At the close of the 2010 NFL season, two statistics rang true in this 21-16 wildcard bout. This season, the Philadelphia Eagles defensive unit gave up 21 points per game on average – good for 5th in the NFL. The Packers defense? You guessed it – They gave up an average of 16 points per game, which ranks 2nd in the league. Both offenses took what the opposing defense would give them. The Eagles defense, a young base 4-3 unit, struggled to get off the field, ultimately giving up 3 touchdowns in 32 minutes of Packer possession. The Eagles offense, known for big plays, did just that in driving the ball against Green Bay. But, the Packers stood strong, playing fast enough to confuse QB Michael Vick, who threw 1 TD and 1 INT, and strong enough to hold RB LeSean McCoy to just 46 yards on 12 carries.

The Packers received some unlikely help to seal this wildcard win. David Akers, Philadelphia’s pro-bowl placekicker, missed 2 critical field goal attempts throughout the course of the game. The first was from 41 yards out, and veered to the right as Akers admitted he “guessed wrong” when considering the wind. The second try was a 34-yard chip shot. Akers had no explanation for that one. We’ll see if that story holds up in the rough and tumble city of brotherly love.

An unexplained phenomenon is taking place as flocks of birds are dropping dead in places all over the world. Sources say it happened in Philadelphia last night, when 52 eagles dropped right out of the sky onto Lincoln Financial Field. Scientists now predict that a similar event may happen sometime next Saturday night in Atlanta. Although the Georgia Dome is an indoor facility, some believe a cast of falcons will hit the floor.

This post appears courtesy of the Daily Dope Sheet. Click to see more!

Just by looking at the headline of this columm you have to say to yourself “Whoa! I thought we were going for it this year?”

It sure does look like Doug Melvin is trying to make a run. Keeping Prince Fielder will help that and help for the future also. Let’s ride the big man’s shoulders and try to win the division and make some noise in the playoffs. Of course if that does not happen and the Brewers fall out of the race all the fans and talk shows will be talking about trading Prince Fielder for whatever we can get for him. That might very well be the wrong move.

If Fielder is having a monster year and some team desperate for left handed power is willing to give up some high end prospects than make the trade. That is not likely to happen but it is possible. There is a better option.

ESPN  is going to release the minor league rankings this month and the Milwaukee Brewers are going to be at or near the bottom. There is not a lot of talent in the minors, some of that going in the recent trades for Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. So use Prince for his bat and when his contract is up at the end of the year, let him go somewhere else.  As much has Mark Attanasio has tried to keep him here in Brew City it doesn’t look like it will happen. When he leaves for another team and a big contract we will get 2 draft picks.

AND WE NEED THEM!!!

This is a small market and the only way the Brewers can compete is by making the most of their farm system and the well has run dry.

I hope Prince has a monster year and helps the city of Milwaukee in 2 ways. Carry them into the playoffs one more time and bring 2 quality draft picks into the system.

Roll out the barrel boys

• The Offensive Line is playing more cohesively as a unit. Even without T.J. Lang, who I believe will be a good starter for years, the Big Guys up front continue to improve. Tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are anchoring the line as they have for a decade (yes, they were both drafted in 2000 – ain’t that some shit!?). The running lanes between the tackles are staying open noticeably longer, which is allowing Ryan Grant and now Ahman Green, who has run and blocked very well in limited time, to have more patience behind the line.  Sure, it didn’t hurt the Packers that All-Worlders S Ed Reed and OLB Terrell Suggs were inactive last night. But you can’t help but be impressed with how much this once horrible Offensive Line has improved in the second half of the season.

• The Packers have rediscovered their bread and butter:  the West Coast offense. After straying from their dangerous short passing game for several weeks in the second quarter of the season, the Packers are back at it. The five-yard slants are once again the staple of this offense, which means teams are going to have a hard time stopping the Pack in December. Armed with two of the most dangerous receivers after the catch in the league, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, the Packers are better off letting their playmakers turn slants into big plays than forcing big plays downfield.
• But the Playmakers need to catch the ball first! While the Packers’ receivers have shown on a weekly basis that they have one of the deepest corps in the league, they have been dropping the ball too much. It seems that Jennings, Driver and crew often forget that they have to catch the ball before they rack up the YAC. (Jermichael Finley, I love you, but this applies to you more than anyone). And the Ravens game is not the only game the Packers receiving corps has had “Troy Williamson Moments” – there have been several “say whaaa” drops in each of the past five games. I know it sounds like I’m nitpicking here, but come January an easy drop in the second quarter could end up spelling the end of the season.

• At times, Jermichael Finley looks like a Pro Bowl playmaking tight end. But other times he looks like a second
  

  Once Finley becomes more consistent...watch out!

  year player who is still adjusting to the fact that linebackers can actually run with him at this level. While Jerry-Mike has the occasional drop and the occasional missed block, he is only a second year player who was drafted out of Texas with the future in mind. As he continues to improve his blocking, the sky is the limit for Finley in this offense (think Mark Chmura pre-high school graduation party). Every game you can see the immense potential this athletic tight end has, and in two years I think GerMickey will be one of the top receiving tight ends in the league.

• Mike McCarthy must take pride in losing challenges.  OC Joe Philbin: “Mike, I’m positive that we didn’t catch that ball.” McCarthy: “You know this is my thing Joe. Losin’ another challenge, one game at a time.” It’s hard to blame Mike on some of his challenges. Some key plays are worth risking a timeout to be sure that they end in the Packers’ favor. But other challenges this year, like the Kelley Washington catch last night, have been flat-out stupid. The ESPN guys should be doing a whole “C’mon Man!” segment on McCarthy’s dumb challenges this year. If McCarthy throws out the red flag, then you know the chances of the Packers losing a timeout and wasting everybody’s time are prettttty pretttty pretttty good.

• The defensive line is playing really well. Cullen Jenkins, B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, and the whole crew have had the trenches on lock down for several weeks. The D-linemen are putting some pressure on quarterbacks, but most importantly, they are commanding attention opening up lanes for stunts and linebacker blitzes. The negative: Pickett and Raji could miss a few games with injuries.

• Clay Matthews is going to be a pro-bowl linebacker for years to come. The guy just doesn’t quit. I geeked during the play when he literally ran in circles after Joe Flacco. The guy really plays with reckless abandon — he can take on blocks, make all the tackles in the running game, and already looks like a seasoned pass-rusher at times. As Clay continues to gain experience and master some of the nuances of the game that made his position coach Kevin Greene a pro-bowl pass rusher, he is only going to improve. Players with that kind of aggressiveness and intensity don’t fall by the wayside. They flourish.
  

  Clay Matthews has one hell of a future with the Packers

• Brad Jones looks like he has a bright future with the Packers. Size, speed, awareness — Brad Jones has it all. People are probably beginning to wonder how he dropped to the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. He seems to fit this defense very well and is starting to look like another seventh round steal for the Pack. His pass rushing ability fits our defensive scheme perfectly, and there is a reason why Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop, etc. are on the sideline — because this guy is damn good.

• HOLY COLUMBUS!!! Did A.J. Hawk just make a big play!? After being drafted by the Packers #5 overall in 2006, A.J. Hawk has done little to stand during his four years as a starter. While he is, for the most part, a solid “gap responsibility” linebacker, he hasn’t made nearly enough plays to warrant the #5 overall pick. Not only does Brady Quinn’s brother-in-law struggle shedding blockers, but his downfield coverage has been a weakness for years. With that said….A.J. made a big interception on Monday Night Football! And it was actually great coverage. Let’s not expect this often, but it was certainly nice to see a play out of Hawk.

Yes, the Gophers and Badgers are both in the Big Ten. But we can’t ignore THE best conference in college basketball.  I may be buying into the ESPN bias of showing like eight games a week on their family of networks, but this IS the best conference in the nation.

The Big East should be showcased, and I have no problem with that.  Also, Marquette (in Milwaukee) does fall into the category of WiscoSota sports, but I don’t drink their milkshake. It tastes like shit. Either way, all teams and players in the Big East (at least the good ones) will get their due in this season preview.

Player of the Year

Luke Harangody F/C Notre Dame- The most unsexy pick and player in college basketball.  He will most likely get his 25 and 12 a night.  I would think defenses would key on him, but Notre Dame has done a good job of surrounding this Big Man with shooters and heady players.  I see him having another big year while Notre Dame will be fighting for an NCAA tourney bid.

Considerations would also have to go to Scottie Reynolds from Villanova, Desean Butler from West Virginia, Lazar Hayward from Marquette ( look for a big year without any other experienced scorers on the team)  and Greg Monroe from Georgetown.

Czar Lazar!

Newcomer of the Year (transfer or frosh)

Lance Stephenson G/F Cincinnati- This kid is not afraid to shoot the ball and he does…alot.  I watched him play in High School, and he basically was jacking shots from any and everywhere. He was not very efficient either, which is certainly not a good combo.

BUT, Stephenson and Devin Ebanks from West Virginia are probably the most athletic players in the Big East.  Lance uses his body well taking it to the rack and absorbing contact while finishing.  It will be interesting to see if he gets the calls early on in the season.  Another player to keep an eye on is freshman Dominic Cheek from Villanova.

Coach of the Year

Bob Huggins (Thuggins) West Virginia-  Its really a toss-up for me between Thuggins and Jay Wright from Villanova.  Both coaches have solid squads, and whoever finishes with the most wins should get Coach of the Year.  Also, if Rick Pitino can work some magic in Louisville, then he should be in the conversation as well.

The “Thuggins” reference comes from the fact that he recruits players who have questionable backgrounds, and at Cincinnati he had a 28% graduation rate. Not every player makes it to the NBA, Thuggins. Two notable NBAers that Thuggins has recruited are Kenyon Martin and Michael Beasley (was recruited by Thuggins but never played for him).

Bob Thuggin' it up

Most Imporoved Player

Kemba Walker G from Connectcuit-  This award could go to a number of different players because the league lost a lot of talented upperclassmen last year. These new guys will have their chance to shine.  The Huskies are looking to replace much of their team from last year and Kemba is the perfect guy to step up.

Kemba is a lightning-quick point guard who can get to the rack and hit the open J.  Last year he came off the bench in a small role, but now he has the reins to the team and it will be interesting if he can lead them.  Also, I feel like Mike Rosario from Rutgers will improve greatly in his all-around game.

Projected Finish

1. West Virginia-Devin Ebanks and Desean Butler will lead this team.
2. Villanova- When you run four guards and one Big, you need quality depth and they have that.
3. Louisville- Pitino will have this team vying for a Big East title by the end of the year.
4. UCONN-Stanley Robinson needs to take his game to the next level.
5. Syracuse- Love the way they play the 2-3 zone.
6. Georgetown- Greg Monroe running the high post should create lanes in the Princeton offense.
7. Notre Dame- Need shooters to make shots to complement Harangody.
8. Cincinnati- Deonta Vaughn looks to improve on his 15.3 ppg last year.  Look for nearly 20 this year.
9. Seton Hall- Jeremy Hazell finished second in the league in scoring at 22.3 a clip.
10. Pitt- Oh how the mighty have fallen. Watch Ashton Gibbs.
11. Rutgers- Mike Rosario is going to take the game by storm.
12. St. John’s- They have Crackbaby (Anthony) Mason Jr.
13. Marquette- Lazar Hayward will have to play out of his mind to help this team win.
14. Providence- Only have four returning players.
15. South Florida- I don’t know what to tell you…they are bad.
16. DePaul- went 0-18 last year.  They’re going to get one this year…right?

I think the Big East will have at least seven teams make The Dance this year. Eight teams is not out of the question, either. The Big East is, after all, THE best conference in college basketball.