Here we go ... It's a bit too soon to get into the Xs-and-Os (not a cereal), so we'll just have fun for a few days. Always a good approach.By this time next week, after all, the mainstream media will be plumbing the depths of minutiae, and we'll all be ready for the game itself.
Having been to both places, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls like Dallas, and we like Green Bay. No antipathy whatsoever. Good food in both places, by the way, especially if you like steak.
With a bit too much idle time on our hands, we decided to check out what the local papers are saying in both the DFW Metroplex and in Green Bay.
Hoo-boy ...
Within minutes of the Steelers' win over the NYets on Sunday night, Jennifer Floyd Engel, writer for The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, posted a column titled, "Unlike Cowboys, Steelers know what it takes to be Super".
We highly recommend reading Ms. Engel's column, which is hilarious (especially for Steeler fans) -- and deliciously rich in wry irony, reluctant admiration for the Steelers, and pointed sarcasm directed squarely at Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Ms. Engel's column preiterates (Is that even a word? Well, it is now.) something that had occurred to us and then was discussed Monday on the always excellent Tunch & Wolf show featuring Steeler broadcasters (and former players) Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley on the local ESPN Radio affiliate.
What had occurred to Joey Porter's Pit Bulls was this notion:
"Do ya think Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is going to be grimacing/tightening his sphincter, for the the next two weeks, at the prospects of the Steelers and Packers (and their respective fans) cavorting about his new, palatial, billion-dollar stadium in the Super Bowl that he clearly hoped (intended) would host his own Cowboys. Good.
"Can you imagine the fans of Steeler Nation swarming over that stadium, with not a Dallas Cryboy in sight? Yeah, me too."
As for the good folks in Green Bay, well, God love 'em."Can you imagine the fans of Steeler Nation swarming over that stadium, with not a Dallas Cryboy in sight? Yeah, me too."
Then a Steeler fan living in Dallas called in to Tunch & Wolf to say people down there are "MAD AS HELL" that it's going to be the Steelers and Packers playing in the Super Bowl in their house ...
AND, irony of ironies, that Roger Staubach of all people is going to be prominent "in the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the game. Staubach, a Hall of Famer who won two Super Bowls, will hand the trophy to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who will present it to the winning team." (That last bit in quotes was picked up from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.)
Another irony, noted by Craig Wolfley, is that Steelers right tackle Flozell Adams finally gets to play in the Super Bowl, in Dallas of all places, in the Black 'n Gold, following a grueling 13 years playing for Jerry Jones' Cowboys. Gotta love it.
We wonder if the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will be at the new Taj-jerry Mahal Stadium for the Super Bowl, cheering for the Steelers. One can only hope.
AND, irony of ironies, that Roger Staubach of all people is going to be prominent "in the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the game. Staubach, a Hall of Famer who won two Super Bowls, will hand the trophy to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who will present it to the winning team." (That last bit in quotes was picked up from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.)
Another irony, noted by Craig Wolfley, is that Steelers right tackle Flozell Adams finally gets to play in the Super Bowl, in Dallas of all places, in the Black 'n Gold, following a grueling 13 years playing for Jerry Jones' Cowboys. Gotta love it.
Hey, Jerry: If you build it, we will come.
We wonder if the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will be at the new Taj-jerry Mahal Stadium for the Super Bowl, cheering for the Steelers. One can only hope.
For some reason -- although the Packers have a guy, Aaron Rodgers, who may have the hottest hand as arguably the best quarterback in the NFL right now -- well, the Green Bayers (?) appear to be unable for some reason to let Brett Favre go already.
No, take that back: For all we know, many fans in Green Bay have bitter feelings regarding Favre. It strikes us as just a bit curious, however, that the Green Bay Press-Gazette maintains an entire section of its Web site dedicated to Brett Favre.
Granted, he was a great quarterback, but Favre won only one Super Bowl in 16 years with the Pack. Sixteen years. By comparison, Green Bay's own Bart Starr won two Super Bowls and three NFL Championships before there was a Super Bowl. As Steeler fans, we must also note that Big Ben has won more Super Bowls (two) in his seven-year NFL career than Brett Favre won in his 16 years with the Pack. That doesn't mean he's the better quarterback, but still ...
More to the point: Favre jerked around Green Bay with drama-queen antics for his last several years there; then callously jilted the franchise and fans; and, finally, ran off to greener pastures, including, eventually, a division rival.
Man, let it go-o-o already, Green Bay. Your team's in the Super Bowl. Enjoy the moment.
We certainly are.
