Super Sunday's Steelers vs. Packers Chess Match, Part One: What We Might See When the Packers Have the Ball

Whadda we know? Nuddin'.

But here's what we sorta think we're thinkin', sorta, aside from the very superficial impression that the Packers seem a bit tight, and slightly uncomfortable, from what we see from a distance ...

When the Packers Have the Ball
The Packers' offense will open the game by trying to spread out the Steelers' defense with muliple-receiver formations. They will try, nominally, to poke and prod the Steelers' defense with occasional runs by rookie James Starks, who was impressive late in the season and during three playoff games.

All well and good, seemingly, but we wouldn't be at all surprised to see Starks lay the ball on the ground (fumble) once or twice. Starks runs tall; he'll fumble.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will launch an early deep bomb or three, just to give the Steelers something to think about.

Most of their plays on offense, however, will involve quickly unfolding three- and five-step drops designed to establish an early rhythm and protect Rodgers from the Steelers' ferocious pass rush.

We expect the Packers to emulate (to some extent) what the Patriots and Saints did on offense to beat the Steelers earlier in the season -- paper-cut the defense to death with lots of short-to-intermediate passes spread all over the field.

All well and good, seemingly, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Rodgers throw two or three interceptions, particularly on crossing patterns and sideline routes.

The Steelers' Defense: Unpredictable
As for how the Steelers' defense might handle the Packers, nobody knows what Mike Tomlin, Dick LeBeau and company are scheming. They might not know -- that's the beauty of it. For all we know, Tomlin allows LeBeau and his players to make it up as they go along.

"Just do your thing," they tell the players, so far as we know.

There's more to it than that, of course.

What the Steelers' coaches do well, undeniably, is put their players in position to make winning plays.

On Sunday, that may entail taking a page out of the Jets' playbook when Rex Ryan's squad beat the Patriots in the playoffs, which was: Confuse the bejeebers out of the QB by having lots of people in coverage and bringing the pass rush from unpredictable angles.

Which is more or less what the Steelers do every week, anyway, but we might see more defensive backs than usual on Sunday. Or maybe not.

Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior, after all, are unusually effective for inside linebackers in pass coverage and run blitzes. Farrior and Timmons are almost easy to overlook in the Steelers' defense, because it has so many other star playmakers, but they are linchpins to its success.

Put yourself in the shoes of Aaron Rodgers in the shotgun:

You assess the pre-snap formation and see Troy close to the line of scrimmage. On the other side, you see a corner creeping in as if to blitz right alongside James Harrison, as if he's coming. Or is he dropping into coverage? Crap, who's coming? The play clock ticks. Troy starts to back off the line. James Harrison, oh-oh, crazy eyes. Woodley, he's moving off to the side, covering, what, the slot zone? Wait, Timmons is inching forward right behind Hampton. Ryan Clark, looks like he's covering the tight end, I think, maybe. Play clock. Wait, Casey Hampton shifts ... SNAP!

We''ve seen it a million times. This can be very confusing, even for a seriously prepared, seasoned and accomplished pro like Aaron Rodgers, who was the NFL's best quarterback throughout the playoffs.

It's one thing to make it to the Super Bowl. It's another thing to win it. Especially against this Steelers' defense -- and Rodgers this week looks like he realizes that. He looks just a bit edgy, a bit uptight.

When the Packers have the ball on Sunday, we foresee fumbles and interceptions. And, even though the Packers will score at least 20 points, it won't be enough for them to win the game against a Pittsburgh defense that allowed an NFL-best average of just 14.2 points per game during the regular season, was first in the league in sacks, and first in rushing defense.

Oh, did we mention the Steelers' have the NFL's Number One Scoring Defense? Consider the percentages: In the Super Bowl, the team with the league-leading scoring defense is 14-4.

Defense wins championships.

The Packers will turn the ball over. We've heard Rodgers tries to visualize what will happen during a game. We expect he is visualizing nightmares ... such as the Steelers intercepting two or three of his passes, forcing two or three fumbles, and sacking him four or five times.

He can't help it. He seems like a good guy and a great quarterback, but the game on Sunday is going to be a confusing, painful and traumatic experience for him.

Rodgers already looks edgy, uptight, this week. He knows what's coming, but he still can't be prepared for the intensity the Steelers will bring. He hasn't seen it before.

Perhaps he's not sleeping well?

In an upcoming entry, we'll look at the Steelers' offense and the Packers' defense -- which is vulnerable, and we'll explain why. Whatever number of points the Packers might score, it won't be enough to keep up with a big-play Steelers offense that we expect will simply outscore the Packers.

More on that later. Interesting stuff.

Black 'n Gold Adoption Specials Now at the Animal Rescue League -- Through Super Sunday!

Good Mojo here, and an ideal opportunity for you to boost your Steelers Cheering Section for Super Bowl XLV: The Animal Rescue League is offering Black 'n Gold Adoption Specials through Super Sunday, Feb. 6.

Most people have no idea how little it costs to adopt a dog from this rescue shelter. Now, there's added incentive:

• Receive $30 off the regular adoption (which absurdly low anyway) for a Black, Gold, or Black 'n Gold Dog, and there are plenty of nice ones available.

• Wear Black 'n Gold -- which you do anyway -- and receive an additional $7 off the adoption fee. So, for example, if you see a nice white dog that you'd like to take home and cheer your life, you'll get seven bucks off the already-low adoption fee just because you're wearing your usual Black 'n Gold.

You can't beat it! Do it today!!

Today we feature two dogs, Mac and Hans -- one black and one gold -- who are just waiting to help you cheer on the Steelers.

Both Mac (black) and Hans (gold) got it going on. Good looks, fun disposition, great personality -- what more do you want?

All they need is a chance, and a home. Send an e-mail to adoptions@animalrescue.org.

Visit Mac and Hans at The Animal Rescue League at Fifth and Hamilton in Shadyside, EastSide, whatever the realtors are calling our neighborhood these days.

The shelter is around the corner from Trader Joe's and Bakery Square.

Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania
6620 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206

Tel: 412-661-6452
www.animalrescue.org

Lots of wonderful dogs -- too many -- are at the Animal Rescue League right now and desperately need their own forever homes. We will continue to feature them on Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, as well as the Steelers and the human circus in general.

Adopt a dog. You won't regret it.

What Punxsatawney Phil Says ...

Good ole Punxsatawney Phil: Always a reliable prognosticator and, obviously, a Steeler fan.

What a savvy guy!

That's a fine scarf he's wearing and a long shadow he's casting. Sure bodes well for another Lombardi Trophy for the Steelers.

As much as Punxsatawney Phil loves the Steelers, some other wannabe prognosticators far afield seem to have the deluded notion the Green 'n Gold squad presents a bad matchup for the Black 'n Gold on Sunday.

That's okay. We kinda like being the underhog. And Punxsatawney Phil knows. He just does.

We ask you, then: Is Punxsatawney Phil wearing a Green 'n Gold scarf? No? Didn't think so. That's Black 'n Gold, my friend.

Punxsatawney Phil knows. It's Groundhog Day all over again.

Congrats, Troy: NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Congratulations to Troy Polamalu for being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press (AP). Well-deserved, although Troy himself probably feels uncomfortable about it and would prefer somebody else would have won it.

Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews finished second in a close vote, and the Steelers' James Harrison, who won the award in 2008, rated third in the voting this year. Hardly anybody would have squawked if either Matthews or Harrison had won it, and a strong case could have been made for several other players, including Chicago's Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher.

A number of other players who could easily have been in the conversation didn't even get votes, so far as we know. These include last year's winner, Charles Woodson of Green Bay, and Pittsburgh's own Lamarr Woodley. Hard to believe they didn't get any votes. Ditto Darrelle Revis of the Jets.

No matter. Troy deserves the award, and everybody knows it.

ESPN.com's James Walker heartily endorses Polamalu's selection in a story headlined "Troy Polamalu Right Choice for DPOY" ... which makes Troy sound vaguely like some kind of prize yogurt, but we know what Walker means.

Congratulations, Troy.
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The following is from an e-mail that JPPBs received recently ...

There is a 10-year-old little girl - Heather - she has Ewing 's Sarcoma. She had surgery on Monday to remove part of her lung, three ribs and part of a few other ribs.

She is recovering now but Troy Polamalu (I know you all know who he is) has been an angel in her life. She has been in and out of the hospital and when Troy can be there, he goes to see her.

They play Guitar Hero and when he's not there, he texts her.

Before Monday's surgery, Heather got a surprise from him, he sent her his jersey - signed - that he wore in the game against the Ravens.

Here are some pictures of him playing guitar hero with her. This is a very special guy, taking time out of his busy schedule to bring sunshine into this little girl’s life.

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It's Media Day! Whoopee!!

Ugh. Media Day during the week preceding the Super Bowl is usually a tiresome affair.

Players often invoke predictable, mundane lines like, "Nobody expected us to be here. We get no respect." ... blah, blah, blah, as scores of "reporters" poke, prod and try to provoke players into a reaction and get them to say something truly unfortunate, regrettable, boastful or controversial, if not downright cretinous, foolish and stupid.

Today, Ben Roethlisberger takes the podium for this year's Media Day at the Super Bowl. Oh-oh.

We've been watching with some interest how Ben has been presenting himself in public statements. Following the AFC Championship Game, for example, both in the on-field TV interview and at the podium for the post-game news conference, Roethlisberger pretty much stuck to his (no doubt carefully prepared) Key Message Points, which are, essentially:

"I -- we, as a team -- have been through a lot. We've overcome a lot, personally and as a team, injuries and everything else. I can't give enough credit to my teammates -- the offensive line, the receivers, the defense and the coaching staff. Everybody's contributing. We're a team, a family, and we're going to keep working till we bring a championship back to Pittsburgh."

That's almost verbatim, by the way, from two separate TV interviews after the Jets' game, and Joey Porter's Pit Bulls have noticed Roethlisberger stating these particular Talking Points previously ... and repeatedly.

It is a fairly effective message: Simple. Clear. Concise. And consistent, if he sticks with it. Which we will find out, presumably, today. And, let us point out this is not to defend anything Roethlisberger may have done in the past. We're just noting that it will be interesting to see how he handles media inquiries about his situation, past and present, and whether he will stay with what appears to be carefully scripted messaging.

It's effective messaging, too, because it deflects the focus from "me" to "we," for one thing. It is clear that Roethlisberger is taking refuge in "team." The messaging works in part because it deflects criticism for his personal failures and defers credit (to his teammates) for the Steelers' current success.

Perhaps key to whether these Talking Points will stand up against the shrill shrieks of howling pundits, media wags and harsh critics with an agenda is, simply ... one thing: Consistency.

Roethlisberger must stay consistent with his messaging. So what if it becomes repetitive? The questioning itself is repetitive.

We can expect to hear the same message, over and over, and over, and over again.

If Roethlisberger sticks to the script, he should be okay, as long as he stays: Concise. Clear. Consistent.

If Roethlisberger manages that, the media vultures may tire of picking at him (but probably not) and may move on to other potential carrion, such as ... Aaron Rodgers?

My goodness, what's not to like about Aaron Rodgers? His only fault seems to be that he happened to be the quarterback next in line after Brett Favre.

Favre won only one Super Bowl in 16 seasons with the Packers. Worse, as noted on this blog previously, he was a drama queen who jerked the Packers' organization and fans around for years before finally jilting them. And he ended up playing for a division rival no less.

Yet many in Green Bay seem to cling to the "aura" left behind by Favre. The Green Bay Press-Gazette even still maintains a special section on its Web site devoted to Favre. Why? That's like maintaining a shrine to the ex-girlfriend who dumped you. She's gone, man.

Do yourselves a favor, Green Bay fans: Let it go-o-o-o already.

For Rodgers, unfortunately, the media won't let The Brett Favre Question go. Today, Rodgers can expect a steady barrage of tedious Favre-related questions, which we expect he will handle with grace, aplomb and intelligence. Rodgers seems like a smart, pleasant guy, as well as a great quarterback, so he should handle these questions just fine.

Good luck to both Big Ben and Aaron Rodgers on Media Day. We're sure they'll both be glad when it's over. So will Joey Porter's Pit Bulls.

A Musical Interlude During the Run-Up to Super Bowl XLV: Impressions of the John Hiatt & Lyle Lovett Concert at Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls went to see John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett in concert the other night, and a comedy act broke out.

This show was a real treat.

Old friends that they are, John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett sang their songs individually and together, interspersed with stories, wisecracks, yarns, puns, jokes and tall tales.

At one point, Lovett, tongue in cheek, said, "It seems the whole tour has been like this. I'm not sure this is even a show. We should just issue a disclaimer at the beginning of each night: 'This is not a show.'"

Each guy -- and that's how they came across on stage, just a couple guys hanging out, playing guitar and swapping stories -- each guy sat on a chair with his acoustic guitar. No band behind them; no backup singers; no hi-falutin' electronics; no dancers; no flashy pyrotechnics, no fancy lighting, and no video backdrop. The acoustics, however, were stellar in this intimate but magnificent little theater. Very crisp and clear, but warm, too.

Throughout the evening, each guy took turns singing his songs and playing his guitar. Every once in a while, depending on the song, Hiatt would don his harmonica, strapped around his neck. As the evening wore on and Lovett sang and played his songs, Hiatt would start picking his own guitar for background harmony. After the first time this happened, Lovett said appreciatively, "Thank you for your help." To which Hiatt replied, "You didn't need my help."

Lovett is a fine guitarist, a good picker. HIatt, however, is a great guitarist, which Lovett acknowledged admiringly and graciously: "I'd buy one of your signature guitars, John, but only if it came with a guarantee that I could play like you."

The mutual compliments, wordplay and self-deprecating humor continued throughout the show. At one point, as Hiatt alluded to Lovett's "meteroric" career. Lovettt paused, then replied, "It's nice of you to say that, John. I would have described it as my 'mediocre' career, but it was nice of you."

During the course of the evening, the two discussed their respective backgrounds, including growing up -- Lovett as a Lutheran in Texas; Hiatt as a Catholic in Indiana. Hiatt told a couple of off-color stories involving childhood experiences with girls "at the tool shed," then sang a song, after which Lovett remarked, "Y'know, John, I like how you worked in one of my favorite words there in that song."

After just the right pause, Lovett said, "Panties."

Lovett was deadpan throughout the show. He came off as smart, wry, witty, ironic, droll, gracious and absurd all at once. He was absolutely hilarious but self-deprecating. Joey Porter's Pit Bulls had no idea Lyle Lovett was so funny, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Just a nice guy. It seems like his heart's in the right place.

Lovett's a fine singer/songwriter, of course. And Hiatt remains in great voice, gritty and gruff, with that deep-throated, dusky, soulful voice that has remnants of the road and too much time in dark, smoke-filled places -- some of which, you get the impression, are in his soul.

The songs of both Hiatt and Lovett cover a lot of territory -- growing up, learning music, life on the road, religion, heartbreak, redemption, loss of love, found love, and hope. Eyes wide open on both these guys; time-tested, a little rough around the edges and a bit beat up; but ready for more; quick to smile, and ready to laugh. That's how they came across in this show. And very, very relaxed.

Much of the banter between songs covered the vagaries of life, including religion, sin, forgiveness, redemption and faith. At one point following one of Hiatt's songs about stealing a car (which he acknowledged that he actually did, when he was 14), Lovett asked, "How can we be certain of our faith, if we are never tested?"

Lovett then said, "See, John, now I have to change my song selection again, based on your story." ... whereupon he started playing the song, "God Will," which contains the line, "God will forgive you, but I won't."

That's just one example of how, as a songwriter, Lovett can be poignant and reflective (when he chooses to be); whereas Hiatt tends to be more bluesy and rocking, albeit with clever and powerful lyrics, as well.

Both are great songwriters and lyricists. Joey Porter's Pit Bulls are not as familiar with Lovett's songs as Hiatt's, but one thing is obvious: Many of Lovett's songs are wickedly funny in a twisted, ironic, warped-perspective sort of way -- "One-Eyed Fiona" is just one example.

Lovett seems to enjoy life in general, and the self-inflicted absurdities of the human circus in particular. He is very clever. Tom Waits and Warren Zevon (if he were alive) would fit right in with this show, as would Bonnie Raitt, whom they both know well and have played with on numerous occasions.

Here's a Lyle one-liner that wrapped up a story that dovetailed from a song: He was relating how his uncle had a knack for abusing the English language, one example being an unfortunate malaprop that somehow twisted the word "obese" inadvertently into "o'beast."

Musical highlights included, but were not limited to, the following songs:

"The Open Road" by John Hiatt, on guitar and harmonica
"If I Had a Boat" by Lyle Lovett, on guitar

"Memphis in the Meantime" by John Hiatt
Lyle Lovett: "Where My Horse is Home"
John Hiatt: "Tennessee Plates"

Lyle Lovett: "Cream in My Coffee"
John Hiatt: "Don't You Talk About My Baby"
• Lyle Lovett, with the haunting "She Had Already Made Up Her Mind"
• John Hiatt, with the achingly beautiful "Angel Eyes"
  

Also, of course, the encore, which included three songs:

• Hiatt and Lovett in a long duet covering "Are You Ready for a Thing Called Love"
John Hiatt singing an exquisite "Have a Little Faith in Me"
Lyle Lovett, with help from John Hiatt on guitar and vocals, singing a catchy and stirring "My Baby Don't Tolerate" with the classic opening line, "A skinny girl is misery" and some extended and amazing, virtuousic guitar work by Hiatt

All in all, a good time was had by all. If you get a chance to see these guys some time, go, treat yourself. It's a fine evening of entertainment by a couple of characters who happen to be excellent musicians, master songwriters, soulful vocalists and, apparently, just regular guys who are good friends and enjoy each other's company, and one another's music.

The music just happens to be great.

Photo courtesy of Steeltownrock.com

At the Center of It All: Get Well, Maurkice Pouncey. We Believe in You, Doug Legursky.

So much to discuss; so little time.

The Super Bowl, front and center, with more than enough there to occupy all our time, including lots of discussion regarding a very formidable Packers team, the game itself and all that leads up to it, including story lines, coaches, matchups, schemes, history, etcetera, etcetera, ad infinitum.

Additionally, there are plenty of other interesting topics that merit discussion, including: the emerging controversy surrounding Thursday's sudden resignation (firing?) of Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher; the building turmoil regarding the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement); the public divisiveness NFL among players (Antonio Cromartie and Matt Hasselbeck) over various issues, including the CBA; the pointless and stupid Pro Bowl on Saturday; the more interesting and much more competitive Senior Bowl this weekend; the simmering controversy over Jay Cutler and the seething vitriol directed at him from players and fans across the Twitterverse and Blogosphere; and so much more.

Where to begin?

As the The Good Witch of the North in The Wonderful Wziard of Oz said sweetly, "It's always best to begin at the beginning."

Which is, today ... at the "center" of all the action: Center, i.e., the guy who touches the ball on every offensive snap.

It's easy sometimes to forget that NFL players are people, too, complete with off-field lives, families, etc. They're not just replaceable avatars on your TV screen or two-dimensional caricatures to be manipulated in a video game.

We bring this up because of the injury situation and flood of emotions -- let alone the actual strategic/tactical football dynamics -- involving one of the Steelers' key players, center Maurkice Pouncey, and the guy who in line to take his place on the offensive line in the Super Bowl, Doug Legursky.

Early in the AFC Championship Game last Sunday, Maurkice Pouncey sustained what's been reported as a high ankle sprain and, possibly, a fractured bone. To say that Pouncey, a rookie, has been a stud all year is an understatement. He took hold of the position not only as a starter, but as a leader of the offensive line even during training camp, after the Steelers drafted him as a first-round draft pick last April out of the University of Florida (national college champions), where he was the consensus top center in all of college football.

Pouncey made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, which is rare, and he anchored what had become a glaring weakness during the past few years. Most NFL observers consider him the NFL's second-best center right now, just a hair behind All-Pro Nick Mangold of the New York Jets (there's a Santonio Holmes connection here, as well, but that's another story for another time).

No doubt: Maurkice Pouncey has been an integral part of the Steelers' offense all season. He is the best center the Steelers have had since the great Dermontti Dawson (1988-2000), and he continues the Steelers' enviable decades-long legacy of excellence at the position.

This legacy extends all the way back to the mid-1960s, when Ray Mansfield ("The Old Ranger") moved from defensive tackle to center, where he started from 1964-76; through the Super Bowl teams of the late 1970s with Mike Webster, the legendary Hall of Famer (who some contend was the best center in NFL history and started from 1970-1990); and all the way through the 1990s with Dermontti Dawson, who is a finalist in this year's class of NFL Hall of Fame candidates; and then into the early 2000s, when Jeff Hartings, a two-time Pro Bowler himself, manned the position and started for the Steelers on the team that won Super Bowl XL. Justin Hartwig, who started vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, was pretty good, too.

No other NFL team matches the Steelers' lineage of excellence at center.

Now, this year, in stepped Maurkice Pouncey to carry forward that heritage of excellence. Due to his injury, however, he will almost certainly miss the Super Bowl.

First, let's give Pouncey his due: Like Dawson and Webster before him, Pouncey brings a dimension to the offensive line that few centers can offer: Mobility.

Pouncey can run -- which enables him to swing out on off-tackle runs, rollouts, moving pockets, complex pass-protection schemes, etc. Additionally, Pouncey is massively strong enough to stand up against and neutralize the best nose tackles and defensive linemen in the NFL -- guys like Baltimore's All-Pro Haloti Ngata and, well, Green Bay's B.J. Raji, who made all the televised highlights last weekend by returning an interception for a touchdown in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears.

You don't just replace a guy like Pouncey.

Having said that, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls are gonna say it right here: Doug Legursky is no slouch, and the Steelers will do just fine with him at center in Super Bowl XLV.

Granted, he's no Maurkice Pouncey. Legursky is no Pro Bowler. He wasn't a first-round draft choice. He doesn't hail from a big-time, national championship program. Indeed, throughout his time with the Steelers, many observers considered Legursky a fringe player, a journeyman of sorts.

Now, let's take a closer look at the guy Craig Wolfley calls "Bronco" Legursky (due to his part-time role as blocking fullback in short-yardage situtions) and who also calls Legursky "as good a backup center as there is in the NFL":

In April 2008, the Steelers signed Legursky as an undrafted free agent from Marshall University in West Virginia. That means he was a "street" free agent brought into training camp to see what he could do or, more likely, serve as cannon fodder on the offensive line. Even then, however, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls liked Legursky and wrote about him as somebody to keep an eye on.*

The Steelers cut Legursky on June 28, 2008, before training camp even began. The Steelers brought him back to camp on Aug. 20, 2008 and cut him again (in the last last cut) on Aug. 30. Later in the season, on Oct. 30, the Steelers signed him to the always-tenuous practice squad. They invited him to training camp the following year. No guarantees, of course. By that point, coach Mike Tomlin had let it be known he likes "positional flexibility" on the offensive line, and Legursky proved he could play capably at guard and center.

He's stuck around as a backup ever since. It's worth noting that as backup center, Legursky practices against the first-team defense, which means he goes against perennial Pro Bowler Casey Hampton day after day. That'll make ya better, if it doesn't break ya first. Legursky's still around, and ...

Now, here he is: Starting center for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Imagine his flood of emotions as he runs onto the field in Dallas.

Legursky has prepared all his life for this moment. He may not have Pouncey's mobility (and, if by some chance Pouncey plays, even he won't have his usual mobility), but at 6'1" and 325 pounds, Legursky has legitimate NFL-quality size, leverage and strength.

He also has motivation, something to prove. By all accounts, he is a student of the game, has prepared well, knows all the assignments and is seasoned enough by dint of hard work to know what he's doing. Never mind the two snap exchanges that went awry in the AFC Championship game. That's fixable, and he's right in the middle of two weeks of practice with Big Ben and the first-team offense.

Just to reiterate, Legursky has been around the Steelers long enough to know what he's doing, and he's plenty strong: While at Marshall University, he set the school's weight room records for the squat (705 lbs.) and the hang clean (430 lbs.). He also had a 4.9 time in the 40-yard dash, which is good, so he moves pretty well, too.

More telling, perhaps, is the most recent evidence that he's good enough to step in and do a serviceable job for the Steelers. Look no further than last Sunday, when Pouncey went down early in the game against the Jets: The Steelers' offensive line went on to help the team rack up the most rushing yards compiled this season (credit there mostly due, of course to Rashard, Isaac and Mewelde), and the O-line allowed just two sacks to a Jets' defense that took down Tom Brady five times the week before.

We feel bad that Maurkice Pouncey is injured and may not play in the Super Bowl. We feel optimistic, however, that Doug Legursky will much better than many people anticipate.

If we never hear his name during the game broadcast, he will have done his job.
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Footnote: In advance of the NFL draft that same year (April 2008) Joey Porter's Pit Bulls wrote about wide receiver Jordy Nelson, currently with Green Bay, who we thought might look good in a Steelers' uniform. He's with the Pack now, so that's that. Nelson's very good, a size-speed match-up problem, but Nelson, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and the Packers' other receivers are something to discuss at some other time in the near future. They may be the best group of receivers -- with the best quarterback throwing to them -- that the Steelers have faced all season.

It's The Chief's Birthday!!! AND it's Mozart's Birthday (who, clearly, roots for the Steelers)

What a fun-filled festive week full of fun for all!! ... and how's that for alliteration?

First, on Sunday, we in Steeler Nation celebrated the AFC Championship win on Myron Cope's birthday, no less.

Today, we continue to celebrate still more good Mojo with the birthday of The Chief, Art Rooney, Sr. To add icing to the cake, it's also the birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who is a Steeler fan, no doubt, and hoisting collective birthday toasts with The Chief and Myron today.

"You betcha," as Myron would say.

Instead of waving a baton, Mozart would surely be waving a Terrible Towel, or at least a Black 'n Gold Baton wrapped in The Terrible Towel. It's the Terrible Baton!

Yes, Mozart would be a Steeler fan.

How so, you ask? It's clear: According to Mozart, Super Bowl XLV (45) will be a Steelers' romp of a win by the score of 45-7.

Why, you ask? Mozart, whose first name was Wolfgang (Wolf) clearly endorses Steeler Mojination, as Craig Wolfley (Wolf) would say in discussing The Power of Seven, and here, too.

Good Mojo!

Look at it this way: The Steelers are going for their seventh Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLV (45). To support the Black 'n Gold in their quest, Mozart gave us Symphony No. 7, K-No. 45. Perhaps we should add this composition to this year's list of Steeler Fan Songs?

Oh, this is not a reach, my friends. This is Mojo.

And, yes, it is proof that Mozart would have been a Steeler fan -- and is surely celebrating today with Myron Cope and Art Rooney, The Chief, in the Above and Beyond, having ascended the Stairway to Seven all the way to Seventh Heaven.

Okay, okay, as Gene Collier points out, maybe all this "Seven" stuff is being played out a bit much -- but just try telling that to Wolf (either one of 'em).

Ah, we're just having fun with all this, but it feels like Good Mojo!

Good luck, by the way, to Steeler running back Isaac Redman and his wife, who is due to deliver their baby anytime now. Another birthday! More Good Mojo!!

Here we go, Steelers, here we go ...

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."

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.

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.

As for the good folks in Green Bay, well, God love 'em.

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.

Animal Rescue League Dogs of the Day

Phillip! and Hans!

In honor of the Steelers' journey to the Super Bowl, we feature today two dogs -- one black and one gold -- who are just waiting to brighten somebody's life.

Neither of the photos above, by the way, does either of these good-looking fellas justice. Both are great in all ways: Looks, behavior, personality, companionship and sense of humor. Each is a winner in his own way. And each needs a home.

If you know somebody looking for love, cheer and at least a laugh a day, tell 'em about either or both of these guys. Phillip and/or Hans will crack up you up into spontaneous laughter. Guaranteed.

All they need is a chance, and a home.
Send an e-mail to adoptions@animalrescue.org.

Visit Phillip and/or Hans at The Animal Rescue League at Fifth and Hamilton in Shadyside, EastSide, whatever the realtors are calling our neighborhood these days.

The shelter is just a block or so from Trader Joe's and Bakery Square.

Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania
6620 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206

Tel: 412-661-6452
www.animalrescue.org

Lots of wonderful dogs -- too many -- are at the Animal Rescue League right now and desperately need their own forever homes. We will continue to feature them on Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, as well as the Steelers and the human circus in general.

Adopt a dog. You won't regret it.

Another Brick in the Wall

That's what you get, Rex Ryan, for kicking off.

Ah, but we get ahead of ourselves. First ...

Congratulations, Steelers, on winning the AFC Championship.

Now go win the Super Bowl. That's the Pittsburgh standard. We're elated with AFC Championships, of course, but we're not content with them.

Congratulations, also, to the Green Bay Packers. You just beat a team quarterbacked by somebody named Caleb Haine. Good for you. We'll see you in Dallas.

But all that is another story for another day.

Back to the Steelers, which is all we really care about, anyway: With 13 lucky days until the Super Bowl in Dallas, all of us in Steeler Nation have a couple days to savor this hard-won victory that had more ups and downs than a Kennywood roller-coaster.

On balance, just enough "ups" by the end of the game to secure the win, Thank God, and thanking the Terrible Towel, along with Myron Cope on what would have been his 82nd birthday, prayerful nuns with Black 'n Gold Steeler Rosaries, the better defense, the better quarterback, the better running game, Mojination, home-field advantage,Troy Polamalu and William Gay, improved kick coverage, Heath Miller, Antonio Brown and ... did we mention the Terrible Towel and Myron Cope's birthday?

The first mistake made by Jets coach Rex Ryan? Kicking off. Seriously.

To elaborate: The Jets won the coin toss, so Ryan could have either accepted the opening kickoff, and put his offense on the field -- or defer, and receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

Ryan chose the latter move, which was to open the game by kicking off to the Steelers. We could speculate as to his reasons (being on the road in front of a hellaciously howling crowd cheering on a predictably ferocious Steelers' defense fuming with malodorous intent for his second-year quarterback). However ...

Ryan outsmarted himself.

Maybe he didn't count on the Steelers' offense immediately setting the tone by mounting a fierce, punch-in-the-mouth Opening Drive of 15 plays spanning a mere 66 yards ... but also, crucially, consuming time of possession across what seemed like a very long nine minutes and six seconds of the game clock: a full 21 minutes in real time.

That really is a long time for Ryan's defense (or any defense) to be on the field, for his offense to be on the sideline, and for his coaches to watch helplessly as the Steelers continued to grind out first downs and, ultimately, a touchdown that whipped the crowd into even more of a frenzy than they'd shown just a few minutes previously at tailgate parties in the parking lots.

By running the ball hard and effectively (10 times for 46 crunching yards), the Steelers established an aggressive tone on the opening drive that left no misinterpretation of how they would approach this game.

Then the defense took the field. And ramped up the intensity even more. The mayhem began in earnest. Welcome to the Blast Furnace.

Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense appeared flat during nearly the entire first half, as if they froze up during their long wait on the sideline, in frigid temperatures, to take the field after the opening kickoff.

Before the first half was over, the Steelers would have out-rushed the Nyets 135 yards rushing to one (one!) and mounted what turned out to be an insurmountable 24-3 lead.

By that point, the Jets were reeling. To their credit they regrouped, rallied to play tough, and gave the Steelers all they could handle in the second half. Too little, too late, however, as the Jets had way too much Steeler Monination to overcome. They'd dug too deep a hole for themselves, and it all started with the coin flip and Rex Ryan's decision to kick off.

There's much more to say about the game, of course, and there's much, much more to say about the upcoming Super Bowl matchup between these two storied franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.

As for the AFC Championship game, all's well that ends well -- but now there's more to the story, another chapter to be written.

Win the Super Bowl.

Bring that trophy, the Vince Lombardi Trophy (named after the late, great coach of the Green Bay Packers) back home to the Steelers' trophy case in Pittsburgh, where six other Lombardi trophies reside -- and are toasted, no doubt, in the Above and Beyond by the likes of The Chief (Art Rooney), Myron Cope and others who have gone before us.

The Jets never had a chance, not really. Neither do the Packers.