Here's to the Packers

Here’s to the Packers

Since I started writing this column several years ago now I seem to have created a jinx on teams. It seems like when I pick a team to win a game or championship the opposite seems to take place. Though I picked the Steelers last week, there was nothing superstitious about their loss or the Packers win. The team from Green Bay put on one of the best games I have seen in recent years and deserve all the credit they can get.

The phrase of the week in Green Bay this week may well be “Brett Who?” Aaron Rogers came into the league as a backup to Brett Favre but that label is now delegated to the history books. He is a genuine star and it looks like the has a bright future ahead of him. 

This week Rogers enjoyed Disney World while his teammates were celebrating with Cheeseheads in Green Bay. He deserves to enjoy the warm Florida sunlight after a great year. His teammates deserve a break from the stress of the NFL season.

I cannot resist a Kudos from The Corner for Charles Woodson of the Packers. It is heartbreaking that he broke his collar bone early in the game. That setback would have sent many to the hospital. 

Woodson ended up on the sidelines, wincing in pain even with simple movements. He was in the locker room with an emotional speech at halftime that sent his teammates back out ready for battle. It will be recorded as one of the great stories of this Super Bowl.

At the risk of bragging I can’t resist the opportunity for a little “I told you so” for Pittsburgh fans. I said last week and will repeat again that Roethlisberger is an above average quarterback among those in the NFL. He proved Sunday he is not ready to shine in the spotlight when it counts. He and his teammates had a great year but they just couldn’t stop the momentum the Packers built in the final weeks of the season.

The thing about Pittsburgh is you can take it to the bank they will be back next year. Perhaps as good as any team in any sport, the Steelers seem to know how to be in the running for a title every year. That is a reflection of the ownership. They have a glorious history that goes back to the 1970s and there is no reason to think that won’t continue. Their quarterback better hit the practice field hard if that is going to happen on a regular bases.

I also can’t resist a “What were you thinking” to the organizers of the Super Bowl. How can you sell tickets for seats that aren’t safe and therefore not allow some people to watch the game from their seats?

How can you put someone on the field singing the Star Spangled Banner who doesn’t know the words? Next time instead of worrying about making your billion dollar stadium look nice, work out the little things. 

I guess it is not so little when you pay $800 to watch a game but getting three times the value of that ticket back will eventually take the away the pain. This time next year, after they get free tickets to next year’s game, the debacle this year will be a distant memory.