Lombardi Goes Back Home: Rodgers leads Packers back to promised land

Lombardi Goes Back Home: Rodgers leads Packers back to promised land

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Aaron Rodgers has turned the Green Bay Packers into Super Bowl champions once again.

Rodgers threw three touchdown passes and Nick Collins returned an interception for another score, leading the Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

This was Green Bay's fourth Super Bowl title. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls with Vince Lombardi coaching Bart Starr, and captured another with Brett Favre in January 1997.

The Steelers trailed 21-3 before halftime. Ben Roethlisberger got them within 28-25 midway through the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass and a nifty 2-point conversion. The Packers answered with a field goal, giving Roethlisberger one last chance.

Needing to go 87 yards in 1:59 with one timeout left, Roethlisberger couldn't make it across midfield.

Green Bay Packers Win Super Bowl XLV

Green Bay Packers Win Super Bowl XLV

Green Bay Packers Wins Against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the score 31-25.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Aaron Rodgers turned the Green Bay Packers into Super Bowl champions once again.

Rodgers threw three touchdown passes, and Nick Collins returned an interception for another score, leading the Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

This was Green Bay's fourth Super Bowl title. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls with Vince Lombardi coaching Bart Starr, and they claimed another with Brett Favre in January 1997.

The Steelers trailed 21-3 before halftime. Ben Roethlisberger pulled them within 28-25 midway through the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass and a nifty two-point conversion. The Packers answered with a field goal, giving Roethlisberger and the Steelers one last chance.

Needing to go 87 yards in 1:59 with one timeout left, the Steelers couldn't make it across midfield.

source: nfl.com

Hines Ward, Steelers visit local strip club

Hines Ward, Steelers visit local strip club

It didn't take long for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sample some of the adult entertainment Dallas has to offer.

Late Monday night, hours after they arrived here, Hines Ward, Ike Taylor and several other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers visited Dallas Gentlemen's Club on Northwest Highway in Dallas.

A number of other pro athletes were there as well.

When Ward and his teammates entered the club, dancers converged on them. They spent a few minutes in the VIP area at the back of the club. But as the music pumped and the women strode across the four stages, the Steelers huddled in the front corner of the club for closer looks.

Ward, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, danced with a couple of strippers. At one point, he tossed out dollars while receiving lap dances. Other Steelers joined him.

At one point, near midnight, the Steelers, including huge linemen, appeared on the main stage., There they posed and danced with an assortment of strippers. It was "Make It Rain Monday" at the club. And some of the players made it rain with their dollar bills.

read the full article on dallasnews.com

Packers cast aside Twitter trouble, prepare for title fight

Packers cast aside Twitter trouble, prepare for title fight

Now that the Green Bay Packers have arrived in North Texas for the Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers is putting his team's Twitter-driven mini-controversy to rest.

"I think, obviously, this was made a bigger issue than it was," the quarterback said shortly after his team settled in at its Dallas-area hotel. "There was nothing going on in Green Bay last week, so this little thing blew up bigger than we ever thought it would."

Steelers arrive in Big D, ready for Super business

Steelers arrive in Big D, ready for Super business



FORT WORTH, Texas -- Howdy, Hines. Welcome to Big D.

Hines Ward was ready for a rodeo of a week leading up to the Super Bowl as he stepped off the Pittsburgh Steelers' charter flight when the team arrived in Dallas.

Pittsburgh's star wide receiver, who embraces his reputation as one of the league's most aggressive -- and some say, dirtiest -- players, was decked out in a big black cowboy hat, a black sequined Western-style shirt, blue jeans, boots and a Texas-sized silver belt buckle.

Polamalu, McFadden return to practice for Steelers

Polamalu, McFadden return to practice for Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- Cornerback Bryant McFadden, safety Troy Polamalu and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders returned to practice Friday for the first time since the Steelers' AFC championship victory.

McFadden strained his abdomen during a win over Baltimore in the divisional round but played Sunday in a diminished role. Sanders, a rookie, has an injured foot. Polamalu has been bothered by an Achilles' tendon injury, but it is not unusual for the All-Pro to sit out midweek practices.

All three -- as well as left tackle Jonathan Scott (ribs) who has not practiced this week -- are listed as probable for the Super Bowl Feb. 6 against Green Bay in Arlington, Texas.

Defensive end Aaron Smith (torn triceps) was limited in practice, as has been the case the past two weeks. Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) and special teamer Will Allen (knee) did not participate in any of the three practices this week.

All three are questionable for the Super Bowl, but there are serious doubts if any will be able to play.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

Packers LB Zombo back at practice while Walden rests ankle

Packers LB Zombo back at practice while Walden rests ankle

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers have some questions about their depth at outside linebacker as they get ready for the Super Bowl.

Frank Zombo is back at practice, but Erik Walden sat out Friday and might not return to the practice field until next week, leaving his status in doubt for the Feb. 6 matchup with Pittsburgh.

Zombo is an undrafted free agent who became a starter in the wake of injuries. He has missed the Packers' last six games because of a right knee injury but says he had no pain Friday.

Walden was signed in midseason and has played well. He hurt his ankle in the NFC championship game victory at Chicago on Sunday.

The Packers practice in Green Bay this weekend before traveling to Texas on Monday.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

Green Bay Packers & Pittsburgh Steelers into Super Bowl

Green Bay Packers & Pittsburgh Steelers into Super Bowl

Green Bay hung on to beat Chicago and Pittsburgh overcame the New York Jets to set up a meeting in Super Bowl XLV in Texas on 6 February.

Super Bowl week will test recently strengthened Dallas panhandling ordinance

Super Bowl week will test recently strengthened Dallas panhandling ordinance

The potency of a newly strengthened Dallas ordinance prohibiting panhandling will be tested in the coming days as police beef up patrols before Super Bowl XLV.

Police Chief David Brown said there hasn’t been any specific push to combat panhandling leading up to the big game.

“Dallas has not increased any kind of efforts in that area,” he said. “We are doing an all-hazards approach. We are trying to treat our neighborhoods as a priority during the Super Bowl events, along with all the Super Bowl venues.”

But it’s not unusual for cities to strengthen panhandling laws ahead of major events. And with hundreds of Super Bowl activities being held in newly created “solicitation-free” zones, city officials said tougher enforcement of the policy could result from an increased police presence in those areas.

The City Council voted last month to expand the ordinance against panhandling by outlawing begging in four tourist-heavy spots: the downtown business district, Deep Ellum, Uptown and Victory Park. The measure, which went into effect Jan. 1, also added a fine of up to $500 for violations.

“Everybody is focusing on making as good of an impression as we can during the Super Bowl,” said Mayor Tom Leppert. “But the panhandling ordinance, it didn’t come in because of the Super Bowl. It came in because this is a long-term strategy of trying to make the downtown a better place to work and live.”

The panhandling crackdown is one of several efforts under way to clean up Dallas’ tourist hot spots.

On Wednesday morning, police relocated a homeless man from near the Dallas Convention Center, where the 19th annual NFL Experience will be held starting today.

Gary McClung, safety manager for The Bridge, said the man would probably return to the city’s homeless assistance center, where he had signed an agreement to permanently live.

Patrol officers said the area was the first of 10 locations they and a sanitation crew were dispatched to clean up. The sweep also targeted eyesores, such as trash and graffiti.

Homeless advocates, like Neil Donovan of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said such measures unfairly single out an already at-risk group and jeopardize the livelihood of many struggling to get by.

And while often effective in driving away panhandlers from specific locations, the policies also create an incomplete profile of the area, he said.

“Dallas has a lot to be proud of, but no one believes it’s perfect,” Donovan said. “Including people that are unhoused gives a truer picture of the community.”

City leaders dispute the notion that the ordinance is merely to impress tourists, and they have played down the connection to the Super Bowl.

But Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway readily acknowledged the benefit of having the stiffer policy in place as tens of thousands descend on Dallas.

“The message we are putting out is that panhandling in Dallas is prohibited,” said Caraway, chairman of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.

“What better time for us to get that message across than on a national stage?”

source: dallasnews.com

News release on Dallas-area lodging website

News release on Dallas-area lodging website

New Website Allows Super Bowl Travelers to Rent Local Pads in Dallas

iStopOver.com offers sports travelers a cost-effective alternative to hotel price gouging and sell outs; Allows homeowners to generate income through short-term rentals of rooms in their homes or entire homes

DALLAS - January 24, 2011 - The impending shortage and inevitable price gouging of hotel rooms in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area during Super Bowl weekend have created a travel nightmare for football fans. A new website, iStopOver.com, provides a simple and hassle-free solution.

Lynch: 'Glee Super Bowl ep has firepower'

Lynch: 'Glee Super Bowl ep has firepower'

Jane Lynch has promised that Glee's upcoming post-Super Bowl episode will be full of "firepower".

In an interview with The AP, Lynch, who plays gym teacher Sue Sylvester on the Fox musical comedy, explained that the show's devotees can expect an extravaganza.

"It's got so much firepower," she said. "There is so much going on in the show that is crazy and funny and wild."

The actress teased that her character features prominently: "I have a hissy fit the likes of which no one has seen before, where I try to destroy the locker room and principal's office. I try to shoot one of my cheerleaders from a cannon."

Lynch went on to reveal that the February 6 special is to feature a return appearance from Gwyneth Paltrow and a full-cast rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.

Earlier this week, Lynch's co-star Chris Colfer hinted that his Glee character Kurt may embark on a new romance.

source: digitalspy

Eagles road to Super Bowl just got much tougher

Eagles road to Super Bowl just got much tougher

The Philadelphia Eagles will get their bye week. It’s just going to happen in Week 17.

After Joe Webb and the Vikings took down Philadelphia 24-14 on Tuesday night, the Eagles don’t have anything to play for Sunday. A game that was expected to be a laugher changed so much.

The Eagles are now stuck in the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and the Bears have clinched a first round bye. The Packers need a win against Chicago to set up an enticing Eagles-Packers first-round matchup.

This performance makes you wonder about Philly’s weaknesses and maturity. Michael Vick was hammered all night, just like he was against the Giants. He was sacked six times, had three turnovers, and the Vikings dropped three more possible picks.

The Eagles offensive line has been a disaster all year, and continues to struggle recognizing blitzes. You think Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers will have mercy? How about the Bears defensive line, who has already manhandled Philly?

This loss hardly ends the Eagles season, but it makes the road to the Super Bowl much harder. Vick will now have to survive takings hits in three straight playoff games, with two games likely on the road.

Coach Andy Reid almost has to rest Vick against the Cowboys, and we suspect other key players like DeSean Jackson could sit as well. (Vick said he hurt his quad on the first play of the game.)

They may as well have rested Tuesday night. The crowd never seemed into the game, and the odd atmosphere contributed to a sloppy performance by Philadelphia on both sides of the ball. Vikings quarterback Joe Webb (195 yards passing, 31 rushing yards and a score) outplayed Vick, all but assuring Tom Brady the MVP.

Sometimes championships aren’t won or lost in the biggest games, but in the weeks in between. The Eagles’ title hopes took a major body blow Tuesday night from an opponent no one saw coming.

source: nbcsports.com

AFC South title within reach for Garrard and the Jaguars

AFC South title within reach for Garrard and the Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback David Garrard was seemingly another bad game away from getting benched, quite possibly for good, in Jacksonville.

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Coach Jack Del Rio even said publicly that he was sticking with Garrard "as long as he's our best option."

Nearly three months later, Garrard is one touchdown pass from breaking Mark Brunell's franchise record and has a chance to lead the Jaguars (8-5) to their first AFC South title.

What's the difference?

"If I knew that, I would definitely bottle that up and tell nobody," Garrard said.

Although running back Maurice Jones-Drew has received much of the credit for Jacksonville's success this season -- he has six consecutive 100-yard games heading into Sunday's critical game at Indianapolis -- Garrard has been an equally important cog in the team's rise to the top of the division.

Garrard has thrown 19 touchdown passes and just five interceptions in Jacksonville's eight wins and one TD pass and seven picks in the five losses.

He's even better when he's asked to do less. The Jaguars are 6-0 when Garrard has thrown 22 or fewer passes this season, not including a lopsided loss against Tennessee in October when he was knocked out of the game early with a concussion.

"He can't play well by himself," Del Rio said. "It's a team game, the ultimate team game, and David would be the first to tell you that it's a combination of the line doing a good job up front giving him time and the receivers doing a good job getting open down the field and catching the ball. There are a lot of guys doing good things around him."

It starts with Jones-Drew and the running game, which has accounted for more than 200 yards rushing in each of the last three games. That kind of ground game slows down defensive ends, freezes linebackers and creates extra space for receivers and tight ends.

It also takes pressure off Garrard, who has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,141 yards and a career-high 20 TDs. He also has run for 232 yards and four scores.

"Dave has been exceptional," receiver Mike Thomas said. "The guy bounced back from adversity. Dave has always showed that he's a guy that's going to persevere through whatever challenges come his way. This time, he's been on the better half of it.

"He's been playing great. You can look at him and see his comfort level and his belief in his protection, and he's letting the ball fly around. When he has time, Dave is very accurate and a very good quarterback. He's our guy, and we're riding him. We need him to string us along like he's been doing."

With Garrard playing well, the Jaguars have won five of their last six games. Now they're headed into arguably the most important regular-season game in franchise history. With a win Sunday over the Colts (7-6), the Jaguars will wrap up the AFC South and secure a playoff spot for just the third time in the last 10 years.

"This is a big opportunity for the franchise," guard Uche Nwaneri said. "It's been a long time since we had a game against the Colts where it's really going to pretty much decide everything for the division. We're not going to make this something that takes us out of our rhythm, but we understand what's on the line, and we're looking forward to the challenge."

So is Garrard, who struggled mightily in consecutive 25-point losses to San Diego and Philadelphia back in September. He was benched late against the Chargers and might have been pulled for good against the Eagles, but backup Luke McCown tore a knee ligament the previous week, leaving Del Rio with few options.

Nonetheless, the Jaguars were so frustrated with Garrard's performance that they claimed former first-round draft pick Trent Edwards off waivers from Buffalo with the belief that he could end up the starter.

He never got the chance.

Garrard didn't let it happen, putting up five of the top eight passing performances of his nine-year career. He responded exactly as Del Rio wanted -- and even sent a resounding message to anyone who questioned whether he was the right fit for the Jaguars.

"I don't try to worry about answering critics," Garrard said. "The moment you're trying to answer somebody else or please other people, that's when you're setting yourself up. I've said it before: The same people that smile at your face are the same ones that are ready to jab you in the back. The more you win, the more success you have, the more people will come around and say he's a pretty good player or they're a pretty good team. It all comes down to winning and performing."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
source: nfl.com

Will 'Skins stick with McNabb? Coy coach Shanahan won't say

Will 'Skins stick with McNabb? Coy coach Shanahan won't say

ASHBURN, Va. -- Never mind the talk about whether or not Donovan McNabb will be the Washington Redskins' quarterback next season. Coach Mike Shanahan won't even say if McNabb will be his quarterback Sunday.

"We're not committing to tell you who the starters are at any position," Shanahan said Wednesday, explaining how he hopes to keep the Dallas Cowboys guessing about a possible switch to Rex Grossman. "They've got to get ready for a couple of players. That's good for us."

It's important to note that Shanahan was in a playful mood as he dodged those quarterback questions, and that it's hard to find anyone who really believes there's a chance Grossman will supplant a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the latest edition of the NFC East rivalry.

"Donovan McNabb is one of the marquee players in this league and can beat you in so many different ways," Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett said. "We're certainly preparing for him. And if he happens not to be the quarterback, we'll have to make those adjustments."

And, for the record, if McNabb weren't starting, he made no bones about the fact that Shanahan should have told him by now.

"I would have hoped," McNabb said. "That's professionalism. Communication."

Yet the very fact that McNabb's status is such a topic demonstrates his uncertain status as he winds down his first season in Washington. With the Redskins (5-8) eliminated from the playoff race, Shanahan has made it clear he intends to use the final three games to determine who should be on the roster next year. Many players also have stated they're playing for jobs, even if that job might be with another team in 2011.

McNabb would seem to fit into that category. He is 34 and is having his worst season since he was a rookie in 1999. He has thrown a career-high 15 interceptions and ranks 25th in the NFL with a 77.1 rating. He has led some good drives, but he has been inconsistent and bounced far too many passes in front of open receivers. When the Redskins gave him a contract extension last month, it came with a clause that allows the team to cut him at the end of the season with no further financial obligation.

McNabb, however, isn't a fan of the play-for-job motivational tactic.

"I look at these three games to get better," McNabb said. "I think when you have a mindset to go out and to try to impress and to do a little bit more than what you're capable of doing, it takes away from being in the framework of the schemes and what we're planning on doing. I think a lot of times you focus too hard on different things, and it takes you away from things that are just easy to you. I think in this situation, obviously with three more games left, we want to do whatever it takes to win and we can't control anything else after that."

Shanahan showed he's not afraid to make a daring, counterintuitive quarterback move when he benched McNabb for Grossman in the final two minutes with the game on the line in a loss at Detroit in October. McNabb wasn't happy, Shanahan couldn't come up with a clear explanation for the decision, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and McNabb were at odds over whether or not the quarterback had been tipped off in advance about the possible switch.

McNabb followed up with a clear-the-air meeting with the Shanahans. Since then, according to McNabb, "the communication got a lot better."

"I think everyone wanted to know if it was going to get better," McNabb said. "And it did."

Mike Shanahan, however, said he hasn't changed the way he deals with his quarterback. He chalked up McNabb's perception of better communication as the "growth as you get to know people."

"Like any relationship, it does take time," Mike Shanahan said.

The Redskins traded two draft picks to the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire McNabb, and the team has many other deficiencies that will need more desperate attention in the offseason, so it would seem unlikely that the quarterback wouldn't be brought back for a second go-round. Shanahan reiterated Wednesday that it can take two to three years to master a new offensive scheme, and McNabb often has cited how the record improved from 5-11 in his first year with Eagles to 11-5 in his second year.

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"Things can change here, and it will change here," McNabb said. "There were a lot of things in the beginning of the season that myself as well as maybe Kyle or whatever or the players, we weren't on the same page. And now we are. ... There's definitely been big steps."

There also have been nagging questions over McNabb's health. His sore hamstrings were one reason cited by the coaches for the Detroit benching. Around that same time, McNabb himself said the extra offseason work he undertook to learn the new offense was taking a physical toll over the long season.

McNabb now claims to be fully healthy, although he continues to be listed on the weekly injury report with a hamstring issue. Also, the quarterback who has made a name for himself by making plays with his legs has stopped scrambling: He has just six carries for 16 yards over the last five games.

"Quarterbacks never tell you the truth," Mike Shanahan said. "He hasn't scrambled a lot. I think it's probably hurting him a little bit more than he's indicating. Quarterbacks I've been around, they'll never admit to being hurt, so I can't tell you that for sure."

Notes: Mike Shanahan said punter-holder Hunter Smith was cut because of poor punting, not because of the mishandled extra point snap in Sunday's one-point loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shanahan said just two of Smith's last 20 punts had the hang time the team wanted. Smith, who was released Tuesday and replaced with Sam Paulescu, ranks 31st in the NFL in net average. "It had nothing to do with the hold," Shanahan said. "I admired the way he stepped up and blamed it on himself." ... Shanahan doesn't like practicing on frozen grass fields, so he's holding practice on the team's rarely used artificial turf field this week because of the cold weather.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
source: nfl.com

Dallas Cowboys hope to reach Super Bowl history

Dallas Cowboys hope to reach Super Bowl history

Cowboys Stadium will host the biggest game in sports as Super Bowl 45 comes to Arlington next February. At the training camp kickoff party, Tony Romo told fans see you in the Super Bowl.

"To me, all of this is motivational to the team," said Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones.

The Cowboys players say they're motivated for the next game.

"I'm trying to get to the Hall of Fame game and see Emmitt (Smith) get inducted and win that," said Cornerback Terence Newman. "We have a lot of things to do before we talk about the playoffs and Super Bowl. We have to win football games first and the way our schedule is lined up right now, we've got a lot of good football teams to play."

Pro owl Tight End Jason Witten agrees.

"I don't think you care to talk about it," said Witten. "You don't want to be on the record for saying anything. We know what's at stake but more than that, so much has to take place. So I think guys are doing a good job not getting caught up in it."

Head Coach Wade Phillips says it's not about the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. It's about the next practice.

Super Bowl noises from New York Jets

Super Bowl noises from New York Jets

They've spent the past five months scouring for deals like a shopaholic, loading their bags with a Super Bowl MVP, future Hall of Fame running back and the player their fan base probably despised the most.

Now, the Jets' eventful offseason is about to give way to what could be the franchise's most highly anticipated training camp in a half-century. The players report to the State University of New York-Cortland today and begin practising tomorrow for what they hope is a run that ends with them holding the Lombardi Trophy Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium, site of Super Bowl XLV.

Packers firmly believe Super Bowl is within reach

Packers firmly believe Super Bowl is within reach

With a mere two blocks separating their offseason homes in Orlando, Fla., Packers safety Nick Collins and cornerback Charles Woodson see a lot of each other when they aren't here for minicamp or OTAs.

Their conversations over lunch or dinner invariably deal with the Packers' fortunes. After the 2009 season -- which started slow and ended strong before a bitterly disappointing 51-45 shootout playoff loss to Arizona -- the talk centered on being within striking distance of the Super Bowl and having enough of the right ingredients to get there.

In a nutshell, Collins and Woodson concluded the following: "We've got the team; we've got the ability to be that team this year."

NFL Football Betting – Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

NFL Football Betting – Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

NFL Division to Win Super Bowl XLV

AFC South +450
NFC East +450
AFC East +500
AFC North +500
NFC South +600
NFC North +650
AFC West +700
NFC West +1600

Saints looking to avoid Super Bowl hangover

Saints looking to avoid Super Bowl hangover

If a secret potion actually exists to overcoming a raging Super Bowl hangover, it should stun no one that the New Orleans Saints insist they have the remedy.

There's only one tried and true method for the Saints to recreate the magic of last season, and it's not a Bloody Mary chaser.

It's more like the hair of the NFL dog -- a repeat Super Bowl championship.
The players and coaches know the score, and history isn't on their side.

Five of the last 11 Super Bowl champions missed the postseason all together the following year, while the New England Patriots (2003 and 2004) are the only team during that time frame to repeat.

The talk of a Super Bowl hangover is already making the Saints woozy, and has defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on the offensive.

"I keep on hearing you guys talking about this Super Bowl hangover," Williams said. "And it's starting to chap me a little bit. It really is. I'm being real honest. If you could see behind the scenes our offseason program from April 19 on, ... I don't have any qualms about the way our defense is because all they did was show up with more hunger, more fire, wanted me to be a bigger jerk and get on their ass more. They begged for me to get on their ass more. So far, I've seen nothing that would not indicate that we can't make another run at this."

Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees called the talk of a hangover "old" one practice into training camp. But Brees has the hangover target all over his chest considering the national spotlight that's shined on him since he held his headphone-wearing son, Baylen, high above his head as the confetti fell in Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

"I got to fly with the F-16 Thunderbirds up in Shreveport which was awesome," Brees said. "I got to go on a USO trip to Dubai, Turkey and Djibouti. I got to play golf with Jack Nicklaus. The ESPYs just a few weeks ago was a thrill, just having so many guys there and our team being a part of so many of the awards.

"That week after the Super Bowl will always be one of the craziest times of my life when you look at Disneyworld and then the talk shows and then the Super Bowl parade, which was just unbelievable and then Mardi Gras, being king of Bacchus. The list goes on and on and is kind of never-ending, but it was all fun."

Was it too much fun? Poll your average Saints fans and they'd tell you it wouldn't be a major disappointment if the Saints failed to "Two Dat" as they're calling it in New Orleans.

It's perception Brees and the Saints will stare down and battle throughout the season. That's certainly not lost on Brees as he said the stigma won’t subside until "we go out and show them that it's not true."

read the rest of the article at cbssports.com

Super Bowl loss behind Colts, but what lies ahead of them?

Super Bowl loss behind Colts, but what lies ahead of them?

Videotape is as essential to NFL culture as training rooms and playbooks. It runs like a current through game preparation. There are infamous Monday film sessions in which coaches, armed with laser beams, grill players in front of the entire team. Late-night game-planning sessions, aided by the clicker to rewind.

It's no wonder Indianapolis Colts architect Bill Polian couldn't begin to get the deflating Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints out of his system until he saw the videotape. It's what they do in the NFL. Confront the demon. Kick the chair. Move on. Polian studied the video the day after the game and twice more over the next three weeks.

"It didn't turn out any differently," Polian grumbled. "The game turned on two plays — the third-and-1 at the end of the half and the onside kick to start the second half."

Indeed, the momentum swings are no less crucial on video. When Mike Hart was stuffed on third-and-1, it forced a punt that the Saints parlayed into a field goal as the first half expired. Then New Orleans opened the second half by recovering the gutsy onside kick, which led to a go-ahead touchdown.

With just under four minutes remaining, the curtain closed on a Colts campaign that only weeks earlier had fueled debate about the pros and cons of pursuing a perfect season. A pass by MVP quarterback Peyton Manning was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by cornerback Tracy Porter. Ballgame.