It’s an annual event. Each year at the Super Bowl, media day takes over the host city the Tuesday before the Super Bowl and members of the media from all over the world, even those who probably don’t deserve their media credentials or even care about the game, will be asking players every question under the sun (or the cold, overcast weather in Dallas!). Some players will get marriage proposals. Hollywood celebrity gossip websites/shows like Entertainment Tonight and TMZ, who only cover the NFL when there are off the field stories, will make media day their biggest story of the day.

If there were betting odds for media day for the use of “it is what it is”, the following players have a good chance using it in their conversations with the media:

PACKERS:

Donald Driver – Driver is in his 12th season.  As a 6th round pick in 1999, he was a long shot to even make the team.  Heck, he wore #13 during training camp that summer; and WRs wearing uniform numbers in the teens was not an “in” thing 12 years ago.  Driver grew up in Houston, Texas and with the Super Bowl being in Dallas this year, the signature smile on his face just got bigger after the win over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game (kind of hard to believe that his smile could get bigger!).  Driver has bounced back from adversity from his days growing up, barely getting drafted and getting knocked out of the playoffs numerous times when the team had a good shot at the Super Bowl.  If the Packers win on Sunday, I would bet that he wouldn’t change anything.  BTW – Want to go to the big game on Sunday courtesy of Donald Driver?  He’s doing a raffle to benefit The Donald Driver Foundation (entry deadline is 11:00am EST Wednesday, February 2, 2011).

James Jones – In my opinion, if it weren’t for the drops, James Jones is easily a #2 WR on the majority of teams in the NFL, and some teams could probably make him their #1.  He has dropped the ball at few inopportune times this season, as well as had some fumblitis throughout his career.  He’s in the Super Bowl and has a chance to shine on the biggest stage and for the catches I’ve seen James Jones make, I know he can bounce back from the adversity.  Jones inscribes “NTAF” on his autographs – Never Think About Failure.  If you are a Packers fan, you have to like that.

Aaron Rodgers – As one of the most talked about players in this Sunday’s game, Aaron Rodgers will probably get the most questions and media hype during media day.  Even though Packer Nation knows he is no longer in the shadow of Brett Favre with his play over the last three years, the national media thinks Rogers needs to win this Super Bowl for him to be “the guy” in Green Bay.  Winning three playoff games on the road as a sixth seed has just started writing the story of Aaron Rodgers’ legacy, and a Super Bowl win will make his Wikipedia page look that much sweeter.

Tramon Williams – From being a walk-on at Louisiana Tech, to an undrafted free-agent by the Houston Texans in 2006, Williams has had to work to get to where he is at.  A Super Bowl ring and being “da man” in Wisconsin and Packer Nation for the rest of his life I’m sure is much more gratifying than getting selected high in the draft, but going to a team that can never get over the hump.

Charles Woodson – Heisman Trophy (check), National Championship (check), Defensive Player of the Year (check), Super Bowl Ring (missed opportunity in 2002; has another chance this week), Hall of Fame (not a lock, but a win on Sunday would give him the key).  Charles Woodson has had several opportunity slip through his fingers in his NFL career to get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl when he was with the Oakland Raiders in 2002.  He said recently “Perfection is having guys who are able to block everything out that’s happened Monday through Saturday.” On Sunday, Woodson will be blocking out those missed opportunities and focusing at the task at hand.

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STEELERS:

Maurkice Pouncey – What a ride this kid has had for his rookie year.  The Steelers selected Pouncey in the first round from the University of Florida and he has been their best offensive lineman this year.  He went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter of the AFC Championship game and did not return.  He arrived in Dallas yesterday on crutches and is listed as doubtful.  Even though he probably won’t play on Sunday, odds are he’ll be back in this position before his career is over.

Ben Roethlisberger – If you follow the NFL, you are well aware of the problems that Big Ben has brought upon himself over the past few years.  He was suspended by the commissioner for the first 4 games of the 2010 season and has been scrutinized by fans, players, and the media.  We all make mistakes in our life and some are more magnified than others.  On January 1, 2011, I was driving home from the movies with my 4yr old daughter and had my Sirius Satellite Radio on – Channel 66.  I remember a story being told by the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North about how Roethlisberger was driving in his car back in June 2010 and had the radio on and heard the song Get Back Up by Toby Mac (definitely listen to it if you haven’t heard it), and the words of the songs hit him so hard, he pulled the car over in tears.  If I wasn’t a Packers fan, I’d be pullin’ for Big Ben!

James Harrison – Harrison has Super Bowl experience and arguably one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history with his 100 yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII.  But a Super Bowl ring doesn’t pay the fines.  Harrison has been fined four times in 2010 for $145,000.  I’m not sure he has learned his lesson and like it or not, officials are biased against #92.  With it being the Super Bowl, I think Harrison will have a chip on his shoulder and not leave any ounce of effort behind, which is enough to keep the Packers offensive lineman lose a little sleep this week.  If the Steelers do win the Super Bowl, that $83,000 bonus will sure help offset those fines.

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The NFL popularity is at an all-time high and there is no bigger game than the Super Bowl.  It is my hope that the owners and players can figure something out sooner than later to protect the integrity of the game.  Any lengthy lockout would be a traveshamockery!

Enjoy the game and the commercials!

Packers 27; Steelers 23

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Tags: Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, It Is What It Is, Media Day, Super Bowl, Super Bowl 45

Posted in Sports

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