cr8f
Footballguy
ELITE PLAYERS
1. QB Ben Roethlisberger -- Steelers
Roethlisberger has that "been there, done that" factor over Rodgers. That isn't a knock on Rodgers, but Roethlisberger is simply amazing when it matters most. He didn't throw the ball well versus the Jets, but played a far better game than his numbers would indicate. His playmaking ability is just off the charts. Roethlisberger finds a way time and time again.
2. QB Aaron Rodgers -- Packers
Like Roethlisberger, Rodgers didn't have his best game last week. But also like Roethlisberger, he is immensely gifted and has progressed at a rapid pace. He might just be a quarterback without discernible weaknesses at this point. But he hasn't been on this stage yet. Roethlisberger has -- and is 2-for-2. But there is no reason to doubt Rodgers.
3. OLB James Harrison -- Steelers
Harrison would be my vote for Defensive Player of the Year. Harrison is the type of force that just never relents. He is tremendous in all facets of the game. Happen to remember what he did in his last Super Bowl appearance?
4. OLB Clay Matthews -- Packers
Matthews was a complete terror for the first half of the season, and although he wasn't bad to finish up the year, his play did drop off (probably due to injury). But this is a great football player. And he doesn't have a complement on the other side like Harrison does. Matthews is healthy, has been tremendous during the playoffs and could be poised for one more huge game.
5. SS Troy Polamalu -- Steelers
Polamalu's role in this great defense has diminished in the playoffs and he hasn't been near the line of scrimmage as much as usual. That makes me think he just hasn't been 100 percent healthy. Two weeks to prepare for this game could do him a world of good. If a defensive player is going to make a game-changing play, my bet is on Polamalu.
BLUE CHIPS
6. DT B.J. Raji -- Packers
This huge body just needs a bigger body of work to place himself in the elite category. He does it all. He absorbs double teams. He penetrates the backfield. And he is a great interior pass-rusher. He rarely leaves the field and has amazing stamina. Raji is a big-time difference-maker who is instrumental to this defense.
7. WR Greg Jennings -- Packers
In my opinion, Jennings had the best season of any wide receiver in the NFL this regular season. When TE Jermichael Finley went down, Jennings stepped up in a big way. He was also great last week and has gone for more than 100 yards receiving in the Packers' last two playoff games. The Steelers are going to have an extremely tough time containing him.
8. CB Tramon Williams -- Packers
A relative unknown until a few weeks ago, but Williams has been an excellent cover man for some time now. He has a great build, technique and fluidity for the position. He might only be getting better.
9. CB Charles Woodson -- Packers
With a win in this game, it should be very difficult to keep Woodson out of the Hall of Fame. He isn't like any other corner in the game today. Actually, he is more like the cornerback version of Polamalu with his extreme versatility and playmaking skills.
10. G Josh Sitton -- Packers
Who is Josh Sitton, you ask? He might just be the best guard in all of football. He is a tremendous run blocker and without question the best offensive lineman in the Super Bowl.
11. WR Mike Wallace -- Steelers
The first thing you think about with Wallace is speed -- and he has as much of it as anyone in football. But he has developed into an excellent all-around player. He is especially dangerous when considering Roethlisberger's ability to extend a play and his deep passing ability.
12. LB Lawrence Timmons -- Steelers
Timmons had a true breakout season. He is **** LeBeau's version of Polamalu on the second level of the defense. Physically, he is a player without a weakness and his technique and recognition skills are quickly catching up to his natural talents.
13. LB LaMarr Woodley -- Steelers
Woodley has been great in the playoffs throughout his career and is nearly the player of his edge-rushing partner in crime, Harrison. Bryan Bulaga will need help with this guy.
14. FS Nick Collins -- Packers
The Packers have the best secondary in football. And with the exceptional cornerback play, it can be easy to overlook this Pro Bowl performer. Collins is someone Roethlisberger must be very aware of on game day.
15. DE Cullen Jenkins -- Packers
Although he is playing only about half the defensive snaps, getting Jenkins back from his calf injury made a very good defense even better. He has extreme versatility for a defensive lineman and tormented the Bears' blocking scheme in the NFC Championship Game.
16. DE Brett Keisel -- Steelers
Keisel gets noticed more for his beard than his play, but this is a very good all-around 3-4 defensive end in the prime of his career. He has stepped up dramatically in Aaron Smith's absence.
17. RB Rashard Mendenhall -- Steelers
Mendenhall looked fresher and more explosive than anyone on the Jets' defense last week. He is a very talented runner and underappreciated receiver. Just imagine him in the old-school Bill Cowher offenses.
18. TE Heath Miller -- Steelers
Miller is among the best all-around tight ends in the NFL. He is about as reliable as you can get as a pass-catcher or blocker. Tight ends have tormented the Packers. Miller could be in for a huge Super Bowl.
19. NT Casey Hampton -- Steelers
With all the sub packages that Pittsburgh plays on defense, Hampton ends up on the sidelines a fair amount. But what he does well -- clog the middle and make everyone else's job easier -- he does exceptionally well.
20. C Maurkice Pouncey -- Steelers
Pouncey will be talked about leading up to the game as he tries to heal quickly from an ankle injury. Pittsburgh desperately needs him to do battle with Raji. But if he plays or not, Pouncey is next in an amazing Pittsburgh center lineage.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...tory?id=6060768
1. QB Ben Roethlisberger -- Steelers
Roethlisberger has that "been there, done that" factor over Rodgers. That isn't a knock on Rodgers, but Roethlisberger is simply amazing when it matters most. He didn't throw the ball well versus the Jets, but played a far better game than his numbers would indicate. His playmaking ability is just off the charts. Roethlisberger finds a way time and time again.
2. QB Aaron Rodgers -- Packers
Like Roethlisberger, Rodgers didn't have his best game last week. But also like Roethlisberger, he is immensely gifted and has progressed at a rapid pace. He might just be a quarterback without discernible weaknesses at this point. But he hasn't been on this stage yet. Roethlisberger has -- and is 2-for-2. But there is no reason to doubt Rodgers.
3. OLB James Harrison -- Steelers
Harrison would be my vote for Defensive Player of the Year. Harrison is the type of force that just never relents. He is tremendous in all facets of the game. Happen to remember what he did in his last Super Bowl appearance?
4. OLB Clay Matthews -- Packers
Matthews was a complete terror for the first half of the season, and although he wasn't bad to finish up the year, his play did drop off (probably due to injury). But this is a great football player. And he doesn't have a complement on the other side like Harrison does. Matthews is healthy, has been tremendous during the playoffs and could be poised for one more huge game.
5. SS Troy Polamalu -- Steelers
Polamalu's role in this great defense has diminished in the playoffs and he hasn't been near the line of scrimmage as much as usual. That makes me think he just hasn't been 100 percent healthy. Two weeks to prepare for this game could do him a world of good. If a defensive player is going to make a game-changing play, my bet is on Polamalu.
BLUE CHIPS
6. DT B.J. Raji -- Packers
This huge body just needs a bigger body of work to place himself in the elite category. He does it all. He absorbs double teams. He penetrates the backfield. And he is a great interior pass-rusher. He rarely leaves the field and has amazing stamina. Raji is a big-time difference-maker who is instrumental to this defense.
7. WR Greg Jennings -- Packers
In my opinion, Jennings had the best season of any wide receiver in the NFL this regular season. When TE Jermichael Finley went down, Jennings stepped up in a big way. He was also great last week and has gone for more than 100 yards receiving in the Packers' last two playoff games. The Steelers are going to have an extremely tough time containing him.
8. CB Tramon Williams -- Packers
A relative unknown until a few weeks ago, but Williams has been an excellent cover man for some time now. He has a great build, technique and fluidity for the position. He might only be getting better.
9. CB Charles Woodson -- Packers
With a win in this game, it should be very difficult to keep Woodson out of the Hall of Fame. He isn't like any other corner in the game today. Actually, he is more like the cornerback version of Polamalu with his extreme versatility and playmaking skills.
10. G Josh Sitton -- Packers
Who is Josh Sitton, you ask? He might just be the best guard in all of football. He is a tremendous run blocker and without question the best offensive lineman in the Super Bowl.
11. WR Mike Wallace -- Steelers
The first thing you think about with Wallace is speed -- and he has as much of it as anyone in football. But he has developed into an excellent all-around player. He is especially dangerous when considering Roethlisberger's ability to extend a play and his deep passing ability.
12. LB Lawrence Timmons -- Steelers
Timmons had a true breakout season. He is **** LeBeau's version of Polamalu on the second level of the defense. Physically, he is a player without a weakness and his technique and recognition skills are quickly catching up to his natural talents.
13. LB LaMarr Woodley -- Steelers
Woodley has been great in the playoffs throughout his career and is nearly the player of his edge-rushing partner in crime, Harrison. Bryan Bulaga will need help with this guy.
14. FS Nick Collins -- Packers
The Packers have the best secondary in football. And with the exceptional cornerback play, it can be easy to overlook this Pro Bowl performer. Collins is someone Roethlisberger must be very aware of on game day.
15. DE Cullen Jenkins -- Packers
Although he is playing only about half the defensive snaps, getting Jenkins back from his calf injury made a very good defense even better. He has extreme versatility for a defensive lineman and tormented the Bears' blocking scheme in the NFC Championship Game.
16. DE Brett Keisel -- Steelers
Keisel gets noticed more for his beard than his play, but this is a very good all-around 3-4 defensive end in the prime of his career. He has stepped up dramatically in Aaron Smith's absence.
17. RB Rashard Mendenhall -- Steelers
Mendenhall looked fresher and more explosive than anyone on the Jets' defense last week. He is a very talented runner and underappreciated receiver. Just imagine him in the old-school Bill Cowher offenses.
18. TE Heath Miller -- Steelers
Miller is among the best all-around tight ends in the NFL. He is about as reliable as you can get as a pass-catcher or blocker. Tight ends have tormented the Packers. Miller could be in for a huge Super Bowl.
19. NT Casey Hampton -- Steelers
With all the sub packages that Pittsburgh plays on defense, Hampton ends up on the sidelines a fair amount. But what he does well -- clog the middle and make everyone else's job easier -- he does exceptionally well.
20. C Maurkice Pouncey -- Steelers
Pouncey will be talked about leading up to the game as he tries to heal quickly from an ankle injury. Pittsburgh desperately needs him to do battle with Raji. But if he plays or not, Pouncey is next in an amazing Pittsburgh center lineage.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...tory?id=6060768
