Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I can't believe that the Ricochet board is not filled with comments about yesterday's games and the coming Super Bowl -- especially it's dilemma for conservatives.
Green Bay, of course, evokes memories of the great Vince Lombardi, still powerful for those who grew up with memories of the Packers under his coaching. By contrast, Pittsburgh has war hero Rocky Bleier, Rush Limbaugh, and the whole America's Team thing. Complicating my dilemma here is that the most rabid members of Steeler Nation include all my in-laws, some of whom I snuck into the East Room of the White House in 2006 for the presidential celebration of that year's Super Bowl victory.
It does seem that the Steeler claims have been diminished. Leaving aside Ben Roethlisberger, can we fail to note that the Steeler chairman, Dan Rooney, is a Republican who supported PResident Obama during the 2008 campaign and was rewarded with an ambassadorship to Ireland.
Perhaps the Packers have similar issues. Still would help to have Ricocheters weigh in on which team deserves our loyalty and why.
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Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Green Bay, definitely, because I love the Vince Lombardi story! Bill, have you seen "Lombardi" on Broadway? I'd recommend it, it's very good.
May '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I'm rooting for Green Bay, because I love that a town of 100,000 people hosts a national football team. And because they're so cheesy.
Geaux Packers! ;)
Dec '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I still love Green Bay because of Vince Lombardi. I grew up in Cleveland, so I hate the acursed Steelers
Sep '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I don't mix sports and politics. The only thing that Obama has ever said that I agree with is to end the bowl system and initiate a true playoff system for Division 1 NCAA football. Well, at least that is something.
I have been a Steelers fan since the days of Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert. Big Ben gives me reason to pause, however. There have been too many incidents and accidents, hints and allegations (a nod to Paul Simon) to make me think that he is not a very nice person. Can I pull for the scumbag?
A less than enthusiastic "go Steelers."
Dec '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I think I'll have to go for the Packers. I love Aaron Roger and his gritty resolve and determination. I made my decision after watching him throw an unlucky interception and subsequently chasing down the ball to save the touchdown--a potential game changer. My first thoughts were 1. "wait, was that the QB who made that tackle?" and 2. "Tom Brady and Peyton Manning would not attempt that tackle." A sad but true revelation.
Although I do sympathize with Big Ben--I love a redemption story--I have to go with the Packers.
Side question: Is Big Ben actually redeemed? Or will we hear another story about him in a shady situation in a few months?
May '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Standfast:
I have been a Steelers fan since the days of Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert. Big Ben gives me reason to pause, however.
From one Steeler QB to another.
Jan '11
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
If you grew up near Philadelphia in the late 1960s, early 1970s (as I did), you had the futility of watching the Eagles lose in the early game. Then you listened to Ray Scott in the afternoon CBS game with his deadpan "Starr ... Dowler ... touchdown ..." calls. The Packers defined excellence, and that was soothing when you otherwise had to root for the Eagles. Green Bay was America's Team long before Dallas.
The problem is that whereas I don't much like the Steelers, I love the way they play. They run the ball and play strong defense. TV adores the quarterbacks, and they make "Big Ben" to be the hero, but Pittsburgh is the least quarterbacky team in the league.
Ah well. I live near Baltimore now. When the Steelers win, they get complacent for the next year, and that should open things up for the Ravens.
Go Pack.
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I haven't seen the Broadway play "Lombardi" but I understand there is a good HBO special on the man.
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Standfast:
I have been a Steelers fan since the days of Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert. Big Ben gives me reason to pause, however. There have been too many incidents and accidents, hints and allegations (a nod to Paul Simon) to make me think that he is not a very nice person. Can I pull for the ...?
I'm right with you on this one, Standfast.
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Aaron Miller
Standfast:
I have been a Steelers fan since the days of Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert. Big Ben gives me reason to pause, however.
From one Steeler QB to another. · Jan 24 at 1:24pm
Ah, I like this! I had not seen it previously. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Yes! I thought the same thing, Michael!
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I'm a Redskins fan living not that far from Lambeau with a Packer-fan spouse. Count me in for the Pack. (I too repudiate bringing politics into sports, though you can't seem to escape politics anywhere these days. A hint the gubmint is a tad oversized.)
Dec '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Yawn... I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to the NFL for what seems like a millennium (but actually has only been since the Niners tanked in the early 90's). I know I'm going to offend a lot of people (always do with this statement), but NFL football, when compared to NCAA football, is just so mind numbingly boring. Everybody runs the same offense, the QB's stand around like stiffs - there just isn't anything thrilling going on.
So my Super Bowl cheering tactic (I don't pay much attention until that game) is "Which team has former Oregon Ducks on the roster, and how many?" This year is pretty lean. Pittsburgh has a backup quarterback (Dennis Dixon). Green Bay has zero. Guess it has to be the Steelers then. Which kind of hurts because I was a Dallas fan as a kid when the big bad Steelers used to beat up on the Cowboys all the time. Zzzzzzzzz...
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Ursula and Standfast, you are both siding with my wife, alas, on the Steelers.
Standfast, if Obama did indeed come out for a playoffs for college football, I'm even more opposed. I miss the conflicting polls. The old bowl games used to be exciting. I will say the current BCS has the worst of both worlds: only one bowl game that matters, and playoff bowls that don't matter because there's no shot at #1.
Ursula, sleep well knowing you are for Team Obama.
Where is the rest of Ricochet???
Sep '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
The reason I oppose the bowl system is the elitism of sports writers who vote in the polls. They love the Big Ten and Big Twelve, and constantly vote for the flavor of the week from either conference. They rig the games so that programs like TCU and Boise State have to play one another (2009 season) which proves nothing. When Utah beats Alabama in the Sugar Bowl (can't remember which year), they write it off since Alabama was unmotivated not playing in the BCS championship game.
A playoff decides who is number 1. Just like college basketball. It doesn't who is number 1 in November, it is March that counts. The same should be true of football in January.
Jun '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I'm a big fan of the old Steelers of Chuck Noll, Bradshaw, Lambert, Franco Harris, and the Steel Curtain defense. But the Rooney defection and the questions about Big Ben tip my scales to the Packers.
I don't know anything about Lombardi's politics, but his work ethic and belief in competition are certainly as conservative as they come. So count me as a Packer fan.
This would be a lot easier for me if the Jets had won--in that case, I wouldn't even have had to think about it.
Jun '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
I'm a big fan of the old Steelers of Chuck Noll, Bradshaw, Lambert, Franco Harris, and the Steel Curtain defense. But the Rooney defection and the questions about Big Ben tip my scales to the Packers.
I don't know anything about Lombardi's politics, but his work ethic and belief in competition are certainly as conservative as they come. So count me as a Packer fan.
This would be a lot easier for me if the Jets had won--in that case, I wouldn't even have had to think about it.
Jun '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Standfast: The reason I oppose the bowl system is the elitism of sports writers who vote in the polls. They love the Big Ten and Big Twelve, and constantly vote for the flavor of the week from either conference. They rig the games so that programs like TCU and Boise State have to play one another (2009 season) which proves nothing. When Utah beats Alabama in the Sugar Bowl (can't remember which year), they write it off since Alabama was unmotivated not playing in the BCS championship game.
A playoff decides who is number 1. Just like college basketball. It doesn't who is number 1 in November, it is March that counts. The same should be true of football in January. · Jan 24 at 3:19pm
I'm with you Standfast. As a Univ. of Utah graduate, I naturally detest the BCS. To put it in context, if the BCS ran the NFL. we'd be watching New England and Atlanta.
Jul '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Go Pack!
'Course I lived in WI for the first 10 years of my life, so I'm hardly choosing from a neutral starting point.
The Steelers are very good. They're competent, talented, and balanced on both sides of the ball. They're experienced in big stakes games and won't choke. Pitt will come to play.
Even so, I expect Green Bay to control most of the game. The wideouts will be open, & the defense will turn the Steelers over at least once. Unless Pitt is flawless, or the Pack chokes, Green Bay wins.
Make it: GB 27 Pitt 16.
I haven't seen the play, but I'm about halfway through David Maraniss' book which inspired it. Aside from the occasional annoying, misleading, political jab (e.g. "the right-wing Fr. Coughlin") it's pretty darn good.
Dec '10
Re: Pittsburgh v. Green Bay
Go Stillers!
Yes, there's the whole Roethlisberger thing.
Then there's this AP story, filed today: "A prosecutor who has been pondering for eight months whether to file sexual assault charges against Green Bay Packers backup cornerback Brandon Underwood said Monday that she's waiting for information from the state crime lab."
I'm not sure any of the NFL teams will pass the smell test if you look too closely.
And while the Steelers may lose a few points on Dan Rooney's account, they more than make up for it by adamantly refusing to have a cheerleading squad.
Now, if only we could get rid of the annoying sideline bobbleheads who keep popping up on TV . . .