More Super Bowl Thoughts

Is everyone ready for Media Day? I think I am. I think I actually need to look at some of these Packers players in order to see how ready they are. There isn't a lot of Super Bowl experience on this team or this coaching staff, so I want to see how they will react to the scope of the event. I think that was one of the things that really affected the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. They were talented, they were ready, they were excited, but the Cowboys were experienced and knew what to expect and knew what to do.

I saw an interview with Aaron Rodgers last week and his eyes were bugged out. He usually has that bugged out look when he's on the field, but at that point he's full of adrenaline and it's expected. When you're doing an interview with Fox, you need to tone it down a notch. If he's this fired up a week before the event, he'll either wear himself out or be too hyped up. I need to look at him tomorrow and look at his team mates and go from there. I'm still undecided on this game.

Looking ahead, I think there are some interesting things in store for the future.

I think Jeremy Kampinos is going to be the punter next season, provided there is a next season. I love Danny Vulva and I think he's great. I think Kampinos is about as good and he doesn't have two dodgy knees. It's nothing personal against Vulva. I love me some Vulva. But, I think his time has passed and I think that he suffers from being an injury-prone player at a position where there is a long line of acceptable substitutes.

Dick LeBeau's contract expires after this season. This season is ending very, very soon. I don't think that the Steelers are in danger of losing him to another team, but I think it's very possible that he retires after this season, especially if the Steelers win. He's been a head coach and he's been a defensive coordinator on other teams, so I don't think he's going to jump ship to coach for another team. He seems to have a real connection with his players and the Steeler organization. I don't think that he leaves for a different and/or better opportunity. He has championship rings and he's in the Hall of Fame. He's accomplished everything that he can accomplish in the league. The only question is whether or not he still feels he has more to do; whether or not he wants to keep going. He's kind of like Dick Hoak in that regard. The Steelers will keep renewing his contract and keep paying him as long as he wants to stay. And that's fine with me.

Maurkice Pouncey's brother Mike is in this year's draft class. He's projected as a first round pick, but he plays guard, which is not a position that many teams invest a first round pick in. He skipped out on the Senior Bowl for reasons that are not entirely clear, which could work against him come draft day. That means he just might be available when the Steelers pick at 31st or 32nd overall. How cool would that be? Two Pounceys -- twins, no less -- on the same team. I like this plan. I'm excited to be a part of it. Maurkice has already established himself on the team and he was voted to the Pro Bowl. Having two twin brothers on the same team -- nonetheless the same offensive line, playing right next to each other -- could be a recipe for disaster. But, it could also be a recipe for awesome. I'm going with the latter, because they've played alongside each other their entire lives and they've been successful.

If the Steelers win, I think Hines Ward and Aaron Smith retire at the least. Possibly also LeBeau. Possibly James Harrison, depending on how the refs call the game.