Tuesday, May 02, 2006

As seen on the Post Gazette:

Super Bowl chat transcript: 1/31/06
Tuesday, January 31, 2006Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(Note: Even though Jerry Micco's name was used in the chat room for this discussion, the speaker was PG sports writer Paul Zeise. That change has been made in the transcript.)
steelersXLchamps05: Do you see these 2 teams as great match ups or are the STEELERS too much for the Hawks?
Paul Zeise: No, this should be a great game. The Steelers are probably better but the Seahawks have a couple of things going for them and do some things that could the Steelers problems. The biggest is the speed of their defense. They are a much faster team than I think a lot of people understand. Their linebackers get from sideline to sideline as quick as any in the NFL. I also think because of the presence of Shaun Alexander, who is one of the top running backs in the league, allows Matt Hasselbeck to be as effective as a passer as there is in the league. I think the Steelers will win, but I don't anticipate a blowout.
senioraflac01: Any big surprises from media day thus far??
Paul Zeise: Surprises? Yes, Gilbert Gottfried is every bit as goofy as he comes off in the movies and during his comedy routine. I thought for sure nobody could be that ridiculous in real life, but watching him work the room and promote his DVD, there is no question he isn't acting in the movies. As for football-related surprises? I thought it was interesting that Tommy Maddox had more people surrounding him to interview him than many players who will actually have an impact on the game. I also am surprised at the number of current and former players who are working for media outlets.
steeler34: If you could pick one thing that would derail The Steelers, what would it be?
Paul Zeise: They forget who what got them this far and go back to that tight, afraid-to-lose team that has blown in up in those AFC championship game losses. This team has won because it has played loose and with nothing to lose. They've had fun, they've had a great run but now that they are the favored and are expected to win, will they change? I think that's the only thing that could stop them. They need to remember to play to win the game -- not to steal a line from Herm Edwards -- as opposed to playing not to lose.
Miney: How are all the Steelers players handling all the media attention? Do you think the attention, plus being favored, will affect the motivations that have gotten them to this point?
Paul Zeise: I thought the Steelers did extremely well today. People need to understand how ridiculously overblown this event -- media day, which was today -- is. I previously mentioned that guys like Gilbert Gottfried was running around. Tom Arnold was asking insane questions. There were members of international media, many who didn't speak the best English trying to ask questions in a horde. Players are getting asked questions about all sorts of things that have nothing to do with football. Just people by the boatload firing questions from every direction. But from what I saw, they all handled it in stride and all enjoyed themselves. That tells me this team is loose and seems ready to play. That could change by Sunday, but as of now, this teams seems to be enjoying it all. I think one thing in the Steelers favor is this -- there are a lot of guys on this team who had gotten close and not made it a few times and so they appreciate and value their accomplishment of actually getting to the Super Bowl.
Pickman: Well we have heard Jerrry's pick.....let's hear your pick and who will be the MVP?
Paul Zeise: My pick? I think the Steelers will win something like 38-28. I just think there will be a lot of points in this game. Maybe I'm sappy, but I think Jerome Bettis will complete the story book season, score three touchdowns and win the MVP in his hometown in his last game.
Pickman: I think that if the Steelers have an X factor this game it could be Heath Miller....with this pick you may assume I mean the passing game, but I feel he will be instrumental in picking up Seattle's blitz...do you agree or see another X factor?
Paul Zeise: I think he'll be instrumental in both areas -- catching and blocking. Seattle gets pressure on the quarterback without blitzing so he'll be called on to do a lot of pass blocking and also releasing as a safety valve for Ben. Blocking is no doubt the area that Miller has made the most progress in and he'll be put to the test often Sunday.
MTW_shadyside: Why is this game getting beat up so much by the national media? I don't think it's any worse than the Pats-Panthers game 2 years ago.
Paul Zeise: A lot of people thought this would be a coronation of Peyton Manning, but he and his "idiot kicker" choked (again) and some people are having a hard time dealing with it. Frankly, I've never understood why fans, care about what national media have to say about their favorite teams. To most of the national media, if it doesn't involve the Yankees, the Cowboys, Notre Dame or the Lakers it can't be good, which is nonsense. There are only two cities who are going to really enjoy any championship game anyway and you live in one of them. So just enjoy it and forget about ESPN.
steelersXLchamps05: Do you think Seattle will be able to handle the 3-4 defense? Didn't have much luck against Dallas>
Paul Zeise: That is true, the game the Seahawks offense struggled the most in was against that scheme. That being said, I can't imagine with this much time to prepare the Seahawks offensive staff won't be able to come up with something different. That's the thing about having two weeks to prepare, there will be few surprises and the extra time usually favors the underdog.
NYCSteelerDiva: I really want to see a razzle-dazzle play. Do you think Cowher is planning some trickery? (Hoping)
Paul Zeise: Well, nothing we've seen from Cowher this far would indicate that he doesn't have at least one or two trick plays up his sleeve. I mean, how many teams can line up with four quarterbacks on the field like the Steelers (Roethlisberger, Ward, Randle El, Wilson)? That gives you a lot of options and a lot of flexibility. The key is timing -- calling those plays at the precise moment so they work.
MTW_shadyside: Do you expect Staley to be back next year? IF he comes back healthy, the running game could be better than it was this year.
Paul Zeise: No, I don't. He has been a good loyal soldier but it is clear they are going to go in a different direction. He just has not, in the past few years, proven he's durable enough to play in a system like the Steelers and Parker is clearly the man of the future (at least for next year!)
MTW_shadyside: I read that the Bears are going to make a run at bringing Randle El to Chicago. Do you think the Steelers will let him leave?
Paul Zeise: Yes, I don't know where he'll end up, but I do think Sunday will be his last game in a Steelers uniform. They have some younger receivers they are going to take a look at and given the kind of money he might command, there are a lot of other players with similar skills who will come at a much cheaper price.
MTW_shadyside: Will Maddox dress this game or will the spot go to an extra linebacker with Harrison just coming back?
Paul Zeise: Yes, Maddox will dress and will be the emergency quarterback. Batch will be the backup -- and wouldn't that be another fairy tale come true -- former Lions quarterback Charlie Batch leading his hometown Steelers to a championship in his former city.
NYCSteelerDiva: What's with this Post Gazette poll about the color pants the Steelers should wear?? It has to be the gold! Speaking as a woman, guys, those gold pants are HOT.
Paul Zeise: Well I will take your word for it. My daughter always refers to football pants as capri pants, which I think is rather funny.
Paul Zeise: OK guys, thanks for all the great questions and we will chat again tomorrow.