2009 Regular Season Record: Colts 15-1; Packers 11-5

Colts Packers '08

Two teams so close to holding the Lombardi trophy face each other in a preseason game that may be great fun to watch – even if it doesn’t tell us much. The Indianapolis Colts took to the field of the Super Bowl in Miami ready to add a new ring to the collection. They were favored and walked into the playoffs having only lost one game. The Green Bay Packers anointed the arm of Aaron Rodgers (a good arm I might add) as a divining rod back to Super Bowl glory. Didn’t happen.

The Green Bay Packers were only two losses away from commanding the NFC North. Those two losses were to Brett Favre’s Vikings, which added more drama to the NFL than you’d find on the Real Housewives of Atlanta.  The playoff position may have cost the Packers the shot at playing in the big game. Try as he might last year, Rodgers wasn’t able to complete the team’s separation from Favre. Just like any breakup, the feelings are much stronger until you get the new trophy.

The Indianapolis Colts were one win away from a perfect regular season – but they chose to forgo the shot at history to keep the starters rested and healthy. With the #1 seed wrapped up, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell put his star QB Peyton Manning on the bench. Perhaps watching Bill Belichick’s Patriots, the most recent almost-undefeated, he decided to let go of the opportunity to knock the ’72 Dolphins off the perch. During the Super Bowl, by the fourth quarter, the audience could see the momentum swing to the underdog Saints. When the clock struck 00:00, the Peyton and the crew sat dejected on the sidelines – wondering how in the heavens this happen.

We should see some great football. Tonight we get to see the two great QBs do their thing with near flawless offenses and tight defenses. It’s that “near” thing that changes the whole story.

(By the way, my opinion is that the Colts lost because they ticked off the football goddesses. You can’t cheat destiny like that. Sorry Caldwell.)

Just learning the game? Here’s a brief breakdown of positions on the field during a typical game. The players may change based on the offensive or defensive scheme. Also, there are different setups for special teams plays, such as the punting unit or kickoff return team. We’ll deal with those more thoroughly throughout the season. Also, we’ll go through the nuances of each position in the Weekly Wink, the Sideline Pass Newsletter, beginning next Tuesday! Next, thanks to Patty, we’ll have a breakdown of Fantasy Football. Look for it.

NFL Team Positions

OFFENSE (Blue): For full explanations of each offensive position, click HERE

T= Tackle

G= Guard

C= Center

QB = Quarter Back

TE = Tight End

WR = Wide Receiver

FB = Fullback

HB = Halfback

DEFENSE (Orange): For full explanations of each defensive position, click HERE

E = End

T = Tackle

ML = Middle Linebacker

OL = Outside Linebacker

CB = Cornerback

S = Safety

YOU Can Win a Dozen Sally’s Biscuits!

Jewell Chats with Guests

The POSH GIRL Party with a Purpose at the Ritz Carlton was an awesome event.  Although it was a cloudy day in the DC area, you would never have been able to tell by the smiles and laughter in the room. As guests browsed and shopped, Mrs. Green chatted with them about the wonderful deals – and the great causes they supported with their dollars.

Vendors were on hand from all over the country. If you wanted the perfect bag, or a pair of show-stopping stilettos, this was the spot. We chatted with handbag designers, lash experts and more. The deals were great and we found that most vendors were happy to offer great discounts to advance the selected causes. And believe it or not, we found some great football fans.

Darrell Auctions Off a Handbag

Throughout the day, Jewell’s husband and Washington Redskins legend Darrell Green worked the room and served as auctioneer. He was more than gracious with his time as guests stopped to take photos with him, ask his take on the season and much more.

We were able to chat with some of the young girls who took home dresses from Caitlin’s Closet, the foundation started by Stacy Brunell, wife of NFL quarterback Mark Brunell. The girls were all smiles after finding beautiful dresses that fit them to a tee. The mothers were smiling as well. We’ll tell you more about some of the vendors as we move through the summer. You don’t want to miss some of these great deals.

WIN A DOZEN SALLY’S BISCUITS!

Do you like sweet potatoes? Do you like biscuits? Well we’ve got just the snack for you: Sally’s Biscuits. This treat had people running back for more. It’s not to sweet, not too dry, moist and tasty. We’ll randomly select two Sideline Pass readers who comment below and tell us what they want to see more of as the site grows.

All you have to do to enter is comment!

Hear how the owner of Sally’s Biscuits perfected her mother’s recipe.

Ball Girl Gail Sideman Tells How She Blended Sports Her Career

We were delighted to have Gail Sideman as this week’s Ball Girl. She’s quite the PR guru and has keen insight into the sports world thanks to the myriad roles she’s held since college. Beginning as a writer, she found her way penning stories for the collegiate newspaper. Gail tells the story of getting a thank you note for a great article from one of the coaches – to the shocking dismay of her editor. She took that as a cue to move another side of the business.

As a professional today, Gail blends roles that give her flexibility and freedom to create the life she wants. Take a listen and hear this Wisconsin girl tell of her travels around the globe in her role for major news channels. Also, hear as she extols the benefit of proper networking – including the good old-fashioned follow-up (not always by text.)

Gail was born and reared in Wisconsin and grew up on Favre ball, so it’s been hard to let go even though he’s moved to another city. Having been exposed to the life of the athlete, she understands the importance of playing while you can. The same goes for building your own network – play while the ball is in your hands. Thanks to Gail for all her wonderful insight.

From CNNSI Vault – What they said about Drew Brees after the combine:
“If Brees held his draft position, it’s because there is little else to choose from at quarterback after the presumed No. 1, Michael Vick. Mel Kiper Jr., who ranked Brees No. 16 before the combine, drops him out of his top 25 prospects.” Check out the 2001 article here.

On occasion, the football pundits turn out to be wrong – thankfully for the Patriots and Saints, those occasions happened to lead to Super Bowl wins. I wanted to see what the word was on this year’s Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. For most, Drew was too short and didn’t have the arm to throw the long ball, nor the accuracy. Hmmm. What do you think now?

In the past ten years, seven different QBs have led their teams to a Super Bowl. Of the seven, three were taken after the 1st round. Tom Brady appears to be the only “hidden gem” falling to the 6th round. Brad Johnson was on the Buccaneers team, but I still wouldn’t call him a gem. That was a defensive win for the ages. So before Brady, you’d have to go back to the 11th year to find another true hidden treasure in Kurt Warner, the only underafted QB to ever win a Super Bowl.

So for the teams waiting to see who falls farther down the draft chart, don’t wait too long. Seems like the good guys go first. Of course for every great one, there’s a bust but the numbers still support the fact that it’s better to chance it. The pundits and draft experts don’t have the measuring stick that tells them how a player will develop in the three years after the draft. For that, maybe they need to hire Ms. Cleo. If not, fans just have to accept that you just don’t know until you know.

Draft Positions of Last Decade’s Super Bowl Winners (plus Kurt)
Super Bowl XLIV: Drew Brees 2nd Round, 1st Pick 2001
Super Bowl XLII/ XL: Ben Roethlisberger* 1st Round, 11th Pick
Super Bowl XLII: Eli Manning #1 Pick, 2004
Super Bowl XLI: Peyton Manning #1 Pick 1998
Super Bowl XXXIX: Tom Brady* 6th Round, 33nd Pick
Super Bowl XXXVII: Brad Johnson 9th Round, 3rd Pick
Super Bowl XXXV: Trent Dilfer 1st Round, 6th Pick
Super Bowl XXXIV: Kurt Warner Undrafted

*Repeat Winners

Detroit moved through Round 1 of the draft like a 1975 Electra 225 hot off the assembly line. The motor city has little cheer about these days with a devastated auto industry, unsavory politics and a dismal housing market. But Detroit Lion fans hold on. Suh the Beast and his draft day partner Best are ready to give citizens some city pride again – if only on Sundays.

Ndamukong Suh (Damu for short) taught us a lot during his senior year. In addition to how to say his name correctly, we learned that the Heisman Trophy finalist understands what it means to be the total package. Suh has already pledged $2.6 million of his earnings to the university to endow a scholarship and outfit the college’s gym. It’s the single largest gift to the university by a former athlete. The Defensive Tackle is considered to be one of the most dominant players coming out of the draft in years. But when he leaves the field, the next rookie picks up where he leaves off.

Jahvid Best, a running back for the University of California, was destined to be a first round pick even after a frightening injury last year. Opting to forgo his senior year, the talented ball carrier is hoping to stay healthy and on the field. His statistics suggest that he can be a game-changer and by all accounts, he has a good head on his shoulders. Supposedly, he’ll bring back feelings Lions’ fans haven’t had since Barry Sanders. If he can add another dimension for QB Matthew Stafford (a Sideline Pass Fave), I expect to see them in the playoffs in no less than three years.

Now Best and Damu, I expect you to get the De-Troit moving like a smooth deuce and a quarter. If you’re too young to know what that means, look it up!