To those of you who commented on this Super Bowl being the coming out party of  Matt Hasselbeck and Ben Roethlisberger in a thrilling, exciting and high scoring game...think again.  These QBs are not close to an Elway, Favre or even Montana.  Playing in the Super Bowl isn't as easy as you might think.  First of, QBs have two weeks to think whether you are going to blow it or be the next big thing.  Not many players have the ability to handle the pressure and this kind of pressure is overwhelming.  Remenber Elway's first Super Bowl Experience? How about Dan Marino's or Jim Kelly's?

Matt Hasselbeck had a decent first have in the conference championship, however, if he doesn't get off to a good start in the Super Bowl the running game will suffer as they become one dimensional.  You don't want to rely on running the ball the entire game against the Steelers defense.  Plus let's not forget that Shaun Alexander has a concussion two weeks ago...he is a bit fragile.  Mike Holmgrem will try to throw first to open the running game but, it might not work against the Steelers like it did last Sunday against the Panthers.  As far as passing the ball is concerned, Hasselbeck had a mediocre season, he wasn't stellar at all.  His QB rating was 98.2 with 24 TDs and 9 INTs.  If you think this is good enough to place the game in his hands, you might be overshooting your predictions.  The Steelers will be counting on the same game plan Seattle used against Carolina, and they'll be prepared to knock the receivers out early in the game...which by the way, who are the Seahawks receivers?  Get my point?

Big Ben...the other QB who has the luck of playing with two great receivers that make him look better than what he actually is.  Remember how good Jake Delhomme looked this postseason with Steve Smith.  How quickly the party ended when Steve Smith was no longer a factor.  He had to return punts to touch the football.  Ben Roethlisberger has Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El two good receivers that have made Roethlisberger look better than he actually is.  He is another mediocre QB with similar stats as Hasselbeck, with a QB rating of 98.6, 17 TDs and 9 INTs.  I will give him credit though, he did save his team once, but it wasn't due to his throwing abilities.  If it wasn't for his tackle in the Indy game they will be sitting home wondering what happened to their big lead in that game. 

There are QBs that make receivers and running backs better players.  Neither of these two QBs have done that...actually it's the complete opposite, the players around them have made them better.  When you have the MVP of the league getting all the attention, an average QB could make himself look better than what he would be otherwise.  And, don't forget about the quality grabs Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El had in less than accurate throws by Big Ben.

Don't count on a shootout this upcoming Super Bowl, which makes the expectations to be a control type game like the Giants in 1991.  The game will not have the excitement of a great fast pace game with scoring on well designed plays like those Super Bowls played by John Elway and Joe Montana.  This will come down to a turnover or a defensive mistake.  All I'm saying is that this isn't going to be the kind of game we saw on Super Bowl XIII when the Steelers beat the Cowboys 35-31 or, Super Bowl XXXII where the Denver beat the Packers 31-24.  Those Super Bowls had excitement, great plays and thrilling endings.  Bottom line is that great teams are known for big plays on both sides of the ball, which means scoring points whether by a deep ball or an interception return...but they score points!!!  These are not the Elway's Broncos or Montana's 49ers, these are two mediocre teams with unproven QBs regardless of how well you think they played these postseason.  They will play safe and avoid big plays from fear of failure.  You might be the sequel to Super Bowl XXXV where Trent Dilfer sat back a watched his defense win the game for him.  There was such lack of offense that Ray Lewis won the MVP.  Expect much of the same with a little less scoring.

Seahawks vs. Steelers...so many similarities, where do I start?  Besides having their nick names beginning with the letter "S" and, having three vowels in their names, these two teams have a great deal of similarities that will make it very hard for the coaching staff to find a weakness to exploit.  As we already know both teams rely heavily on the run game, Seattle has the best rusher in the league and this year's MVP in Shaun Alexander.  The Steelers on the other hand have the Buss Jerome Bettis, who will probably have the game of his life considering he is going back home for the biggest game of his life.  And, may the last of his illustrious career.  Both teams have a strongand solid defense that will present problems for the offensive coordinators.  The Seahawks "no name" defense totally eliminated Carolina's biggest threat in Steven Smith...did he play Sunday?  Players like Kevin Bentley, Lofa Tatupu who you didn't know existed will have a big impact in the Super Bowl.  The Steelers have more recognizable players like Joey Porter, Troy Polamalu and James Farrior and yes...they are tough!  These two defensive units will make this game a low scoring game.  On the other side on the ball, Neither Mike Holmgren nor Bill Cohwer is going to put the game on their quarterback's hands.  Matt Hasselbeck and Ben Roethlisberger are not used to big game pressure and could cost their team the game. 

I truly believe that the team with the ball last, will win the game.  This will be a defensive battle that will come down to a two minute drill at the end of the game that is if there isn't a crucial turnover or injury.  Expect a hard hitting, time controlling and mistake free game.  Both coaches will try to limit the mistakes on both sides of the ball, even though the Steelers are favorite by 4 points, this will be a closer game that it appears at first glance.  If you like a defensive game...you'll love this year's Super Bowl, if not you'll could watch the highlights later that evening.  Either way, not much excitement there.  You won'y have Payton Manning throwing for 300 plus yards and 3 TDs or Tom Brady's postseason performances of the past to enjoy this year.  However, you might want to catch the Knicks vs. the Rockets or the Hurricaines vs. the Bruins, at least there are other options to what seems to be a forgettable Super Bowl.

A writer, who I prefer to not name wrote that Antonio Davis' suspension is not harsh enough.  I don't know whether he saw the game or not but, when Antonio Davis went to aid his wife and son, there was not security presence on site.  I really dislike writers that continue to state opinions without knowing all the facts.  Or, writing articles based on "what ifs".  Antonio Davis went to assist his family in what it seem a messy situation.  However he didn't say anything to the idiot harassing his family and he never motion to hit him either.  So, what would you write a story about the consequences of Davis' hitting the guy and how ugly it would have been...stop the insanity, be more creative and write based on facts not speculations.  What if my brother had breast?  Then he would be my sister, wouldn't he?!

A team that on paper, to the EXPERTS, was a last place team.  But wait, are those the same Rangers who are ranked 6th in the NHL?  Yes my friends, those New York Rangers are one of the leagues elite teams.  A team that has brought back reputability top the garden and has the fans believing once again.  If you would have to told me that the New York Rangers will be 4th in the Eastern Conference after 49 games at the begining of the season I would have had doubts.  But, if one looks at the team a little deeper, you'll find quality players, a right mix of experience and youth, great coaching...oh, and the league's scorer leader in Jaromir Jagr.  A pleasant surprise has been the goal tending of rookie Henrik Lundqvist, who is the first Ranger rookie golie with a 20 win season since Mike Richter in 1991. 

If I learn something from this, it'll be that you can not predict success based on what you see on paper.  All of you experts that had the Tampa Bay lightning, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Pitssburg Penguins ahead of the Rangers making the playoffs...think again.  Next time, hold off on your predictions until you are sure of what you are about to write.  You look foolish when you base your predictions on feeling not facts.  The Rangers line up has good strong players that you decided to write off and overlook, shame on you all...you know hwo you are.  Now, the Rangers may not win the Stanley Cup this year, but they have already accomplished more that you gave them credit for at the begining of the season.  I hope you learned from this, and next time you are itching to write your prediction, do it knowing that I'll be watching to see what you dare to publish on your columns.