It's late right now, and as I laid down in bed, I couldn't help but realize I didn't have to get up in the morning. So instead of forcing myself to sleep, here's a little post on some things I've been mulling over.
What an improbable finish to one of the truly feel-good stories of the season. The Packers, in spite of losing 15 players to the injured reserve, won the Superbowl. As a fan, I couldn't be happier. They earned it every step of the way, overcoming each obstacle as they faced it. I'll admit, the game did have its scary moments and tested my sanity quite a bit (Driver and Woodson going down gave me the feeling of ultimate dread). But in the end, the Pack just overcame one final hurdle to gain a very sweet victory, one I will cherish not just now, but forever.
The best part is, with all those injured players coming back and GM Ted Thompson's ability to find talent from seemingly all corners of the world, the Packers should be competitive for years to come. What's more, I think Aaron Rodgers' mettle and play has proved once more not just how good he is (and I think its safe to say he's now an elite QB), but how truly important the quarterback position is to a team's success.
Just 2 years ago, the Cardinals were in the Superbowl, boasting an up and coming team (albeit in one of the worst divisions in football). Following Warner's retirement, they have completely lost their sense of identity. That same year, behind a revitalized Jake Delhomme, the Panthers were 12-4 (yes, just in 2008 this happened). Last year, Delhomme bombed and got booed out of town. This year? 1-15. It's a fact I hate to admit, because I'm the kind of guy who truly believes in the team sport aspect of football (coming from someone who played offensive and defensive line during his whole career). Yet I can't help but see now just how important it is to have a smart, athletic guy behind center who can put the team on his back (GREG JENNINGS!) when he needs to. Ben Roethlisberger is no slouch either, he wills game-winning drives on a year to year basis and makes it look easy. Look how successful his team has been too the past few years (3 Superbowls in 6 years, anyone?).
Then you get guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady...heck, even throw Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan in there, two good young QBs. Why, you ask? Because neither have had a losing season since they've taken over. Manning and Brady have their teams competing year in and year out as well. And this offseason, so many teams are in need of a QB, and there just aren't enough even halfway decent guys out there to be had (we're going to assume the CBA gets all figured out and 2011 football goes on without a hitch). Teams are getting it now after seeing Rodgers come into his own since taking over for Favre, it is a must to have at least a competent quarterback who can make good throws, and an elite one can take you so far.
But QBs can't do it all on their own. There are a few key positions besides QB that are musts in being successful and maintaining success. From my personal view, they are as follows (in order of importance): QB, MLB, LT, S, DE/OLB, WR
You need a QB to lead your team, but you also need someone to lead the defense. That can come in the form of a middle linebacker or a safety (hence why I listed both), and even better if you have both. You need a left tackle to withstand the pass rush and keep your QB standing up, and a WR for him to throw to. DE/OLB is basically a pass rusher, and the position depends on scheme, but basically a guy who can make plays. Your question is probably where is RB: its becoming a backburner in a pass-heavy game. Not that you can get away with a bad RB, but Manning, Rodgers, and Brady prove that if your QB is good enough, you can put a semi-decent RB back there and win. A great one definitely helps, but its not essential the way it once was. On the Packers, they have Rodgers as their QB, Bishop as their MLB (watch SBXLV again and tell me he isn't a stud in the making), an all-pro vet in Clifton at LT, Nick Collins (pick 6 in XLV) at FS, Charles Woodson practically plays strong safety already, Clay Matthews at OLB, and Greg Jennings at WR. There you have a Superbowl team, and one that could contend for years to come.
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