Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi and right guard Jerry Kramer share the special moment that was Lombardi’s final game and Super Bowl II victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Sports Illustrated photograph

Super Bowl Sunday. Yes, we know. We know!

Oh how we all wish it were the Green Bay Packers versus the rest of the world for which we were all preparing. But shucks, it’s not.

So on with our lives, one more day of the Harbaughs, Ray Lewis, and anything and everything San Francisco. I’m sure we will enjoy it once we get into it, but getting there is the tough part for many of us Packers fans who lament this day without our team. But we’re not alone. There are 29 other teams facing the same.

Tooling around the Intenet this morning, I came across this beautiful site (or is it sight?).

Check it out. I was at least quite pleased with the cover photo … it is indeed beautiful – and brings me to this final parting shot: Why does Warren Sapp make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot, while the Green Bay Packers’ Jerry Kramer still waits?

Is there no sense or justice in this world … Not in this instance.

Anyway, enjoy the photographs by clicking here …

Then we will all wish that Monday is a national holiday and go to bed with visions of the 2013 season dancing in our heads – well, maybe some of us will.

In the meantime, we here at lombardiave.com will take a shot at predicting today’s game – yes, there is a game being played.

So, without further adieu, here we go …

Ray Rivard
Editor, Lombardiave.com

Ray Rivard: This unique familial Super Bowl pitting brothers John and Jim Harbaugh in the “Harbrawl Bowl,” will feature two entirely different teams. The hard-nosed Joe Flacco-led Baltimore Ravens against the upstart Colin Kaepernick-led 49ers.

Everyone’s talking about Ray Lewis’s final game, though I could care less. In the end, I think the difference in this game will be how the Ravens deal with Kaepernick’s legs. Can they contain him and force him to beat them with his arm? That will be the difference.

I see the Niners with its more explosive offense making a few more plays than the Ravens.

San Francisco 26 Baltimore 23

Darryl Krecji
Staff Writer and forever patient Packers fan

Darryl Krejci: So I have a big decision to make tomorrow, watch a football game or watch the nature channel’s documentary of the history and evolution of the gastropod mollusk.  This is a difficult decision because the NFL season comes down to two brothers matching wits in a game that should have the Packers in it, but due to a high level conspiracy involving the Illuminati and Roger Goodell does not.  But since  I am bound and required under certain judicial orders to provide my profound insight into the game I will.

I am going to use the Troy Aikman theory of football prognostication; the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win; the team that turns the ball over the least will win; or the team that scores the most points will win.  With those gems of wisdom I will take Baltimore over San Francisco with the final score being 37-21.

Now back to the cooking channel and an insightful look at the manufacturing process of the spork.

TAKE BACK THE TUNDRA!

Tommy Marquardt
Staff Writer and disinterested observer from afar

I will (probably) not be watching as I am still dismayed by the Packers failure. In fact, I haven’t watched any coverage at all on the SB.  All I know is that the Harbaughs are brothers and Ray Lewis was drinking Deer sperm or something like that.  That doesn’t mean I can’t make a prediction though …

Jason Hirschhorn
Staff Writer and our legal expert

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) addresses the press during this week’s “pageant,” otherwise known as media day.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As a semi-casual, half-hearted Green Bay Packers fan, I find the lull between the early exit of the playoffs until the start of mini-camps to be a very dull and uninteresting time.  Yet there is always one week that does seem to come alive with at least one or two stories that were either tailor made or were being held just until the right moment to be sprung upon the general populace.

Yep, it is media week so bring out the stupidity and the shocking that comes with the competition we know as the Super Bowl.

This year we have three incidents that clearly are contending for the Crown of Stupidity.  So with no further adieu, let me announce the winners (to date, things could change as we still have five days to go before kickoff).

Mardi Gras figurine of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at the Super Bowl XLVII media party at Mardi Gras World.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Second runner goes up to Mr. Drew Brees, who also wins the award for Mr. Congeniality.  It seems that Mr. Brees decided to take it upon himself to throw all of the former NFL players who gave their blood, sweat and tears to the game under the bus so guys like him could line their pockets.  Mr. Brees in the question and answer portion of the competition explained that it was poor financial planning on the part of former players that resulted in their financial shortcomings today.  He went on to elaborate that current players should not have to pay or give more in order to support those who came before he and all the other multimillionaires could line their pockets.

Fortunately, former Packer Great, Herb Adderley was there to score Mr. Brees and point out his utter stupidity and lack of understanding of the topic matter.

Mr. Adderley stated,

“Drew Brees is misinformed and he had no idea what was going on as far as why, he never came to any of the guys and said, ‘Well, why did you have to take early pension?’ He just made up his own mind about why some guys were in bad shape financially. And he just came out and made statements like that. And in my mind, Drew Brees is one of the greediest guys, and misinformed guys, in the NFL today. Last year he held out because he wanted more money. The guy’s already made millions and millions and millions of dollars, but he’s going to hold out for more money. And then he comes down on the retired guys for just wanting a few more dollars for the time, the cornerstones, what we put in the league  …  And none of us retired guys are fans of Brees because of him being misinformed. I needed the money. I needed to put my daughter through school and she ended up being a very successful dentist at the particular time in Washington, D.C.  If I don’t do that, she don’t end up going to college.”

Ohhhhh, sorry Drew, it seems you have a severe case of foot-in-mouth disease.  Why don’t you go back to the locker room  and plan some more bounties with the rest of the team … oh wait, I mean develop defensive schemes that will allow your defense to capitalize on the weaknesses of your opponents.

Randy Moss
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

First runner-up goes to Randy Moss.  Up until this point, I forgot that Randy still played in the NFL.  In fact, I thought he had been traded to the CFL for a sled dog and a VHS copy of “Strange Brew,” starring Bob and Doug McKenzie.  But I was proven wrong as evident in the evening gown competition when Randy strutted out on to the stage in a pink gown with matching gloves.

While walking the walk, he clearly talked the talk and reminded everyone who was listening that he is the “greatest” wide receiver in the history of the NFL.  This coming from the man who graciously pretended to moon the faithful at Lambeau Field and insulted the caterer for the Minnesota Vikings.  He also led to the downfall of one Brad Childress and was instrumental in pretty much nothing since leaving the Minnesota Vikings.  Clearly, Randy is a legend in his own mind.

How one man can be so full of himself  to think that he can upstage all the other contestants to win the evening gown competition is inconceivable.  Yet I was informed that it was a close race between him and Honey Boo Boo for this portion of the competition.  The fact that Honey Boo Boo was able to establish more credibility and honesty with the judges allowed him to take the crown.

Congratulations, Randy Moss, you are this years winner of the Biggest Ego.  Unfortunately as your head gets bigger, so does your mouth.

Ray Lewis
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Finally this year’s winner (to date) is a tie.  A tie between Ray Lewis and Sports Illustrated.  In the swimsuit competition, both competitors came out wearing the same one piece black swim suit.  Both competitors clearly knew how to wait until the last minute to make a statement that took all the attention away from the competition and focused it on their own self-indulging escapades.

Sports Illustrated led off with a shocking news story that Ray Lewis used a banned substance (deer antler spray) to help him in his recovery from a season-ending injury in order to be ready for the granddaddy of all pageants.  Ray Lewis, for his own sake, is denying everything (which in this day and age, thanks to Lance Armstrong, equates to admitting guilt).  So as both contestants walked down the aisle, they suffered swimsuit malfunctions resulting in exposing a dirty little secret that will take the attention away from the game.

The winners will receive more TV and face time then Joan Rivers at a plastic surgery convention, yet Joan will definetly look better in the crown and the Go Daddy swimsuit!

Roger Goodell
Jim O

A special award goes to Roger Goodell for his handling of the NFL referees debacle,the Bountygate eruption and everything else that went wrong this year for the NFL.  According to one judge, “If it were not for Goodell, we would have had a normal and uneventful season.”

So as we wrap up this year’s pageant week, a special thank you to all of our contestants.  Though your crowns are honorary, your self-indulgence, greediness and lack of integrity will continue to define you for as long as there is football or at least until next year when some other bone heads take your place during Super Bowl week …

now can we just play some football?

Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss is interviewed during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

If you haven’t seen his majesty, Mr. Randy Moss’s most recent quote, you might just react the way I did when I heard about the San Francisco 49ers’ most recent statement.

As reported by NFL.com, here is what the master mooner had to say:

“I don’t really live on numbers. I really live on impact and what you’re able to do out on that field. I really do think that I’m the greatest receiver to ever play this game.”

I have to agree with my fansided.com brother, Matt Hamm, over at ninernoise.com, when he said it was “one of the dumbest comments he’s ever spoken …”

Is Moss so full of himself to describe himself that way and to forget that there have been other guys to play the position with the names of Hutson, Rice, Reed, Lofton, Warfield, Harrison, Taylor, Monk and so many others who have come before him?

Apparently not.

I suppose he thinks he’s also the best caterer around and the best faux mooner, as well.

Needless to say, Moss has never been the brightest bulb in the box, and his latest comment certainly doesn’t add to his legacy. In fact, not only did his comment about being the greatest rub non-Niners fans the wrong way, but when he also said that he wanted to play one more year, but wouldn’t commit to coming back to San Francisco, he no doubt ticked off fans of his current team.

Maybe one can attribute his comments to the stress of the Super Bowl, but probably not. Moss has been there before and has faced the crush of the media throughout his career. He’s simply an arrogant cuss who can’t retire soon enough.

I have to agree to Hamm’s comment about Moss:

“Before today I was pro bringing Moss back, he’s been a good mentor/teammate and has done the job asked of him.  Now, I think the organization should let Sunday be his last game and publicly declare after the big game that they are moving on without him next season.”

So long, Randy.

On this day in 1997, the Green Bay Packers accomplished something that all of Packers Nation had waited decades to see – bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown.

It was this day that would belong to the fleet feet of Desmond Howard, though Packers quarterback Brett Favre and defensive end Reggie White would also contribute solid performances in helping the Packers to the NFL championship, 35-21, over the Bill Parcells-coached New England Patriots.

Starting with Favre’s TD bomb to Andre Rison and ending with White’s three sacks of QB Drew Bledsoe, the Packers won this game when Howard returned a kickoff for a touchdown that turned the tide in the second half.

It was a great, great day for Packers fans … you want to remember? Check the video below.

I do.

But I also remember how the franchise played in four Super Bowls, losing all four. We’ve all heard the jokes about what you find in the Vikings trophy case and such, but it’s actually kind of sad that their fans haven’t had a better shake.

However, that’s enough feeling sorry for Vikings fans. The team’s failings can’t be changed.

And while it’s highly doubtful the team will vie anytime soon for a Super Bowl berth, at least things are looking up for the franchise with the projected building and completion of its new $975 million stadium in 2016.

To that end, the Vikings today officially announced a bid for a future Super Bowl to be held at the site of the new stadium. I guess if you can’t shake at the big dance, you can at least play host.

This year’s Super Bowl will be held in New Orleans, next year’s in New Jersey and the year after that in Arizona. Sites for 2015 and 2016 are to be decided upon Next May. Should the Vikes be awarded the bid for 2016, they better be on schedule with construction.

And who knows? Maybe by then the team will have shaken its 40 years of no Super Bowl appearances.

But I’m not holding out hope.

Published reports out of Chicago have quoted Goodell saying, “We did speak about this earlier. We are, as you know, hosting a Super Bowl in New York in an open-air stadium in 2014. And we’re excited about that! We think it’s gonna be a great thing for our fans and a great thing for New York. And I think if we can do it successfully there, I think that opens up doors that we’ll all be looking at.”

Goodell was in Chicago to present a plaque commemorating Soldier Field becoming the first NFL stadium to receive LEED status, given to the most environmentally friendly buildings in the country.

Not only does the 2014 open air venue in New York City open the possibility for a Super Bowl in Chicago, but it should also open the possibility for other cold venues being considered for a bid. Should the league be considering Denver? Philadelphia? And how about Green Bay?

Phoenix has been awarded the Super Bowl in 2015. The NFL hasn’t chosn a host city yet for 2016

While many logistics would need to be worked out – things like parking, accommodations and places to host the variety of parties that are held during the Super Bowl week – in my estimation, holding a Super Bowl in Green Bay is certainly not out of the question. And it should be part of the conversation.

While temperatures in Green Bay the first week of February can vary tremendously, it’s also possible that the variation in conditions in Green Bay aren’t that far off from those in Florida. According to the Weather Channel, Green Bay’s average daytime temperature in February is 28 degrees. The average in Florida, in comparison, is 53.

Is it crazy to think the Super Bowl could be held in Green Bay? I guess we should see how the date in New York goes. Should it go well, I could certainly see the big game being held at Soldier Field. And considering that the Packers are adding another 8,000 seats to Lambeau Field, seating shouldn’t be that huge of a factor as the total at Lambeau will be approaching 80,000.

Though it’s not likely the City of Green Bay will be a Super Bowl destination, at least the talk about Chicago gives us renewed hope. We can never say never and only hope that there is some way, somehow that the greatest franchise in the league could have its super day in the sun.

If you’re not spending time watching re-runs of past Packers regular season and Super Bowl games, but still want to watch the tube, there are other programs that may appeal to you.

The Huffington Post Entertainment page posted a link to a list of some of those programs you may enjoy.

Take a look. You might be pleased.

Giants? Patriots? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ …

Let’s talk about what the Super Bowl means to the greater majority of those fans who don’t care who wins … like us Packers fans.

Commercials.

Midwest Sports Fans posted this nice list of the top 10 Super Bowl commercials of all time.

Enjoy … and then Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Clipped from: www.midwestsportsfans.com (share this clip)

That’s all I can figure was the case with my home town’s officials as they, in the middle of the night, removed the championship flags that had flown for nearly the past year.

They went up the pole about the first part of March 2011 and flew throughout the year.

And though the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV flags that slapped in the breeze in the town of Minocqua just below Old Glory itself, had grown thin and worn, they were removed too soon.

It was only a couple of weeks that the Packers had disappointingly lost to the eventual NFC Champion New York Giants at Lambeau Field. The sting was still prevalent, and still is.

But the Super Bowl is still five days away. When the flags were removed, the Super Bowl was a good 10-12 days away.

See more after the jump … and while you’re at it, don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(more…)

I’ll tell you why – it’s because one of the only reasons I enjoy watching the Super Bowl is for the commercials. But now that everyone who has a computer with a connection to the Internet can see them this year because they’ve been leaked.

Well, so much for surprise and anticipation. And while I could be a stick in the mud and bury my head in the sand, along with every other cliche, I’ll do what everyone else is doing and post them for all our readers to see.

And so without further adieu, I’ll throw you the link to see them all.

Click here to enjoy …

That’s great news for those who may not have access to the game through the traditional network avenue.

For the complete story, click on the link below:

Clipped from: nbcsports.msnbc.com (share this clip)

The Packers caught fire at the end of last season because of a potent offense, but also because of an attacking defense designed by Dom Capers (left). Here he chats with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

During the 2010 season, the Packers were up, down and upside down at many points.

They suffered through some rough games, including a loss to the Detroit Lions in which Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion and was unable to play half of the game. In trying to square the Packers’ uninspired play earlier in the season with the Super Bowl win, analysts have used the theory that the Packers simply “got hot” at the right time.

Certainly the Packers did improve over the last couple regular season games and then of course they won every post-season game. But does the fact that the Packers have continued this impressive streak with 11 2011 season wins mean that the theory that the Packers won the Super Bowl because they were “hot” or “had the momentum” still apply?

Jump to more about the impact of momentum and remember to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

(more…)

As a bonus, I’ve also thrown in a couple of clips that show what it’s like NOT to win a championship, courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

So, before the Packers take on the New Orleans Saints Thursday night, take some time to watch these videos I found while surfing through YouTube.

Jump to the videos here …
(more…)

As the lockout ends and the start of training camp looms, I thought it a good time to search YouTube for some video from last year’s season.

As a matter of practice I don’t like watching too many highlight films during the offseason, but given this is a championship season I can’t help but burn up the YouTube files.

That’s why I’m posting this video from SportHighlights112 … While there are hundreds of postings on YouTube that highlight the Super Bowl, I chose this one because the quality is pretty good and it has all the big plays … Enjoy the action … It’s a part of a season we will not soon forget …