Bad Throw: Possible Turning Point of Super Bowl XLV

The turning point of the Super Bowl resulted from a bad third quarter pass from Steelers’s quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. It was a great play call, but was not executed well. Roethlisberger faked a handoff and was given enough time to make an accurate throw. Instead of helping the Steelers take the lead, he overthrew the pass to Mike Wallace. With the time he had and the ability of Wallace, it should have been a touchdown.

After the missed pass, Roethlisberger was sacked few plays later. They were forced to attempt a 52-yard field goal which missed wide left. The Steelers were gaining momentum prior to the play and lost the chance to the gain lead. The Steelers lost by five points, thus, the touchdown would have put the Steelers over the Packers.

The One and a Half-Trick Pony

Mike Wallace / Mike Rhoads (Wikimedia Commons)

Mike Wallace, standout wide receiver on the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a valuable asset to the team, and his performance could greatly affect the outcome of this year's Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers. He is only in his second year as a pro, but he is already a big part of the plan. He doesn’t get much attention from the quarterback, but when he does, it is deadly.
In the second round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns, the speed demon had only three receptions, but it came with a touchdown and a whopping 105 yards. However, he was labeled as a “one-trick pony” in a Pro Football Weekly interview by head coach Mike Tomlin. As a rookie, Wallace did not know how to use his speed effectively. All he did was use it to break away in the open field.

Wallace admits that he is not content with the title and stated, “I’ve scored touchdowns and made plays in all types of different ways, every week when he said it, (but) he still gives me the same name, and I don’t think it's going to change until at least next year." After that, Coach Tomlin gave him the label “one and a half trick pony,” according to a Kansas City Star article. Wallace said, “Well, I guess it means I’m getting better to go to one and a half. You got to start from somewhere.” Wallace has high hopes for his future and continues to get better. This upcoming Super Bowl, he may just pull another trick out of his hat.

Sam Shields: Undrafted to Potential Super Bowl Star

Sam Shields 2010 Bowman

Over the last year Sam Shields has transformed himself from an afterthought in the NFL draft to being the starting nickleback for the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV and a budding star in the league. After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Sam Shields signed with the Packers after an unremarkable collegiate career at the University of Miami.

Going into Packers training camp Shields didn’t figure into the Packers’ plan, but after an interception on the first day of training camp and impressing coaches throughout training camp he earned a spot on the team. He made his presence known on an acrobatic week 10 interception while guarding the Cowboys Miles Austin, one of the elite receivers in the NFL. Shields also proved to be a useful kick returner for the Packers averaging a solid 21.5 yards per return. He played at a respectable level during the season but he has reached a new level of play in the playoffs.

In the first two playoff games Shields played a vital role in containing the Eagles and Falcons explosive group of wide receivers. Shields then burst onto the national stage in the NFC championship game recording a pair of interceptions and his first career sack. His two interceptions made him the first rookie in NFL history to do so in a league championship game.

Looking ahead to the Super Bowl Shields is going to be a major factor in containing the high powered Steelers offense. The Packers will likely use Shields’ speed and athleticism to match up with Pittsburgh's big play receiving core including Mike Wallace who led the league in receptions of 40 or more yards. Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays is going to test the Packers secondary and Shields’ speed will be a great asset to help cover the recievers downfield.

Former Packer Leroy Butler claims that Shields is a key to their defense “If Shields is covering well, that defense is impenetrable,” Butler remarked. Shields is primed to be a difference maker in the Super Bowl and has one last chance to show all the teams what they passed on during the draft.