Super Bowl 2011

Super Bowl 2011, “Wait, wait, I never had the chance to love” – Wait lyrics White Lion “You put the load right on me” Lyrics – The Weight The Band  Apparently, NFL fans have had to wait longer than ever for football in 2011, that is what a work stoppage can be done 136 days for the thirsty to drink most popular sport in the United States.

The lock is gone, and pro football is back, even if the waiting game and the expectations of weight persist in many NFL cities … and they have done for decades in some cases.

As the 2011 season dawns, about a dozen fans waiting civic more than 40 years of waiting for the glory of Super Bowl will come to an end. In many of these cities – Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta, New York (at least the features of the Big Apple Jets) and up to Detroit and Houston – the optimism may be more rampant than ever.

Kurt Warner knows something about the coronation of a people.

He led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV after the 1999 season that San Luis his first (and only) Lombardi Trophy. Nine years later, he tested the Arizona Cardinals to their first Super Bowl, which the people of Arizona of their NFC title first.

However, Warner says that the biggest step to jump bar Super Bowl is the first option is high.

“It’s very hard to raise the expectations (internal) – to ensure that organizations and stakeholders to establish their highest expectations and I think those expectations are accessible,” says Warner franchise traditionally oppressed. “It’s one thing to say, is another thing to believe, that’s the biggest struggle.”

The Philadelphia Eagles have whiffing for decades in search of their first victory in the Super Bowl. Now appear to be in the way of bronze-ring-or-bust after a spending spree post-closing.

“The expectations may be too heavy,” says Warner, NFL Network analyst. “Right now, they’re supposed to win the championship.

“When I was in St. Louis and lost to the Patriots (New England) (Super Bowl XXXVI), no one felt like that year was a success.”

With a contract extension in hand and an influx of talent around him, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is optimistic.

“I had a vision from the beginning of summer,” said Vick. “I am very optimistic that we will have a good chance of having a great result this season.”

New York Jets coach, Rex Ryan, has assured that he has the recipe for Super Bowl this season and his players are eager to back up the boast.

“This year is no different, especially with the predictions of our coach,” Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez said the team’s goal. “We know that our goal, and do not hesitate to talk about it.”

The Jets have fallen to a victory under the Super Bowl in the first two seasons of Ryan at the helm.

“They say the third time is a charm, so we expect,” said tight end Dustin Keller.

Even clubs like the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans, two of the four teams (the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars) not to reach a Super Bowl, they hope to soon reach the stage of Super after see the Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks are there for the first time in the last six years. Ten different NFC teams have reached the last 10 Super Bowls, a trend that bodes well for the Lions.

“I know the people of Detroit, people around the country are very optimistic about the Lions,” said Lions coach Jim Schwartz at the start of the preseason.

The Lions finished 2010 on a four-game winning streak, ending a 26 game losing skid on the road in the process and distance themselves from their 0-16 debacle of 2008.

“We’re not perfect, not as good as they want to be on the edges,” NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger of, he says. “But the errors are at full speed, and play with great energy. You can see the confidence growing in Detroit.”

As it is in San Diego, starved for the title as the Chargers were a football power the American League in the 1960’s.

“I do not know if there is a better pitcher in the game now that Philip Rivers,” Baldinger said the quarterback of the Chargers. “This year it out of the way they are, teams will have (often) go 80 yards and the team can go 80 yards to anyone.

“Houston and San Diego may have the best offenses in football right now.”

At this point every team is 0-0, with playoff aspirations. Some higher goals.

“The only goal is to win the Super Bowl,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said after opening his wallet after the lockout. “We need no internal motivation. We’re obsessed.”

A look at a half dozen of the hungriest, most talented and, yes, obsessed aspiring champions:

Detroit Lions

Waiting: From the 1957 team quarterback Bobby Layne and Tobin Rote claimed the title of the NFL, have won a playoff game, defeating the Dallas Cowboys after the 1991 season. However, these Lions can take pride enough (and talent) to finally make postseason noise 12 years after his last appearance (tied with the Buffalo Bills of the longest playoff drought in the league today).

Weight: QB Matthew Stafford is expected to rebound in the team last season left off, but first he must demonstrate that he is healthy after missing 19 games due to injuries in his first two seasons. He says he is 100% and has demonstrated the ability of elite in the preseason (which had a 154.0 passer grade in August) that made him the first pick in the 2009 draft. He is supported by several offensive plays, especially wide receiver Calvin Johnson, and a defense led by emerging pro-Suh Ndamukong address.

Counterweight: They play in the same division as the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, which even beat the Chicago Bears in the NFC North crown in 2010. And the Lions had lost a weapon when rookie rider Mikel LESHOURE sank with a blown Achilles tendon.

Philadelphia Eagles

Waiting: From the days of Chuck Bednarik and Norm Van Brocklin – 1960 to be specific – the Eagles atop the NFL. Although we have been a nearly perennial playoff team in Andy Reid (nine trips 12 years) have been to a Super Bowl, which was lost.

Weight: Quarterback Michael Vick reemerged as a franchise player in 2010, but enters this season as a starter for the first time in five years. Vick, who had not started a playoff game since the 2004 season, also published his two worst outings of 2010 in his last two starts (including playoffs), sparking rumors that his style of play, as it is exciting also uses it in the long run. However, buoyed by a list that has received an infusion of talent, although it was good enough to win the NFC East a year ago.

Counterweights: mediocre defense last year could field a lineup with at least six new starters, including all-pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Coordinator Juan Castillo moved to the defensive after the offensive coaching for 16 years and must shape all the moving parts as he adjusts to his new role. The “Dream Team” could also be nullified by an offensive line that has a starter from 2010 return to their place: left tackle Jason Peters.

Minnesota Vikings

The wait: Since entering the NFL in 1961, there have been four Super Bowl trips – all losses – but none since the 1976 season, and are also 0-for-5 in the championship games of the NFC since.

Weight: Adrian Peterson is considered by many as the best runner in the game given its combination of speed, power and improve reception. After seeing his touches decline in the past two years, you may have to bear the burden in 2011 … all while playing with a new coordinator (Bill Musgrave), along with a new quarterback (Donovan McNabb) and no former senior goal and Sidney Rice was a long time to deal with Bryant McKinnie. Peterson may also be charged by his impending free agency.

Counterweight: Brett Favre got this veteran team within one game of the Super Bowl in 2009, but the team collapsed around him in 2010 before it finally did. Enter McNabb. He could be the experienced hand that gives this group a great opportunity. But if it fits the purple and white better than he did to burgundy and gold, which could be a very temporary bridge to the first round draft pick Christian Ponder.

San Diego Chargers

The wait: Rote also led the team to the top in 1963 when he won the AFL title. Nor Hadi John, Dan Fouts, Drew Brees or Rivers has been able to duplicate that, only Stan Humphries has reached the Chargers to the Super Bowl (1994).

Weight: After the departure of LaDainian Tomlinson, Rivers officially became the face of the franchise in 2010 and oversaw a team that missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Few rivers guilt, he worked in a crime plagued by injuries and contracts. But he must feed the equipment beyond its perennial early-season and playoff flameouts problems if it is to join fellow 2004 draft Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning Hall of Fame.

Counterweight: San Diego was 14-0 in December and January for the first three seasons, coach Norv Turner regular. But the effort last year’s 3-2 could not overcome another slow start. Under Turner, the Chargers 13-16 in September and October, and his ability to get the team out of the blocks will be closely scrutinized.

Atlanta Falcons

The wait: You have won six playoff games since their expansion season of 1966, reaching the Super Bowl once (after the season 1998).

Weight: In essence, the same team that won the top seed in the NFC a year ago, returns. The most notable addition is the rookie receiver in July Jones. General manager Thomas Dimitroff changed its 27th pick overall and four to the vault and get Jones at number 6 in general, perhaps the greatest trick of the project 2011. Expectations huge join Jones in his bid to become the final piece of an already powerful unit.

Counterweight: While the offense is limited to 14 points in a 48-21 playoff beating eventual champion Packers defense also was heavily criticized after being easily cut by Aaron Rodgers. Free agent defensive end Ray Edwards and the secondary will also be under the microscope.

Houston Texans

Waiting time: the Houston Oilers won the AFL title in his first two seasons (1960-61), but reach a Super Bowl before moving to Tennessee. Texans embark on their tenth season in the NFL waiting for their ticket to the playoffs first.

Weight: The offense has placed fourth or better in each of the last three seasons. But the defense has not kept pace, delivery points-yard fourth and third most in the NFL in 2010. Since then, Houston has hired Wade Phillips to install the 3-4 scheme that has been so successful over the years and spent his first five projects take on defenders back before signing defensive and Johnathan Joseph Manning Danieal to update the league worst defense against the pass. Mario Williams is moving from defensive end to outside linebacker in the new image.

Counterweight: Head coach Gary Kubiak more or less has a mandate to win or another owner Bob McNair, who adds another layer of pressure for the staff and stars Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub and Arian Foster to perform at a level even higher.

New York Jets

The wait: He took off his biggest surprise in the story of when he turned to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III on January 12, 1969. The Jets have not returned to the big game since.

Weight: Speaking of weight, Ryan has been known to poke fun at his girth. But it is also willing to put the bar very high when I try to focus on their own performance in trying to protect his players. Under Ryan, the Jets are the consecutive AFC title game appearances, the first time. But he knows that is not enough and guarantees this is the season for the Jets to get over the hump. Fans can only hope to be as clairvoyant as Joe Namath was 43 years ago.

Counterweight: In his first two NFL seasons, Sanchez has played his best football in the postseason, winning four of six starts (all in the way) while posting a passer rating of 94.3, far surpassing the mark of the season regular (70.2). However, the newly appointed team captain has to offer even more, the cash game throughout the year, while the assimilation of new parts, such as wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason. If Sanchez can increase, the Jets could outrun the Patriots in the AFC East, get a home playoff date and maybe even a break in the first round – all the goals from Ryan stated as goals.

Kansas City Chiefs

Waiting: After appearing in two of the first four Super Bowls, the championship drought is only one year shorter than the Jets. Last year, the AFC West title was in Kansas City for the first time since 2003, but the team has only three postseason victories since Super Bowl IV and none since the 1993 season, when Joe Montana was in the middle.

Weight: This equipment is powered by the tandem running back Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, who helped lead a ground game Rated last season that produced more than 164 yards per game. Factor in the addition of Pro Bowl fullback Le’Ron McClain, and the Chiefs could re-grind the clock while ground defenses down.

Counterweight: Quarterback Matt Cassel and receiver Dwayne Bowe were Pro Bowlers in 2010, but did not have much help in a 30th-ranked aerial attack. That was painfully evident when both were dismissed by the Baltimore Ravens 30-7 in a wild card beating. Reinforcements have arrived, including free agent wide receiver Steve Breaston and first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin (who was injured in training camp). Cassel and company must demonstrate that you can always support the running game, especially when the earth-bound team falls behind.