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Former Irish quietly move towards Super Bowl
UHND.com - DrunkenLeprechaun - L. Allen Dings
1/21/2002
In unspectacular fashion individually
several former Notre Dame players are advancing in the NFL playoffs toward a coveted Super
Bowl ring.
The most notable Notre Dame player to move ahead was one who really
didn't move at all. Jerome Bettis who has been out of action since December 2nd was
expected to return to the Pittsburgh Steeler's starting lineup today. Instead he
spent the day in the locker room watching the game on television after having a bad
reaction to an injection of painkiller. Intended to relieve soreness in his injured
groin, the shot instead caused a numbing in his leg, making him unable to play.
Bettis is expected to return to the starting lineup. The Steelers advanced to the
AFC Championship game with a more dominating performance over the Baltimore Ravens than
the 27-10 score might indicate.
Marc Edwards and the NFL's most surprising success story, the New
England Patriots moved past Tim Brown and the one time Super Bowl favorites the Oakland
Raiders. In an odd twist Edwards nearly matched Brown in receiving yards from his
fullback position without recording a single rushing attempt. Edwards had 3 catches
for 29 yards while Brown posted 5 catches for 42 yards. The Patriots posted a snowy and
controversial 16-13 overtime victory and will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in
the AFC Championship game. This guarantees at least one Golden Domer in the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles Paul Grasmanis and Bobby Taylor both recorded one
tackle each as they dropped the Bears 33-19 in the last game ever at the original Soldier
Field. Bobby Taylor provided superior coverage on the Bear's receivers throughout
the game. Former Irish Bobbie Howard and Autry Denson made their impact on special
teams for the Bears. Bobby Howard tallied 2 special teams tackles. Despite
fumbling once, Denson accounted for over 120 yards on 6 kickoff returns.
Philadelphia will bring 2 former Irish into the NFC Championship game.
The only game which resulted in no Notre Dame player advancing was the
St.Louis rout of the Green Bay Packers in which the Ram defense dominated 45-17. Jim
Flanigan posted 3 tackles for the Packers. Teammate Allen Rossum returned 4 kickoffs
for a total of 83 yards averaging 20.8 per return, and one punt return of 6 yards. In a
twist Rossum was used from the linebacker position in an odd 7 defensive back alignment,
he was sent on a number of quarterback blitzes yet was unable to record a sack against
Kurt Warner's quick release. The Rams will face Grasmanis and Taylor in the NFC
Championship game in St. Louis.
In all that leaves four Fighting Irish alive in their quest for the
priviledge of playing in the Super Bowl. Jerome Bettis, Marc Edwards, and Eagles
teammates Paul Grasmanis and Bobby Taylor. Best of luck to our final four.