Well, it’s almost time.  The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers arrived in Dallas earlier today.  Most of the media is already there.  It’s officially Super Bowl Week, and we are about to face an all-out blitz.  In case you haven’t been paying attention, here’s a sample of what’s been happening so far, as the countdown to the Big Game begins in Big D…

There have been so many “Mike McCarthy is from Greenfield” stories that even the “Hey, did you hear that Mike McCarthy is from Greenfield?” joke is already played out.

Also, “Mike McCarthy is from Greenfield” is this Super Bowl’s “Jerome Bettis is from Detroit,” multiplied by 1,000.

Ben Roethlisberger: third Super Bowl, 8-2 record in the playoffs.  Current age: 28.  A win Sunday: Hall-of-Fame lock.  Early-season suspension: Feels like years ago.  Hairline: Struggling.

Aaron Rodgers has not only replaced Favre, he has a chance to be better.  Ted Thompson, please get up here and take a bow.

Troy Polamalu has to be hurt, right?

James Starks can’t be this good, right?

The Pro Bowl, otherwise known as the Most Worthless Football Game of the Year—even worse than the most worthless college football bowl game—was played on Sunday, and, for the 26^th consecutive year, nobody cared.  Not even John Clayton.

The Steelers and Packers have a combined 22 players on injured reserve.  At least the Steelers guys were allowed in the team photo.  Yes, even you, Limas Sweed.

Hines Ward is contemplating retirement.  Or maybe not.  But only if Pittsburgh wins the game.  Or maybe not.  He feels good and might play a few more seasons.  Or maybe not.  In other news, Hines still has the hyperbaric chamber that he used to heal his knee in time to play in Super Bowl XLIII.  In fact, it’s on his mantle.

This just in: Brett Keisel’s beard was not invited to be the Steelers team photo.

Nine months ago, Ryan Clark flew to Miami and nearly signed a lucrative free agent deal with the Dolphins.  He called his agent and told him he was having a change of heart and wanted to return to the Steelers, which he did for less money.  Surely no player made a better snap decision this offseason, except Michael Vick leaving his birthday party 10 minutes before the shooting started.

WILL MARKICE POUNCEY PLAY OR WON’T HE?  HOW BAD IS HIS ANKLE?  WE MUST KNOW!

Come on, 1970s Steelers, be honest: Do you want this team to win two more Super Bowls?  Even if you say you do, part of you (the competitive part) doesn’t want to see it, right?

The “John Kuhn used to be on the Steeler’s practice squad” story had about as much steam as LaDanian Tomlinson at the goal line.

Also from the breaking news department: Troy Polamalu has edged out Clay Matthews for the Associated Press 2010 NFL Hair of the Year Award.  Troy’s sponsor, Head and Shoulders, accepted the trophy on his behalf.

Hey Jerry Jones, you built a $100 million stadium in the middle of a recession, you christened your quarterback a star prematurely and you stuck with a lame-duck coach too long.  Now prepare to receive your comeuppance.  The league’s two-model franchises are invading Dallas.  Including that team you hate.

The Steelers and Packers are like long-lost brothers.  Great franchises with plenty of history, strong fanbases, an original but sometimes-overplayed quirk (cheeseheads and the Terrible Towel), legendary coaches (Lombardi, Noll), owners (Lambeau, Rooney) and players (too many to name here).

Put it this way:  Mike Wallace is averaging two catches and 12 yards per game this post-season.

Best new nickname?  Rashard Boyz-to-Mendenhall.

How ‘bout this uniform battle?  The Packers and Steelers might be the last two teams that have only two jerseys and one set of pants, iconic logos and classic unis that haven’t really changed much in 50 years.  Visually, it should be the most uni-appealing Super Bowl since Mike Ditka’s sweater faced off against Pat Patriot back in 1985.

How many pep rallies are in the Pittsburgh city budget this year?  Just wondering.  

Steelers are one win away from the D-word being tossed around. 

Did Brett Favre ever imagine ending his final season by watching the Packers return to the Super Bowl?  And if he could take one thing back, would it be the text to Sterger, or allowing Longwell and the boys to talk him out of retirement?

Sorry for bringing Favre into this.  He just won’t go away, that guy.

James Farrior and Charles Woodson are this year’s Ageless Wonders.  They are both having incredible seasons and leaders of two fine defenses.

Hey, you know Mike McCarthy?  The Packers’ coach?  He—he’s from Greenfield.  It doesn’t get any more Pittsburgh than that.

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