ARLINGTON, Texas — A couple of Steelers defensive players said the Jets tipped off some of their plays in the AFC Championship, helping to lead to their failure on that ill-fated goal-line sequence when they were stuffed.
Linebacker LaMarr Woodley and defensive end Ziggy Hood said Jets right tackle Wayne Hunter tipped the plays from the way he lined up in his stance.
“It was a third down, and most teams are going to run there,” said Woodley, who nearly picked off a Mark Sanchez pass on third down. “The offensive linemen usually get in a three-point stance, ready to charge at you. I read the line. I saw [Hunter] was standing back in a pass set, so I decided I wasn’t going to rush upfield because I knew they were going to try something quick in that situation.
“[Sanchez] threw the ball and hit me right in the chest. I should’ve caught it and ran it back 99 yards.”
The Steelers stopped the Jets four times inside the 3-yard line on that fourth-quarter series when a touchdown would have closed the deficit to seven points.
The play before Woodley’s breakup, Hood and Woodley pressured Sanchez immediately on a play-action rollout try on which Sanchez hurried his throw to Dustin Keller.
Hood said he “could tell by the stance of the lineman” that it was going to be a pass. He said Hunter “backed up a little bit and I just knew it would be a pass.”
**** Packers LB A.J. Hawk, who grew up as best friends with Jets center Nick Mangold in Centerville, Ohio, and roomed with him for four years at Ohio State, said he was hoping the Packers and Jets would meet in the Super Bowl.
He said Mangold, a colorful personality, would have thrived in the spotlight of Media Day.
“Nick would light this whole stage up,” Hawk said. “This is his thing. He’s just a unique individual and a lot of fun to be around. We were hoping to play this game against each other.”
***Aaron Rodgers must have had a date with his razor recently, as he showed up yesterday for Media Day clean-shaven instead of sporting the usual stubble on his face.
It was not a look appreciated by all.
“He’s a pretty boy,” Packers guard Josh Sitton said. “Pretty for all of the media. You can tell him I said that too.”
Sitton is one of many offensive linemen in this game with shaggy beards and long hair falling onto their shoulders. Asked about how he takes care of all that hair, Sitton said, “I’m not worried about split ends. I’m a man.”
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Rodgers did not set the bar high at his first Super Bowl Media Day.
“I’m just trying to get through this 60 minutes without saying anything stupid,” he said.
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Though the retractable roof at Cowboys Stadium was closed, it was darn chilly inside, with several players shivering as they sat on the podium for an hour’s worth of Media Day interviews.
“Ask Jerry [Jones] to turn the heat on,” Ben Roethlisberger said at the start of the session.
Roethlisberger had a strategy in case he was confronted with some difficult questions during Media Day: “I was going to bring a Twix bar up here and just take a minute if I get a tough question,” he said.
Roethlisberger didn’t get hit too hard with questions about his offseason sexual assault accusation.
****This is the first time the Packers have ever set eyes on the new Cowboys home and it certainly did not remind them of cozy Lambeau Field.
“I don’t know if there’s a better place for a Super Bowl,” Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson said.
Teammate Charles Woodson said he was equally impressed.
“If every stadium could look like this, awesome,” he said. “It took us 15 minutes to get from the hotel to the stadium. It took us another 30 minutes once we got inside the stadium. It’s impressive.”
****Ines Sainz, the Mexican television reporter who said she felt uncomfortable in the Jets’ locker room, drew plenty of attention.
The TV Azteca reporter conducted interviews wearing a slinky silver dress and shiny black heels, standing out among the more conventionally dressed media.
Actually, Sainz appeared to spend more time being interviewed by other reporters and posing for photographs than she did talking to players.
“It’s the greatest day,” she said, “and all of us can share it together.”
Sainz was at the Jets’ training facility in September, waiting to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez, when a few players made catcalls. The NFL responded by developing a workplace conduct program, underwritten by New York owner Woody Johnson.
“Actually, I think it’s an overreaction,” Sainz said. “I never wanted to cause any problems to the Jets. I work a lot with the NFL. … Right now, everything is clear. The NFL recognizes I didn’t do anything. They offered the opportunities to do my job and keep going.”
***Maurkice Pouncey still expects to play in the Super Bowl.
“Most definitely,” the Steelers’ injured center said. “I feel positive right now.”
Pouncey is dealing with a high left ankle sprain, suffered in Pittsburgh’s 24-19 victory over the Jets in the AFC title game. He was off crutches at Media Day after needing them to walk down the steps from the team’s charter flight into Dallas on Monday, but still has a bulky walking boot on his left foot.
