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Packers and Pats, eh?

Packers and Pats, eh?

By Michael Preston

Let’s hear it for the Packers and Patriots. If you’re a Canadian pulling for your countrymen this weekend, that is.

If New England and Green Bay win through from the respective AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, the resulting clash in Arizona on February 3 is sure to send a Super Bowl ring north of the border. If either the Chargers or Giants are in contention it could be a different story. Although there are tenuous Canadian links with both New York and San Diego.

Patriots right tackle Nick Kaczur will be in the spotlight if the New England captures the AFC Championship crown against San Diego, charged with protecting the NFL Offensive MVP quarterback Tom Brady. The Brantford, ON, native, who spoke exclusively to NFLCanada.com during the regular season, has seen his recent playing time diminished by a foot injury that kept him out of the historic 16th win of the campaign, but will be in the offensive line rotation at Gillette Stadium.

“There is a team atmosphere, and it’s exactly like people imagine it is,” said Kaczur, one of the unsung heroes whose line mates Matt Light, Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen are heading to the Pro Bowl. “Players don’t play for themselves here they play for the guy beside you in and out of locker room. On the line, five guys have to play as one.”

Kaczur, who was drafted out of Toledo in the third round (100th overall) in 2005 and Mankins are the only members of the lauded Patriots offensive front who are yet to win a Super Bowl ring.

Also aiming to have a diamonded-crusted jewel fitted to his finger is Packers punter Jon Ryan, a native of Regina, SK. While Kaczur enhanced his reputation at an NCAA school, Ryan stayed home at the University of Regina, where he was an Interuniversity Sport first team All Canadian selection and a Canada West first-team all-star.

Having been selected by Winnipeg in the third round of the Canadian Football League Draft, Baker finally signed on with the Packers as a free agent in 2006 and played in all 16 games last season. Ryan averaged 44.4 yards per punt in 2007 and so far this postseason has only been called into action three times. He is also the team’s holder, so will play a crucial part in the Green Bay kicking game.

Heading into the NFL playoffs there was an impressive total of eight Canadians on rosters of the postseason teams. Had the Chargers and Giants not upset the rankings, there would be five Canadians going for glory this weekend and a guaranteed representative in the Super Bowl.

Running back Clifton Dawson and offensive tackle Dan Federkeil (Medicine Hat, AB) who is on injured reserve, missed out with the Colts, while long snapper LP Ladouceur (Pointe Claire, QC) fell by the wayside when the Dallas Cowboys were downed by the Giants.

During the regular season, former Harvard star Dawson carried the ball 30 times for 64 yards and a touchdown, with 10 of his carries for 21 yards and the trip to the end zone coming against Houston. The Scarborough, ON, native was not called into action as the Colts suffered a surprise Divisional Championship loss to San Diego.

In impressive form for the Jacksonville Jaguars was defensive tackle Rob Meier (Vancouver, BC), who recorded a postseason sack and three tackles. Meier tasted victory as the Jaguars edged the Steelers 31-29 in Pittsburgh, but Jacksonville’s dominating defense was unable to penetrate a Patriots offense shielded by Kaczur and co.

Eliminated at the Wild Card stage was Washington Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham (Wallaceburg, ON), who made two extra points but missed a field goal in a 35-14 loss to Seattle. The Seahawks’ Calgary-born wide receiver Nate Burleson enjoyed an impressive afternoon in victory, catching 6 passes for 64 yards. Burleson had another 4 receptions for 33 yards in Green Bay as Seattle lost out 42-20 to the Packers and was again the Seahawks’ primary kick returner.

So what about those tenuous links to the Giants and Chargers?

San Diego’s secondary coach Bill Bradley spent several years coaching in the CFL as Defensive Coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts (1996-97), San Antonio Texans (1995) and Sacramento Gold Miners (1994). He was also the defensive backs coach of the Calgary Stampeders from 1988 to 1990.

Giants Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride spent two seasons as an assistant with the Ottawa Roughriders (1986-86), while quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer’s first professional experience pacing the sidelines came in 1983, when he was the offensive line coach for the Montreal Concordes.

The Patriots and Packers can claim even stronger coaching links.

Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach Tom Clements is a CFL Hall of Famer having starred at quarterback for Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Winnipeg during a glittering 12-year career. He was named Outstanding Offensive Player in two Grey Cup triumphs in 1976 and 1984 and was the CFL Rookie of the Year in 1975.

Not to be outdone, the Patriots boast third-year assistant strength and conditioning coach Harold Nash, who was a three-time all-star during 11 seasons as a defensive back with Shreveport, Montreal, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

So Canada’s allegiance surely has to be with the Packers and Patriots on Sunday.