Four former Tigers in Super Bowl XLV

| | | |

Three Packers looking for first professional ring, Clark goes for second

Green Bay backup quarterback Matt Flynn is among four former LSU players who will be preparing for the Super Bowl.

By RICHARD FISCHER
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor

Championship weekend is in the books, and former Tigers on both the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday in two weeks.

Quinn Johnson and Matt Flynn of the Packers are looking to win their second ring after earning their first one in 2007 with the Tigers, while Green Bay defensive tackle Howard Green is looking for his first after being drafted in 2002.

As Green Bay’s starting fullback, Johnson has three catches for 26 yards this year while backup quarterback Flynn has three touchdowns and two picks after only starting one game this season when starter Aaron Rodgers was out with a concussion. Green, a backup defensive tackle, has been quite the journeyman, starting the season with the Jets and coming over to Green Bay prior to week six.

But Green Bay’s former Tigers contribute much more than the stat sheet shows as Johnson’s superb blocking goes often unnoticed, as does Flynn’s scout team work and Green’s reserve role on defense.

On the other side of the field, former Tiger Ryan Clark shares Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield with fellow safety Troy Polamalu.

Clark finished fourth on the team and led non-linebackers with 90 tackles.

He added two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the regular season, but a pick and a forced fumble against Baltimore in the divisional round of the playoffs were crucial to Pittsburgh’s comeback win.

After winning a ring with the Steelers in 2008, Clark is going for his second Super Bowl title February 6, while Johnson, Flynn and Green have yet to taste championship glory at the professional level.