Mark Sanchez’s chance to match Ben Roethlisberger’s feat

The Pittsburgh Steelers, positioned to deny Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets, are well aware that winning a Super Bowl with a second-year quarterback would not be unprecedented. …

They did it five years ago with Ben Roethlisberger. …

Even if the Jets get to Roethlisberger as readily as they did Tom Brady, will they be able to bring him down? …

Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin says his tackler-shedding quarterback possesses a “no-blink mentality.” …

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have never trailed by more than seven points this season, a distinction that sets them apart from every other NFL team in the last 41 years. …

Reader Pete Donovan of Palm Desert e-mails to note that Clay Matthews’ attacking style reminds him of former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Kevin Greene, who just happens to be Matthews’ position coach with the Packers. …

Even on television, you can sense the crowd’s disappointment in Chicago when Devin Hester signals for a fair catch. …

When 157 NBA players responded to a Sports Illustrated survey last month, 69% said Kobe Bryant and the Lakers would win their third consecutive championship. …

A recount surely would produce a lower number, the Lakers having shown little to inspire such overwhelming faith. …

Tim Duncan and the league-leading San Antonio Spurs, on pace to win 70 games, were favored by only 1%. …

Ralph Lawler, on Blake Griffin’s fearless, devil-may-care style of play: “I wish he’d wear a helmet.” …

Considering that Chinese voter favorite Yao Ming in 2003 was the last rookie to play in the NBA All-Star game, Griffin might not be the All-Star shoo-in that many believe him to be. …

Since 1985, when Michael Jordan was voted into the starting lineup, the list of rookies of the year who have made the All-Star game during their first pro season includes only Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill and Duncan. …

Only Ewing and Hill came from a sub-.500 teams. …

Tiger Woods’ signoff in his be-back-soon tweet this week, “hooah!,” also was the signature catchword of the character played by Al Pacino in 1992’s “Scent of a Woman.” …

Torii Hunter is no Albert Pujols — who is? — but the Angels outfielder reportedly is among the 18 major leaguers who will be paid more than the three-time most valuable player this season. …

Actor John O’Hurley, asked to describe his golf swing in the voice of J. Peterman, the popular character he played on “Seinfeld,” said Thursday at the Bob Hope Classic, “It has more moving parts than a chimpanzee being dry-shaved with a butter knife.” …

Former UCLA defensive tackle David Carter reportedly is drawing positive reviews from NFL scouts in workouts ahead of Saturday’s East-West Shrine Game in Orlando. …

John Calipari: working blue in the Bluegrass State. …

Speaking of foul language, HBO on Saturday will re-air all five episodes of “Hard Knocks,” the must-see reality TV series starring Rex Ryan and the Jets that originally aired last summer. …

A rare sports photo by legendary landscape photographer Ansel Adams, featured in an exhibit at the Palos Verdes Library, shows future Wimbledon champion Jack Kramer chasing down a shot during a 1942 exhibition at Chadwick School. …

Brady Hoke, leaving San Diego State for Michigan after guiding the Aztecs to a Poinsettia Bowl victory over Navy last month, bid farewell to his players in a mass text message. …

Vince Young, dumped by the Tennessee Titans, laughed when asked in an ESPN interview if he would accept a backup role with another team before noting, “That’s funny.” …

He might not be laughing come training camp. …

Times boxing writer Lance Pugmire will be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on June 25 in Studio City. …

Regarding Bodog.com’s listing UCLA as a 150-1 shot to win the Bowl Championship Series title next season, reader Art Schertz of Raleigh, N.C., e-mails to note that British bookmakers a few years ago put the odds of proving the existence of extraterrestrial life at only 100-1. …

Hooah!

jerome.crowe@latimes.com