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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Mining company faces long odds in Smith River proposal Public Meetings: Feb. 2-6 Super cheerleader Restaurant Inspections Emergency services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Emergency services UPDATED: Body found in Greensprings area is Klamath Falls fugitive Former Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb dies Man who allegedly almost robbed Purple Parrot returns Politics and Elections Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Oregon Legislature convenes, session starts Feb. 12 Education Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten State boosts class time expectation A wealth of experience Environment Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. 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Ashland ski area announces layoffs Bear cub headed to rehabbers in Idaho State News 'Seven Wonders' ads pay off, Oregon park officials say Sales call leads to rescue of beaten woman Feds: Oregon logging rules don't protect fish, water Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Oregonians face Feb. 15 health insurance deadline Nation - World Obituaries Nordica Mae Irvin William (Bill) Earl Shewman III A Celebration of Life for Karen Weaver Joseph Richard �Rich� Halliday, Jr. Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Detroit downs Houston, ends four-game skid Kennedy earns 200th win as Raiders roll Hunters lead North swimmers to victory Spartans romp past Seattle Bucks cap fine week at Blazers' expense Varsity 541 College Sports Kennedy earns 200th win as Raiders roll Defense keys No. 7 OSU's rout of USC Duke knocks Virginia from unbeaten ranks West has double-double, key basket in triumph Young's hoop leads Oregon over Arizona State Pro Sports Detroit downs Houston, ends four-game skid Bucks cap fine week at Blazers' expense Sons represent Seau at Hall ceremony Rodgers MVP, Watt sweeps defensive votes Clutch putts keep Laird in lead Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Homes for the long haul Blog: Southern Oregon Business Conference 2014: Gross, unadulterated enthusiasm Blog: Better than Ordinary...Extraordinary! 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Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Medford airport traffic flies to new heights Agriculture Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense Letters to the Editor, Feb. 1 Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you George Will: Our annual season of wretched excess Dana Milbank: Bernie Sanders is right to be outraged Editorials Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense Other Views: Nothing to see here; move along Our View: Improving graduation rates isn't easy Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate Our View: Updating Oregon's presence in the U.S. Capitol Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 1 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 30 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 29 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 28 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27 Guest Opinions Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline A fair shot for all: addressing our low-wage crisis Guest Opinion: SOU biomass burner would be big mistake Lifestyle Latest stories Southern Oregon Journal: Discovery of the Bigfoot brownie Some like it hot Time with the Tiger-lilies Pet of the Week — meet Fuzz Charleston's Marine Life Center eyes spring opening Food Community blog: Raise a cup of bone broth to better health Good to the Bone Gail Ciampa: Marcona almonds make this a salad with substance The next Pike Place Market? 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Live Music in Local Clubs Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Theater Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Rent' Music Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Jesse Cook plays the Craterian Theater Shybo Torres plays South Stage Cellars Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Trio Valtorna plays SOU Music Hall Community Events Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Ty Barnett and Ian Harris are 'Divided' Dining Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Mining company faces long odds in Smith River proposal ... Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense ... Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you ... Mining company faces long odds in Smith River proposal ... Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense ... Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you ... SUPER BOWL Gronk, Kam make for must-see matchup Comment By Tim Booth The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Tim Booth The Associated Press Posted Jan. 30, 2015 @ 8:23 pm By Tim Booth The Associated Press Posted Jan. 30, 2015 @ 8:23 pm » Social News PHOENIX — On some point Sunday it will happen. At least everyone hopes it happens. The biggest, most athletic tight end in football will be running downfield and be met in a full-speed collision with the hardest-hitting strong safety in the game today. What will happen when the NFL's version of Thunderdome comes to the Super Bowl, featuring Rob Gronkowski in one corner and Kam Chancellor in the other? "I don't know. I'll be sitting there with popcorn," Seattle's Richard Sherman said. "It'll be good football." There are a bevy of important individual matchups when New England and Seattle meet on Sunday. Will Tom Brady throw at Sherman? Can the Patriots' defensive front slow down Marshawn Lynch? What about LeGarrette Blount trying to run against the best defense in the NFL? All those factors could matter in the final outcome. Trumping them all might be whether Chancellor and the Seahawks are able to keep Gronkowski under control. Even the NFL anticipated the potential matchup: Both Gronkowski and Chancellor sat at the same podium on media day. "I guess it was destiny. It was destiny for us to have the same seat," Chancellor said. While Seattle nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane said last week that he didn't think Gronkowski was that good, most of the Seahawks have been respectful of his skill. Rightfully so. Gronkowski might have been better in 2011, but considering the injuries he's overcome, 2014 could be his most impressive season. He had 51 receptions and eight touchdowns in the final eight games of the regular season and another 10 receptions and two scores already in the playoffs. Only once this season did Gronkowski have fewer than three catches in a game. "Aw man, Beast Mode. He's an animal, man," New England wide receiver Brandon LaFell said stealing a phrase normally used to describe Lynch. "When you put a corner on him, he's too small. When you put a safety on him, he's too slow, man. You know, when Gronk is out there doing his thing he is demanding a double team and if he's not being double teamed, he's out there making plays for us." The difference with Seattle is they have Chancellor — a safety with a linebacker build and cornerback speed — who can match up with Gronkowski. Many felt it was Chancellor and not Malcolm Smith that should have been Super Bowl MVP a year ago. It was Chancellor's hit on Demaryius Thomas on Denver's second possession that set the tone for Seattle's rout. "That hit alone could have gotten him Super Bowl MVP," Sherman said. Seattle struggled earlier in the season defending tight ends, breaking from a trend of being able to shut down elite players at that position in the past. San Diego's Antonio Gates caught three touchdowns in Week 2 against Seattle and Oakland's Mychal Rivera had eight catches and two TDs in early November. Those performances were outliers. Against most elite tight ends, Seattle has been at its best. In two games last season against New Orleans, Jimmy Graham had a combined four catches for 50 yards against the Seahawks. Vernon Davis hasn't caught more than three passes against Seattle in five games over the past two seasons. Julius Thomas was limited four catches for all of 27 yards in last year's Super Bowl romp. "They definitely have an image of being physical. They've got an image of coming out and being ready to dominate," Gronkowski said. Why is Seattle so good at defending tight ends? A lot of credit falls to Chancellor. His size, speed and strength can counter the matchup problems many tight ends create. But the rest of Seattle's defensive scheme was formulated so Chancellor is not alone. Especially when Seattle is playing zone defense, responsibility is placed on linebackers K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner to cover those "hook areas" as defensive coordinator Dan Quinn calls it, where tight ends often roam. "You have to have the speed to play when the quarterback throws it how fast can you close and make the tackle. I think the speed and the length of K.J. in specific, allows him to do that and Bobby, his instincts to know after the ball is thrown, we've all seen the speed that he has to close," Quinn said. "And then when we play man-to-man, both of those guys are able to match up, whether it be on tight ends or backs, again due to their speed and cover ability. I think it's a combination of the way we play zone, their speed to do it, their quarterback keys and the ability for them to play in man-to-man." By Tim Booth The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Tim Booth The Associated Press Posted Jan. 30, 2015 @ 8:23 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Top Fantasy Players, Projections for Patriots vs. Seahawks Jan. 31, 2015 at 8:39 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Titans Stars Jan. 30, 2015 at 10:37 am 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Buccaneers Stars Jan. 28, 2015 at 7:00 am DraftKings Fantasy Pro Bowl, Super Bowl Lineup Jan. 24, 2015 at 11:37 am Fantasy Favorites, Lineup Picks for Super Bowl XLIX Jan. 22, 2015 at 9:00 am Fantasy Breakdown, Stat Predictions for Super Bowl Jan. 20, 2015 at 1:00 pm calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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