Super Bowl 2011: 10 Players Who Are Ready for the Big Stage

On football's biggest stage, players have the opportunity to make themselves a household name with a memorable performance.

Without further ado, here are 10 players (five Packers, five Steelers) who are ready to do just that.

QB Aaron Rodgers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Perhaps no one has as much riding on this Super Bowl as Aaron Rodgers. 

Rodgers has proven himself to be an efficient signal-caller, but will never be considered on the same level as Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger, etc...unless he wins a Super Bowl. 

His performance on Sunday will show if he deserves to be considered in that elite group.

RB James Starks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Starks was not much of a regular season player, but he's turned it up in the postseason with 263 rushing yards.

Starks has shown throughout the playoffs that he is a viable NFL player. A strong performance in the Super Bowl would further help his career take off.

James Starks, 2010 Green Bay Packers starting running back, anyone?

LB Desmond Bishop

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Ima

Bishop exploded this season for 103 tackles, more than his first three years combined. In the postseason, he has one sack and one fumble recovery while leading the Packers in tackles.

Bishop remains somewhat unknown, something he can rectify on Sunday.

CB Tramon Williams

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts a pass in the endzone against Michael Jenkins #12 of the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georg

Though less well known than his counterpart Charles Woodson, Williams has put together a nice run the past three seasons, averaging around 50 tackles and five interceptions.

This postseason, Williams has entered beast mode. He has three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown against the Falcons at the end of the first half. This stunned the Falcons, and they never recovered.

The stage is set for Williams to establish himself as an elite CB.

K Mason Crosby

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates his field goal late in the fourth quarter that gave his team a 9-0 lead against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford,

The Super Bowl is the premier stage for a kicker to establish his reputation. Just ask Adam Vinatieri.

Crosby seems eager to do so. He hoped for a shot at a game-winning field goal in the NFC Championship Game against the Bears.

He may get his wish this week.

RB Rashard Mendenhall

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets

Mendenhall had an outstanding regular season, rushing for 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has put together a solid postseason with 167 yards and three touchdowns.

Mendenhall has only started for two seasons, and hence isn't that well known. He has the opportunity to put his name on the map and be mentioned in the same breath as the elite with a good showing. 

WR Mike Wallace

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs for a touchdown as Jarrett Bush #24 of the Green Bay Packers attempts to tackle in the first quarter during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Wallace is a sophomore and not yet recognized as a premier receiver. That may change, especially if he imitates Santonio Holmes' Super Bowl XLIII performance.

In the regular season, Wallace caught 60 passes for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has disappeared in the postseason though, catching just four passes.

The last time Green Bay and Pittsburgh met, Wallace caught a touchdown with no time remaining. Another act like that and Mike Wallace will be a household name across America.

LB Lawrence Timmons

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots attempts to run by Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Gett

Timmons is an overshadowed player on the Steel Curtain. On football's biggest stage, he has the opportunity to become more recognized for his individual achievements.

In the regular season, Timmons led the Steelers in tackles with 135 and has done so in the postseason with 19. Chances are he will lead the Steelers in tackles again on Sunday.

LB LaMarr Woodley

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo

Woodley, like Timmons, is overshadowed, especially by counterpart James Harrison. However, he has proven adept at pass rushing with 35 sacks over the past three seasons.

In their last meeting, Woodley earned half a sack against the Pack. With another sack or two on Aaron Rodgers, Woodley may step out of Harrison's shadow.

WR Antonio Brown

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets 24 to

In the Steelers' playoff game against the Ravens, Brown made a key 58-yard reception. A few plays later, the Steelers scored the game-winning touchdown.

Another key play would further elevate his stock. He will have plenty of opportunities with Roethlisberger under center and as a kickoff/punt returner.