Super Debate: Which WR will have the biggest impact?

Vic Carucci's take:
Hines Ward will have a greater impact whether he plays or doesn't play as a result of the knee injury he suffered in the AFC Championship Game.

Ward fully expects to be in the lineup, and the Steelers fully expect him to start. Of course, it's entirely possible that he won't play or will leave the game early. In either case, Pittsburgh's offense would suffer significantly, thus making Ward's impact enormous.

My sense is that the only way Ward plays is if he is his normal, difference-making self. Mike Tomlin might be the youngest coach ever to guide a team to the Super Bowl, but he isn't so raw that he would allow a player who is a potential liability to occupy a precious starting spot. The coach would rather take his chances with Limas Sweed, even though the rookie seems hardly ready to step up to the challenge of replacing the MVP of Super Bowl XL.

If Ward is, indeed, healthy enough to play at anything close to top form, he will produce his share of big plays.

Meanwhile, the Steelers will be focused on shutting down Larry Fitzgerald, preferring, instead, to let Anquan Boldin try to beat them.

Steve Wyche's take:
Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has seen every coverage, faced every scheme, played without sidekick Anquan Boldin, dealt with and without Pro Bowlers -- and he set a new record for receiving yards in the postseason (419). He will significantly impact Arizona in the Super Bowl, not only because he is the best offensive player in the game, but because Arizona will make sure he does -- despite playing against Pittsburgh's great defense.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive coordinator Todd Haley have designed routes to spring Fitzgerald, either on quick slants, double moves or screens.

To alleviate the pass pressure that Pittsburgh will bring, Fitzgerald will be thrown a lot of quick passes. Fitzgerald's ability to make tough catches in traffic also gives quarterback Kurt Warner confidence to simply throw the ball in his direction, which could happen a lot. From there, it's up to Fitzgerald, who breaks tackles, gains yards and gets into the end zone.

In three playoff games, Fitzgerald has 23 catches and five TDs. For the season he had 96 receptions for 12 TDs. Fitzgerald has elevated his game to a new level, a level that will greatly impact the Super Bowl.