NFL talk

[Troy McClure]

I thought a night of sleep might take out some of the sting, but dammit it still is gut wrenching today. I know the Cardinals were not predicted to make it this far, but hell, if you get to the Super Bowl, you might as well win it.

I thought after making some dumb penalties, giving up the INT TD return, falling behind 13, and seriously suspect officiating, the Cardinals STILL took the lead with 2:37 to go. But the Steelers made the plays, so props to them. Except for James Harrison...that guy is a prick.

The Cardinals will be back...they have too many badasses to not keep being successful: Darnell Dockett, Karlos Dansby and Adrian Wilson on Defense. Plus Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie looks like the real deal at corner after just his rookie year. I hope they can mend fences with Anquan Boldin.


Then there is Larry Fitzgerald. I like to call him 'Spiderman'.



--Jason in Phoenix

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Yeah, I thought the officiating was kind of bad too. I don't think the refs were biased but it seemed all the dubious calls were against the Cardinals. James Harrison's 100-yard TAINT should have been looked at closer - I just do not see him evading that many tackles without some kind of defensive holding or clipping, and it really did look like he was stopped an inch short. But there was not really enough evidence either way, so whatever was called on the field was going to stand.

Second half, it seemed like the Cardinals were called for some ridiculous things, including at least one holding call that was very dubious, and a weak "roughing the passer" that simply was a product of momentum. You can't expect these huge guys to stop on a dime! Meanwhile the Steelers are getting called for "unnecessary roughness", which was more like assault! I can't believe Harrison didn't get thrown out. And since they were pinned against their own 2, it was only a 1-yard penalty. And what about that last play? It's a close call, but it looked like a forward pass to me. I don't see why more people aren't questioning that - the way it ended was shady and easily could have been overturned.

Either way it was a great game...I wonder if the Cards will play this well in 2009?

[IsiliRunite]

Teams that make it to, and lose the super bowl, generally aren't that great the next year. Its physically and emotionally draining...

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Maybe true, I haven't really thought of that. I do remember however the Bears got trounced under Rex Grossman people could not believe the next year that Rex got the team to the Super Bowl. Hopefully the Cards will not be forgotten - their division is weak and they could easily make another playoff appearance, unless the Seahawks suddenly have a resurgence (which is entirely possible).