NFL talk - Page 6

holden · #51 02-02-2009, 11:16 AM

Okay, so the native Pittsburgher in me is permitted, nay, required to shout: "YEAH, STEELERS!"

But what a game that was for both teams! Not decided until the final minute, with amazing, big plays from both squads.

potatobroth · #52 02-02-2009, 01:58 PM

can't believe for the second year in a row, the go ahead score came with only 35 seconds left in the game. Sick game. Loved it.

cured · #53 02-02-2009, 03:09 PM

Fantastic game...didn't think the Steelers would pull it out after blowing their lead. But Santonio made some great hands plays and finally made himself worthy of the mid first round pick they used to get him.

IsiliRunite · #54 02-02-2009, 09:03 PM

The best part was the fact that he let a first-down TD slip through his hands, the play before.

den · #55 02-02-2009, 11:17 PM

All I wanted was a game that was exciting until the very end. That wish was fulfilled. And what a strange game. A 100-yard interception return as time ran out in the half (that play made/ruined many a Super Bowl squares game). And the offensive holding safety call, several critical and reviewable plays, amazing catches, topped off by Santonio Holmes' ridiculous two-foot dragger under triple-coverage. The most disappointing part of the Super Bowl was the commercials. I wanted the Cardinals to win, just to see them win it for the first time. But as strange as it is to see the 9-7! Cardinals in the Super Bowl, I feel like if they can keep their team together, they could be a contender for a while.

See you in 6 months.

Troy McClure · #56 02-03-2009, 12:26 AM

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 · #57 02-03-2009, 08:01 AM

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 · #58 02-03-2009, 09:17 AM

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 · #59 02-03-2009, 09:39 AM

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).

cured · #60 02-03-2009, 09:58 AM

The officiating wasn't that bad. The roughing the passer penalty aside (it was close), the calls were generally pretty good and they let the teams smack each other around a bit when the whistles blew. The last play was close but I thought it was a forward pass, also. Doesn't really matter, though, there wasn't going to be any miracle on that play, not with Pittsburgh playing 8 at the goal line.

And yeah, there is a Madden-esque curse on teams that lose the Super Bowl. The Giants took a step back after the '01 bowl, the Rams after the '02 bowl, the Bucs after the '03 bowl, I mean...look at the list...Panthers, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, hell even the Patriots last year. All of these teams have something happen during the next season that sinks them. It it bad play? Injuries? Who knows...these teams, lately, haven't even made it back to the playoffs the next year.

For the Cardinals? Well, it might be Kurt Warner retiring.