The first week of Super Bowl hype is in the books, and so far, it's a bit surreal. For starters, the opposing fan bases have been mostly respectful of one another.
There hasn't been any kind of fighting or "we have more championships than you" back and forth that you would expect from fans, especially in the Internet age. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong blogs and message boards.
As far as Steeler fans are concerned, the biggest villain from last week was some guy named Clay Aiken or Chet Atkins or Randy Travis or something like that. Anyway, he was the guy who dissed the Terrible Towel, but more importantly, Myron Cope and the city of Pittsburgh. I guess when you're in SEC country and your football and men's basketball teams are bit players in a pretty strong conference, you tend to lash out at success.
Also, the Steelers are actually underdogs for this game, which really isn't an indication that they're in trouble since the spread was only 2-points last time I checked. It's just weird that they're not expected to automatically have their way with the Packers because, other than Super Bowl XXX, the Steelers have always been the favorite in Super Bowls.
I like that, by the way. The last two times they were in the Big Dance, they were expected to win, but this game is a toss-up. I think it's going to be a classic.
I don't know if it's just me, but the mood seems more festive leading up to the game than even two years ago. People are just happy and everyone is smiling. I don't remember that as much heading into Super Bowl XLIII. Steelers fans are pretty intelligent and even though we ALWAYS expect success, I think most of us know that this latest Super Bowl appearance is quite an accomplishment considering everything that happened in the 2010 season starting way back in March.
I know I'm happy and fortunate and very appreciative that I get to witness something like a 3rd trip to the Super Bowl in 6 seasons. I'm not as excited as I was for Super Bowl XL, but that's to be expected because they hadn't been to the big game in a decade. It's just a different kind of excitement because I'm witnessing history.
Well, week 1 of the Super Bowl hype is in the books. What will week 2 bring? Will the intensity between the fans heat up? Will some player or players from either team break the seal and talk some trash? Will Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger ever meet face to face? Will Maurkice Pouncey make a Dwight White-esque recovery and somehow play in the Super Bowl?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
A series of questions for Clay Travis, the guy who dissed the Terrible Towel
Hi Clay,
I read your NFL fanhouse article the other day regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers' famous Terrible Towel. The flag, if you will, of the Steeler Nation created by the late, great Myron Cope.
The general sentiment of your article was that you thought people twirling around a black and gold towel was a dumb concept and that it didn't really do much to represent the city. You also went on to say that the city of Pittsburgh should use these towels to clean up our dirty town and maybe mop up our crappy rivers.
This morning, I heard a radio interview you did with a local personality regarding your article and in the interview you not only echoed your original views in the article, but you went on to brag about your home state of Tennessee and basically said it was great and awesome and that Pittsburgh and Western, Pa. couldn't really compare to it.
Regarding your thoughts on the Towel. There is no point really trying to explain its significance to you because unless you're from an area where your professional sports teams win on a consistent basis, you'd never really understand such a tradition.
But I do want to ask you some questions about your lovely state of Tennessee because, as a native Pittsburgher, I want my region to be as awesome and progessive as yours and maybe I can gather some ideas from you.
Ok, onto the questions:
During your interview, you said that you wake up next to a Tennessee Titans' cheerleader every morning. Is this something Titans' cheerleaders feel they have to do in-order to supplement their income because their team misses the playoffs more often than not? Just curious.
Since you do not like the Terrible Towel, do the Titans have something superior that they use as their symbol and as a way to fire up their fans or since they don't make the playoffs that often, do they feel it's not worth the time and effort to come up with anything?
Back in the 90's, there was a Denver media outlet that had an "Elway-watch" where they would report on the daily activities of former Denver Broncos legendary quarterback John Elway. Do they have something similar in Nashville for Dolly Parton? Like a "Daily-Dolly" where they keep the locals up-to-date on Dolly's every move?
How many times a year do they play a marathon of Parton's 1980 hit-movie, 9 to 5?
In your article, you said that Steelers fans often get offended if someone disrespects the Terrible Towel. In Nashville, do they get offended and start fights if someone makes fun of "Rhinestone" in which Dolly starred alongside Sylvester Stallone?
If Dollywood were to close down, would that cripple the economy of the entire state of Tennessee?
During your radio interview, you bragged about the many national titles the Tennessee Lady Vols have won over the years. Congratulations on that. Now, if I wanted to watch a Lady Vols basketball game, would I find it on ESPN2, ESPNU, or local public access television? And would the game be live or on tape-delay?
What do they cherish more in Tennessee: The 8 National titles won by the Women's college basketball team, or the 28 USWA World Heavyweight pro-wrestling titles won by the Memphis legend, Jerry "The King" Lawler?
How many times has Lawler been the Grand Marshall at a Memphis parade?
Speaking of parades in Tennessee, is it typical for there to be a "Beverly Hillbillies"-themed float with people dressed as Jed and Ellie Mae Clampett and do they wave to the crowd and does the crowd always get excited? And do parents insist that their children get their pictures taken with them?
Is there a museum anywhere in Tennessee named "The Cement Pond" that honors the great cast of the "Beverly Hillbillies?"
Speaking of the King, how many "Is Elvis Presley still alive" specials have they aired in Memphis since 1977?
When was the last official Elvis sighting? Was it as recently as last week?
How many rotary phones are currently still in use in the entire state of Tennessee?
If someone were to lose a cell phone in Tennessee and one of the locals found it, would they be frightened and think that it might be a device that was left behind by aliens?
Do Tennessee Volunteer football fans lie and say that Peyton Manning was still the quarterback of the Vols in 1998 just to add even a shred of relevance to their otherwise forgettable 1998 National Championship?
In 2009, did the Titans' organization release a DVD commemorating the ten year anniversary of the greatest victory in the history of the franchise? It was a wildcard playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills. I believe you all refer to it as "The Music City Miracle." And did the DVDs sell-out within minutes?
And my last question, when the Titans lost that heart breaker in their lone Super Bowl appearance against the Rams, did the Tennessee faithful hold out hope that the Titans would still be voted number 1 in the USA Today/Coaches poll and thus be named co-Super Bowl Champions?
Please, Clay, if you would get back to me with the answers to these questions as soon as possible, I will then pass them on to Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and other local civic leaders and they could begin working on trying to bring the Greater Pittsburgh area up to par with your great state of Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Tony Defeo
I read your NFL fanhouse article the other day regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers' famous Terrible Towel. The flag, if you will, of the Steeler Nation created by the late, great Myron Cope.
The general sentiment of your article was that you thought people twirling around a black and gold towel was a dumb concept and that it didn't really do much to represent the city. You also went on to say that the city of Pittsburgh should use these towels to clean up our dirty town and maybe mop up our crappy rivers.
This morning, I heard a radio interview you did with a local personality regarding your article and in the interview you not only echoed your original views in the article, but you went on to brag about your home state of Tennessee and basically said it was great and awesome and that Pittsburgh and Western, Pa. couldn't really compare to it.
Regarding your thoughts on the Towel. There is no point really trying to explain its significance to you because unless you're from an area where your professional sports teams win on a consistent basis, you'd never really understand such a tradition.
But I do want to ask you some questions about your lovely state of Tennessee because, as a native Pittsburgher, I want my region to be as awesome and progessive as yours and maybe I can gather some ideas from you.
Ok, onto the questions:
During your interview, you said that you wake up next to a Tennessee Titans' cheerleader every morning. Is this something Titans' cheerleaders feel they have to do in-order to supplement their income because their team misses the playoffs more often than not? Just curious.
Since you do not like the Terrible Towel, do the Titans have something superior that they use as their symbol and as a way to fire up their fans or since they don't make the playoffs that often, do they feel it's not worth the time and effort to come up with anything?
Back in the 90's, there was a Denver media outlet that had an "Elway-watch" where they would report on the daily activities of former Denver Broncos legendary quarterback John Elway. Do they have something similar in Nashville for Dolly Parton? Like a "Daily-Dolly" where they keep the locals up-to-date on Dolly's every move?
How many times a year do they play a marathon of Parton's 1980 hit-movie, 9 to 5?
In your article, you said that Steelers fans often get offended if someone disrespects the Terrible Towel. In Nashville, do they get offended and start fights if someone makes fun of "Rhinestone" in which Dolly starred alongside Sylvester Stallone?
If Dollywood were to close down, would that cripple the economy of the entire state of Tennessee?
During your radio interview, you bragged about the many national titles the Tennessee Lady Vols have won over the years. Congratulations on that. Now, if I wanted to watch a Lady Vols basketball game, would I find it on ESPN2, ESPNU, or local public access television? And would the game be live or on tape-delay?
What do they cherish more in Tennessee: The 8 National titles won by the Women's college basketball team, or the 28 USWA World Heavyweight pro-wrestling titles won by the Memphis legend, Jerry "The King" Lawler?
How many times has Lawler been the Grand Marshall at a Memphis parade?
Speaking of parades in Tennessee, is it typical for there to be a "Beverly Hillbillies"-themed float with people dressed as Jed and Ellie Mae Clampett and do they wave to the crowd and does the crowd always get excited? And do parents insist that their children get their pictures taken with them?
Is there a museum anywhere in Tennessee named "The Cement Pond" that honors the great cast of the "Beverly Hillbillies?"
Speaking of the King, how many "Is Elvis Presley still alive" specials have they aired in Memphis since 1977?
When was the last official Elvis sighting? Was it as recently as last week?
How many rotary phones are currently still in use in the entire state of Tennessee?
If someone were to lose a cell phone in Tennessee and one of the locals found it, would they be frightened and think that it might be a device that was left behind by aliens?
Do Tennessee Volunteer football fans lie and say that Peyton Manning was still the quarterback of the Vols in 1998 just to add even a shred of relevance to their otherwise forgettable 1998 National Championship?
In 2009, did the Titans' organization release a DVD commemorating the ten year anniversary of the greatest victory in the history of the franchise? It was a wildcard playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills. I believe you all refer to it as "The Music City Miracle." And did the DVDs sell-out within minutes?
And my last question, when the Titans lost that heart breaker in their lone Super Bowl appearance against the Rams, did the Tennessee faithful hold out hope that the Titans would still be voted number 1 in the USA Today/Coaches poll and thus be named co-Super Bowl Champions?
Please, Clay, if you would get back to me with the answers to these questions as soon as possible, I will then pass them on to Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and other local civic leaders and they could begin working on trying to bring the Greater Pittsburgh area up to par with your great state of Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Tony Defeo
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I know there's one huge chapter still remaining in the 2010 Steeler season, but is this the greatest coaching job in franchise history?
It has been said many times that Steelers legendary coach Chuck Noll did his best coaching job in the 1989 season, leading the Steelers out of an embarrassing 0-2 start in-which they were outscored, 92-10, to a 9-7 finish, an AFC Wildcard berth, an upset over the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs, and to within 2 points of the AFC Championship game.
Well, that certainly might have been Chuck's best coaching job, but I think Mike Tomlin is in the midst of performing the greatest coaching job in the history of the franchise.
The 2010 Steelers were facing a stacked deck from the beginning. The organization knew they would start the year without Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended the first 4-games due to his off the field behavior. The team also traded away their number 1 receiver in Santonio Holmes. And before training camp even started, they lost Willie Colon, their starting right tackle, for the entire season with an Achilles tendon injury.
This Steeler team was a mostly veteran group that had recently won a couple of Super Bowls. Coming off of a year in-which they didn't make the playoffs, it would have been very easy for them to say, "you know what. It's pretty obvious that we're facing an uphill battle. This isn't going to be our year. What's the point of paying the price? Let's just go through the motions."
Yes, much credit has to be given to the players for maintaining a business-like approach even though they were facing an uphill climb from the start, but that all begins with the coach.
You ever been in a work-situation where your boss overreacts to a problem? How do the employees usually respond? They often overreact as well. But if the person in-charge maintains a cool, calm presence, and assures everyone that things will be okay, the problem gets resolved, usually in a cool, calm manner.
I believe the number 1 job of a head coach or manager is to deal with problems. The X's and O's are important, but there are only so many ways to run a play, it's up to the players to execute.
But when it comes to dealing with a problem, not every person in authority is equipped to handle it. Mike Tomlin sure seems equipped.
The problems just never stopped for Mike Tomlin this year. Even after Roethlisberger returned and that problem was solved, he immediately had to deal with "fine-gate" that led to James Harrison threatening retirement. That could have turned into one huge circus, but it never really did.
And then they lost Aaron Smith, the man the defense can never seem to perform well without. However, after a rough beginning, Ziggy Hood has steadily developed over the course of the season and is now playing at such a high-level, the defense has been able to maintain its dominance.
And they handled the Colon injury quite nicely by signing Flozell Adams, but by mid-season, it was announced that left tackle Max Starks was done for the year with a neck injury.
There is only so much a coach should be asked to handle and still have his team performing at a high level. This team is not only performing at a high level, they're in the Super Bowl.
It seemed like the players really appreciated this latest AFC crown. You could see not only jubilation, but relief on the faces of a lot of those guys. Especially Troy Polamalu, who certainly wasn't 100% coming down the stretch.
I am really impressed with this berth in the Super Bowl. I know the expectations of Steeler fans are pretty high, but regardless of what happens on February 6th, the coaching job that Mike Tomlin has done this year cannot be underestimated.
You can give credit to the front office, the assistant coaches and to the players for performing under so much adversity, but Tomlin deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team together and for helping navigate the ship through maybe the roughest patch in the history of the franchise all the way to the doorstep of its 7th championship.
Well, that certainly might have been Chuck's best coaching job, but I think Mike Tomlin is in the midst of performing the greatest coaching job in the history of the franchise.
The 2010 Steelers were facing a stacked deck from the beginning. The organization knew they would start the year without Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended the first 4-games due to his off the field behavior. The team also traded away their number 1 receiver in Santonio Holmes. And before training camp even started, they lost Willie Colon, their starting right tackle, for the entire season with an Achilles tendon injury.
This Steeler team was a mostly veteran group that had recently won a couple of Super Bowls. Coming off of a year in-which they didn't make the playoffs, it would have been very easy for them to say, "you know what. It's pretty obvious that we're facing an uphill battle. This isn't going to be our year. What's the point of paying the price? Let's just go through the motions."
Yes, much credit has to be given to the players for maintaining a business-like approach even though they were facing an uphill climb from the start, but that all begins with the coach.
You ever been in a work-situation where your boss overreacts to a problem? How do the employees usually respond? They often overreact as well. But if the person in-charge maintains a cool, calm presence, and assures everyone that things will be okay, the problem gets resolved, usually in a cool, calm manner.
I believe the number 1 job of a head coach or manager is to deal with problems. The X's and O's are important, but there are only so many ways to run a play, it's up to the players to execute.
But when it comes to dealing with a problem, not every person in authority is equipped to handle it. Mike Tomlin sure seems equipped.
The problems just never stopped for Mike Tomlin this year. Even after Roethlisberger returned and that problem was solved, he immediately had to deal with "fine-gate" that led to James Harrison threatening retirement. That could have turned into one huge circus, but it never really did.
And then they lost Aaron Smith, the man the defense can never seem to perform well without. However, after a rough beginning, Ziggy Hood has steadily developed over the course of the season and is now playing at such a high-level, the defense has been able to maintain its dominance.
And they handled the Colon injury quite nicely by signing Flozell Adams, but by mid-season, it was announced that left tackle Max Starks was done for the year with a neck injury.
There is only so much a coach should be asked to handle and still have his team performing at a high level. This team is not only performing at a high level, they're in the Super Bowl.
It seemed like the players really appreciated this latest AFC crown. You could see not only jubilation, but relief on the faces of a lot of those guys. Especially Troy Polamalu, who certainly wasn't 100% coming down the stretch.
I am really impressed with this berth in the Super Bowl. I know the expectations of Steeler fans are pretty high, but regardless of what happens on February 6th, the coaching job that Mike Tomlin has done this year cannot be underestimated.
You can give credit to the front office, the assistant coaches and to the players for performing under so much adversity, but Tomlin deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team together and for helping navigate the ship through maybe the roughest patch in the history of the franchise all the way to the doorstep of its 7th championship.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A dream matchup
I'm so excited for the Super Bowl. Not just that the Steelers made it, but that they'll be playing the Packers, a team with a similar tradition.
I was super-excited for Super Bowls XL and XLIII, but Pittsburgh's opponents in each game weren't exactly the marquee franchises of the NFL: The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals respectively.
Don't get me wrong, they were both very memorable games for different reasons, but the Steelers really had to carry the hype for the two weeks leading into the games.
It's going to be different with the Packers.
Like the Steelers, the Packers are cherished by the city they represent and they also have a national following established by years of winning and by having some of the greatest coaches and players in the history of the NFL.
You have tradition vs. tradition.
The Terrible Towel vs. the Cheesehead.
The team of the 70's vs. the team of the 60's.
A record 6 Super Bowl titles vs. excuse me, but I didn't know they only started awarding NFL championships in 1966. We have 12 titles, thank you very much.
When the Steelers made Super Bowl XXX, it was a dream matchup, at least in name, since Pittsburgh's opponent was their their long-time Super Bowl rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. But the AFC was totally inferior to the NFC during that period and the Cowboys had already won 2 Super Bowls in the early 90's. The Steelers were huge underdogs for the game.
Super Bowl XLV is different. At least on paper, anyway. This looks to be the most evenly matched Super Bowl the Steelers have been involved in since Super Bowl XIII against those Cowboys. Both teams have great quarterbacks, dominant defenses, decent running attacks, and good-to-great coaching staffs.
Green Bay took the same road to the Super Bowl as the '05 Steelers, making it as the 6th seed out of the NFC. And just like the 2005 Steelers, the Packers have been established as early favorites over the Steelers, who are the number 2 seed from the AFC side of the bracket.
Being a Steeler fan, I'm obviously pretty confident that Pittsburgh will find a way to win this game. And if it's anything like Pittsburgh's last-second, come-from-behind, heart-stopping, 37-36, victory over Green Bay towards the end of the '09 season, Super Bowl XLV could be a gem.
Who knows, maybe Super Bowl XLV won't be a great game, but I do know this: Steeler Nation and the Cheeseheads will converge on the House that Jerry Built and Christen it like he never would have imagined when the Cowboys' owner petitioned the league to hold the Super Bowl there.
You better get ready, Jerry. It's time to party!
I was super-excited for Super Bowls XL and XLIII, but Pittsburgh's opponents in each game weren't exactly the marquee franchises of the NFL: The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals respectively.
Don't get me wrong, they were both very memorable games for different reasons, but the Steelers really had to carry the hype for the two weeks leading into the games.
It's going to be different with the Packers.
Like the Steelers, the Packers are cherished by the city they represent and they also have a national following established by years of winning and by having some of the greatest coaches and players in the history of the NFL.
You have tradition vs. tradition.
The Terrible Towel vs. the Cheesehead.
The team of the 70's vs. the team of the 60's.
A record 6 Super Bowl titles vs. excuse me, but I didn't know they only started awarding NFL championships in 1966. We have 12 titles, thank you very much.
When the Steelers made Super Bowl XXX, it was a dream matchup, at least in name, since Pittsburgh's opponent was their their long-time Super Bowl rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. But the AFC was totally inferior to the NFC during that period and the Cowboys had already won 2 Super Bowls in the early 90's. The Steelers were huge underdogs for the game.
Super Bowl XLV is different. At least on paper, anyway. This looks to be the most evenly matched Super Bowl the Steelers have been involved in since Super Bowl XIII against those Cowboys. Both teams have great quarterbacks, dominant defenses, decent running attacks, and good-to-great coaching staffs.
Green Bay took the same road to the Super Bowl as the '05 Steelers, making it as the 6th seed out of the NFC. And just like the 2005 Steelers, the Packers have been established as early favorites over the Steelers, who are the number 2 seed from the AFC side of the bracket.
Being a Steeler fan, I'm obviously pretty confident that Pittsburgh will find a way to win this game. And if it's anything like Pittsburgh's last-second, come-from-behind, heart-stopping, 37-36, victory over Green Bay towards the end of the '09 season, Super Bowl XLV could be a gem.
Who knows, maybe Super Bowl XLV won't be a great game, but I do know this: Steeler Nation and the Cheeseheads will converge on the House that Jerry Built and Christen it like he never would have imagined when the Cowboys' owner petitioned the league to hold the Super Bowl there.
You better get ready, Jerry. It's time to party!
I've got a feeling......well, you know how it ends
The Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to the Super Bowl for the eighth time in franchise history with their 24-19 win over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game last night at Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh will meet the Green Bay Packers in two weeks in Dallas in what should be one of the most hyped Super Bowls in recent memory.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 24-0 first half lead and the game looked to be a rout, but to New York's credit, they came back strong in the second half and had the Steelers on the ropes at one point before finally fading at the end.
The Steelers took the opening kickoff and marched down field largely on the legs of Rashard Mendenhall. Roethlisberger scrambled to pick up an important first down on 3rd and 12 and Mendenhall punched it in from the 1. It was a 15 play, 66 yard drive that ate up 9 minutes and set the tone for the first two quarters.
The Jets could do nothing on offense for nearly the entire first half and Pittsburgh scored ten more points on a short Suisham field goal and then on a Roethlisberger quarterback keeper to make it 17-0 with two minutes to go in the half.
And then the most important play of the game: Sanchez went back to pass on 3rd and 17and was hit by a blitzing Ike Taylor just before he could get rid of the ball and Willie Gay scooped it up and ran it in for another score. Since it was under 2-minutes, there was a booth review, but the call was upheld and it was like a dream as the Steelers were up 24-0.
The Jets got some momentum when they drove down and kicked a field goal just before the half, but I don't think too many people were worried at that point.
I think most fans and players would take a 24-3 halftime lead in the AFC Championship Game.
In many way's, last night's game was eerily similar to the 2005 AFC Championship Game.
Much like the '05 game, the Steelers controlled most of the first half and scored two touchdowns in stunning fashion near the end of the 2nd quarter with Ike Taylor figuring heavily into the 2nd touchdown.
The similarities continued in the second half when Mark Sanchez hit a wide-open Santonio Holmes for a 45 yard touchdown to open the 3rd quarter and suddenly it was 24-10.
When Pittsburgh got the ball back, Roethlsiberger was intercepted trying to hit Emmanuel Sanders down field.
The Steelers offense did very little in the second half. That might have been due to the cold weather. It could have been the result of losing Maurkice Pouncey early in the game with a high ankle sprain. It's hard to say, but Pittsburgh certainly didn't have the same kind of success in the second half that it did in the first two quarters.
The defense stepped up to the challenge and when they stopped New York on an awesome goalline stand with just under 8-minutes remaining, I know I breathed a little easier.
Unforunately, with the offense in the shadows of its own goalline, Roethlisberger and back up center Doug Legursky had a problem with the snap and Roethlsiberger was tackled in the endzone for a safety. So for the second time in two games against the Jets, the Steelers gave up a safety.
After the free kick, New York mounted another drive and scored when Sanchez hit Jerricho Cotchery on a touchdown pass to make it 24-19 with 3:06 remaining.
Now those 2 points really looked crucial.
However, New York never got the ball back. Much to their credit, the Steelers' offense forced New York to use all three of their time outs, and after the two minute warning, facing a 3rd and 6, the much maligned Bruce Arians gambled on a pass and when Roethlisberger hit Mr. Clutch, Antonio Brown, for a first down, it was lights out for the Jets.
Roethlisberger didn't have the greatest of games, but once again, with everything on the line, he came through.
The Steelers defense was also pretty spectatular for most of the night.
However, the story of this game was the running of Rashard Mendenhall. It was a coming out party for Mendenhall. Even though he rushed for over a 1000 yards for the second consecutive year, he isn't thought of as an elite back, but in the most important game of his career, he came up big with 121 yards and a touchdown against a stingy Jets' run defense.
It was a great victory for the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.
Now it's off to Dallas where the team will try to win its 2nd Lombardi Trophy in 3 seasons, its 3rd in 6 seasons and it's 7th over all.
Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl!
Pittsburgh will meet the Green Bay Packers in two weeks in Dallas in what should be one of the most hyped Super Bowls in recent memory.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 24-0 first half lead and the game looked to be a rout, but to New York's credit, they came back strong in the second half and had the Steelers on the ropes at one point before finally fading at the end.
The Steelers took the opening kickoff and marched down field largely on the legs of Rashard Mendenhall. Roethlisberger scrambled to pick up an important first down on 3rd and 12 and Mendenhall punched it in from the 1. It was a 15 play, 66 yard drive that ate up 9 minutes and set the tone for the first two quarters.
The Jets could do nothing on offense for nearly the entire first half and Pittsburgh scored ten more points on a short Suisham field goal and then on a Roethlisberger quarterback keeper to make it 17-0 with two minutes to go in the half.
And then the most important play of the game: Sanchez went back to pass on 3rd and 17and was hit by a blitzing Ike Taylor just before he could get rid of the ball and Willie Gay scooped it up and ran it in for another score. Since it was under 2-minutes, there was a booth review, but the call was upheld and it was like a dream as the Steelers were up 24-0.
The Jets got some momentum when they drove down and kicked a field goal just before the half, but I don't think too many people were worried at that point.
I think most fans and players would take a 24-3 halftime lead in the AFC Championship Game.
In many way's, last night's game was eerily similar to the 2005 AFC Championship Game.
Much like the '05 game, the Steelers controlled most of the first half and scored two touchdowns in stunning fashion near the end of the 2nd quarter with Ike Taylor figuring heavily into the 2nd touchdown.
The similarities continued in the second half when Mark Sanchez hit a wide-open Santonio Holmes for a 45 yard touchdown to open the 3rd quarter and suddenly it was 24-10.
When Pittsburgh got the ball back, Roethlsiberger was intercepted trying to hit Emmanuel Sanders down field.
The Steelers offense did very little in the second half. That might have been due to the cold weather. It could have been the result of losing Maurkice Pouncey early in the game with a high ankle sprain. It's hard to say, but Pittsburgh certainly didn't have the same kind of success in the second half that it did in the first two quarters.
The defense stepped up to the challenge and when they stopped New York on an awesome goalline stand with just under 8-minutes remaining, I know I breathed a little easier.
Unforunately, with the offense in the shadows of its own goalline, Roethlisberger and back up center Doug Legursky had a problem with the snap and Roethlsiberger was tackled in the endzone for a safety. So for the second time in two games against the Jets, the Steelers gave up a safety.
After the free kick, New York mounted another drive and scored when Sanchez hit Jerricho Cotchery on a touchdown pass to make it 24-19 with 3:06 remaining.
Now those 2 points really looked crucial.
However, New York never got the ball back. Much to their credit, the Steelers' offense forced New York to use all three of their time outs, and after the two minute warning, facing a 3rd and 6, the much maligned Bruce Arians gambled on a pass and when Roethlisberger hit Mr. Clutch, Antonio Brown, for a first down, it was lights out for the Jets.
Roethlisberger didn't have the greatest of games, but once again, with everything on the line, he came through.
The Steelers defense was also pretty spectatular for most of the night.
However, the story of this game was the running of Rashard Mendenhall. It was a coming out party for Mendenhall. Even though he rushed for over a 1000 yards for the second consecutive year, he isn't thought of as an elite back, but in the most important game of his career, he came up big with 121 yards and a touchdown against a stingy Jets' run defense.
It was a great victory for the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.
Now it's off to Dallas where the team will try to win its 2nd Lombardi Trophy in 3 seasons, its 3rd in 6 seasons and it's 7th over all.
Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
It's a lock. The Steelers are going to the Super Bowl. Why? Cowher picked the Jets
While doing an interview with a New York radio station, former Steelers' head coach Bill Cowher had this to say when asked what he thought of the upcoming AFC Championship Game between the Jets and Steelers:
“I’ll tell you what, Pittsburgh may have some issues this weekend. The way the Jets are playing, I’m telling you this is going to be a game, I think it will be a classic game, and I like the Jets. They made believers out of me with what they did. They match up well, I think it’s going to be a tough ballgame, but they certainly have all the ingredients to go to the Super Bowl.”
This should be good news for any Steeler fan. The last time a Pittsburgh professional sports team was in a conference final, it was the Penguins who were playing the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2009 NHL Eastern Conference Finals.
During that series, Cowher infuriated a lot of folks in his former hometown by coming out in support of the Hurricanes. Cowher has lived in North Carolina for years now and I guess grew to appreciate the Hurricanes because of his friendship with Ron Francis.
Anyway, before game 4, with the Pens up 3-0 in the series and on the brink of clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals, Cowher further annoyed and disappointed many Pittsburghers by cranking some siren that they use to fire the crowd up in the Hurricanes' arena.
It really didn't work. The Penguins finished off the Canes that night and went onto win the Stanley Cup against Detroit in 7 games.
So, Steeler fans, you can rest easy now that you know that Cowher has picked against his former team.
I personally don't care that he picked the Jets. I mean, the only people he owes anything to now are his current employers, CBS sports, and really, in his current role as NFL analyst, he should be objective and if he thinks New York is going to win, fine.
I'm just happy that he picked the Jets because, as I've said before, I'm very superstitious and I think this is a good omen.
Thanks, Chin.
“I’ll tell you what, Pittsburgh may have some issues this weekend. The way the Jets are playing, I’m telling you this is going to be a game, I think it will be a classic game, and I like the Jets. They made believers out of me with what they did. They match up well, I think it’s going to be a tough ballgame, but they certainly have all the ingredients to go to the Super Bowl.”
This should be good news for any Steeler fan. The last time a Pittsburgh professional sports team was in a conference final, it was the Penguins who were playing the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2009 NHL Eastern Conference Finals.
During that series, Cowher infuriated a lot of folks in his former hometown by coming out in support of the Hurricanes. Cowher has lived in North Carolina for years now and I guess grew to appreciate the Hurricanes because of his friendship with Ron Francis.
Anyway, before game 4, with the Pens up 3-0 in the series and on the brink of clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals, Cowher further annoyed and disappointed many Pittsburghers by cranking some siren that they use to fire the crowd up in the Hurricanes' arena.
It really didn't work. The Penguins finished off the Canes that night and went onto win the Stanley Cup against Detroit in 7 games.
So, Steeler fans, you can rest easy now that you know that Cowher has picked against his former team.
I personally don't care that he picked the Jets. I mean, the only people he owes anything to now are his current employers, CBS sports, and really, in his current role as NFL analyst, he should be objective and if he thinks New York is going to win, fine.
I'm just happy that he picked the Jets because, as I've said before, I'm very superstitious and I think this is a good omen.
Thanks, Chin.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A trip to the dentist or a Steelers playoff game. What causes more stress?
We're about 96 hours away from the Steelers/Jets clash in the AFC Championship Game and I'm pretty calm. You want to know why? Because we're still 96 hours away.
Every time the Steelers go on a run like this deep into the playoffs, I always catch myself wondering why something that I don't have any direct involvement in can stir my emotions so much. But I don't let myself think about it too much because if I did, that might put a damper on things.
I think it's a beautiful thing that an entire community can care about something like a sports team. It might seem trivial to some people, but when you think about it, we spend most of our lives pretty much worrying about ourselves and a nice little playoff run like the Steelers are on is one of the few times people actually root for and care about the interests of other people. Pretty neat.
That being said, I really can't wait for Sunday night to be over. "But the playoffs are fun, Tony. How can you say such a thing?"
Yes, the playoffs are fun, but they're not. Anyone who passionately follows a team knows what I'm talking about. You sit there right before a big game like Sunday's and you think to yourself, "Man, I can't believe I have to put myself through this for the next three hours."
As a sports fan, you always want to see your teams make the playoffs. I know last year, when the Steelers missed out on the postseason, I was sad. I mean, it really sucked.
And this year, when they put together a pretty consistent regular season and eventually clinched a playoff spot, I was happy. Heck, they even managed to earn a bye. Great!
But when you think about that playoff game, even a few days away, you get kind of nervous. And the closer you get to that game, the more you just want it to be over with. Yes, you're excited. You're looking forward to it......kind of.
This last playoff encounter was especially hard on the nerves. For one thing, it was the damn Ravens. The Steelers can't lose to Baltimore in the playoffs. That would just suck. Ray Lewis, John Harbaugh. No way. And the game didn't start out especially well, as we all remember. The Steelers were trailing, 21-7, at halftime. What a nightmare!
Yes, the game turned out in the Steelers' favor. It was a pretty memorable night at Heinz Field, but I don't want to be too entertained in the postseason. I'm always looking for a blow out. To me, that's ideal.
Whenever I predict a score of a Steelers playoff game, it's always a blowout in Pittsburgh's favor. Why? Because even the thought of a nail-biter in the postseason gives me chills. "What if it comes down to a field goal at the end?" Just typing that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Yeah, sure, the epic battle between the Steelers and Ravens this past Saturday was entertaining and highly enjoyable, but that's because Pittsburgh won. Had they lost that game, I wouldn't have thought of it as entertaining. It would have been heartbreaking, and certainly not something I'd want to re-live.
The round coming up is always the worst: The AFC Championship. I just want it to be over. They're so tantalizingly close to the Super Bowl. One game away.
I compare the AFC title game to going to the dentist. Just knock me out and wake me up when it's over. I don't want to feel anything. I just hope it goes well.
The Super Bowl is a whole other animal. I am extremely nervous for that game, just like the other rounds of the playoffs, but seeing your team in the Super Bowl is something that just doesn't happen very often and I want to enjoy every moment of it. I've said this many times, losing the Super Bowl sucks, but seeing them lose the game before the Super Bowl is the worst.
Anyone else feel that way about the postseason? As a fan, are you looking for a close, exciting game or do you wish for a blowout? Like me, do you sometimes find it hard to sit through and just wish you could fast-forward to the end and hope things go well?
Anyway, my prediction for this Sunday's game: Steelers 45 Jets 3.
Every time the Steelers go on a run like this deep into the playoffs, I always catch myself wondering why something that I don't have any direct involvement in can stir my emotions so much. But I don't let myself think about it too much because if I did, that might put a damper on things.
I think it's a beautiful thing that an entire community can care about something like a sports team. It might seem trivial to some people, but when you think about it, we spend most of our lives pretty much worrying about ourselves and a nice little playoff run like the Steelers are on is one of the few times people actually root for and care about the interests of other people. Pretty neat.
That being said, I really can't wait for Sunday night to be over. "But the playoffs are fun, Tony. How can you say such a thing?"
Yes, the playoffs are fun, but they're not. Anyone who passionately follows a team knows what I'm talking about. You sit there right before a big game like Sunday's and you think to yourself, "Man, I can't believe I have to put myself through this for the next three hours."
As a sports fan, you always want to see your teams make the playoffs. I know last year, when the Steelers missed out on the postseason, I was sad. I mean, it really sucked.
And this year, when they put together a pretty consistent regular season and eventually clinched a playoff spot, I was happy. Heck, they even managed to earn a bye. Great!
But when you think about that playoff game, even a few days away, you get kind of nervous. And the closer you get to that game, the more you just want it to be over with. Yes, you're excited. You're looking forward to it......kind of.
This last playoff encounter was especially hard on the nerves. For one thing, it was the damn Ravens. The Steelers can't lose to Baltimore in the playoffs. That would just suck. Ray Lewis, John Harbaugh. No way. And the game didn't start out especially well, as we all remember. The Steelers were trailing, 21-7, at halftime. What a nightmare!
Yes, the game turned out in the Steelers' favor. It was a pretty memorable night at Heinz Field, but I don't want to be too entertained in the postseason. I'm always looking for a blow out. To me, that's ideal.
Whenever I predict a score of a Steelers playoff game, it's always a blowout in Pittsburgh's favor. Why? Because even the thought of a nail-biter in the postseason gives me chills. "What if it comes down to a field goal at the end?" Just typing that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Yeah, sure, the epic battle between the Steelers and Ravens this past Saturday was entertaining and highly enjoyable, but that's because Pittsburgh won. Had they lost that game, I wouldn't have thought of it as entertaining. It would have been heartbreaking, and certainly not something I'd want to re-live.
The round coming up is always the worst: The AFC Championship. I just want it to be over. They're so tantalizingly close to the Super Bowl. One game away.
I compare the AFC title game to going to the dentist. Just knock me out and wake me up when it's over. I don't want to feel anything. I just hope it goes well.
The Super Bowl is a whole other animal. I am extremely nervous for that game, just like the other rounds of the playoffs, but seeing your team in the Super Bowl is something that just doesn't happen very often and I want to enjoy every moment of it. I've said this many times, losing the Super Bowl sucks, but seeing them lose the game before the Super Bowl is the worst.
Anyone else feel that way about the postseason? As a fan, are you looking for a close, exciting game or do you wish for a blowout? Like me, do you sometimes find it hard to sit through and just wish you could fast-forward to the end and hope things go well?
Anyway, my prediction for this Sunday's game: Steelers 45 Jets 3.
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