Super Bowl & More

Super Bowl
This one lived up to the hype (which I did not watch) - especially down the stretch. Actually, I finally tuned in at 6:35 p.m.

It didn’t look that way prior to the last play of the first half. Then, "thug extraordinaire" James Harrison made like Superman, returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown to close out the first two quarters of play and turn the game around in one felt swoop.

The third quarter was rather ordinary, but the final period was anything but thanks to some outstanding quarterbacking on both sides.

Kurt Warner did everything he could to claim the MVP award as he riddled the league’s best defense with the game on the line. Unfortunately for Arizona, they couldn’t get enough pressure on Ben Roethlisberger when they needed it most - in the game’s final drive.

What did we learn from this contest?

We learned the Steelers are very good and deserving of #6.

They were STILL able to win without being able to dominate up front – like we thought they would. Warner had enough time to put up those MVP type numbers had it not been for Big Ben and Santonio Holmes’ heroics late.

Think about it. The Steelers – a team that has built a REAL identity dating back several presidents on getting a lead, running the ball and playing good defense, simply could not run out the clock on the Cardinals.

Case in point - Prior to Arizona getting the lead, the Steelers picked up four yards rushing on first down, and instead of doing what they do best – run it again, they decided to put the ball in the air. The strategy led to a sack and an eventual punt. Arizona had all but shut down the Steelers’ ground game to that point where the Silver and Black went empty backfield on second and six.

That was either a bad play call or an admission Pittsburgh’s offensive line could not push the Cardinals’ front seven around – or perhaps both.

With all that being said, the Steelers had the Cardinals right where they wanted them – up four late in the Super Bowl with the NFL’s best defense on the field and Arizona needing to go 65 yards to take the lead.

They did just that. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for "my" Cardinals.

Somehow, Pittsburgh found a way to get it done – for a sixth time – even without a strong running game and a stifling defense on this day.

That’s what champions do – they find a way.

No Run To Success
Can we now put to rest the football urban myth that you have to be able to run the ball to win?

Of course it helps to have balance – but it’s not a necessity – not with today’s near-Arena Football rules that prohibit defensive backs from breathing on receivers or pass rushers being flagged for playing touch football with QBs after they release the football.

Neither the Steelers nor the Cardinals were able to establish a strong running game. In fact, neither team reached the big game because of the run.

Pittsburgh got there because of defense and Big Ben making enough plays with his arm this fall. Arizona reached nirvana on Warner’s arm, three 1,000 yard receivers and a hot defense that forced a ton of turnovers late in the season.

There Is Hope
This season's NFL playoffs once again reinforces the reality that any team can win it if you make it to the dance (playoff) in the NFL. Parity does that. The once 9-7Cardinals came within one defensive play of winning it all. This on the heels of the Giants, a #6 seed, beating arguably the greatest team of all time (the 18-0 Patriots) in 2008.

Cavaliers' Snub
A great deal has been said already about the Cavaliers having one of the game’s best records but only one all-star selection while other top teams have two or even three players going to the 2009 all star game.

Here is my take - the coaches who picked the alternates simply got it wrong. It’s either that or LeBron James is easily the best player on the planet for carrying this mediocre bunch to such a terrific record. Right?

In all seriousness, reality is somewhere in the middle. Yes, we love Moe Williams and he deserved to make it, and yes, 23 is the best player in the league. However, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.

The goal remains the same – grind it out for 82 games and earn the best record in the league and home court throughout prior to the second season starting.

It’s all about keeping your eye on the big picture and if this snub adds extra motivation for the guys from Cleveland – that’s fine with me.