What took Cardinals so long to go to Fitzgerald?
Is anybody else out there still wondering why the Cardinals waited until the game was almost over before they started throwing the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, who's now officially the best receiver we've ever seen?
Did the coaches get together and think ... "Let's see, we've got the most potent weapon the game, we could go to him. Nah, everybody will be expecting us to do that. Let's wait until we're down by two touchdowns?"
And please don't tell us Troy Polamalu was in the same zip code, so they couldn't throw to Fitzgerald, who separates from defenders before the catch like nobody else in the league.
A few more thoughts, questions, and what-ifs that keep rattling around in my (mostly empty) head, a week after the Super Bowl:
That post-game handshake between Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt ranks right up there with Belichick-Mangini on the barely-looking-at-you, let's make this as quick as we can index of guys who are hoping they never see each other again.
Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes could as easily have been the goat, after strutting into the end zone to celebrate the catch before the winning catch while Ben Roethlisberger was frantically trying to get the Steelers lined up, forcing them to burn a time out.
In a game with so many variables that have nothing to do with how good one side or the other is, and everything to do with timing, luck, or the curse of the Pottsville Maroons -- if Fitzgerald doesn't go 65 yards for the go-ahead TD, maybe the Cardinals score with 37 seconds left, or seven seconds, instead of 2:37, giving the Steelers time to answer.
And, finally, when people look back on the musical portion of the show, they'll realize that after Jennifer Hudson's rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" Springsteen was just her closing act.
(c)2008 SILive.com
Times are Tough, But Steelers Show Reason to Hope . . . and Cheer
My hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, just won the Super Bowl. Now, I'm not what one would consider a football "fan" but there is, admittedly, some black-and-gold in my blood.
Where I come from, no one is not a Steeler fan. I mean it. A quick perusal of my hometown Wal-Mart parking lot this Super Bowl Sunday will undoubtedly reveal a Steeler bumper sticker ratio of 10-1.
Once inside, one will be faced with a sea of black-and-gold patrons hoisting frozen pierogies, kielbasa and chicken wings into their carts and singing along to the endless loop of Steeler fight songs that replaced the holiday rotation - including such hits as "The Steeler Polka," "Here We Go Steelers" and the “Polamulu Song." It's probably true that something similar is happening at Wal-Marts in Tempe, Phoenix and Tucson today. What makes Steeler fans unique, however, is that the scene I described would not look much different on a Sunday if the team was off to an 0-10 start in the middle of the season.
I point this out not to make fun of the Steeler-fan fervor of my hometown. In fact, a part of me wishes I could have been in Pittsburgh yesterday, where I could have watched the game with my crazy family and where everyone - even strangers eyeing the last case of Iron City beer - will smile at one another. I say this because Steeler fans offer a lesson for the rest of us. Sure, they can be obnoxious, especially this time of year and especially if you're not a Steeler fan, but there's a sense of unity and perseverance in Steeler country that I think our nation could benefit from.
Their faith is not conditional. They are, in fact, convinced that no matter how grim the outlook, the Steelers will pull through somehow. And you know what? They actually do a lot of the time. Pittsburgh may have overzealous fans, but the team actually succeeds. Last night's victory means they are the first team to have won six of them. This success seems, in my unproven opinion, to be a result of the fans instead of the other way around.
OK. I admit, there's a lot to hate about Super Bowl Sunday. The sometimes entertaining but almost always sexist commercials (the National Organization for Women found a remarkable lack of women with speaking roles in 2008's ads). The overconsumption and the spectacle of fireworks and expensive lighting and face paint (and probably body paint, too, given the Super Bowl's balmy locale this year). The fact that the money spent on preparing for the big game could be better spent in a hundred different ways, especially right now.
But in these hard times it's nice to have something to distract us for a few hours, and football's tried-and-true fans show us that good things do come to those who wait. Maybe it's sad that we have to turn to football to escape our troubles, but it would be even sadder if times were so tough we had to call the whole spectacular, gluttonous, chauvinist thing off.
(c) 2009 North Star Writers Group
Parker, Warner hold keys to Super Bowl success
TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Matchups for the Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium:
When the Steelers have the ball
Just as the Steelers of the 1970s evolved from a run-it-down-your-throat offense to a more versatile mode, this group has balanced its attack. Indeed, when RB Willie Parker (39) couldn't find much room against Baltimore in the AFC championship game, QB Ben Roethlisberger (7) took control. And the Cardinals' defense, while quite stout for most of three postseason victories, hardly is on the level of the Ravens.
Pittsburgh will turn to Parker early, particularly seeking to draw Arizona's standout safety, Adrian Wilson (24) closer to the line. If successful, the Steelers will keep pounding Parker, Mewelde Moore (21) and Gary Russell (33), but also will mix in some medium-range and deep throws to playmaker Santonio Holmes (10). Holmes' 65-yard catch and run TD was the major offensive play in the AFC title game, and his contributions would be even more vital should fellow wideout Hines Ward (86) be limited or out with a knee injury.
More likely, the warrior Ward will play - and play well. He was the MVP of Pittsburgh 2006 Super Bowl win.
Arizona's secondary has performed inconsistently in the playoffs, but has made seven interceptions, led by two each from Rod Hood (26) and rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29). ARC could wind up with lots of solo coverage on Holmes, particularly if Ward is hobbled.
Steelers TE Heath Miller (83) has been a clutch performer and favorite target for Roethlisberger. His matchups with Wilson, Antrel Rolle (21) and Aaron Francisco (41), plus the linebackers, might be telling.
Arizona's LBs have been very active in the playoffs, notably Karlos Dansby (58) and Gerald Hayes (54). Again, though, they aren't in Baltimore's class.
Roethlisberger often holds the ball too long, and he was sacked four times by the Ravens. Arizona has seven sacks in its three playoff games, with DEs Bertrand Berry (92) and Antonio Smith (94) providing the best pass rush and DT Darnell Dockett (90) being disruptive in all phases. They should find ways of pressuring Big Ben against an inconsistent offensive line that includes tackles Willie Colon (74) and Max Starks (78), guards Darnell Stapleton (72) and Chris Kemoeatu (68).
When the Cardinals have the ball
First priority: Keep Kurt Warner (13) upright.
While their running game has been revived behind veteran Edgerrin James (32) and rookie Tim Hightower (34) - both key contributors to the win over Philadelphia for the NFC crown - the Cardinals won't survive if Warner doesn't get time to pass.
Warner heads to his third Super Bowl owning the two most prolific passing days in the game’s history. He had 414 yards in the 2000 win over Tennessee when he was with the Rams, and 365 when St. Louis lost to New England two years later.
Expecting that many yards against the best, most intimidating defense in the league since the Ravens of eight years ago is dreaming. That doesn't mean Arizona has no chance, because Warner remains a superb, clutch player with excellent touch. If tackles Mike Gandy (69) and Levi Brown (75) and guard Reggie Wells (74) give him time, he will produce.
Arizona certainly has the edge in receivers with the uncoverable Larry Fitzgerald (11), who already has set a record for postseason yards receiving (419) and has five playoff touchdowns, three against Philly. Even if Fitzgerald is double-teamed, he will find ways to be productive, so cornerbacks Ike Taylor (24), Deshea Townsend (26) and Bryant McFadden (20) will need plenty of support from hard-hitting Ryan Clark (25) and All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu (43), who has been sensational in the playoffs.
Limiting Fitzgerald somewhat is critical, and even then Anquan Boldin (81) and Steve Breaston (15) are dangerous. Both joined Fitz as 1,000-yard receivers this season.
The best way for "‘Blitzburgh’" to keep the Cardinals from soaring is with a strong pass rush. Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison (92) is complemented in the linebacking corps by James Farrior (51), LaMarr Woodley (56) and Larry Foote (50). Up front, Aaron Smith (91) and Casey Hampton (98) are formidable against the pass and the run.
Special teams
Arizona's kicking game is solid. Neil Rackers (1) made 25 of 28 field goals, which is excellent, but Pittsburgh's Jeff Reed (3) is the superior placekicker and one of the best clutch kickers around.
Ben Graham (5) fared well since he took over the punting duties late in the season for Arizona, while J.J. Arrington (28) and Breaston are dangerous on kick runbacks.
But the Cardinals weren't exactly brilliant in this area last weekend.
Pittsburgh always seems to get a huge play from Holmes, whose punt return for a score got the Steelers back into their divisional round win over San Diego. He can be hit or miss, though, and prone to bad decisions.
The Steelers are OK on kickoff returns, but their special teams strength is in coverage.
Coaching
A pair of second-year coaches who competed for the Steelers job after Bill Cowher retired in early 2007.
Mike Tomlin got the Pittsburgh gig, has led the Steelers to two AFC North titles and now to their second Super Bowl in four years. A disciple of the 4-3 defense, he stood behind coordinator Dick LeBeau and the 3-4 because that's the best scheme for the talent on hand, and it's paid off.
Tomlin wants to be physical in all aspects and has the right roster for it. He gives Roethlisberger just enough freedom for Big Ben to display why he's a big winner.
Ken Whisenhunt was Cowher's offensive coordinator when Pittsburgh won the 2006 Super Bowl. He was bypassed by Steelers management and took the job in Arizona, bringing another '06 candidate, Russ Grimm, with him.
Whisenhunt's best work has been erasing a losing culture in the Valley of the Sun - helped, of course, by veteran leaders such as Warner, Wilson and James. His game-planning, particularly on offense, is strong. And, like Tomlin, he delegates well.
Intangibles
The Cardinals are in their first Super Bowl - they've never even come close before and already have surpassed their all-time victory total in the postseason (2) with their three wins this year. They have not gotten tight because they have been underdogs throughout, as they are for this game.
Their strong leadership and experience in key positions has served them well in the playoffs, never more so than in the 72-yard drive to winning TD against Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh's latest Steel Curtain is among its most impressive, and this team won't ever back down. It wants a rugged, field-position type of game featuring tough play on every down. Rarely does it get away from the style that been so defining in Steel City since the invention of football.
The Steelers could become the first franchise with six Super Bowl titles, a strong motivator. Then again, winning it for a first time is just as energizing for Arizona.
(c)2009 The Ironton Tribune
Arizona "Worst Ever Playoff Team" Cardinals Meet Steelers in Super Bowl
Behind a noisy and tumultuous crowd of 70,650, -mostly wearing red- two-time NFL's MVP Kurt Warner threw for 279 yards and four TDs as the Arizona Cardinals kept silencing its critics, while turning skeptics into believers, by stopping a late Philadelphia rally securing a 32-25 victory to advance to its first Super Bowl ever...
In a game that meant a ticket to Super Bowl XXLIII for both teams, the Cardinals (12-7) prevailed by building a comfortable double-digit lead to close the first half on top of the Eagles (11-7-1) by a 24-6 score.
Arizona got off to a quick start with a Larry Fitzgerald's nine-yard TD reception that capped a 5:40 80-yard opening drive.
Fitzgerald, who finished the game with 152 yards on nine catches, wasn't finished. He and Warner connected on a 62-yard strike that gave Arizona a 14-3 lead after a David Akers 45-yard field goal. Akers also missed a 47-yarder ending his FG postseason streak at 19.
Fitzgerald, who has scored 11 TDs in his last eight games, finished his scoring for the day with little over three minutes to end the half when he converted a one-yard pass into six points. Neil Rackers closed the first half hostilities nailing a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
It was a different music in the second half as the Eagles held the potent Cardinals attack to a mere five yards in the third quarter, while the Donovan McNabb-to-Brent Celek show began. McNabb had 375 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, three TDs, and one INT on the day in a losing effort.
Tight end Brent Celek, who scored only one TD during the regular season, hauled in two of the three TDs McNabb threw on the day. Celek finished the postseason with four TD receptions.
David Akers missed the extra point after Celek's second touchdown to close the quarter cutting the Eagles' deficit to five points for a 24-19 score.
The fourth and final quarter saw the Eagles take their first lead of the game when McNabb connected with rookie DeSean Jackson who won a foot race against Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, on a spectacular, almost lucky, 62-yard bomb that juggled into the receiver's hands a few seconds before crossing the goal line.
Andy Reid, who is now 1-5 in Championship games, decided to opt for a two-point conversion that would have given the Eagles a 27-24 lead. Instead, Philadelphia found itself barely holding a one-point lead as the conversion failed. The two-point conversion was the first one the Eagles attempted all season.
Arizona finally regained some of their early game energy and drove 72 yards in 7:52, finishing the drive with rookie Tim Hightower catching Warner's fourth TD pass of the game from eight yards out giving Arizona a 32-25 lead it never relinquished, after a successful Ben Patrick two-point conversion.
Philadelphia's final attempt to lateral the ball failed and as such, the Cardinals can book hotels in Tampa.
Brian Westbrook finished with 45 yards. Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia's own version of Fitzgerald, surprised the Cardinals secondary by catching four passes for 122 yards and the Eagles turned the ball over twice on fumbles.
Edgerrin James bruised the Eagle front four with 73 yards and Tim Hightower added 33.
Larry Fitzgerald had a record-setting playoff career surpassing Jerry Rice for postseason receiving yards with 453 yards, and has yet another game to build on.
Copyright (c) 2009 Fantasy Football Maniaxs
Chins up, Bengals fans
It might be hard to think of the Bengals as playoff contenders next season.
Yet in the midst of the NFL playoffs' opening weekend, Bill Cowher, a CBS analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers coach, suggested on air last Sunday that the Bengals could be in contention.
This despite the fact that the Bengals have won five or fewer games nine times since 1991, including this season's 4-11-1 performance. They failed to make the playoffs the year following any of those seasons.
Why would things be different next season?
Cowher recently expanded on his comments, citing the prospects of a healthy Carson Palmer, a stronger running game and a much-improved defense.
* Survey: State of the Bengals
The nucleus of Cowher's reasoning is Palmer, the quarterback who did not play in the Bengals' final 11 games this season because of an injured elbow. Palmer is not expected to need offseason surgery, meaning he should be fully healthy when the Bengals begin training camp in July.
Said Cowher: "The big key is Carson because with him you can really exploit the weapons the Bengals have on offense. And with stability on defense, they look like a real team. But it starts with Carson."
Indeed, a glance at the remaining playoff teams reveals big-name quarterbacks in charge, such as Ben Roethlisberger with the Steelers and Eli Manning with the New York Giants. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens stands out as the exception.
Even the Arizona Cardinals, with their long-time struggles, are in the playoffs - thanks in large part to the leadership of star quarterback Kurt Warner.
But Palmer's absence wasn't the only reason Cincinnati struggled this season. As Palmer openly acknowledged, the Bengals started 0-4 with him in the lineup.
A stronger running game might relieve pressure on Palmer. Cedric Benson had productive games in December and finished the season with 747 rushing yards, including a career-high 171 against Cleveland Dec. 21. He's a free agent but has indicated a desire to return to the Bengals.
ESPN analyst Floyd Reese, a former general manager for the Tennessee Titans, pinpointed Benson as a potential bright spot for Cincinnati.
"Certainly, from a running backs standpoint, you look at what Cedric did this season and you can say that this guy isn't obsolete and might be ready to emerge and have a couple strong years ahead of him," Reese said of Benson, who has played four NFL seasons.
Another encouraging sign: The consistency of Cincinnati's defense, which finished 12th in the NFL under first-year coordinator Mike Zimmer.
"Week in, week out, you saw the defense play with more understanding of Zimmer's system," Cowher said. "You don't want to make many changes on that side of the ball because they were very good defensively for much of the season."
The defense was so reliable, it led the way to a three-game winning streak to end the season.
And Cowher said he liked the passion exhibited by Bengals coach Marvin Lewis during an outburst aimed at the media in December.
"A football team takes on the personality of its coach," Cowher said. "In that incident with the media, Marvin displayed a sense of 'enough is enough.' This is a good team, and they responded by backing him up. There's something to be said for a coach who still believes in you even in a tough year. Marvin's a fighter, and he showed that in his own way."
Copyright (c)2008 The Enquirer
TURNOVERS SINK MIAMI
MIAMI - Normally, Chad Pennington treats the football with as much care as his two young sons.
In his first season with the Miami Dolphins, Pennington threw seven interceptions in 476 attempts.
When Baltimore picked off four in a 27-9 victory in the AFC Wild Card game, ending Miami's magical season Sunday at Dolphin Stadium, it was more a case of the Ravens imposing their will than Pennington's carelessness.
"No. 1, they have unique concepts they use," Pennington said. "No. 2, they have excellent athletes within these concepts. When you put these things together, you've got a chance to be real successful as a defense."
Of the four picks, Pennington regretted throwing only one. It wasn't the one Ed Reed returned for a touchdown that gave the Ravens a 10-3 lead the Ravens never relinquished. Or Reed's second, after the Dolphins had marched to the Baltimore 12-yard line late in the third quarter in an attempt to slice into a 20-3 deficit.
It was the one by former Bayshore High standout Fabian Washington intended for Davone Bess on the third play of the second half, when Miami received the ball down 13-3.
"It's a huge challenge for an offense, and I was looking forward to the challenge," Pennington said.
Now, he's looking forward to his second season in Miami.
Exiled from New York after the Jets acquired Brett Favre, Pennington spearheaded one of the NFL's biggest turnarounds. The Dolphins went from one-win laughingstocks to the playoffs.
"It's been magical," Pennington said. "That's why it hurts even worse, because I wanted to keep this thing going and do not good things, but great things. They have supported me since the first day I walked into this locker room."
And it wasn't going to change after his worst outing.
"Chad's been our leader since Day 1," rookie offensive tackle Jake Long said. "I'm not going to say anything bad about Chad."
"If it weren't for him," wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said. "We wouldn't be where we are right now."
Miami's lone takeaway got the Dolphins off to a good start, but it could have been better.
Joey Porter recovered a fumble, and Pennington drove Miami to the Ravens' 1, but the Dolphins failed in two chances to convert a touchdown, setting for a field goal.
"We had a lot of opportunities," Porter said. "We didn't take advantage of the opportunities we had."
After Baltimore tied it with a field goal, Reed made his first pick, flagging down an overthrown ball. He turned, cut to the right and picked up a caravan of blockers who paved the way for his 64-yard TD.
"It started to look like a punt return," Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said.
Down 13-3 at halftime, the Dolphins' backbreaking turnover might not have been a Pennington interception, but a Patrick Cobbs fumble that was secured by Terrell Suggs.
"They were doing more to stop us than we were stopping ourselves," Cobbs said. "When we sputtered, they had a lot to do with it."
Four plays later, Le'Ron McClain scored from 8 yards out, giving the Ravens a 20-3 cushion.
The Dolphins, who set a record for committing the least amount of turnovers (13) in a season, made five.
"That's not how we won 11 games," Porter said.
Copyright (c) 2009 HeraldTribune.com
Mangini has Favre to thank for pink slip
He was a Man-genius five weeks ago.
On Monday, to play off the New York Post's brilliant nickname, he became Canned-gini.
I'm not going to say Eric Mangini's firing as New York Jets head coach was shocking. That's an adjective better used to describe such wonders as Wade Phillips still having a job and Detroit promoting two front-office executives after an 0-16 season. Nonetheless, Mangini had posted a winning record in two of his three seasons and received a vote of confidence for 2009 as recently as March from team owner Woody Johnson.
The tap-dancing Johnson wouldn't specifically say why he reneged on his word during a Monday morning news conference. He instead used clichés like, "It's a judgment call," and, "We had to go in a different direction. There's nothing specific."
Come on. The cause couldn't be any clearer: New York (9-7) didn't make the playoffs after losing four of its final five games, including Sunday's 24-17 home clunker against new AFC East champion Miami.
Here's where the debate gets interesting. Why did the Jets nosedive and is Mangini, like coaches often are under such circumstances, being made a scapegoat for the failures of others?
Let's start the blame game with Brett Favre. Green Bay's management was ridiculed for trading Favre after New York jumped to an 8-3 start. But concerns that a 39-year-old quarterback would fade down the stretch were one of the reasons he was dealt.
That assessment was one of the few things Green Bay got right in 2008. Favre had two touchdowns and nine interceptions in New York's 1-4 stretch. He was particularly awful in what may have been his final NFL game, committing three turnovers against the Dolphins (including an interception that was returned for a touchdown).
Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer unsuccessfully tried to curb Favre from throwing an NFL-high 22 interceptions by stressing discipline and patience. Besides saying "pretty please," what else could the duo do? Even with his late-season shoulder pain, benching an icon like Favre was never a viable option - especially with 2006 draft bust Kellen Clemens as the alternative. The Jets were locked into playing Favre - warts and all - from the minute he began wearing a new shade of green.
This leads us to the general manager who pulled the trigger on the Favre deal in August: Mike Tannenbaum. He hoodwinked, err, convinced Johnson into signing off on a Steinbrenner-esque spending spree that netted veterans like Alan Faneca, Calvin Pace, Damien Woody and Kris Jenkins. Those offseason moves created the modest expectation that New York could rebound from a 4-12 record and make the playoffs. By then acquiring an aged legend who admittedly could be playing in his final season, the stakes were raised to Super Bowl-or-bust proportions.
"Expectations were set so high for us," tight end Dustin Keller told Jets media Monday. "They should be."
But while trying to buy a championship in one season may work in other sports - i.e. the 2007-08 Boston Celtics - it doesn't fly in the NFL. Just ask Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. Or, better, try talking to the front offices for the top four seeds in this year's playoffs. Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Carolina and the New York Giants were built primarily through the draft.
Like with any team, there are players who didn't come through when it mattered most. Keller, who had emerged as Favre's favorite receiving target, hit the rookie wall with only eight catches in the final four games. Outside linebacker Vernon Gholston ran smack-dab into it from the get-go. The draft's No. 6 overall pick, Gholston couldn't even get on the field playing special teams, let alone defense. That forced the Jets to stick with outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, who had one sack in the final 11 games.
Mind you, none of this gets Mangini off the hook. He allowed the Jets to become too fat and happy around Thanksgiving after back-to-back road victories against archrival New England and previously unbeaten Tennessee. A defensive specialist, Mangini couldn't schematically patch a shaky secondary or fix problems stopping the run between the tackles that didn't exist earlier in the year. An 0-4 road record against West Coast teams that didn't finish with winning marks was inexcusable, especially a 13-3 loss to Seattle in Week 16. That game made Jets fans long for the days of Rich Kotite. Mangini made bad coaching decisions and rubberstamped Schottenheimer's pass-happy game plan on a snowy day. Favre was sacked four times and intercepted twice on 35 attempts, while AFC rushing leader Thomas Jones received only 17 carries. And let's not even get started on how the Jets underutilized Leon Washington in the backfield.
Perhaps the final straw was Mangini's strained professional relationship with Favre. As reported exclusively Sunday by FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer, Mangini's tendency to emphasize minutiae with players during weekly game preparation didn't fly with a headstrong quarterback notorious for having shaky study habits.
Had Mangini stayed, Glazer believes Favre was a goner. Maybe Favre would have retired (again) regardless. Maybe he still will. After the Dolphins loss, Favre said he didn't have a timetable and a decision wouldn't be made for at least a week.
By then, the Jets will be well into their head coaching search. That means Favre will be under more pressure than he ever faced in Green Bay toward making a quick judgment about his NFL future.
Whoever gets the Jets job will want to know whether Favre plans to play, his commitment to participating in an off-season program and if his problematic right shoulder requires surgery. Heck, that coach may not even want Favre back no matter how many No. 4 Jets jerseys the NFL sells.
In turn, a returning Favre could heavily influence who is hired as Mangini's replacement. Favre isn't afraid to speak his mind on that front. In 2006, Favre lobbied the Packers to hire Steve Mariucci for the spot that went to Mike McCarthy. Mike Holmgren, the only coach who won a Super Bowl with Favre, also is on the market even though he vows not to coach in 2009.
With a veteran roster in place, Jets ownership will be expecting a deep playoff run from Mangini's replacement in 2009. It doesn't take a genius - or Man-genius - to figure that out.
2008 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC
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