Stand up, Steeler Nation. Your Pittsburgh Steelers are World Champions — again.
The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly didn’t make it easy on themselves, but they put together a drive for the ages to capture Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday as they defeated the never-say-die Arizona Cardinals, 27-23.
It was the Steelers’ sixth Lombardi Trophy in seven tries. There have been 43 Super Bowls, and the Steelers have won six. That’s pretty darn amazing when you sit down and think about it.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, it will be our second “Steelers Edition” in three weeks. We’ll also have another “Hoops Improvement”
suggestion for the brain trust at University Park.
Let’s start with the Steelers.
Six Pack
The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly like to make things interesting, don’t they? On Super Sunday, I thought they made things a little too interesting.
Ahead 20-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Steelers somehow squandered the 13-point lead and found themselves on the wrong end of 23-20 deficit with a little over two minutes remaining.
However, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger coolly directed his squad down the field for a game-winning touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with just 35 seconds left in the contest.
Like most of you, I watched the game from the comfort of my living room. After a day to digest the game and the outcome, I was able to make some observations about the game:
* I’m not sure where Sunday’s game ranks with the experts out there, but I’ve got to rank Super Bowl XLIII as not only the best Steeler Super Bowl, but the best Super Bowl of all-time. Period. One could argue that the New York Giants’ upset of New England in last year’s game was better, but I don’t think so.
* James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return as time expired at the end of the first half has to rank as the No. 1 defensive play in Super Bowl history. Why? Because it has all the elements that make up a great moment. The fact that Arizona was about to take the lead. The fact that Harrison baited Kurt Warner into the throw. The fact that he was able to outrun every Arizona Cardinal on the field for TD. And the fact that he did it as time expired. Simply amazing.
*That being said, Santonio Holmes’ TD grab with 35 ticks left on the clock ranks as the No. 1 catch in Super Bowl history. Sure, David Tyree’s catch against the Patriots last season was amazing, but it was in the middle of the field and did not win the game for the Giants.
We’ll go with Holmes at No. 1, Tyree close behind at No. 2.
* By throwing for 377 yards and three TDs, Warner locked up a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Although he’s gone 1-2 in the big game, the losses haven’t necessarily been his fault. Big Ben isn’t far behind Warner. A few more seasons of solid play and he should be a lock for the Hall as well.
* Big Ben, not Holmes, should have been named the game’s MVP.
* I disagreed with John Madden’s statement that Harrison should have been kicked out of the game after his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Why? Because he pushed a player to the ground? Perhaps, just perhaps, Harrison was frustrated after being held on nearly every single play.
Just a guess, though.
* And Madden still hates the Steelers because of the Immaculate Reception.
* As always, Steeler coach Mike Tomlin was classy in victory. The same can’t be said for Ken Whisenhunt, who complained on air about the penalties that were called in the game. On one drive, his team was flagged three times for personal fouls. All three were legit, coach, and that shows a lack of discipline.
* Nonetheless, Whisenhunt was a great hire in Arizona. Just what the Cardinals needed. He reminds me a lot of former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, who made it to the Super Bowl in his fourth season at the helm of the Steelers.
* I love Troy Polamalu, but he had a bad game Sunday night. It was almost as if his nervous energy was too much for him to take. He overran plays and missed tackles. Very uncharacteristic.
* If Warner retires, the Cards are in trouble. Matt Leinart may have been a mistake. Not that we’ve seen enough to know.
* The Steelers should have run Willie Parker outside more. He is not Jerome Bettis and you simply cannot pound the ball up the middle play after play after play.
* Off-season needs for the Steelers: 1. Offensive line. 2. Wide receiver. 3. Secondary.
* Hines Ward was not the same player he usually is. The guess here is that he was close to 75 percent, if that. After the 38-yard pickup on the first drive of the game, he was relatively silent.
* Best commercial: I loved both Doritos ads, and the E-trade baby makes me laugh every time I see him.
* Worst commercial: I didn’t care for either of the Budweiser spots.
Bring back the Bud Bowl!
* Bruce Springsteen’s halftime performance was overblown, but it was still pretty darn good. I’m not a huge fan of The Boss, but I think he played to the crowd and rocked it out for an old guy. To this day, the best halftime show remains U2’s performance in 2002, just three months after 9/11.
* Postgame show award (tie): ESPN landed Big Ben shortly after the victory while the NFL Network got Tomlin.
* Jennifer Hudson knocked the National Anthem out of the park. I don’t care it it was lip-synched or not. It was tremendous.
* On the flip side, I’ve had enough of Faith Hill. The intro was overblown (again). Can we please bring back Pink?
* Best moment (game): Ben and Holmes hugging on the sideline shortly after the TD.
* Best moment (postgame): Dan Rooney thanking President Barack Obama for his support. Classy move by a classy man. The Steelers will be the first sports team to visit the White House under the new President.
* Penn State sighting: Sean McHugh threw a block to spring Gary Russell on his 1-yard TD run. Defensive tackle Scott Paxson was on the sidelines in sweats. But he did make a pretty cool appearance on the “Tonight Show” on Friday night. Levi Brown held his own on the Cards’
O-line, with the exception of the game’s final play.
* Now, who’s ready for the NFL draft?
Scott Paxson is remembered most for this play at PSU. He became a Super Bowl champion on Sunday in Tampa.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Hoops Improvement: Part IV
We’ve got another suggestion for the PSU powers that be. It involves the scheduling of basketball games.
I realize that the almighty Big Ten thinks it’s the only game in town — heck, these guys have their own network now — but the conference big wigs really need to start watching the NFL schedule.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers or Philadelphia Eagles are playing, you can guarantee that it has an effect on attendance at the BJC. Personally, I’d like to see more Saturday games on both schedules. I realize that Sunday games are a necessary evil because of travel, but why not play more noon games?
And while we’re at it, let’s stop playing games on Super Bowl Sunday, please. Both teams played this past Sunday. Did anyone notice?
Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue White Illustrated, a weekly publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. This column does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BWI’s writers or publisher.