Super Bowl XLIII Game Thread
by ChiFan13 on Feb 1, 2009 12:48 PM CST
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The big one is finally here. After the game tonight, the football season is officially over and we swing into the down months.
WCG's take:
My gut tells me that I should pick the Steelers. They have the better defense and that usually is the difference. They have been the better team for the majority of the year. Problem is I really don't like the Steelers and I enjoy the underdog story, so I'm picking the Cardinals. AZ needs to come out fast and hard. No huddle, 5 receivers formations and anything else to nullify the Pittsburgh pass rush and get them back on their heels. Prediction: Arizona 20-17
ChiFan13's take:
The Steelers are a storied franchise, the Cardinals are the NFL's version of the Cubs. The Steelers have the Terrible Towel, the Cardinals usually have Terrible Records. Should be an easy call, right? Nope. No one believed in the Cardinals. They weren't supposed to beat the Falcons. They weren't supposed to beat the Panthers. They weren't supposed to beat the Eagles. Larry Fitzgerald has already cemented his legendary status with some unbelievable catches in the playoffs and Kurt Warner has been playing out of his mind. As a current University of Northern Iowa student and a regular shopper at the HyVee where Kurt Warner once bagged groceries, I'm going with the Cardinals. Not only am I calling that, I'm guaranteeing a win by 7. Prediction: Cardinals 27, Steelers 20
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I'm going to say 'Zona wins it, 31-21.
But I hope Roethlisberger throws 2 touchdowns and no pics, and runs for another. Maybe then people will shut up about Tebow being too big.
Realistically, I think that the Cards defense will step it up, and Fitzgerald will have at least 2 touchdowns, not necessarily through the air either. Pittsburgh’s offense will have to show that they put up the points, and their defense will have to shut down the pass game before they can worry about the run.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
Since the Cards are the NFL version of the Cubs,
Then we can expect another monumental post-season gag:
Steelers 48
Cards 0
Although the Cards may score a little at the end when the Steelers throw in the 3rd string.
GO cards
The bears of course are my team, and i really hope they end up with Kurt warner next year. I live in Iowa and I dont think there is a better person in the nfl then warner, he is also a pretty good athlete. I think there is alot of nfl players that should take lessons from warner. So i have to cheer for the under dog
I lost respect for....
- James Harrison. Way to be an absolute idiot.
- the officiating. The PF on Big Ben was shaky and the non-review on Warner’s last throw is atrocious.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
yeah
that was a total dick move by Harrison. He punched the guy, kept him down and I think pushed him afterwards.
I still can’t believe there was no type of review at all on Warner’s last throw. that’s just ridiculous.
The weird thing is, that right when Fitz got that last touchdown, I had a feeling that Pitt would somehow pull it out of their asses. I just can’t believe the Cards were two minutes away from winning a championship.
I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad
My crush on big ben has grown to legendary,
nearly absurd levels. God love that guy. :-)
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 1, 2009 9:53 PM CST reply actions
Wow, I only got TWO picks correct in this Superbowl
and that was the Championship games. Geez..
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
haha, eh....
Kurt Warner would look nice in a Bears uni..
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
My money says he retires.
He said in a pregame show that he was going to seriously consider retirement regardless of the outcome of the game and after he saw #4 unretire and then suck… I bet he’s gonna walk away.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 1, 2009 10:16 PM CST up reply actions
so is he HOF worthy?
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
Ben Roethlisberger may have cemented his name
as long as he puts up average numbers the rest of his career, he’s in..
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
plus
Kurt could have had another one against the Patriots, yet lost it in the last couple of minutes as well. He was a hell of a QB if he decides to walk away
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
I don't think so
But, we’ll see, I guess.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 1, 2009 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
Heck yeah!!!
he’s HOF worthy. And the Bears should have picked him up when no one else wanted him. Likewise with Jeff Garcia. I guess they’d rather have the unproven Grossman over the proven Warner or Garcia.
I meant the Bears should've picked him up...
not that he’s a HOF.
heck yes
he is one of only a small handful of QB’s to play in the Superbowl on more than one team and his stats were better than Ben’s were. He is a solid QB
(to all of those who think he could come to Chicago…think again. Warner never plays well in the cold…)
by no.fair.weather.fan.here on Feb 2, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions
Since when does
solid = hof?
I really don’t get it.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 2, 2009 12:36 AM CST up reply actions
edit: Playoffs
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
Ticky Tack Superbowl
How much ticky tack crap can they call on the Cards? If they call a ticky tack PF on Ben, why not when Warner got hit a split second after throwing the ball. How about intentional grounding on Ben twice? One drive of Pittsburgh’s had 3 PF calls giving them 45 yards and effectively giving them the field goal. If you’re going to call that non-sense, at least be consistent. Why wasn’t there a 15 yard penalty on Holmes on that last TD when he used the football as a prop?
The personal foul on the punt that gave AZ about 1/10 of a yard because it happened after the kick. So did the running into the holder but PA got a first down. The NFL is Make Up The Rules As We Go Along. It reminds of being on the playground with 10 y/o’s.
The NFL rivals the NBA for most poorly officiated league.
Agreed
I though t it was shitty calling. A chopblock call? running into the HOLDER (forward momentum, duh!)? Not to mention that stupid facemask call on Arizona when BOTH players were doing it to each other. The refs defintely favored the Steelers
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
the holder is completely defenseless there
the guy just had to jump over him if he wanted to avoid contact…he wasn’t pushed into him or anything.
the one late hit on Ben was 10 kinds of ridiculous…
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by thecubreporter on Feb 1, 2009 11:50 PM CST up reply actions
umm...
That running in to the holder penalty was a VERY obvious call that HAD to be called.
It wasn’t even borderline.
I didn’t think that the officiating was that bad… I thought that Arizona just played really sloppy for much of the first three quarters.
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So you thought the PF because someone pushed Big Ben
was a legit call?
Because it was ticky-tacky. During the third quarter, I forgot if this was football or chess.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
...
First, I never commented on the roughing the passer penalty, did I? Every game is going to have a bad call here or there. I never said that the officiating was perfect, did I?
But second, yea, I do think that it was a legitimate call, though a borderline one. Officials have been calling that a personal foul all season. There is no reason for them to change the way that they call it because it is the Super Bowl.
That doesn’t mean that I LIKE the call, but I do think that it was a legitimate call.
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Well
You said:
I didn’t think that the officiating was that bad
which led me to question that play.
Second, here’s the problem about “legitimate” and “good” calls. Legitimate is a nicer version of saying it was ticky-tacky. I mean, did anyone truly believe that Adrian Wilson tried to run into the holder? I realize they have to call it, but come on. The game is starting to become more and more soft.
Yes, if someone is a stickler for the rules, the PF on Big Ben was legitimate. However, if that’s the case, Santonio Holmes should have had a unsportsmanlike celebration penalty and they should have reviewed the last play of the game. Both legitimate calls, no? Oh, and if we’re talking good calls, James Harrison should have been ejected for being a world-class idiot and punching someone when they were down.
That’s why I was upset about the officiating last night. Too many “should haves” for the biggest game of the year.
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ugh
You said: “I didn’t think that the officiating was that bad.” which led me to question that play.
And again, saying that the officiating wasn’t that bad does not mean that the officiating was perfect, does it?
I realize they have to call it, but come on.
Wait… so you are complaining about a call, and then saying, “I realize that they have to call it?” Nice.
The game is starting to become more and more soft.
Perhaps… but that is a completely different conversation. And I am not sure that protecting a completely defenseless player means that the game is becoming soft.
Yes, if someone is a stickler for the rules, the PF on Big Ben was legitimate.
LOL. So basically, if someone wants to actually make the right call, they call that a personal foul, right?
However, if that’s the case, Santonio Holmes should have had a unsportsmanlike celebration penalty
Sure… but again, show me just one game, in any sport, where the officiating was perfect.
and they should have reviewed the last play of the game.
Huh? Where in the rules does it say that a play must be reviewed if a fan questions the call?
Oh, and if we’re talking good calls, James Harrison should have been ejected for being a world-class idiot and punching someone when they were down.
Maybe… not so sure about that one though. They called a personal foul, which is enough on that play.
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Seriously?
Maybe… not so sure about that one though. They called a personal foul, which is enough on that play.
A one-yard personal foul was enough? Yeah, for a guy to go after a player MMA-style in essentially a defenseless position. Seriously? You’re gonna be ticky-tacky on everything else, but MMA-style fighting is ok?
Huh? Where in the rules does it say that a play must be reviewed if a fan questions the call?
Again, how could I be so blind? I mean, a game-changing call with :30 left in the Super Bowl. Yeah, those refs made a brilliant decision to NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT.
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oh my...
A one-yard personal foul was enough?
The yardage does not, and should not, matter. At all. A personal foul is a personal foul. The yardage gets determined by where the ball was on the field, not the severity of the penalty.
It was a dirty play. I just dont think he should have been ejected for it.
Again, how could I be so blind? I mean, a game-changing call with :30 left in the Super Bowl. Yeah, those refs made a brilliant decision to NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT.
First of all, I never said it shouldn’t have been reviewed. Second of all, I was simply responding to your argument about being a “stickler for the rules.” Your words. And you claimed that being a “stickler for the rules” demanded a review of that play. Which is b.s.
Third, the booth officials can review a play VERY quickly, and determine whether or not they need to look at it further. From all reports, they DID review the play, and determined that it didn’t need to be reviewed further.
And, FWIW, it was the right call anyway, so I am not sure why you are whining about that one.
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We can do this all day
And you claimed that being a "stickler for the rules" demanded a review of that play. Which is b.s.
That makes sense. You do realize that refs do not always call things that are “rules,” right? So, if you’re going to be a hardass ref the entire game and call everything in the book on some ticky-tacky offenses, then yeah, at least be consistent and review the play.
From all reports, they DID review the play, and determined that it didn’t need to be reviewed further
I missed those reports. Would you like to cite some sources?
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sources...
According to NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira, the replay official upstairs did see the play clearly.
"We confirmed it was a fumble," said Pereira. "The replay assistant in the replay booth saw it was clearly a fumble. The ball got knocked loose and was rolling in his hand before it started forward. He has to have total control."
It doesn’t get much clearer than that. Would you like more sources?Bringing moderation to a place I don't moderate.
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Thank you for posting that
Just wanted to make sure the reports weren’t from Madden and Co.
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ah yes...
… you know me, a great purveyor of Maddon crap.
Huh?
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got me!
I made a spelling error.
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Yeah....
I was being you. You’re always right there to point out when someone screws up.
Just making sure you know how annoying it is.
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not really...
Just making sure you know how annoying it is.
Actually it made me think that I need to be more careful when I type.
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Oh...
Again, how could I be so blind? I mean, a game-changing call with :30 left in the Super Bowl. Yeah, those refs made a brilliant decision to NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT.Fourth, the refs are not who decided on whether or not it gets reviewed. The folks upstairs in the booth are.
And fifth, again, the goal of reviewing the play is to get the right call. I think it was quite clear that it was the right call that it was a fumble. The ball was clearly moving before his arm moved forward, meaning that it was a fumble.
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I'm sorry
I did not clearly state that when I say “refs,” I mean the entire officiating crew (including support staff).
Coming from the guy who said Harrison didn’t punch Francisco, yeah, you clearly didn’t see anything.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
huh?
What does the Harrison play have to do with Warner’s fumble?
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Seriously?
Can you not figure it out? I’m not surprised, but as always, I’m here to help.
First you said:
The refs are not who decided on whether or not it gets reviewed. The folks upstairs in the booth are.
….to which I replied….
I did not clearly state that when I say "refs," I mean the entire officiating crew (including support staff).
Now, follow me here, because this is where you got confused last time. Scroll down a little bit, and you said:
And FWIW, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a punch. I would call it a dirty play, and worthy of a personal foul, but not a punch.
Back up to the original post; you said:
The ball was clearly moving before his arm moved forward, meaning that it was a fumble.
I finished up my comments by mocking you, saying:
Coming from the guy who said Harrison didn’t punch Francisco, yeah, you clearly didn’t see anything.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
Well...
… being that I DID see the play, and still don’t think it was a punch, your connection still lacks any logic behind it. “I’m not surprised.”
I would still like to know how the non-reviewed play was a bad call though.
Easy question for you… was it the right call? Was it a fumble?
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I don't believe it was the right call
And for the officiating crew to say that it was clear-cut is a little laughable. I mean, it’s not like refs haven’t screwed up big time before (see: Ed Hochuli)
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right call?
So you think that it was an incomplete pass? Even though the ball was clearly moving before warner’s arm was moving forward?
I agree with the officials – it was clear-cut, and we were all able to see that it was clear-cut immediately after the play, and well before the Steelers took the last snap.
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Didn't even see this gem
And I am not sure that protecting a completely defenseless player means that the game is becoming soft.
So why wasn’t Harrison kicked out of the game again?
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On the Harrison one
isn’t it in the rule books that if he throws a punch or is it lands a punch that he gets ejected?
Regardless of whether it was enough of a penalty, he landed a punch and should have been tossed.
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i think that...
… it is funny that you are arguing both sides of an argument, but then complaining that I am doing the same.
The running into the holder penalty was very clearly the right call.
The personal foul against Harrison was the right call. Should he have been ejected? Perhaps, but I am okay with him not being ejected for that.
And FWIW, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a punch. I would call it a dirty play, and worthy of a personal foul, but not a punch.
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HAHAHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIF_ucHzbIk
Please watch that. I’ll wait for your edited statement.
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i already watched it
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thank you
Seriously… We can argue about whether it was a punch.
I thought it was a very strong one handed push to the chest. I also thought it was dirty. I didn’t think it was a punch worthy of ejection.
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okay...
… well i guess i, and the refs, disagree with you.
oh well.
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you need your head examined...
so accidentally running into the holder and barely tapping him results in a new set of downs (that should have been assessed on the kick off) but deliberately punching a guy in the throat results in a half yard penalty. that should have been a new set of downs for AZ.
you have absolutely zero ability to reason.
The roughing call was techincally borderline
but really. you hit a big time qb’s knees and you’re going to get flagged.
None of the others were even questionable to me.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 2, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
Hit his knees?
We must have seen different plays. This one was a pansy push right after Big Ben threw the ball.
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My tv is small and my eyes aren't good
i’ll have to dig up a replay.
but really the roughing the passer call was the only one that was “really? you’re gonna flag that” out of all the flags.
all the penalties are less on the refs and more on STUPID players. If you’re going to punch someone in the ribs, at least do it in a pig pile not out in the open. :-P
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 2, 2009 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
no...
… he didn’t hit Big Ben’s knees.
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That was pretty bad
There were a lot of stupid penalties tonight on both sides. The game was great, but the officiating definitely was not.
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Integrity to the game
I really only care about the Bears, but I’d like to see a game NOT decided by bad officiating but by the PLAYERS.
How about we let them shove each other a little, it’s FOOTBALL!!! I want to see a couple of fights. It adds to the game. In a society gone soft, does football have to too???
I like this
In a society gone soft, does football have to too???
Reminds me of the Mike’s Hard Lemonade commercials.
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By the way,
enough talk about how we let Gandy get away. He looked terrible tonight.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
going against the best defense in the NFL
and the defensive Player of the Year, in particular.
still far better than anything we had last season.
I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad
Fitzgerald: Best WR in the NFL?
Yes or No? I’d say yes
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
Probably...
why didn’t they throw to him on every down?
Um
because when someone is double teamed someone else is open.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 2, 2009 12:09 AM CST up reply actions
It did take them 2 quarters
to realize they weren’t going to let Fitz get behind them and use him on shorter routes.
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And why they took nearly 3 1/2 quarters
to use no huddle is completely beyond me.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Feb 3, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
Not necessarily...
and I’d take Fitzgerald doubled over most other receivers singled.
i'd probably say its close between
Fitz, Andre Johnson, and Calvin Johnson
larry has that system down to a science. Especially with the way the economy is….big wigs like larry coming in dressed in their mink coats and 24k gold cigarrete holders with pockets lined with coke make for a large draw during shift changes.
by BobbySouthSide on Dec 9, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Awesome Game
And now the depressing fact that nothing will happen for us Bears fans particularly until the draft because we are not a player in big time free agency. Oh wait the Pro-Bowls next week…just kidding.
by Sam Householder on Feb 1, 2009 10:54 PM CST reply actions
the TD to Fitzgerald was one of the
greatest play calls ever (slight overexageration)
they had safeties deep to cover up top and 2 WR’s split wide with Fitzgeralrd in the slot. The 2 others do out and up patterns towards the sidelines and both safeties bite on the wideouts leaving the middle completely wide open.
of course the safeties have to bite, but they were both so deep it was clear they were going to take anyone trying to go long, Fitzgerald wide open underneath…
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