12/22/24
February 05, 2006
Steelers Won Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh won its 5th Super Bowl in team history by beating Seattle 21- 10. What a game!
posted by redsoxrgay to football at 09:24 PM - 150 comments
"Maybe their inspiration came when Mick Jagger sang a rousing rendition of Satisfaction" at halftime." Those grandfathers barely roused themselves out of their own stupor.
posted by ?! at 09:27 PM on February 05, 2006
MVP: Bill Leavy Yep.
posted by tselson at 09:30 PM on February 05, 2006
radel el's throw was the best throw of the night
posted by Barry-from-H-town at 09:30 PM on February 05, 2006
That was a pretty boring Super Bowl. Stupor Bowl more like. HA! zzzzzzzzzzz
posted by NoMich at 09:36 PM on February 05, 2006
...sure it's easy to blame the refs. Roethlisberger's TD could have gone either way...the end zone interference call was technically correct but a little ticky-tacky....etc. But Seattle made enough errors on thier own and Pittsbugh made the big plays when they needed them, so I don't think that argument holds much water. Still, we'll get to hear Seattle whine for the next few weeks. Oh well better luck next year!
posted by tdstone at 09:41 PM on February 05, 2006
What a game! posted by redsoxrgay Did you watch the game? ZZZZzzzz. Not a great game, bad officiating. But, even though they'll never have to worry about being on any top ten super bowl winners list, congrats to the steelers. (now please, can I never have to hear about the 'bus' again?)
posted by justgary at 09:41 PM on February 05, 2006
Pittsburgh's MVP: Jeremy Stevens
posted by gyc at 09:42 PM on February 05, 2006
The seahawks didn't need help from the zebras to lose the game, they did more than enough themselves. Now we are going to hear the cryin and whining from the hawks personnel and fans. My trojans were robbed against the horns (charles was stripped!!!!) oh well, game over can't bitch about it better luck next year.
posted by chuy at 10:10 PM on February 05, 2006
Ugh - terrible officiating. Not even the Ben TD call - close enough on that one. The PI call was super cheap and on the play called back on the hold just before the Seattle interception - first off there was no hold and secondly the Steelers LB or whoever was WAY offside. The sad thing is that the way Hasselbeck started to get things going it looked like there might have been a real game if he'd been allowed to keep working in rhythm a bit.
posted by mikelbyl at 10:11 PM on February 05, 2006
:o)
posted by Steeler_Fan at 10:13 PM on February 05, 2006
So I shouldn't be upset that I had no internet connectivity since last night and only caught the trophy ceremony on some random Chinese TV channel? Of course, now that the game is over my connection is back. D'oh!
posted by geekyguy at 10:13 PM on February 05, 2006
You didn't miss a thing, geekyguy. Even the commercials were boring. Which is good, really, since they're commercials. justgary: my advice to you is to stay away from ESPN and the sports pages for a week. They should be over that whole bus thing by then.
posted by NoMich at 10:16 PM on February 05, 2006
Clearly not Pittsburgh's best game of playoffs. But if not for Roethlisberger throwing interception on 3rd and goal, it very well could have been 28-3. Hard for me to see how any officiating stole the game from Seattle. They beat themselves.
posted by BikeNut at 10:17 PM on February 05, 2006
But if not for Roethlisberger throwing interception on 3rd and goal, it very well could have been 28-3. Look, I don't believe in blaming the officials. Steelers win. But your example is a bad one and doesn't hold water. He DID throw the interception. His mistake. That's how the game is won or lost, the one that makes the least mistakes. Take away the official's holding call, which may not have been seattle's fault, and they're at the goal line about to take the lead. That momentum change was huge.
posted by justgary at 10:24 PM on February 05, 2006
I for one, although a Pats fan, am happy for cowher, hines ward, the bus and the rest in pittsburg. they deserve the win and should be proud of the heart they showed this season. also, i agree that although the refs called a tight game, did not swing it one way or the other. the seahawks were simply outplayed. period.
posted by DJ8881 at 10:27 PM on February 05, 2006
The Seahawks had their chances. I thought they were going to win throughout most of the first half, when they were moving the ball and the Steelers couldn't do anything on offense, but when the 'Hawks only got three points out of all that, I thought they'd blown a big opportunity to take control of the game. What changed the tone of the game was when Roethlisberger scrambled left, squared up, and threw the long pass to Ward. That really got the Steelers going, and after that point it was their game to lose. The game turned on the two interceptions. The Steelers would have gone up at least 17-3, but the interception and score by the Seahawks made it 14-10, a huge swing. Then the Seahawks had a great drive starting from their own 2-yard line that would've been one of the great drives in Super Bowl history if they'd won. Then the Steelers intercepted and changed the game again. I loved the "gadget play," and you could tell Hines Ward was nervous once he'd seen that the trick play had works and he was waiting to catch the ball. The Seahawks' terrible clock management, at the end of both halves but especially the second half, really cost them.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:28 PM on February 05, 2006
That was the biggest load-a-crap I have ever seen... I'm not a Steeler fan or a Seahawk fan, but theSeahwaks out-played the Steelers tonight... The referees totally ruined what could have been a great game to watch and not so SUPER... something has to be done about the officiating in the NFL... I mean.. What the freak are these guys on? Ridiculous that they have that much effect on the outcome of any game, let alone the Super Bowl
posted by hbzflow at 10:29 PM on February 05, 2006
A pretty boring game, and I've seen some boring Super Bowl games but this was especially bad. Hopefully The Bus can now just go away, and, by the way, Jerome, take the Rolling Stones with you, THEY are past their prime, too.
posted by skooby717 at 10:30 PM on February 05, 2006
The game turned on the two interceptions. Oooh, I don't see how you could leave out the holding call. We can go the other way this time and say there was a hold the camera missed. That's a huge penalty and a huge play in the game. I agree about the clock management though. That was embarrassing.
posted by justgary at 10:34 PM on February 05, 2006
Does anyone wish they didn't take an extra week between the Conference championships and the SB? It always feels a bit like a game in a jar, totally unattached from the season that led to it, but in particular in the last few years everyone has seemed stiff and any momentum teams might have had seems to be gone. Pittsburgh is a good example of that - I think they should have been much better tonight, but that they might have lost something and so the game was pretty much a tossup (plus officials' influence).
posted by mikelbyl at 10:35 PM on February 05, 2006
dear hbzflow... if you aren't a fan of either team what do you care??? I got to see the last 3:30 of the 2nd qtr and the last half. No the Steelers didn't distinguish themselves...and Seattle didn't make the plays when they needed to. But the final score is what counts... and the STEELERS won! I don't think the officiating(sp) was THAT bad
posted by steelergirl at 10:39 PM on February 05, 2006
Does anyone wish they didn't take an extra week between the Conference championships and the SB? I think it takes away from both teams. I hate it. The only positive is it helps with injuries. Of course, that's not what it's for.
posted by justgary at 10:39 PM on February 05, 2006
It was nice to see Cowher finally get his trophy. Go AFC!
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:46 PM on February 05, 2006
At least win with some class, it's 8:30 pst and I have yet to hear "1" Steelers player say anything about what a good game the Seahawks played, all you Steelers fan should thank the refs and the NFL for this win. I'm happy that Bettis got his Superbowl win but not like that. PS. Did Porter ever play because after hearing his fat mouth run all weak I would have thought he was the greatest player ever.
posted by sonicdog at 10:47 PM on February 05, 2006
Speaking of the rolling stones, i don't know what was worse them or the national anthem.
posted by chuy at 10:48 PM on February 05, 2006
Obligatory "GO STEELERS!" *pass out from exhaustion and tension*
posted by scully at 10:51 PM on February 05, 2006
There were definitely some crappy calls, including the "holding" call, and they were mostly against Seattle, but the calls didn't decide the game. Seattle dominated most of the first half and came away with three points. They had a big advantage in yards--at one point Darrell Jackson had 50 more yards than the entire Steelers team--and time of possession in the first half, and they had 60 more yards and a six-minute edge in time of possession in the whole game. About the two weeks between the conference championships and the Super Bowl: this game seemed flat, and I think the layoff is part of that. I subscribe to the theory that more blowouts happen when there's a two-week break ( even though this game wasn't a blowout), but I don't have stats to back that up.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:52 PM on February 05, 2006
and this coming from a Steeler fan... Didn't make the plays? They did make the plays but every time they did, it was called back by thee idiots! I'm not a fan of either team, but I am a fan of GOOD officiating... I really think they had too much of an effect on the outcome of this game... The Steelers very likely could have still won, and I'm glad for Cowher and Bettis especially... It just would have been a lot more interesting to watch if the referees weren't total tards! That win was handed to them on a silver platter... That's not a Steeler type win...
posted by hbzflow at 10:52 PM on February 05, 2006
Oh by the way sonicdog, jerramy stevens wasn't so hot either, but he did diserve the MVP trophy. They don't have to say anything "positive" about the seahawks. Remember 2nd place is the first loser. Let the bitchin begin!!! (waving terrible towel)
posted by chuy at 10:52 PM on February 05, 2006
Yea, the Refs were waiving their terrible towels enough for everybody
posted by hbzflow at 10:55 PM on February 05, 2006
Yay! Steelers win! *high fives with terrapin* Jerome, you will be missed. Godspeed and thanks for the memories.
posted by gac at 10:56 PM on February 05, 2006
I notice nothing but wahhhhhh, wahhhhhhhh, wahhhhhhhhhhhhh...would it be like this if the Seahawks won???? What a bunch of crybabies!!! So the 'hawks didn't win... the final score is what matters... just like bowling.. it ain't how you throw the ball, it's how many pins you knock down. Officiating... no. Did the Steelers play their BEST game... no. Did the Seahawks capitialize on their chances to score..no. It wasn't one of the greatest games to go down in history.. but it's done and over with...the STEELERS won.. deal with it.
posted by steelergirl at 10:58 PM on February 05, 2006
Actually I watched the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet instead. Sounds like I didn't miss much.
posted by commander cody at 10:59 PM on February 05, 2006
Hey man after the refs tryin to screw the steelers all playoffs long its about they gave em some love. Can't beat them join them, i guess. Nah but the refs have been screwing up in the pros and college level, istant replay is WORTHLESS.
posted by chuy at 10:59 PM on February 05, 2006
You're missing the point steeler girl... I'm glad that you're glad your team won...
posted by hbzflow at 11:02 PM on February 05, 2006
Here here chuy
posted by hbzflow at 11:03 PM on February 05, 2006
I agree, chuy, the refs could use some refresher courses in officiating, but what I saw of this game, I can't really blame the refs. But maybe it's just me.
posted by steelergirl at 11:04 PM on February 05, 2006
let's face it...The Steelers 17 were better than the Seahawks 11. By the way, did anyone notice that Seattle led the NFL in sacks, which means they have a pretty darn good pash rush, and the Steelers did not have 1 holding penalty on their offense?
posted by joecab at 11:04 PM on February 05, 2006
Hbzflow, maybe I did miss the point... please clarify, after all I am a girl who doesn't know all there is to know about football. No slam to you, ok?
posted by steelergirl at 11:06 PM on February 05, 2006
I think the post by "CHUY" proves my point about winning with "Class" and if I remember right Stevens scored the only TD for Seattle that wasn't called back on a very questionable call by the refs.
posted by sonicdog at 11:10 PM on February 05, 2006
It's all good... My perspective is that the game was poorly regulated by the officials in favor of the Steelers... if it had been in favor of the Seahawks, I would have felt the same way... now the Titans... I would have been happy... just like you are right now ;o)
posted by hbzflow at 11:15 PM on February 05, 2006
Steelers suck. Seahawks got robbed by the Refs. Enough said.
posted by tsmoke2 at 11:16 PM on February 05, 2006
Well the Steelers were a just better team and most the comercials were great!
posted by Fan at 11:17 PM on February 05, 2006
I have to agree about the officiating being poor, not only in this game but in the entire playoffs this year. It is about time for the NFL to go with full-time officials. Pay them more, get them in film study 3-4 days a week, and for god's sake have a CREW work the playoffs, not the best(?) individuals at each position. With a 7-man crew, it is imperative that they be on the same page as far as mechanics go. The TD call, prolly correct to not overrule the call on the field, but it sure looked like the ball was short of the goal line. The PI, no way, unless they call the handcheck all season long. The holding, I don't see how the camera missed anything, the replay I saw followed the play from initial contact until the they disengaged, it was a good block. Did the results CAUSE the 'hawks to lose, no. Did they affect the outcome of the game? Of course, everything that happens on the field does that. They probably, IMO, had a greater affect than they should have. And why on earth did they need to burn a challenge on the Hasselbeck non-fumble? The BJ and/or SJ should have had eyes on the ballcarrier in that part of the field, and no way he was screened, the only official screened was the HL, and HE should have been watching away from the ball.
posted by elovrich at 11:21 PM on February 05, 2006
Super Bowl XL recap: Steelers made 3 plays, Seahawks shot themselves in the foot repeatedly, the refs sucked and had a HUGE influence in the outcome of the game towards the Steelers...
posted by joecab at 11:21 PM on February 05, 2006
That's a good summary joecab
posted by hbzflow at 11:24 PM on February 05, 2006
re: Pass Interference call I humbly disagree with most of the sentiment and think that while it was not a great call, it was not a crappy call. If you watch the play, pay attention to the defender's feet. You can see that the Hawks' push-off actually caused him to hop back a foot or so. My dad disagrees and thinks the guy lost his balance, but I think it was precisely because of the push-off that he lost his balance and was not able to make a play on the ball- hence the flag.
posted by jmd82 at 11:25 PM on February 05, 2006
Well, this definitely does NOT go down as a "classic" with a great finish, but who can't smile at the way Bill Cowher got that Gatorade bath at the end of the game? As far as I'm concerned, Pittsburgh did NOT look that great at all. Statistically, Seattle DOMINATED. The difference in this game can be summarized by 5 GUTSY plays, plays that stand out above all others during this game: 1. Big Ben's toss where he basically 'toed' the line of scrimmage before hitting Hines Ward on a 3rd and REALLY long. 2. The interception of Seattle just as the Seahawks were about to score and take a 17-14 lead (that killed their momentum). 3. Big Ben's run for the TD that could have gone either way (my friends and I thought it was inconclusive and could have been either way). 4. The Willie Parker run was a killer to start the 3rd. The 'hawks didn't seem to recover from that gashing run. 5. The Randal El to Ward TD pass will always be rememberd as a phenemonal gadget play, but if not for Big Ben's huge block, that play goes nowhere. Ben should definitely consider playing linebacker if his arm ever gives out.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 11:30 PM on February 05, 2006
Oh, and speaking of blocks, I like the way the officials saw Hasselbeck "block" the ball-carrier afer the INT. And THAT isn't reviewable??!?! Tack on another 10. The pass shouldn't have needed to be thrown because there should have been no holding call a play or two earlier, instead you have Steelers 1 and 10 on their own 40 rather than Seattle 1 and goal from inside the 3....anyone still think the officials didn't influence the game?
posted by elovrich at 11:35 PM on February 05, 2006
jmd82, it was at best a no call in the biggest game of the year, a play that wouldn't be called in 90+ % of reg. season games and should not be called in this one. Lets get back to winning the games by the players on the field.
posted by sonicdog at 11:35 PM on February 05, 2006
elovrich, you are absolutely correct. The big interception (and the joke penalty on the tackle) should never have occured. That was abosolutely not holding on the play that reversed the completion to the 3-yard line.
posted by joecab at 11:41 PM on February 05, 2006
The refs didn't drop at least four passes, miss two field goals, or throw an interception. The Steelers played well enough to win, and we didn't. -- Matt Hasselbeck.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:42 PM on February 05, 2006
Matt Hasselback was, by far, the best football player in the game, as anybody would admit. However, even though I'm a Pats-fan, I have to say, that the Steelers would have beat the Seahawks despite the bad calls.
posted by uglatto at 11:47 PM on February 05, 2006
And if Hasselbeck had said anything else after the game, we would have had another topic for SpoFi.......Hasselbeck, Crybaby, or just a poor loser.........
posted by elovrich at 11:48 PM on February 05, 2006
That's Matt taking responsibility for what he did... Who's gonna take responsibility for the refs?
posted by hbzflow at 11:48 PM on February 05, 2006
Unfortunately hbzflow, no one is going to take responsibility for the officiating. The NFL will do their obligatory inquiry of which nothing will come out of it. Never does, never will.
posted by skooby717 at 11:51 PM on February 05, 2006
The Steelers played well enough to win, and we didn't. -- Matt Hasselbeck. Well, he's pretty much gotta say that, at least if he's half way intelligent. And he hasn't seen the tape yet, which will show much more than what he saw on the field. As I said earlier, it's the steeler's game. Good for Cowher. But there were enough questionable calls for the NFL to take a good look at the system. The questionable calls affected the game, just as seattle's time management and the gadget play. As a fan to deny that is to ignore it, and we shouldn't. Neither should the NFL.
posted by justgary at 11:51 PM on February 05, 2006
BTW, I am not arguing that Pittsburgh would not have won the game. There were enough poor decisions and executions on the part of Seattle to have cost them the game without the poor officiating. I am speaking as a fan of the GAME and as an ex-professional sports official. The NFL needs to go with full-time officials. Not guys who have a primary career and officiate on the weekends. Film study, evaluations, good old-fashioned noggin sessions and "stump the ump" kaffeklatches, would make a world of difference.
posted by elovrich at 11:54 PM on February 05, 2006
Living here in Pittsburgh and of course, being a Steeler fan, I agree with the bad offciating. The PI was called correctly. Use the forearm and it would have never been called. Extend the arm and get flagged. The holding call was 50-50. I don't think it was the arm under the neck that got the call. It was when his arm came across the body and got his shoulder as he was starting to go by. The tackling under the knees was a bad call. The Steelers did enough to win. The Seahawks had their chances. It has been said many times that you have to lose a Championship before you can win one. We'll see what Seattle has next year. The trick play has been run 3 times this season. They are 3 for 3 with 3 TD's. It was a great NFL season. Looking forward to the 2006-07 season already.
posted by dbt302 at 11:55 PM on February 05, 2006
When his arm came across the body, it was a continuation of the previous contact, this has not been holding in the NFL for nearly 10 years. The fact is, unless they plain got the number wrong (which is a possibility and if that is the case then all bets are off as there was no replay of any other player) then it was a poor call, one that had TREMENDOUS impact on the rest of the game.
posted by elovrich at 11:59 PM on February 05, 2006
Well I'm not a fan of either team, but the officating(sp) was clearly lousy. Why have great teams line up with refs that can't make the correct calls. Impossible to say who won or lost or easy to say ref's win, Steelers and Seahawks lose.
posted by rognvald at 12:00 AM on February 06, 2006
When I was awake it was fun to Watch. Was it me, or Was Al and John not fully fired up for the game? Maybe they were thinking too much about the future?
posted by daddisamm at 12:14 AM on February 06, 2006
elovrich may have something with full time officials. Anyone that loves the game hates to see calls like the ones we saw tonight. What about the catch in the first half that was rule incomplete instead of a fumble? I saw the receiver take two steps yet nothing was said by commentators or coach challenge call
posted by Catracho at 12:17 AM on February 06, 2006
I just saw another replay of the holding call. The only thing I saw that they could have called is when his arm came across the body, his hand got a hold of the shoulder pad. It wasn't much but with the way the Steelers body swung around the corner it could have been seen as holding. I still say it was a 50-50 call. Being continuous is okay but that little thing could have been enough.
posted by dbt302 at 12:18 AM on February 06, 2006
This was by far the worst Super Bowl EVER!!!!! I could care less for either team. Who ever in here post that the officiating did not favor Pittsburgh you might want to reconsider watching football. You have to understand that the plays that are being called reflect what the scoreboard reads. To stop bettis not once but twice 2-3 yards away from a TD is momentum building. Then to CLEARLY stop rothlisberger on 3rd and short and have a play called a TD is just dumbfounding. Then you have a Td called back for a tictac touch not push a touch. WOW.... Warrick's punt return to the steelers 40 just to have it called back for a nonexistand holding call (even Al Michael's called BS on the the hold) Once again kills your momentum. Hasselbeck's so called blcok below the waist .....extra 15 yrds...1 play later your in seahawk territory. 2 plays later gadet play TD. The final score could have easily read....Hawks 23....Steelers...14.....This whole officiating fiasco has been really bad. Ever since that BS Raiders - Patriots AFC championship game I've seen more and more Bad officiating. So I guess congrat's go out to Pittsburgh and it's 12th man.......
posted by Grrrlacher at 12:32 AM on February 06, 2006
So did Holmgren come out to shake hands or not? That's what I want to know.
posted by hootch at 12:34 AM on February 06, 2006
Yeah he did but I heard he did a Brodie before the hand shake!!!
posted by Grrrlacher at 12:41 AM on February 06, 2006
I think one of the referees accidentally pulled out his "Terrible Towel" on accident thinking it was his flag to throw against the Seahawks. Did all the referees grow up "Steel Curtain" fans? Or are they just that crappy that they couldn't make the game fair? Pass Interference to start the game-JOKE! Ben's touchdown-JOKE! Who is the NFL kidding? They get who they want to win. Maybe Vegas had it right, and they made a killing off what should have been a Seahawk win. Is the Mafia involved? Amazing!! Worst called Superbowl EVER!!!!!!!!!
posted by seahawks37fan at 01:25 AM on February 06, 2006
...the STEELERS won.. deal with it. Good call steelergirl. Peace.
posted by chrisly13 at 01:41 AM on February 06, 2006
Several more bad calls against the Seahawks...Since when is kicking the pylon out of bounds? And how far downfield can Alan Faneca run on the gadget plays? Maybe they were to busy watching in amazement. Seattle had the fewest penalties during the season; I guess the referees felt slighted. If this is what the Super Bowl is played like, I don't wanna go back.
posted by gymbeaux at 01:44 AM on February 06, 2006
Even though the officiating was horrible both teams played mistake-filled football. It was pretty close to the worst-played Super Bowl I've ever watched. I agree with most of the comments that the officiating controlled the game to an extent but still, the officials didn't force Hasselback to throw to pretty much nobody (except for half the Steelers DBs) on that pick when it was 14-10. He could've thrown it away and his team would've had a field goal. Anyway, every game has bad calls, but Pittsburgh made two big plays when it counted and won the game. Seattle didn't, period. All that said, I'm glad for Bill Cowher. It's hard to find a classier guy in all of sports and it was nice to see him finally get his team over the top.
posted by donnnnychris at 01:45 AM on February 06, 2006
I'm glad for the Bus and all but this game should have been alot better if the refs didnt miss so many calls. Roethlisberger's TD should have been called back. You never know that could have changed the whole game around if the would have been stoped and have to settle for the field goal. You have to admit, this game was BORING!!! Not even the half-time show was good. John madden and Al Michaels tried to make it seem more exciting than it really was. Its all gone now so congrats to the Bus and Pittsburg Steelers. But next year, COLTS ALL THE WAY!!!
posted by indian23 at 02:13 AM on February 06, 2006
i'm not one to rip on game officials (bein' one myself), but ... i have to say that i was not impressed with some of those calls. the offensive interference call came WAY too late. in real-time, it did look like the defender told him to throw his flag! even if it woulda came quicker, it was a softy ... a no-call in my opinion. also, if it was my call, roethlisberger's TD was good if the "plane" is the field side of the goal line ... I'd have to refer to the NFL rulebook though. was this one reviewed? the hasselbeck "fumble" that was reviewed was also a good review. in real-time that one woulda stood as a fumble. so, in a nutshell ... while i wasn't overly impressed with the overall quality of the officiating in the game today, it does make me appreciate the pressures and the difficulties of bein' "bang on" in the biggest (XL) game ever.
posted by Spitztengle at 02:27 AM on February 06, 2006
Bein' a Steelers' fan, I'm glad that Cowher and Bettis won the SB(but not for Ward and Porter). Plus, I get to rub it in the face of my dad and my stepmom and her kids, as they're huge Dallas fans. But I definitely think this wasn't of the best SBs ever. Iffy officiating, so-so commercials, and a bad half time show. But at least Pittsburgh won and we didn't have to see Ward do another one of his horrible lookin' dances after he scored his TD.
posted by headgames at 03:12 AM on February 06, 2006
Just as Joey Porter said the refs wanted the Colts and Manning to go to the Super Bowl...well Joey, how about this....These Ding Dong Zebras made sure The Bus got what he wanted....ya know what I mean Earl!!! I'm not a Steeler fan....But Congrats to the Steel city. IndycoltsJ
posted by Indycoltsj at 03:24 AM on February 06, 2006
Umm no. Pretty sweet that two Pennsylvania teams went to the big dance twice in a row. Too bad MY Birds couldnt do it last year. Props to the Steel City. Screw(and I know this is beating a dead horse)T.O. How 'bout 'dem Phils?
posted by GoBirds at 03:56 AM on February 06, 2006
You all like to bitch when someone is perceived as a ''homer'' here at Spofi but isn't it nice that you can be a ''hater'' all you want as long as you claim it is the refs you are mad at? Bullshit! There where bad calls but the Ben touchdown wasn't one, you couldn't see the end of the football on the replay because it was tucked under his arm. So unless that ball ended at the stitches the rest of the ball had to have broken the plane, thus they couldn't overturn the call on the field. How about the no call on the huge block in the back on Ben on the interception return by the Seahawks, I don't here any of you Steeler haters whining about that?
posted by Steeler_Fan at 06:08 AM on February 06, 2006
Seattle had their chances. They controlled most of the first half and came away with three points for it. I don't think the officiating was as bad as people are claiming. The TD push-off was small but right in front of a ref and Roethlisberger's TD call had no conclusive evidence to reverse it. The fourth quarter holding call was bad, but if you're going to hang a team's Super Bowl loss on a holding call, they don't deserve to win. Botched holding calls (and non-calls) happen every week.
posted by rcade at 06:37 AM on February 06, 2006
The BLACK AND WHITE..oops, i mean Black and Gold win another. Happy for Cowher, thats it!
posted by Sasquatch12154 at 07:00 AM on February 06, 2006
I'm happy for Cowher, because he's a class guy, Pittsburgh born and bred, etc., but all in all, a forgetable game, rather poor officiating (which is becoming the norm), and sloppy play in general by both teams. Big Ben's interception he threw from the 10 when it looked like the Steelers would waltz in was one of the worst passes I've seen thrown this season. It looked like something a fullback would heave up on an option play.
posted by dyams at 07:01 AM on February 06, 2006
If Ben didn't get in on the called touched, the ball would have had to be place as close to the goal as possible. I would thinking going for it on 4th would have been the call and I think every team in the NFL can get an inch on any team. There were some questionable calls...and some downright bad calls. (Hasselbeck's penalty at the end of the reception was clearly wrong.) It seemed like most of the calls against the Seahawks came at very damaging moments. I can see how if I was a Seahawk fan, I would be upset. But you know, I'm a Steeler fan and I'm happy that they won...but you know, the game pretty much sucked. The Steelers eeked out a win and they have the trophey but for a fan, that's about all to be happy about. Hasselbeck was probably the best player in the game. A win is a win but it clearly doesn't feel like a victory. So to wrap up: a beautiful snow is falling in Pittsburgh this morning and I won't have to deal with depressed co-workers so for that, I'm happy.
posted by sexymofo at 07:29 AM on February 06, 2006
I was one of the first few here to single out the ref problems, but I want to clarify that I don't mean to suggest that the Seahawks would have necessarily won if the reffing had been better - just that I think we were robbed of a game in which each team would have had to get much more in tune in order to win. This game was always going to come down to a battle between Seattle's offensive efficiency and clean execution vs Pittburgh's and Big Ben's (and the Bus') intangibles and ability to pull a big play out of the bag - at least on the offensive side of the ball. I think if Seattle hadn't been jobbed on some of those calls I think Pittsburgh would have come under a lot more pressure to succeed - and that would have made the whole game a lot more interesting. I'm not for a second suggesting that they couldn't have done it - the Steelers have always stepped up when they had to this season. The whole problem in this game is that no one really had to work through their problems, so the overall performances were pretty weak all around.
posted by mikelbyl at 07:42 AM on February 06, 2006
I'm a lifelong Cowboys fan, but I couldn't help but root for Cowher and the Steelers. They were rewarded for sticking with him for some lean years, and with Roethlisberger and that defense, you have to like their chances to win another in the next 2-3 years.
posted by rcade at 07:45 AM on February 06, 2006
I can't believe how horrible the officiating was. It seems lately as though the outcome of games is known before the teams even take the field. Every time the Seahawks gained momentum the refs handed it back to the steelers. By the way I like the 49ers so I had no stake in this game. The inteception from Hasselback was thrown after not one but two missed offside penalties. Number 53 was in the back field before the ball was snapped then a bullshit holding call. To add insult to injury Hasselback gets flagged for making the tackle. Are you kidding me?
posted by jtrluva at 07:58 AM on February 06, 2006
Was it me, or Was Al and John not fully fired up for the game? Maybe they were thinking too much about the future? It isn't just you, daddi, they did a pretty bad job calling the game. Al said a bunch of things that almost rivaled Harry Carey. "Grey's Anatomy is in the vein of Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy." OK Al, good job on the ad libbing there.
posted by NoMich at 07:59 AM on February 06, 2006
They had one great exchange amid a lot of pedestrian or clumsy commentary. My paraphrase: Madden: "What kind of injury requires that you take off your pants? I don't think you check a hamstring that way." Michaels: "Even on a five-second delay, I'm not going to venture a guess."
posted by rcade at 08:08 AM on February 06, 2006
ok, admittedly the officiating wasn't SUPER, but come on guys- we can't say that the refs GAVE the Steelers the game...How many times did the Steelers Defense force a Punt? Were the Refs responsible for ALL those 3rd down stops? Also, for everyone here that says that 'without the phantom holding call, the Seahawks were about to have 1st and goal at the 3 and take the lead', there is a Steelers fan who maintains that without that call, Joey Porter comes into the Steelers goal line defense and forces a Shawn Alexander fumble that Polamalu scoops up and runs 97 yards for a touchdown... I 'd say the Steelers defense kept the Seahawks off balance enough to keep them from scoring the points they needed to win, end of story...
posted by don-peyote at 08:33 AM on February 06, 2006
I never said the 'hawks WOULD score from 1 and goal. I simply point out that they have 1 and goal rather than Steeler 1 and 10 att he 40 coming out, incidently, lets not forget that this is also the drive that ended in the Randle El-Ward TD throw (great play, poorly defended) which, if there were any span of 10 minutes that killed Seattle's hope of winning, this was it. Cowher outcoached Holmgren, Hasselbeck outplayed everyone, Stones outlasted there entertainment value, officials out to lunch.
posted by elovrich at 08:47 AM on February 06, 2006
That two-week break is an absolute killer. I had absolutely no enthusiasm for the game when it started, and the game backed me up on that. Last year's Grey Cup put this game to shame, entertainment-wise.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 08:51 AM on February 06, 2006
I didn't care one way or the other who won, but thanks to the bad officiating I'm not sure I'll care about the NFL at all next season.
posted by mick at 08:59 AM on February 06, 2006
From the NFL's Digest of Rules:
The goal line is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his possession scores a touchdown when the ball is on, above, or over the goal line.It's a TD if the tip of the ball goes over the edge of the goal line that's closest to the field, which is what looked like happened on Roethlisberger's TD.
posted by kirkaracha at 09:17 AM on February 06, 2006
That was pretty boring to watch so I just put it on the stereo and listened while I played video games. I ended up rooting for the Seahawks because at the start of the game they were showing pictures of Pittsburgh players w/ the trophy. Don't they know thats bad karma. At least Ben was smart enough not to touch it.
posted by njsk8r20 at 09:47 AM on February 06, 2006
Face it, Steelers fans...the ring for the thumb will have black and white stripes on it
posted by joecab at 09:49 AM on February 06, 2006
At least Ben was smart enough not to touch it. ...With a QB rating of like 29.2, maybe he SHOULD have touched it- let some of that Montana Magic rub off on him... Seriously, it's not the Stanley Cup- they make a new trophy each year, so there isn't that stigma/superstition against touching it...
posted by don-peyote at 10:13 AM on February 06, 2006
Pretty much like the Steelers last Super Bowl, Dallas didnt play all that well, but played well at the right times just as the Steelers did yesterday. Glad to see The Bus get his ring.
posted by hink64 at 10:24 AM on February 06, 2006
We complained about the offciating so in comes instant replay (which I have never cared for) so what now? Review every play? I like a well played game, this was not one of those games. I do so love the human drama the officals bring to the game. Like it or not they are not perfect and I wouldnt have it any other way. oh yea....grats to the steelers and their fans. Go Saints
posted by Folkways at 10:25 AM on February 06, 2006
The refs weren't great, but they hardly decided the game. Seattle's inability to: * Kick field goals * Catch passes * Stay inbounds * Manage the clock is what decided the game.
posted by fabulon7 at 10:32 AM on February 06, 2006
Well, it wasn't the worst Super Bowl I've ever seen, and a good ref is a ref who doesn't get mentioned the next day, which tells their story, but it was a decent game. A bit of back-and-forth, it could have gone either way up until three-four minutes left, the Seahawks made a couple less plays than the Steelers did, and that was the difference. Good on them. Now, Shaun Alexander sounded like he wanted to come back next year and finish some business, which would be great news for the Seahawks. If they can keep this team together, there's no reason they'd not be contenders next year.
posted by chicobangs at 10:42 AM on February 06, 2006
So the Steelers win one for the thumb. Congrats to them. They are now tied all-time for most SB wins. However, I would to congrate the Seattle Seahawks for making it. I believe the Seahawks downfall was late in the 2nd quarter when Hassleback took too long to snap the ball. Once again, congrats to Pittsburgh.
posted by Dub1/2 at 10:49 AM on February 06, 2006
Not being a big football fan, it was interesting to watch the game unfold as it did. Anyone saying that the officating(sp) didn't change the moumentum of this game is a fan of the black and gold. Seattle should have scored 14 or 17 additional points in the game, at the very least 10. It's nice to see Rooney get another ring, Cowher and Bettis, but today or very soon they will watch the game films and be very thankful it ended the way it did. Game Over.
posted by km2262 at 10:59 AM on February 06, 2006
Didn't make the plays? They did make the plays but every time they did, it was called back by the idiots! I'm not a fan of either team, but I am a fan of GOOD officiating... I really think they had too much of an effect on the outcome of this game agreed. the Refs were waving their terrible towels enough for everybody also agreed. Now for my comment: I know this in no way affected the out come of the game, but (referring to the call near the end of the game), how do you get called for illegal block or whatever when you (Hasselbeck) are trying to tackle the guy with the ball? How do you block a blocker?
posted by arrmatey at 11:00 AM on February 06, 2006
To all of the "cry babies", I wish you some "cheese" to go with your "whine"! Too bad that you can't have the "class" that the Seahawks have and admitt that they just didn't make the plays when they needed to! You are probably still crying about the catch that "Jackie Smith" should have made in the Super Bowl against the Steelers!
posted by steelerchooks at 11:01 AM on February 06, 2006
Some people: Allright Steeler fans, go ahead - rub it their faces! No, it's not classy or good sportsmanship, but hey, If I had to live in Pittsburgh, I'd take all the one-upmanship I could get. I mean, actually having to live in Pittsburgh? Yeah, you need it. I wouldn't have to remind you if you were going to play nice with the Seahawk fans, but here we are. That said (for the benefit of the assholes), the Seahawks lost this game far more than the refs gave it to the Steelers. Terrible clock management, five or six dropped passes, missed field goal, and pourous defence. Let's not suggest a frigging holding call meant the difference between a parade and the usual trip to Starbucks.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:17 AM on February 06, 2006
By the way, did anyone notice that Seattle led the NFL in sacks, which means they have a pretty darn good pash rush, and the Steelers did not have 1 holding penalty on their offense? or did anyone else notice the Steelers only threw the ball like 20 times lessening the chance of holding penalties whereas seattle had like 40+ attempts and a couple of holding penalties. That seems about right to me.
posted by bdaddy at 11:24 AM on February 06, 2006
Since when is kicking the pylon out of bounds? when the ball and your other foot are out of bounds
posted by bdaddy at 11:25 AM on February 06, 2006
I disagree Weedy... if football is a game of inches, and one play can change the momentum of a game or seal a win, then one terrible call, actually, at least 3 terrible calls, can alter the outcome of a game... No, they still might not have won, as a matter of fact, I had the Steelers to win anyway, but at least it would have been a different game, a better game to play, a better game to watch... The players deserve that, the fans deserve it too...
posted by hbzflow at 11:35 AM on February 06, 2006
Amen, WEEDYMCSMOKEY, I think steelerfan1970 sould apologize. You don't have to be profane...no class. Yes, as I stated earlier...the 'Hawks didn't make the plays when they NEEDED to...2 missed fieldgoals, how did the refs influence that? Also the intercep.? No, it wasn't a stellar game for either team...but i'm glad Pittsburgh won
posted by steelergirl at 11:38 AM on February 06, 2006
As for all the Steelers fans coming in here calling people "cry babies" and whiners and whatnot... Think about a few weeks ago when you had that poor call on the Int against the Colts... even though you won, we had to listen to all of you, including Porter, "whine" and "cry" about that ONE bad call... What if you had lost? You all would have said that it was because of the Refs... I'm not a Seahawks fan, but I respect the fact that they can take responsibilty, be gracious, and be men... That's the role they should take... As for myself and other fans of the game... We can bitch about whatever we want, cuz when you think about it, we pay these guys salaries, including the refs... there wouldn't even be pro sports without fans to support it... So I think we deserve better than to have games shifted by poor officiating... I understand that it's tough to officiate in the NFL, and I can't even imagine how much pressure there is in game, let alone the Super Bowl! But I think they need to re-evaluate their positions and realize that they are there to "manage" the game, not manipulate... keep your stinkin flag in your pocket! It really has gotten out of hand and something needs to be done... All that said... All credit to the Steelers for making plays when they needed to. Kudos to the Seahawks for playing hard and being gracious and maintaining integrity in defeat. And tomatoes to the officials for abusing their power... Time for a referee Pow-wow...
posted by hbzflow at 12:03 PM on February 06, 2006
Let's not suggest a frigging holding call meant the difference between a parade and the usual trip to Starbucks. Take away the phantom holding call and you have an almost certain 7 points. Take away the interference call and there's a definite 7 points. That's 14 points and a different winner. Why is it so crazy to not put any importance to that? That's probably what the nfl wants. Now if only seattle had played well, they really would have a case, not that I think the calls should be ignored. For me, that's the beauty of baseball, or the nba. 7 games tends (mostly) to overshadow any umpire/ref mistakes. The superbowl doesn't have that luxury.
posted by justgary at 12:09 PM on February 06, 2006
I have to agree...snoozefest! Very anti-climactic game! But....way to go STEELERS!!!! And way to end on a high note for the Bus! Even tho he was only in for short yardage-he will be missed by all in the Burgh! Fabulous 75 yard run by Fast Willie! and what a throw by Randell El to Hines Ward-the only 2 highlights of the game! Now we wait to see what next year brings!
posted by idahosteelergirl at 12:19 PM on February 06, 2006
Take away the phantom holding call and you have an almost certain 7 points. why? Pittsburgh's defense all year has kept teams out of the endzone and forced FGs. Just this postseason a team had 1st and goal from the 3 and settled for a FG. 7 was in no way guaranteed. Take away the interference call and there's a definite 7 points. That's 14 points You forget they settled for a FG after that call. So That 7 was converted as 3 instead, so a total difference of 4 points difference. So not 14 points, but instead 11 points and at most a tie game.
posted by bdaddy at 12:25 PM on February 06, 2006
Now for my comment: I know this in no way affected the out come of the game, but (referring to the call near the end of the game), how do you get called for illegal block or whatever when you (Hasselbeck) are trying to tackle the guy with the ball? How do you block a blocker? Arrmatey, that was probably the worst call of the entire game. You hit it right on the head. Hasselback goes for the tackle and gets called for an illegal block. Who the heck was he blocking for? Just another sign that the officiating in the NFL has gone down to pee-wee football level in terms of quality. Anybody with any sense would realize he was trying to tackle there. Completely unbelievable. This is not to say that I think Seattle got robbed by the officials. On the contrary, Seattle had plenty of chances to make its move. Like I said in my earlier post, the officials didn't force Hasselback to throw the ball to pretty much nobody on that killer interception when it was 14-10 Steelers. I mean, where in the heck was he throwing it? Just a horrible mistake and it cost the Seahawks the game more than any bad call did.
posted by donnnnychris at 12:36 PM on February 06, 2006
The Steelers won and the officiating was not perfect but it wasn't bad. The push off in the end zone was clearly a push off and illegal. The receiver used the defender to push off and change direction. It was the reason he got separation, the reason the ball was thrown to him, it was illegal and it happened directly in front of the ref. A non call in that situation would have been bad officiating. Rothlisberger's TD was a TD. The plane of the goaline begins at the front of the white stripe. Even the replay showed that the ball kissed that plane before it was pulled back or hit the ground. Even if it did not kiss the plane of the goaline it was so close the call could not be overruled. If it were overruled the odds of a touchdown on the next play with a quarter inch to go are about 99.9999%. The Steelers won ugly, their offense was not as good as usual but their defense did what it always does and kept them in the game. The made the plays when they had to and to their credit did not try to sit on the lead when they had it. The trick play was a gutsy and perfect call. Rothlisberger made a stupid mistake that resulted in allowing Seattle back into the game when the Steelers were about to take total control. The league MVP Sean Alexander was contained and a non factor. To the credit of the Seahawks (not their fans) I haven't heard one of them use officiating as an excuse. Every one of them admitted to being outplayed as the reason for their loss. I am no fan of the Steelers but the best team won. There are always calls, non calls and bounces of the ball that occur in every football game. A winning team must play well enough to not loose on them. 11 points is more margin than any one call can erase. A team that holds the league's highest scoring offense to 10 points deserves victory. That is why they won despite an lack luster offensive day. Defense wins championships every time. Seattle stop whinning. Even if the push off wasn't called, it would have only resulted in 4 additional points. Not enough to change the outcome. Better luck next year.
posted by Atheist at 12:44 PM on February 06, 2006
Now do you know why we don't need another team in the LA area? When the NFL cleans up their act we will reconcider
posted by westcoast at 01:04 PM on February 06, 2006
Obviously the blocking below the waist on Hasselback was the most ridiculous call i have ever seen in football because it made absolutely no sense at all. On the other hand the offensive pass interference happend right in front of the ref. And was illegal. Yeah. It was a small push but it still caused seperation that ILLEGALLY allowed the catch. As far as Ben's touchdown i believe he indeed barely broke the plane before getting knocked back across. So i believe he made the TD. As far as Jeremy Stevens not showing up that could be said only because he dropped like 4 passes that would have put them in scoring position. But about the Rothliesberger interception. What the heck were the Steeler's thinking. You are in the Super Bowl, ahead 14-3, it's 3rd and goal, why on earth would you throw the ball. Sometimes you just have to play it safe. Either way i think the officiating did play a certain role in the game. Just not enough to change the winner at the end.
posted by threemoney21 at 01:11 PM on February 06, 2006
I'm not buying the claims that seattle didn't play well enough to win. Seattle had more yards, more time of possession, more first downs, and less turnovers than the steelers. I would say that's good enough to win which leads me to believe that the officiating had something to do with the outcome of the game. And because it was such a boring game the only thing I'm going to remember from this Super Bowl(heck the whole post season) is bad officiating.
posted by tron7 at 01:14 PM on February 06, 2006
You all critizise the officials so much like if any of you can do any better, and if you think you can maybe you should try out. Lets look at reality SEATTLE sucks, and no am not a pitts fan.
posted by JMG559 at 01:22 PM on February 06, 2006
"Looking at reality," SEATTLE was the second-best team in the NFL this season.
posted by chicobangs at 01:32 PM on February 06, 2006
How did I know the topic of todays discussion?
posted by njsk8r20 at 01:33 PM on February 06, 2006
How can anyone who watch the game not agree that the refs where in favor of Pittsburgh??? IF I had a STEEL in my user name I would be extatic also BUT I'm a football fan first. Someone earlier mentioned about Rothlisberger's TD, I know the rule and I also have TIVO and I can guarantee you there is no F"N evidence that ball broke the plane. When you see the ref he's running to see If the ball broke the plane. You only see him raise his arm's when on Rothlisberger's second attempt the ball is over the G-line. Again I'll say it, yes the game is over Pittsburgh won, and Yes seattle blew way to many chances BUT I have over 2 hours of a recorded game that should be retitled..."STEELER BOWL XL"....Let me go restart the Indy thread again to see how many steelers fans whined about almost getting robbed (Wich I agree they almost got robbed)......
posted by Grrrlacher at 01:39 PM on February 06, 2006
Who knew that officials had gadget plays?
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 01:54 PM on February 06, 2006
Why is it that they called offensive pass interference for the "Push off" yet the defensive players hands were all over the receiver what happened to that call? If I'm not mistaken that was more than five yards from the line of scrimmage. What about the horse collar that was missed. Face it there were too many calls that went the wrong way. I can't wait to see how this game will be shown in years to come. If they cut out all the bad calls it will be a very sort film. However I do feel bad for steeler fans because this game will always have an asterik next to it in the minds of everyone whose not a steelers fan and that isn't fair to them. It's not like the players or the fans botched this game so badly.
posted by jtrluva at 02:06 PM on February 06, 2006
If I may once again comment... bad officiating IS a problem, NO DOUBT...the infamous "tuck rule"in the Pats/Raiders game for one..but that game(as SBXL) is history. Yes, the NFL does need to to some serious repairs in the officiating department...but will we see it? Probably not. But I still contend that Sea. didn't put points on the board when the oppotunity was there. No it was not a pretty win...but a win just the same. And no, the Steelers didn't play up to their potential. But all us monday morn. QBs can gas all we want...it won't change the outcome. Seattle has NOTHING to be ashamed of.
posted by steelergirl at 02:08 PM on February 06, 2006
the infamous "tuck rule"in the Pats/Raiders game for one Yes, except that was technically good officiating.
posted by yerfatma at 02:16 PM on February 06, 2006
This is exactly my point the pats raiders game is still talked about to this day still leaves a shadow over that superbowl. History or not it's something that will always be remembered. All the arguing in the world isn't going to change that fact that most unbiased people will remember a ton of really bad calls as the deciding factor in this superbowl.
posted by jtrluva at 02:20 PM on February 06, 2006
I will say that Seattle didn't capitalize offensively, but the refs killed them.Roethlisbergers TD should not have been called a TD and you could see the ref hesitate and he waited until ben out the ball over the goalline well after he wad own and they gave it to them. That holding call where Seattle got to the 1 yrd line was so terrible and the play before Randle Els TD where Ben ran it, Hartings was holding Grant Wistrom and that pass interference all wouldnt have been called if that safety didnt approach him, I feel that the better team did not win. Roethlisberger did nothing just like Bettis, just liek Porter, just like Polamolu, just like Farrior, the highlight of the night for me was seeing Randle El getting jacked up and injured.
posted by Clevelander32 at 02:27 PM on February 06, 2006
As someone who watched every snap of the hawks this year I'm pissed our coaches decide to try out a new gameplan just for the super bowl. They looked passive & out of synch. I can't remember a single go for a run up the middle vs that 3-4 defense. We were terrible & it feels like we watched the worst effort of both teams & the officials.
posted by catfish at 03:12 PM on February 06, 2006
I'm not buying the claims that seattle didn't play well enough to win. Seattle had more yards, more time of possession, more first downs, and less turnovers than the steelers. I would say that's good enough to win which leads me to believe that the officiating had something to do with the outcome of the game. cause there's never been another game where the team led in those areas but lost the game? As Dan Patrick described it...it's like a baseball game where a team has 4 hits, 3 of them homers..and the opposing team has 15 hits, but only scores 2 runs. Does that mean the 1st team shouldn't have won?
posted by bdaddy at 03:20 PM on February 06, 2006
"Looking at reality," SEATTLE was the second-best team in the NFL this season" Seattle was the best team in the NFC but not the second best in the NFL. Lets face it, they play in a division where they get to play Arizona, San Francisco, and the Rams each two times. They only played four teams during the season who even made the playoffs. One of those games against the Colts was meaningless, and in the other three games with playoff teams their record was 1 win and 2 losses. In their 13 regular season wins, they got 2 against the Niners, 2 against the Cardinals, 2 against the Rams, and 1 against the Texans. That's over half their wins against teams that not only didn't make the playoffs but were about the worst records in football. I am an objective football observer and no Steeler fan. Seattle is the best the NFC could muster but the AFC seems to be where most of the talent is these days. Seattle was overated and probably not as good as the teams Pittsburgh beat to get there. Had Pittsburgh played as poorly as they did yesterday against Cininnati, Indy, New England or in any of their last five regular season games, a different AFC team would have been beating the Seahawks in the Super Bowl yesterday. I wasn't officiating that beat Seattle. It was the superior AFC. Even when Pittsburgh's offense had a terrible game, the more physical play of the Steelers was enough to keep Seattle from pulling off what would have had to be considered an upset. Based on their regular season and playoff schedule. I figured Pittsburgh to win by a sizable margin. Even with Rothlisberger statistically earning the worst super bowl QB rating. The Steelers were good enough to cover the spread with a touchdown to spare.
posted by Atheist at 03:21 PM on February 06, 2006
Someone earlier mentioned about Rothlisberger's TD, I know the rule and I also have TIVO and I can guarantee you there is no F"N evidence that ball broke the plane. I also have tivo (an HD tivo at that) and can guarantee you there is no F"N evidence that the ball DID NOT break the plane, and that's what we're talking about here. The play was ruled a TD on the field and to overturn it there had to be "indisputable" evidence to overturn it. Watching it 10 times on my tivo in a room full of fans of both teams and no one could say whether he did or didn't get in. In that case, you stick with the original call (even if the original call was based on the 2nd effort that shouldn't have counted).
posted by bdaddy at 03:24 PM on February 06, 2006
After reading some of the angry nasty remarks here I'm glad now that I watched the Puppy Bowl instead. Scheeeeesh, it's just a game.
posted by commander cody at 03:26 PM on February 06, 2006
I'm glad now that I watched the Puppy Bowl instead. I'm pretty sure the half-time show for that (kittens!) was better than the one for the Super Bowl. The play was ruled a TD on the field and to overturn it there had to be "indisputable" evidence to overturn it That is pretty much what stopped me from yelling too much at the TV. I think the ref/line judge made a quick call, and it might have been wrong. However, there was nothing in the video replay that made me say "It DEFINITELY didn't touch the invisible plane as defined by the edge of the goal line." If the ref/line judge had NOT signalled a touchdown, then the instant replay would have confirmed that call as well. As for the "block" call...
posted by grum@work at 03:32 PM on February 06, 2006
why? Pittsburgh's defense all year has kept teams out of the endzone and forced FGs. Just this postseason a team had 1st and goal from the 3 and settled for a FG. 7 was in no way guaranteed. Which is why I said "almost". Could they have kept them out of the end zone? Maybe, but with their offense I'll take that bet any day, and much more often than not, you'd lose. I also don't get the "they didn't play well enough to win". I think it's just one of those cliches people repeat without thinking. "If" the calls cost seattle 14 pts, and I'm not saying they did, but if they did, then they played well enough to win, or at least tie. Scheeeeesh, it's just a game. Different people are passionate about different things. Move on to another thread.
posted by justgary at 03:46 PM on February 06, 2006
I...can guarantee you there is no F"N evidence that the ball DID NOT break the plane, and that's what we're talking about here. While I agree with this comment, I believe this highlights exactly what's wrong with instant replay...or maybe not what's wrong but is imperfect. The officials use it as a parachute of sorts, knowing they could get the call wrong and still not have it overturned. On this play, the video evidence wasn't clear either way, therefore the call on the field stands. I think the ref/line judge made a quick call, and it might have been wrong. Actually, the line judge do not make a quick call. If anyone has the game recorded and cares to look, please do. The line judge raised his right hand to indicate 4th down, no touchdown. It was only after Roethlisberger was down and reached the ball across the goal line that the line judge raised his left hand to indicate touchdown. The arm motions were simultaneous, but it's clear his initial reaction was no touchdown. Check it out if you have it recorded.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 03:55 PM on February 06, 2006
Actually, the line judge do not make a quick call. If anyone has the game recorded and cares to look, please do. The line judge raised his right hand to indicate 4th down, no touchdown. It was only after Roethlisberger was down and reached the ball across the goal line that the line judge raised his left hand to indicate touchdown. The arm motions were simultaneous, but it's clear his initial reaction was no touchdown. Check it out if you have it recorded. agreed, and that's what I meant in my post when I said "even if the original call was based on the 2nd effort that shouldn't have counted". I think the original call by the ref was made inaccurately (in that he ruled TD because he thought with 2nd effort he got in). The replay on the other hand showed that was NOT the case, but did NOT show that he didn't break the plan with initial effort, so they couldn't overturn it.
posted by bdaddy at 04:55 PM on February 06, 2006
Did Porter ever play because after hearing his fat mouth run all weak I would have thought he was the greatest player ever. Hey hedgehog, Porter was there, Porter got a ring, thats all you need to worry about. Oh, and by the way, I hope White drops to the 32 pick so the STEELERS can get him.
posted by steelcityguy at 06:37 PM on February 06, 2006
I'm not buying the claims that seattle didn't play well enough to win. Seattle had more yards, more time of possession, more first downs, and less turnovers than the steelers. I would say that's good enough to win which leads me to believe that the officiating had something to do with the outcome of the game. cause there's never been another game where the team led in those areas but lost the game? bdaddy: find me another one from this year. As far as I know there isn't another one.
posted by tron7 at 07:05 PM on February 06, 2006
After reading some of the angry nasty remarks here I'm glad now that I watched the Puppy Bowl instead. Scheeeeesh, it's just a game. Absolutly not, not just game. You do not have any idea of what happens when a team brings back a title to a town. Im 23, I wasnt around for the first 4. Ive sat here for the last 5 min. trying to think of how to explain of what this city feels like to walk around in last night and today. The biggest thing, which some people dont understand is what happens to the citys economy. Everyone here is living it up and enjoying life. It doesnt happen often. I regress, but it is not just a game.
posted by steelcityguy at 07:12 PM on February 06, 2006
the 'hawks missed 2 field goals, threw a boneheaded pick and had piss poor clock management at the end of both halves. Therefore the refs cheated and let the steelers win. waawaa.freakin cryin kids, the games over. steelers won. i would love to see lendale in the steel city, but probably won't happen.
posted by chuy at 07:19 PM on February 06, 2006
"its just a game" yes it is, but to some its more than that. i woulda watched even if the texans played the niners.
posted by chuy at 07:21 PM on February 06, 2006
Pittsburgh's defense has been allowing yards all season, only to stiffen in the red zone, and keep teams from scoring. Their weekness is deep, and once an offense gets inside the twenty, they don't have the field to work with- that plays to the Steeler defense's strength. I don't buy the arguement that the fact that Seattle led the yardage and first down stat lines, as well as TOP, is evidence that the refs gave it to Pitts. One 75 yd run for a TD= 6 pts and zero first downs, and all of about 20 seconds possession time. As for those who say the game was a snooze-fest, I am inclined to agree, though this does not mean it was a BAD game. We saw two first-rate defenses at work out there.
posted by Saxman at 07:23 PM on February 06, 2006
nicely done sax
posted by steelcityguy at 07:30 PM on February 06, 2006
I regress, but it is not just a game. I agree with the preceding statement.
posted by yerfatma at 07:31 PM on February 06, 2006
I am inclined to agree, though this does not mean it was a BAD game. We saw two first-rate defenses at work out there. Oh please. It was a BAD game. Defense had nothing to do with seattles time management. And Roethlisberger looked awful. 9/21 123 yards 5.9 yds/rec 2 int. Seattle's defense isn't that good. He was that bad. Ten years from now this super bowl will be remembered as one of the bottom tier games. They were rewarded for sticking with him for some lean years, and with Roethlisberger and that defense I hadn't seen roethlisberger this season, so I'm guessing this game was a fluke. If the steelers get more of the same, they're in trouble.
posted by justgary at 08:46 PM on February 06, 2006
I'm a Bears fan, and I didn't bitch about the officiating in their playoff loss. The stingy defense that was present all year didn't show up in the post-season, just like Seattle's high-octane offense didn't show up in the Super Bowl.
posted by weeklyguy at 08:46 PM on February 06, 2006
The "it's just a game" comment was more directed toward those people who use games like this to attack others personally. They call each other crybaby or tell others to fuck off, etc. I have supported many championship teams over the past nearly 50 years (yes Detriot does have them from time to time, also U of M and MSU), but I have never insulted the other team or their fans. Here in Los Angeles a few years ago some fans shot it out in the Angels parking lot. The "it's just a game" statement was more about wondering what the hell ever happened to class and sportsmanship and where did this "in your face" come from.
posted by commander cody at 09:09 PM on February 06, 2006
I notice that about 90% of the posts that say "Seahawks fans, stop whining" are from Steelers fans..... I wonder, what were you guys doing three weeks ago after the Polamalu call?
posted by RScannix at 10:18 PM on February 06, 2006
just like Seattle's high-octane offense didn't show up in the Super Bowl. 396 yards from scrimmage against a tough defense isn't exactly not showing up.
posted by tron7 at 12:15 AM on February 07, 2006
The Steelers did not beat the Seahawks, it was the blind officials that beat them.
posted by dumptruck76 at 03:29 PM on February 09, 2006
MVP: Bill Leavy. What the fuck ever.