THE LEAGUE^©

Wow. What a game. It may not have been the best Super Bowl ever. If sustained excitement and momentum changes are to be considered – and they must – there are a few that rank higher. Steelers-Cowboys in XIII, which was the first one that was actually super, Steelers-Rams the following year, though the final score belied the quality of the game and all that went into it, XXV with the Giants-Bills, XXXVI with the Patriots-Rams, and XXXVIII between Patriots-Panthers all have to be on the ballot as well.

But this one ranks up there with the XXXIV game between the Rams and Titans and XLII’s Giants-Patriots game last year as one of the best fourth quarters in Super Bowl history. Whether a fan of the Cardinals or not, the live viewing of Larry Fitzgerald taking it to the house with just under three minutes remaining was as exhilarating as it gets. And Santonio Holmes catch in the corner of the end zone minutes later was as well, its immediate impact lessened somewhat due to the review and the time that elapsed, but an incredible play nonetheless. Had Roethlisberger’s throw to Holmes been a few inches lower, it’s deflected. A few inches higher and it’s incomplete. After that, who knows?

The one thing that the NFL’s steps toward parity has done is make Super Bowls consistently more competitive. Though we still hear phrases like “I just hope it’s a good game,” or, “They never live up to the hype,” they were borne from years of frustration over the big game being not so big. Or at least not very competitive.  Maybe it’s just coincidence, but Super Bowls have been much more competitive over the last half of their history than the first, and especially so during the last fifteen or so. That’s not to say a clunker isn’t just around the corner, but the NFL fan now knows that his or her chance of getting a closely contested game is nearly as good as not getting one.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the officiating. Unfortunately, the Super Bowl officials are in a no-win situation. Since Sunday’s game, many opinions and complaints about their calls are flying around. But that has as much to do with the fact that everyone watched it as anything. On a normal NFL weekend, even the most ardent fan will catch three games, maybe four. Same with the guys who recap them. But on this particular Sunday, all eyes are on everything, and everything is dissected to the hilt. There. I mentioned it.

A few points in the game I found especially riveting; Cardinals down 10-0. Gut check time. Edgerrin James gets a few huge first downs, they move the ball down the field, and get a touchdown. A three-and-out there might have spelled doom. (Though it may have been a lot easier to stomach for Cardinal fans when all was said and done).

Another one; Warner throwing to James Harrison with 20 seconds left in the first half. The momentum was one drop of water from cascading towards the Cardinals. Even a field goal ties the game, and Arizona gets the ball to start the second half to boot. For all the accolades heaped upon Warner this year and in the post-season, that was a pass that simply cannot be made in that situation. And it must be pointed out that the fact that no Cardinal ran Harrison down was as important a factor as anything that occurred in the game. Other than Mike Gandy and Reggie Wells, the Cardinals quit on the play, even if only temporarily. Thinking the play would end any second, I suppose. But that doesn’t get it done in the biggest game of your life.

The last two would be Fitzgerald’s catch and run followed by the absolutely perfect throw and catch by Roethlisberger and Holmes. Did anyone else notice how Fitzgerald, not known for his speed, separated himself from his pursuers like he was Michael Johnson? And how Holmes made a catch that every boy in America has made in his backyard and/or in his mind a hundred times? Priceless indeed. As long as Roethlisberger plays, he’ll never forget or exceed what he did on that throw. It was the definition of making a play when a play had to be made.

And that is why the Steelers are the champions, my friend. Hats off to them and the Cardinals, who kept on fighting to the end.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Posted by Ricko on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 am.