Three Point Stance 2.01.09: Steelers Are Super Bowl Champions, Warner’s Future, and the Super Bowl MVP!
Posted by Cody Dalton on 02.02.2009
411mania’s Cody Dalton recaps what was an amazing Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, the Future of Kurt Warner, and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes in this Special Edition of the Three Point Stance!
Thanks for joining me on a very special edition of the Three Point Stance. The NFL season is now over with the conclusion of Super Bowl XLIII. This edition of the TPS will recap the very special game that took place this past Sunday….
Epic. The only word that can summarize what I witnessed at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa. The game was your basic game through most of the first three quarters, but then both teams had a fire ignited under them. That fire gave NFL fans the game that is billed to be the best of the best from each conference.
History was indeed made in many ways. The Pittsburgh Steelers have now hoisted the Lombardi Trophy for a record six times. Mike Tomlin is the youngest head coach, at 36 years old, to win a Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger is the 10th starting quarterback to win multiple championships, joining the likes of Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Bob Griese, Terry Bradshaw, Jim Plunkett, Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, John Elway, and most recently, Tom Brady. James Harrison has the longest play in Super Bowl history at 100 yards. Last, but certainly not least, Santonio Holmes is Super Bowl MVP.
On the other side of things, the Cardinals miracle post-season ends with a disappointing finish. Although they lost the game, the played like true Super Bowl champions. Despite trailing most of the game, the Cardinals entered the fourth quarter with a 20-7 deficit. Not for long though. Thanks in part to Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals scored 16 fourth quarter points to take the lead, 23-20.
When it all counted though, the Steelers offensive line stepped up to hold their blocks, Ben Roethlisberger made big plays, and Santonio Holmes made one of the greatest receptions in the history of the Super Bowl.
GAME RECAP
1st QUARTER –
9:50 – Jeff Reed 18-yard field goal
2nd QUARTER –
14:09 – Gary Russell 1-yard run (Reed kick is good)
8:43 – Kurt Warner 1-yard pass to Ben Patrick (Neil Rackers kick is good)
0:00 – James Harrison 100-yard interception return
3rd QUARTER –
2:16 – Jeff Reed 21-yard field goal
4th QUARTER –
7:41 – Kurt Warner 1-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald
2:58 – Penalty for holding in end zone results in safety
2:37 – Kurt Warner 64-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald
0:35 – Ben Roethlisberger 6-yard pass to Santonio Holmes
After going through a season where he recaptured his glory days (no Bruce Springsteen pun intended), Kurt Warner's future is in doubt. The Cardinals "gunslinger" will have the option of staying with the Cardinals or making the 2008-09 NFL season his last. Last year, Brett Favre mulled retirement, decided to retire, then un-retire. The decision should be a lot more decisive this time.
When healthy, Warner is a great quarterback and has shown such. In his 11 year NFL career, Warner has been completely healthy in three seasons. Interestingly enough, those three seasons produced Super Bowl appearances for Warner (1999, 2001, & 2008).
Warner owns performances in the Super Bowl of 414 yards (XXXIV), 365 yards (XXXVI), and 377 yards (Super Bowl XLIII). He has also thrown for 6 touchdowns and rushed for one in his combined appearances. Although his record is 1-2 in the Super Bowl, Warner has shown that he is doing everything for his team that he can when it counts the most.
I was asked the question last week of Warner's legitimacy of being a Hall of Fame quarterback. Warner is a two-time league MVP (1999 and 2001), a one-time Super Bowl Champion (XXXIV), and a Super Bowl MVP. Although his passing yardage doesn't rank in the Top 25 for a career, Warner's accuracy, big play ability, and accolades will ultimately land him in the halls of Canton.
As for his career, Warner has had a great one. Regardless of whether or not he decides to come back, Warner took this post-season and cemented his legacy as a Hall of Famer.
SUPER BOWL XLIII MVP – SANTONIO HOLMES, WR, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
There isn't much I can say about this one. Santonio Holmes joined his teammate Hines Ward as a Super Bowl MVP. He had 9 receptions for 131 yards and that epic 6-yard touchdown catch from Ben Roethlisberger to seal the 27-23 win. Ultimately, you could make a case for three different players to win the award.
Ben Roethlisberger's performance in his second Super Bowl was clearly better than his first. James Harrison's record setting 100-yard play could have also been considered. All in all though, Holmes deserved it for an amazing tip-toe catch that gave the Steelers Super Bowl Championship #6.
Well folks, it's been an amazing NFL season and Super Bowl game. The Three Point Stance isn't over and I will return weekly to update the fans on news, as well as coverage leading up to the draft and training camps in the summer. Thanks so much for joining me on this special edition and I look forward to continued coverage of the NFL! Once again, Congratulations to both Pittsburgh and Arizona on great seasons and the Steelers on a Super Bowl victory!
Until then…
Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212
Posted By: Jim Ross (Guest) on February 01, 2009 at 11:59 PM
God I hate the Steelers. I missed the game cause I had to work, but I was told from almost everyone who called (and teased me for working tonight) that the game was uneventful.
Posted By: Guest#4850 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 12:27 AM
First off dude, from a purely fan of the sport standpoint, it was an awesome game.
Secondly, I think Harrison really deserved the MVP. He had that amazing touchdown, plus that sack, and he totally just beat the shit out of some Cardinal. I mean he straight up just beat that guy up. Even though the penalty was big, and nearly cost the game, it was almost worth it in kick-assness.
Posted By: Jim Flug (Registered) on February 02, 2009 at 12:42 AM
It was a good game, played by the two teams that earned their places there. I kinda wanted the Cardinals to win, just because they'd never won one, but the Steelers won. Both teams played honorably and despite a bit of poor officiating, the best team won. It was a fun game to watch, and tomorrow, at work, I won't really care.
Posted By: Guest#6786 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 12:55 AM
Could any more calls go the Steelers way?
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:29 AM
Guest 4850, this game was highly entertaining. Very fun to watch, especially the 4th qtr. I enjoyed the game more than last year's, although that's biased because I'm a huge Steelers fan. Great game by both teams.
Posted By: Bobby (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:52 AM
Great game, Harrison is a punk and the offiating sucked........again.
Posted By: John (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 02:10 AM
>>>Could any more calls go the Steelers way?
Um, 3 personal fouls on the Steelers on their drive prior to the last one. And the holding call in the end zone that gave them a saftey with otherwise would of been a 20 yard gain.
It was even imo. Cry moar. PITTSBURGH! FUCK YEAH!
Posted By: Guest#1495 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 02:16 AM
DAMN!
Posted By: Ron Simmons (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 07:17 AM
What a game. I was rooting for the Cardinals at the end but the Harrison play and the penalties were just too much.
Posted By: Diavo (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 07:36 AM
All I have to say is....HOW DOES IT FEEL KURT!!!!!!?????
Posted By: Eagles fan (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Giving Harrison the MVP after his unsportsmanlike conduct would've looked bad on the league. Even the commentators said he should've been ejected. It had to be Holmes baby!
Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I'm a huge Steelers fan and elated that they won, but... what on earth happened to them defensively in the 4th qtr? I have a real problem with the idea that it was a great 4th qtr just because both defenses played terribly. When Fitzgerald scored the go-ahead TD both safeties were near the sidelines guarding NO ONE. WTF?
On the upside that safety was the best thing that ever happened to Ben Roethlisberger. If he gets that completion and they manage to run out the clock, he would have been the QB who won two Super Bowls without a TD pass. Now no one can hang the mediocre tag on him any more.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Completely agree with you Shockmaster about Ben. It annoys the hell out of me how he is always overlooked in terms of being an elite QB, especially with all of the 4th qtr drives he's led in his career. He now has 2 Super Bowls and led an Elway/Montanaesque drive to do so n his 2nd one. He should now be considered right up there with Peyton and Brady.
And as far as the MVP, I would've voted for Ben, but I have absolutely no problem with Holmes winning it. Although I believe that after that drive Ben had, if the name on the back of his jersey would've been Manning or Brady, he would've won it.
Posted By: Bobby (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:15 PM
So apparently the Steelers being awarded Super Bowls by the officials is not a one-time only event?
Posted By: Mr America (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:28 PM
While I don't think the game would have had a much different ending without all the penalties, the Referee's were the true MVPs of that game, and they made damn sure you knew it.
Such a shame, too, that would have been a great game if not for all those questionable calls.
Posted By: G-Walla (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 05:49 PM
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