411's NFL Round Up 02.03.09: The Super Bowl Edition

Posted by Emmett Wilks on 02.03.2009

The Biggest Weekend in American sports was treated to one of its greatest games ever. Join the Round Up as we break down the big game. Also, a look at the best teams to never reach the Super Bowl. All this and more in this edition of NFL Round Up.

Hello to everyone and welcome to the SUPER BOWL edition of NFL Round Up. It will always remain the most incredible day in America sports. Super Bowl Sunday. How one can possess so many stories, accomplishments, and shattered dreams is a testament to the beauty of sport. This Sunday was not only no exception, but it provided perhaps the greatest drama I have ever witnessed in my life.



QUICK NOTES

Many great football luminaries have already christened Sunday's game as the best Super Bowl ever. I believe history needs to have its say before such an assessment can be made. For my money, the best Super Bowl remains the Pats-Rams masterpiece of 2002. Not only did it send Tom Brady and the Pats in the highest echelon of sports dynasties, but it also was the beginning of the end for the vaunted Rams franchise, who have yet to recover some 7 years since the loss. But Sunday was a game for a drama, execution, and comebacks. A great platter of football decadence served up just right. But there were the glaring shortcomings of the game that may keep it from becoming the all-time greatest for me.

1.) The Penalties.

The Cardinals were called on 11 penalties for 106 yards, including three holdings on left tackle Mike Gandy. The Steelers also racked up 7 flags for 56 yards. Some of the penalties were deserved (a sign of sloppy play), and some were downright bogus calls (an even worse offense). The roughing the passer play on Karlos Dansby in the third quarter (which led to critical Steelers field goal) was beyond ridiculous. That amount of laundry on the field does not help make this game a time capsule example of the beauty of football.

2.) Officiating
Goes almost hand in hand with the above criticism. But having two big calls overturned by challenges, and not even double checking if Kurt Warner was indeed throwing the ball on the Cardinals last play (it was a fumble in my mind, but they should have at least checked.) This was sort of the icing on the cake for what was a terrible year for NFL officials. Starting with the Chargers-Broncos disaster in week 2, this season has been low-lighted with some truly terrible officiating that really hurt the flow and execution of the game.


WOW. JUST WOW.

Anyone who says that was not one of the best halftime shows ever is freaking insane. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rocked the house, putting everyone else (save Prince), to shame. The NFL has a five-year streak of great Halftime Shows (starting with Paul McCartney, then The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty, and The Boss) that will hopefully continue for years to come.



Kudos to Al Michaels and John Madden who provided top-flight commentary during the broadcast. The whole NBC production, with its analysts of Mike Holmgren, Tony Dungy, and Matt Millen (much, much better in a booth than a draft room), the NBC Sports department really knocked this one out the park. The game also garnered the second highest ratings for a Super Bowl ever, just losing out to last year's game. Steeler's fans in America are like freckles on the body; they're everywhere. Mix that in with the great drama of Kurt Warner and the Cardinals, and one can easily see this Super Bowl was a great looking product that totally delivered.



SUPER BOWL BREAKDOWN

Pittsburgh Steelers- 27

Arizona Cardinals- 23

For three quarters, the game flaunted dangerously close to being one of the dullest and uninspired games in memory. Arizona's offense was sporadic at best, mustering just two good drives the entire game; one for a score, and one that ended in a 100 yard interception return by the Steelers linebacker James Harrison. But it was the 4th quarter where this game really began. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner throw over 200 yards in the 4th quarter alone, erasing a 13 point deficit in the process. This was to be followed by the single greatest catch in Super Bowl history, and a miraculous win for the Steelers.
The Cardinals just left too much time left on the clock. Ben Roethlisberger's 6-yard beauty toss to Santonio Holmes, through three defenders, with just 35 ticks left, would give the Steelers a rousing victory, 27-23.
All of this followed the Cardinals march to take the lead, capped by Larry Fitzgerald's incredible 65 yard TD reception. But it would just enough, but too early. Big Ben and company used the time for the final pass, the greatest of his career. With the win, the Steelers are now the greatest franchise in the history of the modern NFL. Their 6th Super Bowl title may have been the toughest, but in many ways, it was the sweetest. The win for coach Mike Tomlin, the youngest Super Bowl coach ever, will now place him firmly in the discussion of the game elites. Back and forth playmaking performances from some of the games biggest stars truly made the entire night something to remember.



OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ben Roethlisberger

I personally have zero problem with Santonio Holmes taking the MVP. None. But for the overall impact, I could never in a million years say that anyone could top the extraordinary performance that Roethlisberger put on display on Sunday. Though the numbers were good but not great (21-of-30, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), it was his ability to keep the play alive and march down the field that truly made a Super Bowl champion out of the Steelers.

Runners Up-

Santonio Holmes- The man on the other end of the passes, Holmes caught 9 balls for 131 yards and one of the greatest TD catches ever seen.

Kurt Warner- A performance of guts and determination that is seldom seen. His brilliant 4th quarter erased a pedestrian start, nearly capping his 2nd improbable season with a Super Bowl title.

Larry Fitzgerald- Silent for three quarters, he would take over the 4th with Warner, finishing with 7 catches, 127 yards and 2 TD's.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Darnell Dockett

The reason why the score was 20-7 and much more was due to Dockett and friends thunderous goallines stands that kept touchdowns off the board for the Steelers. Without those early stops, this game could have been a total route. He also netted two sacks on Roethlisberger, making big play impact the entire game.


Dockett and the Cardinals defense kept them in the game during the first half

-tie-

James Harrison

It should forever be known as "The Interception." 100 yards in the Super Bowl. A play that may not have broken the Cardinals spirits, but certainly kept them from taking the lead heading into the second half.

Runners Up-

LaMarr Woodley-

Two big sacks helped frustration a Cardinals offensive line being bombarded from all sides.

Karlos Dansby- Cardinals LB was all over the field, netting 8 tackles in a fearless performance.

BUST OF THE WEEK

The Refs-

Really put a stinker on a big part of the game. Yes, some were clearly penalties that needed to be called, but other (roughing the passer, the hold for a safety) was just bad calls. Not to mention two challenges from Ken Whisenhunt on the Cardinals sideline that he won. Just a bad day all around for the officials.


BEST COMMERCIAL



I was quite the sucker for the Pepsi Refresh Anthem, the one cutting between folks in the 50-60's with people of today, accompanied by a constructed duet of Bob Dylan and Will.i.Am. A truly creative and innovate ad. But unfortunately the award has to go to the Doritos "Crystal Ball." Sure, the Pepsi ad had heart, but Crystal Ball had a crystal ball in the balls. There's just no topping that.



WORST COMMERCIAL



Alec in Huluwood had the right potential. Funny man pitching the next mega website on the Internet. But the whole ad felt forced and just not very funny. I was waiting for something funny that just never seemed to happen. Really disappointing there.

Look, I know the whole nations well-being and economy are big deals, but NBC really needs to pick a better time to air an interview with President Obama than Super Bowl Sunday. I know they may have thought "oh great, this is the biggest audience we'll get, let's air now." But it just seemed so out of place when the topics changed from lighthearted sports talk to politics and government.

As much as I love the guy, I do think that Santonio Holmes should have been flagged for an Un-sportsmen like penalty following the touchdown. The celebration lasted too long and went a little over the top.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Defensive end Bruce Smith and all purpose defensive back Rod Woodson led the field this year. Smith, whose 200 career sacks is the best ever, was one of those sure fire, can't miss candidates. From 1987 to 1995, he and counterpart Reggie White were the defensive ends of the era. His combination of speed, power, and intelligence was second to none. In his career with the Bills and Redskins, he never went onto the field without having an impact. 11 Pro Bowls and All Pro selections still weren't enough for a player like him. Though he did hang around for the wrong reasons, like setting records, when at his peak, he was unstoppable.
Woodson played the defensive backfield like a warrior scholar. He used his mind with his athleticism to bring big time impact for the Steelers, Redskins, Ravens, and finally Oakland. 71 career picks, 8 All Pro teams, and 11 Pro Bowl (not to mention a Super Bowl ring with the 2000 Ravens, the second greatest defense ever).
Great praise also to the selection committee for the selection of Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas, who died in a car accident in 2000, still playing. He finished his shortened career with a Hall of Fame resume, and his entry was certainly deserving.
Also going in was Minnesota guard Randall McDaniels, who was one of the four best lineman on the 1990's. His 12 Pro Bowls and 7 All Pro selections made his entry a necessity this season.
The late Bullet Bob Hayes, one of the great speedsters on the game also got the nod. While his style of downfield play was revolutionary, I don't fully believe his selection was warranted. Hayes was a great character, but his impact on the game was not as great as Cris Carter's to jump over him.
All in all, a great class due to Woodson and Smith, two of my favorite players of my youth.

TOP 10 TEAMS TO NEVER MAKE IT

As a bitter and angry Eagles fan, I was struck during the game about how many great teams never got to play in the big game. There are some years, like this one, where the truly "best" football teams are not in the Super Bowl. Rather, they are teams who get hot at the right time. But through the years, there have been great football team denied a chance for a Super Bowl. Here are some of the best teams to never even see the big show.


10. 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers

A team of pure magic for much of the 2004 season. The Steelers, coming off a 6-10 season had reasonable expectations, but few expect the ride they enjoyed. In week 2, Ben Roethlisberger took over for injured starter Tommy Maddox, and proceeded to win his next 13 starts. While Big Ben did not rewrite the passing stats, he played his role to perfection for a team that dominated the NFL regular season to the tune of a 15-1 record. The defense topped the NFL with 15.7 points per game, and the coolly effective offense still managed 23 points per game and possessed the NFL's second best rushing attack. They would fall to the dynasty in progress Patriots in the AFC title game, putting an end to the greatest rookie season for a QB ever, and stopping one of the best teams ever to not appear in the Super Bowl.


9.) 1980 San Diego Chargers

The peak of the Don Coryell's "Air Coryell" era, the 1980 edition of the Chargers featured the most prolific offense the NFL had seen to that point. Future hall of fame QB Dan Fouts engineered an offense that averaged 400 yards per game and 288 yards per game through the air. His 4,715 yards for the season was a number almost unthinkable a few seasons before. Receivers John Jefferson, Charlie Joiner, and tight end Kellen Winslow Sr. all went over 1,100 yards receiving. They would fall to eventual Super Bowl Champs the Raiders in the Conference title game, but the wide open air attack developed from this team would help shape the game of modern football for decades to come.
1967 Los Angeles Rams

8.) 1974 Oakland Raiders (12-2)

The first truly great Raiders team, the 1974 edition would be still two years away from a title. Their two losses came by just 1 and 3 points. They entered the playoffs as the number 1 seed, but would lose to eventual Super Bowl Champ Steelers, who would win their first of 4. With QB Ken Stabler at the helm, the Raiders offense averaged 25.4 points per game, best in the league that season. And the defense forced 41 turnovers, good for almost 3 a game.




7.) 1999 Jaguars

The culmination of the original inception that was the Jacksonville Jaguars. After experiencing substantial strides towards their first few seasons in 1995 (even an AFC title game appearance in 1996), this Jags team seemed poised to firmly establish a new force in football. Their 6th ranked offense and toped ranked defense played exceptionally all season. Full of a cast of constantly underrated performs like QB Mark Brunnel, WR Jimmy Smith, and tackle Tony Boselli, as well as a stout defense led by linebacker Kevin Hardy and defensive end Tony Brackens, the Jags were in many ways the most complete football team in the NFL that season.

6.) 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers of course won four Super Bowls during the 1970's. Led by the "Steel Curtain" defense stocked with Hall of Fame players, the debate has raged for years with team was the best. Well, based on the many of the numbers, a solid argument can be made that the best team they had was one that didn't even win the big one. In the last 9 games of the season, the Steelers allowed a mind-boggling 28 points. As a result, Pittsburgh, which started the season 1-4, made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game, which they lost to the Raiders 24-7.


5.) 2005 Colts

Like the Steelers the previous year, the 2005 Colts were a team that flirted with perfection, only to crumble at the worst possible time. The big difference was this Colts team had a bit of a sexier cast of characters to go along with it. QB Peyton Manning was captaining an offensive unit who shattered records in 2004, Manning retook the field with the same lethal efficiency, only this time, they were partnered with the NFL's second best scoring defense. The Colts marched to a 13-0 record before closing out the year 1-2. With huge expectations in the playoffs, the Colts would meet a fate all too familiar to them. The playoff's sixth seeded Steelers would stun the Colts, 21-18 at home, ending one of the most promising runs ever seen in football with a sad and lonely whimper.

3.) 1967 Los Angeles Rams

Deacon Jones led one of the NFL's best defensive lines ever
The late 60's were a troubled time for the city of Los Angeles, and equally as troubled were opposing offensive players who went against the Rams vaunted defense. Anchored by the "Fearsome Foursome" of Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy, the Rams of the late 60's were reminiscent of a moving concrete wall. But only this one hit harder. They would be defeated just once that season, and the defense played all season is opponent's backfields. But what made this team different from the other great Rams teams of the era was its offense, the third best in the NFL that season. QB Roman Gabriel tossed 25 TD's, and running game produced nearly 2,000 yards, led by full back Dick Bass and running back Les Josephson.

3.) 1990 San Francisco 49er's

How could anyone put the Niners on a letdown list during this era. Well, because this team was just as good, if not better than the 1989 version that went 14-2 and won the Super Bowl. After winning their first 10 games and finishing 14-2 once again, the Niners entered the playoffs with every expectation of a three-peat. But the Giants, who were no slouches in 1990, meet the Niners punch for punch and took the NFC title, and later the Super Bowl, in a legendary 15-13 slobber knocker. The game would also see San Frans QB Joe Montana go down with an injury that effectively ended his tenure with the Niners. This would be last great team helmed by Joe Montana, and they came oh so close to ending that run in style.

2.) 1986 Bears

The team that followed "the team." The 1985 Chicago Bears are regarded by many (including myself) as the finest football team to ever take the field. 1986 looked to repeat as champions, after returning nearly the entire squad of 1985 that ran roughshod of the NFL to a 18-1 record. Statistically, the 1986 Bears were even better than the previous year, having a better points per game (187 in 1986(a record for 15 years) , 198 in 1985), yards per game (258.4 to 258.1, its still better), and passing (176.0 to 166.7). Without defensive guru Buddy Ryan, the Bear defense still flourished, despite the sudden struggles of their offense, who failed to get consistent quarterback play out of any of the four who started in 1986 after starter Jim McMahon (who was overweight and underperforming) was injured against the Packers. The Bears still managed a 14-2 season and the NFC's 2 seed. With a running back Walter Payton and the defense playing well, they were expected by many to repeat. But playoffs would be far different than the one they so thoroughly dominated a year earlier. Against the Redskins, the Bears would be shut out in the second half as the Redskins scored 20 unanswered points to win 27-13. The Bears were never able to regain the swagger and dominance of '85 and '86, leaving what could be regarded today as a lost opportunity for one of the greatest units ever assembled in professional sports.


1.) 1998 Minnesota Vikings (15-1)

The ultimate "what the hell happened here" team. If the story was a screenplay, it would have been trashed instantly. No way this could have happened. Way too implausible, unbelievable, just downright silly. The 1998 Vikings came out of nowhere perhaps more than any other team. And their sudden and shocking demise in the NFC Championship game made this story all the more incredible. Coming off a decent, but far from exceptional 1997 season that saw them go 9-7, with a playoff berth, and win for that matter, the Vikings rightly had solid expectations. What they delivered came as a surprise to everyone. Under the stern hand of head coach Dennis Green and led by quarterback Randal Cunningham, who until then was known as an inconsistent, though at time brilliant, scrambling QB who would always throw the big game away, the Vikings took to the 1998 with the best offense the NFL had ever seen until that time. Receiver tandem Cris Carter and offensive rookie of the year Randy Moss, who miraculously fell to the Vikings at pick 21, caught a combined 2,324 yards and 29 TD's. Coupled with running back Robert Smith on the ground (1,107 yards rushing), the Vikings offense scored an NFL record 556 points in 1998. The defense wasn't half bad either. With stalwarts like defensive lineman John Randle and Ed McDaniels (who had a career year), the Vikings were 6th in the NFL in points allowed. Oh yeah, they also had one of the games best kickers ever, Gary Anderson who went 35-for-35 on field goals in the regular season. When they met the surprising Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game, few thought they would not go to the Super Bowl and battle the other "great" team in the NFL that season, the 13-3 Denver Broncos. Sure, the Falcons were 14-2, but no one could be able to stop the Vikings offense. Or could they? L But it was not to be. The Falcons defense swarmed and punished the Vikings all day, with Jessie Tuggle, Ray Buchanan, Chuck Smith, Eugene Robinson and the rest of coach Dan Reeves very good but far from great defense leading the way to the Super Bowl. And the Vikings still haven't quite figured out what happened.


The 1998 Vikings, with Randall Cunningham under center, were nearly unstoppable



That's it for the 2008 season. Let's get 2009 off to a great start. See you soon.