2006 Super Bowl Play - KOD

[RexBudler]

:Yep: :Yep:

 

[countinguy]

Congrats Scott, I didn't follow it but u were right, great year buddy

 

[bosbabiesarm]

1. Ben Roethlisberger sees the field, and more.

Quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple was asked what Roethlisberger does best. "He sees," Whipple said. Isn't that the truth? On the day Roethlisberger was drafted, the Findlay, Ohio, native was asked which team he rooted for as a kid: Cincinnati or Cleveland. Neither, Roethlisberger said. He was a Joe Montana fan. Then Roethlisberger asked for jersey No. 7 ? because he's also a John Elway fan.

Both visions come to mind: Roethlisberger played like Elway in Denver last week, and he's playing like Montana this postseason. Roethlisberger has a passer rating of 124.8 this postseason, giving him a career postseason passer rating of 97.6. The precise Montana had a career postseason passer rating of 95.6, second in league history to Bart Starr's 104.8 (150 attempts).

2. The Steelers can come from behind.

Saying the Steelers can't come from behind is the national myth that puzzles Steelers fans the most. It's actually a remnant of an earlier myth that says if you stop the Steelers' run game, you stop the Steelers. Instead, the Steelers have shredded three consecutive playoff secondaries.

They haven't had to come from behind; so the myth has life. But in just his fourth pro game, Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers past the host Cowboys from 10 points down in the fourth quarter. In his 10th game, he rallied past the host Jaguars in the final 1:55 with no timeouts. In his first playoff game, he rallied his team to a fourth-quarter tie against the New York Jets (the Steelers won in overtime). In his second playoff game, the Steelers trailed the Patriots by 21, and Roethlisberger's touchdown pass cut it to 14. He then had the Steelers at the three-yard line early in the fourth quarter when Bill Cowher suffered a brain cramp and kicked a field goal. End of comeback, but not end of story, because now Roethlisberger knows what he's doing.

3. Bill Cowher doesn't suffer brain cramps anymore.

Under Cowher, the Steelers lost home AFC championship games in which they were favored by 9.5 (1994) and 10 (2001) points, as well as a third home game last year. A dropped Hail Mary pass allowed the Steelers to escape with a win as 12-point favorites in the 1995 AFC title game. Cowher's critics say he has a habit of playing "turtle games" as a favorite, a role that involves the wearing of a bulls eye. This season, Cowher has left his coordinators alone; so Dick ****** blitzes at crunch time, and Ken Whisenhunt passes. Cowher's in-season aggressiveness has continued into the playoffs. His two fourth-and-one conversions against the Colts provided high drama in Pittsburgh households. If the Steelers go down, it won't be for turtle games. (Although I offer this caveat: NFL Films picked up Cowher on the sideline before the Broncos game last week telling Rod Woodson, "I love being the underdog." Woodson's reply: "It's only numbers, man.")

4. Jerome Bettis is the greatest big back of them all.

Sure, longevity helps some backs pile up numbers, and longevity has much to do with Bettis's No. 5 ranking on the all-time rushing board. But that's not the reason he's the greatest "big back" of all time. This is: Only two 250-pound running backs have rushed for over 1,000 yards more than one time. The 253-pound Christian Okoye did it twice, and the 255-pound Bettis has done it eight times. What about John Riggins? He only weighed 230. Larry Csonka? He weighed 237. Cookie Gilchrist weighed 251, but had only one 1,000-yard season (and three 900-yard, 14-game seasons). Bettis once explained that big backs take too much of a pounding to endure and that he'd learned a long time ago to look for easy landings instead of playing macho head games in the open field. That's something else most people didn't know.

5. The Steelers are fine without Plaxico Burress.

Anyone see the televised fit Burress threw after the first Giants series in the playoffs? That sour, losing attitude; that finger-pointing, didn't stop until Tiki Barber's exclamation point in the post-game press conference. The Giants were stomped; and Burress didn't catch a pass. He was surely an albatross in the huddle, a grim reaper sent to Tom Coughlin by the football gods, or something like that. Did anyone see the televised celebration Cedrick Wilson threw after catching a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone against the Broncos? Anyone see Wilson catch five for 92 in that game? Eight for 196 in these playoffs? The Steelers are spreading the ball to a happy bunch of players. The foreboding presence of Burress and his pining for the ball are gone with the wind.

6. The Steelers can cover.

The Steelers ranked 16th in NFL pass defense this season; so naturally fans who haven't watched them think Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott either still play in Pittsburgh or haven't been ably replaced. But a closer look at the stats ? the pure defensive passing stats ? show the Steelers ranked fifth in yards per attempt (6.34), eighth in completion percentage (57.4) and eighth in passer rating (74). In the playoffs against Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Denver, those numbers are nearly the same: 6.4 ypa, 59.6 completion percentage and 75.3 passer rating. The average playoff game by No. 1 receivers Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Rod Smith against the Steelers was 3.7 catches for 57.3 yards and a Blutarsky-like 0.0 touchdowns. During the regular season, the average game of those three receivers was 5.6, 78.4 and 0.6, respectively.

7. The Steelers throw to their tight end.

When the Steelers drafted Heath Miller in the first round last April, fans wanted to know why they drafted a player who wouldn't be used for anything more than sealing the corner on running plays. Since Mark Bruener caught a career-high 26 passes as a rookie in 1995, the position had averaged 21 catches, 177 yards and two touchdowns for nine seasons. Miller had 21 catches, 211 yards and six touchdowns in the first half of his rookie season. What happened? Well, it was another myth that needed shattering. The Steelers do throw to their tight end; always have, or always have wanted to. But Kordell Stewart didn't look for the tight end much. Once Stewart left, Bruener had slowed down considerably. The new tight end, it could be argued, is Roethlisberger's No. 1 weapon. Miller has seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.


With his back against the proverbial wall, Bill Cohwer won't hesitate to let his QB throw the ball. (Gene J. Puskar / Getty Images)

8. In fact, Bill Cowher throws to win.

Is this Bill Cowher's best team? The only one close is the 1995 team, and those Steelers went into their Super Bowl as 13-point underdogs. They showed heart and lost by 10. That team holds the Steelers' single-season, pass-yardage record. Quarterback Neil O'Donnell's offense averaged 249 passing yards per game. This regular season, the Steelers averaged 183 passing yards per game, but in the postseason, they've averaged 218 passing yards per game. Taking it a step further, the Steelers average 157 passing yards in the first halves of these playoff games. Their leads have been so comfortable that they've worried more about killing the clock after halftime.

The Steelers are winging the ball, just like they did in 1995; a common thread in Cowher's two Super Bowl teams. The other common thread is that both teams had their backs to the proverbial wall at one point in the season: The '95 Steelers were 3-4 at one point; the 2005 Steelers had to win their last four games to make the playoffs as a wild-card team. When poked with a stick, Cowher will throw to win.

9. John Mitchell is the assistant coach of the year.

Of the assistants on the team that's favored to win the Super Bowl, John Mitchell is the one you've never heard of ? but he's the one doing the best job. The defensive line is the Steelers' most efficient positional group. Yes, the offensive line has come together and is picking up every blitz; and yes, Ken Whisenhunt and Dick ****** have been maestros in calling plays. But the Steelers' defensive line has held the point of attack while eight, sometimes nine ? or even 10 ? linebackers, corners and safeties strike like snakes throughout all the organized chaos.

Just when you want to run on Troy Polamalu at middle linebacker, you can't get through Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith or Kimo von Oelhoffen. Those players cite Mitchell ? who made his own history as a player under Bear Bryant ? and his rotation of quality back-ups as the reason the Steelers have allowed an NFL-low 3.4 yards per carry this season. (Caveat II: The Steelers have allowed 4.3 yards per carry in the playoffs, which might be important against the run-heavy Seahawks, but we're pretty sure it's not Mitch's fault.)
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Next time leave out all the b.s. reasoning. Pitt. won good pick are they the better team today they were, but dominate a Seattle team they did not, on the field or in the stats. So all your talk about a one sided game was not even close.

 

[edludes]

Tainted victory.Alexanders o/u was 89- yds.He ran for 95 so they hardly stopped him.Give Seattle the points and yds they earned on the field without the phantom,bullshit calls and see where they game would have ended up.a different team would have the trophy right now.Hope you got the wife's money you used for the bet back to her purse before she noticed it was gone.

 

[THE KOD]

bob

that was not my writing. thats a article from a sports page.

If you follow my threads when I underline something with
................................

that means its a article I found, and then I usually respond to it.

Copy something that I wrote about the game and quote that why dont ya.

Get with the program and accept your defeat.

Geezz Louise.

 

[bosbabiesarm]

Everything you write has the so called................................................................................................................................................................................................................. so you are full of shit.


2 day ban : admin

 

[DoubleDown]

I think bosbabiesarm is a disgruntled CLEVELAND fan. They all hate the STEELERES !! :violin:

 

[THE KOD]

Your analysis of Seattle is not careful,accurate or even unbiased,something required in successful handicapping.You are wrong about Seattle in many ways.Imagine for a moment what is going on in Alexanders head with all the focus on a Pittsburg runner that had two carries for what.

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ed

I think Alexander was thinking about when he would get his big raise next year before the game.
Maybe buy a new Hummer and a house in
Beverly Hills.

 

[THE KOD]

GAME SUMMARY

Well football is over for another year. That went quick.

This was a good Super Bowl to watch for me.

When the line first came out at Pitt -4 I thought that Seattle was the play immediately. Then afer some careful thinking and capping I decided that Pitt was actually where I needed to be. Lets face it I hope the books dont know the winner in advance. Seems impossible.

It was obvious that Big Ben was nervous as he just did not play the kind of game that I expected from him. He did not zing his passes in and throw for TDs like I think he is capable of. I will remember how the Super Bowl affects young QBs in my future wagers. What he did do is win the game and cover. What more can anyone ask of him.

Refs made some questionable calls but dont they always.

I was also surprised by the Pittsburgh defense as I thought they would get to Hasselbeck alot more than they did. He was pressured but not like he should have been.

Alexander didnt show up as far as I am concerned. No TDs and under 100 yards is not the kind of performance you expect from the MVP who ran for 1800 yds during the season.

Man I wish I had gotten in on Rex's MVP selection play. I just couldnt find it listed. And it was at +1400 when Rex posted it I think he said. I was going to play 100 on it . Oh well thats last minute gambling.

On to the Pro Bowl which I think is Feb 13th ....

Starting to look at the game now.

 

[kneifl]

Congrats KOD, very nice................

:yup :yup

kneifl

 

[James Witt]

It was obvious that Big Ben was nervous as he just did not play the kind of game that I expected from him. He did not zing his passes in and throw for TDs like I think he is capable of. I will remember how the Super Bowl affects young QBs in my future wagers. What he did do is win the game and cover. What more can anyone ask of him.

I kept saying to myself, throw the f*ing ball! He kept lofting it. Even that 3rd and 28 pickup was very close to being intercepted. He blew numerous other easy passes. I'm not sure that if that game had been officiated evenly Pit wouldn't have lost. He had a passive look to him, almost dazed. I think it's possible his arm/hand really were giving him trouble.

Refs made some questionable calls but dont they always.

Yes, and I was on Pit, but all these calls were in all in the same direction. It very much had a managed-outcome feel to it. I mean, if I were Hasselbeck waking up this morning, I wouldn't know how to feel. I wouldn't really feel like I lost. But I certainly wouldn't feel like I won.

IMO, it's not likely there was a fix, it's more that Pit is the favorite, expected to win, so the average ref, when in doubt, sides with the favorite, for fear of becoming a Denkinger if he blows a call. Definitely something to take into account when betting the dog in these ultimate games where the whole world is watching.

I believe that Roeth. will get back to the Super Bowl and play much better for this experience. If he had simply played normally, Pit would have won by three TDs, imo.

I was also surprised by the Pittsburgh defense as I thought they would get to Hasselbeck alot more than they did. He was pressured but not like he should have been.

Agree. They got no pressure apart from the one sack.

Alexander didnt show up as far as I am concerned. No TDs and under 100 yards is not the kind of performance you expect from the MVP who ran for 1800 yds during the season.

Yep. He reminds of one the thespian thugs who kidnap Jamie Kennedy in that crappy movie.

 

[THE KOD]

DETROIT (AP) - Shaun Alexander has a feeling he will be back in Seattle.

So let the negotiations begin.

After the Seahawks lost the Super Bowl 21-10 to Pittsburgh on Sunday, the NFL MVP and rushing champion said he wants to return to the Seahawks.

This was the last game under his current contract, so Seattle must decide what to do. Alexander could command a signing bonus of up to $20 million and that might be too much for the Seahawks to pay.

"I believe that Seattle is really, really close to being a dominant football team. We can have a great tradition for a long time," Alexander said. "I want to be a part of that. But fair is fair. ... My gut tells me Seattle is going to be fair."

Last year, the Seahawks designated the running back their franchise player and paid him $6.32 million. If they don't want to franchise him again or give him a long-term deal, Alexander would become a free agent March 3.

Seattle owner Paul Allen said he also wants Alexander back.

"As I said before, I am optimistic about that," Allen said. "Obviously, there will be discussions with his agent over the coming weeks."

But of course nothing is certain. Even Alexander knows that. Though he said he "definitely" wants to come back, he added, "Who knows what's going to happen? No one's sure of anything."

Against Pittsburgh, Alexander had 95 yards on 20 carries, but there was one thing missing. Touchdowns.

In the end, that ended up hurting the Seahawks. Though Alexander set an NFL record with 28 touchdowns during the regular season and piled up 1,880 yards rushing, it was tough going against the Steelers.

Two yards here. Four yards there. Alexander had one big play, a nice 21-yard run in the third quarter that helped get the Seahawks into field-goal range. But Josh Brown missed a 50-yard field goal wide left, and Alexander did little else the rest of the game.

"You're trying to find things that could work," Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones said. "We had some openings, but they played us tough."
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Any NFL team that pays Alexander a 20 million signing bonus after that Super Bowl performance is absolutely nuts.

He will go downhill in stats the rest of the way.

I would venture to say that Seattle is going to pretend like 20 million is too much to pay, and hope some other NFL teams takes him off their hands.

Sorry but MVP of the league has to score touchdowns in the Super Bowl to get that kind of money. Better trade him for what you can get for him Seattle. Before its too late.

 

[THE KOD]

Went back to last year to review the SuperBowl wager I made. Trying to get the feel for the logic and timing I used then to now.

Go Colts !

 

[IntenseOperator]

Nice bump Scott:mj07:

 

[THE KOD]

funny IO

what pisses me off is I only bet 700 bucks last year.

Got more money this year.

titfd !