Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A Captivating, And Sad, Read
I will pass this along without any real comment. This article made me think of quite a few things, and it puts things in perspective. Hard to believe how much can change in twenty five years.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Super Bowl: Running Diary
Coming to you late, after the first Green Bay TD. As with the past few years, here comes a live commentary on the Super Bowl. This year we get to have good (Pittsburgh) versus evil (Green Bay). Again. (Chicago v Indianapolis and New Orleans v Indianapolis being the two most recent good v evil games).
7:05PM - Tough choice: ESPN's 30 for 30 on Michael Jordan's baseball career, or the Super Bowl which very well might lead to me having to watch Green Bay hoist a trophy. Just keeping a running list of the ways in which I've been hit in the stomach since 2000 is painful: Red Sox, White Sox, Cardinals, Colts, Kobe, Purdue becoming relevant, IU basketball falling apart ... that's just off the top of my head.
7:07PM - Deep throw from Big Ben, pick six. Can't have a TAINT in a game like this. Flag is on the field, but it's unsportsmanlike after the play. Not looking good for the forces of good this week. In related news, my brother finally came fully out of the sports closet, announcing his love this week for all things Green Bay, St. Louis, USC, Michigan, Indianapolis and also having a deep passion for NASCAR. It was a sad day in our family's history; we are all asking ourselves where we went wrong. I might need Robin Williams to hold me and tell me it's not my fault to get over this one.
7:10PM - Okay, 3:20 left in the first quarter, down two TDs, Green Bay has all the momentum. A documentary on Michael Jordan playing baseball is sounding pretty damn good right now. A couple of thoughts on the demise of the Bears this year, you know, while I'm ignoring this game:
- Jay Cutler could have played through the pain, and Lovie should have had Todd Collins inactive before he had him as the number two QB. I've heard the argument that it was Martz call, but I've got to remind you that Lovie is (supposedly) the head coach. It was his call, and yet another in a long list of reasons why he is terrible at his job.
- The defense really has Aaron Rodgers' number, a good sign for the future, if you believe that an aging defense can hold it together.
- We need 5 new starters on the offensive line. Not one of those guys is NFL quality, at least not starter quality.
7:13PM - Pittsburgh just keeps killing itself with penalties. Flozell Adams and Bryant McFadden are out with injuries. Not looking good. Funny that Pittsburgh's offensive line, as banged up as it is, is handling Green Bay better than Chicago did. Big Ben looks hurt after slipping. This could be a short running diary.
7:15PM - "Bad knee and all" Joe Buck says as Ben runs for a first down. If Big Ben were Jay Cutler he would already be on his way to the team hotel right now. First quarter is over, and the game is looking over. Back to Michael Jordan.
7:18PM - I've got to say, Go Daddy is always a big let down. Every year they show the commercial that promises more, and it never delivers. But, on the bright side, we have brownies.
7:20PM - Big third down conversion again for Pittsburgh. They need a touch down right here to stay in this game, particularly because Green Bay gets the ball to start the second half. Still, Baltimore was up the same amount this postseason and Pittsburgh won that one.
7:22PM - Sanders injured, gets us a Randel El sighting. Nick Collins makes a great tackle, and Pittsburgh has to settle for the field goal. Their best defense right now might be to finish Aaron Rodgers off the same way that the Bears finished off Favre. Drive him right into the turf.
7:25PM - Already starting to get a steady stream of texts from Colts fans talking crap. There really is no end to the ways in which Colts fans suck. Also, Joe Buck doing this game makes it ten times worse. In related news, my brother just held a press conference announcing his love for all things Peyton Manning.
7:30PM - I've been watching The Office lately, and I have to agree with the numbers of people who endorse the show. It's good, light comedy that keeps you thinking, but also makes you laugh. I'm up to season five right now, and it hasn't really fallen off at all, although I do see how it is running out of original plot.
7:33PM - The Volkswagen commercial with the little kid dressed up as Darth Vader makes me think of my brother. I wonder if there is still good left in him, or if all is lost. In news related to this game, Rashard Mendenhal doesn't seem to be containable, but the Steelers just keep shooting themselves in the foot with stupid penalties. The Packers are just plain hitting harder than the Steelers.
7:36PM - If I were Pittsburgh at this point I keep running it down Green Bay's throat. The Packers are doing well with coverage down field. By the way, Big Ben is absolutely showing you what a QB should do in a big game: gut it out. Why are we getting Mwelde Moore instead of Mendenhal? Another big third down (how many times will we say that today? Depends on how long Pittsburgh keeps the dream alive). WHAT A THROW by Ben to Randel El. Insane
7:39PM - It was nice of the officials to overlook that facemask on Green Bay. It's good to know you can tackle a player by grabbing his facemask again. 2nd and 11, and a timeout by Pittsburgh. Good timeout. It's essential that Pittsburgh regain momentum on this drive.
7:41PM - How many championships do you think the Bulls would have won if MJ had never retired? I think they would have won in 1999 easily (strike shortened year would have helped) and probably in 1995 if he had been there, in shape, the whole year. 1994 is the one I can't figure out. The best Knicks team of the era, as well as a really good Rockets team.
7:42PM - INT Green Bay. Not. Looking. Good.
7:43PM - At all.
7:45PM - Just when it seemed that the momentum was swinging back Pittsburgh's way, Green Bay just takes it over again. Pittsburgh needs a huge defensive play here. Someone needs to take Aaron Rodgers out of this game. Soon. TD Green Bay. By the way, that last INT would have been called off on a pass interference if Peyton Manning had been the QB who made the throw. Just saying.
7:48PM - If Pittsburgh doesn't score a TD before the end of the half this running diary might be as dead as my hopes of Green Bay losing. Another big catch by Randel El. Very nice.
7:52PM - Just for fun, let's recap my least favorite teams in all the sports I follow, and then look at what they've done recently:
- NFL: Packers and Colts - Both knocked my Bears out on the way to (what looks like) Super Bowl wins.
- MLB: Cardinals and White Sox - World Series wins in back to back years
- NBA: Pistons and Pacers - Pistons win it all; Pacers at least didn't get all the way there
- NHL: Redwings - Yeah, they've won it once or twice
- College Basketball - Purdue and Illinois - both have become more relevant than the more legendary Hoosiers basketball program
so, yeah, it hasn't exactly been a great period of time in my life as a sports fan.
7:54PM - Another tipped ball, nearly picked. Ugh. This game is a nightmare. I'm not even sure why I'm still watching it. Probably out of a real sense of depression that this might be the last football game for over one year. Big hit on Big Ben.
7:56PM - I should also mention that in College Football I can't stand Ohio State or Texas, both of which have been very prominent and have won national titles in recent history. TD Hines Ward. At least there is some life left in this team, but even the 39 seconds they left on the clock scares me at this point. That's how bad Pittsburgh's defense has been playing. What do you think the odds are in Vegas of Pittsburgh onside kicking to start the second half? You know, since that happened last year. How crazy was that play in hindsight? Even crazier than it was in the moment. What a gutsy call.
7:59PM - If I'm Green Bay I go for the jugular right now. That's a big difference between me and most of the coaches in the NFL. But they do have the ball to start the second half. Who knows. Pittsburgh's TD at the end of the half will keep me interested for the second half.
8:04PM - Okay, so watching the replays remind me that Pittsburgh really needs to run the ball up the gut, not to the outside. Bill Simmons, live from the game, tweets "how funny would it be if Ben suffered a partially torn MCL + kept playing?" Hilarious Bill. Hilarious. Bill also notes that the Steelers aren't getting any calls, which is fair, although on my end I have to admit that I have been having a harder time than usual watching the game while typing, so I am not able to accurately describe whatever is going on with the calls.
8:09PM - I'm really in shock that Fergie is still a member of the Black-Eyed Peas. I thought that ship had sailed. Here we go. Can't be worse than The Who's corpses playing last year.
8:10PM - Okay, one minute in and I take back my previous statement. Give me The Who's corpses. Please. Interesting that they didn't let any fans on the field for the show this year. Can't ever remember them not having a crowd on the field before. I'm getting very confused by this show. I can only imagine what my parents are thinking. Or my grandparents for that matter. Am I getting too old for "pop culture" already?
8:13PM - And now, a surprise appearance by Slash, from Guns n Roses. That was cool for a minute, and then Fergie started singing. And now I'm breaking down and crying. Seriously. Guns n Roses would have been a better choice here.
8:15PM - I'm thinking that they were going for a spaceship motif this year. Which is either stupid or horribly ironic, given the fact that Jerry's dome looks like a spaceship from the outside (I've heard). Now they are dropping Usher in from the ceiling. Wow. That's what real talent looks like. Seriously, the Black Eyed Peas were so bad they had to import real talent to spice it up. Hilarious.
8:17PM - This half time has been so silly that my mind is almost 100% off the game. Next guest star for the halftime show? I'm betting a famous Cowboy, or Peyton Manning. Anything to take the attention off the Black Eyed Peas. Fergie is actually just yelling at this point, not even singing.
8:20PM - I can't wait until Lady Gaga does the Super Bowl next year. I'm only half kidding. And ... thank God it's over. But it was like a trainwreck: I couldn't stop watching.
8:25PM - ESPN is now showing their 30 for 30 about the Red Sox comeback in 2004. Maybe a good sign for Pittsburgh?
8:30PM - I always love, in a game like this, when the announces try to talk themselves into the game actually being a game. Right now they are talking about how the Ward TD was a huge momentum shift. Woodson being out will help Pittsburgh a bit, if their D can step it up.
8:32PM - Wait ... what? A penalty on Green Bay? That can't be ... I'm confused. I thought we had agreed to only call penalties on Pittsburgh. I'm going to have to check on this.
8:33PM - Pittsburgh also has Sanders out, and they are missing tackles. Tomlin lit into the Steelers at the half. That's what a good coach does. Somewhere Ditka is nodding in agreement. False start on Green Bay. What? Did the Black Eyed Peas possess the officiating crew?
8:35PM - Pittsburgh has got to close on tackles better; right now Green Bay is just running around them, getting all kinds of extra yards. Poor tackling just made it 3rd and 5 instead of much longer. Holy Crap the Steelers just got lucky with that drop by James Jones. Great throw, terrible catch. Wow. Flag down after the punt ... personal foul for a facemask that did not really happen. Make up call for earlier, so we'll call it even.
8:37PM - If I were to make a top ten list of ideas that should have been dropped when a prominent person left said idea, American Idol continuing after Simon left would have to be up there. Great run up the right side by Mendenhal, but then he's slow to get up. Ugh.
8:40PM - If Pittsburgh can get a TD here this game is very much in play. Anything less makes it that much more difficult. Nice run up the left side by Redmond. Run the ball Pittsburgh, run the ball.
8:42PM - TD right up the gut. Pittsburgh can run all day on this defense. They have just got to avoid shooting themselves in the foot again. It's a game again though. Now it's the time for Pittsburgh's defense to step it up. Am I the only person who thought the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie was, um, the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie?
8:45PM - Nelson looks like he is only going to get to the ten, then gets to the 20. And now into the Super Bowl facts: no team has ever come back from more than 10 down to win a super bowl. Pittsburgh trailed by 18. Records are made to be broken, right? Boy the Steelers fans are loud right now. Good run up the gut by Green Bay. Steelers fans are making up about half of the crowd and Packers only about a quarter according to Bill Simmons.
8:48PM - Incomplete over the middle on 2nd down. Pittsburgh needs a big sack of Aaron Rodgers, just to let him know that he can be hit too. 3rd and 7 ... big play ... SACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! James Harrison!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huge play. Pittsburgh has the momentum now. Run the ball boys. Dangerous field of the punt by the Steelers, but they hold on and have the ball.
8:50PM - Other things my brother has decided to root for: global warming, Communist China, Barry Bonds and the Iranian Nuclear program. Not looking like a strong 2011 for him.
8:52PM - Pittsburgh's screens, which usually are uber-effective, have not been great today. Mike Wallace has been awful quiet today as well. 3rd and 1 for Pittsburgh after a run and a screen. Ball near midfield. Pittsburgh has to blow a huge timeout. My brother texts that he is also against cancer research. I'm going to start calling him Darth. Nice run to the right by Moore. Whew.
8:55PM - Big Ben overthrows a wide open Mike Wallace. Dang. That would have been a huge play, particularly because Green Bay bit on the play action so hard. Bummer. 2nd and 10 now ... Hines Ward picks up a first down over the middle. Good pump fake by Big Ben.
8:57PM - Wow ... Clay Matthews almost batted the ball in the air, then picked it off. Not a good play call. Why is Pittsburgh suddenly hell-bent on passing the ball, right after running it all day on Green Bay the last drive? Come on Steelers ... Miller dropped for a loss after another pass by Big Ben. This is insane.
8:59PM - 3rd and 13 ... Sacked, out of field goal range. Terrible play calling by Pittsburgh on that drive. The drive before you run it right down their throats for a TD, and this time you drop back all but the first play? Wow ... they are going for a 52 yard field goal. WAY OFF. Stupid call. Absolutely a Lovie Smith type call. You have to pooch punt that and let your D have the long field. You're only down 4.
9:01PM - Okay, let me get this straight. Chrysler literally just ran a commercial with Eminem. The rapper. I'm glad I bought a Ford.
9:02PM - Pack with great field position. And they throw deep. And now they are in Pittsburgh territory. Pittsburgh's decision to kick the field goal was yet another stupid mistake, and it switched momentum entirely. Timmons makes a good play for a loss of 3.
9:04PM - Packers now have 3rd down and eight, just inside the forty. And I just had to plug my laptop in. Not bad battery life at all. 3rd and 8 ... Steelers time out. They had better get a stop after wasting that timeout as well. This is the Super Bowl and they have only one timeout left in the second half. Seriously, did Lovie Smith possess Mike Tomlin? Can we get someone down to the sideline to perform an exorcism? Dubya is qualified. Please?
9:06PM - Here we go ... Polamalu just missed an interception. Green Bay will punt rather than risk giving Pittsburgh good field position. See, that's how you do it Lovie possessed Mike Tomlin. In other news, Joe Buck thinks all the momentum is going for Pittsburgh. Did he miss that field goal attempt? Is he blind? Or is he about to tell me that stupid is as stupid does? Now the Steelers run it.
9:08PM - Pittsburgh has, thus far, been incapable of putting two good halves together this postseason. They were awful in the first half against Baltimore and the second half against New York, and were good in the opposing halfs. They were awful in the first half today, and are winning this half thus far. Time will tell if it is going to bite them in the rear finally, but it's interesting to note. Ben overthrows Wallace again, and Pittsburgh must punt, with poor field position. Momentum Joe Buck? I'll take your momentum and raise you field position. This is where Aaron Rodgers kills you, especially if this becomes a stupid penalty on Pittsburgh ... but it is going to go against Green Bay instead. What a moron, hitting the Steeler in the head like that. Field position just got switched.
9:10PM - As we get to the end of the 3rd quarter, one still has to wonder if Pittsburgh is in the process of killing themselves, but they are undeniably still in this game. Rodgers looks a little off on that throw, going just behind the receiver. Pittsburgh needs to keep field position here, they can't allow Green Bay to flip the field. 2nd and 10 for Green Bay ... good pressure by Pittsburgh. 3rd and 10 ... RULED INCOMPLETE. Wow. I bet we are going to get a challenge here. This is a huge play, and a huge call. The ruling on the field being incomplete is huge here, but here comes the challenge flag. Walt Anderson has his mic on for a few minutes. That was almost really entertaining. Looks like it could go either way to me, but I disagree that it was a down by contact under any interpretation. I agree with the challenge, because this is a big moment for field position. The entire FOX booth of brilliant minds says that the call will stand. That doesn't bode well for the call standing.
9:16PM - And the ruling is ... confirmed! Nice. I'd go after this punt here, trying to block it. But I'm uber aggressive in my play calling. 4 punts by Green Bay in the 3rd quarter. Looks like Pittsburgh's defense figured something out. Penalty flag thrown back at the line of scrimmage. This is another tough call as to whether to re-punt or to add the 5 yards on to the end of the run. It was a good return, but Pittsburgh chooses to re-kick. We'll see if this works out ... Pittsburgh gets better field position. Can't believe Brown didn't signal a fair catch there, but he didn't. Good field postion makes this a must score drive.
9:20PM - Time for one play before the end of the quarter, and Mendenhal runs tough to the right side, out of bounds. Enter the fourth quarter. Joe Buck says "Superbowl 45 is going to come down to the final quarter." Joe, has a Superbowl ever not come down to the 4th quarter? Have they ever just stopped after 3 quarters and called it a game? It makes more sense to say "will be close heading into the fourth quarter," right?
9:25PM - And there was the big Mendenhal fumble everyone was talking about before this game. Wow. Backbreaker there. Now Green Bay has a chance to essentially finish Pittsburgh. First pass incomplete. Pittsburgh has to hold right here if they want to keep the dream alive. Good tackle by Polamalu. Pittsburgh now has 3 turnovers, plus the defacto fourth turnover on that terrible field goal attempt. 3rd and 7 ... Green Bay hurries to the line quickly. Good non challenge. If Pittsburgh can hold Green Bay to a field goal they are alive, but if they hold them without scoring field position stinks. No win situation right now Steelers fans.
9:28PM - "Nelson drops another." I can't hear that enough tonight. Big 3rd and 10 here. Can Pittsburgh get pressure on Rodgers? No; Nelson turns up field, and Green Bay is knocking on the door of the endzone. Mendenhal's inability to take care of the ball probably just cost Pittsburgh a Super Bowl. Big sack, but probably too little too late.
9:30PM - Touch Down Green Bay. That, sports fans, is probably the game. You can't expect to shoot yourselves in the foot that many times and still win. Poor execution by Pittsburgh is going to let the lesser team win. Too bad.
9:35PM - Tom Brady won his second MVP award today, the first in NFL history to be won unanimously. At least I was right that he wasn't done. I got one thing right. The way this game is going a lockout doesn't sound so bad...
9:37PM - Bowser states that he didn't know that Cutler was traded to Pittsburgh for today's game. Amen. He also states that he could never root for Green Bay. That's because he's a true Bears fan.
9:39PM - This is shaping up like a game that will make me need to play Madden football all night to work off the angst. I don't know what will be worse if the Packers win: them winning, or Mike McCarthy becoming a Super Bowl calibur coach. Another hold, but this one wasn't even close to being a hold. Terrible call. Another screen goes nowhere. Ugh.
9:41PM - Big pick up on 2nd and 18 leaves a manageable 3rd and 3. A big play here, as a TD is pretty essential to regain any momentum. TD WALLACE! Still a game. Man, if only Pittsburgh hadn't decided to turn the ball over three times they would have killed this Packers team today. Instead, they will probably lose. Can't beat yourself. Interesting choice going for two. Shotgun formation. Big play. PITCH TO RANDEL EL. HOOSIERS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:43PM - Again, I have to remind you that there is NOTHING MORE TO SEE on the GoDaddy website. They lie to you. They just try to sell you on their product.
9:45PM - If you were in the Dallas stadium right now would you be watching the field or the huge TV. I feel like you'd be watching the TV. Pittsburgh is going to need some stellar defense right about now. In other news, Pittsburgh just moved this game into a push. Vegas is sweating right now.
9:47PM - That was a pretty impressive blitz that Pittsburgh unleashed, but they are going to need plenty more like that if they are going to get back in this game. 2nd down, empty backfield for Green Bay; pick up of nine. It seems to me that Pittsburgh can't matchup against five receivers. 3rd and 5 ... false start for Green Bay. Pittsburgh's fans have really shown up for this game. Green Bay has called 37 passes to 9 runs to this point. Third and ten now ... Damn. Great play to Jennings. He got right by the bump and that was what made that play. Green Bay has Pittsburgh looking done now.
9:53PM - Pittsburgh has dominated this game; Time of possession, yards, everything except turnovers. Pittsburgh needs a turnover now. Having blown two timeouts earlier is also a killer at this point. Green Bay is acting like they own this defense right now. Yet another easy first down via pass.
9:55PM - At least Pittsburgh kept it interesting enough for me to finish this running diary. I'm sure the millions of my fans would have been crushed if they hadn't. 2nd and goal ... from the seven ... down to the five, third and goal. If I'm Green Bay I'm tossing it into the end zone here. Go for the outright win. Incomplete, and here comes the field goal. Nelson has as many drops as he's had big catchs today. Chip shot for Mason Crosby ... dead red. 2:07 left, one timeout, Pittsburgh down six. Even as bad of a game as he's had, this is the thing that legends are made of for Big Ben.
9:59PM - After it all, can Pittsburgh really overcome their own mistakes to win this game? Can we avoid Green Bay joining the ever growing list of teams I hate winning? The drive will start much further back because of yet another Pittsburgh mistake. A personal foul will move this drive's starting position all the way back. One timeout, and coming off yet another mistake. Man Pittsburgh has killed themselves in this game. They've got nobody to blame but themselves. In other news, "Terra.Nova" looks like a show that I would like, but will be canceled after half a season. Get back to me if they make it to season three.
10:03PM - Starting at the 13 instead of the 27, here comes an empty backfield. Heath Miller picks up the first down. Next play ... short completion, but lots of time is running off the clock. already down to 1:16 ... thrown away. Here comes the third down play ... huge overthrow.
10:05PM - Well, Steelers fans, here it is. Fourth and five. One play left. 56 seconds. They break the huddle with an empty backfield. Incompletion on what should have been a pass interference. But I get why the refs don't throw the flag; you never want to make that call if you're the ref. And so, signing off, Green Bay Sucks.
7:05PM - Tough choice: ESPN's 30 for 30 on Michael Jordan's baseball career, or the Super Bowl which very well might lead to me having to watch Green Bay hoist a trophy. Just keeping a running list of the ways in which I've been hit in the stomach since 2000 is painful: Red Sox, White Sox, Cardinals, Colts, Kobe, Purdue becoming relevant, IU basketball falling apart ... that's just off the top of my head.
7:07PM - Deep throw from Big Ben, pick six. Can't have a TAINT in a game like this. Flag is on the field, but it's unsportsmanlike after the play. Not looking good for the forces of good this week. In related news, my brother finally came fully out of the sports closet, announcing his love this week for all things Green Bay, St. Louis, USC, Michigan, Indianapolis and also having a deep passion for NASCAR. It was a sad day in our family's history; we are all asking ourselves where we went wrong. I might need Robin Williams to hold me and tell me it's not my fault to get over this one.
7:10PM - Okay, 3:20 left in the first quarter, down two TDs, Green Bay has all the momentum. A documentary on Michael Jordan playing baseball is sounding pretty damn good right now. A couple of thoughts on the demise of the Bears this year, you know, while I'm ignoring this game:
- Jay Cutler could have played through the pain, and Lovie should have had Todd Collins inactive before he had him as the number two QB. I've heard the argument that it was Martz call, but I've got to remind you that Lovie is (supposedly) the head coach. It was his call, and yet another in a long list of reasons why he is terrible at his job.
- The defense really has Aaron Rodgers' number, a good sign for the future, if you believe that an aging defense can hold it together.
- We need 5 new starters on the offensive line. Not one of those guys is NFL quality, at least not starter quality.
7:13PM - Pittsburgh just keeps killing itself with penalties. Flozell Adams and Bryant McFadden are out with injuries. Not looking good. Funny that Pittsburgh's offensive line, as banged up as it is, is handling Green Bay better than Chicago did. Big Ben looks hurt after slipping. This could be a short running diary.
7:15PM - "Bad knee and all" Joe Buck says as Ben runs for a first down. If Big Ben were Jay Cutler he would already be on his way to the team hotel right now. First quarter is over, and the game is looking over. Back to Michael Jordan.
7:18PM - I've got to say, Go Daddy is always a big let down. Every year they show the commercial that promises more, and it never delivers. But, on the bright side, we have brownies.
7:20PM - Big third down conversion again for Pittsburgh. They need a touch down right here to stay in this game, particularly because Green Bay gets the ball to start the second half. Still, Baltimore was up the same amount this postseason and Pittsburgh won that one.
7:22PM - Sanders injured, gets us a Randel El sighting. Nick Collins makes a great tackle, and Pittsburgh has to settle for the field goal. Their best defense right now might be to finish Aaron Rodgers off the same way that the Bears finished off Favre. Drive him right into the turf.
7:25PM - Already starting to get a steady stream of texts from Colts fans talking crap. There really is no end to the ways in which Colts fans suck. Also, Joe Buck doing this game makes it ten times worse. In related news, my brother just held a press conference announcing his love for all things Peyton Manning.
7:30PM - I've been watching The Office lately, and I have to agree with the numbers of people who endorse the show. It's good, light comedy that keeps you thinking, but also makes you laugh. I'm up to season five right now, and it hasn't really fallen off at all, although I do see how it is running out of original plot.
7:33PM - The Volkswagen commercial with the little kid dressed up as Darth Vader makes me think of my brother. I wonder if there is still good left in him, or if all is lost. In news related to this game, Rashard Mendenhal doesn't seem to be containable, but the Steelers just keep shooting themselves in the foot with stupid penalties. The Packers are just plain hitting harder than the Steelers.
7:36PM - If I were Pittsburgh at this point I keep running it down Green Bay's throat. The Packers are doing well with coverage down field. By the way, Big Ben is absolutely showing you what a QB should do in a big game: gut it out. Why are we getting Mwelde Moore instead of Mendenhal? Another big third down (how many times will we say that today? Depends on how long Pittsburgh keeps the dream alive). WHAT A THROW by Ben to Randel El. Insane
7:39PM - It was nice of the officials to overlook that facemask on Green Bay. It's good to know you can tackle a player by grabbing his facemask again. 2nd and 11, and a timeout by Pittsburgh. Good timeout. It's essential that Pittsburgh regain momentum on this drive.
7:41PM - How many championships do you think the Bulls would have won if MJ had never retired? I think they would have won in 1999 easily (strike shortened year would have helped) and probably in 1995 if he had been there, in shape, the whole year. 1994 is the one I can't figure out. The best Knicks team of the era, as well as a really good Rockets team.
7:42PM - INT Green Bay. Not. Looking. Good.
7:43PM - At all.
7:45PM - Just when it seemed that the momentum was swinging back Pittsburgh's way, Green Bay just takes it over again. Pittsburgh needs a huge defensive play here. Someone needs to take Aaron Rodgers out of this game. Soon. TD Green Bay. By the way, that last INT would have been called off on a pass interference if Peyton Manning had been the QB who made the throw. Just saying.
7:48PM - If Pittsburgh doesn't score a TD before the end of the half this running diary might be as dead as my hopes of Green Bay losing. Another big catch by Randel El. Very nice.
7:52PM - Just for fun, let's recap my least favorite teams in all the sports I follow, and then look at what they've done recently:
- NFL: Packers and Colts - Both knocked my Bears out on the way to (what looks like) Super Bowl wins.
- MLB: Cardinals and White Sox - World Series wins in back to back years
- NBA: Pistons and Pacers - Pistons win it all; Pacers at least didn't get all the way there
- NHL: Redwings - Yeah, they've won it once or twice
- College Basketball - Purdue and Illinois - both have become more relevant than the more legendary Hoosiers basketball program
so, yeah, it hasn't exactly been a great period of time in my life as a sports fan.
7:54PM - Another tipped ball, nearly picked. Ugh. This game is a nightmare. I'm not even sure why I'm still watching it. Probably out of a real sense of depression that this might be the last football game for over one year. Big hit on Big Ben.
7:56PM - I should also mention that in College Football I can't stand Ohio State or Texas, both of which have been very prominent and have won national titles in recent history. TD Hines Ward. At least there is some life left in this team, but even the 39 seconds they left on the clock scares me at this point. That's how bad Pittsburgh's defense has been playing. What do you think the odds are in Vegas of Pittsburgh onside kicking to start the second half? You know, since that happened last year. How crazy was that play in hindsight? Even crazier than it was in the moment. What a gutsy call.
7:59PM - If I'm Green Bay I go for the jugular right now. That's a big difference between me and most of the coaches in the NFL. But they do have the ball to start the second half. Who knows. Pittsburgh's TD at the end of the half will keep me interested for the second half.
8:04PM - Okay, so watching the replays remind me that Pittsburgh really needs to run the ball up the gut, not to the outside. Bill Simmons, live from the game, tweets "how funny would it be if Ben suffered a partially torn MCL + kept playing?" Hilarious Bill. Hilarious. Bill also notes that the Steelers aren't getting any calls, which is fair, although on my end I have to admit that I have been having a harder time than usual watching the game while typing, so I am not able to accurately describe whatever is going on with the calls.
8:09PM - I'm really in shock that Fergie is still a member of the Black-Eyed Peas. I thought that ship had sailed. Here we go. Can't be worse than The Who's corpses playing last year.
8:10PM - Okay, one minute in and I take back my previous statement. Give me The Who's corpses. Please. Interesting that they didn't let any fans on the field for the show this year. Can't ever remember them not having a crowd on the field before. I'm getting very confused by this show. I can only imagine what my parents are thinking. Or my grandparents for that matter. Am I getting too old for "pop culture" already?
8:13PM - And now, a surprise appearance by Slash, from Guns n Roses. That was cool for a minute, and then Fergie started singing. And now I'm breaking down and crying. Seriously. Guns n Roses would have been a better choice here.
8:15PM - I'm thinking that they were going for a spaceship motif this year. Which is either stupid or horribly ironic, given the fact that Jerry's dome looks like a spaceship from the outside (I've heard). Now they are dropping Usher in from the ceiling. Wow. That's what real talent looks like. Seriously, the Black Eyed Peas were so bad they had to import real talent to spice it up. Hilarious.
8:17PM - This half time has been so silly that my mind is almost 100% off the game. Next guest star for the halftime show? I'm betting a famous Cowboy, or Peyton Manning. Anything to take the attention off the Black Eyed Peas. Fergie is actually just yelling at this point, not even singing.
8:20PM - I can't wait until Lady Gaga does the Super Bowl next year. I'm only half kidding. And ... thank God it's over. But it was like a trainwreck: I couldn't stop watching.
8:25PM - ESPN is now showing their 30 for 30 about the Red Sox comeback in 2004. Maybe a good sign for Pittsburgh?
8:30PM - I always love, in a game like this, when the announces try to talk themselves into the game actually being a game. Right now they are talking about how the Ward TD was a huge momentum shift. Woodson being out will help Pittsburgh a bit, if their D can step it up.
8:32PM - Wait ... what? A penalty on Green Bay? That can't be ... I'm confused. I thought we had agreed to only call penalties on Pittsburgh. I'm going to have to check on this.
8:33PM - Pittsburgh also has Sanders out, and they are missing tackles. Tomlin lit into the Steelers at the half. That's what a good coach does. Somewhere Ditka is nodding in agreement. False start on Green Bay. What? Did the Black Eyed Peas possess the officiating crew?
8:35PM - Pittsburgh has got to close on tackles better; right now Green Bay is just running around them, getting all kinds of extra yards. Poor tackling just made it 3rd and 5 instead of much longer. Holy Crap the Steelers just got lucky with that drop by James Jones. Great throw, terrible catch. Wow. Flag down after the punt ... personal foul for a facemask that did not really happen. Make up call for earlier, so we'll call it even.
8:37PM - If I were to make a top ten list of ideas that should have been dropped when a prominent person left said idea, American Idol continuing after Simon left would have to be up there. Great run up the right side by Mendenhal, but then he's slow to get up. Ugh.
8:40PM - If Pittsburgh can get a TD here this game is very much in play. Anything less makes it that much more difficult. Nice run up the left side by Redmond. Run the ball Pittsburgh, run the ball.
8:42PM - TD right up the gut. Pittsburgh can run all day on this defense. They have just got to avoid shooting themselves in the foot again. It's a game again though. Now it's the time for Pittsburgh's defense to step it up. Am I the only person who thought the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie was, um, the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie?
8:45PM - Nelson looks like he is only going to get to the ten, then gets to the 20. And now into the Super Bowl facts: no team has ever come back from more than 10 down to win a super bowl. Pittsburgh trailed by 18. Records are made to be broken, right? Boy the Steelers fans are loud right now. Good run up the gut by Green Bay. Steelers fans are making up about half of the crowd and Packers only about a quarter according to Bill Simmons.
8:48PM - Incomplete over the middle on 2nd down. Pittsburgh needs a big sack of Aaron Rodgers, just to let him know that he can be hit too. 3rd and 7 ... big play ... SACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! James Harrison!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huge play. Pittsburgh has the momentum now. Run the ball boys. Dangerous field of the punt by the Steelers, but they hold on and have the ball.
8:50PM - Other things my brother has decided to root for: global warming, Communist China, Barry Bonds and the Iranian Nuclear program. Not looking like a strong 2011 for him.
8:52PM - Pittsburgh's screens, which usually are uber-effective, have not been great today. Mike Wallace has been awful quiet today as well. 3rd and 1 for Pittsburgh after a run and a screen. Ball near midfield. Pittsburgh has to blow a huge timeout. My brother texts that he is also against cancer research. I'm going to start calling him Darth. Nice run to the right by Moore. Whew.
8:55PM - Big Ben overthrows a wide open Mike Wallace. Dang. That would have been a huge play, particularly because Green Bay bit on the play action so hard. Bummer. 2nd and 10 now ... Hines Ward picks up a first down over the middle. Good pump fake by Big Ben.
8:57PM - Wow ... Clay Matthews almost batted the ball in the air, then picked it off. Not a good play call. Why is Pittsburgh suddenly hell-bent on passing the ball, right after running it all day on Green Bay the last drive? Come on Steelers ... Miller dropped for a loss after another pass by Big Ben. This is insane.
8:59PM - 3rd and 13 ... Sacked, out of field goal range. Terrible play calling by Pittsburgh on that drive. The drive before you run it right down their throats for a TD, and this time you drop back all but the first play? Wow ... they are going for a 52 yard field goal. WAY OFF. Stupid call. Absolutely a Lovie Smith type call. You have to pooch punt that and let your D have the long field. You're only down 4.
9:01PM - Okay, let me get this straight. Chrysler literally just ran a commercial with Eminem. The rapper. I'm glad I bought a Ford.
9:02PM - Pack with great field position. And they throw deep. And now they are in Pittsburgh territory. Pittsburgh's decision to kick the field goal was yet another stupid mistake, and it switched momentum entirely. Timmons makes a good play for a loss of 3.
9:04PM - Packers now have 3rd down and eight, just inside the forty. And I just had to plug my laptop in. Not bad battery life at all. 3rd and 8 ... Steelers time out. They had better get a stop after wasting that timeout as well. This is the Super Bowl and they have only one timeout left in the second half. Seriously, did Lovie Smith possess Mike Tomlin? Can we get someone down to the sideline to perform an exorcism? Dubya is qualified. Please?
9:06PM - Here we go ... Polamalu just missed an interception. Green Bay will punt rather than risk giving Pittsburgh good field position. See, that's how you do it Lovie possessed Mike Tomlin. In other news, Joe Buck thinks all the momentum is going for Pittsburgh. Did he miss that field goal attempt? Is he blind? Or is he about to tell me that stupid is as stupid does? Now the Steelers run it.
9:08PM - Pittsburgh has, thus far, been incapable of putting two good halves together this postseason. They were awful in the first half against Baltimore and the second half against New York, and were good in the opposing halfs. They were awful in the first half today, and are winning this half thus far. Time will tell if it is going to bite them in the rear finally, but it's interesting to note. Ben overthrows Wallace again, and Pittsburgh must punt, with poor field position. Momentum Joe Buck? I'll take your momentum and raise you field position. This is where Aaron Rodgers kills you, especially if this becomes a stupid penalty on Pittsburgh ... but it is going to go against Green Bay instead. What a moron, hitting the Steeler in the head like that. Field position just got switched.
9:10PM - As we get to the end of the 3rd quarter, one still has to wonder if Pittsburgh is in the process of killing themselves, but they are undeniably still in this game. Rodgers looks a little off on that throw, going just behind the receiver. Pittsburgh needs to keep field position here, they can't allow Green Bay to flip the field. 2nd and 10 for Green Bay ... good pressure by Pittsburgh. 3rd and 10 ... RULED INCOMPLETE. Wow. I bet we are going to get a challenge here. This is a huge play, and a huge call. The ruling on the field being incomplete is huge here, but here comes the challenge flag. Walt Anderson has his mic on for a few minutes. That was almost really entertaining. Looks like it could go either way to me, but I disagree that it was a down by contact under any interpretation. I agree with the challenge, because this is a big moment for field position. The entire FOX booth of brilliant minds says that the call will stand. That doesn't bode well for the call standing.
9:16PM - And the ruling is ... confirmed! Nice. I'd go after this punt here, trying to block it. But I'm uber aggressive in my play calling. 4 punts by Green Bay in the 3rd quarter. Looks like Pittsburgh's defense figured something out. Penalty flag thrown back at the line of scrimmage. This is another tough call as to whether to re-punt or to add the 5 yards on to the end of the run. It was a good return, but Pittsburgh chooses to re-kick. We'll see if this works out ... Pittsburgh gets better field position. Can't believe Brown didn't signal a fair catch there, but he didn't. Good field postion makes this a must score drive.
9:20PM - Time for one play before the end of the quarter, and Mendenhal runs tough to the right side, out of bounds. Enter the fourth quarter. Joe Buck says "Superbowl 45 is going to come down to the final quarter." Joe, has a Superbowl ever not come down to the 4th quarter? Have they ever just stopped after 3 quarters and called it a game? It makes more sense to say "will be close heading into the fourth quarter," right?
9:25PM - And there was the big Mendenhal fumble everyone was talking about before this game. Wow. Backbreaker there. Now Green Bay has a chance to essentially finish Pittsburgh. First pass incomplete. Pittsburgh has to hold right here if they want to keep the dream alive. Good tackle by Polamalu. Pittsburgh now has 3 turnovers, plus the defacto fourth turnover on that terrible field goal attempt. 3rd and 7 ... Green Bay hurries to the line quickly. Good non challenge. If Pittsburgh can hold Green Bay to a field goal they are alive, but if they hold them without scoring field position stinks. No win situation right now Steelers fans.
9:28PM - "Nelson drops another." I can't hear that enough tonight. Big 3rd and 10 here. Can Pittsburgh get pressure on Rodgers? No; Nelson turns up field, and Green Bay is knocking on the door of the endzone. Mendenhal's inability to take care of the ball probably just cost Pittsburgh a Super Bowl. Big sack, but probably too little too late.
9:30PM - Touch Down Green Bay. That, sports fans, is probably the game. You can't expect to shoot yourselves in the foot that many times and still win. Poor execution by Pittsburgh is going to let the lesser team win. Too bad.
9:35PM - Tom Brady won his second MVP award today, the first in NFL history to be won unanimously. At least I was right that he wasn't done. I got one thing right. The way this game is going a lockout doesn't sound so bad...
9:37PM - Bowser states that he didn't know that Cutler was traded to Pittsburgh for today's game. Amen. He also states that he could never root for Green Bay. That's because he's a true Bears fan.
9:39PM - This is shaping up like a game that will make me need to play Madden football all night to work off the angst. I don't know what will be worse if the Packers win: them winning, or Mike McCarthy becoming a Super Bowl calibur coach. Another hold, but this one wasn't even close to being a hold. Terrible call. Another screen goes nowhere. Ugh.
9:41PM - Big pick up on 2nd and 18 leaves a manageable 3rd and 3. A big play here, as a TD is pretty essential to regain any momentum. TD WALLACE! Still a game. Man, if only Pittsburgh hadn't decided to turn the ball over three times they would have killed this Packers team today. Instead, they will probably lose. Can't beat yourself. Interesting choice going for two. Shotgun formation. Big play. PITCH TO RANDEL EL. HOOSIERS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:43PM - Again, I have to remind you that there is NOTHING MORE TO SEE on the GoDaddy website. They lie to you. They just try to sell you on their product.
9:45PM - If you were in the Dallas stadium right now would you be watching the field or the huge TV. I feel like you'd be watching the TV. Pittsburgh is going to need some stellar defense right about now. In other news, Pittsburgh just moved this game into a push. Vegas is sweating right now.
9:47PM - That was a pretty impressive blitz that Pittsburgh unleashed, but they are going to need plenty more like that if they are going to get back in this game. 2nd down, empty backfield for Green Bay; pick up of nine. It seems to me that Pittsburgh can't matchup against five receivers. 3rd and 5 ... false start for Green Bay. Pittsburgh's fans have really shown up for this game. Green Bay has called 37 passes to 9 runs to this point. Third and ten now ... Damn. Great play to Jennings. He got right by the bump and that was what made that play. Green Bay has Pittsburgh looking done now.
9:53PM - Pittsburgh has dominated this game; Time of possession, yards, everything except turnovers. Pittsburgh needs a turnover now. Having blown two timeouts earlier is also a killer at this point. Green Bay is acting like they own this defense right now. Yet another easy first down via pass.
9:55PM - At least Pittsburgh kept it interesting enough for me to finish this running diary. I'm sure the millions of my fans would have been crushed if they hadn't. 2nd and goal ... from the seven ... down to the five, third and goal. If I'm Green Bay I'm tossing it into the end zone here. Go for the outright win. Incomplete, and here comes the field goal. Nelson has as many drops as he's had big catchs today. Chip shot for Mason Crosby ... dead red. 2:07 left, one timeout, Pittsburgh down six. Even as bad of a game as he's had, this is the thing that legends are made of for Big Ben.
9:59PM - After it all, can Pittsburgh really overcome their own mistakes to win this game? Can we avoid Green Bay joining the ever growing list of teams I hate winning? The drive will start much further back because of yet another Pittsburgh mistake. A personal foul will move this drive's starting position all the way back. One timeout, and coming off yet another mistake. Man Pittsburgh has killed themselves in this game. They've got nobody to blame but themselves. In other news, "Terra.Nova" looks like a show that I would like, but will be canceled after half a season. Get back to me if they make it to season three.
10:03PM - Starting at the 13 instead of the 27, here comes an empty backfield. Heath Miller picks up the first down. Next play ... short completion, but lots of time is running off the clock. already down to 1:16 ... thrown away. Here comes the third down play ... huge overthrow.
10:05PM - Well, Steelers fans, here it is. Fourth and five. One play left. 56 seconds. They break the huddle with an empty backfield. Incompletion on what should have been a pass interference. But I get why the refs don't throw the flag; you never want to make that call if you're the ref. And so, signing off, Green Bay Sucks.
Super Bowl Sunday
After taking two weeks to digest the latest stink bomb dropped on my heart by Lovie and company, my breakdown of the Superbowl seems very anticlimactic. Still, here it is. Keep in mind that I enter this game with a 12-8 record (combining picks against the spread and straight up). Time to break it down, spot by spot.
Quarterbacks: The edge is tough to define here. In the one corner you have the hottest QB in the NFL today, Aaron Rodgers. In the other corner, a two time Super Bowl champion, Ben Roethlisberger. Both QBs are adept at making plays on the run, out of the pocket, which is good for both teams since neither offensive line is great. At the end of the day I think Rodgers is more banged up than Big Ben, and he certainly didn't look great in the second half against the Bears. Scoring this like a boxing round: Big Ben 10 - Rodgers 9.
Running Games: Not even close here. Green Bay employs a bunch of overrated nobodies, while Pittsburgh has Mendenhal and Moore, as well as Redmond, who can all do well in their respective areas. This might be a bit closer if Ryan Grant were healthy. Steelers 10 - Packers 8
Wide Receivers: This, again, is close. The Packers have a slight edge in supposed number ones, with Jennings being better than the aging (albeit gritty) Hines Ward. But that leaves an advantage for Pittsburgh in Mike Wallace over the aging (and not gritty) Donald Driver. Pittsburgh has young wide receivers who have done well; Green Bay has unheralded wide receivers who make big catches. This comes down to one name, however: Randel El. Edge goes to Pittsburgh based on the super utility Hoosier. Steelers 10 - Packers 9
Tight Ends: Heath Miller trumps it here, only because Finley is out with an injury. Steelers 10 - Packers 9.
Offensive Lines: Pittsburgh was horribly banged up heading into the Championship game; with Pouncey likely out this goes heavily in Green Bay's favor. Even if their line isn't exactly impenetrable, it's much better than Pittsburgh's. Packers 10 - Steelers 7.
Defensive Line: With Aaron Smith out for Pittsburgh they lose some depth, but Green Bay has been beaten up all year. Pittsburgh has the edge in experience, with the ageless Casey Hampton clogging the middle, and Bret Kiesel's beard doing the work of two men at end. But Green Bay has the impact player here: B.J. Raji. Slight edge to the Pack. Packers 10 - Steelers 9.
Linebackers: Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk are good. But Farrior, Woodley, Harrison and Timmons are other worldly. Pass rushing, dropping into coverage ... Pittsburgh's linebackers as a group are better than Green Bay's linebackers. Steelers 10 - Packers 9.
Secondary: Polamalu being healthy makes this close, but Green Bay has an entire secondary that can make plays. Their corners are just better than Pittsburgh's. Green Bay 10 - Steelers 9
Special Teams: The Packers have one of the worst special teams units in the league, but the Steelers have a kicker who doesn't inspire confidence. This is an ugly draw: Steelers 10 - Packers 10.
Coaching: Now we get down to it: I trust Mike Tomlin more than Mike McCarthy. By a long shot. Pittsburgh also has a better overall coaching staff. McCarthy is much more likely to make a "Lovie Smith Memorial 'Why the HELL did he do that?!?!?!?'" call than Tomlin is. Steelers 10 - Packers 8.
So, adding it up:
Pittsburgh: 95
Green Bay: 92
It should be a close game, but the slight edge goes to Pittsburgh. The line is Green Bay (-3) v Pittsburgh.
The Pick: Pittsburgh (+3) over Green Bay / Pittsburgh 27 Green Bay 21
Until next year (or the year after, lockout pending)...
Quarterbacks: The edge is tough to define here. In the one corner you have the hottest QB in the NFL today, Aaron Rodgers. In the other corner, a two time Super Bowl champion, Ben Roethlisberger. Both QBs are adept at making plays on the run, out of the pocket, which is good for both teams since neither offensive line is great. At the end of the day I think Rodgers is more banged up than Big Ben, and he certainly didn't look great in the second half against the Bears. Scoring this like a boxing round: Big Ben 10 - Rodgers 9.
Running Games: Not even close here. Green Bay employs a bunch of overrated nobodies, while Pittsburgh has Mendenhal and Moore, as well as Redmond, who can all do well in their respective areas. This might be a bit closer if Ryan Grant were healthy. Steelers 10 - Packers 8
Wide Receivers: This, again, is close. The Packers have a slight edge in supposed number ones, with Jennings being better than the aging (albeit gritty) Hines Ward. But that leaves an advantage for Pittsburgh in Mike Wallace over the aging (and not gritty) Donald Driver. Pittsburgh has young wide receivers who have done well; Green Bay has unheralded wide receivers who make big catches. This comes down to one name, however: Randel El. Edge goes to Pittsburgh based on the super utility Hoosier. Steelers 10 - Packers 9
Tight Ends: Heath Miller trumps it here, only because Finley is out with an injury. Steelers 10 - Packers 9.
Offensive Lines: Pittsburgh was horribly banged up heading into the Championship game; with Pouncey likely out this goes heavily in Green Bay's favor. Even if their line isn't exactly impenetrable, it's much better than Pittsburgh's. Packers 10 - Steelers 7.
Defensive Line: With Aaron Smith out for Pittsburgh they lose some depth, but Green Bay has been beaten up all year. Pittsburgh has the edge in experience, with the ageless Casey Hampton clogging the middle, and Bret Kiesel's beard doing the work of two men at end. But Green Bay has the impact player here: B.J. Raji. Slight edge to the Pack. Packers 10 - Steelers 9.
Linebackers: Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk are good. But Farrior, Woodley, Harrison and Timmons are other worldly. Pass rushing, dropping into coverage ... Pittsburgh's linebackers as a group are better than Green Bay's linebackers. Steelers 10 - Packers 9.
Secondary: Polamalu being healthy makes this close, but Green Bay has an entire secondary that can make plays. Their corners are just better than Pittsburgh's. Green Bay 10 - Steelers 9
Special Teams: The Packers have one of the worst special teams units in the league, but the Steelers have a kicker who doesn't inspire confidence. This is an ugly draw: Steelers 10 - Packers 10.
Coaching: Now we get down to it: I trust Mike Tomlin more than Mike McCarthy. By a long shot. Pittsburgh also has a better overall coaching staff. McCarthy is much more likely to make a "Lovie Smith Memorial 'Why the HELL did he do that?!?!?!?'" call than Tomlin is. Steelers 10 - Packers 8.
So, adding it up:
Pittsburgh: 95
Green Bay: 92
It should be a close game, but the slight edge goes to Pittsburgh. The line is Green Bay (-3) v Pittsburgh.
The Pick: Pittsburgh (+3) over Green Bay / Pittsburgh 27 Green Bay 21
Until next year (or the year after, lockout pending)...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)