2008 NFL Season

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:53 pm

Hall of Fame class is out

Bruce Smith
Rod Woodson
Randall McDaniel
Derrick Thomas
Bob Hayes
Ralph Wilson

Smith, Woodson and McDaniel seem fair enough, never saw Hayes play though I've read about his impact. Wilson is an owner, so is this his reward for keeping the Bills in Buffalo ? Thomas is a little more tricky...lots of sacks, very good player, but HoF ?

It always seems to me, maybe unfairly, that the most telling thing about him is that 1990 Seattle game that is always quoted. Yeah, 7 sacks of Dave Krieg. Yeah, he nearly got 8. But yeah, Krieg escaped and threw the winning TD. Nearly..nearly....nearly.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:34 pm

Wilson was an original AFLer, no? To some extent, most of those original AFL owners should be recognized, I think.

And once again no Russ Grimm. What a joke. After last year with Monk and Green, they and Riggins are the only ones from those great Gibbs teams to be in, and that is a total farce. Everyone knows that as good as the skill players were, the O-line was the best part of that team, and Grimm and Jacoby the best part of that line.

Well, that Petitbone D was pretty damn good too, and I still think Dave Butz and a few others should be in, but whatever.

Oh well. Maybe next year.

Now I think I am rooting for the Cards tomorrow if only just for Grimm. But we'll see how I go once the game starts.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:39 pm

Ralph Wilson is an icon, a worthy edition to the HoF.

Unlike many Johnny-come-lately owners in the NFL, Wilson is a football man through and through. He didn't buy the team as an investment; it wasn't some sort of tax writeoff. Cut the man open, and you'll find pebble-grained leather.

Wilson is the only owner in Bills' history and was one of the founding owners of the AFL. He also has produced one of the most successful "small market" franchises in pro football history, as the Bills made the AFL playoffs for four consecutive seasons, from 1963-66, winning the AFL title in 1965, the year before the first Super Bowl. And he was the overlord of the Bills' incredible run to four consecutive Super Bowls.

Ralph Wilson may not get the publicity of the Rooney family in Pittsburgh or the late Lamar Hunt in Kansas City, but he has been just as instrumental in the growth and success of professional football as those two pillars.

A well-deserved HoF spot for an amazing guy.

Take care,
PK

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:15 pm

Grimm and Richard Dent should both be in. Shame.

Tomorrow? I'm guessing 31-10 Steelers.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:30 pm

RobVarak wrote:Grimm and Richard Dent should both be in. Shame.

Tomorrow? I'm guessing 31-10 Steelers.

Agree on both Dent and Grimm.

As for sunday Ill say 44-20 Steelers.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:35 pm

27-24, Cardinals

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:22 pm

Ari 27, Pitt 21

Let's do this!

Funny side note: Me and a long time pal are both lifelong Cards fans. Last February, I was in vegas & owed him $20. So I bought him a $20 ticket for Arizona to win the Superbowl as a kinda "goof". So if Arizona wins tomorrow, he'll win $1400!!! Who the hell would have thought???? Could be the best $20 he's ever loaned somebody... Let's go Cards!

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:21 am

These playoffs have been so different for me than when the Steelers got to the Super Bowl three years ago. That year, they got in as a 6 seed, then had to beat the 3 seed, 1 seed and 2 seed on the road, then play the top seed from the NFC in the Super Bowl. This year has been basically the opposite, getting home games against an 8-8 team and the 6 seed, and now they are playing a 9-7 team in the Super Bowl. They have managed to avoid all the teams that beat them this year (Indy, Giants, Eagles and Titans), while only playing teams that they already beat in the regular season.

I still don't know how I feel about the Steelers at this point. All through the year, I never felt they were a championship team. They had to pull out so many wins on the last drive of the game, a couple of times coming back from down two scores in the 4th quarter. I'd say the second half of the Chargers playoff game was really the only time they have looked really good against a top team that I can remember, and even that was aided by a couple of flukey plays (tipped int, punt bouncing off a helmet). And a team like the Cards that can spread the field is really a tough matchup for Pittsburgh. It doesn't feel like that long ago that the Steelers had big regular season games against the Pats and the Raiders, where those teams just came out with 5 receivers and threw every single play, dinking their way down the field and dominating the games. My biggest fear is that the Cards will do just that tomorrow and negate the Steelers pressure.

On the other hand though, I don't feel like Pittsburgh has played their best game yet. They have been so close on so many plays these playoffs. Ben is really throwing the ball deep well, even though he hasn't been completing any. They have had one td flat out dropped (Sweed), one that resulted in a PI call in the endzone, and a couple that have hit off of fingertips. Will they actually hit on one or two of those tomorrow? Can they avoid the big play off a trick play that has to be coming from Whisenhunt? As well as the Cardinals have played in the playoffs, it is hard for me to think they are going to dominate the Steelers defense, especially after finishing 9-7 in the NFC West. I just have this feeling that either Pittsburgh wins this big, or the Cards win a close game, if that makes any sense.

I've been listening to ESPN radio all day long these past two weeks at work, and it is interesting how so many people are going with the Cards now after analyzing the matchup in depth. There is a lot of talk about how the Steelers aren't going to be able to shut down the high flying offense, without a lot of talk about how are the Cards actually going to be successful against the best defense in football. I'm very excited to see how it plays out tomorrow, and who will win out in a matchup of great offense against great defense.

I'm definitely not as stressed out now with Pittsburgh having won a few years ago, and knowing if they lose it will be to a team that I have no dislike for. I was actually much more stressed out about the AFC Championship game, as I can't stand the Ravens and couldn't have stomached a loss to them that would have sent them to the Super Bowl. Of course, I'm probably just trying to lessen the pain of a potential loss by justifying how it won't be as bad as in the past. I'm sure if the Cardinals actually do win though, I'll be just as devastated as ever. If nothing else, I hope for a game in which one team clearly demonstrates they are the champion, without fans of either team having to blame the officiating this time.

GO STEELERS

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:35 am

GTHobbes wrote:
XXXIV wrote:I have liked how the NFL Network has showed complete SB games every night this week...Some classics like XXXIV on monday

Steeler fans can enjoy watching their victory over the Rams in SB XIV at 9 eastern tonight on the NFL network. featuring my least favorite 4th qtr ever.

I really really... really... hate you guys.
I've loved watching the full games, too, 34...I caught the 2nd Steelers-Cowboys SB last night and loved it. I've always loved watching the classic 30 minute highlight shows, but I forgot how much you miss by not seeing the whole game.

I watched the Steelers-Cowboys game on Thursday night. As sad as this is to say, I had never actually seen any of the first four Pittsburgh SB wins (too young, and I didn't actually move to PA until 87). It was awesome to finally see a full game, rather than just the same highlight plays that are shown every year. I have to say, I much prefer the old broadcasts with minimal on screen graphics. It actually felt much more immersive to me than what you see today, even with the games being in HD on a big screen. I don't know if it was just that particular game, but the actual gameplay seemed much more exciting as well, with lots of big plays on each side of the ball, and lots of dirty after the whistle hitting that was let go. I laughed out loud at a shot of Hollywood Henderson on the sideline, grass covering his arm from all the stickum he had lathered on.

Probably the thing that has me most hyped for the game tomrorow though was watching the recap of the 2005 Steelers special as told by Joey Porter, Jerome Bettis and Bill Cowher. I actually teared up watching the footage of Ward crying when talking about letting Jerome down after the 2004 AFC Championship loss to New England, and also watching Cowher cry when recounting being able to share the Super Bowl win with his wife and daughters on the field, after they had been there for so many devastating losses.

Watching Joey talk really made me miss him as well. There is no way the buildup for the game tomorrow would have been as dull if he was still on the team. Pittsburgh really doesn't have that type of fiery guy on their team this year that they have always seemed to have in the past.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:24 am

HipE wrote:It doesn't feel like that long ago that the Steelers had big regular season games against the Pats and the Raiders, where those teams just came out with 5 receivers and threw every single play, dinking their way down the field and dominating the games. My biggest fear is that the Cards will do just that tomorrow and negate the Steelers pressure.

The Steelers were slow in the secondary in 2002 and have significantly upgraded at the position. Back then the secondary featured slow corners in Washington and Scott, a slow strong safety in Flowers, a rookie in Chris Hope and the other players were Brent Alexander, Mike Logan, Hank Poteat, and Townsend. The Steelers invested in the secondary after realizing their weaknesses and added an all-world player in Polamalu, a pro bowl alternate in Taylor, and two skilled backups in McFadden (a second round pick, I believe) and William Gay. I think Ryan Clark is very good as well and he certainly adds a physical presence. The reason teams haven't spread out the Steelers is because they have morphed into the league's top pass defense. The Steelers can drop Troy back into coverage if they need to or he can cover the slot, Timmons is an excellent nickel LB, and Woodley and Harrison can apply tremendous pressure with only a 4 more rush.

That said, just about the *only* way to beat the Steelers defense is with the pass so it seems like that is a weakness. But in reality, it is just their weakest strength if that makes any sense. The Steelers have been battle tested against good to great QBs (Rivers twice, both Mannings, and McNabb) and decent ones (Campbell, Collins, Cassel, and Schaub). They've played great wide outs this season in Andre Johnson, T.O., Randy Moss, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, etc. and faired pretty well.

While the more intriguing matchup is the Steelers defense against the Cardinals offense, I think those strengths will be a push and the key to the game will be the Steelers offense vs. the Cardinals defense. When the Steelers offense doesn't turn the ball over and converts opportunities they almost always win. I think the outcome will be decided on if the good/bad Ben shows up and also if the Cardinals defense is who we thought they were or if they keep playing at the level they have during the playoffs.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:02 am

Leebo33 wrote:
HipE wrote:It doesn't feel like that long ago that the Steelers had big regular season games against the Pats and the Raiders, where those teams just came out with 5 receivers and threw every single play, dinking their way down the field and dominating the games. My biggest fear is that the Cards will do just that tomorrow and negate the Steelers pressure.
The Steelers were slow in the secondary in 2002 and have significantly upgraded at the position. Back then the secondary featured slow corners in Washington and Scott, a slow strong safety in Flowers, a rookie in Chris Hope and the other players were Brent Alexander, Mike Logan, Hank Poteat, and Townsend. The Steelers invested in the secondary after realizing their weaknesses and added an all-world player in Polamalu, a pro bowl alternate in Taylor, and two skilled backups in McFadden (a second round pick, I believe) and William Gay. I think Ryan Clark is very good as well and he certainly adds a physical presence. The reason teams haven't spread out the Steelers is because they have morphed into the league's top pass defense. The Steelers can drop Troy back into coverage if they need to or he can cover the slot, Timmons is an excellent nickel LB, and Woodley and Harrison can apply tremendous pressure with only a 4 more rush.

That said, just about the *only* way to beat the Steelers defense is with the pass so it seems like that is a weakness. But in reality, it is just their weakest strength if that makes any sense. The Steelers have been battle tested against good to great QBs (Rivers twice, both Mannings, and McNabb) and decent ones (Campbell, Collins, Cassel, and Schaub). They've played great wide outs this season in Andre Johnson, T.O., Randy Moss, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, etc. and faired pretty well.

While the more intriguing matchup is the Steelers defense against the Cardinals offense, I think those strengths will be a push and the key to the game will be the Steelers offense vs. the Cardinals defense. When the Steelers offense doesn't turn the ball over and converts opportunities they almost always win. I think the outcome will be decided on if the good/bad Ben shows up and also if the Cardinals defense is who we thought they were or if they keep playing at the level they have during the playoffs.

Damnit Leebo, why do you have to go and use logic? Can't you see that I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst? I've seen the Steelers crap the bed too many times in big games to feel overly confident anymore. I do appreciate the Lee "Paper Champions" Flowers reference though. I haven't thought about that guy in years.

I must say though, I feel much more confident before a big game with Tomlin as the head coach. All year long, even in the losses, the team has never failed to show up. I'm hoping to see a carbon copy of the Steelers-Colts 2005 playoff game (minus the overturned interception and goalline fumble), where Pittsburgh comes out aggressive on offense and throws the ball downfield, and the defense pounds Warner into submission. What I don't want to see is another failed special teams trick play (onside kick, fake punt), and PLEASE do not let the game come down to Pittsburgh needing to run the ball on 4th and 1.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:46 am

Don't sleep on the Cards. Their defense is very dangerous right now. They took care of the damn Panthers and Eagles rather handily in the NFC playoffs. Almost everyone I seem to talk to (maybe its because I live in PA) is going with the Steelers, yet praising the Cards in an almost in a polite-like manner...as if to say, "come on, we all know the Steelers are clearly going to win, but nice season Arizona."

My prediction: Rothlesberger has a horrible Super Bowl and turns the ball over three times. The Cards O-Line gets the job done and protects Warner and he has another great game. The Cards will have a big special teams play and they win the Super Bowl 24-20. Enjoy the game.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:29 pm

I haven't seen too much of either team, so I don't know what to expect.

I do think the Cards can win if their offense can get big scoring plays and stay away from turning it over and giving up points to the Steelers D. I think they will need to be able to run the ball well to have success, though. If they can get good gains on the ground, they will make it very hard for the Steelers D to contain those powerful receivers. If they can't run the ball well, it will be too easy for the Steelers to keep the passing game in front of them and eliminate the big plays. Dink and dunk is all well and good, but if the Cards don't get big plays, that would allow the Steelers O to keep pace.

If the Steelers can get pressure with four, then forget about it. Warner will eat up that blitz, I mean he loves it, he invites it, he wants to see those extra bodies come, but if they can get good pressure with four, that Cards O will have a very tough time unless they can run the ball.

On the other side, the Cards D isn't all that bad, but clearly not top 10. They can stop the run, they've done it before, so to me that's a key for them to have success. If they contain Parker I think they can get the Steelers off the field. But the Steelers seem to get big plays in the passing game just often enough to win close games. Half the time it seems like Roethlisberger just throws it up there deep no matter the coverage, and somehow they make that catch.

The Cards D is fully capable of falling to pieces, though. It'll be interesting to see which Cards D shows up: the one we've seen do pretty well in the post-season, or the one that got steamrolled more than once the during the regular season.

It's hard to attack either QB with extra rushers, so maybe it will come down to which team, if either, can get success when they do bring pressure. Or like I said, maybe Pittsburgh can get pressure from four and dominate.

If it's close, then for me it comes down to the special teams. Neither teams' teams are that great, but Pitt has been pretty good in the playoffs. If we see a big return today, or a blocked kick or punt, that could turn the game, because if neither team comes out tight or chokes in the early part of the game, it should be a close one.

I think the Steelers are the better team, so I think they will win. But good grief, I just don't know, because I could see these Cards get it done too, if they come out crisp, and especially if they can create a couple of turnovers.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:09 pm

Diablo25 wrote:Don't sleep on the Cards. Their defense is very dangerous right now. They took care of the damn Panthers and Eagles rather handily in the NFC playoffs. Almost everyone I seem to talk to (maybe its because I live in PA) is going with the Steelers, yet praising the Cards in an almost in a polite-like manner...as if to say, "come on, we all know the Steelers are clearly going to win, but nice season Arizona."

Of course almost everyone in PA east of Eagles territory (Lancaster seems to be the approximate area, Harrisburg is probably split, and anything State College and west is clearly Steelers country) is going to pick the Steelers.

The Steelers are not going to sleep on the Cardinals and that is the most important thing. The very talented Cardinals can certainly win this game and if they do they will earn it as the Steelers defend every inch of turf like their life depends on it. Sometimes I question Troy Polamalu's reckless abandon (sometimes diving to block extra points!) or Big Ben taking a big hit to make a play, but I realize that it's the only way they know how to play the game. I think the fact that the Cardinals have played so well helps the Steelers focus. Plus, a lot of those in the media have picked the Cardinals. The Steelers getting little respect as a recent Super Bowl champion with a terrific defense that played a brutal schedule (half the games this year against teams that made a conference championship game either this year or last and half the games against teams that made the playoffs this year) kind of offsets the "shock the world" aspect the Cardinals have.

Hipe, I'm definitely not over confident in the outcome. But I am very confident the Steelers will come to play. If Arizona wins they will deserve it and I think it will be a classic game.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:26 pm

HipE spotting!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:04 pm

Diablo25 wrote:My prediction: Rothlesberger has a horrible Super Bowl and turns the ball over three times. The Cards O-Line gets the job done and protects Warner and he has another great game. The Cards will have a big special teams play and they win the Super Bowl 24-20. Enjoy the game.

They need to win 28-20...since I have the Cardinals (+205) and the over (47).

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:10 pm

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sp ... eelers_fan

Pretty enjoyable...

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:22 pm

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:22 pm

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:55 pm

Give'm the TD - man if they overturn that one Harrison should go into the booth and chuck the replay guy out!

Best wishes,

Doug

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:00 pm

dougb wrote:Give'm the TD - man if they overturn that one Harrison should go into the booth and chuck the replay guy out!

Best wishes,

Doug

If they overturned that I would have quit the NFL and called it NBA II.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:02 pm

Old and slow is old and slow.

The blow out she is a coming.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:05 pm

I dunno.. If that last int didn't occur, this would be a 10-10 or even a 14-10 game.. Arizona needs to score on their 1st or 2nd drive for sure. I understand that Pitt is really focusing on Fitz, but for him to have 0 catches at the half is something I don't understand.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:09 pm

fletcher21 wrote: I understand that Pitt is really focusing on Fitz, but for him to have 0 catches at the half is something I don't understand.

Well he has 1 catch so maybe that is why you don't understand.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:10 pm

I do think the ref has the under as he is the only one playing D.

His holding and chop block calls account for every stop beside the pics.