Monday, January 19, 2009

On to Tampa!!!

The Steelers did it! They withstood the hard-fought efforts of the Ravens. It was not a game for the faint of heart, but it sure was fun to watch. Here's a couple of observations from a common fan:

*How the heck did the referee, after viewing the video replay, overturn the completed pass to Santonio Holmes? If anything, it should have been ruled a touchdown. I consulted with one of the football coaches at school today and he concurred with me that (we think) the referee incorrectly applied the rule of the ball coming loose when the player hits the ground. That's for when a player jumps up for a ball and comes crashing to the ground. But, in Holmes case, he caught it, reached out the ball in one hand, took two steps, and then lost control of the ball as he reached it across the goal line. I'd like to hear a referee's rationale of the situation.

Here's the video. You be the judge:

*Boy did Mitch Berger have a bad game. He saved a TD by tackling the returner on one of his low punts and caught the turf with his toe as he was in his kicking motion on another punt. I can't wait until Sepulveda comes back next year from his knee injury. At least Berger drew a phantom roughing the kicker penalty (make-up call???)

*Roethlisberger sure can move around in the pocket and make plays. A quote from a Baltimore d-lineman was to the effect of "You might as well just drop everybody back into coverage because he'll elude the rush and make a play."

*2nd round pick Limas Sweed has some growing up to do. He's only a rookie, but oi! His last few strides he slowed down a little and then, even though he could still catch the ball somehow took his eyes off of it (the TV replayed showed that clearly).

*I've been watching more closely the last two weeks, but it sure does seem like James Harrison gets held every other play. At least Woodley is there on the other side to put pressure on the QB, too.

*Looking on to next week, the Warner-Fitzgerald connection really worries me. If Philly couldn't put pressure on Warner, it's going to be tough to see how our DB's are going to cover them.

Much more news in the next two weeks! Hopefully Hines Ward and Ryan Clark (among others) are healed up. GO STEELERS!!!

1 comment:

Mira (Ivanovich) Lelovic said...

Wooohooo! Steelers are going to the Super Bowl, again! And I have to watch it from Arkansas, again (ugh). I've been searching the internet for the new "Super Bowl" song, but haven't found one. Did they put one out this time? The last one was so great, it'll be hard to top.