Feb
01

Open Thread: Super Bowl XLIII

By Mike Axisa

That’s Super Bowl 43 for those that don’t know how to read Roman numerals once they get beyond X’s, V’s and I’s. Don’t worry, I had to look it up myself.

This year’s matchup is pretty much everything the NFL and NBC could have hoped for. You’ve got the historic power franchise in the Steelers and the feel good underdog in the Cardinals, who are making their first ever trip to the big game. The last time these two teams met was Week Four of the 2007 season, when Pittsburgh walked away with a 21-14 win. That was the second to last game Matt Leinart has started in the NFL.

The Steelers had the league’s best defense by far this year, giving up just 237.2 YPG, nearly 23 YPG less than the next best defensive unit. Only once did a team gain more than 300 yards of total offense against the Steelers this year. The Cards offense, on the other hand, was one the best this year, averaging 365.8 YPG, a distant second in the NFC behind the Saints’ supercharged attack.  They racked up at least 300 yards of offense sixteen freaking times this season, so something’s gotta give.

Arizona’s going to rely on University of Pittsburgh product Larry Fitzgerald just like they have all year, but the Steelers held Andre Johnson, TJ Housyomomma , Plaxico Burress, Reggie Wayne, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens to a grand total of two touchdowns (56.6 YPG on avg) in seven total meetings this season. Troy Polamalu has the ability to match every big play Fitzgerald makes with one of his own.

John Manuel of Baseball America ran through the SB43’s baseball ties earlier this week. Steelers running back Mewelde Moore spend three years in the Padres’ farm system and was rated the system’s 29th best prospect back in 2001. Third string QB Dennis Dixon was the Braves’ fourth round pick in ‘07 and is still active in their system, but he didn’t play baseball in ‘08 because of a knee injury. Hines Ward is a former 73rd round pick of the Marlins and Cards’ corner Matt Ware spent two years in the Mariners’ farm system. Polamalu was rated the fifth best prospect in the state of Oregon out of high school in 1999, but he instead went to USC on a football scholarship and the rest is history.

Here’s your open thread for the night. I’m assuming SB43 will be the primary topic, but feel free to talk about anything and everything. Just be civil.

Enjoy the game.

Posted on Sunday, February 1st, 2009 at 5:00 pm in Not Baseball, Open Thread.

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266 Comments »

Beamish says:

I really could not care less about the NFL these days. When do pitchers and catchers report?

Mike Pop says:

13 days. Come on dude, it’s the SB. You gotta watch it.

 
 
Mike says:

Fitzgerald is a whole different breed. It doesn’t matter is Polamalu is on him, he’ll still make a play. And if somehow he cant do it, then they have Boldin and Breaston to pick up the slack.

Mike Pop says:

He’ll kill it, even if he doesn’t he will open it up for Boldin. Fitz is so much fun to watch though, damn he is good.

 
 

Tres et quadragenita [macrons missing] = forty-three in Latin

 
 
Ivan says:

SB pick:

Cards over Steelers 24-21.

Joey says:
Mike Pop says:
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Hold up numbers!!!!!

 
Jamal G. says:

This Cardinals defense has taken a turn reminiscent of the 2006 Indianapolis Colts. I’m intrigued if they can hold up throughout January and February such as the Colts did on the way to their title run.

Steve H says:

The Cards D has a little more room for error than that Colts team since the Cards have a QB who doesn’t wilt in the playoffs the way Peyton does, even the year they won.

Ryan S. says:

I thought Addai/Rhodes deserved co-MVP awards in that Superbowl.

Mike Pop says:

Ya, I thought Addai was going to win it alone.

 
 
 
 
27 this year says:

I’d love to see a high scoring game with the Cards taking it home.

 
BigBlueAL says:

There is a football game today????

baseballnation says:

Dude your lost. I say the Cards 23-20

 
 
jim says:

its officially baseball season in 6 hours

BigBlueAL says:

there is still a basketball season going on

Kevin G. says:

and hockey if you consider that a sport.

Ryan S. says:

March belongs to college basketball. February is the lamest month in sports, unless you like the Daytona 500.

Patrick T says:

NASCAR is not a sport.

 
Steve H says:

Drive Fast. Turn Left.

Nope, not a sport.

 
 
 
Evan says:

I happen to like the 500. I do prefer the one in May at Indy.

Mike Pop says:

You married to your sister too?

I joke with you .

Hahahahah. Oh, and Evan, is her name Bobby Sue or something? Own a shotgun?

j/k, btw.

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Mike Pop says:

Looked a bit too easy there.

 
Ivan says:
Evan says:

Looks like Doritos took the easy way out with their ad.

 
 
Paulie says:

I am going to get a PS3. Is there any guys anybody could suggest, I am thinking about Motorstorm, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance and of course The Show.

Mike Pop says:

Shaun White Snowboarding, if your into that kind of game.

 
Mike A. says:

Go with the original Resistance, R2 sucks.

Mike Pop says:

You still playing FOM or your done with it?

Joey says:

Mike’s obsessive, he’s still playing. lol

Mike A. says:

I’m still playing, but not as much as I thought I would. I’m still in ST even though you can sim about five games an hour.

Forget it, when The Show comes out I won’t leave my apartment for a week, easy.

Mike Pop says:

Heh. Would FOM be better if you could actually play the game? People would probably like it more I would assume.

Mike A. says:

Maybe, although I’m not a fan of 2K’s gameplay.

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Joey says:

Dunno about this myself, but a ton of hype around Metal Gear Solid 4, if anyone else has any personal experience with it. I have Call of Duty: World at War, great game, storyline’s a little short though.

 
SF Yanks says:

Killzone 2 due out at the end of Feb is going to blow every single game ever made out of the water. Graphics are insanley sick! I’ll be playing that for at least a year like I did with Resistance:FOM. LIttleBigPlanet is cool if you have an open mind to different games. Uncharted is also a pretty sweet game. Metal Gear Solid rocks. Coming later this year you have games like God of War, inFAMOUS, uNCHARTED 2, M.A.G, etc. And these are only the exclusives. Not even mentioning the multiplatform games.

 
SF Yanks says:

Also, if you’re going to get Motorstorm, you may as well make it Motorstorm 2. While I’m at it I’ll just mention some of the multiplatform games as well that are pretty solid.

Already out:
Fallout 3
Far Cry 2
Prince of Persia
Call of Duty 4 & 5
Dead Space
Bioshock

Sometime in ‘09:
Street Fighter 4
Resident Evil 5
Borderlands
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Final Fantasy
Prototype

 
Drew says:

buy NHL 09, online play is great

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Lol @ that Conan commercial.

Joey says:

missed it, I’ll get it later online. So far the Bud and Doritos were okay

Ivan says:

The commercial with Jason Stathan wasn’t bad either.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Terrific play by Big Ben .

Mike Pop says:

He’s pissing me off, lol.

 
 
Ivan says:

Anotha Fast and furious movie.

 
Ivan says:

Will Ferrell movies sucks so bad their funny.

Mike Pop says:

Come on now, he has some AWESOME movies.

Ivan says:
Mike A. says:

Anchorman and Old School are all time classics. The rest suck.

Mike Pop says:

Eh, I enjoyed Talladega, StepBrothers, and Night at the Roxbury.

 
Mike A. says:

Stranger than Fiction was excellent as well, although it’s not his typical “I’m a mentality retarded famous person yet still a functioning member of society” role.

 
Ivan says:

I thought Anchorman was iight myself.

Mike Pop says:

I know I love that movie. Whenever someone(TSJC and Mike A) quote that movie on here, I always get in on it. Hah

 
 
Sweet Dick Willie says:

What about Wedding Crashers? “Ma! The meatloaf!!

Mike Pop says:

Ha, he played a great role in that too but he wasn’t a main guy. Zoolander is another one you can throw him in.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Yo that Pepsi Max commercial was pretty damn funny.

Mike A. says:

Easily the best one so far.

Kevin G. says:

What happened in it?

Mike Pop says:
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Ready for the Fitz show?

 
Ivan says:

A Star Trek movie, man you know the basement dwellers are comin out of their moma’s basements for that one.

 
Mike A. says:

Polamalu just got pwned. His ankles are still downfield.

 
Ivan says:

What a catch by the Card TE.

Mike A. says:

Nice grab. It looked like the Steelers would run away with this one for a little while.

Mike Pop says:

Fitz needs to get involved.

Mike A. says:

Easier said than done.

 
 
Steve H says:
Mike Pop says:

Setting it up for Boldin and the others.

 
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Alright Pitt, score one more TD and let that be the end of it for this quarter. Want that money!

 
Ivan says:

Wow my boy J-Mac is in the G commercial.

I’m not watching; as in John McCain??

Mike Pop says:

How are you not watching, lol?. It was Jason McElwain. The kid who has autism but scored 20 points in like 3 minutes for his high school team.

 
Ivan says:

Nah the dude with Autism who hit all them 3’s in one HS basketball game.

Mike says:

I went to HS near him. We played them last year and he came back to see the game. The kid is a dick. Very cocky now.

Mike Pop says:

I find that funny, sorry Lord if I shouldn’t.

 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Is it me or have been the SB’s commercial have been subpar.

Mike Pop says:
 
 
Ivan says:

I found that commercial for that Disney movie “UP” pretty funny.

 
Mike Pop says:

Huuuuuugggggggeeeeeee

 
 
 
Manimal says:

WOW, Huge turn of events

 
Mike A. says:

Wow. Wow in every way.

 
Mike Pop says:

Holy Shit!!!!!!! Money coming my way because of that!

 
Ivan says:

I think it’s gonna count.

 
Mike Pop says:

Harrison showing his capabilities there. Awesome play.

 
Manimal says:

I think his knees didn’t touch, but isn’t it a rule that if you go out of bounds, you can’t interfere with a play? Or is that only on punt returns and kickoffs? Because Fitzgerald was clearly out of bounds then came back in so regardless it should be a touchdown.

Mike A. says:

I thought that was only offensive players? Defensive players can come back in. I could be wrong.

Manimal says:

Is Fitzgerald a defensive player once the ball is turned over?

Mike A. says:
Manimal says:

Sounds good to me lol, thanks.

 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

Haha Justin Tuck dancing. Fail.

 
Hollywood says:

The Steelers are good but also the luckiest team in the league. They’ve had so many plays like that where the other team has just pissed away a golden opportunity. There’s no way the Cards win this game.

Mike Pop says:

I don’t think it is fair to say that. They were definitely a top 3 team in the entire league this year.

Ivan says:
Mike Pop says:

One really fucken lucky team was the Iggles. Arg….

 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

hahaha that heroes-NFL legends commercial was good

 
Mike A. says:

Pete Abe must be busting a nut right now.

Manimal says:

haha beat me to the Pete abe joke.

Mike Pop says:

Pete Abe loves Bruce, eh?

 
 
 
Manimal says:

Pete Abe just orgasmed as Bruce Springstein appeared on his tv.

 
Mike A. says:

I’m not much of a Springsteen fan at all, but that was easily the best halftime show in years.

Ivan says:

I would like if they ask a hip hop dude to do the halftime show but oh well.

Manimal says:

Hip hop songs don’t translate to well when they are live.
I’ve said this for a while, Metallica really needs to do the half time show.

Ivan says:

Well they need to stop askin these old mothafuckers like Bruce and McCarthy to the perform. At least give Kanye West a chance.

Mike Pop says:

Kanye would say something like: Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger do not care about black people. NFL can’t risk it.

Steve H says:
Mike Pop says:

As long as Good Charlotte or bands like that don’t play the halftime show, I am okay with the older rock “legends”.

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Kevin G. says:

Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Performance: Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

 
Mike Pop says:

After seeing what the Jonas Brothers did in Dallas, I don’t ever want to hear them a 2nd time.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

And deny that he’s not gay while wearing his sister’s clothes.

Mike Pop says:

Then he will run from security.

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Ivan says:

Then beat up the paparazzi.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

Well Ward is no David Tyree.

Mike Pop says:

Of course not, he is much much better.

 
 
 
Drew says:

I agree but thats not saying much.

 
 
Manimal says:

Aw man, I got salsa on my terrible towel!

baseballnation says:

Is the burrito done yet?

 
 
Ivan says:

I thought that was a fumble there.

 
Mike Pop says:

Come on Zona, step it up a bit here.

 
Mike Pop says:

Woww, I don’t like that call at all.

 
The Evil Empire says:

It’s ironic how the best play in the game made the game less interesting.

 
Bill N. says:

That wasn’t roughing the passer. What BS

Mike Pop says:

I hate roughing the passer/kicker, especially when it was clear the momentum was the key reason.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Cards are killing themselves with these penalties. They don’t deserve to win playing like that.

Manimal says:

I agree, that was reckless, uncalled for, and flat out stupid

 
 
Ivan says:

Awful, just fuckin awful.

 
Bill N. says:

And it is offical the refs are giving this game to the steelers. What a joke.

Ivan says:

Im sorry that was a legit call there.

Bill N. says:

The blantant hold that wasn’t called against Pitt

Ivan says:

oh I thought you were talking about the personal foul.

 
 
 
Manimal says:

I see a fair game so far, every penalty was 100% the Cards fault.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

I need Pitt to get a TD, ugh.

Mike Pop says:

Jeez, I’m unlucky.

 
 
Ivan says:

Great job by the cards D to just held them to a FG under those circumstances.

 
Bill N. says:

And very excited for the new Transformers movie

Mike A. says:

That commercial makes me want to see the first one. It’s in my Netflix queue, I’ll have to bump it up.

Bill N. says:

The first one was amazing. You should def bump it up.

 
Manimal says:

You better bump it up to one, that is SUCH a good movie. Has nothing to do with the old school transformers cartoons. Shia LeBouf is a good actor(I remember watching him in Even Stevens lol) Megan Fox is the sexiest woman alive and Michael Bay does a great job putting it all together.

Manimal says:

and if its possible, get it for Bluray, its fucking amazing in HD.

Mike A. says:

Oh of course. I can’t go back to regular old DVD’s, I just can’t.

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

I can’t wait for the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie.

Mike Pop says:

Nah, The Avengers!!! in 2011.

Ivan says:

Nah even better: Sin City 2 2010.

Mike Pop says:

Psshh, no way that will be better than The Avengers. Probably won’t be better than IronMan 2.

Ivan says:

I disagree, Sin City 1 was one of the better movies I,ve eva seen and the acting was terrific and visual aspect of the movie was tremendous.

Mike Pop says:

Agree to disagree. hah

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Tom Zig says:

I was not a fan of Sin City, at all.

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Ivan says:

Even though The Avengers jumpoff is gonna be mad crazy…..well hopefully.

 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

That was a pretty funny commercial. I loved when the little Koala bear was getting punched.

 
Ivan says:

Yo this SB game is kinda boring.

Manimal says:

Duh, Giants aren’t in it.

Mike Pop says:

That would make it worse.

Ivan says:

Word…………what would be betta if Romo was in this game throwing picks all over the place and fumbling and etc.

Reggie C. says:
 
Mike Pop says:

Or McNabb puking on the field in the huddle.

Steve H says:

I agree with you both

 
 
 
Manimal says:

hahahaha Agreed. Sorry Mike Pop, its nothing personal.

Mike Pop says:

Ha, whatever man Idc. I will still take Romo over Eli. Eli had a hot streak for 4 games. Nothing else. He did do something amazing and I am not taking that away from him but he is just not that good in my opinion.

Manimal says:

Stupid penalties.

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We get it. You don’t like Eli. Lucky for you, he’s not your quarterback. Enjoy Romo and the rest of your circus act.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

hahaha I knew they were remaking that commercial, I didn’t know they would make it funny hahaha that was pretty good.

 
Mike A. says:

That Cash4Gold commercial was great.

Steve H says:
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Fitz…..there you are.

 
Manimal says:

Fun Fact, Polamalu may be samoan, but he is very religious and is Greek Orthodox(His wife is greek)

Mike A. says:

He drives a Hyundai too.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Fitz is so dangerous in that situation.

 
Manimal says:

His dad didn’t even budge.

 
Manimal says:

Hulu is such a good website.

Mike Pop says:

Without a doubt. You get actual good quality videos.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Game is much more interesting now. Come on Zona, hold them.

 
The Evil Empire says:

Pepsuber hahahahahhhah

 
Mike Pop says:

Oh man, it’s awesome now.

 
Mike A. says:

Wow. Come on Pittsburgh, gotta contain them now.

Mike Pop says:

I want to see a TD here, bad.

 
 
Mike Pop says:
 
Mike A. says:

Dumb play by Harrison.

 
Mike A. says:

Wow. That catch was UUUUUUUGE.

Mike A. says:

And that penalty even UUUUUUUGER.

 
Mike Pop says:
 
 
Mike Pop says:
 
Manimal says:

Well that fucks up everyones Superbowl squares.

 
Ivan says:

Wow crazy just crazy.

 
Mike Pop says:
 
Reggie C. says:

I dont want to see Roethlesberger get another SB win before Eli. Eli rules his class!! C’mon Cardinals !!!

 
Mike Pop says:
 
 
Manimal says:

Are you fucking kidding me

 
The Evil Empire says:

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

 
Manimal says:

Please no OT, The office is on soon.

Brandon M. says:
 
Mike Pop says:

I would rather watch the last football game for a long time than the office tonight.

 
 
Reggie C. says:

Now that’s what i’m talking about !

 

Q: What the mother fuck just happened?
A: Kurt Warner + Larry Fitzgerald

Game. blouses.

Mike Pop says:

They better not let Warner sniff FA.

It’s ok if the Jets sign him!

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Awesome, just awesome.

 
Ivan says:

Touch Down Bitches.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Wow is this a great finish.

 
Mike Pop says:
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Oh he’s in. Not even close.

 
Ivan says:

Unbelievable, just wow.

 
Mike Pop says:
 
Reggie C. says:
 

Ben Roethlisberger = baller.

 
Reggie C. says:

Holmes just took this game over.

Mike A. says:

He basically scored two TD’s on that last possession, he just couldn’t quite reel in the first one.

 
 
Mike Pop says:
 

Holmes to Fitzgerald: “Bitch, who the f*ck you think you talking to?”

 
Manimal says:

Superbowl 43 is almost as good as Superbowl 42. Almost.

Better.

*Disclaimer: I’m a Jets fan. Ok, thanks.*

 
 
Mike Pop says:

I wish there was more time.

 
Manimal says:

Don’t forget, If there was a duo that could get a TD in the last seconds of the superbowl, its Warner and Fitzgerald.

Mike Pop says:

I want to see it but only :15 left.

 
 
Ivan says:

Congradulation Pitts.

 
Manimal says:

Alright MVP guesses? I’m gonna go Big Ben.

Mike A. says:

Probably. Either him or Holmes.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Man, that ain’t right.

 
Manimal says:

The office!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait.

 
Manimal says:
 
i smell 27 says:

im imagining jeter hitting a game wining hr in gm7 of the ws against LAD after seeing waht big ben just did

 
Mike Pop says:

Damn man, their number one now.

 
Rich D says:

Tim Donaghy must be reffing NFL games now. The NFL must be happy that “their” team won.

 
 
Mike Pop says:
 
Manimal says:

Who is Goodell joking. Very few games beat Superbowl 42.

 
Mike A. says:

Check this out. Kurt Warner now has the three highest passing yard totals in Super Bowl history:

414 in 2000
377 in 2009
365 in 2002

 
Mike Pop says:

Too bad he’s only 1-2. That pick came back to haunt them. But I blame the D.

 
Jamal G. says:

Heh, Kurt Warner > Jesus.

 
 
Brandon M. says:

u guys hear that bs? “the pittsburgh steelers are the new standard for american sports”

Mike Pop says:

Well they are up there but above the Red Sox??? I don’t think so.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

E-ROC is pissed off right now.

E-ROC says:

I wasn’t pissed the Steelers won. As much as I hate them, I respect them tons more. Great game though.

 
 
christopher says:

hate football…hate the superbowl and i am damn glad its over – finally can listen to the radio again and why is it that in every other sport it seems that 95% of locals root for their local team, but in football i would say the number is closer to 50%. How do you grow up your whole life in the nyc area and become a cowboys fan – just bugs me.

finally baseball time is coming – thank the lord

Mike Pop says:

Family can be a big reason. That is what happened to me.

 
Brooklyn Ed says:

Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders was the reason why I became a Cowboys fan. :D

Brooklyn Ed says:

…oh and Tory Akiman.

 
 
 
The Evil Empire says:

OMG guys, this is the first time i’ve watched The Office, and i have to say 5/5 so far. I literally had to get on my knees when the guy put on the dummy’s face on his, wow i haven’t had a good laugh in such a long time. So what season is this show on? I need to pick up the others ASAP

Mike A. says:

Season 5, and this is easily the worst season so far. You can watch seasons 1-4 on your computer instantly via Netflix.

The show kind of went downhill once Pam and Jim got together.

The Evil Empire says:

Wow if I’m enjoying this then I can’t wait for season 1 – 4 (oh the irony)
I’m guessing you need a Netflix account?

Brooklyn Ed says:
 
Mike A. says:

Yeah you need a membership, but it’s easily the best $15/month I spend. I highly recommend the service.

 
 
Manimal says:

I don’t think it was Pam and Jim, I think it was the lack of Dwight being… well Dwight.

Mike A. says:

Yeah, Dwight’s not the same any more either.

Manimal says:

Dwight is like the old Dwight in this episode. BTW, Pam’s roast to Michael is the BEST

 
 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Rank the Super Bowl QB’s (how the fuck ESPN thinks Big Ben is one of the ten-best SB QB’s is beyond me): http://sports.espn.go.com/chat.....listId=227

Here’s my ranking:

1. Joe Montana
2. Terry Bradshaw
3. Tom Brady
4. Troy Aikman
5. Roger Staubach
6. Jim Plunkett
7. Bart Starr
8. John Elway
9. Bob Griese
10. Ben Roethlisberger

Evan says:

They sure do love ranking things, don’t they?

Mike A. says:

People love lists. It’s not just ESPN, everyone does it.

Evan says:

That’s true. I guess I should reign in my “snark towards anything ESPN related” reflex.

 
 
 
Spaceman.Spiff says:

They were asking you to rank the QBs with 2 or more superbowl rings. Big Ben is in there by those guidelines, not by the ranking of the ten best.

Anyway I’d go:

1. Tom Brady
2. Joe Montana
3. Roger Staubach
4. John Elway
5. Terry Bradshaw
6. Troy Aikman
7. Bart Starr
8. Jim Plunkett
9. Ben Roethlisberger
10. Bob Griese

 
 
Jamal G. says:

I am so stealing that line that Jim said to Pam’s dad.

Mike A. says:

I’ve totally stolen relationship advice from a Kevin James stand-up set in the past. Anywhere you can get it man.

 
 

So I made food for the Super Bowl party I went to and I’m kind of shocked because people ate it and didn’t die!

 
 
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