Harrison, Holmes Hoist History

Santonio’s Snag Seals Steelers’ Sixth Superbowl

Happy Steelers fans are celebrating with pride and grandeur today in Steelernation. I am sure the streets are lined with black and gold following perhaps the most exciting Superbowl ever. Superbowl 43’s fourth quarter was unquestionably the most breath-taking, best of all time.
The former Buckeye, Santonio Holmes, burned and bruised the birds with the deciding blow in the game’s final 35 seconds. Ben Roethlesberger and the Steelers were heavily favored but found themselves suddenly trailing by three points late in the erratic final quarter. The Terrible Towels of Tampa tentatively were turned down as fans held their breath waiting for Ben to lead Pittsburgh back. He delivered with a 78 yard drive into the Cardinal Red Zone. Holmes quickly and quietly clawed his way to the end zone. His six yard snatch on second and goal was astounding. As Holmes stabbed his feet into the turf and fell forward with lunging limbs, Raymond James Stadium erupted. The Steelers held a 27-23 lead in another surprising turn of events in an evening featuring several.
What more could we football fans desire than the combination of incredible plays, remarkable runs and unforgettable catches that embodied Superbowl 43? The fames Fitzgerald was great. Holmes was even better. Fitzgerald, the talented receiver for Arizona, was held scoreless and was almost as invisible as a good Superbowl commercial in the first three quarters. Only in Arizona’s awesome fourth quarter did Kurt Warner hook up with his favorite target. Warned showed why he deserves to be in Canton someday. He outperformed Roethlesberger even though he suffered the loss. Warner’s biggest mistake was a sloppy and costly one. The interception before halftime was a miscue and James Harrison took advantage of it by returning the pick 100 yards. The Superbowl record is one for the ages and one I will definitely remember for years to come.
The Cardinals defense kept their team in the game in the second half, especially the third quarter. The held Pittsburgh in check by limiting them to a field goal and giving Warner’s offense a chance in the last fifteen minutes. Things unraveled for Pittsburgh’s number one rated defense. The secondary was exposed down the middle and Warner took advantage by using the entire field to find his receivers. Kurt’s quick releases, good protection and keen eyesight allowed Arizona to get ahead for what looked like the franchise’s first Superbowl. Ike Taylor was beaten on a Fitzgerald slant route and before anyone knew what was happening, the Cardinals were winning the game.
But, this is where Ben stepped up and the Steelers offense deserves the most credit. They capitalized on an opportunity to take over the game for good. Holmes shifted into the highest gear of any player on the field. Roethlesberger was his relentless self. Either player could have been awarded the MVP but it was the wide receiver who eventually took home the honor with a career game. Ben shuffled through defenders and averted the pass rush with the grit and grace of a seasoned quarterback. Holmes and Roethlesberger were able to connect the dots and reach the end zone when it mattered most. Holmes’ extension on the final catch was a true treat. Ben’s escapability behind center is unlike any other in his position, even if he isn’t the swiftest looking.
Before the game, everyone was picking the Steelers to have a ho-hum win. The hasty Cardinals humbled the Pittsburgh defense and gathered themselves together to ignite a comeback. Arizona was not the better team but they showed they were no pushovers either. Their magic season came to an end but they have a lot to be proud of. Had the Cardinals won the game, it would have been the greatest comeback in Superbowl history. Warner was the gifted play caller who garnered and gained ground gradually in the fourth quarter. I thought for sure the Steel curtain would crash and collapse in the end, but the dramatic drive declared a six-time Superbowl champion.
The Steelers delusional defense disappointed me and I was shocked Willie Parker was a non-factor as a running back. In fact, both running games were almost absent. Last night’s game produced the lowest rushing yards in any Superbowl. I do not even recall seeing Tim Hightower on the field and if Edgerran James was handed the ball more than a dozen times, I would be surprised. The running game was clearly the glaring component missing. Parker was shut down and could not penetrate the Cardinal defense with any success. James never was able to permeate the solid Pittsburgh line either. Because they were forced to abandon the run, the Steelers had to rely on the pass. That makes the win even more impressive to me. Ben was well-positioned, strong and drilled the perfect throw to his best weapon in the end.

Parting points: Song of the day- “Push