Superblow officiation....

[JohnMitchell 16]

That's why they are called "The Stealers"

[TrophyHusband 0]

it truely was a sad performance by the refs. that said, there were several passes that should have been caught, and there were several throws that should have been better. seattle's passing game wasn't what it has been all season. is they played at the level that they have played all year, they would have overcome the bad calls and still won. the stealer did not win that game, it was given to them by the refs and by seattle. it really was a bad football game over all. oh well, as a lifelong seattle fan , i'm used to dissappointment. its almost spring time, go mariners!

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[Vectracide 0]

Ya know, I could sit here and argue with you and tweety bird, but the real issue is the officianation that was horrible and anything but impartial. Regardless of your interpretation of the rules, it is clear that Seattle did not get a fair trial by a ref with only 5 years in the NFL. (how does that happen I ask?)

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Controlled and Deliberate.....

[funks 1]

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Quite simply.......no. You are wrong.

Dude, you are 100% wrong. You are telling me if a guys is running down the field and trips and falls and the ball comes out when he hits the ground it is not a fumble????

[lawrocket 3]

It was interesting for me, to say the least. I didn't have any team in particular that I was pulling for. I just wanted a good game. However, by the third quarter, I found myself pulling for the Seakhawks solely because of the officiating.

There were a number of dubious calls - and non calls. Unfortunately, most of them went against Seattle in absolutely crucial situations. (The ref got it right with the reversal on Hasselbeck's "fumble," though).

When it REALLY became clear to me was in the 3rd. I believe it was Shaun Alexander rushed to the left for about 20 yards. He was brought down from behind with a horse-collar tackle, one of those bullshit rule changes, where the NFL made a perfectly legal tackle illegal, where the defender grabs the rear neck of Alexander's shoulder pads to take him down. Right on the sidelines. Now, even though it's a BS rule, it is a rule, and cause for a 15 yard penalty. Non-call.

How the hell did the officials, who are cracking down on this stuff, miss the call? How did the officials call PI on Jackson but not make an illegal contact call on the DB? OR a holding call?

Now the Seahawks know what it feels like to be the OAkland Raiders. Sure, the Seahawks made plenty of mistakes, with dropped passes, piss-poor clock management, and absolute failure to capitalize on their first-half dominance. The Seahawks didn't play like a winning Super Bowl team.

But, then again, neither did the Steelers. It would have been nice to not have the officials to blame. I personally know how hard it is to do anything when the calls all go against you. It takes the wind out of your sails and gets in your mind, and you make more mistakes. IT's just a darn shame

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kallend 2,148]

The Steelers deserved to win for one reason- they made the only play of the game that was worth watching, Randle-El's touchdown pass.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[ccowden 0]

That WAS pretty sweet!

[lawrocket 3]

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The Steelers deserved to win for one reason- they made the only play of the game that was worth watching, Randle-El's touchdown pass.

Wrong. I disagree wholeheartedly. Other plays worth watching included a 75 yard touchdown run by Parker. Or a 76 yard INT return by Herndon.

For almost the whole first first half, you saw Seattle's defense making great plays. For almost the whole first half, you saw some remarkable reads by Seattle's offense to pick up and block the blitzing of the Steelers. You saw Roethslisberger making some big things happen, scrambling and making a key first down throw on a 3rd and 38.

There was plenty of stuff that I saw in that game that I liked on both sides of the ball. The Steelers took away Alexander's impact. The Steelers got into Stevens's head, whereupon he responded with a few CRUCIAL drops. You saw Hasselbeck making completions to his fourth receiver in the progression because he had the time to do it.

Still, I'm gonna remember the game for the lousy officiating.

The greatest Super Bowl ever, in my opinion, was Super Bowl 38 between Carolina and New England. But it wasn't remembered because some skank, in need of more publicity than she could have ordinarily gotten by a billion people watching, showed a tit. People talked about that, and not about the greatness of that game.

This was not a great game, but I think officiating has something to do with that.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kallend 2,148]

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The Steelers deserved to win for one reason- they made the only play of the game that was worth watching, Randle-El's touchdown pass.

Wrong. I disagree wholeheartedly. Other plays worth watching included a 75 yard touchdown run by Parker. Or a 76 yard INT return by Herndon.

BS - You see plays like those every week. When exactly was the last time you saw a reverse handoff to a wide receiver who then threw a 42 yard touchdown pass? I bet you can't name one.

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The greatest Super Bowl ever, in my opinion, was Super Bowl 38 between Carolina and New England..

You have poor taste. Superbowl XX was the best.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kallend 2,148]

"We were moving the ball fine, we just didn't score touchdowns,'' Hasselbeck said. "The Steelers played well enough to win and we didn't.''

At least Hasselbeck isn't sore loser. Unlike some around here.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[lawrocket 3]

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When exactly was the last time you saw a fake reverse to a wide receiver who then threw a touchdown pass?

You are right. It has been a while (about 3 months) since Antwaan Randle El took a handoff from Roethlisberger on an apparent reverse and then threw a touchdown to Hines Ward, who started by lining up in the left slot and then ran a crossing pattern to the pylon), but that one was against Cleveland in the regular season.

I guess the comparisons end there since the last time they tried the play in a game was technically last year by calendar; the last time was for 51 yards instead of 43, and it was against the Browns in the regular season. No, we haven't seen that happen in a while I guess. You can't even look at Ladanian Tomlinson's passing TD's either (a damned running back).

So, we haven't seen it in a while (I'm sure that the Defensive backs coach really let that safety have it - a handoff to a college QB and he bites on it?)

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kallend 2,148]

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When exactly was the last time you saw a fake reverse to a wide receiver who then threw a touchdown pass?

You are right. It has been a while (about 3 months) since Antwaan Randle El took a handoff from Roethlisberger on an apparent reverse and then threw a touchdown to Hines Ward, who started by lining up in the left slot and then ran a crossing pattern to the pylon), but that one was against Cleveland in the regular season.

What's a guy from Fresno doing watching Pittsburgh vs Cleveland in the regular season, Counselor?

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[aftermid 0]

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"We were moving the ball fine, we just didn't score touchdowns,'' Hasselbeck said. "The Steelers played well enough to win and we didn't.''

At least Hasselbeck isn't sore loser. Unlike some around here.

The NFL has China like displine policies when it comes to speaking ill of thier officials.

[Andy9o8 2]

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Now the Seahawks know what it feels like to be the OAkland Raiders. Sure, the Seahawks made plenty of mistakes, with dropped passes, piss-poor clock management, and absolute failure to capitalize on their first-half dominance. The Seahawks didn't play like a winning Super Bowl team.

And that's it right there; especially the dropped passes. You don't play like that and deserve to to win a Super Bowl. The officials didn't steal that game; Seattle lost it for themselves.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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AND a very questionable touchdown given to Pitt.

It's too bad that there were a few controversial calls. But remember that the zebras are human and only have a split second to make their on field decisions. Was that Roethlisberger run a TD? Dang that was a tough call. Remember that only a fraction of the ball needs to break the goal line plain in order for it to be ruled a TD. So did the ball cross the plain? Well that is going to depend on whether you're a Steelers fan or a Seahawks fan. But remember that (right or wrong) the linesman's original call was that the ball did cross the plain and in order for this call to be reversed, the replay needed to show without a doubt that the ball did not cross (which as far as I could tell, you can't get any closer without knowing if it did or didn't cross).

Calls go against teams every game you play. A true champion is one who can rebound when negative calls go their way. Now if this play occured at the very end of the game, it would be a different story, but it didn't. It happened with plenty of time left on the clock for Seattle to react to.

Was this a classic Super Bowl? Hell no, it wasn't even close to some of the better Super Bowl games we've seen (too many mistakes by both teams and yes questionable calls made by the zebras didn't help this game). But at least it wasn't a Super-Bore like we got used to watching the in late 80s and much of the 90s. The outcome of the game was still in doubt late into the 4th quarter and had Seattle been able to score a TD instead of throwing an INT as well as had Seattle been able to stop Pittsburgh from eating up the clock late in the game thanks to their running game, the outcome could have been different.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[lawrocket 3]

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When exactly was the last time you saw a fake reverse to a wide receiver who then threw a touchdown pass?

You are right. It has been a while (about 3 months) since Antwaan Randle El took a handoff from Roethlisberger on an apparent reverse and then threw a touchdown to Hines Ward, who started by lining up in the left slot and then ran a crossing pattern to the pylon), but that one was against Cleveland in the regular season.

What's a guy from Fresno doing watching Pittsburgh vs Cleveland in the regular season, Counselor?

Actually, I didn't even see the play in the Super Bowl when it happened. I was busy getting my son off of the table where he was seeking out destruction of foodstuffs.

But, I do like football. And I do usually enjoy watching ESPN after football to catch up on the action of the games. I recall seeing that play on ESPN that night.

What, do you think I just said to myself, "Hmmm. I KNOW he MUST have done it before?" No, I saw it on the replay - Randle El to Hines Ward. It looked familiar to be, and you can be damned sure it looked familiar to the Seahawks coaching staff.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Vectracide 0]

No Hasselback isn't a sore loser, you are right.

But one thing people don't know is that if any NFL player talks shit, or even negatively comment on the officiation of the game, the NFL fines the SHIT outta them.

I don't believe that the above had anything to do with Hasselbacks comments, but it is the reason that you will not see the players of the teams making the same comments as ever_single_retired_player that is now a sportscaster.

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Controlled and Deliberate.....

[Amazon 7]

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The offensive pass interference call against Seattle wasn't questionable. Replay showed the receiver did push off, there isn't anything in the rules allowing a minimal push off. It's either a push off or it isn't, minor as it was it still occurred....

Hmm then WHy did the DEFENDER not get called for touching and pushing off agains the Offensive player... BEFORE he touched the DEFENSIVE player...
It was bullshit..

A Holding call where the offensive player LOCKLEAR.. was falling down after beig pushed over by the DEVENSIVE player... NOT HOLDING...total bogus call

How about the Porter 55 grabbing the horsecollar of Alexander...37.. NO CALL

Defensive Pitt Players standing over the downed Seattle player.. NO call... that is known as TAUNTING.. a 5 yard penalty

And that bogus call for 15 yards on Hasselback when he is TACKLING not BLOCKING...total bullshit.

I saw quite clearly after The Pitt QB pulling the ball from down around hios WAIST.. up to the goal line.. I have this travesty on DVR... its laughable... but typical. I think the refs need to be fired from further NFL officiating.

MVP of the game... the REFS... its pretty hard to have a fair game when there are two different sets of rules.. and one team with 11 players are playing 16 on the other side .

[kallend 2,148]

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No Hasselback isn't a sore loser, you are right.

But one thing people don't know is that if any NFL player talks shit, or even negatively comment on the officiation of the game, the NFL fines the SHIT outta them.

I don't believe that the above had anything to do with Hasselbacks comments, but it is the reason that you will not see the players of the teams making the same comments as ever_single_retired_player that is now a sportscaster.

He didn't have to say anything, did he?

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[PLFKING 4]

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Ya know, I could sit here and argue with you and tweety bird, but the real issue is the officianation that was horrible and anything but impartial. Regardless of your interpretation of the rules

Yes, you could, and you'd still be wrong. His "interpretation" isn't an interpretation at all.....it's the rule, plain and simple.

But I did see a few questionable actions by the refs. Like when the back judge subtly grabbed the Seattle DB's jersey and held on just long enough to allow Ward to get separation on Randle-El's TD throw. And that line judge made a fantastic block on Seattle's DE to spring Parker on his long TD jaunt. And don't forget the brilliant sleight-of-hand when the side judge craftily moved the pylon just enough to prevent the Seattle WR from getting his second foot down in-bounds.....Copperfield only wishes he was that talented.

Steeler fan since 1968, and proud of it every year.....and never more so than today.


Don

"When in doubt I whip it out,
I got me a rock-and-roll band.
It's a free-for-all."

[Vectracide 0]

Nope, he stated exactly what you typed. He's a damn good player and sport.

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Controlled and Deliberate.....

[JohnMitchell 16]

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When it REALLY became clear to me was in the 3rd. I believe it was Shaun Alexander rushed to the left for about 20 yards. He was brought down from behind with a horse-collar tackle, one of those bullshit rule changes, where the NFL made a perfectly legal tackle illegal, where the defender grabs the rear neck of Alexander's shoulder pads to take him down. Right on the sidelines. Now, even though it's a BS rule, it is a rule, and cause for a 15 yard penalty. Non-call.

No kidding, that was plain as day from my couch. It was so blatant I thought it must be legal. (I don't keep up with the rule changes like I should. Enough of that at work.) I've heard that the League reviews the game's officiating the next week and provides the refs with feedback. I sure hope they get it here.

Still great to see the Hawks at the Superbowl. Whatever the score, they are a great team and a good bunch of guys.

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[CanuckInUSA 0]

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I saw quite clearly after The Pitt QB pulling the ball from down around hios WAIST.. up to the goal line.. I have this travesty on DVR... its laughable... but typical. I think the refs need to be fired from further NFL officiating.

It doesn't matter what Roethlesberger does with the ball after he's down and rest assured the replay ref wasn't reacting to that part of the play. The controversy exists whether or not the ball (while in Roethlesberger's arms) crossed the goal line and well from what I remembered of the play, it was too close to call (the tip of the ball located next to Ben's elbow might have crossed the goal line by the narrowest of margins ... and it might not have crossed ... you can't get any closer than this). But the original call by the linesman regardless of whether his call was right or wrong, was that the ball did cross the goal line and since the video couldn't conclusively determine that the ball didn't cross, the play was allowed to stand as it was originally called on the field.

I'm not going to address your other fouled calls by the refs since I didn't see Porter's horsecaller hit and well "Holding" and "Pass Interference" calls are very subjective. Shit, holding occurs on virtually every play and well who knows what's what when it comes to pass interference since the NFL seems to change their view on this year after year.

The bottom line is that the Seahawks had their chances to win this game and they failed to take advantage of them. To blame only the refs and to ignore Seattle's mistakes is wrong. Had Seattle been able to stop Pittsburgh from breaking a few big plays (75 yard TD run + 40 something yard trick play for another TD), had they been able to not throw a late game interception and had they been able to stop Pittsburgh from eating up much of the clock after the interception and had Seattle excercised better clock management once they got the ball back (not to mention at the end of the 1st half), they could have won the game. But they didn't and Pittsburgh went on to win.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[JohnMitchell 16]

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"We were moving the ball fine, we just didn't score touchdowns,'' Hasselbeck said. "The Steelers played well enough to win and we didn't.''

At least Hasselbeck isn't sore loser. Unlike some around here.

That's another reason Seattle is proud of their team. If you want to achieve greatness, you first need to be honest with yourself.

[lawrocket 3]

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Now the Seahawks know what it feels like to be the OAkland Raiders. Sure, the Seahawks made plenty of mistakes, with dropped passes, piss-poor clock management, and absolute failure to capitalize on their first-half dominance. The Seahawks didn't play like a winning Super Bowl team.

And that's it right there; especially the dropped passes. You don't play like that and deserve to to win a Super Bowl. The officials didn't steal that game; Seattle lost it for themselves.

The issue is not just that. Puttsburgh didn't play well enough to win, either. Maybe it's because I'm a Raider fan that I get fed up with bullshit officiating.

I rarely think that officiating affects the real outcome. But, The Steelers lost the following battles that are not usually lost by the winning team:

1) First downs (20/14)
2) Total Yards (396/339)
3) Turnovers (1/2)
4) Passing yards (259/158 (including 43 yarder by Randle El)
5) Time of possession (33:02/26:58)
6) Rushing yards (137/181 (including 75 yard run))

Those numbers indicate that something is off that cannot be explained by two big scoring plays (which were legitimate). Pittsburgh really wasn't doing anything for most of the game. Every time Seattle had a big play, it was nullified by penalty or by a call.

I also not that it seemed as though Pittsburgh had an ineligible receiver downfield on the trick play. Would Pittsburgh have won if that was called ont eh trick play? What if an illegal procedure call was made on the 75 yard run?

You can't say Pittsburgh would have won if that happened. There are so many uncertainties.

But I do know that it's a big problem when the biggest discussion after the big game revolves around shoddy officiating. And my team has been on the other side of it enough times (The "Tuck Rule") to make me hate it wherever I see it.

My wife is hotter than your wife.