My text to a friend 6 minutes before halftime:

I'm guessing... Tenth Avenue Freeze Out. Working On A Dream. Glory Days. Born To Run.

So I got the order wrong. I gotta think if I would have put some money on it, I would have gotten something. At least a free drink over at Connolly's Bar?

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Pete's reply: If you were in Vegas, you could have bet that and probably won big. Since I knew Born to Run was a lock, I didn't figure on any other songs from that album. Don't know why Glory Days didn't register with me.

But the question all your fans need answered is: How was the cheese?
Incidentally, a horse named "Take The Points" won the first race at Gulfstream Park yesterday (and paid a healthy $11.20).

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Pete's reply: I like my cheese the same way I like my crossword puzzles...easy.

As much as I despise the Steelers, they pulled off a hell of a comeback. Props to the Cardinals as well. No one ever gave them a chance and all they did was come 35 seconds from winning the Super Bowl.

Let's hope the Orioles are fun to watch this year or else its going to be a long wait for Training Camp 2009

Roethlisberger played a really good game (and I'm someone who thinks he's highly overrated, so that's REAL praise), especially with no running game and an embarrassment of an offensive line. Holmes played like Lynn Swann and deserved the MVP.

However, that doesn't make up for the bad officiating, especially on the final play but throughout the game as well, and for James Harrison becoming the classiest player in the league: http://i40.tinypic.com/whbja8.gif

Pittsburgh completely deserved to win the game. However, Arizona did too much right and had too much wrong done to them to deserve to lose.

If the league comes out tomorrow and acknowledges the officiating, especially the two calls I specifically mentioned, I will come back and congratulate the Steelers. Until then, however, the Cardinals get my praise.

Bruce was awesome. It was great to see him like that. My kids do not like his new song though, they said he should have done Born in the USA as you predicted. Good that you share first and thanks for the baseball updates even though it was not huge but did explain the rush to get Hill. He may have been wild last year like Cabrera, but at least he had one year where he showed a lot of control, unlike Cabrera so it will be interesting.

Thanks!

Lottery numbers over Springsteen? What was WBAL thinking?

Can someone please explain to me WHY, right in the middle of an exhilarating performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band during the Super Bowl halftime show, WBAL suddenly SPLIT the screen, reducing an exciting, LIVE concert to less than ½ the screen, in order to show the drawing of the Maryland Lottery numbers? Could this not have been done in another, less-disruptive manner? Or at another time, rather than during those 12-15 minutes? I truly wonder how many people tuned into WBAL just to watch the lottery drawing, versus the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of viewers who were watching the Super Bowl and Springsteen’s electrifying show?

I believe that WBAL should be appropriately admonished (in print and on the air) and that a public apology is ABSOLUTELY in order!

Ed Stanley
Reisterstown

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Pete's reply: Obviously, they are contractually obligated to run the lottery drawing at that exact time no matter what's on the air, but I was taken aback, too.

As a Ravens fan, I obviously did not like the outcome AT ALL!!! However, the game itself was pretty good and that's why you watch the Super Bowl. As much as I despise Santonio Holmes, I respect some of the players but he's certainly not one of em, I admit that he made a clutch TD catch and deserved MVP.

Great game. I wonder if all of those Steeler fans will show up for the Pirates on opening day?

Long time till September Steeler fans!

John Mellencamp would have been better!!!

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Pete's reply: If you like the copy instead of the original.

Pete-

Didn't see the halftime show deliberately. Don't want to remember Springsteen for a twelve minute flurry of songs. Once you've seen him in concert, that's all you need. And, hell, that was twenty-six years ago!

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Pete's reply: I've seen him many times, from the Roxy nightclub in LA in the early mid-70s, to the small venues to the arena and stadium shows, and I never get tired of him. It was a great 12 minutes.

Peter-
What threw me off, and the rest of the Howard Stern fans of the world was an interview with Little Stevie. They asked him what songs were they going to play and he said, I can not tell you, but you can guess. They guessed Born in the USA and Little Stevie said it was a good guess.
I assumed that was a given. Born to Run was good, but there were some better options. Brilliant Disguise would have been great.

Another defensive coordinator "chokes" in crunch time trying to protect a slim lead by attempting to cover receivers instead of an all out assault on the QB! I've seen this picture played repeatedly as they all seem to to the same dumb things week in and wek out!

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Pete's reply: Is it possible that Ben is just that good. His big TD's the past few weeks have been when he was under the blitz.

Whew,

Now that football is over, and lame hurlers and squatters report in less than two weeks and we get to see our never weres and ain't never gonna be's I expect the blogs to light up! Oh by the way we need to get Orioles and baseball on the main Bal Sun screen, as prime time has begun! Keep up the great work!

Lottery? The lottery does not need more than an 1/8 of the screen. They are required to show the balls as the come out. That can be done across the bottom of the screen. WBAL demonstate they have no ability to think outside the box. They ran a WBAL TV Weather Promo during the game and made the decision to shrink Springsteen? I'm sorry - no no no. I can watch my network programs directly form the NBC on my PC. WBAL just lost a viewer. The social media users in Baltimore have said the same thing.

The play of the game was the 14 point turnaround on the last play of the first half by that thug James Harrison. After all, Arizona only lost by 4.

I tip my cap to the majority of the Steelers, BUT Harrison should have been ejected from the game for his 4th quarter antics. His interception and run back was a huge key to the game. BUT his beating of the left guard or tackle on the punt (resulted in a 1 yd penalty when Cards pinned the deep) should have got him kicked from the game. Nothing but Bush

I tip my cap to the majority of the Steelers, BUT Harrison should have been ejected from the game for his 4th quarter antics. His interception and run back was a huge key to the game. BUT his beating of the left guard or tackle on the punt (resulted in a 1 yd penalty when Cards pinned the deep) should have got him kicked from the game. Nothing but Bush

Ditto to DJ's comments!

It seems the Squeelers have fans in all games with all officiating crews. Not just in those played against the Ravens. Why is there always officiating controversy surrounding a Squeelers game?

P.S. Did "the boss" mean to say Disney "World" vice "Land"???

Pete- I thought this Superbowl was good , the Bruce was lights out ! The Cardinals played better than most people expected , the commercials were cool ,

The only downside was the Black and Gold Squealers

Nobody messes with the lottery guys.

In the past, I did not respect the Steelers. I thought they were lucky, I thought Ben was over rated, I thought the whole Steel Curtain thing was over played. But that changed this season. While I still hate the Steelers and their fans, they definitely earned this championship and are perhaps one of the more deserving Super Bowl champs in recent memory. They had the toughest schedule in the NFL. They overcame injuries throughout the season. And when the chips were down, they ALWAYS came back. Ben is nothing less than amazing. Holmes is the big play receiver the Ravens wish they had right now. Their defense kept them in every game and their QB found a way to win. While it sucks watching them win, it gives me hope for our Ravens though. We lost three times to the best team in the league but we are not that far from them. With another year of experience, Flacco should be better and the o-line should continue to gel. The Ravens have their work cut out for them, but the next few years of Flacco vs. Ben could be fun to watch. Of course it will only be fun if Joe can turn the tables and win some of these games next year. When does training camp start?

Was anyone, besides me, hoping Bruce would let Bethesda's Nils Lofgren sing "White Lies"??
kidding.....but it would have rocked!
Take me!

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Pete's reply: I have a story about Nils from the early days. He was playing a solo show in LA and -- right at the beginning -- he lost his balance, stumbled face-first into the microphone and cut his face so badly he had to cancel the show. Bruce would have played hurt.

Most people who get the DC channels were tuned in to WSH channel 4 because we've learned our lesson about the lottery on WBAL.

Thanks DJ for that link so I can see that bully James Harrison over and over. What was this guy thinking? He should be out of the league for two years. No football for you.
But the other Steelers really did what they had to do to win. It wasn't as easy as it looked, but when it was 3rd and 6 with 2 minutes to go, I was just thinking, please stop these guys. You have to hand it to not just Big Ben, but the whole team. I was rooting for Arizona, but if you can't do what the Steelers did and you can't beat the refs bad calls, you can't win.

Anyone who thinks Bruce's set was the greatest halftime show ever obviously missed Prince a few years ago.

Still like Prince's halftime show better, but Springsteen does play to the targeted middle-aged white guy football crowd.

Anyone notice, only one "object to the crotch" commercial this year? I sorta like this change.

Having pasted my "glory days" that song brings tears to my eyes. Great Superbowl, the greateat of half times. Warner now in 2 different Superbowl has brought his team back with 2 touchdowns late in the 4th quarter only to have his defense give up the games. Tough luck. Best team lost yesterday. That said the Steelers deserved to win. They played great when needed.

Side note:
Please some sports writer come to the aid of Michael Phelps. He's our local hero. For god's sake. You can buy bong's down the street leagelly. It's not a crime. Stealing billions and trillions that's a crime. Leave the kid alone. He can't drink, he can't smoke, he can't have sex. Please let the kid live. Someone stand up for him. You all can't be U.S. whooses (that putting it politelly). Don't leave him dangleing out there all by himself. Stand up for the FINE YOUNG MAN!

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Pete's reply: We'll have the Phelps discussion on the WBAL show at 6. I'm no prude and I'm not going to beat the kid up. He has given up a lot of his young life for our entertainment (and, of course, his enrichment), so I'm not surprised at some youthful indiscretions. But he's got to be smart enough to know there is a new invention called the cameraphone.

Great game........now can we get on to the real sport, baseball (disclaimer: yes, I am a huge Ravens fan) baseball.

Last I checked, 11 days, 23 hours and 51 minutes. CAN'T WAIT.

So, Schmuckster, can you hop on the horn with Zrebiec.....I am dying for an update re: Hill and Looper.

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Pete's reply: Give me a little credit. I do make a call or two myself once in awhile. But, yes, Jeff is usually the man when it comes to breaking Orioles news.

Did anybody catch Al Michaels comments on the post game show? He said this Super Bowl showed how this game as evolved into our "national pastime." How ludicrous is that statement? There is only one game that has been our national pastime for the last century, not to mention our national sport. I was completely disgusted by that comment. There is nothing more American than the great game of baseball. It represents us all. Pete, please back me up on that.

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Pete's reply: Baseball is the National Pastime, but football is the more popular TV sport.

The Steelers seem to get the breaks. I only saw the very end of the game, but didn't someone fall en route to tackle Holmes on the final drive's long pass play? Didn't Ed Reed slip on a similar play in Pittsburgh during the AFC title game?

What's up with that? Is the guy that good? It's probably my fault for tuning in and jinxing the Cards.

I still say it's a disturbance in the Force or something. Good teams are lucky, but this year was ridiculous for the Steelers.

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Pete's reply: Yes, the guy is that good.

I was embarrassed that the Baltimore NBC affiliate 'cut away' from The Boss to show the winning lottery numbers. So Baltimore.

Great game. I am extremely happy that Hines Ward and his idiot grin was not the game hero/MVP.

Those lottery numbers were practically BRUUUUUUCE'd off the screen.

The greatest 12 minutes in the history of pop music. Is that an overstatement?

His DC show sold out in less than 15 minutes this morning. The Boss is back.

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Pete's reply: Yes, that's an overstatement, but who cares? It's The Boss.

Hurray, Super Bowl, mediocre commercials, a whole 12 minutes of Springsteen, exciting last three minutes, Steelers win, confetti EVERYWHERE, guys saying "I'm going to Disneyworld" who have no intention of going, doo-dah. Great, let's now mothball football please and just talk about what REALLY matters. The Orioles. To sign Hill makes perfect sense as if he pans out, we're golden, and if he doesn't, all we've lost is likely an A-ball level prospect who in a few years will be working for MetLife. While pitching is certainly the number one problem, it wouldn't hurt to have one more big bat in the lineup. Ty Wigginton sounds ideal as a guy with good pop and the ability to play multiple positions which is something I know is very near and dear to the O's management. And as I've said in this blog before, I highly doubt we can expect guys like Mora and Huff to put up the numbers they did last year, two years in a row, just doesn't seem to happen. So sign Hill, see if we can catch lightning in an Natty Boh bottle, sign Ty, cross our fingers, throw salt over our shoulder, avoid black cats and walking under ladders, sacrifice a goat to the ghost of Babe Ruth and hope for the best.

Peter,
Can you tell us why Warner's fumble/incompete pass was not reviewed with 7 secs left? Wasn't his arm moving forward? You would think on such an important call that they would have at least taken a look. They seemed to hurry the next play up which was taking a knee. I live in New England and I am a huge Ravens fan (clearly in the minority in these parts) but I lived through the Tuck rule here which gave the Pats a victory. I would have thought a review would have been called for. Am I just a bitter Ravens fan? I do hate the Steelers with a passion.

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Pete's reply: I think the NFL will say it was reviewed.

Too bad Bruce just can't shut his mouth about politics and sing. His far left-wing antics turn me off...lost me as a fan and a purchaser of his music.

I found the comment: From Peter King on CNN.com:

How can a Cardinal (it was hard to tell whom) throw a haymaker on the first play of the second quarter and not only not get thrown out but not get penalized? That's a punch the umpire, Roy Ellison, absolutely cannot miss.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/02/02/superbowl/4.html

-Bill F

Really people? Bruce is almost as overrated as the Eagles! Very pedestrian half time show. Would have been better with the 'ref' throwing the flag. How dumb was that?

How was the last Fumble not covering under the Tuck Rule. I know the NFL will say they reviewed it when they clearly didn't. If they did it would have been stated that it was under review and then we can all que up the Jepardy theme as it usually takes a while before there is a decision (like on the Steelers Touchdown). I am just surprised there was not more out cry about the lack of a formal review. Then again it was the Steelers (America's new team Yuck!)

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Pete's reply: I'm pretty sure they will say there was a review. I doubt they would have overturned it if the guys on the field had watched the video. I thought it could have been a forward pass -- and I was rooting for the Cards -- but it wasn't conclusion on the replay.

John Cougar Mellencamp you have to be kidding. Saw Bruce the first time for free at American University along with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and some other band who I cannot remember somewhere around 1975. I hate to admit I am that old. but it was an eight hour show it was the best energy concert ever and to top it off it was outside and priced right, free! . Last night was awesome my kids were into it and pretty upset about the lottery thing. I think the Maryland Lottery could have picked a better time, instead of during the 12 minute show-really! On Washington channels it did not happen.

Now on to baseball and I am happy they have Hill now if AM can lock up Looper we are looking at something here, not sure what it is but it is different. I wonder if McPhail makes his wife shop at Macy's bargain basement.

The lottery with reduced picture of broadcast annoys me in general but during the super bowl half time entertainment was ridiculous. I turned channels and watched the Washington DC NBC channel so I didn't have to watch them slowly pull the ping pong balls. I think running the lottery numbers in a narrow strip at the bottom would suffice.

If the Steelers want to win the next 5 Super Bowls, I say they play without an O-line. It seems like Big Bens play elevates to a whole new level when it seems lime the play has completely broken down.

Haha, count 'em Baltimore! 6 Lombardi Trophies!! How long will it be 'til your Baltimore Browns get to that number? My guess is we'll all be dead and long gone before they're even sniffing 3. This was by far the sweetest season I've ever experienced. I was unfortunate enough to live in your godforsaken town for the last Super Bowl, but now I'm back in the city of my birth getting ready for our parade. Where will YOU be tomorrow? Oh, that's right, sulking in your purple rags. And remember, you could have had Harrison on your team. Now Ray Lewis is leaving, your coordinator's gone, and you're on the verge of heading back to a 6-10 season. Enjoy the misery of the Orioles and Ravens. Suckers. Thankfully I don't count the Pirates as a team anymore. I'll enjoy my Penguins instead.

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Pete's reply: Thanks for the note. You are living proof of the adage that, no matter how much money and success you have, you can't buy class.

Hey Joe, where you going with that righteous indignation in your hand? It's not like he is known for his politicizing during performances, or for his liberal bent or anything. lf THIS is the eye opener you needed to see what a commie pinko scumbag Bruce is, I am sure there is a nice, safe Jonas Brothers album waiting for you to purchase it at the local Wal-Mart.

Pete - love your reasoned approach to sports, particularly our local teams. But I have to say Springsteen lost me when I read how he contracted to buy his daughter an $800,000 horse and got sued because the seller claimed he backed out. The Tom Joad/Woody Guthrie schtick is just an act. He's just another "rebel" living in the lap of luxury and telling the rest of us how we should think and live. I like his music but the Everyman stuff is over for me, and I've been listening since "Welcome to Asbury Park."

Pittsburgh will never be known as classy fans. And sorry Pete, springstein is an anti-american radical I simply have no stomach for.

Yes, Harrison's 1 punch to the ribs was totally illegal, and he should have been penalized for that punch. However, the hit (block) once the Cards player started to stand up was totally legal and OK. The play was still alive.

How does the NFL top The Boss next year? How about a Zeppelin reunion?

Born in the USA is not a very pro-America song.

I thought the refereeing wasn't that bad. It is about time the offensive line of both teams was called for holding. Steelers do have a terrible offensive line.

I am a huge Springsteen fan. But I despise the blind love some of his fans have. That was a mediocre vocal performance. Bruce delivered it in other aspects, but his singing was terrible. And contrary to popular myth, Springsteen does sing well live. Unfortunately, not this time. I wonder if he made his voice so broken down to sing some of those pretentious bleaker songs he has been churning out from time to time in the last 20 years. He should have sun the Rising instead of cheesy Glory Days. Badlands would have been a crowd pleaser.

Pete;

Tough group, here. I was in Tampa, just returned from there; and the boss was absolutely magic !!!!

Never more energetic....

DG

I am not a Bruce fan, but I think he did a great job. His new song sucks donkey, though. An obvious rush job, with none of the passion or melodic hooks of his better work. And no, he was not the best half time show ever. That award clearly goes to Paul McCartney the year after the NFL decided that overblown has-beens like Janet Jackson and her wardrobe malfunction needed to be replaced with real talent. This is four quality half time shows in a row. I vote for U2 next year to make it five!

As for the Steelers....man, I don't like them, but I got to give them some props for last night. And good god, how Ben did not get at least a share of the Super Bowl MVP is beyond me. Sure, Holmes was great on a few catches, but Ben made plays ALL NIGHT long running around behind that patchwork line and making throw after throw.

Too bad he will be overshadowed for the rest of his career by Bazooka Joe Flacco. :-D

Pete;

Tough group, here. I was in Tampa, just returned from there; and the boss was absolutely magic !!!!

Never more energetic....

DG

Since you remember all the old LA moments, do you remember a concert in LA in early eighties when the encore featured Tom Waits duet on Jersey Girl before Flo and Eddie came out for the final song? Best of a couple dozen times I saw Bruce.

That said, I feel that these super bowl shows are total sell outs. I dont begrudge them the money but all of that over produced flash is the antithesis of what Bruce used to be about. Just my personal take and I totally understand those who dont share it. Prince is all about the hype and flash and it doesnt bother me as much. Certainly not bothered by Janet Jackson and the Boy Bander but for Bruce or "Mick and the Boys" (my first concert was Stevie Wonder and the Stones at a 4th of July stadium show) I just find it distateful, like an athlete that stays too long. It always seems to me to be a cartoon like parody of the real thing.

The refs do their best. The day they make as many mistakes as the players we can complain. But that said, even Conrad Dobler thinks that James Harrison is too dirty to be allowed to play in this league and should be shipped off to the NHL. He made three plays I saw that should have resulted in being thrown out of the game.

As for all those complaining about the lottery interruption, you are just mad that you didnt get the porn that Tucson viewers got!

By far best story of the Super Bowl was drunken fan recycling his Iron CIty on Matt Cassell!!

Pete said to the Pittsburghbraggart, "You are living proof of the adage that, no matter how much money and success you have, you can't buy class."
BRAVO! And as my Mom used to say, "Consider the source."

I , for one, was not that impressed with the Steelers. Just remember that the Cardinals were on the 1 yard line with the half winding down. Warner made one of his few mistakes, but it was a big one. If he had thrown that pass away, they would have had a chip shot FG and ended the half at 10-10 instead of 17-7. Even with all that, they needed a last ditch miraculous catch by Holmes to win at the end by 4 points over a team that was 9-7 in the regular season in a weak division. Also, the refs always seem to make calls which help the Steelers. I think they got all the breaks and had all the luck in this game and were extremely fortunate to win. If I was a Steelers fan (which I sure am not), I would not be bragging, and would be worried about the Ravens next year, after this performance.

HappyBurgh- is a moron who likes to put down others to make himself feel better . You are a disgrace to your family and to your hometown .

Pete,

I think this performance pretty much locks Warner in for the HoF. He really only made one mistake the entire game, though it was a big one. He lit up the Pittsburgh vaunted D, even without a running game.

3 Superbowls--1 victory and 2 last-minute losses.

He's a great general. I say he goes when voting time comes.

to a man the steelers know
the ravens were their toughest
opponent.... they were smacked
and bruised after the afc
championship game..........

pittsburgh likes to bully and
smack people around, but the ravens
answer their physical play player for
player....

we did not win this year, but
our future is bright with a young
o line, joe flacco and a great defense
which is nr. 1 against the run...

coach jim is a class act too....

Steelers fans have every right to brag because they just won the Super Bowl. 15-4 against the toughest schedule in football. Plus beating a good Ravens team 3 times in a single season. Congrats to Pittsburgh!

Next year everyone starts over. Ravens beating the Steelers next year has no bearing on this year. Steelers fans have 6 months to celebrate and they deserve it. Next year will come soon enough.

Pete, glad you know Lofgren!
I actually saw Grin in Wheaton, circa 1971. My buddy got me on stage at end.....I remember seeing "Like Rain" written on a sheet of paper on top of Nils' amp.

Waites singing with Bruce? Gotta be almost as bad as Petty and Dylan together.
Waites, as a solo in the mid-70s was fab, though.

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Pete's reply: Indeed he was. My favorite song: "The Piano Has Been Drinking."

BobM - How can Ravens be the Steelers toughest opponent when they beat then three times? What does that make the Colts who beat them both?? Smacked and bruised might impress you but winning the game seems slightly more impressive to me.

To all the Steeler haters--you obviously have not figured out yet that we don't care what you say or think about our team or the Steeler Nation. As of Sunday evening, we stand alone with 6!!!! Keep on with your silly, childish ref conspiracy theories. Do you know how idiotic that sounds? According to all Steeler haters, our team has EVERY ref just fawning all over us. Nutjobs every one of you! Your mothers must be bursting with pride at the "adults" you have become. BTW, I DO respect the Ravens game while they are on the field because they play smashmouth football just like the Steelers BUT at the end of the day, what matters is WHO GETS TO THE BIG SHOW AND WHO WINS THE BIG SHOW. WE WENT, WE SAW, WE REPRESENTED THE AFC AND OH, YEAH, WE HAVE 6 LOMBARDI'S!!!!

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Pete's reply: And, really, we all hope you and your six trophies will be very happy together.

"And , really , we all hope you and your six trophies will be very happy together " . Well said Pete !

What will this Sandra person do next ? Pass a law making it ILLEGAL to be a Steeler hater ? LOL

re Waites, i'll go with "Diamonds on My Windshield" or "Drunk on the Moon."

It was a pass, It was a pass! My god man! what has this world come to! If it had been Rothelisberger that had that call go against him Mike Tomlin would've been on the today show Monday morning cry'n the blues to Matt Lauer and the whiners in Pittsburgh would still be doing what they're good at, "whining.

I am a Steeler fan and I am impressed with the majority of posts by Ravens fans. Yes...I am sure its not fun seeing the Steelers win another...but most of you seem to be able to give them credit for a tough road and a great super bowl. I cannot say the same for the posts at the Cleveland Plain Dealer - miserable.

The Ravens vs. the Steelers is a great and fairly even match up not to mention the most physical contest each year. I hope Ray Lewis does not leave...he makes the rivalry that much better...

See you in '09

OMG!! Allan, are you telling me it ISN'T illegal to hate the SIX TIME SUPER BOWL WINNING CHAMPIONS THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS? My goodness man, I am gonna get a house bill going tomorrow because THAT is just not right and something has gone terribly awry. I think Obama might be of some help. :)