SeaHawks a clear LOCK over Steelers

[murf74 461]

Pre-season Seattle is as odds on as anyone else to represent the NFC in the SB. They are a quality organization that got jobbed in the Hutch contract fiasco. They are substantially improved on defense and although losing Hutch and JJ hurts I don't think it depletes the O significantly. Overall, they are a class organization in a still weak division. I don't think the lack of heart they demonstrated in the SB should be held against them, nor does it impact their odds of success this year. With the caliber of players they have it seems like more of an anxiety driven choke job than a pattern. My guess is they break the trend of recent #2's and return to the playoffs.

 

A few of their fans, one specifically, need to match the class of the organization.

 

Yep, I think everyone knows who you are talking about. Even Seahawks fans have to be tired of his act.

[FlaHawker 24]

Pre-season Seattle is as odds on as anyone else to represent the NFC in the SB. They are a quality organization that got jobbed in the Hutch contract fiasco. They are substantially improved on defense and although losing Hutch and JJ hurts I don't think it depletes the O significantly. Overall, they are a class organization in a still weak division. I don't think the lack of heart they demonstrated in the SB should be held against them, nor does it impact their odds of success this year. With the caliber of players they have it seems like more of an anxiety driven choke job than a pattern. My guess is they break the trend of recent #2's and return to the playoffs.

 

A few of their fans, one specifically, need to match the class of the organization.

 

 

Anxiety driven choke job!! That perfectly describes Bill Leavy's calls.

 

Yep, I think everyone knows who you are talking about. Even Seahawks fans have to be tired of his act.

 

 

Keep jumping Steeler fans keep jumping!!

[football_scooter 0]

OBTW Hasslebeck said, "We want the ball and we're gonna SCORE." I don't buy that football gods nonsense. I mean that was a Wild Card game and the team has now moved on to the Super Bowl so i guess the "gods" are not paying too much attention. It took balls to say that and i was the first one to cheer him on! I hope he does it again if given the opportunity.

 

And I on the other hand, thought it was incredibly retarded, highlighted only by his coming right out and throwing an interception for the loss.

 

Seriously though...your team's going to be good this year. Will they be clearly better than the Steelers? I think that remains to be seen. It helps that your QB didn't go riding a motorcycle without a helmet, but still...

[DrJ 0]

I think you should print those power rankings out and hang them up in your bathroom. It'll be a reminder all season long of how great the Seahawks are. And then when they lose in the playoffs, you'll have something to wipe your ass with.

[TIKI-BARBERS-BARBER 0]

Dude FlaHawker you can be the top team in preseason by the media and enjoy it! But anybody knows that they always turn out to be crap during the season. Heck most on this board was ready to give the Colts the Trophy by midseason and thought they couldn't be beat and that is why we play these games.

[Parja 0]

I think you should print those power rankings out and hang them up in your bathroom. It'll be a reminder all season long of how great the Seahawks are. And then when they lose in the playoffs, you'll have something to wipe your ass with.

 

[Ed McMahon]Hai-yo![/Ed McMahon]

 

[FlaHawker 24]

And I on the other hand, thought it was incredibly retarded, highlighted only by his coming right out and throwing an interception for the loss.

 

Seriously though...your team's going to be good this year. Will they be clearly better than the Steelers? I think that remains to be seen. It helps that your QB didn't go riding a motorcycle without a helmet, but still...

 

 

Ah but Scooter you gotta follow the game. Hasselbeck threw the INT but the Alex Bannister the intended receiver ran the wrong route. Hass gets the balme but the receiver read the defense incorrectly and screwed up.

 

 

 

Dude FlaHawker you can be the top team in preseason by the media and enjoy it! But anybody knows that they always turn out to be crap during the season. Heck most on this board was ready to give the Colts the Trophy by midseason and thought they couldn't be beat and that is why we play these games.

 

 

What words of wisdom..If i only could have thought of that

[phillybear 366]

Ah but Scooter you gotta follow the game. Hasselbeck threw the INT but the Alex Bannister the intended receiver ran the wrong route. Hass gets the balme but the receiver read the defense incorrectly and screwed up.

 

This is true. Hasselbeck threw the ball to the spot where Bannister should have been.

 

It's no surprise that Bannister is mostly a special teams player.

[GemMaster 0]

The Seahawks may be favored to make it to the Super Bowl, but I think they will lose it again to the Broncos.

[FlaHawker 24]

The Seahawks may be favored to make it to the Super Bowl, but I think they will lose it again to the Broncos.

 

 

The Broncos are a very good team, but I think the chances of Jake Plummer winning a Super Bowl are slim to none, hence the suprise draft pick of Jay Cutler.

[football_scooter 0]

Ah but Scooter you gotta follow the game. Hasselbeck threw the INT but the Alex Bannister the intended receiver ran the wrong route. Hass gets the balme but the receiver read the defense incorrectly and screwed up.

 

Understanding that makes Hasselbeck's proclamation of victory no less retarded.

 

One man's opinion.

 

(and yeah - so he said they're gonna score...it's still proclaiming victory since it was OT)

 

The Broncos are a very good team, but I think the chances of Jake Plummer winning a Super Bowl are slim to none, hence the suprise draft pick of Jay Cutler.

 

That was a surprise?

[FlaHawker 24]

Understanding that makes Hasselbeck's proclamation of victory no less retarded.

 

One man's opinion.

 

(and yeah - so he said they're gonna score...it's still proclaiming victory since it was OT)

That was a surprise?

 

Retarded to you, gutsy to me.

 

One man's opinion.

 

So I guess on your draft card you had penciled...I mean put in permanent ink... Jay Cutler to the Broncos. yeah, I think a team, supposedly with a "franchise" QB, that drafts a QB that it has never even worked out rates as a suprise pick. Now if you want to tell me it was not a supriose consiodering Plummer is a bum I'll tell you that is true but no one associated Cutler with the Broncos leading up to the draft.

[football_scooter 0]

Now if you want to tell me it was not a supriose consiodering Plummer is a bum I'll tell you that is true but no one associated Cutler with the Broncos leading up to the draft.

 

Actually, some did. Can't remember who exactly off-hand, but I distinctly remember discussing the Broncos taking a QB. Cutler was the candidate since the others would be going higher than the Broncos would be picking.

[FlaHawker 24]

Actually, some did. Can't remember who exactly off-hand, but I distinctly remember discussing the Broncos taking a QB. Cutler was the candidate since the others would be going higher than the Broncos would be picking.

 

 

[treat88 0]

Since this thread seems to be meant to objectively evaluate the Seahawks chances of being successful this year, I don't think any reasonable fan can argue they won't be competitive for the NFC title. They have a premier RB, a solid offensive line, and an improved defense. They play in the weakest, although improved, division in football so they have a reasonably favorable schedule. Burleson will be a nice addition and can stretch the field and open things up for Jax underneath. Hass is an above average QB in a good system for QB's so his weaknesses are not routinely exposed. The only things that might hold them back are intangibles and injuries. Obviously injuries are the variable for any team and the Hawks don't seem particularly injury prone so that's a wash. The lack of heart and toughness they displayed in the big game shouldn't impact them in the regular season, but they do need to prove they are not habitually soft. My guess is they are a 10 or 11 win team, but they don't return to the SB.

[t.j 35]

People are overlooking one of the best things the Seahawks have going for them: Great coaching. Mike Holmgren, when he's not splitting time as a GM, is a top 5 head coach in the NFL. Ray Rhodes, when he's doesn't have head coaching duties, is a top 10 defensive coordinator in the NFL. Holmgren is a huge asset to the Seahawks because he is so good at running a balanced offense that keeps defenses honest--no team uses screen passes more effectively and beats the blitz better than Seattle. The Hawks are right up there with the Colts in terms of getting plays called quickly and giving the QB time to change the play and/or force the defense to not be able to make the changes they would like to. Rhodes' defense was not a fluke last year, and as mentioned, his players are significantly more talented this year.

 

Seattle is a team where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. They have been awesome at home for years and I don't see that changing this year. If they get home field advantage again they will get back to the Super Bowl. And as mentioned, their schedule is not difficult.

[FlaHawker 24]

Since this thread seems to be meant to objectively evaluate the Seahawks chances of being successful this year, I don't think any reasonable fan can argue they won't be competitive for the NFC title. They have a premier RB, a solid offensive line, and an improved defense. They play in the weakest, although improved, division in football so they have a reasonably favorable schedule. Burleson will be a nice addition and can stretch the field and open things up for Jax underneath. Hass is an above average QB in a good system for QB's so his weaknesses are not routinely exposed. The only things that might hold them back are intangibles and injuries. Obviously injuries are the variable for any team and the Hawks don't seem particularly injury prone so that's a wash. The lack of heart and toughness they displayed in the big game shouldn't impact them in the regular season, but they do need to prove they are not habitually soft. My guess is they are a 10 or 11 win team, but they don't return to the SB.

 

 

Teams with no heart don't reel off 11 straight wins in the NFL much less find themselves in the Super Bowl. Granted, they played imperefct Super Bowl but Bill Leavy's incompetence led to their downfall more so than any "percieved" lack of toughness. If they remain healthy, they will make another run for the Super Bowl.

 

People are overlooking one of the best things the Seahawks have going for them: Great coaching. Mike Holmgren, when he's not splitting time as a GM, is a top 5 head coach in the NFL. Ray Rhodes, when he's doesn't have head coaching duties, is a top 10 defensive coordinator in the NFL. Holmgren is a huge asset to the Seahawks because he is so good at running a balanced offense that keeps defenses honest--no team uses screen passes more effectively and beats the blitz better than Seattle. The Hawks are right up there with the Colts in terms of getting plays called quickly and giving the QB time to change the play and/or force the defense to not be able to make the changes they would like to. Rhodes' defense was not a fluke last year, and as mentioned, his players are significantly more talented this year.

 

Seattle is a team where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. They have been awesome at home for years and I don't see that changing this year. If they get home field advantage again they will get back to the Super Bowl. And as mentioned, their schedule is not difficult.

 

 

Ray Rhodes has been replaced by John Marshall.

[t.j 35]

Teams with no heart don't reel off 11 straight wins in the NFL much less find themselves in the Super Bowl. Granted, they played imperefct Super Bowl but Bill Leavy's incompetence led to their downfall more so than any "percieved" lack of toughness. If they remain healthy, they will make another run for the Super Bowl.

Ray Rhodes has been replaced by John Marshall.

 

Damn it! I wasn't sure, but I must have checked an outdated site.

Anyway I still think Holmgren brings an awful lot to the table for the Hawks. Take Hasselbeck, he would maybe be an average QB on another team. But in Seattle his brain is basically an extension of Holmgren's at this point. Hasselbeck has at least a few good years left and honestly I think what Holmgren has going with Hasselbeck is the reason Holmgren extended his deal.

[FlaHawker 24]

Damn it! I wasn't sure, but I must have checked an outdated site.

Anyway I still think Holmgren brings an awful lot to the table for the Hawks. Take Hasselbeck, he would maybe be an average QB on another team. But in Seattle his brain is basically an extension of Holmgren's. Hasselbeck has at least a few good years left and honestly I think what Holmgren has going with Hasselbeck is the reason Holmgren extended his deal.

 

You are 100% correct.

[treat88 0]

I do appreciate the blind loyalty to your team, but objectively looking at the Hawks I don't see how you can't question their heart. Just in quick response to a moot point, other than that win over Indi's 2nd string that has got to be the least impressive 11 game win streak evah. Maybe you can claim the win over the Giants in OT, but truly there was not a single quality opponent in that stretch. That doesn't take anything away from the accomplishment, they don't set the schedule, but it should temper the enthusiasm for this streak as evidence of heart/character.

 

I think the questioning of heart comes from two straight first round playoff losses in games that should have been won. Followed by the most recent playoff run that again ends in a loss. After a certain period of time the excuses for this group sound a little hollow, be it the refs or whatever the flavor of the season is. This team has all the talent in the world, a excellent coaching staff, plays in a weak divinsion/conference, and has a committed owner. They should be winning championships not blaming officials. The lack of ability to win in the playoffs has been demostrated three consecutive years. It is not only reasonable, but necessary to look at the lack of mental toughness under pressure repeatedly displayed as a concern for this group.

 

Again, not bagging on your boys, just being objective.

[FlaHawker 24]

I do appreciate the blind loyalty to your team, but objectively looking at the Hawks I don't see how you can't question their heart. Just in quick response to a moot point, other than that win over Indi's 2nd string that has got to be the least impressive 11 game win streak evah. Maybe you can claim the win over the Giants in OT, but truly there was not a single quality opponent in that stretch. That doesn't take anything away from the accomplishment, they don't set the schedule, but it should temper the enthusiasm for this streak as evidence of heart/character.

 

I think the questioning of heart comes from two straight first round playoff losses in games that should have been won. Followed by the most recent playoff run that again ends in a loss. After a certain period of time the excuses for this group sound a little hollow, be it the refs or whatever the flavor of the season is. This team has all the talent in the world, a excellent coaching staff, plays in a weak divinsion/conference, and has a committed owner. They should be winning championships not blaming officials. The lack of ability to win in the playoffs has been demostrated three consecutive years. It is not only reasonable, but necessary to look at the lack of mental toughness under pressure repeatedly displayed as a concern for this group.

 

Again, not bagging on your boys, just being objective.

 

 

First, I support my team win or lose and during a stretch from 1991-2003 the steam pretty much stunk out Seattle, so your blind loyalty statement is incorrect. I call it as I see it. An 11 game win streak is an 11 game win streak. The league made the schedule and the Seahawks beat the teams they faced for 11 straight weeks. Mentally weak teams would not/could not have done that. As for the Giants win, it was a win. Should the Giants have won that game if Feely could kick a FG, sure but that is football..players either making or not making plays (Unlike having a ref decide your fate on bogus/borderline calls).

 

The team lost two playoff games, true. The GB game in which Alex Bannister ran the wrong route cannot be blamed on a lack of heart. The guy runs a crap route and that equates to a lack of heart? Bobby Engram drops a game tying TD and that equates to a lack of heart for the whole team? Hell seattle wasn't even picked to win the GB game. The Ram game they should have won, but teams that are supposed to win sometimes don't and not because they have no heart. No, those two losses are examples of players not making plays. So to follow your logic then, the Giants have no heart because Feely missed that FG in Seattle, right? And the Colts have no heart because Vanderjerk missed the FG against the Steelers, right? And the Panthers and Steve Smith have no heart because they did nothing against Seattle in the championship game. I mean do we go back and say all those Eagle teams lost championship games and then finally a Super Bowl had no heart? If that is the case only the team that wins the super bowl each year has any heart.

 

As for blaming officials. if the shoe fits...take a look at what FIFA did. The NFL should be ashamed.

[treat88 0]

I'm just saying when a team repetitively loses in big situations you've got to wonder why. Was McNabb questioned for not winning the NFC title game, sure he was. Is Manning questioned for not getting it done, sure he is. Steelers couldn't overcome the Pats. Elway until he broke through. Lots of examples. Have people questioned the make-up and character of those teams/players, yes, repeatedly. Don't give the Hawks a pass, their intangibles have to be questioned. Bannister, Engram, refs, etc. All the excuses don't eliminate the pattern of folding when it's on the line.

 

By blind loyalty, I simply mean an apparent inability to recognize the team's faults. Root'em on win or lose, but at leat evaluate them without the rose colored lenses. They're a good team and finished right where they deserved last season. I've said repeatedly they are a talented team that should be competitive, but at least recognize their weaknesses, of which team character is a reasonable point of discussion.

 

I think I did give them credit for the 11 game streak, they don't make the schedule, and they did win. Just don't beat that drum too hard, it's not that impressive.

 

The games they lost do not come down to one play. Nor does any game. The game consists of any number of small things done incorrectly and missed opportunities that add up to the loss. Isolating one or two plays is just not realistic as giving cause for a loss.

 

Again, with their talent they should be winning not making lists of reasons why they didn't. They've got something to prove. My logic doesn't say when a player doesn't make a play question a team's heart. It says when a team repetitively loses in big situations it is reasonable to question that aspect of the team's persona.

 

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I am suprised you don't even recognize the pattern.

[FlaHawker 24]

I'm just saying when a team repetitively loses in big situations you've got to wonder why. Was McNabb questioned for not winning the NFC title game, sure he was. Is Manning questioned for not getting it done, sure he is. Steelers couldn't overcome the Pats. Elway until he broke through. Lots of examples. Have people questioned the make-up and character of those teams/players, yes, repeatedly. Don't give the Hawks a pass, their intangibles have to be questioned. Bannister, Engram, refs, etc. All the excuses don't eliminate the pattern of folding when it's on the line.

 

By blind loyalty, I simply mean an apparent inability to recognize the team's faults. Root'em on win or lose, but at leat evaluate them without the rose colored lenses. They're a good team and finished right where they deserved last season. I've said repeatedly they are a talented team that should be competitive, but at least recognize their weaknesses, of which team character is a reasonable point of discussion.

 

I think I did give them credit for the 11 game streak, they don't make the schedule, and they did win. Just don't beat that drum too hard, it's not that impressive.

 

The games they lost do not come down to one play. Nor does any game. The game consists of any number of small things done incorrectly and missed opportunities that add up to the loss. Isolating one or two plays is just not realistic as giving cause for a loss.

 

Again, with their talent they should be winning not making lists of reasons why they didn't. They've got something to prove. My logic doesn't say when a player doesn't make a play question a team's heart. It says when a team repetitively loses in big situations it is reasonable to question that aspect of the team's persona.

 

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I am suprised you don't even recognize the pattern.

 

C'mon now. Don't switch to the ol' teams have to be questioned and intangibles fluff. Sure teams are questioned, but your argument equates losing in big situations to no heart. Don't switch on me now. It's either no heart or it isn't.

 

 

As for repetitive losing, I believe the Hawks won two playoff games last year, so how does that factor into repetitive losing? In fact, won a playoff game without the leagues MVP. i think that shows tremendous heart and character. look what happened to the bengals when Palmer was taken out. look what happened to the panthers when deShauinFoster went out. how many playoff games would the Steelers have won without Rothlisbereger? Take away a Bill Leavy hold on Sean locklear and the Seahawks are super bowl champs.

[treat88 0]

It's kinda the same isn't it? Choking, no heart, losing in big situations. I'm not mixing or changing arguments. Same thing. That's what intangibles are.

 

They did show progress last year, but still came up short in a game they really should have won, refs or no refs. I'm not arguing with you about whether the Steelers deserved to win or not. They didn't and didn't play well enough to beat the Seahawks. I am saying that the Seahawks should have won that game even with the calls that went against them. They had multiple opportunities on plays not affected by the stripes and failed to capitalize. The Seahawks should have won that game as it was played and called, because the Steelers played piss poorly. Same thing in the other first round losses. They should have won and didn't. To me that leaves a team's character open to question.

 

Again you can't isolate the play and say a game hinges on it. You are a knowledgeable fan and I'm sure know this. If they don't call the hold, every play after that point changes and the outcome is unknowable.

 

My argument equates losing repetitively in big situations to no heart. Whether it has been the first round or the SB they have failed to get that monkey off their backs. At the end of the day, I'd really like to hear Seahawks fans say, yeah we think we got jobbed on a couple of calls, but we should have won anyway.

 

Gotta place the blame largely on the team, not excuse the losses continually.

 

Just my two cents man. I'm outta this one.

[FlaHawker 24]

It's kinda the same isn't it? Choking, no heart, losing in big situations. I'm not mixing or changing arguments. Same thing. That's what intangibles are.

 

They did show progress last year, but still came up short in a game they really should have won, refs or no refs. I'm not arguing with you about whether the Steelers deserved to win or not. They didn't and didn't play well enough to beat the Seahawks. I am saying that the Seahawks should have won that game even with the calls that went against them. They had multiple opportunities on plays not affected by the stripes and failed to capitalize. The Seahawks should have won that game as it was played and called, because the Steelers played piss poorly. Same thing in the other first round losses. They should have won and didn't. To me that leaves a team's character open to question.

 

Again you can't isolate the play and say a game hinges on it. You are a knowledgeable fan and I'm sure know this. If they don't call the hold, every play after that point changes and the outcome is unknowable.

 

My argument equates losing repetitively in big situations to no heart. Whether it has been the first round or the SB they have failed to get that monkey off their backs. At the end of the day, I'd really like to hear Seahawks fans say, yeah we think we got jobbed on a couple of calls, but we should have won anyway.

 

Gotta place the blame largely on the team, not excuse the losses continually.

 

Just my two cents man. I'm outta this one.

 

I still don't buy your no heart argument because then basically no team has heart. And if it were simply a case of yeah a few calls were bad that would be one thing. But EVERY call went against them in EVERY big situation. Kinda hard to win when every call goes against you. Like I said earlier, they hardly played a perfect game. The Steelers played a weak game as well. The difference is the refs allowed Pitt to survive a horrid beginning to that game. They did not afford the Seahawks the same luxury. Do you realize not one penalty was called on the steelers, and i don't have the exact time here, but I believe from either the end of the first quarter or the very beginning of the second quarter until the end of the game? Now I know they Steelers are a good team but c'mon. That has nothing to do with a team's heart.

[kiwimango 0]

I still don't buy your no heart argument because then basically no team has heart. And if it were simply a case of yeah a few calls were bad that would be one thing. But EVERY call went against them in EVERY big situation. Kinda hard to win when every call goes against you. Like I said earlier, they hardly played a perfect game. The Steelers played a weak game as well. The difference is the refs allowed Pitt to survive a horrid beginning to that game. They did not afford the Seahawks the same luxury. Do you realize not one penalty was called on the steelers, and i don't have the exact time here, but I believe from either the end of the first quarter or the very beginning of the second quarter until the end of the game? Now I know they Steelers are a good team but c'mon. That has nothing to do with a team's heart.

 

After reading each and every post here, there is one thing that has been consistent throughout the entire topic. The Seahawks lost because of the refs and not the Steelers. I am sure that the Steelers put that on their RINGS, we won but Seattle was better. It couldnt have been the 2 missed FGs by Brown that hurt the Seahawks. It couldnt be the lack of a 2 minute drill at the END OF BOTH HALVES. It couldnt be a safety that was looking into the back field on what he thought was an end around but turned out to be pass. It couldnt be the lack of a running game (20 for 95 is good for some guys but not Alexander.) The sign of character is not blaming someone else, it is when everything is against you, still pulling thru. The Steelers did it vs the Colts. Bogus calls and they still won. Seattle did it, Alexander went down and they still beat the Skins. That is character!!! THE SEAHAWKS LOST, the Steelers played horrible and still found a way to win. GET OVER IT. The Seahawks are a very good team and they SHOULD be competing for the NFC Championship but to discount the rest of the teams in the NFC is foolish at best. You seem smart and you are making excuses and that is not good.

 

Losers make excuses and Winners find a way to get it done!

 

And for the record Heath Miller had a pass interference at 4:47 to go in the 2nd quarter, so they were penalized after the 1st qtr and I remember that as being a bogus call, just like the Stevens fumble on the Chris Hope hit that was later called incomplete.

 

Have a great day!

[phillybear 366]

I think the questioning of heart comes from two straight first round playoff losses in games that should have been won. Followed by the most recent playoff run that again ends in a loss. After a certain period of time the excuses for this group sound a little hollow, be it the refs or whatever the flavor of the season is. This team has all the talent in the world, a excellent coaching staff, plays in a weak divinsion/conference, and has a committed owner. They should be winning championships not blaming officials. The lack of ability to win in the playoffs has been demostrated three consecutive years. It is not only reasonable, but necessary to look at the lack of mental toughness under pressure repeatedly displayed as a concern for this group.

 

They lost two winnable games in the first round, on the last plays of the game. Against Green Bay, Seattle was a 8 point road underdog that fought their way into OT. No shame there. Against St Louis, Seattle was a 3 point home favorite, in a game the oddsmaker deemed a tossup. And if Jurevicius doesn't drop the ball in the endzone, that game goes to OT as well.

 

Last year, Seattle won by double digits and covered both playoff games. And lost as an underdog to Pittsburgh. So reality is, Seattle pretty much did what was expected in the playoffs. Your argument would have more merit if you said, Seattle couldn't win a playoff game for 20 years. But then, that was mostly a different team over the years with different players.

 

Arguing lack of heart would have more merit if you said that Seattle had trouble winning close road games, at least they did up until last year. Seattle could have turned an important corner last year. This year is a defining year as far as whether Seattle will be a contender for several years to come.

[FlaHawker 24]

After reading each and every post here, there is one thing that has been consistent throughout the entire topic. The Seahawks lost because of the refs and not the Steelers. I am sure that the Steelers put that on their RINGS, we won but Seattle was better. It couldnt have been the 2 missed FGs by Brown that hurt the Seahawks. It couldnt be the lack of a 2 minute drill at the END OF BOTH HALVES. It couldnt be a safety that was looking into the back field on what he thought was an end around but turned out to be pass. It couldnt be the lack of a running game (20 for 95 is good for some guys but not Alexander.) The sign of character is not blaming someone else, it is when everything is against you, still pulling thru. The Steelers did it vs the Colts. Bogus calls and they still won. Seattle did it, Alexander went down and they still beat the Skins. That is character!!! THE SEAHAWKS LOST, the Steelers played horrible and still found a way to win. GET OVER IT. The Seahawks are a very good team and they SHOULD be competing for the NFC Championship but to discount the rest of the teams in the NFC is foolish at best. You seem smart and you are making excuses and that is not good.

 

Losers make excuses and Winners find a way to get it done!

 

And for the record Heath Miller had a pass interference at 4:47 to go in the 2nd quarter, so they were penalized after the 1st qtr and I remember that as being a bogus call, just like the Stevens fumble on the Chris Hope hit that was later called incomplete.

 

Have a great day!

 

This really isn't about making excuses. If the Seahawks turned the ball over five times and i said they would have won without the turnovers that is making excuses. What I am highlighting is the absolute utter incomptetence of a band of officials that unfortunately changed an outcome of game for both teams. yes, the Seahawks lost but the Steelers now have a tainted trophy. That is not fair to either organization. What is worse is that NFL decided that type of officiating is acceptable. And what is even worse is the silence of NFL fans who simply accept this level of incompetence just like a society that accepts teacher's unions and then wonders why the kids and schools are in such a mess. Mark my words, this type of game will happen again this year.

[football_scooter 0]

yes, the Seahawks lost but the Steelers now have a tainted trophy.

[FlaHawker 24]

 

 

I feel your pain Scoot!

[Leonard Henry -2 Yds 0]

I'm smiling imagining how people on this thread would take a completely opposite view on officiation had the Polamalu "fumble" been of consequence in the AFC championship. Mr. "I have been officiating for 5 years and have a different perspective than the average fan" (meaning refs should not be blamed for abysmal calls?) would be crying and whining. Anyway, if you think the outcome of the game would have been the same, or similar minus the MIND BLOWING officiation in the Super Bowl, you're a mindless moron, and a Holocaust denier.

[t.j 35]

It's kinda the same isn't it? Choking, no heart, losing in big situations. I'm not mixing or changing arguments. Same thing.

 

Your point is stupid. Every team has better results against weak opponents than against good opponents. With the exception of Jerramy Stevens, the Seahawks have played just as well against good opponents as they have against bad opponents, any dropoff in results can be attributed to how well the opponent played.

[jgcrawfish 232]

The Pittsburgh Steelers, in the early estimation of most oddsmakers and preview magazines, are hardly the favorites to defend the Super Bowl title. In fact, the No. 1 team in the ESPN.com offseason power rankings is the Seattle Seahawks...

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&id=2493988

 

Hey chump, last time I checked, the score was 21-10, the Burgh has the hardware, and there's nothing you can do to change it.

 

This really isn't about making excuses. If the Seahawks turned the ball over five times and i said they would have won without the turnovers that is making excuses. What I am highlighting is the absolute utter incomptetence of a band of officials that unfortunately changed an outcome of game for both teams. yes, the Seahawks lost but the Steelers now have a tainted trophy. That is not fair to either organization. What is worse is that NFL decided that type of officiating is acceptable. And what is even worse is the silence of NFL fans who simply accept this level of incompetence just like a society that accepts teacher's unions and then wonders why the kids and schools are in such a mess. Mark my words, this type of game will happen again this year.

 

Hmmm...pictures of that trophy show it to be pretty darn shiny and bright, I'm not seeing much tainted. You say that you're not making excuses, but calling it a "tainted" trophy is just that. You either acknowledge that the Steelers won, or you live in denial making excuses and calling things adjectives that don't apply. It's pretty black and white, the game is over, the score reads 21-10, a win is a win, and losers make the excuses.

[football_scooter 0]

Hmmm...pictures of that trophy show it to be pretty darn shiny and bright, I'm not seeing much tainted. You say that you're not making excuses, but calling it a "tainted" trophy is just that. You either acknowledge that the Steelers won, or you live in denial making excuses and calling things adjectives that don't apply. It's pretty black and white, the game is over, the score reads 21-10, a win is a win, and losers make the excuses.

 

As a fan of neither team, I'd say this pretty well sums it up.

[kiwimango 0]

I'm smiling imagining how people on this thread would take a completely opposite view on officiation had the Polamalu "fumble" been of consequence in the AFC championship. Mr. "I have been officiating for 5 years and have a different perspective than the average fan" (meaning refs should not be blamed for abysmal calls?) would be crying and whining. Anyway, if you think the outcome of the game would have been the same, or similar minus the MIND BLOWING officiation in the Super Bowl, you're a mindless moron, and a Holocaust denier.

 

Then I am a mindless moron. I thank you for the comment. The fact is that the Polamalu fumble, SHOULD HAVE COST THEM THE GAME, BUT IT DIDNT!!! The officiating went against the Steelers in the entire Colts game. The refs tried everything that they could to allow the Colts to stay in the game and the STEELERS STILL WON! That is the point, was the game poorly officiated sure, on both sides!!!

 

Did Bill Leavy push the 2 chip shot FGs wide left & right?

Did Bill Leavy tell Jackson to run out of bounds when he had a perfect pass thrown to him, for a TD?

Did Bill Leavy mysteriously CONFUSE the Seahawks when it was time to run the 2 MINUTE DRILL?

Did Bill Leavy cause the players to drop passes when they were wide open?

Did Bill Leavy make all of the Dbacks look into the backfield on the reverse pass and let a WR get deeper

than their deepest defender?

Did Bill Leavy Rush for 95 yards on 20 carries?

Did Bill Leavy take a HORRIBLE angle to tackle the FASTEST GUY on the field and allow a 75 yd TD run?

 

No, the refs did not referee a very good game, THAT POINT IS DULY NOTED, but the fact is that the Seahwaks had every chance to win this game AND DIDN'T. The Steelers can hold their head up high regardless of what you want to say, only people in Seattle say that it is tainted.

 

I think that their rings look especially shiny!

[Franknbeans 46]

I'm smiling imagining how people on this thread would take a completely opposite view on officiation had the Polamalu "fumble" been of consequence in the AFC championship. Mr. "I have been officiating for 5 years and have a different perspective than the average fan" (meaning refs should not be blamed for abysmal calls?) would be crying and whining. Anyway, if you think the outcome of the game would have been the same, or similar minus the MIND BLOWING officiation in the Super Bowl, you're a mindless moron, and a Holocaust denier.

Big difference. The NFL came out and admitted they blew that call. Not so much with the Superbowl calls. The only one they admitted was wrong was the low block call on Hasselbeck. The truth hurts.

[phillybear 366]

The Steelers can hold their head up high regardless of what you want to say, only every NFL fan outside of Pittsburgh say that it is tainted.

 

Fixed.

[kiwimango 0]

Fixed.

 

Thanks for fixing that. I am sure that you can now sleep at night, I guess you sig proves my point.

[phillybear 366]

Thanks for fixing that.

 

Happy to help out. It's important that all NFL fans stick together and demand a quality product. And that means everybody should be outraged by the pathetic officiating in nearly every single playoff game last year, which clearly affected the outcomes of some games.

 

Football fans, for all the money that they generate for the NFL, deserve and should demand better.

[murf74 461]

Fixed.

 

 

And here I though Phillybear had used the last 6 months to gain his sanity back and move on......