The Post Mortem

The only thing missing from Super Bowl XLIII was Roger Goodell running on to the field, screaming "Ring the bell. Ring the bell," while handing the trophy to Ben Roethlisberger telling him to run back to the locker room (while looking pissed off). Then Kurt Warner could have spit in McMah ... err ... Goodell's face, punched him and then started making an "AFL" signs with his fingers.

Here's some advice Kurt. When you are in the booking meeting, and they tell you ... "You are going to throw a desperation pass in the final seconds," don't believe them.

Not that there is any conspiracy or anything. Though, if somebody can produce the video where Santonio Holmes got that second foot down, it would be greatly appreciated. But when you are looking for angles, booking the former drug dealer to Super Bowl MVP, that's a pretty compelling story. And with so many Steelers fans in the stands, it makes sense to send the crowd home happy.

Raven and Seahawks fans now have some company, as the Cardinals join a group of teams wondering why the Steelers always get the benefit of the doubt on every call. In fact, watching the Steelers play in a Super Bowl is akin to watching Duke play in Cameron Indoor Arena. They might as well just have Dickie V. calling these games.

No matter what the call is on the field, it always seems to go in the Steelers favor. If the Steelers get near the end zone; touchdown. If a Steelers receiver looks like he caught the ball; automatic completion. A quarterback may or may not have thrown the ball; automatic fumble. The Cardinals had to waste a challenge on a blatant forward pass in the first half. In fact, the officiating was so horrible, the Cardinals had to use both challenges early.

Not that the Cardinals didn't make their mistakes (Kurt Warner's interception being one), but the Steelers are always given the benefit of the doubt and -- funny -- there is never enough evidence to overturn the original call. And seriously, they couldn't spend the extra two minutes to review that final fumble?

The obvious answer here is that the NFL wanted to rush the end of the game. The league didn't want a lengthy review running into valuable prime time television. And let's face it, the NFL is nothing more than a revenue generating machine. The fact that this was a great game was merely a bonus. Why muck it up with a review. A Super Bowl is never going to end that way.

The odds of the Cardinals pulling that game out was remote, but the NFL opened itself up for criticism for not reviewing that final play. And it's a shame, too. This might have been one of the greatest Super Bowl, ever. Instead, it's going to be remembered for it's Soprano's-like finish. The only thing missing was Journey.

• For the record, Holmes used a "prop" during his end zone celebration, and the Steelers should have been penalized 15 yards. Holmes used the ball as a "shaker" and mimicked LeBron James' pregame ritual. Dumb rule, for sure, but it has been called all year.
  

• Credit must be given to Ben Roethlisberger. He led the team down the field for the winning touchdown and he's now a two-time Super Bowl champion. Not bad for a guy five years in.
  

• The Kurt Warner Machine redeemed his first-half interception, but just couldn't do enough to get his team the win. Still, this run to the Super Bowl has earned his spot in the Hall of Fame. There isn't even much of an argument. And you had all better hope that I don't end up with a vote on the Hall of Fame committee some day.
  

• Larry Fitzgerald is the truth. Wow. He would have been the MVP if the Cardinals could have played a little defense in the final minute. NFL Network's Rich Eisen predicted that this would be the first Super Bowl to go into overtime. Having the Cardinals lose is worth it, just for him to be wrong. At least he won't try to write another book again.

A TV station in Tucson had its Super Bowl broadcast interrupted with some porn. And that seems fitting since the Cardinals were getting screwed anyway.

AND FINALLY
Is Super Bowl Monday a holiday yet?