Thinking

Caged Birds Can’t Fly

By: L Jones

 The Steel Curtain crashes down on the offense of the Ravens, convincingly ending the third and final act of the Steelers-Raven’s 08-09 Saga entitled “Caged Birds Can’t Fly.” The Pittsburgh Steelers, who swept the three head-to-head meetings, winning two during the regular season and then in the AFC Championship game, cast the Baltimore Ravens for the role of 2009 AFC Division runner’s up. All three Acts of this wonderfully constructed tale were filled with suspense, drama and the climax of the story was nothing less than electrifying.

 This clash of titans lived up to the billing. The two heavy weights slugged it out; took the other’s best punches, shook it off and kept on punching.  At the half, the field was strewn with injured players on both sides. The Steelers led 13-7, but blown opportunities by the Steelers kept this epic battle close.

 In the forth quarter, the Ravens cut the lead to two points, but a key interception and return for touchdown by Troy Polumalu made the score 23-14. A thunderous collision between Ryan Clark and Willis McGahee, which led to a Raven’s fumble, put the game out of reach for the valiant Raven warriors. On one last ghastly attempt at glory, Joe Flacco’s pass was intercepted and the Steelers marched off the field triumphantly with the final score of 23-14.

 The Steelers will play the starring role in this winter’s blockbuster event, Super Bowl XLIII opposite the Arizona Cardinals, who earlier clipped the Philadelphia Eagle’s wings and flew pass them 32-25