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

Arizona Cardinals Hold Off Eagles 

By: L Jones

  The Philadelphia Eagles play the role of the turtle as they start the race off slow, but storm back in the second half to take a momentary 1 point lead in the forth quarter of the NFC Divisional Championship game. Unfortunately, it was a rabbit’s race. The Arizona Cardinals got their second wind and overtook the Eagles to win the game by a score of 32 - 25. The Cardinals secure a spot in the Super Bowl XLIII. They will battle with the winner of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers’ AFC Championship contest.

 The NFC Championship game was truly a tale of two halves. Kurt Warner hooked up with Larry Fitzgerald for three first half touchdowns to put the Cardinals safely up 24 – 6. But that’s just half of the story. The Philadelphia Eagles with Donovan McNabb at the helm flew out of the gates after the half time intermission scoring two third quarter touchdowns, each to Brent Celek. At the beginning of the forth quarter, Donovan McNabb completes the hat trick when he threw an 86 yard strike to DeSean Jackson to take steal the lead 25 – 24.

Kurt Warner, not to be out done led the Cardinals down the field on a 14 play, 72 yards drive that led to an 8 yard pass to Tim Hightower. They never looked back.

Birds Battle for Super Bowl Berth

by: L Jones

With thoughts of Superbowl XLIII on their minds, the Philadelphia Eagles soar west to battle the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix Arizona. This game promises to be a high flying, offensive aerial show, which boasts the strong arm of Eagle’s quarterback Donovan McNabb and rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson and the wiley veteran quarterback for Arizona, Kurt Warner and his ridiculously agile and sure-handed receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

I believe the road to victory lies with the journey of the defenses. The team whose defense can hold the opposing offense to field goals will win the game. This game will be a shoot out. Come see me for me post game thoughts.