2008 Woodie Awards
Cono's Corner: Steelers re-open an old wound for Jets fans.
Steve Conoscenti
Issue date: 2/2/06 Section: Sports
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As if it wasn't hard enough being a Jet fan…
Last year, around this time, I was calling for Jet field goal kicker Doug Brien's head. You don't even have to be a Jet fan to remember how Doug Brien got the Pittsburgh Steelers into the conference championship game during last year's playoffs. Thank God I didn't have to watch the Steelers go all the way to the Superbowl. This year, it's a different story.
I may have a year-old beef with the Steelers, but not even I can deny the fact that they deserve to be in the Superbowl right now more than anyone. Yes, the Colts had a nearly flawless season, the Bengals had an amazing season and the Broncos looked to be Superbowl bound. What do all of those teams have in common? The Steelers beat them on their home turf this year in the playoffs. Is there any doubt that a team winning three games on the road to reach the Superbowl will be ready to win a championship? None whatsoever.
Probably one of the bigger storylines this year is Jerome Bettis returning to his hometown to play in his first Superbowl. As if he needed any more motivation. The Bus may not have had an amazing season according to his numbers, but his sheer presence gave the Steelers the boost they needed to make it to the big game. He played 12 games this season, but didn't start any. He carried the ball 110 times, yet scored nine touchdowns on the season. That's roughly one touchdown every 12 carries. Of course, Bettis is normally used in goal line situations, but still, he gets the job done. It won't be easy to break through the league's fifth-best rushing defense, but something tells me it will be no tough task for the Bus.
Since the day he was drafted, I thought Ben Roethlisberger was the best quarterback in the 2004 draft. Yes, better than Eli Manning, and so far my statement has held true. In his first year, he led his team to the AFC Championship Game. In his second year, he led his team to the Superbowl. You can't argue the facts. Big Ben is leading the 2005 postseason so far in yards and, barring issues with injuries, he had a pretty good sophomore season. Pitt's passing game hasn't been a strong point this year, but Seattle's passing defense is near the bottom of the pack. If Roethlisberger can get his passing game going quickly, it should make for an easier shot at a ring.
Last year, around this time, I was calling for Jet field goal kicker Doug Brien's head. You don't even have to be a Jet fan to remember how Doug Brien got the Pittsburgh Steelers into the conference championship game during last year's playoffs. Thank God I didn't have to watch the Steelers go all the way to the Superbowl. This year, it's a different story.
I may have a year-old beef with the Steelers, but not even I can deny the fact that they deserve to be in the Superbowl right now more than anyone. Yes, the Colts had a nearly flawless season, the Bengals had an amazing season and the Broncos looked to be Superbowl bound. What do all of those teams have in common? The Steelers beat them on their home turf this year in the playoffs. Is there any doubt that a team winning three games on the road to reach the Superbowl will be ready to win a championship? None whatsoever.
Probably one of the bigger storylines this year is Jerome Bettis returning to his hometown to play in his first Superbowl. As if he needed any more motivation. The Bus may not have had an amazing season according to his numbers, but his sheer presence gave the Steelers the boost they needed to make it to the big game. He played 12 games this season, but didn't start any. He carried the ball 110 times, yet scored nine touchdowns on the season. That's roughly one touchdown every 12 carries. Of course, Bettis is normally used in goal line situations, but still, he gets the job done. It won't be easy to break through the league's fifth-best rushing defense, but something tells me it will be no tough task for the Bus.
Since the day he was drafted, I thought Ben Roethlisberger was the best quarterback in the 2004 draft. Yes, better than Eli Manning, and so far my statement has held true. In his first year, he led his team to the AFC Championship Game. In his second year, he led his team to the Superbowl. You can't argue the facts. Big Ben is leading the 2005 postseason so far in yards and, barring issues with injuries, he had a pretty good sophomore season. Pitt's passing game hasn't been a strong point this year, but Seattle's passing defense is near the bottom of the pack. If Roethlisberger can get his passing game going quickly, it should make for an easier shot at a ring.