Those two I’ve seen now, and I agree.
I didn’t even know what it was for. He made the touchdown, got down on his knees and celebrated, and then I noticed they were kicking off at the 15. Sure I was celebrating and not really paying attention, but I didn’t notice anything that was “excessive”. But, again, I haven’t seen in review.
Williams has a bad habit of lingering around a rolling punt when he has no intention of trying to pick it up and run with it. He was doing this, with three or four Steelers gathered around it. One of the Steelers was attempting to “block” Williams into the rolling ball; he took exception, and popped him. A no-brainer of a penalty.
It was on his interception. In celebration after scoring, he slid onto his knees, and every official threw his flag (when I saw it in real time, there was a moment in which I thought fans were throwing things onto the field in celebration, as several flags came into view simultaneously). Apparently, among the rules prohibiting “excessive celebration”, if you “go to the ground” intentionally as part of your celebration, you’re going to automatically draw the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Oh yeah, that’s right, technically the correct call, although the bias in me wishes the officials could just let them celebrate. Can’t really complain about it. What is strange about the call wass that the officials are supposed to be in the Packers pocket and called this. Weird, huh?
Oh, man, don’t get the guy from Minnesota started again (I’m not going to say his name, because that might attract him 
).
The most interesting thing about this for me is that no one throws a flag when someone scores a touchdown and genuflects (a la Mark Bavaro or Greg Jennings in the Super Bowl).
I’m not saying that they should throw the flag for it but it’s interesting that there are clearly accepted levels of going to ground after scoring.
Players can’t ‘go to the ground’ in celebration of a score. Ticky tacky, but the right call.
ETA: What kenobi said. A “bad call” delayed my reply.
We’re not football people so know little about these things, but we thought it was an odd call too. On TV they specifically used the phrase “going to the ground after a touchdown.” Which made me think, “what a strange criterion.”
Yeah, we noted just that when Jennings dropped to a single knee after scoring his second touchdown, and did not draw a penalty.
One knee = OK
Two knees = 15 yards
Up next, maybe you could use the players’ actual names. Nobody likes a sore winner.
Roethlisberger was a shithead before the game started, and he’s a shithead after the game finished. It’s nothing to do with him playing for the Steelers, and nothing to do with the Packers winning.
It isn’t being a sore winner (though when I meet the bunch of cackling harpies I had to endure for the whole season again, I fully intend to be the sorest, most obnoxious winner in history).
Before the game was even played, he was a shithead. Had the Steelers won, he’d still be a shithead. Had he thrown for 500 yards, 8 TDs, and won the MVP, he’d still be a shithead. His shitheadedness, and my pointing that out, have nothing to do with football or who won the Super Bowl.
ETA: Wow, villa. Amazingly close simulpost. Are you standing right behind me?
Ooops. double post (and lagged, too!)
I wish I had been on Sunday, but alas no.
In that case, I pray that you yourself have never done anything in your own life that, through second- or third-hand accounts, opportunistic allegations, and outright slander, might lead people to believe that you yourself are a “shithead”.
Holy shit, the majority of Steelers fans I know think he is a shithead and an embarrassment to the franchise for his personality and behavior. The only reason he hasn’t been run out on a rail is that he wins games.
Even forgetting the whole twice accused of sexual assault business, I’ve had Steelers fans tell me he is barred from certain places in Pittsburgh for walking out on tabs and generally being an asshole. Now, I am sure some of these stories aren’t true. But that it is Steeler fans saying them is what is important. He’s a shithead. So he gets called a shithead. And not just by opposing fans.
The Game:
Both teams came out a bit tentative. Steelers went 3 and out, Rodgers was a bit off on his accuracy, Steelers start to run the ball well, and then get a penalty and poor passes. I was really worried that the Steelers, with the experience, would take advantage of the nerves, but, luckily, they didn’t.
The game itself was like watching the entire Packer season in one game. With the quick lead, you see just how good the Packers can be, and what a great QB Rodgers is. And the two interceptions, you saw the big plays the defense is capable of. Then that last drive of the second half with the Steelers TD, you saw what happens when the Packers defense get too cocky and laid back (and when they play Jarrett Bush). Then, the start of the second half, you saw how the Packers can shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and the lapses they have against the run. And, just like the season, they lose 3 starters to injuries and have problems recovering. There were some issues with the O Line, some amazing passes and runs after the catch, and big plays on defense. McCarthy had a great gameplan to take advantage of the Steelers weaknesses. The game was a nice microcosm of the whole season.
The Packers won. The Lombardi trophy comes home. After all the injuries this year, and how close they were to elimination, it was pretty damn impressive for them to have this run to win it all. And I am very excited for the future, when Rodgers hits his prime, the young talent develops even more, and they gain experience. But what a season.
You’re not a middle aged women from Sheboygan who is not very good at high fives, but whos father was a good friend of Jerry Kramer?
Only on Saturdays. On Sundays I’m Batman.
Cullen jenkins is the priority in my mind to re-sign. I think they let AJ Hawk go, and I wouldn’t be surpised if James Jones goes, too. I bet some other team will over pay for him.
You’re talking about my cousin, aren’t you?