# The Myron Cope Memorial Steelers March to the Super Bowl Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 7, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116 "2008-08-07T02:23:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/281 "2008-12-28T21:24:09Z")
Ben! Leftwitch stepped up and played well, but I hate to see Ben down - and for so long. The first half looked iffy, but they pulled it out. Way to go Ward! 1000 yard season and 800 catches. ---
**Author:** ![Soapbox\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/282 "2008-12-28T23:18:04Z")
I just have to say, I’ve never cheered so hard for the Eagles in my life. FUCK THE COW-BOYS!!! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/283 "2008-12-29T14:36:36Z")
Looks like Ben will play in the post season: [Link](http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aFFWUTS4i72U&refer=home) ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/284 "2008-12-29T15:21:28Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Looks like Ben will play in the post season Is that good news or bad? 😛 I keed, I keed; I trust Ben, it’s the guys in front of him, especially Colon and Kemoeatu, who’ve been causing all the problems. The Steelers rarely sign big name fee agents but if they keep Stapleton and release Simmons this off-season, they could realistically get Jordan Gross, that would be a huge upgrade. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/285 "2008-12-29T17:01:32Z")
Some blame the O-line others blame Ben for holding the ball too long. I blame the O-line myself. But, although I like Ben, he often seems kinda fragile to me. But over-all I guess it is a positive. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/286 "2008-12-29T17:34:51Z")
Does anyone blame Tomlin for playing his starters in this game? There’s been a little second-guessing, but I don’t think it was the wrong choice. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/287 "2008-12-30T00:13:13Z")
> [@davidw](#): > > Does anyone blame Tomlin for playing his starters in this game? There’s been a little second-guessing, but I don’t think it was the wrong choice. I don’t. I think the starters need to stay sharp. They rested Harrison because he was too banged up, Ben has shown all season that he struggles when coming off a layoff or periods with little practice. We saw it happen to Indy a few years back and to the Steelers the 15-1 season; the teams come back after the bye week and it takes them most of the first quarter to get back in sync. I like the way Tomlin handled it. As far as the injury to Ben goes, I’m surprised it took this long. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/288 "2009-01-11T01:35:14Z")
We did our part. Take care of your business tomorrow so we can meet next week for the marbles. GO RAVENS! ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/289 "2009-01-11T01:53:28Z")
> [@davidw](#): > > Does anyone blame Tomlin for playing his starters in this game? There’s been a little second-guessing, but I don’t think it was the wrong choice. The Colts have rested their starters, what, 5 of the last 6 seasons? And in that time, they’ve made the Conference Championship once, won one Wild Card round game and were one and done in the other 3. The season they didn’t rest their starters? They won the Super Bowl. The pattern, AFAIK, isn’t limited to the Colts, either. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/290 "2009-01-11T01:55:57Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > We did our part. Take care of your business tomorrow so we can meet next week for the marbles. > > \ It was a great game. I said in another thread that although I traditionally view the Ravens as a rival - and therefore must hate them - I like their new coach and their new QB. Congrat’s to the Ravens. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/291 "2009-01-12T00:37:29Z")
Holy Shit-is anyone watching the game? 34-17, Pittsburgh!!! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/292 "2009-01-12T01:05:21Z")
First let me say: An inauspicious start. Because, well it was and also I always say that. Then let me say: Whoohoo! What a great game! More offense than I expected and maybe only a little less D (but very little less) than I expected. So, a Pennsylvania Superbowl? ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/293 "2009-01-12T01:39:18Z")
That’s what I’m rooting for! I’ll be honest. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t think we’d make it to the playoffs. I’m glad I was wrong. I also like how we’ve still got a bit of malarkey – Big Ben’s not a bad punter. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/294 "2009-01-12T01:42:19Z")
I loved that play! I even liked the fake punt (even though it didn’t work.) Those plays make it (more) fun! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/295 "2009-01-12T23:57:46Z")
Can anyone explain why we weren’t allowed to advance the ball on that one punt? I was in the men’s room and all I saw was the ball hit the player’s helmet, our guy pick it up and run it in. Then the ref’s called it back and said it was not allowed to be advanced. ---
**Author:** ![vinniepaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@vinniepaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vinniepaz)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/296 "2009-01-13T00:14:23Z")
Kicking team cannot advance a punt. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/297 "2009-01-13T01:26:22Z")
> [@vinniepaz](#): > > Kicking team cannot advance a punt. But doesn’t it become a fumble once it hits the other player? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/298 "2009-01-13T01:30:15Z")
I didn’t see the play- but a punt becomes a live ball if it hits a receiving player _first_. If it hits a kicking player first, it’s a dead ball, even if the other guy touches it. He has to establish possession before you can take the ball away. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/299 "2009-01-13T02:46:22Z")
That’s exactly what happened. San Diego’s punt was shorter than expected, and Eric Weddle was concentrating on blocking for Darren Sproles when the ball bounced off his helmet and into the hands of a Steeler. Weddle’s double take was classic. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116/300 "2009-01-13T03:46:58Z")
Since the receiving team never had “possession” of the ball, it was a “muff”, instead of a “fumble”. The kicking team can recover a muff, but cannot advance it. There’s a discussion of it [here.](http://www.steelernation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19018) And for the record, it’s a stupid rule. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myron-cope-memorial-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/459116.md?page=16)