The Kingpin’s Super Bowl XLIII bash shook Uptown New Orleans so much during the action-packed 23-point fourth quarter, seismologists checked area Richter scales for seismic activity. Wild festivities lasting long after the game’s conclusion meant Big Daddy’s work productivity levels slowed to a halt Monday morning. This edition of Big Daddy’s Saints Beat pokes fun at Michael Phelps’ snafu, reviews the Bruce Springsteen’s halftime show, recaps the Super Bowl, assesses Super Bowl officiating, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.
Who saw the tabloid, News of the World’s snapshot tainting the reputation of Michael Phelps? The Kodak moment captures the Associated Press’s 2008 male athlete of the year puffing the magic dragon. Since marijuana is not a banned out-of competition substance, what’s the poor guy supposed to do¾ swim for world peace? What people really care about is whether Captain Inhale loaded the bowl or depleted some poor sap’s stash. Considering corporations never destroy the environment or drive local businesses into bankruptcy, corporate executives ordered lawyers to find character disqualification clauses in Phelps’ contracts to avoid paying millions to the Beijing Olympic star. Americans respect big businesses’ enlightened and innovative decisions which boost the bottom line, helping everybody, because higher profits always trickle down, right? If Phelps wishes to rebuild his damaged credibility, he should seek help from an experienced internationally renowned celebrity like Ron Jeremy, who can teach young Michael valuable life lessons about restoring his image. Jeremy’s focus will show Phelps the long, hard path to redemption never comes quickly.
Super Sunday’s halftime entertainment featured Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The Boss’ 12-minute mini-set rocked Tampa so hard, Cuban food vendors in Little Havana felt the rumble. Football fans and music enthusiasts knew they’d hear Born To Run (second song of the set), but many wondered what else Springsteen would choose to play. Las Vegas even posted odds on a slew of the rock icon’s hits; however, Vegas left off the one Big Daddy wanted to bet. Naturally, the show opened with Big Daddy’s choice, Tenth Avenue Freeze Out hypnotizing the world audience. Hope you enjoyed it, Rich? Song three, Working On A Dream, promoted the band’s new album title cut and featured a gospel choir backing up Springsteen’s vocals. Closing the show, a modified version of Glory Days, highlighted by Little Steven Van Zandt (thought by some to be a present-day Renaissance man) proclaiming it’s boss time. Totally Awesome!
Recapping Super Bowl XLIII, the game’s first possession saw officials credit Ben Roethlisberger a touchdown on a third-and-goal run; however, Arizona challenged the ruling and replay overturned the play. Reversing that call coerced a Jeff Reed 18-yarder. The Steelers went to the second ahead 3-0. Gary Russell’s 1-yard run made it 10-0. Kurt Warner’s pass to Ben Patrick narrowed the margin to 10-7. James Harrison’s monumental 100-yard interception return produced an unbelievable 14-point turnaround and gave Pitt a 17-7 halftime lead. Reed’s 3-pointer pushed the bulge to 20-7 after three. Larry Fitzgerald’s touchdown reception started the Cardinal rally with 7:33 left. Trailing 20-14, Arizona’s inspired pass rush earned them a safety at the 3:00 mark. Two plays later, Warner hit Fitzgerald again and he took it all 64 yards. Arizona snatched a 23-20 advantage with clock showing 2:37. Roethlisberger drove his team through Arizona’s soft prevent defense, hooking-up with Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes on an amazing 6-yard TD pass to regain the lead with :35 to go. More controversy surfaced when a botched fumble call (not reviewed) sealed Pittsburgh’s 27-23 victory.
Though Super Bowl XLIII TV ratings soared, and it may have been the most exciting NFL title game ever, suspect calls all favoring Pittsburgh certainly influenced the game’s outcome. Instead of referees striving for perfection, sportscasters proclaimed this season’s officiating the worst in football’s modern age. Coaches have always told players good teams overcome bad calls. Time-tested philosophies make sense when mistakes are actually random. There were three phantom personal fouls on Arizona, no calls for intentional grounding or excessive celebration against Pittsburgh, and no review of Warner’s late fumble. Can countless one-sided mistakes occur accidentally? Roger Goodell’s failure to address this matter casts a growing dark cloud over pro football. Hey Roger, have you noticed how much boxing sucks? Right now the NFL games look more orchestrated than Don King Productions. Please don’t wait, fix this problem, now!
Check out Big Daddy’s next blog as Saints Beat recaps the Pro Bowl, delivers a Hornets update, and forecasts Tulane and LSU baseball. Now Big Daddy’s World Famous Pregame Information: — Take The NFC In The Pro Bowl —
