05 February 2009
a shovel answer
In a continuation of my latest post, I found this great website that breaks down the stimulus bill comprehensively and in a very attractive manner. The site is linked here. One of the things that I find most appealing about this site is their clever use of Gotham HFJ (aka the Obama Font) in the masthead of their site. Has change come or is this just the biggest Christmas tree spending bill of all time? I'm not sure, but the use of the typeface definitely gets me wondering...
02 February 2009
super bowl thoughts
Now that the gastrointestinal ruckus caused by all of that terribly unhealthy yet wonderfully delicious Super Bowl food has ceased, I can now look back on last night's happenings with a sound mind and body. Super Bowl XLIII had some great storylines: a storied franchise seeking unrivaled excellence (Steelers going for a record 6 championships), a comparatively lackluster one trying to secure its first championship since the 40s, a quarterback seeking a signature Super Bowl performance (Ben Roethlisberger turned in a less-than-convincing effort in Super Bowl XL), and another trying to recapture Super Bowl greatness (Kurt Warner was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV). The game itself produced some remarkable moments as well - two impressive Larry Fitzgerald touchdown catches, an improbable and record setting 100 yard interception returned for a touchdown, and several shrewdly challenged and overturned calls. A lot of talk today has centered around if it was the best Super Bowl of all time. A case can be made, to be sure. Santonio Holmes' catch for the winning touchdown was incredibly clutch. The Cardinals rally that set up that dramatic play was also great to watch. Through the win, a franchise staked an enhanced claim at greatness. But was it the best? No. Not by a long shot. It can't even be considered one of the best in recent memory when it is so clearly overshadowed by its immediate predecessor - Super Bowl XLII.
Circumstances:
XLIII (43): Those mentioned above... in brief, Roethlisberger had a roflsberger of a super bowl and wanted to prove himself, Warner wanted to regain SBMVP status, Steelers a storied franchise looking to one-up the Cowboys and the Niners, and the Cards were looking to break the 60 year championship drought.
XLII (42): In yet another sports proxy war between east coast rival cities Boston and New York, the undefeated Patriots longed for immortality in the form of a perfect 19-0 season while the plucky Giants, riding high after 3 consecutive road wins, looked to stop the seemingly unstoppable New England juggernaut. Despite having been tempered by a latter day ice bowl against Brett Favre and the Packers and a harrowing victory over the rival Cowboys, the Giants were still given little chance of pulling off the upset. Seeing his brother shrug off the Dan Marino comparisons just the year before, Eli Manning knew the pressure was on to prove himself as an equally capable quarterback who justified the 2004 draft shenangians that brought him to New York. The record-setting Patriots were under no less pressure to seal the deal and become the only team in history to go 19-0 and look every bit the part in the process.
Advantage: XLII (42) in a landslide.
The Catch:
XLIII (43): Santonio Holmes' 6 yard touchdown reception will go down in history as one of the most clutch catches in any Super Bowl. The tremendous nature of the moment cannot be denied... the Steelers needed the touchdown to win, a field goal would not have cut it. Roethlisberger placed the ball just where it needed to be in order for Holmes to catch it in triple coverage, and before he did he managed to evade the pressure. All in all, its hard to argue against this catch being epic to say the least.
XLII (42): Unheralded David Tyree's 32-yard catch was immediately recognized to be one of the biggest in Super Bowl history (as recognized on SportsCenter the day following the Super Bowl). The fact that Manning evaded the sack so improbably and that Tyree managed to catch and hold on to the ball AGAINST HIS HELMET sets this catch apart from most others. It loses some credibility as Manning's throw was admittedly "a little high" and not perfectly placed as Roethlisberger's was.
Advantage: none, its a push.
Overall Quality of Game:
XLIII (43): Featuring an interception returned for touchdown, a safety, and some impressive displays from Messrs. Fitzgerald and Holmes it is impossible to argue that this was not an entertaining game in the end.
XLII (42): With lead changes and spectacular grabs of its own, forty-two was an exciting game in its own right, and there was no blasted tuck rule to awkwardly end the game.
Advantage: XLIII (43) by a smidge.
Better Super Bowl: XLII
With the combination of the circumstances, the Catch, and the overall quality of the game, forty-two beats out forty-three (sorry Steelers fans). Football fans will be long in waiting to see a game match the sheer epic-ness of forty-two.
Circumstances:
XLIII (43): Those mentioned above... in brief, Roethlisberger had a roflsberger of a super bowl and wanted to prove himself, Warner wanted to regain SBMVP status, Steelers a storied franchise looking to one-up the Cowboys and the Niners, and the Cards were looking to break the 60 year championship drought.
XLII (42): In yet another sports proxy war between east coast rival cities Boston and New York, the undefeated Patriots longed for immortality in the form of a perfect 19-0 season while the plucky Giants, riding high after 3 consecutive road wins, looked to stop the seemingly unstoppable New England juggernaut. Despite having been tempered by a latter day ice bowl against Brett Favre and the Packers and a harrowing victory over the rival Cowboys, the Giants were still given little chance of pulling off the upset. Seeing his brother shrug off the Dan Marino comparisons just the year before, Eli Manning knew the pressure was on to prove himself as an equally capable quarterback who justified the 2004 draft shenangians that brought him to New York. The record-setting Patriots were under no less pressure to seal the deal and become the only team in history to go 19-0 and look every bit the part in the process.
Advantage: XLII (42) in a landslide.
The Catch:
XLIII (43): Santonio Holmes' 6 yard touchdown reception will go down in history as one of the most clutch catches in any Super Bowl. The tremendous nature of the moment cannot be denied... the Steelers needed the touchdown to win, a field goal would not have cut it. Roethlisberger placed the ball just where it needed to be in order for Holmes to catch it in triple coverage, and before he did he managed to evade the pressure. All in all, its hard to argue against this catch being epic to say the least.
XLII (42): Unheralded David Tyree's 32-yard catch was immediately recognized to be one of the biggest in Super Bowl history (as recognized on SportsCenter the day following the Super Bowl). The fact that Manning evaded the sack so improbably and that Tyree managed to catch and hold on to the ball AGAINST HIS HELMET sets this catch apart from most others. It loses some credibility as Manning's throw was admittedly "a little high" and not perfectly placed as Roethlisberger's was.
Advantage: none, its a push.
Overall Quality of Game:
XLIII (43): Featuring an interception returned for touchdown, a safety, and some impressive displays from Messrs. Fitzgerald and Holmes it is impossible to argue that this was not an entertaining game in the end.
XLII (42): With lead changes and spectacular grabs of its own, forty-two was an exciting game in its own right, and there was no blasted tuck rule to awkwardly end the game.
Advantage: XLIII (43) by a smidge.
Better Super Bowl: XLII
With the combination of the circumstances, the Catch, and the overall quality of the game, forty-two beats out forty-three (sorry Steelers fans). Football fans will be long in waiting to see a game match the sheer epic-ness of forty-two.
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