Here’s just a small sample of what is being talked about prior to the big game on Sunday.
The Head Coaches
Young African-American coach Mike Tomlin had big shoes to fill when he took over for Bill Cowher. Tony Dungy, who recently announced his retirement, has been a source of inspiration for Tomlin.
“The biggest thing is his unwavering belief in his message and in the men. It was on display all the time through the good and the bad. He was extremely consistent, and that’s probably the number one thing that I took from my time with him,” said Tomlin.The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly have a mystique about them and a reputation to uphold. Tomlin spoke about his team’s strategy.
“We are in the process of formulating our strategy in regards to the game. One thing that we won’t do is coach scared or play scared. That didn’t get us here. We are going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers and maintain our personality in that regard.”
Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt was asked about how the decision was made to appoint Kurt Warner his starting QB: ìIt was actually the Friday after we had ended camp. It was that Friday night that I stayed up all night making the decision on Kurt Warner. To Matt Leinart and Kurt’s credit, they both competed very hard for that position.
ìI really believe the reason we had success this year at the position was because of that competition. As I’ve said before, it was a very close competition.î
The Star Players
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald played college football at the University of Pittsburgh. He has a great deal of respect for the Steelers organization, and apparently, their cafeteria food too.
“I use to see Mr. Rooney all the time. From the very top guy in the organization, Mr. Rooney, to my buddy Todd who worked at the reception desk, they were all class over there. Everybody in that organization is first class.
“I used to go over there all the time and try to bum free lunches out of their cafeteria. They had great food over there.”
Ben Roethlisberger talked about how Dan Marino and Jim Kelly were inspirations for him as a young QB.
“I learn off my experiences talking to guys like Dan Marino and Jim Kelly, guys that know and have been here and are big-time players.
“For me to hear from guys who have done it and have that experience and are great players, it really means a lot.”
Kurt Warner garners a great deal of respect from Roethlisberger as well.
“I think Kurt Warner is a phenomenal football player. He has gone through so much and done so much. I love watching him play. He throws an unbelievable pass. I have a lot of respect for him and the way he plays the game.”
Kurt Warner, who probably has the most compelling story to tell said, “I think the perception around the league about me was that I couldn’t play anymore anyways.
“I think they [the Cardinals] knew something that a lot of people didn’t, or took a chance on something that a lot of people wouldn’t. I knew, personally, that I could still play, given the right opportunity. So that’s been one of the neat parts of the story: they took a chance, I took a chance, and together, we’ve made something special happen.”
Warner also had high praise for his Steelers counterpart Ben Roethlisberger who excels outside of the pocket, which is in stark contrast to his own style.
“He’s so much more athletic than me, he’s got a big, strong arm. He has an ability to make plays in and out of the pocket that’s so different from me.
“Obviously, I’m a pocket passer, a guy that stays in there and is really built on just staying in there and making the forward pass as opposed to making a whole bunch of plays outside the pocket.”
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is changing the way people look at safeties in the NFL.
“I would say safeties all over the NFL are starting to get more noticed. You need a safety that’s able to play the run and pass equally well. Safeties have become a big focal point in every defense now, scheme wise as well.”
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin spoke about his teammate Larry Fitzgerald who has been getting a lot of attention for his acrobatic catches.
“I think the sky is the limit for Larry. He’s still young and still learning about this game. I don’t think he’s reached his full potential yet.”
The Defense
Arizona corner back Roderick Hood spoke about how fortunate he feels to be in his second Super Bowl in six years in the NFL.
“I just thank God, it is a blessing. To play in two Super Bowls in six seasons, it is unbelievable. I played a lot in the last Super Bowl but to be able to actually start, it is unbelievable.Casey Hampton, the 325-pound nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers shared with the media what his defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau tells his defense: “He’ll tell the DBs to add all of their picks up and together they still don’t have as many as him. If everybody on the whole team added theirs up, they don’ have as many as him [either].”
