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| Legends In the Making by CK Stiller Wednesday, Dec 05, 2007 |
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Legends In the Making
By CK Stiller
I have a confession to make. I've been a Pats fan since week 5. I've wanted this team to win badly. I loved it when they ran up the score on hapless opponents like the Redskins. My obsession with the Patriots has consumed me for years, but it peaked this season. None of this was brought about because of any love for the New England Patriots. Far from it. I have been thinking of three things - revenge, redemption, and glory. I will never get over the Patriots beating the Steelers in 2001 or 2004. They took two Super Bowls from the Steelers. And nothing is more important to me as a Steelers fan (hell, perhaps my entire life) than seeing this team fall to the Steelers. And when that happens, I want the Pats to be at their best. I wanted them sitting at 12-0, with all the media hype surrounding them. I wanted to see the Steelers 14 point underdogss. I wanted the stage set for the Steelers to pull off a miracle. And if the Steelers don't do it Sunday, I want the Pats undefeated when they play the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game - a game where surely everyone will be counting the Steelers out, just as they did against the '05 Colts. When the Steelers beat the Patriots, I want it to be a game that will be remembered for all time. There should be no doubt who the superior team is, and the aura of invincibility these Pats have should be shattered forever.
This obsession of mine goes so deep that not even winning a ring could kill it. No, alls I could think about is the fact that they never got to play the Patriots. Before that miraculous playoff run, Troy Polamalu was asked who he would rather see in the playoffs - Cinci, Indy, or New England. His answer was that it didn't matter. The team had unfinished business with all them. They settled the score with two of those, but not the Patsies. I'm still of the opinion that they threw their final game to avoid playing the Steelers (instead they drew Jacksonville). But it doesn't matter. The team I hated the most fell to the Jake Plummer led Broncos, and stole ultimate satisfaction from me.
This coming Sunday, the Steelers have a chance to make history. Perhaps three players above all others, though, have something at stake in this game.
Anthony Smith's Guarantee
"We're going to win. Yeah, I can guarantee a win.''
Anthony Smith will go down in Steelers lore if the team wins this Sunday. He could also become a goat on par with Lee Flowers (who many Steelers fans are already comparing him to). Without a doubt, Smith's words ring hollow. They're stupid. Unless the team wins, of course. I would be lying if I said it didn't bring a smile to my face. Anthony Smith is becoming one of my favorite Steelers because of his attitude and playmaking ability.
Some will argue that there is no reason to give a team bulletin board material. I say there is no reason to be humble and act meek. The Patriots know what's coming for them this Sunday. Bill Belichick gave his team off a Wednesday off, almost unheard of. He's likely already posted quotes from Tomlin, Ward and other Steelers from the Spygate fiasco. These teams have a history. Both are proud and, to steal Tomlin's choice of words, violent. This game is going to be a 60 minute war. There will be no hiding before this game. There is no trap here. Neither team will need anything extra to get up to play. The Steelers need to be confident playing the Pats. They need to believe they can do it. And there's nothing wrong with expressing it.
Ben Roethlisberger's Rise
Perhaps the defining moment of Dan Marino's HOF career is leading his 8-4 Miami Dolphins passed the 12-0 Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Big Ben has already created some great moments. He's gotten his ring. He has a chance to add a new page to his legend this Sunday by beating the Patriots. Roethlisberger was humiliated in the 04 AFCC game. This is his chance at redemption. A win here will silence the critics and place him on the same plateau as Manning and Brady. Tomlin likes to talk about being a competitor. He has already called this game special, and talked about how every competitor gets up for a game like this. Roethlisberger is a guy who understands the significance of moments like these.
Bill Cowher's Shadow
This is what Mike Tomlin has to live with. People still view this as Cowher's team, and the job Tomlin has done this year has been taken for granted by many in the media (as well as us fans). Cowher lost two of the biggest games of his career to these Patriots at home in the playoffs. The Steelers lost 4 of the past 5 meetings against this Pats team (dating back to 01). By beating these Patriots, Mike Tomlin has a chance to put a stamp on this season. He will be on his way to building his own legacy by doing what his predecessor generally failed at.
I want to be careful here. This game is not the most important of the season. It is the most important of the regular season, but that is a marathon. This game is also a unique opportunity to make and destroy history. It will be remembered. It's a chance for the Steelers to chase away the demons of the past. None of it will matter without playoff victory. Make no mistake about it - everything is on the line if these teams meet in the playoffs. The Steelers will be defending their legacy as well as that of the 70's dynasty. Winning this game would be extremely sweet, but losing it is not the end of the world. No, that to is an opportunity. If the teams meet again, much like with the Colts in 05, they may just be the ones walking into a game arrogant. For once, Belichick may find himself unprepared for what his opponent will throw at him.
For those still asking if they can beat the Pats twice, I say forget it. Great teams concede nothing. They don't hold back out of fear. Sunday, this team needs to go out and play to win that game. As stated, Sunday there will be no hiding. This is going to be a battle.
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