FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

I was just channel surfing and was watching the 1982 Super Bowl that launched Joe Montana's pro career - only three time Super Bowl MVP. (How's that for a retort to the despicable, mentally sick priest in the ND sweatshirt, Alum?)

Believe me, it bothered me being a huge ND backer myself.

[79jaybird]

Well, I'm happy to see Bettis finally win the Lombardi Trophy, he really devoted a lot of energy into the NFL.  What a BORING game.  The game was slow and dull, the commercials were rather annoying and offensive, and overall I think I was fading in and out of being asleep.   I realize Pitt/Sea  are two markets not very big, but still!

[vikes35]

jaybird,

I agree with you that that was one of the most boring games in Super Bowl History, but I don't understand where the Pitt/Sea markets come into play. That really doesn't effect the game all that much, it was the football teams that played sub-par. Everytime somebody was about to make it interesting an INT happened, and at the end of both halves I thought I was watching a pee-wee team try to manage the clock. Seattle had their chances, but throwing 2 yards screens with 20 seconds left is not my idea of a Super Bowl team, but hey the Pitt defense is outstanding and they showed it last night.

[matblake]

Personally, since I am from Chicago originally but live in the Detroit area now I am glad that the Super Bowl is over for the simple fact that I won't have to watch Bettis this, and Bettis that over and over again on the news and in the paper.  Because he was from Detroit, the city pretty much jumped on the Steelers bandwagon.  He is an outstanding player and an outstanding gentleman.  I am glad that he got his Super Bowl ring. 

On a completely separate note, if you ever are in the city where the Super Bowl is, go to the exhibit "NFL Experience."  It is an exhibit with all sorts of cool stuff in it, including an area to kick field goals, run around tackling dummies, etc.  There is also tons of cool memorabilia and autograph signings.  Detroit was absolutely abuzz about it, I checked it out and it was cool.  I don't have any rugrats but the kids I saw were having a blast.

[79jaybird]

Vikes35 I agree.  The approach Seattle took in the waning moments of each half were horrible!  You can't tell me that you make it to the biggest game in the NFL and you can't execute a drill you practice every day?
Mattblake, I have been to that NFL Experience you speak of and I echo that it is well worth the trip.
Some of the memorabilia and "artifacts" will amaze you and make you think " where did they get that from?"

[augiedogie]

I've seen Augie have a better 2 minute drill passing the ball than the Seahawks did last night.

It was a boring game,  but the refs didn't help the cause.  I don't know how they called the "offensive pass interference call" in the 1st quarter,  and then when Seatlle was driving I believe it was early 4th quater and the "holding" call that negated the pass down to the 2 yard line.  Those 2 calls ended up taking 11 pts off the board for the Seahawks. It would have made for a more interesting ending to that game had the officials let them play out there.

Just my 2cents on the game.

[79jaybird]

augiedogie--I thought the entire game ( with the exception Randle El's TD pass) was boring.  They would get close to scoring and then INT or penalty, or whatever and no scores.
You are right on with the 2 minute drill being poorly executed.  I thought Holmgren who has been to the big game before ( and won), would know how to run handle the game under 2 minutes.  I know players have to execute, but I still think coaching has a lot to do with it also.
Bears in 2006? 

[vikes35]

augiedogie,

I know how bad that 2 minute drill was run, but the Augie 2 minute drill against Lakeland (as an example) was not exactly having to face the Pitt D. It was pathetic to watch Seattle because they were suppose to be a high power offense, but like they say defense wins championships.

As far as the officiating goes, I would have to say that these were the worst playoffs and one of the worst seasons I have ever seen. Hopefully this is rectified by next season, because it took away from some great football that could have been played.

[79jaybird]

" I would have to say that these were the worst playoffs and one of the worst seasons I have ever seen"
Vikes35  I agree with you 100%  There are only a few referees that I find to be effective and quick to make the proper call.
Ed Hochuli
Mike Carey
Gerry Austin
Larry Nemmers
Unfortunately, it seemed there were 5-10 questionable calls for each playoff game!  That shouldn't happen come playoff time.
I know we have touched on this subject before, but what are your feelings on the CCIW refs? 
Personally, I find the CCIW refs to be a little "less than I would expect" for a conference as highly respected as the CCIW.    Last year I can think of 3-4 games that had some big time missed calls, that led to  or immediately altered the game.  I even recall a game Elmhurst won that had some missed calls. 
All you can ask from an official is to get the right call made ( no matter who it benefits), don't let the fans persuade you to make a call, and let the players decide the outcomes.

[matblake]

I have always thought the CCIW refs were ok.  Granted, I haven't seen a CCIW game in person since 1997 so I might be a bit out of date.  Like it or not, the decision the refs make is not going to be overturned.  Complaining about the officiating might make you feel better, until you realize that complaining isn't getting you anywhere.  Every participant in an athletic event on any level deserves to have optimal officiating.  But you can't take away the human element to it.  People sometimes see things in different ways, even if there are specific guidelines to what they are looking for.

[irish21]

I think officiatinig will continue to deteriorate over the next few years. I watch a lot of HS freshman A&B and sophomore football games. The sport is not attracting young people (I've seen three females at the underclass level). They do not want to put up with the abuse from moronic parents for $35-50 a game. The A&B level only has two officals per game and those guys get brutalized!

[irish21]

Cut myself off!!

Anyway, if you see anyone over 40 doing a sophomore or freshman game, you know it is usually not going to be a well officiated game. If they are still doing the underclass games at that age, they are usually not the cream of the crop. The exception to this rule is SICA and maybe the Catholic League. They used to require a crew to do the sophomore and varsity games.

I officiated for five years in the Catholic League, Public League, Central Suburban and MSL in the late 70's, early 80's. I think we got $15 and $25 for games. If getting to the Big 10 hadn't been such a "who you knew"  requirement back then, the pursuit and interest to continue may have been greater. It's amazing what parents on the sidelines and in the stands can see while you have your eyes closed and are "missing a good game" are "blind as a bat" and "gotta be effin kidding me!".

I can't remember the last time I've seen an official at the underclass level in the 22-27 year old range. They just aren't going to put up with the crap from parents and know-it-all underclass coaches. For some reason, a lot of the coaches at the underclass level think you have to scream a lot to be affective.

[dansand]

I've seen Augie have a better 2 minute drill passing the ball than the Seahawks did last night.

It was a boring game,  but the refs didn't help the cause.  I don't know how they called the "offensive pass interference call" in the 1st quarter,  and then when Seatlle was driving I believe it was early 4th quater and the "holding" call that negated the pass down to the 2 yard line.  Those 2 calls ended up taking 11 pts off the board for the Seahawks. It would have made for a more interesting ending to that game had the officials let them play out there.

Just my 2cents on the game.

augiedogie,

I know how bad that 2 minute drill was run, but the Augie 2 minute drill against Lakeland (as an example) was not exactly having to face the Pitt D. It was pathetic to watch Seattle because they were suppose to be a high power offense, but like they say defense wins championships.

As far as the officiating goes, I would have to say that these were the worst playoffs and one of the worst seasons I have ever seen. Hopefully this is rectified by next season, because it took away from some great football that could have been played.

vikes35,

I could be wrong, but I don't think augiedogie was being serious. I think he was using Augie's less-than-potent passing attack as a measure of just how bad Seattle's two-minute drill was.

[formerd3db]

irish21:
Good comments re: the current state of officiating as well as some of the younger coaching generation.   Too bad for the state of officiating right now (and this despite the fact that we all realize officials are human and many do the best they can.  On the other hand, doesn't ever mean than anything can't be improved on.  People have to have the right attitude, perspective and dedication for such to occur.

[CardinalAlum]

NCC might have found Kniss' successor!

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/sports/n08aaron.asp