DETROIT -- Its been that type of quarter-century for Seahawks fans. The best pass of the night was thrown by a wide receiver... and it beat them. After corralling Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger all night, a WR reverse to Antwan Randle El was the difference in Super Bowl XL. Randle El (a QB during his college days at Indiana) spotted Hines Ward streaking free toward the right pylon and tossed a perfect strike Ward hauled in over his shoulder for a 43-yard TD. On top of it, Randle El was still moving right while delivering on the money, putting Pittsburgh up 21-10 with 9:00 to go.
The Seahawks have been the model of mediocrity in their 29 years of existence, with more seven win seasons than Jose Lima. Before this year Seattle had played in only one AFC championship game, couldnt sell out its own brand new stadium and was asked by the league to switch to the NFC. After rolling through the playoffs as the NFCs top dawg, they were still 4 1/2 point underdogs to a six-seed in the Super Bowl. On top of it, Detroit has embraced the Steelers unlike any other neutral site in NFL history. Detroiters wrapped their arms around native son Jerome Bettis and identified with Pittsburghs blue-collar toughness.
Detroit flooded with Steeler fans as the week wore on, Pittsburghers who made the short four-hour drive up. The media hotel was filled with -Lets Go Steelers- chants and Steelers-fan bars selling Iron City Beer and IC Lite popped up on street corners all across downtown. So when Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker busted a 75-yard TD to open up the second half and 50,000 terrible towels started waving the Seahawks had to be wondering, -We have to battle THIS too?-
Of course, fates decided to give Seahawk fans at least a small dash of hope. With the Bus soaking in the adoration of his hometown with inspired, bruising running the Steelers led 14-3 and had a third-and-six from Seattles seven yard line. Seahawks CB Kelly Herndon tossed a screwdriver into the black-and-gold washing machine, picking off an errant Big Ben pass and returning it into Steelers territory. Herndon (who played his college ball 45-minutes down the road at Toledo) had swung the game 180-degrees. What could have been a 21-3 Pittsburgh lead midway through the third-quarter, what should have been at least a two-touchdown cushion for the Steel City, became a 14-10 dogfight when Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck found TE Jerramy Stevens in the end zone.
But Randle Els NFL Films-perfect spiral smacked the Seahawks back into reality. Of course, maybe it was poetic justice after the NFL decided to introduce Tom Brady for the coin toss in front of 50,000 Steeler fans. The guy that ripped Pittsburghers hearts out in TWO AFC Championship games at Heinz Field is supposed to be a popular decision? Was Francisco Cabrera busy? Why not just initiate a city-wide riot and introduce the 80s Celtics so Detroiters can get POd too? How about Barry Sanders or Billy Sims or Bobby Layne to salute Super Bowl XL in Motown?
ABCs broadcast team certainly had its share of moments. Recently inducted HOFer John Madden said he had never seen two QBs as cool as these two in a Super Bowl. Apparently the Madden Cruiser exhaust has rotted away at Johns long term memory. Attention Joe Montana and Tom Brady. You guys are no Matt Hasselbeck. How about sideline reporter Suzy Kolber on an injured Seahawk: -The trainers have pulled his pants down and taped up his groin.- No thanks. Finally Al Michaels delicately pronouncing -Mos Def- while reading his promo card for the new movie -16 Blocks- was the most priceless of all.
At the end of the night, however, the Steelers Cinderell-march through the playoffs culminated in their fifth Super Bowl championship, -One for the thumb.- For Pittsburghers, it was a gorgeous week. For Seahawks fans? Just more of the same.
Friday, 10:48, EST: Madden Bowl last night has been one of the highlights of the trip. Alex Smith, Bucs rookie TE, takes the title over Mark Clayton, Ravens WR 28-14. Anti-climatic ending since the favorite Willis McGahee was knocked out in the first round and self-proclaimed champ Chad Johnson lost in the semi-finals. Hysterical to watch Chad force himself the ball every play. Even if his virtual doppelganger was triple-covered, Chad would throw it that way. I guess that answers the perpetual question of how you would play the game if YOU WERE IN IT. Honestly, if there was a sportstalk video game, I'm sure I would trade myself to ESPN Radio and host every hour from 6a-9p. Edgerrin James infamous posse was downright outrageous, cracking on EVERYONE, including some guy with a blonde crew cut and tight black jeans they nicknamed "Jarhead." He appeared to be clearing out the room with awful gas, prompting calls of -Dat dude had to have (bleep) for lunch, because he's leaking (bleep).-
Honestly, Im walking in a daze. Sleeping in the 610 Sports Real World House hasnt been easy. Hambone is gagging on his own tonsils, Neal Jones is shaving his beard, Rhonda is smoking like Stormbots exhaust and Brandon is reading passages from the Da Vinci code. Hambone is upset that he didnt get in the FHM party last night, so hes taking it out on everyone else. Hes holding us up at gunpoint until we cross the border into Windsor, Ontario. I suppose things could be worse. Buzz is theyve shipped in 5,000 -working girls- for Super Bowl week to the city because its legal there. Our cabbie then told us that the Ganj is legal there too. I dont know when Windsor became Amsterdam West, but Im guessing Hambone ends up there by 9:30p tonight. Best of all, our cabbie dropped this line last night when I asked if Detroits rep is worse than reality. -Not to scare you, but we lost six cabbies last year. You know, muggings that turned into shootings. I dont know why. Its not like we make a lot of money.- Yeah. Detroit. I love this city!
Thursday, 10:10a EST: Motown is hell bent on making sure everyone's enjoying their fair city. Volunteer greeters and hotel employees are extraordinarily pleasant to deal with. Leaving the restroom this morning, a janitor asked me how I was enjoying Detroit. Wednesday morning at 5:10a I was approached by a local radio reporter asking how I liked the city. Last night over my gravy-smothered chicken dinner (mediocre) at Champps Restaurant, three middle-aged guys spotted our credentials, stopped at the table and wanted to see if we were having a good time. We have been. I think. Ive been telling everyone we have. Then again, with how many times Ive been asked, I'm wondering if I actually still am excited to be here, enjoying the downtown, impressed with the city. If I dont stop getting asked, I might just start screaming like Ray Liotta in -Identity-, -NO! This place stinks! Its cold and dreary and crime-ridden! I cant wait until I see Ford Field in my rear view! Aaaah!-
Ickey Woods is making his way along radio row. Now Im officially frightened. This guy is tabbed as the unofficial spokesman for one-hit Super Bowl wonders, a campy flash in the pan who has been universally used as a punchline. Whos next? Timmy Smith for Levitra? Garo Yepremian for Yugo? Mark Rypien for... ooh wait. Is he still alive? Anyway, this is as good a time as ever to communicate how crushed I was when Ickey's 88 Bengals were beaten by the Niners in SB XXIII. Remember, Cincy had the lead in the fourth, a stellar defense that had helf SF to FGs all night and the Ickey Mojo. Unfortunately, Montana drove the Niners down the field in just over a minute and hit John Taylor with the GW-TD strike. I have no idea why I was so emotionally invested in that team, but it killed me. I was miserable for at least a week. At this point, Im wondering how lame myself is.
Finally, I feel like Im writing a journal entry along the Oregon Trail. Is Ken Burns showing grainy sepia-tinted photos of Neal Jones in a Colonel Sanders mustache? This could be the last blog entry with all 610 Sports employees still alive. Im thoroughly convinced the race is on, whether Rhonda will slice Neals major artery while hes sleeping before Neal suffocates her in the middle of the night with a pillow. Hambone is cranky after his fifth night on the couch and being left in the cold for the Maxim party. Brandon is keeping me awake all night (we are now sharing a room with side-by-side dorm-sized beds) with questions about Lisa Loebs new reality show. Its a dog-eat-dog house right now. Im expecting Hambone to throw all Neals golf sweater vests and turtlenecks in the pool, like the Real World/ Road Rules challenges. My friends, the 610 Sports staff could be thinned out a little by the end of the week.
Wednesday, 10:49a EST: Ironically no player embodies the Super Bowl quite like T.O. Larger than the sport itself, eclipsing even the biggest game of the year. Its nearly unfathomable, and yet poetically perfect, that the greatest example of over-hype and over-analysis could be over-hyped and over-analyzed itself. T.O. isnt playing in this years game. Heck, he hasnt played in three months. But the T.O. to Denver and K.C. rumors have everyone mesmerized here in Detroit. Broncos fans are curious (and maybe a bit paranoid) why the Chiefs have jumped into the mess. I was on sports station KKFN 950 Denver this morning and asked if this was just a ploy to drive up the price for T.O. I would assume so, since even Carl Peterson cant believe Herm Edwards is the guy to reign him in. Then again...
The celebrities have officially arrived on radio row. Rob Schneider (will join us tomorrow morning) pimping his new movie that comes out in, ahem, April, Eric Dickerson (who's offering himself up as a Super Bowl prostitute on Ebay, he'll watch the game with the highest bidder) and Steve Smith (promoting a commercial he will not be in for his deodorant company). But the greatest example of corporate sell-out has to be the inimitable Barry Sanders. A guy that would give us fourteen postgame words at a barely audible level is shilling for MasterCard. Forget Joe Willie in a Rams jersey, Unitas in a Chargers uniform, Willie Mays falling down in CF for the Mets. Barry is pimping MasterCard. Jeez.
(btw-Thanks to Westfall O'Dell Motors, sponsors of the DA Show for helping us bring you coverage from Detroit)
I know I say this every year, but honestly Im a bit scared of the health of sports media in general. You though -Supersize Me- was concerning? Just take a look around the media hotel. Yikes. Tattered jeans, slovenly sweatshirts, triple chins and a face full of french fries. Just a guess here, but many arent in this field to swoon over the physical feats of modern athletes.
This bikini chick for next year's SB committee is driving everyone up a wall. She's the only one (aside from Chad Johnson) that has every guy on Radio Row drooling. Speaking of which, former co-worker at KCSP Brandon Kristzal has been added to the 610 sports couch at the Casa De Rhonda Moss. I feel like alliances are now being born. We just need some X-games biker to come referee this thing.
Tuesday, 1:53p EST: As one of my contemporaries noted, -Media Day has officially jumped the shark. And thats a good thing.- Yeah, he might be right. No midgets, no clowns, no Univision reporters asking Matt Hasselbeck if he's always been a bald quarterback. Mostly business this afternoon at Ford Field. In fact, I might have unknowingly annoyed the most people with my question to Seattle WR Peter Warrick, who was wearing a GIGANTIC gleaming watch worth at least a 2-bed/ 2-bath home in Overland Park. After the former Bengal suggested this was finally his time to shine, I asked, -But Peter, with that watch your wearing, arent you already shining?- Warrick and the band of reporters glanced at me menacingly, while Warrick shook his head and noted, -Nah, man. On the football field. Shine from here to here,- pointing from end zone to end zone. Uh, yeah. I got it. I just figured he'd want a break from all the questions about being a draft bust and Cincinnati giving up on him. Little did I know, this was actually a TRULY PROFESSIONAL media day. Lucky me.
"The Tonight Shows" Mo Rocca was on hand to add a little levity, asking the Seahawks how it would feel to be the first Canadien team to win the Super Bowl. But, honestly its not as fun when the stupid stuff is scripted. Mo showed up with his cue cards and had everyone chuckling, but isnt it better when you realize Seattle's backup LB Niko Koutouvides is of Greek descent and ask which Greek-American athlete he idolized growing up? (answer: no one. He was stumped until a European TV reporter suggested Rony Seikley. Niko answered, -I guess. He has a hot wife, right?-)
CBS sideline reporter Bonnie Bernstein looked ready for the discoteques, wearing a sideways black hat and go-go boots. I wasnt complaining. I also wasnt complaining about Ford Field, which is far and away the nicest football stadium Ive ever been to. I hate domes, but this thing feels like an airplane hangar. Huge arched ceilings, plenty of natural light through massive window panes and hundreds of spacious concession areas. Speaking of natural light, the 2007 South Florida Super Bowl committee has a booth with a beautiful Cuban woman in a bikini, pointing to a chart of temperatures in the mid-70s. This is clearly rubbing it in everyones face, -Hey, can you believe your spending a week in DETROIT? Would you ever come here on your own will? Isnt this awful?- Hey, the danishes are free. That's already a plus.
Finally, the FieldTurf held its own press conference, which I was just thrilled about. When a colleague from Milwaukee asked what we were covering today, he seemed genuinely sympathetic that I was being summoned to go get sound bites from the artificial turf presser. When I told him it was my suggestion, he just walked away muttering. Hey, he didnt get to ask the CEO of FieldTurf what the greatest moment in artificial turf history is. In my book, Ive already won the war.
Monday, 10:56a EST: After an 11-hour drive to the Motor City Sunday Id like to just cuddle up with a Hooters calendar. Hooters bombshell Stacie the Sports Chick stopped by the DA Show this morning, continuing our grand tradition of interviewing semi-sports related hotties. Stacies dimensions (according to her) 35-24-34. Yep, I'll have a coke with that. Check her out at www.staciethesportschick.net. I guess dot-com was taken.
As for the drive, I was awake for ten hours of it. Of course, during the 65-minute power nap I took, directionally-challenged Disco Diva Rhonda Moss got us lost. There is ONE turn on this trip. Take I-70 East to Indy, then hang a left on I-69. That's right, make a left at Indy. I awoke to a sign reading, -Columbus 89-. Not good. But the best part of the drive was Rhonda's two-pack a day habit. I think I got black lung in half a day.
Tomorrow might be the best day of the week. Not only is it Media Day, where everybody is somebody, even the fourth-string linebacker. But, at 11:00a, there's a press conference to talk about the Field Turf. An entire presser to talk about fake grass. Not even real grass. Fake grass. What could there possibly be to talk about? What are a room full of reporters supposed to ask? -So, could you talk about the play ten years ago, where Wendell Davis blew out both ACLs on the same play because of turf?- This, my friends, is Super Bowl week.
BEST OF: The Panthers Dancers stop by and don't stop talking for twenty minutes. Wait, you're home schooled? BEST OF: Heat legend Glen Rice in studio on dropping 56 on the Magic, Final Fours and MMA. BEST OF: "The Obama Guy" now has D.A.'s old job! He asked the Prez a question, then he joined the show. BEST OF: Phil and Chris Simms drop by the broadcast to rap about dad's career and son's future. BEST OF: Why so few minority college coaches? DA answers with one word: Boosters. BEST OF: When a Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Famer talks, you listen. The immortal Lynn Swann. BEST OF: TNA Wrestling's Traci Brooks on being blessed with, ahem, great dimensions. DA LOVES THE KIDS: After Marlins summer-camp day, the next gen of Fish Fans might be in trouble. DA LOVES THE KIDS: Part 1 Heat charity camp shows us D-Wright's defense needs a little work.
DA LOVES THE KIDS: Part 2 Not everyone is thrilled with the hiring of Eric Spoelstra. INSTANT CLASSIC: Free-agent Joe Horn blasts his old coaches and asks for Dolphins forgiveness, all live on the show! INSTANT CLASSIC: The man who took down Kimbo Slice: overnight celebrity Seth Petruzelli talks about the fight that stunned the fight world. BEST OF: Author Jeff Pearlman on the controversial Cowboys dynasty. Uh, ew. BEST OF: Heat rookie Mario Chalmers needs help hot-boxing. Cough, cough.. BEST OF: DA is named a Godfather. Can he handle the responsibility or will he sleep with the fishes? BEST OF: DA witnesses the greatest kids game ever. Rock, paper, scissors, space! STAR WARS GEEKS: Part 1 DA goes where no sportstalk host has gone before: Star Wars premier night.
STAR WARS GEEKS: Part 2 Will DA make it out alive or turn into an extra from the Cantina Bar? INSTANT CLASSIC: Legend of the MMA Dan "Hendo" Henderson on the circus attraction to Kimbo and the rise of UFC. BEST OF: New UFC Champ Forrest Griffin on the belt and bouncing out of fighting while the gettin's good. INSTANT CLASSIC: Zo's youth clinic brings us immediate joy: Heat Kids Say the Darndest Things BEST OF: Miami boxer Joey "Twinkle Fingers" Hernandez found himself on the streets. How he got his mojo back. BEST OF: CBS4 Weather Wizard and Miss Florida Lissette Gonzalez on the jet-stream and the wave. BEST OF: Marino delivers a commencement speech and DA's own graduation horrors. INSTANT CLASSIC: Cats winger Nathan Horton is married to a Playmate? Oops. INSTANT CLASSIC: What does JoePa really mean at pressers? Ask Penn State 101. INSTANT CLASSIC: St. Patty's Day means celebrating Irish sports legends: DA Show style. INSTANT CLASSIC: Canes Big Man Dwayne Collins has his Aladdin DVD stolen. The Horror! INSTANT CLASSIC: Dontrelle says peace to South Florida with DA. Here's his Top-3 movies of all-time. SUPER BOWL XLII: NYG's Lawrence Tynes stops by after the ticker tape parade. INSTANT CLASSIC: Is Shaq becoming M.C. Hammer Jr? Say it ain't so. INSTANT CLASSIC: DA melts down as his alma mater brings brings back the dimwitted Greg Robinson for more SU pain. INSTANT CLASSIC: This placed DA squarely on the Chiefs blacklist forever. DA and King Carl in THE Battle Royale. BEST OF: Where it all started: Herm
and Carl agree... Damon is a nice name. SUPER BOWL XL: D.A. does his best investigative work ever. It's the field turf press conference from Detroit. INSTANT CLASSIC: The Mark Mangino Montage tastes better than ever! INSTANT CLASSIC: The 2007 Herm-Gasm. 'Nuff said. INSTANT CLASSIC: The Chiefs Dept. of Misinformation is at it once again. Are the Chiefs wearing white or not? Don't ask them. INSTANT CLASSIC: Chicago's legendary Mike North joins DA to preview Chiefs- Bears. Da Bears! INSTANT CLASSIC : The annual DA Show NBA Mock Draft is here... with a return from Stormbot. FEATURED AUDIO: Royals legend Denny Matthews has bought his first cell phone. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as 6-4-3. FEATURED AUDIO: A fond DA Show farewell to Buddy Bell. He really was "Our Buddy." FEATURED AUDIO
: Lauren Nichole has made quite an impression with her traffic reports. Great or gross? You decide. The
one, the only, Zach Greinke from Royals Spring Training. The
2007 One NIT NIT Moment.
The 2006 Caller Hall of Fame Track One: Christopher Walken's legendary roast
of the new class
First the staff. Then listeners. Now LJ has the Herm-gasm? Crazy
Ray sings the Growing Pains theme song. The
Royals 70's jingle that puts a smile on your face during another horrid season
in KC. The
local TV anchors slip up on the broadcast and luckily the D.A. Show was rolling
tape. 6-6-06:
The Crypt Keeper's Holiday Crazy
Ray displays his talent for singing. Could he make a run at the next American
Idol? Oklahoma
takes it on the chin with this famous call from R.B. Missed
any of the NIT NIT action? Check out the recaps of the games and a special
edition of The One NIT NIT Moment. We
couldn't leave Alex the Intern out of the mix, check out the drunk dial message
Alex left for D.A. The
D.A. Show tribute to Alan Thicke.
Is
Crazy Ray really crazy? Take a listen to find out.
A
D.A. Show Investigation reveals color commentators handing out the pink slip
to local college coaches.
Quinner's
feeling a bit down. We ask, what's wrong with Quinn Snyder? Herm Edwards gave us quotable material right from jump street. He gets a montage based on his introduction presser. A
staple of any good office party. It's the Dick Vermeil montage XP: final edition.
Duh, ok.
DA's Hometown Hottie contest created controversy throughout KC. Radio superstar Johnny Dare stuck his nose in the middle of it. The
callers finally had their own chance to put their stamp on the Vermeil montage Why
do the sista's hate the show? It all started here: Yvette's call of the day The original D.A. Show parody of Jim Rome's smack-off (circa '04). The '05 D.A. Show parody of Jim Rome's smack-off, complete with a certain national columnist. The '06 smack-smack, which brought all the D.A. Show legends together for one fab event. You asked for it. We delivered. DA Show icon Alan Thicke's first appearance.
DETROIT -- Its been that type of quarter-century for Seahawks fans. The best pass of the night was thrown by a wide receiver... and it beat them. After corralling Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger all night, a WR reverse to Antwan Randle El was the difference in Super Bowl XL. Randle El (a QB during his college days at Indiana) spotted Hines Ward streaking free toward the right pylon and tossed a perfect strike Ward hauled in over his shoulder for a 43-yard TD. On top of it, Randle El was still moving right while delivering on the money, putting Pittsburgh up 21-10 with 9:00 to go. 
