mesaSteeler
08-01-2009, 12:48 PM
Steelers LB admits Super Bowl guess
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/DDDAB638B9F0519986257605000B2E3D?OpenDocument
08/01/2009
LATROBE, PA. — One of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history apparently resulted from Steelers linebacker James Harrison's guess work, not the Pittsburgh coaches' game plan.
Harrison revealed while reporting to training camp Friday that he didn't follow his coaches' orders on his 100-yard interception return touchdown that ended the first half against Arizona on Feb. 1 and has quickly become one of the signature plays in any Super Bowl.
Harrison's return of Kurt Warner's pass over the middle intended for Anquan Bolden gave the Steelers a 17-7 halftime lead. They went on to win 27-23 on Ben Roethlisberger's last-minute TD pass to Santonio Holmes. If the Cardinals had scored on the first-and-goal play from the Pittsburgh 2, they probably would have led 14-10 at the half and would have had momentum.
"I actually wasn't supposed to drop on that play, I was supposed to blitz," Harrison said. "All night, we were a step late. We had an all-out blitz and I figured if I stepped (out) I could hold my tackle ... (then) I would drop off and they would have to do a quick slant."
Harrison guessed correctly, stepped in front of Warner's pass and took off down the sideline.
Harrison said Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau never questioned why he gambled. "Technique, opportunity and all that other stuff met (on that play) — and a little bit of luck," Harrison said.
(A guess? I don't think it was a guess. I think it was instinct. The great players have a feel for the ball. I think that Warner or some other Cardinal player did something that tipped the play. Harrison saw it, perhaps with out even being conscious of it, and thus history was made. It's like one poker player being able to tell when another is bluffing by identifying their "tell". - mesa)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/DDDAB638B9F0519986257605000B2E3D?OpenDocument
08/01/2009
LATROBE, PA. — One of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history apparently resulted from Steelers linebacker James Harrison's guess work, not the Pittsburgh coaches' game plan.
Harrison revealed while reporting to training camp Friday that he didn't follow his coaches' orders on his 100-yard interception return touchdown that ended the first half against Arizona on Feb. 1 and has quickly become one of the signature plays in any Super Bowl.
Harrison's return of Kurt Warner's pass over the middle intended for Anquan Bolden gave the Steelers a 17-7 halftime lead. They went on to win 27-23 on Ben Roethlisberger's last-minute TD pass to Santonio Holmes. If the Cardinals had scored on the first-and-goal play from the Pittsburgh 2, they probably would have led 14-10 at the half and would have had momentum.
"I actually wasn't supposed to drop on that play, I was supposed to blitz," Harrison said. "All night, we were a step late. We had an all-out blitz and I figured if I stepped (out) I could hold my tackle ... (then) I would drop off and they would have to do a quick slant."
Harrison guessed correctly, stepped in front of Warner's pass and took off down the sideline.
Harrison said Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau never questioned why he gambled. "Technique, opportunity and all that other stuff met (on that play) — and a little bit of luck," Harrison said.
(A guess? I don't think it was a guess. I think it was instinct. The great players have a feel for the ball. I think that Warner or some other Cardinal player did something that tipped the play. Harrison saw it, perhaps with out even being conscious of it, and thus history was made. It's like one poker player being able to tell when another is bluffing by identifying their "tell". - mesa)