Twitter Chatter During the Super Bowl

Those who know me know I'm a computer geek... and I use Twitter. If you don't know what Twitter is you can think of it like a virtual cocktail party where people type short messages about things that might interest others who follow their messages.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, the New York Times published a cool "word map" of terms that Twitter users were typing during the Super Bowl. Click here to see it.

After clicking on the link, notice the scroll bar at the top of the page. If you click and pull it across the page you can see the frequency of commonly used words in Super Bowl related messages over time.

Six!!!!!!

Congratulations to the Steelers on winning a record sixth Super Bowl.

Big Ben was awesome and nearly perfect. Santonio was brilliant, too... but I still think that James Harrison should have at least shared the MVP award with Holmes.

I read that folks in Pittsburgh have taken to calling Harrison's interception the Immaculate Interception!

I enjoyed the game, but it was a bit too close for comfort there at the end!

Go Steelers! Let's get a 7th next year!

Congratulations Coach Tomlin

Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin was awarded the Motorola NFL Coach of the Year award - and he richly deserves it. Leading the Steelers to an improved record in his second season as coach - as well as a Super Bowl berth - makes Tomlin an ideal coach of the year!

Of course, this is not the big coach of the year award, which is presented by the Associated Press. That award was won by Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons (another good choice for coach of the year). Actually, there were a LOT of good candidates this year... you could not complain about Ken Whisenhunt or Tony Sparano or even Bill Belichick... err... wait-a-minute. I think I could complain if that cheater won anything. He did a good job without Brady this year but he will forever be branded a big fat cheater in my book.

Tomlin did not get a single vote for the AP award, which is ridiculous. The Motorola award was voted on by the fans. So I guess the fans and the press differ substantially on what comprises a coach of the year. Not surprising...

But anyway, kudos to Coach Tomlin! Steelers Nation is behind you... lead us to victory this Sunday!

Dick LeBeau Not Retiring

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports: After hearing repeated rumors he might retire after the Super Bowl, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau told his players in a team meeting he intends to return next season.

This is good news, indeed. The Steelers definitely do not want to lose the architect of the league's number one defense! Stay as long as you like Dick!

Hines Ward Update

ESPN.com reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward (knee) suffered a slightly sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the AFC Championship game. Ward, however, is expected to be ready for the Super Bowl, the team said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Coach Mike Tomlin said during his press conference on Tuesday (1/20/09) that he believes Ward (knee sprain) will play in the Super Bowl.

Tomlin said the Steelers will do everything possible to give him the medical attention he needs. "It's not going to be comfortable between now and gameday," Tomlin said of Ward's injury. "But it's not about comfort, particularly for Hines...we're definitely not going to count him out. We're going to save a seat on the bus for No. 86.

Now that is some good news for Steelers' fans!

One More For The Other Thumb!

It was a great game yesterday and the Steelers dominated it from start to finish. The Ravens put up a good fight, but the end result was never really in question. And when Troy intercepted Flacco it was all over!

Now on to Super Bowl XLIII to face the Arizona Cardinals. You have to respect the Cardinals, after all, they did what it took to get to the big game. And Larry Fitzgerald is incredible (he has been incredible since he went to my alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh). And Kurt Warner has been defying time all year long. But the Cardinals have not faced a defense of the quality of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I cannot imagine them scoring much at all against the Steelers.

I hope it is a good game, and I'm looking forward to it, but I really think the Steelers are going to win in a huge blow out. Take the Steelers even giving away 7 points...

Overheard at the Kroger in Sugar Land, TX

As I walked down the aisle with my Steelers garb on, I overheard a guy walk past me saying "Steelers? 'dem boyz is goin' to da Super Bowl!"

I'm hoping this prognosticator is right!

Jay Novacek's Picks

Jay Novacek picks Steelers, Ravens, Giants, and Panthers to win this weekend.

I could live with that!

James Harrison: AP Defensive Player of the Year

Congratulations to James Harrison who was named AP Defensive Player of the Year today.

A well-deserved honor... and, in my opinion, he should have gotten more votes for MVP, but those who vote for the MVP award are biased toward QBs and other offensive players.

Bring on the Chargers

Well, after wild card weekend it looks like the Steelers will have to win another game against the Chargers. The Chargers gave the Colts all they could handle and would have won their game handily without all the mistakes... and those mistakes give Steelers' fans a reason to look forward to this weekend.

The Chargers will be a tough foe, as they were the first time we played 'em this year. But the Steelers defense just keeps getting better and better and the Chargers won't be able to hang with the Steelers if they make the same number of mistakes they made on Saturday.

The "other" game Ravens at Titans will be interesting, too. And I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I kinda want the Steelers to get another shot at the Titans - even if it means having to go on the road instead of playing at home... but first we have to beat the Chargers!

Here we go Steelers! Here we go!