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Shutdown Corner

Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:07 am EST

Dear Cardinals fans: I implore you, don't be like Seahawks fans

By MJD

If you're a Cardinals fan, maybe it's best if you don't read this right now. You're still emotional. You're still hurting. Take the night and maybe tomorrow, and give yourself time to suffer sufficiently. Then come back. When you're ready, there's something I'd like to say to you.

Please don't be bitter about this loss. Please don't blame the officials for it. Please don't needlessly fill your heart with hate that will still be manifesting itself in embarrassing ways years later. You're better than that.

I'm not saying there weren't some goofy calls in this game. There were, and some of those goofy calls went against the Cardinals. Not all of them, though. There's no way I'm going to get into every single call, but the Cardinals were also the beneficiaries of a couple. Just off the top of my head, the safety was called on an extremely chintzy holding call, and James Harrison was held way more often than people were called for holding James Harrison.

And the Kurt Warner fumble call that wasn't reviewed at the end? Come on, do you really think that turned the game? If the officials do review it and it does go the Cardinals' way (which might not have happened), it buys them 15 seconds and a couple of shots at the end zone. That's somehow a guarantee of a win? That somehow means you were robbed?

Sometimes, a loss is just a loss.

In the wake of Super Bowl XL, there was a certain segment of Seahawks fans that redefined what it means to be a whiny fanbase. The crying, moaning and bellyaching that went on after that game was unprecedented. One of the loudest and most spirited fanbases in the league, and a normally rational and sane group of people, suddenly morphed into a giant, mindless tribe that was like a hybrid of high school girls who lost the vote for prom queen and the 9/11 truthers. Conspiracy theories and self pity-parties were out of control. It was sad, really.

Don't be like that. For your own good, don't be like that. Not only will you embarrass yourselves and make everyone hate you, but if you honestly look into your heart and ask yourself, "Can I say that we honestly and absolutely deserved to win this game?", I think you'll find that the answer is no.

Congratulate yourselves on a fantastic season, know that you shut up anyone who didn't think you belonged in the game, and get used to being one of the NFL's better franchises. You could be back, very very soon.

Related: Super Bowl XLIII

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  1. ArmyStrong
    1. Posted by ArmyStrong Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:11 pm EDT

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    Well said. This game could have gone either way and was a great game to watch. Both team made stupid penalties that put them into that situation but in the end one last clutch drive determined the outcome. Congrats to both teams for a great game.
  2. Eric M
    2. Posted by Eric M Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:10 pm EDT

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    regarding that safety, the cards probably didn't want the safety in that situation anyway. the better option would have been a punt from the endzone for great field position, which they could then use for a touchdown. the safety gives them two meaningless points.
  3. bowzer525
    3. Posted by bowzer525 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    the calls went both ways, great game, and please do not whine on this thread...
    by the way just FYI for you whiners, there are NO MORE 5 yard facemasks, it is all the 15 yards variety so please do not make yourself look stupid
  4. Dude
    4. Posted by Dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    Fyou
  5. Bronn
    5. Posted by Bronn Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    Not a Cardinals fan MJD, but had that last play been overturned, Arizona gets the ball with about 7 seconds left, and due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, they'd have it on the 35 yard line. Certainly enough time to do something, even if it ultimately failed.
    I feel that a great game was ruined by the failure of the officials to account for that play. I honestly don't know what way it should have gone, and I got to see it replayed 2 or 3 times. At least have an official look at it and then offer an explanation, and I might be appeased.
    Remember, I speak with no bias here, except that of a man who feels cheated out of what might have been a classic ending to an overall great game (although a poorly officiated one).
  6. Jamison W
    6. Posted by Jamison W Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    Fyou
  7. Dude
    7. Posted by Dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    Steeler fans were whining after the Seahawks loss as well. There is no glory in winning with the help of the refs.
  8. Bronn
    8. Posted by Bronn Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    Also, concerning SuperBowl XL-it was a boring game. It was actually fairly close through most of it, but there was nothing compelling about it.
    This was one of the more exciting SuperBowls in recent memory, and it's extremely disappointed to have it tainted by a questionable call that wasn't reviewed. Remember, Arizona had won their previous two challenges and had a challenge left, but due to NFL rules they couldn't use it at an extremely critical time. Somehow, a play that could have definitely been called either way on the field wasn't viewed.
  9. John W
    9. Posted by John W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    The game was good, but some calls (vs Cards) were bad. The thing I hate most was the Steeler holding the Cardinal on the ground and punching him...........should have been an automatic ejection.
  10. Eric
    10. Posted by Eric Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    I agree with Dude
  11. Charlie Marty
    11. Posted by Charlie Marty Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    Didn't know Fitzgerald was allowed to make a tackle on Harrison while out of bounds (not to mention running the entire way down the sideline out of bounds and even running into a teammate who was standing on the sideline.) Refs missed that one, AZ fans. woooo
  12. mondo
    12. Posted by mondo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    MJD, thank You for an intelligent article. That was a Great game game, and the Cards, and their fans have no reason to belittle the result. If you deny that toe tap touch down by Holmes..... well, you are lame! That is why they play the game. Those kind of plays are what make the victors, the victors. Arizona played one helluva game, and both teams deserved to win..... But we all know that can not be sooo. Do Not Cry In Defeat ! Relish In How Close Victory Can Be !!
  13. Rich G
    13. Posted by Rich G Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    I agree with Dude, and that is also directed at MJD.
  14. los gatos
    14. Posted by los gatos Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:56 pm EDT

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    do not disrespect the terrible towel cardinal fans, bad things happened
  15. Troy O
    15. Posted by Troy O Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:59 pm EDT

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    I am not a fan of either team. I do have to say that watching that joke of a Super Bowl was painful. If the Steelers were your team, good for you. Feel free to shove your patronizing remarks up your a**! That clumsy excuse for a quarterback may have two rings, but he isn't nothing to brag about. To drag the Seahawks into the conversation is ignorant, as you obviously are. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame!
  16. Jason F
    16. Posted by Jason F Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Great article I am a steelers fan living in seattle, yes it can be tough. All that whining made me give up season tickets and quit routing for my home team all together. Before the crying sesssion I went to every home game with a seahawks shirt and a steelers hat. I would back the home team against any team but the steelers. season after the superbowl I went to one preseason game and then sold my tickets. I still hear crying about it all the time.
    Now the home team can move to LA for all I care.
  17. Toby D
    17. Posted by Toby D Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:58 pm EDT

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    This blog sucks. Regardless of who won, this game was RUINED by the refs. Again. It could have been one of the greats, but time after time these guys proved that they couldnt call it consistently. Their mistakes during the first three quarters could have made second page news if they simply let that final incompletion be called as is. If they did as they should, there would not have been a penalty, and the game would have ended with a last second hail mary from mid-field...which would have been appropriate for this crazy game, and left me with some closer. Congrats Pit fans, but I feel robbed.
  18. terlertime
    18. Posted by terlertime Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    wow, buddy. way to take a shot at a vulnerable seattle fanbase. 3 years later and you're punching starving orphans in their malnourished, pruned, have-not stomachs right now. a class act you truly are sir.
  19. Hepzebah
    19. Posted by Hepzebah Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:04 pm EDT

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    9-11 was an inside job. Seattle won that game. MJD is an a**hole.
  20. Dude
    20. Posted by Dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    It would nice to see Pittsburgh actually win a super bowl without any help from the officials. Then, perhaps I could feel good for them. Right now I just feel sorry for their fans that have to write a crappy article to try and make themselves feel better about a meaningless victory. MJD, you admit there were some goofy calls, goofy is not the word. Roughing the holder? Give me a break! No review? I laughed when Goodell said this was better than last year. This was a piss poor super bowl taken over by the refs. The only good thing about it was that I was already expecting this with the Stealers. Spelled that way on purpose for you idiots that can't see a fixed game. The Cardinals were robbed.
  21. sharon needles
    21. Posted by sharon needles Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    Your a moron. You think its just seahawks fans who feel that way?
  22. jgmart57
    22. Posted by jgmart57 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    To DUDE and your Band of Stooges ( # 6,10,13): What a well thought out responses. Next time try to make your responses like the one's like 1-11-12. Now they had well written comments. Oh by the way GROW UP...Now I guess I'll the next Fyou....
  23. Fred H
    23. Posted by Fred H Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    i think that the arizona cardinals have nothing to be ashamed of. it was a good game. there were 50 guys out there beating the snot out of each other for our entertainment and the right to call themselves superbowl champions.
    thanks to both teams for a good game.
  24. mondo
    24. Posted by mondo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    Dude, You really need to watch NASCAR ! Then you will see how trivial you are being about the NFL.
    OH, YEA !, and if you can't stand it, don't watch !! That is the only leverage you have...
  25. DannyF
    25. Posted by DannyF Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    Dear MJD, weak. Exciting and XLIII? Compare that to XLII or, Warner's first win, XXXIV. So, the Steelers beat a team from arguably the weakest division in football (reminds me of XL). And, parity rears its ugly head once again. If Cardinal fans want to whine, they should complain about the play calling to end both halves. First, the interception for a TD. Who in their right mind runs an inside slant on first and goal on the 1? Second, the Steelers game winning drive. The dreaded prevent/zone coverage. Your D owned the Steelers offense the entire fourth quarter and you sit back to be dinked and dunked for a minute and a half. Congrats to the Steelers for ending up with the most points at the end of regulation. I guess it is better they won. Those fans do have to live in Pittsburgh. I'm sure those fans in Arizona will be crying on the golf courses in the 70 degree sunshine next week. But if you must put in a Super Bowl DVD, watch Eli's magic over the almost perfect season ironically played in the Cardinal's stadium.

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