In-Depth Super Bowl XLIII Preview

Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering their seventh Super Bowl. The Cardinals are entering their first. The Steelers were 12-4 in the regular season. The Cardinals are only the second team with a 9-7 regular season record to reach the super bowl.

With the start of the Mike Tomlin era, the start of the Ken Whisenhunt era arrived, too. Whisenhunt brought along Russ Grimm to the desert to breath life into the fried Cardinals. For many Cardinal players and coaches this is a homecoming, to meet up with former team mates, well it would be, but it is Super Bowl XLIII.

Arizona Cardinals (9-7 Regular Season)

Quarterbacks: Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre

Running Backs: Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, J.J. Arrington, Terrelle Smith (FB), Tim Castille (FB)

Receivers: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban, Early Doucett, Sean Morey, Leonard Pope (TE), Ben Patrick (TE), Jerame Tuman (TE)

Offensive Linemen: Mike Gandy (LT), Reggie Wells (LG), Lyle Sendlein (C), Deuce Lutui (RG), Levi Brown (LT), Elton Brown (OG), Brandon Keith (OT), Pat Ross (C), Elliot Vallejo (OT)

Defensive Linemen: Antonio Smith (LE), Darnel Dockett (LT), Bryan Robinson (RT), Travis LaBoy (RE), Bertrand Berry (DE), Gabe Watson (DT), Calais Campbell (DT), Kenny Iwebema (DE), Alan Branch (DT)

Linebackers: Gerald Hayes (MLB), Karlos Dansby (WLB), Chike Okeafor (SLB), Victor Hobson (OLB), Monty Beisel (MLB), Pago Togafau (OLB)

Defensive Backs: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB), Rod Hood (CB), Ralph Brown (CB, Eric Green (CB), Mike Adams (CB), Adrian Wilson (SS), Antrel Rolle (FS), Aaron Francisco (FS), Matt Ware (S)

Special Teams: Neil Rackers (PK), Ben Graham (P), Nathan Hodel (LS)

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4 Regular Season)

Quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwitch, Dennis Dixon

Running Backs: Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore, Gary Russell, Carey Davis (FB)

Receivers: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed, Heath Miller (TE), Matt Spaeth (TE), Sean McHugh (TE)

Offensive Linemen: Max Starks (LT), Chris Kemoeatu (LG), Justin Hartwig (C), Darnell Stapleton (RG), Willie Colon (RT), Trai Essex (G-T), Tony Hills (OT), Jeremy Parquet (G-T), Jason Capizzi (OT)

Defensive Linemen: Aaron Smith (LE), Casey Hampton (NT), Brett Keisel (RE), Chris Hoke (NT), Travis Kirschke (DE), Orpheus Roye (DE), Nick Eason (DE), Scott Paxson (NT)

Linebackers: LaMarr Woodley (LOLB), James Farrior (LILB), Larry Foote (RILB), James Harrison (ROLB), Lawrence Timmons (OLB-ILB), Keyaron Fox (ILB), Bruce Davis (OLB), Andre Frazier (OLB-ILB), Patrick Bailey (OLB), Donovan Woods (OLB-ILB)

Defensive Backs: Ike Taylor (CB), Bryant McFadden (CB), Deshea Townsend (CB), Anthony Maddison (CB), Fernando Bryant (CB), William Gay (CB), Troy Polamalu (SS), Ryan Clark (FS), Anthony Smith (FS), Tyrone Carter (S)

Special Teams: Jeff Reid (PK), Mitch Berger (P), Jared Retkofsky (LS)

Matchups

Ben Roethlisberger will have a different view in his second super bowl. Three years ago Roethlisberger was nervous, and not ready for the gut wrenching phenomenon that is the super bowl. His job was to not lose the game. Now, his job is to lead his team to victory. Roethlisberger had a lackluster regular season. Causing 22 turnovers and losing a couple of game, he could have won.

That all changed this post season, Roethlisberger looks poised and ready for the big leagues. So far this post season Roethlisberger has had two touchdowns and no interceptions in wins over San Diego and Baltimore. He has extended plays, avoided blitzes, and made plays without causing a single turnover.

Roethlisberger has some baggage though, he is injured. If anytime during the Game Roethlisberger is too hurt to play. Byron Leftwitch will come in and releive him with little set back. Dennis Dixon could factor in a trick play.

Willie Parker is one of the reasons that Roethlisberger has been doing so well. Parker, who was injured most of the regular season, found big holes in the Charger's defense, and wore down the Raven's front seven. He gets through the hole quickly, and he has straight line speed that can be unmatched. But he struggles against top defenses.

That is what the Cardinals seem like, so far this postseason. They stopped Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, and Brian Westbrook, and their remarkable run defense reminds many of the Colts defense during the 2006 post season.

Mewelde Moore, who replaced Parker in the Regular season, will factor as the third down back. Gary Russell is the Steeler's third down back. Carey Davis is the full back. 

If Parker gets stopped, and Roethlisberger starts getting sacked, and making mistakes, it will be a long day for the Steelers. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Ralph Brown have two interceptions a piece, and the Cardinals have gotten eight other turnovers on defense.

Antonio Smith will be matched up against Willie Colon, and could have a multiple sack game. Darnell Dockett and Bryan Robinson are disruptive at tackle. Travis LaBoy and Bertrand Berry rotate at right end, and complement each other perfectly. Gabe Watson is one of the reasons the Cardinals run defense has improved so much.

Karlos Dansby has 23 tackles this post season, and Gerald Hayes is a sure down field tackler. And Chike Okeafor is a defensive end playing outside linebacker. Watch for the Steelers to target Okeafor with tight end Heath Miller. Miller out runs linebackers, and with Hines Ward injured he should be a big factor. Matt Spaeth and Sean McHugh should get some action too.

With Hines Ward shaken up, Santonio Holmes will be Roethlisberger's top target. Holmes exploded this post season with his speed and quick moves after the catch. If the Steelers ever get him matched up against Rod Hood, the Cards better call a time out, because Holmes has a reservation for six.

Rodgers-Cromartie is expected to cover Holmes. Rod Hood gets a break and should mainly cover Hines Ward. Nate Washington has emerged and will be playing red hot Ralph Brown. Washington is a great deep threat, but he struggles with drops. Speaking of drops, Limas Sweed will factor as the fourth wide receiver.

Kurt Warner had arguably his best season of his career. Warner excels in the Cardinals quick passing scheme. Warner waits till he is almost sacked, and throws to the underneath receiver.

Warner will also get some deep balls out to Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has looked like Jerry Rice on crack this post season. In fact, Fitzgerald broke Rice's single post season receiving yards record in only three games. Fitzgerald has strong hands and great leaping ability that drives defensive backs nuts.

Opposing Fitzgerald is Anquan Boldin. Boldin can make things happen after the catch, but it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals use him coming off of an injury.

Steve Breaston had one of the best seasons for a third wide receiver in NFL history. But it looks as if the Cardinals are phasing him out. Jerheme Urban is the Cardinals fourth wide receiver.

Edgerrin James regained the Cardinals top running back spot after a disappointing season. The Cardinals backs have not been effective all season long. James has lost most of his speed that he had during his career in Indianapolis, but he can still grind it out. Tim Hightower has hit the rookie wall after getting ten touchdowns as the Cards goalline back. J.J. Arrington is the Cardinals third down back.  

LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison will get pressure, no doubt about that, but the Cardinals need to limit how much they get. Mike Gandy did a great job containing Julius Peppers and John Abraham, and he should have another good match up against James Harrision. LaMarr Woodley is red hot right now and should get at least two sacks. Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are run stoppers and Casey Hamton takes up two blockers at least.

Troy Polamalu is the all around saftey. He can blitz the quarterback, he can top the run, he can lay the hammer, and he can play the deep pass. Ryan Clark is one of the strongest safties in the NFL. Ike Talyor, Deshea Townsend, and Bryant McFadden are the primary corner backs. These guys should have trouble not letting up 300 yards passing.

Jeff Reid and Neil Rackers are solid placekickers, while Mitch Berger and Ben Graham are temporary solutions. Gary Russell and J.J. Arrington are average kick returners, while Steve Breaston and Santonio Holmes can light it up. Sean Morey is one of the best special teamers in the NFL.

If you read this whole thing, you are amazing.