Wake-Up Call: Troy Polamalu, Bill Cowher, LeBron James, Martin Luther King Jr.
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First things first: It was uncanny how well ex-USC star Troy Polamalu was able to read the eyes of Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco and pick him off to seal the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now it’s the ideal matchup talked about here last week: former Steelers’ offensive coordinator and now Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt against Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback whose career Whisenhunt helped launch. Whisenhunt took over as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator in 2004, and rookie Roethlisberger that year set an NFL record by winning his first 13 career starts. In 2005, Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. OK, let’s see if Whisenhunt can figure out way to stop Big Ben. It helps the Cardinals that Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald are in such terrific form.
Add NFL: And what of Bill Cowher, the former coach of the Steelers? Does he miss it now that the Steelers are back in it? The popular CBS studio analyst is the subject of a column by Richard Sandomir of the New York Times. Cowher, who led the Steelers to postseason appearances in each of his first six seasons, tying an NFL record, said he can always go back but still has so many non-football goals to accomplish, including learning to play the piano. As Sandomir writes:
His once-a-week piano lessons are preparation toward fulfilling a distant goal, one he will reach only if he resumes practicing regularly. ‘’I’ve always wanted to walk into a hotel, sit at a piano and play ‘Piano Man,’ ‘’ he said. Why? ‘’I saw Billy Joel when I was in college at N.C. State, and it always seemed like a good song.’’
What is fan friendly? The Dallas Cowboys’ new $1.1-billion stadium apparently is going to be fan friendly. Who knew there was someone referred to as the game-day experience guru is behind it all. And a guy who went through Walt Disney Co.’s customer service. How perfect. Cowboys only need to play better next season for those expensive seats to be filled.
Fun with LeBron: is anyone doing more entertaining commercials than LeBron James? SI.com and Yahoo Sports’ ‘Ball Don’t Lie’ blog are among those this morning to recognize the latest installment. It debuted yesterday. Here it is if you missed it.
Top photo: Troy Polamalu runs 40 yards for a touchdown after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter. Credit: Julie Jacobson / Associated Press