Doormat versus Dynasty in Super Bowl XLIII showdown

Agence France-Presse

Doormat versus Dynasty. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signified success in the Super Bowl era with their stable ownership, brilliant coaching and throwback style. A victory on Sunday will give them a record sixth Super Bowl title, and they are strong favorites to get it against the Arizona Cardinals.

Say what? The Cardinals, a dynasty that has defined dysfunction as far back as the 1950s, are playing for the NFL championship?

If it's easy to believe the Steelers would be back in the big game four years after winning in their last appearance, it's just as difficult - nearly impossible, actually - to believe the Cardinals will provide the opposition. It's a classic yin and yang setup: The defensively miserly Steelers against the offensively potent Cardinals. The team with the proud history against the club with the forgettable past.

Irreplaceable
Doormat versus Dynasty. As if any of that matters now.

"Legacies are something you kind of worry about after the season," Steelers All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu said. "It's exciting to be a part of watching this organization go somewhere that they haven't gone before," Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said. "That's stuff that you can't replace with anything else."

The Steelers are trying to live up to a tradition of excellence established by the Chuck Noll-coached 1970s teams nicknamed the Steel Curtain and carried on through the Bill Cowher years. It is not something they can ignore, even if their coach, Mike Tomlin, has been on the job for only two years and has few ties to Noll or Cowher.

Indeed, when they look around Raymond James Stadium, the players will accept that extra burden every Steeler has carried proudly for decades.

The Steelers won the Super Bowl in 1974, '75, '78, '79 and 2005, tied for the most with Dallas and San Francisco.

But just making the playoffs, let alone the title game, was something the Cardinals could only have dreamed of. Since moving to Arizona in 1988, they've had two winning seasons. In 1997, they beat Dallas for the team's second playoff victory. Ever.

The other came in 1947.

They beat Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia, all as underdogs, to surpass their all-time playoff victory total - and shockingly get into the Super Bowl.

One more upset?
A wonderful story, with only one acceptable ending for the Cardinals.

"Nobody remembers the Super Bowl loser," defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said. "I don't believe in losing."

"We are definitely the underdogs. We all play with the underdog mentality. Once we got in the playoffs and we thought we would shock the world."

But any forward steps against Pittsburgh's league-leading defense come with a price. The Steelers allowed the fewest points (223) and ranked first in nearly every defensive category.

"I think the biggest thing about the Steelers that you're concerned with, especially from a defensive standpoint, is just all the different looks that they give you," said Warner, whose reclamation story - from two-time league MVP and 2000 Super Bowl champion to retread to star quarterback - is unique.

Of course, Warner isn't exactly operating without support. Wideout Larry Fitzgerald already has a playoff-record 419 yards receiving and five touchdowns. They could swing matters in Arizona's favor.

And the Cardinal most responsible for getting that duo to click is coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was the offensive coordinator for the Steelers during their last Super Bowl run.

"I'm sure coach Whis will have some insight into what we do," said Ben Roethlisberger.

And some extra motivation?

"I had a great mentor in coach Cowher as far as how you handle a team and how you deal with a lot of the things that go with it," coach Whisenhunt said.

"It's just been a collection of those things that we used as a model to go forward with this team."

Which, in some aspects, is the Steelers way. And how better to begin that climb from doormat to dynasty?

PITTSBURGHSTINGS ON BOTH ENDS OF PLAY

Just as the Steelers of the 1970s evolved from a run-it-down-your-throat offense to a more versatile mode, this group has balanced its attack. Indeed, when running back Willie Parker couldn't find much room against Baltimore in the AFC Championship game, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took control. And the Cardinals' defense, while quite stout for most of three playoff victories, hardly is on the level of Baltimore.

Pittsburgh will turn to Parker early, particularly seeking to draw Arizona's standout safety, Adrian Wilson, closer to the line. If successful, the Steelers will keep pounding Parker, Mewelde Moore and Gary Russell, but also will mix in some medium-range and deep throws to playmaker Santonio Holmes. Steelers tight end Heath Miller has been a key peformer and favorite target for Big Ben.

ARIZONA COUNTS ON WARNER EXCELLENCE

When the Cardinals have the ball, first priority will be keeping Kurt Warner upright. While their running game has been revived behind veteran Edgerrin James and rookie Tim Hightower - both key

contributors to the win over Philadelphia for the

NFC crown - the Cardinals won't survive if Warner doesn't get time to pass. Warner heads to his third Super Bowl owning the two most prolific passing days in the game's history. He had 414 yards in the

2000 win over Tennessee when he was with St. Louis, and 365 when St. Louis lost to New England

two years later.Expecting that many yards against the best, most intimidating defense in the league since Baltimore of eight years ago is dreaming. That doesn't mean Arizona has no chance, because Warner remains a superb player with excellent touch. If tackles Mike Gandy and Levi Brown and guard Reggie Wells give him time, he will produce.

Springsteen hopes to inspire

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen will try to bring smiles and inspiration in dark economic times with Super Bowl half-time show.

The performer, nicknamed "The Boss", and his E Street Band will perform for 12 minutes during the game. "We come out to inspire. That's part of what we do," Springsteen said. "We just want to come out and give people some smiles on Sunday and carry on and have a good time." Springsteen, preparing for a world tour to support a newly released album, extends a tradition of

superstar Super Bowl performers that includes U2, the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. "There are mercenary reasons for it," Springsteen said. "Bands like us, we are out on a stage like this or not seen. This is a tremendous

venue." Jennifer Hudson will sing the US anthem and Faith Hill will sing "America the Beautiful." It will be the first major appearance for Hudson since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered last October.