super bowl 44

Miami Stadium Gets New Name For Super Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Football fans have a new name to get used to as this year’s Super Bowl nears. When the teams line up for kickoff, it won’t be at Land Shark Stadium. That short-lived name was replaced Jan. 20 with a whole new moniker in time for the big game.

Sun Life Stadium, instead, will be the name touted in newscasts and live coverage of the game. The Canadian-based insurance company bought the right to name the stadium in a deal announced this week. It seems the company is paying an estimated $4 million a year for five years.

The Miami venue has undergone several name changes since it opened in 1987. It was originally known as Joe Robbie Stadium, after the Dolphins’ original owner. It has also been known as Dolphins Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium and most recently Land Shark Stadium. That last deal was with music legend Jimmy Buffett. The one-year deal was meant to tout the singer’s Margaritaville restaurants.

No matter what it’s called, the Miami stadium will be the place to be Feb. 7 when the Super Bowl gets underway. Although the final matchup has yet to be determined, fan excitement is really starting to surge. With only the Colts, Jets, Saints and Vikings left in the contest, there’s little doubt the final matchup will be a great one.

If you’re getting ready to root on your favorite team, you can do so in style. With the right Super Bowl gear, you can show your team colors and look great in the process. Even if you can’t make it to Sun Life Stadium to help break in the new name in person, you can show your spirit at home with T-shirts, jerseys and more.

Celebrities Cast Off For Charity Before The Super Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:41:00 +0000

Football fans who arrive in Miami a few days before the Super Bowl might want to take the time to enjoy this city’s legendary fishing opportunities. Cast off at the 2010 South Florida Super Celebrity Fishing Classic and you will have the opportunity to rub elbows with some very big names.

The classic is a high profile tournament that features a lineup of former and current pro athletes and other celebrities. The event is designed as a one-day tournament to benefit a variety of charities. The families of Marquis Cooper, Corey Smith, Nick Schuyler and William Bleakley are responsible for picking this year’s charity recipients.

The big event starts off with a kick-off party Feb. 1 with the tournament following Feb. 3. The actual tournament day starts with a 7 a.m. fishing call and wraps up with a 6:30 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony. Fishing takes place at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay/Sea Isle Marina. The kick-off party is scheduled to take place at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.

The classic is an officially sanctioned event and tickets do come at a price. Basic entry for non-celebrity types is $1,200. The price includes four anglers, four tickets, an angler bag and T-shirt and hat for each registered non-celebrity participant. Visitors in town to watch the Super Bowl can attend the kick-off party for $150. Tickets for the awards ceremony are $100.

Whether you want to head out and drop a line or two with pro athletes or just check out the before-and-after events, showing your team spirit while you’re there is a great idea. Super Bowl gear purchased in advance can help you make sure you look great on the water or just in the crowd.

Generate Super Bowl-Sized Excitement For Party Guests

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:17:00 +0000

While the big game is the main attraction at Super Bowl parties, it’s not uncommon for hosts to offer a little sideline action. Friendly wagers tend to be the biggest pre-game activity, but they aren’t always practical.

If you like the idea of having your party guests put down friendly wagers, but don’t want them to actually shell out cash, there’s an option that can work well. Take this typical Super Bowl party game and put your own special twist on it and you’ll generate some serious excitement among your guests and give one lucky winner something fun to take home.

Before your guests arrive, get a piece of poster board or even an old chalk board. Make this the “Big Board” for the game. As guests enter, ask them to write down their pick for Super Bowl winner and the final score. Make sure everyone puts down a guess before the official Super Bowl kickoff.

Once everyone has signed in, put the Big Board out where everyone can see it. During Super Bowl halftime, point out the leaders and the stragglers. Don’t let anyone change their guess though!

After the game is over, refer back to the board to determine the winner. Give the person who picks the right team and the closest score a special prize for their outstanding prognostication abilities. Super Bowl merchandise gift certificates are perfect. This way your football fan friends can select the gear they want and you won’t have to worry about buying items in advance that might reflect the “wrong team.”

Now, if your Super Bowl party guests still insist on making the traditional wager, you’ll be set for the action. That big board can also come in handy for making sure everyone remembers just what their guess was before play got under way.

Giveaways can generate a little pre-and post-game excitement and transform a typical Super Bowl party into one guests won’t soon forget!

Create Your Own Super Bowl Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:54:00 +0000

With only three weeks to go until Super Bowl Sunday, now is the time to get your plans in order by setting up your own Super Bowl schedule. If you intend to host a big event at home because the odds aren’t in your favor to win Super Bowl tickets, organizing things in advance can spare you from having to punt at the last minute.

Here are some suggestions to help you get ready for Super Bowl kickoff:

Week One
With three weeks still left on the clock, this is a good time to start creating a guest list and sending out invites. Since Super Bowl parties tend to be fairly informal, you can call desired guests or e-mail them to speed things up.

Having an advanced headcount can help you plan a snack menu better. Plus, striking now with those invites can help you get a jump on others who may wish to host their own parties.

Week Two
This is the time to make sure your RSVPs are back in and to start planning the menu.

Consider a variety of snack foods or entrée items. It’s okay to enlist guests to bring something to share, too. If alcohol is on the menu, request guests have designated drivers lined up and do offer softer drinks for those who take on the task.

Week Three
By now the matchups are in order and you’re ready to start rooting for your favorite team. You can find some incredible Super Bowl merchandise online to show your team spirit. This is the time to make sure your food orders are in. If you plan on doing the prep work yourself, buy the ingredients and start whipping up some football favorites.

Hosting a Super Bowl party is a great way to bring friends together to share in the excitement. Plan with plenty of time on the clock and you’ll have less to worry about on Super Bowl Sunday.

Tampa Lends Miami A Hand With Super Bowl 44 Prep

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:23:00 +0000

When the Pittsburgh Steelers beat out the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in last year’s Super Bowl 43 showdown, Tampa was lauded by fans for its incredible performance as host. This year, for Super Bowl 44, all eyes will turn to South Florida where gridiron warriors will meet to see which team is the best of the best.

When the cameras roll on the turf at Dolphin Stadium, a Tampa expert will be to thank for expertise in the preparations. The NFL has officially asked Tampa’s own Wayne Ward to provide advice on grass preparation.

Ward is a Tampa Sports Authority grounds crew assistant with nearly two decades of experience. He will spend weeks in Miami helping ensure everything is in place for the big game.

Tampa’s hosting of last year’s Super Bowl was so well pulled off that even MSNBC tooted the city’s horn. Preparations there included not only getting Ray Jay Stadium in tiptop condition, but also the organization of multiple events leading up to game day.

Not willing to be beaten out by Tampa, Miami also has an extensive calendar of events leading up to this year's Super Bowl. Festivities include the South Florida Fan Fest, the NFL Flag Tournament of Champions, Vinofest, Kickin’ Arts at Old School Square and the Super Celebrity Fishing Classic Kickoff Party. Since Miami is also playing host to the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31, the excitement level is really kicking up in South Florida.

Super Bowl Sunday this year is set for Feb. 7. Fans who wish to show their team colors can get gift certificates for Super Bowl 44 merchandise from the Stadium Collection. The Exclusive Stadium Collection boasts the same officially licensed merchandise that will be offered on game day at the Miami venue.

Whether Miami can top Tampa as far as Super Bowl fever goes remains to be seen. If it pulls it off, the South Florida city will owe the Tampa Sports Authority a nod of thanks.

Tampa Praised Highly for Super Bowl XLIII

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:29:00 +0000

The city of Tampa pulled off a spectacular hosting of Super Bowl XLIII, as confirmed by this article on MSNBC - Departing Super Bowl Fans Pat Tampa On The Back.

Super Sunday and the events leading up to it went off without a hitch, and despite the rough economy bars and restaurants were humming. The halftime show was a masterpiece, there were no security snags, and all in all, the fans have got to feel a lot of love for Tampa when it comes to hosting the Super Bowl.

I wholeheartedly agree, so I suggest we all tip our Super Bowl XLIII caps to the great folks in Tampa and Ray Jay stadium!

One of the Best Super Bowls in Recent Memory

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:03:00 +0000

GREAT GAME! GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!

Wow, that was some game. The Steelers pulled it out after the Cards were able to get the lead in the fourth quarter. This Super Bowl had it all and was probably one of the best I can remember.

The Boss was electric, too! Baby we were born to run...

Congrats to the Steelers and to the folks in Tampa who put on a terrific event. Now, just a year until the next one comes around!

In the meantime, I'm putting my order in for some Steelers fleece. Nice!

Steelers Made Super Bowl History Again

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:17:00 +0000

There’s no question about it: The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet again managed to put themselves down in Super Bowl history. This team from the north came to Tampa with winning on its mind and even trailing in the last minutes of the game pulled off a victory worthy of the history books.

If you watched last night’s game, you know it was a real heart-stopper. The fourth quarter held more action than a roller coaster ride. The Steelers started the quarter up, but the Cards managed to pull out two impressive touchdown runs and a safety was called against Pittsburgh.

Just when things looked lost, the Steelers pulled it out of the hat in the final minutes of the game. They will go down in the books as the official winners of Super Bowl XLIII with a 27-23 win.

Should you be among those who had to miss the action last night, I hope you taped it! The last quarter was worth the watch even if you aren’t a big football fanatic. The sheer determination and drive of the players was electrifying. While the Cards’ dreams were dashed, they fought to the bitter end with the grace of true champions.

If you’re like me and want to remember the game and own a piece of Super Bowl history, there’s still plenty of time. While the super bowl title has already gone out, you can still get your hands on Super Bowl merchandise. From T-shirts to a dueling Steelers vs Cardinals Super Bowl 43 gold plated flip coin, there are plenty of options in commemorative memorabilia you can take home.

We football fans have a fun year ahead. I have to admit, I’d love to see Arizona come back next year and have the chance to put the team’s name on the list of Super Bowl winners. Their grit made the game a blast to watch.

Make A Last Minute Super Bowl XLIII Party A Blast

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:57:00 +0000

If you’re getting ready to host your first Super Bowl party and it’s a last minute thing, don’t panic. You still have plenty of time to pull together a bash that will be remembered. Pull out your NFL team colors and run to the store for a few essentials. A basic menu of snacks and refreshments are all that you really need to make certain your guests are well fed and happy as they watch the Steelers and Cardinals battle it out.

So, what are the musts that should go on your shopping list? You’ll need plenty of chips, soft drinks, beer (if you so choose), and a few heartier dishes.

One of the easiest things you can make in a big hurry happens to be a Super Bowl staple – buffalo wings. No, you don’t have to order take out to serve up these babies just right.

To create your own wings at home and make your Super Bowl fare complete, you’ll need a deep fryer or a deep-dish frying pan. Heat up the oil and put the wings and legs in a single layer at a time. Make sure they are fully covered. Fry for about 7 minutes and drain. Once drained, roll the wings in a hot sauce of your choosing. The grocery store should have plenty of ready-made buffalo sauces for you. Serve up finished wings with celery, carrot sticks and lots of blue cheese dressing.

Beyond the wings, put out the chips, the drinks and other snacks that appeal. Then put just snuggle up in your women’s Super Bowl 43 studded crew neck shirt, a comfy pair of jeans and you should be good to go. Your guests will think you spent days planning the bash and you won’t have to tell them anything different!

Who Will Win Super Bowl XLIII?

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:22:00 +0000

The Steelers have been a steady team all year. No news there. The Cardinals are in the Cinderella spot, trying to knock of a team that has a chance to have won the most Super Bowls in history with a sixth victory today.

Today's the big day. It all comes down to this. So who will win Super Bowl XLIII? Will it be the Cards or the Steelers to bask in Super Bowl glory this year?

Pittsburgh Steelers Championship T-Shirt

Will it be close, or will Kurt Warner have his game on and light up Ray Jay with an air show? It could be Warner's last hurrah. If Larry Fitzgerald can find enough room to make several spectacular catches, the game could be essentially over by the half. But then again, there's always the Boss - who will probably put on one of the best Super Bowl halftime shows ever.

Arizona Cardinals Championship T-Shirt

You Can Win No Matter Who Wins the Super Bowl

Stadium Collection has a Pre-Sale deal where you can order your choice of a Pittsburgh Steelers or Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl XLIII Championship T-shirt. All orders for what turns out to be the losing team are cancelled, so if your team doesn't win, you're out nothing. If your team does win, you get in early and have your prize collectible championship-winning T-shirt. How cool is that?

Pre-Order a Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Champions T-Shirt

Pre-Order an Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl Champions T-Shirt

The Game is ON!

Tips For Watching The Big Game

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:57:00 +0000

Whether you plan to host a Super Bowl party or just intend to watch the game alone, there are some things you might want to do before kickoff. With a little planning, you can make sure you don’t miss a second of the action involved with Super Bowl XLIII.

If you do a few things in advance of the game, you’ll be all set for hours of watching pleasure. Before the Cardinals and Steelers take the field, make sure you do these things:

Charge the cordless phone – You won’t want to leave the television to answer the phone once the game gets started. To avoid this entirely, make sure you have a cordless phone at the ready. A well-charged phone will ensure you have the juice to talk to friends and still see the play-by-play action.

Set your DVR – If you do get interrupted during the game, it’s not a bad idea to have it recording. If you have a DVR, you’ll be able to pause the action and resume when you’re ready. This means you won’t have to miss a second even if you do have to walk away.

Get the snacks ready – Line up your favorite snacks and drinks before the game starts. This will save you from having to run to the kitchen during this year’s super bowl halftime show. If you’re a diehard fan, consider pulling a cooler into the living room so you don’t have to get up for anything but cheering great plays.

Get into the spirit – Make sure to have your gear ready for the game. A women's Super Bowl 43 Greatest Play Tee Shirt can be a comfortable choice for the ladies.

With less than a day to go before we find out who will take home the Super Bowl rings, the excitement is mounting. If you plan on watching at home, you can have an incredible time with only a little preparation.

Super Bowl XLIII Celebrity Sightings Are The Buzz In Tampa

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:42:00 +0000

With the date of the big game drawing even closer, the buzz in the Tampa Bay area is all about Super Bowl XLIII. While the football action has yet to begin, locals are having fun spotting celebrities in their midst. Both the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers are already in town, preparing their strategies for the game. Big names in entertainment and previous football heroes are also making their way to the Bay Area.

Country music star Faith Hill has taken the spotlight. So has P. Diddy, Celine Dion, Jason Wade and a host of others. While it might not be as much fun watching the action from the sidelines, there are ways to get into the fun from home.

Web sites have been created to help those in the know share their celebrity sightings as Tampa opens its doors to the gridiron giants. Fans can get in on a piece of Super Bowl history by contributing their own pictures and stories online thanks to sites like TBO.com.

If you just can’t be in the Tampa area for Super Bowl XLIII, but you want to join in the fun, keeping up with the pregame reports can bring the action home. So can showing your pride in the game by wearing a youth Super Bowl 43 black Tampa skyline T-shirt. It’s a great way to get into the game and fell like you’re in the middle of it all.

With the weekend now upon us, there’s no doubt the buzz in Tampa will grow even louder. If you want to keep up with the comings and goings and feel like you’re in the thick of it, showing your team spirit with Super Bowl merchandise is a great way to do so.

K-9s Predict Super Bowl XLIII Outcome

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:29:00 +0000

If the K-9 officers from the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are right, the Steelers will bring home the win during Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIII. In a bizarre Tampa tradition, the two agencies put their four-legged officers on the case to sniff out clues as to which team will go all the way.

The sniffing “Dog Bowl” took place in downtown Tampa’s Lykes Gaslight Park Wednesday. The event seeks to predict the outcome of the big game by having the dogs select the helmet of their liking. Both Bosco and Bo from the Tampa Police Department settled in with four paws each for the Steelers. ATF’s Sunshine is said to have favored by Cardinals because of their “explosive offense.”

While it’s true that the dogs give the win 2-to-1 to the Steelers, it should be noted that ATF’s pick last year was right on the money.

The Dog Bowl was just one of many unique Super Bowl events scheduled for the Tampa Bay area this week. As the city welcomes thousands of football fans, it’s pulling out all the stops to make sure visitors have a great time before, during and after the game.

Football fans who can’t make it to the Bay Area to enjoy the action, can still bring home a piece of the fun to remember the big game by. A dueling Steelers vs Cardinals Super Bowl 43 gold plated flip coin might even be more reliable for predicting the outcome than three canines with incredibly sensitive noses!

Get Ready For This Year's Super Bowl Halftime Show

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Okay, so I’m lucky enough to already be in town before the big Super Bowl halftime show gets under way Feb. 1. Unfortunately, just like millions of other fans all over the world, I will not be in the stands to watch Bruce Springsteen take center stage at Raymond James Stadium and put his own mark on this longstanding Super Bowl tradition.

While this might seem like a disadvantage, it’s not. If you’re like me and you’ll be forced to watch The Boss take the spotlight from the comfort of your own home, there are things you can do to get ready and make an occasion out of it. If you’re looking forward to this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show almost as much as the game, prepare early so you don’t have to miss a single guitar lick.
To get ready for this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, you’ll want to:

• Get your DVR set (just in case you need to slip away from the action for a few minutes and don’t want The Boss to fire you when you return for missing his act)!

• Line up the refreshments in advance. Wings, pizza, beer, meatballs … whatever suits your fancy, get it out and enjoy. This matchup should be a great one and it looks like this year’s Super Bowl halftime show shouldn’t disappoint either!

• Get your team spirit on by making sure to dress your living room up right with a

Super Bowl XLIII Pre-Game Party Sizzles

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:51:00 +0000

With Super Bowl XLIII just around the corner, the Tampa Bay area is really starting to kick up the pre-game action. If you’re planning on taking advantage of Super Bowl travel packages to be in town for the big game, you’ll discover one of the hottest places to be the night before the game is Jackson’s Bistro on Harbour Island.

Jackson’s is playing host to a “Models & Bottles Super Bowl Party” Jan. 31 from 10 p.m. to Feb. 1 at 3 a.m. Whether you have game tickets in hand or not, getting a ticket to this party will likely not disappoint.

Models & Bottles is hosted Playmates of the Year Jayde Nicole and Sara Jean Underwood, Playboy Cover Girl Ashley Massaro and Playboy models the Ikki Twins, among others. Special guest appearances will include Valerie Mason, Laura Croft and Tasha Nicole.

Tickets for this pre-game party are not quite as hard to secure as game tickets. They cost $45 for women, $95 for men, $395 per table and $1,995 for a cabana. Jackson’s, by the way, is one of the most popular waterfront venues in all of Tampa. It features upscale dining and a menu that is ever-evolving.

If you can’t make it into Tampa for the game or the pre-game action, you can still celebrate history in the making with Super Bowl merchandise. Even as a Tampa resident, I have to admit, I’d rather curl up on the couch with chips, wings and something tall and cool wearing a comfortable women’s

Super Bowl XLIII Travel Packages Still Available

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:59:00 +0000

It doesn't seem to be too late to get to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII. The Arizona Cardinals website links to this site that's offering super bowl travel packages that run from $3,550 (does not include a ticket to the game) to as high as $17,500.

The high end super bowl travel packages include 5 days and 4 nights in a hotel, a Super Bowl welcome reception on Friday night, super bowl merchandise bag, round trip transportation to Raymond James (Ray Jay) stadium, and more. Wow, that's a lot of coin! I think instead of blowing my money on super bowl travel packages, I'll stay close to home and watch to game and party with some friends - at least this year. Then maybe I can save up and invest in a travel package next year - depends on who's going to be in the Super Bowl, though.

I really can't see spending that kind of money on a super bowl travel package and not having a ticket to the game. I can watch the game at home. While going to Tampa during Super Bowl week might be a real party, I don't feel I have to be there when I can do the same thing on my home turf. Especially if I have official Super Bowl XLIII programs for me and my party guests - it'll be just like being at the Ray Jay - well, almost anyway!

Getting Dressed for Super Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:25:00 +0000

As Super Bowl 43 rolls around this Sunday, you can bet I'll be dressed for the big game. I'm thinking a great Super Bowl 43 Men's Jersey like this one ought to do the trick. No matter who wins, when Super Bowl XLIII's over I'll still have it as a collectible and a fond memory of a great super bowl party and what I hope is going to be a great game between the Steelers and Cardinals.

Of course, I opted for the Super Bowl hat, too. I mean, after all, if I'm going to have the jersey, I might as well have the hat too to complete the look both for the party and for hanging out with my buds when the game's nothing more than just a memory.

Stadium Collection has great prices on these items, so they didn't set me back much. And, I'll enjoy wearing them for years and I can always use another football jersey and cap to add to my collection.

A Really Neat Super Bowl Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Here's a really neat football field cake I found you can make for your Super Bowl party.

My thinking is that I can dress up the table with this centerpiece cake and maybe add some Super Bowl novelties, like a really neat Super Bowl XLIII mini helmet replica:

I would also definitely want to hang up this Super Bowl 43 "The Party Is Here" sign.

I'm really getting psyched up for the game, but the anticipation and party planning are a lot of fun, too!

Tampa's Preparations for Super Bowl XLIII

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Tampa is a city that knows how to prepare for a big game as it has already hosted 3 Super Bowls. That's right - the site of Super Bowl XLIII is Tampa's Raymond James stadium. “Ray Jay,” as it’s called by natives, opened in 1998 and hosted its first Super Bowl in 2001.

As the clock runs down for the kickoff between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, preparations are well under way. Besides the actual Super Bowl game itself, Tampa has rolled out the red carpet with a variety of special events.

While Ray Jay will serve as the official site for Super Bowl XLIII, the entire city of Tampa is getting ready for game day. Pre-game events and preparations include:

Landscaping the Area – More than a thousand trees have been planted in the Tampa Bay area.

Super Bowl Breakfast – This official NFL event is planned for Jan. 31 at the University of South Florida’s Sun Dome. Tickets for this event are open to the public and cost just $20 each.

Lights on Tampa – Works of art are on display throughout the city.

NFL Experience – This ongoing event is an interactive fan festival with entertainment, football clinics, free autograph sessions, a football card show and more.

If you're going to the autograph sessions, be sure to get the Super Bowl 43 Official Size Autograph Ball rather than using scrap paper or napkins to collect your valuable Super Bowl autographs. Your autographed ball will become an instantly valuable collector's item, no doubt.

While not every fan will be lucky enough to score a ticket to Super Bowl XLIII, the city of Tampa is getting ready to host an extravaganza. With its Super Bowl experience its no doubt this year's event will be something very special. And, for fans who can't score a ticket to the big game or who won't be able to travel to Tampa to watch it, officially licensed Super Bowl merchandise - the same as what will be sold at Raymond James Stadium on Game Day is available from Stadium Collection. That way, fans can get the real thing and stay home and watch the game on TV - the next best thing to being there!

Table Set for Super Bowl XLIII

noreply@blogger.com (Stadium Collection) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Well, this weekend's playoffs have sealed the deal. This year's Super Bowl will feature the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For the Arizona Cardinals, it will be their first trip to the big game in the history of the franchise. Pittsburgh is no new-comer, however and the Steelers are tied with the most Super Bowl victories at 5. If the Steelers can beat the Cardinals in this one, the Steelers will hold the record for championships at 6.

Will the Steelers' secondary be able to cover Larry Fitzgerald? That seems to be the big question as the Cardinals rushed out of the gate firing missiles against the Eagles yesterday. The team of Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald reminded me of another great air combination of about ten years ago - Dante Culpepper and Randy Moss, then of the Vikings.

So now it's time to start preparing and getting psyched up for Super Bowl XLIII. What could have turned out to be an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl had the Eagles been able to take down the Cardinals, now features teams from each side of the country. My thinking is that this game will have a broader appeal than an Eagles-Steelers match up, so it should be a great one with lots of viewership. And, there's always the promise of some more intriguing and funny Super Bowl commercials and a Super Bowl halftime show featuring the Boss.

You can bet that those who sell Super Bowl merchandise and Super Bowl novelty collectibles, and those who print Super Bowl programs and Super Bowl jerseys and T-shirts have had their operations humming around the clock getting everything ready for the big game: Super Bowl 43.

Get your Super Bowl party plans in gear for a rock 'em, sock 'em game in Tampa in just two weeks. Party on!