This just into the Paulie Blog Update Desk: the feature story about the long snapper has now been written. So, it’s officially official. The time has arrived to play Super Bowl XLIII.

Uh, just one problem – they call it Super Bowl Sunday for a reason.

Hmmm. What’s Paulie Lombardi Trophy left to blog? Well, here’s what we’re not going to do. We’re not going to fill time by asking Kurt Warner about his weightlifting regimen.

(Yes, as Ricky Bobby once said – “that just happened!” In fact, it happened earlier today, when Warner “The Gloved One” was asked about incorporating squats into his workouts this season. Holy Cannoli.)

So, with the Super Bowl Countdown Clock still clicking here on Sports.KTAR.com, we’ve got a few thoughts about the Game el Grande. Let’s call it three downs and a punt. Specifically, a trio of “What If” questions and a punt…

What If… the Pittsburgh offensive line is actually worse than any of the Cards three playoff opponents (ATL, CAR, PHI)? Earlier this week, Big Ben referred to his own offensive line as “makeshift.” Could this matchup favor the Cards defense in an XL way? As in, extra large?

What If…the top ranked Pittsburgh defense actually features cornerbacks much worse than the Philadelphia Eagles brought against the Cards? Once again, a potential advantage for the Cards top-flight passing attack, right?!

What If…the decorated defense of Pittsburgh hasn’t faced an offense the caliber of the Cards? At least not in the playoffs, where the Steelers D has gone against the Chargers (minus LT) and a mediocre Ravens offense, with a rookie QB no less!?

Finally, we’ll punt it away with the following thought: remember how we’re featuring the exclusive audio of the freestyle rap on the team plane by super-rookie Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie? Well, speaking of freestylin’, click on the link below and listen to Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley wax effusive about DRC – during a commercial break.

Yes, if you’ve ever wondered what the announcers say off-the-air, well, just give ‘er a click below…

Pasch and Wolf off-the-air …

 

 Pasch and Wolf off-the-air [1:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What if I took one of my own questions from Super Bowl media day and answered it my own self?

Question:  “How are you going to describe this certified circus to your friends and family when they call you later today?”

Answer:  “That’s a good question.   And I’d be glad to answer, but you’re blocking my view of the dude in the dress and blonde wig…!”

See, that’s what media day has become – the biggest spectator sport this side of Super Bowl XLIII itself.

Make that “spectacle” sport.     Because, if truly pressed to answer my own question, Paulie Lombardi Trophy would describe Super Bowl media day as a Star Trek convention for journalists.

In other words, the dork factor is off the charts.  For example, the dude in the dress.   “That guy” has become an almost annual happening.

Sort of like the other “sports journalists.”   I’m not sure which part of that job title is more suspect on media day – the “sports” or the “journalist” end of that job description.

Bottom line:   the vast majority of those covering media day probably know less about football than my sister-in-law, who, without fail, every Super Bowl Sunday, always asks her own question:  “…is this a big game?”

When I respond by saying “uh, yeah, it’s the Super Bowl!”  She inevitably replies:  “good, I’m going shopping then because nobody will be at the mall…”

On second thought, that’s not a bad idea.   Come Super Bowl media day next year, that’s my game plan – shopping.

As the Arizona Cardinals traveled across the country to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII our very own Paulie Pigskin decided to sit down with Dave Pasch, Cardinals radio play-by-play, and Ron Wolfley, Cardinals radio color commentator and Sports 620 KTAR host, to talk about where they were heading. 32,000 feet in the air, they discussed what the week ahead will look like, something completely new for the majority of the team.  … Paulie Pigskin Report - Team Plane

 

 Team Plane [16:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl! The national media isn’t buying it and we sent our very own sideline reporter Paul Calvisi to defend the team. Paul did a great job and was noticed by the panel as defending the team as he started to take shots at him. He told the panel they could all be in on the Cardinals playoff share because their negativity continues to motivate the team that is now one win away from being World Champs! … Paulie Pigskin.

 

 Paulie Pigskin [9:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Paul feels bad for Vai Sikahema after he said the Eagles were going to the Super Bowl and D&W let him have it. He ended up hanging up on the guys. But things could be worse, they could always be worse. … Paul’s Call

 

 Paul's Call [6:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download