Cardinals still learning how to be successful

Trophy News from the San Francisco Chronicle….

Cardinals Still Learning How to be Successful

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While much of the country and the rest of the NFL tries to comprehend the staggering reality of the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, those who are employed by that franchise have been taking this playoff run very seriously.

They had been underdogs in every postseason game, including last week’s fourth-quarter 32-25 comeback victory over the playoff-tested Philadelphia Eagles. But there was something striking about the Cardinals’ mind-set as they maneuvered through the distractions and challenges of championship week.

Sometimes, it’s the littlest detail that gives you a peek into where a team may be mentally before an important game.

The Cardinals offered an interesting clue. They dressed the part.

Last Friday, the final news conference for the title game participants took place at each team’s practice facility. Traditionally, this is a major media event, the last public obligation before the championship games. The NFL coordinates the interview sessions, which are broadcast live on NFL Network. The head coach appears, followed by a few carefully selected standout players from each team.

The Eagles, Ravens and Steelers – who have been through this drill with some frequency in recent seasons – appeared at their podiums in practice attire. Sweats and hoodies.

The Cardinals, starting with second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt, appeared in sharp business attire. Suits, ties, polished shoes.

No question about it. They were proud to be on that stage.

“We’re professionals and we want to project a professional appearance,” All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald explained as he donned a light blue sweater over his pressed shirt, coordinating tie and creased slacks in anticipation of the national media questioning.

That mentality carried over in the defining 14-play, 72-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter, capped by quarterback Kurt Warner’s 8-yard pass to Tim Hightower.

That stand-and-deliver series pushed Arizona past the stubborn Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium, and made those T-shirts the Cardinals wore during a fun, loose week of practices seem prescient.

“Prove It,” the shirts proclaimed.

In their locker room at the team’s Tempe headquarters, signs also reminded the players: “Anything Is Possible.”

Their triumphant postgame locker room proved all the corny mental reminders had worked. But this is still a team that is learning to embrace success. Every week and every playoff victory is uncharted territory.

AFC Championship Trophy Unveiled to Public

Trophy news from Pittsburgh, PA……..

AFC Championship Trophy Unveiled to Public

football trophies

As Steelers fans await the kick-off of Super Bowl XLIII on February 1st, they can in the meantime get up close to the team’s latest AFC Championship trophy.

The Lamar Hunt Trophy, which the Steelers won earlier this week when they sent the Ravens packing back to Baltimore, will be on display starting this weekend.

Curators will unveil the trophy at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center on Friday.

And the public will be able to see it starting Saturday, January 24 at 10 a.m.

Usually, the trophy can only be seen at the team offices.

Originally posted at KDKA.com

A pig, tomahawk, bucket and wooden box at stake in Big Ten rivalry games

A pig, tomahawk, bucket, and wooden box at stake in Big Ten rivalry games

football trophies

Rivalry week has arrived in the Big Ten, and spaces are being cleared in trophy cases stretching from Minneapolis to State College.

At stake Saturday: a bronze pig, a tomahawk, a bucket and a giant wooden box celebrating the nation’s two oldest land-grant universities. OK, so the last one is a little lame, but this year, the Penn State-Michigan State clash is even more important than The Game (Ohio State-Michigan). Not only will the winner hoist the Land Grant Trophy, but also the hardware everyone covets — the Big Ten championship trophy. Two of the other games have major bowl implications, while Purdue will bid farewell to its all-time winningest coach. Here’s a closer look at the Big Ten’s four trophy games Saturday.