Super Sunday

When I worked at the newspaper there was one overly friendly fellow (think a lonely Golden Retriever) who always had a greeting the first time he saw you each day. He once wished me a "Happy Pearl Harbor Day," and he wasn't trying to be funny. (Not that there is anything funny about that.)

It seems kind of weird to wish anyone a "Happy Super Bowl Sunday," but the reality is, this really has become a national holiday. The kids are going skating and playing hockey today at Occom Pond because, as they reminded me this morning, "We always do that on Super Bowl Sunday." We are having people over to the house today because that's something we like to do on Super Bowl Sunday.

For what it's worth, I have mixed feelings about this year's game. I really like Peyton Manning and all he stands for as a person (and a player), so I'd like to see him walk off with the trophy. But I know, respect and really like Lloyd Lee, the former Dartmouth safety who is now an assistant with the Bears, and so I'd like for him to be on the winning side. ...

What that means is I can agonize over the game -- as I've been known to do -- or simply sit back, let it take its course and enjoy it. That's the plan although I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be rooting at all times for the team that's behind. I do that a lot.

One thing I won't be doing is watching the halftime show. Prince? First, I don't know a single song he does. (If we're talking musical monarchy, I'm much better with the King.)

Second, I am annoyed by the over-production of these halftime shows. Give me a great marching band playing some marching band classics (whatever those are) and doing formations on the field and I'm right there.

While I'm at it, if they shoot off fireworks at halftime and the field is covered in smoke at the second-half kickoff, I'm going to be muttering to myself and everyone in the room. But hey, at least they are outdoors this year, so the smoke will be able to blow away. I'm of an opinion that indoor fireworks are as stupid as they probably are unsafe.

And finally, maybe the outdoor venue will dissuade the NFL from dropping red, white and blue confetti all over the postgame celebration. If you ask me, getting the league involved in that kind of stuff is way too corporate. Celebrations are supposed to be spontaneous, not preplanned.

If I'm starting to sound a little bit (a lot?) like Andy Rooney, I didn't mean to. I really do enjoy the game. Of course, the first thing I'll want to read about tomorrow won't be the game. It will be the commercials. I always enjoy seeing how my ranking of the ads rates with the "experts." We don't always agree.

Whew. On to the stuff that you came here to read ...

Lee is all over the media this morning. He gets a brief mention in this story about the cross pollination of the coaching staffs after beginning his coaching career in Tampa Bay, where one of Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy's assistants was today's opponent, Lovie Smith. ... Lee is mentioned as one of just three current assistants on the Bear staff who played in the NFL in this story. Extra credit to the writer for noting Lloyd saw action in parts of two seasons. Points off for saying he played with Buffalo instead of San Diego. ...

Something called New American Media has a feature on Lloyd headlined: First Asian Coach Goes to the Super Bowl. It's not a great story and it would have been better if they had tracked him down, but it got me thinking. I wonder if the rule about interviewing minority candidates will work in Lloyd's favor if he ever chases a head coaching position. (Note to self: When the day comes that Buddy Teevens decides to do something else, be sure to nominate Lloyd as a possible successor.) ...

The local daily here has a full story on Lloyd written by a stringer in Florida. Alas, as is so often the case, it's not on the web.

Lee, by the way, grew up in Bloomington, Minn., where longtime NFL assistant Monte Kiffin was a neighbor and his son Lane was one of Lloyd's best friends. There's a mention of that in this Contra Costa Times story about Lane Kiffin, the new Oakland Raider head coach.

Lee also gets a mention in this Union Leader story about folks from New Hampshire with Chicago Bears' connections, including former UNH great Jerry Azumah, who until recently was a defensive back in the Windy City. ...

I'll leave you with this: Jay Fiedler's name comes up in this Deadspin story about a Super Bowl party. (If you don't know much about Deadspin, buckle your chin strap, matey.) From the story:

After a few more Coors Lights, some of the bigger names began to walk in -- Tony Romo, Andy Roddick, Spike Lee, uh, Jay Fiedler.

Enjoy the game.