Super Bowl Day 1 wrapup
Jan 29th, 2008 by Bill Burt
Here was a rundown of what happened on Day 1, in no particular order:
1. Tom Brady practiced … gingerly.
2. The Giants arrived and have decided to stop inciting the Patriots with bulletin board material. This though may only last a day. Stay tuned.
3. Patriots linebacker Junior Seau and his ring-less career continues to be the darling of the national media, which has been the case the last month.
4. Bill Belichick is talking, but not saying anything of note.
5. The fans have not yet arrived as the local scene, particularly bars and restaurants were dead all day and night.
6. ESPN and NFL Network hosts, particularly the ex-players, have begun to praise the Patriots as a dynasty.
7. Tom Coughlin had the quote of the day when asked if his team could handle the Super Bowl media scrutiny … “This is like a normal day in New York.” Trust me it was funny. You had to be there.
8. Tedy Bruschi’s college career at Arizona is the big story among the local media.
9. Ticket prices are coming down. A seat at the 50 yard line, starting at about $10,000 last week is down to about $8,000.
10. It’s early, but Phoenix/Scottsdale/Glendale area might be a very good Super Bowl location before the week is through.
***
A report on ticket prices in the Houston Chronicle has the Patriots average ticket price ($90), highest in the NFL, twice that of the lowest average ticket price in Jacksonville ($45).
***
With most of the Patriots playing in multiple Super Bowls, one day they do not look forward to is Tuesday, the official media day at the University of Phoenix Stadium. “Some of the questions you get are … Let’s just say it’s a tough day,” said Patriots lineman Matt Light.
***
The biggest game of the year, maybe ever considering what is at stake for the Patriots (19-0), will have its biggest media contingent ever.
A record 4,786 credentials have been issued to the media that will report on Super Bowl XLII between the New England Patriots and New York Giants this Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The total – which tops the record 4,516 credentials issued last season for Super Bowl XLI in South Florida — includes U.S. and international media and is comprised of print, television, radio and internet outlets.
***
Here was the official Patriots practice pool report on Tom Brady by Dan Pompei (only one reporter is allowed to watch the AFC and NFC practices. The Giants did not pracitce yesterday.
“Tom Brady’s injured right ankle did not prevent him from practicing at Sun Devil Stadium Monday afternoon. Brady had his ankle taped but he participated in all phases of practice, including jogging the length of the field twice at the end of drills. Brady appeared to have a slight limp.”
