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Dan Shanoff

  (1:33 PM)

Hey, everyone...welcome to the Page 2 Super Bowl Chat Round Table. We're all excited to answer your questions, so fire away. Everything is fair game: The matchups, the hype and hoopla, halftime entertainment, whatever. Kick it off!

Sam (Milwaukee)

Hey Guys! How do the rest of you feel about Keyshawn Johnson (we all know how Jason Whitlock feels)? I used to hate him, but after reading his diary, I have to respect his rebutle.

Dan Shanoff

  (1:34 PM)

I generally agree with your previous feelings about Keyshawn, Sam. Not sure what kind of insecurities he's hiding to make him act the way he does. But his diary is kind of wild, isn't it? You have to give him credit for speaking his mind (though it doesn't hurt that he also said something pretty newsworthy: that he's retiring in three years. It's not "stop the presses" or anything, but it's unusual, if nothing else).

Dan Shanoff

  (1:35 PM)

Here's another Keyshawn-related question...

Chicago

Me-Shawn says no more media for him...So then this pounding headache of mine will finally go away?!?!?

Charles

Everyone talks about Mandy Moore at media day, but did no one get a picture of her for us?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:41 PM)

As for Keyshawn, don't count on it. You think that guy can go without media attention? He'll be yapping as usual by Sunday night's post-game shows.

Dan Shanoff

  (1:42 PM)

And the Mandy Moore thing: You're going to have to use your imagination, unfortunately. Beats thinking about Tony Siragusa.

Andre (Albuquerque)

All the attention has been put on the "Star Players," but traditionally a player least expected seems to always produce a key plays in the game. Who do you feel will be the player least expected to make an impact but will make the diffrence for his team in a win?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:46 PM)

This is like the "Larry Brown Award" isn't it, Andre? Tight ends may have a good chance to contribute, the way the teams pitch the ball around. Watch the Raiders' Doug Jolley (No. 88). There's a lot of buzz around Oakland KR Marcus Knight (but you saw all the good a great KR does against the Bucs). On the Bucs side, don't sleep on McCardell (the forgotten WR) or Tom Tupa, master of field position...maybe...

Jonathan (NYC)

In this age of corporate omnipresence, will there ever be a way for more actual fans to go to the Super Bowl?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:47 PM)

Short answer: No. Here's the impossible scenario that would make it happen: All fans everywhere say they'll boycott the game unless 90% of the seats go to actual fans. The league would change the policy in two seconds. Money talks, right? That's how we got in this no-seats-for-fans thing in the first place.

Brad (Cincy)

What is your best story you've heard so far coming out of the super bowl?...I'm not talking about warm fuzzy story we see at odd hours on ESPN2.. I'm talking the story you can't wait to tell your buddies whil watch the game and then getting a ton of laughs.

Dan Shanoff

  (1:49 PM)

Here's the one I'm watching: John Lynch and Jerry Rice are going to be miked up throughout the game. Now, there's no way it'll be "all access" (can you imagine the potential for foul language being broadcast to a couple hundred million people?), but it may have huge value. The other laugher is Keyshawn Johnson being able to keep from talking to the media "from now on." Yeah, right.

Sara (New York)

We've seen Keyshawn with a Bradshaw retro and Sapp with a Jaworski retro. How bout some of the old Orange uniforms of the Bucs? How bout some love for Lee Roy Selmon?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:52 PM)

And, Sara, you couldn't be more right! The only reason there was a negative stigma attached to the classic orange jerseys was because the team was terrible in them. Nobody would be laughing at the orange look if they won the Super Bowl in it. Rest assured: The players know that the retro orange look rules, and at some point the team will catch on and allow the look to return to fashion glory.

Eric (Berkeley)

Since the winner of EA's Madden football contest has gone on to win the real thing for the last 7 years straight, at what point do you think head coaches will make some time in front of the Vaio with their PS2's a mandatory part of training camp?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:54 PM)

Can't you see Jon Gruden adopting this? I mean, what's getting up an extra half-hour or so to put in a little play time on the PS2 when you already get up at half past too-freakin-early.

Chris (Lowell, MA)

Which Johnson will have a bigger impact on the Super Bowl?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:56 PM)

Isn't that question ripe for bawdy response? But we'll take the high road: Well, it won't be Rob, that's for sure. And Keyshawn could disappear and we wouldn't notice because Jurevicius and McCardell could pick up the slack with a couple big catches. That leaves Brad, and on offense, he's more valuable than any other player on his team. If he throws a couple of TDs and the Bucs win, he'll be the MVP.

Colbert (boston)

Shanoff - everyone is talking about Raiders O vs. Bucs D. What do you think about Raiders D vs. Bucs O?

Dan Shanoff

  (1:59 PM)

Colbert, you've really nailed a key subplot. Short answer: Right now, the Bucs O is better than the Raiders D. But the Raiders know what's coming, because their own offense is so similar. The thing is, the Bucs have to have just a couple of big plays - a couple of mis-steps by the Raiders D - to put enough points on the board for their defense to hold on to win. It's all on Brad Johnson; conversely, it's how the Raiders D can put the pressure on him and pound him a little.

Sean (D.C.)

Who is your favorite page 2 writer?

Dan Shanoff

  (2:01 PM)

That's easy: Ralph Wiley...speaking of which, R-Dub is coming right up, so send in your questions for him and stick around. Oh, by the way, my pick: Bucs 27, Raiders 24 in OT (but no one will be talking about the new champ -- just the coin flip travesty that will decide a Super Bowl). Enjoy the game!

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:19 PM)

Hi -- this is Gregg Easterbrook. We're still trying to track down Ralph -- there's some rumor about six Playmates of the Month and a limo that we have not be able to verify.Anyway, open fire with questions for TMQ. Wiley will be here later.

Steve (Buffalo)

Eric - you dissed the Bills/Skins Super Bowl in you column. What gives? We go to 4 Bowls in a row and lose to a Redskins team that was probably the greatest team of all time.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:24 PM)

Steve, TMQ sort-of risies to the defense of the Bills' honor. Four straight was a great accomplishment. But all the Hall of Famers and all-pros on that team, and not to win a Super Bowl, let's face it, they choked -- especially in the Giants-Bills, when many Bills were out partying very late the night before and then played poorly. Especially in the second Dallas-Bills, when the whole team visibly quit after the Thurman Thomas fumble, and it was only tied in the third quarter at that point.One fault of that team was being outcoached in every Super Bowl by the other admirable, lovable Mary Levy. Levy treated every Super Bowl game as just another game, which it is not. Check superbowl.com where you will find an article by Marv in which he actually brags about treating the Bowl as just another game:

satyen

Gregg - Thanks for the amazing articles! I tell everyone I know about them. The Oakland O is built to be run against a zone. Tampa's D is built around the zone (Cover 2 to be exact). Is this an advantage to the Raiders. or the Bucs? Thanks.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:28 PM)

Satyen,Oakland's offense is designed to work the zone; that would seem to give the Raiders an edge.TMQ has been calling for teams to disrupt Oakland using the blueprint the Dolphins showed in their December win -- very tight "watch the waist" coverage, disrupt Oakland's endless "rub" routes, and run the risk of giving up a big play.I can't understand why the Titans did not hit Oakland with this scheme. I expect the Bucs to.

Grant (Washington D.C.)

Also, besides the Tuck Rule, how could the football Gods overlook Steve McNair last week? How is he not the MVP? Gannon has two hall of famers around him and at least one other pro bowler. McNair has squat except for Mason. Ye gods yourself.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:30 PM)

Grant, tasteful name! (I have a son named Grant.) The relationship between the football gods and the Titans is puzzling. The Titans endured a period of wandering, which gods are supposed to reward. They play traditionalist football. My only explanation is that the football gods must be Olympians, relatives of the Greek gods who ousted the original panoply of the Titans, the first set of Greek gods, at the cosmic battle known to mythology as the Titanomachy. So, perhaps the football gods are punishing Tennessee for naming its team the Titans, not the Olympians.

shai(israel)

your column is always excellent, is this going to be the most pass happy game in the history of the Super Bowl?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:32 PM)

Shai, TMQ loves readers from other contries, and also readers who shamelessly suck up to TMQ! My feeling is that there is an opening to winning this game by being the team that surprises the other by coming in with a running game plan. Either defense would be stunned.

Lemoi (Boston)

Hey TMQ,Props to you for continuing to give me quality reading material at work now that the Sports Guy has gone Hollywood. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is WORK. Is there any chance for a non-football related column to get me through the summer. I can't go back to looking at porn at work.TMQ for Prez!!!!

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:34 PM)

Lemoi, Jay, others: TMQ Season Finale is Tuesday, but the column will show up sporadically through the offseason, whenever there is a flimsy excuse for cheesecake -- I meant to say, an important public-policy point to make.

James (Champaign)

I always read TMQ as soon as it is posted and would like to know what you think is the best way for the raiders to win against Tampa's D?

Ralph Wiley

  (2:37 PM)

R-DUB IS IN THE HOUSE! But does anybody still care?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:38 PM)

James, Tampa has one of the best defenses in years, so there is no sure thing. I think their scheme is vulnerbale to screens and reverses, since their emphasis is on stopping the run, pressuring the QB and stopping the deep completion. Philly called screens that looked like they would be big gains, and failed on terrible blocking. Philly never called a reverse. I'd screen early for yards and reverse early to slow the pursuit, on the theory that any reverse that gets 5 yards is actually a huge play owing to the effect it has on slowing pursuit.

Jason (Burlington, VT)

TMQ, will Arena football be worth watching -- that is to say will they actually show the cheerleaders?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:39 PM)

Jason, I have never watched an Arena game. I would, however, be very happy to watch the cheerleaders.

Gary (Portland, OR)

You seem best qualified to answer this question ... Raiders or Bucs, who has the best cheerleaders?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:40 PM)

Gary, Raiders. Raiders, Broncos, Eagles and Miami cheer-babes are the ruling elite. Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are watchin' their tail lights, as it were.

Chris (NYC)

Considering your recent article in TNR, how are you enjoying the SUV car show during the festivities? I'm sure all the NFL players are in their Hummers

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:41 PM)

Chris, Derrick Thomas died in an SUV rollover. It is cynical of manufacturers to create the impression these things are safe.

Patrick (DC)

TMQ, how does your wife handle the endless learing at cheerleaders and JAG stars, or is she just glad you didn't get invited to Hef's place like Whitlock?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:43 PM)

Patrick, my wife Nan handles this by being a great human being (and also by leering at beefcake, I think). I started TMQ in the first place to have an excuse to watch games. Once she realized I was earning income by watching NFL games, she was totally flummoxed and had to give in.

Yonaton (Buffalo)

Gregg-Is it fair to compare Mike Brown to Kim Jong II? Think about it: famous dads, oldschool philosophies that run their respective organizations into the ground, aloofness... what do you think? What would happen if they switched places for a year? Would Brown refuse to hire spies??

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:44 PM)

Yonatan, if Mike Brown and Kim Jong II switched places, the North Korean economy would decline, while all Bengals would begin to glow from the plutonium hidden in the locker room.

Rahsaan (San diego)

I was waiting for the G-string divas the other night and saw you talking about Jim Brown on HBO. Is he a good guy with some bad luck or is he really as bad as the news purports him to be

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:46 PM)

Rahsaan, I think Jim Brown is a guy who made a fundamental mistake getting mixed up with hollywood, esp. those blaxplotation flicks. He thought Hollywood would love him; instead it brayed him, as it does to 99%. (Caution, Sports Guy!) Now for years Brown has longed to be taken seriously and can't because of the stupid movies he made.

Art (DC)

Gregg - What retro jersey are you sporting right now?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:48 PM)

Art, my favorite is the Chargers' jersey from the 1960. they're gorgerous. A Chargers' cheerleader in nothing but a 1960s Chargers jersey (size small, I guess) is what passes for erotic fantasy for a married guy.

David (Cambridge, MA)

Hey TMQ, what do you think of the matchup of Oakland's defense against Tampa's offense. I happen to think that the lack of speed among Tampa's receiving corps will let Raiders DBs Woodson and James stay with their men. Even though the receivers are big, the Raiders can deliver some punishing hits in the secondary. I also think Oakland should be able to stop the run with Sam Adams in the middle and the linebackers on the outside. What do you think of this matchup? Then of course there's news of more tax breaks for SUV owners... but I'd rather talk some football.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:49 PM)

David, I think the Oakland O-Tampa D matchup will essentially end in a draw, say 17 points for Raiders. The game will be decided by the Oakland defense-Tampa offense matchup.

Sean (Scranton)

Who has the best uniforms in the NFL?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:50 PM)

Sean, I advocate Uniform Amnesty. All teams with awful new uniforms (Seattle, Buffalo, others) get to return to their old uniforms, no questions asked.

Patrick (Chicago)

National Review Online ripped you for your SUV stance. Can you think of something really nasty to say about them?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:51 PM)

Given that no one reads National Review Online, there is no need to respond.

aaron (washington, dc)

Would the football gods let a team that has Michael Pittman as a feature back win the Super Bowl?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:52 PM)

They work in mysterious ways.

Dom (Bay Area)

It wasn't a '60s jersey, but the Bachelorette's Trista wore nothing but a Seau jersey in a segment 2 weeks ago

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:54 PM)

Good for her! But Dom, why are you watching The Bachelorette?On commercials, what I hope to see during the Super Bowl is the outtakes from the Miller Lite "catfight" commercial. Does anyone know if the rumor is true that in the late-night version of the commercial, rather than ending up in the cement, they enact the second half of the fantasy of the two guys at the bar -- saying, "wow, that turned me on, let's make out."

Roger (Colorado)

TMQ, what do you like and dislike the most about the NFL today? What would you most like to see changed about the current game?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:56 PM)

Roger, what I like most about the NFL today is that almost every game matters. The NFL playoff structure -- admitting only a few teams -- insures that the regular season counts. what I dislike most is the ridiculous DirecTV monopoly over Sunday Ticket, which prevents 90% of the country from accessing any game. I don't blame DirecTV for making its best deal. I blame the league front office for shafting the 90% of american taxpayers whose taxes fund the stadiums that make possible NFL profits.

TonyDM

totally true, the chickies say let's make out on the cable ads.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:57 PM)

Well then, this would be my #2 middle-aged male fantasy after a Chargers cheerleader in nothing but a 60s Chargers jersey.

Matt (Long Island)

I heard the nfl was going back to 2 weeks before the superbowl next year...isn't two weeks overkill?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (2:58 PM)

Matt, generally, the best super bowls have followed one week later; the woofers two weeks. so, maybe sunday will be great.

Joel (Milwaukee)

Can you explain how someone can have a perfect passer rating while having thrown incomplete passes during a game? Seems to me that it would have been more perfect had they not thrown those incompletions...

Gregg Easterbrook

  (3:00 PM)

Joel, the passer rating forumla is somewhere on NFL.com. It highly rewards TDs and penalizes INTs; incompletions get swamped if you throw several TDs in a small number of attempts, and the whole thing maxs out at 158, after which you don't get a high number even if every pass is a 99-yard TD.

Larry (Philly)

TMQ - the rumor is true about the Miller Lit commercial. Saw on TV twice during the initial week it aired. What does D-Nab need to do to appease the Football Gods and push the Eagles to a Super Bowl title next year?

Gregg Easterbrook

  (3:03 PM)

what the Eagles need to do is spend all of their salary cap and make an all out run next year while they still have the players. Their timid approach to the last two offseasons has been puzzling. If the goal is a winning team most years, their approach to the cap is right. If the goal is a super bowl while you have McNabb in his prime, spend every cent now.

Mike (DC)

Gregg - Can't we make all teams play on real grass? If they can do it in Green freakin' Bay I think Jersey, Philly, and Dallas can grow some real grass.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (3:05 PM)

Mike, I would require all teams to play on blue turf, ala the Humanitarian Bowl.

Simone, Tampa

Wiley: Hey, I enjoy reading your columns, especially your recent articles on O.J., A.I., Jim Brown and the Raiders. Always entertaining and fun. Most of the experts seem to be picking the Bucs. Do you think Oakland has a great chance of winning? I do.

Gregg Easterbrook

  (3:06 PM)

Simone, Nedney's weird comment did invite retribution from the football gods. I think kickers like to boast that they got the call by acting. But Nedney DIDN'T act, he was run into plenty good.

Brent (College Park, MD)

R-DUB!! What ever happened to that dog which helped you write some of your articles? It wasn't hit by a car or anything like that was it?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:10 PM)

Brent: I'm going to be on for about ten minutes before giving way to Whitlock. As for Road Dog, he went out to the Black Hole in a Jets Joe Namath jersey for the AFC semifinal, and I haven't seen him since. Have you?

Dante (DC)

Ralph and Jason - Has anyone mistaken you two for the black Laurel and Hardy?

Ralph Wiley

  (3:16 PM)

Not since R-Dub blew up to a cool 225. Now, Jason and Keyshawn, that could be Laurel and Hardy, but if I were you, I'd make the suggestion from a safe distance away from them, like, say, Edmonton.

Ed (Philly)

They're saying McNabb is getting a rep as not being able to win a big game.... any thoughts??

Jason Whitlock

  (3:27 PM)

mcnabb is a big time baller. he'll be all right. don't believe the hype

EDM (Lawrence)

KU or Arizona Saturday?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:28 PM)

take arizona

J (tampa)

I emailed you regarding you keyshawn article. Your personal disdain for Keyshawn shouldn't seep throught to your writing. Do you think you were out of line for the constant personal attack instead of his on the field performance?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:28 PM)

no..

Neall (Saratoga Springs)

I remember, Jeff got crushed those first two years. Most of his INTs were him just trying to get rid of the ball like people were telling him he should. Eventually the Colts got a football guy (Tobin) who thought to get some O linemen.

Jason Whitlock

  (3:30 PM)

jeff made a big mistake going to indianapolis out of college. he put that trade together. the colts were a terrible organization at that time.

Buddha Hat (Canada)

JW - Could you have taken Keyshawn if Sapp didn't save his sorry ass?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:30 PM)

keyshawn wouldn't have stood a chance... althought i'm anti-violence.

J.B. (Richmond

Who the heck is Whitlock talking too? As a Chiefs fan, how could they keep Greg Robinson?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:31 PM)

i can't believe the chiefs are keeping robinson... i'm embarrassed as a columnist.

Mike (Indianapolis)

Jason, You mentioned in your column that your dad has a restaurant in Indy but you didn't plug it. How about a quick review for your many loyal readers in Indy?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:32 PM)

masterpiece lounge in nptown. 38th and sherman. it's in the hood. but it's a cool place. it's where i grew up.

Harrison (Yorktown)

If Sam Adams, Parella, and the rest of the Raiders front d-line habitually get to Brad Johnson, game over right?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:32 PM)

absoolutely. johnson can't handle a rush

Mark (Chicago)

Whitlok, you're hands down the worst (and most arrogant) columnist I've ever seen. Take some lessons from the others at Page 2.

Jason Whitlock

  (3:33 PM)

thanks and god bless.

Sean (Philly)

Do you think the Eagles have a legitimate chance of getting Takeo Spikes or David Boston via free agency?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:34 PM)

with a new stadium and donovan mcnabb the eagles will be big-timne players in the free-agent market.

RJP (Charleston, SC)

If E. Smith leaves Dallas, where do you think he'd most likely end up at?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:35 PM)

emmitt wants to start really bad... if he was comfortable with a reduced role, i'd love to have him in kc. priest holmes needs a backup.

rahsaan (san diego)

Jason, dont take that trash talk, you got a job cuz (gang term borrowed from Warren Sapp)

Jason Whitlock

  (3:36 PM)

it's cool... if you dish, you have to take it.

Amy (Tampa)

Jason, not sure if you responded to me or not, you ripped Key for wearing retro jerseys, yet you haven't ripped your boy Sapp. What's the deal?

Jason Whitlock

  (3:37 PM)

i like sapp

Buddha Hat (Canada)

Are we gonna see JG in a Seahawk uni next year? I want to see a Dilfer/George ticket for my 'Hawks in 2003. Can you get Jeff George paraphenalia to share with other loyal JG fans? I've been taking a beating for years . . .

Eric Neel

  (3:39 PM)

jeff is leaving seattle.

Jeff G

Neel - great piece on the prior SB's. Any chance we'll ever see a run again like the NFC had when they won so many straight. Since then, the AFC has won 4 of 5. Is there any reason that one conference would be so dominant over the other in the Super Bowls when it is always pretty even in the regular season inter conference games.

Eric Neel

  (3:45 PM)

No reason I can think of, beyond luck, maybe karma.

John (R-town)

Eric, great article. I watched Super Bowl XXII last night, I think you undervalued it. But thank goodness Frank Gifford doesn't do color anymore. Love ya, Frank!

Eric Neel

  (3:47 PM)

Thanks, John. I probably did. Just not a big fan of the blowouts.

Huyette (Wilkes-Barre)

What's your favorite Super Bowl ad of all-time?

Eric Neel

  (3:48 PM)

I'm a big fan of the original Aplle Macintosh spot.

Ryan (NY)

Eric - can we get your grade for the Miller Lite commercial?

Eric Neel

  (3:49 PM)

Grading it seems crude. There are such layers. So much nuance. Let's say this: I don't turn the channel.

Doug (Shrewsbury)

I'd have to say that Super Bowl XXIX was one of the BEST ever...why didn't you like it? Not many Super Bowls have had an offensive showing like that

Eric Neel

  (3:51 PM)

I had the Chargers and the points. Seriously? There was exactly zero tension.

James (denver)

Eric-If there happens to be an overtime game this year, and the team that wins the coin toss wins on their opening possession, would it be the best Super Bowl ever, or go down as a "we need a rule change" debacle?

Eric Neel

  (3:51 PM)

Yes.

Skipdogg (DC)

The strangest trend in sports in the last 20 years has got to be the Super Bowl team music videos by the Bears and Pats not catching on. Why does the week before the game have to be ALL about football?

Eric Neel

  (3:52 PM)

I think this is exactly the point Max McGee and Eugene Robinson were trying to make.

rahsaan (san diego)

hey Eric what party's did you get a chance to attend and were they worth it?

Eric Neel

  (3:54 PM)

San Diego's a family town for me. I watch the game with aunts and uncles and such. The fish tacos are to die for.

scott

The miller lite ad is choreographed quite well. They actually perform a judo/jujitsu stomach throw. I watch this commercial for the techincal merits.

Eric Neel

  (3:55 PM)

Finally, someone is talking technique. Now, if only we could get a hairdresser and plastic surgeon to weigh in.

Scuba Steve (Lake Ariel)

Do you think you could win the Madden Bowl?

Eric Neel

  (3:57 PM)

What are we talking? Me and John head-to-head over a bowl of guac and chips? I'm wiry and quick but ...

Rafi (DC)

I didn't quite understand your analysis of Super Bowl XXVI. Everyone knows the Bills played four in a row. Remembering the Redskins played against them isn't that obscure. MVP of Mark Rypien isn't that hard to come up with. Of course, I'm a big 'Skins fan, but I don't think that Super Bowl was as obscure as you made it sound.

Eric Neel

  (3:59 PM)

I meant no slight to the Skins it's just that those Buffalo Bowls all start to run together in my mind and I get confused and start to tune out and ... what's the question?

Frank (McMinnville)

What is it with the Dixie Chicks playin at the Halftime Show? Why not bring in a real group that everyone wants to see, not just all the chics in America.

Eric Neel

  (4:01 PM)

I'm not sweating the Dixie Chicks -- they can actually sing a little and they've got that "Goodbye Earle"-edge to 'em. I'll tell you what has me worried: Celine. The only way she can save herself is if she sings "Blame Canada" from South Park: The Movie.

Falkenham (Nova Scotia)

Whats your all-time favorite Super Bowl snack?

Eric Neel

  (4:03 PM)

Seven layer dip in the early going. Cookies, of all kinds, store-bought, found at the bottom of the drawer -- I don't care -- in the fourth.

RJP (Charleston, SC)

The performance I most worry about in the Super Bowl is the national anthem. Every time I see it at a big sporting event it's different and changed! What's the deal with that?

Eric Neel

  (4:05 PM)

It's a jazz thing. Not a lot of people know this but the commish is a big fan of improv.

Doug (Shrewsbury)

Okay, Super Bowl VII wasn't exciting from a play by play point of view, but it was possibly the most exciting game ever because it was the end of the most magical run of any team in modern history...why no "A"?

Eric Neel

  (4:06 PM)

Look at the Garo fumblerooski again. We can't hand out A's like their free candy now can we?

rahsaan (san diego)

did all the page 2 scribes get comp tickets or will you guys have to wing it after they boot you from the Q?

Eric Neel

  (4:07 PM)

We've each been licensed to fly the blimp.

Kevin (Topeka)

Why do we always here about #1 offenses and defenses?!I dont care how many yards a team gets I care about points!By the opinion of sports analysts the Steelers probably had a good offensive game against Houston.The Raider DO NOT have the #1 offense(granted it is #2)the Chiefs do!!!Do you agree?

Eric Neel

  (4:09 PM)

Sure, the team that scores the most points win. There, I said it.

Ed (Cotati, CA)

Too bad there is no blimp this year!

Eric Neel

  (4:10 PM)

Somebody get my editor on the horn. I've been hoodwinked.

Doug (Shrewsbury)

The Buccanners quietly romped through the season because everyone was talking Green Bay or Mike Vick...will the Bucs be able to make some noise and finally be heard by winning the Super Bowl?

Eric Neel

  (4:12 PM)

if they win, if they wear the old orange unis, and if Gruden sports a John McKay fishing hat.

Matt (Ogden, Ut.)

I hear a lot of people picking the Bucs to win this thing, it seems a 50/50 split if not more picking the Bucs then the Raiders, yet the line hasn't moved all week. It's been stuck at 4. What's up with that?

Eric Neel

  (4:14 PM)

It proves that pundits and writers never place bets.

Doug (Shrewsbury)

The team from the dominant conference that scores more points in the regular season has won every Super Bowl since the mid-80s...can Tampa break this streak with some strong D?

Eric Neel

  (4:18 PM)

They can, but my hunch is they won't.

Robert(Brainerd)

Sapp and Keyshawn, Gruden vs. the Raiders, Tampa D vs. RaidersO, all are getting the expected press. Who or what is being overshadowed?

Eric Neel

  (4:23 PM)

The Raiders cheerleaders went through that grueling filming of the "The Season" this year -- they were emotionally spent. Still, nobody's talking about how they bounced back and came on strong late in the season.

Frank (Los Angeles)

What's your take on how the teams are handling the media blitz this week? As a Buc's fan, I'm a little worried because I hear about all the talk and interviews they are doing while the Raiders don't seem to be participating as much (and perhaps more focused?). Do you see that as being true or does the media just prefer to put out more articles and interviews on the Buc's players and 'chucky'?

Eric Neel

  (4:25 PM)

Here's what you should worry about: the return of the visor as an acceptable article of headgear.

Scott(Tampa)

Eric, The reason that a lot of the so-called experts are picking the Bucs is because they dont want another round of humiliation after last week when everyone except for TSN picked the Eagles to cover. The safe pick is the Bucs because they are slight underdogs. My prediction is that they will win by more than 7 points.

Eric Neel

  (4:27 PM)

I think the real reason is they got to meet Chucky up close and he did a weird, hyper-intensity hypnosis thing on them and they are his puppets now and pewter is a lovely color in all of their eyes and ...

Jerry (Madison)

Who are the raiders playing again?

Eric Neel

  (4:29 PM)

Come on, don't you know every big game is just a battle within, a struggle between doubt and confidence, a fight between fear and courage? They're playing themselves. And if they can just go out and play their game, things will take care of themselves. Or something like that.

Kyle (Lakeland)

Eric, What's up with the $50,000 fine for not having enough people at media day? What with that?

Eric Neel

  (4:31 PM)

We did our best. Sent the whole ESPN team. The league just has high standards.O.K., folks. I'm out. Thanks for your questions. It's been fun. Stay tuned for Jim Caple at 4:30 eastern. Jim's good people. Give him some love.

Moderator

  (4:43 PM)

Hey folks.. thanks for hanging in there. We are checking on Jim Caple now.

Dom (Bay Area)

Hey Moderator! Do you guys really save early questions and let the chatter pick and choose, or do new questions have a better chance of being answered than old ones?

Moderator

  (4:52 PM)

Hey Dom! Tough to say. Sometimes the chatter (or the moderator) might go in ahead of time and pick out some questions to use, other times they will just go with the newest questions. Best thing to do would be to submit a couple questions early and then some when it starts.

Jeff (Cleveland)

Hey Moderator...since your in the answering mood....are you all sitting in the same room, or are these guys all tapping in from different places?

Moderator

  (5:03 PM)

Well Jeff, some of them are in San Diego and some are not.

Jeannie (Minneapolis)

Hey, Moderator!I hope Capn Jimmy doesn't decide to stiff us; he's my favorite writer and I was looking forward to his replies!

Moderator

  (5:04 PM)

Jeannie .. he wouldn't be stiffing you. I think Moderator mispoke ... but we're doublechecking. will you ever forgive Moderator?

Moderator

  (5:13 PM)

Sorry folks, we can't track down Jim Caple at the moment. We apologize. We will try and line him up for a post-Super Bowl chat on Monday or Tuesday .. that way he can disect all the performances, commercials and general hoopla. How does that sound? Thanks for checking into the chat today. Enjoy the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!