Going home to split up the estate

DIXON, Ill. -- From the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday night, I drove home to Illinois to be with my six siblings and a few of the in-laws to make a major sweep through my mother's house. She had died Oct. 26. The time had come to get the house on the market.

Dear Reader: Please excuse what might seem to be unrelated thoughts, and thoughts that might not have a lot to do with football. I'm free-writing this entry because, well, selfishly, I need to.

I finished the purchase of my parents' car, a 1998 Contour for my son, Pete, now 17, to drive. My sister Joan, the only one of the seven children to stay in Dixon -- her husband, Dean, is chief of the Dixon City Fire Department -- executed my parents' will. We did the title. I took the car to a mechanic to check out once more before hitting the road.

Those details were the business end of the trip.

The rest was pure emotion, a rush of memories that had to be held back, or at least in check, by an intellectual levy.

The smallest elements provoked the greatest internal response.

In our German-Catholic family, Christmas was a huge deal -- not so much the commercial aspect, but the sense of togetherness. My parents always dwarfed the living room with a real tree that was between 8 and 9 feet tall. My father decorated it carefully. Dozens of the ornaments initially were my Grandmother Mueller's. On Monday afternoon, two of my sisters spread the ornaments out on the dining room table. We held a draft (youngest to oldest, pick one, oldest got two and then back down to the youngest). I guess that's a football reference.

I hadn't seen some of the ornaments since the last Christmas before I graduated college, December 1983, and the memories overtook me. I just wanted three -- one for each of my children. I was afforded many more, and stored them in one of the tins in which my mother used to store her honey-lemon Christmas cookies. I took my favorite ornament; it was still there with the third pick. A gold bell in a round cage that I see as silver, though my sisters tell me it's light purple. Either way, it was always the one ornament I made sure to hang on the tree when I was a little boy.

I didn't really want much. I really didn't want anything. I got more than I could ever ask for by just being John and Elizabeth's son.

My younger sister, Lucy, had pulled some things aside for me while I was still at the combine. Dad was a Nabisco salesman, so I received one of the Premium Saltines metal tins from 1969. Holds four tubes of crackers. She also pulled me one of their original copper beer mugs, the kind that sweat on a humid summer day. I was given my parents' Baseball Encyclopedia.

I had been advised by a friend to take a few things to have to share with my children, to let them in on family traditions even in a family that is now broken by divorce.

I wanted my brothers and sisters to take what they wanted. The item would mean more to me knowing it meant something special to one of them.

I felt this overwhelming sense of joy in belonging to such a solid group of people, almost like I wasn't good enough, the only divorced one, the one whose career always seems to get them best of him in terms of scheduling conflicts.

The car was ready this afternoon. I walked the mile-plus through downtown, across the Peoria Avenue bridge and past the castle-like Dixon High School. The car was good, my mom's mechanic said. "Your mom just didn't drive it enough. Get it on the highway. Drive the hell out of it."

From his shop, I drove west and turned back north on Fourth Avenue. I made my way into Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens on the north end of town. I had driven out there spontaneously at 1 Central Time Monday morning, after I had sat with my brothers and sisters. A blanket of thick, white snow covered the ground. I feverishly dug through the snow in search of the gravesite, which I had not seen since my mother's burial in October. I had not seen the two flat markers side by side.

Today, I dug them out. The first word I saw that told me I was in the right place was "Oct. 26," the date of Mom's death. As soon as I scraped the snow and ice off her name, the tears streamed from behind what I had thought was an iron curtain. In effect, it was a paper veil. When I opened my eyes, I saw one of my tears fall onto my mother's marker. I found it by spotting the slightly raised grave that had yet to settle and flatten into the established topography.

I dropped to my knees in the snow and wept. I could not stop.

"Oh, Mom, I miss you so much. I just hope you and Dad are together."

I said a "Hail Mary" for her and asked the Blessed Mother to please speak to God on her behalf.

I thought I was composed.

Then I dug out Dad's marker, and the tears flowed once again. I thanked God through my tears that these two people, hard-working, loving, willing to work to overcome their shortcomings, are my parents. I was on my knees, with one hand resting on each marker.

"God, thank you for letting me be their son."

As a divorced man, I know I'll never rest beside the mother of my children.

In the morning, I'll drive back to Cincinnati. I love and adore my three children. No one has six finer siblings and better in-laws. I am proud to have worked now for 14 years for The Cincinnati Enquirer. I love my job and know I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be an NFL team beat writer. I want to do more in the communities I call my own. I have my health and a second chance at life.

I will be leaving one place where I grew up knowing I was the richest kid in town.

I'm coming back to another place where I know I am the richest man around.

Combine wraps up: observations

INDIANAPOLIS -- The combine, at least for the media, is coming to an end. Some observations:
-- Most impressive player I met: Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye.

-- Honest moment: Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss talking about the mistake he made and what he learned from a positive marijuana test last season, which led to a one-game suspension.

-- Quote to note: "Maybe some of you guys might be surprised, but not Florida. We were baffled by the idea that nobody was giving us a chance. It was crazy. All the media and everybody was saying Ohio State was this and that. It was crazy to us. We played a lot better teams than Ohio State to be quite honest with you. I’d say there was four or five teams in the Southeastern Conference that would have played the same type of game that we did against them. So it was no shock to us at all. We’ve been a family all year and we through some adversity on and off the field as a team, and Ohio State was just another step in putting our mark down in history." -- Moss, when asked about Florida's victory in the BCS title game against Ohio State.

-- Shortest interview: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis gave the shortest news conference of the 22 NFL head coaches who spoke. He has developed a reputation for being uncooperative with the media and downright condescending.

-- Best interview: Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher remains one of the sharpest, most candid interviews in the NFL. He goes out of his way to help. And when he speaks, he actually has something to say. San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan is gaining ground, too.

-- If I'm the Bengals: I don't even consider taking an offensive player at Nos. 18 or 50 in Rounds 1 and 2. They shouldn't go after a defensive end after spending big on Justin Smith (one-year franchise tag tender) and Robert Geathers (six-year extension). There are plenty of solid players at linebacker, cornerback, safety and defensive tackle who can jump in a play right away, just like cornerback Johnathan Joseph did in 2006.

-- If I'm the Bengals, Part II: I go after a pass-catching tight end in Round 4, even if they re-sign starter Reggie Kelly.

-- I'm really rooting for: tight end Michael Allan, the only Division III player at the combine, from Whitworth (Oregon), and Wake Forest linebacker Jon Abbate, whose younger brother died last year in a car accident.

-- Scheming: Pro Football Weekly lists these offensive players as being the best fits into what the Bengals do: tight end Zach Miller of Arizona State, tackle Joe Staley of Central Michigan, tight end Ben Patrick of Delaware, tackle James Marten of Boston College, running back Tyrone Moss of Miami (Fla.) and wide receiver Yamon Figurs of Kansas State. Defensively, PFW says the best fits for Cincinnati are end Anthony Spencer of Purdue, cornerback Aaron Ross of Texas, tackle Marcus Thomas of Florida, cornerback Eric Wright of UNLV, tackle DeMarcus Tyler of NC State and outside linebacker Prescott Burgess.

-- Indianapolis has a great downtown: The restaurants are packed, the convention center is always busy, there are intriguing museums and cultural attractions within walking distance of the city center. Victory Field is a top minor league baseball park.

Silence is golden rule

INDIANAPOLIS -- Wonder why you haven't seen any Bengals assistant coaches or scouts quoted in the Enquirer this week from the NFL scouting combine?

They've been told they were not allowed to talk to newspaper reporters during the combine.

Paranoia runs deep.

A secret leaks out: Georgia Tech cornerback Kenny Scott has just said he has interviewed with the Bengals.

The safety of the free world truly hinges on the Bengals' ability to keep their sacred draft board top secret.

These are the types of situations that make me think about working in the Toy Department of Human Affairs. None of this stuff really matters; it doesn't. And I often have to convince myself that it does. All I'm doing is helping make a bunch of rich people richer.

And the attitudes of many of those in the industry are heavily inflated and world view dangerously myopic.

Lewis: Draft `tilted' toward defense

INDIANAPOLIS -- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis met with the national media this afternoon at the Indiana Convention Center before meeting prviately with Cincinnati-area media that covers the team.

Among the highlights of his two extended press briefings:

-- On the draft: "The draft is tilted toward the defense for us," though any position but quarterback is a possibility.

-- On linebacker/defensive end Adalius Thomas, who was not slapped with the franchise tag by the Baltimore Ravens and will become a free agent March 2: "Adalius Thomas is a player on the Baltimore Ravens."

-- On free agency: "The first thing we have done and need to do is address our own situation (Bengals players who are free agents). We put limitations on the outside because of what we have done (internally)."

-- Lewis said the Bengals would like to re-sign unrestricted free agents Reggie Kelly at tight end, Kevin Kaesviharn at safety and Kenny Watson as the third-down running back.

-- On Bengals free agent offensive lineman Eric Steinbach: "The chances of Eric coming back are difficult. It's because he and his representation feel that they should be compensated at a certain level."

-- Center Eric Ghiaciuc grew physically as a player when forced to start because of the injury to Rich Braham, who has since retired. "Now we want to give Eric the opportunity to grow mentally."

-- On the injury front, tailback Chris Perry had screws removed from his surgically repaired ankle, and Lewis said the team was heading into the season as if it would not have the luxury of Perry's services. For that matter, Lewis said the team is not expecting to have linebacker David Pollack return from his fractured vertebrea, though Lewis would not rule out Pollack's return.

-- Right guard Bobbie Williams had shoulder and ankle surgery.

-- Linebacker Brian Simmons had knee surgery.

-- Defensive tackle Sam Adams had a knee cleanout, too.

-- Steinbach had hand surgery.

-- Lewis said the team is expecting more from cornerback Deltha O'Neal, who slumped in 2006, and from defensive end Justin Smith, designated last week as the team's franchise player. The Bengals want more sacks and more big plays from Smith.

-- In terms of linebacker Odell Thurman, currently serving a one-year league suspension for violating the NFL substance abuse policy, Lewis said the linebacker can apply June 11 for reinstatement. "We're trying to help a young man fix his life," Lewis said of Thurman, currently in alcohol rehab. "We don't want to fix Odell for football."

Troy Smith bedazzles media with news conference

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, dogged by questions whether he can play quarterback in the NFL at 6-0, impressed a media throng this afternoon with his grace under a hail of questions.

What do you have to prove? "I don't know," Smith said in a strong voice at a podium. "As a player, I will try to improve myself. This is an important part (in getting ready) for March 10 at Columbus."

Ohio State players will hold their pro day workouts for NFL scouts March 10.

He played in the Senior Bowl for Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden and his staff.

"I learned the West Coast offense in a week, not everything," Smith said.

Ohio State lost decisively in the BCS title game to Florida.

"It wasn't bittersweet. It was sweet," Smith said. "Just because it didn't finish the way we wanted is not a reason to think it was bitter."

The Buckeyes finished 12-1. Smith won the Heisman Trophy. He had 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. He completed more than 63 percent of his passes and more than 2,500 yards.

Rumor is Smith's hometown Cleveland Browns are interested. Does he want to go home? Would there be too many distractions?

"Life is alike wherever you go," Smith said. "There are distractions anywhere. Then only thing I can control is what I do on the field."

Height.

"I can't do anything about it," he said of being 6-0. "If I was 6-5, I would still be scrutinized. You make it sound like being 6-0 is a disease."

Can he play quarterback in the NFL?

"My opinion doesn't matter," Smith said. "I am working to get better as a man and better as a quarterback. Those are the only things I can control."

Jordan Palmer: Like big bro, just more talkative

INDIANAPOLIS -- Their eyes would prevent Jordan Palmer from ever denying that he is Carson Palmer's brother.

The former University of Texas-El Paso quarterback is working out this weekend at the annual scouting combine, and the younger Palmer met with reporters late this morning.

He sounds like his big brother. Jordan just says more, and he talks faster. His hair is more blond, where Carson's has more red in it. Carson came to the combine in 2003 as the likely No. 1 overall pick and with the 2002 Heisman Trophy in tow. Jordan played at UTEP and is a likely fifth-round pick.

But what a pleasant kid. It's difficult not to pull for such a down-to-earth, sincerely nice person.

"We're a lot alike," Jordan said, "except he's won a bunch of awards, is really famous and really rich."

As quarterbacks, "He has a stronger arm. I am more mobile. We're both extremely coachable and the same size."

"When it comes to golf and video games, we don't joke around. In third grade, it was about whether I was as good a T-baller? In seventh grade, was I as good a skateboarder? Now it's pro football."

Carson, as a former Heisman winner, gets a vote. He voted for his little brother.

"We're brothers first, quarterbacks second," Jordan said.

They both pride themselves in being leaders. "Carson leads more by example," Jordan said. "I'm more vocal."

Jordan's more musical. Carson's not musical. Jordan played the violin for 12 years and took up the guitar in college.

The brotherly love is apparent.

There is no resentment about the shadow big brother has cast.

"Being compared to him is great," Jordan said. "He's never been in trouble. He's a great guy by everybody's account. Then there's all the great football stuff."

Dillon to Pats: Please release me, let me go

The three-year honeymoon has ended in New England between Corey Dillon and the Patriots.

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=184571

Dillon does have a point. He can still carry the load. The former Bengals' desire to be a more vital part of the team is legimate.

Corey back to the Bengals? Don't hold your collective breath. The Bengals are trying to spend what they have on defense.

Williams foundation gets boost from NFL

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Madieu Williams Foundation was one of 64 charitable organizations headed by current or former NFL players to receive grants from NFL Charities, the league announced today.

Williams, the Bengals safety, started a foundation a year ago to call attention to and help to improve nutrition and health for low-income and African-American families and children.

The NFL grants were for between $1,000 and $25,000 and often matched player contributions.

Ginn Jr. hopes to run before draft

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who sprained his left ankle in an endzone celebration in the BCS title game against Florida, is attending the NFL scouting combine this week, though he can't participate in drills.

Ginn returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, the eighth kickoff/punt return for a touchdown at Ohio State. But his left foot got caught under a teammate in the endzone.

"Usually, I hand the ball to the ref," Ginn said this afternoon. "It was a team thing."

Ginn declared for the draft, bypassing his senior season at Ohio State.

"I hope they look at what I did in my years in college, that I was a nice player," he said.

Ginn had 59 receptions for 781 yards for the Buckeyes in 2006. He called his injury a mild foot sprain, "like a high ankle sprain."

He also said the success of Chicago's Devin Hester as a Pro Bowl kickoff/punt returner as a rookie might help Ginn in the draft.

"His success, if he can do it, so can I; we have the same kind of ability, the same kind of speed," Ginn said of Hester, who returned the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI for a touchdown. Both the Bears and Buckeyes lost.

Ohio State's pro day for NFL scouts is March 10.

Ginn is considered a first-round wide receiver prospect, along with Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson, Southern Cal's Dwayne Jarrett, South Carolina's Sidney Rice and LSU's Dwayne Bowe.

Steelers Tomlin: It's about us

INDIANAPOLIS -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was the first NFL official to talk with reporters this morning at the annual scouting combine.

I asked him if he had studied the division, including the Bengals.

"I have a little, but it's not a high priority," Tomlin said. "The issue is us. I try to eliminate variables that we can't control. We have to take care of ourselves."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis will hold a national news conference here Friday.

Tomlin, who replaces Bill Cowher, said he has heard from other members of the NFL coaching fraternity. He also has been in contact with his mentors.

"My mentors told me to be myself," Tomlin said.

Zampese to stay with Bengals

Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, a hot prospect as an NFL offensive coordinator, is not going to San Francisco. The 49ers are looking to replace coordinator Norv Turner, now San Diego's head coach.

Zampese is under contract, and word around the Bengals is coach Marvin Lewis would not let Zampese out of his deal because of the timing. It is simply too late in the process of getting ready for the 2007 season.

Zampese interviewed in January for the coordinator job with the Carolina Panthers that went to Jeff Davidson, most recently a Romeo Crennel assistant in Cleveland. Zampsese pulled himself from consideration in Miami because he would not have play-calling duties under new coach Cam Cameron.

Zampese played major roles in helping Jon Kitna have his best NFL season in 2003 and the development of Carson Palmer.

TE Guenther signs two-year deal with Bengals

The Bengals today signed free agent tight end Gregg Guenther to a two-year contract.

Guenther (6-8, 255; Southern California) is a second-year NFL player. He was on the Bengals' practice squad for the final nine games of the 2006 season. He spent the 2006 preseason with Tennessee, and was waived by the Titans on Sept. 3.

He played in five games for Tennessee as a rookie in 2005.

NFL draft is April 28 and 29

The dates for the draft were listed incorrectly by me in a story in this morning's Enquirer. It's my mistake. We're correcting the Online version of the story and will run a correction in the print edition for Monday morning.

I was looking at the 2006 NFL calendar accidentally when I checked those dates.

Also ...

-- Nobody asked me, but if I'm the Bengals, I draft defensive players in the first two rounds and do everything possible to develop Ahmad Brooks into a starting NFL middle linebacker. The team has no third-round pick this year because it took Brooks in the third round of the supplemental draft in July.

-- Nearing the end of my seventh full year on the Bengals/NFL beat for the Enquirer, I am still amazed by the industry and how it manages to dominate the sporting landscape.

The Super Bowl was two weeks ago tonight, and already to clock has spun immediately forward and without hesitation to next season. The combine is a valuable exercise for media, too, because you get a chance to meet players in person.

Palmer is team's MVP from Pro Football Weekly

Pro Football Weekly has selected quarterback Carson Palmer as the Bengals' team MVP for 2006. Newspaper writers who cover the team gave their award to right tackle Willie Anderson.

The weekly voice of pro football also called linebacker Caleb Miller and rookie offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth as the Bengals' biggest positive surprises of the season. The secondary, in the persons of cornerbacks Tory James and Deltha O'Neal, were cited as the team's biggest disappointments.

PFW said the offseason priorities were the bolster the defense in free agency and the draft and avoid making the crime-related headlines of the past 14 months.

SI.com ranks NFL free agents

Top 20 Potential Free Agents Include:

1. Jeff Garcia QB Eagles
2. Lance Briggs WLB Bears
3. Nate Clements CB Bills
4. Dwight Freeney DE Colts
5. Eric Steinbach G Bengals
6. Charles Grant DE Saints
7. Adalius Thomas SLB Ravens
8. Ahman Green RB Packers
9. Cato June WLB Colts
10. Drew Bennett WR Titans
11. Patrick Kerney DE Falcons
12. Daniel Graham TE Patriots
13. Damon Huard QB Chiefs
14. Donte Stallworth WR Eagles
15. Nick Harper CB Colts
16. Kevin Curtis WR Rams
17. Asante Samuel CB Patriots
18. Justin Smith DE Bengals
19. Leonard Davis LT Cardinals
20. Dominic Rhodes RB Colts

Palmer on Pro Bowl: 'It was fun.'

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, an hour removed from winning the MVP of the NFL Pro Bowl game, just called back to talk about the experience:

On the overall experience: "It was fun. It was a great, exciting game that came down to the last minuite. It was fun for the fans."

Palmer on the game itself and playing in the game: "It's the same game, but it's even simpler. The defense is cut down. The offenive playbook is cut down. It's about the speed and athleticism on the field."

Palmer on winning the game MVP award: "It's crazy. It's fun to participate in the game with these guys. I'm a fan. I was getting autographs all week. To be named the ... it's crazy. You don't feel worthy. There are four or five other guys it could have gone to."

Palmer Pro Bowl MVP, throws two TDs

Carson Palmer rallied the AFC to a last-second, 31-28 victory Saturday night in the NFL Pro and was named game most valuable player. The Bengals quarterback, playing in his first league all-star game, was 8-for-17 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Bill Belichick put Palmer back in the game after the NFC tied the score at 28, and he was 2-for-4 passing for 23 yards on the winning drive. A pass interference penalty against Bengals teammate Chad Johnson put the AFC in position for Nate Keading’s winning 21-yard field goal. Johnson had three receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown, a 42-yard score from Palmer. Right tackle Willie Anderson, the third Bengals player on the AFC team, did not play because of a foot injury.

Paul Brown Stadium ranks high on survey

This release in this afternoon from the Bengals:

Paul Brown Stadium is the only football stadium to make a list of “America’s favorite 150 buildings and structures,” according to a Harris Interactive survey.

PBS ranked 101st on the list, whose range included all manner of major structures -- skyscrapers, museums, churches, hotels, bridges, national memorials and more. No other football stadium was voted among the top 150, and among all sports venues, only Wrigley Field (31) and Yankee Stadium (84) ranked higher than PBS.

The survey was commissioned by the American Institute of Architects and was published this week by the Wall Street Journal. Results came from a scientifically selected panel of 2000 Americans, who were asked to choose their favorites from photos of 247 “finalist” buildings, which had been selected by a panel of 2,500 architects.

Paul Brown Stadium, which opened in 2000, features a futuristic, open design that incorporates views of the Ohio River and Suspension Bridge to the south and downtown Cincinnati to the north.

“For a seven-year-old facility to rank this high is a remarkable tribute,” said Troy Blackburn, Bengals director of business development. “We’re excited and gratified to see our city nationally recognized in this way.”

Cincinnati boasts the only two Ohio buildings on the list, and they are just two miles apart. The historic Union Terminal, striking Art Deco home of the Cincinnati Museum Center complex, is ranked 44th on the overall list.

In all, there were 10 sports facilities on the list of 150. The seven behind Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium and PBS were AT&T Park in San Francisco (104), Fenway Park in Boston (113), American Airlines Center in Dallas (118), Camden Yards in Baltimore (122), the Astrodome in Houston (134), Safeco Field in Seattle (135) and Ingalls Ice Arena at Yale University (149).

The Empire State Building was rated America’s favorite piece of architecture overall. Reflecting the diversity of candidates, other structures in the overall top 10 included The White House (2), the Golden Gate Bridge (5) and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (10).

Colts win Super Bowl, 29-17

By Mark Curnutte
Email mcurnutte@enquirer.com

MIAMI – Indianapolis’ high-scoring offense had moved up and down the field Sunday night against a stubborn Chicago defense in Super Bowl XLI, but quarterback Peyton Manning & Co. could not close the deal.

They scored just one touchdown in five trips inside the Bears 20-yard line, and it would be Colts’ much-maligned defense that finally put the over-matched NFC champions away.

The AFC champion Colts won the franchise’s first world title in 36 years, 29-17, and first since it moved to Indianapolis in 1984.

With less than 12 minutes remaining and the Bears trailing by just five, quarterback Rex Grossman lofted an under-thrown pass down the right sideline in the direction of wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

Colts backup cornerback Kelvin Hayden – who was born and grew up in Chicago – plucked the wobbly pass out of the air. Hayden, a second-year pro who attended Hubbard High School in Chicago and went on to play at the University of Illinois, kept his feet in bounds and slithered 53 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.

Game over.

The Bears had tried to hide Grossman and didn’t want to allow him to make a game-losing mistake.

He did.

Hayden’s touchdown put the Colts up 29-17. On Chicago’s next possession, Grossman was intercepted again when he under-threw open receiver Bernard Berrian. Colts safety Bob Sanders returned the ball to the Chicago 41-yard line.

Grossman threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, accounting for three of Chicago’s five turnovers. Indianapolis turned the ball over three times. The game was the first of 41 Super Bowls played entirely in rain.

For three quarters, Indianapolis’ offense had little in terms of points to show for its statistical dominance.

As the third quarter came to an end, the Bears trailed just 22-17 when Robbie Gould lined a 44-yard field goal through the rain and wind.

Still, Indianapolis had overpowered Chicago in every measure except the score.

At that point, the Colts had run 63 offensive plays to just 29 for Chicago. The Colts had gained 370 yards. The Bears had just 121, and 52 of them came on a Thomas Jones run in the first half.

Another reason the Bears had hung close was Indianapolis’ ineptitude in the red-zone. In five possessions inside the Chicago 20-yard line through three quarters, the Colts scored just one touchdown.

For the game, Indianapolis had possession for 38:04 and collected 430 yards in total offense.

The Colts missed a field goal and botched an extra point to help the Bears stay within striking distance.

Colts sure-handed holder Hunter Smith dropped a snap on an aborted extra point, after Manning had thrown 53 yards to Reggie Wayne for a touchdown on a broken play.

The Bears scored first when Pro Bowl kick return specialist Devin Hester ran the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown. It was the first time in 41 Super Bowls that the opening kickoff was returned all the way.

Afterwards, the Colts decided to squib the kickoff to keep the ball out of Hester’s.
Backup tight end Gabe Reid fielded the ball but fumbled when tackled. Former University of Cincinnati linebacker Tyjuan Hagler recovered the ball for the Colts.

Then on Indianapolis' first play from the 34-yard line, Bears defensive end Alex Brown blew up a Manning handoff to Joseph Addai. Mark Anderson recovered.

Then Chicago's Thomas Jones broke loose on a 52-yard run to the Colts 5. On third and goal from the 4, rossman threw a touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad on a quick slant. Muhammad got inside cornerback Nick Harper, who is playing on a gimpy ankle.

In a stretch of three consecutive possessions in the late first into the second quarter, Chicago punted three times without gaining a first down. The Bears gained 23 yards in those three possessions, calling Thomas Jones run plays on third down on two of them. In the meantime, Indianapolis scored on an Adam Vinatieri 29-yard field goal and a 1-yard Dominic Rhodes run to go up 16-14.

Colts coach Tony Dungy had taken his Indianapolis team to the playoffs in all five years he had been there, just as he had Tampa Bay for his last three seasons as Buccaneers coach.

But Dungy and his quarterback, Manning, for all of their success, had endured criticism that they could not win the big one.

Dungy becomes the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl.

And like Pittsburgh the year before, the Colts won four consecutive postseason games to take home the Lombardi Trophy.

Colts dominate, lead by only five, 22-17

MIAMI -- With the third quarter coming to an end, the Bears trail just 22-17. Robbie Gould's 44-yard field goal pulled Chicago within five.

Still, Indianapolis is dominating.

The Colts have run 63 offensive plays, to 29 for Chicago. The Colts have gained 370 yards, to 121 to Chicago.

Indianapolis has converted just one of five red-zone offensive possessions into touchdowns, those inside the Chicago 20-yard line. They've also missed a field goal and botched an extra point.

Vinatieri misses from 36 yards at end of first half

MIAMI -- Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri missed a 36-yard field goal attempt with 2 seconds remaining in the first half, and the teams went into the half with Indianapolis leading 16-14.

Bears offense grounds to halt

MIAMI -- In a stretch of three consecutive possessions in the late first into the second quarter, Chicago punted three times without gaining a first down. The Bears gained 23 yards in those three possessions, calling Thomas Jones run plays on third down on two of them. In the meantime, Indianapolis scored on an Adam Vinatieri 29-yard field goal and a 1-yard Dominic Rhodes run to go up 16-14.

Exciting first quarter

MIAMI -- Chicago leads 14-6 after one quarter.

What a quarter:

-- Devin Hester's 92-yard kickoff return was the first ever on an opening kickoff in 41 Super Bowls.

-- There were four turnovers in the rain, two by each team.

-- The Colts' Peyton Manning tossed a 53-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne.

-- The Bears' Thomas Jones broke a 52-yard run, which set up a touchdown.

-- Indianapolis had 9:16 in possession time.

Fast and furious and wet

MIAMI -- With rain falling straight down, the ball has been slippery in the first quarter.

Colts sure-handed holder Hunter Smith dropped a snap on an aborted extra point, after Peyton Manning had thrown 53 yards to Reggie Wayne for a touchdown on a broken play.

Then the Colts decided to squib the kickoff to keep it away from Devin Hester. Backup tight end Gabe Reid fielded the ball but fumbled when tackled. Former University of Cincinnati linebacker Tyjuan Hagler recovered the ball for the Colts. Then on Indianapolis' first play from the 34-yard line, Bears defensive end Alex Brown blew up a Manning handoff to Joseph Addai. Mark Anderson recovered.

Then Chicago's Thomas Jones broke loose on a 52-yard run to the Colts 5. On third and goal from the 4, Rex Grossman threw a touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad on a quick slant. Muhammad got inside cornerback Nick Harper, who is playing on a gimpy ankle.

Hester's return not close to record

MIAMI -- Devin Hester opened the Super Bowl with a stunning 92-yard kickoff return, escaping a trio of Indianapolis tacklers at his 20-yard line before outrunning the coverage unit en route to the end zone. It was Hester's seventh kickoff/punt return of the season and postseason.

The Super Bowl record for a kickoff return is 99 yards by Green Bay's Desmond Howard in Super Bowl XXXI against New England.

The question: Indianapolis' coverage teams have been terrible in postseason, so why kick to Hester?

No surprises on inactives list

MIAMI -- The only name of note on the inactive list is Indianapolis wide receiver Ricky Proehl, who has been injured most of the season. ... The Bears have a nice edge at the emergency No. 3 quarterback, where Kyle Orton was the starter in 2005 as a rookie. ... In a completely unscientific observation, there apper to be more Bears fans in Dolphin Stadium. ... With kickoff 57 minutes away, both teams have completed warmups. Time for the excesses of the pregame show; a side of entertainment to go with the main course of entertainment.

Hall of Fame buzz

MIAMI -- Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Word from inside the room Saturday is that Tagliabue was debated for 58 minutes. The side working against him cited the current collective bargaining agreement, approved 30-2 in March by owners (Mike Brown and Ralph Wilson of the Bills were the nays). The sense is that Tagliabue muscled through a CBA that could still hurt the league in an effort to cement his legacy of labor peace before his yet-announced retirement. Also working against Tagliabue was how Los Angeles was left without a team during his tenure.

I've heard from a handful of Bengals fans who are not happy that cornerback Roger Wehrli of the old St. Louis Cardinals was voted in. How is Ken Riley still not in?

Riley had 25 more interceptions (good for fifth all time), returned three more for touchdowns and played in one Super Bowl.

Among the media pack

MIAMI -- There are 3,500 credentialed media covering Super Bowl XLI. ... Some 400 of those journalists are foreign. The Super Bowl is an international event. ... I am seated at an auxiliary table, essentially behind what would be home plate for a Marlins game. I'm closest to the wishbone C in the corner of the end zone painted in Bears colors. ... I'm under an overhang of the upper deck. I should be able to stay dry (more important, my laptop will stay dry) unless the wind blows the rain horizontally. ... More Bears players are coming onto the field; they are dressed in burnt orange shorts and gray T-shirts. Linebacker Brian Urlacher is in a white shirt. ... I hope everyone's parties turn out well.

Early sights and sounds from Dolphin Stadium

MIAMI -- Dolphin Stadium is beginning to fill with fans. ... Colts players are on the field in sweats right now, stretching and warming up. ... The early anecdotal evidence is that there are more Bears fans here than Colts fans. The white Bears jersey is popular with fans. ... On the scoreboard, a film of the 1985 Bears is being shown; as an Illinois native, I still choke up a bit when I think of the premature death of Walter Payton, who was a greater man than even a player. ... Again, it amazes me to think about the power of a sports team to create a sense of community. ... There's a sense of calm before the storm in the stadium now, though the end of the Bears NFL Films show on the scoreboard has brought a series of cheers from Chicago fans. ... The sky is gray and overcast. Light rain has fallen all day. The natural grass field looks pristine. A muddy field, though, would have to help the Bears. ... More later. Thanks for reading.

Six elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

MIAMI -- Former Cleveland Browns guard Gene Hickerson is one of six new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The announcement of the Class of 2007 was announced this afternoon.

The other inductees are former Dallas wide receiver Michael Irvin, former Oilers-Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, former Detroit tight end Charlie Sanders, former Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas and former St. Louis Cardinals cornerback Roger Werhli.

Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was one of 11 finalists who was not selected by a 40-member selection committee.

Hickerson is the 16th member of the Browns storied franchise to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. The class of 2007 will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame the weekend of Aug. 4-5.

“I am honored to be joining such an elite group of individuals and to be remembered as one of the best linemen of all-time,” Hickerson said in a release from the Browns public relations department. “It was such a relief to finally get the phone call and be informed that I was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Hickerson, who played 15 seasons (1958-60, 1962-73) for the Browns, appeared in six Pro Bowls (1966-71) and was voted an all-league selection on five occasions (1966-70). Hickerson was also named the NFL’s most outstanding blocker in 1969.

Hickerson, 72, joined the Browns as a seventh-round draft choice out of Mississippi in 1957. His 15-year career, all with the Browns, ended in 1973 as he played in 202 games, which ranks fourth highest in franchise history, including a streak of 165 consecutive games, which also ranks fifth longest in team history.

Hickerson is the 16th former Browns player or coach in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He joins head coach Paul Brown, running backs Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Marion Motley and Bobby Mitchell, offensive guard Joe DeLamielleure, defensive end Len Ford, center Frank Gatski, quarterback Otto Graham, place kicker/offensive tackle Lou Groza, wide receivers Dante Lavelli and Paul Warfield, offensive tackle Mike McCormack, tight end Ozzie Newsome and middle guard Bill Willis.

With 16 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Browns currently have the fifth-most representatives, behind the Bears (26), Green Bay Packers (21) and Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants (tied with 17 each).

Commissioner to Bengals: Chill off-field behavior

MIAMI – One day after NFL Players Association leaders voiced their concern about off-field player misconduct, commissioner Roger Goodell said this afternoon he would step up league efforts to curb the kind of outbreak that has taken place in Cincinnati.

Goodell, the first-year NFL boss, said he has spoken to Bengals president Mike Brown about the problem. Nine Bengals players have been arrested in the past 13 months.

“From my standpoint, we have talked to Mike on several occasions,” Goodell said during his state-of-the-league news conference. “We have offered services, and he has taken those services.”

The Bengals now offer a 24-hour hotline for players to call if they have been drinking alcohol and are in danger of getting a DUI.

Goodell and players union executive director Gene Upshaw will speak later this month at the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis and plan to speak to NFL players to try to understand why players are getting into trouble.

“We want to understand what is happening in these particular markets. Why is it happening in one market and not the other? Goodell said. “Why is it players need in support or what they need in education? We will do that very aggressively in the next several months.”

In addition to nine player arrests, the Bengals have been stung by four arrests alone of wide receiver Chris Henry. Henry (two games) and linebacker Odell Thurman (first four and then an entire season) were suspended by Goodell in the past year for repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. Henry could be subject to a four-game suspension if the commissioner decides Henry's guilty plea in an under-aged drinking case is a second strike against the substance abuse policy.

But why Cincinnati (nine player arrests) and San Diego (seven)?

“I don’t know the answer to that,” he said. “But we want to find out and we’re going to find out.”

The Enquirer is seeking comment from Bengals officials about the commissioner’s statements.

Why play the game?

MIAMI -- EA Sports has just released its prediction based on an automated simulation using Madden NFL 07: Indianapolis Colts 38, Chicago Bears 27

The world's greatest press conference

MIAMI -- Prince, who will perform at halftime during the Super Bowl, just put on the single most memorable press conference I have attended in 22 years in daily newspapers.

He took the stage here at the Miami Beach Convention Center and said, "Contrary to rumor, I will take a few questions about the Super Bowl."

Reporter: How do you feel about performing at the Super Bowl?

Then Prince ripped into a cover of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," the first of three songs he cranked out with a full band.

Before his news conference/concert, Price had to use a men's room. It was blocked off for his privacy for several minutes.

As a culture, we have both reached and bolted past the point of opulence where we require entertainment (great rock music) on top of our entertainment (pro football).

Another positive image: T.J. leads youth clinic

MIAMI BEACH -- Just walked about four miles round trip down Ocean Drive to the beach, where Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was the star of a youth clinic for about 75 local middle and high school players.

It took place on an artifical turf field set up on the beach by Motorola. Houshmandzadeh participated in drills on a 40-yard field with students and discussed his upbringing and long road to the NFL.

Dressed in a black T-shirts and shorts and with his black hair tied in a pony tail, Houshmandzadeh worked effortlessly with the children. They hung on his every word. He posed for pictures. He signed their T-shirts with a Sharpie.

He encouraged students to do what he didn't in high school -- study. He said not every good football player will make it to the NFL. "But you can get a degree," he said.

Privately, Houshmandzadeh touched on a variety of topics:

-- He thinks the Bears will win Sunday againts the Colts because of the speed and overall excellence of their defense. He sees the game unfolding similarly to the upset pulled by New England against St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI.

-- As a player, he said, he can only be responsible for his actions in the wake of the team's ninth player arrest in 13 months.

"You can't go home with a guy," Houshmandzadeh said of teammates. "You can't follow him home. It's a trip that this has happened so many times."

-- In terms of teammate Chris Henry, "What do you cut him? Do you sit him down? ... Those decisions are made above me."