Sports

PHOENIX (CBS) ― Abigail Lorge, the national sports producer for the CBS Television Stations digital media group, is providing a running diary from Super Bowl XLII. 

Friday, Feb. 1, 3:00 p.m. MT
Robo-Chick On AutoPilot While Coughlin Jokes

It was bit jarring to see Bill Belichick wearing a suit this morning instead of the omnipresent hooded sweatshirt in which he typically prowls the sidelines.

But his spiffed-up exterior had no impact on the wooden delivery of his comments in what was a characteristically mechanical press conference for the legendary New England coach.

It's hardly revelatory to say that Bill Belichick is reserved when addressing the media, and roughly 55 hours before Sunday's kick-off, he probably saw the event as a tedious exercise that cut into his game preparation. Nevertheless, the contrast between the Pats' coach's demeanor and that of Tom Coughlin was pronounced.

Coughlin, who himself has a reputation for sometimes being ornery with the press, said he's made a concerted effort this season to be more tolerant of journalistic encroachment.

"I'm trying to be more patient," he told reporters before conceding: "Redundancy does bother me. And wasting time is a big problem for me."

A remarkably jovial Coughlin, who said he has also made improving communication with his players a priority since the beginning of the season, was asked about verbally berating Lawrence Tynes after the kicker's fourth-quarter miss of a 43-yard field goal attempt in the NFC championship game.

"Lawrence does a great job, as some of the veteran players do, of making sure they don't hear a word I say," Coughlin said, drawing laughs. "The competitive nature never leaves me and sometime it comes flying out."


Friday, Feb. 1, 1:00 p.m. MT
Burress Getting Better

Giants coach Tom Coughlin sounded guarded but optimistic when discussing the status of his star wide receiver, Plaxico Burress.

Burress has struggled with a bum right ankle all season and reportedly caught only a few passes at practice yesterday, but according to Coughlin, he is trending in the right direction.

"It's a day-to-day thing," Coughlin said. "He's better yesterday than he was the day before, and hopefully he'll better today. I won't know until we get over there (to practice)."

Coughlin went on to point out that Burress, who set a Giants franchise postseason record with 11 catches for 154 yards in the NFC championship, is the caliber of athlete who can perform well despite limited practice time.

"Over the past month he practiced almost every day with a select number of snaps," Coughlin said. But earlier in the season, when Burress was sidelined except on Sundays, "he was able to perform in the games in a remarkable fashion, given that he didn't practice."


Friday, Feb. 1, 12:15 p.m. MT
Goodell Speaks On 'Spygate'

A few minutes ago, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended his decision to have the videotapes associated with the "Spygate" scandal destroyed.

With the specter of the Specter investigation into evidence destruction hanging over a Friday morning press conference, Goodell told assembled journalists: "I think that (the destruction of the tapes and associated notes) was the best way for me to make sure that the Patriots had followed my instructions."

Goodell reiterated that he didn't believe the Patriots' videotaping violation affected the outcome of any game. Essentially, he said teams anticipate their opponents will try to steal signals anyway, and make adjustments accordingly.

"Coaches prepare for people to intercept their signals," Goodell said when asked specifically about Super Bowl XXXIX, in which New England narrowly defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. "Andy Reid is a very smart coach and I'm sure he did the same thing."

Goodell said in addition to the six tapes, notes on signal calling that may have been made through the use of illegal videotaping were also destroyed.

"The notes reflected what I imagine many teams have when they scout a team in advance," Goodell said. "They may have collected that information within the rules of the NFL, but we determined it was appropriate (to destroy them)."


Friday, Feb. 1, 8:00 a.m. MT
Being Petty

Four years removed from "Nipplegate," Super Bowl organizers have selected a halftime entertainer who won't be revealing his breasts, midriff - or political inclination, for that matter.

Tom Petty, who met with the media yesterday alongside the, um, Heartbreakers, told assembled journalists that he was aware Hillary Clinton had been introduced as winner of the New Hampshire primary with his song, "American Girl" in the background, but was not endorsing any particular candidate.

"You wouldn't want to take a guitar player's advice anyway," Petty said.

The Hall of Fame musician, who confessed to being a "very poor athlete" growing up in Gainesville, Fla., said his earliest football memories are of attending "Gator Growl" pep rallies on the Friday nights before Florida games. On Sunday, he'll be on pro football's greatest stage, playing a set that lasts less than a football quarter - 12 minutes to be exact.

The halftime show is television's most-watched entertainment program every year, but Petty was unphased by the magnitude of the gig.

"We just try to entertain the people and be sweet boys."

Speaking of sweet boys, I'm off to the introduction of the Walter Payton "Man of the Year" award finalists. Shockingly, I don't think K-Fed's nominated.

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