Super Bowl / Nick Shiambouros / 28 January 2009 / Leave a comment

It's Media Day in Tampa and Nick Shiambouros is in the scrum as reporters from all over the world fire questions ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous at Super Bowl 43's key players. Meanwhile, the city is awash with black and gold, Pittsburgh brace themselves for injury woes and our man mourns the Lingerie Bowl.

Fans from all over the country have been streaming in to Tampa Bay today as the build up to the big game gathers momentum. The temperature in the area is a very comfortable 78 F but the forecast is for a cooler 60F come game time.

Judging by the number of gold and black shirts in town, Cardinal fans are definitely outnumbered by the Steelers'. I spoke to fans from as far away as Alaska but almost all of the Cardinal fans I met were from the state Arizona and they conceded that it would be more of a home game for Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals have kept a low profile so far but there was no room to hide today as the traditional Media Day got underway. This is a great American spectacle as journalists from all over the world get to ask the craziest questions they like to both teams. The players have fun to and it was a great way to spend a few hours.

Kurt Warner, the veteran quarterback for Arizona, tried to keep his team focused by saying that they don't need to think about the parties at the moment. He made the point that if they win a Superbowl ring they can get a free pass to any party forever.

Ben Roethelsburger, the Pittsburgh quarterback, said that he was trying not to think about the importance of the game but admitted it was hard not to.

It was good to see Steelers' defensive lineman Max Starks, who played for the University of Florida. He is the only Gator in the team but said that he will never forget what being a Gator really means as he reminisced about his college days.

News has emerged that Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward will be wearing a brace on his sprained knee which has been affecting his movement. He played the injury down but his participation on Sunday must be in some doubt. Hine is a vital piece of the Pittsburgh offense and coach Mike Tomlin must be concerned.

The Cardinals will practice Wednesday and Thursday according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt. He says that the practice will be have a pre-season feel to it and it will be quite serious. I think this is a good move by Whisenhunt as things can get a little rusty after a two week break.

There is no love lost between Ken Whisenhunt and his former team, Pittsburgh. It is rumored that Whisenhunt and Ben Roethelsburger did not get on well at all and this was a major factor for his departure.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had all the media attention this week and many analysts have written Arizona off already. I would not be so presumptuous as a fire is clearly burning inside Ken Whisenhunt and I believe he has a clear game plan for Sunday. Larry Fitzgerald is certain to be part of his thoughts and, with him on your side, anything is possible.

On a final note, I am sad to report that the sixth Lingerie Bowl will not be taking place this week due to a problem with the location according to a spokesperson from the Lingerie Football League. At least I have time to make other arrangements for Saturday.