COLUMN: Steve Solloway

Stepping in and stepping up

Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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HOUSTON - The tattoos began at Doug Brzezinski's wrist, traveled up his arm, across his shoulders and chest and back down his other arm.

On the right was a silhouette of Jesus with the Sacred Heart. Fighting devils and angels. A fighting dragon, Koi fish and Raiden, the Japanese god of thunder, fought for attention on his left side.

Samantha Hill, a correspondent for a weekly publication, looked up at the 6-foot-4, 305-pound guard for the Carolina Panthers and his massive, multihued arms and asked the question most would ask.

"What did your mother say?"

Welcome to Super Bowl media day, where questions of game plans and player matchups sometimes take a back seat to those that are far more interesting, if a little less important.

Where reserve linemen such as Brzezinski command attention they wouldn't get anywhere else.

"My mother said I could do anything I want when I moved out of the house," said Brzezinski. He smiled at Hill.

She persisted. "What did your mom think?"

"My mom liked 'em as long as I was happy."

Hill was satisfied. She had already questioned Patriots Coach Bill Belichick. Facing Jake Delhomme, the Carolina quarterback, Hill had to stand on tiptoe to see over the podium where he sat.

Hill, a fifth-grader from a Houston school, was on assignment for the Weekly Reader and its Web site.

For two hours Tuesday, hundreds of media walked the sideline at Reliant Stadium, seeking answers to questions that were serious, innocent or not-so-innocent.

Hey, Antowain Smith. You weren't the go-to running back for parts of the season. You would have better stats if you didn't have to share the ball with Kevin Faulk. What's up with that?

"It worked out for me because it keeps you fresh for later in the season," said Smith. "I'm in the big game, so no complaints on that. Why would you sit around and mope?"

Hey, Kevin Faulk, how about the frustration over sharing the ball?

"As a competitor, yes, there is. But as a team player, you've got to understand your role on the team and that comes first. I'll be ready."

No eve-of-Super Bowl controversy.

Hey, Tom Brady, people are comparing you to Joe Montana. What say you to that?

"I think that's crazy. Everybody wants to make comparisons. He was the best quarterback in the history of the NFL. It's flattering, but it's pretty unrealistic, too."

Hey, Tom, thoughts on the New Hampshire primary? Who are you supporting in the presidential election? Are you registered to vote?

Mark down Brady as undecided and yes, he has.

Bethel Johnson, boxers or briefs?

"Neither."

The Patriots had Reliant Stadium as their stage in the morning. Carolina came on after lunch. Both hours, players from both teams walked onto the field, their cameras at the ready.

Christian Fauria, the Patriots' tight end, aimed his lens at the news photographer taking a picture of Fauria taking a picture of him.

A guy in tights and a cape ran by. A kid with bright, spiked hair and a retinue of cameramen and a producer with a script.

Somebody asked Patriots center Dan Koppen how to snap the football back to the quarterback. The guy, with the cameras rolling, squatted over the ball and asked Koppen to play the quarterback.

"I'm not putting my hands there," said Koppen, who sensed a stunt in the making.

Damien Woody, the injured Patriots lineman, was given questions to ask Matt Light, his linemate.

"Mad cow disease?" Light stammered. "I've actually beat mad cow disease. I've tried to catch it, but I've built up an immunity."

Yet amid the circus, there was insight. Brentson Buckner, Carolina's talented tight end would play for Belichick. Oh, yes.

"I wouldn't play for anybody else but Belichick or Coach (John) Fox because of their coaching minds. Their defense, their toughness. (They) believe in just lining up and playing smash-mouth football."

Carolina safety Mike Minter talked about his belief in God and being held accountable for his words and actions. Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo talked about the father he lost this season.

This was media day, where you learned so much. Yet so little.

Staff Writer Steve Solloway can be contacted at 791-6412 or at: ssolloway@pressherald.com

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