Super Bowl XLVI (46) February 5, 2012

Fast Facts:
New York Giants v. New England Patriots in Indianapolis, IN
Kickoff at 6:30pm (ET)
TV: NBC Channel 7
Radio: WBZ-FM 98.5
Online: nbc.com
Free Web Apps (http://news.consumerreports.org/electronics/2012/01/super-bowl-xlvi-the-best-free-apps.html)
Halftime Show: Madonna
30 second Ad cost:  Average of $3.5M with highest reported at $4M

Sue’s Scoop

Game Info:

These two football teams are fairly evenly balanced and should provide a good football game for those who are interested.  Both teams are led by veteran players and seasoned coaches who have Super Bowl rings and want another.

Player Highlights:

2nd Year Patriots’ Tight Ends, Rob Gronkowski, #87, and Aaron Hernandez, #81, provide the Patriots with numerous double tight end formation options.  They have set individual tight end records this season as well as together.  Watch for this dynamic duo to have many touches on the ball throughout the game.

3rd Year player Julian Edelman has been seen this season playing in all 3 phases (offense, defense, and special teams) of the game for the Patriots.  What position(s) will we see him playing? Keep an eye out for #11 and see if he is lined up for punt and kickoff returns--highly likely.  He may also be a wide receiver on offense and/or potentially defensive back as well.  One never knows when and where “Wes Welker’s Mini-Me” will be called on with his skills and Coach Belichick’s strategy.

Giant’s Linebacker Mark Herzlich, #58, is a walk-on rookie who is also a Boston College alum.  While at BC, he was diagnosed with bone cancer and endured the treatment process.  Remarkably, he has fully recovered and played a superb final year at BC.  Herzlich has been playing on special teams in his rookie season with the Giants. 
More info... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Herzlich)

Food:

Browse the 641.5 section of the library to grab some interesting cookbooks.  Or you can always rely on tried and true recipes that usually go over well for football watching like chili or nachos.  Due to the evening start, my family usually goes for the full dinner option at the beginning of the game instead of snacking throughout. 

Ads:

Expect all of the usual big companies to have 30 second commercials.  All commercials for the game sold out by Thanksgiving 2011 providing the highest total income for ads for one sporting event.  If you miss any of the Ads or want to watch them again, most will be available after they air on YouTube (www.youtube.com).

Football Themed Books (796.332):

The Blind Side: evolution of a game by Michael Lewis
796.332 LEW
(http://library.minlib.net/record=b2417792)

If you saw the movie and dismissed the book, don’t.  If you are interested in the evolution of the Right Tackle position, this is a very informative book.

Never give up: my stroke, my recovery, and my return to the NFL by Tedy Bruschi with Michael Holley.
B Bruschi, T.
(http://library.minlib.net/record=b2505765)

Ten days after helping the New England Patriots win the 2005 Super Bowl, 31-year-old middle linebacker Bruschi suffered a debilitating stroke that left his future uncertain. Initially he planned to retire, but as he began to recover, a process that included surgery to repair the hole in his heart that precipitated the stroke, the lure of football beckoned.

War Room: the legacy of Bill Belichick and the art of building the perfect team by Michael Holley.
NEW 796.332 HOL
(http://library.minlib.net/record=b2931913)

I haven’t read this yet, but it is on my “to read” list. A fabulous insight into three top NFL coaches.

Last words:

So gather around the TV for Super Bowl Sunday with family and friends to watch the game, the ads, Madonna or whatever combination works for you.  Go Pats!  Win a ring for Myra.