Brady a reminder Bears were Wrecks

When Tom Brady cracked that huge Tom Brady smile Tuesday, one had no choice but to recall Rex Grossman's misery.

Those two quarterbacks could find their way into the same sentence only because media day at the Super Bowl on Tuesday brought back memories of one year ago, when the Bears suffered through their time in front of the press corps like it was an hour-long prostate exam.

Brady joked with reporters Tuesday, endured every question and goofy promotion, and laughed the entire time.

He even took pictures with his own camera, said he wanted to remember it, and added, "There's nothing about this week that's not fun.''

Tom Brady, ladies and gentlemen.

A year ago, Peyton Manning handled the media in much the same fashion, while Grossman through gritted teeth grudgingly answered questions, and by the end of the week had completely lost his poise and was calling reporters "ignorant.''

Grossman was mentally cashed, while Manning remained focused on his task.

Eli Manning didn't quite have the Rex-Bambi look in his eyes, and he wasn't as fidgety as Grossman, but he was nothing like three-time champion Brady, which left you thinking that despite the Giants' momentum, they're at a significant disadvantage in Super Bowl XLII.

The Giants have the pass rush, true, but the Pats have the more relaxed, talented and smarter quarterback, the more relaxed, talented and smarter coach, and the more relaxed, talented and smarter team that has the experience of four trips to the Super Bowl in seven years.

The Giants spent a good portion of their time Tuesday whining like the Bears did last year about a lack of respect, about how no one gives them a chance, while the Pats just went about their business.

It's one game and anything can happen, but all things being equal, and with the focus on the quarterback position, it's difficult to imagine the result being much different from last year's.

The Patriots with Brady outlasting the Giants with Eli Manning, just as the Colts with Peyton Manning waited for Grossman and the Bears to go to pieces.

Sometimes media day reveals absolutely nothing, and sometimes it speaks volumes.

One year ago, Grossman's posture said it all, and Tuesday there was Brady again, sitting like a king on his Super Bowl throne.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

Recent events show just how far the Blackhawks have to go to get more than minor-market media treatment locally.

The Bulls got two weeks' national coverage of a minor locker-room disagreement, but last month Martin Lapointe tossed Martin Havlat around like a rag doll following a verbal altercation, and the Hawks story went largely unnoticed.

It's unfortunate because based on what's occurred the last few days, the head coach could have used that Havlat incident to his advantage had there been a public discussion, perhaps motivating the underachieving, highly-paid winger.

The locker-room incident spoke volumes about the team's inner workings, but the Hawks are so far removed from mainstream that most coverage is distant and reserved for cheering.

Little help

Denis Savard, who knows what it's like in genuine hockey cities, has asked the media to also hold the players accountable.

Patrick Kane, for example, is an incredibly skilled and gifted player headed for superstardom, but he's become a hair less attentive in his own end lately and that's reflected somewhat by a minus-7 in 13 games since New Year's.

But since he's the top pick, he's never mentioned unless it's for his spectacular offense, while the less fortunate on the club suffer the abuse of those who don't closely watch the games. That hands-off policy does the kid no favors, as any young player in a real hockey market will tell you.

Meanwhile, the Bulls' Ben Gordon as a rookie -- despite his draft status -- was brutalized in Chicago for his defensive play, and in some ways still is, but when you're a novelty act, which is where the Hawks are for the time being, most legitimate concerns go unnoticed.

Best prop

What will be the first song played by Tom Petty during the Super Bowl halftime show:

Runnin' Down a Dream (1-1), American Girl (5-1), Need to Know (7-1), Don't Do Me Like That (14-1), Learning to Fly (18-1), Even the Losers (20-1), Waiting (20-1), You Got Lucky (20-1), Don't Come Around Here No More (25-1), Jammin' Me (25-1), Mary Jane's Last Dance (25-1), or any other Petty song (3-1).

"Runnin' Down a Dream'' ought to be the last one before the teams come back out for the second half, so I'm guessing "Learning to Fly'' or "American Girl.''

If it's not on that list, "Won't Back Down'' and "Face in the Crowd'' both make sense. Two that have to be in there somewhere are "Free Fallin' '' and "Into the Great Wide Open.''

You gotta think the Bears' pick for the Giants would have been "You Got Lucky.''

Transactions

The Pirates named Wilson Alvarez pitching coach for State College of the New York-Penn (A) League.

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "Memphis strengthens RPI with nonconference victory over Memphis intramural champion.''

And finally ...

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: "New Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has nearly completed his staff, bringing in everything from Dallas not nailed down. In the confusion, Sparano accidentally offered the job of special teams coach to Dirk Nowitzki.''