The Final Score

Now I can officially cross a ride in a blimp off my bucket list.

It was fun, exciting, unique - and something I'll probably never want to do again. Not that I didn't feel safe. I just like not being able to open the windows on planes. I also never realized how much I like seatbelts.

When I got off the blimp and walked around, I felt my body swaying back and forth as if I just got off a boat.

Here's my story. And here's the video I shot (which was edited by Mario Gonzalez).

Jennie Finch, softball superstar and recently voted out of The Celebrity Apprentice for being too nice, passed along this Super Bowl prediction.

"You know I love perfection. It's such an amazing feat.

But my heart, I have to say on this one, it is truly with Eli Manning and the Giants.

I’m really rooting for the underdog. So the Giants will squeak out a win."

(In 2001 Finch led Arizona to a perfect 32-0 record.)

Borrowed is probably more accurate than stolen. But he didn't ask. He just took it.

This happened last night at the Gridiron Greats dinner while I was staring off into space waiting for Lawrence Taylor to (not) arrive.

To my surprise someone just took my notepad out of my hand. Next thing I know Sayers was testing his marker on it. He then handed it back and walked away. Pretty rude.

Maybe this was how Tyrone Wheatley felt getting snubbed by Jim Kelly (see below).

Or maybe I'll put the piece of paper that has Sayers' dabble marks on it on eBay.

For our Super Bowl special preview section - which hits newstands in mere hours (!) - I did a where-are-they-now story on Matt Bahr. Turns out Bahr had quite a lot to say about our troops, our children, obesity, Lawrence Tynes, etc. Here's the story.

For those of you who are new to this blog, I write a where-are-they-now feature every Friday on the Web. At the one-year anniversary I hope to sell Sam Zell on the idea of throwing a big bash and inviting all of our previous story subjects. Here's our constantly growing list: Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

LT was a no-show at the Gridiron Greats fundraising dinner tonight. A spokesman for the event kept insisting he would come, saying they even had arranged a car service for him. But by the time they asked everyone to take their seats, LT was nowhere to be found. Who knows? Maybe he didn't want to explain why he never e-mailed me back?

So the two hours standing there was a bit of a waste.

However, this being an event riddled with former NFL players, I did witness some funny exchanges. Such as Jim Kelly strolling in and all but snubbing Tyrone Wheatley. When Kelly walked through the door, Wheatley stuck out his hand and said, "Jim Kelly. Tyrone Wheatley." Kelly shook his hand but barely looked at him and never broke stride.

The 90 minute media session also served as a time for the people who paid lots of money for tickets to get autographs from the former players. That's why it's telling that Kelly arrived with 10 minutes left and Michael Irvin arrived even later. And the first thing Irvin asked when he got out of his car was, "Are they ready to eat yet?"

LT still hasn't responded to my original e-mail, or the follow-up e-mail I sent him. He also hasn't signed on AIM, in which case I would have badgered him with instant messages.

But tonight we might finally meet.

LT is supposed to be at some Gridiron Greats charity dinner held in some distant suburb of Phoenix. Or so the press release says.

But I have my doubts. I've e-mailed and called the publicist responsible for this event for two days asking for confirmation that Taylor will be there, and no response.

But I'll go, anyway. And if he's there, I want answers. Why didn't you answer my e-mails!

UPDATE: I'm told he will be there.

As I left the media center, Mike Ditka was right in front of me with a woman whom I presume is his wife/girlfriend/significant other.

"What a good chance to get another celebrity Super Bowl prediction," I thought.

But as I walked toward him, so were others, and these guys were presumably looking for a signature along with his prediction. (For the record, I would have only taken the prediction.) Ditka, however, wanted no part of us. He waved everyone off and walked inside the Grand Hyatt.

Oh well.

While on line for lunch, I noticed a familiar head of white hair behind me: horse trainer Bob Baffert.

So I did my job and asked for a prediction. He said he is rooting for the Patriots because he is friends with Bill Belichick. I pressed him to give a score. "Anything that adds up to more than 47," he said.

Finally, his friend suggested 37-31. Baffert agreed.

After that momentous exchange of Baumbach and Baffert, I ate lunch with Newsday's Bob Glauber and Tom Rock. When Glauber's sandwich was ready, they announced 'Bob.' But Baffert thought it was his and an awkward exchange seemed to occur between him and the cashier, until Glauber came to rescue his sandwich.

"They should have given out numbers," Glauber said.

You know what they say: sports is a business, so don't take it personally.

The players change, and so do the coaches, general managers and owners. Teams change their uniforms, their stadiums and even their cities.

But one thing through the years remains the same -- the Suns' mascot. Who's better than the Gorilla?

I attended tonight's Suns-Hawks game and seeing the Gorilla in action was a treat. So was watching Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire run the floor. What a fun team.

PS -- I'm kicking myself. Doesn't Randy Johnson have Suns' season tickets? I forgot to look for him.

I was talking to former Jets coach (and Manhasset product) Al Groh the other day about how New York has taken to the Giants, and I mentioned how for the first time in a while baseball has taken a backseat (for two weeks, at least).

Then this happened.

Wow.

What timing.

The Giants are in the Super Bowl and they might be overshadowed from today until the game Sunday, assuming the Mets and Santana agree on a contract and hold a news conference this week.

Again, wow.

I better start thinking of a Santana angle I can report from out here in Phoenix.

I'm back at my hotel recharging after that media day frenzy. I'm all out of observations for the moment -- I posted everything I had here as the event was taking place. I also shot some video, which I am transmitting as I type.

There's a media party tonight that is being thrown by the NFL and is featuring the Gin Blossoms. But I'm passing so I can go to the Phoenix Suns game and interview this guy.

I've read about media day and the circus it becomes for the players, the media and the assorted "others" that show up on the field. But this being my first Super Bowl, I truly don't know what to expect. Hence, today's Web column.

So stick with Newsday.com throughout the day and I'll give you a running account (thanks to my BlackBerry) of what takes place on this fine, sunny morning here in Phoenix.

I guess I should update what happened at the Giants news conference, considering that I told everyone below how I got there thanks to a police effort.

Tom Coughlin told us about how on the plane the flight attendant - he said stewardess, but we'll say attendant - told him she sensed a great detail of excitement among his players. Coughlin added that practices this week will be run no differently than the past six weeks and he called Eli Manning "the key reason we're here."

Six players took part in interviews: Michael Strahan, Manning, Plaxico Burress, Antonio Pierce, Amani Toomer and Jeff Feagles. They all came in wearing black suits. Pierce said it was a sign of unity. Strahan said it wasn't meant to be a statement.

Burress on Tom Brady's ankle injury: "It's a joke. Come on, this is Tom Brady."

After the NFL announced the end of interviews, Strahan continued talking for maybe 20 minutes - much to the chagrin of team officials trying to get his attention.

I need to do a where-are-they-now column for Friday, as usual, and for the special Super Bowl section. I'll give you a sneak preview...

Finally spoke with former Giants kicker Matt Bahr. He'll be arriving in town for the Super Bowl later this week, but mostly we talked about his many charitable efforts. In short, Bahr is a big supporter of our troops and veterans, and he wants to improve the life of kids. He works with Fight On Foundation, which pushes kids to be active, and he supports the Henry T. Nicholas Foundation, which sets out to "improve the quality of life through investments in education, youth sports, medicine, technology, law enforcement and national defense."

The other column will be on Bart Oates, whom I mentioned below is the chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. I'll never again forget he played for the '94 49ers.

I've never felt so important!

Reporters piled onto a bus to go to the Giants' hotel, which is where Tom Coughlin and a handful of players will meet with us in a few minutes. But this wasn't just any bus ride. There was a police escort that maneuvered us through the traffic on the highway. Take that, law-abiding citizens!

It actually reminded me of one time when I was caught on the New Jersey Turnpike in a awful traffic jam after a Jets game. We were sitting there for what felt like an hour, and then a couple of buses zoomed through thanks to a police escort. It was the Jets, and people showed their displeasure by honking repeatedly.

BTW, I finally spoke to Matt Bahr. He says hello.

A source tells me the Giants' United charter plane is scheduled to arrive in Phoenix at 3:49 p.m. local time, which is 5:49 back home. That's exactly one hour from now. It is currently over New Mexico right now flying at around 38,000 altitude. The plane left Newark International Airport at 10:38 a.m., roughly an hour later than originally planned.

We toured the Super Bowl sites in Phoenix this morning, as you'll read in my first Super Bowl Web column for the week. (I also used my video camera to shoot stills of the spots I visited but the files are too large to upload onto my blog. Sorry, I'll stick to video.) Now I must go find material for future Web columns, as well as shoot video of Newsday's Bob Glauber and perhaps the Giants arriving at their hotel.

We break away from football for just a second to bring you this gem.

TMZ.com, everyone's favorite entertainment Web site, is reporting that the FOX game show "Moment of Truth" has invited Roger Clemens to go on the show in an attempt to clear his name.

Yes, obviously, no shot. It's just a publicity stunt. But, hey, it got our attention! Here's the letter they sent Clemens.

And wouldn't it be really funny if Clemens was so desperate to save his legacy that he went on a game show - a Fox game show! - to clear his name. LOL.

Now back to the Super Bowl.

But not the Giants. They arrive Monday.

Just checked into my fine hotel, and it turns out I've been here before. Back in my former life as a Yankees beat reporter, I spent a night at this Phoenix Marriott property when the Yankees stopped in Arizona to play an exhibition prior to the 2006 season. Wonder if I'll bump into old friend Randy Johnson while I'm in town?

Anyway, so the festivities begin Monday. I'll be writing a daily Web column that will be posted on Newsday.com around 1 p.m. every day. I'll also have my video camera here and will constantly be on the prowl looking for video opportunities. So stay tuned.

I think before I go to bed I'm going to e-mail LT again. Just for kicks.

Got a surprise phone call this morning from Jeff Hostetler. I left a message for him early last week but I basically gave up hope that he would call back because he hasn't been quoted much in recent years. So that was a nice surprise. Get this: he still gets letters and phone calls to his house from Giants fans. He'll forever be a Giants icon for that '91 Super Bowl run.

Bart Oates also called. He's going to be at the Super Bowl. He also got a little angry with me when I forgot he was on the 49ers' Super Bowl team in '94. Whoops.

Guess who else called? No, not LT. He hasn't e-mailed either. But Al Groh called and we discussed Long Island. He's a Manhasset product, remember? Anyway, he was on the Giants staff in the early '90s with Coughlin and Belichick. But he's pulling for Belichick this weekend because they're much closer. Groh was even at the AFC title game. But he can't go to the Super Bowl because this is prime recruiting season.

And, finally, here's my Matt Bahr update: Yes, I called him back. But his phone went right to voicemail. I left a message. Then he called me back, I missed the call and he left a message. I haven't returned that message yet. But I will. One of these days.

Just got back from Cablevision's Woodbury offices, where I did an in-studio interview about the Super Bowl. On my way through the hallways I looked for Jim Dolan. No sign of him. Oh well.

While I was being interviewed, my cell phone was off. That proved to be a mistake as I missed a call from former Jets coach Al Groh. He didn't leave his number. Said he'd call during the 4 o'clock hour. Sorry, coach, I'll keep my phone on this time.

One of the comments below asked for more mystery with this blog, and I am a man of the masses, so I listen and comply -- I may have secured a surprise story for next week at the Super Bowl. The surprise story is not a definite, but if it happens there will be video on Newsday.com, too. Perhaps I'll throw more hints your way in the coming days.

No e-mail from LT, and I really need to call Matt Bahr back.

What a quandary this Super Bowl is for Jets fans... Giants or Patriots... It's basically a question who would you rather see lose more.

So I gave Fireman Ed a call. I have his cell phone number from a story I did a while back on his knee surgery, which forced him to miss this season (that story made Wikipedia!!!). Anyway, his phone rang a couple of times and then it went to voicemail. He identified himself in his message as Eddie Anzalone, not Fireman Ed. That's good. I left a message.

BTW, I hear we're about to set a record in Tribune history books for most consecutive posts without a comment. Impressive. I couldn't have accomplished this without you. (Or is it with you?) Anyway, take a bow!

I'll call Matt Bahr back one of these days.

My where-are-they-now column about Leonard Marshall was just posted. He's started a foundation to help retired players. "I just feel as a businessman I can do a better job helping the guys that are in dire need," he said. I see I've been writing a lot about Leonard Marshall recently. So I'll stop. This is it. Promise.

Oh, yeah, no e-mail from LT. I also put his screen name on my buddy list but he hasn't signed on. If he does, I'll badger him with IMs until he agrees to an interview!

The invite list to our where-are-they-now one-year anniversary party is growing. (The site is to be determined.) I haven't e-mailed Tribune head honcho Sam Zell about this yet. But I will. Invitees: Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

Yes, this belongs here, but I need page views.

Leonard Marshall watched the Giants-Packers game from Sid Rosenberg's house. You remember Sid, the former WFAN voice who made his name with many on-air and off-air troubles.

"I had a great time with him," Marshall said. "Sidney, he couldn't believe it. He obviously didn't think the Giants could win. But I told him if we play good cover-2 and good cover-4, we jam the receivers and we keep the running game away from Green Bay early, this could be a long day for Mr. Favre because he doesn't like to throw in this weather and he doesn't always throw well deep."

Rosenberg does mornings in South Florida. That's where Marshall lives.

Leonard Marshall just called back. Maybe he got annoyed that my number appeared several times under the 'missed calls.' Hey, I was only trying to leave a message, and his mailbox was full! But he had a good reason. He just had surgery on his leg. He didn't want to go into too many details, but he said he had a cyst removed. "I thought it was serious, but it wasn't," he said. Good thing. Anyway, I have a hunch you'll be reading more Leonard in tomorrow's web column. But, shhhh... don't tell anyone.

I haven't returned Matt Bahr's call. But he's on the West Coast, so I have time.

BTW, I asked Leonard if he's spoken to LT. "He's impossible to get," Leonard said. "He's always on one golf course or another." So that's why LT hasn't returned my e-mail!

The young woman who answered the phone at Phil McConkey's house was happy to give me Phil's cell phone number, even though it was just after 8 in the morning on the West Coast. And Phil answered his cell and immediately went into great detail about why the Giants will beat the Patriots.

While I was on the phone with McConkey, someone called my phone and I let the call go through to voicemail. It was Matt Bahr. I'm going to call him back now. Maybe he'll pick the Patriots. Or not.

Still no e-mail back from LT.

Here's what's happened today, if you're interested.

I scored the cell phone digits for Leonard Marshall. It rings several times and then goes to voicemail, and, unfortunately, the mailbox is full. Ugh.

I left a message at the house of Matt Bahr.

I e-mailed Virginia coach Al Groh to hear his thoughts of being on the same Giants coaching staff as Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin in the early '90s. No response yet.

I found the office and home numbers for Bart Oates, who apparently is now a lawyer and the chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. I have left messages.

I also think I have the home number for Phil McConkey. But I think he lives in San Diego, and it's probably too early to call him. Oh what the heck, it's Super Bowl time. I'll call him now. If he gets mad, I'll tell him I'm from the New York Times.

Oh, yeah, no e-mail back from LT yet.

After spending my morning hours simulating the Super Bowl XLII at www.whatifsports.com - the Giants finally won on my fifth try - I spent the rest of my day trying to find former Giants for where-are-they-now.

Left a message at a number I believe belongs to Jeff Hostetler, but he didn't call back. Supposedly he owns a bagel shop and helps coach high school football in West Virginia. I also e-mailed Lawrence Taylor, who apparently is an avid golfer these days, and Leonard Marshall, who is a sports management professor at Seton Hall University. (Unless that's a different Leonard Marshall). No word back from either.

As they say, tomorrow is a new day...

Don't believe me?

Here's the boxscore: http://www.whatifsports.com/NFL/boxscore.asp?GameID=187600&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1&theme=undefined

Before you go place a bet, read this disclaimer (aka my Web column) first.

They're all going to be in Arizona for the Super Bowl week. How do I know? I received an e-mail from a publicist informing me of the "confirmed and potential attendees" at various parties next week. The purpose of the e-mail was to invite me to stand behind the velvet rope on the red carpet and shout questions.

Slash, how's Axl Rose doing?

When will there be a Cheers reunion, Woody?

I've been asked by my kind Sunday editor to seek out celebrity predictions for the big game to run in our special section.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban went with the Giants winning, 28-16.

"they barely beat a chargers team with a gimpy qb and no LT. The Giants offense is playing like a cohesive unit and the Dline is aggressive and Brady hasnt responded well to pressure. Pls their confidence has to be sky high after they way they played them last time"

(Maybe he responded to my email because he wants to buy the Cubs and thinks I could put in a good word...)

Okay, maybe it's not exactly breaking news -- Peyton's prediction came a year ago -- but I need to get people to read my blog! And this is newsworthy.

In his Super Bowl MVP news conference last year, Peyton predicted Eli will win one, too. "There is no doubt in my mind he is a quarterback who will lead his team to a Super Bowl, probably more than one," he said.

A big laugh was heard across America that day, for sure. Whoops.

(Here's the PDF of our story that day...)

(And it's even funnier that Eddy Curry was in the running for the All-Star Game.)