Super Bowl Talking Points

Whether we're talking ratings, money, casual conversation, or general popularity, Football owns America right now.  Since Sunday is the pinnacle of the sport, Super Bowl XLIV, this entire week will be spent building to the game.

But a problem has arisen:  There's nothing to talk about.

Okay, that's not exactly true.  There's 1) the New Orleans Saints making the Super Bowl several years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city; 2) Colts quarterback Peyton Manning facing the same team on which his father Archie starred as the most popular player in franchise history; and 3) the torn ligament in the ankle of Colts standout defensive end Dwight Freeney.

That's it.

With the possible exception of Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey, these appear to be two quiet and humble teams.  Classy and humble teams are boring. A lack of humility (demonstrated ably by Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, Joe Namath, and Hollywood Henderson) makes for a much more exciting time leading up to the game.

So what was everyone blathering about today?

Colin Cowherd complained about the weather.

Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo analyzed Freeney's ankle as long as they could before giving up and talking about how there was nothing to talk about.   It was just as fascinating as you'd think.

ESPN.com decided that we needed to learn 18 more things about Peyton Manning.  Trust me, don't read it.  Unless, that is, you'd be stunned to learn that Peyton Manning doesn't get sacked and "doesn't hang around riff-raff."

I know, I'm as shocked as you.

Only four more days of this to go.  How will they ever make it?