Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning entered the stadium on Sunday with a look of determination and focus. Others looked at that same face and saw insecurity and an uneasiness. ESPN, the NFL Network and other networks kept focusing on Manning’s look when he walked into Sun Life Stadium, and the NFL Network’s Deion Sanders decided to focus on that expression.

“Let’s start from the beginning, when he walked into the stadium with that grimace,” Sanders said. “You’ve got to understand, we [NFL players] see the cameras when we’re getting off the bus, and we can give you [fans and the media] what we want: We can give you joy, we can give you humility, we can give you that grimace to make you think ‘I’m ready for this game.’”

Sanders continued that as a player, he would have been concerned with the look.

“Players know players, man,” Sanders said. “When you’re giving me that grimace, it seems like, ‘I’m concerned about this game. I’ve got to give you a face. I’ve got to simulate something that I really don’t feel.”

Deion turned to Michael Irvin on the set and said, “I’m sure he was prepared, I’m sure he was ready, I’m sure he was focused, but when I see things like that as a player, Michael, I’m thinking, ‘I don’t know’.”

Irvin responded,”Peyton looks like he’s ready, but Peyton also looks like he’s worried.”

There was a lot of pressure riding on Peyton’s shoulders leading up to the game and it should be no surprise that he was beginning to feel the weight of that pressure. His expression entering the stadium could have been a hint of what we would see later in the game.

Manning felt he was the one that had to do everything, and so he stared down his receiver which led to the game-changing interception.

There is no question that the four-time NFL MVP is one of the greatest quarterbacks in history and a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, however, he will always hear criticism about his inability to perform in the clutch — as evidenced by his 9-9 career postseason record.

Perhaps Manning was concerned about his legacy and wanted to go out and have the game of his life. Just maybe, that was the “focus” that we saw.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford took to the Gatorade Performance Lab to undergo a variety of tests that ranged from a  caloric expenditure test to a brief sitting in the famed BodPod. All of the tests that the former Heisman Trophy winner participated in required gear that looked like it was part of the space age. Bradford was testing out a new line of Gatorade products.

The BodPod is also used at the NFL Scouting Combine to determine body fat percentages, where Bradford will showcase his skills at the end of this month.

Sam Bradford is currently the number two ranked quarterback and No. 20 on the NFL Mocks Big Board.

Bradford could have been a top five pick if he entered the 2009 draft. His decision to return to Oklahoma did more harm than good. We are still left with concerns of his toughness and ability to throw under pressure. Bradford also lacks elite arm strenghth.

What Bradford lacks in arm strength, he makes up for in accuracy. The former Heisman Trophy winner is the most accurate passer in the 2010 class.

While he has served a majority of his college career in the shotgun, Bradford does have some experience under center and that has resulted in more pro routes and progressions than the other quarterbacks in this draft.

His accuracy and quick release will land him in the first-round and he still has room to improve.

By Tom Smith, Rum Bunter

Bill Cowher picking the Saints. Then sporting black and gold beads in the post game show. Go Steelers.

Carrie Underwood’s near perfect zipper placement.

Drew Brees son’s blue eyes.

Watching number 22, Tracy Porter pointing to the Saints fans as he took it to the house to put the Saints up 31-17.

Porter’s Super Bowl haircut.

Peyton Manning walking off the field with his helmet on and his head down.

The Saints defense saving the best for the fourth quarter.

Reggie Bush’s flying leap.

Sean Payton rolling the dice with an onside kick to start the second half.

The Saints kicker’s, Garrett Hartley, ability to get that kick 10 yards after stopping so abruptly. And after having to think about it for at least a week now.

The Colts offensive line staring at Peyton Manning near the end of the 3rd quarter like he had DICK written on his head.

17-16 heading into the 4th quarter

4th and 2 with 12:55 to go in the 4th quarter, Jim Caldwell goes for it.

Then three plays later tries a 51 yard field goal, come on Jim, this game isn’t for kickers.

As much as I dislike Peyton Manning, well nevermind. I really dislike Peyton Manning.

The Colts offensive line protects Manning. All. Day. Long.

As much as I dislike the Saints, they’re a helluva ball club.

And an even better football team than anyone gave them credit.

Joseph Addai played like a man possessed.

Anthony Hargrove had had seen enough of Addai when he speared him late with about 1:30 left in the game.

Drew Brees tying Tom Brady’s record for Super Bowl completions after a slow start.

The look on Jeremy Shockey’s face after his fourth-quarter touchdown catch.

The missed two- point conversion gave thousands of people new hope in their block polls.

The overturning of that two-point conversion sent hundreds of people home disgusted with their block polls.

The dizzying amount of formations the Saints run as an offense.

Marques Colston is a freak.

The Budweiser Clydesdales still make me smile.

Even with the Colts down two scores, it never felt like the game was over. Peyton Manning can do that to you.

The Saints defense stopping Addai on third and goal. And stopping the Colts again on fourth and goal to ice the game.

Tom Benson’s smile.

Miller High Life giving up their commercial to, among others, a barber shop and Tim’s Baseball Card shop.

Tim’s karate kick at the end of the Miller High Life commercial.

The NFL burns a commercial to thank fans like me and you. That’s right.

Kim Kardashian and her backside.

The Saints offensive line blowing up big holes and keeping Drew Brees clean most of the night.

The WHO.

The over on the windmill was the easiest bet of the night.

The mastermind behind the WHO light show. Brilliant.

Audi and The Green Police.

Career Builder had a whole new take on casual Friday.

Peyton Mannings competitive spirit and his utter frustration.

Mark Brunell’s happiness.

Watching those Saints fans party. Well deserved, New Orleans.

Bill Cowher’s “Who Dat” sign.

Payton stealing Cowher’s onside kick plan. It was the difference.

Watching Peyton do the walk of shame.

The guy with the crazy shaved head locked up the Super Bowl for the New Orleans Saints with a huge interception. Tracy Porter, your hair did a lot of talking, but you more than backed it up by picking off maybe the greatest quarterback of all time, Peyon Manning, on football’s biggest stage. One of the biggest INTs in the history of the game. Check it out…

Super Bowl XLIV will be taking place this evening between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints in Miami, Florida. The story dominating headlines leading up to the big game was Dwight Freeney’s ankle. Freeney is expected to play with a torn ligament in his ankle.

Here is the full injury report for Super Bowl XLIV:

Saints:

Questionable: RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle).

Probable: T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (foot), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Randall Gay (illness, foot), CB Jabari Greer (groin), CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (back, ankle), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), S Pierson Prioleau (quadricep), WR Courtney Roby (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), DE Will Smith (groin), T Zach Strief (shoulder), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee).

Colts:

Questionable: DE Dwight Freeney (ankle), CB Jerraud Powers (foot).

Probable: RB Joseph Addai) (shoulder), S Antoine Bethea(notes (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), S Melvin Bullitt (knee), T Ryan Diem (knee), S Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), T Charlie Johnson (foot), G Ryan Lilja (back), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), G Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), T Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip), WR Reggie Wayne (knee).

While the biggest injury concern leading up to Super Bowl XLIV is defensive end Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans Saints appear to be healthy heading in to Sunday’s big game.

New Orleans lists 20 players on the injury report, however, 19 of the players listed are “probable.”

The biggest names on the Saints injury list are defensive end Will Smith, safety Darren Sharper, tight end Jeremy Shockey, and linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Smith and Vilma fully participated in Friday’s practice.

Here is the full New Orleans Saints injury report:

Probable:
CB Randall Gay (foot/illness); CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring); DE Bobby McCray (back/ankle); S Pierson Prioleau (quad); WR Courtney Roby (knee); S Darren Sharper (knee); TE Jeremy Shockey (knee); DE Will Smith (groin); T Zach Strief (shoulder); LB Jonathan Vilma (knee); T Jermon Bushrod (thumb); LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle); TE Darnell Dinkins (foot); G Jahri Evans (foot); LB Scott Fujita (knee); CB Jabari Greer (groin); WR Robert Meachem (ankle); WR Lance Moore (ankle); CB Tracy Porter (knee)

Questionable:

RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle)

Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant has not played a football game since September 9, 2009 against Rice. In that game, Bryant hauled in 9 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. That was his final game before losing his eligibility at Oklahoma State due to an NCAA investigation surrounding his relationship with all-time great corner, Deion Sanders.

Despite not playing in nearly five months, Bryant has kept his spot as the number one ranked wideout heading into the 2010 NFL Draft. He is currently ranked No. 7 overall on the NFL Mocks Big Board.

The 2008 First-team All-American is not short on talent and he lacks no confidence. While speaking with media on Friday, Bryant said, “I’m very similar to Larry Fitzgerald in some ways, as far as catching the ball, tracking the ball, making uncatchable catches catchable.”

With those comments it appears that Bryant has been listening to draft analysts. He often draws comparisons to NFL receivers Terrell Owens and Larry Fitzgerald.

Bryant has the size (6′2, 220) that you look for in a number one wide receiver and he has unbelievable hands. He is a very athletic and strong receiver that is not afraid to go across the middle and go up for the jump balls.

In Bryant’s only full season as a starter at Oklahoma State, he put up eye-popping numbers. His 87 catches, 1,480 yards, and and 19 touchdowns earned him his First-Team All-American honors.

Matt Casey and Rob Hahn of ProFootballTalk.com caught up with Dez Bryant, and here is the video:

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio made an appearance on the Jim Rome Show on ESPN yesterday afternoon. Del Rio had an interesting choice of words when he was asked about his starting quarterback, David Garrard. (You can view the interview here)

Jim Rome asked, “Hey Jack, is David Garrard a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback?”

Del Rio hesitated and then gave him answer — which wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for his starting QB.

“Well that’s a, uh, good question,” said Del Rio. “I think I would say a quarterback like David Garrard can be that with a great supporting cast. You know, I don’t know. When you look at teams that have won multiple championships, I think they’ve had elite quarterbacks

He added, “Peyton Manning type guys, Joe Montana type guys. The elite quarterback? He’s not that. I do think David’s a good football player.

Del Rio was being honest and accurate in saying he did not have a quarterback on the roster, but he should have been a little careful with his comments. You want your players to believe you have confidence in them and Del Rio did not show that in Garrard.

Many rumors and a lot of speculation has pointed to Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow winding up in Jacksonville. Tebow would bring a spark to ticket sales and build up some excitement for the franchise, however, he does not appear to be an “elite” prospect at the position.

Jacksonville will need to look at more options when it comes to finding the teams signal-caller.

The Jaguars went 7-9 in the 2009 season and they hold either the 10th or 11th overall selection — depending on coin toss — in the 2010 draft.