I hate Derrick Brooks. I hate Dwight Smith. I hate Rich Gannon. One week ago, I sat in front of my computer and offered up an imaginary score based on what I felt were compelling reasons why Tampa Bay would dominate Oakland (I predicted a 31-20 Buc victory). For nearly 57 minutes, I felt as close to a football expert than I could ever have foreseen.I believed whole-heartedly, that the Raiders would move the ball upand down the field four times, but inevitably squander a number of legitimate scoring chances; a pathetic running attack was the prime culprit. I also counted on Brad Johnson throwing for two, possibly three touchdowns, and the Tampa defense picking up one of their own because, well because they have dominated that side of the ball all year.

What I failed to predict was that the league's Most Valuable Player (an award voted on by his football peers) would choke worse than that farmer in the Dodge commercial from Sunday night. That is the single worst quarterbacking job I can remember in a Super Bowl. And, after conferring with the elder Ashin's, we have all come to that same conclusion.

So, what else about Super Bowl XXXVII was so fascinating? For one, Michael Pittman. Though his team was running the ball on nearly every down once the score got out of hand, he put up one of the more impressive running performances in Super Bowl history. The strangest aspect of Pittman's night was that he really had just one run that sticks out in the viewer's mind, and it was for 24 yards. There was no Timmy Smith-like scamper for 40 or more. He just kept sprinting outside tackle for four, five and six yards at a time.

And, how about that John Lynch "Mic'd Up" segment that ABC enjoyed airing throughout this season's Monday Night Football broadcasts and on Super Bowl Sunday? Lynch offered a startling comment when he mentioned to his fellow defensive teammates that they "practiced against all (Oakland's) plays before." Maybe the game MVP should have been handed over to the Tampa coaching staff. Jon Gruden made the difference with a relatively young and immensely talented defense. He shared the secrets of his old Raider playbook. Apparently current Oakland coach Bill Callahan isn't so creative with that offense.

And, while we are on the subject of Gruden, I believe that he deserves a large round of applause for publically thanking former coach Tony Dungy for installing the major components of a team he rode to an NFL title. If only Bill Belichick could have summoned that same degree of class when he took over Pete Carroll's Patriots.

This may be a sports column, but the Super Bowl is all about commercials. My favorite had to be the Budweiser commercial featuring the zebras. Anytime you can include foul language as a double-entendre and get away with it you've got an instant classic on your hands. Kudos to Reebok as well for having a funny commercial for the first time in recent memory. Nike has been running them all over the floor like Michael Jordan's Bulls used to the Cleveland Cavs. One problem, though. What does a Lawernce Taylor-like office enforcer have to do with crappy shoes and poor athletic wear? I hope that Nike's Jordan commercial is played out a little more. I would pay 10 dollars to see a computer-generated Carolina Jordan versus a Bulls Jordan and Wizards Jordan any day. Worst commercial definitely goes to Levi's for their Buffalo stampede. I wouldn't even give them an A for effort. They may have hit a home run last year with that crazylegs street dancer, but they struck out this time around.

I want to close out the football season with a few comments for next year. Sorry New York Jets fans, but defenses are bound to solve the Chad Pennington problem much like they did the Tom Brady phenomenon. I think Marvin Lewis is crazy for taking the Bengals job. Their defense has never been the issue: its their front office and offense. Next year's "jump" team will reside in San Diego, where the Chargers have all the pieces, but just need more time to put it together. Congratulations to all Tampa Bay fans, but the joy ride will not continue on until next January. Just ask your friendly fans from the north.