I spent about 15 minutes with CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz yesterday at the network's compound at the Super Bowl Media Center. I have had numerous dealings with Nantz throught the years and have found him to be as pleasant as he comes across on television. Nantz, who will be working his 5th Super Bowl broadcast on Sunday, has little anxiety when it comes to calling a game that will be seen by the largest television audience in American tv history. "I always envision that when I'm doing a game, it's being watched at a party or group setting, they're not listening to us." Though Nantz knows that certainly isn't the case, but it's a good way to calm the nerves before Sunday's kickoff.
CBS will use over 60 Hi-Def cameras for Sunday's telecast, it's a massive technical undertaking for any tv network carrying the Super Bowl. In the end though, what matters is what happens on the field between the two teams. "A lot of the time, the key is to let the pictures speak for themselves," says Nantz. " To be honest with you, for the Super Bowl, I kind of dial it back. The people watching are not watching to hear me, they're watching, to watch the game."
My favorite day of Super Bowl week is Friday. Both head coaches hold their final news conference. They pose with the Vince Lombardi trophy, both helmets are showcased with the trophy, just a cool setting. And late Friday morning, Commissioner Roger Goodell holds his "State of the League" address, which is covered by more media than what the President would draw from his State of the Union address.
