Associated Press

The Super Bowl notebook …

MIAMI — Pete Metzelaars never played in a Super Bowl in Miami, but he’s been almost everywhere else the big game has been held. And lost them all.

But Metzelaars, a 16-year NFL tight end who is in his third season as the Colts’ offensive quality control assistant, still takes great pride in the four straight Super Bowls he went to with the Bills from 1991-94.

Since the Bills’ last loss, there have been 12 Super Bowl losers. Only the Steelers and Patriots, losers in Super Bowl XXX and XXXI, have been back.

“There’s such a buildup to the game, and such a disappointment when you lose,” Metzelaars said. “It’s hard to get it back. Each time we lost, we wanted to prove to everyone that we could win it the next year.”

ROOTING FOR PEYTON

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer was acting like a regular fan when he watched Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

Fulmer recruited and coached the star quarterback and is now one of his biggest fans, like many Volunteer faithful who still follow Manning.

“I don’t get excited too often about other people’s games, but for that championship game against the Patriots, I was excited for him — off the couch and going at it pretty good,” Fulmer said Wednesday.

He plans to go to the Super Bowl on Sunday with his offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and their wives. The Colts face the Chicago Bears, who are coached by former Tennessee assistant Lovie Smith.

ROOTING FOR BOTH

Asked for whom he is rooting on Sunday, Saints Coach Sean Payton took a diplomatic tact.

“I’m rooting for a good game,” he said, smiling, after accepting the Motorola Coach of the Year Award. “Unless you are a die-hard Bears fan or a die-hard Colts fan, you’re probably hoping that the game comes down to a last-second field goal.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas made the rounds at the media center Wednesday and spoke on a number of comments ranging from former Coach Nick Saban (“His exit wasn’t very good, he didn’t face the team or face the players, but it was a business move”) to the possible return of running back Ricky Williams (“He’d be received with open arms”) to having the Colts use the Dolphins facility to prepare for Super Bowl XLI (“It’s kind of a slap in the face”).