Yeah, yeah, different sport, but no one can deny the event that is the Super Bowl and the effect it has on the sports landscape in the US. That being said, as the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints prepare to do battle in Miami, we'd like to highlight a few places around the SB Nation network and ongoing coverage of Super Bowl XLIV.

The SB Nation front page has running updates from Miami with sideshow attractions and other highlights leading up to the big game.

Canal Street Chronicles is giving you the view from the French Quarter... OK, not the French Quarter as so much the perspective of the New Orlean Saints. Don't forget to check out predictions from Saints faithful.

Of course, if you are a fan of horseshoes, quarterbacks named "Manning"and the storied franchise that is the Colts, heading over to Blue Stampede is a must. Make sure to check out their two-part interview with football guru Peter King.

Of course, there's more coverage of all things NFL on the SBNation NFL hub including coverage of the new Hall of Fame class that includes legends Emmitt Smith, John Randle and Jerry Rice.

Of course, if you'd rather do the Hockey thing... No worries. We'll still be here when this is over. I promise.

One of the bright spots of the 1990's in Tampa Bay sports (while the Buccaneers were mired in sub-mediocrity, while the Lightning were still a new commodity in Tampa Bay (and still an expansion caliber team), before the Devil Rays were awarded to Vince Naimoli...  Before Raymond James Stadium was constructed, before the St. Pete Times Forum (aka Ice Palace) was even conceptualized... 

One bright spot, from long ago, was arena football.  The war-along-the-boards that married the region's love for American football with it's not-used-enough Domed stadium in St. Petersburg (Then: Thunderdome, now: Tropicana Field).  A 50 yard field that gave birth to the legend of QB Jay Gruden among others...

The Tampa Bay Storm.  The Arena Football League. 

News has come out that the AFL - which had suspended operations for the 2009 season -- is done.  I mean, seriously, gone.  Kaput.  Thank you for playing.  Operations are to be ceased indefinately with a Chapter 7th bankruptcy filing expected.

23 years of existence can't quite overcome the lack of a sound business model and lack of a national TV deal.  Flashy ownership such as John Elway and Jon Bon Jovi can't quite overcome the horrid state of the economy.

And so, the team that followed the Lightning from the Dome to Times Palace says adieu.  Tampa Bay and the sporting world has moved on...  but memories (for those who grew up with the Storm) will remain.

We've got a poll up over on Sticks of Fire pertaining to the local football scene in Tampa Bay. Which team will be more formidable in their respective division: The NFL's Buccaneers or the South Florida Bulls in the Big East? Join the discussion, cast your vote.

From the St. Petersburg Times

Some people call Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss a bad boy for his on-field antics. But it was Moss's agent who was arrested on Tuesday night on charges of having crack cocaine in his St. Petersburg hotel room, police said.

Louis Dante DiTrapano and wife Teri were both arrested.

As it gets closer to the two year anniversary of the death of Ex-NFL star Pat Tillman in the mountains of Afghanistan, it would appear the Defense Department is urging a criminal investigation into Tillman's death-by-friendly-fire.

There are certainly a plethora of things that can be brought up about this -- is this ill timed? Is this a stunt or a ploy in order to take focus off the mess in Iraq? Why has it taken 2 years to investigate in full?

Eric at Off Wing has covered Tillman's passing closely since that faithful day in April 2004... I expect updates on his current thread on the subject matter.

I'm going to point to the Ice Block with regards to the fallout of Super Bowl XB (Xtra Botched officiating)...

I'm also going to do something I never do on Boltsmag and point to Penny-Arcade (which is a gaming/tech cartoon strip that I've been reading since 1998) to pay homage to those caught in the crossfire of Seattle's first Super Bowl Berth.

Congratulations go out to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans who have finally returned to glory days of years past.

Also congratulations to the leagues most tenured coach on finally getting to and winning the big game...

Today is an unofficial national holiday here in the United States...

It's the last Sunday that a majority of the male populace in this country can be excused to slip into a cro-magnon state while watching a dual-sided offensive war -- one to score and one to gain control -- with a weird shaped ball. The Europeans call it gridiron, the Spanish speaking populace call it futbol norte Americano... Spouses tend to call it a pain in the ass and consider it the last throes of a disease that their husbands/boyfriends have suffered from since September (or August if said husbands can even get obsessive during pre-season games... and don't even tip me off about training camp).

It's Super Bowl Sunday...

Now covered in marketing (prospective future blockbuster movie previews! Chic marketing campaigns! Entertainment! Overdone pre and post game broadcasts! Odd competing events!) the Super Bowl has come a long way from it's humble beginings as the NFL/AFL Title game. The league is expecting over 1 billion viewers worldwide, ABC is bracing for the FCC, and the fans? Well the fans are about to see only their second Super Bowl in the past five years not to feature the New England Patriots.

Don't even think to order food via delievery for or during the game tomorrow - it'll be hours late.

It's a tradition! It's a holiday! It's god-damned overdone! It's Super Bowl Sunday! The last major milestone between New Years and Spring Training! :-p