NFL makes sure game is super secure

NEW ORLEANS -- At this year's Super Bowl, even the high rollers will be walking.

So much in America has changed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, and America's biggest sporting event is no exception.

Security is priority No. 1 in New Orleans this week. It means the limousines that normally overtake a Super Bowl city, shuttling the hordes of big names and big spenders who infiltrate each year, will be parked on Super Sunday. That includes the guy who's throwing the party.

"No one drives up to the game," said NFL vice president Jim Steeg. "Paul Tagliabue is walking. If the commissioner is walking, everybody's walking."

That's just one example of the extra measures being taken to protect the 65,000 fans who will fill the Superdome for Sunday's game between New England and St. Louis, and the thousands more who will be in New Orleans to celebrate.

The Super Bowl has been designated a National Special Security Event, with none other than the Secret Service overseeing the operation.

Remember no-fly zones in Iraq? They now have one near the Superdome, duplicating the measures taken at the World Series, and at a number of sporting events in the direct aftermath of Sept. 11.

And if fans thought the searches were inconvenient at those games, or the airport in the post-9-11 world, just wait 'til they get to the Super Bowl.

NFL security director Milt Ahlerich is suggesting fans get to the stadium several hours early. Fans, vendors, media and VIPs will all be subject to thorough searches that could include X-ray machines, metal detectors and pat-downs.

Workers began erecting the eight-foot-high fences and concrete barricades to form a barrier around the Superdome weeks ago. As a result, the closest some cars can get to the Superdome is about two blocks, and many fans will have a longer walk.

"This will be a secure event, a safe event," said Ahlerich, an ex-FBI agent. "Everything is being taken into consideration."

A task force of state, local and federal officials has been working on the security plan for months, but part of the goal is to make the games look "normal."

"We don't want security to be the focus of the game," said Jim Mackin of the Secret Service, which will oversee security. "The ordinary fan may see an increase of security around the game, but the majority of what we do won't be seen by fans."

Governors trash talk

ST. LOUIS -- Less than 24 hours after their home-state teams advanced to the Super Bowl, chief executives of Missouri and Massachusetts engaged Monday in what has become a gubernatorial tradition -- a little good-natured trash talking.

Acting Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift kicked off the round, warning St. Louis that her state's New England Patriots shouldn't be overlooked by the Rams, already 14 1/2-point favorites for Sunday's title game in New Orleans.

"Being an underdog has suited the Patriots just fine this year," Swift told a gathering of hundreds for a hastily scheduled rally near the Statehouse steps in Boston. "The Rams are going to find out very soon that these underdogs have a very painful bite."

At least for a second, Missouri Gov. Bob Holden took the high road, calling the Republican Swift an acquaintance and "very nice lady."

"We'll let the players on the field do the talking," Holden said while visiting St. Louis, ultimately unable to resist throwing a little smack.

"The Rams are gonna win," he said, grinning.

Aides said Holden might offer up as a friendly wager with Swift.