The Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots came home Monday, nearly twenty-four hours after winning the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in three years. Fans gathered outside Gillette Stadium to greet the team as they arrived in from Logan Airport on team buses. Matt Light walked through the crowds soon after arriving in a Super Bowl XXXVIII hotel robe and the Lombardi Trophy. "Look at all the people here, and I understand they've been waiting for hours," Light said. "We won the championship for them."

Rodney Harrison was stunned by the turnout. "I didn't expect this many people here at the stadium. It shows that we have the greatest fans in football. They supported us in all kinds of weather." Harrison had surgery Tuesday on the broken arm he suffered in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.

On Tuesday the team was honored with a parade through Boston and rally at City Hall Plaza. An estimated 1.5 million fans turned out to see the champions ride the streets of Boston in the Duck Boats. Two years ago the crowd was estimated at 1.2 million. For Pro Bowler Willie McGinest, he wasn't about to miss the celebration.

"This is going to be my first time to the rally," McGinest said, who chose to stay in New Orleans with friends and family after Super Bowl XXXVI. "I missed out the last Super Bowl, so I'm going to enjoy it now. It's incredible, man. It's cold out here, but these people are out here supporting us and they've been doing it all year."

Tom Brady, fresh back from his parade at Disney World, announced, "We're back!" to the raucous crowd. Over the radio broadcast, the crowd sounded like an old Roman movie with the crowds cheering the new king. "One was nice, two's a lot nicer, but I need number three," he said. Adam Vinatieri agreed.

"I've got two of these," he said pointing to his Super Bowl XXXVI ring, "and the last time I checked I had a plenty more fingers to wear them. Let's do it again!"

The show ended again with a Bill Belichick Strut and Bob Kraft Groove before the champions exited the stage. Ted Johnson told the crowd that winning championships doesn't get old.

No, it doesn't at all.

What was the NFL thinking about when they planned this year's Super Bowl Halftime show? Or, what do they think about when they plan any of these Halftime shows?

First off, why would you have MTV produce the show? I've got lots of questions so far, but come on and think about it. Just look at the MTV events every year - the Video Music Award and Movie Awards, both of which air on TV a good three or four days after the event. Hell, the newspapers have already announced the winners and highpoints - or low points and the story is well buried before the airing. You think MTV does this just because they can't figure out how to air a show live? No way! Of all the garbage that goes on, like swearing, groping, nudity, and God knows what else, it takes a lot of time to edit those shows.

So let's go back to the Super Bowl. MTV (by no coincidence is owned by Viacom, just like CBS) is assigned producing duties. They bring in Janet Jackson, who these days, is better known as the sister of the most famous accused child molester in history, not a great pop star. In fact, when was the last time she had a hit? I'll give you a hint: one of the songs she lip-synced during the Halftime show was "Rhythm Nation," a mediocre hit when the Berlin Wall was still standing.

But it got better - or worse. MTV also planned to have Kid Rock, an entertaining guy of sorts, but not for a worldwide audience. And to top it all off, the Special Guest turned out to be Justin Timberlake, Jackson's rumored beau (and 15 years her junior). The two are so wild about the show, they lip-synced their way to a climatic ending where Timberlake torn off Jackson's costume to reveal her breast with a pierced nipple.

Of course everyone is upset. The NFL is upset at CBS, who is upset at MTV, who is upset at Timberlake and Jackson, who are apologetic, but blamed the incident on a costume malfunction.

Now here's another question: Why would any one - the NFL, CBS, or MTV plan such an incident like this for a worldwide audience, giving that kids would be awake to watch it (and probably it would be the only thing they would watch during the Super Bowl)?

Now here's the kicker: Super Bowl Sunday marked the first anniversary of the Columbia disaster - and they were in Houston! The league had a whole year to plan the Super Bowl. They knew everything about the event except for the teams. They knew the date, time, logo, location, everything. Why didn't they plan a similar event like they had at Super Bowl XXXVI, where there was a 9/11 tribute and U2, who had a hit record out at the time, was the only act, and one who is recognized worldwide. Why not have a tribute to space and the shuttle program, show kids that it is ok to honor fallen heroes. I think people would have gotten more out of a tribute, than a lousy halftime show that peaked when the world got a peek at Janet's boob.

Poor planning and selfish performers are to blame for Nipplegate. Maybe the league will finally learn their lesson and plan with some commonsense and simple intelligent thinking in the future.

The Patriots declined the option on Antowain Smith for the 2004 season. Smith will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“In his three seasons with the Patriots, Antowain played a significant role in our team's overall success,” said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. “He is a true professional. On behalf of the entire organization, we wish him continued success in the future.”

The two sides negotiated over the weekend, but could not agree on a 2004 salary.

Patriots Quarterbacks Coach John Hufnagal accepted the offensive coordinator position with the Giants. Coach Belichick says he has no plans to fill the open position...Dan Marino is now the former senior vice president of football operations for the Dolphins. He resigned this week stating "that it would not be in the best interests of either my family or the Dolphins to assume the role as the team's senior vice president of football operations."...Jon Gruden signed a two-year extension with the Bucs...Jim Fassell joined the Ravens coaching staff as a senior consultant...The critically acclaimed, but football panned Playmakers on ESPN has been cancelled...The NFC beat the AFC in the Pro Bowl 55-52.

1. The Parade to honor the World Champion New England Patriots.

2. And the 1.5 million fans who greeted them.

3. It is too bad that the uproar of the Halftime show has clouded everything else in the news this week.

4. There were only three Patriots at the Pro Bowl: Ty Law, Richard Seymour, and Willie McGinest. Congrats to our guys.

5. Priest Holmes did an interview this week with his hat on backwards. Stitched on the adjustable strap was "PATRIOTS."

6. Anyone catch that Pro Bowl game? The AFC was up 14-0 before five minutes in the game had expired.

7. Bill Belichick appeared on David Letterman Wednesday. We've come a long way in New England.

8. Just about two months until the draft.

9. Just about five months until training camp.

10. Thanks to all my readers this season. I am going to take a short break with the column to recharge the batteries and work on other projects. Talk to you all soon!

ejh