Amid Super Bowl kudos, Indy cleans up, looks ahead

By Jim Suhr and Carrie Schedler Associated Press Writers

INDIANAPOLIS | Bleary-eyed and jubilant, Super Bowl organizers swung into cleanup mode Monday and hoped the rave reviews from fans and journalists over how Indianapolis pulled off its first Super Bowl will draw the NFL's showcase event back to town.

Poised Giants hang on to nip Patriots, 21-17

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | On the surface, Sunday's Super Bowl had more layers to peel away than a Bermuda onion.

Super Bowl XLVI proved colorful but costly as well

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | Hungry? Sunday's Super Bowl had something for every fan with a fat wallet and big appetite for entertainment.

Photos from Super Bowl XLVI

Valpo natives get a 'super' break to see Super Bowl XLVI

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | According to SeatGeek, the average Super Bowl XLVI ticket, as of Saturday evening, cost $2,262.

Giants prevail over Patriots with depth and playmakers

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | The Bears have Jay Cutler and Matt Forte to scare defenses. Sorry, that's it.

M.I.A.'s finger, foulmouth mar Madonna's halftime

DAVID BAUDER AP Entertainment Writer

Madonna positioned herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars at the Super Bowl halftime show — complete with throne — but didn't have complete control of her show.

No more Naptown: Super Bowl boosts Indy's image

TOM COYNE Associated Press

Indianapolis was once called Naptown and India-No-Place for a reason.

Does a Patriots victory 'bear' bad news for the market?

By Simone Del Rosario Medill News Service

Las Vegas odds makers are expecting a win by the New England Patriots in today's Super Bowl game, but people on Wall Street may be better off rooting for the Giants – and it's not because they're in New York.

Tweets from Super Bowl week

Members of the Giants and Patriots let fans know their thoughts throughout the season, and particularly this week, via their Twitter accounts. Here's what some of them said lately:

For love and the game

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com; (219)933-3367

INDIANAPOLIS | Candlestick Park was a wet, muddy mess when Zak DeOssie snapped the football to Steve Weatherford for a game-winning, Super Bowl bid-clinching, 31-yard field goal in overtime. The ball slipped low to the ground, and securing it…

Giants won't be able to get to Brady

By Matt Erickson Times Correspondent

LAS VEGAS | The New England Patriots are 3-point favorites today against the New York Giants, and some have wondered why it's not more.

Region kids show their stuff at Pop Warner clinic

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | They say today's kids are spoiled and enabled. That nothing excites them unless it has a keypad or joy stick.

Highland grad Jen Miller enjoying the wild Super Bowl ride

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | Let's file this one under "Local Girl Makes Good."

Area National Guard reservists keeping Super Bowl XLVI fans safe

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | Hobart's Homer Farley and Munster's Paul Sabol aren't guys you'd want to mess with.

Martin, 4 linemen make Hall of Fame

BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | Curtis Martin has gone from the mean streets of Pittsburgh to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

One more resume notch for Brady, Patriots

By Matt Erickson Times Correspondent

LAS VEGAS | Tom Brady could make some more NFL history today.

Valpo High grad feeding hungry football fans at Super Bowl XLVI

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | That Tacos Without Borders food truck on Monument Circle has become a watering hole at the oasis, with hungry visitors diving in.

Super Bowl 'Experience' scores big with region fans

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | No tickets for Super Bowl XLVI? No need to worry for a group of fun-loving region fans.

Give props to Sunday's most interesting wagers

By Matt Erickson Times Correspondent

LAS VEGAS | Chances are good if you're reading this that you've got some kind of financial interest in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday. It's OK - we won't blow the whistle on you.

Irsay insists, again, that he and Manning are fine

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | For the second straight week, Colts owner Jim Irsay is trying to put an end to a public spat between him and Peyton Manning.

U. of Indianapolis, Bartolomeo, 'bubbling' with pride

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | Bob Bartolomeo couldn't get better publicity for his football program or his school if he rented a blimp to fly over Lucas Oil Stadium before Sunday's Super Bowl.

Highland's Grigson going 100 mph as Colts' new GM

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

INDIANAPOLIS | Ryan Grigson looked physically spent, like back in those days as a Purdue lineman coming off the field after a tough series.

Hoosier, Illini players bond on Giants O-line

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com (219) 933-3367

INDIANAPOLIS | James Brewer painstakingly decorated the New York Giants' offensive line room for Christmas, carefully crafting holiday décor and even building a faux fireplace to adorn one wall.

Ninkovich's long journey has stop in Super Bowl

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com; (219) 933-3367

Rob Ninkovich remembers well the day New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told him his only hope at an NFL career was to become a long snapper.

Super Bowl abounds with unsung heroes

By Barry Wilner AP Pro Football Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | For every Drew Brees and Ray Lewis, there is a David Tyree or Larry Brown. Not only do superstars win Super Bowls, super nobodies are heroes, too.

Region-born Weatherford gives back to downstate hometown

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com; (219) 933-3367

INDIANAPOLIS | Steve Weatherford, like every member of the Giants, has been busy this Super Bowl week. Between press conferences, practices and team meetings, there's hardly time to grab lunch with teammates or step outside the team hotel.

Pats DE Ellis ends tumultuous year in Super Bowl

By Howard Ulman AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | The call came in the early morning hours, jarring Shaun Ellis from a deep sleep. Two buddies were on the line with some news that would shake the veteran defensive end even more.

Vinatieri kicking at Super Bowl, across the street

By Joe Kay AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | Adam Vinatieri lined up a Super Bowl kick and let it fly, straight through the yellow uprights. Several dozen fans surrounding the netted area applauded and cheered.

Chicago native talks about life on the practice squad

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com (219) 933-3367

It's Super Bowl Media Day, and Britt Davis stands on the sidelines at Lucas Oil Stadium — the same place he'll be for Sunday's game. Davis has spent the season as a wide receiver for the Patriots, but as a member of the practice squad he has …

A Super opportunity for young scribes

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com; (219) 933-3367

INDIANAPOLIS | Sam Beishuizen walked out of Lucas Oil Stadium on Tuesday afternoon with a white towel slung over his shoulder.

Super Bowl Media Day: Gridiron warriors the ringmasters of Indy

From 'Touchdown Jesus' to the Super Bowl: ND grad feels the excitement

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com; (219) 933-3367

Not long ago, Sergio Brown was tackling opponents on Saturdays at Notre Dame Stadium. Although he started as a senior and had 50 tackles, he went undrafted when his college career ended in 2010.

Fans welcomed into the fold for Super Bowl Media Day

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com, (219) 933-3367

INDIANAPOLIS | Mike Copper has followed football since his days growing up in Valparaiso. He played basketball and later coached it, but remained a steadfast Colts fan.

Super Bowl Media Day serves entertainment, with a side of sports

By Courtney Linehan courtney.linehan@nwi.com; (219) 933-3367

INDIANAPOLIS | It would be one hour before the first Patriot stepped onto Lucas Oil Stadium turf, yet rows of cameras already had lined the podium where Tom Brady was scheduled to speak at Super Bowl Media Day.

2011-12 Giants owe much to Gary native and veteran scout Jerry Shay

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

Jerry Shay has given his body and soul to pro football without a whimper.

Kraft 'shuddered' when Brady belted on TD plunge

By Howard Ulman AP Sports Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Patriots owner Robert Kraft "shuddered" when he saw Tom Brady take a crunching hit on a 1-yard touchdown plunge. He even wondered if Brady's back was broken.