Events leading up to Super Bowl XXVIII Feb. 1 in Houston:

Today: The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers arrive in Houston. Their arrival not only kicks off Super Bowl week, but a year that will also see Houston play host to baseball's All-Star Game in July and tennis' Masters Cup in November. And let's not forget the homecoming of Roger Clemens.

Tomorrow: In keeping with the week's theme, HBO premieres "The Wild Ride to Super Bowl I" at 10 p.m. Did you know they had to re-do the second-half kickoff because one of the two covering networks wasn't ready?

Tuesday: Media Day at Reliant Stadium a k a Reporters ask the darndest things.

Wednesday: First scheduled day of practices for the Patriots and Panthers.

Friday: Commissioner Paul Tagliabue presents his "State of the NFL" address. Since George Bush used Tom Brady as a prop, will the commissioner call on, oh, Dick Cheney? ... The Walter Payton NFL man of the year will be announced.

Saturday: The 2004 hall of fame class is announced. For the first time since seemingly the days of Bill Nelsen, there are no Steelers among this year's list of finalists. ... There will be hours and hours of highlights from past Super Bowls throughout the week. CBS offers an hour-long look at the best Super Bowl commercials (9 p.m.)

Sunday: After three hours of pre-pre-game hype, CBS gets serious with four hours of actual pre-game analysis, chit and chat (2 p.m.). ... Finally, the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers kick off at 6:25 p.m. from Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Patriots are favored by 6 1/2.

Chit-chat, ka-ching

So you think those couple minutes you spent at work this week setting up the office pool didn't hurt anybody? Think again. Super Bowl chatter is expected to run $821.4 million worth of interference at U.S. companies. Employees who huddle in groups or around watercoolers to discuss the big game are costing their employers $2.59 every 10 minutes thanks to lost productivity, according to a report from employment firm Challenger Gray & Christmas.

A bad sign?

After the Patriots won the Super Bowl two years ago, an avid Patriots fan and horse owner named a colt in honor of the New England coach -- Belichick. After finishing fifth twice and third twice in his first four races, there was reason for some optimism as he went into a $34,000 allowance for 4-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Thursday. Instead, Belichick finished third -- beaten by two longshots. Bulletin board material for the Panthers?

What's in a name?

The significance of Brentson Buckner's last name around New England isn't lost on the former Steeler. He wouldn't mind perpetuating the curse begun by former Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, who booted away the 1986 World Series for the Red Sox. "I'd like to be the one to score the winning touchdown or block down the pass at the end of the game ... so the Curse of the Buckner would live," Buckner said.