It's about time to end the talking
Smith, Dungy enjoy final sharing of center stage
"It's a team sport, but most games come down to the players," Smith said. "We as coaches try to put them in the best position. We'll do that, and then the players will take over.
"I'm going to have a great seat, just like you will, and we'll go from there."
The first two black coaches to reach the Super Bowl became the first two opposing Super Bowl coaches to pose with the Lombardi Trophy. The historic moment was lost on Smith.
"This is my first time here, so I didn't realize that this was a first time that two opposing coaches have taken a picture with the Lombardi Trophy," he said. "This is a different week. Of course we have two black head coaches leading our teams.
"We're doing things a bit differently. I think you can respect an opponent and have a relationship with them before and after the football game. So that's how we're doing it. Again, this is the only way I know."
Dungy savored the moment.
"That was a very proud moment for me, awesome moment," he said after the photo was taken. "Not only because of what that symbolized for African-American people, for African-American coaches, for the country in general, but more than that, because of who I was standing with and the type of person I know Lovie is and the way he runs his team."
The feel-good atmosphere allowed no room for a discussion of Rex Grossman's indictment of the media the previous night.
Grossman said the media was ignorant, referring to a lack of knowledge about the Bears' offense.
"On a personal level, I'm pulling for [Grossman]," Smith said. "Rex has to play a certain way to win.
"He's answered quite a few questions along that, as far as criticism and things like that. We've kind of hit that too many times this week. I just want Rex being a quarterback and am excited for him to play on Sunday."
Smith said the Bears will try to keep to their normal routine today.
"A typical Saturday for us will have early-morning meetings. Then we'll get a chance to have a walk-through at Dolphin Stadium," he said. "The players will have a little bit of time off, and then we'll come together. Saturday night before the game is our big meeting night, where we come together as a group, watch a highlight tape of our previous win and just set some goals, go back over some of our goals and some things we want to get accomplished the next day.
"Sunday . . . a few meetings, chapel, pregame meetings, and then it's game time."
There's a chance of rain Sunday, and Dungy said conditions could affect his strategy, especially in regard to kicking to Devin Hester. The Colts' kick-coverage team has struggled.
"Everything dictates strategy," Dungy said. "There may be a time when you do kick away from him.
"But for the most part, what we've gone into is we are going to kick to him. He's going to field it. If he's eight yards deep, he's still going to bring it out. We've got to be ready to cover everyone."
Dungy said he's not likely to talk to Smith again until after their teams meet.
"I doubt we'll have that opportunity from here on out," he said. "As he mentioned, you try to keep your normal routine. We've spent enough time together, and we're really both looking forward to Sunday at this point."