'Bears weather' not necessarily an advantage

MIAMI -- When Gloria Estefan welcomed the Super Bowl crowd at Dolphin Stadium to ''sunny'' South Florida on Sunday, she either was being sarcastic or optimistic.

Super Bowl XLI was the first to be played in rain as showers fell throughout the game. It also was unseasonably cool with temperatures in the upper 60s and a fairly stiff breeze that made it seem cooler.

''The last game, we played in snow, sleet, rain,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said before the game. ''That's Chicago Bears weather.''

Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy had said the weather would have an impact on strategy, including whether he would kick to Devin Hester or away from the Bears' speedy returner. Dungy elected to kick to Hester to start the game, and the Pro Bowl rookie returned it 92 yards for a score.

The Colts coach later elected to squib-kick short of Hester.

The weather no doubt was a major factor in a first half that featured six turnovers -- including a Super Bowl-record four in the first quarter -- a botched extra point and a missed 36-yard field goal by usually reliable Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri. The teams combined for five first-half fumbles, all of which were lost.

The Colts botched the conversion attempt after their first touchdown when holder Hunter Smith bobbled the snap.

The Bears' offense spun its wheels, managing only three first downs with three turnovers and four punts.

The rain continued to fall steadily in the third quarter. Bears quarterback Rex Grossman struggled with the sloppy conditions, losing his footing on consecutive plays.

Dolphin Stadium's field features a drainage system under the turf that can process up to 3 inches of rain an hour. The rain never seemed too heavy.

rmodrowski@suntimes.com