MIAMI, Fla. -- For rookie defensive back Tim Jennings and the Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl XLI is strictly a "business trip."

Yet the former Orangeburg-Wilkinson and University of Georgia standout is not oblivious to the best part of holding the NFL's biggest game in South Beach -- favorable weather.

"It's nice down here," Jennings said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "We're down here just getting ready to handle business on Sunday. But it's real nice here with the weather coming from Indiana where it snows.

"I'm not used to all that cold down in Indianapolis, but I'm getting used to it. Now being back in the South, it's home."

So far, Jennings said the Colts have managed not to get sidetracked by the temptations and hoopla associated with the city of Miami and Super Bowl XLI, and the rookie is picking up valuable lessons which will be useful in the future.

"In an environment like this, with all of the distractions, we're doing a good job of not getting caught up in the whole hoopla and all the rah-rah stuff about the Super Bowl. We know it's a game and it's one of the biggest games we'll ever play in. It's the biggest game we'll ever play in. So, I see how the veterans and leaders go out there and handle their business like professionals. Once I get to the point in my career where I'll be a veteran, I'll know how to conduct myself because I've seen guys before me do it."

While trying to maintain focus on the Chicago Bears, Tuesday's Media Day was definitely one of those circus-like festivities associated with the Super Bowl which put the Colts' professionalism to the test. Instead of getting asked about the Chicago Bears or even about the game of football, Jennings was hit with off-beat questions such as his favorite touchdown dance or what celebrity he hopes to meet while in Miami.

"I describe it as a rage," he said. "It's very interesting as you can see with all the questions that they have to ask and where they come up with these questions. It was real interesting to see."

The zaniness of Media Day paled in comparison to the sheer exhilaration Jennings experienced just 11 days earlier at the RCA Dome when the Colts earned its Super Bowl invitation with a 38-34 come-from-behind victory over the New England Patriots. Despite having to watch from the sidelines as the team deactivated him for the third straight playoff game, Jennings called the 18-point comeback one of the "greatest games he's ever been a part of."

He credited the calm and steady leadership of Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy for helping to settle the team down and keep them confident entering the second half.

"He just said we need to score on the opening drive (in the second half)," he said. "We were playing good football. We just couldn't execute the way we wanted to, so we figured if we went out there and scored on this drive and get it rolling, we wouldn't have to really worry about anything. That's what we did. We went out there and scored on the first drive coming out at halftime and we were just rolling from there."

Even after the Colts went ahead on Joseph Addai's touchdown with a minute left, Jennings knew the defense would have to make a play to stop another comeback drive orchestrated by Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady. Jennings and the Colts would get their wish as Brady was intercepted by right cornerback Marlin Jackson to seal the victory.

"We were just like 'They've got plenty of time,'" he said. "So, just keep doing what we're doing and (have Brady) make a mistake and that's just what he did. So, we know what he's capable of doing and so we wanted to go out there and play it like 'Tom Brady is capable of making it happen, so we just can't allow that to happen.' So we went out there and made a stop."

Ironically, Jennings could have conceivably been the Colts' "Johnny on the Spot" on the game-clinching play if he was activated since he's listed on the depth chart behind Jackson. He's still holding out hope for dressing Sunday, given the still uncertain status of left cornerback Nick Harper who injured his ankle in the AFC Championship Game, and fulfilling his Super Bowl moment.

"My dream scenario is going out there and running on the field," Jennings said. "Regardless if its the kickoff, it's the punt, if it's a defensive snap, anything. When I first go out there and run on the field, that's just my dream scenario. Just to be able to play in the Super Bowl, that would be my dream right there."

Just the opportunity of running onto the field, even on special teams, would be a dream come true for Jennings.

The same is true about possibly becoming the first former O-W football player to win a Super Bowl ring. The last O-W graduate to play in the Super Bowl was Dwayne Harper in 1995 with the San Diego Chargers.

"It would say a lot, but it all starts with the blessing that God has given me," Jennings said. "My whole story goes from not even getting a big Division I school (scholarship offer) and then going to (the University of) Georgia, everything happens for a reason. God has blessed me and put me in another situation to be on this team.

"Everything happens for a reason, so I can't complain. I'm just going to be happy and bring the Super Bowl home."

T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories online at TheT&D.com.

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