From the AP :

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter minded his manners and said nothing derogatory about the Seahawks during his first two days at the Super Bowl. That changed Wednesday after Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens effectively guaranteed a victory.

Porter (above) said Stevens’ remarks were all he needed to get him going for the Super Bowl.

“I’ve been asleep all week but now I got woke up,” Porter said Wednesday. “I’ve got my first taste of blood and now I’m thirsty for more. Until now, it was ‘Watch what I say,’ `I can’t say this,’ `I can’t say that,’ `Don’t do anything silly,’ but I’m ready now.

“You look for the guys that say something that aren’t supposed to say nothing, and I feel like he definitely was out of pocket to say what he said,” Porter said. “I’m going to make sure he owns up to those words.”

Porter was agitated about Stevens’ comments Tuesday regarding Steelers star Jerome Bettis’ much-publicized return to his hometown of Detroit to try to win a Super Bowl in what likely is his final season.

“It’s a heartwarming story and all that, but it will be a sad day when he leaves without that trophy,” said Stevens, who said later he wasn’t guaranteeing a victory but was only saying what he felt.”

I wasn’t really looking forward to this game but I’m already wishing I could push a fast-forward button to Sunday evening. Is there any week of the year more cluttered with non-stories, generic quotes and predictable responses than the build-up to the Super Bowl? How great would it have been for Stevens to have said something like “win or lose, we’re just happy to be here” or “you’ve got to tip your hat to those Pittsburgh Steelers. I just hope we don’t embarrass ourselves.”

Patrick Ewing was just on the phone : he guarantees that the Rockets will beat the Knicks on Sunday.