MIAMI -- I was in the middle of interviewing Colts reserve linebacker Rocky Boiman on Wednesday when the following thought occurred to me:
Why am I interviewing Rocky Boiman?
In case you've never covered a Super Bowl for a major conglomerate, most of the interview sessions are at team hotels, which are typically located at least 65 miles from where you're staying.
At least one of the teams usually ends up in a Marriott property, in part, because it's hard for owners to turn down all those points.
In an effort to make us feel more like human beings, the NFL allows us to sit down to breakfast with players and coaches.
The only thing missing is the food.
But let's get back to why I led with Rocky Boiman.
It turns out that he is a member of perhaps the worst coverage units to appear in a Super Bowl.
The Colts finished the regular season ranked last in the league at covering punts, but were able to salvage some pride by finishing 30th in kickoff coverage.
And now you know why Colts coach Tony Dungy instructed Adam Vinatieri to squib the kick after his team took a 38-34 lead with a minute left in the AFC Championship Game against New England.
It seemed like the logical thing to do -- especially since Ellis Hobbs had ripped off an 80-yard return earlier in the game.
Some of you might know by now that Dungy credited Vinatieri for talking him into kicking it deep, but Boiman's influence was swept under the rug.
When Boiman heard his special teams coach give the order to squib it, he made a beeline for Dungy.
"[Expletive] that," Boiman shouted at Dungy, who isn't accustomed to making eye contact with reserve linebackers. "Let us cover these [expletive]."
(Feel free to e-mail me if you're interested in the uncensored version.)
Dungy changed his mind, and the Colts were able to stop the Patriots at their 22-yard line.
Boiman, who signed with the Colts after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys before the season, called it "one of the best moments of my career."
On Sunday, Boiman and the rest of the Colts' coverage units will be on full alert when they face the most dangerous return man in football, Devin Hester.
Hester had an NFL-record six touchdown returns, including a 108-yard missed field goal return Nov. 12 that Vinatieri was still talking about this week.
Vinatieri and punter Hunter Smith have said they won't change their approach Sunday. That means the Colts' new-look coverage units must find a way to contain Hester.
After the regular season, Dungy inserted defensive starters Robert Mathis, Rob Morris and Marlin Jackson to try to address the problems. The move paid off immediately on kickoff coverage, with the Colts shaving almost six yards off their regular-season average during the first two playoff games.
"I can honestly tell you that if I have to run down on kickoffs and cover punts to me that's huge," Morris said Wednesday. "Tell me that special teams is not going to have a huge impact on this game. If you say that it doesn't, I'll call you crazy."
The good news for the Colts is that Hester appears to be in a bit of a slump. Partly due to the fact teams are consistently kicking away from him, Hester has seen his kickoff return average drop from 26.4 in the regular season to 15.3 in the postseason, and his punt return average from 12.8 to 5.8.
He hasn't had a touchdown return since Dec. 11, although he had two on that day.
"Guys just stay with their blocks a little longer when they have someone like him back there," Boiman said. "And that's why we have to win all our individual battles."
On Tuesday following the Colts' AFC title game win over New England, Boiman walked up to Dungy and said, "Aren't you glad you listened to me?"
Dungy just smiled, and probably wondered why Boiman continues to offer so much feedback.
Matt Mosley is an NFL writer for ESPN.com. He may be reached at matt.mosley@sbcglobal.net