It is the Super Bowl and it comes with pomp and circumstance unlike anything else in American sports, and so the issues on the periphery can feel bigger, at times, than the game itself. And with the Patriots and Giants now five days away from the game, it is no surprise that the volume is amplifying on such pressing issues as:

– The absence of Chad Ochocinco from a podium on Media Day.

– The fact that Bill Belichick will not wear the infamous red hoodie that he sported in Super Bowl XLII.

– On Sunday, Tom Brady addressed Patriots fans at Gillette Stadium, saying, “Hopefully, we’ll have a lot more people at our party next weekend.” That is being treated by New York tabloids as the second coming of Joe Namath‘s Super Bowl guarantee of victory. More on that here.

– Gronk is now a cultural phenomenon, as evidenced by the fact that he’s now a subject of a hip-hop track on which Timbaland served as the executive producer. Gronk’s response (via twitter): “Wowsers this is crazyyy!”

With media day on the horizon, such matters are the mere tip of the proverbial iceberg. Here is a roundup of coverage on WEEI.com that may (or may not) have greater bearing on the outcome of Super Bowl XLVI:

– The Patriots practiced in full pads. Rob Gronkowski didn’t. Chris Price examines that development as well as a number of other matters — including the possibility that there could be a position up for grabs at right tackle — in wading through the muck and identifying what we learned (that matters) on Monday.

– The legacy of Super Bowl XLII is unavoidable given that the Patriots and Giants are once again facing each other four years after their epic championship tilt. Kirk Minihane writes that if the Patriots win on Sunday, it will represent the death of Spygate.

Patrick Chung, who was in college during Super Bowl XLII, had no interest in discussing David Tyree‘s catch against Rodney Harrison. Chung also had no interest in addressing Harrison’s comments that the Patriots secondary is awful.

– Vince Wilfork explained on The Big Show that he thought the Patriots had the potential to forge a championship-caliber team and defense as early as training camp.

– Deion Branch discussed his gratitude at being back with New England and in the Super Bowl on Mut & Merloni.

– Boomer Esiason, on the Dennis & Callahan show, said that it was “shocking” to see that the Patriots are favored for the Super Bowl.

– Former Patriots special teamer Ray Ventrone is thrilled to see his brother, Ross Ventrone, in a familiar position.

– Bill Belichick said that it was former Giants coach Ray Perkins who taught him how to conduct tough practices.

– The round of press conferences included BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who addressed a number of topics including his return to Indiana as well as a career in which he’s never fumbled; Devin McCourty, who discussed the evolution of the Patriots secondary; and Patrick Chung, who discussed the challenge of shutting down the Giants.