Note to Al Michaels and John Madden: Do you care anymore?

When pro athletes lose their passion they get cut. When coaches lose their passion they get fired.

And when announcers lose their passion....

What happens? They keep getting assignments until they royally screw things up.

That didn't happen tonight in Tampa. No major gaffes by the veteran announcing duo.

But in Super Bowl XLIII it was obvious to my eyes and ears that Michaels and Madden just don't care as much as they used to.

Announcing the biggest sporting event in the world should be a privilege, not a right, and if your heart isn't in it, then it's time to go. The game was a bust for the first three quarters, then provided thrill after thrill in the fourth quarter. Play by play man Michaels was not up to either task. Madden is in his seventies and is simply getting on in years.

It would be nice for NBC to get these two to accept lesser assignments and allow Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth to handle the duties next time the network comes up in the Super Bowl rotation. At least their passion is unquestioned.