TAMPA - re we were, gathered in a really nice room Friday at Raymond James Stadium, to hear, what? They told us it would be an update on Tampa Bay's Super Bowl bid. Our Super lobbyists then told us they gave Arnold Palmer putters to the owners, autographed by the man himself, plus a dozen golf balls - presumably not X-outs.

Late word out of Atlanta: Arthur Blank just surrendered. And we've been awarded the 2009 PGA. Click here for Super Bowl tickets. Let's be honest, though. The real news was, Bryan Glazer attended this gathering. It wasn't old man Malcolm, but it at least was the same gene pool.

You may recall the PR disaster a couple of weeks ago. There was a similar gathering to discuss the merits of bringing the 2009 game here, and nary a Glazer was in the house.

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So this was their mulligan. Except you don't usually use a putter for a mulligan. Anyway ...

County Commission Chairman Jim Norman: ``We're so proud to have the Glazers with us today.''

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio: ``Bryan, it's a pleasure to have you here today.''

Bryan: ``The Glazer family is 100 percent committed to this effort.''

You getting the idea people thought the Glazers are important to this deal?

Didn't Tell Them That this affaire de Glazer has gotten so goofy is just the latest example of why the Glazer family's renowned penchant for seclusion works against them.

Malcolm, et al were skewered by just about everyone - including me - for missing the first Super rollout, but it may not have been the snub it seemed. Super Bowl Task Force chair Dick Beard fell on his sword for the family Friday.

It turns out the first presentation was scheduled without checking with the Glazers. When the family finally heard about the news conference, they all had scheduling conflicts and sent a representative instead.

``It was our fault,'' Beard said.

We mention this only to emphasize yet again how the Glazers are their own worst enemies. They could have told someone about this scheduling conflict, by way of explanation. That would have changed the story and maybe rallied the troops.

They could have picked up the phone and said, ``So sorry ... we'll make the next one. Go Tampa!''

But they didn't, just like they didn't tell anyone in the British press corps that they can't talk about Manchester United until the deal is official. They're under a gag order until all the paperwork is final. They could have put out a statement and gone, ``So sorry ... we'll talk soon. Go Manchester!''

But they didn't. They let themselves be hated. Unfortunate.

``My view is, they're winners,'' Beard said. ``They're a private family, but they've done everything they said they would. They're not as outgoing as some would like, but that's not their fault.''

Go Get 'Em Fair enough.

Still, they don't seem to understand the psychological value to the community when they step out of the shadows and act like regular guys for a while.

I mean, if they value their almighty privacy so much, there are better ways to stay out of the public glare than owning an NFL team.

This community needs them to be out front on this thing, doing whatever it is a billionaire owner does to bring home a game worth an estimated $400 million. If he does, we'll all be happy.

At least we know he's in the game. Well, him and the putters. The rest we have to take on faith.

BY JOHN GALLAGHER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER Mission accomplished. The Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee has smashed through its goal of recruiting 10,000 volunteers for Super Bowl week events by June 1. More than 10,200 volunteers signed up by the deadline. "The response from the community has been overwhelming," said Susan Sherer, executive director of the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee. "Our volunteers are the ambassadors to the city and play a significant role in a positive visitor experience as we welcome the world to Detroit. It all starts with them." During the week leading up to the Feb. 5, 2006, game at Ford Field, volunteers will staff hotel lobbies and airport terminals, greet visitors and answer questions. They'll help at the NFL Experience and the National Football League's pass, punt and kick family outing at Cobo Hall. They'll staff transit hubs and work at the Host Committee's offices. The one thing volunteers don't get to do is attend the Super Bowl itself. The NFL controls the staffing for the game. Training programs for most volunteers begin in October. All volunteers receive a uniform, a newsletter, and a chance to attend an appreciation party.