» The NFL Network they will dedicate 50 hours of programming from Miami and it will culminate in the “longest Super Bowl pregame in history.” It will start Sunday at 9 a.m. and continue for 8 1/2 hours.

» The ESPN family of networks including radio will be on site in Miami after Sunday night’s airing of the Pro Bowl game. More than 80 hours of Super Bowl-related programming and ESPN Radio will broadcast 55 hours of Super Bowl themed shows from Miami.

» Fox Sports Radio will air “The Stephen A. Smith Show” live on location from Radio Row at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. The rest of the network’s programming will also be live and on location: Myers & Hartman, Petros & Money and JT “The Brick” will follow with live broadcasts from the “Hooters Super Pool Party” at the renowned Bud Light Hotel in South Beach. In addition, The Dan Patrick Show will broadcast from a custom DirecTV RV in South Beach near The National Hotel, and Into The Night with Tony Bruno will originate from The Wynn Las Vegas Resort.

» Finally SIRIUS and XM listeners will have access to 14 different broadcasts of Super Bowl XLIV in 10 languages. It is wild to the broadcasts in so many different languages while you watch the telecast. — Jim Williams

BOLD PREDICTIONS

1. Wizards will find a taker for Arenas » Even before he brandished firearms in the Wizards locker room, it was said of Gilbert Arenas, that he and his contract were untradeable. But time heals all wounds, and by this summer, one of the NBA’s other 29 teams will be willing to take the gamble. This off-season will be a free-agent feeding frenzy. The list includes LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming, Michael Redd, and Manu Ginobili. Many teams are lining up to participate in the bidding. It is inevitable that some will come up high and dry and become desperate. Enter Arenas. Before he was suspended, Arenas was averaging 23 points and seven assists. His drawing power is undeniable. The Wizards will have to accept a one-sided deal, trading for a player or two with inflated contracts. But the organization, anxious for a fresh start, will — pardon the pun — bite the bullet and pull the trigger. — Kevin Dunleavy

2. The Nats will sign Orlando Hudson » We have to imagine that Hudson is waiting for a better situation than what he’ll find in Washington. In other words, he wants to win (or at least get paid well while doing so). But athletes who are 32, or 22 for that matter, usually chase the money in the end unless the offers are comparable. The other teams reportedly in the mix for him are Tampa and Minnesota, two teams likely searching for a bargain. Hudson reportedly was seeking around $9 million for this season and it’s doubtful either team would approach that price. Washington can — and is more desperate to add quality players and avoid 100 losses. He’s won four gold gloves and has a .282 career batting average and would help solidify the middle infield. — John Keim

3. The Atlanta Hawks will earn the second seed in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs » Overshadowed by the pipe dream that was the Washington Wizards when the season started, the Atlanta Hawks continued to be ignored both in their own city, where they rank in the bottom third of the NBA in attendance, and by the rest of the league, which sent Al Horford and Joe Johnson to the All-Star Game but ignored more deserving Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford. Those two players were the main reason that Atlanta started the year 11-2. While ESPN and TNT can’t keep their eyes of LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard, the Hawks are going to do what they’ve done the last three years, improve. After a near first-round upset of Boston two years ago and advancement to the second round last year, snubbed Smith and Crawford will make sure the Hawks crash the playoff party this spring like never before. — Craig Stouffer

PLAYER TO WATCH

Shaone Morrisonn, Capitals, Defenseman
By now, everyone’s heard of Jeff Schultz’s high plus-minus rating and how well the Caps’ top line is fairing in that department. When that happens, the guys that grind it out and play consistently well without the lofty stats get left out of the picture when praise is handed out. Not here. Morrisonn has been improving this season, perhaps because he’s apparently tried to be less offensive. On pace for his career-low in shots on goal, he’s also on pace to best his other career-highs (other than goals scored). In the last two weeks entering Friday night’s game, Morrisonn is a +9 and has notched four assists. His 23 penalty minutes (52 for the season) in that time period could be alarming, but the Caps are in need of tough blueliners and 32 minutes this season are from penalties that resulted in a game misconduct. — Leon Saffelle

FIVE UP & FIVE DOWN


UP

1. Chicago Blackhawks » Took out San Jose Sharks in OT on Thursday in game between NHL’s two best.

2. Maryland Terrapins » Entered the weekend alone on top of wild ACC thanks to inexplicable Virginia loss Thursday.

3. Roger Federer » Win or lose, extended his record for consecutive Grand Slam semifinals appearances (23) at Australian Open.

4. Carmelo Anthony » NBA’s top scorer has his Nuggets team nipping at Lakers’ heels for best in West.

5. Ben Sheets » Free-agent pitcher sat out all last season (elbow). Still worth $10 million to Oakland A’s.


DOWN
1. Rafael Nadal » Spaniard couldn’t make it through the Australian Open without another knee injury. Out a month.

2. Tim Tebow » Rough week for former Gators QB. Poor practices at Senior Bowl and then a political flap.

3. Rey Maualuga » Bengals linebacker charged with both drunk driving and careless driving in northern Kentucky.

4. Pac-10 » Struggling conference had one team – Cal – get Top 25 votes last week. They got two total.

5. Josh Smith » Hawks forward snubbed for NBA All-Star game. Can thank fans’ vote of Allen Iverson.

— Brian McNally