By MIKE LOPRESTI
Gannett News Service

HOUSTON - Super Bowls come in two basic varieties for Matt Light. He either plays in them, or ignores them.

New England's Matt Light, right, interviews teammate Damien Woody during media day Tuesday. (AP photo)

The Greenville, Ohio and Purdue product will start his second Super Bowl at tackle for the New England Patriots Sunday. In three seasons, he has become a stalwart of New England's offensive line.

But a big fan, he isn't.

"For me, football has never really been the only thing in my life," he said. "I know a lot of guys in the league, that's what they live for, that's what they breathe for, and they'll die for the game.

"I give everything I have on every play. But I didn't grow up watching football. I don't think I saw a Super Bowl until I was in college. I never watched college football.

"I've got a great love and passion for the game. I'll be doing it as long as I can. But I do my job and go home.

"Unless I'm in the Super Bowl, I don't pay a lot of attention to it."

The job will be arduous enough Sunday. Carolina's defensive line is one of its most feared weapons.

"That's as good a defense," Light said, "as we've ever faced.

"We've got to start out good and weather the storm, because they're going to hit us with a few things. They're a very unique group in a sense that all their guys can beat you. It's not like they have one guy that's their premier rusher. It's not like there's one guy doing all the damage."

Light has started 41 straight games at left tackle for the Patriots. It is a long way from the spring of 2001 when he was drafted in the second round and told he was going to Foxboro.

Foxboro? What's a Foxboro?

"Honestly, I had no idea where I was going," he said. "Thank God they booked my flight. I wouldn't have had a clue where to fly into.

"It's a really good fit for me. It's been a learning experience from Day 1. None of it has been easy. This year, I wouldn't say, was a great season for me. But it was far better than the previous two."

The Patriots offense has been productive enough. New England hasn't trailed in a game since November. Light had no idea.

"Ever?" he asked. "See? If I paid attention more, I'd know these statistics."

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