Robinson is Pack's secret weapon Butler gets publicity, but free safety a key to Green Bay's defense

Notebook

Super Bowl Xxxii

You would think that, after buyers paid $275 or $350 for a ticket to Super Bowl XXXII, the price gouging would stop. Think again. One beer in a souvenir cup at the game will go for a mere $7. On Wednesday night, a man later discovered to be an impostor of Denver safety Tyrone Braxton showed up at the Broncos' hotel in La Jolla. Quipped Denver coach Mike Shanahan: "I think we need more security. What do you think?" San Diego police arrested 29-year-old Rodney Johnson of Ohio for allegedly posing as Braxton, romancing an unsuspecting woman and buying rounds of drinks at a hotel bar. In their two playoff wins, Green Bay outscored its opponents in the first half, 26-3. Packers wide receiver Don Beebe, who has played in five Super Bowls, continues to be troubled by a strained hamstring and was told by Holmgren that he likely will be placed on injured reserve or the inactive list. On his supposed lack of speed, Denver receiver Ed McCaffrey said, "I think there may be an index card out there that gets passed around that says I'm not that fast. If I was as slow as everyone makes me out to be, I probably wouldn't have been in the NFL for seven years playing wide receiver." Yesterday marked the last time this week that reporters could have access to players until after the Super Bowl, and Green Bay wide-out Robert Brooks probably spoke for many players when he stood up at the end of the media sessions, raised his arms and yelled, "It's the end of media day!" Ed Hochuli, completing his eighth season as an NFL game official, will referee his first Super Bowl. He served as the alternate referee a year ago for Super Bowl XXXI and has worked six previous playoff games.

Pub Date: 1/23/98