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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Our days in Jacksonville have continued to speed up. Nothing, not even sleep, appears to be regular. It seems to be plagued with questions and answers, mysteries and discoveries, the uncertain circumstances of football causing restless nights and an abundance of anxiety.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones is filing a daily diary during Super Bowl week exclusively for ESPN.com. No. 1: Eagles in flight No. 2: Frenzy Bowl No. 3: Quite surreal No. 4: Seizing the day No. 5: Cabin fever

It's the Super Bowl's mind-controlling effect showing its face. Yet it is almost laughable, a comical treatment that you must entertain and marvel at because it is so surreal. This is the week where you stand your ground and ignore the distractions, if you can.

Sauntering down the hallway to eat breakfast, I thought to myself, "It is a regular day." We will have meetings as usual, then proceed to practice, load the buses and go home. But I was wrong about my classic assumption of today's happenings. I woke up from my daydreaming to find the reporters who were at ALLTEL on Tuesday crammed into the convention center at our hotel.

I didn't understand how they could come up with two days' worth of questions. I listened and found out. One reporter asked me to judge the hotel where we are staying. Another asked me to comment about the mystery of the "black" quarterback. One more inquisitive reporter really went out on a limb and asked me my favorite song. The Super Bowl is super fun and the questions make it more and more interesting. Read between the lines here.

Sadly, the media had to leave, and we were left to prepare our defensive schemes and traditional meetings; finally, it was our day. Today marked the first day of our workweek. Sure, we commenced the previous week, but now the media frenzy was over and our brains were focused on moving toward Sunday. I took out my spiral notebook and took as many notes as possible. I've always believed that if I write it down then it will somehow make it into my memory banks. And I always sit in the front row so the words make it to my ears first, and then I have no excuse.

The bus was slow and my teammates were on edge. It was cold outside and the rain was knocking at the front door. I suppose the media circus and that we've been around one another for so long has taken its toll. But there are always jokes. Comedians have to come out and break the tension. One after another, we all chimed in and started to loosen up and regain consciousness. I even tried to throw a joke out there and was shut down immediately. I'm really not a comedian, but I figured I would try.

The field looked fresh from afar and up close it was beautiful. Pristine grass was flown in and planted on our behalf so that the best would be at our service. I walked on the field as if I were at home. And then it was time to practice. The horn sounded and the punt team together gathered their stance and protected the punter. Next the kickoff return team dropped to their striking point and engaged their target.

Terrell Owens, aligned at the wide-out position, took off like a rocket fully restored for battle. Tra Thomas pointed his hands to the sky, and I knew the offense was clicking on all 11. Texas Johnson (defensive coordinator Jim Johnson) pulled the six-shooter off his hip and went to work at his favorite targets. The time was getting closer and we engaged all energy.

Sure, the rain makes it difficult to practice. The ground becomes soft and the footing not so sure. But the one thing that a good, crisp practice in the rain is good for is sleep. Driving back to the hotel there was not one person on our bus who did not investigate the back of their eyelids. Our work for the day was done.

For more on Dhani, see his Web site www.dhani55.com.