FOXBORO -- Smoking grills, a portly 50-something Raiders fan in a Robert Gallery jersey, stacked parking lots and a field covered with SEVEN different risers to accomodate the assorted pregame acts and media are all part of the scene at 7 p.m., an hour before kickoff.

Mike Vrabel and an unidentified Raider (they're both in shorts and gray t-shirts) chatted for a few minutes from 6:45 to 7. Now the field is generally empty except for a few scattered Raiders and Patriots Matt Chatham and Tom Ashworth.

At this point, players are getting dressed, stretching and getting taped. It would be getting quiet as players begin to prepare.

Coaches are making game-time decisions on injured players and fine-tuning the inactive lists before game time on this, the night when both teams will likely be at their most healthy all year.

As for the entertainment, the rumor is that Ozzy Osbourne will sing Crazy Train from atop a giant stage shaped like a helmet positioned outside New England's locker room.

Should be...interesting.

T