While superstars like Jerry Rice and Tim Brown sat atop metal platforms and pseudo-stars like Sebastian Janikowski sat in designated stadium seats, Mirer was left with the rookies, free agents and scout-teamers, wandering around on the field with no place to go.

He was stopped here and asked questions there. But overall, few paid any attention. His emotions were confused -- thrilled to finally be at the Super Bowl, flattened that he's had very little to do with the Raiders getting here.

It's a boyhood dream coming true with a twisted reality at the end of the rainbow.

"Deep down, there's a feeling of wanting to earn it and get credit for it," Mirer said. "It's hard to be here and not be that guy. But what else can I do?"

The situation is similar for Tampa Bay's Shawn King. Two years ago, he was the Buccaneers' starter, leading them to a 10-6 record and a wild-card berth. A year earlier, he quarterbacked the Bucs to the NFC title game, where they narrowly lost to the Super Bowl champion Rams, 10-6. Now, the 25-year-old, who faces free agency in the offseason, finds himself behind Brad Johnson and Rob Johnson on the depth chart.

"It's one of those things -- you're grateful to be here, but you wish it was a little different," he said.

While King likely has better days ahead of him, Mirer probably does not. Since being drafted in the first round by the Seattle Seahawks in 1993, he has played for the Chicago Bears (1997), Green Bay Packers (1998), New York Jets (1999), San Francisco 49ers (2000-01) and now the Raiders.

He's Oakland's third-string quarterback. His primary job to hold the clipboard during games and run the scout team offense in practice. His biggest value to the Raiders is his ability to mimic the opposition.

Mirer attempted more than 1,500 passes his first four years in Seattle, but has thrown less than 300 since. He hasn't taken a snap in 2½ years. Yet he still has hope.

"I just keep fighting, hoping that one day I can get on the field," he said. "(Gannon) is inspiring. He shows you that it can be done."

The most difficult parts of his career, Mirer said, were a miserable season with the Bears in '97 and a rocky relationship with Bill Parcells two years later in New York. Aside from one game in 2000 with San Francisco, the eight games he played with the Jets in 1999 were the last time he was on the field.

Parcells brought Mirer to the Jets as a backup for Vinny Testaverde. When Testaverde ruptured his Achilles in the season opener, Parcells turned to Mirer, who struggled.

"Everything was stacked against me in New York," Mirer said. "Something I did (ticked) off Bill Parcells. I was unaware what he was looking for because we hardly talked. I don't know. I just don't think I got a good enough deal. I didn't get enough of a chance."

Mirer recalled a home game that year against the Colts in which he was informed at 10 a.m. the morning of the game that he was being replaced by Ray Lucas.

"The Colts had a terrible defense that year, and I was really looking forward to playing them," Mirer said. "Then I get the call. I never heard of that happening to anybody. You trade for a guy and then you do that? It was pretty unprofessional. I thought, 'Tell me whenever, but don't tell me on Sunday.' That's not right."

Bitter feelings aside, both Mirer and King have still reached football's grandest stage. And whether they play or not, one of them will be able to walk away a Super Bowl champion. Few can take that away.

"The way I see it, it's just another chapter in my book," Mirer said.

Wayne Drehs is a staff writer for ESPN.com