Just as an NFL player watches game film to prepare for his next opponent, I watched my share of previous Super Bowl Media Days on YouTube to get ready for today. But nothing could really replace being here. Media Day at the Super Bowl features a throng of reporters from all over the world. And a record number participated today.

Naturally, 2007 National Football League MVP Tom Brady was the center of attention as he had the most traffic around his podium. And I thought he handled it very well. Which is not surprising for someone who has had to get used to being in the spotlight both on and off the field. I didn’t even bother sticking my nose into that mob scene, preferring rather to talk with those players who were meandering about. But Tom was getting the most questions. He even received a wedding proposal from a reporter from TV Azteca in Mexico. Naturally, he declined, but the way he worked through the sometimes stupidity and absurdity of this “circus” was a thing of beauty. He’s done this before. He knew what to expect. And he more than made the best of it, although he admitted he prefers talking about football over his personal life:

“You just deal with whatever question is asked, and try to handle it the best you can. I’m obviously more comfortable answering the football questions. Those are much easier for me.”

We had one hour to speak to the players. My challenge was to get to as many as possible and take pictures as well. Having never worked Media Day before, I had a ballpark number of players in my mind to talk to (5-10) and had specific questions for specific players. I also had general team questions that any player could answer. But despite all the homework I did, I could not possibly know every single player. So I stuck with those I knew. If one player was busy talking to someone else, I either waited or moved on to another. I found that waiting was more or less a waste of time.

The Patriots who were at podiums/risers were Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Laurence Maroney, Bill Belichick, Asante Samuel, Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau and Vince Wilfork. In designated areas in the stands were team owner Robert Craft, VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli, Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Larry Izzo, Ty Warren and Wes Welker. The rest just mixed and mingled.

For the BIGPLAY Radio NFL Podcast, I spoke with Logan Mankins, James Sanders, Kelley Washington, Ty Warren, and Benjamin Watson. Adalius Thomas, who seemed a little agitated and ready to leave before the hour had elapsed, commented on my meticulous notetaking. “Look at you,” he said. “You’ve got everything written out.” I nodded approvingly: “This is what I do.” (Actually, I would like to have individually laminated sheets and a color-coding system like NFL coaches. Hey, I take this seriously. Maybe too seriously.) Anyway, Adalius was one of the few who refused a cell phone interview from a reporter. I saw quite a few players doing “mobile interviews” which I thought was unusual. I guess my feeling was you should either be here at the event or be out of luck. Otherwise, those of us that are here are standing around waiting for the cell phone interview to end. It’s like being at a retail store and having the clerk attend to a phone call instead of dealing with the customer who’s in the store. That was kind of irritating.

Anyway, it was a quick hour. Of course, I felt like I needed more time but one hour is sufficient and really all that can be expected from the players. The media proceeded to brunch for a 60-minute break while a field crew prepped for the Giants.

Photos by David Kindervater

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

SBXLII Media Day: New England Patriots

I’ve always thought University of Phoenix Stadium was an odd name for a professional football team’s home. But after the Cleveland Cavaliers named their place Quicken Loans Arena (aka The Q), I guess anything’s possible if you have enough money. University of Phoenix Stadium features the first fully retractable natural grass playing field in North America and I hear they’re going to pull it out to “get some sun” this afternoon after Media Day is over. I was standing on it and it is, dare I say, perfect.

The roof was closed when we arrived, but we got to see them open it because of the beautiful weather today. Actually I think they just wanted to show it off. And why not? But the translucent “Bird-Air” fabric roof gives this place an open, airy feel even when it’s closed. It has two large retractable panels that will uncover the entire playing field while providing maximum shading for fans. The roof can be closed and the facility air conditioned in the hot months, while the roof can be opened to take advantage of the Valley’s world-famous climate in cooler months, like today when it’s 60 degrees (still nine degrees below the average temp here in January.)

Here are a few more factoids about the University of Phoenix Stadium:

• Approximately 63,400 permanent seats, expandable to 73,000 seats.
• The stadium seats, if set in a straight line, would stretch for approximately eighteen miles. That’s a lot of football fields!
• The overall cost of the stadium was approximately $455 million.
• The amount of concrete used on the stadium is equal to 900 miles of sidewalk, the distance between Phoenix and San Francisco.
• Two massive “thermometers” at the south end zone gauge crowd noise.
• Having the rollout field saves $50 million in costs since it is more economical to move the field than having the entire roof retract to allow the necessary sunshine to reach the grass.
• The stadium occupies more than 25 acres.

The last time the Super Bowl was in Arizona, it was a record audience of 94.08 million viewers. With the Patriots’ shot at historic perfection on the line, the NFL is hoping to top that mark this year.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

University of Phoenix Stadium Ready For SBXLII, Record Viewing Audience Possible

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

My day began at 5 a.m. This after three hours of sleep. If anyone thinks watching football games and writing about the NFL is fun and easy — well, you would be half right. It is fun. But it’s rarely easy. After a late arrival into Phoenix Sky Harbor and a very late dinner last night, my Media Day prep took me to the point of nodding off in front of my laptop. Three restless hours of sleep later I was back at it while eating breakfast, doing the usual morning stuff and grabbing a taxi into the city. I felt like crap. I didn’t wear a jacket because the forecast looked good, but let me tell you — it’s cold here in the morning! Like low-40s cold.

After checking in at the Media Center (which is housed in the beautiful new Phoenix Convention Center), I had about an hour before buses were scheduled to shuttle my fellow writers and broadcasters and I to the University of Phoenix stadium for Super Bowl XLII Media Day. So I wandered. The NFL has completely taken over this building and downtown Phoenix. The indoor and outdoor signage alone is incredibly impressive. They spared no expense. A Media Lounge offered a relaxing environment to talk with others, play pool, foosball or video games. The Media Workroom and Radio Row were already buzzing with activity, even at this early hour. Table after table offered all sorts of information, from the latest press releases (which I prefer to grab online) to team media and postseason guides. I can do without most of this stuff because I live in an electronic world, but I did pick up a Patriots media guide as a keepsake from a potentially historic year. I thought it was interesting that no player was featured on the front cover. It’s just a logo. I’m not sure how many other teams do this, but if you know the New England Patriots, it makes sense. Gatorade hosted a G2 Lounge (named after their latest product). And the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee was giving away free samples of Cold Stone Creamery Kahala ice cream. It’s a fun place to be.

My trip out to the stadium was made far more interesting as Ridgeway Transportation’s Chris Haggerty sat next to me and shared all sorts of interesting stories from Super Bowls past. Chris has been in charge of transportation for the past 14 Super Bowls. He said this was the first time he actually got on one of the transport buses to see what it was like from our perspective. We had a police (Arizona highway patrol) motorcycle escort. When we arrived in Glendale (about a 20 minute drive from downtown), the University of Phoenix stadium stuck out as though a spaceship had landed there (the exterior skin represents a barrel cactus). This place is an impressive monstrosity in the middle of nowhere. We went through all sorts of security checks and eventually ended up inside. What an amazing facility. The retractable roof was closed, but that was about to change as New England Patriots Media Day was about to start.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

SBXLII Media Day: Phoenix Convention Center, University of Phoenix Stadium

When the N.Y. Giants started the 2007 season 0-2, nobody outside of their locker room gave them a chance to get to the playoffs let alone the Super Bowl. But somehow, this band of road warriors has learned how to run the ball and play smart on offense while aggressively attacking their opponents on defense. The result is three straight wins to get to SBXLII. I took part in New York’s Super Bowl XLII Media Day today at University of Phoenix Stadium and spoke with a number of players about the biggest game of their lives in this Media Day Mix.

Shownotes: David Kindervater (host), NY Giants (NFL player guests)

• WR Sinorice Moss
• RB Ahmad Bradshaw
• T Kareem McKenzie
• WR Steve Smith
• CB Corey Webster
• S James Butler

Sponsor: ColdGear ArmourFleece Big Logo Hood
Links: Giants.com, NFL.com

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Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

BPR91 NY Giants SBXLII Media Day

The (still) undefeated AFC Champion New England Patriots are just one win away from a perfect season and a Super Bowl championship. We’re witnessing history in the making. The magnitude of such an accomplishment would forever label this Patriots team as the best there ever was. And they know it. I took part in New England’s Super Bowl XLII Media Day today at University of Phoenix Stadium and spoke with a number of players about their pursuit of perfection in this Media Day Mix.

Shownotes: David Kindervater (host), NE Patriots (NFL player guests)

• 0:10 – WR Kelley Washington
• 2:37 – LG Logan Mankins
• 4:09 – S James Sanders
• 5:24 – DT Ty Warren
• 6:44 – LB Adalius Thomas
• 7:30 – TE Benjamin Watson

Sponsor: ColdGear ArmourFleece Big Logo Hood
Links: Patriots.com, NFL.com

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Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

BPR90 NE Patriots SBXLII Media Day