Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com
Kellie Pickler of American Idol fame was a hot topic at the annual NFL Media Day.
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Patriots Media Day
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Giants Media Day
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Best of Patriots Media Day
» Video:
Best of Giants Media Day
Editor's Note: The following is a blog transcript of
NFL.com/LIVE coverage of Tuesday's annual NFL Media Day. NFL.com/LIVE was on hand for sights, sounds and observations as the Patriots and Giants met with the media.
That's a wrap
1:22 PM MT
But before we shut down and head back downtown, we want to leave you with this
Media Day photo gallery from the Giants session.
In case you missed it an hour or so ago, here's the
Patriots Media Day gallery.
NFL.com/LIVE will be back Friday for the final news conferences for both Super Bowl head coaches. Bill Belichick will be on at 10:30 a.m. ET, followed by Tom Coughlin at 11:30 a.m. ET. See you then.
No limits!
1:07 PM MT
Further proof that the NFL Network is, indeed, closer to the game than anyone. During today's live Total Access broadcast, Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk spun around in their seats and conducted an interview with Antonio Pierce, who was 10 yards behind the set at his own booth, conducting his own interviews with the media. Nothing is outside of the box. In fact, there is no box. There. We said it.
All Kellie, all the time
1:05 PM MT
Technically, Media Day is over, but we just can't quit this. Giants players Tank Daniels, Danny Ware and K.J. Harris somehow got roped in to wearing eye-black strips that said "I love Kellie Pickler." (Who doesn't, really?) Adam Koets earlier was spotted with silver pom-pons, conducting a cheer with said entertainer. Pickler, if we hadn't mentioned, is at Media Day courtesy of The Tonight Show.
Flossing the ice
1:01 PM MT
Defensive tackle Fred Robbins might not be the highest-paid Giant, but you wouldn't know it from the gold-and-diamond encrusted watch he's sporting at Media Day. Robbins wouldn't divuldge its cost, but it can easily be used as a dumbell.
More Lorenzen (and there is)
12:59 PM MT
Lorenzen, as usual, is embracing his unique size ... and the attention it draws. As he fielded questions about size as a quarterback, he reminded reporters that he was 13 lbs., 3 oz. when he was born. "I love my mother," said Lorenzen.
He went on to point out that at least one reporter today, who clearly didn't know who he was, complimented him on his offensive line play.
Responding to another question about whether he ever planned to slim down, Lorenzen said "Slim? That's a four-letter word."
Inside Eli
12:55 PM MT
Eli Manning says his favorite movie is Miracle, but his favorite underdog movie is Hoosiers. Ok, got it.
Where else are you going to get that kind of insight. Wait. Don't answer.
True feelings
12:54 PM MT
OK, so we love Michael Strahan. Who doesn't? He's clearly the star of the Giants media day, and he continues to keep us entertained. Asked about his thoughts on Tom Brady, Strahan replied "I love Tom Brady." Strahan expanded, saying Brady is just one of the guys and a natural leader. Strahan said it's easy to understand why his teammates play hard for him.
Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com
"This is like walking down Broadway," said Michael Strahan when asked if Media Day is like a normal day in New York city. "This is no big deal. Where is the Naked Cowboy? Is he out here strumming his guitar in some tighty-whitie shorts? This is what it is."
Can he say that?
12:50 PM MT
This one might be the quote of the day, and it's no surprise it comes from Michael Strahan. He was asked to comment on veteran punter Jeff Feagles: "Jeff Feagles is so old that when he punts, he farts dust."
Can you tell Strahan is enjoying Super Bowl week? "I don't stress over it."
Flip a coin
12:47 PM MT
At this point, Miss Nevada, who is stationed to our right, is garnering as much media attention as Justin Tuck. Not sure if that's a commentary on the media or what the media thinks of the Giants, but just telling calling it like we see it.
It's a gap thing
12:45 PM MT
Michael Strahan was ready for the question of the day when a reporter asked him who's got the bigger gap between their teeth, him or David Letterman.
"SpongeBob does," he countered. "And don't forget Lauren Hutton and Madonna! Trust me, all the gap-tooth people, we stick together."
A different world
12:43 PM MT
Giants DT Barry Cofield got an excellent education at Northwestern University, but the college football program there didn't exactly prepare him for a media crush like this. "We played Bowling Green in the Motor City Bowl one year, but it wasn't exactly like this."
Cofield noted that his teams have been prepped to address the media, both when he was in college and then with the Giants. What was the best advice he learned from those sessions? "Never say, 'No comment.' "
Up to something?
12:42 PM MT
ESPN reporter Kenny Mayne, famous for his off-beat feature stories, just rushed past with The Hefty Lefty -- Giants' backup QB Jared Lorenzen -- in tow. One can only speculate where they were headed in a hurry.
Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com
Giants quarterback Eli Manning was surrounded by media at his booth during Media Day at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Another side of Eli
12:40 PM MT
At least two players have said Eli Manning is a practical joker in the locker room. Burress said Manning isn't as innocent as you'd think. Burress said he walked into the locker room and used a towel to wipe his face. After his teammates began to laugh, Burress found the towel was, uh, previously used ... on a teammate's backside. The perp? The quiet, unassuming QB.
Another report, this one from Michael Strahan, tells about how Manning stole Rich Seubert's black shoes and dyed them purple. Needless to say, Seubert was sporting a black suit and purple shoes. You can't make that one up.
Executive suite
12:29 PM MT
Behind us, we've got cornerback Sam Madison, team president John Mara and GM Jerry Reese conducting interviews in the stands. And that's all we have to say about that.
TV Azteca sighting
12:28 PM MT
OK, so the TV Azteca reporter in the wedding dress is back, and right in front of us. Which is fine, except she obviously draws a crowd. Now she's trying to get Eli Manning to marry her. Good luck with that.
But we must say -- her heels might rival the E.T. reporter's. We might have to get a closer look. This is important. Sort of.
Is it really that simple?
12:22 PM MT
Osi Umenyiora, for one, isn't convinced teammate Michael Strahan will retire at the end of the season. Umenyiora talked about the Week 17 game against the Patriots and how he and Strahan will need to put pressure on Tom Brady.
"No pressure on Brady, no chance of winning."
Fancy footwork
12:17 PM MT
Kevin Frazier and the E.T. crew are back in front of their red carpet and velvet rope setup. One of the E.T. assistants will easily win the award for tallest stiletto heels. We're talking at least five inches here. That kind of balance and footwork probably could translate to the football field. We're impressed. With the shoes. That's all we're saying.
Where's the hype?
12:12 PM MT
Surprsingly, given the reputation of the New York media, the Giants session is more subdued at this point. No sightings of TV Azteca reporters, fortune tellers or anyone in wedding dresses. Yet. Plax, sporting wrap-around sunglasses and a backward white hat, is starting to draw a crowd. Coughlin is telling a story about Steve Mariucci and waving his arms around.
Pickler update
12:03 PM MT
It wouldn't be an official NFL.com/LIVE blog update without another Kellie Pickler sighting. The Idol One passed by again in search of Giants interviews, trailed by an entourage numbering at least seven. Nice gig, huh? A Picklerette? One girl apparently is in charge of wheeling around a suitcase with a pair of shoulder pads on it. She doesn't look happy. We'll keep you posted. This could get good.
First-timer
12:02 PM MT
Gibril Wilson was the first Giant to stop by and chat at the NFL.com desk. The Giants appear to be more in awe of the event than the Patriots. Wilson, sporting some aviator glasses to hide his wide eyes, gave his first impressions.
"This is what I've been dreaming about since I was a kid, watching all of those great 49ers teams, since I'm from the Bay Area. Just taking it in. It's an amazing sight."
Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com
"I'm not free to say exactly what Media Day means ... I'm kidding, I'm kidding," joked Giants head coach Tom Coughlin at Media Day. "If it goes along with the Super Bowl, I'm all for it."
Round 2
11:54 AM MT
The media have made their way down to field level, and the Giants are filing in. Lots and lots of camcorders in this group. How many of them will ever go back and watch the tapes? Does Amani Toomer still have tapes from his last visit? We have to find this out.
Michael Strahan, wearing shades, draws an immediate crowd. Eli Manning's booth has a crowd of nearly a hundred media members standing on bleachers to get their camera shots.
Near the NFL.com desk, we've got booths for Antonio Pierce, Justin Tuck, Plaxico Burress and Tom Coughlin.
Round 2 is under way.
Coughlin sighting
11:43 AM MT
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is in front of us conducting an interview. The Giants are getting ready to shoot a team photo on the near end of the field. The Giants are just about set to begin their session.
Straggling note
11:35 AM MT
OK, so we had to get this one in before we move on to the Giants:
Patriots starting cornerback Ellis Hobbs paid off a debt to DE Richard Seymour during Seymour's interview session, apparently in light of Georgia's win over Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. Hobbs joined Seymour on the podium, prompting Seymour to say, "Are you ready to do what you said? Are you doing to stand up and back yourself?"
Hobbs then dropped down and reeled off push-ups for five minutes to fulfill his obligations, all the while yelling "I love Georgia! Georgia is on my mind!"
Seymour, of course, is a Georgia alum. Hobbs' alma mater? Iowa State. Go figure.
Halftime
11:27 AM MT
Media Day is clearly it's own event, including a halftime. We've now got an hour break -- a little less, since we're among the stragglers -- before the Giants take the field for their one-hour session. The media has been ushered from the field level back up to the concourse, and things have quieted down. We've got some photos from the first session with the Patriots.
One more from Moss
11:25 AM MT
Randy Moss, who has turned down numerous invitations to attend a Super Bowl, said he told himself during his rookie season, "I don't want to come to a Super Bowl until I am playing in one." Moss, who will be playing in his first Super Bowl this weekend, went on to say that he would rather catch no passes and win the game than have a big game and lose.
And that means you!
11:23 AM MT
Security is beginning to lose patience with the straggling members slow to leave the field. "It's over!" one shouted. "You need to leave the field."
Told who it was, he responded, "I don't care if you're the Cartoon Network! You need to leave!"
Patriots cornerback Gemara Williams gets dancing intructions from a TV Azteca reporter.
