I've spent today at the Giants hotel, and then knocking out some videos at radio row. They should be up by tomorrow, but here are a few that are ready, where Tiffany and I tackle the important questions.

The one where no one is happy with their Madden rating. And everyone thinks Madden himself is creating their numbers.

The one where players discussed who the best ladies men are. I loved that almost every player, especially the Giants, started laughing and said they better say someone that's single. Kevin Dockery has some Flavor Flav breakout star potential here. I also like how seriously Brandon London takes his candidacy. And I'm not remotely surprised that Wes Welker is slaying 'em in MA.

Players discuss their favorite cars, including some mink floors.

Back in a bit with an Ahmad Bradshaw story

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Weakest Attempt at Street Cred

Goes to myself. After Laurence Maroney was finished talking about his Kool Aid tattoo, he mentioned that his only pregame ritual was listening to 'Lil Wayne. This led to a long exchange, in which Maroney didn't agree that 'Da Drought 3 is Weezy's best, while scores of horrified middle-aged men looked on.

Happiest to be there

Giants practice squader Kay Jay Harris was positively bubbly answering questions in Dolce n Gabanna sunglasses.

"I usually get my Super Bowl experience playing Madden. Now I'm here. This isn't a video game, this is reality. I can't even believe it. It won't hit until Sunday when the flashbulbs are popping."

Continue reading "A few more awards" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For those interested in some actual game analysis, I wrote up 16 reasons the Giants can win the Super Bowl . See, I'm not a homer. (And 16 reasons for the Patriots are coming tomorrow.)

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Donte’ Stallworth, called the best ladies man on the Patriots by Jabar Gaffney, talked in depth about his alien alter ego Nicco Tuesday. Stallworth says Nicco takes over his body during games, and now wants some credit.

“I gotta talk to Madden. They need to factor in Nicco. He’s a little different ... If they have a crazy rating on there, he’s getting a 99.”

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't fully do Ellis Hobbs justice in print, but we'll have the video later. The dude is a fireball of insanity. He had managed to get a hold of a local Boston affiliate's microphone, and punctuated every other sentence, no matter how mundane, by screaming, "ELLIS HOBBS, CHANNEL SEVEN NEWS" into the camera. A few highlights ...

On Lonnie Paxton: "I can only hope that I can feel what he feels someday. I live my life through him." (At that moment, he started a group hug)

On his record-setting field goal return: "I just pretended my mom was trying to get me ... Someday, I hope I can show to my grandkids, when they are wheeling me around in my wheelchair."

On fantasy football fans: "Leave me alone! I don't know what Tom's thinking! I don't know how his wrist is feeling! I'm not that kind of guy. I'm just a fish. I'm just a fish in a big pond. I'm just a pawn on the chessboard ... ELLIS HOBBS, CHANNEL 7 NEWS!"

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (40)

By now, you've seen what Media Day is all about. It's a cliche to talk about the insanity, and all the TV Azteca reporters in skimpy outfits, the dumb questions, the woman in the wedding dress.

My focus was getting sound and video for NBCSports.com which will be shown throughout the week.

That led to a few more goofball questions and fewer football ones than I'm completely comfortable with, but I look to Kevin Faulk for guidance. Know your role, and that's mine this year. Here's some awards on the Patriots side.

Continue reading "Patriot Media Day Awards" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 06:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Finally back safely from Media Day. The Cardinals Stadium is out of the way, literally across the street from some farming crops I couldn't ascertain. One of my favorite moments came early, while the media was being lined up while going through security. My producer Matt quickly spotted Chris Berman a little ways up.

As if on cue, he looks a few spots behind him at a nice looking young woman and asks, "YOU HAVING FUN YET?"

I was giddy at the live With Leather moment until we realized a few minutes later that the woman worked for ESPN. Still, you have to admire the professionalism. 9:30 in the morning, and he's already working it.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)

The NBCSports.com crew had dinner last night, getting our plan ready for Media Day which I'm about to leave for. Will be tough to blog there for a while, but we will get some good footage and hopefully quotes. Before leaving, I wanted to share some final thoughts from yesterday's action that didn't fit elsewhere.

Ty Warren, who was very relaxed and intelligent, said that James Sanders is the unsung hero of the defense and continues to improve. When I try to think of how the Patriots secondary has held it together this year, I don't think of Sanders fast enough. He's been a huge stabilizing force - the player Eugene Wilson was suppposed to be.

Continue reading "Skinny Posts" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Rodney Harrison was typically blunt at his press conference today. I asked him if he ever feared that his career was over after last season's knee injury. Titans wide receiver Bobby Wade took Harrison's knees out on a blindside hit in Week 17 last season, tearing his MCL.

"I was initially frustrated. Early in the offseason, I wanted to find him (Wade). Then I realized things happen for a reason. ... There was a time when I wondered, do I feel like coming back?"

Still, Rodney is a man that doesn't take slights easily.

"We just better not play Minnesota."

Bobby Wade can rest easy. The Vikings aren't on the schedule next year.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My wife Emika made it clear she wouldn't be happy if she didn't see me asking a question on NFL Network during the Bill Belichick press conference.

I am amazed by her sudden football aptitude. I knew the tide was turning the day she was home watching football by herself (A Miami Dolphin game to boot, when Cleo Lemon found Greg Camarillo for their only win of the season.) Still, this was another level. I put her through a lot because of this job, but imagining her sitting at home watching a 20-minute Belichick presser with no payoff is cruel and unusual punishment.

Continue reading "Making the wife happy" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)