MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — There was an attractive young woman running around with a sparkly, gold halo on her head calling herself, “An angel for the Saints.”
Former American Idol contestant, Kimberly Caldwell was working for Entertainment Tonight, holding a “Players American Idol” competition right inside the stadium. The players would not win on American Idol.
And New Orleans Saints runningback Reggie Bush was answering questions in front of a player’s podium yesterday. Back in high school, he was an honorary media member, interviewing Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders at Media Day in San Diego. Meanwhile, there were no Kim Kardashian sightings although there is a prop bet on Sunday that reads: “How many times Kim Kardashian will be shown on TV during the Super Bowl telecast.”
Although not as crazy as Media Days in the past, Tuesday’s indoor Media Day at Sun Life Stadium here in South Florida had its moments. Here are some highlights:
(a) The spotlight was on Indianapolis Colts all-pro defensive end Dwight Freeney. Freeney, who was third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks this season, has a third-degree low-ankle sprain, and a torn ligament in the ankle. Asked the same question a hundred times yesterday, Freeney said he still didn’t know if he’d be ready to play, but was doing everything possible to rehab for Sunday at 5 p.m., in order to play in Super Bowl XLIV. If Freeney doesn’t play, the Colts defence will undergo a major shake-up.
(b) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said he is not at all concerned about the big rush he’ll be facing from the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. Saints defensive coach Gregg Williams said late last week that the Saints will beat up Manning just like they beat up Brett Favre in the NFC championship game at the Super Dome but Manning just laughed at the threat.
“No, I don’t have an opinion at all (about the threats),” Manning said. “Actually, until now, I hadn’t heard his remarks. I guess I’ve been playing long enough that I don’t have any reaction to comments like that.”
(c) Speaking of Manning, probably the most iconic player in the NFL today, Colts owner Jim Irsay said yesterday that he will get a contract extension with his star quarterback and he will make the four-time MVP the richest player in NFL history.
“This will get done and Peyton will be the highest-paid player in the league,” Irsay said.
Manning’s contract expires after the 2010 season. His next contract will be gigantic.
(d) And isn’t it funny how things go? If you’re Mike Kelly and speak your mind, you get treated like crap by the local media and fired by your football team. If you’re New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, you’re just a lovable, wild and crazy guy.
Yesterday, the NFL fired Ryan $50,000 for making an inappropriate gesture – that’s what the NFL calls the finger – toward a “fan” at an MMA event in Miami. There are problems here on many levels. First of all, Ryan should never have been there. Of course, he never should have been partying all afternoon at the pool at the Marriott Harbour Beach and he never should have listened to one word spoken by Dolphins fans.
Unlike Kelly, however, he’s still working.