Answering dumb questions

Six Cardinals got in a 15-minute practice today for answering dumb questions.  This will make tomorrow's hour-long Media Day less of a shock. 

One thing you quickly notice at the Super Bowl is that the media festivities are not for the big-time football media.  They stand on the sidelines, knowing they won't get much of value from the big setting. 

My least favorite kind of question is the indirect slam.  It usually starts with, "A lot of people are talking that you guys aren't very good at blank.  (Let's say defense.)

Or:  "The perception by many people is Blank.  How does that make you feel?"

Or my favorite:  "What do you say to all the haters?"

This is annoying on so many levels.  First, no one cares.  Second, the reporter is the one bringing up the issue - no one else.  Stop passing off the buck to "The perception" or "A lot of people" or "America". 

A perfect example from today was a guy who asked this question to multiple Cardinals: "The problem a lot of people have with your defense is that you gave up more points than anybody else that has ever reached the Super Bowl.  How many times do you expect to be asked about this?"

I am naturally a calm, tiny man, but this is so moronic I want to punch something.  He went for the double-indirect slam!  Just say you have the problem.  You are asking the question.  Okay ... breathe.  Standout safety Adrian Wilson is cooler than I am and answered it well. 

"I don't (expect to be asked).  We were better than every opponent in the playoffs.  That's all that matters."

Defensive end Bertrand Berry answered it how I was hoping. 

"I'll just say this.  It doesn't really matter how many times I'm asked it because I still gotta talk about it.  If you want to waste your ink and paper on it, be my guest."

- Gregg