Media Day Skinny Posts

I focused most of my media day energy on some goofy videos that we'll get up on the site over the next few days.  That didn't leave a lot of time for "football" questions, but that's what the rest of the week is for.  I found last year that the sessions with the players from Wednesday-to-Friday were a lot more useful for getting good info.  With that said, here are a few stray thoughts from the proceedings.

• Both teams were very loose, unlike the Patriots last season. Media Day is inherently trivial and silly, but most of the players, especially the lesser ones, seem to enjoy the moment.
• More than any player, Larry Fitzgerald inspires awe from his teammates.  Everyone had a crazy Fitzgerald practice catch story to tell, and we'll get those up on the site shortly.  Apparently he pulled off a one-handed cross-hand grab with his fingertips that is hard to imagine. 
• Ryan Clark and Adrian Wilson got the nods for the players who can lay the most wood on the field.  Early Doucet said he's cautious around Wilson even in practice, when he knows they can't hit at full speed. 
• I hesitate to draw any conclusions from these gab-fests, but nothing about the Steelers smack of overconfidence.  They are ready to play, but their healthy respect for the Arizona offense seems genuine.  They also have enough new or young players who have talked about getting their ring.  It's a good mix of youth, talent, and experience.
• Surprise funniest player: Steelers C Justin Hartwig.  He'll be a star of the videos.
• I've come to the conclusion that tight ends are the scariest looking dudes on a football team.  Heath Miller comes to mind.  The offensive linemen are bigger, but they are the best talkers and not in conventionally great shape.  My favorite story about some of the ridiculous eating that linemen undertake was about Max Starks.  It seems he's developed a way to sneak cheeseburgers into meetings by pressing them under his arms.  Then when the coach isn't looking, he takes a bite and puts it back.  Yummy.          
• There were a lot of comments from the male population at the stadium about the impressive female talent this year.  I concur.  Maria Menuonous was a personal favorite.  I give a lot of credit to the beat writer who essentially was hitting on her after it was over.
• Cardinals MLB Gerald Hayes complimented me on my sunglasses and said I had style, which is is first time anyone has ever said that in my life.  My wife, as usual, is to thank.   
• More than once, I saw a young defensive back tell Deion Sanders that he was their idol and ask for a picture.  It's fun to see the pros acting like nervous kids. 
• The NFL Players have spoken: Madden '09 was a step backward. 

I'm working on a column now that will try to be a little more coherent than this mess.  Thanks for stopping by.

-Gregg