Jim Lang

Jim Lang could almost touch Peyton Manning Tuesday.

Media Day was its usual circus, including a run-in with Joe Namath's favourite sideline reporter.

Maybe it’s the slumping U.S. economy or maybe it’s the upcoming Vancouver Olympics, but for whatever reason there were only 2,000 members of the media on hand this year.

That's down at least 1,500 from last year in Tampa.

Don't get me wrong, it was still a gong show.

On Monday South Florida was almost washed away with over 70 millimetres of rain. Because of the rain, media day was moved indoors at Sun Life Stadium. Of course the sun was out, it was hot and humid and the temperatures were close to 30 degrees Celsius. It was too late to do anything about the nice weather this morning because everything was already set up inside.

I had a nice chat with Suzy Kolber of ESPN as we waited to assault Dwight Freeney of the Colts with endless questions about the torn ligament in his right ankle. I'm happy to report that Kolber is a very nice person, however she's much shorter in person. Sorry Suzy. Freeney's ankle is a mess. I think it will take a minor miracle for him to be able to play Sunday. If he can't go, that's a big advantage for the Saints.

I also discovered that Colts receiver Austin Collie was born in Hamilton when his dad played for the Tiger-Cats. Collie is a Mormon and lived in various countries around the world as his parents were involved with church missions. I am not making this up, Austin Collie speaks perfect Spanish. The Latino reporter’s collective jaws all hit the floor when Collie started speaking their language. The dude was amazing, and to top it all off he also feels part Canadian. You got to like that.

Jeremy Shockey has arguably the best tattoos of any player in the NFL. The art work and attention to detail on the ink on his arms are mind blowing.

The media scrums around Peyton Manning and Drew Brees were beyond stupid. Total gong show. Through it all, both Manning and Brees were the consummate professionals and patiently answered every question.

Both teams were well coached before arriving to face the media and as a result, no one from the Saints or the Colts said anything that controversial.

Somehow I was able to get some get sound out of both players for some feature stories that I'm working on for Connected. After talking to sportsnet.ca lead columnist Mark Spector, we both commented there was a lot less fluff reporters on hand and more reporters trying to do serious stories.

As we were leaving the stadium, we were stopped by a police officer on a motor cycle. The highway was closed down, not just any highway, but Miami’s main highway, I-95. It was the Saints cortege of team buses leaving for their hotel. Our cameraman Cory estimated the police motorcade escorting them to their hotel to be at least 15 strong. That’s the kind of crazy stuff you only witness covering a Super Bowl.

I have to wrap up quickly today because tonight the Sportsnet Mean Street Posse is off to South Beach to attend the NFL media party. Do me a favour though, don't tell my wife. She thinks I'm staying in my room tonight doing homework and watcing American Idol.

Pants on the ground, baby.

I will talk to you tomorrow as the build up from Super bowl XLIV in South Florida continues.