Media circus comes to Miami

Jeff Legwold and Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 31, 2007 at midnight

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Education of a rookie

The Bears players have tried to avoid distractions this week. That lasted Tuesday until shapely TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz sauntered by wearing a revealing white top and skintight capri pants.

"That's something different that I've never seen before," rookie safety Tyler Everett gushed about his first Media Day experience.

Unofficial record

Sainz, a former Miss Spain and contestant in the 1997 Miss Universe competition, likely was asked to be in more pictures by players from both teams than any other person.

Access Hollywood and Today correspondent (and movie actress) Maria Menounos also had her picture taken with Bears players.

Out and about

Because fines are heavy for those who don't show up, players who do not often speak publicly during the regular season usually are seen and heard at the Super Bowl.

For the Colts, that means the usually reticent Marvin Harrison was front and center.

"I get a little more comfortable the longer I talk, so I might be here for a while," Harrison said.

On the fact he shows little emotion after his pile of career touchdowns, Harrison said: "I'm not here to be part of Hollywood, I just go out and try to win games."

Manning speaks

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning survived his first Media Day with plenty of questions about his sore right thumb and he was asked about his bevy of commercials four times.

Future's so bright

Colts safety Bob Sanders was asked how he was enjoying himself in Florida. "Well, I've got my shades on," he said. "You really don't have to wear shades much this time of year back in Indy."

Just like you see it

Colts defensive ends Ryan LaCasse and Josh Thomas got a quick lesson in German. A television crew from Berlin made up a card for them to read promoting Super Bowl highlights on a nightly sportscast. After a couple of rehearsals the two breezed through the four lines on video.

Comfortably numb

Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer said he has to keep his eyes on teammate Lance Briggs at all times.

"He's not above a prank or two," Hillenmeyer said. "I've been there."

It seems the Bears linebackers were having a night out when Hillenmeyer felt a little funny just a few sips into his first beverage.

"Pretty soon, my lips were numb and I'm splashing a little bit," Hillen- meyer said. "But he took Anbesol or Orajel and put it all around the rim of the glass. So I look over and he's laughing like crazy."

Idol moments

Tonight Show with Jay Leno correspondent Mo Rocca grilled backup guard Terrence Metcalf on whether Sunday's game was a stepping-stone to a career in the Arena Football League, whether American Idol judges were too mean and whether Paula Abdul should be prohibited from using performance-enhancing drugs.

"I think Paula Abdul should have been on Coyote Ugly," Metcalf said, drawing a laugh from the comedian.

Rocca also gave Metcalf a wrapped gift box, which included a framed 8-by-10 picture. Of Rocca.

"I didn't know what they trying to pull on me," Metcalf said.

Out of tune

Speaking of American Idol, two of the more memorable castoffs - Kenneth Briggs (the guy Simon said resembled a bush baby) and his plus-size buddy Jonathan Jayne - have landed a gig with Jimmy Kimmel Live.

They proved again they can't sing, with their rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame, serenading Chicago defensive end Alex Brown.

Question of the day

Bears tight end Gabe Reid, a native of American Samoa, was interviewed for a Fresno, Calif., radio station by teammate Cameron Worrell as the safety passed a cell phone back and forth between the two.

His best question: Did Reid use coconuts as a football in his youth?

Media puppet

Reid had another memorable Media Day moment, when he talked to the hand. Literally.

A sock puppet, with fingers for a mouth and eyes between the knuckles, asked him in Spanish to explain what the Super Bowl is all about because Reid is fluent in the language. Spanish. Not puppet.

"I told him it's just like the World Cup," Reid said.

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