SAN DIEGO -- ESPN.com had Media Day covered and provided an in-progress look at all the happenings inside Qualcomm Stadium. Our reporters were everywhere, talking to the key Super Bowl players, offering their insights and getting answers to our users' questions.
In case you missed it, here's an in-depth account of what transpired when the Bucs and the Raiders stood before the media's most intense spotlight.
5:35 p.m. ET
The Raiders have left the building, closing out an entertaining Media Day of quips, quotes, hand puppets, Don King impersonators, and -- how can we forget? -- Mandy Moore. The next time the Raiders and Bucs take the field at Qualcomm will be on Super Bowl Sunday.
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I definitely have an on-and-off switch, but it's been on for about a month. I'm a little irritable. I've been a litle salty. It's almost here, and I just want to win. ... There are 32 teams in the National Football League, and I don't like 31 of them. This week it's Tampa, and I'm sure they don't like me either. ” |
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— Bill Romanowski, Raiders LB |
5:31 p.m. ET
Both teams had their Pro Bowl players take portraits on the field. As he was walking off, Gannon said, "Hopefully, we'll have a lot of pictures on Sunday. Good pictures."
5:29 p.m. ET
Brown was the last player to leave Media Day. Security asked him several times to leave, but he refused. He continued to answer questions, but was repeatedly interrupted by the guards.
"Hey, man," he said. "Just one more. Who knows if I'll be back?"
Then Brown talked about the differences betwen the Bucs and the Raiders: "Hey, man, both are pirates. How about that? I guess we're going to have a lot fo fans in the stands Sunday wearing patches on their eyes."
5:28 p.m. ET
Matt Hubert had a question for Tim Brown, making his first Super Bowl appearance: Was there ever a point in your career when you thought that you might never get to play in the Super Bowl with the Raiders? And now that you're here in your 15th season, how do you plan to deal with the pressure of playing in the biggest game of your life?
Brown: Yeah, there's a time that you start to wonder. But you have to keep playing for the goal, keep focusing and just hope that it works out. Now we've gotten to that point, and I'm one game away. We're one game away from accomplishing our goal.
5:21 p.m. ET
Clearly, the most annoying thing about the Raiders' portion of Media Day is the gentleman who continues to walk around mocking the Raiders with a hand puppet. Rick Mirer looked at the scene and shook his head: "What's up with the guy with the sock on his hand?"
5:16 p.m. ET
Bill Romanowski, experiencing his fifth Media Day, was clearly on edge as he spoke to the media: "I definitely have an on-and-off switch, but it's been on for about a month. I'm a little irritable. I've been a litle salty. It's almost here, and I just want to win. ... There are 32 teams in the National Football League, and I don't like 31 of them. This week it's Tampa, and I'm sure they don't like me either."
And Romo wasn't done: "Five Super Bowl rings -- that would be pretty special. Only one other guy in the history of the game has accomplished that, and that's Charles Haley. He is a unique man. Obviously, we played trogehter (in San Francisco) and I have a lot of respect for him. When he got on the field, it was all about business. You have to like that."
4:55 p.m. ET
Jerry Porter has little love for his former coach. Here, he answers a question from Kevin Dzielecki -- well, sort of: Given your past history with Jon Gruden, how would it feel to show your old coach what he missed out on by not playing you while he was in Oakland?
Porter: The big thing was the way he left. The only guy he might have talked to was Rich Gannon. I saw Gruden the day before he left at the training facility. He went up to the trainer and asked him, "Is my guy (Porter) going to be ready for next year?" And the trainer said, "Yeah, he'll be ready for mini-camps and training camps and everything." Gruden looked at me and said, "I love you, man. We'll go see the Wizards this year when Jordan comes to town." And then I turn on ESPN the next day and see that Gruden was leaving. It's not like he got everybody together and told us. I'm not sure what he could have done, but you'd think he could have done something. ... He created an uptight atmosphere around the practice facilities, while Coach Callahan is laid back and lets it happen.
Also for Porter, here's a question from Carl Jackson: If you're lined up in the slot against Ronde Barber, how much of a role will your size play in your ability to win that matchup?
Porter: It depends on what routes we call. A lot of routes allow me to use my size. He might have a quickness advantage on me, but I'm not sure. I'll have to see the film. Size is one thing you can't teach. And I've been blessed with it, so I've got to take advantage of it.
4:48 p.m. ET
Offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy wasn't too thrilled about having to wait for Rice and Brown to take the team photo: "Damn, we're sitting out there baking in the sun waiting for those two. I'm sure TV had them. We're sitting over there in the hot sun, and you know, well, we're always waiting for the two Hall of Famers. That's OK, though. You have to learn to baby them."
4:46 p.m. ET
Everybody wants to know the answer to the question Joe Koval has for Jerry Rice. So we went right to the source: Jerry, 17 years in the NFL, countless records, three Super Bowl rings, the greatest receiver of all time. If you win a fourth ring, will it be time to call it quits?
Rice: No (matter-of-factly).
And here's one from Dave Richer: Did you see your nephew's (Darius Rice of Miami Hurricanes) game-winning shot on SportsCenter? Will you be inviting him to the Super Bowl as a gift for such a great game?
Rice: Oh, yeah. I got to see it. You know what, I taught him that shot!
The crowd of reporters roared after that response. Rice had more to say about his teammates: "There's a lot of guys here I want to help win this game for. It's the opportuntiy of a lifetime for many of them. ... And you know what? I'd really love to get a ring as a Raider."
4:36 p.m. ET
Here's one of the more popular questions we've received, and Ryan Ruden asks it of Rich Gannon: Do you think that Jon Gruden knows too much about the Raiders offensively and defensively and that his coaching abilities are going to be the biggest part of the Super Bowl?
Gannon: Our focus is not on Jon and what he meant to us personally. ... We won't need to make a whole lot of changes. We're not a big audible team. We don't use a lot of hand signals. And we don't call a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage. A lot of ther terminlogy and a lot of the calls are different. And it's all coded, and we change it every week anyway, so it wouldn't mean a whole lot to a whole lot of people.
4:30 p.m. ET
We have a question from Chris for Charles Woodson: How does your leg feel? Do you think the Bucs will go after you because of it?
Woodson: It's all good, you know what I'm saying? We have one game left, so I'm not even worried about it. ... I definitely feel it, but it's nothing you need to worry about. You just have to go out and play in a game like this. They've definitely been trying me out. But you know, I'm waiting for them.
Woodson wasn't done. He also answered a question from Jared Bolls: Have any former Raiders given you advice for this Sunday such as Willie Brown, Lester Hayes or Jack Tatum?
Woodson: Freddie Biletnikoff has talked to me. I've taken something from everyone I've talked to. Willie Brown has definitely shared some things, but that's between me and him. You hear a lot about the old Raiders now, and how we can join them is by winning this one. Maybe guys will be talking to me then someday.
4:19 p.m. ET
The Raiders team picture was delayed because Jerry Rice and Tim Brown were late showing up. Everybody was waiting around for them. And when they finally arrived, the entire team stood up on the risers and gave them a standing ovation.
4:17 p.m. ET
OK, we're back, live from Qualcomm with the Media Day that will never end. The Raiders have finished shooting their team picture and are heading for their designated spots. They'll have a tough time matching the Bucs, quote for quote. Again, we'll get answers to some of the questions you've sent for Rice, Gannon, Charles Woodson and the gang. And we'll be your eyes and ears inside the stadium for the next hour. In other words, if we see Mandy Moore again, we'll let you know.
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Ronde Barber and the Buccaneers have had plenty to smile about over the past few days. |
1:01 p.m. ET
The Bucs' portion of Media Day has come to an end. And if the first hour is any indication, we're already off to a lively start. Check back for more Media Day coverage at 3:30 p.m. ET when the Raiders will take their turns at the podium. And keep sending your questions. Our team of reporters will try to get them answered for you.
1 p.m. ET
Right before the Bucs left the field, QB Brad Johnson answered a question from DeeDee Yoho: How does it feel to have the respect of the fans in Tampa Bay?
Johnson: I don't know. I don't go around and poll people there. Where you earn respect is when you come to work everyday, play hard, give your team a chance to win. That's what I try to do. I play this game for the team and for myself ... There is talk about me every year. I'm slow, I'm too tall, I'm not smart, I've got a weak arm. But somewhere along the line, I keep winning football games. It's funny to listen to the people judging you, but you've got to prove your worth every year. I'm used to all those questions when I come to training camp.
12:57 p.m. ET
Simeon Rice talked about going to his first Super Bowl: "I've been to Super Bowl week a couple of times, but I've never been to the game. I didn't go because I didn't earn it. I wanted the first time to be when I was playing in it."
12:55 p.m. ET
Several players mentioned Jon Gruden bringing guest speakers in throughout the offseason and the year. Specifically, Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. "Ronnie told us the most important thing was to come together as a family, as a team," said Lynch. "When you get that, you understand how close you have to become to achieve your goals. I know now what he was talking about."
12:44 p.m. ET
Here's a question from Pete Smith for Bucs DE Simeon Rice: Hey Simeon, do you feel like you've been a little underappreciated for the last few years?
Rice: Really, it ain't no big deal to me. When you are as high a draft pick as I was, you are still going to have to develop. There is going to be expectations, and eventually you will reach them. In Arizona, I was marinating. Now, I'm sauteed. I'm cooked and ready to go.
12:41 p.m. ET
Here's what Keyshawn had to say about people not understanding or liking him: "If you don't like Keyshawn Johnson, you've got a problem with yourself."
12:39 p.m. ET
Check out what Jon Gruden had to say about his kicker, Martin Gramatica: "I call him Barry Bonds. You put the ball down, and he hits a three-run homer every time." Sure, but can he hit a Randy Johnson fastball? No comment from Gruden on that one.
12:25 p.m. ET
MTV's guest reporter this year is singer/actress Mandy Moore, who is walking around in a Kurt Warner jersey that is five sizes too small. Uh, we believe Media Day just became Mandy Day.
12:18 p.m. ET
Don King is in the house! Well, not really. There is a King impersonator who is continuing to disrupt Media Day by screaming at several of the Buc players, interrupting questions and answers with the media. Said Lynch: "Why don't you go over and bug Sapp and Keyshawn? They're more your style."
12:13 p.m. ET
We got a response to Jimmy's question for Bucs LB Derrick Brooks: "How are goin' to try to attack Rich Gannon with the big offensive line of the Raiders?"
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If you don't like Keyshawn Johnson, you've got a problem with yourself. ” |
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— Keyshawn Johnson, Bucs WR |
Brooks: Key No. 1 is we've got to stop the run. If we do that, we'll control their passing game. No. 2, we've got to get pressure. Third, we've got to tackle. They get a lot of yards after the catch, whether it's a receiver or Garner. Fourth, we've got to create turnovers and give our offense extra chances. They do a good job of protecting Gannon and giving him time. And yet they still do a good job of pounding the ball on the ground. So that's a huge challenge, and that's probably where this game will be won up front.
12:08 p.m. ET
Of course, by now everyone knows that Gruden didn't arrive with the Bucs on Monday. Instead, he said he left Tampa at 4:30 a.m. on the Dallas Mavericks' private jet after spending Monday going over film and sleeping. Gruden seemed impressed with the flight. "It was quite a ride" said Gruden, smiling...
12:06 p.m. ET
Here's what Gruden had to say about leaving the Raiders: "In some ways, change is inevitable. A lot of that was out of control, honestly. Everything has worked out, so far. Hopefully, we can all continue to have a nice, happy life."
12:04 p.m. ET
We have a question from Bill Johnson for Bucs OT Kenyatta Walker: What do you say to everyone who has been dogging your offensive line all season?
Walker: I would say we are below-average offensive line that made it all the way to the Super Bowl. We're supposed to be bad. They say you need a 100-yard rusher every game and a couple of Pro Bowl offensive linemen, but now we're here. They said we were below average and we couldn't go to Philly and get it done. But now we're here.
12:01 p.m. ET
Lynch responded to another question from Charles for the Bucs secondary: With the emergence of Jerry Porter in Oakland's offense, which of the three receivers do you feel is the most important to contain?
Lynch: Jerry Porter obviously adds an additional dimension. Yet when you really look at it, it's just another one of the many challenges you have when facing that offense. What the Raiders do is present so many different weapons it's tough to really focus on any of them. You have Porter, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Charlie Garner. You have Doug Jolley emerging. So where do you start? You just have to trust that you have the right game plan going at them.
11:55 a.m. ET
Our first question comes from Butch Baker for John Lynch: "What kind of effect will the trip to Philly and back to Tampa then to San Diego and the time-zone change in such a short period have on the Bucs play in the Super Bowl?"
Lynch: Honestly, I'm so ready to play I can't imagine (waiting) two weeks. But with all the travel we've done, it's going to be important that we get our rest. We're still on East Coast time, and last night was supposed to be our one night out. But honestly, I think all our guys were so tired I'm not sure how many took advantage of it. Fortunately, we are a veteran group, so I think we'll be able to handle the whole travel thing. I don't think it will be much of a factor.
11:48 a.m. ET
The Bucs players are just filing into the stadium now. They are all wearing these mesh 1980-style baseball hats. Jon Gruden was in the stadium before the players, answering questions. He's already bragging about the speed of his defense. There is also a huge crowd awaiting Warren Sapp at his podium. The reporters are about 10 deep. So far it's a bit low-key because it's still early in the morning on the West Coast. But things should be begin to heat up as the quotes start to fly.
11:34 a.m. ET
Our crew of reporters is wading through tight security outside the stadium. We'll have some insight and color from inside, so stick around for the next hour to read about the wild and crazy happenings surrounding the Bucs' first Media Day experience.