Media Day notebook


Murphy: Eating it all up


Super Bowl underdogs have their day in the sun


The mouth that roared


Jamal leaves a lasting image


Garber: Great Dane and a pup


Backstage at the Super Bowl



  Saturday, Jan. 30 5:27pm ET
ESPN.com's man on the scene braves Media Day
 Mobley
Mobley tackled ESPN.com questions in the sun on Tuesday.

All week ESPN.com is on the scene at Super Bowl XXXIII and on Tuesday one of our intrepid reporters covered Media Day, 1999. Of course the annual made for media event was a crowded affair, with approximately 3,000 members of the media, but we did catch up with three members of the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

In case you missed the Jan. 26 appearances of John Mobley, Jason Elam and Howard Griffith, fear not, for an edited transcript follows.

Take a look below to find out why Mobley is loving Denver, why Elam hopes the game comes down to special teams and why Griffith hopes Terrell Davis is talking about him.

Moderator: Our first guest this morning will be John Mobley.

farlsmon: When you were first drafted by Denver, (which made a lot of fans extremely excited) it seemed as though you did not want to be here due to the contract disputes the media was reporting. Was this true and if so, why? And how do you like Denver now?

Mobley: How could I not be happy with a situation like this? To come to the Super Bowl two out of your first three years in the league, with a class organization that is probably No. 1 in the league as far as treating players right, I can't be disappointed.

A lot of guys go their whole careers without the opportunity to play in one, for me to win one and have an opportunity to win another one is really something that few can compare to.

Dave Babiarz: Many thoughts were that you guys were going to face Minnesota and Randy Moss. Now that you're facing Atlanta and Jamal Anderson do you think that you guys caught a break or does it matter?

Mobley: Anderson is a very tough back to tackle, he's got a thick lower body and he's able to absorb the hit and use the momentum to rush for a few more yards.

We'll have to do a good job of gang tackling and getting around him to do the best we can and keep him contained.

Moderator: We thank John for stopping by, next up we'll have Jason Elam.

JTMaldonado: What would you say is the biggest difference between this year and last year in terms of preparation for the game?

Elam: I guess just knowing what to expect a little bit more -- I think we're a little bit more laid back because we won last year. There's just not the same pressure. We're enjoying it a little bit, but at the same time we're taking it seriously because the Falcons are going to give it their best shot.

Illinois J: Do you think special teams will figure into a win or lose situation on Sunday?

Elam: As a kicker I kind of view every game like that. I don't want to be surprised by anything so I've gone over everything in mind -- different spots on the field, going both ways, wind conditions, rain, every possible scenario that could happen to me.

I just don't want to be surprised.

Moderator: Thank you Jason for your time -- next up we'll have Howard Griffith.

 Griffith
Griffith fields espn.com user questions at Media Day.

Scott from Sioux Falls, SD: I know all the attention goes to Terrell. Do you relish the roll of providing the holes that springs Davis free.

Griffith: He better be down there talking about me ...

Dumluck: With Atlanta keying on T. Davis, how does that open up the field for you?

Griffith: I was taught long ago that there are about five plays that can change a game -- whether it's an interception, a tipped pass, a fumble or a big run -- there are plays that are going to change the game and hopefully I can be a part of that.

JMSIMS: In the week leading up to the big game, how do you stay focused on the job at hand and is it any different than any other game?

Griffith: It's one game, it's either get good or get gone. I think a lot of people coming into this game see things they are just not accustomed to. I think the best thing you can do is do what you did to get here and use the same game plan.

Philip Zugarramurdi: You are a key reason to Terrell's success as a runner. Who do you believe will be your key advisory on Sunday in order for Terrell to get some good runs?

Griffith: I always tell Terrell if he doesn't follow me he'll get crushed.

A lot of times teams key on wherever I go because they figure that's where Terrell is going. Sometimes he can go left when I go right and we have some success because the defense goes to the right where I am.

That's one of the things our coaches have done great with our game plan, is keeping things off-balance.


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