The Super Bowl media day circus

Jim Baumbach

3:02 PM EST, January 29, 2008

GLENDALE, Ariz.

What is media day? Every player from both teams sits behind a desk on the field for one hour, and the assembled media have a chance to interview whomever they want. Sounds straight forward, right? Maybe in 1970. Not anymore.

We've never witnessed the craziness of a media day, but we've read about it. Apparently it becomes a bit of a circus, with reporters jostling with "reporters" to ask questions of the players. One question could be about the running game. The next about the nightlife. Sometimes it's funny. Most times, we presume, it's rather awkward.

Again, only from what we've read and heard.

So for this media day, which begins at noon EST (10 a.m. in Arizona), we're going to bring you a running account of the festivities (thanks to my BlackBerry). So stick with us throughout the day as the updates come in.

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11:24 a.m. (9:24 in Arizona)

I've arrived at University of Phoenix Stadium and I am waiting on the concourse level for the field to open. So far it's just hundreds of reporters here. Some faces I recognize. Most I do not. Some people are having others take pictures of themselves with the field in the background. That's a little unprofessional. So would me timing myself in the 40 once the field opens.

11:32

Miss Nevada USA is here, apparantly as part of the "media contingent."

11:54

This really is a bit of a scene. They just let the media down to the field and it looked like the running of the bulls. Everyone ran to get position at the various mini stages set up for the players, who should be arriving soon. The sheer number of reporters is what makes this nuts. I saw a television crew from "The Tonight Show" walking around. And Chris Berman is extending his reach by doing interview after interview.

11:59

The first casualty of media day. Just saw a large security guard tell a scantily clad woman she didn't have the proper credential to be on the field.

12:01 p.m.

A reporter from "Entertainment Tonight" is now interviewing the reporter from "The Tonight Show," and several camera crews are filming this momentous exchange.

12:02

The biggest crowd awaiting a player is at Tom Brady's stand, not surprisingly. There is even an "Access Hollywood" female reporter wearing a signed Brady jersey.

12:06

The players are here. Chaos ensues.

12:14

Deion Sanders just caused a stir by walking through and distracting players while they were being interviewed.