By Scary Barry Rodriguez January 27, 2011
( HONOLULU )- Yesterday for the Scary one started at 7:00 am. The first Pro Bowl practice was scheduled for 9:00 am at the Kapolei High School. No matter what happened the night before, it was game on for the practice. My partner in crime Superbowl Wayne told me to be ready for pickup at 7:30 am but traffic delayed his arrival until after 8:00 am. The freeway was more crowded than a shriner's convention. As Superbowl drank his morning coffee, we discussed our game plan for the day. As usual it was organized confusion. We eventually arrived at the correct location.
Every year the rules concerning the media at the Pro Bowl changes at least a little . This year is no exception. After watching the AFC squad practice it was time to grab a few interviews. The Scary one discovered that " On-field interviews " really meant you couldn't interview a player on the field but after he left the field. As the Rolling Stone song goes " you can't always get what you want but if you try sometime, you get what you need ".
I managed to interview Zach Miller of the Oakland Raiders and Brandon Lloyd of the Denver Broncos. Nnamdi Asomugha promised me an interview at the next practice. Getting interviews after the end of practice resembles a rugby scrum. There is a big crowd and then out of it emerges an interview ! Then the NFL minders herd the players on to their buses. Apparently I hadn't put sunscreen on my neck because it got burned. My long unkept hair protected my Scary head.
The NFC buses rumbled in and the next practice began. On the way to the field the players had to pass thru a gauntlet of photographers and television cameras. Its old hat for the players who make the Pro Bowl every year. Being from the San Francisco bay area I scanned the field for the one lone player representing the San Francisco 49ers, Justin Smith. He was my interview target. During these practice sessions everyone gets a chance to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. The NFL is watching you ! The hot sun humbled the Scary one and he had to hydrate or become jello.
The NFC practice ended and I nabbed Justin Smith for an interview. If there was no other way I was prepared to physically tackle him rather than lose the opportunity for an interview. Thats how difficult it was under the new guidelines to get some interviews. Superbowl and his television cameraman , who I call the Hawaiian Elvis , had been shooting film the whole time. We all packed up and left, after a job well done.
Back at the hotel it was nap/take a shower/vegetate time for the returning hero ! After returning to a somewhat human state I wandered about the immediate area, caught some rays and listened to some music. I hooked up with my media mob, Paul,Lee , Daisey and Superbowlwayne for a joke filled dinner. We went to a local I hop restaurant and entertained ourselves. Paul , who we call " Merlin " for his technical wizardry filmed the entire yukfest ! Its soon to go viral on you tube !
For future reference: Our cast of characters include Superbowlwayne AKA Mr. Emotional, Lee AKA Leonard, Daisey of " Cooking with Daisey ", Paul AKA " Merlin " and Scary Barry AKA Wild man Barry.
Stay tuned for another exciting installment of The Road To The Pro Bowl 2011.
Courtesy of Scary Merlin Productions. barryrodriguez (c) 2011. all rights reserved.
( HONOLULU )- Yesterday for the Scary one started at 7:00 am. The first Pro Bowl practice was scheduled for 9:00 am at the Kapolei High School. No matter what happened the night before, it was game on for the practice. My partner in crime Superbowl Wayne told me to be ready for pickup at 7:30 am but traffic delayed his arrival until after 8:00 am. The freeway was more crowded than a shriner's convention. As Superbowl drank his morning coffee, we discussed our game plan for the day. As usual it was organized confusion. We eventually arrived at the correct location.
Every year the rules concerning the media at the Pro Bowl changes at least a little . This year is no exception. After watching the AFC squad practice it was time to grab a few interviews. The Scary one discovered that " On-field interviews " really meant you couldn't interview a player on the field but after he left the field. As the Rolling Stone song goes " you can't always get what you want but if you try sometime, you get what you need ".
I managed to interview Zach Miller of the Oakland Raiders and Brandon Lloyd of the Denver Broncos. Nnamdi Asomugha promised me an interview at the next practice. Getting interviews after the end of practice resembles a rugby scrum. There is a big crowd and then out of it emerges an interview ! Then the NFL minders herd the players on to their buses. Apparently I hadn't put sunscreen on my neck because it got burned. My long unkept hair protected my Scary head.
The NFC buses rumbled in and the next practice began. On the way to the field the players had to pass thru a gauntlet of photographers and television cameras. Its old hat for the players who make the Pro Bowl every year. Being from the San Francisco bay area I scanned the field for the one lone player representing the San Francisco 49ers, Justin Smith. He was my interview target. During these practice sessions everyone gets a chance to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. The NFL is watching you ! The hot sun humbled the Scary one and he had to hydrate or become jello.
The NFC practice ended and I nabbed Justin Smith for an interview. If there was no other way I was prepared to physically tackle him rather than lose the opportunity for an interview. Thats how difficult it was under the new guidelines to get some interviews. Superbowl and his television cameraman , who I call the Hawaiian Elvis , had been shooting film the whole time. We all packed up and left, after a job well done.
Back at the hotel it was nap/take a shower/vegetate time for the returning hero ! After returning to a somewhat human state I wandered about the immediate area, caught some rays and listened to some music. I hooked up with my media mob, Paul,Lee , Daisey and Superbowlwayne for a joke filled dinner. We went to a local I hop restaurant and entertained ourselves. Paul , who we call " Merlin " for his technical wizardry filmed the entire yukfest ! Its soon to go viral on you tube !
For future reference: Our cast of characters include Superbowlwayne AKA Mr. Emotional, Lee AKA Leonard, Daisey of " Cooking with Daisey ", Paul AKA " Merlin " and Scary Barry AKA Wild man Barry.
Stay tuned for another exciting installment of The Road To The Pro Bowl 2011.
Courtesy of Scary Merlin Productions. barryrodriguez (c) 2011. all rights reserved.
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