Super, and a little bit surreal

Players are ready for the standard questions and answers of media day, but Sexy Simeon?

By JOHN C. COTEY and ANTONYA ENGLISH
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 22, 2003

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SAN DIEGO -- If you want to know whether the Bucs find the presence of goofy-question-asking comedians and actors in the media day mix an intrusion or an infusion (of fun), consider this response from Nate Webster:

"I think it's a good mix. You have to have fun with it. And . . . hold on . . . what? . . . Sorry, man, I have to go."

Nate? Hey, Nate?

Webster had to go, just as another question about the Cover 2 defense was about to be lobbed at him, because cameras from the ESPN International television station wanted the linebacker and cohorts Chartric Darby, Dexter Jackson and Cornell Green to say En El Super Bowl, Vamos Bucs.

To which Webster, not in synch with his teammates, said Vamos Bucs, En . . . Uh . . . Vamos Bucs!

Take two.

If it wasn't Spanish television stations trying to steal away sound bites, it was comedians Tommy Davidson (Fox Sports Net's The NFL Show), Aries Spears (Mad TV and the Best Damn Sports Show Period), Anthony Anderson (TNT's Listen Up), bubble gum pop star Mandy Moore (MTV) and former Cosby Show cutie Raven Simone (Disney's That's So Raven).

Clearly, some of the journalists weren't amused, shooting out dirty looks and nasty mutterings. They had serious work to do.

But how else could we find out what Simeon Rice had for dinner Monday night (Tex-Mex egg rolls, dipped in ranch dressing, a little strawberry shake, water with lemon in it, some Teriyaki chicken with mashed potatoes).

The players, if anything, came to life when asked to carry a camera around for a television station, or asked the silly questions that the serious journalist (ahem) would sniff at.

But how else would we know that Kenyatta Walker has the biggest butt on the team?

Not all the humorous attempts were winners. Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson were among the many who didn't find the humor in Spears, who was dressed as Don King right down to the coif. Sapp finally taunted Spears away from the podium, yelling: "That's why you're not the best damn sports show in America."

A Fox Sports Net producer almost seemed put off by the lukewarm reception, especially from Johnson, a regular Best Damn Sports Show Period guest.

Anderson, best known for his role as a thief in the movie Barbershop, was more warmly received, probably due to his less obnoxious style (Spears barged in on interviews) and his more humorous touch. Whereas players just cringed at Spears over-the-top stupidness, Bucs seemed willing to play along with Anderson.

He asked Dexter Jackson what position Charles Barkley, the host of Listen Up!, would play if he were a football player (Jackson said long snapper). He engaged Rice in a conversation to determine whether his name made him popular with the ladies.

"Do you think women date you because your name is Simeon Rice? Because it sounds kind of sexy. Just say it with me . . . Simmmeoonnn Rice."

"Simeon is not a sexy name," Rice replied. "But it does have sex appeal. But it's not really a sexy name."

Anderson: "Okay, but Sexy Simeon?"

Occasionally, the funny folks would give way to a probing question and guys like Webster would be back, answering away.

But you had to be quick. Because just as you were about to drop the big question on him, Simone or Moore or Davidson would show up, and Webster would look forlornly at his teammates hamming it up and having fun.

Go ahead, Nate. We'll talk to you later.