Here’s a little audio from left tackle David Diehl on the importance of getting a good running game doing against the Pats on Sunday.

Enjoy.

Download:

Ciao for now.

Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was supposed to meet and greet the media at 10:30 this morning. He showed up 45 minutes late after, he says, losing track of time while visiting with his wife and son. Burress continues to be a lightning rod for controversy after making a prediction of a winning 23-17 score Monday night. Coach Tom Coughlin said he planned on talking with Burress about making predictions but will keep that discussion private. Burress, under league rules, can be fined for his tardiness. However, NFL representative Randall Liu said that his case will be reviewed because he agreed to stay past his scheduled time.

Michael Strahan was asked about the gap in his front teeth this morning, and what an answer he gave:

“You know what I think? There was a time when I thought about fixing it. I went to the dentist and had all the X-rays and charts and the pictures of how it would look if it was fixed. And I decided that if I did, it would not be me. So I decided to keep it. And I think the thing about it is people look and they go ‘OK, here’s a guy who’s not perfect.’ But to me it’s perfect because it fits me and it makes me feel comfortable. I feel comfortable when I look in the mirror. … I never felt like I had to live up to whatever anybody else thinks … or anybody else’s hangup. My teammates give me a hard time about it, and you know what I tell them? ‘When we go somewhere and you’re standing at the back of the line and they don’t notice you, I walk up and smile and I automatically get in. That’s why I have it.’ ”

The normally sedate New England Patriots finally provided some headline material this morning during media availability at the team’s hotel.

Randy Moss was the first player to go on the record with a usable quote when asked for an opinion of the Giants’ black-on-black dress code.

“We’ll see who’s wearing black on Monday,” Moss responded.

Rodney Harrison was also mildly confrontational when addressing the defensive effort during New England’s 38-35 win over the Giants during the regular season.

“We played probably our worst defensive game of the year,” Harrison said. “We will be better than that. We have nowhere to go but up.”

Just got done with Belichick, and he didn’t say a single word about Tom Brady’s ankle. We’re all gathered at Brady’s podium right now hoping to glean one gem about his overall health. … I’ll let you know.

The Phoenix area has the Super Bowl, and you sure can’t mistake that around town, or out in Glendale and that stadium that looks like the Hindenburg.

It’s everywhere you look, just as every Super Bowl city, with posters stories high of Michael Strahan and Tom Brady, and NFL and SBXLII logos plastered everywhere.

But there’s more. Much more. The FBR Open, the most rowdy and fan-friendly tournament on the PGA Tour, is in town this weekend. Phil Mickelson speaks today. Tiger’s not here, because he gets millions to play elsewhere.

Then there’s politics. Arizona’s John McCain is coming off his big victory in Florida, is expected to get Rudy Giuliani’s endorsement when Rudy drops out, and all the candidates from both parties will be flying into the Phoenix area to prepare for Tuesday’s primary here.

Up before the crack of dawn and ready to head over to the team hotels for the first of two days of player access, this time without the clowns at Media Day. By the way, I’m a little ticked off. That girl in the wedding dress not only gave Eli Manning a proposal, but also a tee-shirt. She can keep the proposal. But for a guy whose total wardrobe costs about $25 (that’s with two pair of pants, mind you), I’m obviously very into free apparel. Yet, all I got out of Media Day was a bunch of quotes for my stories.

Drat that Eli!!!!!

Anyway, Patriots first. Belichick ought to be a barrel of laughs as the press grills him on Tom Brady’s ankle. I half expect old Bill to trot out Brady with his leg in traction and IVs hooked up to both arms.

Oh, and how’s this for one more reason to hate the 18-0 Pats. The mayor of Boston has already publicized plans for a victory parade, and the Boston Globe is pre-selling a book on-line recounting the perfect 19-0 season. Nothing like a little advance planning, right? Bet Belichick is ready to hang somebody.

Okay. Time to wash up, dress down, and head out. Talk to you guys later.

Ciao for now.

that the University of Phoenix Stadium is not what it’s cracked up to be? The outside is supposed to pay homage to the cactus, but it just looks like an overgrown warehouse with a retractable roof. All drab gray. Might as well be a Costco. Ugly if you ask me.

Inside’s not bad, and I like the idea of a retractable field. The natural grass looked long and lush, and should stand up well.

By the way, looking for help. Anybody know what conference UOP plays in? I’m thinking small, but diverse.

Ciao for now.

There’s a popular theory going around that says the Giants are better off without tight end Jeremy Shockey and his wild on-field antics. But Plaxico Burress says that’s a lot of hogwash.

Here’s what he said at Media Day about Shockey and the affect he has on the wide receiver and his teammates, which will be missing Sunday.

Download:

Enjoy.

Ciao for now.

Spent about an hour with Randy Moss at the zoo that is Media Day today at the stadium in Glendale.

A reporter friend from Boston told me that he’s been unbelievably different than advertised before he arrived, that in fact he’s the opposite, as if Bill Belichick is kneeling behind him pulling on the puppet strings. The guy has gulped the Kool-Aid.

After Moss did his whole thing—politely, graciously, patiently—and put the team ahead of himself at every opportunity, another guy in the newspaper business suggested that it wasn’t really Moss, but a pod programmed to spit out Belichick-isms in Patriotese.

I kept looking up at the nametag above the podium where he sat, to make sure it actually did say “Randy Moss.” It did.

He said, “excuse me” when he hiccupped. He apologized when he couldn’t hear a question. He took time and patience to listen to and answer several questions from a young boy, maybe 9 years old, sent out by a kids TV station. He even ignored some of his teammates who were trying to distract him in order to fully answer every question.

Although he did admit that the main reason he was there for the whole hour was that he got a letter from the NFL saying that he’d be fined a lot of money if he didn’t.

I’ll tell you this, the guy was convincing as heck. Humble.

I’m writing a column about him for The Journal News and LoHud.com tomorrow.