Bob Costas' interview with Patriots QB Tom Brady regarding the ongoing Deflategate controversy -- along with analyst Cris Collinsworth’s "subsequent comments --- were the most compelling element" of NBC's Super Bowl XLIX pregame show, according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Costas asked Brady if it was "fair to say that a ball boy hypothetically wouldn’t deflate a ball without knowing Brady wanted it that way." Brady said that Costas' assessment "was fair." But Brady "tap-danced when Costas said he wanted to make sure Brady was saying that 'no matter what may or may not have happened, you had no prior knowledge of it.'” Collinsworth said that in a meeting with Brady, he "asked Brady to 'look me in the eye' and say that he didn’t say anything to a ball boy or assistant coach to make anyone believe he wanted the balls deflated." Collinsworth: “He said, ‘Absolutely not.'" But play-by-play man Al Michaels noted it is "one thing for Brady to say that in a room with a few people, another thing to say it in a nationally-televised interview" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/2). In Boston, Chad Finn notes Brady "acknowledged his feelings were hurt by speculation that he had something to do with the slightly deflated footballs." But Brady "eluded further elaboration on the Deflategate situation during his conversation" with Costas, who "pressed Brady on whether he had prior knowledge of what might have happened to the footballs, if anything." Brady "shrugged off Costas’s question about whether it bothers him that fans in other cities may perceive the Patriots ... as an organization willing to disregard the rulebook" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/2).
NO THANKS, I'M GOOD: Costas during the pregame show said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declined an interview request to discuss Deflategate, domestic violence, player safety and the "many other pressing issues facing the league" (“Super Bowl XLIX Pregame,” NBC, 2/1). CBSSPORTS.com’s Will Brinson wrote there could be some details about NBC’s interview request “we don’t know about,” possibly including subject matter or timing. But Goodell’s rejection of the request “appears to be a pretty contradictory stance here,” as Goodell touted his regular availability to the media during Friday’s State of the League address (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/1). BLEACHER REPORT’s Timothy Rapp wrote some might argue that Goodell avoiding an interview “is somewhat hypocritical given how the league has heavily fined” Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch this season “for not speaking to the media.” Many journalists “also panned Goodell's comments about being available to the media on a regular basis, claiming multiple interview requests were denied over the year” (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 2/1). YAHOO SPORTS’ Jay Busbee wrote, “You don't need a road map to see the hypocrisy at work here.” Goodell and the NFL expect players like Lynch “to sit for three different interviews during Super Bowl week alone, yet Goodell makes himself available for only one lone news conference on Friday afternoon” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/1). In Akron, George Thomas asks, "What does that mean other than ... Marshawn Lynch might have answered more questions than the league commish during the most significant week on the NFL’s calendar?" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/2).
DEAR JOHN: SI.com's Richard Deitsch writes the addition of Ravens coach John Harbaugh to the pregame show "was excellent." He was "polished, animated and exactly what you wanted in a one-off Super Bowl guest." Coaches and players "often take such assignments as a way to pitch themselves as broadcasting candidates down the road," and Harbaugh "passed that test with flying colors." NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood: "He has a seat at the Football Night In America desk if this coaching thing doesn’t work out" (SI.com, 2/2). USA TODAY's David Leon Moore writes Harbaugh "was a welcome addition." Harbaugh also "clarified that he wasn't upset at the Patriots for the deceptive formation they used in their playoff matchup." Rather, he was "upset that the officials didn't clearly signal which players were eligible receivers" (USA TODAY, 2/2). The MIAMI HERALD's Jackson writes Harbaugh was NBC's "best personnel move," as he was "personable, insightful" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/2).
PEACOCK STRUT: In Seattle, Rob Owen writes NBC’s coverage, "particularly during the pregame show, was almost as much about NBC or NBCUniversal properties as it was about either football team." A Savannah Guthrie "softball interview with President Obama turned out to be a teaser for an extended interview airing this week on NBC’s 'Today.'” Meanwhile, an interview with actor Chris Pratt, a noted Seahawks fan, was "mostly just a promo for Pratt’s 'Jurassic World,' produced by NBC sister company Universal Pictures" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/2). YAHOO TV's Ken Tucker wrote Guthrie "persisted in casting her questions" to Obama "via football metaphors" (TV.YAHOO.com, 2/1). In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote the NBC exec who hired former figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski for the pregame "should be given a promotion and a raise." They "not only added a touch of class to the proceedings, featuring the usual assortment of football Gasbags, but were clearly an inspiration" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/2).
TWO THUMBS UP: In Tampa, Tom Jones notes viewers watching ESPN's pregame show yesterday likely were "brought to tears by host Suzy Kolber's emotional tribute to her late friend Stuart Scott." Kolber "had to stop several times as she cried while telling viewers of the special connection she had with Scott's two children and Scott's closeness with her daughter." After being "consoled by analyst Steve Young, Kolber admirably continued and expressed her thoughtful memories of her friend" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/2). Meanwhile, in Chicago, Ed Sherman writes it is "staggering" that NFL Network "managed to generate 12½ hours of fresh pregame coverage." Any viewer who "watched every minute should get the world's best lounge chair from the NFL Network" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/2).
