SIGHTS & SOUNDS FROM NEW ORLEANS

Strange questions, even stranger get-ups

There was a reporter from Nickelodeon dressed as a superhero. Another from Univision was decked out as a lucha libre wrestler. There was a creepy rodeo clown and an even creepier guy in sunglasses and what appeared to be a coyote-skin hat.

In other words, it was a typical media day at the Super Bowl.

More than 2,000 media members poured into the Superdome, according to the NFL. They included longtime reporter-celebrity-models like CNN en Español's Ines Sainz and new ones like Katherine Webb, the object of ESPN telecaster Brent Musburger's affection during the BCS Championship Game.

Webb, Miss Alabama USA and the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, was working as a Super Bowl correspondent for "Inside Edition."

The 49ers fielded some oddball questions.

Randy Moss was asked if he ever had an imaginary, online girlfriend. Answer: "No. If I did, I never told anybody about it."

Nose tackle Ian Williams was asked by the lucha libre reporter what would happen if he charged Williams like a Ravens offensive lineman. Said Williams: "I'd give you a rock bottom" wrestling move.

Most questions were about the game. Many were not.

Backup guard Joe Looney was asked, "Who's your favorite black person?"

Someone asked fullback Bruce Miller if he thought "Ray Lewis did it," referring to a 2000 incident in which two men were stabbed to death. Lewis ultimately pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after first being charged with murder.

Tweeted Miller after the media session: "Super Bowl media day in 1 word …… Aggressive!!"

– Matthew Barrows

Harbaugh's challenge

When players and coaches were asked to play along with a joke about the growing influence of social media in everyday communication, results were mixed and appeared to expose the generation gap between some players and coaches.

Jim Harbaugh and others were asked to answer some questions in hashtags only. The tags, which might look like #SuperBowl on Twitter, are used to help social media users identify trendy topics.

"That would be very challenging to me," Harbaugh said. "I don't know the hashtag world that well. I don't have one. I don't have a tweeter. I'm not real good at that."

– Associated Press

Davis' smooth moves

The 49ers' podium move of the day went to Vernon Davis.

The 49ers tight end sat up straight in his seat and demonstrated longtime long snapper Brian Jennings' unique pregame ritual.

Davis crossed his arms in front of his face and fluttered them in a smooth, downward motion.

Yoga or tai chi, perhaps?

"It's yoga, tai chi," Davis said. "It's weird, but it works for him."

– Associated Press

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