Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Super Bowl Diary: James Farrior

By James Farrior, FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior is enjoying perhaps his greatest season in the NFL. He racked up a team-high 146 tackles — the third-highest total of his career — and was captain of a defense that ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense, No. 1 in pass defense and No. 2 in run defense. Farrior was named to his second Pro Bowl as the Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. He will share his thoughts leading up to the game all week with Tribune-Review sports columnist John Harris.

"The main thing coach (Mike) Tomlin wanted to address to the team (Monday) was knowing there's going to be a lot of distractions down here, a lot of things going on with your family and ticket situations and all the hotel stuff. Just remember why we came down here and concentrate and know we've got a game down here to play.

"We're receiving a lot of attention down here. I feel like we work hard all season to get to this point. It is time for us to enjoy it a little bit (Monday and today), and then Wednesday we're going to work. Wednesday is our first practice.

"Yeah, we've got a curfew. I think it's 1 (a.m.). I don't think guys really need it though. I'm not going too far anyway. We've talked about it enough leading up to this point during the week. The younger guys know how important it is. They know to follow the older guys if they don't know what to do.

"After media day, I think everything really calms down for us. That's when we pretty much get separated from everybody else, doing our every-day schedule and the things we're doing for the week of practice. It's pretty much down to business.

"Media day is a fun time for some of the guys. I know it's probably a pain for a lot of guys who really don't like to talk to the media. It's something that we have to do, part of our job. Just talk well and give good answers.

"I couldn't believe it the last time (during Super Bowl XL). There were so many reporters and media people there. I didn't think there could be that many people gathered in one place for one cause. It was a little bit overwhelming and surprising.

"You've just got to enjoy it as much as you can. It's an opportunity to get your story out there, whatever you want to talk about. There's going to be plenty of people out there asking you questions. You're probably going to get every question you can probably think of. It's your time to say what you want to say, get all your shout-outs out of the way, all that stuff."

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