I'll be at the Cards facility, staring at Jody Jackson's legs out of boredom and because she has very fine ones aaaaall the way up to her arse.
It really is not much fun. Can't drink alcohol. I pass on the sugar pill donuts. There is only one TV and those of us interested crowd around it. Many don't. The mainstream media are working. Making cell phone calls, typing on laptops, schmoozing, lining up interviews.
Gambo and the 910 crew set up at a table outside the media room and blast their program loudly. Jurecki and KDUS do the same at another table.
The rest of us set up our laptops at booths around the interior of the media room. I'm buried in the corner because most booths are reserved for bigger media players than ASFN.
Cards picks are usually quickly available by phone for conference call interviews. Cards' Media guys Greg Gladysiewski and Chris Melvin hand out info on our draft picks for use if we desire.
The day drags. Last year it was really gloomy because everybody hated the trade and the picks. Reporters, most having good command of the language, can be very effectively sarcastic and cynical when riled. I felt sorry for the Cards officials in the room. The coverage though, was very fair and restrained.
We tend to bash the media for their Cards coverage but it's brutal covering a lousy team. There are only so many ways to spin "Cards suck". I guarantee you many of the media members I've met would like nothing better than to be able to report positive things in an upbeat manner.
Eventually, Rod Graves and Denny Green will come down and talk to us, probably right after our 2nd round pick is made.
It sucks and I wouldn't miss it under any condition because I just love it and you really do pick up gems of information.
Then I'll leave, go have a few brews and a good steak at Fleming's just down the road. Go home and come right back an hour earlier the next day for rounds 4 through 7. By day 2, many of the media are gone.
It's a privilege and a blast. I'll be online all day and will share if I get anything good.