Mike Lopresti: Colts' Harrison, Bears' Peterson want their play to do talking

Mike Lopresti: Colts' Harrison, Bears' Peterson want their play to do talking

MIAMI -- The words came hard for No. 29 of the Chicago Bears. They always do. They have since he was a little kid, when the stuttering began. So Tuesday was Super Bowl Media Day, which meant thousands of strangers with cameras and microphones, in search of fast talkers and smooth quote craftsmen.

No place, it would seem, for Adrian Peterson. But he said the day was not harder than any of the others.

"I've dealt ... with this," he said, working his way through the sentence, "since ... I was five years old."

The horde of media also looked menacing for No. 88 of the Indianapolis Colts. They always have, which is why he is so rarely available for comment. During the week, the unavailable Colt. After a game, the vanishing Colt.

But Tuesday was Super Bowl Media Day, so his own dais was waiting for Marvin Harrison, who probably would have rather had his gums scraped.

This is Marvin Harrison, who told a professor at Syracuse he'd be perfectly willing to accept a lower grade if he just didn't have to make a class presentation.

Who, when asked for his favorite song earlier this season, said it was too personal a question to answer.

Who, when told he had a guaranteed reservation at a Hall of Fame induction one day, responded, "Does that mean I'll have to give a speech?"

Harrison might be perfectly at ease catching footballs in a crowd, but he and a media day go together like a Happy Meal and asparagus.

"We're talking about talking, not playing. I can play in front of a full stadium, or just me and you. I'm not comfortable with all the eyes," he said at one point Tuesday. "When we're out there as football players, you've got your helmet on and you don't have to do any talking. Talking doesn't get you anywhere in my profession."

Still, he lasted the entire hour.

"Today," he said, "will be it for me."

Certainly, Adrian Peterson had to dread this day. Didn't he?

"I'm 27 years old. This is part of my life," he said. "It's easier ... for me ... answering questions than asking them. I'll be in the grocery store ... or at the gas station ... trying to get something out. To see people coming up to me ... saying something first, that's a piece of cake."

Few came by Tuesday to talk to Adrian Peterson. As a productive special teams player, he is a valuable asset but no marquee name. Still, anyone who asked got his best effort.

The game, he said, was no problem. He could study all night, if he had to. He could practice all day. The environment is controlled. Not like beyond the sidelines.

"Go ... outside ... and you ... never know ... what ... might happen."

Maybe Harrison was really born to be a left guard. Receivers are supposed to do end zone dances. Pull pens out of their socks to sign a football after scoring a touchdown. Be loud and proud, as big as the sky, if not as big as Terrell Owens.

"I don't think I need to be TO-big. The bottom line is what you do on the field," he said. "I know we're the prima donna position, but I don't know why a lot of guys talk. I don't know if it's for the publicity or what. I don't need to be more famous."

Harrison wondered how his ratio of victories to games played would compare to some of the more flamboyant of his lodge.

"I think I've won a lot more than games than those guys," he said."

Not that he isn't amused by their antics, except when they go too far. Where's the line?

"Wherever the line is drawn, I don't think I'll ever get close to it," he said.

Both men made it through Tuesday. Watching Adrian Peterson's courage, no wonder he is so hard to block on a kickoff return. Meanwhile, Harrison even related anecdotes, such as the time he caught a nervous Peyton Manning's first professional pass for a touchdown in an exhibition game.

"I told him, 'Don't expect this every time,' " Harrison said.

So Marvin, see you Wednesday at the Colts' press session?

"Five minutes, maybe."

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