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Chat Reel: Pat Kirwan

Ravens' quarterback has chance to prove critics wrong

Trent Dilfer checks out the field Tuesday during the Media Day festivities. AP

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's Super Bowl chat with Pat Kirwan. Welcome Pat, how are things going on Media Day.
Pat Kirwan: Media isn't football, but people do think there are things to do with football. I spent my day with members of the Giants.

From Bucman: How do you think Trent Dilfer feels about returning to Tampa to play in the Super Bowl?
Pat Kirwan: I'm sure Trent is excited, and feels he has the opportunity to prove he is a better player than people in Tampa thought he was. I'm also sure he'll be nervous come game time in the biggest game of his life.

From efe: The Ravens don't have curfews this week. What kind of effect will this have on the players and the game?
Pat Kirwan: I think having curfews is overrated. These teams are focused, and both know what's at stake. And neither team appears to be foolish enough to get involved in an incident that would damage the team's efforts to win.

From Tigerman: How is Tiki Barber's injury to his arm, and will he need to wear a cast during the game?
Pat Kirwan: His arm is getting much better. He has modified the cast to a smaller one, and he probably will return punts.

From Ravensfan: Pat, what were your thoughts on Brian Billick's tirade against the media?
Pat Kirwan: I understand what Brian was trying to achieve, but I think it was a tactical error. Because the end result of his tirade is more attention on Ray Lewis rather than less. It was interesting to see Kerry Collins stand up, address issues around him and be done with it. The media people I spoke with this morning are going to continue to ask about Ray.

From Ali in Edison, N.J.: Why is there such a long break between the championship games and the Super Bowl? In my opinion the hype and momentum is lost. Last year was good in that there was only a one-week gap.
Pat Kirwan: I agree with you that two weeks is too long and some of the excitement fades. For the coaches, it is a chance to install a game plan in the first week so when they get here, 80 percent of the package is in and they can deal with the distractions better. It also gives the five or six players who had minor injuries, like Lomas Brown, a chance to heal and be able to play. In the end, I think we want to see the two best teams possible.

Inside Game • SI's Rick Reilly: Fatal distractions • SI's Peter King: Collins the week's biggest star • SI's Don Banks: Three-ring circus surrounds Lewis • CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan: Giants focused on Dilfer More Features • Day at a Glance: Hype is here • SI's Don Banks: Burning Questions • CNNSI.com's Trev Alberts: Tuesday's Diary -- No passion • Super Bowl Scene: Big game, big dollars • Giants Team Report: Strahan born for big-time • Ravens Team Report: Surreal scene • From The Newsstand: Tuesday's News Multimedia • Video: Media Giants | Collins owns up • SI Photo Essay: Giant Echoes | D-Day Photo Shoot Your Turn • Chats: This week's schedule • Chat Reel: Pat Kirwan

From efe: Marvin Lewis seems like he will get a head coaching job for next season. Is this a distraction to him or the team at all?
Pat Kirwan: No, I don't believe it's a distraction at all. And I do believe Marvin deserves a job and will get a job. These players and coaches are focused on Sunday's game only. At least this year some teams are waiting to hire their coach until after the Super Bowl. Too many good coaches in the past missed their opportunity because teams wouldn't wait this long.

From Ravensfan: Pat, do you think Ray Lewis has a responsibility to discuss what happened at last year's Super Bowl?
Pat Kirwan: No, I don't. That issue has gone to court and he was found innocent. His job is to prepare for the game now.

From Tigerman: Did the Giants seem to handle the media better than the Ravens. It seemed they were more relaxed?
Pat Kirwan: The Giants have been relaxed and loose since Jim Fassel's guarantee speech weeks ago. The Super Bowl experience for a team from New York could be a little easier. They're used to a tremendous amount of press coverage every day. I agree with you -- they seemed much more relaxed, but it's still early in the week.

From Jodi in Fall River, Mass.: Pat, Rumors surrounding Drew Bledsoe's contract negotiations have him asking for $20 to $25 million in a signing bonus. Do you think the Pats will give him that? Or will his contract demands force them to consider other options?
Pat Kirwan: His agent is Leigh Steinerg, and Leigh knows the market for quality quarterbacks. I don't believe the Patriots can move on without him, and I don't believe the Patriots are surprised by what Bledsoe's financial demands are. He will sign with them and stay a Patriot for his career, in my opinion.

From Bryant: How much of a factor will Jason Sehorn be in this game?
Pat Kirwan: Very good question. He will have a very big impact on this game. He is able to cover Qadry Ismail man-to-man and that will permit John Fox the defensive coordinator to get an extra defender on Jamal Lewis in the running game. I also believe the team that wins this game will score on defense. Jason is certainly a candidate for an interception and a touchdown. He did it against Philadelphia three weeks ago.

From efe: I hear that it's cold in Tampa. Would the Super Bowl ever be held in cold weather in an outdoor stadium? Teams like the four losing teams from Buffalo were made for the cold and were at a disadvantage in warm weather. In the CFL the big game is usually outdoors, and it adds a great excitement. What are your thoughts?
Pat Kirwan: No. 1, I don't think the game will ever be outside in the cold. No. 2, most players I've been involved with, even in cold weather climates, like to play in warm weather. And No. 3, in regards to the Buffalo Bills, Scott Norwood's missed field goal against the Giants cost them that game, not the temperature outside.

From gostateguy: Is it safe to say that this year's Super Bowl defines "Defense wins ball games"?
Pat Kirwan: It sure looks like it this year. The two of the best defensive teams in the NFL got to the Super Bowl. Last year, the Rams won with a wide-open offense where they threw first to set up the run. Personally, I'm excited to see two old-fashioned football teams get to the big game.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Pat Kirwan. Pat, thanks for joining us and we look forward to chatting with you tomorrow.
Pat Kirwan: My pleasure, I'll catch up with you after practice tomorrow.

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