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GLENDALE, Ariz. - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was nearing the end of his hourlong session of fielding questions during Media Day for Super Bowl XLII when Kellie Pickler stopped by with a request.

The former American Idol finalist wanted Manning to sing a little duet with her, for the sake of the "Tonight Show." Manning politely declined.

"I wouldn't put myself or any of these people under that much torture," he explained.

That sort of logic hardly affected the rest of the traditional Media Day antics, which actually have been toned down somewhat in recent years.

Among Tuesday's hijinks:

* If there was a theme of the day, it was the presence of several female broadcasters, mostly representing Latin American outlets. They were provocatively dressed. At least, one such representative was well-prepared in her

shortened version of a wedding dress (complete with veil), just in case New England quarterback Tom Brady said yes to her marriage proposal.

* If you're wondering where that red carpet that's often featured during "Entertainment Tonight" interviews comes from, the "ET" folks supply it themselves. Former NFL star Deion Sanders paraded down the 5 yards or so of carpet, just for the effect.

* The best question of the day, offbeat division, may have come from the young boy working for ESPN. He tapped Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel on the shoulder and asked him in mock seriousness whether he was upset about Brady receiving so much credit, when Cassel has never lost a game in his three pro seasons.

Cassel played along to a degree, not acknowledging that he has never started an NFL game.

* The sideshow does succeed in involving some obscure players, when they might otherwise have to spend a hour sitting in the stands, talking among themselves.

Giants cornerback Darren Bennett, a rookie from Missouri State who's a member of the practice squad, found himself fielding questions from a hand puppet, and seemed to enjoy the conversation.

* While Pickler did not get anywhere with Manning, she did succeed in having Pats receiver Kelley Washington try on a pair of red high-heeled women's shoes. They were supposedly oversized, but too small for Washington.

* The worst question of the day, serious division, was directed to Giants rookie linebacker Zak DeOssie. He reported how someone asked which team his father would be cheering for - and then it happened again, as if on cue. Steve DeOssie played for both teams, once appearing in a Super Bowl with the Giants. He wants his son to win, Zak DeOssie dutifully confirmed.