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Bennett: Seahawks embrace spotlight as champs

PHOENIX -- The Seahawks can be brash, boastful and over the top.

They also are champions, and defensive end Michael Bennett believes they've earned their right to be in the spotlight.

Problem is, Bennett believes America doesn't appreciate his team.

"People hate us because, you know, when you talk a lot of smack, people usually hate you," he said on Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday. "But when you talk a lot of smack and you back it up, they hate you even more. I think that's what it is.

"People hate (Richard) Sherman because he says he's the best corner, and he plays like the best corner. So, it's just like one of those things where people just hate us because of who we are, but we embrace it. I like it. I like when people hate us, because our stocks go up, our jerseys are higher selling. It's pretty cool."

Bennett knows one place he is not hated: at home. He has three daughters who keep him grounded.

"There's a lot of estrogen going on, a lot of sensitivity," he said. "I have to break down my football barrier, being so macho all the time. Got to watch those kid movies, got to watch those girly things."

OPEN AND SHUT CASE?: The Super Bowl is being played in a stadium with a retractable roof. The kickers for the teams were asked their thoughts on whether the league should open or close the roof for the game.

Steven Hauschka of the Seahawks has more experience at University of Phoenix Stadium than Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski because he plays in the building every season when Seattle faces off against division rival Arizona Cardinals. The league has said it plans to keep the roof open, but could change if there is inclement weather.

Gostkowski was hoping for some clarity on whether it will be open or closed, but said he will be prepared either way.

"I've asked like five or six different people and no one has any answers. If you could tell me it'd be awesome," he said of whether the game will be played indoors or outdoors. "Whatever it is it's going to be warmer and less windy than what we had at Gillette stadium."

Hauschka said he has played at the stadium with the roof open and closed and said it doesn't make much difference.

"We've played with it open before. Unless it's super windy I don't think the wind gets to the level of the field," he said.

NOT LOOKING TO LEAVE: In past years, coordinators from New England's Super Bowl teams have become hot coaching commodities, including Josh McDaniels, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini. McDaniels has become a prospect for head coaching jobs again amid his second successful stint as offensive coordinator for the Patriots.

But one name rarely comes up in the coaching discussions: New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

Patricia said that doesn't bother him, joking "I just want to come to work and make sure my key card works."

When told that a dominant defensive performance in the Super Bowl might garner him even more consideration, the 40-year-old coach said "I just hope we play a good game."

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL