James Carville: Republican presidential field ‘as bad as the NFC West’

Let’s see: Haley Barbour could be the Arizona Cardinals, and how about Newt Gingrich as the Rams? Actually I’m not sure why Carville went this route, when Big East college basketball is decidedly more topical. But for whatever reason, he chose the NFC West with which to compare the 2012 field of Republican presidential candidates.

While the Seattle Seahawks’ upset victory over New Orleans in the playoffs helped quell some of the outrage, the NFC West remains a convenient symbol for overall mediocrity — and that’s on the division’s best days.

The latest example came Sunday night when NFL owners gathered for their annual spring meetings. Left-leaning political pundit James Carville, on hand with his more conservative wife, Mary Matalin, as part of the night’s entertainment, told NFL owners the Republican presidential field for 2012 was as bad as — you guessed it — the NFC West.

Then, fireworks, according to some sources.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported some details on Devaney’s reaction to the wisecrack:

After Carville’s NFC West comments, Rams GM Billy Devaney made it clear he didn’t appreciate it. He confronted and cursed Carville.

Your move, NFL PR rep Greg Aiello:

[Carville and Devaney] both laughed. It was all in fun.

Not true that Billy Devaney pounded fists together and threatened to lock Carville out of reception.

Billy Davaney says, “Did tell Carville to stick it where sun don’t shine, but did not curse him. “He knew I didn’t appreciate it, but from that point, we had a great talk. Think he’s a good guy who really loves football.”

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Even James Carville ragging on NFC West [ESPN]