KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — After three days of talk — some enlightening, some mind-numbing, we took a day off to catch our breath and take stock of SEC Media Days 2013.
We decided one way — no, the only way — to fully understand the week was to put the coaches’ opening statements into artistic word clouds. Thus, the gallery above.
Other pertinent thoughts from the league’s kickoff event:
Butch Jones speaks this week at SEC Media Days.
HOOVER, Alabama — Tennessee was picked to finish fifth in the SEC East on Thursday, behind Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Vanderbilt and ahead of Missouri and Kentucky.
Here’s a story on the predicted standings and All-SEC teams.
In the West, voters picked Alabama to win the title.
What do you think? Vote in our poll below.
HOOVER, Alabama — When Gus Malzahn first heard that some coaches believed his hurry-up, no-huddle offense was unsafe for players, he thought it was sarcasm.
“To be honest with you, I thought it was a joke,” he said.
When that comment was relayed to new Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, things got interesting in a hurry.
Raising his voice and speaking forcefully, Bielema said he was convinced that forcing players to remain on the field for multiple snaps without rest increasing the risk of serious injury.
“The personal safety of my players is paramount,” Bielema said. “It’s not a joke to me.”
Auburn’s first-year coach has built his career upon the hurry-up offense, beginning as an innovative high school coach in Arkansas.
HOOVER, Alabama — Tennessee’s afternoon at SEC Media Days is just about in the books.
You can read stories about the Vols’ appearance on GoVolsXtra and in tomorrow’s News Sentinel.
Initial impressions?
Butch Jones‘ usual stump speech didn’t change much for SEC Media Days, but that’s not a huge surprise. There’s only so many ways you can answer the same question, and unlike some coaches who cloister themselves in the summer, Jones has been in front of dozens of clubs and meetings during the last seven months.
HOOVER, Alabama — Jacques Smith came to SEC Media Days in a loud orange blazer and flashed a big grin.
After a short flight from Knoxville to Birmingham that coach Butch Jones described as “like a family vacation,” the three players, one coach and assorted entourage are starting to go through the Media Days whirlwind.
HOOVER, Alabama — Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, the defending Heisman Trophy winner, acknowledged off-the-field mistakes but said the incidents were far from “catastrophic.”
Most recently, Manziel was criticized for his late arrival at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana after reportedly partying the night before. The Manning camp said Manziel was excused because he was ill.
The incident was minor, but as “Johnny Football” has morphed into a celebrity, the alleged disrespect to the Manning family has attracted significant attention.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive (News Sentinel/AP file photo)
HOOVER, Alabama — SEC commissioner Mike Slive said the format of future conference football scheduling remains “under review.”
At SEC Media Days on Tuesday, Slive said the league would stick with the current eight-game format while the schedule changes remain under review.
The league has yet to announce the 2014 league schedule, and many expected that a final decision on a nine-game schedule would be made by Media Days. That doesn’t seem likely.
Tennessee’s 2013 football media guide (courtesy UT)
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Printed media guides are about to go the way of the buggy whip and the telegraph, but they will be distributed for one final year when SEC Media Days gets underway on Tuesday in Hoover, Ala.
The cover of UT’s guide doesn’t include a photo of new coach Butch Jones, nor does it include any player or players. There are no hash tags. There’s no text at all, except for “Tennessee Football 2013.” I like it. Clean, classy look. Thumbs up to Jonathan King, UT’s director of creative services.