AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA look inside SEC Media Days
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hoover, Ala.-After leaving the laid-back shores of Lake Oconee, the site of the ACC kickoff, this morning we are in this Birmingham suburb to begin three of the most intense days in our business-the annual SEC Football Media Days.
This event is not for a media member who just has a passing interest in the sport. It is 12 hours of wall-to-wall, hardcore football talk spread over three days. But to me these meetings mark the official beginning of football season. It’s tiring, but it’s fun.
Let me give you a sense of how this works and to set up the schedule for the rest of the week.
Today’s first session begins at about 1:45 p.m. when SEC commissioner Mike Slive addresses the assembled print media. He stands before a podium in a very large ballroom and gives his introductory remarks and catches us up with any news that is going on in the conference. Then the interviews begin.
Each day we spend about 4-5 hours interviewing players and coaches from four of the 12 SEC schools. Today’s schools are Florida, Mississippi State, LSU, and Vanderbilt Among the players scheduled to meet with the media today are Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner. His teammate, OT Phil Trautwein will also be here. Old Phil might get a little lonely during the interview sessions because most of the writers will want to talk to Tebow. And when they talk to Phil, most of the questions will probably be about his quarterback.
FYI: I am working on a story about Tebow and the incredible travel schedule he has kept since winning the Heisman Trophy. It will be in Thursday’s print section and should be posted on ajc.com sometime tonight. You won’t believe what this guy does in the little free time that he has.
Each player and coach spends just over two hours being interviewed. And during that time they have to make stops in 10 different rooms. They spend 40 minutes in the print/internet room because it is by far the largest and then 10 minutes each in a radio/internet room and three different rooms for local television in the SEC markets. Raycom, SEC-TV (that’s not a network but some shows that are produced for cable outlets like FSN South), CSS, CBS, and ESPN all have their own rooms and get 10 minutes each with each participant.
The coordination of this is very complex. The coaches and players are pulled from room to room through the Wynfrey Hotel like rock stars or presidential candidates in a desperate effort to stay on schedule. The time for every appearance in every room is scripted for all of the players and coaches. If one coach or player lingers too long in one room it can throw off the entire schedule.
For example, here is the schedule for Georgia coach Mark Richt once he arrives here Thursday morning. All times are Central:
8:40-9:20-Print
9:20-9:30—CSS
9:30-9:40-TV1
9:40-9:50-TV2
9:50-10:00—TV3
10:00-10:10-Raycom
10:10-10:20—Radio/Internet
10:20-10:30-SEC-TV
10:30-10:40-CBS
10:40-10:50—ESPN
Two coaches and four players are put through this cycle. Then two more coaches and four more players are brought in and the process starts all over. This goes on for three days. Just telling you about it makes me tired.
But here is the lineup for the week with the players in parentheses:
Today (2:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Florida (Urban Meyer, QB Tim Tebow and OT Phil Trautwein).
Mississippi State (Sylvester Croom, QB Wesley Carroll and LB Jamar Chaney)
LSU (Les Miles, C Brett Helms and DE Tyson Jackson)
Vanderbilt (Bobby Johnson, S Reshard Langford and WR George Smith)
Wednesday (9:40 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Alabama (Nick Saban, OL Antoine Caldwell, S Rashad Johnson)
Georgia (Mark Richt, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, DT Jeff Owns)
Ole Miss (Houston Nutt, DE Peria Jerry and OT Michael Oher)
Tennessee (Phillip Fulmer, DE Robert Ayers and RB Arian Foster)
Friday (9:40 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Auburn (Tommy Tuberville, C Jason Bosley, DE Sen’derrick Marks)
Kentucky (Rich Brooks, DE Jeremy Jarmon and WR Dicky Lyons, Jr.)
Arkansas (Bobby Petrino, LB Elston Forte and C Jonathon Luigs)
South Carolina (Steve Spurrier, LB Jasper Brinkley and WR Kenny McKinley).
Let the fun begin.
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Comments
By Joe Labruzzo
July 23, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
Did they paper the walls in that ‘very large ballroom’ purple and gold already ? Geaux tigers
By I love SEC football
July 23, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Let me get this right: this article is nothing more than your agenda for the week? How is this worthy of a column???? And why are two hours worth of interviews for Coach Richt exhausting??? I’m sure it’s mind-numbing to answer the same questions, but tiring? If you weren’t such a Georgia homer you wouldn’t be published.
By reality check
July 23, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
It does sound fun, although the amount of time each media member other than the print media gets with them is modest if I understand the schedule. I have to wonder how much insight anybody can get in such short sessions.
By please.....
July 23, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
if you think that is boring, try my job.
By HomeDawg
July 23, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Hope Richt saves up and gives ESPN some real strong quotes at the end of his day. And to I Love SEC Football: Chill. You certainly don’t represent the rest of us who love SEC football and like hearing from TB.
By Mikey in Sav
July 23, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
When do they go to the bathroom ?
By gatorsurfer
July 23, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Tony, Please tell Massaquoi that we enjoy watching his butter-fingers in action and we look forward to many more drops this year too! But I guess you can’t hold it against him, no one can catch the ball at UGA…except the cheerleaders
And make sure you bring 3 boxes Krispy Kremes for Phat Phil! They’ll be gone in the 10 minutes you have with him.
Go Gators!
By HomeDawg
July 23, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Gatorsurfer: I guess you missed the 80+ yard bomb that Butterfingers caught last year, didn’t you? I’m guessing your fingers are perfect and catch numerous balls.
By Eric1
July 23, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Mikey, is it possible that you’re really a disgraced senator from Idaho? War Eagle!!!
By Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
July 23, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Gatorsurfer: MoMass caught a perfect strike for an 84 yard TD against your overrated Gators last year … expect an even bigger whipping this year as we derail any hopes you have for the SEC and a NC. Watch us in Miami for the NC!
By greg
July 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I’m betting the acc event didn’t have nearly this much attention and interest. We may all hate each other, but you can’t argue the SEC is the best there is. WDE
By shannon
July 23, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
gatorsurfer: Massaquoi didn’t drop it against you this year, did he? Can you say 65 yard TD jackass?
By joe
July 23, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Nice jab Homedawg re: queersurfer catching many balls, but you failed to mention they were T-bag Tebow’s balls. It’s only day 1 of SEC football and I’m already tired of hearing about him and his fondling trips to Phillipines. Can’t wait until he gets sacked and stumbles to the sideline.
By polskidawg
July 23, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
TB - love reading your blogs, and I can’t wait for the season so everyone can actually have something to talk about.
However, I must complain about your (really, nearly everyone’s) misuse of the word “podium”.
A podium is what one stands on, while speaking behind a lectern.
Sorry - couldn’t help myself.
By hsf
July 23, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Geaux is so gay. LSU fans need to rethink.
By Kent N
July 23, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Not a Gator fan but Tebow brings a lot more to the table than the keg lifting Stafford. Look for Florida and Tennessee to maintain the recent dominance over the always over rated uga. Well Tennessee really never lost theirs.
By Gatorsurferis Gatorchompsboyfried
July 23, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
We’re here we’re queer we’re gaytors. Book It!
By Ben in Athens
July 23, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
NOOOOOOO, not you too TB! PLEASE don’t make us endure ANOTHER story on what the wonderful Tim Tebow does in his free time. It’s hardly a “story” anymore anyways. We all already know about his offseason schedule ranging from stopping tsunamis in Asia to finding the cure for cancer in the Amazon. Don’t forget about feeding all the starving children in the world in a single day. Look, he seems like a nice enough guy off the field and I’d probably be all goo goo gah gah for him too if he was on my team. However, one man does not a team make. Mainly though, we’re all just reallllllly sick of hearing about him.
By Kent N
July 23, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Getting on your hands and knees and then barking like a dog is queer. Unless taking a beating for a decade is considerd queer.
By Will
July 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Hey Tony,
Ask J Brinkley how it feels to be the first college player ever to be on medicare, and ask Spurrier how it feels to be winless since mid October?
By Spike
July 23, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Ask Tebow about those six sacks we hung on him last year. Gatorsurfer, you better go get your mullet trimmed. Mo Mass smoked your secondary last year.
By WOW
July 23, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Only douchebags are named Kent.
By rerservoirDAWG
July 23, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
WOW I could not agree more.
By Gen Neyland
July 23, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Will Saban be up and at ‘em by 0940 Hrs on WE ? He’s usually at his best after the sun goes down.
Most attention will be given to UF, UGA, LSU…MS ST will be interesting. Just looking over the names of the SEC coaches tells me something about our conference…
By hogmtndawg
July 23, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Tony,
I usually enjoy your column, but I’ve got to call you on this one. 12 hours over 3 days is tiring? I know, it takes a couple more to bang out your notes on the laptop. But, are you kidding me? As a person who would be considered to have a more “typical” 8-5 job, I could only wish I were that tired of 4 hour workdays!! Quit hanging at the martini bar so late and it won’t be as tiring!! Give me a break!!
By Kent N
July 23, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Only a classless georgia fan would use the word douchebag .
By GOPGator
July 23, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Whether we are Dawgs, Gators, Tigers, War Eagles, Gamecocks, Vols, and the likes…one thing we can all agree…we all would like to have TB’s job and more importantly…it is only 38 days till opening of college football season….the longest four and a half weeks of the year!
By WarEagle
July 23, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I got my hand caught in the sausage grinder machine yesterday and couldn’t milk the cow this morning. But I was still able to get out there and stake them tomatos. Why? Because of the Auburn creed! WDE!!!
By mcdawg
July 23, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Gatorsurfer doesn’t catch many balls…..his chin gets in the way
By Rusty
July 23, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Ahh…… SEC media days. The official beginning of the college season and what a great year it will be. Early lines are out and I’m already studying them.
http://www.rustybanks.com
By TheItalianDawg
July 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
good one HomeDawg, very funny.LOL!
By Pappa Bobby
July 23, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
DADGUMMIT, I am still the boss hog around here, howcome nobody is asking me sumpin?
By Jimbo
July 23, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
They asked You questions last week Coach.
By Pappa Bobby
July 23, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Oh, anybody seen My shoes?
By Dutch
July 23, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
All that matters is what Saban has to say. He’s the “bell cow” of the league. He’s got two conference titles, a national championship and continues to “drown” the other HCs in recruiting.
In other news, the Dawgs will be Auburn 2003. Next year is their year, when Stafford is a senior, Knowshon is a junior (or King if Knowshon jumps to the league) and all the road games are easy.
By mcdawg
July 23, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
somewhat inclined to agree with Dutch
By shane #1
July 23, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Dutch, You are right about Saban. He will have the largest press conferences. All the reporters want to see how much of His foot he manages to fit into His mouth this time.
By Hobnail Boot
July 23, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
GATORSURFER…yeah, you’re right. I guess Mo only makes big catches against the Gators (80 yd TD bomb). GO DAWGS!
By DawginLex
July 23, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
NEWSFLASH:
Urban Crier Meyer disses UGA celebration in his new book.
You know what, that game is a rivalry game according to Tebow. Did we all know that ?
The celebration made him mad and was uncalled for and illegal. In other words, he’s chapped because he didn’t think of it first.
Bulldog Nation should be afraid because florida’s coach and QB have recognized after 80+ meetings on the gridiron that the UGA/UF game is a rivalry.
I’m shivering in my boots………
By CJGATOR
July 23, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Where was Massaquoi the rest of the year ? You guys pounded us last year it was one of Georgia’s better games,can’t take anything away from ya.Look forward to Nov 1st
By Buckhead Dawg
July 23, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Urban Cryer, the Ole Bawl Coach. What a pathetically sore loser. The celebration penalty put UF in great field position for their first score!
If you’re going to hang out with this guy bring a cheese tray - because he always brings plenty of whine.
By CJGATOR
July 23, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Wow the season isn’t even here yet and you guys are some kinda cocky.Ya sure Spurrier isn’t your coach?
By Carlton Powell
July 23, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
I always THOUGHT Urban Myer was a crybaby. Now, I don’t have to think about it anymore. Further, why didn’t the publisher and editorial staff of the publishing company not edit out such a wimpy story?? How does one post TD celebration have any bearing upon the larger issues of life that the book is supposed to cover?? I agree, the only thing that has him miffed is that HE didn’t think of it first.
By Really?
July 23, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
CJGATOR- Mo Mass played pretty well last year as our #2 receiver. And very well against your Gators. This year expect big things from him as our #1 receiver.
By Jim
July 23, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Tim Tebow a ‘2’ time looser to Auburn , and a four time looser in one year and he is suppose to be a ‘Heisman’ winner . Uh I dont think so.
And the bammers, they will all be late to the games cuz they will be over at the county dorm jail trying to bail out the players for each game.
By Sven Ottke
July 23, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
At first when I read 12 hrs over 3 days being tiring, I laughed aloud. Then I had to reconsider as Tony is spending it with the biggest group of cheaters in the nation. That could be tiring.
By TechMan
July 23, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Order your KY dawg fans.
By Tommy Bow Wow den
July 23, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Shut up daddy ,you are now a has been and you and Joe Pa need to quit and play checkers or something. You better find your shoes before Bowden Bowl X cause them nole fans will be running you out of town after another a$$ whuppin.
By TechMan
July 23, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
I already have my KY and my boyfriend Bruce and I love it!
Go Tech!
By Old Trafford Man
July 23, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
I wonder if the reason why they did not put Petrino and Saban on the same day is they were afraid that the press would notice how the clocks in the room stop ticking.
By Pappa Bobby
July 23, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Did somebody say sumpin? I don’t hear too good nowadays. I won Me two rings and if My kickers had’a stayed sober I would have a couple more and yet my Boys can’t hold down a job. Tell Tommy His Mama’s callin’. If that Woman had’a let Me use My belt like I oughter Them Young’ns would’na been so sorry! If that Tommy whups Me this year and don’t win the ACC I’m gonna dis-own Him and adopt Mark Richt. DADGUMMIT!
By Jim
July 23, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Oh yes one other thing, if they loose again like they did last year will he ge given the Heisman again? He didn’t win it , it was given to him, cuz he’s cute!
By Uncle Rico
July 23, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Tony — Please spare us the incessant obsessing over Tebow….it came through loud and clear last year that you have an extreme man crush on the guy, we get it, he is awsome, he is great, he is all-time, he is superman….whatever…..can we get some new/unique/origional angles this year, please? We got enough of it from you last year, and we get it 24/7 from ESPN
By SOS
July 23, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Tony…
Ask Mark Richt how it feels to be 5-7 against SEC teams the last two years…
By scoreboard
July 24, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Uhhh……… by my count, the Dawgs are 10-6 “against SEC teams the last two years”.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
July 24, 2008 4:27 AM | Link to this
.
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If you are so damned tired BLOWHART that you have to tell us you are tired again and again, why not admit it that you are an ACC fan who has to talk about the ACC media days (joke) at The SEC Media Days ?
I am so tired of your pompous attitude.
.
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By ............................................BuLLdawg
July 24, 2008 5:36 AM | Link to this
.
.
UGA was 4-4 against SEC teams several years ago, in Matthew Stafford’s 1st year true freshman season as Quarterback and UGA ended up being ranked Number 23 in the Final AP Poll. Coach Richt has been ranked every single solitary year in the Final AP Poll and Coach Jim Donnan was ranked in the Final AP Poll all 4 of his final years at UGA before joining ESPN and singing the praises of UFA football since. No other college in America has been ranked in the Final AP Poll all 11 previous seasons in a row and counting.
Last season, LSU was 7-2 against SEC teams, UGA was 6-2, the vols were 6-3, Auburn 5-3 and Florida was 5-3.
This explains why LSU was Number 1 in the Final AP Poll, UGA was Number 2 in the Final AP Poll, the vols were Number 12, Florida Number 13 and Auburn Number 15 in the Final AP Poll.
As for you enjoying knocking UGA from its perch in the Rankings, might I point out that UGA went 3-1 vs. Top 25 Final AP Poll teams last year, while Florida’s Tim Tebow went 1-4.
This too explains why UGA ended the Season Ranked Number 2 in the Final AP Poll.
Several years ago now, UGA had a mostly freshman team. Last season, we were mostly a sophomore and freshman team.
This season, we are a Junior, Sophomore and Freshman team.
If I were you, I would worry about this run UGA is on with our wins against the top teams, because that is how you get recognition. We have now this up-coming season 9 games sure to be the most watched 9 games in college football this season including our BCS Bowl Game again and our SEC Championship Game we have been to 3 of the last 6 years winning 2.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
July 24, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this
After this season, based upon performance in the big games and the maturity of our current nucleus, UGA could be looking at being in The SEC Championship Game 4 of the then last 7 seasons, Winning 3.
And, we shall surely be ranked in the Final AP Poll for the then last dozen years in a row, also an on-going Record for all football programs in America currently.
We don’t currently have a need on this team. We have 2 fine kickers already here, both of whom are highly sought-after kickers with great field goals on their resume already. We have another considered actually better than both, relegating them to just punting - maybe.
We have a senior Tight End who is All-SEC preseason. Next season, we have not signed one, yet, but surely will to have no holes on this team next season either.
We have had LSU’s number recently. Florida has not had a winning record against UGA over the last 4 years either. The vols have been no where in the same league for 6 Consecutive Seasons ranked worse than UGA in the Final AP Poll. Auburn we not only beat the last 2 years, but also Auburn does NOT have more Wins against SEC teams since Coach Richt took this gig at UGA.
Of the Top 5 Elite teams in The SEC, clearly UGA plays a far tougher schedule strength both last year and this up-coming season, is the youngest, returns the most, and frankly will also be at the very top for THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE SEASONS : 2007, 2008, and 2009.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
July 24, 2008 5:46 AM | Link to this
Worry about it, instead of trying to figure a way to make the football team with the most going for it, look like we are the very least of all football teams in The SEC.
That’s BS. You are just jealous that UGA is atop the football world for 2007, starts 2008 the exact very same on a 7-game Winning Streak, and frankly could be even better in 2009. That doesn’t depend on anything. It’s a fact, and you know it.
By SOS
July 23, 2008 11:20 PM
Hey Tony
Ask Mark Richt how it feels to be 5-7 against SEC teams the last two years
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By Off topic
July 24, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
At what point does the AJC do something about the Falcons blog? I wrote to Julia Wallace a year ago about the infrequent updates. She said it would be discussed. There seemed to be an improvement. However, unlike EVERY OTHER BLOG on the ajc, commenting is open for a couple of hours and then closed. OR like the most recent one, it never opens at all. Pathetic. This has to be Wyche, right? When will someone at the AJC demand better performance from this guy? I would have posted this on the Falcons blog, but, of course I CAN’T.
By CJGATOR
July 24, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Well lets just call off the season. No sense in playing if we all know Georgia has alredy won it all. Congraultion on the championship maybe next year we can all play and have a shot.
By CJGATOR
July 25, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Dang Jim ya got a man crush on ol Tebow?
By SaltyDawg
July 29, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
I think the dawgs line will be stuffing the gators once again and there will be 2 super running backs that Fl is not going to stop, I am hoping the dawgs receivers shine, because Stafford is a great quarterback when our off. line plays the way they played in Jax last year. Just wait!!