SEC Football Media Days, July 11-14, in Hoover, Alabama

The Insanity, which some refer to as SEC Football Media Days, begins on Monday July 11 in Hoover, Alabama. What once was a chance for SEC coaches to promote their program with the hopes that maybe some local newspaper man would give them a write-up on page 3 of the Sports section, has morphed into a full-blown freakfest invaded by every dork with a podcast, national media, and crazy Bama fans in penguin costumes chasing down Nick Saban for an autograph. Well, that last thing has happened... yet... but don't be surprised.

Would you believe that the very first SEC Football Media Days in 1985 was held at a Birmingham Holiday Inn. There were about 75 media members interviewing the league's 10 football coaches at 10 round tables in a ballroom. Following the interview session, cassette tape recorders were turned off and pens and pads were stowed away and a casual dinner was enjoyed by all. My how things have changed.

Last year, there were 1,200+ media members at the Hyatt Wynfrey. And that was just the ones that the SEC approved. These poor coaches have to answer the same questions over and over again (likely 1,200 times), and you know there will be some really stupid ones as well. (This is hell to a guy like Nick Saban)

Every move will be covered by fast and furious Tweeting and the talking heads of the SEC Network.

THE PLAYERS

Each team will send three players along with the head coach (no assistants). Usually, they are seniors and team leaders. Last year's event was an odd assortment of underclassmen and players that most fans had not heard of (Steve Spurrier on autopilot brought his placekicker!). This year's participants look like the All-SEC team.

Alabama - Bama will be repped by three guys that could easily be playing on Sundays this fall.
Jonathan Allen, Sr., DL
O.J. Howard, Sr., TE
Eddie Jackson, Sr., DB

Arkansas
Brooks Ellis, Sr., LB
Jeremy Sprinkle, Sr., TE - How did Arky turn into "Tight End U"?
Deatrich Wise, Sr., DL

Auburn
Montravius Adams, Sr., DL - feels like he has been at Auburn forever.
Marcus Davis, Sr., WR
Carl Lawson, Jr., DL - missed six game in 2015 due to injury and was ineffective upon returning.

Florida - No Jalen Tabor? Is he back in Jim McElwain's doghouse?
Jarrad Davis, Sr., LB - Potential late 1st round pick.
Marcus Maye, Sr., DB
David Sharpe, Jr., OL

Georgia - Kirby Smart's first rodeo. It is telling that he didn't pick Nick Chubb.
Jeb Blazevich, Jr., TE - Another good tight end.
Brandon Kublanow, Sr., C/OG
Dominick Sanders, Jr., SS

Kentucky - I am guessing this will be Mark Stoops LAST rodeo.
Jojo Kemp, Sr., RB
Courtney Love, Jr., LB - "Courtney Love?" Seriously? Doncha have a middle name you wanna go by?
Jon Toth, Sr., C

LSU - Some good ball players here.
Leonard Fournette, Jr., RB - Heisman front-runner.
Ethan Pocic, Sr., C
Tre'Davious White, Sr., DB - Potential Top 10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Ole Miss - "Any questions for Coach Freeze?"
Evan Engram, Sr., TE - I am surprised he came back for his senior year. I guess he is still under contract.
D.J. Jones, Sr., DT
Chad Kelly, Sr., QB

Mississippi State - No more Dak. I am a bit surprised Dan Mullen did not jump ship in the offseason.
Richie Brown, Sr., LB
A.J. Jefferson, Sr., DL
Fred Ross, Sr., WR

Missouri - I predict new Coach Barry Odom will say something stupid, trying to be funny.
Sean Culkin, Sr., TE
Charles Harris, Jr., DE - Yet another big time Mizzou D-lineman who could be a first round pick in 2017.
Michael Scherer, Sr., LB -

South Carolina - It's kinda sad there will be no Steve Spurrier to quote. He was always good for a barb or two.
Marquavius Lewis, Sr., DL
Deebo Samuel, So., WR - the only underclassman representative.
Mason Zandi, Sr., OL

Tennessee - Not a bad trio. Derek Barnett would've been a good choice too.
Joshua Dobbs, Sr., QB
Jalen Reeves‐Maybin, Sr., LB
Cameron Sutton, Sr., DB

Texas A&M
Myles Garrett, Jr., DL - Potential Top 5 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Trevor Knight, Sr., QB - Odd that Kevin Sumlin picked the Oklahoma grad-transfer.
Ricky Seals‐Jones, Jr., WR

Vanderbilt
Zach Cunningham, Jr., LB - The Pinson, Alabama native is one that got away.
Oren Burks, Jr., LB
Ralph Webb, Jr., RB - The Dores were the only SEC team to offer this Gainesville, Fla. native. FSU missed out too.

There will be wall-to-wall coverage of this madness on the SEC Network. Dari Nowkhah and Maria Taylor will host with rotating football analysts and guests that include Greg McElroy, Booger McFarland and Marcus Spears. Every head coach's press conference, in addition to live interviews with players and coaches, will be televised. Peter Burns and the lovely Laura Rutledge (married to former Bama and current Red Sox player Josh Rutledge BTW) will also be on site, as well as that bald skinny Tennessee grad masquerading as an Alabamian.