CHICAGO------- Now that I’ve arrived in Chicago, it’s time to start my full-on prep and research for the coming days. I’m going to play things by ear – something I’m not always the best at doing – and figure out what kind of stuff I’ll be writing in the coming days. I’m hoping to do at least one Iowa-specific feature, although I think I can pull a team feature along with a feature on one of the players (I’m leaning toward Clayborn), along with at least one general Big Ten outlook piece.
I will likely do capsules on each team, with a lot of information, my outlook for the season for that team, and some quotes from the coaches and players. Those will run one-a-day over a two-week span, likely starting next Monday.
Speaking of the coaches and players, here is the list of who I’ll be speaking with in the next two days, with the coach listed first.
Illinois – Ron Zook, Eddie McGee, WR, Clay Nurse, DE and Tavon Wilson, CB
Indiana – Bill Lynch, Ben Chappell, QB, Tyler Replogle, LB and Terrance Turner, WR
Iowa – Kirk Ferentz, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Karl Klug, DT and Ricky Stanzi, QB
Michigan – Rich Rodriguez, Mark Moundros, FB, Stephen Schilling, G and Troy Woolfolk, CB
Michigan State – Mark Dantonio, Kirk Cousins, QB, Greg Jones, LB and Keith Nichol, WR
Minnesota – Tim Brewster, Brandon Kirksey, DT, Kim Royston, S and Adam Weber, QB
Northwestern – Pat Fitzgerald, Corbin Bryant, DT, Quentin Davie, LB and Dan Persa, QB
Ohio State – Jim Tressel, Bryant Browning, G, Cameron Heyward, DL and Dane Sanzenbacher, WR
Penn State – Joe Paterno, D’Anton Lynn, CB, Evan Royster, RB and Stefen Wisniewski, G
Purdue – Danny Hope, Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Robert Marve, QB and Keith Smith, WR
Wisconsin – Brett Bielema, John Clay, RB, Scott Tolzien, QB and Jay Valai, S
Tomorrow stands to be an interesting day. Print media gets each coach for a whopping 15 minutes, and the entire gathered media will be in the room, so there will be hundreds of people trying to ask questions. I don’t expect to get much great information out of the coaches in this setting, but we’ll see.
The print press, for some reason, gets no access to any of the players tomorrow. Tuesday, there is a two-hour session where 44 tables are set up around a giant room, with a player or coach at each table. I’m free to walk around and talk to whoever I want during that time, so those are the interviews that should get me some of my better stuff.
There are some very big national stories coming out of this – the Big Ten has expanded, adding Nebraska, but that doesn’t mean they are done. Surely, the media will be grilling the coaches, and Commissioner Jim Delany, about this issue. Also on the docket is the supposed conference split, into two competitive divisions. While nothing will likely be decided in the next two days, the media will be all over this as well.
Several teams have quarterback decisions on their hands, the most notable of which may be Michigan. RichRod is keeping both Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson away from Media Days, but it should be interesting to hear his thoughts on the matter.
Speaking of people being kept away from Media Days – the likely Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State, will be noticeably absent. Apparently Tressel has a history of only bringing seniors or captains, but it seems inexcusable to protect such a high-profile player in this way. Surely, he’ll be asked about Pryor many, many times, but it’s disappointing that the conference’s highest-profile player won’t be there.
Iowa has some problems of its own, which we stand to gain a little more insight into. What’s going to happen at running back? Who is the fifth starter on the offensive line? We may or may not find out, but rest assured, the topics will be addressed.
More tomorrow. Not sure if I’m going to attempt live updates or not (probably not), but I’ll have at least one big update after the event tomorrow, and likely a full-fledged article for Tuesday’s Clinton Herald, as well.
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