Wednesday SEC Media Days news and notes

The second day of SEC Media Days is in the books and it was filled with six head coaches and three players from each school. Each representative spent time in the radio/internet and main media rooms being interviewed by members of the media.

As usual, not a ton of new information was divulged, but each interview session provided a glimpse into the preparations and mentality each team is taking into the 2012 season.

• The Florida Gators seem to be taking a bit of a different mentality into this season. Players indicated that last season they did not fare quite as well as they would have hoped.
• Florida’s players all indicated that they feel as if the team is closer to where they would like to be now than they were during the tough stretch last season. All of the players stated that the team really hit its stride towards the ends of the season.
• Joker Phillips is very motivated to continue to build on some of the successes Kentucky had last season. Beating Tennessee remains a focal point to the program, but the team also has its sights on more wins and a brighter future.
• Kentucky replaces a lot of defensive playmakers, but both head coach Joker Phillips and the players feel as if the team has enough talent to not miss a beat.
• Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen was his usual, confident self on Wednesday. The Bulldogs have a very favorable schedule in 2012 and could open the season with quite a good string of wins. Mullen noted that his primary goal is merely building on successes of the past. Mullen stated that the Bulldogs played Alabama and LSU the closest out of any team in the SEC, and he really believes the Bulldogs can improve on that and make an impact in the SEC West.
• Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell said that he has enjoyed being able to enter the season confident in the fact that he is the starting quarterback. He can handle workouts and drills the way that he wants to, and that continuity should help with the overall cohesion of the offense when the season rolls around.
• Arkansas head coach John L. Smith provided the most laughs of the day in the main media room. Smith was extremely willing and excited to engage in conversation with media, and he gave a great first impression.
• Most of the Arkansas player representatives stated that former head coach Bobby Petrino has called them to apologize for the fiasco that took place during the offseason and ultimately resulted in his contract being terminated.
• Arkansas running back Knile Davis said he is back to 100%. He looks much bigger than he was before his injury and could be a leading contributor in the Arkansas backfield in 2012.
• Auburn head coach Gene Chizik stated that the Tigers are looking to improve in all areas of the game this season.
• The quarterback race seems to be rather close as Chizik and Phillip Lutzenkirchen noted that Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier both are neck-and-neck in the race to become starting quarterback.
• Chizik said new offensive coordinator Scott Loeffler has come in and installed an offense that the Tigers were not completely used to running in some phases of the game.
• On Loeffler: “Scot has had a lot of different experiences in his background as an offensive coach. He’s a tremendous quarterback developing type of football coach. That’s very important. He has experience in this league, which is extremely important. He has experience in the NFL. So we’re extremely proud to have Scott here. Again, the transition with Scot has been seamless.”
• LSU head coach Les Miles remained confident that new quarterback Zach Mettenberger is fit for the task of leading the Tigers.
• On Mettenberger: “The reality is he throws the ball extremely well. He makes all the throws. So, you know, we’re going to take advantage of some of those secondaries that want to come up and crowd the front and really try to stop the run. We suspect we’ll see some more pass coverage and then have an opportunity to run it a little bit more. I think our
  quarterback can throw it.”
• Defensive back Eric Reid noted that the secondary is well-prepared to have a freshman come in and contribute if needed.
• Miles on the defensive backs: “Tyrann Mathieu, Tharold Simon, Eric Reid — those guys will be on certain post-season awards and are guys that played in big games, have been through the gamut in this conference and understand how to
  make big plays.”