It's down to two weeks and change before Big Ten football media days (July 27 and 28) in Chicago.
The Big Ten has announced the players for each team who will be attending. For the ink-stained wretches, that means these guys will be available for two hours in a giant ballroom on the second day. Each player has his own table, as do the 11 head coaches. Here's the roster:
Illinois
Arrelious Benn*, Jr., WR
Doug Pilcher, Sr., DL
Juice Williams*, Sr., QB
Indiana
Ben Chappell, Jr., QB
Jammie Kirlew*, Sr., DE
Will Patterson, Sr., LB
Iowa
Pat Angerer*, Sr., LB
A.J. Edds*, Sr., LB
Tony Moeaki, Sr., TE
Michigan
Stevie Brown, Sr., LB/S
Zoltan Mesko*, Sr., P
Mark Ortmann, Sr., LT
Michigan State
Greg Jones*, Jr., LB
Brett Swenson*, Sr., PK
Blair White*, Sr., WR
Minnesota
Garrett Brown, Sr., DT
Lee Campbell, Sr., LB
Eric Decker*, Sr., WR
Northwestern
Mike Kafka, Sr., QB
Brad Phillips*, Sr., S
Corey Wootton*, Sr., DE
Ohio State
Jake Ballard, Sr., TE
Kurt Coleman*, Sr., DB
Doug Worthington, Sr., DL
Penn State
Daryll Clark*, Sr., QB
Sean Lee*, Sr., LB
Jared Odrick*, Sr., DT
Purdue
Joey Elliott, Sr., QB
Mike Neal, Sr., DT
Keith Smith, Sr., WR
Wisconsin
Garrett Graham*, Sr., TE
Jaevery McFadden, Sr., LB
O’Brien Schofield, Sr., DL
* Indicates previous All-Big Ten selection
Glancing at that list, I have to wonder, where are the stars in this league? Ballard, Coleman and Worthington for Ohio State? Is it bad that I know nothing about Lee Campbell? Michigan is bringing its punter, MSU its kicker. Both are outstanding, don't get me wrong, but you rarely see specialists at these events. I am somewhat surprised that Trevor Anderson isn't on MSU's list, but Greg Jones is a given and Blair White is a great story. Swenson could use some pub to avoid another snub -- for those who remember the Lou Groza fiasco of last fall. The only juniors attending are Jones, Ben Chappell of Indiana and Illinois receiver Arrelious Benn, who is a bona fide star. And who may as well be a senior.
Joe...it doesnt matter who the stars are before the season. It only matters during and after the season.
MSU is going to have plenty of them this year.
Mark Dantonio is the man.
Posted by: Trevor Barnes' Lost Billy Goat | July 10, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Joe, doesn't every writer want to talk to Terrelle Pryor? You would think that OSU would bring him...
Posted by: Jerry | July 10, 2009 at 01:37 PM
No Cousins? :(
Posted by: tanfan | July 10, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Greg Jones is the start of this league on D. Pryor is the star of this league on O. For Minn not to have A. Weber show is a clear sign of instability.
This league is there for the taking this year. The Lions might have played over their head last year. The Bucks might slip up against Illinois again. Could be a 4 horse race, not just 2.
Posted by: Stone | July 10, 2009 at 01:48 PM
Yes, Pryor should be there, even though he's a sophomore. This is his team now. And Weber should be there. And why doesn't U-M bring Brandon Graham or Brandon Minor? How about Ricky Stanzi? Some coaches go strictly with seniors no matter what, but they shouldn't.
Posted by: Joe Rexrode | July 10, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Seems like Coach D is rewarding guys for hard work. Coaches don't care who the media wants to talk too. They provide student athletes who deserv it. Great selections!!!
Posted by: kmarv | July 10, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Bart Swanson kick baby !!!
Tanner on fire baby !!!
Posted by: Tanfan | July 10, 2009 at 02:52 PM
I basically agree with kmarv. The selection of student-athletes should be based quite a bit on whom the coaching staff (or the school for that matter) wants to act as de facto ambassadors for each university, not based upon the lusts of the press. There's ample opportunity for the press to talk with other student-athletes under less formal circumstances.
Student-athletes are not elected officials, and thus the philosophical role played by the press is not one of making its subjects "accountable to the people". The press is there to entertain readers/viewers, and so I don't think coaching staffs and universities are under ethical obligations to expose particular student-athletes just because the press or the people demand it.
Posted by: Michael Motta | July 10, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Notice that everyone is bringing seniors unless the Junior was all Big Ten. Seniorship has its benefits.
Posted by: J. Izzo_Christ | July 10, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Pre-Season Awards:
Most talented: Arrelious Benn*, Jr., WR
Best name for a linebacker: Pat Angerer*, Sr., LB
Best name. Period: Zoltan Mesko*, Sr., P
Most improved: Blair White*, Sr., WR
Most to prove: Eric Decker*, Sr., WR
Sleeper: Mike Kafka, Sr., QB
Biggest impact: Corey Wootton*, Sr., DE
Best quarterback: Daryll Clark*, Sr., QB
Best comeback story: Sean Lee*, Sr., LB
Closest thing to a lineman: Garrett Graham*, Sr., TE
Posted by: vnflcards | July 11, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Pryor QB'in baby !!!
Tanfan most talented baby !!!
Posted by: Tanfan | July 11, 2009 at 02:30 PM
I felt the same way about Swenson being there and Anderson not, but if Dantonio's method was to pick a representative from the defense, a rep from the offense, and a rep from special teams, they do seem like very reasonable choices.
Posted by: TonyHo | July 12, 2009 at 08:06 PM