5-at-10: SEC media daze -- part III, Sports on TV, The Open, Rushmore of super hero movies

Alabama football coach Nick Saban speaks at SEC media days Wednesday in Hoover, Ala.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban speaks at SEC media days Wednesday in Hoover, Ala.

SEC Media Daze, part III

Couple of fair questions in Wednesday's comments here at the 5-at-10. It actually led to an interesting discussion on Press Row about the this event.

First and foremost, this is four full days of SEC Network programming, and even if the print media slides to the side, that would be enough to keep this event going. (Side note, part I: Would it really surprise us too much of this event moves to either Atlanta or potentially Charlotte, where the SEC Network is headquartered? Maybe a little because this event means so, So, SO much to this part of Hoover.)

The stories of Wednesday were certainly more intriguing, in a pro rasslin' kind of way.

There was the cat fight between Paul Finebaum and Nick Saban, primarily because Finebaum had the audacity to actually ask Saban for a direct answer.

Oh the humanity. What has the world come to, when the guy who is perceived as equal parts Howard Stern of sports radio and the Godfather of the Harvey Updykes, is the guy that actually threatens to challenge the Emperor's old closed-off ways?

(Side note, part II: There was no back story on this. It simply was Saban being Saban and using his bully pulpit to be a bully. That said, how's this for a personal conspiracy theory? Saban and Finebaum conspired to do this so that a) Finebaum steals the headline of Wednesday; b) Saban gets to use his loudest bark on the largest platform here; c) Saban gets to remind all of his media minions that he will not be answering any more Cam Robinson questions, so ask at your own risk. Thoughts?)

There was also Bret Bielema being Bret Bielema, and it was a blessed reprieve from the cliche machines that have invaded this place.

Bielema used the word 'sexy' three times. Saban hasn't said sexy in three years.

Bielema said his team is not 'sexy' and they need a lot of time in the bathroom to get ready and look good. God bless you Bret, and your big wonderful personality.

There was Mark Stoops, who was actually pretty entertaining, and made fun of Bielema's house full of ankle-biting dogs. Of course, it's pretty easy for Stoops to be a little loose here, since the odds are he won't be back next July.

Then there was Barry Odom, the first-year Missouri coach. And as we wrote in today's TFP, considering the change in leadership and all the balls in the air, Odom's job may be as tough as anyone's in the SEC, considering what has happened in the last year.

Missouri has lost its president, chancellor, head football coach, head baseball coach and as of Tuesday night its athletic director since the unruly and mismanaged protests that made national news after the football team became involved last fall. They have been investigated and are facing a Title IX suit because of the actions of the softball coach. The quarterback was finally dismissed after a compromising social media photo. (And yes, former TFP UT ace Wes Rucker now of 247sports.com tweeted Wednesday of Missouri's issues, "Big whoop. Here in Knoxville we call that "Tuesday.")

Today, we'll get the predictions and LSU's Les Miles and see how many times Leonard Fournette is asked about the Heisman.

photo FILE- In this March 5, 2015, file photo, Craig Sager acknowledges the crowd during a timeout in a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Chicago. Sager is going to work his first NBA Finals game. The longtime sideline reporter has been added to ESPN's broadcast team for Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, June 16, 2016, between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. (AP Photo/David Banks, File)

Sports on air

OK, there was tons of fluff. Tons.

But the replays of Craig Sager's speech was mighty powerful. And touching.

So too was the clip of actor Michael B. Jordan telling Zaevion Dobson's story.

And yes, it was the only thing on (and we still didn't give it much time - did you know you can find a "Law & Order" of some ilk at just about any time of any day?)

Also, this begs the question, have you noticed that the NBA rookie league games this week are getting a ton of play?

And did we see it correctly that Ben Simmons took a game off of the eight-game rookie camp to rest? OK.

And speaking of the NBA, Carmelo's recent commentary on the social and racial issues facing out country apparently opened the Espys. Did anyone see it? Thoughts?

photo Zach Johnson of the United States plays the 15th fairway during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Wednesday, July 13, 2016.The British Open starts Thursday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Open contest

We got about 25 entries (we'll post them around lunch - hey, sue us; we got kind of covered up with this SEC mumbo jumbo), so that's a start.

And the great thing about The Open Championship, in addition to the accents, is the schedule. About half the field is already done at Royal Troon as we type this.

Also, as we were searching for viewing items last night, we clicked by the golf channel around 11 or so, and the clock said, "British Open live coverage starts in 1:12minutes." That was a tempting offer.

Alas.

The highlights have been less-than-British Openesque to be sure. Plenty of sun. Little wind. Scores clearly in the red numbers. (Except for stupid Scott Piercy who is single-handedly trying to sabotage our picks.)

And if you are interesting Louis Oosthuizen made a hole-in-one on No. 14 Thursday. He also made a 1 at Augusta this year, making him the 60th player to have multiple aces in the same season, according to ESPN stats and info.

This and that

- Here's an early high school all-america list of offensive players. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/qXNKO76KfUyB10y5F3425w/maxpreps-preseason-offensive-large-schools-all-americans-presented-by-donjoy-performance.htm

- Here's a ranking from Forbes of the highest paid celebrities from 2015. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/17053050/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-rank-top-10-forbes-global-celebrity-100 Yep, Taylor Swift made $170 million in the last year. And comparing body shapes and wallets, Dr. Phil and Cristiano each tied for fourth with $88 million in income between June 2015 and last month. Nice work if you can get it.

- For all the talk of the Braves' reloading minor league system, this CBSsports.com report of the top 25 prospects lists only Dansby Swanson from the Braves system.http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/fantasy-baseball-top-25-prospects-midseason-edition/ (Ozzie Albies is an honorable mention as is starting pitcher Sean Newcombe.)

Today's question

Couple of interesting baseball anniversaries today.

On this day in 1914, the Boston Braves start their climb from last place on their way to eventually sweeping the World Series. (If that happened this year, well, here's betting Brian Snitker would get a hard look at manager of the year.) Two years later Ernie Koob pitched all 17 innings in a scoreless tie as St. Louis tied Boston. (Here's betting he walked off the field, middle finger raised to all of those kids who brutally teased him on the play ground with chants of KOOOOOOOOOOOOOB.)

On this day in 1934, Babe Ruth hits career homer No. 700, a feat that the New York Times would stand for all time. (Kind of sports "Dewey defeats Truman" declaration.) On this day in 1968, Hank Aaron hit his 500th homer. (The New York Times did not have a take on it, per se.) On this day in 1987, the baseball rookie of the year award is renamed after Jackie Robinson.

In other news, The Dark Knight with Christian Bale and Heath Ledger was reeled eight years ago today.

So, baseball tidbits aside, let's do a Rushmore of Super Hero movies?

Go, and remember the mailbag folks.

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