NEU » o the USA Today report, Harper

HOOVER, Ala. -- Alabama is once again the favorite to win the Southeastern Conference, while LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi and the rest of the league try to figure out a way to derail the Tide.The Crimson Tides title defense is one of several things to watch next season that was discussed during SEC media days, along with Tennessees resurgence as the favorite in the leagues Eastern Division.Three new coaches were introduced at the meetings that ended Thursday -- South Carolinas Will Muschamp, Missouris Barry Odom and Georgias Kirby Smart -- while LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly and Tennessee signal-caller Joshua Dobbs were among the most sought-after player interviews.There was also the notable absence of veteran SEC coaches Steve Spurrier and Mark Richt.Spurrier -- known as much for his quick one-liners as his success on the field -- retired last season after 23 years in the league with Florida and most recently South Carolina. Richt was fired by Georgia after 15 seasons in November and is now at Miami.Heres a little more of what was discussed during SEC media days and what to look for next season:TENNESSEE ON THE RISE: Tennessee was voted by the leagues media as the overwhelming favorite to win the SECs Eastern Division. That might seem surprising since the Volunteers havent won their division since 2007, but they have amassed a lot of talent in Knoxville over the past few years. It also helps that the East is full of uncertainty with three new coaches at South Carolina, Georgia and Missouri.Said coach Butch Jones: Thats why you play, is to be in a program like the University of Tennessee where everybody is talking about you. Thats what you work for. Now its what you do with that opportunity.MISSOURIS CHALLENGES: Odom, Missouris first-year coach, stepped to the podium at SEC media days less than 24 hours after finding out that the man who hired him was no longer with the school. Mack Rhoades resigned as Missouris athletic director on Wednesday to take the same job at Baylor. Odom is under contract for five seasons with an annual salary of $2.35 million, but it is more uncertainty next season for a school thats been the site of constant strife.LAW & ORDER: Several Auburn and Alabama players arent expected to miss playing time next season despite their legal problems during the offseason. Tide coach Nick Saban said left tackle Cam Robinson and reserve defensive back Hootie Jones are doing community service and police ride-alongs after a drug and weapons arrest. The charges were eventually dropped.Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said four of his players who were arrested on misdemeanor drug charges, including defensive end Byron Cowart and starting cornerback Carlton Davis, wont miss any time either.OLE MISS INVESTIGATION: The Ole Miss football program has been under NCAA investigation for the better part of four years and the case looks like it could drag into 2017. Coach Hugh Freeze was peppered with NCAA questions during SEC media days, but couldnt provide many answers because the investigation is ongoing. The school has already self-imposed some penalties, including scholarship reductions and three years of probation.Freeze defended his program: I have zero interest in cutting corners to be successful, and our staff knows that very well. I have a lot of things that Im not very good at, but that is not a temptation.BIELEMA CHARM: The evolution of Arkansas Bret Bielema from angry new coach to one of the SECs class clowns has been interesting to watch. Bielema drew several laughs during his appearance on Wednesday thanks to self-depreciating humor and funny anecdotes. One likely reason the fourth-year coach is in a better mood: The Razorbacks are relevant again in the SEC Western Division. Arkansas finished with an 8-5 record in 2015, including a 5-3 mark in the league.Said Bielema: At Arkansas, were not built very sexy, were just kind of a work in progress. We need a lot of time in the bathroom to get ready and come out and look great.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP---AP College Football Website: www.collegefootball.ap.orgDoug Williams Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Clinton Portis Womens Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.redskinsrookiestore.com/Redskins-Montez-Sweat-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Sonny Jurgensen Womens Jersey . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Bryce Love Youth Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres.NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- On the first full day of Major League Baseballs annual winter meetings, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo downplayed reports that Bryce Harpers lofty contract demands have the team prepared to move on when Harpers current deal expires.Its not like us to discuss anything that we talk [about] when were talking to players about anything, said Rizzo on Monday afternoon, addressing a group of reporters in an 11th floor hallway at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Im not going to answer any of those kind of questions. Those are private discussions between us and the players.Earlier Monday, USA Today reported that Harper -- who is set to become a free agent after the 2018 season -- is seeking a contract in excess of 10 years and $400 million, and that because of those demands, the Nationals are inclined to let him go elsewhere when the time comes.With every player that you acquire, its a possibility that you may lose them in a specific time frame, Rizzo told media members at the Gaylord. So with Bryce Harper and every other player that has a contract expiring, you better make plans. Its not just Bryce Harper. Its everybody on the roster.In 2015, Harper became the youngest unanimous MVP ever after a season in which hit .330 with 42 home runs and led the majors in on-base annd slugging percentage.ddddddddddddBut in 2016, the former first overall pick, who turned 24 in October, struggled to replicate his historic MVP campaign. In 147 games, he hit .243 with 24 homers and an .814 OPS that was nearly 300 points lower than a year earlier. During the second half of the season, when he missed five games in August with a shoulder injury, he hit just .226 with a .709 OPS.According to the USA Today report, Harpers agent, Scott Boras, said he hasnt had any long-term discussions with the Nationals regarding his client.Rizzo, whose roster features several high-profile Boras clients, including All-Star hurlers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, said the lines of communication between him and the super-agent are always open.We have discussions with Boras and every other agent on a weekly basis, said Rizzo. Were constantly talking to him throughout the year, throughout the winter, during the season. Its talked about quite often. Theyre not specific negotiations, but theyre discussions. About strategies and philosophies and all those things that come into it.In May of last season, the Nationals agreed to terms with Strasburg on a seven-year, $175 million contract extension. ' ' '