Alabama Football: Twitter Reaction and Analysis from SEC Media Days

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take center stage on Thursday at the final day of SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. 

Nick Saban gets things kicked off first at 9:30 a.m. ET, and he has brought a trio of players who have been through numerous wars in the SEC throughout their careers.

The three seniors—offensive lineman Barrett Jones, tight end Michael Williams and defensive end Damion Square—are scheduled to meet the press this morning.

Stay tuned to this live tracker for updates on what people are saying about the Crimson Tide from SEC Media Days.

Keep up with quotes on Nick Saban and what media members are saying about him here. 

Barrett Jones on His Latest Position Switch

Barrett Jones will play his third different position on the offensive line in as many seasons, with center being his landing spot for 2012. 

The reigning Outland Trophy winner had a rather humorous take on stepping into the role vacated by the graduated William Vlachos, per Mark Schlabach of ESPN.

"

Quote of the day from #Bama C Barrett Jones: "Everybody talks about me having to fill huge shoes, but Vlachos only wore size 10."

— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) July 19, 2012"

We can now add quote machine to Jones' long list of accolades throughout his Crimson Tide career.

Square on Saban's Lighter Side

Nick Saban has a reputation of being a coach that is strictly business, but senior defensive end Damion Square commented on why that is not always the case, per Jacques Doucet of Baton Rouge TV station WAFB.

"

"He smiles. He's a guy that's happy. He shows it in different ways. Cracks jokes in team meetings." - #Bama's Damion Square on Nick Saban.

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) July 19, 2012"

Props to Square for highlighting the side of Saban that most people in the media rarely get to see. 

Jones on Lacy

For Crimson Tide fans wondering about how the team will replace Trent Richardson, Jones spoke very highly of projected starting running back Eddie Lacy, per Joe Schad of ESPN.

"

Barrett Jones: Eddie Lacy is a freak. He will be a household name. Bigger than our past guys but also shifty.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) July 19, 2012"

Saban mentioned earlier that Lacy will be fully recovered from offseason toe surgery and good to go entering fall camp.

Jones Rises Up Most Entertaining Interview List Among Players

Missouri wide receiver won over the crowd of media on day one of the SEC Media Days, while Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson carried day two.

The early nod for the final day may go to Barrett Jones, who was firing one-liners at everyone from himself to teammates and former teammates, per Edward Aschoff of ESPN.

"

Barrett Jones gives @ESPN_SEC a video shout out and calls himself a fossil. Also misses @wcvlachos but is taking shots at him. CLASSIC

— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) July 19, 2012"

Jones also gave a nod to head coach Nick Saban, per Laken Litman of Fox Sports.

"

#Alabama C Barrett Jones on Saban being the best at anything he does: "If he were a shoe shiner he'd be the best shoe shiner you ever met."

— Laken Litman (@LakenLitman) July 19, 2012"

Utterly hilarious.

He then threw another line on Saban's lack of social media presence, per SEC Gridiron Live via twitter.

"

There aren't many certainties in life. Death, taxes and Nick Saban not getting twitter, that's about it. -- Barrett Jones #SECKickoff12

— SEC Gridiron LIVE (@SECGridironLIVE) July 19, 2012"

Jones is an all-around talent for sure. 

Jones on New Offensive Coordinator

While Nick Saban mentioned that there won't be much of a transition for the offense under new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Jones said fans can expect to see something new, per Alex Scarborough of ESPN.

"

Barrett Jones says there will "be some new wrinkles" in the Alabama offense under new OC Doug Nussmeier.

— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) July 19, 2012"

It will be interesting to see what Nussmeier has in store for Tide fans this season.

Jones Says 2011 Is in the Rear View Mirror

If you are expecting Alabama to have a hangover from winning the 2011 national title, Barrett Jones and his teammates appear to be completely focused on the upcoming season, per Baton Rouge TV station WAFB.

"

#Bama's Barrett Jones - we had meeting two days after we won national title. Had party in stadium, wiped smiles off our faces, back to work.

— WAFB 9 Sports (@WAFB9Sports) July 19, 2012"

Despite having a young team, Jones is part of a small group of seniors that contributed in 2010, and he will be one of the leaders in charge of keeping the team on track in 2012. 

Square Excited to Play Texas A&M

The additions of Texas A&M and Missouri have a been a hot topic at SEC Media Days, and Houston native Square is excited to face a school from his home state, per Rivals Bryan Holt.

"

#Alabama DL Damion Square excited to have #TAMU in the SEC. He's from Houston and thinks Kevin Sumlin's offense will work in the conference.

— Bryan Holt (@Bryan_Holt) July 19, 2012"

Square will also get to play in his home state for the season opener in Dallas against Michigan. 

Jones on Who Is the Best OL on the Team

Alabama's offensive line could feature three players that challenge for All-American honors in Jones, senior Chance Warmack and junior D.J. Fluker.

When asked which big ugly is the most talented member up front for the Tide, his answer may surprise some, per Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News.

"

Barrett Jones: Chance Warmack is Tide's most talented O-lineman. "He's turning into a man who does not want to be messed with."

— Jon Solomon (@jonsol) July 19, 2012"

Warmack may not be a household name like Jones, but he is one of the top guards in the country.

Barrett Jones Says 2010 Repeat Won't Happen This Season

Barrett Jones is part of a small group of upperclassmen that were a part of the 2010 team that went 10-3 and failed to live up to expectations entering that season as the defending national champs. 

Jones made a simple vow to avoid that from happening in 2012, per Rivals Bryan Holt.

"

#Alabama OL Barrett Jones said his team was complacent in 2010 after winning a title. "That won't happen this season."

— Bryan Holt (@Bryan_Holt) July 19, 2012 "

Avoiding complacency has become a theme for this edition of the Crimson Tide team.

Crimson Tide Fans Swarm SEC Media Days

Alabama is known to have a rabid fan base, and a number of Crimson Tide fans invaded the Wynfrey Hotel lobby to greet and support Nick Saban and the players, per Eric SanInocencio of the SEC Digital Network.

"

Still a big crowd of Alabama fans in the lobby here at #SECKickoff12 twitter.com/EricSan/status…

— Eric SanInocencio (@EricSan) July 19, 2012 "

The passion its fans have for Alabama football has few rivals across the country.

Michael Williams on Saban's Work Ethic

Nick Saban is consistently lauded as one of the hardest working head coaches in college football, but senior tight end Michael Williams noted something that he has never seen his coach do, per Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News

"

Alabama TE Michael Williams: "I've never seen Nick Saban yawn."

— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) July 19, 2012"

Simply hilarious.

Schedule

Nick Saban is set to speak at any moment now, and he will be followed by Jones, Square and Williams, per Alabama Football's Twitter account.

"

Nick Saban takes to the microphone in the main room @ 8:30am. He is accompanied today by Barrett Jones, Damion Square & Michael Williams.

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) July 19, 2012"

I will continue to update the reactions that pour in from their comments.

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