BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- News, notes and happenings from Day 2 of the SEC Media Days.

.Media Star of the Day

Ole Miss All-SEC linebacker Patrick Willis, just days after the drowning death of his younger brother, showed remarkable poise and patience answering question after question about the recent tragic event that has affected his life.

"I know that my brother would have wanted me to continue on," Willis said. "That's one thing that we always talked about, that's continuing to work. This (the media days obligation) is just part of that work, part of signing that letter of intent of being an SEC player."

Hot-button issue

Every coach was asked how much offenses have changed in the SEC since the early 1990s, when then-Florida coach Steve Spurrier took over in Gainesville and dominated the league with an unstoppable passing attack.

"The defenses this day and age have gotten so sophisticated that you're in a cycle right now offensively of trying to figure out how to make a first down," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "The spread offense and those kind of things are a new dimension to attack and make defenses have to play defense again, rather than be the aggressor."

Strangest question

Fulmer and Tennessee players being asked how well they think former Vols' quarterback Brent Schaeffer will do when (and if) he reports as the Ole Miss starting quarterback.

The politically correct Fulmer said, "Brent is an outstanding athlete. I certainly wish him well down there. He's a dynamic guy with his hands on the ball."

Added Tennessee offensive linemen Arron Sears, "He'll pick it up pretty quick. He's a great learner. He was our starter when he got here (in 2004). I hope he finishes his (junior college) classes in California and gets back on track."

Funny Comedy Guy

Who else but Spurrier, who didn't pull any punches about his program or any other issue he addressed.

On the lack of a winning tradition at South Carolina: "All of you know South Carolina's tradition. Our trophy case has an Outback Bowl trophy in it, and that's the biggest one."

On a small group of his players who didn't commit to voluntary summer workouts: "You don't punish them for missing summer workouts. You don't have to play them, though."

On some football coaches complaining about the new 12-game schedule: "I watch girls basketball and they'll play four straight nights at the SEC tournament. I don't hear them complaining that they're playing too much."

On how he recently said he wanted to coach 100 more years: "Well, I guess I felt pretty good that day, and I feel pretty good today to tell you the truth. You know, that age thing is funny. I've always said, if you start acting like an old dude and talking like one, they need to get rid of me."

Mr. Stylin' and Profilin'

South Carolina senior defensive back Fred Bennett wore an electric blue suit, with a cream dress shirt. You could see him from across the main print area ballroom. He said he didn't spend much time pondering what to wear.

"It was just in my closet and I picked it out," Bennett said.