7 players to watch at Super Bowl LI Opening Night

The Super Bowl event formerly titled Media Day was rebranded "Opening Night" last year and moved to prime time. While the name has changed, the premise has not. Thousands of media members will lob questions at Super Bowl players and coaches just six days ahead of the big game.

Here are the seven players to watch on Opening Night:

Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots

The Black Unicorn is easily one of the most entertaining and media-savvy players the NFL has to offer. He'll be making his first appearance at a Super Bowl and so the week off before the game will give Bennett ample time to expand his already sizable profile.

Just take a peek at his Twitter page for an appetizer of what's to come:

Get ready, world. The Martysaurus Rex is coming.

Vic Beasley, DE, Atlanta Falcons

Off the field, the Falcons are bereft of quotable, headline-grabbing speakers. So Super Bowl Opening Night will act as an introduction for many on Atlanta's 53-man roster.

One player who could vault into the spotlight is defensive end Vic Beasley. The second-year pro led the league in sacks, and - if Von Miller acts as a predecessor - could command even more cameras both between the hash marks and outside of them with a notable meeting with the press on Monday.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots

The closest thing the two Super Bowl combatants have to Marshawn Lynch. Don't count on Blount to clam up like the former Seahawks running back did, though. Instead, he'll want to seize the moment and remind the world just who led the league in rushing touchdowns.

Blount is also known to be volatile. He was unceremoniously dismissed from his first team in 2012 and ended his college career with this:

Jake Matthews, LT, Atlanta Falcons

Jake Matthews' story is made for weeks like these. The son of a Hall of Famer, the youngster will return to his home state for a chance to carve out his space in the Matthews family history books. He also had to stonewall his cousin, Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, in order to reach the Super Bowl.

Matthews can make himself a media darling with the manner in which he handles Super Bowl Opening Night.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Brady is always the focal point of what once was Media Day. Lately, Brady has been all about positivity, so the central task of the thousands of credentialed members of the media will be to rattle the smooth operator.

There will be questions about Deflategate, about his relationship with President Trump, about the ultimate revenge: forcing commissioner Roger Goodell to hand over the Super Bowl trophy. Can Brady keep up this charade, or will some journalist from Australia get him to crack?

Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons

If anyone will say something boastful or controversial, count on it being the supremely talented and confident lead running back for the Falcons. A product of Florida State, Freeman hasn't been a part of many losing teams on the football field and it comes across in his comments.

He's already stated the Patriots will have to pick their poison when it comes to the Falcons offense and that statement came days before the media circus. Want bulletin board material? Watch Freeman's designated time at the podium.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, New England Patriots

The backup quarterback won't be reserved a spot on the podium, so reporters will have to seek him out on the floor, and seek him out they will. The man tabbed to one day replace Brady also has the Hollywood good looks necessary to fill Brady's shoes.

Tom Terrific is often the target of foreign reporters. Perhaps Garoppolo will be the foil this year.