The Long Snapper: Signing Day, Robert Marve, Utah, Lane Kiffin, and More…

So The Long Snapper is back and begins with a yodel out to TBG favorite James Smith. Yodel-eh-he-freakin’-hoo! Smith is out of eligibility and since the NCAA doesn’t seem to be changing the rules to allow unusually lengthy distance snappers extra years to do what they do best, we will no longer be seeing him in the orange and blue. I’m trying to stay strong. You should attempt to do the same. It’s hard. But together, we can get through this.

It’s almost signing day. Teenage boys everywhere are deciding where to spend the next three to six years of their lives. For circumcisions beyond our control, sometimes they don’t even last that long. Where do they go? Who knows? You, that’s who. Because I’m telling you. Here’s a handy list of the players who signed with Florida as a part of their 2006 recruiting class (the guys who should be seniors during the 2009 season) and where they are now. Print it out, laminate it, and make sweet obsessive football fan love to it.

Markihe Anderson, DB – Florida, SR – Former starter now sees time as backup.
Brandon Antwine, DT – Florida, RJR – Injury troubles throughout career.
Jim Barrie, OL – Florida, RJR – YOU’RE MY BOY BLUE!!!
Riley Cooper, ATH – Florida, SR – Came through with some big plays during the 2008 season.
Jermaine Cunningham, DE – Florida, SR – Frequent starter. Enemy to all sandwiches.
Dustin Doe, LB – Florida, SR – Another TBG favorite. Hits with reckless abandon.
Jarred Fayson, ATH – Illinois, RJR – We can’t forgive those who are willing to play for the Zooker.
Marcus Gilbert, OL – Florida, RJR – Could be part of the line rotation in 2009.
Percy Harvin, WR – NFL – Most. Electrifying. Gator. EVER! I’m talking lighting hitting the clock tower electrifying. 1.21 gigawatts electrifying.
Corey Hobbs, DT – Florida, RJR – Not really sure where Hobbs figures in next year.
Jamar Hornsby…never mind, not even worth mentioning.
Maurice Hurt, OL – Florida, RJR – Should get a shot at contributing in 2009.
Brandon James, ATH – Florida, SR – Kick returner extraordinaire.
Carl Johnson, OL – Florida, RJR – Big Carl took a huge step in 2008 becoming a solid lineman.
A.J. Jones, LB – Florida, RJR – Former starter will most likely be a reserve in 2009.
Lawrence Marsh, DE – Florida, RJR – Marsh has been able to make plays at both DE and DT.
Wondy Pierre-Louis, DB – Florida, SR – WPL’s big moments seem behind him at this point.
Trent Pupello, TE – USF, RJR – Will see more field time at USF than he would have at Florida.
Jacques Rickerson, DB – No idea. Didn’t bothering trying to find out.
Derrick Robinson, ATH – Wilmington Blue Rocks – Drafted by the Kansas City Royals. Currently in their farm system.
Terron Sanders, DT – Florida, RJR – Another contributor to the d-line rotation.
Brandon Spikes, LB – Florida, SR – Let’s all thank Jebus for Spikes’ return.
Tim Tebow, QB – Florida, SR – I’m not sure if I know of this, Tim Tebow is it?
Bryan Thomas, DB – Florida, RJR – Unfortunately for Thomas, injuries may have cost him a chance at playing much.
Chevon Walker, RB – Eastern Illinois, RJR – Backup in 2008. Will get shot at starting job in 2009.
Justin Williams, WR – Florida, RJR – Moved to safety before last season.
Mon Williams, RB – ? – Transferring. Not sure where to.

There you have it. 19 out of 27 will be members of the football team in 2009. That actually isn’t too shabby. Then again, I have nothing to back that up. Could be average. Could be high. Could be low. But at least it seems like a decent number to still have around.

Andre Debose will visit FSU this weekend. NOOOOOOO!!!

Recruit to watch down to the last minute: Trent Richardson. Alabama commit. Florida has made big push. Escambia produced Gator great Emmitt Smith. Keep an eye on this one.

Armwood (Seffner, FL) has produced some big name recruits over recent years – Torrey Davis, Matt Patchan, Eric Smith – and this year is no different. Ryne Giddins already announced his commitment to USF. Now Petey Smith – Eric’s younger, but bigger brother – is headed to Alabama.

Former Plant (Tampa, FL) and Miami quarterback Robert Marve won’t make a decision on his location of transfer until after signing day. For those of you wondering where the Hurricanes are not allowing him to go, here’s the list: the ACC, the SEC, the NAIA, the University of the South, Dancing with the Stars, schools that beat Miami in the past five years, schools that will beat Miami in the next five years, the Detroit Lions, Miami Northwestern, Guantanamo Bay, and Chris Rix’s quarterback school.

Tree die? Make your own Tebow statue.

Good laughs courtesy of Every Day Should Be Saturday.

The Mountain West wants to be a BCS conference. I have an idea. Have Utah join the Pac-10. Seriously. There’s little chance the BCS will listen to the MWC. So take matters into your own matters Utes and push the Pac-10. Heck, take BYU with you and…bingo, bango, bongo…another conference with a championship game!

Bobby Bowden close to returning. Jimbo Fisher close to sending out his resume.

It’s good to have someone to despise when it comes to sports. For every hero, you need a villain. College football, I give you Lane Kiffin. Hate him all you want. In the end, he looks like he might make everything a little more entertaining. Some could even compare the situation to one that occurred when Steve Spurrier arrived in the SEC. Of course, here at The Bull Gator, we wouldn’t dare do that for Spurrier can do no wrong.

As always, help control the pet population, have your long snapper spayed or neutered.