The Long Snapper (2/17/10)
it will play
Cincinnati
and FSU during 2010. Georgia played
Arizona State
and
Oklahoma State
in 2009. Tennessee took on
UCLA
.
South Carolina
opened the season against
North Carolina State
. You’re probably saying
“NC State???”
But that’s all it may take. As fans we want 14-0. We want the perfect season (although we’ll take a blemish if it still results in bringing home the crystal ball). But we want it to give us good games against solid teams. Florida may not need to schedule the
USCs
of the world, but get some games against the
Arizonas
and the
Texas A&Ms
at the very least.
Urban Meyer is a failure. Not my words. The words of Hays Carlyon. If you react at just the first sentence of the article, you may be on your way to tar and feather Carlyon right now. But read the full article first and then take a minute to reflect. There is a problem in the Florida football program. One that is casting a dark shadow on all of the recent success. At times it’s easy to step back and think of the wins and trophies and be pleased. We all do it. But what is with all of the arrests? The number is staggering at this point. 27 in five years if Carlyon is correct. For a good number of those, the charges were dropped. Okay, that’s something to at least consider. But even if the charges were later dropped, didn’t you do something to get arrested in the first place? I’m sure there are instances where a player may really have not been at fault, but there are also those where the charges were dismissed for entirely different reasons. Whatever the case, the arrest number is staggering. First thought is that there are 85 scholarship players on the roster (and who knows how many others) and it’s impossible for the coaching staff to keep tabs on all of them. That’s true. These kids come from all sorts of different backgrounds and value systems. For each Tim Tebow, you may have a Jamar Hornsby. A case a yin and yang if you will. But maybe punishment is the only solution for getting the arrests to stop. We don’t know the entire story behind the Gary Brown situation, but something needs to be done if Brown stays on the team. Something to show the other players that if you get yourself into trouble, you don’t play. Players have been suspended for a game here and a game there, but that’s not enough. It’s time to end this problem. Whatever needs to be done, do it. The last thing we need to hear is that five years from now, that arrest number has doubled.
This time last year, Andy Staples took the task of ranking the 2006 Rivals.com recruiting classes after they, you know, actually played college football for a few years. Florida finished that year’s recruiting cycle with a #2 team ranking. When Staples looked back at the classes three years later, he bumped the Gators to the top spot. This time around, the result isn’t much different. Florida’s 2007 recruiting class finished atop the Rivals rankings. Three years later, Staples believes they should remain that way. The 2007 class produced 10 players who started for the Gators in 2009 (nine of the 10 started for the 2008 National Championship squad) and the new Florida quarterback – John Brantley (it also produced the player who could take the majority of snaps for Auburn in 2010 – Cameron Newton). The 2006 class tends to overshadow all others because of the big three – Percy Harvin, Brandon Spikes, Tim Tebow – but the 2007 class should be a close (VERY CLOSE) second.
At least one source believes Florida won’t fall very far at all despite departing talent. CollegeFootballNews.com has the Gators #2 in their so early it’s hard to take seriously preseason poll. Think a number two ranking is too high? Think again. The talent Urban Meyer has compiled in Gainesville is reminiscent of that put together by Pete Carroll at USC between 2002 and 2008 (the Trojans won at least 11 games in each of those seasons and never lost more than two). While Florida could stumble, don’t expect the losses to pile up too much. A first-place finish in the SEC East is definitely attainable and an SEC Championship isn’t out of the question. Say all you want about how the losses will affect the Gators. There’s plenty of talent – experienced and raw – ready to step in and continue the success. Take a moment to remember 1997. The year after Danny Wuerffel led the Gators to a National Championship, Noah Brindise and Doug Johnson quarterbacked Florida to a 10-2 record. The Gators would finish ranked #4 and #6 in the two major polls that season. Not exactly the plummet detractors wanted to believe would occur.
And finally, I don’t plan on getting deep into the rights and wrongs of the judicial system, but two things are interesting about this: 1) a man charged with wielding knives during the altercation which ended with the death of UConn defensive back Jasper Howard is free after posting bond, and 2) his family came up with $450,000. Hakim Muhammad allegedly stabbed Brian Parker, also a UConn football player, but at least he gets to wait for his trail from the comfort of his own home (disclaimer: that was stated with disgusted sarcasm).