The Bull Gator (4/1/10)
And I’m back. After a much needed vacation and then a few extra days of doing virtually nothing, I’m back and, more importantly for those of you who visit the site frequently, The Bull Gator is too. I thought about posting some grand April Fool’s Day article about shutting down the site or its conversion to a curling-only blog, but we all know I’m not that funny and probably couldn’t pull that off. So TBG is back and returning in the most reasonable way with The Long Snapper.
I’ll get started with a brief item that appeared on the Orlando Sentinel’s site way back on March 18. Basically around the last time I actually made the effort to post anything. Andrea Adelson gave us her thoughts on the Urban Meyer situation of the previous few months and goes as far to say “[s]orry coach Meyer, but you owe us all an explanation.” Read through most of the comments and you’ll find many stand exactly where I do in response to that. Meyer doesn’t owe any of us a damn thing. Billy Donovan didn’t owe us an explanation when he left for the Orlando Magic only to return almost immediately. And Meyer doesn’t owe us an update on his health or more information about why he went from resigning to declaring he would be taking a leave of absence. As a whole, we expect way too much from athletes and other sports figures. We analyze every move they make and everything they say. This site is no different. If I only discussed what actually occurred on the field, TBG would go from being much slower during the off months to being completely dead. But I’ve never felt an individual owes me anything. Meyer is a grown man. He can make whatever decisions he wants. Sometimes, I may not agree with them or like them, but that’s okay. I’ll never expect him to explain them to me. Just like I don’t expect Tim Tebow to tell us why he may choose to endorse one organization over another. Why should I care? I’m at the point with Meyer where I would love it if he were the Florida head coach forever. What he’s done on the field in his five years is remarkable and I don’t want to see it end. I can’t imagine any Gator fan does. But when he decides he’s done, his reason is his reason. I don’t need to know it. And I definitely don’t need an explanation about everything that transpired in the last few months. Meyer has produced an on-the-field product I’ve been more than happy to cheer for over the past few years. He definitely doesn’t owe me anything else.
What in the name of potentially stellar wide receivers is going on with Carl Moore?!? The senior pass catcher has missed a few practices and no one is completely sure if he’ll be welcomed back with open arms if he chooses to return. Moore seems to be absent for personal reasons, but there’s no telling what those are. There is a rumor going around that he left practice on Saturday and wasn’t the least bit happy when he did so. Moore reportedly stormed off the practice field and hasn’t been seen on it since. Coaches are stating personal issues at the moment and no one knows if we’ve seen the last of Moore or not. Moore had the chance to have a big senior season after missing all of 2009 due to injury. His size makes him an important target, especially in the red zone, however; Moore has only had a few flashes over his Gator career so far. No one knows what he can do on the field, but I was definitely excited to see. Hopefully the situation is able to be remedied and we’ll see him back soon.
Get excited about new USF defensive coordinator Mark Snyder because he’s sure excited about heading up the Bulls’ defense. After spending a few years as Marshall’s head coach, Snyder is happy to be back with the defense, getting his hands dirty. Remember those Ohio State defenses of the early 2000s? That was Snyder. Snyder’s #1 priority? Making defense fun. He wants kids that can run, hit, and just enjoy the game. Sounds like the focus on defense will be just playing football. Schemes won’t be out of the ordinary necessarily, but Snyder and company will be about doing the simple things great. As long as cornerbacks are no longer left out to dry on deep routes, I’m all for the new defense.
Tennessee is determined to not let another head coach with a losing career record go without a fight. The Vols have set the buyout on Derek Dooley high. Laughably high. If Dooley leaves before 2012: $4 million. 2013: $3 million. 2014: $1 million. Oh but the fun doesn’t stop there. If Tennessee were to get rid of Dooley before 2013, they would have to pay him $5 million. So apparently no one has learned their lesson. In the real world – you know the one where people have jobs that don’t involve them coaching sports teams – most people can’t get fired for a lack of performance and that’s that. No big check as you get your ass kicked out the door. But Dooley could end up sub-.500 over his first few seasons and still receive millions to be kicked to the curb. Gotta love the world we live in, huh?
The List: Today’s theme: comebacks. Well, not really. Things I’d like to see comeback actually. Things – or people – that I’d like to see get a chance to do their thing and be successful at it. As usual, take what you want from it. And add lists of your own to the comments section if feel the need to speak up. No list is denied, but I can’t guarantee it won’t be shredded apart. After all, if you get ridiculed around these parts, it means we like you. We really, really like you.
1. Alex Brown. More on AB later.
2. Spring. Might actually already be back. The weather in Florida is wonderful today.
3. A good medical drama.
4. Carl Moore!
5. The Gator basketball team.
6. A blockbuster movie NOT in 3D!
7. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
8. TV without the Southwest bags fly free ads.
9. Music I can tolerate listening too.
10. Grilling. Oh the glorious grilling this time of year brings.
The Sixth Man: With the Final Four comes The Second Annual Bull Gator Final Four Fiesta. Not that you are invited of course. We don’t know each other. At least not personally. And there’s just as much chance I’d let you into my house as I’d let my neighbor who continues to do his best to destroy the grass in my backyard (damn you Mr. I Have No Idea What Your Last Name Is!!!). But know we’ll be partying on Saturday regardless of the participants in the two games and you should too. If you’re a college sports fan first, these are the last great moments until football season begins again (sorry College World Series’ fans). So take it all in and enjoy it. And know that my luck has turned. I’ve already won one pool and am one more Duke victory away from winning another. I like winning, even if it means having to pull for the Blue Devils to do so. File that under things I never thought I’d say.