The Bull Gator (4/6/10)
I realize now, when I said I was back, I may have been lying. The TBG comeback (if you can call it that, I was gone less than two weeks) is in its infancy. I’m currently (unsuccessfully) coming up with new story ideas and getting myself prepared for the long haul now that both football and basketball are over. The NBA and NHL playoffs with peak my interest briefly and I may even pretend to attempt to follow baseball once again, but mostly, I’ll be waiting patiently for the 2010 college football season.
It sounds like the 2006 Florida football squad could make a reappearance as the 2010 Florida football squad. Urban Meyer has said he plans on using a two-quarterback system similar to what the Gators used during the 2006 national championship season. And it makes sense. John Brantley will handle the majority of the quarterback duties (and perform admirably mind you), but we may see others take snaps in short yardage situations. Think Tim Tebow during his freshman year. A first down on third and three wasn’t nearly as likely if Chris Leak had the ball as it was if it was put in Tebow’s hands. The same theory goes into play with Jordan Reed and maybe even Trey Burton. While Brantley will be shredding SEC defenses through the air, Reed and Burton may be doing so on the ground. An interesting idea and one we should have expected. While I’m sure Brantley has the ability to do some things with his feet from time to time (Leak surprised Gator fans on occasion during that 2006 season), we all know that’s not what he’s suited for.
Wide receiver Carl Moore returned to practice and still has a chance to become one of Florida’s biggest junior college transfer success stories. More often than not, JUCO transfers don’t make huge impacts at programs like Florida. The odds are against them because of their limited time to acclimate to the system and overall bigger experience. Typically year one is spent learning and year two may be spent trying to earn whatever playing time is available. From time to time you’ll get a star, but the window is much smaller. With Moore’s return, he still has a chance. A lot was expected when Moore joined the Gators before the 2008 season. He had flashes that season (although few and far between), but missed 2009 due to injury. All was thought to be lost when he missed a few practices last week, but he is back and should be given every chance to contribute. Maybe Florida will finally have their JUCO gem.
Auburn is definitely an SEC team to look out for in 2010. No Florida fan ever likes facing the Tigers and luckily they won’t have to worry about it during the upcoming season. But those SEC teams that do better be ready. Gene Chizik was basically laughed at when hired as the Auburn head coach before the 2009 season. The former Florida linebacker was 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State before being offered the head job with the Tigers. Not much was expected of a head coach with that career record, but Chizik delivered and has Auburn fans excited for the future. After going 8-5 with a bowl win in 2009, the Tigers are ready to take the next step. While Alabama is the class of the SEC West, Auburn is the team to watch. Don’t be surprised if they’re ranked at the end of the season.
Montez Robinson – one of the nation’s better prospects in 2009 – has been dismissed from the Georgia football team. Mark Richt released the soon-to-be sophomore defensive end/linebacker after his arrest on a battery charge. Robinson played mostly as a backup during his freshman season, but was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after a two sack performance against Tennessee Tech. His role in the Bulldog defense would have been expanded in 2010 had he not done whatever it was he went and did. Details are scarce at this point.
The List: Last night I treated myself to a gloriously wonderful movie. A movie featuring all-world badass Samuel L. Jackson and a bunch of man-eating dinosaurs. That’s right, Jurassic Park. I mention it because it’s a fun watch that doesn’t make you think too much. Man vs. beast basically. Too many people get caught up on what a movie offers intellectually these days (read: too many people want to make themselves out to be better than everyone else and won’t let themselves enjoy something that’s not meant to stimulate their intelligence, but instead just be enjoyable). Well, I won’t have it! Some movies are just fun and remove you from having to spend too much time thinking about characterization or plot. Jurassic Park was one of these and so are the following. But if you still like to consider yourself a movie snob, go ahead and continue. Those of us that enjoy “big budget studio garbage” don’t judge you nearly as much as you judge us.
1. Starship Troopers. Killer bugs and Neil Patrick Harris. What more do you need?
2. It. If you want to confuse your friends, have them watch tape two before tape one. My bad!
3. Grandma’s Boy. One of the funnier “stupid” movies of recent years.
4. Demolition Man. I don’t know what it is about this movie, but I have seen it way more times than I care to admit. Probably shouldn’t be on this list due to its relation to one of the more well-known novels ever written, but take that out and it’s really just all good fun.
5. The Pledge. Okay, this one was thrown in there just to see if you were paying attention. Could be one of the worst movies ever.
The Sixth Man: The basketball season came to an end last night in thrilling fashion. At least thrilling if you are a bigger college basketball fan than I am. While Butler and Duke played a good game, I can’t help think it was Butler and Duke. In no means is that meant to diminish them to their respective fans, but for me, my involvement in sports other than college football the last few seasons has been decreasing. If there isn’t a Gator or a Bull participating, I become more casual than the most casual fan. I used to never miss it when the Blue Devils took on UNC. Used to get psyched if a Saturday offered a top-five matchup. But lately, not so much when it came to basketball. I may change that, but don’t expect much from the site (like my failed foray into baseball). It’s a long time before I’ll even have that chance. Last night was the end of the season and therefore the basketball part of my brain goes into hibernation. Recruiting, continued talks of a 96-team tournament, and hopes for next season may keep it going. We’ll see.