The Back Alley Archives

Bob says he is hearing very good things regarding Tebow and Spikes and not much one way or another on Harvin.

My information is very similar to his on Tebow and Spikes and better (more optimistic) than his on Harvin.

Apparently, Harvin a few weeks ago was 100% gone. However, with his injury and the prospect of both Tebow and Spikes staying around, he sees the possibility of a third NC in four years and wants to be a part of it. Plus, he really likes playing at UF and with Tim. My friend tells me he thinks it's still 70/30 in favor of Harvin bolting, even though Harvin is proclaiming in the locker room that he's probably staying.

With all that said, here's where I personally think things stand now:

Tim - 95% staying (would be 100%, but Mullen's leaving has an impact)

Spikes - 75% staying (based on the info I have it should be 100%, but he is the most NFL ready right now, and probably should go, that's why I have it at 75%)

Harvin - 60% leaving.

which came first? chicken or the egg?

i believe mullen leaving is an 'effect' .... and that there was/is a cause ... MAJOR personnel leaving might perhaps be the cause.

i want tebow to stay...i truly believe ALL college football fans would like to see him stay...who wouldn't want to see what the most dynamic, most largest draw in all of college sports has in store for his senior season...it's hard to top what accomplishments he's had thus far but tebow's capable....as a competitor, i WANT him to stay also...i want to compete with the best of the best....i want spikes to stay too...i think he should...he's projected as a defensive end in the NFL...he could stand to perfect that part of his repertoire...as for harvin, he's ready...he should go actually...he's an injury away from solidifying big, big money at the next level....i'd want him to stay obviously...i'd understand though in his case if he left

I think Tebow will stay - he is having too much fun at UF, and I think the NFL is too stupid to realize what a great player he is.

Spikes and Harvin? I don't know. I think it will depend on the NC game and how what Tim does. They might all three pull a basketball team and try to repeat.

Yeah, I don't think the NFL will do much for Tebow at this point, although I don't know if it will be any better for him after his senior year either. He has the opportunity to be a "legend" as a college football player and whether he does well in the NFL or not, he will always have that...moreso if he stays.

As for Spikes or Harvin, I dunno...I wouldn't be suprised if they left and I think I'd be pleasantly surprised if they stayed. I think it's the nature of the beast...if they leave...good for them...it will make the NFL draft that much more fun for me to watch this year. If they stay, great!

Bill says we're doing good with recruiting this year so hopefully we will always keep fresh talent and the next "leader" will be one of our sophomores or freshmen.

i see dunlap as a vocal leader of the defense...sort of in the mold of a siler or spikes

i don't know for sure obviously but i can't see major wright/haden/jenkins emerging in that role.

Well Jenkins plays like a badass and he's only a freshman, so you never know how much of a leader he COULD become at this point. I don't think any of us really "knows" these guys and what their personality types are...there could be quite a few "leader" types...I would hope that is a quality that Meyer looks for in recruiting.

Ahmad Black.

Spikes and Harvin are gone IMO.

Tim - 95% staying (would be 100%, but Mullen's leaving has an impact)

I've heard/read the exact opposite regarding Tebow's relationship with Mullen. Even if I hadn't heard anything, I'd be shocked if Mullen taking the MSU job were to increase the likelihood of Tebow bolting for the draft. He loves Coach Meyer and the University of Florida, and he knows the offense he runs won't change a whole helluva lot as long as Meyer is here.

How does Mullen's departure affect Tebow's decision?

I think Tebow stays. When you think about it, Doug Johnson is the most accomplished of the Gator QBs to go pro in the last 20 years, and I think the NFL is well aware of this -- two events, Spurrier reuniting Shane and Danny and failing in Washington and Grossman becoming an embarrassment in Chicago, have helped crystallize the perception.

Even with two Heismans, Tebow will be undervalued in the draft. He likes winning and if he stays at UF, he gets to keep winning. He's Big Man On Continent. And he's a Danny Wuerffel fan -- four years, baby. I would be very surprised to see him leave.

Tim - 95% staying (would be 100%, but Mullen's leaving has an impact)

I've heard/read the exact opposite regarding Tebow's relationship with Mullen. Even if I hadn't heard anything, I'd be shocked if Mullen taking the MSU job were to increase the likelihood of Tebow bolting for the draft. He loves Coach Meyer and the University of Florida, and he knows the offense he runs won't change a whole helluva lot as long as Meyer is here.

How does Mullen's departure affect Tebow's decision?

Mullen and Tim are pretty close. Mullen has been his QB coach all 3 years and has worked closely with him. I agree that Meyer is a bigger selling point than Mullen (note, I only dropped it 5%)

Tim - 95% staying (would be 100%, but Mullen's leaving has an impact)

How does Mullen's departure affect Tebow's decision?

the bigger question really is......how has tebow's decision (unbeknownst to the public as of yet) affect mullen's decision to bolt for MSU?

I think you're grasping at straws there rad. Mullen didn't leave because knew Tebow was leaving. I've heard of some people
that have talked to Tim since Saturday and he has said things that make me believe he'll be back next year, like "I'll get another
chance to win one next year" in reference to the Heisman.

FWIW...they won't have to jump at the money this year...the cap on rookie salaries/signing bonuses is not imminent:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3795154

Glad that's not coming this year because I'm sure that was going to sway a few folks.