September 5, 2007
Joe Girvan
Opinions and emotions while waiting for the interminable NFL preseason to end…
So Far, So Good
Week one went pretty much as planned for the defending national champs. The Gators should be outstanding offensively, but the defense is a work in progress. You hear coaches say it every year – in fact, Urban Meyer said it on Monday -- "you see the biggest improvement between first and second games." Look for Florida to have a better idea about its defensive tackle rotation after taking on Troy. Lawrence Marsh is coming off his one-game suspension and Torrey Davis is pushing for more playing time. I like what I've seen of Brandon Antwine as well. The Gator defense has to grow up quickly, especially at tackle, to be ready for Tennessee in week three.
Lasting Impressions
Leftover thoughts from the Gators' season opener:
*It's a much different scheme, but this could be Florida's most explosive offense since Steve Spurrier was calling plays.
*Even without Phil Trautwein, the offensive line is very good. The defensive line has an
All-American in Derrick Harvey, but some young talent needs to emerge at tackle.
*Jerimy Finch getting an earful from Urban Meyer after the first kickoff, then making a
beautiful open-field tackle on the second.
*Fellow freshman Carlos Dunlap dropping into coverage on a zone blitz and forcing a
fumble
*Dustin Doe has learned at least one thing from Earl Everett – how to make a tackle
without your helmet.
Hail to the Losers
Admit it, Gator fans, you took some extra-special satisfaction from seeing mighty Michigan lose to Appalachian St. It is certainly ironic that, after whining Urban Meyer "campaigned" for Florida to make the BCS Championship Game, Lloyd Carr will now have to "campaign" to keep his job. The Wolverines are the laughing stock of the entire sports world. The Maize and Blue didn't lose to the Mountaineers before 17,000 strong at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, NC. No, this happened in front of more than 109,000 at The Big House! The formerly fifth-ranked Wolverines are now tagged with this: they are the first ranked Division 1-A team to lose to a 1-AA team. Ever. (Side note to the NCAA: you can stick "Bowl Subdision" and "Championship Subdivision" in your ear. They should all be championship divisions)
Heisman Hopefuls
This week's look at three players moving up my Heisman Trophy ballot.
1.DeSean Jackson, California. Not only one of the best wide receivers in the nation, he's also a dynamic return man. Just ask the Vols.
2.Tim Tebow, Florida. Honestly, I've been reluctant to include him among the top-tier candidates for fear of looking like a homer. I'm not afraid anymore. The kid is awesome.
3.Colt Brennan, Hawaii. He completed 34 of his 40 passes for 416 yards and 6 TD against Northern Colorado, and didn't take a single snap after halftime.
Painful Memories
Seeing Bucs wide receiver Paris Warren tear up his ankle in Tampa Bay's final preseason game brought back some terrible memories. It was nearly two years ago that Alabama's Tyrone Prothro broke his leg against the Gators, like Warren, in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Here's the difference: Jon Gruden was trying to win a football game and give Warren a chance to make the team; Mike Shula was trying to run up the score. The Crimson Tide led that game 31-3 in the fourth quarter. 'Bama faced fourth and five at the Florida 27, but rather than kick the field goal or punt, Shula tried to rub the Gators' collective nose in it. The decision would cost Prothro his career. Shula should have been fired on the spot, but his lack of coaching ability took care of that a year later.
Remember When…
- Florida St.'s football team was good?
Mike Mussina had more than a batting-practice fastball?
- The Orange Bowl was a nice place to watch a game? Yeah, me neither.
Fashion Police
It is absolutely ridiculous that Major League Baseball sent a security official to make sure Red Sox manager Terry Francona was wearing his uniform during a game! With Derek Jeter on second base in the second inning of the August 29th tilt between the Sox and Yankees, Francona was asked to show that he did, in fact, have his uniform on under a Red Sox pullover. Said the Sox skipper, "I've never seen anything like that before in my life." "That was about as embarrassed as I've been in a long time, for baseball." MLB has a dress code, and that's fine. You want to make sure players and managers are adhering to the policy? Fine, but do it between innings, you morons. Of course, when you realize this directive came from the commissioner's office, it's easier to understand. Maybe Bud Selig is working on a way to have the All-Star game decide what managers can and cannot wear.
Hot Routes
# How does Lincoln Financial not show the Gators running out of the tunnel for the season opener? Terrible.
# ESPN.com's John Clayton reports: "After 24 hours of soul-searching and a conversation with general manager Jerry Reese, seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to end his holdout and report to the New York Giants." Oh, please. How about this instead: "After 3 weeks of skipping training camp, Michael Strahan has decided to end his holdout."
# You think we'll hear anyone else ask if Tim Tebow can throw?
Thanks for reading. Keep smiling, and remember: If your team can't be Appalachian St., it's probably time to find a good real estate agent.