Dear readers,
If it hasn't become obvious, this blog is now closed for business. We had a good run. Four years, almost 1100 posts, some recognition and a whole hell of a lot of fun. But it's time to move on.
Mergz will be offering his great insights at a new blog called Boys of old Florida, please make sure to bookmark it.
The conference formally known as the Big 12 will lose its remaining marquee members on Tuesday June 15th.
The Austin Statesman (Austin, TX newspaper) is reporting that the Texas University System is meeting on Tuesday and after that meeting it will announce that the University of Texas and Texas Tech will be leaving the Big 12 for the Pac 10. Apparently, Texas A&M is still discussing the possibility of joining the SEC, although severing ties with the other Texas state universities does not seem likely to me - given the financial and political ramifications. Orangebloods.com is also reporting this to be true and Chip Brown was the one that broke the whole Texas to the Pac 10 story in the first place.
The Daily Oklahoman (another newspaper) is reporting that both Oklahomas and Oklahoma State will be leaving the Big 12 but they will not announce their intentions until after Texas announces its intentions.
Is it just me or do all these other Big 12 schools come off like Texas's bitch? In the words of a friend of mine from a Big 12 school, the David McWilliams era wasn't that long ago.
Remember when you read the penalties for USC they are actually worse than the sounds, and they don't sound very good.
No one cares about vacating wins (which is the dumbest penalty ever) and the lose of a post-season play isn't that big of deal either, b/c winning championships isn't as important to players as it is to the fans. The big penalty here is the 15/75 penalty.
What this means that USC can offer no more than 15 scholarships for the next 3 years and at no point during that 3 year period can there be more than 75 players on scholarship. Let's examine this closer with numbers. For argument's sake say the USC football roster is broken down as follows:
20 seniors
20 juniors
20 sophomores
25 freshman
85 total players on scholarship
After this season USC will graduate those 20 seniors and be left with a maximum of 65 players on scholarship. I say maximum b/c typically a school loses 4-6 non-graduating players a year to either the pros or transfers. But for this discussion we will say there is no attrition at USC after the 2010 season.
With a roster of 65 scholarship players, USC would not be allowed to sign more than 10 players on signing day 2011. Bringing the roster back to 75.
After the 2011 season, USC would graduate another 20 players (still using the numbers from above). At that point they would have 55 scholarship players. So on signing day 2012, USC would be limited to 15 players. Bringing the roster to 70.
Finally after the 2012 season, USC would graduate another 20 players, leaving 50 players on scholarship. Once again USC is limited to signing 15 players on signing day 2013, which would bring the roster to 65.
The numbers are far worse if you add in the likely attrition of non-graduating players.
The expansion dominoes are officially falling with the announcement that Colorado becomes the 11th team in the Pac-10. It is seems all but certain that Nebraska will announce they are becoming the 12th team in the Big 10.
In a response to these two moves, the AD's at Texas and Texas A&M are meeting at somepoint today to discuss their futures. Interestingly enough, Andy Staples has an article on SI.com stating that Mike Slive and the A&M brass met months ago to discuss their potential interest in joining the SEC. Did you realize that A&M ranked 22nd in the Nation in athletic revenue? I know I didn't.
I absolutely love the idea of A&M becoming a member of the SEC, and I don't need the Longhorns to be a part of the deal to make me happy. As a matter of fact, I would prefer that they not join our beloved conference. It is Texas's arrogance that is leading to the disolution of the Big 12; and Texas was a constant source of frustration for both Nebraska and Colorado, and I am not talking about the football field. I think the Aggies would fit in rather nicely in the SEC West. There is an old SWC rival in Arkansas. A&M and Alabama could have an annual game commemorated with the winner getting a bronzed houndstooth hat. A&M and Miss. St. could battle in the Jackie Sherrill Bowl. The possibilities are endless.
So who is next for the SEC? To make the argument more interesting OU, Texas, Ok. State and Texas Tech cannot be in the discussion.
It appears that George Edwards will be named the new Defensive Coordinator for Buffalo Bills.
Let me say that if this was known before signing day and not told to the players that signed with us yesterday that is a bs move by our staff.
Update February 5 - 10am
According to Joe Schad, Edwards was offered the Bills job on Signing Day.
Names already thrown around
Corwin Brown - currently the DB coach for the Patriots
Tyrone Nix - currently the DC at Ole Miss
Everett Withers - currently the DC at North Carolina
Taver Johnson - currently the DB coach for Ohio State
Tommy Thigpen - currently the LB coach at Auburn
Kalani Sitake - currently the DC at Utah
You may hear other names but unless they are a minority candidate they will not even be offered the job.
Today is a huge day for the Gators.
As of 9:15am here are the letters of intent that in:
Solomon Patton - WR
Gerald Christian - TE
Ian Silberman - OT
Trey Burton - QB
Leon Orr - OL/DL
Jaylen Watkins - CB
Jordan Haden - S/LB
Matt Elam - S/RB
Robert Clark - WR/CB
Josh Shaw - CB/S
Neiron Ball - LB/DE
Chris Dunkley - WR - first LOI in at 7am
Dominique Easly - DT
Tyler Murphy - QB/Ath
Cody Riggs - CB
Quinton Dunbar - WR
Jonathan Dowling - S/WR
Mike McFarland - TE
Gideon Ajagbe - LB
Mack Brown, Jr. - RB
Sharrif Floyd - DT
Michael Taylor - LB
Update #1
Lynden Trail - DE
Update #2
Ronald Powell - DE
Update #3 - as of 11:30 am
Darrin Kitchens - LB
Travon Van - DB/RB
Update #4 - as of 12:15pm
Adrian Coxson - WR
Update #5 - as of 3:45pm
Chaz Green - OL
George Edwards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Edwards_(American_football)
this would be a great hire if it pans out.
There is so much going on right now it is next to impossible to pick a place to start discussing the State of our beloved Gators.
The Sugar Bowl
1. Now this is the team that we were all expecting to see when Tebow announced he was coming back after the National Championship game. It is amazing how well a team can play when the burden of being perfect is taken away. We finally saw a team that was loose and having fun. Those of us (myself included) with concerns about Steve Addazio as offensive coordinator got to see what I believe is Addazio preferred gameplan - throw the ball all over the field without abandoning the run. Seemed to work pretty good - and as my 6 year-old said to me last night I can't wait for football season to start again.
The Staff
1. Urban Meyer. I know that there are some cynics out there but Meyer really didn't look "right" after the game, at least not to me. I know that Bernie Machen did an interview with Andy Staples of SI.com where he stated that Meyer did not require surgery to fix the problem, but if I had to guess I would say that Meyer has an issue with a heart valve. The valve could probably stay in its current condition, if Meyer were to give up any stressful activity, however if Meyer wanted to continue to coach valve replacement surgery would be necessary. I imagine that Meyer will have the surgery sometime between the last week of January and the middle of February, this will allow 6 month healing period prior to fall practice.
2. Steve Addazio. He has gone from the person that a majority of the fans wanted to have replaced to leader of the program in the blink of an eye. My understanding is that he has more say in recruiting than he did before Meyer's leave of absence. The increased role is believed to be a main reason for the committment of Dominique Easley during the Under Armor Game. Also don't be surprised to see Ace Sanders get a commitable offer now that Addazio is running the show, since Ace is one of his favorite players.
3. Kenny Carter. My understanding is that Carter will join Charlie Strong at Louisville. He will take the same position. I think that it is fair to say that Carter was allowed to leave in the same way Hevesy was allowed to leave to Mississippi State last year.
4. Charlie Strong. There were quotes going around from Strong stating that he wouldn't be poaching our coaches. Apparently that all changed when Meyer resigned for 12 hours. Typically when someone on your staff takes a job as a head coach at another school, the coach that is leaving meets with his former boss. At that meeting it is determined which coaches the new head coach can approach about going with him. My understanding is that Vance Bedford was not on that original list. Bedford is well respected and crucial with regards to recruiting db's. Strong has officially offerred Bedford the title of DC at Louisville.
5. Vance Bedford. At this point who knows. It is my feeling from what is being tossed around that keeping Vance Bedford is priority number 1 to Meyer/Addazio. I think this is part of the reason why a defensive coordinator has not been named yet - and yes I know it is being reported the DC title was given to Chuck Heater but I don't think that is official yet. The more we hear that Bedford is going to see Florida recruits, the better this plays out for the Gators. For the record he is supposed to have an in-home with Cody Riggs on Thursday. I think at the end of the day Bedford will be a Co-DC with Chuck Heater or he won't on this staff.
6. Chuck Heater. Possibly a candidate for the Marshall DC job, but unlikely to take it, especially with his increased role on the Gator staff. Could and most likely will end up at least the Co-DC at Florida. Part of the reason that I think no one has been named DC yet is because it is possible that Meyer will need the DC title to lure the right candidate to Gainesville, whomever that may be.
7. DJ Durkin. Rumored to be the new special teams coach and potentially a LB coach. Played for Urban Meyer at Bowling Green and was most recently on Jim Harbaugh's staff at Stanford. Meyer getting the staff's "ducks in a row" has to be the only reason why Durkin hasn't been announced yet.
Juniors to the NFL
1. Joe Haden. He has declared and should be the first CB picked - most likely between 10-15.
2. Carlos Dunlap. Cannot imagine that he will come back but that is what he was telling everyone prior to the Sugar Bowl. I think the pre-draft paperwork will say he is an early first round pick and he will leave.
3. Aaron Hernandez. It is being reported that he has already declared, but nothing official yet. Prior to his performance at the Sugar Bowl he was a lock to stay. He is a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
4. Maurkice Pouncey. I hear he is leaving after receiving a good pre-draft report.
5. Michael Pouncey. I hear he is staying. I think this is smart, since it was highly unlikely that the twins would be drafted by the same team.
I will get to the recruits later today or tonight.
This morning I'm very happy for Bobby Bowden. He went out a winner as a he deserved to. Say whatever you want about his coaching skills deteriorating over the last few years but he handled himself with dignity and represented UF's sister school with class.
Final thought, Urban Meyer can learn a little something from coach Bowden, namely how to keep football in perspective and balance work with family.
I'm on vacation and iPhone blogging, so this will be brief.
I've been hearing rumors of health issue with Meyer for some time, and had it on a pretty good source he would be gone by age 50 at latest. If he had to leave, while no time is "perfect", right now is damn close. Next year was apt to be a down year anyway with our player losses, and with the new talent coming in (that we can hold in to) it is a good time to implement a new system.
There are plenty of talented coaches out there that will thrive with the inherent advantages Florida has. Folely won't make a Zookian error twice. Remember, Miami won 5 "national titles" with 4 different coaches.
It didn't end with Steve Spurrier, and it won't end with Meyer. Both men left the program better than they found it. The best job in college football awaits.
Gloat away rivals, but know this truth -
If we want your coach, we can have him.
If we don't want him, by all means keep him.
I found this piece today listing the 10 “happiest” states in the nation. They are –
1. Louisiana
2. Hawaii
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Arizona
6. Mississippi
7. Montana
8. South Carolina
9. Alabama
10. Maine
Six of the ten are SEC football states. The correlation is obvious.
The least “happy” SEC state? Kentucky, at 35th. Of course if I had to root for Wildcat football, 35th sounds about right.
The least happy state overall is New York, where college football is nearly absent. Once again, an obvious correlation.
A commenter to my last post notes, quite correctly, that the Heisman for any given year should be made by comparing how players did within that year, and I agree.
By this metric, however, I think Ingram still falls short.
Ingram was 5th in rushing yardage this season. The top 10 running backs were –
1 Toby Gerhart, RB STAN 1736
2 Ryan Mathews, RB FRES 1664
3 Dion Lewis, RB PITT 1640
4 Donald Buckram, RB UTEP 1594
5 Mark Ingram, RB ALA 1542
6 Ryan Williams, RB VT 1538
7 LaMichael James, RB ORE 1476
8 Joe Webb, QB UAB 1427
9 John Clay, RB WIS 1396
10 Alfred Morris, RB FAU 1392
Of this list, however, only 1 player played 13 games – and that was Ingram (accounting for the SEC Championship).
If you take away the yardage from the Championship game, Ingram had 1429 which would have placed him 8th on this list.
On a yards-per game basis, Ingram is 8th in the nation –
1 Toby Gerhart, RB STAN 144.67
2 Ryan Mathews, RB FRES 138.67
3 Dion Lewis, RB PITT 136.67
4 Donald Buckram, RB UTEP 132.83
5 Ryan Williams, RB VT 128.17
6 LaMichael James, RB ORE 123.00
7 Joe Webb, QB UAB 118.92
8 Mark Ingram, RB ALA 118.62
9 John Clay, RB WIS 116.33
10 Alfred Morris, RB FAU 116.00
And, on a yards-per-carry basis, he is 11th –
1 Vai Taua, RB NEV 7.8
2 Colin Kaepernick, QB NEV 7.8
3 Luke Lippincott, RB NEV 7.7
4 LaMichael James, RB ORE 6.9
5 Lance Dunbar, RB UNT 6.9
6 Ryan Mathews, RB FRES 6.8
7 Joe Webb, QB UAB 6.3
8 Robert Turbin, RB USU 6.3
9 Curtis Steele, RB MEM 6.3
10 Donald Buckram, RB UTEP 6.2
11 Mark Ingram, RB ALA 6.2
If the Heisman is supposed to be for the “best” player in college football, the voters missed here. It is pretty apparent Ingram isn’t even the best running back.
Stanford’s Gerhart certainly has an argument for being the top running back. Also near the top statistically is Fresno’s Matthews, but his level of opposition might be questioned.
But what about Oregon’s LaMichael James, or Pitt’s Dion Lewis?
Both had more yards per game than Ingram, and Matthews had far more yards overall. And James had nearly 7 yards per carry.
Once again I like Mark Ingram. I just don’t get the award, whether the debate is about his stats this season, or about how he compares to running backs on a historic basis.
If not Ingram then, who?
Well, through clenched teeth, I would submit Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen.
The top 10 quarterbacks by passer rating this season were –
1 Kellen Moore, QB BSU 167.3
2 Jimmy Clausen, QB ND 161.4
3 Max Hall, QB BYU 160.9
4 Andy Dalton, QB TCU 159.6
5 Case Keenum, QB HOU 159.3
6 Ryan Mallett, QB ARK 157.9
7 Nathan Enderle, QB IDHO 155.8
8 Tim Tebow, QB FLA 155.6
9 Tony Pike, QB CIN 155.4
10 Dan LeFevour, QB CMU 154
I don’t believe Boise had the level of opposition that gives Moore serious consideration. But Notre Dame certainly did.
Clausen’s other stats are eye-opening –
Completion Percentage – 68% (6th best)
Yards – 3722 (3rd best)
TD’s – 28 (6th best)
Interceptions – 4
The interception figure is amazing. Clausen was sacked 24 times yet threw only 4 picks.
Sure Notre Dame went 6-6. Clausen kept them close in most games, and I’m guessing they would have gone 2-10 without him (still would have defeated Nevada and Washington State).
Finally, what does it say about the current state of the Notre Dame program when a quarterback who’s stats are comparable to the last 5 quarterback Heisman winners doesn’t get any serious Heisman consideration?
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Mentioned in Austin Murphy's book Saturday Rules
