Lot of anger over NCAA's suspension of Florida DT

Sharrif Floyd

((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

The reaction to the NCAA suspending Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd for two games has been interesting to say the least.

Floyd has been ruled ineligible for the two games and ordered to pay $2700 to a charity of his choosing after disclosing to his coaches that he accepted $2500 from a board member of the Student Athlete Mentoring Foundation in Delaware.

The NCAA, in a press release said Floyd admitted using the money for living expenses, transportation and other life expenses. At no time did they say Florida gave him any impermissible benefits.

Read the initial story from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

For those unfamiliar with Floyd's story (including us), he was raised in Philadelphia without his parents. He spent most of his life living with his grandmother, high school coach, guidance counselor or whomever could help him.

Heck, his high school coaches and guidance counselor held a bake sale to raise money for Floyd to travel to San Antonio for a High School all-star game.

The Sentinel also talked to people in Floyd's life about his character, read it RIGHT HERE

The whole situation royally pissed of Florida coach Will Muschamp, and we have to say, even without knowing Sharrif Floyd, we agree.

Said Muschamp: "The NCAA stated that he (Floyd) received preferential treatment; there is nothing preferential about his life."


"He grew up with only his great grandmother and still sends her Pell Grant money so she can pay her bills. How many kids do you know that would do that? I know one--Sharrif Floyd."


"I want to make it clear that this issue is not about sports agents, Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida or anywhere else. The issue is about his survival and the only reason the NCAA, the SEC and the University of Florida were aware of these issues is because he brought them to our attention last February. He came forward because he is honest and because of his integrity."


"The toughest day that I have had as a head football coach at Florida was the day I had to tell Sharrif that he could not play in our game against FAU. I took away part of his family."


The NCAA's response was that some of the benefits he did receive were improper, that the penalty could have been four games, but due to mitigating circumstances, they reduced it to two.

More detail on this debate from gatorsports.com RIGHT HERE

Ok. We get why the NCAA felt the need to step in but by their own definition, they said there were "Mitigating Circumstances". And arguably, to be consistent in what they do, you could make a case for the game suspension.

But.

We have two big problems, much like everyone else, with all this. One, do they really think the kid is going to be able to manufacture $2700 in the next few days? He by all accounts barely has enough money to stay in school. It's not like he has any expense money, athletes aren't allowed to.

Two, everyone involved, including the NCAA don't debate that the benefits caused him to choose or go to Florida. What should it matter? Yeah, we get that every case is different and again we go back to the NCAA verbiage stating they knew that. How exactly do they think Floyd could've been able to get to the schools interested in him? How could he possibly afford to pay his own way to anything?

We think this is an over-enforcement of a rule that isn't totally wrong. But really, can't we all read the case and determine whether or not a penalty is needed. Come on, do they really think Sharrif Floyd is going to find $2700 when he doesn't have the money to buy sheets to put on his bed?

Janoris Jenkins Dismissed From Gators

UF junior CB Janoris Jenkins has been dismissed from the football team, three days after his second drug-related arrest in three months.

Florida coach Will Muschamp announced on his Twitter account that the decision was made after speaking with Jenkins on Tuesday morning. A team spokesman later confirmed Muschamp's decision.

"After meeting with Janoris Jenkins today, we both felt it was in his best interest to move ahead to the next stage of his career," Muschamp said. "We appreciate Janoris' contributions to the University of Florida during his time here and wish him the best of luck."

Jenkins' dismissal came three days after he was arrested early Saturday morning with a marijuana cigar ((the HQ didn't know such a thing existed)) and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was charged with the same thing back in later January, and was also arrested in 2009 for fleeing a fight...

Otherwise known as "affray..."
One of our favorite charges...

Here's what the Gators will be missing, and what some other school is picking up in either I-AA or another D1 school after this year...
((HT: ESPN/SEC/youtube))

The March Through The Madness: It's Butler And UConn

((HT: CBSSports/NCAA))

Although they're not playing each other... yet...

Butler outlasted Florida in one national quarterfinal...
It was another Gus Alert...


And UConn survived Arizona in Anaheim as we sampled another one and done in Arizona's bench...

Tourney Update: By Jimmer, the Gators win

Proof that you need more than one great player to win, even at the NCAA level. The Florida Gators did what they needed to do, though it took an overtime period to do it, beating the Jimmer, Jimmer Fredette and the BYU Cougars 83-74 last night.

Fredette managed to drop 32 on the Gators, but it took him 29 shots to do it. Nobody else made a major contribution. In fact, Florida took advantage with Alex Tyus having the game of his life with 19 points and 17 boards, which offeset the 11 for 34 they shot from 3-point range.

The next matchup for Florida, Butler, which may very well be one of the best games of this years tournament, or so we can hope.

Your highlights again from our friends at SI.com:



In other Thursday night action. Butler continued their run, sliding into the Elite 8 with a 61-54 win over Washington and Kemba Walker led UConn to a 74-67 win over San Diego State.

Charlie Weis goes to Florida...Not as odd as you'd think

Charlie Weis

It's official now. Charlie Weis, now former offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and former Notre Dame head coach is now the offensive coordinator for Will Muschamp at the University of Florida.

The story, which started leaking out late last week, is in some ways very odd. Not so much that Weis will go to UF, but rather that he'd leave the Chiefs. It was disclosed that he'd wait until the Chiefs are beaten in the playoffs before he leaves for Gainesville.

Read more from the Palm Beach Post RIGHT HERE

And the official version from Gatorzone.com (UF Athletics) RIGHT HERE

While there are a few questions here, we can't fault Weis who has a son down in Gainesville. It's somewhat of a step-down for him, but a chance to be closer to family is understood.

The bigger question is can anyone be work with Chiefs coach Todd Haley. Haley has now gone through 2 offensive coordinators in two seasons having fired Chan Gailey two weeks before the start of the 2009 season. Haley is a smart offensive guy, we just are beginning to wonder how "Offensive" he is appearing to be.

Already there is speculation that former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels will take over Weis' role. While not discounting the dust-up Haley and McDaniels had after a Kansas City win earlier in the season, the two know each other as they worked together in New England and are disciples of the Bill Belichick coaching tree.

Check out video of Weis getting his knee blown out while the coach at Notre Dame:



PM UPDATE: Florida also hired Seattle Seahawks defensive line coach Dan Quinn as DC and D-line coach. Quinn spent the past 10 years in the NFL and has seven years of college experience.

Frank Verducci was added as O-Line coach and running game coordinator ((The HQ thinks that the two are fairly linked in the first place, right...?)). Verducci coached at Notre Dame in 2009 after eight seasons with four NFL teams.

George Wynn will be director of football operations in Boomtown. He spent the past six seasons as assistant AD for football operations at Texas.

Sunday Carousel: Weis And Garrett Make An Odd Couple

Only because they're in the same story...

Charlie Weis looks like he's going to take the OC job in Boomtown after all.
Nothing like being an overbearing, Type-A personality that will be paired with another Type-A personality for a coaching staff.

Will Muschamp will be the enthusiastic one in Gainesville, and the question now becomes: Who gets to recruit...??? And how do they recruit as a unit...???

Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun has the details about Weis and Aubrey Hill joining the staff.

Now, to the NFL... and it looks like Jason Garrett, winner of 4 of the 7 games he's coached as the interim leader in Dallas, may get that "interim" label pulled after all.

But David Moore of the Dallas Morning News has things still in flux and indecision.

But if you check in to Michael David Smith at PFT, it's a done deal since the Cowboys brought in Ray Sherman to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

OTHER STUFF: Looks like Tom Cable is in question for a return to Oakland, Gary Kubiak is returning to Houston and the Texans, and Marvin Lewis can stay in Cincinnati if his staff changes- which Lewis may balk at...

More when we know more...

TWTW Bowling: Touchy, Feely Urban Beats Penn State

((HT: ESPN/Youtube))

The HQ saw a different version of outgoing Florida head coach Urban Meyer this past month- the touchy, feely one that is trying to integrate with the rest of the non-coaching world.

He did, however, win his last game as Florida head coach beating Penn State in the bowl game at the Pirate Ship in Tampa 37-24.

But the HQ will admit that Nittany Lions QB Matt McGloin's five interceptions had a lot to do with it, too...

We think all five picks were on third down plays...

Not good- and neither was the Florida offense...

Here's your ending...


The HQ is now waiting to see if Charlie Weis is headed to Boomtown...

BREAKING: Urban Meyer to resign at Florida...again...

We aren't sure what to make of this, but there are a ton of reports circulating that Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer will resign from the team at a 5pm presser this afternoon. Meyer will still coach in the team's Outback Bowl appearance.

More from Gatorzone.com RIGHT HERE

And SECSports.com RIGHT HERE

Meyer tried to do this last year, citing his health as a primary reason. This past season is one that he and Florida fans would like to forget as they went 7-5, struggling the whole way. We'll see if any of that had something to do with it.

In a statement released by the university Wednesday, Meyer says "it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field."

He says the decision to resign was "a difficult one."

Obviously, there will be more to report as the day goes, stay tuned and we'll keep you updated.

FOSG Dan Hicken of WTLV-Jacksonville with the early breakdown.



Here's the four-letter's coverage of the deal...
((HT: ESPN))

DEVELOPING: More allegations surfacing against Cam Newton

Cam Newton/Courtesy: businessinsider.com

Call us perplexed. We are really trying to figure out what is going on with...I won't say Auburn, but rather what is going on regarding their Quarterback, Cam Newton.

Just when things were starting to cool over last weeks revelation that someone purporting to represent Newton tried to sell his services to Mississippi State, comes this latest report that surfaced overnight via Fox Sports.

In the story, a source told FoxSports reporter Thayer Evans that Newton was accused of academic cheating, not once, but three times while at the University of Florida and was facing expulsion when he transferred out.

Read the story from FoxSports.com RIGHT HERE

We aren't sure what to make of these latest allegations. What it appears, at least on the surface, to be...is one of two things. Either Newton isn't this sympathetic, all-american figure that he is trying to play out to be...or someone is looking to ruin him.

If the allegations are true, then there will be a legion of college football, not just Auburn fans that will be tremendously disappointed. It would validate all the evil, corrupt things that are swirling around the game right now. It would be tough for Auburn to recover from. It would be nearly impossible for Newton to recover from.

If they aren't true. Then we've also got a problem. We are a bit leery, for the simple fact that we've got a lot of "Single Source" reporting going on here. With the Original "Pay-to-Play" story, it was based primarily on John Bond's word versus Kenny Rogers (no, not the gambler).

With this latest story, it may very well be true, but we have some questions and admittedly, are totally unfamiliar with Mr. Evans's previous work. One, the story quotes one unnamed source. Two, the facts are all attributed to that source, but there is no confirmation of those facts...at least that were printed by the reporter.

There is also a fairly strong grouping of Internet reporting that believes all of this is being orchestrated by Florida coach Urban Meyer. It's possible, but the question would be....Why?

Either way, it looks like we are going to get really familiar with way more details of Mr. Newton's collegiate life. Either way, we'd like to see a resolution, we just aren't sure which direction that resolution will head.

Here is young Mr. Newton making one of the most impressive runs, we've ever seen. Courtesy: rusty98um and YouTube:

Grantham "Not Proud" Of Choke Gesture

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt says assistant Todd Grantham was caught up in the emotions of an overtime game when he gave a choke sign to Florida kicker Chas Henry.

Here it is... and it's pretty obvious...
((HT: SUN Sports/SEC/Youtube))


When asked about the behavior on the sidelines, Richt said he doesn't think Grantham is "necessarily proud of it." Richt says Grantham will "learn from it and move on,"but did not say he faces any disciplinary action.

Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, during the weekly media day interview opportunities previewing Idaho State, says he doesn't think Grantham's choke sign was a big deal...

But certain Alabama-based sports talk show hosts are asking for Richt to "put on the slacks and put away the skirt" in dealing with the situation...

Whoever in the blue hell they are...

TWTW: Florida Beats Georgia In Overtime, Half Of Jax Celebrates...

((HT: FirstCoast News/Jacksonville))

Remember earlier in the week when the powers-that-are up at Sea Island and Saint Simons Island, Georgia were mad about the prospects of all the garbage left behind when Georgia plays Florida...???

The HQ thinks that only half of it will be around since a lot of UGA fans couldn't get out of town fast enough...

A punter kicks the game-winning field goal for the Gators as Florida wins 34-31 in the first ever overtime game in the Cocktail Series...

FOSG Dan Hicken talks very quickly from the field...


Chas Henry kicked the 37-yard field goal that gave Florida the win.

Will Hill intercepted UGA quarterback Aaron Murray in the top of the first overtime, and almost ran it back for the game-winning score. But he was pushed out of bounds at the Georgia 4. The Gators, now 5-3/3-3, got to the 19 in the bottom of the first before Henry's kick.

The win ended a three-game Florida losing streak. The Bulldogs, now 4-5/3-4, last played in an overtime game in 2007. The Gators hadn't played an overtime game since a 49-42 win against Vanderbilt in 2005, which ended in double overtime.

TWTW: Mississippi St. beats Florida...state of Florida convinced world is ending....

Urban Meyer is mystified/Courtesy: Matt Stamey/Gainesville Sun

We've made no secret that we aren't fans of the University of Florida. For some of us, it goes back to a childhood of growing up in that part of the world.

So, with that being said, there has been a smile on our faces as the once mighty Gators have fallen on hard times. Three straight losses...three different ways, have shown cracks in the once mighty Gator veneer.

The latest loss, a 10-7 defeat at the hands of Mississippi State. The coach at Miss. State, Dan Mullen, formerly Gator offensive coordinator.

Read the newspaper recap from the Gainesville Sun RIGHT HERE

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel is looking for scapegoats RIGHT HERE

We think that Urban Meyer may be understating when he says "We aren't very good right now". They aren't. But the expectation level from the fanbase down there is so crazily obscene that anything less than 11-1 is considered a monumental failure. It shouldn't be.

As much as we weren't "Fans" of the Tebow, it's obvious how much they miss him. It's also obvious how much he carried them the past 4 years. For whatever reason, the Gators have not made the adjustments to the personnel that they have. The team was built without a power runner, that hurts them. Defenses have figured out the "Zone Read" and it is obvious that the offense doesn't fit the Quarterback. But they don't have the offense to fit John Brantley.

They have a week off to stew over what happened and come up with a better plan. The question is....are they capable of pulling it off?

Here is some Urban Meyer post game from Gatorvision.tv:



Here is some Q and A with John Brantley, also from Gatorvision.tv:



We would add some Mississippi State post game here, but nobody in Mississippi State has posted any on the internet...anywhere.

TWTW: Saban Wipes The Floor With Meyer's Gators 31-6

((HT: WVTM-TV/NBC 13 Birmingham))

The HQ thought it would be easy, but this easy...???

Florida, against quality competition not named Ohio University, finally showed the civilized world two things:

1) They're rebuilding and John Brantley is not a quarterback that fits the Meyer system. He may as well just go ahead and put Trey Burton in there right now for the remainder of the season at QB...

2) Polls don't need to be anywhere close to being published until, about, right now... Florida is not the 7th-best team in the country...

Alabama made it look too easy... and it, probably, was...

It's time for another visit with Don Hawes...


Here's Nick Saban trying not to laugh about how easy it was to smack any kind of wry grin off Urban Meyer's face...

DEVELOPING: Gators Wide Receiver Chris Rainey charged with stalking

Chris Rainey/Courtesy: Gainesville Police/Gainesville Sun

((ht: friend of OSG Dawn Fulgham))

Well, it looks like the University of Florida's problems on offense are starting to extend off the field as well as on it.

Starting wide receiver Chris Rainey was arrested overnight and charged with aggravated stalking.

More from Gainesville.com RIGHT HERE

Rainey, a redshirt junior had sat out the 2nd half of Florida's game against South Florida with a possible concussion. We suspect that if he sits out another couple of games, it's probably for legal rather than health reasons.

Florida has not been immune to off the field problems, much like the other teams in the SEC. How this will impact Rainey and the team itself remains to be seen.

Take a look and see why this might make an impact on a struggling Florida offense. Though they are 2-0, they can still use all the playmakers that they can get.

Video courtesy of YouTube:

Gators Report Issue With Pouncey

((HT: ESPN-Forde, NFP-Miller))

Apparently, the Florida Gators have self-reported a possible violation involving recently departed limeman Maurkice Pouncey and an agent, according to Forde's piece.

There is an allegation standing that a rep for an unnamed ((or unknown)) agent paid Pouncey $100,000 between the SEC championship game and the Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Florida told the NCAA of the allegation after they became aware of it last month.

"We were made aware of some information in early June that we reported to law enforcement and we then shared with the NCAA and the SEC," athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement released Monday morning to ESPN.com. "At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida."

If the allegation is found to be true, the Gators may have to forfeit their destruction of the Bearcats.

Gee, thanks...

Remember Pouncey from Draft Day...???
((HT: ESPN/NFL/willywonka899))

Florida vs. Florida State in Atlanta?

Interesting. Really, that was the only word we could think of when we came upon this story. Though it may be something that never happens, the subject has now been broached...at least by Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher and the folks representing the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic.

Check out what the Orlando Sentinel had to say about it RIGHT HERE

It is an intriguing idea. We know from our familiarity with Gary Stokan and the folks on the Atlanta Sports Council that they are aggressive and trying to promote the biggest game they possibly can. We also know that they are trying to stick to the ACC vs. SEC premise of the game.

Florida and Florida State do play each other during the season...but at the end of the season. Part of coach Fisher's idea is the thought that the loss wouldn't hurt the loser early in the season and lately that loser has been FSU.

We know that there would be a lot of money involved. We know that both schools have extraordinarily large Booster clubs in the metro Atlanta area. And we know that the game would be a guaranteed sell-out, most college football games at the Georgia Dome are.

We also realize that this may never happen, it just may be a dream for Jimbo Fisher. We do however agree with his thought process and think that it would be a really cool way to kick off the College Football season.

Here is the intro that CBS Sports came up with for last years game as voiced by OSG Favorite Vern Lundquist. Thanks: CBSSports and You Tube

So Much For That Whole Stress Thing...

((HT: WCJB-TV Gainesville))

Urban Meyer was supposed to take it easy from now on, right...???

The HQ guesses this is the new Urban Meyer taking it easy...

The Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler quoted Gator wideout Deonte Thompson as saying it weas nice having a "real quarterback" in John Brantley instead of Tim Tebow.

Here's the quote in full- from Fowler's blog with the Sentinel...

"You never know with Tim,” Thompson said. “You can bolt, you think he’s running but he’ll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything’s with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback.”

Meyer took every angle of umbrage you could think of with Fowler at practice...
WCJB-TV caught part of the exchange...


Apparently, Meyer thinks Fowler is a "bad guy..." for all of this and singled him out for his quoting. Fowler is also on Meyer's version of double-secret probation.

If he steps out of line one more time...
Well, you know...

It's Still Tebow's World

The most dramatic day in Florida Football history occurred today when the University of Florida had its pro day. The reason it was so dramatic...at least for them: the debut of the "New and Improved" Tim Tebow and as we all know, everything in North Florida revolves around him.

Early reports indicate that he has done the required work and there was a difference in his mechanics and throwing motion.

We give you one of those reports...from the Gainesville Sun RIGHT HERE

((The Tebow does throwing drills//Courtesy: Rob C. Witzel/Gainesville Sun))

The school opened the session up to the public and apparently several thousand showed up. Not only was the Tebow a featured performer, Joe Haden, Maurkice Pouncey and other soon to be drafted Gators were there as well. We might add that multiple NFL Coaches, GM's and scouts came to take a look too.

At this point the issue of Tebow and how he throws the ball is borderline lead story status in North Florida. We might also mention here that the NFL has invited him to come to New York on Draft day...though we aren't sure why. Will he be drafted? For sure. Will he be a 1st rounder? It would be a shock...a huge shock...OK maybe it wouldn't be if say the Oakland Raiders drafted him in the 1st round, but it would be a shock if anyone else did. But hey...who knows...we could all be wrong.

Let's look at the early video of the new motion...Thanks You Tube:

They flock to see the Tebow...

We reported a couple of days ago about the Tebow doing an autograph session in Jacksonville that you too could have attended...for $160. Well, it turns out you might have had some trouble attending it, because there was a huge crowd.

Yes, people were lining up a good 6-plus hours before the "Brush with Greatness" began at the Avenues Mall in South Jacksonville and yes, chances are if you were willing to wait, you got a picture and/or a signature with the guy who people in North Florida apparently feel is god or some derivative of him. (Yeah...I can't believe I said it either).

The story from jacksonville.com is RIGHT HERE

Okay. We, in a way understand the somewhat insane, crazed fixation the folks of North Florida have with Tebow. He is a local kid, yeah, we get that. Our question is...$160? We pontificated on it in the story from earlier in the week and we still ask it. Why would you spend that much money for anybody's autograph? Yeah, we know that he was one of the best college football players to ever live, but do you really think that you'll see that autographs value increase. 25 years from now, will people be floored that you got his signature?

Here's Brent Martineau standing in front of a monitor telling us about all the squealing inside a mall that had nothing to do with a sale...
((HT: ActionNewsJax.com/Fox30 CBS47))

Your Signing Day Review- The Top 5

Here's your local perspectives on National Signing Day for the Top Five classes in the country... it won't be in any funky order or anything like that...

So, it's on with the countdown, Casey...

FOSG Dan Hicken and the cast at First Coast News give you the Jacksonville lay of the land- visiting 22 schools in 4:45...
((HT: WTLV/WJXX-TV Jacksonville))

The Texas Longhorns List is courtesy of our friends at KVUE-TV...


Alabama's recap from Nick Saban is courtesy of our friends at WBRC-TV and MyFoxAL.com


Auburn is the same way... Fox 6's Rick Karle talks with the Chiz...


Oklahoma's Bob Stoops catches up with everyone, and NewsOK.com's Berry Tramel and David Ubben were there and get to analyze for all of us...

More when we get more...
6 through 10 shall follow...
As should your comments...