Meyer, Tebow speak to media on Monday, Nov. 2

By Adam Silverstein
November 2, 2009

Probably one of the most interesting Florida Gators weekly Monday press conferences took place today with head coach Urban Meyer and senior quarterback Tim Tebow at the helm as usual.

Meyer got right to the altercation involving senior linebacker Brandon Spikes gouging the eyes of Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey, After watching the video and speaking to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, Meyer decided to suspend Spikes for the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday. “I don’t condone that,” Meyer said. “That’s not who [Spikes] is. That’s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion. He has our full support.”

In support of his teammate, Tebow would later say, “I don’t think that we did anything in that game that they didn’t do. You can see on the film, too. It was an intense game.” Tebow and Meyer both indicated that Spikes had his eye gouged earlier in the game – not that it’s an excuse. Just as OGGOA said.

Updating the status of injured RB Chris Rainey (shoulder), Meyer said his arm remains in a sling making him questionable for Saturday’s game. Do not expect Rainey to play as Florida will probably use the Vanderbilt game to rest injured starters and get reserves extra playing time if the game gets out of hand.

Also of note are statements from both Meyer and Tebow that the Gators offense did not utilize a single no-huddle “banzai” play the entire game. Back to basics, it seems.

15 Comments

  1. Michelle Berdeal says:

    While I do not condone what Brandon Spikes did AT ALL, why isn’t anyone looking at one of the GA players poking at Tim Tebow’s eye? And the facemasks and shoving that GA players did that did not get called? GA players were nasty during this game and should have gotten called out more than they did. In Brandon Spike’s case, I guess it was the second person to retaliate that got caught. Either way, it is wrong that any players participate in this type of play. But, it should be reported on both sides, not just one-sided. The GA players that did this should get reprimanded as well.

  2. Brittany says:

    I agree Michelle, well said.

  3. Ana says:

    What we need to remember is that when anyone is at the top everyone else is always looking for stones to throw at them. Spikes was wrong in his actions, plain and simple. If it was in retaliation or not, do you think that anyone else is going to care? Georgia Bulldogs are having a not so great year and no one really cares what they did or didn’t do. I keep hearing about Brandon’s action and that it might have been in retaliation, but no one has even mention which Bulldog did it first and I don’t think anyone is caring to research it. We as Gator Nation cannot give anyone any motive and unfortunately Brandon did. I’m glad Meyer spoke about it and that some disciplinary action was taken. Brandon is a great player and I hope that he learns from this mistake and doesn’t repeat it.

  4. gators22 says:

    I agree with Michelle. It’s pretty clear (and especially in slow motion) that Brandon Spikes did this intentionally. However, did anyone else catch the Georgia player coming after Spikes without his helmet? And poking him in the eye before this happened? I don’t agree with Brandon getting “revenge” but I don’t understand how Georgia isn’t getting any bad press…

  5. Mr2Bits says:

    Here is what I was able to find. God only knows what else happened that wasn’t caught on camera. No defending Spikes here but I’m sure some of this “might” have led up to him exploding.

    1st Quarter: Brandon James face mask damn near broke his neck

    1st Quarter – 9:11 – Spikes helmet ripped of then his hair pulled

    1st Quarter : 7:30 – Extremely late hit on Tebow on a run play where Tebow wasn’t even involved

    1st Quarter :02 – Spikes helmet knocked off only for a Ga O-lineman to hit him in the face without a helmet. Almost knocked Spikes out of the game

    3rd Quarter :12 – Tebow tackled then choked then poked in the eye

    My point is what Spikes did was wrong but don’t put up an article like this making it look like Spikes actions were unprovoked.

  6. Mr2Bits says:

    Sorry, last bit on mine was from another forum I blog on.

  7. Should be sorry (for posting on another site)! Just kidding. Good job on getting that information. As Tebow said, it was two-sided.

  8. gators22 says:

    breaking…Lane Kiffin admits there are issues with Nu’Keese. I heard he’s trying to transfer.

  9. It is true. That story is going around. Can’t wait to hear how it unfolds.

    Nu’Keese obviously made an impulsive and bad decision.

  10. Brittany says:

    “breaking…Lane Kiffin admits there are issues with Nu’Keese. I heard he’s trying to transfer.”

    Hmm, very interesting.

  11. Mr2Bits says:

    Here is your reason for retaliation or one of them : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnPj3aeAzZU

  12. That alone is not a good reason for Spikes’ actions, but so much more than that went on during the game.

  13. Mr2Bits says:

    Just one of my highlights above that someone had more time than I to point out that dirty play was going on far before Spikes decided to wipe the dirt off Washaun’s face for him

  14. Drew 4 Orange and Blue says:

    Good point on the Brandon James personal foul…that was far more dangerous then what Spikes did….I do not condone what Spikes did but it is clear he let some things that were done to him get the best of him….I would have preferred it be for the entire game but people would whine if he got 3 games saying he’s a thug and he didn’t get enough…..cry cry cry…..must be rough looking up at the GATORS winner of 18 in a row

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