There was chatter while the Cleveland Browns were on the clock with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft that the front office was heavily debating whether to select former Florida Gators star Joe Haden or Boise State’s Kyle Wilson as (hopefully) the team’s shutdown cornerback of the future.

Recent comments from New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan – the brother of Brown’s defensive coordinator Rob Ryan – indicate that the latter was heavily campaigning for Wilson (who the Jets ended up picking 22 spots later).

“There is somebody that I really know well for a long time that basically said that [Wilson] was their guy and they picked a lot earlier than us,” the Jets coach said at a press conference on Saturday. “You can probably figure it out. That’s who he wanted and then after practice, I’m like ‘Yep. I guarantee you were right because this guy is the real deal.’”

Rex Ryan has already tabbed Wilson as the team’s starting nickelback, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Haden hopes to earn one of the Browns’ two starting jobs.

“I’m just trying to work hard and let [secondary] coach [Jerome] Harrison see my potential,” Haden told the media over the weekend. “I’m just trying to get on the field. Hopefully right now I’m just showing my work ethic and how I love the game to try to get me out there. I’m not thinking I’m a starter. I’m thinking they’re going to put me where they need me to help out with the Browns. Starting definitely would be a good thing. If that’s what they want, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Photo Credit: Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels loves working with quarterbacks. This was apparent during his time with the New England Patriots and even more so now that he selected former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

While some question whether or not Tebow can succeed as a prototypical NFL quarterback considering he used his legs so often in college, McDaniels is confident that he will be able to do just that, seeing his running ability simply as an added benefit.

“He will function from the pocket,” McDaniels explained to a few members of the media after the second day of Broncos minicamp on Saturday. “If he can do something out of the pocket, and he deserves to be on the field, that’s the biggest thing, then maybe that would warrant us doing other things. But he is going to get trained the exact same way the other guys are going to get trained.”

“We’re just trying to get good football players that can help our team. If he rushes for two touchdowns on a Sunday at some point in his career, great, that’s super. But that’s like if you have a [running] back who can catch passes out of the backfield and somebody else has a back who can’t catch passes. They’re not going to do the same thing, right?”

After two days of working Tebow out at Denver’s Dove Valley facility, McDaniels remains confident that the former Heisman Trophy winner is just as advertised, even mentioning that he was impressed with his ability to throw into the wind.

“He’s what we thought he was,” he said. “First of all, he’s a rookie. He’s made his share of mistakes out here. But his work ethic is what we thought it was.”

Considering McDaniels is as innovative as it gets when it comes to offensive play calling, fans should not be surprised to see Tebow on the field in 2010 during certain predetermined scenarios (short yardage pick-ups, goal line carries, etc.). However, it is important to note that those appearances will be indicative of Denver utilizing the abilities of a talented player, not them pigeon-holing him with a non-pocket passer role.

Photo Credit: Associated Press

Former Florida Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes avoided doing interviews for much of his career as a student-athlete with the University of Florida. Now a professional football player and member of the New England Patriots, the luxury of avoidance he experienced in Gainesville, FL, is no longer available.

Spikes opened up to the media Friday about a number of topics including the flack he received for his 5.05 40-yard dash, his excitement about being with one of the best franchises in the NFL, the criticism he faced over eye gouge-gate during the 2009 season and his comfort level in his new surroundings with fellow former Gators defensive end Jermaine Cunningham and tight end Aaron Hernandez by his side.

“I’ve got a little saying: It is what it is, but it ain’t what you think,” Spikes told reporters at Gillette Stadium. “That’s what happened. I feel like everything happens for a reason. I’m blessed to be here. Fortunately, the opportunity’s right here. I’ve just got to seize the moment. So I’m happy to be here. Great players, great organization, great teammates and winning tradition: That’s what I’m all about.”

His character and leadership shone through when he discussed his self-suspension after the Florida-Georgia game.

“I feel like a man, if you do something you should know your consequences,” he said. “I did it. I got caught, and I suspended myself. The reason I did that was I know little kids watch the game and when I was little, I watched linebackers [and] I tried to mold my game and I didn’t want little kids to think that’s how the game should be played. Emotion, big rivalry game, and it just happened. We were taking shots at each other. I did it. I got punished for it, and you move on from your mistakes.”

Spikes is hoping to earn a starting job on the inside in the Patriot’s 3-4 scheme alongside his former Southeastern Conference foe – Tennessee’s Jerod Mayo. He plans to hold this role while wearing his new number, 55, which was previously worn by both Willie McGinest and Junior Seau. No. 51 – his number with the Gators that is also worn by his cousin Takeo Spikes with San Francisco – belongs to Mayo.

“A lot of great linebackers wore [No. 55] and I just want to keep that tradition going, follow after those guys, and keep that legacy going,” Spikes said. “Big shoes; I like that. High expectations; that’s part of my game. I like the pressure.”

Though his number has changed, Spikes has been able to bring two pieces of Gainesville with him to Foxborough, MA.

“Fortunately [Cunningham and Hernandez] lived with me for a year and a half at Florida, so to see those guys, it felt like home again,” he said. “I’ve just been embracing those guys, putting a smile on my face and trying to get better.”

Photo Credit: David Silverman/New England Patriots

One of the Florida Gators’ main goals with their 2011 recruiting class was to bring in a top-flight quarterback to eventually replace redshirt junior John Brantley as the next great University of Florida passer. For a while, there was a debate among Urban Meyer and the coaching staff about who would be the better fit: Jeff Driskel (Oviedo, FL) or Christian LeMay (Matthews, NC). In the end, Driskel looked to be the chosen one (of course, LeMay’s perceived lack of interest helped that along).

The Gators’ search came to an end on April 19, when they gained a commitment from Driskel, who impressed Florida greatly at the Gainesville Nike Camp that same weekend. Though he originally planned to make his decision at some point over the summer, his budding relationship with quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler and desire to end the recruiting process led him to make an early commitment.

LeMay, on the other hand, had yet to decide where he would play college football beginning in 2011. That changed Friday, when he – alongside his parents (including former Gators chaplain Rev. Stacy LeMay) and friends – announced that he would be joining the Georgia Bulldogs next year.

Like Driskel, LeMay will enroll early. At 6’2” and 195 lbs., he is an inch shorter and 30 pounds lighter than Florida’s commit but has plenty of time to add some much-needed bulk before he dons the red and black.

Unlike Driskel, the competition in front of LeMay is a bit steeper. While the former will have three-star Trey Burton (Venice, FL) to beat out in 2012 (assuming Brantley sticks around), the latter will have to deal with four-star 2009 commitment and 2010 starter Aaron Murray (Tampa, FL), who will only be a redshirt freshman this year.

LeMay’s background with the Gators (his dad was wearing a UF shirt before his son’s announcement) and the duo’s future on opposite ends of one of the most storied rivalries in the Southeastern Conference should make for plenty of storylines and great head-to-head match-ups for years to come.

Photo Credits: ESPN, Tom Hauck/ESPN

Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow made his debut as a professional with the Denver Broncos on Friday during the first day of the team’s rookie minicamp at its Dove Valley facility. He ran agility drills and threw about 20 passes to an equipment manager while head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback coach Ben McDaniels (younger brother) looked on.

Local and national media watched every move the man in the orange No. 15 jersey made. Some (including ESPN) called his passes “tight and compact,” and most seem to agree that his throwing motion and delivery has been refined and sped up even more than it was weeks ago. However, there is still a bit of a hitch that must be smoothed out.

More video of Tebow throwing and addressing the media from NFL.com.

NFL.com’s Michael Lombardi interviews Tebow after his first practice.

1 » For the hundreds of tackles and heaps of energy former Florida Gators linebacker Channing Crowder has provided the Miami Dolphins since he was drafted, fans in South Florida tend to focus on the negatives – lack of forced fumbles, interceptions and sacks. After selecting a linebacker-heavy roster in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Dolphins are seemingly looking to replace Crowder – either in the short-term or the long-term. Either way, the Mouth from the South (yes, we know that’s Jimmy Hart, but it applies here, too) remains confident in his ability to keep his starting job. “I don’t care [about the additions],” Crowder said. “They’ve brought a lot of great linebackers in since I’ve been here, and I’ve played with a lot of great ones. I always look at it as just more toys for me to be out there with, more talent for me to play with. […] I’m a very confident guy. I’m going to be on the field. I’m going to play football next season.”

2 » With so many local and national columnists bashing the Denver Broncos selection of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow with the No. 25 overall pick just over a week ago, it has been the team’s former players that have been some of his most ardent supporters. Floyd Little, arguably the second-best player in team history (behind John Elway, of course), does not just support Tebow – he applauds the front office for having the stones to draft him. “I think Tim Tebow was a damn good pick,” Little said. “Those questions [about his delivery] will make this kid work a lot harder. He keeps hearing, ‘You’re not going to make it. You’re not going to make it.’ That’s great for him. Boy, that’s a motivator. I bet you he’s working his butt off right now. […] Don’t try to change him! He doesn’t need to change! Let the guy play the way he needs to play. I guarantee he’ll make things happen. I don’t care what anybody says! This Tebow is a football player. He did more for college football than anybody. Anybody! He’s a great football player!”

Extra Bit » Tebow’s No. 15 Broncos jersey is not only the fastest seller for rookies in the history of NFLShop.com, it is also selling better than that of any veteran in the league right now since he was drafted No. 25 overall just over a week ago. Of course, you can buy Tebow’s jersey (and a wide variety of other Gators and NFL items) directly through OGGOA by clicking the appropriate advertisement to your right.

The Florida Gators will renew their growing rivalry with the Ohio State Buckeyes with a home-and-home basketball series that will take place over the course of the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, according to Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta.

Florida, which last had such a series with Ohio State during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, split those contests with a dominating 86-60 home win and devastating 62-49 away loss, respectively. Three months after the first meeting, the Gators defeated the Buckeyes 84-75 in the Georgia Dome while celebrating their second of back-to-back National Championships.

The decision to add a home-and-home series with Ohio State is evidence that Florida hopes to continue scheduling tough non-conference opponents before they begin each season’s Southeastern Conference slate. After putting together easy schedules and (perhaps consequently) missing the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons, the Gators faced Michigan State, Syracuse, Xavier, Florida State and North Carolina State over the course of the 2009-10 season.

The 2010-11 game will be a part of ESPN’s 24-hour college basketball marathon, taking place sometime on Nov. 16 from the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL.

Florida also has home-and-home series’ obligations with Florida State and Xavier to fulfill next season. They will face both teams on the road.

Photo Credit: University of Florida

1 » The No. 3 Florida Gators women’s tennis team was honored extensively by the Southeastern Conference on Wednesday, taking home the top three available annual awards. Freshman Lauren Embree won SEC Player of the Year, freshman Allie Will took home SEC Freshman of the Year honors and Roland Thornqvist was named SEC Coach of the Year. Also representing the team were seniors Marrit Boonstra and Anastasia Revzina, who were named to the All-SEC First Team and Second Team, respectively. Embree and Will also earned All-SEC First Team honors and placement on the SEC All-Freshman Team. Florida was undefeated (11-0) during the regular season, won the 2010 SEC Tournament and will compete in the 2010 NCAA Team Championship beginning May 14.

2 » When it comes to former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow’s future with the Denver Broncos, you will find no stronger advocate or staunch defender than Denver Post columnist Woody Paige. As someone who suggested the team select Tebow from the get-go, Paige has gone on the offensive against a number of his readers who continue to question head coach Josh McDaniels’ decision, comparing Tebow to the likes of John Elway and San Francisco’s Steve Young.

Check out four more BITS on Cunningham, Mullen and Florida baseball…
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Tennis, Tebow’s defense, Cunningham’s future, Mullen’s job, Johnson’s start, Moyer