With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 7 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the seventh week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Three receptions for 51 yards, touchdown (targets: 6, long: 37)
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Three rushes for 41 yards (long: 17), rushing touchdown, team-high five receptions for 65 yards (targets: 8, long: 37), three kickoff returns for 81 yards (long: 48)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Interception return for touchdown, tackle

Videos of Cooper and McDonald’s plays available by clicking here.

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Two solo tackles
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Six tackles (one solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Two receptions for 25 yards (targets: 4, long: 16)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Reception for 10 yards
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Three tackles (one solo)
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Solo tackle
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Six tackles (five solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Team-high four receptions for 54 yards (targets: 9, long: 22)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Team-high 10 tackles (seven solo)
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Tackle
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Three solo tackles
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Three solo tackles
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Team-high five receptions for 54 yards (targets: 8, long: 24)
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Solo tackle
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Tackle
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two quarterback hits
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two rec. for 29 yards (targets: 4, long: 20)
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Fumble recovery
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Solo tackle

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
LT Max Starks (Steelers); G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) – DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), FB Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

BYE WEEK
DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots)

NOTES
- Murphy re-injured his clavicle and left the game.
- Cooper recorded his first NFL touchdown. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy, telling Cooper that he should celebrate, did a Gator Chomp on his behalf on the sideline.
- McDonald recorded his first NFL interception.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, David Nelson, Gator Chomp, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Riley Cooper

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 5 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the fifth week of the season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Team-high five receptions for 97 yards, two touchdowns, 175 return yards (four kickoffs)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Four tackles (three solo)
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: 11 tackles (five solo, one for loss), pass defended
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 23 yards (long: 11)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Four rec. for 33 yds (targets: 7, long: 19)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two solo tackles
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Nine rec. for 87 yards (targets: 11, long: 23)
DE JARVIS MOSS, Denver Broncos: Solo tackle
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Four solo tackles
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Two solo tackles
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two solo tackles, sack, pass defended
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two tackles (one solo), half sack
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three rushes for team-high 65 yards, touchdown
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two rec. for 61 yards (targets: 4, long: 58)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Two solo tackles

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Reggie Nelson (Bengals), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DT Jeremy Mincey (Jaguars), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

BYE WEEK
LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins); LB Jermaine Cunningham, TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, RB Fred Taylor, DT Gerard Warren (New England Patriots); C Maurkice Pouncey, LT Max Starks (Pittsburgh Steelers)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles)

NOTES
- Brown did a Gator Chomp after a sack on Arizona QB Max Hall.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Tags: Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 3 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the third week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Five solo tackles, sack, three tackles for loss, two QB hits, safety
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: 12 rec. for 140 yards (targets: 14, long: 26)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Team-high five receptions for 119 yards (targets: 6, long: 70)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Three solo tackles
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Six tackles (three solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Two targets, tackle
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals One reception for eight yards (targets: 2)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two tackles (one solo), pass defended
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Tackle, QB hit
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Team-high six rec. for 62 yards (targets: 8, long: 24), touchdown; two carries for 13 yards; two kick returns for 41 yards; tackle
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Two tackles (solo/TFL), QB hit
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Team-high six receptions for 65 yards (targets: 7, long: 25), one rush for 13 yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots Six rushes for 16 yards (avg.: 2.7, long: 5)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots Two tackles (one solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Five solo tackles, TFL, pass defended
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Target
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers Solo tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two carries for 13 yards (avg.: 6.5, long: 9), four receptions for 57 yards [team-high] (targets: 4, long: 46)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Reggie Nelson (Bengals), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals) DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DT Jeremy Mincey (Jaguars), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- Cunningham started his first NFL game.
- Dunlap was active for his first NFL game.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Riley Cooper

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 2 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the second week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Six receptions for 101 yards [team-highs] (targets: 6, long: 46)
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Six solo tackles, one TFL, two passes defended, QB hit, interception

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: One tackle
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Seven tackles (five solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: One target
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Four tackles (three solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Two rec. for 15 yards (targets: 5, long: 9)
DE JARVIS MOSS, Denver Broncos: Three tackles (two solo), one sack
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: One solo tackle
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two solo tackles
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Five receptions for 32 yards (targets: 7, long: 13), two kick returns for 44 yards
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings Two solo tackles
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Two solo tackles
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Nine tackles [team-high] (five solo)
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots Five rushes for 11 yards (avg.: 2.2, long: 6)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots Two solo tackles, two sacks
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two solo tackles
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Six receptions for 91 yards [team-highs] (targets: 10, long: 27), touchdown
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: One reception for 20 yards (targets: 3)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers One tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three carries for one yard, five receptions [team-high] for 33 yards (targets: 6, long: 14), touchdown

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), S Reggie Nelson (Cincinnati Bengals), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins),

INACTIVES
DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- Cunningham and Cooper recorded their first NFL statistics.
- Harvin re-injured his hip and may miss some action.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Andra Davis, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Riley Cooper

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 1 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the first week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Six tackles (four solo), interception
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots 14 rushes for 71 yards (avg: 5.1, long: 24), two receptions for six yards (targets: 2, long: 7)

LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Eight tackles (two solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 22 yards (targets: 6, long: 9)
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Two solo tackles
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two solo tackles, pass defended
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Three receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown (targets: 7, long: 15)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: Two rushes for two yards
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two solo tackles, pass def., QB hit
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Pass defended
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: One reception for 12 yards, one rush for two yards, two kickoff returns for 41 yards (avg.: 20.5, long: 22)
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings Three solo tackles, three passes defended
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: One reception for 45 yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Three tackles (one solo), pass defended, QB hit
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Tackle
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Four rec. for 28 yards (targets: 7, long: 16)
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Six carries for 10 yards (avg.: 1.7, long: 6), one reception for eight yards

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), LB Jermaine Cunningham (Patriots), DT Gerard Warren (Patriots), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), DE Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins), LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers)

INACTIVES
WR Andre Caldwell (Bengals), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- D. Nelson, Haden, Tebow, Hernandez and Spikes all recorded their first NFL statistics.
- Starks suffered a high ankle sprain during the Steelers game and will miss a month.

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Atlanta Falcons, Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, David Nelson, Denver Broncos, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Max Starks, Mike Peterson, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Percy Harvin, Pittsburgh Steelers, Reggie Nelson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tim Tebow

1 » He may not have spent much – or any – time previously with two of the other former Florida Gators currently on the Denver Broncos roster, but there should be no doubt that defensive end Jarvis Moss and wide receiver Jabar Gaffney have welcomed rookie quarterback Tim Tebow into the fold. Nevertheless, Moss’ job during camp is to get to the passer, and he did just that on Tuesday. One of the lowlights of training camp Tuesday was the Broncos’ offensive line, which allowed Moss to break free and get right in Tebow’s grill. “The linebacker was not allowed to touch the quarterback,” explained The Denver Post, “so Moss stood there a foot away from Tebow while the quarterback pump faked. Moss still stood there as Tebow fired a completed pass across the middle.” Though Tebow also had a ball swatted from behind in the pocket (it was later intercepted), the Post notes that he had his “best passing practice of camp” and excelled at some nice crossing pattern tosses.

2 » Like Tebow, undrafted free agent wide receiver David Nelson has a familiar face on the Buffalo Bills – former teammate and fellow pass-catcher Chad Jackson. Nelson has been one of the standouts of Bills camp thus far, getting most of his playing time with Jackson the team’s second unit. He has shined in some seven-on-seven drills, including one over the weekend when he took a crossing pattern up the middle and split the defense for major yardage. Jackson had an exceptional performance Monday, and both players have been getting some reps on the first team. Former Florida linebacker Andra Davis was also signed by Buffalo as a free agent this offseason.

Photo Credit: Buffalo Bills

Tags: Andra Davis, Buffalo Bills, Chad Jackson, David Nelson, Denver Broncos, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, NFL, Tim Tebow

With eight years of professional football under his belt, former Florida Gators defensive end Alex Brown is moving on from the Chicago Bears to the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. In a brand new city with an upbeat and positive mindset, Brown landed in Louisiana on Wednesday to start preparing for training camp. The first thing he did after touching down? Provide OGGOA with an exclusive half-hour interview covering everything from his recruitment and time with the Gators to the Bears’ Super Bowl run and why grits are his favorite thing about the city of New Orleans, LA (so far).

ADAM SILVERSTEIN: Growing up in a small town, was it difficult to get noticed by the University of Florida and make an impression on head coach Steve Spurrier?
ALEX BROWN: “Yeah, it was. I just wanted to go and play football – that’s all I did. I was nervous because I didn’t know if people would see me. My dad was really good just staying on me about it. ‘If you go play, if you’re good enough, they’ll find you.’ That was his big thing. All I did was go play – and they found me.”

AS: What made you decide to attend Florida rather than going to Georgia or another school? Were you always a Gators fan?
AB: “I actually was not a Florida fan at all. I really wasn’t even going to take a visit to Florida. University of Miami – that year – my last visit I was going to take was going to be to the University of Miami. And I was going to choose between Miami, Florida State, North Carolina and Auburn. There was a kid that got killed at Miami – I want to say it was like on a Monday or Tuesday – and I was supposed to go on a visit that coming weekend. And my mom was like, ‘No way, you can’t go. You can’t do it.’ I was like, ‘Alright, I guess I will not take another visit.’ I talked to [Buffalo Bills linebacker] Andra Davis, who I’ve known since like fifth grade, and he had just taken his visit to Florida and that was the celebration of the National Championship – that was that week. He had a great time. So I talked to him and he said he was going to Florida. He’s like, ‘Just take your visit there, you’re not going to go to Miami, so take your visit to Florida.’ Early in the week, I called coach [Jimmy Ray] Stephens, he was the offensive line coach at the time and the guy that recruited me. He said, ‘OK.’ I was in Gainesville for a day. [Atlanta Falcons LB] Mike Peterson was my host and, by the time I left, they could have left me there. I was going for sure. As soon as I got back, I started calling all the other coaches and letting them know that this is what I want. It wasn’t too far from home but far enough away, I guess. And they were good. I played linebacker, and they had [former DE] Jevon Kearse, Mike Peterson and [former LB] Johnny Rutledge – and I thought I fit right in. It was a great match for me and took me all of a day-and-a-half to figure that out.

Read the rest of our exclusive interview with Alex Brown…after the break!
Continue Reading » New Orleans Saints DE Alex Brown: “The Florida Gators will never change for me.”

Tags: Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Atlanta Falcons, Bobby McCray, Brett Favre, Buffalo Bills, Chad Clifton, Chicago Bears, Defensive Player of the Year, Devin Hester, Drew Brees, Dwight Freeney, Florida Field, Gator Chomp, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jerry Angelos, Jevon Kearse, Jimmy Ray Stephens, Johnny Rutledge, Julius Peppers, Mike Brown, Mike Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFC, NFL, Sean Payton, SEC, SEC Championship, Steve Spurrier, Tee Martin, Tom Brady, University of Florida

1 » ESPN’s Andy Katz reports that Rutgers transfer guard Mike Rosario, who was hoping to enroll at the University of Florida for its Summer A session, will instead join the Florida Gators for Summer B as he is stuck in New Jersey finishing classes. “Rosario might end up being one of the most important transfers Donovan has had in his career,” Katz wrote. “[He] will push Kenny Boynton in practice every day.”

2 » Former Gators dazzler and ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews finished third in her quest to win ABC‘s Dancing with the Stars competition. Andrews got further than many expected on the program and is rumored to have begun a relationship with her dance partner on the show. She is currently in the process of finalizing a new contract (including a significant raise) with the Worldwide Leader in Sports and hopes to expand her horizons beyond college sports and baseball.

3 » Two Florida softball players – juniors pitcher Stephanie Brombacher and outfielder Kelsey Bruder – have been named 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans by the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Named to the third- and second-teams, respectively, each earned at least a 3.30 GPA.

4 » Former Gators inside linebackers Channing Crowder and Andra Davis were both in the news Wednesday. A report from the Sun-Sentinel states that Crowder may begin the season on the Miami Dolphins’ physically unable to perform list if his foot does not heal properly, while another from the Buffalo News infers that Davis is set to start for the Buffalo Bills alongside Paul Posluszny.

Tags: Academic All-American, Andra Davis, Buffalo Bills, Channing Crowder, Dancing with the Stars, Erin Andrews, Kelsey Bruder, Kenny Boynton, Miami Dolphins, Mike Rosario, University of Florida