1 » Here is Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah dancing outdoors at a house party.

2 » The Baltimore Ravens are searching for a new No. 2 receiver, and it appears as if former Florida Gators pass catcher Denote Thompson “has the inside track” on the job, according to The Baltimore Sun. “[Thompson] could sneak in there, he looks different, is fast and catches everything,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “I’ve always said, the best player will play.” Thompson thinks his athleticism and speed mean the “sky is the limit” for what he can accomplish with the Ravens. He also discussed why he struggled with the Gators and how things have changed for him. “We had a new offensive coordinator and new coaches at Florida my last year and the whole offense didn’t play well,” he said. “We were just trying to find a rhythm. But here, I think I have adjusted and I can play outside or in the slot, it doesn’t matter. A year ago, I didn’t know what to expect, but now I know what it is going to take. One of the hardest things was learning defenses, the audibles and the different coverages.”

3 » Gators forward Erik Murphy participated in the 2013 NBA Combine late last week. He measured 6’8.75” without shoes, 6’9.5” with shoes and had a 6’10.5” wingspan and 9’0” reach. Murphy also checked in at 239.8 lbs. with eight percent body fat, 8.75” hands and 9.75” hand width. Here are his on the court results: three-quarter time (3.57 seconds), lane agility time (12.19 s), modified time (2.96 s), standing leap (24.5”), maximum leap (29.5”). Murphy will check in with OGGOA later this week with his second “Path to the Draft” blog post to recap the combine, but the Orlando Sentinel reports that he had a one-hour workout with the Orlando Magic last Thursday.

4 » Greg Luca of The Alligator penned this piece back in April on Ron “Moose” Davis, the fan who can always be found behind the basket at Florida basketball games wearing a moose hat and waving a neon Speedo in hopes of distracting opposing foul shooters. Plenty has been written about Davis over the years, but this piece provides great background and a thorough look at one of the Gators’ biggest fans.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bulls, combine, Deonte Thompson, Erik Murphy, Joakim Noah, NBA, NFL, Orlando Magic

1 » While sophomore guard/forward DeVon Walker changed his mind about his decision to transfer and returned to the Florida Gators basketball program, sophomore point guard Braxton Ogbueze remained steadfast in his desire to leave and officially transferred this week. Ogbeuze, who committed to Florida out of Charlotte, NC, decided to return to his local community and play for the Charlotte 49ers. He will sit out the 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules but will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2014-15.

2 » Gators head basketball coach Billy Donovan sat down for a wide-ranging interview with former long-time NBA coach Brendan Suhr on his Coaching U LIVE podcast. The interview, which is reminiscent of a conversation with Inside the Actors Studio’s James Lipton, covers a variety of topics including why Donovan is a coach, how he describes himself as a coach, if he would play for a coach like himself and how college basketball players have changed over the years.

3 » Baltimore Ravens rookie safety Matt Elam met and spoke with Dwyer High School’s current football players recently, telling the members of his former team that using life’s difficulties to propel them on the football field can benefit their lives in the long run. “I feel like with me going [in the draft], it was a big motivation for the kids because they come from the same neighborhoods, the same program,” Elam told the Palm Beach Post. “I got the chance, and I took advantage of the chance. That makes the kids feel like they’ve got the chance. That’s what it’s all about.”

CLICK TO EXPAND and check out three more BITS of Florida Gators news.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Billy Donovan, Bradley Beal, Braxton Ogbueze, Cleveland Browns, DeVon Walker, Draft, Eric Banks, golf, Matt Elam, NBA, NFL, Washington Wizards

From time to time, OGGOA will come across a plethora of news and notes that we wish to share – too much to fit into one of our truncated BITS segments. When stories like these fall through the cracks, we catch and wrap them all up with Gator Bites.

» The relationship between Dwyer High School head coach Jack Daniels and the Florida Gators has soured. According to ESPN 106.3 out of West Palm Beach, FL, Daniels is angry that two former Dwyer players who committed to Florida but have since left the program (quarterback Jacoby Brissett and tight end Gerald Christian) did not get the opportunities they were promised with the team. “I’ve said all along, I don’t think he’s been given the fair shot which was said was going to happen,” Daniels said in regards to Brissett. “It was made clear to him, and to everybody else, that it didn’t matter what Jeff Driskel did, it was [Driskel’s] job and going into next fall, it’s going to be the same way. I think he had no choice. If I was quarterback on that team last year, I might have been able to get some wins, the way their defense was playing.” He continued: “The way Jacoby was handled and the decision that was made…if it was my kid, I wouldn’t expect anybody to treat my kid like that, and I don’t think anybody should treat anybody like that. I think it was a complete lie about how he was going to be given a fair chance and I don’t think there’s anything to dispute that there wasn’t a lie.”

Despite all of this – including similar comments about how Christian “was frustrated and felt like the coaches were lying to him” – Daniels (a Florida alumnus) said he will not dissuade his students from playing for the Gators. “I can’t hold a grudge forever and I still talk to Coach [Will] Muschamp,” he said. “I would never steer a kid away.”

» Former Florida wide receiver Stephen Alli was selected with the second pick in the sixth round of the 2013 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over the weekend. Alli, who would have been chosen higher had he committed to playing in the CFL next season, will instead attend graduate school and continue his education at UF.

» He may currently be a free agent hoping for the opportunity to continue his NFL career, but former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow received a shred of good news this week when Forbes named him the most influential athlete in the United States. “A unique set of QB strengths and weaknesses and an affinity for wearing his Christian faith on his sleeve combine to make Tebow a compelling public figure, even as an NFL backup,” staff member Tom Van Riper wrote.

Check out 14 more interesting bites of Florida Gators news…after the break!
Continue Reading » 17 Gator Bites for Tuesday, May 7

Tags: ALC, ALC Tournament, Baltimore Ravens, Billy Donovan, CFL, Corey Brewer, Denver Nuggets, Draft, Eli Carter, ESPN, Gerald Christian, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacoby Brissett, Jelani Jenkins, Jordan Reed, Josh Evans, lacrosse, Matt Elam, Miami Dolphins, Mike Gillislee, NBA, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, NFL, Playoffs, Stephen Alli, Tim Tebow, Vernon Macklin, Washington Redskins, Will Muschamp, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Former Florida Gators linebacker Lerentee McCray, defensive tackle Omar Hunter, defensive end Earl Okine, offensive tackle Xavier Nixon and wide receivers Omarius Hines and Frankie Hammond, Jr. each signed undrafted free agent contracts minutes after the conclusion of the 2013 NFL Draft on Saturday.

McCray, who was expected to be selected on the third day of the draft, wound up agreeing to a deal with the Denver Broncos. Nixon’s stock dropped immensely during the draft process, but he got inked by the Washington Redskins. Hines was snatched up by the Baltimore Ravens. Neither Hunter nor Okine nor Hammond were expected to be drafted, but the three signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.

McCray will be the second former Gators player on the Broncos as wide receiver Andre Caldwell is currently signed by the team. Nixon joins quarterback Rex Grossman, guard Maurice Hurt and tight end Jordan Reed (third round, No. 85 overall) on the Redskins. Hines will see familiar faces in safety Matt Elam (first round, No. 32 overall) and WR Deonte Thompson with the Ravens. Hunter links up with center Maurkice Pouncey and G Marcus Gilbert on the Steelers.

Offensive linemen James Wilson and Sam Robey remain unsigned as of press time.

Some of the undrafted free agent signings were first reported by InsidetheGators.com‘s Bryan Holt, Florida Today‘s David Jones and Gainesville TV20‘s Kassidy Hill.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Draft, Earl Okine, Houston Texans, Lerentee McCray, NFL, Omar Hunter, Omarius Hines, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Xavier Nixon

Round 1 – No. 32
Matt Elam, S
Baltimore Ravens

Height: 5’10″ – Weight: 208 lbs.
Age: 21 – Class: Junior

It took longer than expected for the first Florida Gators player to be picked on Thursday during the 2013 NFL Draft, but safety Matt Elam got picked exactly where he was projected – late in the first round – when he was selected No. 32 overall by the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.

Elam, arguably Florida’s best playmaker in 2012 and one of the top safeties available in the draft, was ranked No. 3 on most boards due to concerns about his height (5’10”). In every other aspect, Elam is a prototypical strong safety who hits hard, tackles well, forces turnovers, makes game-changing plays and can intimidate opposing pass catchers (and their quarterbacks).

“I just feel like my size won’t matter because when you turn on the film I’m a great competitor, I’m flying around, I’m hitting guys bigger than me. Size doesn’t matter,” Elam said. “I’m going to make receivers be scared when they come my way the next time. That’s in my job description.”

His versatility as nickel cornerback who that can blitz from the backfield or at the line of scrimmage made him a must-draft player for Baltimore, which lost both of its starting safeties at the conclusion of the 2012 season. The Ravens see Elam as a replacement for strong safety Bernard Pollard – not free safety Ed Reed – but he is talented enough to alternate between both positions in Baltimore’s defense.

“I’ve never been so excited,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said of Elam. “It was fun watching him play. To watch a player on tape and play after play you say, ‘Oh wow.’ The way he played on tape is the way you have to play in the AFC North.”

“He definitely has a chance to [start at strong safety],” said head coach John Harbaugh. “He’ll have to earn it. We have one veteran safety in there and some young guys that will be competing for it as well. But we always play the best guy, and that’s the guy that’s playing the best. Matt Elam will be right in the middle of that fight.”

Continue Reading » Ravens end first round by picking Gators S Matt Elam No. 32 overall in 2013 NFL Draft

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Draft, Matt Elam, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Sharrif Floyd

The 2012-13 NFL season concluded on Sunday with two former Florida Gators football players squaring off in Super Bowl XLVII.

Baltimore defeated San Francisco 34-31 to win the second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

For the third-straight year, OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what all of these Gators accomplished during the final week of the 2012-13 season.

ACTIVE (1)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Three tackles (two solo, one for loss), sack, QB hit

INACTIVE (1)
WR DEONTE THOMPSON*, Baltimore Ravens: Inactive

SUPER BOWL XLVII NOTES
- Thompson joins Dallas Baker, Jeff Mitchell and Justin Trattou as the only four players in Gators history to win an SEC Championship, national title and Super Bowl ring.
- It is the 11th consecutive year that a former Florida player has been on a roster of a Super Bowl team and the fourth time in the last five that one has won a Super Bowl ring.
- Former Gators defensive coordinator Teryl Austin also won a ring as Baltimore’s defensive backs coach.
- Overall, Florida has 23 total Super Bowl rings won by 16 different players over 17 separate Super Bowls.
- Emmitt Smith (3), Godfrey Myles (3), Don Chandler (2), Wilber Marshall (2) and Max Starks (2) are the only players with multiple rings.
- It was the eighth time in the last 14 years that the Gators had a player on both teams.

* Rookie

Fantastic bonus footage from Cleveland Brown cornerback Joe Haden‘s shoot for one of the NFL Super Bowl commercials. Check out the original commercial.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Joe Haden, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVII

1 » In addition to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Rainey (who is expected to be released from his contract) and Buffalo Bills wide receiver David Nelson (a restricted free agent), six other former Florida Gators currently under contract with NFL teams will be unrestricted free agents the day after the Super Bowl. Those players include Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy, Kansas City Chiefs LB Brandon Siler, Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle, Pittsburgh tackle Max Starks and Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman.

On rosters for Super Bowl XLVII are San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald and Baltimore Ravens WR Deonte Thompson. The end result and Super Bowl 47 Betting may very well come down to which quarterback stands out and makes as few mistakes as possible.

2 » Speaking of Rainey, the former Gators running back had his recent simple battery charge reduced to disorderly conduct by Alachua County Judge Walter Green after the State Attorney’s Office decided it did not have enough evidence to pursue the more serious offense. The judge withheld adjudication and fined Rainey $200 to go along with court costs of $300 for the offense, effectively ending the legal issue, according to Florida Today. The alleged victim in the case denied that Rainey hit her the day after his arrest and contradicting statements from witnesses made the state’s case inconclusive. The Steelers announced the day of Rainey’s arrest that they had decided to waive him; however, NFL transactions made during the postseason cannot be completed until after the Super Bowl. With the charges being significantly reduced, Pittsburgh could theoretically have a change of heart or consider bringing Rainey back on a cheaper free agent contract.

Check out four more BITS of Gators news…after the break!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: NFL, Rainey, Beal, Rosario, track

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Bradley Beal, Brandon Siler, Buffalo Bills, Carlos Dunlap, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Chris Rainey, Cooper Carlisle, David Nelson, Deonte Thompson, Draft, field, Kansas City Chiefs, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Max Starks, Mike Peterson, Mike Rosario, Minnesota Vikings, NBA, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Percy Harvin, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ponce Lions, Ray McDonald, Rex Grossman, Runner of the Week, San Francisco 49ers, SEC, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVII, track, Washington Redskins, Washington Wizards

1 » As any team should heading into a big game, the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers are planning on defeating the No. 17/18 Florida Gators on Saturday. However, after hearing through the grapevine that fans are considering rushing the field should Tennessee break its seven-year losing streak against Florida, Knoxville, TN police have issued a pre-emptive warning. According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, which had a conversation with KPD spokesman Darrel DeBusk, fans caught rushing the field will be arrested and charged with aggravated criminical trespassing. Additionally, the school’s judicial affairs office will be notified of all arrests in a move “which could impact [students’] future with UT and their ability to attend any future special events and sporting events at the university.” What the school has decided to do in the event of a celebration – again, this is all being planned in advance – is to “bring the players to the fans” in the stands.

2 » Florida head basketball coach Billy Donovan is not done with his 2013 recruiting class despite already receiving commitments from three players including two five-star recruits (and top-10 ranked players nationally). As I first reported on the InsidetheGators.com message board a few weeks ago, Donovan has his sights set on a handful of top players in the country and the Gators feel like they are in position to nab another big name. According to ESPNChicago.com, Donovan took the next step towards that goal on Tuesday when he met with five-star small forward Jabari Parker (Chicago, IL), the unanimous top-ranked player in the nation. UF is in Parker’s top 10 but is not necessarily considered a favorite for his services at this time.

3 » While Florida is getting prepared a new opponent this week, Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin took what could be considered a shot at his opponent from last weekend. Looking ahead to his next game, Sumlin was asked during a press conference how he thought his team held up condition-wise against the Gators. “It wasn’t our team flopping around on the field in the second half,” he replied. Houston Chronicle beat writer Brent Zwerneman then asked Sumlin if Florida was “flopping around” due to poor conditioning or another reason to which he replied with an ambiguous “You were there.” The Gators saw 10 players go down throughout the course of the game with injures. While a few were serious and resulted in players leaving the game and not returning, the majority appeared to be cramps, which was odd considering the team practices in high heat and humidity in Gainesville, FL. Some (not necessarily Sumlin) have accused UF players of going to the ground to slow down A&M’s offense.

4 » In the first of two quick NFL notes, the Baltimore Ravens decided Tuesday following their stellar season-opening performance on Monday night to award undrafted free agent wide receiver Deonte Thomspon the starting kick returner job going forward. Thompson will be the second former Gators player to take over that job this season (Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Rainey) and will be the third overall (Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin) who will be heavily relied on his team to find some success in the return game. Additionally, the Steelers announced Tuesday that right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who went down with an injury on Sunday and did not return to the game, hyperextended his left knee but is expected to be able to return to the gridiron for this week’s contest.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Billy Donovan, Chris Rainey, Deonte Thompson, Jabari Parker, Kevin Sumlin, Marcus Gilbert, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Percy Harvin, Pittsburgh Steelers, SEC, Tennessee Volunteers