1 » Florida Gators incoming junior defensive tackle Damien Jacobs, joining the team as a JUCO transfer out of East Mississippi Community College, had minor but successful surgery on a finger Thursday but should be available for the start of spring practice. He enrolled early at Florida and is expected to make an impact on the team right away considering his size (6’3” 295 lbs.) and experience.

2 » Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey was a featured guest on Thursday at a fundraiser for the Guadalupe Center, which helps impoverished and underprivileged children in Southwest Florida. “We sponsored a couple games for the guys to come to and gave away tickets,” he said. “I love giving back to kids. I remember growing up in their shoes always wanting somebody to look up to.” While at the event, Pouncey spoke to the News-Press about a number of topics including his team’s coaching search, his brother’s recovery from ankle surgery and the fact that both of them own a condo together in Tampa, FL where they are currently spending time together. Pouncey is working out and staying in shape while his brother is doing post-surgery rehab work.

Click to expand and read three more BITS in this post.

1 » Those who follow us on Twitter saw a retweet from CBS Sports’ Jeff Goodman Monday morning noting that the Florida Gators basketball team held a “secret” scrimmage against the Central Florida Knights over the weekend. OGGOA inquired about the scrimmage and learned that Florida head coach Billy Donovan was pleased with his team’s effort following the game. The Gators’ starting five consisted of senior point guard Erving Walker, guards junior Kenny Boynton and freshman Brad Beal, junior forward Erik Murphy and sophomore center Patric Young.

Beal, as noted by Goodman, was the standout performer in the scrimmage, but redshirt junior transfer G Mike Rosario also played quite well. Florida earned a double-digit “victory” at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, a nice prelude to their exhibition game against Catholic University on Thursday.

2 » Eight full weeks into the 2011 NFL season, former Gators cornerback Lito Sheppard was finally signed by a team. The Oakland Raiders picked up Sheppard, who they cut just before the season after signing him as a free agent, on Monday and hope to have him ready to play as soon as this upcoming weekend. Sheppard was one of three notable ex-Florida veterans available on the free agent market. Defensive ends Alex Brown and Bobby McCray remain unsigned.

3 » Every year, the Gators women’s soccer team holds a special practice on Halloween with all of the players going through the motions in full costume. The annual tradition gives the team a boost each year before they begin playing in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Florida had an opportunity this past weekend to earn a share of the 2011 SEC regular season title but failed to do so dropping a 2-1 decision to the SEC champion South Carolina Gamecocks. SEC Tournament action begins Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. when UF faces Georgia in Orange Beach, AL.

4 » The Gators soccer team received good news Monday when the SEC announced its women’s soccer awards. Junior midfielder/forward Erika Tymrak and redshirt junior defender Kathryn Williamson were named to the All-SEC first team, while senior D Jazmyne Avant and junior MF Holly King garnered second-team honors. Florida also had two picked as All-Freshman – MFs Havana Solaun and Annie Speese.

Extra BIT » Below is the Thriller video put together by a number of UF student-athletes for Gator Growl in 2009. Happy Halloween!

1 » In a surprising move on Tuesday, the New Orleans Saints released former Florida Gators defensive end Alex Brown. A nine-year NFL veteran who spent the first eight years of his career with the Chicago Bears, Brown was signed by New Orleans as a free agent in 2010 and notched 39 tackles (32 solo) with a forced fumble and two sacks as a 16-game starter. He held the same position through the first three preseason games and worked with the first-team defense in every practice this offseason. “It saddens me to say that I have been released from the Saints because [they're] a first class organization and I will miss it,” he wrote on Twitter. “Good luck to the guys and Who Dat Nation keep roaring… My family and I had a blast here.. Thanks.” Brown joins DE Bobby McCray and offensive tackle Max Starks as big-name free agents currently available with Florida ties.

2 » Also receiving bad news was former Gators linebacker Duke Lemmens, an undrafted free agent who found out Tuesday that his contract with the Arizona Cardinals had been terminated. Lemmens played in the team’s first three preseason games and made a number of tackles but was one of many players the team released in this round of cuts.

3 » New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes had not practiced or played with the team since Aug. 4 but finally returned to the field on Tuesday according to reports from numerous media outlets. Spikes has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury but is expected to see some time in the team’s preseason finale at home on Thursday. He played in 12 games with eight starts during his rookie season and was fifth on New England with 71 tackles (41 solo) and an interception. He was suspended for four games in 2010 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

4 » Another player out for an extended period of time was former Florida safety Ahmad Black, a fifth-round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL Draft. Black suffered a high ankle sprain in the team’s preseason opener and has missed numerous practices and both subsequent preseason games since. There are rumors that Black could be cut soon because the team is only planning to keep four safeties and he has not had much of a time to make an impression, but head coach Raheem Morris has said previously that he believed Black was one of the steals of the draft. “I know he’s going to try to go this week,” Morris said, according to the St. Petersburg Times. “But it’d be hard right now for him to go out there and do some things, especially with the way Larry Asante’s playing, and Corey Lynch. Those guys played their butts off this preseason, not to mention our starters. It’ll be tough. You’d like to see him out there.” Black could always be a candidate for the practice squad in a worst-case scenario.

DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Six tackles (five solo, two for loss), pass def.
RB DeSHAWN WYNN, New Orleans Saints: Played but did not record statistics.
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Two receptions for 18 yards (targets: 4)
DE BOBBY MCCRAY, Philadelphia Eagles: Played but did not record statistics.

NOTES
- Wynn was released by San Francisco and signed with New Orleans on Monday.
- McCray, a free agent this season, was signed by Philadelphia on Dec. 30.
- Both teams featuring former Gators lost this weekend in the wild card round.

ACTIVE FOR REMAINDER OF PLAYOFFS
Linebacker Mike Peterson (Atlanta Falcons); safety Major Wright (Chicago Bears); LB Jermaine Cunningham, tight end Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes, running back Fred Taylor, defensive tackle Gerard Warren (New England Patriots); center Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers)

REGULAR SEASON: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

McCray was initially cut because he was due a $1.25 million roster bonus even though he wrecked havoc on then-Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre in 2009 and compiled 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three defended passes and a forced fumble in his two years in New Orleans. The team re-signed him in July but cut him just a month later; he has yet to play in 2010.

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to release DE Derrick Burgess and tabbed McCray for their playoff run. He is expected to join the team immediately and could play as soon as Sunday at home against Dallas.

GOOD NEWS

» As expected, all nine Gators selected in the 2010 NFL Draft made it through training camp and the preseason.

» Former Florida wide receiver David Nelson, who signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills after the draft, was told Saturday afternoon that he made the team. “Officially a Buffalo Bill,” Nelson wrote to his Twitter account. “Thanks to everyone for the support and prayers through this long but rewarding process!”

» Though it is not believed he was in complete danger of making the cut, former Gators safety Reggie Nelson got what he will likely consider his own form of good news Saturday, as the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to trade him to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, in need of safety help after losing Gibril Wilson to a season-ending injury, decided to trade cornerback David Jones and a conditional draft pick to the Jaguars. Nelson will be reunited with wide receiver Andre Caldwell and defensive end Carlos Dunlap in Cincinnati.

BAD NEWS

» Tight end Cornelius Ingram has faced plenty of adversity since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during his senior season with Florida. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 153 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Ingram proceeded to tear the same ACL again as a rookie during training camp. Finally back at near full speed, he had been playing well for the Eagles this offseason until a baker’s cyst in his knee kept him out of action. Ingram was released by Philadelphia on Saturday but will be a candidate to land on the team’s practice squad should he go unclaimed.

» Even though he scored three touchdowns in the Indianapolis Colts‘ final preseason game, former Gators kick returner Brandon James did not make the cut with one of the top teams in the AFC. Instead, the team elected to sign Devin Moore for that job. James did muff a punt that was returned for the touchdown during the preseason and will likely be picked up as a practice squad player with either the Colts or another team.

» One of the team’s most valuable defensive players throughout the 2009 playoffs, former Gators defensive end Bobby McCray was cut by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, just over a month after the team brought him back (they originally let him go on June 21). In the offseason, the Saints signed fellow former Florida DE Alex Brown, who will be a starter for New Orleans this season.

1 » Perhaps none of the former Florida Gators who are now rookies in the NFL are having more success than the trio drafted by the New Engalnd Patriots – defensive end/linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, LB Brandon Spikes and tight end Aaron Hernandez. Word out of Patriots camp is that all three are shining and will get on the field plenty. Cunningham and Spikes continue to work with the first-team defense and could be penciled in as starters when the season begins. “Jermaine has picked up things very well,” head coach Bill Belichick said. “I think each day you can definitely see him getting better, more confident, understanding things that happened the day before and being able to process that.” ESPNBoston.com‘s Mike Reiss broke down their progress:

Read more about the Patriots’ rookies and three additional BITS on Riley Cooper, Bobby McCray and Greg McGarity…after the break!

Cunningham: In the perfect Patriots world, the coaches would probably be grooming Cunningham behind the scenes, but he’s been thrust into the fire in the wake of Derrick Burgess’ unexpected decision not to report to camp. At the least, he should be rushing the passer in specific packages and looks like the team’s fastest outside linebacker.

Spikes: It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s in the starting lineup on opening day alongside Jerod Mayo. His size (6-2, 250), power and on-field maturity have been hard to miss over the past five days since he stepped in for Gary Guyton. Bill Belichick lauded him as an “interesting player to coach” who sees things that others might not.

Hernandez: There has been a lot to like from Hernandez, whose route-running, speed and sticky hands have had Tom Brady looking in his direction often. He should be part of a variety of packages, contributing from the get-go. On Thursday morning, Hernandez got an earful from Brady after not running downfield on a scramble play, which seemed to reflect the mistakes that sometimes come when relying on young players. “Aaron is an athletic guy; he’s fast, he’s got good quickness,” [director of player personnel Nick] Caserio said. “He gets into the defense quickly and catches the ball well.”

2 » Also experiencing his share of success is former Gators wide receiver Riley Cooper now of the Philadelphia Eagles. Though some mistakes have been made in camp, Cooper shined during the team’s Flight Night morning practice with a six-catch performance and terrific over-the-shoulder grab on a bomb from quarterback Kevin Kolb. He has been working with the first-team offense because starting receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are both injured. “He’s been down the field deep behind the defense a lot,” WR Jason Avant told The Morning Call. “I think he’s doing a great job. […] And he’s fast. […] I think he’s going to be a good player in this league and possibly great.”

3 » Cut by the New Orleans Saints in the offseason, former Florida defensive end Bobby McCray was brought back by the team just a few weeks ago and is making the most of his second chance. “If you let your emotions out, the majority of the time it can hurt you,” McCray told the Associated Press. “So if you got something [upsetting] going on, just try to keep it inside, don’t let everybody know.” McCray has been sharing first team left end snaps with fellow former Gators DE Alex Brown. “There’s nothing but great things going on at that left end position because of the competition that’s going on,” team defensive line coach Billy Johnson said. “Alex Brown’s done a good job. Bobby’s done a good job. And we’ve got about three weeks here to do a lot of evaluation and see how this thing comes out.” McCray also spoke about his relationship with Brown. “I’m very happy,” he said. “I got my teammate that I’ve had since 1999 with Florida. Me and him got some great things that we can do together.” Check out OGGOA‘s interview with Brown here.

4 » As expected, University of Florida executive senior associate athletic director Greg McGarity is one of 49 people who have put their name in the hat to be the next Georgia Bulldogs athletic director. McGarity, who is an alum of the school, has been with UF since 1992, most of the time as AD Jeremy Foley’s right-hand man. “I have been very fortunate to work alongside the very best in collegiate athletic at two outstanding institutions, the University of Georgia and the University of Florida, over the last three decades,” McGarity wrote in a letter to the Georgia’s associate vice president for human resources. “I know what it takes to lead and direct an athletic program at the highest level, and am ready to lead the University of Georgia Athletic Association into the future. I look forward to having the opportunity to compete for this position.” U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA) wrote the school’s president to “enthusiastically recommend” McGarity. “He is ready to get back to his hometown and to serve his alma mater in this distinguished position,” Kingston wrote.

Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

McCray, who was the Saints’ third end but started a quarter of his games during his two-year run with New Orleans, made a number of impact plays as a starter during their playoff run last season.

The Saints acquired fellow former Gators defensive end Alex Brown via free agency in the offseason and expect him to start on the left side. McCray, who worked with the first team defense during mini camp, will still see plenty of playing time next season.

He was due a $1.25 million roster bonus and was probably released by New Orleans in order to avoid that payment. The team did not attempt to renegotiate as McCray’s 2010-11 base salary was set at $2 million. Should he hit all of incentives, the Saints will only save $0.75 million with his new contract.

McCray, who made headlines for during the season for his vicious hits on quarterbacks Kurt Warner (Arizona) and Brett Favre (Minnesota), complied 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three defended passes and a forced fumble in his previous two years in New Orleans.

Photo Credit: Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune

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!

AS: You had a lot of outstanding games with the Gators, but I’m sure you remember sacking Tee Martin five times in 1999…did the offense just give up trying to stop you?
AB: “You know what, [Tennessee offensive tackle] Chad Clifton plays for the Green Bay Packers now, and I’ve been going against him twice a year for the last eight years. He still swears that I was offsides [on those plays]. He still says I was offsides – no way I can be that fast off the ball. I don’t know, I found a flaw and made sure it was working and staying true throughout the game. If you find an advantage, then use it. The crowd was unbelievable. As soon as they said go, I was rolling. That night I believed exactly what I saw. For some reason, I was rewarded.”

AS: Is that the game you remember the most, or is there another? Does any one play stand out to you that you made?
AB: “Well, the SEC Championship was my most memorable moment as far as happy times. My last game at Florida Field I’ll never forget. Losing at Tennessee – that game obviously was personal.”

AS: In 2001 you were a first-team All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Were you surprised that you were not drafted higher than the fourth round?
AB: “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised. After the first day [of the draft], all I wanted to do was get picked up. I knew inside that I could play the game. When [owner Jerry] Angelos called me from the Bears and said they were going to get me if I was still there…the moment I wasn’t as happy as I thought I would be…because I was so disappointed. Looking back at it, I was happy to be picked and just wanted to play football so I could prove him right. It was just one of those things – it gave me a chip that never left me. I could not believe [teams] believed there were 10 other defensive ends out there better than me. At this point in time in my career, there are only [Chicago's Julius] Peppers and [Indianapolis Colts'] Dwight Freeney left from that draft.”

AS: Since joining the NFL, you have put down a lot of quarterbacks in eight years. Has any one sack or play stood out to you?
AB: “In 2008, I blocked a field goal against Green Bay to send the game into overtime. We won [20-17] and it kept our playoff hopes alive. Obviously the 2006 year, making it into the Super Bowl was by far…winning the NFC Championship is the highest level for football after that. Being there Super Bowl Sunday and seeing all the flashbulbs go off on the kickoff and watching [wide receiver Devin] Hester run it back – unbelievable. 2006 was THE best year, football-wise for me, in my life. It was unbelievable. Individual plays….probably the Green Bay one, my first sack against [the New England Patriots'] Tom Brady – that feeling was like, ‘Wow, I got Tom Brady.’ Sacking [the Minnesota Vikings'] Brett Favre is pretty intense.”

AS: You also have a habit of doing the Gator Chomp every time you nail a QB or make a big play. How did you decide to do that in the first place, and do you wish more guys represented the school like that?
AB: “Oh yeah. Not if they don’t want to. We have guys that believe once college is over, college is over. I truly believe – and it holds true all the time – that NFL teams can change. Where you went to college will never change. Now I’m playing for the Saints; now I’m rooting for the Saints. I didn’t envision myself a couple of years ago saying ‘Who Dat?’ and things like that and being down in New Orleans and getting ready to play with [QB] Drew Brees rather than try to prepare to play against him. That happens. Teams change, teams move on, they go in a different direction. If you want, you go and play somewhere else where somebody wants you. That being said, the Florida Gators will never change for me. That page in my life has been told and stamped. So it will never change. My wife and I both went there. I want to show people that I love it, and I don’t care who gets mad. And now I’m down here in LSU country, and they’re gonna really really dislike it. But hey, sorry. It’s just me. If more guys would do it, great, yeah, I’d love it. It would be a cool thing to see all the Gators do it. I actually started doing it because [former safety] Mike Brown…there were times during the 2004-05 season, Mike Brown would come up as soon as I’d make a play and he’d be doing it. He’d be doing the Gator Chomp. And he’d be like, ‘Come on, you gotta do it!’ So from now on, I said I was just going to do it. Now I do it all the time.”

AS: You were one of the first guys to welcome Julius Peppers to the Bears after he was signed back in March…only to have Chicago dismiss you soon after. You’ve been there since 2002. What did it feel like having to leave?
AB: “It was tough. The first hour or so you’re like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is happening.’ I’m over that now. I’m actually going to put on a different helmet – it’s kind of weird. You get over it. You understand that it happens. For the most part, it happens to just about everybody. There is a very, very small group that play their entire career…if you play 8, 9, 10+ years, you’re probably not going to play with the same team all those years. It’s just one of those things that happens. Once you get over that, it’s not that big of a deal.”

AS: Now you are starting a brand new two-year deal with the Saints. How did it feel to be sought after by the defending Super Bowl champions?
AB: “When you’re cut, a lot of teams go through your head. ‘Why don’t they want me? Do they not believe I can play? Can I start here, and contribute on this defense?’ Then you have a team like the Saints, who come off their Super Bowl year and everybody’s super exited. And this super bowl team believes that you can make them better. That just gives you a little bit of confidence, gives you that thought that you can make them better. That was great for me. I want to win. That is my goal. That is the top priority. I want to win. Coming out here and playing with a team that puts up 30 points a game, that gives you a lot of opportunities to rush the quarterback. Kind of reminds me back when coach Spurrier was calling the plays…now it’s coach [Sean] Payton. I’m really excited. Paying indoors – don’t have to worry about two degrees – it’s just a different environment, it’s going to be completely different. I’m going to embrace this opportunity.

AS: Do you feel that the team is still hungry?
AB: “Absolutely. It’s not just the team – the owners, the coaches. I’ll put it like this: When I was with the bears in 2006 and we came back the next year in 2007, we lost about 15-18 players from that 2006 team. This team here has lost I think three players – [LB] Scott Fujita, [DE] Charles Grant (who did not play in the playoffs), [right tackle] Jammal Brown (who did not play the entire season – so I don’t think we should count him), and Bobby McCray – who they just released who played a significant part in the run to the Super Bowl last year. And then they add a couple players. Myself, I believe I can help the team. [DE Jimmy] Wilkerson, [Clint] Ingram at linebacker, a couple guys in the draft – the rookie [cornerback Patrick Robinson] from Florida State, I think he’s gonna help, he’s a very, very good talent. And they have a bunch of young guys around here. I’m almost one of the old guys. I really am one of the old guys around here. Everybody’s young. Everybody believes that this is how it’s supposed to be. When you get that belief, and you not only hope but expect to win on Sundays, more than likely you’re going to come out on top. And that’s how it is around here. Everybody is focused on doing just that – repeating. Taking our window of opportunity and making the best out of it. I’m excited to be here, I’m excited to be on board.”

AS: Similar to the Peppers situation in Chicago, bringing you into the fold meant New Orleans had to make some changes…and unfortunately that meant Bobby McCray was out the door. What is your relationship like and how hard of a hit was that?
AB: “I don’t want to talk too much about that…I don’t want to say anything that’s going to offend Bobby. But it’s competition – that’s how it is, that’s how the league works. The New Orleans Saints believe that I give them the best opportunity to win. That’s as far as I’ll go with that. Bobby and I are good friends, but it’s just one of those things that is going to happen. It’s really weird actually when it’s a buddy of yours. Its one position and one of you probably is going to have to leave. We both understand this is a business. We both have families, and we want to take care of our families. All we can do is get on the field and play football. I know Bobby well – I know he is going to pick up somewhere and hopefully have a phenomenal year.”

[NOTE: One day after this interview, McCray re-signed with the Saints.]

AS: Were you two close during the overlapping years at Florida?
AB: “Bobby and I played a few years together at Florida. He comes over to the house. He is one of the guys, when I had my son on September 27 – days before we played Mississippi State and crushed them – he was one of the guys who was there. He came by and visited my wife now – girlfriend then – he’s one of the guys who came out. He’s a good, good friend of mine. And I’ve followed him throughout his career to Jacksonville and here with the Saints. Watching him go through the playoffs was amazing. Watching him go in and beat the team that we actually lost to in the Super Bowl was amazing. When you have a buddy who goes through that, and you know exactly what he’s going through, you get to a point where I haven’t been…and that’s on top. You want to sit down and kind of pick his brain and see how it was. I can only imagine it’s an amazing feeling.”

AS: One thing I forgot to ask you earlier…what goes on in the locker room and with other players when your college team is winning like the Gators have been recently? Do you brag a lot, wear a ton of Florida gear?
AB: “I never shut up. When we’re winning, when we’re not winning, it doesn’t even matter. I’m not going to stop talking. That 2006 season – we won basketball and football and then we went to the Super Bowl – I just didn’t stop. People got tired of me. I wore Gator stuff almost every day. Gator basketball then Gator football. We had five Gators in the Super Bowl – it was unbelievable. Just on our team. I’m always walking with a certain type of swagger, if you would, when it comes to the Gators. I really love my team. I’m very proud, and I’m not backing down. I think we’re better than anybody. That’s just me. I’ve heard plenty of times, ‘Why [are] you guys so passionate about your school?’ I have no idea – we just are. I’ve seen Ohio State fans like that – not all of them, not as many as Florida. You meet people, you’re from Florida, you sit there and talk to somebody just because you went to the same school. You’ll sit there and talk for 10 minutes. It’s just a big family, that’s what it is. When we’re winning, you are sure to hear about it throughout the locker room and throughout the entire facility. Everybody hears about it.

AS: While you have lived in Jasper, FL, Gainesville, FL, and Chicago, IL, New Orleans is your new home. Now that you have spent some time there…what is your favorite thing about the city so far?
AB: “There’s a lot of different food. But I guess my favorite thing is that they do sell grits wherever the breakfast places are! Because in Chicago, you didn’t get that. The grits came back! I can actually go and get grits somewhere, and it’s not Cream of Wheat or something like that. I’m pretty sure I’ll find other things that catch my eye and are really cool, but I haven’t been to any festivals yet. I’m pretty sure my wife and I will get to those over the next few years and have more stories to tell and things I like about the city. As for right now, just the reception of being invited into the Who Dat? Nation is great. The fans are unbelievable. You would be surprised how many people…I go to Wal-Mar tor Win-Dixie or something and people already know me and say they’re happy I’m here. Makes you feel good, makes you want to go work, you know?”

» OGGOA Interviews: QB Tim Tebow | WR Percy Harvin | TE Cornelius Ingram | DE Jermaine Cunningham | S Major Wright | LB Earl Everett

Interestingly enough, the Saints acquired fellow former Gators defensive end Alex Brown via free agency in the offseason. Brown is expected to start for New Orleans on the left side even after McCray worked with the first team defense during mini camp over the last few weeks; his signing projected starting job most likely led to McCray’s dismissal.

According to Pro Football Talk, McCray was due a $1.25 million roster bonus in just over a week and was likely cut to avoid that payment. The team did not attempt to renegotiate and will also save $2 million on his 2010-11 base salary.

McCray, who made headlines for during the season for his vicious hits on Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre, was arrested during the season for allegedly driving under the influence. He complied 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three defended passes and a forced fumble in his two years in New Orleans.

OGGOA RELATED: San Diego cuts former Florida DT Ian Scott