1 » According to The Gainesville Sun’s Pat Dooley, Florida Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn interviewed for but turned down the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quinn, who has been at Florida for just one season, was a NFL assistant with four different teams from 2001-10.

2 » The 2011-12 season may now be in the books but that does not mean Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow‘s name is out of the news. Tebow, who sat down for a 30-minute interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm last week, will be featured on ESPN2 in “SportsCenter Special: Face to Face with Tim Tebow” on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 p.m. Tebow’s recent ESPN rounds included an interview with Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo, which you can view below.

Four more BITS on Crowder, Demps, the Oh Fours and Wambach after the break!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Quinn, Tebow, Crowder, Demps, Green’s new team, Brewer’s dad, Wambach’s idea

Tags: Abby Wambach, Atlanta Falcons, Channing Crowder, Corey Brewer, Dan Quinn, Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Jeff Demps, Miami Dolphins, Mike Holloway, Mike Peterson, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NCAA Indoor Championships, NFL, Olympics, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Taurean Green, Tim Tebow, Tofaş, Virginia Tech Elite Meet, World Cup, WPS

1 » Though plenty are questioning Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow’s ability to succeed in the NFL, there is little doubt about his ability to motivate. According to Entertainment Weekly, Tebow (along with New Orleans QB Drew Brees and Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson) will make an appearance on the Oct. 4 episode of The Biggest Loser on NBC. EW reports, “Some of the athletes will be seen competing against the contestants in a throwing contest, while others help the pound shedders with their ‘Last Chance Workout’ before that week’s weigh-in.”

2 » Florida Gators senior right-side/setter Kelly Murphy was named by ESPNW on Wednesday as one of the “five things to watch in college volleyball” this year. “[She] looks to dominate again after three straight All-American seasons and a 2010 selection as SEC Player of the Year,” says writer Mick Elliott. “She was the league’s only player last season to rank in the top 10 in kills per set, service aces per set and hitting percentage. Ranked as the nation’s top 2007 prep recruit coming out of Joliet (Ill.) Catholic Academy, Murphy became just the second Florida player to lead the SEC in aces per set during a single season. Ranked fourth in the SEC and 26th nationally with a .374 hitting efficiency, she also tallied seven triple-doubles last season, including three that came in three-set matches.” Murphy on Thursday was one of 30 student-athletes named as a candidate for the 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, an honor given to college players in each sport who demonstrate excellence in the community and classroom as well as with their character and in competition.

3 » Southeastern Conference coaches on Thursday selected the Florida women’s cross country team as the preseason favorites to win their third-straight league title. Earning six first-place votes, the Gators could take home the team’s sixth-ever SEC Championship if the coaches are correct. The men’s team was chosen as a preseason third-place finisher and did not receive a single first-place vote.

4 » He may be semi-retired, but former Florida and Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder is still in demand, according to Pro Football Talk. “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, at least two teams recently expressed a desire to lure Crowder out of retirement,” Mike Florio writes. Crowder has given no indications that he plans to return to the field this year (his new wife is having a baby during the season and he wants to remain in South Florida with his family).

Tags: Channing Crowder, cross country, Denver Broncos, Kelly Murphy, Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, Miami Dolphins, NFL, SEC, Tim Tebow, volleyball

Former Florida Gators linebacker Channing Crowder, who spent his entire six-year NFL career as a member of the Miami Dolphins, announced his retirement from pro football during a radio interview Tuesday on 560 WQAM in South Florida.

“I’m hanging it up,” he said. “I woke up, saw my pregnant wife, and all the teams that were talking to me were way up north in the northeast, and I said, ‘I don’t want to do it.’”

Channing Crowder on WQAM

Crowder, cut by the Dolphins less than two weeks ago, was appearing on the Sid Rosenberg Show when he went public with his decision to call it quits.

“It’s just not worth it. People say it all the time about retirement. I’m not hurting for money. I’ve saved all of my money. I’ve got plenty of money saved. Me and my wife will live great,” he said. “I looked at my wife and I was like, ‘I’m going to be a family man now.’”

Only 27-years-old, he was selected with the No. 70 overall pick in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft and was a starting inside linebacker all six years he played in Miami. Crowder failed to make the “big plays” that are expected of NFL starters and amassed just 469 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception in 82 career games.

A protege of former Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas, Crowder began his career on the outside but eventually replaced Thomas as the middle linebacker when he was cut from the team. He missed more than 14 games due to a number of injuries which usually had to do with his knee, something he first weakened during his senior year of high school.

Crowder delayed his enrollment at the University of Florida by a semester while rehabbing his knee after surgery and only played for the Gators for two seasons (2003-04) before deciding to turn pro after his sophomore year.

Former LSU head coach Nick Saban, who took the top job in Miami that year, was familiar with Crowder from his SEC days and selected him even though there were concerns about the health of his knee. Crowder ended up outlasting Saban, who returned to college in dramatic fashion after just two years with the Dolphins.

A true locker room guy who was a leader both on and off the field, Crowder is infamous for his quick wit, engaging personality and quotable answers to the media’s questions. He joked in 2007 that he “couldn’t find London on a map” when Miami faced the New York Giants during the NFL’s first-ever regular season game outside of the United States.

“I know Italy looks like a boot,” he said. “I know London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That’s the closest thing I know to London. He’s black, so I’m sure he’s not from London. I’m sure that’s a coincidental name.”

He also got into an on-the-field altercation with New England tackle Matt Light, traded verbal barbs in 2010 with New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, and had plenty of other quotable lines during his NFL career.

Crowder made waves this past offseason when he insinuated on his radio program that he had sold his jerseys while at Florida. He later revised that statement, noting that he and his mother still have all of his jerseys in their possession.

Tags: Channing Crowder, Draft, NFL, Nick Saban, University of Florida

Updated at 9 p.m.

With NFL training camp finally underway after an extended lockout cancelled organized team activities and mini camps, more than three dozen former Florida Gators are working out and trying to earn their keep this year. Below is a comprehensive look at each player in the league as well as those still looking for work.

Continue Reading » Florida Gators report to NFL training camps

Tags: A.J. Jones, Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Billy Latsko, Brandon Hicks, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Chanel Brown, Channing Crowder, Chas Henry, Cooper Carlisle, Cornelius Ingram, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, DeShawn Wynn, Duke Lemmens, Earnest Graham, Emmanuel Moody, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jason Watkins, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Justin Trattou, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Gilbert, Marcus Thomas, Maurice Hurt, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks, Mike Peterson, Mike Pouncey, NFL, Percy Harvin, Phil Trautwein, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Riley Cooper, Terron Sanders, Tim Tebow

1 » The Miami Dolphins cut veteran linebacker Channing Crowder over the weekend, ending his six-year run with the team that selected him in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. With declining production, bad knees and a contract that would have counted for $5 million against the 2011 salary cap, Crowder leaving was nevertheless a tough decision for head coach Tony Sparano, who (as the rest of the team did) viewed him as a defensive leader. “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Sparano said. “It’s still hard for me. But it’s football. It happens.”

2 » Miami may make another personnel move that could affect a former Florida Gators player on its roster. The Dolphins are looking at bringing in veteran center Shaun O’Hara; he is already in South Florida for an official meeting with the club. Should O’Hara be signed, first-round pick Mike Pouncey will likely be forced to move to right guard for the 2011 season. O’Hara’s signing, however, would not be an indictment on Pouncey’s ability but rather a necessity due to the team’s lack of top-notch guard play. Richie Incognito will be starting on the left side for Miami, but the Dolphins are not pleased with the performance of 2010 third-round pick John Jerry on the right side, hence necessitating plugging in Pouncey for the time being. Check out this recent one-on-one interview with Pouncey after his first day of practice.

Click to expand and read the rest of this post.

Tags: Channing Crowder, Draft, Elizabeth Beisel, Max Starks, Miami Dolphins, Mike Pouncey, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Lochte, swimming

Updated on July 29 at 2 p.m.

One day after defensive end Jarvis Moss re-signed with the Oakland Raiders for one year and $1.25 million, a trio of former Florida Gators football players found out there would be changers to their respective NFL careers.

The flurry of happenings started early when Denver Broncos wide receiver Jabar Gaffney learned he had been traded to the Washington Redskins in exchange for DE Jeremy Jarmon. Gaffney likely would have seen a reduction in field time and may even have been cut from the Denver roster had the team not found a suitor for his services.

Going into his 10th NFL season, he posted career-highs in receptions (65) and yards (875) in 2010 during his second year with the Broncos. Gaffney previously spent four seasons with Houston and three with New England.

San Francisco 49ers DE Ray McDonald, who impressed in a reserve role during the 2010 season, re-upped with the team that selected him with the No. 97 overall pick in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft to the tune of five years and $20 million. McDonald recorded 19 tackles and an interception (which he returned for a touchdown) one year ago and will move into a starting role with the ball club.

He received $7 million guaranteed in the deal after saying earlier this summer that he was tired of coming off the bench. “I know I’m an every-down player, a starter,” he said, “and that’s what I’m looking to do this year. I’m not looking to back up anybody.”

The news was not as pleasant for Pittsburgh Steelers right tackle Max Starks, who was informed by the team late Wednesday that his services will no longer be needed just two years after signing a four-year, $26.3 million contract that included $10 million in guaranteed money.

Likely a cap casualty due to his release saving the team $5.14 million in salary, Starks could rejoin the team at a reduced rate, though he may be able to sign a larger contract elsewhere. The 2004 third-round pick is a two-time Super Bowl champion who traveled to the big dance three times and started in 68 of 95 career games.

Positive news came early Thursday morning for Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson, who announced via his Twitter account that he agreed to terms to return to the team. Details of his new contract are currently unknown.

Former first-round pick defensive end Derrick Harvey and linebacker Channing Crowder concluded the week by finding themselves out of work after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, respectively. After three disappointing seasons, Harvey only racked up eight sacks in 47 games (32 starts) for Jacksonville. Crowder, who was selected in the third-round of the 2005 NFL Draft, amassed 469 tackles but only 2.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in six seasons with Miami.

Photo Credit: Unknown

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Channing Crowder, Denver Broncos, Derrick Harvey, Draft, Jabar Gaffney, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jarvis Moss, Max Starks, Miami Dolphins, Mike Peterson, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ray McDonald, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl, Washington Redskins

Former Florida Gators now Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder took to ESPN on Tuesday to clarify comments he made Sunday about “hypothetically” selling his jerseys while he played for the University of Florida from 2003-04.

“I have all four of them,” he said on SportsCenter, in reference to the home and road Gators jerseys he apparently possesses from the 2003 and 2004 seasons. “My momma has two of my jerseys on her wall in her house, and I have the other two in my house.”

“I was playing off the whole Terrelle Pryor thing when businessmen were buying his stuff,” Crowder clarified. “I was saying that, if somebody wanted to buy my jerseys while I was in school, why can’t I sell them because they’re my jerseys and have my name on the back? When I was at Florida, I made ’55′ a relevant jersey number at Florida, so why couldn’t I sell my jersey when I was there with my name on the back? That was the point.”

Crowder believes the rule on selling your jersey should be simple.

“It’s your possession,” he said. “They give it to you at the end of the year, so you should be able to sell it.”

Tags: Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins, NFL

1 » Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, considered by many (including OGGOA) to be one of the most outspoken and honest players in the NFL, has been given his own radio show on 560 WQAM in South Florida until the lockout has concluded. During his first show on Sunday, Crowder touched on a number of topics including his pregnant wife (he’s having a boy), offseason workouts and the realization that he is not a fan favorite. “I know people hate me,” Crowder said. “When people hate on you, you’ve got to be doing something right.” However, the most interesting he said Sunday afternoon relates to quarterback Terrelle Pryor and how he got in trouble at Ohio State. Though he tried to get around admitting it outright, Crowder insinuated that he sold his Florida Gators jerseys at some point during or after his time in Gainesville, FL. “I’ll say hypothetically I don’t have any of my Florida jerseys,” he said. “There were some Jacksonville businessmen who liked my play.”

2 » With the 2011 NBA Draft now in the books, ESPN’s Chad Ford has already released his top 100 for 2012 and two familiar names are at the top of his list. Gators five-star freshman guard Brad Beal comes in at No. 6 on Ford’s list, while sophomore center Patric Young ranks No. 11 out of all NBA Draft prospects who could be available a year from now. Though Beal has made no indications one way or another about his college plans, Young has stated on numerous occasions that he would like to stay three-to-four years and graduate before playing in the NBA. Speaking of Young, he competed with the 2011 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship Team in an exhibition contest against Lithuania’s U20 team on Sunday, a game that his squad lost 101-72. Young played 25 minutes (third-most on the team) and went 2-for-7 with five points, six boards, an assist and a steal.

3 » Competing in what was basically a tryout during an exhibition game up in Canada, former Florida wide receiver Dallas Baker earned a roster spot with the Montreal Alouettes. Baker, who is ready to continue working hard now that he’s made the team, will play boundary receiver for one of the CFL’s best squads. “This means a lot, but I can’t stop working,” Baker told the Montreal Gazette. “I’ve been in this situation before, where I made the team and got cut.”

4 » On the other end of the spectrum, former Gators quarterback Chris Leak was cut by the Saskatchewan Roughriders when their final dismissals were decided over the weekend. Leak, who spent a few years with Montreal, is on the radar of the Calgary Stampeders, which have already reached out to him.

Tags: Brad Beal, Calgary Stampeders, CFL, Channing Crowder, Chris Leak, Dallas Baker, Draft, Miami Dolphins, Montreal Alouettes, NBA, NFL, Patric Young, Saskatchewan Roughriders, USA, USA Basketball