1 » When OGGOA published our Florida Gators 2010 Fall Practice Preview, two of the position battles we discussed were for middle linebacker and starting cornerback. The Gainesville Sun has published some choice quotes from defensive coordinator Teryl Austin about these competitions which support our thoughts that MLB is between sophomore Jon Bostic and redshirt freshman Jelani Jenkins while the race to start opposite junior Janoris Jenkins is being led by redshirt sophomore Jeremy Brown.

On middle linebacker: “Who starts is still to be determined. […] Jelani, you look at his speed, his absolutely flat out speed. He sees the ball and he goes and gets it. Jon brings some speed, but he’s also a thumper. He gives you that big body who can sit down on some guards and fullbacks and get that [inside] stuff. […] Each type can get the job done the way we want it. It’s just a matter of how it shakes out at the end.”

On cornerback: “Right now, it’s full speed ahead for Jeremy. We’re real pleased with where he is. […] Jeremy Brown and Moses Jenkins are involved in that position, in addition to any of our freshmen.”

Three more BITS on Percy Harvin, Tim Tebow and William Green…after the break!
Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Position battles, Harvin, T2, Green

Tags: Brad Childress, Carlos Dunlap, Darrell Bevell, Denver Broncos, Janoris Jenkins, Jelani Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, Jermaine Cunningham, Jon Bostic, Minnesota Vikings, Moses Jenkins, NFL, Percy Harvin, Teryl Austin, Tim Tebow, William Green

In an offseason where individual Pro Day workouts have been the talk of the 2010 NFL Draft, the last major one is set to take place Friday when Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen (and his teammates including wide receiver Golden Tate) work out for representatives from every NFL team in South Bend, IN.

However, one head coach who consciously decided to skip the event altogether is Brad Childress of the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, he will be in Gainesville, FL, as the featured speaker at a Florida football coaches clinic Friday; he will also stick around to workout draft-eligible players on a one-and-one basis.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Childress is set to meet with quarterback Tim Tebow, center Maurkice Pouncey, linebacker Brandon Spikes, wide receiver Riley Cooper, safety Major Wright and defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham during his time in Gainesville.

Childress has already gone on record in regards to his respect and admiration for Tebow. He has also had both WR Percy Harvin (whom he drafted with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft) and head coach Urban Meyer in his ear about the former Heisman Trophy winner. No wonder Childress has been seriously considering drafting Tebow.

With Brett Favre‘s NFL career in limbo (he’s coming back) and Harvin already on his roster, Childress and the Vikings may very well believe that Tebow is their quarterback of the future and worthy of their No. 30 overall first-round pick. (Especially if Pouncey is selected before they are on the clock.)

Minnesota’s vice president of player personnel, Rick Spielman, was in attendance at the Gators’ Pro Day in March, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will represent the team Friday at Notre Dame.

Photo Credit: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Tags: Brad Childress, Brandon Spikes, Brett Favre, Carlos Dunlap, Darrell Bevell, Golden Tate, Heisman Trophy, Jermaine Cunningham, Jimmy Clausen, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, Minnesota Vikings, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Percy Harvin, Rick Spielman, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer