1 » With former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow changing his throwing motion, heading off to autograph signings, speaking at engagements and being filmed at all times for a documentary about his trip to the NFL, the question was bound to come up some time: Is he spreading himself too thin? “The circus that followed Tebow around at the Senior Bowl traveled with him to Tennessee as he prepares for pre-draft workouts,” DraftInsider.net is reporting. “It seems Tebow’s workouts have been interrupted daily for marketing meetings and appearances. One source told us Tebow has had to schedule his workouts around the plans of his marketing people.”

Five more BITS on Brandon Spikes, Major Wright, John Brantley, Kenny Boynton and Billy Donovan…after the break!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Tebow, Spikes, Wright, Boynton, Billy D

Tags: Billy Donovan, Brandon Spikes, Carl Moore, combine, Deonte Thompson, Draft, eye gouging, Frankie Hammond, John Brantley, Kenny Boynton, Major Wright, NFL, Omarius Hines, Tim Tebow

While the rest of the media and the thousands of so-called “Gator Haters” out there want to drag this incident out, the story ends here.

Official statement from the Southeastern Conference:

“The Southeastern Conference has reviewed and accepted the disciplinary actions taken by the University of Florida regarding football student-athlete Brandon Spikes. The university suspended Spikes for the first half of its next game (vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 7) for an unsportsmanlike act during the Gators’ last game (vs. Georgia, Oct. 31).”

Official statement from Florida Gators LB Brandon Spikes:

“I accept responsibility for my actions and I accept the consequences of my actions. I would like to apologize to my team and the coaching staff and Washun Ealey. Football is a very physical and emotional game, but there is no excuse for my actions.”

Tags: Brandon Spikes, eye gouging, Georgia Bulldogs, SEC, Urban Meyer, Vanderbilt Commodores, Washun Ealey

Probably one of the most interesting Florida Gators weekly Monday press conferences took place today with head coach Urban Meyer and senior quarterback Tim Tebow at the helm as usual.

Meyer got right to the altercation involving senior linebacker Brandon Spikes gouging the eyes of Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey, After watching the video and speaking to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, Meyer decided to suspend Spikes for the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday. “I don’t condone that,” Meyer said. “That’s not who [Spikes] is. That’s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion. He has our full support.”

In support of his teammate, Tebow would later say, “I don’t think that we did anything in that game that they didn’t do. You can see on the film, too. It was an intense game.” Tebow and Meyer both indicated that Spikes had his eye gouged earlier in the game – not that it’s an excuse. Just as OGGOA said.

Updating the status of injured RB Chris Rainey (shoulder), Meyer said his arm remains in a sling making him questionable for Saturday’s game. Do not expect Rainey to play as Florida will probably use the Vanderbilt game to rest injured starters and get reserves extra playing time if the game gets out of hand.

Also of note are statements from both Meyer and Tebow that the Gators offense did not utilize a single no-huddle “banzai” play the entire game. Back to basics, it seems.

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Chris Rainey, eye gouging, Georgia Bulldogs, Mike Slive, SEC, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, Vanderbilt Commodores, Washaun Ealey

Covering the Florida Gators as close as I do every day, I often find the need to vent regarding some of the coverage the team receives, what occurs on the field or things that happen as it relates to the Gators. Normally I will express these opinions outside of OGGOA, but on rare occasions like this, I feel the need to put my thoughts into print.

1. Brandon Spikes’ eye gouge incident

Did Spikes eye gouge Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey? You bet he did. Does he deserve to be held accountable and handed a suspension and/or punishment for his actions? Of course he does. (He has been suspended for the first half Saturday against the Vanderbilt Commodores.) My issue comes with the media coverage and fan reaction to this incident. Ladies and gentlemen, this is football. If you think that a dozen eye gouge attempts (and worse actions) do not go on every game in piles and at the end of plays – you are kidding yourselves. Spikes’ issue is that he did it where people could see it. He also happens to play for the No. 1 team in the country – a team that is one of the most hated in the nation. People are up in arms about Spikes’ eye gouge like it was as bad as Oregon Ducks’ RB LeGarrette Blount’s post-game punch. It wasn’t. Punishment was deserved. Don’t rake this guy over the coals for feeling he needed retribution for the eye gouges and helmet rip-offs he experienced all game long at the hands of Georgia. At some point, anger and the need for retribution do take over. Even so, there are no legitimate excuses for his actions. He is not the only one at fault here, though he is the only one who will receive punishment.

2. Lil’ Wayne gives Lane Kiffin a shout out on new mixtape [after the jump...]

Continue Reading » CHOMPING: On Spikes, Lil’ Wayne lyrics and Slive

Tags: Brandon Spikes, ESPN, eye gouging, Georgia Bulldogs, Lane Kiffin, LeGarrette Blount, Lil' Wayne, Mike Slive, Oregon Ducks, SEC, Tennessee Volunteers, Tim Tebow, Washaun Ealey