With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 3 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the third week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Five solo tackles, sack, three tackles for loss, two QB hits, safety
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: 12 rec. for 140 yards (targets: 14, long: 26)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Team-high five receptions for 119 yards (targets: 6, long: 70)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Three solo tackles
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Six tackles (three solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Two targets, tackle
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals One reception for eight yards (targets: 2)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two tackles (one solo), pass defended
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Tackle, QB hit
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Team-high six rec. for 62 yards (targets: 8, long: 24), touchdown; two carries for 13 yards; two kick returns for 41 yards; tackle
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Two tackles (solo/TFL), QB hit
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Team-high six receptions for 65 yards (targets: 7, long: 25), one rush for 13 yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots Six rushes for 16 yards (avg.: 2.7, long: 5)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots Two tackles (one solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Five solo tackles, TFL, pass defended
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Target
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers Solo tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two carries for 13 yards (avg.: 6.5, long: 9), four receptions for 57 yards [team-high] (targets: 4, long: 46)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Reggie Nelson (Bengals), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals) DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DT Jeremy Mincey (Jaguars), CB Lito Sheppard (Vikings), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins)

INACTIVES
S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- Cunningham started his first NFL game.
- Dunlap was active for his first NFL game.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | Week 2

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Riley Cooper

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 2 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the second week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Six receptions for 101 yards [team-highs] (targets: 6, long: 46)
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Six solo tackles, one TFL, two passes defended, QB hit, interception

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: One tackle
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Seven tackles (five solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: One target
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Four tackles (three solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Two rec. for 15 yards (targets: 5, long: 9)
DE JARVIS MOSS, Denver Broncos: Three tackles (two solo), one sack
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: One solo tackle
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two solo tackles
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Five receptions for 32 yards (targets: 7, long: 13), two kick returns for 44 yards
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings Two solo tackles
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Two solo tackles
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Nine tackles [team-high] (five solo)
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots Five rushes for 11 yards (avg.: 2.2, long: 6)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots Two solo tackles, two sacks
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Two solo tackles
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Six receptions for 91 yards [team-highs] (targets: 10, long: 27), touchdown
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: One reception for 20 yards (targets: 3)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers One tackle
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three carries for one yard, five receptions [team-high] for 33 yards (targets: 6, long: 14), touchdown

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), S Reggie Nelson (Cincinnati Bengals), QB Tim Tebow (Broncos), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins),

INACTIVES
DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- Cunningham and Cooper recorded their first NFL statistics.
- Harvin re-injured his hip and may miss some action.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Andra Davis, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, David Nelson, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Riley Cooper

With the 2010-11 NFL season now underway, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 1 action, some of whom had an impact on their team’s performance.OGGOA has checked and re-checked the box scores to bring you a summary of what these Gators accomplished during the first week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Six tackles (four solo), interception
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots 14 rushes for 71 yards (avg: 5.1, long: 24), two receptions for six yards (targets: 2, long: 7)

LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Eight tackles (two solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 22 yards (targets: 6, long: 9)
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Two solo tackles
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Two solo tackles, pass defended
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Three receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown (targets: 7, long: 15)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: Two rushes for two yards
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Two solo tackles, pass def., QB hit
DT JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Pass defended
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: One reception for 12 yards, one rush for two yards, two kickoff returns for 41 yards (avg.: 20.5, long: 22)
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings Three solo tackles, three passes defended
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: One reception for 45 yards
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Three tackles (one solo), pass defended, QB hit
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Tackle
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Four rec. for 28 yards (targets: 7, long: 16)
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Six carries for 10 yards (avg.: 1.7, long: 6), one reception for eight yards

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), LT Max Starks (Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) — DE Jarvis Moss (Broncos), S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), DT Joe Cohen (Detroit Lions), LB Jermaine Cunningham (Patriots), DT Gerard Warren (Patriots), RB DeShawn Wynn (Saints), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), DE Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers), QB Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins), LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers)

INACTIVES
WR Andre Caldwell (Bengals), DE Carlos Dunlap (Bengals), LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)

NOTES
- D. Nelson, Haden, Tebow, Hernandez and Spikes all recorded their first NFL statistics.
- Starks suffered a high ankle sprain during the Steelers game and will miss a month.

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Atlanta Falcons, Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, David Nelson, Denver Broncos, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Joe Haden, Louis Murphy, Marcus Thomas, Max Starks, Mike Peterson, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Percy Harvin, Pittsburgh Steelers, Reggie Nelson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tim Tebow

From time to time, OGGOA will come across a plethora of news and notes that we wish to share with our readers. In those instances, we present a special post: Gator Bites. Enjoy.

» The University of Florida’s 2010-11 athletic season officially begins Friday as No. 11 Florida Gators soccer takes on the Miami Hurricanes at 7 p.m. at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL. Admission is free, and the match will air live on Sun Sports.

» New England Patriots rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez scored his first career professional touchdown on Thursday, catching a four-yard pass from quarterback Tom Brady in the second quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Hernandez, who lead the team with four receptions and 46 yards, had to turn around to complete the reception in the back of the end zone. Also shining for the Patriots on Thursday was running back Fred Taylor (team-high 11 carries for 54 yards and a TD). Linebacker Brandon Spikes racked up three solo tackles, while defensive tackle Gerard Warren added one assisted.

Eight more Gator Bites on Tim Tebow, Major Wright, Cornelius Ingram, Maurkice Pouncey, Joe Haden, Chris Leak, Ryan Lochte and Urban Meyer…after the jump!
Continue Reading » Gator Bites for Friday, August 20th

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Andy Reid, Anthony Calvillo, Atlanta Falcons, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brandon Spikes, CFL, Chicago Bears, Chris Leak, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cornelius Ingram, Denver Broncos, Eric Mangini, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Holloway Touchdown Terrace, Joe Haden, Justin Hartwig, Kyle Orton, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, Miami Hurricanes, Montreal Alouettes, New England Patriots, NFL, Pan Pacific Championships, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pressly Stadium, Ryan Lochte, soccer, swimming, Tim Tebow, Tom Brady, University of Florida, Urban Meyer

1 » Tuesday, OGGOA noted that former Florida Gators wide receiver Chad Jackson has been quite impressive during Buffalo Bills training camp. In the team’s evening session, Jackson continued his upward climb, drawing this statement from head coach Chan Gailey in his post-practice press conference. “The guy comes out to play every day,” Gailey said. “It looks like he’s made up his mind that he wants to be a very good football player. I think that bouncing around [from team to team] is not what he intended for his career and I think he’s decided to go out and make himself the position. He’s been impressive.” There are murmurs throughout camp that Jackson has a legitimate shot to begin the season as the team’s starting No. 2 receiver opposite Lee Evans.

2 » Speaking of former Gators pass catchers getting a chance to impress, Philadelphia Eagles rookie Riley Cooper is set to get more snaps with the first team now that both starters – DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin – are out with injuries. Philadelphia beat writers are already of the belief that Cooper will begin the season as Maclin’s back-up, and now he has the opportunity to prove he can be an adequate replacement.

3 » Word out of Indianapolis Colts training camp is also positive for undrafted free agent rookie Brandon James. Being utilized extensively on special teams, James is also getting the opportunity to catch passes and run reverse plays. He appears to be a shoe-in to get past first cuts and many of those covering the team believes he has the chance to be a Leon Washington- or Darren Sproles-like piece for the Colts in 2010.

Three more BITS on Moss, Pouncey and Taylor…after the break!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Jackson, Cooper, James, Moss, Pouncey

Tags: Brandon James, Buffalo Bills, Chad Jackson, Chan Gailey, Darren Sproles, Denver Broncos, DeSean Jackson, Fred Taylor, Indianapolis Colts, Jarvis Moss, Jeremy Maclin, Lee Evans, Marcus Thomas, Maurkice Pouncey, New England Patriots, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 2 – No. 62
Brandon Spikes, LB
New England Patriots

Height: 6’3″ – Weight: 249 lbs.
Age: 22 – Class: Senior

Steadily drowning under intense scrutiny due to slow 40-yard dash times and concerns about durability, former Florida Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes was thrown a life vest by the New England Patriots, which selected the him with the No. 62 overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

New England head coach Bill Belichick chose his second Florida player of the evening in Spikes, who will likely be slotted to line up next to former Tennessee star Jerod Mayo as an inside linebacker in the Patriots’ 3-4 defensive scheme. He could end up spending a lot of time on the field with Gators teammate Jermaine Cunningham, who Belichick selected as an outside linebacker just nine picks earlier.

The first Florida linebacker picked since Brandon Siler (seventh round, San Diego Chargers – 2007), Spikes is also the highest drafted at his position since Jevon Kearse (first round, Tennessee Titans – 1999).

At the University of Florida, he was a two-time first-team All American (2008, 2009) and finalist for the Nagurski Award (2008), Butkus Award (2009) and Bednarik Award (2009) while serving as the undisputed leader of the defensive unit.

Spikes and Cunningham join former Gators running back Fred Taylor in New England.

Tags: All-American, Bill Belichick, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Draft, Fred Taylor, Jermaine Cunningham, Jerod Mayo, Jevon Kearse, New England Patriots, NFL

Eight former letterwinners, including Gator Greats Brad Wilkerson (baseball), Fred Taylor (football) and Brian Gay (men’s golf), were inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame on April 9 as members of the 2010 class. The F Club and Gator Boosters, Inc. presented these honors at the Hall of Fame Banquet in the Holloway Touchdown Terrace.

According to UF, “inductees are divided into three different categories: Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners and Honorary Letterwinners.” The remainder of the induction class included Gator Greats Leah Kirklin Anderson (women’s track & field), Jenny Manz Theis (volleyball) and Jason Odom (football) and Distinguished Letterwinners Laurie Burns (women’s golf) and William Freeman (men’s track & field).

More about each inductee and their individual career accomplishments after the jump.
Continue Reading » Wilkerson, Taylor inducted into 2010 Hall of Fame

Tags: baseball, Brad Wilkerson, Brian Gay, F Club, field, Fred Taylor, Gator Boosters, Gator Greats, golf, Hall of Fame, Jason Odom, Jenny Manz Theis, Laurie Burns, Leah Kirklin Anderson, track, University of Florida, volleyball, William Freeman

With the regular season wrapping up Sunday night, the participants in the 2009 NFL Playoffs have now been determined. There are seven Florida Gators with roles on their squad’s active rosters among the 12 teams competing to appear in Super Bowl XLIV. OGGOA has put together a comprehensive list of these players.

Continue Reading » Florida Gators in the 2009 NFL Playoffs

Tags: Andre Caldwell, Bobby McCray, Brandon Siler, Cincinnati Bengals, Fred Taylor, Ian Scott, Lito Sheppard, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL, Percy Harvin, Playoffs, San Diego Chargers, Super Bowl XLIV