1 » Florida Gators head swimming coach Gregg Troy was named the head coach of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Swimming Team on Wednesday. Troy, who was named the 2010 Coach of the Year by USA Swimming and earned three similar awards this year, is only the second Florida coach in school history to lead a U.S. Olympic National Team (Jimmy Carnes in track and field). “It’s certainly a tremendous honor any time you have the opportunity to represent your country,” Troy said in an official press release. “If you ask any young swimmer what tier goal is, they’ll all tell you it’s to go to the Olympics. I think coaches are no different. I’m fortunate to have an athletics department at Florida that makes [coaching] available to me, as well as a tremendous coaching staff that I work with here that can help me go forward towards London.”

2 » New England Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes was suspended four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy, according to the Boston Herald. Spikes, who will not appeal the suspension, is a rookie starter for New England who is fourth on the team in tackles with 61. He is expected to be back in time for the first round of the playoffs.

“I’ve been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance in a drug test,” Spikes said in a team statement. “The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking. It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league’s ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake.”

3 » Also receiving some bad news on Friday was Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin, who has recovered from his other injuries but has been dealing with a severe case of migraine headaches for the last two weeks. Harvin missed last Sunday’s game and is listed as doubtful this week (25 percent chance to play). He has been Minnesota’s most consistent pass catcher this year – with team-highs in yards (627), receptions (51), targets (81) and receiving touchdowns (4) – and is also the primary kickoff returner with 40 attempts for 933 yards and a touchdown.

4 » The Columbus Lions of the Southern Indoor Football League announced the signing of two former Gators – cornerbacks Wondy Pierre-Louis and Markihe Anderson – on Friday. The Lions are defending SIFL champions.

Photo Credit: David Silverman/New England Patriots

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Coach of the Year, Columbus Lions, Gregg Troy, Markihe Anderson, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL, Olympics, Percy Harvin, SIFL, swimming, Wondy Pierre-Louis

When I sat down and thought about the best way to preview the 2010 NFL Draft from a Florida Gators perspective for OGGOA‘s readers, I realized trite things like mock drafts, destination predictions and the like are really a bunch of hogwash. At the end of the day, few things are certain when it comes to the NFL Draft – trades can occur at any moment and each team views its most pressing needs and what each player brings to the table differently than analysts and commentators do.

So rather than try to predict the unknown variables and tell you what could happen, we will stick with what likely will happen. And you can check it out…after the break!
Continue Reading » OGGOA’s comprehensive 2010 NFL Draft preview

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon James, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, David Nelson, Draft, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Markihe Anderson, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks, NFL, Radio City Music Hall, Riley Cooper, Ryan Stamper, Tim Tebow, Wondy Pierre-Louis

Former Florida Gators defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, kick returner Brandon James and defensive backs Wondy Pierre-Louis and Markihe Anderson all participated in the team’s second Pro Day on Wednesday as linebacker Brandon Spikes looked on and showed his support. The Gainesville Sun‘s Robbie Andreu caught up with each player after their workout was completed though, as per usual, Spikes declined an interview request. Check out some notes and quotes (after the jump):
Continue Reading » Spikes, Cunningham, James, DBs at Pro Day

Tags: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills, Carlos Dunlap, Cleveland Browns, combine, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jermaine Cunningham, Markihe Anderson, Maurkice Pouncey, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pro Day, Ryan Stamper, Sugar Bowl, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Terry Watson, Washington Redskins, Wondy Pierre-Louis

OGGOA will continue updating this thread – last updated 4:45 p.m.

ESPN’s Todd McShay came away impressed with Tim Tebow:

Tim Tebow Version 2.0:

Florida Gators who participated:
» Quarterback Tim Tebow
- Crowd cheered all of his throws, gave him a lot of support. His dropping back improved considerably, as did his throwing motion (though it still has a little hitch according to some). Holding the ball higher. Got it out quick. Hit most passes, a few overthrows. Very accurate and hit receivers in stride. Tossed to Cooper, Hernandez and Nelson.
» Cornerback Joe Haden
– 4.39, 4.44 40-yard dashes (unconfirmed) [also hearing times from 4.42-4.46]
» Wide receiver Riley Cooper
» Defensive end Carlos Dunlap
- 22 reps of 225 lbs.
- 4.58 40-yard dash
- Improved his bench press, broad jump and position drills.
» Linebacker Brandon Spikes
- 5.0, 5.05 40-yard dashes (unconfirmed) [also heard 4.85]
» Center Maurkice Pouncey
- 25 reps of 225 lbs.
» Tight end Aaron Hernandez
– 4.61 40-yard dash (unconfirmed) [also heard 4.56]
- 30 reps of 225 lbs.
» Safety Major Wright
» Linebacker Ryan Stamper
» Linebacker Dustin Doe
» Cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis
– 4.47 40-yard dash (unconfirmed)
» Wide receiver David Nelson
- [Heard both 4.4 and 4.54 40-yard dashes (unconfirmed)]
» Cornerback Markihe Anderson
» Wide receiver Brandon James (did not work out)

* Scouts may, individually, take 0.05 seconds off each 40-time due to the rain.

Others who participated:
» Former Gators linebacker Earl Everett looking for a job.
» Former Gators punter Eric Wilbur was kicking, hoping to impress.
» Former Gators H-back Eric Rutledge also worked out for scouts.

Current Florida Gators in attendance:
» Head coach Urban Meyer
» Quarterback John Brantley
» Safety Ahmad Black

Former Florida Gators in attendance:
» Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin
» Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson
» San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ian Scott
» Former quarterback Doug Johnson
» Louisville Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong
» Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison

NFL personnel in attendance:
* All 32 NFL teams were represented by 75-100 NFL personnel members.
» Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren
» Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert
» Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini
» Pittsburgh Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert
» Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
» Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney
» Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox
» New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese
» New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
» Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik
» Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheim Morris
» Green Bay Packers general Ted Thompson
» Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan
» Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith
» Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line coach Andy Heck

Videos of Tim Tebow and thoughts from an NFL president after the break!
Continue Reading » Updates from Florida Gators’ 2010 Pro Day

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, David Nelson, Dustin Doe, Joe Haden, Markihe Anderson, Maurkice Pouncey, NFL, Pro Day, Ryan Stamper, Tim Tebow, Wondy Pierre-Louis

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, FL [Capacity: 88,548]
Time: 3:30 p.m. (EST)
Weather Forecast: 60°F – Partly Sunny

TV: CBS / CBSHD
Online: CBSSports.com.
Sirius: 218; XM: 201

Odds: Florida -24.5, O/U 56
Head-to-Head Stats: Gainesville Sun

KEEP AN EYE ON…
- Florida’s 2009 senior class…who set the Southeastern Conference record for winningest class with their 46th win last Saturday and will be honored on Senior Day. 25 seniors will be playing their last game in The Swamp, and the University of Florida has set aside 10 minutes prior to the game to recognize each player.
- Senior quarterback Tim Tebow…who has already broken the SEC rushing touchdown record (Herschel Walker, Georgia) and touchdowns-scored record (Kevin Faulk, LSU) with 54, set the SEC career record for rushing yards by a QB with 2,743 and has a 169.3 career rating good for No. 1 in conference history.
- Senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham…who leads the team with seven sacks.
- Senior linebacker Ryan Stamper…who is tops on the Gators with 64 tackles.
- Senior kick returner Brandon James…who set the SEC record for kickoff return yards last week with 2,538 yards on 105 returns. He has also set the SEC all-time kick return mark (combined) with 3,930 yards and all-time punt return mark with 1,339 yards.

STREAKS:
- The Gators are in the middle of the longest winning streak in school history with 21 consecutive victories. They also hold the longest active winning streak in the NCAA and the best in the nation in the last 15 years. 20 of Florida’s 21 wins have been by a double digit margin. The team is also 11-0 for the second time in school history.
- The Gators lead the SEC in rushing offense (229.9) and third-down efficiency (.475). They also come in No. 2 in total offense (442.8) and scoring offense (36.5). Florida’s offense is one of two teams nationally that has posted at least 2,500 rushing yards and 2,300 passing yards (TCU).
- On defense, the Gators have only surrendered ten touchdowns all season (fewest of any team in the nation). The unit has also only allowed 13 field goals for a total of 108 points (9.8 points per game) – this also leads the nation.
- Florida has held three straight opponents and seven this season under 100 yards rushing.
- The Gators lead the all-time series against the Seminoles 32-19-2 with a 19-8-1 record in Gainesville, FL. UF has also won the last five consecutive meetings between the schools with a 90-27 combined margin of victory over that time span.

SENIORS:
The Gators 2009 senior class is the winningest class in SEC history with a 46-6 record in their time in the Orange and Blue. However, that is not the only accomplishment the class has made in the last four years. The senior class has:

Three All-Americans – Five All-SEC Members – 12 SEC Academic Honor Roll Members – Two SEC Championships – Three SEC Eastern Division titles – Two National Championships – 27-5 SEC record – 25-2 record at The Swamp – 14-3 (.823) vs. ranked teams, the top winning pct. for a UF senior class – 11-1 vs. rivals (Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State and Miami) – National Defensive POY – Heisman Trophy Winner

* Markihe Anderson – #14 – CB – Fort Myers, Fla.
* Jim Barrie – #68 – OL – Tampa, Fla.
* Andrew Blaylock – #14 – QB – Durham, N.C.
* Rick Burgess – #48 – FB – Jupiter, Fla.
* Christopher Coleman – #84 – TE – Lake City, Fla.
* Riley Cooper – #11 – WR – Clearwater, Fla.
* Dustin Doe – #32 – LB – Jasper, Fla.
* Jermaine Cunningham – #49 – DE – Stone Mountain, Ga.
* Troy Epps – #98 – DT – Union, S.C.
* John Fairbanks – #59 – LS – Celebration, Fla.
* Michael Guilford – #46 – QB – Quincy, Fla.
* Corey Hobbs – #79 – OL – Oviedo, Fla.
* Cade Holliday – #22 – WR – Gainesville, Fla.
* Brandon James – #25 – ATH – St. Augustine, Fla.
* Dorian Munroe – #20 – S – Miami, Fla.
* David Nelson – #83 – WR – Wichita Falls, Texas
* Jonathan Phillips – #38 – K – Wellington, Fla.
* Wondy Pierre-Louis – #4 – CB – Naples, Fla.
* Chris Pintado – #30 – LB – Miami, Fla.
* Christopher Scott – #29 – RB – Englewood, Fla.
* Joey Sorrentino – #39 – WR – Ocala, Fla.
* Brandon Spikes – #51 – LB – Shelby, N.C.
* Ryan Stamper – #41 – LB – Jacksonville, Fla.
* Tim Tebow – #15 – QB – Jacksonville, Fla.
* Mike Williamson – #53 – LS – Winter Park, Fla.

Read OGGOA’s Florida Gators vs. FSU Seminoles preview after the jump…

Tags: A.J. Jones, Andrew Blaylock, Bobby Bowden, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Cade Holliday, Chris Pintado, Christian Green, Christopher Coleman, Christopher Scott, Corey Hobbs, David Nelson, Dorian Munroe, Dustin Doe, Emmanuel Moody, Florida State Seminoles, Jermaine Cunningham, Jim Barrie, Joey Sorrentino, John Fairbanks, Jonathan Phillips, Markihe Anderson, Michael Guilford, Mike Williamson, Moses Jenkins, Rick Burgess, Riley Cooper, Ryan Stamper, Terron Sanders, Tim Tebow, Troy Epps, Urban Meyer, Wondy Pierre-Louis