1 » While former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is dealing with strict evaluations from seemingly every direction, one person at the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl who is squarely in Tebow’s corner is Miami Dolphins and South team head coach Tony Sparano. “I thought it was outstanding, I really did,” Sparano said of Tebow’s work ethic. “In the meeting room he’s been super, spending extra time. He’s been great to coach. One of the nice things with him is, you’ve got somebody lining up in the wrong spot, he’s got it, he can get them lined up right. He sees somebody maybe not run the right route or in the wrong place, he’s got it. This whole thing has really slowed down for him. He has great command for what we’re trying to do.”

2 » Also on Tebow’s side, not surprisingly, is his high school coach at Nease, Craig Howard. “He’s the most scrutinized quarterback I’ve ever seen,” Howard told The Gainesville Sun’s John Patton. “It seems like so many people want to pick out what they find to be wrong with him. […] There is more to a quarterback than throwing motion and whether he plays primarily out of a shotgun or under center. […] He was the most dominant high school quarterback I have ever seen. [...] When he was being recruited, multiple coaches told me he cannot play the way he did at Nease in the SEC. How right were they? It’s the same deal now. […] It’s the same thing I told Urban Meyer. You aren’t just getting a quarterback, you are getting a guy who will change your program. He will change you. He made me a better coach. I wanted to be a better coach because I didn’t want to let him down.”

Two more BITS on Tim Tebow (documentary, mock draft) after the jump!
Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Former QB Tim Tebow’s NFL future

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Bill Heavener, Chase Heavener, Craig Howard, Draft, Miami Dolphins, Nease, NFL, Senior Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Tim Tebow, Tony Sparano, Under Armour

Responding to questions about his health Wednesday, former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow answered without hesitation. “Let’s just say I needed to see some doctors for a little bit,” he quipped. “I’m feeling a lot better now. But you don’t want to touch me, I’ve got strep throat.”

Though he is sick, Tebow has progressed each day he has practiced with the Miami Dolphins coaching staff in Mobile, AL, while preparing for the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl. Reports from the practices have Tebow getting more comfortable taking snaps from under center and showing increased fluidity in his drop-backs. He only lost one snap Wednesday and has been throwing a nice deep ball.

“I’ve been impressed with what he’s done,” Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano, said of Tebow’s performance during South team practices. “He’s getting better and better. Has a real good handle of the offense right now, the package going into this ball game.”
“I think his fundamentals and mechanics are really good, really solid,” Sparano continued. “They do a great job of coaching them at Florida, without a doubt. I think he’s done some really good things and his delivery is fine. Our job is to help these kids as much as we possibly can during the course of the week, give them the tools in their tool box to go forward. Anyway we can help him fundamentally this week, we will.”

VIDEO: NFL Network’s scouting report of Tebow at the Senior Bowl

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Tebow and plenty of general managers, head coaches, college scouts and “experts” have said one thing or another about his future in the NFL after evaluating him over the last few days: [...read all 13 after the jump!]
Continue Reading » Tebow better but can’t escape criticism on Day 3

Tags: Miami Dolphins, NFL, Senior Bowl, Tim Tebow, Tony Sparano, Under Armour

Never one to shy away from doubters and skeptics, former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has a prime opportunity to increase his value to NFL brass during practices this week for the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. It is a challenge he is neither taking lightly nor backing down from. Head coach Urban Meyer is confident that Tebow will face the NFL challenge head-on and be immensely successful but still provided some words of advice.

“Coach Meyer called me last night and he said, ‘Promise me one thing: Just be you and you’ll be fine,’” Tebow told reporters Sunday during a pre-Senior Bowl press conference. “I’m just going to be me. I’m going to be excited, I’m going to be passionate, I’m going to have fun. I’m going to love playing the game out there, just like I always have. Hopefully the coaching staffs and the owners and general managers will just like me.”

It is hard to imagine anyone not liking Tebow, as a football player, that is. One of the most prolific and arguably the best player in the history of college football, Tebow’s accomplishments seem to have fallen by the wayside in recent weeks while some of his attributes like throwing motion, arm speed and footwork have been picked on.

Find out what Tebow thinks of his many critics (and more) after the jump!
Continue Reading » Tebow excited to prove himself at Senior Bowl

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, David Lee, Heisman Trophy, Miami Dolphins, National Championship, NFL, Senior Bowl, Tim Tebow, Under Armour, Urban Meyer, Wildcat, WildHog

Though his announcement about returning to coach spring practice was the headline from Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer’s impromptu press conference at halftime of the South Carolina Gamecocks basketball game, he did speak on other topics concerning the team.

Asked about new defensive coordinator and former Miami Dolphins inside linebackers coach George Edwards, Meyer said he was highly recommended by Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano and former defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. “I love coach Edwards,” Meyer said according to the Palm Beach Post’s Ben Volin. “I’ve known him for a while, came strongly recommended by many, many people and kind of blew us away when he came up here.”

Meyer’s decision to rehire running backs coach Stan Drayton came from a different place all-together. Even though the two had a falling out of sorts upon Drayton’s departure for the Tennessee Volunteers, Meyer indicated a mistake may have been made on his end at the time. “When [Drayton] left, I realized I wish I had him back,” Meyer relented. Apparently interim head coach and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio “pushed hard to bring Drayton back,” according to Volin.

All-in-all, Meyer is optimistic about his health, the Gators’ incoming recruiting class and the season ahead. “I’m excited about our staff, I’m really excited about our team, and recruiting [is] obviously going well.”

PART I: Meyer getting healther, will coach spring practice

Tags: George Edwards, Miami Dolphins, Paul Pasqualoni, South Carolina Gamecocks, Stan Drayton, Steve Addazio, Tennessee Volunteers, Tony Sparano, Urban Meyer

1 » One year ago, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team upset the then-No. 12/17 Tennessee Lady Vols 66-57 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Looking to repeat history, a much younger Florida team (9-8, 2-2 SEC) had the game tied at 64 against a significantly more experienced No. 4 Tennessee squad (15-1, 3-0 SEC) until Lady Vols guard Angie Bjorklund hit a reverse lay-up with 2.3 seconds left in the second half to pull ahead and ultimately win 66-64. Four Gators scored in double figures, and Florida led for much of the second half but could not hold on.

2 » In a news item that OGGOA broke Thursday via twitter, former Gators linebacker Ryan Stamper was invited to be a participant in the 2010 East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 23 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL. Stamper is currently slated to play in the game but may have to pull out if the ankle injury he suffered in the 2010 Sugar Bowl flares up. The game will air live on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. In other Stamper news, he has decided to sign with agent Garriet Blair of GMB Sports and Entertainment. Quarterback Tim Tebow has declined an invitation to the East-West Shrine and will instead participate in the 2010 Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.

All-Americans, Wuerffel, 2011 recruits and Gators in the pros after the jump!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Tough loss, Stamper, Wuerffel, 2011

Tags: A.C. Leonard, Aaron Hernandez, All-America, Angie Bjorklund, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, Citrus Bowl, Danny Wuerffel, David Lee, De'Ante Saunders, Draft, East-West Shrine Game, Heisman Trophy, Jeoffrey Pagan, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, Miami Dolphins, NBA, New York Knicks, NFL, O'Connell Center, Ryan Stamper, Senior Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Tennessee Lady Vols, Tim Tebow, women's basketball

Florida Gators senior quarterback Tim Tebow has made two important career decisions over the last few days, both of which will impact his future in the NFL in one way or another. Tebow has agreed to let agent Jimmy Sexton of Athletic Resource Management represent him as he works out and tries to earn his first professional contract through the 2010 NFL Draft.

Sexton represents a number of notable executives and coaches in both professional and collegiate ranks including but not limited to Bill Parcells, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Tommy Tuberville and Jimbo Fisher. His roster of football players is less impressive but includes notables DeAngelo Williams, Jason Witten and Michael Oher along with quarterbacks Phillip Rivers, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brodie Croyle.

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported Saturday that Tebow has also decided to participate in the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 in Mobile, AL. Tebow will play quarterback for the South team, which will be coached by the Miami Dolphins staff. NFL talent evaluators and executives have recently come around to the realization that Tebow will likely be a first round pick, citing his career performance in the 2010 Sugar Bowl as a catalyst for the change in opinion.

Top senior quarterbacks, for the most part, choose not to participate in the Senior Bowl or throw at the NFL Combine. Tebow, who has never been one to back away from a challenge, is obviously being advised that he still has some work to do in order to prove his doubters wrong and raise his draft stock.

Tags: Athletic Resource Management, combine, Draft, Jimmy Sexton, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Senior Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Tim Tebow, Under Armour

It is being widely reported that the Florida Gators have hired Miami Dolphins linebackers coach George Edwards as their newest defensive coordinator. It is currently unknown if he will share duties with assistant defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chuck Heater or if he will take on all of the responsibilities himself.

Edwards, an 18-year coaching veteran, started his career with the Gators as an assistant under Steve Spurrier in 1991. He would then fill a similar role with Appalachian State (1992-95) and Duke (1996) before being hired by Georgia as a defensive line coach in 1997. Edwards moved to the NFL to coach the defensive line for the Dallas Cowboys (1998-2001) but was snatched up by the Washington Redskins and then-head coach Spurrier as an assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2002.

The Redskins promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2003, but he only lasted until the end of Spurrier’s tenure. Hired by the Cleveland Browns to coach linebackers in 2004, Edwards was stolen away in 2005 by then-Dolphins head coach Nick Saban in a lateral move. He has been retained by Miami through two head coaching changes to Cam Cameron and Tony Sparano, who moved him to inside linebackers coach in 2008.

The Miami Herald reports that Edwards “has been on coach Urban Meyer’s list of coaching candidates in the past so it makes sense for him to be on the Gators radar.” In 2003, then-Gators head coach Ron Zook offered Edwards the defensive coordinator position that would eventually go to Charlie Strong.

Prominent names Edwards has coached throughout his career include Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud (Georgia); Dexter Coakley (Dallas); LaVar Arrington, Jesse Armstead and Jeremiah Trotter (Washington); and Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Joey Porter (Miami). Former Florida now Dolphins LB Channing Crowder has referred to Edwards as “the best assistant coach in the NFL, period.”

Florida Gators (Projected) 2010 Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Urban Meyer

Interim Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line: Steve Addazio
Quarterbacks: Scot Loeffler
Wide Receivers: Billy Gonzales (LSU) Zach Azzanni
Running Backs: Kenny Carter (Louisville) Stan Drayton
Tight Ends: Brian White

Defensive Coordinator: Charlie Strong (Louisville) George Edwards Chuck Heater?
Assistant Defensive Coordinator, Safeties: Chuck Heater
Associate Head Coach, Defense/Defensive Line: Dan McCarney
Linebackers: Charlie Strong (Louisville) D.J. Durkin
Cornerbacks: Vance Bedford (Louisville) TBD

Special Teams: Urban Meyer D.J. Durkin
Recruiting Coordinator: Billy Gonzales (LSU) TBD
Director of Player and Community Relations: Terry Jackson

Tags: Channing Crowder, Chuck Heater, George Edwards, Miami Dolphins, Ron Zook, Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer

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.

» An article published Tuesday by the Gainesville Sun brings Florida Gators fans numerous clarifications from head coach Urban Meyer about some of the most recent incidents and rumors swirling around the football program. It is important to remember that just because Meyer says something does not make it true as coaches cannot always be honest with the media and public. OGGOA will tackle Meyer’s statements one-by-one based on their appearance in the article.

- (Did Billy Gonzales’ knowledge about a birthday party attended by Carlos Dunlap lead to his dismissal?) “That’s absolutely not true,” Meyer said. “In fact, that’s the first I’ve heard of that one. Billy left because he was passed up last year for the offensive coordinator’s job. It was about the title.”

- (Then why did they hire Zach Azzanni so quickly as his replacement?) “We had to act quickly on that because of recruiting and because we have a bowl game coming up,” Meyer said. “I knew the guy and we moved fast on that.”

- (Ole Miss Rebels defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix was offered the job at Florida and turned it down, right?) “I talked to Tyrone. I’ve known Tyrone for a long time,” Meyer said. “But we would have had to change our whole defense if we hired him. We would have had to change everything our players are doing, and we didn’t want to do that.”

- (Will Dunlap play in the 2010 Sugar Bowl?) “It’s close to being finalized,” he said. “It’ll be done pretty soon.” Meyer also indicated he will sit down with athletic director Jeremy Foley and UF president Bernie Machen before making the decision.

Three more Gator Bites are waiting for your eyes after the jump!
Continue Reading » Gator Bites for Tuesday, December 15th

Tags: Bernie Machen, Billy Gonzales, Bob Griese, Carlos Dunlap, Charlie Strong, Jeremy Foley, Jim Rome, Louisville Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Ole Miss Rebels, Steve Addazio, Sugar Bowl, Tim Tebow, Tyrone Nix, University of Florida, Urban Meyer, Zach Azzanni