With the 2011 NFL preseason officially 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 exhibition week of the 2011 campaign.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Three receptions for 42 yards, touchdown (long: 16)

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Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Hicks, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Chad Jackson, Chas Henry, Cooper Carlisle, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Duke Lemmens, Earnest Graham, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jason Watkins, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Justin Trattou, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Gilbert, Marcus Thomas, Maurice Hurt, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, Mike Pouncey, NFL, Percy Harvin, Phil Trautwein, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

With the 2011 NFL preseason officially 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 exhibition week of the 2011 campaign.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 19/26 for 207 yards and a touchdown (QB Rating: 109.0)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
FS MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Team-high five solo tackles
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 6/7 for 91 yards (QB Rating: 118.8), two rushes for 15 yards (long: 13)
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Six rec. for 68 yards (long: 20)

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Tags: A.J. Jones, Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Hicks, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Chad Jackson, Chas Henry, Cooper Carlisle, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Duke Lemmens, Earnest Graham, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jason Watkins, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Justin Trattou, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Gilbert, Marcus Thomas, Maurice Hurt, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, Mike Pouncey, NFL, Percy Harvin, Phil Trautwein, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Riley Cooper, Terron Sanders, Tim Tebow

Updated at 9 p.m.

With NFL training camp finally underway after an extended lockout cancelled organized team activities and mini camps, more than three dozen former Florida Gators are working out and trying to earn their keep this year. Below is a comprehensive look at each player in the league as well as those still looking for work.

Continue Reading » Florida Gators report to NFL training camps

Tags: A.J. Jones, Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Alex Brown, Andra Davis, Andre Caldwell, Billy Latsko, Brandon Hicks, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Chanel Brown, Channing Crowder, Chas Henry, Cooper Carlisle, Cornelius Ingram, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, DeShawn Wynn, Duke Lemmens, Earnest Graham, Emmanuel Moody, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jason Watkins, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Justin Trattou, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Gilbert, Marcus Thomas, Maurice Hurt, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks, Mike Peterson, Mike Pouncey, NFL, Percy Harvin, Phil Trautwein, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Riley Cooper, Terron Sanders, Tim Tebow

Round 7 – No. 14 (217 overall)
Maurice Hurt, G
Washington Redskins

Height: 6’3″ – Weight: 318 lbs.
Age: 21 – Class: Senior

Thought to possibly fall out of the 2011 NFL Draft after it was revealed he tested positive for marijuana usage at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, Florida Gators guard Maurice Hurt ended up being selected with the 14th pick in the seventh round (No. 217 overall) by the Washington Redskins.

The third Florida offensive lineman chosen in the draft, Hurt is the Gators’ first seventh-round pick since 2007 and the first UF player selected by Washington since wide receiver Taylor Jacobs was the No. 44 overall pick in the second round in 2003.

He projects as a reserve at the next level due to his overall lack of athleticism and questionable football IQ. Hurt will be the only former Gators player on the Redskins unless quarterback Rex Grossman is re-signed in the offseason.

OGGOA will continue updating this story.

» OGGOA’s 2011 NFL Draft Live Blog – Click here!

Tags: combine, Draft, Maurice Hurt, NFL, Rex Grossman, Taylor Jacobs, Washington Redskins

With the 2010-11 NFL regular season having come to a close, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 17 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 final week of the regular season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Four tackles (two solo, one for loss), 1.5 sacks, two QB hits, fumble recovery, Gator Chomp

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Seven receptions for 94 yards (targets: 11, long: 39)
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Four solo tackles, two passes defended, interception (56-yard return)
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 16/36 for 205 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions (QB rating: 58.2); 13 carries for 94 yards; touchdown (long: 30)
DL JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Eight tackles (five solo, two for loss)
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Eight receptions for 69 yards [team-highs] (targets: 14, long: 20); two rushes for -4 yards
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Three solo tackles, sack, forced fumble

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Solo tackle (for loss), fumble recovery
CB KEIWAN RATLIFF, Cincinnati Bengals: Two solo tackles
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Six solo tackles, pass defended
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Rec. for 12 yards (targets: 3), solo tackle
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Four solo tackles
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Three tackles (two solo)
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots: 10 carries for 35 yards
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Three tackles, three QB hits, sack
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two receptions for 29 yards (targets: 4)
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Reception for five yards (targets: 4)
FB BILLY LATSKO, San Diego Chargers: Solo tackle
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Four solo tackles
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 26/44 for 336 yards, two touchdowns, interception (QB rating: 88.8); carry for two yards; two fumbles lost

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) – WR David Nelson (Buffalo Bills), S Major Wright (Chicago Bears), DT Marcus Thomas (Broncos), DE Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers), FB Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills); LB Jermaine Cunningham, TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes (Patriots); LT Max Starks (Steelers); RB DeShawn Wynn (49ers)

NOTES
- Tebow started his third consecutive game for Denver but posted his worst QB rating even though he scored three touchdowns.
- After being held without a reception in eight of Cincinnati’s first 13 games (due to his spot on the depth chart), Caldwell has posted 89, 87 and 94 yards, respectively, in the last three games.
- Dunlap has registered at least a partial sack in seven of his last eight games. He has now earned 9.5 over the course of his rookie season.
- Latsko was signed as a free agent this week and registered his first – and only – playing time of the season.
- In one play during the Denver-San Diego game, Tebow completed a pass to Gaffney who was tackled by Siler. Siler also got some good shots on Tebow during the contest.
- Injuries: Pouncey suffered a neck stinger during the Steelers game, and Thomas left the Broncos game with a right groin injury and did not return.
- Wynn was released by the 49ers and signed by the Saints on Monday.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Tags: Alex Brown, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, Derrick Harvey, Fred Taylor, Gator Chomp, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Moss, Jeremy Mincey, Joe Haden, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

With the 2010-11 NFL season still in full swing, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 16 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-to-last week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 16/29 for 308 yards, touchdown, interception (QB rating: 89.4); 10 carries for 27 yards, touchdown (long: 11) [Video highlights]
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Five solo tackles, sack, INT, forced fumble

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Four receptions for 87 yards (long: 44)
DL JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Three tackles (two solo), pass defended
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Seven receptions for 100 yards [team-highs] (targets: 8, long: 46); two rushes for six yards
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Three solo tackles, pass defended

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Four tackles (three solo)
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Target
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Four solo tackles
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Two tackles (one solo), sack, two QB hits
S REGGIE NELSON, Cin. Bengals: Eight tackles [team-high] (three solo), pass def.
CB KEIWAN RATLIFF, Cincinnati Bengals: Eight tackles [team-high] (three solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Four rec. for 90 yards (targets: 7, long: 50)
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle (for loss)
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Four tackles (three solo), pass defended
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Solo tackle
RB FRED TAYLOR, New England Patriots: Rush for -3 yards, target
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Two receptions for 36 yards (long: 26)
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Six tackles (one solo, one for loss)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Three tackles (two solo, one for loss)
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rush for four yards
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 19/39 for 182 yards, touchdown, interception (QB rating: 60.0); rush for five yards

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) –DT Marcus Thomas (Broncos), WR Riley Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles), DE Jarvis Moss (Raiders)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills); LB Jermaine Cunningham, TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes (Patriots); LT Max Starks (Steelers); RB DeShawn Wynn (49ers)

NOTES
- Both of Tebow’s touchdowns came in the forth quarter, including his game-winning rushing score with 3:02 left in the game. Denver was down 17-0 at halftime.
- Haden nabbed his fifth interception in the last seven weeks and his sixth of the season to go along with the first forced fumble of his career.
- After being held without a reception in eight of Cincinnati’s first 13 games (due to his spot on the depth chart), Caldwell has caught four balls in each of the last two contests for total gains of 89 and 87 yards, respectively.
- Dunlap has registered at least a partial sack in six of his last seven games. He has now earned eight over the course of his rookie season.
- Though Harvin has played in 13 games (compared to 15 in 2009), he has surpassed his rookie season’s receiving yard total and eclipsed 100 yards for the third time this year. He had one 100-yard receiving game in 2009.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

Tags: Alex Brown, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, Cooper Carlisle, David Nelson, Derrick Harvey, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Joe Haden, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Tim Tebow

1 » According to OrangeBloods.com, the Texas Longhorns have decided to hire current Florida Gators offensive coordinator Steve Addazio as the team’s new offensive line coach. Addazio, who has struggled calling plays for Florida for the last two seasons, is a terrific offensive line coach and recruiter and should do quite well at Texas if the report is accurate. He was named ESPNU‘s recruiter of the year after helping corral the Gators’ 2010 recruiting class and served as interim head coach for Urban Meyer after he briefly stepped down and then during his recovery last offseason. It is worth noting that OrangeBloods.com previously reported that current Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin had been hired to the same position at UT; however, that has neither been confirmed nor denied since it was initially mentioned two weeks ago.

Addazio was recently named one of three head coach candidates for the open Temple Owls job. He reportedly interviewed for the position on Monday.

2 » Gators baseball has earned a No. 2 ranking in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll, which the organization released on Monday. Florida is coming off a season in which they finished 47-17, won the 2010 Southeastern Conference Championship and participated in the 2010 College World Series in Omaha, NE. The Gators are returning eight starters, 11 pitchers and 22 total letterwinners and begin their 2011 season with a three-game series against South Florida from Feb. 18-20.

3 » Participating in its inaugural season last year, Florida lacrosse is already making national waves after being ranked No. 17 in Lacrosse Magazine’s preseason poll. The Gators, who finished the 2010 season 10-8, reached the finals of the 2010 American Lacrosse Conference Tournament and was only the sixth team in Division I history to have 10 or more wins in its first season. Inside Lacross ranked Florida’s 19-person 2010 recruiting class No. 1 in the nation; every player is returning the team this year.

4 » Denver Broncos interim head coach Eric Studesville plans to start former Gators star quarterback Tim Tebow for his team’s final two games this season, according to numerous reports. Similarly, Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has decided to start former Florida signal caller Rex Grossman for his team’s two remaining games after Grossman’s strong performance on Sunday.

Photo Credit: Tricia Coyne/Gainesville Sun

Tags: ALC, ALC Tournament, baseball, College World Series, Denver Broncos, Eric Studesville, lacrosse, Mike Shanahan, NFL, Rex Grossman, SEC Championship, Steve Addazio, Teryl Austin, Texas Longhorns, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, Washington Redskins

With the 2010-11 NFL season still in full swing, a number of Florida Gators participated in Week 15 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 15th week of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: 8/16 for 138 yards, touchdown (QB rating: 100.5); eight carries for 78 yards (long: 40), touchdown [Video highlights]
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Four receptions for 31 yards, two touchdowns (targets: 5, long: 13); rush for 16 yards

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Three receptions for 61 yards, touchdown (long: 23)
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Four receptions for 89 yards [team-highs] (targets: 6, long: 53)
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Two sacks, three QB hits
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Five receptions for 72 yards [team-high], touchdown (targets: 7, long: 23); rush for -1 yard
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: 25/43 for 322 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions (QB rating: 93.4)

LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Three tackles (two solo)
S MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Three solo tackles
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Five tackles (two solo)
CB KEIWAN RATLIFF, Cincinnati Bengals: Three tackles (two solo)
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Eight tackles (seven solo)
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Denver Broncos: Reception for 32 yards (targets: 2)
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Two solo tackles
DL JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Solo tackle
LB CHANNING CROWDER, Miami Dolphins: Solo tackle
CB LITO SHEPPARD, Minnesota Vikings: Tackle
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Three tackles (two solo, QB hit)
DT GERARD WARREN, New England Patriots: Two tackles (one solo)
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Five tackles (four solo, two for loss)
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Reception for 14 yards (targets: 2)
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Onside kick recovery
LB BRANDON SILER, San Diego Chargers: Two solo tackles (one for loss)
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Four tackles (three solo)
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rush for -1; three rec. for 21 yards

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — NO STATISTICS / DID NOT PLAY
C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers), G Cooper Carlisle (Raiders) – DE Derrick Harvey (Jaguars), RB Fred Taylor (Patriots), DE Jarvis Moss (Raiders)

INACTIVES
LB Andra Davis (Bills), LB Brandon Spikes (Patriots), LT Max Starks (Steelers), RB DeShawn Wynn (49ers)

NOTES
- Tebow received his first career NFL start on Sunday.
- Nelson has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games.
- Grossman received his first start of the season on Sunday.
- Harvin returned after missing two weeks of action due to migraine headaches.
- Cooper’s onside kick recovery was key in his team’s come-from-behind victory.
- Ratliff signed with the Bengals on Wednesday.
- Spikes continues to serve his four-game suspension.

OGGOA RELATED: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Alex Brown, Andre Caldwell, Brandon Siler, Carlos Dunlap, Channing Crowder, David Nelson, Earnest Graham, Gerard Warren, Jabar Gaffney, Jeremy Mincey, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Louis Murphy, Major Wright, Marcus Thomas, Mike Peterson, NFL, Percy Harvin, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow