Gator Clause

Serious questions about UF football player's plea deal

GAINESVILLE -- On Tuesday, University of Florida freshman football player Janoris Jenkins pleaded guilty to his misdemeanor of resisting arrest in exchange for a deferred prosecution program available to first-time offenders in Alachua County. The charge will be dropped if Jenkins stays out of trouble for six months, pays some court costs and maybe does a little community service.

Or, put another way, freshman All-American Janoris Jenkins, the Florida football player who laughed off a shot from a Gainesville police Taser and kept on going, agreed to six months probation on Tuesday for his remarkable demonstration of pain tolerance.

Jenkins was arrested on May 30 for his alleged involvement in a bar brawl outside a nightclub in downtown Gainesville. Cops broke up the fight with a Taser gun. According to employees of the nightclub who wished to remain anonymous, Jenkins wasn't the only football player involved in the alleged fight. Jenkins was, however, the only person to get shot by the Taser. Jenkins went down and then everyone scattered, according to an employee of the nightclub.

According to the police report, Jenkins rolled on top of the Taser probes, effectively knocking them lose and severing the electrical current. At that point, Jenkins found his feet and took off down the block where he was quickly arrested by other officers.

The Gainesville Police Department charged Jenkins with two misdemeanors: resisting arrest without violence and affray (fighting). The fighting charge was dropped on Tuesday by the Alachua County district attorney, Bill Cervone, due to lack of evidence.

This whole incident raises some serious questions:

1. If Cervone was so quick to drop the charge for fighting, then why the heck did Gainesville police shoot Jenkins with a Taser gun in the first place? Something is fishy here. Either the Gainesville district attorney is letting Jenkins off easy or the Gainesville police should be investigated for excessive use of force.

2. If the district attorney dropped the charge for fighting, does that mean Jenkins can sue the Gainesville police for getting shot with a Taser gun for essentially doing nothing wrong?

3. If there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute the fighting charge, then why is there sufficient evidence to prosecute the misdemeanor for resisting arrest?

4. Do all football players run from a fight and leave one of their teammates behind, or just Florida football players? Maybe this is why Florida coach Urban Meyer (err...I mean strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti) made the entire team run stadiums for Jenkins' arrest.

5. So most of the football players involved in the fight got away? And I thought Janoris Jenkins was fast.

-jo-

Incoming freshmen enrolled and working out

GAINESVILLE -- All 16 of the football team's incoming freshmen are currently enrolled in summer classes and working out with strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti, according to a university official. Classes began Monday for the second summer term.

Marotti recently tested the freshmen in a variety of strength-and-conditioning disciplines, including the bench press, shuttle run and 40-yard dash. A request has been made by Gator Clause to publish some of those results but, according to UF, Marotti doesn't like to publicize the numbers. If anyone has heard anything, fell free to pass along the information. We'll keep trying on this end.

UF FINISHES THIRD IN ALL-SPORTS CONTEST
The University of Florida recently finished third in the Directors' Cup standings. Stanford won its 15th consecutive Directors' Cup while North Carolina finished second.

UF has finished in the top 10 of the national all-sports standings in each of the last 26 years, a record according to UF. In the Southeastern Conference, Florida led the league with six team championships. UF's third-place finish in the Directors' Cup was the UAA's best finish in the annual competition since the 2001-2002 academic year.

BUZZ: Gators safety Ahmad Black of Lakeland High was recently honored by the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame for his impressive sophomore season. Black led the Gators in interceptions.

--The Gators received a surprise motivational speech last week from Matt Eversmann, a former first sergeant in the U.S. Army who fought in the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down).

--According to a source, the Gators' starting offensive line is shaping up this way over the offseason: Matt Patchan (left tackle), Carl Johnson (left guard), Maurkice Pouncey (center), Mike Pouncey (right guard), Marcus Gilbert (right tackle). Patchan is finally putting on some pounds and will likely be ready to compete for a starting left tackle spot by two-a-days. The addition of Patchan to the offensive line woud push Johnson to guard and Maurkice Pouncey to center. Johnson practiced at tackle during the spring and Maurkice Pouncey practiced at guard.

--Offensive lineman James Wilson is struggling in the weight room this offseason, according to the source.

-jo-

Three Gators nominated for ESPY Awards

GAINESVILLE -- Gators from the past, present and future were nominated recently for ESPY awards. Quarterback Tim Tebow is a nominee in two categories, incoming freshman Andre Debose (a receiver) is a nominee for a high school award and former Gators swimmer Dara Torres will receive the 2009 Best Comeback Award.

The 2009 ESPY Awards will be televised at 9 p.m. on July 19. Fans may vote online at www.espys.tv or via mobile phone at www.espn.mobi. I don't know how feel about the ESPY Awards. It's a summertime gimmick, but it is pretty neat that three players with ties to UF will be featured.

Tebow, the SEC's Male Athlete of the Year, is up for two awards: Best Male College Athlete, for which he won last year, and Best Moment Award, for his promise speech after the Ole Miss loss. Debose is a nominee for the Under Armor All-American Moment. Torres will receive the Comeback Award for her performance in the 2008 Beijing Games. As a 41-year-old, Torres won three medals and became the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympic Games.

After leading UF to its second national title in three years, Tebow seems to be a shoe-in for the Male Athlete of the Year Award. Tebow won the award in 2008 after becoming the first sophomore to win the Heisman. Winning the Best Moment Award might be a little more difficult. As memorable a moment as Tebow's so-called promise speech was for college football fans, another nominee for Best Moment Award is probably the favorite. Anchored by swimmer Michael Phelps, the U.S. men's 4x100-meter relay team is also a nominee for the award. The relay team's dramatic gold medal win in the Beijing Games was one of the greatest moments in American sports history, at least for this writer.  

Debose of Sanford Seminole High is a co-nominee along with LSU incoming freshman quarterback Russell Shepard for a 92-yard touchdown throw and catch in the Under Armor All-American Game. I didn't watch the Under Armor All-American Game but I did see Debose's miraculous game-winning touchdown catch in the championship game of the 2009 Class 6A state championship game. Quite a player, that kid.

-jo-

UPDATED: Minnesota drafts Calathes in second round

GAINESVILLE -- The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted former Florida point guard Nick Calathes in the second round (45th overall) on Friday night with the team's fifth pick. Later Friday night, Calathes was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for a second-round 2010 draft pick and cash.

Calathes was one of five guards selected by the Timberwolves, which drafted Spanish guard Ricky Rubio fifth overall. Minnesota drafted former Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn sixth overall. While the Mavericks now hold the rights to sign Calathes to an NBA contract, it's unlikely the former Gators all-time single-season assists leader will play for the Mavs next season, if ever.

Calathes has already signed a two-year deal with Panathinaikos of Athens. The contract guarantees him $1.1 million per year with an option for a third season if Calathes stays in Europe rather than return to the U.S. Because Calathes was selected in the NBA's second round, where nothing is guaranteed, he could return to the U.S. in two years and negotiate an unrestricted free agent contract.

Where does all this news leave the Gators? Still searching for a point guard to replace Calathes, that's where. Florida had hoped to sign late commitment Lamont Jones before the fall semester but Jones recently committed to Arizona, according to reports.

That Florida has failed to land a point guard since Calathes' departure from the team is baffling. For now, the fate of the team's backcourt is in the small but skillful hands of sophomore guard Erving Walker.  

-jo-

What should I ask Lane Kiffin?

GAINESVILLE -- Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin meets the press on July 24 at the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala. (Here's a link to the tentative schedule of SEC Media Days).

There's going to be quite a buzz when Kiffin takes his place on the dais. This post is simple and short: What should I ask Kiffin? What would you ask Kiffin? Creative responses welcomed. PG-13, please.

-jo-

Spikes and Tebow to represent UF at SEC Media Days

GAINESVILLE -- Remember last year when Florida thought it was a good idea to send offensive lineman Phil Trautwein to represent UF at the Southeastern Conference Media Days? Thank goodness UF didn't make that mistake again.

No offense to Trautwein. Everyone loves the guy. But, come on. Who the heck is Phil Trautwein?

UF got it right this time around. Florida is sending senior quarterback Tim Tebow and senior linebacker Brandon Spikes to Hoover this year. SEC Media Days is July 22-24 at a hotel attached to a mall in suburbian Birmingham, Ala.

Tebow will be as generic as Publix-brand tomato sauce but I'm already excited to hear what Spikes has to say to a few well-conceived questions. A few come to mind: 1. Why the heck did you turn down the money of the NFL? 2. What word comes to mind when you hear the name Lane Kiffin?

Other SEC Media Days players of interest include: Georgia QB Joe Cox, Tennessee safety Eric Berry, Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis (Pompano Beach native), Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman (Fort Lauderdale native), Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead and defensive end Greg Hardy and South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood.

INCOMING FRESHMEN WHO HAVE NOT REPORTED
Three incoming freshmen missed orientation earlier this week: safety Joshua Evans, defensive tackle Gary Brown and defensive end Kedric Johnson. All three players are awaiting news from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Brown, the five-star recruit, needed to complete an online course to be eligible. What's with defensive tackles and online courses? Hope this isn't another Torrey Davis/John Brown situation. What a headache that was for UF.

-jo-

Off-season topic: U.S. Soccer vs. Florida Gators football

GAINESVILLE -- Here's an off-season topic to pass the time. Like many of you, I just watched the U.S. defeat Spain 2-0 in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. It got me thinking.

Now, this question isn't for everyone out there. If you don't enjoy international soccer, then your answer is obvious. But for the Gators fans out there who also enjoy soccer, I have a question for you. Look ahead to 2010. You can either be in the Rose Bowl in January celebrating a national college football championship for the Gators or you can be in South Africa next summer cheering on the U.S. to a World Cup win. You can only choose one. Where would you be?

-jo-

Florida Gators add a pair of receivers recruits but top lineman picks UGA

GAINESVILLE -- The University of Florida football team welcomed two more commitments into the program earlier in the week. Stephen Alli, a receiver from Andover, N.H., and Solomon Patton, a receiver from Mobile, Ala., are UF's 14th and 15th commitments for the class of 2010.

Alli, a 6-5, 203-pound receiver, attended Florida's football camp and impressed coaches enough to earn a scholarship offer. Alli committed to the Gators despite previous scholarship offers from Boston College, Rutgers and Connecticut. Alli only had 13 receptions as a junior but seven of those receptions were for touchdowns.

Patton, more widely known than Alli, is a 5-10, 175-pound receiver from Mobile (Ala.) Murphy High. He too attended Florida's camp last week and committed to UF despite offers from schools closer to his home, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss.

While the Gators picked up commitments from a pair of out-of-state prospects, the University of Georgia received a commitment from one of the Sunshine State's top offensive lineman. Brent Benedict of Jacksonville Bolles committed to the Bulldogs on Monday. Benedict is one of the nation's highest-rated offensive tackles, according to Rivals.com. Georgia now has commitments from four Floridians.

-jo-

Former Florida Gators star Cornelius Ingram signs $1.9 million contract

GAINESVILLE -- Congratulations are in order to Cornelius Ingram. The Gators' former tight end signed a four-year, $1.9 million deal on Wednesday with the Philadelphia Eagles.

A fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Ingram has performed well during the Eagles' offseason training camps. With his contract in order, Ingram can now focus on earning playing time with his new team. He is expected to compete for the Eagles' back-up tight end job this offseason.

Ingram's signing bonus: $183, 000. Way to go, C.I.!

-jo-

You've got to have thugs to win football games

Just came back from a run. If you want to know why Florida football players are better than most, just go to Gainesville during June and jog three miles during the heat of the day. Your lungs burn. Your head aches. Your muscles revolt. It's an oppressive feeling of dread that attacks the senses from all directions. Now imagine two-a-days in August. Imagine getting smacked around by Brandon Spikes. Imagine attempting to cover Deonte Thompson at speeds approaching terminal velocity. Imagine the pain of blocking Carlos Dunlap. There simply is no escaping The Swamp.

GAINESVILLE -- A former Florida running back now coaching high school football in Broward County told me one time that you have to have your fair share of thugs to win college and NFL football games. I think of this every time I read a blog or column admonishing the Gators and UF coach Urban Meyer for the football team's rap sheet over the last five years.

Florida's arrest record since Meyer took over is extensive. So is its wins total. A grand total of 20 players have been ordered to appear before the court for 24 infractions. Most of the charges were misdemeanors. Some were felonies. All reflect poorly on the University of Florida when filtered through the scrutinizing prism of a newspaper.

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley issued this statement regarding the recent rash of player arrests. Six players have been charged since November.

"It is really easy to focus on the negative issues and negative press," Foley said. "This is part of the world we live in, and we understand this. No one here condones our players stepping out of line, and everyone here wants to get better.

"However, Urban Meyer and his staff are the best that I have seen in modifying behavior and, at the end of day, the majority of the players who come through this program will make us all proud -- and not just because they are good football players."

I'm not writing this blog to condone the arrests of Florida's players, but I can write without reservation that my opinion on the matter leans towards that of an apologist. You've got to have thugs to win football games. This ideology is ingrained in football players. Should players be punished for breaking the law? Without question, yes. People -- you, me, everyone -- should be punished for breaking the law. Should coaches and administrators be held accountable when their players break the law. Without question, yes. Jeremy Foley knows better than most that behavior modification is a two-way street. Should newspaper writers demand a cleaner football program from the state's flagship university? Yeah, sure. That's what we think we're supposed to do.

But people should understand that our love of football in its current state helps to fuel this thuggish behavior. It's a byproduct of the game just like coaching salaries, television contracts ... my job as a football writer. There's a reason why Harvard won't be winning a national championship in football anytime soon. Does Harvard even have a football team? I wouldn't know. Its players' names don't show up on arrest reports. Jeremy Foley said it best: "This is part of the world we live in, and we understand this."

-jo-