Gator Clause

Florida Gators All-American arrested in burglary/gun-trafficking racket

GAINESVILLE -- From the bizarre and disturbing department of the sports section comes this story. A University of Florida All-American gymnast was arrested on Tuesday for her alleged involvement in a burglary ring.

According to police, UF senior Melanie Sinclair was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly storing stolen guns, computers and a safe in her apartment. Sinclair's boyfriend, a convicted felon, apparently told police that his girlfriend was his accomplice after being arrested on Tuesday. Sinclair was charged with two felony counts of larceny and one felony count of burglary of a dwelling unarmed.

[PICTURED, As of today, likely a former UF gymnast.]

Sinclair is from Orlando and is a nine-time All-American. According to an article in the Gainesville Sun, police arrested Sinclair after her boyfriend told police that Sinclair was in on everything. LINK Sinclair's boyfriend was initially arrested outside of Sinclair's apartment for carrying a loaded shotgun. Gainesville police were staking out the apartment after being tipped off that Sinclair's residence was being used to sell stolen guns. Nine long guns were found in the apartment, according to police.

All items in question inside Sinclair's apartment had been reported as stolen, according to police.

Just when you think gymnasts are pretty much the only pure and incorruptible thing left about collegiate athletics, one of the sport's All-Americans goes and stores stolen loot and a small arsenal in her apartment (allegedly, of course). Sinclair told police that she thought something was wrong about the situation inside her own apartment but didn't exactly know what it was. (Mental note: After being arrested for burglary, say nothing and request a lawyer.)

Sinclair's boyfriend -- the really cool guy who snitched on his All-American gymnastics girlfriend after she apparently let him turn her apartment into a den of thieves -- told police that he offered Sinclair a pearl necklace taken from the stolen safe and that Sinclair played with the stolen guns.

-jo-

Time for Florida Gators defensive backs to take center stage

GAINESVILLE -- OK, so Tim Tebow has had plenty of headlines this season and linebacker Brandon Spikes has been a pretty popular guy, too. This Saturday, the Florida Gators defensive backs have the potential to steal a little of the spotlight.

Arkansas (3-2, 1-2 SEC) might have a losing record in the Southeastern Conference but the Razorbacks defeated Auburn last week. The Hogs are confident and visit Gainesville this Saturday boasting the best passing offense in the SEC (318.2 yards per game). That factoid is interesting because the Gators have the nation's best passing defense (115.2 yards per game), according to the stat book, but haven't played a quarterback with the ability and potential of Arkansas passer Ryan Mallet.

Florida thinks it has one of the best sets of defensive backs in the nation. Major Wright, Ahmad Black, Will Hill, Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden will get their chance to prove it on Saturday. On Tuesday, UF's secondary began preparing for their toughest test of the season.

[PICTURED, Pain.]

"The DBs are very excited about this," said Wright, who has two interceptions this season along with Haden and Jenkins. "Today we started off with overlapping and playing the quarterback and doing things different."

Florida safeties coach Chuck Heater said on Tuesday that the Gators' secondary is expecting a challenge in shutting down Mallet, who transferred from Michigan to Arkansas when the Wolverines hired former West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. Mallet has thrown 13 touchdowns this season, leads the SEC with 1,422 passing yards through five games and is second only to Tebow among SEC quarterbacks in passing efficiency.

"This is the best offense we've faced and this is the best skill we've faced in my opinion," Heater said. "So, it's a real challenge for us and schematically just how they do things is very impressive. It's a challenge for us on defense and we're excited about it but it will be a challenge for us."

-jo-

Florida Gators do not watch SpongeBob SquarePants

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Urban Meyer seemed to take an indirect shot at the Miami Hurricanes (and a direct shot at SpongeBob SquarePants!) on Tuesday when asked a seemingly innocuous question about the difficulties players face who are either watching football from the sidelines due to an injury or the depth chart.

"The worst thing that can happen to a player is he sits home and watches TV or SpongeBob or whatever the heck those kids watch," Meyer said.

[PICTURED, A good quarterback and a cartoon.]

For those Gators fans not familiar with the link between the Miami Hurricanes and SpongeBob SquarePants, I'll catch you up to speed. After defeating the Oklahoma Sooners, Miami quarterback Jacory Harris told his team that they weren't allowed to watch ESPN. They could only watch SpongeBob. LINK! and LINK!

Coincidence or just the good-natured ribbing of a rival program? Either way, Gator Clause thanks Meyer and SpongeBob for making our job that much easier.

-jo-

All you need to know about the Florida Gators quarterback: Tim Tebow is better than your team's best player

GAINESVILLE -- People ask me all the time: Will Tim Tebow play quarterback in the NFL? My stock answer: He'll get his shot.

That's all anyone can ask for, right -- a shot at quarterback in the NFL? Tebow will get his and what he does with that opportunity will determine whether or not he plays quarterback in the NFL. Simple as that.

But even if Tebow doesn't make it as a full-time quarterback in the NFL, he'll still be a dominant force in the league. Regardless of whether or not Tebow plays quarterback at the next level, the guy is going to have a long career in the NFL. How do I know this? Because after covering Tebow for nearly four years, I've come to this very simple reasoning in an attempt to quantify Tebow's greatness: Tim Tebow is better than your team's best player.

That's all you really need to know. You don't need to get hung up on the offense Tebow runs in college or his throwing mechanics or his lack of experience as a pocket passer or his wobbly spiral. All that stuff is nonsense and means nothing to me. (And don't even try and tell me that Tebow has a weak arm. He doesn't. Tebow has a cannon for an arm.) No, all you need to ask yourself to understand the rare talent of Tim Tebow is this simple question: Is your team's best player better than Tim Tebow? The answer is no.

Who's the second best player in the Southeastern Conference? Eric Berry at Tennessee, right? Is Tebow a better football player than Berry? Yes.

Tebow's stats are way down this year but he is running away with the Heisman Trophy. In a Heisman poll published Tuesday of 15 ESPN writers and analysts who cover college football, Tebow received 14 first place votes for the Heisman. LINK! Why? Because Tebow is better than your team's best player.

ESPN added Alabama running back Mark Ingram to its Heisman Watch this week. Is Tebow a better football player than Ingram? Yep. Is Tebow a better running back than Ingram? Yep, again.

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame appears to be a candidate for the Heisman this season. Can you even mention Clausen in the same breath as Tebow? Nope.

What about Texas quarterback Colt McCoy? Well, put it this way. If Colt is a gunslinger, then Tebow is an AC-130 gunship.

[PICTURED, Tim Tebow dominating the battlefield.]

Alabama is ranked No.2 in the polls. Who is Alabama's best player? Linebacker Rolando McClain, right? If you're playing sandlot football and you've got the first pick, who you picking, McClain or Tebow? Yeah, Tebow, that's what I thought.

Here's all you need to know about Tebow. On Monday, I asked him some tough questions about running the Thundercat Offense.

ME: Tim, what are your thoughts on this [Thundercat] offense, because you're not really getting to throw the ball that often?

TIM: "Um, I think it's a good offense. I think we're 5-0 and I'm very happy with that. It doesn't matter if we score 13 points or two points as long as we, you know, win the game. That's all that matters and that's what I think we're trying to do right now -- is win games. Manage the offense and manage the team. Win games. That's my focus."

ME: As far as coming back for your senior year and hoping to prepare yourself for the NFL, maybe, you know, would you like to throw it around a little more?

TIM: "I don't think that's going to hurt me. Um, I don't think as far as -- um, you were saying NFL -- I don't think an NFL coach or a scout is going to say, 'Ah, you know, he did a bad job because he didn't throw.' No, he did what he was asked. They'll probably look at that and say, 'He did what he was asked to the best of his ability and he did it OK.' And that's what I'm hoping they'll say.

"I'm not too worried that I threw it 16 times or 62 times. I'm going to do whatever they call. Whatever I'm asked to do, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability and try to do it well."

Tebow is doing what he's asked better than anyone in the country. He is better than your team's best player.

-jo-

Top 5 schools that should hire Florida Gators defensive coordinator Charlie Strong

GAINESVILLE -- So, UF won national championships thanks to its defense in 2006 and 2008. That's no secret.

And UF's 2009 defense is currently ranked No.1 in the nation in pretty much every major category, including the category of stomping a mud hole in No.4 LSU in front of a record crowd at Death Valley. Oooh, soooo scary, Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. Please.

The mastermind of UF's defense is Charlie Strong, the Gators' defensive coordinator. Strong has either turned down or been passed over for jobs as a head coach in the past. That shouldn't happen any longer. If Strong wants to be a head coach, there should be plenty of teams after this season who would love to hire him. Strong should have the luxury of picking the best school to fit his strengths. From my vantage point, here are the top five schools who should hire Strong next season. (Or, put another, here are the top five schools Strong should consider when they come calling.)

1. Memphis. The Memphis Tigers are so bad this season and they shouldn't be. Charlie Strong is the perfect fit for this job. There are great recruits in Memphis every year and Strong is a good enough recruiter to compete against Lane Kiffin, Houston Nutt, Dan Mullen and Nick Saban.

2. N.C. State. Strong was the defensive coordinator at South Carolina in 1999, so he's not totally unfamiliar with the territory. The Wolfpack is a soft team in need of a tough coach. Strong would kick these boys into shape in no time.

3. UCF. If Strong wants this job, it's his for the taking. Kind of close to UF, though.

4. FAU. Schnellenberger has done a nice job at FAU but it's time to move on. Strong would absolutely dominate the Sun Belt. (Or at least put together a team that could compete with Troy every year.)

5. Kentucky. Now that would be something! Hey, why not? Mississippi State hired Mullen last year and he's doing OK.

-jo-

Florida Gators ditch spread-option in favor of innovative Thundercat Offense

GAINESVILLE -- We're beginning the seventh week of the regular season. What did we learn during the first six weeks?

1. As expected, Florida's defense is pretty good.

The Gators are ranked No.1 nationally in four major defensive categories: scoring (6.4 points per game), total defense (202.60 yards per game), passing defense (115.2 ypg) and pass-efficiency defense (78.32 opponents' quarterback rating). Florida has only allowed two offensive touchdowns in five games.

Defensive MVP through the first five games: Senior weak-side linebacker Ryan Stamper. Stamper is second on the team with 30 tackles. We're giving him the nod over fellow linebacker Brandon Spikes (32 tackles) based on consistency.

Always-great-in-the-clutch Award: Junior strong safety Ahmad Black. Black is third on the team with 27 tackles but first (by my count) when it comes to key stops on third down. This guy is money.

2. Urban Meyer doesn't mind winning ugly.

Give Florida coach Urban Meyer credit for sticking with his No.1 philosophy: Always play to your team's strength. UF's team strengths this season are defense and Tim Tebow. For Meyer, that apparently means getting just enough points to win and then playing conservatively and letting the defense take over. Oh, that Urban Meyer, just look at him turn into such a wise old coach right before our eyes.

3. OK, so we've figured out Florida's offense.

It's basically four running backs, a hybrid tight end and some receivers who know how to block. You know how some teams run the Wildcat every once in awhile? Not at Florida. At Florida, that's the offense. Just one big Wildcat. In fact, it's bigger and better than the Wildcat. It's more like the Thundercat Offense ... Wait, that's it! Henceforth, this blog will no longer refer to UF's offense as the spread-option offense. From now on, it's the Thundercat Offense.  Thundercats, hooooo!

Did anyone watch the NFL masterpiece that was Dolphins 31, Jets 27? After watching that game, no one can tell me with a straight face that Tebow cannot play quarterback in the NFL. The Dolphins' offense is made for a guy like Tim Tebow. Trade Pat White. Draft Tebow. Bring the Thundercat Offense to the NFL!

4. Timmy is the ULTIMATE team player.

Concussion? Who cares. What's that coach? You want me to run the ball more than I throw it? OK, no problem. Tebow is ranked 10th in the SEC in passing six weeks (five games for UF) into his senior season, a senior season that was supposed to include his development as a potential NFL quarterback. Instead, Tebow is ranked 10th in the league in rushing with 309 yards on 72 attempts. (Tebow has had 84 passing attempts. So, technically, he hasn't really ran the ball more than he has thrown it. But it's close.)

[PICTURED: Tim Tebow, leader of the Thundercats!]

5. "Big Game" Brandon Spikes.

Is it just me or does Spikes only show up for big games? Spikes had 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble against LSU. Where you been hiding, Big Game? In Spikes' defense, he played the first four games of the season in pain (inflamed tendonitis of the Achilles) but looked good in Baton Rouge, La. Hopefully Spikes' heel will be healthy for the stretch run. Might just want to sit him until the Bama game.

6. Should Emmanuel Moody have gone to North Carolina?

OK, I'll be the first to write it. Emmanuel Moody is the best running back in the country who hardly ever plays. This guy needs more carries. Did Moody make a mistake in transferring to UF instead of UNC? It's too early to write that (Moody still has one more year to watch Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey steal his carries before that's official) but it did seem kind of silly against LSU when little ol' Demps and Rainey kept getting smothered on runs up the gut with Moody watching from the sideline.

7. Special teams not so special.

With a defense like the one Florida has, you'd think UF's punt block/punt return team would have made more of a difference by now? Brandon James is averaging 1.6 yards a punt (longest return six yards) and UF has only blocked one kick. I'm pretty sure these numbers will improve. If Florida is going to remain conservative on offense all season, special teams is a great place to find some points. Maybe James should focus on offense and Chris Rainey should return punts? Just a thought.

8. Told you so.

Time to be a jerk ... Gator Clause predicted this preseason that UF's tight end would be the team's leading receiver. Well, five games into the season and Aaron Hernandez leads UF with 21 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Told you.

9. John Brantley tisk, tisk.

Why are people writing about how John Brantley is being a good team player? Dude, Brantley sits the bench behind one of the greatest college football players of all time. Come on.

10. It's a pick party!

Major Wright, two interceptions. Janoris Jenkins, two interceptions. Joe Haden, two interceptions and looking fly. Ahmad Black, one interception. Need we say more.

-jo-

Tim Tebow returns and Florida Gators' defense flexes its muscles

(Check the website for my game story.)

BATON ROUGE, La. -- We figured it would be low scoring but who expected Florida 13, Louisiana State 3? 13-3! 

Wow, five games into the season and Florida's defense has only allowed two touchdowns. What's the bigger story tonight: Tebow's return or UF's defense? Tebow is going to get all the headlines but UF's defense should be getting all the credit. Consider this: Florida had more sacks on Saturday night (five) than LSU had yards in the third quarter (four).

Led by a resurgent Brandon Spikes, UF's defense allowed just 44 yards in the second half. Spikes led the Gators with 11 tackles, including 2.5 sacks. LSU managed just one third-down conversion on nine attempts on Saturday. Whenever the Gators needed a big play on Saturday, it seemed like UF's defense delivered. At the end of the first half, it was a key interception by Joe Haden. At the end of the second half, it was the sacks.

"Just to come in and play in a hostile environment like this, I've never really played in an environment like this one at LSU," said UF linebacker Ryan Stamper, who had nine tackles. "Their crowd is a lot like our home crowd. To come in front of their home crowd says a lot about our team."

LSU offense's managed just 66 rushing yards on 30 attempts. That's 2.2 yards per carry. Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson completed 11 of 17 attempts for 96 yards and an interception.

The Gators snapped LSU's Saturday night winning streak at 32 games. Before Saturday, the last time the Tigers lost a Saturday night game at Tiger Stadium came against Alabama on Nov. 16, 2002. LSU lost 31-0. UF's defense nearly had a shutout on Saturday if not for back-to-back unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties that led to LSU's only field goal of the night.

-jo- 

Tim Tebow leads Florida Gators to impressive 10-3 halftime lead in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow led UF on an eight-play, 80-yard drive at the end of the first half which ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to receiver Riley Cooper. UF leads LSU 10-3 at halftime.

Florida rushed for 114 yards on 23 carries in the first half. Jeff Demps had six carries for 41 yards followed by a strong performance by Emmanuel Moody, who rushed for 38 yards on five carries. Tebow rushed three times for 13 yards, including an impressive scramble.

UF tight end has two receptions for 18 yards and one carry for 16 yards.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST HALF
--UF's defense has held LSU to three points and 118 total yards (62 rushing yards on 17 carries).

--UF cornerback Joe Haden's interception with 22 seconds left in the first half end gave UF 17 games in which it has had at least one interception. It's the longest current streak in the nation.

--Tebow made several excellent decisions in the first half, including an option pitch on the Gators' opening drive, which led to a 16-yard gain by Hernandez and a key first down.

LOWLIGHTS
--All the penalties.

--A brief rain shower at halftime.

Eight penalties make for sloppy start in Tiger Stadium

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Florida Gators and LSU Tigers have combined for eight penalties (65 yards) in the first quarter and a half.

Florida benefited from LSU's five penalties (four defensive false starts, one personal foul) to take a 6-0 lead. The Gators' defense returned the favor with a pair of personal fouls that led to LSU's first score of the game. UF leads LSU 6-3 with 5:16 left in the first half.

-jo-

Florida Gators take 3-0 lead; Tim Tebow takes first shot and gets up

BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson of Pompano Beach Blanche Ely was the first LSU defender to knock UF quarterback Tim Tebow to the ground. Tebow got up and led an impressive drive to give UF an early 3-0 lead at Tiger Stadium.

In a play similar to one that left Tebow concussed against Kentucky, Peterson rushed Tebow on a delayed blitz with 9:09 left in the first quarter on Saturday. Tebow completed an eight-yard pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez. The back of Tebow's head slammed against the field after Peterson tackled UF's senior quarterback.

-jo-

Florida Gators infuriate LSU Tigers by stomping on midfield logo

BATON ROUGE, La. -- This game is going to be a crazy one, folks. The Gators and Tigers nearly got into a shoving match at midfield before the game when the Gators' players jumped up and down on LSU's midfield logo.

Coaches from both teams had to keep the players separated. LSU's players were visibly upset by the Gators' gesture.

-jo-

Florida Gators quarterback to start against LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow will be the team's starting quarterback on Saturday night when UF plays Louisiana State at Tigers Stadium.

Tebow warmed up with the first-team offene on Saturday before the Gators' game against Louisiana State. He joked around with teammates prior to the warm up, running receiver routes and catching passes to loosen up.

A senior and third-year starter, Tebow has not missed a start since the first game of his sophomore season (32 games).

-jo-

Tebow medically cleared to play against LSU

BATON ROUGE, La.--Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has been cleared by doctors to play against LSU. Whether or not he will start remains to be seen, so we'll have to wait until kickoff.

Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer: If Tebow is cleared 'we're going to play him.'

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Florida coach Urban Meyer told ESPN's College GameDay on Saturday morning that UF quarterback Tim Tebow will play on Saturday night against LSU if Tebow's doctors clear the quarterback for competition.

Meyer said on Saturday morning that Tebow still has not been medically cleared to play. According to the coach, Tebow will be retested on Saturday for symptoms of the concussion he received two weeks ago.

If Tebow is cleared by doctors, Meyer said, "We're going to play him."

"Tim is dying to play," Meyer said.

CRAWFISH ETOUFETTE
When in Baton Rouge, La., and worrying about the hourly medical status of UF reserve cornerback Moses Jenkins, blow off steam and stress by visiting Parrain's Seafood Restaurant on Perkins Road. The char-grilled oysters are amazing, the crawfish ettoufette and peanut cole slaw enjoy a good bath in Tabasco sauce and the tasty Abita beverages are without question our favorite Southern microbrews.

Met some really cool UF and LSU fans, too.

-jo-

Our fearless weekend predictions!

BATON ROUGE, La. -- I'm sure everyone has read or seen the report by Channel 6 Orlando citing unnamed sources that UF quarterback Tim Tebow will "definitely" play on Saturday.

Who are these mystery sources? You guessed it, Gator Clause! Pretty sure this TV guy is a loyal reader. The Miami Herald does not report news citing anonymous sources in the paper, but on this blog we've told our loyal readers all week that Tebow is going to play based on reliable intel. Wink-Wink!

Here's my official prediction for tomorrow's game (pulled from my picks column, which runs in Saturday's paper). Call me crazy, but I'm predicting plenty of upsets on Saturday. (Just none in Baton Rouge, La.)
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No.1 Florida 17, No.4 LSU 14: Even Gainesville’s mayor has an opinion on whether or not Tim Tebow should play. “Real Gators want to be sure Tim Tebow is ready before they put him back in,” wrote mayor Pegeen Hanrahan on her Twitter account. “This is a great opportunity for [John] Brantley to show his skills!” Our prediction: Tebow plays. (Favorite: Florida by 7 ½.)
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Florida State 28, No.22 Georgia Tech 17: With all the nonsense that went on this week in Tallahassee, did the Noles make time to prepare for Tech’s triple-option offense? Yes. Florida State rallies behind its embattled coach and wins big. (Favorite: Florida State by 3.)
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Florida International 25, Western Kentucky 16: The Golden Panthers are searching for answers after starting the season winless. FIU might still be searching after this week but at least Coach Mario will find a win Kentucky. (Favorite: FIU by 5.)
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No.11 Miami 40, Florida A&M 10: Finally, the Canes’ Gauntlet of Doom is behind them. The Rattlers are a good team, but there’s no chance of a Miami let down this week. SpongeBob will make sure of that. In SpongeBob we trust! (Favorite: No line.)
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No.20 Ole Miss 21, No. 3 Alabama 20: Pretty much everyone wrote off Ole Miss as a fraud after the Rebels lost to South Carolina. That’s the way Rebels coach Houston Nutt likes it. The Grove might be burned to the ground after this upset. (Favorite: Alabama by 5.)
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Michigan 24, No. 12 Iowa 21: Iowa is an eight-point favorite to beat Michigan? Something’s fishy here. If we’ve learned anything about the Hawkeyes, it’s that they play to the level of their competition. Another unbeaten goes down in shocking fashion! (Favorite: Iowa by 8.)
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No.5 Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 20: Miami coach Randy Shannon will have his fingers crossed while watching this game (noon kickoff). Sorry, coach, not happening this week. Hokies quarterback Tyrod Taylor is gaining more and more confidence every week. (Favorite: Va. Tech by 13 ½.)
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Wisconsin 17, No.9 Ohio State 13: Apparently no one realizes Wisconsin is still undefeated and features the Big Ten’s top rusher (John Clay, 116.4 yards per game). Plenty of people will be taking notice after this upset. (Ohio State by 16).
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Overall: 25-15 straight up. Went a pathetic 4-4 last week. For some reason, I continue to make the mistake of giving FIU and FSU too much credit.
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Against the spread: 17-18. Even money last week (4-4). Might be in the hole big time after this week’s string of crazy picks.

-jo-

Rain, sea of humanity expected for Florida Gators at Louisiana State

GAINESVILLE -- The Louisiana State University Police Department is expecting about 300,000 football fans, tailgaters and generally inebriated but good-hearted Cajun folk to converge upon LSU's campus on Saturday. Weathermen are expecting thunderstorms to converge upon the area around the same time.

That's a big bowl of gumbo!

How will weather affect the game?

-jo-

Florida Gators offensive lineman done for the year

GAINESVILLE -- Big blow to the Gators' offensive line this week. According to Florida coach Urban Meyer, offensive lineman Matt Patchan tore the anterior-cruciate ligament in his right knee on Tuesday and is done for the season.

Patchan, who has battled through a long list of injuries in his short career at UF, was a major contributor at left tackle. Meyer said on Wednesday that Patchan tore the knee ligament during non-contact drills.

[PICTURED, Matt Patchan has suffered through many injuries in his short career.]

UF will seek a medical redshirt for Patchan, a sophomore. It has been a rough couple of weeks for Patchan, who received some blame -- unfair blame according to UF line coach Steve Addazio -- for Tebow's concussion.

UF's starting offensive line for the rest of the season (barring injury) will be left tackle Carl Johnson, left guard James Wilson, center Maurkice Pouncey, right guard Mike Pouncey and right tackle Marcus Gilbert.

A highly rated high school senior, Patchan chose Florida over the Miami Hurricanes

-jo-

FLORIDA GATORS TIM TEBOW: The official Will-He-Or-Won't-He blog post

GAINESVILLE -- OK, time to start speculating. We've put it off long enough. Now it's time to lay it all on the line and put Gator Clause's reputation at peril with a fearless prediction. It's what everyone wants to know, right? Will Tim Tebow play or will he watch from the sidelines as John Brantley makes his first career start. (Unless, of course, you enjoy surprises and are perfectly happy waiting and speculating and then finding out the truth at 8 p.m. on Saturday night in Death Valley.)

Gator Clause's fearless prediction: Tebow is going to play! (Something interesting to consider: On Wednesday, Gator Clause polled 24 reporters who cover Florida on a regular basis and the press core was split down the middle. Twelve reporters thought Tebow would play and 12 reporters thought Tebow would not play. 

How did we arrive at this answer? Well, for one, I've got a few sources close to the team who have been telling me since Sunday that Tebow is going to play. (That's before we even found out that Tebow was working out again.) Of course, I haven't reported this (until now, I guess, although this is just a prediction and nothing more) because I didn't want to toss out important information like that without citing my sources. Since they want to remain anonymous, we'll just use it as blog-prediction material.

As a side note, reporter Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post has cited an anonymous source all week who tells Ben that Tebow isn't playing. Last week, I wrote a column in The Miami Herald that the reasons for resting Tebow against LSU far outweigh the reasons to play him. I still think Tebow should rest, but I don't think it's going to happen anymore. How sure am I of my prediction? I'd put it at 60 percent, or closer to a Grade 2 prediction than a Grade 3 prediction, as the case may be. 

Another thing that has me convinced that UF is going to play Tebow? His medical team. Why would the University of Florida make such a big deal about all the doctors that have signed off on Tebow if the guy wasn't going to play this week. Florida's sports information director actually printed out a press release on Tuesday with the names and ranks of six doctors and personally handed it to reporters. I'm no lawyer, but talk about putting something in writing. Sheesh!

Why rush Tebow back to the practice field if he wasn't going play? According to Meyer, Tebow had headaches last Tuesday. Doctors recommend (some, but not all, apparently) that athletes who suffer a concussion be asymptomatic for a week before they return to strenuous activity. Tebow was running on a treadmill on Sunday. By Monday he was lifting weights. On Tuesday, he was limited at practice. On Wednesday, he was full go. (Meyer isn't making this stuff up. I watched Tebow practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.)

Another thing: Tebow's doctors have told Meyer that once Tebow recovers from his concussion, then he is no more likely to suffer a concussion against LSU this Saturday than he is against Arkansas in 10 days or Florida State in late November. Once Tebow is cleared to play, it doesn't matter how long he waits to play football again, according to Tebow's doctors.

Another thing: ESPN has been around this week. Whenever the gravy train is hanging around UF, that means something is up. ESPN pays for exclusives. I'm envisioning some kind of sappy College GameDay feature on Tebow recovering from his concussion?

Another thing: Vegas. Florida opened up as an 11-point favorite over LSU. The oddsmakers think Tebow is playing. Either that or the oddsmakers think LSU is a fraud. (Maybe a little of both.)

That's all I got. Or, put another way, I'm sick of speculating and it's only Wednesday night! People, feel free to give me your predictions. I'm interested in hearing from the masses on this one.

-jo-

Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is back; Plus find out who might be used in UF's Wildcat

GAINESVILLE -- Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow practiced on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a concussion on Sept. 26 during the Gators win against Kentucky.

Tebow wore full pads on Tuesday and alternated practice time with backup quarterback John Brantley. Both players worked with the Gators' first-team offense. Tebow participated in about 80 percent of practice, according to Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer said on Tuesday after practice that Tebow still hasn't been cleared to play in Saturday's game against Louisiana State although the coach did say that a panel of doctors discussed a timetable for Tebow's return on Tuesday after practice. Meyer indicated that he probably will not announce Tebow's playing status until Saturday, if at all, but all signs seem to be pointing to a return for Tebow in Baton Rouge, La.

"If they say he's ready to go, then we have to make a decision to play him," Meyer said. "I have got to make that clear. He has not been cleared to play in a game Saturday night. I don't think that will happen for sometime yet. He simply practiced a 20-period practice in full pads."

Tebow began running on a treadmill on Sunday, according to Meyer, and the quarterback began lifting weights on Monday. Meyer said that Tebow might undergo drills on Wednesday that would simulate contact to his chest.

"He told us after his workout two days ago -- it was the first time he broke a sweat -- how good he felt," Meyer said.

According to a statement released by the University Athletic Association, a panel of six doctors and UF's head athletic trainer, Anthony Pass, have worked this week to evaluate Tebow's lingering symptoms from the concussion he received during the third quarter of UF's 41-7 win against Kentucky. 

The doctors include Pete Indelicato, a UF athletic association team physician; Jay Clugston, a UF athletic association physician; Patrick Jacobs, a neurosurgeon at Shands Hospital at UF, Bayard Miller, a neurologist at Shands and Mickey Collins, the assistant director of the Sports Medicine Concussion Program at the University of Pittsburgh.

Meyer said that Collins, the internationally respected concussion expert from Pittsburgh, attended practice on Tuesday and observed Tebow. Tebow's medical team will continue to monitor Tebow throughout the week in the chance that his symptoms return. Tebow was hospitalized overnight in Lexington, Ky., after suffering the concussion and experienced headaches for several days after the injury.

"I think if symptoms show up then it delays the whole deal," Meyer said. "What you have to do as an offensive coach and a head coach is prepare in case [Tebow] doesn't (play) and prepare if he does. The good thing is that we have a quality guy right behind him who is a pretty good player."

Meyer said Tebow's father, Bob, has been in the Philippines this week and gets back "soon." UF's coach said he spoke with Tebow's mother, Pam, "the other day."

"I'm sure we'll have a little talk as we get closer to the end of the week," Meyer said.

ETC
--Reserve cornerback Moses Jenkins of Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson did not practice on Tuesday. Jenkins, like Tebow, suffered a concussion against Kentucky. Meyer said Jenkins' recovery is not as far along as Tebow's.

--Reserve safety Dorian Munroe (knee meniscus) of Miami Coral Reef is scheduled to begin practicing next week. Munroe injured his knee during the preseason.

--Defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh (ankle) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Meyer said he practiced "half of practice."

--Defensive tackle Brandon Antwine (shoulder) will begin practicing on Wednesday, according to Meyer. Antwine was limited to individual conditioning work on Tuesday.

--Reserve cornerback Jeremy Brown (back) conditioned on Tuesday.

--Receiver Carl Moore (back) "still has a ways to go," according to Meyer.

--Meyer said that receiver/return specialist Brandon James, tight end Aaron Hernandez or running back Jeff Demps could be used in a Wildcat formation this week against LSU.

-jo-

Gator Club of Miami to host viewing party at Shula's Steak 2

Quick public service announcement for our loyal friends at the Gator Club of Miami.

So, if you're not driving to Baton Rouge, La., for the big game, the GCM will host another wildly successful viewing party at 8 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Shula's Steak 2 for No.1 Florida (4-0) vs. No.4 Louisiana State (4-0). There is a 15 percent discount on food and drinks for members of the University of Florida Alumni Association. UF grads can register for the UFAA at the restaurant.

You know how some Miami restaurants and bars turn the sound off on the TV or blare obnoxious house music during the big game? You know how some Miami bars only turn one television to the UF game because the jerk barkeep is a Canes fan? Not at Shula's Steak 2. Every TV will be tuned to the UF vs. LSU showdown and the television will be turned up loud so you can hear every bone-crunching hit (and listen to CBS announcer Gary Danielson espouse his love for Tim Tebow). 

You want ambiance? Gators songs like Fighting Gators, The Chomp Song and We Are The Boys will play in the background while you watch the game. It will be so exciting, you'll probably have flashbacks of your glory days in The Swamp. You might even get luck after the game! (Warning: Do not attempt to sneak in a flask of whiskey to Shula's Steak 2.)

-jo-

Florida Gators assistant's 'money is on' Tim Tebow playing

GAINESVILLE -- Florida Gators running back coach Kenny Carter doesn't know one way or the other if quarterback Tim Tebow is playing against LSU on Saturday but Carter knows one thing with a certainty: "All I know is he's Tim Tebow, and my money is on him."

Carter cut off a reporter on Monday when asked about the offensive game plan if Tebow can't play on Saturday against No.4 LSU.

"It's rather presumptive to think that Tim's not playing," Carter said. "He may be playing."

Assuming Carter was watching the same Kentucky game that I was, it certainly doesn't seem like much of a stretch to presume that Florida is preparing for the possibility that Tebow can't play. But, hey, what do I know? I'm just a reporter.

Carter went on to say that he didn't know if Tebow was at practice on Monday but he does know "they were trying to get him ready, and he'll be ready to go."

How confident is Carter in Tebow's go/no go status?

"When you have a concussion, they have to do tests and make sure you're ready to go," Carter said. "I'm very confident. He's Tim Tebow. I don't know that, so I can't answer that. All I know is he's Tim Tebow, and my money is on him."

Place your bets!

-jo-

Florida Gators quarterback John Brantley has "no idea" if he's starting against LSU

GAINESVILLE -- Florida quarterback John Brantley said on Monday afternoon that he would like to know ahead of time if he's going to start against LSU on Saturday. As of Monday, Brantley says he has not been informed one way or the other.

Brantley says he expects Florida's coaching staff to tell him sooner rather than later if he's going to be the starter or the backup when No.1 Florida travels to Baton Rouge, La., for its game against No.4 LSU.

"I would like to know, to get my head in the right place just to know I would going into there starting," Brantley said.

Brantley practiced with the first team on Monday and was the team's first-string quarterback last week. Tebow did not practice on Monday and isn't expected to practice until at least Wednesday, which is scheduled to be a light day for the Gators. Thursday is a walk-through day.

"It has been a big week for me," Brantley said. "Just to go out there and run with the first team is a great feeling for me. It's just quality reps that I'm getting out there and I'm trying to learn."

Brantley says he's ready to be the Gators' starter.

"A year ago I don't know if I could have said that," he said.

-jo-

Who's the rat? How do LSU students keep getting cell phone numbers of the Florida Gators?

GAINESVILLE -- Florida receiver Riley Cooper and quarterback John Brantley are the latest Gators to receive hundreds of prank phone calls from students at Louisiana State.

Both players began receiving phone calls this weekend from LSU students. How do these students get Florida's players cell phone numbers? Is there a rat among Florida's players? Doubtful. It's more likely that an LSU fan with access to a cell phone database pulls the numbers and then distributes them.

We all remember two years ago when LSU students passed around Tim Tebow's cell phone number and prank called him until his cell phone had to be shut off. Tebow, of course, responded en masse when he scored a rushing touchdown against the Tigers and then motioned to the LSU student section like he was dialing numbers and giving them a call. Classic moment. And no flag!

-jo-

THE OTHER GUYS UPDATE: Find out which Florida Gators are probable, questionable or doubtful

GAINESVILLE -- OK, so believe it or not, Tim Tebow isn't the only University of Florida football player whose playing status is in question for Saturday's game at Louisiana State. There are other concerns.

1. Will receiver Deonte Thompson play? We're listing Thompson's status as probable based on what Florida coach Urban Meyer said on Monday. Meyer said that Thompson praticed at full speed on Monday.

2. Will defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh play? We're listing Marsh as questionable. Meyer didn't know Marsh's status on Monday morning but sounded hopeful that Marsh's high-ankle sprain would be healed enough to practice this week. Marsh sprained his ankle six weeks ago and hasn't played yet this season.

3. Will Brandon Spikes play? Yes, absolutely. Spikes' ailing Achilles heel will not keep him out of the line up.

4. Will safety Dorian Munroe play against LSU? Munroe's status remains doubtful. Originally, Munroe had hoped to return from the torn miniscus in his knee this week but that timetable has been pushed back.

5. Will receiver Carl Moore ever play? Doubtful.

6. Will Tim Tebow play? We're listing Tebow's status as questionable. At the earliest, Tebow cannot practice until Wednesday.

-jo- 

ESPN College GameDay live from Baton Rouge

ESPN announced on Monday that ESPN College GameDay will be in Baton Rouge on Saturday for No.1 Florida vs. No.4 LSU.

The game -- 8 p.m., Tiger Stadium -- will be carried by CBS.

Gator Clause is currently accepting nominations for the best College GameDay poster. Email me a picture and I'll put it on the blog.

-jo-

TIM TEBOW UPDATE: He's symptom free but status still uncertain

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Urban Meyer said on Monday that quarterback Tim Tebow's playing status likely will not be made public until Saturday, if at all.

Tebow suffered a concussion nearly nine days ago during UF's win against Kentucky. During his weekly Monday press conference, Meyer said Tebow has been as asymptomatic "for several days" but his playing status remains day to day. Asked if an announcement will be made on Saturday (Florida plays at Louisiana State at 8 p.m. on Saturday), Meyer said, "If it's real late, you probably have to wait late. If they clear him earlier than that, I'll probably tell you."

Tebow did not practice last week and will not practice on Monday or Tuesday, according Meyer. If Tebow is cleared to practice by Wednesday, Meyer said that Tebow "will not get hit" in practice. Florida's normal weekly schedule includes an off day on Monday, but -- coming off a bye week -- Meyer said that Florida will practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Meyer is 28-3 when his teams have had more than one week to prepare for a game.

Meyer said on Monday that he spoke with Tebow often last week because Tebow "was bored to death." Tebow was not allowed to watch television or read for four days after his concussion and the quarterback spent most of his recovery time in his apartment. Despite the constant line of communication, Meyer said that he did not know Tebow's daily test results regarding his lingering concussion symptoms.

"I don't ask but they said it's very positive," Meyer said.

Tebow was tested on Friday, Sunday and Monday.

"It's not quite nine days but he does look better," Meyer said. "He continues to work with our doctors and training staff. Other than that, I don't know. Those things are day to day."

Meyer did not indicate on Monday if there is a cut-off day for Tebow's return. Can Tebow play if he is cleared on Friday? Can Tebow play if he is cleared on Saturday?

"Hard questions and I can't answer that," Meyer said. "Can Tim play quarterback at Florida against a very good defense without practicing? I don't know right now."

John Brantley, a redshirt sophomore, is UF's starting quarterback until further notice. On Monday, Meyer said that he is confident in Tebow's backup, considering the talented veteran players who would be surrounding Brantley if he is forced to make his starting debut against LSU on the road.

"Obviously I have a lot of confidence and it's not false confidence," Meyer said. "Confidence comes from what you see [Brantley] do in practice. We would like to have him a few more game reps at this point but the thing I can see on this team is Johnny's not going to go by himself now. He's got 10 other guys on offense that are some very mature guys and they're going to take care of that guy.

"The Pounceys are going to be right there arm and arm with him and Cooper and those three backs, so Johnny is not going in there by himself. He had a very good week of practice. Gets the ball out real fast. Obviously things will change a little bit -- that's obvious -- but that doesn't mean we're going to abandon some of our run game that's been so good. But he obviously has some strengths."

-jo-

TIM TEBOW UPDATE: Plus John Brantley feature and this weekend's picks

GAINESVILLE -- Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is currently not scheduled to speak with reporters on Monday, according to UF's sports information staff. Since his sophomore season, Tebow has had a press conference every Moday morning.

Florida coach Urban Meyer will speak with reporters around noon on Monday. Meyer isn't expected to update Tebow's status until then. (Meyer was in Fort Lauderdale on Friday for Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas' win against Brynes (S.C.) High.)

Here's a link to my feature story on backup quarterback John Brantley in Saturday's paper. CLICK ME!

Here's a link to my weekly picks, which appears in Saturday's paper. CLICK ME! Predicting more upsets this Saturday.

Here's a link to my weekly national football column.CLICK ME! This week's column is about Tebow.

-jo-

TIM TEBOW UPDATE: Wait-and-see period will extend into middle of next week, according to John Brantley III

GAINESVILLE -- Former Florida quarterback John Brantley III, the father of current Gators back-up John Brantley IV, told The Miami Herald on Thursday morning that Florida's coaches and medical staff likely will not know Tim Tebow's playing status until "the middle of next week."

"They won't know until about middle of next week, to be honest with it," Brantley said. "They have to be honest with it. They really don't know right now."

Tebow must be asymptomatic for a week before he is allowed to practice. He wasn't allowed to watch television or read until today, according to Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Brantley III, who lives in Ocala, is driving to Gainesville today to watch practice. He played quarterback at UF in the late 1970s and over the last two years has constantly reminded his son to prepare each week as if he was the starter.

"Obviously, the preparation is more stepped up than it's been in the past," Brantley III said. "This is his third year and he's well aware of the situation. It couldn't be a tougher test because it's at Baton Rouge at night but he's excited about the opportunity. If it comes around, he looks forward to the challenge."

Coincidentally, Brantley III's first career start came when he least expected it. In 1977, UF quarterback Terry LeCount suffered a broken nose against Utah on Nov.19 (homecoming) and Brantley III made his debut the next week against Miami in the Orange Bowl. UF won 31-14.

Brantley III is confident his son is ready to face a similar challenge. He has only spoken with his son once since last Saturday's game.

"Here's an opportunity that has presented itself," Brantley III said. "It's what we've been talking about for two years. Your opportunity is going to come when you least expect it. And he's been preparing every week with that in mind."

A side note to this blog post: John Brantley III's brother, UF All-American linebacker Scot Brantley, had his college career ended early due to a concussion against Georgia Tech. (The second game of the 1979 season when UF went 0-10-1. UF tied Georgia Tech 7-7.) Scot Brantley, who went on to star in the NFL with the Bucs, slipped while being blocked and his head collided with an offensive guard's knee.

-jo- 

Is the rest of the country glad Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is hurt?

GAINESVILLE -- OK, so part of my responsibilities (that I don't get paid for, kinda like this blog) of covering UF is going on the radio around the country and talking about the Gators.

So, I'm on the radio this morning with a sports talk show out in Portland, Ore., (KXTG, 95.5 FM, "The Game") and the show's host seemed almost excited that Tim Tebow is hurt. I was kind of caught off guard when he asked me a question about people being glad that Tebow is hurt. (I'm assuming just because I work for The Miami Herald people think I'm supposed to hate the Gators. This sentiment has been a constant theme on this blog since Day One.)

I went on to say something about there being plenty of "Gator Haters" out there but everyone respects Tebow and no one is happy he's hurt. I told the story about Kentucky's Stadium chanting for Tebow and how that was a pretty neat moment. He countered and said that wasn't the case around the country. According to this radio talk-show host, the rest of the country is glad Tebow is hurt because he "bogarts" the limelight. (I was pretty much speechless at this point. I said something polite like, "Well, people will have a chance to watch someone else this weekend and maybe next weekend," but I should have asked him if he was Legarrette Blount's father.)

ANYWAY ...

Is the rest of the country really glad Tebow is hurt or is this just one radio show host trying to get a rise out of me? I'm sure there are plenty of Gators fans who read this blog from around the country. What's the general tone of your town's sports media regarding Tebow's injury?

-jo-