Gator Clause

Meyer and Tebow respond to Shannon's comments, here are the audio files

GAINESVILLE -- It was anything but boring on Monday here in hogtown. Miami coach Randy Shannon's comments on Sunday about Florida coach Urban Meyer fired up UF quarterback Tim Tebow. Gator Clause is the only place you're going to hear the audio file for free.

Just like Shannon chose not to call out Florida's coach by name, Florida's coach played along and did the same. Meyer and Tebow praised Miami's defensive coordinator, which has been Meyer's less-than-subtle way of giving Shannon no credit for Miami's impressive defense. Tebow followed suit.

This is all very silly, folks. Enough with the backhanded compliments. I wish these guys would just kiss and make up...And I sooooooo hope that Tebow sticks around for another season. If he does, I'm calling it right now. Florida vs. Miami in the 2010 national championship game. We'll dredge up these quotes if that happens.

(The quote from Tebow about jail is pretty funny.)

-jo-

1.Tebow defends Meyer, gets fired up about Shannon comments.

2.Tebow talks about Miami defensive coordinator.

3.Meyer credits Miami's talented players.

4.Meyer: "I learned a long time ago to just coach your team."

5.Meyer on the proper way to "communicate."

The Day After: Gators-Canes still on the brain

Florida coach Urban Meyer did not have a Sunday teleconference today. A spokesman for the Gators told me receiver Carl Moore's diagnoses on Sunday is still a "hip pointer."

GAINESVILLE -- Here are some random thoughts popping into focus as I watch the NFL today, reflect on last night's game and flip through the pages of my reporter's notebook...

--I used to like Brett Favre.

--Why was Florida tackle Phil Trautwein flagged for that personal-foul penalty? I couldn't figure it out from the press box. Whatever the reason, it ruined the Gators' momentum in the first quarter.

--Trautwein's personal-foul penalty wasn't as costly as the one charged to UM lineman Orlando Franklin at the end of the first half. It led to Jeffrey Demps' blocked punt.

--Florida receiver Louis Murphy apologized after the game for his smack talk earlier in the week. I don't know what to think about this. On one hand, it seems commendable. On the other hand, it's not like Murphy called out someone's mom. Whatever...

--Florida free safety Major Wright only had two tackles.

--Florida strong safety Ahmad Black appeared to hold his own against Miami's athletic skill players.

--Miami's only scoring drive featured a Wondy moment. Does anyone remember this? I had to chuckle a little bit in the press box.

--Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez said after the game that he was benched for the season opener because he didn't practice hard enough the week before Hawaii. Yeah, right...

--Linebackers: How many future first-round picks were on Florida Field last night? Two, I say. Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes and UM freshman reserve linebacker Sean Spence.

--The fourth quarter was Tebow time. That's a good sign for the Gators.

--Several reporters who cover Miami keep telling me that Florida will lose at least two games this season. Doesn't say much for Miami, I guess. I thought the Canes were pretty good.

--UM quarterbacks Robert Marve and Jacory Harris are both going to be excellent. Will one transfer?

--Tebow has 130 pass attempts without an interception, a new Florida record. Danny Wuerffel held the previous record at 121 pass attempts.

--Florida has not committed a turnover in each of its last four games.

--Florida had five penalties for 35 yards. Not bad for the Gators. One of those penalties was on redshirt sophomore guard Marcus Gilbert (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), who filled in for Jim Tartt. Meyer said he wants to get Tartt back into the line-up as soon as possible.

--The Gators started the second half with two fruitless offensive drives. Tebow appeared to be pretty frustrated after the second drive. He was seen on the sidelines screaming at Meyer to leave the offense on the field for a fourth-and-two from the UF 48. Meyer punted.

-jo-

UF 26, UM 3: Post-game thoughts and notes

FIRST, UF-related links in The Miami Herald...All these stories in today's paper. This is why the Herald is the best of the best, folks...

GAME STORY LINK: Chomped in The Swamp
MAIN UF SIDEBAR LINK: Special teams delivers for Gators
MAIN UM SIDEBAR LINK: Hurricanes hang tough with Gators
UF NOTEBOOK: Big recruiting night in Gainesville; SEC commish talks TV
UM NOTEBOOK: UM-UF discuss keeping rivalry alive
Greg Cote's column: What's the difference between UM-UF? One great quarterback
Israel Gutierrez's column: Despite the loss, Miami Hurricanes show promising signs

GAINESVILLE -- Top 5 things to think about after UF 26, UM 3. By me, Joseph Goodman, and the fearless Mike-Mike McCall (Miami Herald correspondent).

5. The defensive line played extremely well. The Canes only rushed for 61 total yards. Miami had 140 total offensive yards.

4. Do people still think Florida's offense is unstoppable? Tebow said the last time the Gators offense had to rely on the defense was his freshman season. And we all know what happened that year.

3. Should Harvin have had more touches or considering his offseason surgery was his limited role appropriate? Meyer said he knew he could do more with Harvin and Meyer says he will. Harvin rushed for 27 yards on five carries and a touchdown and had one catch for 12 yards. He only touched the ball twice in the first half.

2. Urban Meyer is 11-0 at Florida when the Gators' block a punt and 18-2 overall. Florida has blocked 39 kicks since 2001. What's more, Florida blocked eight kicks in 2006 when the Gators won the national title. Saturday was certainly a good start. Jeff Demps block at the end of the first half swung the momentum in the Gators' favor for the rest of the game.

On the blocked punt: “We called (the play) once earlier and they kept screaming at me to run it again because it was wide open,” said Meyer, who cited Demps’ and Chris Rainey’s 100-meter times. They did a great job with that.”

1. Let's hope Carl Moore is not severely injured. Moore left the game with an apparent hip pointer (according to Meyer) after his incredible reception at the end of the third quarter.

“[Moore] is not used to running that route," Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said. "I don’t think it was actually planned for him to be there. I wasn’t really expecting him to be there, so it was a little bit of a miscommunication. I just waited for him to turn so I could throw it.”

-jo- and mike-mike

RECRUITING: If the Gators can land Patchan they can land anyone

Today's UF-related links from The Miami Herald ...
LINK: UF football hopes to make strong impression with recruits
LINK: UF's Hicks proves to be a special player
LINK: Aubrey Hill, once a Gator, thriving as UM receivers coach

GAINESVILLE -- UF defensive lineman Matt Patchan grew up a Miami Hurricanes fan. His dad played for the 'Canes and so did his uncle. Why, then, did Patchan end up a Florida Gator? Maybe it had something to do with Miami's embarrassing 48-0 loss to Virginia last season in the Hurricanes' last game at the Orange Bowl.

I bring this up only to supplement my story in today's Miami Herald about how the Gators plan on impressing recruits from South Florida this weekend when the football team hosts Miami. Most recruits will tell you that when they attend a game as a guest of the home team, it doesn't matter if the team wins or loses. Guess what, folks? That's bologna!

About a dozen high-profile recruits from South Florida are attending Saturday's game as guests of the Florida Gators. You better believe it matters who wins and who loses. A Florida blowout WILL sway recruits. A Miami upset WILL sway recruits.

Florida coach Urban Meyer refers to the recruitment of Patchan as one of the most intense battles of his career. Patchan was such a Miami Hurricanes fan that it pained him to watch the 'Canes get blanked by Virginia last season. Everyone remembers these quote, right?

"There's too many guys that it doesn't bother them that they lost the game," Patchan told the Internet fan website, canesport.com. "There's too many guys now at the U that [say], `It's OK we lost. Well, what am I going to do tonight?' Like it doesn't mean anything. They need to get rid of those types of guys. Half those guys in Miami uniforms shouldn't be there -- they physically don't cut it.''

With that in mind, landing Patchan would have helped the 'Canes. The Gators' coaching staff is in love with the kid and his effort level. Patchan played more than 20 snaps in the Gators' season opener and Meyer said on Monday that Patchan deserves even more playing time against the 'Canes. Besides that, Meyer said that Patchan is "out of his mind" with emotion this week to play Miami.

Florida defensive line coach Dan McCarney didn't help recruit Patchan but he certainly appreciates him. McCarney is one of the guys who helped morph South Florida defensive end George Selvie into one of the best players in the country. McCarney thinks he can do the same with Patchan.

“If we could bring four Matt Patchans into the program every year, if I’m guaranteed four Patchans, then I’ll promise you we will be making a run at the national championship on the defensive line,” McCarney said.

If Florida can successfully recruit the Matt Patchans of the world, then why can't Florida make a dent in UM coach Randy Shannon's recruiting monopoly in Miami-Dade County? A shutout on Saturday certainly would help the cause. Miami is starting a freshman quarterback with no experience. It could happen.

And you can go ahead and mark down a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration if Patchan sacks Robert Marve.

-jo-

Here's a list of South Florida recruits who are expected to attend Saturday's game, according to Rivals.com recruiting expert Adam Gorney: Denard Robinson (senior quarterback, Deerfield Beach), Jared Wheeler (senior offensive tackle, Plantation American Heritage), Jaamal Berry (senior running back, Miami Palmetto), Eugene Smith (senior quarterback, Miramar), Antwan Lowery (senior defensive tackle, Miami Columbus), Michael Carter (senior cornerback, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely), Rantavious Wooten (junior receiver, Belle Glade), Korvin Lamb (junior running back, Miami Northwestern), Todd Chandler (junior defensive tackle, Miami Northwestern), Eduardo Clements (junior receiver, Miami Booker T. Washington), Frankie Telfort (senior linebacker, Miami Gulliver Prep).

THROWBACK PHOTO: Not long ago, UM's Leonard Hankerson and UF's Major Wright were teammates; They're still friends

GAINESVILLE -- I've been saving this picture for a few years. Back when I was covering preps in Broward County, one of my favorite days of the year was driving around the county on National Signing Day and covering (celebrating) the big day with all of Broward's college-bound football players.

Every year, my trek around Broward would end at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders wait until the end of the school day to have their signing ceremony, which allows all the reporters to attend.

Check out this classic photo from the Raiders' 2006 signing-day ceremony: Pictured are UM receiver Leonard Hankerson, UF safety Major Wright and Mississippi State quarterback Wesley Carroll -- all 2007 graduates of St. Thomas. (Yes, the dork in the middle of the photo is me.)

-jo-

AUDIO: Listen to WR Louis Murphy call out 'The U'

GAINESVILLE -- In Sunday's paper, Gator Clause and The Miami Herald was the first to bring you UF quarterback Tim Tebow's and receiver Louis Murphy's impressive display of proper pregame smack talk. For a link to that story CLICK ME!

Now Gator Clause is the first to bring to you the audio file of Murphy's diss on The U. Murphy says Florida is the real 'U.' CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW!

Produced and edited by Joseph Goodman, The Miami Herald

In today's Miami Herald, read how the Gators are preparing to crush the Canes in The Swamp.

Also in today's Miami Herald, the Miami Hurricanes set their sights on a Swamp battle (by Manny Navarro) and a history of the UF-UM series (by Jeff Shain).

-jo-

Florida safety Ahmad Black is smiling; Gators to face virgin QBs in first two weeks

TAMPA -- I'm sitting inside Raymond James Stadium tonight covering Jags-Bucs. Yes, former Florida Gators safety Reggie Nelson is in the house and, yes, he already has one interception for the Jags. [OK, make that TWO picks for Reggie Nelson IN THE FIRST HALF!]

Reggie's picks of Bucs QB Jeff Garcia got me thinking: The Gators' current safeties -- the weakest unit on the Gators' team -- couldn't have asked for a better start to the season. They're facing two virgin college quarterbacks in the first two weeks.

Hawaii starting quarterback Brent Rausch is a junior-college transfer who has no experience at the FBS level. BUT RAUSCH MIGHT NOT EVEN START. Rausch, who was the projected back-up this offseason, missed practice on Saturday with a strained arm, according to the Honolulu Advertiser. Hawaii coach Greg McMackin isn't sure if Rausch will be healthy by next Saturday. Rausch's back-up is Greg Alexander. Alexander was Hawaii's projected third-string quarterback at the beginning of the offseason.

If that's not enough to lower the collective blood pressure of Florida's defensive coaches , the news out of Coral Gables certainly will. According to The Miami Herald, projected Miami Hurricanes starter Robert Marve, a redshirt freshman, is suspended for Miami's season opener. That means true freshman Jacory Harris will get the start in the 'Canes against Charleston Southern.

It seems that Marve is expected to return to the starting line-up for the Hurricanes' date with the Gators on Sept. 6. That means Marve will be making the first start of his college career inside The Swamp. That's a tough assignment, folks.

Like I said, I'm in Tampa tonight but if I squint really hard I think I can see Florida sophomore safety Ahmad Black smiling all the way from here. Could the season be starting any better for the Gators? Next thing you know, Tennessee safety Eric Berry is going to catch the flu in three weeks.

-jo-

Florida Bulletin Board: "BEAT Miami"; FSU hate literature; Spurrier gets no love

29 DAYS UNTIL MIAMI...

The countdown is on at the University of Florida for the Gators' rivalry game against the Miami Hurricanes. Check out the exclusive story in The Miami Herald this morning about the football team's motivational bulletin boards. There are five separate boards for six teams: Hawaii, Miami, Tennessee, LSU, Georgia and Florida State...

GAINESVILLE -- You know how football players are always saying that the next game is the most important game. BORING, right? Well, Gator Clause offers visual proof that all that rhetoric is bologna.

The Miami Herald snapped this photo on Friday during a tour of Florida's new weight room. (Holy Lou Ferrigno, the weight room is amazing! I felt my muscles getting bigger just walking through the joint.) By the looks of the countdown boards, the home opener against Hawaii feels a little less important than the game against the 'Canes, Vols, Bayou Tigers, 'Dawgs and 'Noles.

MORE NOTES FROM A TOUR OF THE NEW FACILITY
--If you're making a road trip to Gainesville this fall for a football game, then make sure you reserve some time for a tour of Ben Hill Griffin's latest addition. As UF coach Urban Meyer likes to call it, the "Front Door of Florida Football" is impressive and fan friendly, too. There are a few interactive video screens, a few shrines to Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow and some trophy cases.

--For me, Steve Spurrier's Heisman Trophy was initially pretty hard to find. You wouldn't think so, because it's near the front of the museum. It's in a corner and when I walked through the front door I didn't even see it at all. (My first time through the museum, I never noticed Spurrier's Heisman.)

--Reporters were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the coaches' offices, recruiting ammenities and weight room on Friday. A few thoughts:

--Dorian Munroe seems to be in great spirits. I ran into the Florida safety and Miami native while walking into the weight room. He said he's feeling great and ready to power through his rehab for the torn anterior-cruciate ligament his suffered during the offseason. Good luck, Dorian. We're rooting for your speedy recovery.

--The coaches' offices are nice. Right when you walk in the front door, there's a poster board detailing Florida's dominance over Florida State the last few years. Recruiting is a dirty business. (Click on the photo and zoom into the graduation rates. And what you're seeing implies what, exactly? )

--Dan Mullen's office is HUGE! Plenty of breathing room to think about how to use all those offensive weapons. Tim Tebow and John Brantley were hanging out with Mullen. (Tebow had on his Crocs. Damn those Crocs!)

--The walls of each coach's offices were literally big dry-erase boards. So cool! The whole of all the walls was for doodling plays and formations and Tim Tebow quarterback-rocker plays and how Brandon Spikes is going to sack Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford eight times in November. Raise your hand if you ever got pounded like Stallone in Rocky III for coloring on walls when you were a kid.

--The hall walls of the coach's offices are covered with screened photos of Florida football players and emblazoned with more literature for recruits. (In other words, walking into the coaches' offices feels like you're walking into one big media guide. In case you didn't know it, schools use media guides as recruiting tools.)

--Again, no sign of Steve Spurrier. (Well, not entirely true. Apparently, there's a team photo but you might have to squint.)

--But, we did see plenty of evidence of Ron Zook. Other than all the 2006 national championship memorabilia laying around, former and current "Zookerman," Jarred Fayson, is pictured on the walls of the coaches' offices reading a book to children. Giving back: What college football is all about! (That's linebacker Dustin Doe to the right of Fayson. Looks like Doe is doing all the reading.)

-jo-

IN THE NEWS: Former Gator Ryan Lochte wins Olympic bronze in 400 IM.

PIERRE-LOUIS: 'Georgia, that's the game of the year'; Wright: Looking forward to Miami

GAINESVILLE -- This is all you need to know from Florida's media day. Everything else was white noise.

"Georgia, man," cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis said. "That's the game of the year. I'm not going to lie. Even though we're going to take it one by one, Georgia is the game of the year."

Of course, there is that little 'ol team down in Coral Gables. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas grad Major Wright is pretty excited about that one.

"It's a very important game," Wright said. "You know, every time I go home I never hear the end of it. It's going to be an intense game, high energy. I look forward to this game."

Wright grew up idolizing former 'Cane great Sean Taylor. Instead of following in Taylor's footsteps as one of the next great Miami safeties, Wright committed to the Gators. He's friends with Hurricanes Anthony Reddick and Leonard Hankerson, among other 'Canes.

As anyone who has read this blog for the last year can tell you, Wright and Pierre-Louis are two of my favorite Gators. Wright is busy teaching Will Hill how to play safety these days. Pierre-Louis is busy fending off fellow cornerback Markihe Anderson, who wants Pierre-Louis' starting job.

OTHER NOTES
--Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong says linebacker A.J. Jones is a mainstay on the defense this season at weak side.

--Defensive line coach Dan McCarney says Ronnie Wilson is strong but way behind.

--Safeties coach Chuck Heater on if Ahmad Black is too short to play safety: "We'll see."

--Offensive lineman James Wilson was very truthful with reporters on Friday. I says he was really upset that Florida wouldn't grant his request to transfer. He's happy that he stayed at UF, however. Left guard Jim Tartt's shoulders might not hold up this season.

--Anyone seen Percy Harvin lately?

--Pictures coming tomorrow morning.

-jo-