Welcome back to La Esquina (Holiday Edition) and happy Thanksgiving to all. We are getting down to the wire here…only 3 more games left to watch Tebow and Co. Soak it in while you can. We’ll discuss the Seniors much more later, but first some thoughts on the FIU game.
As expected this was a cakewalk. The only really bad thing that came out of that game is that AJ Jones, starting linebacker, will be lost until the bowl game with an MCL. That’s bad news; he was playing lights out at linebacker all year. Thankfully we have depth on top of depth on top of more depth across the board. Brandon Hicks and Dustin Doe will surely do a formidable job of stepping in for him.
Also, I hate to sound like a broken record but once again lets take a look at the score prediction...La Esquina had it 56-3…final score was 62-3. Discuss the supernatural Esquina prediction powers amongst yourselves.
As far as the technical takeaways and game observations from the FIU game, it’s really hard to gauge because our athletes were so much better than theirs, but let’s give it a whirl. I still think we are playing way too much Joker package. You can bet on one thing, we won’t see much of it against Alabama. Saban is going to try to shove the ball down our throat and to stop that we need Omar, Marsch, Terron and the rest of the oversized humans. I thought Brantley looked excellent. He can really fire that ball. Of course, we’ve never seen him play against any good level of competition and don’t know what he would do in pressure situations against top tier talent…but even in a game like this one you can still see that he has superior throwing abilities. He is definitely a lot more Rex Grossman than Tim Tebow, but he does have some wheels on him. The real troubling thing about next year is not Brantley but who backs him up? He doesn’t have the Tebow frame, he’s a little thin. Can he take a hit? I can see him getting hurt and then we are in real trouble. I hope Urban is starting to develop Jordan Reed a little bit. Reed is the 3rd string QB and is highly recruited out of Connecticut…more of a runner but with a strong arm. There was some talk of moving him to Tight End earlier in the year but I think that has died down.
Also want to give a shout out to Omarius Hines. We said that he was up and coming and referenced his ability to run after the catch and he did not disappoint. On that touchdown catch he carried the one dude about 10 yards…the guy looked like a little kid who doesn’t want to go to class on the first day of school hanging on to Big O’s legs for dear life. I am telling you, this guy is Anquan Boldin 2.0 – and he’s only going to keep getting better.
The one other thing I want to mention is that Hernandez for whatever reason was in Urban’s dog house and did not start the game….and when he got into the game he didn’t play much and didn’t even have 1 catch. I don’t know what he did but I hope he and Meyer can patch this up quick…we need Rico. Maybe he was caught fornicating with GatorFace…there were some incriminating pics of the two of them circulating this week. On a serious note, I like that triple option inside pitch that usually goes to Hernandez going to Rainey…he scored on it and is really shifty inside…he made one cut and took it to the house.
Now on to FSU, and there’s A LOT to cover here so bear with me:
MATCH-UPS: I am going to watch our offense against their defense. That match-up should be interesting because their defense has been atrocious and our offense has been nothing to write home about either…so something has got to give. On Tebow’s last game in the Swamp….I think I know what is going to give. On the other side of the ball though both teams have been playing pretty well. FSU can score some points. Yes they have their back-up QB in there but this guy Manuel has been playing lights out. He is a big threat to run and is pretty fast but he can also throw it a little bit. And FSU has a lot of playmakers at receiver. Starting with Bert Reed, who just like our boy Greg Reid (to whom I will devote an entire paragraph below) was all Gator and then flipped on us last minute in favor of the Seminoles. Way to exercise good judgment buddy. Urban always says that we recruited all of their players so you know their talent level is there, they’re just not very well coached. In the end I can’t imagine them scoring too much on our D but I do think they will have some success. The only way we can get into some real trouble in this game is if we start turning the ball over. That and the fact that it’s a rivalry game and weird things happen in rivalry games. Of course, that is highly unlikely – we seem very locked-in right now.
BOBBY BOWDEN: Rough year for the old man…boosters calling for his head, his wife making outrageous comments, a horrible record etc. At this point, he is more of a figurehead coach and really uninvolved in any game planning or day-to-day strategizing. It’s very obvious that Jimbo Fisher is running that team. I am no Doctor but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night and something tells me that Bobby is in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s or some other comparable and horrible old and incurable disease that makes you look and sound like a fool. I mean, this guy doesn’t even remember some of his player’s names. Look at this quote from an interview they ran with Bobby this week, he was asked what he likes about what Urban Meyer does and he said, “He’s thorough. He leaves no stone untouched. It’s very obvious. He’s a very good recruiter. He stays on top of everything. He’s a lot more detailed than I am, I know that.” Bobby, stating that you are not as hard working as your biggest rival is not going to endear you to your fan base. If Urban had said the same about another coach I would be thinking to myself, what the hell are we paying this guy millions of dollars for if he is going to be outworked and outhustled by our biggest rival? Sorry, but it’s time to go. And nobody will be sadder than the Gator nation to see you go Bobby, as we have really enjoyed embarrassing you in the Urban-Tebow era. Too bad.
GREG REID: For those of you who don’t know, this was the top cornerback prospect last year and he was committed to the Gators as a junior. For over a year and a half he said he was coming here and was one of our prized recruits until he decided he didn’t want to compete for playing time and joined that embarrassing bunch in the school out west. These kids are so short sighted…they want everything handed to them. He would have been playing the nickel this year (he is that good) and would have likely been starting alongside Janoris next year because Haden is turning pro. So you couldn’t wait one year to learn the system, get some size etc. to be the man? Here at Florida we are a national championship factory playing on national TV every week and in the biggest post-season games around. What do you think would be a bigger stage to showcase your talent, the BCS Bowl in Pasadena or the Chick-Fil’A bowl? And that’s where you’re gong this year, if you’re lucky. To top it off quotes just came out yesterday where he said Urban Meyer was cocky and he didn’t like that and that he was going to return a punt to the house against us. Mind you, we have given up a total of 13 punt return yards all year. Whatever G-money…I hope Riley Cooper lights your ass up on one of his patented downfield blocks!
SENIOR DAY AT THE SWAMP: This is the last game ever for Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes and Co. at the Swamp. Let that sink in for a moment. Tebow will NEVER come out of that tunnel as a player ever again. This game will cap off one of the most magical runs in college football history. That 2006 class is already the winningest class in SEC history. And they have a chance to win 3 of 4 SEC titles and National Championships. That is just bananas. We have all taken some of these guys and their accomplishments for granted, with a certain sense of entitlement as if that level of success is what is supposed to happen and completely assured of the fact that we will be doing it all again next year and the year after that. Well guess what folks…that’s just not going to happen. Will we be good? Yes, but we will likely never have a run like the one we are having right now with Tebow and Urban. Why do I say that? Because historically these things are cyclical…a few years FSU is on top, then Miami, then USC is on top, then Nebraska and so on. So remember to cherish these golden times because odds are, they are not going to last forever. Think about this next time you feel the need to complain about this team, as we all do from time to time. Part of the blame has to go to Urban and Tebow themselves…they have set the bar so ridiculously high that the fan base gets irritable when the team doesn’t blow somebody out. It’s a great problem to have but my point is that we need to acknowledge and internalize what’s going on here at Florida right now, and what better time to do that than on Timmy’s last game at the Swamp. One last side-note to this, as a tribute thousands of fans at the game Saturday will be wearing eye black in honor of Tim Tebow. If you can’t be at the game or wear the eye black how about some magnum black tuxedo condoms this week instead? It will be your own little tribute…just give it some thought.
UNIFORMS: La Esquina broke this story about the new unis a while back and they are finally here. Some super modern and funky looking unis. For my taste, I wouldn’t have chosen this last game ever at the Swamp for Tebow as the day to rock them but I think Nike had the choice and of course, money trumps all tradition. The helmets are supposed to be more aerodynamic and there is supposed to be extra padding on these unis that are made of a material that is 1/3 lighter than the old unis. This reminds me of the long body suits used by the swimmers in the past Olympics where they shattered all kinds of world records. Although, if these unis are really supposed to be that great then isn’t the team you are playing at a competitive disadvantage? The answer is no, they’re not…these unis are mainly another marketing ploy by Phil Knight…I can’t imagine they make much of a difference at the end of the day. Hopefully our guys look good in them.
MAILBAG (from the readers):
“Bigger hit? B. Spikes on Georgia’s Moreno or M. Wright on Oklahoma’s Johnson?”
I think the Moreno hit felt sweeter to me because it was the game after Georgia had all their players jumping up and down in the end zone after they scored on us, one of the most shocking memories I will ever have watching a college football game and completely disrespectful. So to start the game the next year General Spikes pulverizes Moreno and then stays on top of him woofing at him – it was really orgasmic. However, if you are talking about sheer viciousness of the hit or magnitude of the game it’s gotta go to Major. I thought he killed that guy, seriously…I did not expect Manny Johnson to get up…that was a head on car wreck at 60 miles an hour with no seat belts on.
“Which is the better DE duo? Cunningham/Dunlap or Harvey/Moss?”
This is a no-brainer for me. Gotta be Cunningham/Dunlap. Harvey and Moss were very good and had a phenomenal game against Ohio State…the type of performances that single handedly win you games (a la the Giants defensive ends against that undefeated Patriots team in the Super Bowl a few years ago), but that had a lot to do with the big fat slow white tackles from Ohio State who were simply outmatched. If you look at the rest of that season Moss/Harvey didn’t put up incredible sack numbers. Also, Moss has been a bust in the league and Harvey hasn’t set anyone’s pants on fire either. Although the jury is still out with Harvey, he’s played better as of late. Cunningham a.k.a. Blur and Dunlap a.k.a. Big Los have been dominant, and especially so in big games. Earlier in the year teams were going to 3 step drops and getting the ball out quick hence the low sack totals. But when we play teams that are actually trying to win the game (i.e. not Tennessee) who have to start taking 5-7 step drops to throw the ball downfield like South Carolina with Garcia, Blur and Big Los can pin their ears back and focus on straight pass rushing…and the results are impressive. The difference being that Dunlap is stronger, more of a bull rusher and Blur is more of a speed rusher who jumps off the ball. I know Dunlap is projected as a top 5 pick in the draft because he is a physical freak but for my money Cunningham has a better shot at having the more productive NFL career. It will be fun to follow those guys in the league.
“What’s going on with Andre Debose Hamstring?”
Word is he is off crutches and should be ready for spring practice. This kid is fast and has that Percy Harvin ability to make people miss…I can’t wait to finally get him on the field, he is one of the most touted recruits we have had in recent memory…I hope he pans out.
“Which of the following juniors would benefit by staying one more year -- the Pouncey’s, Joe Haden, Carlos Dunlap, Aaron Hernandez, Major Wright, Carl Johnson?”
The Pouncey’s should go, interior lineman don’t ever get drafted earlier than late 1st or early 2nd round….which is about as good as the Pouncey’s can do right now, so why risk an injury? Haden and Dunlap are no-brainers…they have to bolt and get that big money. It’s like this…3am at the "discoteca" and you have a dime piece…take it, don’t tempt fate. Same thing for Hernandez, he’s probably the best TE this year, at least in the top 3…after looking at what happened to CI and Gresham the last couple of years he should clearly go. Major Wright and Carl Johnson I think should stay but there are those that are arguing that they should go...the theory being that the rookie cap is going to come into play very soon and these guys should get their money while they can. My thinking is that this rookie cap is only going to hurt you at the top levels (i.e. 1st and 2nd rounder’s will have to settle for a lot less money)…once you get below that these guys don’t make that much money right now as it is…I think both Major and Carl are mid-round guys so why not enjoy another year as a walking god in Gainesville, try and work on your craft a little bit and pick-up another ring? Another very surprising development that I have heard is that Rainey might go…because he is a running back and they only have so many miles in them and because the running back by committee thing at Florida is not really showcasing his talent and versatility. I think that is ludicrous. Rainey needs to get bigger and become more of an impact player before he even thinks about going pro. Chris, you have two more years at Florida, you finally learned the system, this is your time to shine and you need to capitalize on that and start producing (and against Alabama…not FIU)…are you listening smiley? Only then will your draft stock go up.
“Is it time to start Omarius Hines over Brandon James?”
Yes, that should have happened 3 games ago.
Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to the UCONN Huskies for knocking out Notre Dame and overcoming some horrendous officiating in doing so. Nice job and very happy to see that after the death of Jasper Howard this year. Not only because you are a nice and up and coming team that is enjoyable to watch but also because I am so sick of Notre Dame and their fat bastard coach dominating the college football storylines for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Has there ever been more attention paid to a 6-5 team in the history of college football? This and all of the ridiculous Urban Meyer to Notre Dame rumors just make me want to puke every time those clowns are on TV. I also must mention Jimmy Clausen getting jacked up by another student this past weekend. Hilarious…that douche bag got cold cocked and is now walking around with two black eyes for being an ass. You can’t even make that stuff up. Can you imagine somebody trying to do that to Timmy? First of all their hand would disintegrate upon contact with Timmy’s face and secondly the lynch mob would be in full effect. I am talking 87-year-old Alachua County grandmas with pitchforks.
Score prediction…Florida 34-FSU 17.
Go put Bobby Bowden out of his misery,
Go out with a bang,
Go Gators!
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