NFL SCOUTS, MEDIA RATE MIKE POUNCEY NO. 1 CENTER PROSPECT.....THIS IS A JOKE, RIGHT?

GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS

Those same zany, zaftig, absurdist, cut-ups (NFL & media draft "experts") who last spring declared the greatest college football player of all-time, Tim Tebow, to be a non-prospect at the NFL level are at it again. This year they are declaring Gator Mike Pouncey to be the best Center prospect in the 2011 draft.

According to an article in the April 20 edition of USA Today by Nate Davis, "Mike (Pouncey) is almost universally rated as the best interior offensive lineman.....which (could) make Mike (Pouncey) the highest-drafted center since Damien Woody went 17th in 1999." The story also said, "Mike (Pouncey), who would prefer to play center instead of guard in the NFL ...wants to be selected 18th or earlier in the first round....."

He would prefer to play Center instead of Guard?..... Why?........ So he can destroy an NFL QB?

This is a joke, right? What alternative universe are these "experts" living in?

Things become more clear, however, when some of the "experts" are revealed. Steve Addazio (yes, THAT Steve Addazio) said, "I would tell you he's the best offensive lineman in the draft." Steve Addazio? Why is Steve Addazio commenting on Florida?  He is the coach at Temple.  Is this overrated, incompetent, know-nothing program destroyer ever going to stop gravy-training off of the Florida Gator football program?

 Did the "experts" (including Addazio) even watch the Gators play in 2010?

 Those who did watch the games in 2010 saw a Center who literally could not consistently execute shotgun snaps to the quarterback....which is a problem when your offense is run exclusively out of the shotgun. The performance of the Gator center in 2010 was so poor that it is credited with being a key reason that highly touted first year starter John Brantley struggled throughout the season. In addition, a much hyped, veteran offensive line anchored by Senior Captain Pouncey underachieved at stunning proportions; a central factor in the Gators anemic offensive performance and ultimate disappointing 8-5 season.

Gator Gridiron knows that Mike Pouncey is a good football player with NFL potential who contributed greatly to the success of the Gators over the course of his career. We wish him the all the best in the NFL and beyond, just as we wish the best for all Gators. However, that does not mean he is a good Center or that he had a successful Senior season in 2010.

This situation illustrates what many Gator fans have come to know about the so-called "experts" of the football world--college, pro or draft; that most actually know NOTHING about football--college, pro or draft. Whether it is former Ohio St QB Kirk Herbstreit promoting an Ohio St--Michigan re-match in the 2007 National Championship game, Kuiper, McShay and Cowherd trashing Tim Tebow or Nate Davis of USA Today promoting Mike Pouncy as the "Greatest Center Ever!" beware of those wearing the self-annointed Crown of "FOOTBALL EXPERT".