GEORGIA FAN ATTACKS TRAPP 10 YEARS LATER

Gator Great Richard Trapp, star of the '67 Florida-Georgia game, shares the little known story of his unfortunate encounter with a Georgia fan who carried the pain of Florida's last second 17-16 victory forward for the next 10 years. The interview was taped at Del Frisco's Orlando as part of the Old School Legends Series presented by Del Frisco's Orlando.

Trapp's story was also aired on the "Old School Gator Series with Roger Franklin Williams" retrospective on the Florida-Georgia Series on 540 WFLA on Thursday October 27th.

"THE TEBOW DEFENDER" RESPONDS TO NATIONAL MEDIA ATTACKS ON TIM TEBOW

The Old School Gator, Roger Franklin Williams, responds to the recent flurry of over-the-top attacks on Tim Tebow by elements of the national sports media. "The Tebow Defender", RFW, also issued a direct challenge to former journeyman NFL QB Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason. Esiason, who said that Tebow "can't throw" and suggested that Tim's style of play "doesn't translate to the NFL", has a career win percentage of under .500 as a starting QB in the NFL.

Roger Franklin Williams predicts that Tim Tebow will be the next GREAT QB in the NFL, when his opportunity arrives. (Unfortunately, it appears that that opportunity might not arrive in Denver. Oh well......that's too bad for Denver.......)

TIME TO DISCIPLINE JANORIS, REGRETFULLY

GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS

In case you missed it, Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was arrested over the weekend and charged with possession of marijuana....for the second time in the last 3 months. While close observers have commented that Gator players have taken to Coach Will Muschamp and his new staff, Janoris, apparantly,  has taken his celebrating to a whole new level.

Ironically, Jenkins first arrest came just days before the launch of the then-fledgeling (now highly acclaimed, of course) Gator Gridiron blog. In an early post Gator Gridiron (misguidedly) urged the new HC to resist the urge to, as we termed it, "overreact" by responding to Media-types and other Gator Haters who were calling for draconian penalties for the talented rising Sr CB. In other words we urged Coach WM to go easy on Janoris.

Obviously, the "velvet glove" approach did not work with Janoris Jenkins.

After being arrested, reportedly, for rolling a "joint" in the mens room of a downtown Gainesville nightclub in January, Jenkins on Saturday was arrested after he, reportedly, attracted the attention of a Gainesville Police officer while smoking a "marijuana cigar" in a parked car....on Main Street, no less. Is it just me, but does Janoris seem to be flaunting his drug use/law breaking?

Now it is time, regretfully, for significant....no, not significant....harsh discipline. While marijuana use among college students is certainly not an earth shattering situation, it is against the law. Not to mention the fact that recreational drug use in no way helps prepare one to achieve peak performance on the football field. It's not a great example of leadership or respect, either.

As a Senior and argueably the best returing veteran player, in fact, one of the last remaining starters from the '08 National Championship team, if not the only one, Jenkins is---or was---in a position to provide leadership for a Gator program that sorely needs leadership during this period of turbulance and transition.

 Needless to say, leadership is the last thing on Janoris Jenkins mind. Jenkins has no desire to serve as a leader for his younger teammates, to ease the challenges facing first time Head Coach Will Muschamp, or to even demonstrate respect for his new HC.........But he will take another toke.....

Time for CWM to forget the original advice of Gator Gridiron. Throw away our ill-advised "velvet glove", Coach.

Six game suspension....and if Janoris Jenkins is arrested or caught with illegal drugs again, expell him from the program. NFL prospect or no-NFL prospect.

AHMAD BLACK, GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYER

GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS

The approaching NFL draft provides Gator Gridiron a welcome opportunity to reflect on the career of a Great Gator---Safety Ahmad Black. As someone who has closely followed Gator football for over 40 years now (attended first game at Florida Field in 1962 when Tommy Shannon was starting QB) I must say that the sturdy, hard hitting ball hawk from Lakeland is one of the top players that this Gator has had the pleasure of watching.

My respect for Ahmad Black started early in his career...the 2008 opener against Hawaii ....which with 95+ degree heat and smothering humidity frequently interupted by intermittent rain showers was  a verrrry swampy day in the Swamp. Shortly after finding my seat, I noticed a #35 who was seemingly in on every play and displayed a particular knack for finding the football. I didn't know who this unknown Soph #35 was, but it was obvious he had a real nose for finding the football. As the 2008 season progressed, the undersized headhunter continued to impress until, ultimately, the Gators were playing for the  National Championship against Oklahoma and their highly acclaimed passer Sam Bradford. As we all know, the Gators prevailed and one main reason was the outstanding play of the Gator secondary, especially #35.

Ahmad continued his outstanding play over the course of the 2009 season when the Gators put together a 12-0 regular season and ultimate 13-1 record. In 2010, with a Gator team depleted by the departure of several dozen upperclassmen, including 13 who went to the NFL, Ahmad was one of the few bright spots, continueing to demonstrate his excellent play while also providing an outstanding example of leadership for his younger, less experienced teammates. Hard nosed tackler, excellent pass defender, smart, heady player who has a true gift for finding the football, all while providing great leadership with his work ethic and love for the game....that's the Gator Gridiron scouting report on Ahmad Black (And I assure it is more accurate that those of the NFL draft "experts", especially Mel Kuiper, The Moron and Todd "Suzie" McShay). Whichever NFL team is fortunate enough to draft Ahmad Black will add a Great Football Player and True Winner.