GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
As the anti-Tebow avalanche of national media attacks continues to explode, a particularly lame shot came from a likely source---former journeyman NFL QB Boomer Esiason.
"He can't throw", chirped Boomer...., wait a minute, isn't venerable ESPN analyst Chris Berman known as Boomer?....anyway, Esiason claims Tim Tebow can't make it in the NFL because "he can't throw".
Funny, he (Tebow) managed to throw for almost 10,000 yards (more than Dan Marino in his college career) and 88 TDs in the toughest conference in college football. What did "the other Boomer" do in college (at Maryland,btw, during an era when the ACC was little more than flag football)? The Great Boomer Esiason had 6,000 yards and 42 TDs... Less than half the touchdowns and 3,000 less yards than Tim, in 3 years as a starter for the Terrapins. Rushing yards? Well, the Great Boomer...or "the other Boomer"...whatever, had net negative career rushing yards.
Well what about the NFL? Good question, "the other Boomer" has a career sub-.500 win percentage in as a starting QB in the National Football League.
And this stiff declares Tim Tebow doesn't have what it takes to play QB in the NFL?
Monday, August 29, 2011
What can Gators expect this season?
According to Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley, the future of the 2011 - 2012 Gator football team is unknown, but some truths remain...
"You know this is a special time of year. You know there is nothing like college football season."
"You know someone will say something on ESPN’s GameDay that will make you talk to your television set. You don’t know if it will be Lee Corso or Kirk Herbstreit."
"You know this is a special time of year. You know there is nothing like college football season."
Photo Credit: SaintPetersBlog
Sunday, August 28, 2011
GATOR GRIDIRON OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 2011 GATORS
Roger Franklin Williams
Gator Gridiron
As Gators across the nation eagerly await Saturday's kick-off of the 2011 season at the Swamp against Florida Atlantic, many Gators are wisely keeping expectations for Will Muschamp's first Gator team in check. While Gator Gridiron has a personal ethic of maintaining conservative expectations, we must admit that Gator Gridiron finds much to be optimistic about in terms of the rapidly approaching 2011 season.
We'll state some of those reasons for optimism below:
1. A FRESH START AND POSITIVE, UPBEAT ATMOSPHERE. New Head Coach Muschamp has brought a much needed burst of positive energy to the Florida Football. Obviously, the hard-edged, white knuckle, stomach churning intensity of former Head Gator Urban Meyer brought extraordinary success to Florida Gator Football. Gator Gridiron, as well as all Gators, should forever have a huge spirit of gratitide and respect for what CM achieved; however, that infamous Coach Meyer 24/7/365 grinding intensity eventually took it's toll. In a nutshell, Coach Meyer not only famously burned himself out, he burned out the remnants of the post-Tebow era Gators as well. A new HC with brand new assistant coaches with new schemes brings not only a fresh attitude for the players, but also the opportunity for a fresh start for many talented Gators, who for whatever reason, did not fit into the Coach Meyer plan for playing time.
2, ADDAZIO IS GONE. Perhaps the best thing to happen to Florida Gator Football, other than signing Tim Tebow, in, at least, the last 20 years or so, is the departure of the most incompetent "coach" to ever set foot in Gainesville, Steve "Meathead" Addazio. Addazio, as skilled a careerist, resume' builder and apple polisher as has ever lived, parlayed an asset as Urban Meyer's best friend into the role of Assistant Head Coach (even, perish the thought, Interim Head Coach at one point!!!???) AND, most destructively, Offensive Coordinator, a position he used to severely damage the NFL prospects of one Gator QB (Tim Tebow) and virtually destroy the career of another highly touted young QB (John Brantley), not to mention take the famed Florida Gator offense to the bottom tier of the SEC and NCAA. Thankfully, "Meathead" is gone now, to Temple to destroy the winning program that Coach Al Golden has built over the past few years. Without the albatross of Steve Addazio around their neck, the 2011 Gators truly have an opportunity for success, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
3, CHARLIE WEIS. The Coach WM regime not only swept out the worst OC in college football (and possibly college football history), he replaces him with one of the best offensive minds in the GAME of football----Charlie Weis. Weis has had nothing but success in a long career that has scanned the highest levels of the NFL (multiple Super Bowl rings with multiple teams), college and even high school (Weis bagged a state championship as a high school coach in New Jersey as he was just starting his career). Weis not only brings a lonnnnnggg track record of success to Gainesville, he also brings a balanced, "pro-style" offense that features an aggressive "down-the-field" passing game that compliments the talent in the program and that he has orchestrated to virtual perfection wherever he has been.
Gator Gridiron
As Gators across the nation eagerly await Saturday's kick-off of the 2011 season at the Swamp against Florida Atlantic, many Gators are wisely keeping expectations for Will Muschamp's first Gator team in check. While Gator Gridiron has a personal ethic of maintaining conservative expectations, we must admit that Gator Gridiron finds much to be optimistic about in terms of the rapidly approaching 2011 season.
We'll state some of those reasons for optimism below:
1. A FRESH START AND POSITIVE, UPBEAT ATMOSPHERE. New Head Coach Muschamp has brought a much needed burst of positive energy to the Florida Football. Obviously, the hard-edged, white knuckle, stomach churning intensity of former Head Gator Urban Meyer brought extraordinary success to Florida Gator Football. Gator Gridiron, as well as all Gators, should forever have a huge spirit of gratitide and respect for what CM achieved; however, that infamous Coach Meyer 24/7/365 grinding intensity eventually took it's toll. In a nutshell, Coach Meyer not only famously burned himself out, he burned out the remnants of the post-Tebow era Gators as well. A new HC with brand new assistant coaches with new schemes brings not only a fresh attitude for the players, but also the opportunity for a fresh start for many talented Gators, who for whatever reason, did not fit into the Coach Meyer plan for playing time.
2, ADDAZIO IS GONE. Perhaps the best thing to happen to Florida Gator Football, other than signing Tim Tebow, in, at least, the last 20 years or so, is the departure of the most incompetent "coach" to ever set foot in Gainesville, Steve "Meathead" Addazio. Addazio, as skilled a careerist, resume' builder and apple polisher as has ever lived, parlayed an asset as Urban Meyer's best friend into the role of Assistant Head Coach (even, perish the thought, Interim Head Coach at one point!!!???) AND, most destructively, Offensive Coordinator, a position he used to severely damage the NFL prospects of one Gator QB (Tim Tebow) and virtually destroy the career of another highly touted young QB (John Brantley), not to mention take the famed Florida Gator offense to the bottom tier of the SEC and NCAA. Thankfully, "Meathead" is gone now, to Temple to destroy the winning program that Coach Al Golden has built over the past few years. Without the albatross of Steve Addazio around their neck, the 2011 Gators truly have an opportunity for success, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
3, CHARLIE WEIS. The Coach WM regime not only swept out the worst OC in college football (and possibly college football history), he replaces him with one of the best offensive minds in the GAME of football----Charlie Weis. Weis has had nothing but success in a long career that has scanned the highest levels of the NFL (multiple Super Bowl rings with multiple teams), college and even high school (Weis bagged a state championship as a high school coach in New Jersey as he was just starting his career). Weis not only brings a lonnnnnggg track record of success to Gainesville, he also brings a balanced, "pro-style" offense that features an aggressive "down-the-field" passing game that compliments the talent in the program and that he has orchestrated to virtual perfection wherever he has been.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
THE WAR AGAINST TIM TEBOW
GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
In the past several weeks an unprecedented, full-fledged flame war against Tim Tebow has broken out among national sports media pundits. The overt anti-Tebow "noise in the national media system" is now a daily roar. From ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, to former Cincinatti Bengal QB Boomer Esiason, to a quick "kidney kick" by the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi (".....one QB 'Tebow' who has accomplished nothing as a pro QB....") to assorted pathetic media dweebs, dorks and pencil-necks, most notably ESPN'S Colin Cowherd and Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports, the attacks are now omni-present, hard-edged and personal. Gator Gridiron has one question; Why?...Why?....Why?
Why does a player who has accomplished so much ON THE FIELD generate so much negative feedback from the national media?
Why is the anti-Tebow chorus so pervasive and so MONOLITHIC?
Why isn't ANYONE on the national stage stepping up to defend Tebow, especially anyone from the Broncos organization?...or the University of Florida for that matter?
Why has an overt religious sarcasim now seeped into the "commentary" on Tebow? For example, Silver's piece included the gleeful phrase, "Savior's wings get clipped".
And most obvious; Why don't the excellent results Tebow achieves on the field seem to count for anything?
All this negative "analysis" about a QB who has done nothing but succeed ON THE FIELD in the NFL.
For example in just three starts in 2010 Tebow:
* Did something only 2 other QBs in the entire history of the National Football League have done---run for 40+ yard TD and pass for a 30+ yard TD in the same game.
* Engineered a dramatic come-from-behind win when the Bronco's trailed 0-17 at half-time. Tebow passed for 308 yards and scored on 6 yard run with 3 minutes in the game to put Denver over the top 24-23.
* Accounted for a total of 11 touchdowns passing and running in a back-up role with only 3 starts while the other QB Kyle Orton accounted for 20 touchdowns in 13 starts.
Why don't all these brilliant pundits write about that? (Because there is an underlying, or not so underlying, anti-Tebow bias in the national sports media, maybe?)
For those who are interested in accurate, informed analysis of what Tim Tebow can do for a football team, here it is: Tim Tebow will bring 3 specific elements to your offense---1) he can change field position and score touchdowns with big plays, both passing and running 2) he can consistently move the chains and allow your team to maintain the football and control the clock by grinding out first downs in crucial short yardage situations and 3) he can score in the red zone, again by both passing or running. Hey, you NFL idiots; does scoring touchdowns count in your "analysis"? In addition to all that he will bring passion, leadership and focus that will inspire the other players and lift your team.
One more question...
Why wouldn't EVERY team in the NFL want a quarterback like that?
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
In the past several weeks an unprecedented, full-fledged flame war against Tim Tebow has broken out among national sports media pundits. The overt anti-Tebow "noise in the national media system" is now a daily roar. From ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, to former Cincinatti Bengal QB Boomer Esiason, to a quick "kidney kick" by the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi (".....one QB 'Tebow' who has accomplished nothing as a pro QB....") to assorted pathetic media dweebs, dorks and pencil-necks, most notably ESPN'S Colin Cowherd and Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports, the attacks are now omni-present, hard-edged and personal. Gator Gridiron has one question; Why?...Why?....Why?
Why does a player who has accomplished so much ON THE FIELD generate so much negative feedback from the national media?
Why is the anti-Tebow chorus so pervasive and so MONOLITHIC?
Why isn't ANYONE on the national stage stepping up to defend Tebow, especially anyone from the Broncos organization?...or the University of Florida for that matter?
Why has an overt religious sarcasim now seeped into the "commentary" on Tebow? For example, Silver's piece included the gleeful phrase, "Savior's wings get clipped".
And most obvious; Why don't the excellent results Tebow achieves on the field seem to count for anything?
All this negative "analysis" about a QB who has done nothing but succeed ON THE FIELD in the NFL.
For example in just three starts in 2010 Tebow:
* Did something only 2 other QBs in the entire history of the National Football League have done---run for 40+ yard TD and pass for a 30+ yard TD in the same game.
* Engineered a dramatic come-from-behind win when the Bronco's trailed 0-17 at half-time. Tebow passed for 308 yards and scored on 6 yard run with 3 minutes in the game to put Denver over the top 24-23.
* Accounted for a total of 11 touchdowns passing and running in a back-up role with only 3 starts while the other QB Kyle Orton accounted for 20 touchdowns in 13 starts.
Why don't all these brilliant pundits write about that? (Because there is an underlying, or not so underlying, anti-Tebow bias in the national sports media, maybe?)
For those who are interested in accurate, informed analysis of what Tim Tebow can do for a football team, here it is: Tim Tebow will bring 3 specific elements to your offense---1) he can change field position and score touchdowns with big plays, both passing and running 2) he can consistently move the chains and allow your team to maintain the football and control the clock by grinding out first downs in crucial short yardage situations and 3) he can score in the red zone, again by both passing or running. Hey, you NFL idiots; does scoring touchdowns count in your "analysis"? In addition to all that he will bring passion, leadership and focus that will inspire the other players and lift your team.
One more question...
Why wouldn't EVERY team in the NFL want a quarterback like that?
Monday, August 8, 2011
MAGIC OF '69 GATORS CONTINUES AT DEL FRISCO'S OLD SCHOOL GATOR EVENT
Gator Gridiron
Roger Franklin Williams
The special magic of the fabled '69 Gators was in full force last Monday at Del Frisco's Orlando where Gators of all eras come to pay tribute to recent College Football Hall of Fame electee Carlos Alvarez and teammates from the famed 1969 Florida Gators---fellow Super Soph John Reaves, Offensive Captain and All-SEC OT Mac Steen and SR DB Larry Williamson. Reaves, Alvarez and the guys re-counted their personal recollections of some to the most spectacular, dramatic and poingant events in Florida Gator Football history. From the incredible 70 yard bomb from Reaves to Alvarez on the first pass of their careers, to the improbable 59-34 blow-out of Number 1 ranked (by Playboy) 27 point favorite Houston in the 1969 season opener, to the stirring 14-13 upset of SEC regular season Champion Tennessee in the Gator Bowl, which gave the '69 team the distiction of posting the best record in Florida football history to that point, to the bizarre, ill-advised, previously denied coaching change announced by President Stephen O'Connell on the day after the Gator Bowl, Super Sophs Reaves, Alvarez, Co-Captain Steen and senior leader Williamson re-counted the whole wonderful, fantastik story of the overlooked, unheralded team that brought immeasurable and almost indescribable joy to Gators of their era and, sadly, brought and end to the Ray Graves Silver Sixties era.
In the days ahead, Gator Gridiron will post photos and videos of the first hand history and special magic that was captured that exciting evening at Orlando's premier upscale fine dining venue with the men who as youngsters created some of the most wonderful, dramatic and significant moments in the annals of Florida Gator football.
Roger Franklin Williams
The special magic of the fabled '69 Gators was in full force last Monday at Del Frisco's Orlando where Gators of all eras come to pay tribute to recent College Football Hall of Fame electee Carlos Alvarez and teammates from the famed 1969 Florida Gators---fellow Super Soph John Reaves, Offensive Captain and All-SEC OT Mac Steen and SR DB Larry Williamson. Reaves, Alvarez and the guys re-counted their personal recollections of some to the most spectacular, dramatic and poingant events in Florida Gator Football history. From the incredible 70 yard bomb from Reaves to Alvarez on the first pass of their careers, to the improbable 59-34 blow-out of Number 1 ranked (by Playboy) 27 point favorite Houston in the 1969 season opener, to the stirring 14-13 upset of SEC regular season Champion Tennessee in the Gator Bowl, which gave the '69 team the distiction of posting the best record in Florida football history to that point, to the bizarre, ill-advised, previously denied coaching change announced by President Stephen O'Connell on the day after the Gator Bowl, Super Sophs Reaves, Alvarez, Co-Captain Steen and senior leader Williamson re-counted the whole wonderful, fantastik story of the overlooked, unheralded team that brought immeasurable and almost indescribable joy to Gators of their era and, sadly, brought and end to the Ray Graves Silver Sixties era.
In the days ahead, Gator Gridiron will post photos and videos of the first hand history and special magic that was captured that exciting evening at Orlando's premier upscale fine dining venue with the men who as youngsters created some of the most wonderful, dramatic and significant moments in the annals of Florida Gator football.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
HALL OF FAMER CARLOS ALVAREZ, GATOR GREATS REAVES AND STEEN TO KICK-OFF OLD SCHOOL GATOR SERIES
GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
Gator Greats Carlos Alvarez, John Reaves and Mac Steen headline the kick-off edition of the 2011 Old School Gator Series with Roger Franklin Williams on 540 WFLA. Alvarez was recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. The program will be taped on Monday August 1 from 6pm-7pm at Del Frisco's Orlando. Gator fans and 540 WFLA listeners are welcome to attend the taping and stay for dinner afterwards with Carlos, John, Mac and Larry Williamson, a key senior leader on the famed '69 Gators. Video highlights will be posted here on the Gator Gridiron blog and at www.YouTube.com/oldschooldelfriscos.
The program will highlight Alvarez Hall of Fame career at Florida, the extraordinary accomplishments of Alvarez and his fellow Super Soph, All-American quarterback John Reaves, and the historic season of the famed 1969 Gators. The '69 Gators entered the season as a preseason member of the infamous Bottom-20 and picked by some "experts" to finish last in the SEC. After blitzing Playboys' pre-season No 1 Houston 59-34--- a game where Reaves hit Alvarez with a 70 yard bomb to start the game and proceeded to shatter every UF and SEC single game passing record--- the '69 Gators went on to post the best season in Gator history to that point; a 9-1-1 record capped with a stunning 14-13 Gator Bowl victory over regular season SEC Champion Tennessee, while shattering virtually every UF and SEC passing, receiving and total offense record .
While the legend of the Super Sophs---Reaves, Alvarez, TB Tommy Durrance, who also set a new SEC record for touchdowns and scoring in '69, and FB Mike Rich, plus numerous other Sophs who made major contributions on both offense and defense---defines the '69 Gators to many, the truth is that the team was primarily built around a large group of veteran players, including one of the most outstanding Senior classes in Florida Football history. Senior OT Steen was offensive captain and 3-year starter. Coach Ray Graves said, "Steen is as good of an offensive tackle as we have had since I've been here". In addition to a first team All-SEC season, his leadership, along with defensive captain Tom Abdelnour, both on and off the field, was a crucial element in the historic and enduring success of the '69 Gators. Williamson was a senior DB whose contributions as a role player and member of the Leadership Council has been credited by teammates as important to the success of the '69 Gators.
Video highlights will be posted here on the Gator Gridiron blog and at www.YouTube.com/oldschooldelfriscos and, of course, all Gators and college football fans are encourage to attend.
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
Gator Greats Carlos Alvarez, John Reaves and Mac Steen headline the kick-off edition of the 2011 Old School Gator Series with Roger Franklin Williams on 540 WFLA. Alvarez was recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. The program will be taped on Monday August 1 from 6pm-7pm at Del Frisco's Orlando. Gator fans and 540 WFLA listeners are welcome to attend the taping and stay for dinner afterwards with Carlos, John, Mac and Larry Williamson, a key senior leader on the famed '69 Gators. Video highlights will be posted here on the Gator Gridiron blog and at www.YouTube.com/oldschooldelfriscos.
The program will highlight Alvarez Hall of Fame career at Florida, the extraordinary accomplishments of Alvarez and his fellow Super Soph, All-American quarterback John Reaves, and the historic season of the famed 1969 Gators. The '69 Gators entered the season as a preseason member of the infamous Bottom-20 and picked by some "experts" to finish last in the SEC. After blitzing Playboys' pre-season No 1 Houston 59-34--- a game where Reaves hit Alvarez with a 70 yard bomb to start the game and proceeded to shatter every UF and SEC single game passing record--- the '69 Gators went on to post the best season in Gator history to that point; a 9-1-1 record capped with a stunning 14-13 Gator Bowl victory over regular season SEC Champion Tennessee, while shattering virtually every UF and SEC passing, receiving and total offense record .
While the legend of the Super Sophs---Reaves, Alvarez, TB Tommy Durrance, who also set a new SEC record for touchdowns and scoring in '69, and FB Mike Rich, plus numerous other Sophs who made major contributions on both offense and defense---defines the '69 Gators to many, the truth is that the team was primarily built around a large group of veteran players, including one of the most outstanding Senior classes in Florida Football history. Senior OT Steen was offensive captain and 3-year starter. Coach Ray Graves said, "Steen is as good of an offensive tackle as we have had since I've been here". In addition to a first team All-SEC season, his leadership, along with defensive captain Tom Abdelnour, both on and off the field, was a crucial element in the historic and enduring success of the '69 Gators. Williamson was a senior DB whose contributions as a role player and member of the Leadership Council has been credited by teammates as important to the success of the '69 Gators.
Video highlights will be posted here on the Gator Gridiron blog and at www.YouTube.com/oldschooldelfriscos and, of course, all Gators and college football fans are encourage to attend.
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