The Sports Oasis

Looking Back to '03: Predicting the Success of Tyler Murphy

2013-09-23T20:26:00.001-04:00

When Jeff Driskel was knocked out of the game due to injury with 10:05 left in the first quarter against Tennessee I figured the season had gone up in smoke. Sure, the defense and special teams might be overwhelming enough to eek out a win versus the Vols, but beyond that the prospects weren't going to be good. Turns out I was wrong. Not only did Tyler Murphy fill in admirably for the injured Driskel, he also provided hope that this season isn't entirely lost.

To be fair, Murphy didn't look great at first, and without the defense forcing back-to-back turnovers I'm not sure how the game plays out. However, that's exactly what this team was built to do. Play suffocating defense, run the ball, control the clock and not turn it over. When the offense needed extra snaps to calm everything down the defense pulled through. By halftime, Murphy had made the most of those snaps en route to a 17-7 lead for the Gators. At that point I felt like Murphy was running a very Chris Leak-esque offense, and based on how the team has struggled to move the ball at times in recent years, that isn't a bad thing.

Leak certainly wasn't a dual-threat quarterback in the truest sense of the term, but he did fairly well picking up yards on the ground if the play broke down. Murphy rushed for 84 yards versus Tennessee, and while some of that was probably him breaking the pocket too early and taking advantage of a weaker defense, he did have success on designed quarterback run plays. Also, to me his throwing mechanics appear to be similar to Leak's, but I haven't gone through much video to compare the two. However, I was curious as to how Leak fared in his first games as Florida's quarterback, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I found (and had evidently forgotten).

Leak battled Ingle Martin through the first four games of the 2003 season, and received his first career start against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium. Hopefully, Murphy brings home the win like Leak did that day. Leak followed that up with a loss to Ole Miss in a game where he threw three interceptions. Amazingly, he went for 229 yards and two passing touchdowns the next week as the Gators handed LSU, the eventual National Champions, their only loss of the season. Leak ended the regular season 6-2 as the starter, with other notable wins coming against Arkansas and Georgia. So, can Murphy rack up at least 6 wins? It's tough, but I think he'll be able to equal Leak's mark, if only because Florida's defense is so dominant.

The 2003 Florida team finished the season ranked 51st in total defense, and 28th in scoring defense. This year's squad should finish the season ranked in the top 10, if not the top 5, in both of those categories. They will limit the amount of points their opponent scores, and barring turnovers by the offense (certainly not a given from what we've seen), will keep the team close in every game from here on out.

Tyler Murphy isn't a four-star recruit like Leak or Driskel, and his miniscule sample size as a starter came against an inferior opponent. However, there is reason to be optimistic because at first glance he appears to be a great fit for this system. He's a threat to run the ball, and has enough short-range accuracy to deliver passes to the receivers in ways that will allow them to make plays after the catch.

Honestly, this team just needs Murphy to complete 60% of his passes with at least a 2-to-1 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions. Similar to what Driskel did last year, and what Leak did on his way to compiling a 35-12 record as a starter. If Murphy is able to do that, then this team should be in a position to win at least six of the remaining nine games and still make a run at Atlanta.

Five Things The Gators Need To Do Versus The Wildcats

2012-09-21T21:50:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, the Florida Gators welcome the Kentucky Wildcats to The Swamp. I can't imagine that too many Gator fans are nervous about the team losing, and most of them probably want to see Will Muschamp and Co. put a large amount of points on the scoreboard. Honestly, I'm not as concerned with the score as I am with using the opportunity to really work on some key areas. For me, there are five items that I would like the Gators to actively work on during tomorrow's game. They are:

1. Get Andre Debose Involved
Seriously. I would like to say this list is in no particular order, but Debose is non-existent in the offense right now. With the kickoffs being moved up he's not going to do much damage there this season. Instead, he needs to use his speed and elusiveness during gameplay. I don't mind seeing him on Jet Sweeps, but would rather see him catching passes down the field. Please Brent Pease make this happen.
2. Figure Out The #2 Back
Neither running back, Mack Brown or Matt Jones, has really solidified the backup role behind Mike Gillislee. While the coaching staff might be perfectly content to rotate those guys through on a consistent basis, I'd like to see one of them step up and take hold of that second spot. If the score gets out of hand tomorrow, that would be the perfect opportunity to see what each can really do.

3. Improve The Short Yardage Run Game
This ties in perfectly with #2 up there, and the Gators should get a fair amount of short yardage opportunities tomorrow. For all of Coach Muschamp's talk about being a tough team when it comes to pounding the ball in the short yardage game the Gators have shown almost no improvement. If they truly want to compete for an SEC title this year they have to get good at blowing the defensive line off the ball in obvious running situations. Otherwise, they risk settling for field goals deep in the red zone, or worse, having to punt the ball away.

4. Practice Better Coverage In The Secondary
After the first half of the game against Tennessee I thought for sure the Vols would have no problem slinging the ball around in the third and fourth quarters. Luckily, there were a few drops, Tyler Bray got very inconsistent and the defensive line and linebackers were able to bring some pressure. Granted, Justin Hunter is one of the best receivers in the SEC, but Marcus Roberson got flat out schooled on a couple plays. I can live with the holding or interference calls if they save a touchdown, but not when it's because your play is sloppy. The secondary has the ability to lock down opposing receivers and tight ends, but they really haven't done it consistently. Hopefully tomorrow we see fundamentals at work.

5. Dial Up Some Punt Pressure
LSU is in two weeks. I'm still not exactly sure how dominant of a team they are, but when they come to Gainesville I hope the Gators are on point in every phase of the game. This includes special teams, and especially punt pressure. LSU has a phenomenal punter, one that can flip the field and run in touchdowns. If there's no pressure, he's going to pin the Gators deep every chance he gets. However, one new wrinkle that frees a defender might make all of the difference in the world, and swing a stadium full of momentum. The Kentucky game presents the perfect opportunity to dial up some of that pressure on what should be multiple punts.

Do I think all five of these will be fine tuned tomorrow? Probably not. However, it's a great chance for the team to get back in The Swamp and run through some of them at game speed. Hopefully, they show improvement in at least some these areas, and end the game with a W and no significant injuries.

Victory Formation: Gators Beat Volunteers

2012-09-16T13:36:00.002-04:00

This image is so much better than the one in the post below. Thank you Coach Muschamp and Florida football players for providing us with this endlessly entertaining GIF(image courtesy SB Nation), and for coming home with a 37-20 win over the Tennessee Volunteers.

My original prediction of a 27-20 win for the Gators wasn't too far off, and I'm very happy those extra 10 points went up on the Florida side of the scoreboard. I felt relatively good that UF was only down four at halftime, even after settling for a field goal right before the half. However, I didn't expect a 27-6 scoring binge in favor of the Gators in the second half. Let's see how the Gators ended up with the victory, and how close my other predictions were.

Florida Ran the Ball Much Better
Like I touched on in my preview, Florida appeared to be the stronger rushing team entering the game. They weren't racking up as many rushes for negative or no yards as Tennessee was. The Gators were also ripping off more runs of 10 yards or more. Yes, Florida had 336 yards rushing, but they also had five rushes(not including those by Driskel) of 10+ yards versus only one for Tennessee. When your running game can break off long rushes it helps open up the field for your passing game.

The Middle of the Field Was Kind of Open
On the first scoring drive for the Gators Jordan Reed caught a nice 20-yard pass down the middle. There were a few other nice passes over the middle to Dunbar and Joyer, but most of the damage in the passing game was done on the outside.

Jeff Driskel Was Much More Than a Game Manager
I didn't think the coaching staff would ask Driskel to attempt many throws down the field or in tight spaces. For the most part they didn't, but when they did he looked far from the true sophomore player that he is. That 23-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Reed? Beautiful. The scrambling 17-yard throw to Salomon Patton just before halftime? Incredible.

In 2.5 games Driskel has showed everyone exactly why Muschamp and Pease ultimately chose him to lead the offense. His passing ability combined with the ability to pick up chunks of yards running makes him a tough quarterback to defend. Lots of credit to Brent Pease for utilizing Driskel in a way that's maximizing his talents.

Florida's Secondary Was In Need of a Fire Extinguisher
I don't think there were any big miscommunications, but UF's secondary certainly got burned...a lot. Marcus Roberson gave up too many big plays early, and the Gators benefited from some terrible drops by Hunter and Patterson. This has to be fixed quickly if Florida wants to compete for the SECe this season.

And what about my concerns?

Hunter and Patterson Were Going Early
It looked like those two guys were really going to make it a long night for Florida's defensive backs. Hunter schooled Roberson on multiple plays, and Patterson got free quite a few times. I'm not sure the second half stall by the Tennessee passing game was as much UF defensive backfield adjustments as it was Bray misfiring and UT receivers dropping passes.

The Pressure Didn't Get to Driskel
I thought Tennessee's blitzes would get to Driskel on a few occasions, and possibly result in sacks or an interception. Driskel did get pressured, but he took zero sacks. In fact, he made some of his best passes with pressure right in his face.

Outside of the the +17 points in favor of the Gators on the scoreboard, I really liked seeing the receivers and backs blocking way down field. To me, that's a sign that this entire offense has bought into Pease's scheme, and they are playing as a cohesive unit. These guys are willing to do whatever it takes to help their teammates be successful.

How And Why The Florida Gators Can Beat The Tennessee Volunteers

2012-09-15T00:04:00.000-04:00

First, if Tyler Bray does this at all on Saturday night versus the Gators, I'm probably throwing a beer glass through my TV. With that out of the way here's why I'm optimistic that Florida can escape Knoxville with a win.

Florida Runs the Ball Better
If you've seen any of the recent Florida vs Tennessee games, then you've heard the stat that the team with the most rushing yards wins. I won't break down past rushing numbers, but looking each team's performance against their toughest opponent of 2012 I am confident that Florida is the better rushing team.

Comparing Florida's game versus Texas A&M to Tennessee's game versus N.C. State I noticed that Florida didn't have as many negative rushing plays. Shocking, I know. Here's the breakdown:

*Tennessee had 35 rushes(doesn't include QB scrambles, does include end arounds)
*Of those 35, 13 went for negative yards or no gain, 37%
*Seven were for 0-4 yards, 20%
*13 went for 5-9 yards, 37%
*Two were for 10+ yards, 6%

*Florida had 32 rushes(doesn't include QB scrambles, does include end arounds)
*Of those 32, seven went for negative yards or no gain, 22%
*14 were for 0-4 yards, 44%
*Six went for 5-9 yards, 19%
*Five were for 10+ yards, 15%

As you can see, not only did Florida have fewer rushing plays for negative or no gain, but they also had more for 10 yards or more. Tennessee did bust off two long runs against N.C. State, but Florida consistently ran the ball well against Texas A&M. If they can find that same consistency against the Vols, they will win the game.

The Middle of the Field is Open
One thing that really stood out to me in the Tennessee/N.C. State game is how open the middle of the field was for the Wolfpack on offense. Especially when the Volunteers sent blitzes right up the middle. Consequently, two tight ends were the #2 and #3 leading receivers for N.C. State. Asa Watson and Mario Carter both found space to catch and run against Tennessee, and neither one is as athletic as Jordan Reed. Plus, I expect to see Kent Taylor on the field for at least a few snaps. Florida will almost certainly get good production up the middle of the field against the Vols if their running backs are able to pick up blitzes.

Jeff Driskel Will Not Be a Turnover Machine
I'm not sure what happened to Mike Glennon between the end of the 2011 season and the start of 2012. He made some very bad reads against Tennessee even when he wasn't under pressure, and really forced some throws late in the game. I don't see Brent Pease asking Driskel to make throws all over the field, especially if the running game is strong, and if Florida loses it shouldn't be because Driskel is tossing interceptions.

Florida's Secondary is Tight
David Amerson became the goat of the N.C. State loss because the receivers he was covering scored long touchdowns. However, he didn't have a lot of help, and there seemed to be an awful lot of miscommunication in that defensive backfield. Florida's secondary looked pretty strong against the Aggies, particularly when they knocked away two consecutive short-yardage passes to the end zone. At the very least, all of the defensive backs appear to understand their assignments, and haven't really looked out of place on the field. They might give up some yards, but I can't see them letting a receiver get loose for a 72-yard touchdown.

Of course there are some causes for concern...

Tennessee Wide Receivers
While I do think Florida's secondary is a strength of the defensive unit, the combo of Hunter and Patterson is impressive. Justin Hunter can make plays anywhere on the field, and Cordarelle Patterson reminds me a lot of Julio Jones. He's got good hands and deceptive speed. I expect the Florida defensive backs to get tested early and often.

Blitz Pick Ups
Tennessee is going to pressure Driskel. He's probably going to see blitzes from multiple looks, and the offensive line and running backs better be prepared to pick them up. N.C. State was able to pick up most of them, and gave Glennon extra time. If Florida doesn't, then Driskel is going to have a long night.

I really think Florida has a good shot at making it eight straight against Tennessee. They should be able to run the ball a bit better, and Driskel will move the ball effectively without being asked to do all that much yet again.

Prediction: Florida 27, Tennessee 20

2004, Tennessee Football & Petey Pablo

2012-09-13T14:52:00.000-04:00

Realizing that Florida has rattled off seven straight wins against the Volunteers even surprised me a little bit. I knew that the Gators had been victorious in most of their recent contests with Tennessee, but it doesn't feel like seven wins. Just for perspective here's the song that was #1 on the radio(according to Billboard) the last time the Volunteers beat the Gators(September 18, 2004):

Ahhh Petey Pablo, you made people everywhere spin their shirts "like a helicopter".

Personally, I prefer this Pablo classic for Saturday's game:

"You can't miss kickoff..."

Week 2 Fantasy Football Sleepers

2012-09-12T21:51:00.001-04:00

Every week I'll scout players that are likely available in your fantasy football league, and provide "sleepers" from the four key positions, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. I'll also provide one kicker and one team defense.

This is based on a 10 team PPR Yahoo! league that starts one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end and one flex(W/R) player. I'm denoting "sleeper" as less than 75% owned, though, there may be borderline players that I don't include because they're probably not available in most leagues. Also, this is only week two so you should still be starting most of the players you drafted, but if you feel like swinging for the fences with some boom or bust picks be my guest.

Quarterback
My Yahoo! league tells me that Joe Flacco is 74% owned. Technically, he's under that 75% bar, but I wouldn't consider him a sleeper after that Monday night performance.

Sam Bradford: Currently 22% ownership. Bradford was serviceable in his opener against Detroit going 17/25(68%) for 198 yards and 1 touchdown with no turnovers. His opponent this week, the Washington Redskins, got out to a quick start against the New Orleans Saints last Sunday and survived Drew Brees trying to pass his way back into a win. Here's the thing though, Washington's defense only had to defend 10 rushing attempts. Steven Jackson should rack up at least twice as many, and open up the field for Bradford. I can see Bradford passing for at least 250 yards and two scores.

Christian Ponder: Currently 12% owned. Ponder really didn't do much last week versus the Jaguars, but with AP rumbling for two touchdowns he didn't really need to. This week's opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, is fresh off giving up over 300 yards passing and two touchdowns to Jay Cutler. I expect to see much more impressive offense take the field for Minnesota this weekend, and Ponder should put up 300+ yards and two touchdowns.

Andy Dalton: Currently 50% owned. Cincinnati got torched by the Ravens on Monday night, but a lot of that was due to the defense's inability to stop Baltimore's offense. Joe Flacco only threw eight incompletions while hitting almost 300 yards and connecting for two touchdowns. Brandon Weeden will not do that this week, and I like Cincinnati to get rolling early in this game. I'd peg Dalton for 250 yards passing and at least two, maybe three, touchdowns.

Running Back

Alfred Morris: Currently 74% owned. Yes, Mike Shanahan backfields are where fantasy football running backs go to die. And yes, Morris is fairly one dimensional seeing as how he isn't a great receiver. However, that one dimension is pretty good, and it's the reason a lot of fantasy football "experts" drafted Morris in the latter rounds. He faces a St. Louis defense that allowed Kevin Smith to run for 62 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries. I think Morris gets twice as many against the Rams, and should be able to rack up 100 yards and at least one, possibly two, touchdowns. It can't be stated enough that should the rookie make a mistake, Shanahan will yank him and ruin your fantasy day.

Mark Ingram: Currently 59% owned. Since the Saints fell behind early Ingram had only six rushing attempts, and he only managed to rack up a measly 15 yards. A lot of people expected Ingram to get a bulk of the goal line work, and after one week most of them have probably wiped him off their roster. This week he should get some scoring opportunities against a Carolina defense that gave up almost 100 yards rushing to Doug Martin. Ingram is good for 75 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Dexter McCluster: Currently 33% owned. In my league McCluster is listed at both WR & RB, and I wouldn't have any problems plugging him into either spot, especially in a PPR format. Last week against the Falcons McCluster caught six passes for 82 yards. This week, he gets to face a Buffalo defense that looked soft against the Jets last Sunday. I can see him racking up similar totals with a touchdown added to his numbers.

Wide Receiver

Stephen Hill: Currently 51% owned. Seriously, if you need any sort of wide receiver help on your fantasy team give him a look. I know he's a rookie receiver, and they can tend to disappear at times but Sanchez will throw his way a lot this season. Yes, he's facing Pittsburgh's secondary this week, but I still like him for 50 yards and a score.

Donald Jones: Currently 4% owned. In a game where just about everything went wrong, Jones was one of the lone bright spots for Buffalo. We're only one game into the season, but it looks like he's ready to make an impact every week. With David Nelson going down due to a torn ACL I can see Jones picking up a few more targets against a Kansas City secondary that was carved up by Matty Ice. Jones should be good for at least 80 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Jenkins: Currently 1% owned. Are there a lot of other receivers that I could include instead of Jenkins? Yes. However, I think he's almost assured of 75 yards and touchdown against the Colts. Indy's secondary couldn't keep Brandon Marshall or Alshon Jeffrey out of the end zone, and while Jenkins isn't as talented as that duo, he does have the same size and strength to rack up stats.

Tight End

Coby Fleener: Currently 52% owned. Andrew Luck is going to throw Fleener a lot of passes this year, and like last week when he caught six of them for 82 yards I like him to go for 75+ yards and a score against a Minnesota defense that gave up decent numbers to Marcedes Lewis in week one.

Dennis Pitta: Currently 19% owned. It will be tough week to week to predict which Baltimore tight end will have more success. This week I'm leaning towards Pitta because he looked a little better than Dickson on Monday night. Against the Eagles this week I think he'll end up with 75 yards and a touchdown.

Marcedes Lewis: Currently 10% owned. Speaking of Marcedes Lewis, he put together a nice week outting. He's facing a stiffer Houston defense this week, so he might not grab another touchdown but the yards should be there and I really like him in PPR leagues.

Kicker

Dan Carpenter: Currently 25% owned. Oakland gave up five field goals Nate Kaeding. Granted, Miami's offense is still in disarray, but Oakland has to travel across the country for a 1 p.m. game on the East Coast after a late Monday night game. Miami should be able to move the ball enough to give Carpenter some chances, and he has the leg to take advantage. I predict three field goals, all from 30+ yards.

Team Defense

San Diego Chargers: Currently 9% owned. The Chargers defense tallied good numbers against the Raiders last week, and I expect them to do the same versus a Tennessee team that couldn't do anything against New England. Locker is banged up, and San Diego is coming off a good(albeit lucky) win against a bitter division rival. I look for them to rack up some good points on the defensive side of the ball.

At It Again

2012-09-12T19:59:00.001-04:00

Posts here have been sporadic over the past couple of years. Daily life got busy, and gobbled up more and more of the time that I usually carved out for researching and writing. However, I still very much enjoy that process, and I've decided to set aside the necessary time to get this thing going again. Hopefully, this becomes a place for insightful discourse on a variety of subjects.

FredEx Now Delivering Fraudulent Tax Returns

2012-03-16T15:34:00.001-04:00

Former NFL wide receiver Freddie Mitchell has been indicted for allegedly assisting a couple with filing fraudulent tax returns for professional athletes. Apparently, the plan was to grossly inflate the tax refund due to the pro athlete, and back that up with fake documents. From the Orlando Sentinel:

Mitchell turned himself into authorities, but it is unclear when his next court appearance will be. His two co-defendants, Jamie Russ-Walls and her husband Richard Walls, were arrested in Pennsylvania and are scheduled to be arraigned in Orlando on Thursday. All three are accused of conspiring to defraud the IRS.

Russ-Walls or Walls prepared individual income-tax returns that falsely claimed the taxpayers were due significant refunds, in amounts ranging from $170,000 to $1.9 million, and created false documents to support their fraudulent claims, the indictment alleges.

From some quick research it looks like Mitchell was probably just the pipeline for contacting pro athletes because of his four year(yeah, I know, it seemed like a lot longer) NFL career. Wonder if he got into this racket after his BBQ restaurant went under?

The big question now is who is "A.G." that was hoodwinked by FredEx? I checked out the Philadelphia rosters from 01-04, but didn't see any players with those initials. Nothing on the '05 Chiefs either. Anyone have any ideas?

The Hit or Miss Nature of Fantasy Football

2010-11-30T21:33:00.000-05:00

Fantasy football is anything but predictable, and I was reminded of this as one of my teams was eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend. While my team has suffered from having the 2nd most points scored against it(50 more than it's scored so far), the rest of the problems can be traced back to what I thought was a good draft. Altering just a few of my first picks on draft day probably would have had me in the hunt for a title.

Here are my first 5 picks(I had the #2 overall selection), and remember what the outlook was for each of these players heading into the season.

1. Adrian Peterson: 1016 rush yds, 8 rush tds, 331 rec. yds, 1 rec td
2. Larry Fitzgerald: 728 rec. yds, 5 rec. tds
3. Brandon Marshall: 693 rec. yds, 1 rec. td
4. DeAngelo Williams: 361 rush yds, 1 rush td, 61 rec. yds
5. Cedric Benson: 788 rush yds, 4 rush tds, 126 rec. yds, 1 td

Back in August, this seemed like a pretty good first 5 choices. In late November, it's easy to see why my team was struggling to get a playoff berth. Contrast my picks with the first 5 of the team in first place(who had the #1 overall pick):

1. Chris Johnson: 973 rush yds, 9 rush tds, 105 rec. yds
2. Calvin Johnson: 806 rec. yds, 11 rec. tds
3. Greg Jennings: 822 rec. yds, 9 rec. tds
4. Matt Schaub: 2752 pass yds, 15 pass tds, 7 ints
5. Arian Foster: 1147 rush yds, 12 rush tds, 453 yds rec. 1 td

My lack of a dominant #1 wide receiver coming from my top 5 picks really hurt. Mike Wallace & Jeremy Maclin(my 11th & 12th picks) have turned out to be my best options. LeSean McCoy and Matt Ryan have turned out to be good late-round selections, but three out of my top five picks consistently under-performing combined with what seemed like season-high point totals by my opponent every week kept my team from getting to the post-season.

All in all, it's just another learning experience in the unpredictable world that is fantasy football.

Is Meyer Behind the Newton Leak?

2010-11-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

The Cam Newton eligibility saga got a little more interesting today. First, it was reported that Newton was caught cheating at Florida, and left the school before appearing in front of the Florida Student Conduct Committee. Then, it came out that the FBI was getting involved, and would like to speak with John Bond.

Throughout the day, one thing has remained constant, the murmurs that somehow Urban Meyer and/or someone on his staff is behind this entire thing. Some theories paint Meyer as a jilted former coach that wanted to thrust Florida back into the spotlight while diminishing Newton's accomplishments. Others have him just being a "bad guy" that's looking to get Newton declared ineligible prior to a possible Auburn vs Florida SEC Championship Game.

In any case, what would Urban Meyer gain from leaking this info?

Meyer would certainly realize that any NCAA investigation into Newton's eligibility probably wouldn't be completed until after the SEC Championship Game, and even that is being quite generous with the timeframe. Leaking the info, and hoping for swift action from the NCAA isn't exactly a calculating move by a supposedly ruthless coach.

Meyer also seems to realize that leaking confidential student records is a serious offense, and has done his best to get out in front of those rumors. And what would he gain now from telling everyone that Newton was caught cheating at Florida roughly two years ago? If anything, telling prospective recruits that their secrets are safe within the locker room, and that the coaches will do their best to keep them insulated from outsiders should anything "bad" happen is a powerful recruiting tool. Meyer is fully aware of how the recruiting game is played, and there's little chance that he would risk missing out on 5-star recruits after being labeled a "snitch" or "tattle-tale".

Also, in case no one noticed, this is the biggest game week of the year for Florida. They win, and they're in the SEC Championship Game even after losing three conference games in a row a few weeks back. Do you think Meyer wants this distraction piled on top of preparing for the 'Ol Ball Coach coming back to The Swamp in search of his first SEC East title at South Carolina? He's got enough to worry about, and being asked if he was the source of these leaks this entire week isn't exactly conducive to stress-free preparation.

All in all, Meyer being the source of these leaks does far more harm than good. The most he could "gain" would be the possibility of Newton sitting out an SEC Championship Game that neither Florida nor Auburn is guaranteed to play in right now. On the flipside, being at the head of this would certainly tarnish any legacy Meyer is building, and only ratchet up the vitriol that some enjoy lobbing his direction.

Meyer may certainly come across as a dick to some people, but he's never been accused of being stupid. Meyer leaking this info would be nothing short of idiotic, possibly illegal and detrimental to his own football program.

In All Kinds of Weather...

2010-10-18T19:27:00.001-04:00

...We'll all stick together. For F-L-O-R-I-D-A.

I'm not sure this season is exactly what the composer had in mind, but hopefully we can all stick together and make it through this perfect storm of ineptitude that's hit.

There's a lot of noise in the machine right now calling for various changes. Some want Addazio fired. Others just want him to go back to being strictly an offensive line coach. And still others want Brantley benched in favor of Trey Burton. Three straight losses, two at home, will cause that sort of loud displeasure when the fanbase is used to the success that occurred over the past 5 seasons. So, what moves can be made to get the Gators pointed in the right direction?

First, I can't place any blame on John Brantley for how the offense has performed up to this point. He's being asked to run a system that doesn't fit his abilities, his receivers have dropped passes(*cough*Deonte Thompson*cough*) and at times it looks like there's confusion with the plays being relayed in from the sidelines. Too often during the game against Mississippi State it looked like Brantley either didn't know or didn't like the play being called. Also, I would ask Addazio and Meyer to watch these highlights of Brantley in high school. Remember this kid, guys? You recruited him to play quarterback at the University of Florida. Do you see him running the spread option?

Second, I agree that a change in playcallers is necessary. Not only is the offense as a whole underperforming with Addazio as the offensive coordinator, but the play along the offensive line has deteriorated as well. Both of those are his responsibility, and as of right now neither has looked very good. The only problem with making a change is that I'm not sure Addazio would accept a demotion, and there's a good chance Florida could be looking to fill both of those holes immediately if they asked him to step down as OC. Though, if some type of change isn't made regarding those two areas the offense will continue to sputter throughout this season and probably in 2011.

Lastly, in some ways this does feel worse than the Ron Zook era. I'm certainly not saying that Urban Meyer and Ron Zook are on the same level, but at some point you knew what you were getting with Ron Zook. There was a ceiling that those teams would hit, and never be able to rise above. However, with Meyer it's always seemed like he has an answer for every loss, and that he truly can correct the issues causing a lack of success. Yet, this is the first time in five years that he doesn't seem to have the answer, or maybe he realizes the tough decision that has to be made but is unable to make it.

Unfortunately, if he can't or won't make those changes soon no amount of foul weather gear will protect UF football fans from the type of storm that's brewing on the horizon.

6 Week Mini-Snapshot: Is it Just UF's Offense?

2010-10-12T23:23:00.000-04:00

The Gators are 4-2, and many fans believe that lackluster offensive playcalling is to blame for much of the team's woes. Voicing displeasure about the way offensive coordinator Steve Addazio has run the offense is quickly becoming a tradition much like the Gator Walk. So, is it really his fault? How do the Gators stack up on both sides of the ball when compared to the first 6 games of last season?

Of course, stats can be a bit misleading because an inefficient offense will place strain on even the best defense, but I have found a few data sets that I thought were insightful.

2010 Yards per Game: 323, 140 rush yds, 183 pass yds(6.42yds/att)
2009 Yards per Game: 470, 259 rush yds, 210 pass yds(8.9yds/att)

2010 Sacks Allowed(6gms): 7
2009 Sacks Allowed(6gms): 13

2010 3rd downs: 32/74, 43%
2009 3rd downs: 43/74, 58%

2010 Red Zone Efficiency: 21/27, 139pts, 13 rush td, 6 pass td, 2 fg
2009 Red Zone Efficiency: 24/30, 131pts, 10 rush td, 5 pass td, 9 fg

2010 Opponent Red Zone: 15/19, 80pts, 5 rush td, 4 pass td, 6 fg
2009 Opponent Red Zone: 9/12, 39pts, 2 rush td, 1 pass td, 6 fg

2010 Total Yards Allowed: 1840
2009 Total Yards Allowed: 1370

2010 Scoring Defense: 121pts, 20.17pts/gm
2009 Scoring Defense: 52pts, 8.6pts/gm

2010 Sacks by Defense: 13 sacks
2009 Sacks by Defense: 16 sacks

2010 INTs by Defense: 13
2009 INTs by Defense: 7

2010 Tackles for Loss: 37
2009 Tackles for Loss: 35

At first glance you can see that the offense is indeed lagging behind where it was at this point last season. It's gaining roughly 140 less yards per game, and despite the belief that there would be a more wide open passing attack there's been a drop of about 2.5yds per attempt. Pass protection, which some people have focused on, is actually a bit better so far this season, though, that obviously doesn't take into account the poor snaps that have occurred with alarming frequency.

Another trouble area is on third down. Granted, the offense has seen a number of 3rd down and intermediate or long situations, but it's converting roughly 15% less on 3rd than it did last year. I believe that just boosting that conversion rate would help immensely.

Red zone efficiency is at about the same point through 6 games, though, getting that up from the current 77% to 80%+ would be nice.

Looking at these stats it would appear that the offense probably does need to stretch the field a little more, and do a better job of converting 3rd downs. But what about on the other side of the ball? Has the buzz created by the criticism of Addazio drowned out questions about the defense?

As you can see, the defense is allowing close to 80yds more per game. On top of that, they're surrendering over 20pts per contest when at the same point in '09 they were giving up an average of 8.6. Those kind of jumps aren't exactly good.

And while it's nice to see almost double the interceptions through this year's first 6 games, it's not good to see that red zone defensive performance has plummeted. Opponents have scored roughly twice as many points from inside the red zone so far this year, and last year's bend but don't break ability has looked more sieve-like in the opening 6 weeks.

So what can be done to solve these problems? First, Florida's offense definitely has to play better. They don't have to score a ton of points or rack up a massive amount of yards. Though, that certainly wouldn't hurt. They do need to improve their performance on 1st and 2nd down so that they can be in a position to convert more 3rd downs. Just doing that would help sustain drives, and give the defense time to rest and make adjustments.

Second, the defense has to tackle better. In watching the first 6 games I can't remember a UF defense missing so many tackles. 2007 had some, but that unit was mostly plagued by young players learning on the fly and getting caught out of position(though, that's happened more than once in 2010). If the defensive players can get back to the basics and make good tackles instead of being overly aggressive and just throwing a hand out, then I think they can back down that yards allowed stat and start shrinking the field a bit. As it is now, getting into the red zone has been much too easy for UF's opponents.

Hopefully, there will be noticeable improvement in these areas as the season progresses, or else the Gators could find themselves out of the SEC race within the next few weeks.

At Least Someone's Getting Fired...

2010-10-10T02:05:00.003-04:00

...Right?

Seriously, tonight's loss to LSU doesn't feel like '07 where UF's offense was off the charts, but the defense was a sieve. Right now it's more like shoehorn Brantley into the offense instead of taking advantage of his strengths. And Demps? All reports indicate that he was game ready, yet he has no chance to contribute? Good call coaching staff. Honestly, the coaches better have their collective heads on swivels because the boosters won't take back-to-back losses quietly.

Ugh. I'll breakdown this inexcusable loss further on Sunday.

The Chris Rainey "Situation"

2010-09-16T19:28:00.005-04:00

By now, most college football fans are probably aware that Florida wide receiver Chris Rainey was arrested and charged with aggravated stalking this past Tuesday. It's been reported that he went to the home of a woman that he's dated on and off for three years after she missed a call from him. Then, after leaving, he sent her at least one threatening text message. Currently, Rainey is not with the team.

I've read and heard a number of opinions ranging from he should be booted immediately to he should be suspended indefinitely and assisted with any anger issues he has. There are also people questioning the severity of the incident, and seem to think it's along the lines of a boyfriend-girlfriend spat.

Personally, I can see the validity in just about all of those points of view, and I'm pretty torn on exactly what Coach Meyer should. Obviously, a lot is being made of the number of arrests under Meyer, and being a Florida alum I don't like seeing any school "representatives", be they athletes, coaches, AD's, etc., in trouble with the law. From that side I can see why people think Rainey should be dismissed from the team.

However, I've coached youth sports, and while it's not quite the same as being an FBS head football coach, I do have a little insight into how athletics can be the only release for some kids. Rainey has always seemed to have a pretty good relationship with Meyer, and I'm sure that the decision of whether or not to take football away from him is something that Meyer will agonize over. I would imagine that Meyer really feels like he can help Rainey through this, but because of prior transgressions with UF football players he might not get the chance to.

In the end, there can be a delicate balance between using your athletic abilities to achieve success, and using them to gain preferential treatment that allows you to escape what the public deems as proper punishment.

Ok, Commissioner Stern, I'll "Make Your Day"

2010-04-29T21:26:00.005-04:00

"And if someone wants to try me in the rest of this playoffs, you know, make my day. Because the game is too important and I don't think that the people who trash it are respecting it, and we'll do what we have to do-the players and coaches alike-because they give the impression to our fans that the referees somehow have an agenda." -NBA Commissioner David Stern

Apparently, Dwight Howard "tried" Mr. Stern with his recent blog post concerning the foul calls made against him the Charlotte series because he was hit with a $35,000 fine. It was the same amount that his coach Stan Van Gundy and fellow teammate Matt Barnes received. And you know what? I think it's weak.

I get that the commissioner has to stand behind each and every call the officials make, especially with the whole Tim Donaghy debacle still on the minds of some people(no matter how misdirected that might be). I also understand that coaches probably shouldn't be able to ramble on and on about calls without the fear of some type of punishment. However, I do have a problem with players not being able to voice their concern or frustration even just a little bit. Anyone that watched the Charlotte series probably felt at least one time that Dwight Howard was the victim of some very questionable calls.

Seriously, by the third and fourth games it became comical, and I was shocked if more than a few minutes went by without Dwight somehow drawing a whistle.

So you know what commissioner? I'm going to make your day, and question every call that I think is b.s. right here on The Sports Oasis. You might not have issued a directive to the refs but it feels like the NBA is gunning for an LA/Cleveland match-up in the Finals, and I'm going to document any of the bad calls that might contribute to making that a reality.

M15directed Hate

2009-12-10T18:58:00.004-05:00

Before we start put this on in the background.

In the past few years the coverage of Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has reached epic proportions. Prompting a backlash from many that consider him overrated. However, Tebow isn't to blame for the hype that surrounds him. He doesn't claim to be the greatest of all time. He shares praise with his teammates and coaches after a win, and takes the blame when the team falters. No, the focus of the hate directed at Tebow should instead be directed at the ESPN's, Fox's and other major sports media outlets that have bombarded everyone with wall-to-wall coverage. However, to their credit they have to make money, and they know that anything concerning Tebow will generate page views, clickthroughs, comments and ad revenue.

They've done a great job at monetizing the aura of Tebow, and both the love and hate that comes with it. For the Tebow fans they see a college athlete that seems to be genuinely grateful for the opportunity that he's been given. One that loves donning the orange and blue, especially on game day. For the haters, they're tired of the stories about a quarterback they've deemed "overrated", and some can't stand that he's so open about his religious beliefs both on and off the field. Ironically, those people probably stand up at sporting events and proudly recite the Pledge of Allegiance that includes "one nation under God" then bash Tebow with a hearty "keep your religion out of my sports".

In any case, Tebow isn't his own biggest cheerleader. Yes, he does play the game with a lot of passion(sometimes leading to tearful endings when he feels as if he's let every Gator in the world down), but isn't that what we want from our team leaders? And maybe that's the bigger problem. Maybe the hate doesn't come from the overexposure, but from the fact that Tebow doesn't play for your team. The inability to see talent because of team affiliation is probably even greater when the athlete in question is seemingly everywhere. Tebow's not campaigning to be called the best college football player of all time, but some people seem to be convinced that he is. Sadly, those people would probably still denigrate Tebow even if he had won four Heismans and four BCS titles. Fortunately, one Heisman(as a sophomore), two BCS titles, and 140+ total touchdowns should be good enough statistics for anyone that's not an outright hater to see just how talented Tebow has been at the college level.

Why There's No Reason For The Orange & Blue To Panic

2009-10-11T11:36:00.003-04:00

So far this season I've heard more than one Gator fan talk about a win as though it were a loss. Close victories against Tennessee and LSU have been met with skepticism about the lack of a flashy, explosive passing game instead of enthusiastic banter about just how incredible this year's defensive squad is. Which is a bit odd considering that just about everyone in the country pegged Florida's returning two-deep defense as the reason they had a shot at repeating. Besides, is this year's team that far off from last year's through the first five games?

In one word, no.

In a few ways they're actually much better than last year's team was at this point.

The 2009 squad is undefeated, unlike the '08 team that started 4-1. They're also stronger on both sides of the ball. Check out the stats(through the first five games):

2008

Rushing Offense: 178.60 yds/gm
Passing Offense: 211.60 yds/gm
Total Offense: 390.20 yds/gm
Scoring Offense: 36 pts/gm

Rushing Defense: 99.60 yds/gm
Passing Defense: 165.40 yds/gm
Total Defense: 265 yds/gm
Scoring Defense: 11.40 pts/gm

2009

Rushing Offense: 284.60 yds/gm
Passing Offense: 201.80 yds/gm
Total Offense: 486.40 yds/gm
Scoring Offense: 39 pts/gm

Rushing Defense: 87.40 yds/gm
Passing Defense: 115.20 yds/gm
Total Defense: 202.60 yds/gm
Scoring Defense: 6.40 pts/gm

Last year's team really didn't get it going until the second half of the Arkansas game in week 5, and if this year's team improves at all on its current numbers it's definitely going to have a great shot at repeating.

Already, the offense is averaging more yards and points, and the running game that's been missing for a few seasons is running roughshod. The defense is stifling opponents, and is giving up an average of less than seven points per game. In fact, they've only allowed two touchdowns in five games so far. If they continue putting up those type of numbers, then they have a chance of being the best defense to ever take the field for the Gators.

So, cheer up Gator fans. Yes, there have been a few games where the score was closer than you might have liked. Though, I think that has more to do with the team playing a little under par in the red zone than anything else. This year's squad is every bit as good, if not much better, than the one that was able to capture both the SEC and BCS titles last year.

There Is Nothing to Second Guess

2009-09-27T10:16:00.003-04:00

If you're a college football fan, then you've probably heard that Tim Tebow was injured during yesterday's win over Kentucky and likely suffered a concussion. You might have also heard columnists, fans, "haters" and experts second guessing Urban Meyer's decision to have Tebow in the game at that point in the third quarter with Florida leading 31-7. Though, to me that shows how little they watch the game, and renders their opinion just about worthless.

It's common practice to give your starters two to three sets of plays in the third quarter of a game that was a blowout by halftime. The game has a different feel after the break, and you want them to be used to playing after sitting in the locker room between the second and third quarters. If Urban Meyer sat his starters in the games that became blowouts by halftime, then they would have had eight quarters of football under the belts leading into yesterday's game. They then would have played 10 quarters of football(through four games) as they take two weeks off in preparation for traveling to LSU. To me, that sounds like the perfect recipe for not having a team that's game tested as they head into an extremely hostile playing environment. After all, you can only simulate so much in practice.

What about the other coaches that kept their starters in the game when it seemed like they had it in hand? Colt McCoy was still on the field in the third quarter after Texas had run out to a halftime score of 47-7 against UTEP. Terrelle Pryor played all four quarters of the 30-0 Ohio State blowout of Illinois(the score was 23-0 heading into the fourth quarter). Greg McElroy was still taking snaps for Alabama as the Crimson Tide was up 35-7 in the fourth quarter against Arkansas. Yet, you don't hear anyone criticizing Mack Brown, Jim Tressel or Nick Saban for keeping their starting quarterback(or any other starters) on the field too late in the game. Though, that's probably because none of them suffered a freak concussion by taking a knee to the back of the head by an offensive lineman. Which is exactly what happened.

Though, if you are one of those people bashing Urban Meyer and not one of the other coaches that did something similar yesterday I'm curious to know if it's because you don't follow football closely, you hate the Florida Gators and Urban Meyer or both.

Vinsanity Comes to Orlando

2009-06-26T16:45:00.005-04:00

The trade that had been rumored during offseasons for the past couple years has finally come to fruition. Vince Carter will be playing for the Orlando Magic next season. For the most part, I like this trade, and it's not just because I'll get to watch hometown hero Vince Carter play night in and night out(Full disclosure: I grew up in the Daytona Beach area, and have always kept an eye on Vince's career).

The one part of the trade that I'm not too fond is the loss of Courtney Lee. He played extremely well as a rookie for the Magic this past season, and he's actually one of their better defenders. It would have been nice to have him locked up in a Magic jersey for years to come. However, this deal wasn't going to get done without him leaving town.

The rest of the trade is actually pretty good for Orlando. Alston was obviously unhappy with how his season ended. The damage done to the relationship between he and Coach Van Gundy could have been repaired, but I'm not sure there ever would have been good chemistry with Nelson starting and Alston coming off of the bench. Battie's contract made it necessary to shop him, and the strong possibility that Turkoglu isn't coming back made it imperative that Orlando make a move. Adding Carter lessens any blow that comes from Turkoglu leaving, and for those that say that Carter is too old, he's only 2 years older than Hedo.

Comparing the numbers, you'll see that Vince is a much better scorer and rebounder(Carter's career averages: 23.5pts/5.5 rebounds, Turkoglu's: 12.3pts/4.2 rebounds). Turkoglu probably shoots the 3 a little better. Even in his best season, 07-08, Turkoglu still averaged under 20pts/gm, whereas Carter has averaged 20+ pts 10 times in his career. Carter is stronger and more explosive, and can make it to the basket easier than Turkoglu. He can also shoot the mid/long range jumper fairly well, which makes him a good fit for the inside-out offense the Magic like to run.

The other thing to consider is that this trade relieves some of the pressure to resign Turkoglu to the big money deal he wants. While there's no doubt that he is talented player, Turkoglu doesn't warrant Orlando throwing a ton of money at him and putting a strain on any future signings.

Also, don't forget that Orlando is also getting Ryan Anderson. He's a quality forward that can shoot well, though, hopefully his defensive skills will improve just a bit.

All in all, I like the trade to bring Carter to the Magic. It not only helps the them on the court, but it also gives this small market team some big time press as they prepare to move into a new arena following the 2009 season.

The Mountain West Conference Requests A Bailout From Congress

2009-05-02T12:23:00.006-04:00

I get that people want a playoff in college football. I understand that some don't see it as a "perfect system". They want a +1, or even an eight team playoff. But does Congress really need to be sticking its nose into this matter at a time like this?

Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, who has introduced legislation that would prevent the NCAA from calling a game a national championship unless it’s the outcome of a playoff, bluntly warned Swofford: “If we don’t see some action in the next two months, on a voluntary switch to a playoff system, then you will see this bill move.”

Seriously, Rep. Joe Barton of Texas you think going after the BCS on the issue of a playoff while your governor is riling up crowds with speeches insinuating secession, and violent Mexican drug wars are spilling over the border into your state is the best use of your time?

It is true that an change to the current system is probably going to have to come from the outside. The bowl structure is extremely lucrative for the TV networks, and the schools/conferences that receive automatic bids. Everyone that gets rich off of the BCS year in and year out really don't have any motivation to change unless they're forced to. However, right now is probably not the best time for Congress to be pressing this issue. Though, the MWC probably thinks that right now is the perfect time to request a bailout from Congressional leaders.

Lane Kiffin Has 126 Problems

2009-02-05T18:06:00.003-05:00

Lane Kiffin has certainly made a splash in his short time in the SEC coaching ranks. Wait, before I go any further let's get a little background music going...

Anyway, his newest cannonball into the SEC pool produced allegations that Florida coach Urban Meyer "cheated" while trying to recruit Nu'Keese Richardson. Exactly what did Kiffin say?

"I'm gonna turn Florida in right here in front of you," Kiffin said, according to WVLT-TV. "While Nu'Keese was on campus, his phone kept ringing. One of the coaches says, 'who's that?' And he said, 'Urban Meyer.' "

Unfortunately for Kiffin, and the UT fans that rallied around his statement, there is no rule against that type of contact. NCAA and SEC officials confirmed that this afternoon.

So, not only did Kiffin try to pull a bitch move by "outting" Meyer over supposed cheating, but he did so without even being fully aware of what the rule did and did not prohibit. Now, he just looks like jackass, and has given Meyer and his team, you know the ones that won the SEC and the BCS last year, early bulletin board material for that September 19 showdown in Gainesville.

The Gators will be looking to extend their winning streak to four consecutive against the Vols, and Kiffin will probably be hoping that Meyer doesn't add too many more digits to those 126 problems that he's already dealing with. And exactly what are the 126 problems? That's the number of points that the Gators have totalled over that four game win streak, outscoring the Vols 126-53.

Welcome to the SEC, Lane. Try not to let your mouth write checks that your ass can't cash.

The Problem With This Year's (Not So) Super Bowl Ending

2009-02-03T21:00:00.004-05:00

By now, I'm sure you've read or heard all about how the Super Bowl ended with a controversial call. In case you didn't get to see it I've posted it below.

The biggest problem with the officials seemingly not reviewing a crucial call late in the game(eventhough, they said there was a quick look in the booth) is that it pushes many of the casual observers over to the Cardinal's side of the argument.

There were probably quite a few NFL fans watching who really didn't care which team won the Super Bowl. However, when the Warner "fumble" wasn't reviewed those same fans realized that it could have very well been their team(well, except for you Detroit fans) getting screwed, and they threw their support behind Arizona and the outcry from its fanbase.

I thought it was eerily similar to the Brady "Tuck Rule" play, and that it warranted a look under the hood by the refs. When I saw Pittsburgh snap the ball before any review I was a little bit shocked. Though, after a season that featured quite a few controversial calls I probably shouldn't be surprised that the season ended this way.

The Quiet Stars of The UF BCS Win

2009-01-11T14:54:00.002-05:00

For much of this(and last) season, most of the focus on UF's offense was on their proverbial homerun hitters. Tebow, Harvin, Rainey, Demps, James, Cooper, etc. Until Harvin's injury, wide receiver Louis Murphy wasn't mentioned all that often, and David Nelson was doing a great impression of the Invisible Man. However, when their team needed them most they showed up in a big way.

Against the Oklahoma Sooners in the BCS Title Game, Murphy and Nelson accounted for 12 of UF's 24 points. Murphy caught Tebow's first TD pass to put the Gators ahead 6-0, and Nelson caught Tebow's 2nd pass to basically ice the game at 23-14 with 3:00 left in the 4th quarter.

It was great to see these two players impact such a big game in such a big way, and for Murhpy it was an awesome way for him to close out his senior season in Gainesville.

Superman Returns

2009-01-11T14:36:00.002-05:00

At the BCS celebration in Gainesville today Tim Tebow let the college football world know what his NFL decision was, and he's decided to return for his senior season.

Florida junior quarterback Tim Tebow made the announcement all
Gator fans wanted to hear on Sunday. After his speech he turned around and said,
"Oh and one more thing, let's do it again. I'm coming back!"

Personally, I am a little surprised because he doesn't really have anything left to prove at the college level. Two BCS titles and a Heisman really speak for themselves. Hopefully he doesn't take too much punishment next season because I would hate to see him get injured. Though, it is going to be great to see him donning the orange and blue for one more year.

I haven't heard any word on if Harvin and Spikes will return or not.

Everyday UF Is Hustlin'

2009-01-09T20:50:00.004-05:00

Yes, that is a shitty screen capture, but thanks to FOX's reluctance to replay any game action at all it's the best I have. Anyway, it's Torrey Davis doing his very best Rick Ross impersonation. Which is fitting because the game was played in Miami, and the Sooners got hustled. Check out Davis around the 1:00 mark where he shows Bob Stoops that he's tha boss.