Firstcoastnews.com Hey Dan! Blog

Aaah, Spring is here, it's March

danhicken — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:15:00 GMT

So can someone please close the freezer, ENOUGH of the cold temps...this is getting ridiculous. I do enjoy an arctic blast every now and then....but c'mon....

Lots of things to get excited about...March Madness, exhibition baseball, spring football, and the upcoming NFL draft to name a few...Can the Gators, 'Noles, Dolphins all get in the big dance? This week will determine much.

UF and FSU both start spring football practice later this month....new era's at both schools, Timmy T. gone from UF and Bobby B. gone from FSU.

And another disappointing season of baseball awaits me, I'm sure with the NYMets. Oh well, lets have some fun this spring, if it ever thaws out...

Hey Dan! Heisman Trophy Vote

danhicken — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:47:00 GMT

I have been voting for the Heisman trophy since 1996, and I think this years may have been the toughest...I put six names on paper, including Ingram, Tebow, McCoy, Suh, Gerhart, and Spiller. I believe you can make an argument for any of them.

Here's how I voted:
1) Suh
2) Gerhart
3) Tebow

The award is for the most outstanding player in the country and in my mind that's who Suh was this year. Defensive tackles though just don't win Heisman trophies, and I would be surprised if he does.
Gerhart was the best running back in the country this year, coming up big in Stanford's biggest games. I think Ingram is great and if he wins thats great, but Gerhart had more yards and touchdowns. In 'Bama's biggest games of the year, Auburn and Florida Ingram wasnt his teams best player, McElroy was.

Should be an interesting final vote.

Hey Dan! Jags even up at (4-4)

danhicken — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:26:00 GMT

It hasn't been pretty, but somehow someway the Jags are 4-4 this season and have a chance to play meaningful games in December.

Yesterday was more evidence of that at the stadium, where Jax beat the Kansas City Chiefs 24-21. The "identity" carried the ball 29 times and Garrard threw the ball well. We know what we get out of the offense, but when the defense gets it going like they did it certainly gives the Jags a chance.

Jack Del Rio switched to a 4-3 defense yesterday in essence giving up on the 3-4 experiment and it paid off with 3 sacks, the most the team has had this year. If the Jags defense can step it up a notch, this team will show the improvement everyone had been hoping for and hopefully the fans will start to make their comebacks next season.

HEY DAN! Gators still winning despite distractions

danhicken — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:53:00 GMT

Urban Meyer will have to dig up 30 grand, he's been fined by the SEC for criticizing officials this week. Just another chapter in a season full of distractions for the Florida Gators.

Think about it, ever since UF won the National Title last January, everyone anointed the Gators as the best team in the land. First there was criticisms about the schedule. How could the #1 team play Charleston Southern and Troy? Then it was Tennessee and Lane Kiffin and a whole week of Kiffi-kins.

It didn't end there however, after Tebow was knocked out by Kentucky and the Gators had to deal with a will he or won't he play situation. After Tebow led the Gators to a 13-3 win over LSU, it became a he came back too soon story, and why did UF put him at risk even though the doctors cleared him to play.

Then came a couple of subpar performances that led to frustrations inside and outside the program. Suddenly the mighty Gators were beatable, in fact the writers even put Alabama at the top spot for a week.

Next up Georgia and wev'e got a situation with Brandon Spikes and later in the week Meyer's criticisms. I think all this may help UF in the long run, in fact I believe this team will do the proverbial circling of the wagons and really get on a roll in November. It should be fun!

Hey Dan! Click Pix and other concepts and rationalizations

danhicken — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Quick thought on click picks---I like the Jags to get it done on the road against winless Tennessee, I believe they will start Vince Young and that will hurt the Titans, but beware Jags you have to come to play.

Also like the Jets to figure out the Dolphins wildcat and beat Miami. Tampa is off, but I will also pick Green Bay, Arizona, The Giants and St. Louis to win in possible bonus games.

Rashean Mathis may not play, if the Titans were smart, and they are not, they would go with Kerry Collins and attack the Jags pass defense all day long. Let's see what Jeff Fisher comes up with.