May 22, 2009

Urban Meyer and Darth Vader Share Philosophies?

From the Fanblogs Open Mic thread, as promised, we're taking guest threads from loyal readers and the first taker is our very own Ramblin Gator, the man who exemplifies the term duality. Urban Meyer has been making the news a lot lately, and I'm sure Kevin doesn't need the political fallout doing yet another Meyer thread, so who better to broach the subject than part-time Gator fan/full-time Gator lover, RG.

Urban Meyer and Darth Vader Share Philosophies?

In the wake of last fall's upset of the Florida Gators by the Ole Miss Rebels, former Gator quarterback Shane Matthews criticized Florida Coach Urban Meyer's spread option offense during Shane's local radio show in Gainesville. A few days later, Shane described his feelings on this matter for The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi:

"I'm just calling a spade a spade. I have no problem with the spread offense, the wishbone, the single wing, the run and shoot, the fun and gun, whatever you want to run. But from an offensive standpoint, you want to attack no matter what offense you're running. No matter what defense is thrown at you, there is always a weakness. The offense's job is to exploit that weakness. When I watched the Ole Miss game (a 31-30 Florida loss) and Ole Miss played our wide receivers about 90 percent man-to-man, it was a slap in the face to our wide receivers and passing game. I can't understand why we didn't take advantage of that. ... If that's critical, I guess it's critical. That's football. I call 'em like I see 'em. I feel like I have pretty good credentials. I'm a coach's son, I was coached extremely well in college, I played 14 years in the NFL and have sat in many offensive meetings during my career. ... I want the Gators to win every game they play. I don't think anybody's as passionate about Florida football as I am. Maybe that's why I've been vocal about my opinion: Because I want us to be a dominant team."

This caused some ripples in the Gator Nation as many fans were resolute in their dedication to Coach Meyer's offensive scheme while others were joining in Shane's criticism after the Ole Miss defeat. Fast forward six months: the Gators win the remainder of their games including the SEC and BCS championship games, Gator Nation is ecstatic, and Coach Meyer is doing a "victory lap" of booster clubs around the state, when he has this to say (again, thanks to Mike Bianchi and The Orlando Sentinel).

"There’s going to be a time when you don’t win every game you play. There’s going to be a time when someone makes a mistake. If you’re a person who’s going to criticize, we don’t need you around. I’m also going to talk about loyalty with our former athletes. Some are welcome, some aren’t. …We want former Gators to come back, but loyalty’s a two-way street. If you want to be critical of a player on our team or a coach on our team you can buy a ticket for seat 37F, you’re not welcome back in the football office. You’re either a Gator or you’re not a Gator. It’s real simple. For those who are not Gators keep buying tickets, critique, but if you’re a real Gator, get to know our players. Let’s enjoy the greatest era not just football of Gator athletics."

An excrement storm followed. Was Coach Meyer referring to Matthews with this comment? Is he right - or within his rights - to insist on this level of allegiance from those he allows to visit his football office? Was Matthews criticism of Florida's offense correct or was the offensive scheme vindicated with the results following that game? Is Matthews "Gator Royalty" and due an indulgence from time to time?

In Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, a transforming Anakin Skywalker tells Obi-Wan Kenobi, "if you're not with me, then you're my enemy," as he completes his journey to the dark side.

Has Urban Meyer turned to the dark side? Gosh, I hope not! Go Gators!

Comments:

Urban Meyer and Darth Vader Share Philosophies?
From the Fanblogs Open Mic thread, as promised, we're taking guest threads from loyal readers and the first taker is our very own Ramblin Gator, the man who exemplifies the term duality. Urban Meyer has been making the news a lot lately, and I'm sure Kevin doesn't need the political fallout doing yet another Meyer thread, so who better to broach the subject than part-time Gator fan/full-time Gator lover, RG. Urban Meyer and Darth Vader Share Philosophies? In the wake of last fall's upset of the Florida Gators by the Ole Miss Rebels, former Gator quarterback Shane Matthews criticized Florida Coach Urban Meyer's spread option offense during Shane's local radio show in Gainesville. A few days later, Shane described his feelings on this matter for The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi: "I'm just calling a spade a spade. I have no problem with the spread offense, the wishbone, the single wing, the run and shoot, the fun and gun, whatever you want to run. But from an offensive standpoint, you want to attack no matter what offense you're running. No matter what defense is thrown at you, there is always a weakness. The offense's job is to exploit that weakness. When I watched the Ole Miss game (a 31-30 Florida loss) and Ole Miss played our wide receivers about 90 percent man-to-man, it was a slap in the face to our wide receivers and passing game. I can't understand why we didn't take advantage of that. ... If that's critical, I guess it's critical. That's football. I call 'em like I see 'em. I feel like I have pretty good credentials. I'm a coach's son, I was coached extremely well in college, I played 14 years in the NFL and have sat in many offensive meetings during my career. ... I want the Gators to win every game they play. I don't think anybody's as passionate about Florida football as I am. Maybe that's why I've been vocal about my opinion: Because I want us to be a dominant team." This caused some ripples in the Gator Nation as many fans were resolute in their dedication to Coach Meyer's offensive scheme while others were joining in Shane's criticism after the Ole Miss defeat. Fast forward six months: the Gators win the remainder of their games including the SEC and BCS championship games, Gator Nation is ecstatic, and Coach Meyer is doing a "victory lap" of booster clubs around the state, when he has this to say (again, thanks to Mike Bianchi and The Orlando Sentinel). "There’s going to be a time when you don’t win every game you play. There’s going to be a time when someone makes a mistake. If you’re a person who’s going to criticize, we don’t need you around. I’m also going to talk about loyalty with our former athletes. Some are welcome, some aren’t. …We want former Gators to come back, but loyalty’s a two-way street. If you want to be critical of a player on our team or a coach on our team you can buy a ticket for seat 37F, you’re not welcome back in the football office. You’re either a Gator or you’re not a Gator. It’s real simple. For those who are not Gators keep buying tickets, critique, but if you’re a real Gator, get to know our players. Let’s enjoy the greatest era not just football of Gator athletics." An excrement storm followed. Was Coach Meyer referring to Matthews with this comment? Is he right - or within his rights - to insist on this level of allegiance from those he allows to visit his football office? Was Matthews criticism of Florida's offense correct or was the offensive scheme vindicated with the results following that game? Is Matthews "Gator Royalty" and due an indulgence from time to time? In Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, a transforming Anakin Skywalker tells Obi-Wan Kenobi, "if you're not with me, then you're my enemy," as he completes his journey to the dark side. Has Urban Meyer turned to the dark side? Gosh, I hope not! Go Gators!