February 7, 2008
Alabama crowned national recruiting champions
Rivals has named the Alabama Crimson Tide as this year's mythical recruiting national champion, marking the third straight year that an SEC team has brought in the #1 ranked class in the country. Head coach Nick Saban's incoming class includes three five-star players - #1 WR prospect, Julio Jones, the #3 dual-threat QB prospect, Burton Scott, and #8 OL prospect, Tyler Love. The ranking marks 'Bama's second straight top-ten class under Saban.
The Crimson Tide reeled in 22 prospects rated four stars or higher, boosting its standing in national rankings with several key pickups in the final days -- four-star RB Mark Ingram committed Tuesday and four-star LB Jerrell Harris picked the Tide yesterday.
Despite a miserable season, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis had the nation's #2 ranked recruiting class at the close of the day, followed by last year's recruiting champion, the Florida Gators. Second year head coach Randy Shannon brought in the #4 class for the Miami Hurricanes followed by the Oklahoma Sooners at #5. The rest of the top ten included Georgia, USC, Florida State, Ohio State and Michigan.
The top-ten positions could still shake up a little, with #1 QB prospect Tyrelle Pryor still uncommitted, but said to be leaning towards Ohio State or Michigan. Both schools are holding a spot for him and could rise into the top-five once the five-star recruit commits.
Rivals Top Recruiting Classes 2008
1 Alabama
2 Notre Dame
3 Florida
4 Miami
5 Oklahoma
6 Georgia
7 USC
8 FSU
9 Ohio State
10 Michigan
complete Rivals 2008 recruiting rankings
Notably absent from the top of the heap are Auburn (#20), Tennessee (#36) and Penn State (#42).
Tigers head coach Tommy Tuberville may have a handful (plus) of Iron Bowl rings, but he got blanked on the state's top recruits by the Crimson Tide. Saban got the top seven recruits in-state and 14 of the top 20 players. Auburn managed to sign only two of the state's top 20 recruits.
Tennessee fell drastically from a run of top-fifteen classes down to #36. One has to question the recruiting impact that departures of some key Volunteer assistant coaches may have had, especially when you look at which coaches ended up doing the bulk of the recruiting for UT.
Penn State had an exceptionally small class -- only 14 players -- but the Nittany Lions will likely add players through junior college transfers in the spring. Just four of the fourteen players were four-star recruits, and all of those were at linebacker. Some of Penn State's biggest recruiting concerns were filled with just two and three-star players. While PSU got plenty of guys named Mike (four out of fourteen guys were named Mike?!) they didn't get any studs at skill positions. We may not ever know how it factored in the decision process, but you have to wonder if JoPa's lingering contract status (and future plans) may have factored into this small and underwhelming recruiting class. I suppose Penn State is still in the Pryor derby (in so much as he did meet with Paterno), but even a blockbuster recruit won't overshadow the very real concerns that Nittany Lions must have about this year's class.
Comments:
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 7, 2008 11:51 AM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
I still don't get how ND did so well this year. I know, I know - IT'S NOTRE DAME!! Just the same, they got better players this year than I can mentally justify.
FWIW, T Pryor should commit to Michigan (IMO). He would fit perfectly in Rich Rod's scheme and he would be playing sooner in Ann Arbor than he would in Columbus.
My personal heartbreaker: I wish Julio Jones would have picked the Gators. JJ is the best high school receiver I've seen since Calvin Johnson. I hope his talent isn't wasted with Parker at QB (much like Calvin Johnson's talent was squandered with Reggie Ball at QB).
TE
posted on February 7, 2008 12:02 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse?
said:
Sort've difficult not to be ranked highly when you sign 30+ kids...
The NCAA won't let more than 25 on campus, so there's going to be either some academic casualties or outright prep & JUCO placements going on here...
Serious grayshirting there going to have to do...
TE
posted on February 7, 2008 12:08 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Oh, by the way...With Bobby Williams coaching a raw talent like Julio...Don't expect much coming out of that kid anytime soon...
I know, I know...I've been taking a lot of shots at the Tide lately, but this is from a pure coaching standpoint...
Bobby Williams is to coaching wide receivers as Britney is to motherhood...
posted on February 7, 2008 12:14 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
Bobby Williams is to coaching wide receivers as Britney is to motherhood...
I agree with the underlying sentiment - Williams has yet to show anything. I'm not sure Julio is a "raw" talent. He looked like a man among boys in that Army (?) all-star game.
@C-Dogg - Don't even check CSTV. You'll freak. If you take the big two (scout & rivals) then the U is a solid 3.5 ranking. If you include ESPN and CSTV, they slip to an average 4.0. Long story short, Miami had one hell of an NSD. The Canes haven't had that success in a few years, so definitely a tropical storm watch in effect!!WTF with Auburn? I guess the departures on the staff hurt more than anyone suspected.
TE
posted on February 7, 2008 12:36 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Again, it's not a shot, but look at the player development arc of our top 3 wideouts the past few seasons...
Dwayne Bowe was a possession receiver his first two years on campus-which coincided with Williams first two as his position coach. Same for Craig Davis & Early Doucet. Those three will end up being a trio of first-round wideouts, and the simple fact of the matter is that they didn't truly progress and develop at their positions until they got adequate coaching.
Now, just to show I'm an equal opportunity coach basher, the McCarthy guy we brought in this past year didn't show me much...Now granted, we had Early hurt for the meat of the schedule, and LaFell was a first year starter, and Byrd was in his first year out of JUCO, and Tolliver and the rest were all far too inexperienced to be expected to flourish with a first year starter at QB who was in his 1st year running a modified spread offense...
But, we had some SERIOUS issues with holding onto quite catchable passes...
Having said all that, we still won a national championship and had a devastating offense overall, and this guy has turned in a SUPERHUMAN recruiting performance this past year, but, we need to see some quantum leaps in WR performance this coming up fall. We've got way more of a vertical passing threat with the human howitzer that is Perrilloux, and in the spread that Crowton uses, if the WR's play as expected, Ryan could be the best pure quarterback in the conference (all apologies to Stafford of UGA, and no disrespect to the freak that is Tim Tebow).
As poor of a performance as McCarthy (formerly of UCLA) turned in, I'd take him in a HEARTBEAT over Bobby Williams, who tried-unsuccessfully-to eliminate Skyler Green from the WR corp because, "he didn't run crisp routes".
This is a 1st team All-American as a KR/PR the previous year...He tried to write him out of our offense...
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 7, 2008 1:25 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
#7 & 10: Jason & OU-Ron, yep - Bradford to Julio would be an awesome combo. Almost as awesome as Tebow-to-Julio. ;-) Oh well, not meant to be.
#8: TE, excellent points regarding the underperforming WRs at LSU. The Tigers certainly have recruited that position excellently and have not translated that to the full potential of on-field performance (Doucet is probably an exception to that observation, though).
Lennie Collins
posted on February 7, 2008 2:42 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
Fellow OU Fans forgive me if I do not sound excited that the Oklahoma Sooners out recruited Whack Brown and the Texas Longhorns. I really do not get behind all the hype on National Signing Day! Does this mean Oklahoma is better than Texas...NO! I will say it again, NO! It just means more Texas players like the direction the Oklahoma Sooners football program is going in. Texas might have 90,000 seats and an alumni that puts more money back into the football program than any other Big 12 school but it does not mean more National Title contending! Now I am confused like Mike Tyson in a Spelling Bee contest. Rivals.com and ESPN rankings are totally different. Which one should the fans go by? Well I should not care anyways cause it ain't what you gots...it's how you use it! I guess it would not be college football without two different "polls"(rankings).
TE
posted on February 7, 2008 3:06 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Honestly? Since I think you guys are going to have a significant amount of trouble retaining and rehiring quality staff...He will probably be there for quite awhile...
Know this...He's been fired from every job he's held that hasn't included being an assistant for Nick Saban since he took over for him in East Lansing and took a 10 win team that had just beaten Steve Spurrier & Florida in a New Year's Day Bowl game.
He then proceeded to suck the very life force out of the Spartan Program Saban had left him, gift-wrapped (complete with a bunch of assistant coaches that REFUSED to follow him to Baton Rouge-I wonder why?), along the way suffering recruiting violations, and the ignominious distinction of having his starting quarterback-the aptly named Jeff Smoker-check into rehab for designer drugs, midseason...
After grinding Michigan State to a fine powder, and being "discharged" from his duties in East Lansing, he commenced to getting hired-and fired-by the Detroit Lions as a WR Coach...He then high-tailed it to Baton Rouge, where he was 'not retained' by Miles, and-lo & behold-pops up at Alabama!
Seriously, guys...All shots aside...Williams is a joke as a talent developer...
posted on February 7, 2008 5:17 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Congratulations to Alabama for landing such a strong class. I'll be honest, I don't know how they did it, especially after coming off a disappointing end to the last season. TE thinks they cheated. Me? I have no idea. I don't presume to know a whole lot about recruiting. Recruiting is one of those things, like sausage and laws, that you really don't want to know how it's made...
Maybe Saban is that good a recruiter after all. I attributed Alabama's good recruiting class last year to the buzz over his hiring. I thought the luster would have well worn off by now. Do I, as an Auburn fan, feel threatened by Alabama's success? No, I don't--contrary to the way everyone else expects Auburn fans to feel. I really don't.
Everyone--including most Auburn and Alabama fans, think that college football in the state of Alabama is a zero-sum game. One team can't be winning unless the other one is losing. There is no status quo to be had for both teams to be doing well. Obviously, one team has to win the Iron Bowl, and both can't win the SEC, but that doesn't mean that both can't have successful seasons during the same year.
Some seem to think that the SEC west is only big enough for two teams at the top. I disagree. I think there's room for three or four teams to constantly jockey for position in the west. Three teams do it routinely in the east, and the west has always been more competitive than the east. Five teams from the west have made it to the SEC title game, while only three from the east have.
Auburn, by most accounts, had a top twenty recruiting class, which isn't that bad. Yes, it appears that Alabama kicked our ass in state. Alabama has usually kicked our ass in recruiting inside the state over the years. But here we remain, that ever vigilant thorn in their side. We'll get good mileage out of our guys--we always have, because at the end of the day, recruits still have to translate into winning teams. Auburn, the thread-bare little brother to perrenial Alabama, has always gotten more with less.
Most say that Auburn's ascension back to national prominence this century has come completely at the detriment to Alabama. I disagree. Sure, Alabama has not had the best of teams the last 10 years or so, but that doesn't mean that if they did, Auburn's teams would have flipped positions with them. Of course, I can see where others find this zero-sum theory in the state of Alabama so easy to believe. No state in the southeast has two more historically competitive schools residing in it than the state of Alabama. Hell, I'll wager even in the whole country...
Lennie Collins
posted on February 7, 2008 5:28 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
War Eagle Atlanta, Post #15...You were right until you said the whole country. What about Duke and North Carolina? Oops...sorry...bad example. How about Washington and Washington State? Oregon and Oregon State? Mississippi and Mississippi State? Michigan and Michigan State? South Carolina and Clemson? USC and UCLA? BYU and Utah? Colorado and Colorado State?
Big Tide said:
posted on February 7, 2008 7:39 PM — 69.34.227.69 — link — abuse?
WEA, part of my reasoning last year for predicting Tommy T's departure was a deep-seated personal longing to get him out of the state. He has a way of turning those 3 and 2 star players in quality cogs in the Auburn Tiger wheel. Who was that guy you all had on defense that was a walk-on and eventually played every game or something like that? He was a stud. Tubby is solid, that's for sure, but you have to admit he didn't feel a great deal of pressure with the likes of Mike Shula running the program. With Saban running the show I can't help but think he feels the pressure a tad more.
Recruiting is not a science, but it is a great indication of how a school's program is viewed at the grass roots level. High school coaches, family, friends - they all have a impact on where kids go to school. I'm just excited we got the class we did after a less than stellar '07 campaign. I think our bowl game was very big in the end. Was Saban worth 4 million - absolutely. We HAD to do something and all indications are that things are changing.
TE, TE......what are we going to do with you. A National Championship in the pocket and Bama is LIVING BETWEEN YOUR EARS. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger because every LSU fan I know (and believe they have come out of the woodwork since Saban turned that program around. Every coonass for a thousand miles owns at LEAST 4 pieces of LSU garb!!) is trying to rationalize the obvious. A Cat 5 hurricane is brewing up in T-town and you know we are bringing the pain. That mind of yours is sharp and you've done a great job convincing yourself that you guys are going to stay at the top, but remember all fame is fleeting and it is always harder to have had success and lose it than to have never had it at all. It is going to take a while for things to die down but as a soon as I start driving by construction sits and seeing Ole Miss stickers and hats where I was seeing LSU garb I'll KNOW that the Saban revolution has begun to take hold.... Remember what Mr. Zimmerman said, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." Good luck to Turtleneck and the LSU nation in 2008, but then again your recent success has been based largely on it hasn't it??
1st_and_NOLE
posted on February 7, 2008 8:16 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
I am VERY happy with the Noles class.
I can't wait to see Jimbo Fisher get hold of EJ Manuel from day 1. We've struggled having consistent QB play for many years now and EJ has huge upside, especially with Fisher coaching him. To me, EJ is a cornerstone type recruit given his football talent and natural leadership and character. I was very impressed with him throughout the recruiting process.
Nigel Bradham is going to be a BEAST at LB. He's a force. He's fast as hell. He's a smart player. He has great instincts. He hits like a Mack Truck. He's going to be a force.
Great class Noles.
posted on February 7, 2008 8:43 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Big Tide: I agree. Saban is a more formidable recruiter and coach than Shula ever was. I think he's better than all the previous ones going back to Bear.
It took Alabama 25 years to figure it out, but once they ditched the Bryant-legacy requirement, they were able to go out on the market and find a solid coach. Now if the powers-that-be in Tuscaloosa don't run him off...
Autigerman said:
posted on February 7, 2008 10:42 PM — 68.109.98.15 — link — abuse?
Big Tide
You are right about Tubbs he does find a way to turn players around. Im not sure but you may be asking about Zach Etheridge. He had no other offers and now is a SEC Caliber player. Rod Smith our leading reciever was a walk on.
Also Tyronne Green was a lightly recruited defensive lineman out of Pensacola and now is a leading offensive guard that will be playing on Sundays.
When your competing primarily against state schools, Florida Georgia ,and Alabama you have to look for some other qualities in players. I think they have done a great job.
I read that In almost every state, The University of (name the state) has a recruiting advantage. Alabama is no different.
"Auburn is No. 14 all-time in the Associated Press poll. The only schools higher that aren't state universities are Notre Dame, Southern California and Miami. Notre Dame has a unique place in college football. USC and Miami are located in huge metropolitan areas and in talent-rich states".
Tubbs isnt likely to go anywhere until hes ready.
But i do believe Bama will begin to turn things around, but it may be tougher then some fans think it will be.U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on February 8, 2008 2:00 AM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
I want everybody to be ready for the Gamecocks. I like the tactical advantage of surprising unsuspecting opponents. But a win is always better when your informed and defeated opponent saw you coming.So here it is fans, a quote from Mr. Spurrier, the best Ball Coach in the nation.
"A good, solid bunch of guys to add to the players we brought in last year. We were able to redshirt quite a few last year, so we have a strong nucleus of players with anywhere from three to four years of eligibility ready to go."
SEC contention was a possibility last year, and will apparently be a possibility for at least the next 3 or 4 years. Fantastic news for all feathered Gamecock fans. I can only think of one better thing than a team that is competitive in the SEC, year after year. That one thing is a team that wins the SEC, year after year. Mr. Spurrier and I have the same dream. GO COCKS!
gOSU27 said:
posted on February 8, 2008 7:14 AM — 207.74.25.36 — link — abuse?
Ramblin #2- If he wants to win his heismans and be amazing in college, go to Michigan...If you want to be great, and possibly get a heisman, go to Ohio State....But I think that we have two distinct advantages. 1: A good basketball program 2: He will run more of an NFL type offense and increase his chances of getting drafted higher at Ohio State. No NFL is going to run a spread option offense and at Ohio State he could become a drop-back passer, and scramble when theres pressure (more of a vince young style)
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 8:08 AM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
#28: gOSU27, I've never really bought into that line of thinking ("Take a talented QB and put him in a 'system' and now he's a system quarterback! There's NO WAY he could succeed in a different system at the next level!"). Mike Vick has proved that a mobile QB has value in the NFL by adding new dimensions to an offense, even if it's not the spread.
The other problem with that kind of talk is that it's short sighted. Sure, the west-coast offense is the preeminent offense in the NFL (right now) and the Tampa-2 is everybody's favorite defense. Remember a few years back when everybody was shifting toward the run-n-gun? Or, a decade before that and every NFL team was looking for 300 lb. linemen so they could emulate the Washingto Redskins running game (circa 1984)? I'm not saying this could happen over night, but the spread-option offense creates lots of problems for defenses and it may well be the next thing NFL teams start to employ to create mismatches on the field.
The true test will come in the next few years when Pat White, Dennis Dixon, and Tim Tebow show up (or don't) in the NFL.
#29: OU-Ron, for smack-talk backed up with facts AND hyperbole, TE wins.
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 8:17 AM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
...almost forgot...
There's not many examples of great football players who are also great basketball players at the collegiate level (Charlie Ward, others?). Most of the examples I've seen suggest that the two overlapping seasons create distractions for the athlete and actually harm their performance in both sports.
Also, I don't think you can fairly say that Michigan is not or cannot be a good basketball team, so I discount that argument as well (not that I'd want TP to play both sports if I were Rich Rod).
1st_and_NOLE
posted on February 8, 2008 8:54 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
Ah, it's never too early to talk about the 2009 class.
FSU just picked up a MONSTER commitment from dominant 5* DT Jacobbi McDaniel, the #1 overall prospect in Florida and #5 overall prospect in the nation (as of right now, subject to change).
Not a bad way to kick off the 2009 class.
Rammer Jammer said:
posted on February 8, 2008 9:30 AM — 199.89.170.92 — link — abuse?
OU-Ron
Well, if TampaGator was as obsessed with another team in the SEC as TE is with Bama, then I think you would be giving him more props. He (TampaGator) normally sticks with the issues regarding Florida, but sometimes he sticks his neck out there for the golden domers.
I think I am going to play the instigator (no pun intended) and get the two of them fired up. We haven't seen a good heavy weight match in a while. Watcha think??
posted on February 8, 2008 10:40 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Rammer: I had forgotten that Tampa Gator was a Notre Dame apologist. He had to step up after IrishJT deserted us...
Ron: Yes, TE is such an accomplished smack-talker, he wouldn't get voted off the island until the final espisode, and even then I'm not so sure.
TE
posted on February 8, 2008 10:45 AM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
I'm debuting a "kinder, gentler" TE on Fanblogs as my New Year's Resolution/Lent sacrifice (even though I don't dig on Catholicism)...
Oh, and Bama Babe, as far as you requesting me to look into my crystal ball to see if there's a hot guy in your future, that's problematic...
Which one of the two we've gotten in the BCS Era would you have me peer into to solve your romantic queries?
(I really, REALLY want to start quoting Leon Phelps here, but this is a family website)
posted on February 8, 2008 11:03 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
GH @42: And still packed with all the news about LSU that's fit to print. And even some that's not...
TE: It doesn't matter which crystal egg you peer into. Both belong to Saban...
Oh! That was wrong... :-)
Zac said:
posted on February 8, 2008 12:34 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
“Just 4 of the 14 players were 4-star recruits, and all of those were at linebacker.”
So, the most highly regarded prospects from this year’s recruiting class attending “LB U” are LB’s. What a coincidence. May the 4’s be with them.
Gator Hippy (Post 42), I was just thinking about you, with regards to Rammer’s Post #33. In your own way, I think you deliver smack as well as anybody. Without a doubt you’d get my vote.
OU-Ron (Post 29), I have to agree with you. Every Blog needs a TE and a Coondog. Like yourself I’d miss him (Hell I’d miss all of you!); I even miss ole Coondog. (Did I say that?)
Bama Babe (Post 25), sweetheart, I’m taken; but if you keep coming up with Green Bay tickets......
Ramblin Gator (Post 30), I would be surprised if Dennis Dixon or Pat White took a snap as QB’s in a live game at the next level. It’s sad, given they are both exceptionally talented. However, I’m expecting them to go the way of WR, DB, or Special Teams. (Donovan McNabb, in my opinion, was the 1st to really show in recent years the importance of a mobile QB; Doug Flutie and Fran Tarkenton did it before either McNabb or Vick.) Mr. Tebow, on the other hand, is without question a Pro-Style QB, who just happens to be as fast as he is strong. If he stays healthy, he’ll make some Hall Of Famors (not to mention a few active players) real jealous.
Back to recruiting: Without a doubt, the teams listed here-in are to be congratulated, but as Lennie has already told us, it’s not how powerful the engine/transmission combo; if the car don’t have good tires, it’s just spinning its wheels. If it don’t have a good driver, it’s doomed to crash. AL has enjoyed some decent recruiting prior to Saban. After 2 years of some of the best recruiting I’ve seen in college football, if something positive doesn’t happen in T-Town, AL is NOT getting their $4M worth.
Kevin, do you have any data as to what percentage of a given class actually bears starters or at least key backups? A kid’s maturity (Let’s not forget; we’re dealing with kids.) is one factor, but coaching style is certainly another. Today’s teams consist of 100+ kids. That’s arguably 100+ different personalities. When a coach yells at 6 different players because each made a mistake, likely he’ll get 6 different responses. All too often coaches get so hung up with specific players and their performance, other players performing equally well or better go unnoticed. Besides only 22 kids can be on a field during any given play, and it takes 2 teams to do that. Seems like a lot of waste, doesn’t it.
posted on February 8, 2008 1:17 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
I think we can all agree that Coondawg was our favorite idiot on here.
Best Smack Talker? It's close, between TE and Gatorhippy. Gatorhippy gets you Ninja style-quick and painless, and in one sentence, no less. You never saw it coming...
USC 78: I was ready for the Gamecocks last year, but they kind of fizzled out on us. If you can promise me that you won't have that same kind of letdown, perhaps I can get up for them again this year.
Your sentence above: Fantastic news for all feathered Gamecock fans. Am I to believe that there exists a significant number of Gamecock fans who have been plucked, or was that just an unintended redundancy?? :-)
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 3:34 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
Paraphrasing from Jeff Foxworthy, a fellow GT alum...
The front porch collapsed and the coondawg got crushed.
#51: Zac, you're probably right about Pat White and Double-D, but I'll wait and see. They might find themselves in an NFL backfield for a D-Mac style play periodically.
posted on February 8, 2008 3:38 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Coondawg was put in fanblogs jail, then escaped and came back here, and was given the lifetime ban--I believe.
Rambling: I think Foxworthy was a Tech attendee, rather than an alumnus. But you can claim him just like Auburn grads claim Jimmy Buffet...
TampaGator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 4:27 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Rammer Jammer#33:
'preciate the props.
TE/#55:I was thinking just the opposite about you. You post well--one just has to wade through a whole lot of "style" to get to the substance.
Zac/#51:
I second the nomination for Gatorhippy--rock solid on facts, big on original perspective, and ideal on volume--i.e.--his points are never lost in too much verbage, but they're still flavored with some style/entertainment (though there is the occasional "where the hell did that come from?" post--to be expected with the "hippy" handle).
Other nominees:Tomcat: the most efficient poster, without peer. Wastes not a word. Ernest Hemingway would be very proud. A 1.5 (3-4 line) post may be loaded with upwards of 14 points. Posts generally flavored with some down-home seasoning.
WEA: a/k/a "stat guy." a perspecive on everything; knowlegeable, funny, and entertaining. The only guy who can spit in your eye, and make you feel like he just washed your face (surprised he didn't jab at 'Bama fan for adding another NC, based on this thread).
Zac: everyone's friend; the voice of reason. Though his posts are a bit long for my taste (I read maybe 1 in 4 of his posts) they're usually pretty solid. If you take time to read them, there's a lot of useful info.Could go on, but I'm already too long.
My $.02.
GO GATORS!!Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 4:27 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
#59: WEA, I consulted the absolute and undisputed authority of all facts, wikipedia, which claims that Jeff was "a member of the class of 1979 at Georgia Tech in Atlanta"...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Foxworthy
...but who the hell REALLY knows.
posted on February 8, 2008 4:34 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
I guess I'm wrong, Ramblin. I had watched his biography on A&E and could have sworn I'd heard that he had dropped out to take a job at IBM. My bad!
If you ever had a car attend your wedding ceremony... you might be a TechNeck...
Big Tide said:
posted on February 8, 2008 4:39 PM — 69.34.227.69 — link — abuse?
@ TE #40; That's the TE we know and love, witty with slightly less abrasion...
AUTigerman; I stand corrected. Talked with my best buddy (Auburn Grad) and he says the guy I'm thinking about played center?? Joe something maybe? Anyway, Tubberville excellent at developing talent once it hits the campus.
Kevin, 1st and Nole, etc. What about the FSU class - strong! Does it have Jimbo's fingerprints on it or does it look like a typical, solid FSU class? Spoke with my father last night and he seemed pleased, although he constantly reminds me of the ghost of 5 Stars Past - Xavier at the top of the list - that never quite got into the lineup. Any thoughts?
posted on February 8, 2008 4:49 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Tampa Gator: I think you're on to something. With the SAG awards having just finished, and the Oscars coming up, perhaps we should stage our very own Fanblogs awards? We can work on some categories, then accept nominations. Brilliant!
For trophies, perhaps we can get some authentic imitation Waterford crystal footballs (just to annoy TE. Keep them out of your ears, TE, if you win one) Let me call China and see if they have some. (Ah, we definetly want the un-leaded crystal, Mr. Chin)
Best brevity poster? I'd have to nominate Porky. All-time shortest post? Rockytop 22, with his original 'h' post...
Rammer: Buffet is originally from Mobile, and started his freshman year at Auburn. Evidently, as the story goes, he was walking to class one day, blew out his flip-flop, stepped on a pop-top, cut his heel and had to cruise on back home. He eventually finished at Southern Miss...
Bevo: If I'm correct, Coondawg tried to re-emerge back onto fanblogs under another psuedonym, where he was caught by our sentries, and promptly given the permanent boot. Fanblogs jail is a temporary ban on being able to make comments on the site, handed down by the administrator.
posted on February 8, 2008 5:04 PM — link — abuse? said:
Fanblogs "jail" is more like time-out. It's generally handed out for not playing nice with others. That's usually a one or two day thing.
A few select folks have gotten the Fanblogs "Death Penalty" (a la SMU). It usually results in me working with your known isps (home/work/etc) to block access to the site completely. Sometimes I only permanently revoke posting, but usually it's a full site ban.
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 5:39 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
#64: WEA, I never know whether or not to believe what I read on wikipedia, but I don't have a more authoritative source for this "highly important" topic.
I hadn't heard that Tech joke before, but I would probably modify it to say..
If you ever PAID to have a car attend your wedding ceremony... you might be a TechNeck...
posted on February 8, 2008 6:07 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Ramblin: You should believe in wikipedia. It was founded by an Auburn guy!
You couldn't have heard that joke before. I literally just made it up!
I should modify it to say: If you ever consumated your marriage in the rumble seat of a 1930 Ford Model A sport coupe, you might be a TechNeck!
Fanblogs jail! Remember in Honeymoon in Vegas, when Nicholas Cage is trying to get on a plane and the ticket agent is giving him a hard time. He says, "what are you going to do? Put me in airport jail?" That's where I got that from...
He probably wouldn't have said that, post 9-11...
If anyone cares, I was an extra in that movie, when the flying Elvis's were parachuting into the casino parking lot.
Ok, you probably don't care...
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 6:27 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
WEA, No Kidding?! We have something (else) in common then: I was an extra in "The Bear" (i.e. the one about Bear Bryant, not the nature film):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086945/
I portrayed a football player for $50 - uncredited, of course. The shoot was across the street from my fraternity and I just walked through the set one day and they offered me the gig (I'm 6'3" tall, so I guess I looked the part).
I did get to meet Jon-Erik Hexum on the set, just a few months before he accidentally killed himself while clowning around with a blank pistol. Meeting him was really cool for me because I had been a fan of his TV show (Voyagers!) as a young-un.
posted on February 8, 2008 6:46 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
It was a crowd shot, and we didn't get paid or anything. I couldn't even find myself when I watched the movie. Oh well...
In high school, I was also a crowd extra in the movie Tank with James Garner and C. Thomas Howell. Part of it was filmed right down the street from my house on Ft. Benning. Kinda cool for a 14 year old.
At least you got a little money,some screen time, and got to go to wardrobe, hopefully...
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 8, 2008 6:56 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
Cool! I remember the movie, "Tank". Did you get to meet Jenilee Harrison? (I had the hots for her back then.)
The bad news about "The Bear" is nobody will ever see it again. My loose understanding is that some wealthy and religious Bama alums didn't like all of the (apparently, accurate) profanity and bought the film, taking it out of circulation. Perhaps some of our Bama bloggers could comment on this?
Regarding wikipedia, it may have been founded by an AU guy, but the anonymous masses who edit and contribute to it are what renders it less reliable. That being stated, I have to admit I use it most every day (with some skepticism).
Zac said:
posted on February 8, 2008 7:02 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Ramblin Gator, Rammer Jammer, WarEagleA, I need your help, as I am on to something......
Teenage Mutant Ninja Gator
Teenage Mutant Hippy Gator
Teenage Mutant Hipja Gator
Teenage Mutant Ninpy Gator
I'm close; I just know it!!! I need help getting there. Anyone else got ideas?
Regarding topic: The following is a WarEagleA type list of all the things that can go wrong with a recruiting class, or anyone on anygive team:
So many kids (Remember that word, "Kids"?) come into this level and wash out for so many reasons.
They don't have the work ethic.
They can't handle the competition.
They can't handle criticism.
They can't handle the attention or fame.
They can't handle college life or their classes. They can't get along with too many of the players or coaches.
They get home-sick.
They can't or won't come back from an injury. They find love, lose it, and lose heart.
They get caught doing stupid things because they think now that they're away from home they can do anything.
They're tried at the wrong position, not really given the chance they deserve, or over-looked altogether, all because of team needs.These things happen. Even the best coaching staff(s) can't stop every one of these things; not to mention, there are over 100 kids on a team; only 11 can take the field on any given play. That can be especially tough on those not mature enough.
posted on February 8, 2008 7:10 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
RG: I didn't get to meet her, although I, too, longed for her in my early teens! :-)
It's a shame that film is gone. Now you have nothing to show a director of 'your work'! -ha!
Wikipedia is okay if you use it for obscure things. When it comes to political topics, it's a lot less reliable. I trust it when trying to find out the endowment for Georgia Tech, but would believe nothing if trying to find out about GW Bush or Al Gore.
Zac: Once when googling for a previous thread from fanblogs, I put in Gatorhippy's name because it was something he had said. Google came back with "Do you mean 'Get Your Happy'?" Classic!
Good old GetYourHappy...
Jeff said:
posted on February 8, 2008 8:36 PM — 12.188.148.226 — link — abuse?
Great class RR... I must admit... Top Ten in a transition year??? Wow...
Although a lot of credit has to be given to Lloyd Carr for the footwork in the beginning, credit RR for maintaining the current signees & then adding on a couple "surprises" on NSD...
We're just waiting on TP...
Probably in vain, but awaiting we are....
Jeff said:
posted on February 8, 2008 8:36 PM — 12.188.148.226 — link — abuse?
Great class RR... I must admit... Top Ten in a transition year??? Wow...
Although a lot of credit has to be given to Lloyd Carr for the footwork in the beginning, credit RR for maintaining the current signees & then adding on a couple "surprises" on NSD...
We're just waiting on TP...
Probably in vain, but awaiting we are....
Big Tide said:
posted on February 8, 2008 9:02 PM — 12.208.88.211 — link — abuse?
Zac #75, great list. Only Bammers will probably remember Joe King. He was this incredible physical specimen that played O Line for the Tide when I was in school there. When I say physical specimen I'm not using those words lightly. I hope someone else remembers this guy!! Anyway a lot of people joke that Joe King is why Ray Perkins left coaching. This guy was something in the neighborhood of 6'6" and weighed 300 and didn't have any fat on his body! Just a massive white boy. Anyway this girl I was dating from Jackson, TN had a roommate that started dating Joe and I had a first row seat at watching this guy go down the tubes. Just a dumb, self centered jock that took all of his size and ability for granted. He'd rather shoot whisky at The Booth than worry about football. He just lived for going out and have people go ape over him. I don't think anyone on the team even liked him. He eventually just quit football and started up a wrestling career and then I think he served some time for armed robbery. Just insane...
Bleed Crimson
posted on February 9, 2008 3:17 AM — 74.230.27.150 — link — abuse? said:
Im finally back.
Okay. you knew id have to get in on this one.
TE: We did not cheat. we landed the top recruiting class the same way ND landed theirs: HISTORY HISTORY HISTORY. that little thing that tiger fans (of both kind) say, doesnt matter at all.
But, you did manage to get me worried about this Bobby Williams guy. sounds like a complete joke. only in julio's case i dont think itll matter who coaches him.Second of all.
On all of this Auburn spin:
-"So, we never recruit well"
-"ahhh, they chose bama because our team is so stacked they wouldnt have been able to play for a few years."
-"tommy always coaches em up real good!"
-"#20 on rivals but #1 in character"goddd. cant yall just cut the crap. saban took tubs to the woodshed this year. Yall wanted EIGHTEEN of our guys, but Saban beat yall head-to-head for every single one.
BTW, yalls class this year looks eerily similar to the ones Mike Shula used to land.....and to address the zero-sum theory mentioned by WEA:
it exists. thats why bama has sucked the last 6 years. thats why the bear won 10 straight during his dominance. it all has to do with in-state and in-region recruiting.
the fact that we beat yall head-to-head, EIGHTEEN times after a 7-6 season has to make you a little wary about the future between Saban and Tuberville.gatorhippy
posted on February 9, 2008 6:15 AM — 70.121.110.84 — link — abuse? said:
1&Nole/SemiNat (#83):
And honestly...
I don't really get a hard on over recruiting...
It's all about what is done on the field...
Like some of these numbers...
45-12, 21-14, 34-7, 20-13...
and my personal favorite...
31-20-2...
Any idea what those are from, Nole?
c-dogg said:
posted on February 9, 2008 6:56 AM — 76.188.146.165 — link — abuse?
Gatorhippy is pickin a fight with a Noles Fan :o)....
Just make sure that you don't pick one with a MIAMI fan. We can drop similar numbers on you guys dating back to the Ronald Reagan era....
Yes I know you guys will play us this season with the better team. But until then.....
1st_and_NOLE
posted on February 9, 2008 10:43 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
Awww. gatorhippy is getting worked up. What's next? Going to go back in your archives and try to pull something out I've said in AUGUST like you've done in the past?
I'm sure you're a successful and intelligent person gatorhippy but 99% of your comments toward me (see the original one in this thread) lack substance and are nothing more then empty attempts to flame.
I seem to recall you and other Gator fans bashing Joe for the same type of comments like your post #36.
Instead of trying to throw stones from inside your glass house like you did in post #36, try acting more like the successful person I'm sure you are.
In regards to UF's recent success against FSU, congratulations - enjoy it. Everything goes in cycles my friend. FSU had the edge in the 80's and 90's and now UF is turning the tables. Things will swing back the other way in FSU's favor and after a while they'll swing back toward UF's favor. It's the cycle of collegefootball.
posted on February 9, 2008 11:46 AM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Hello, Bleed Crimson. Welcome back. Where have you been? You been out helping Nick reel in all these fish?
First things first. Bear won nine in a row against us, not ten. After having heard that statement thirty-six hundred times in my lifetime, I've memorized it well. And it came during arguably the most lean times in Auburn history--at the end of Shug's reign, through the Barfield era, and the beginning of Dye's.
But don't worry. If Saban does manage to return the Tide to glory, you can go back and blame our streak of six, seven, or however many games it ends up being, on the lean years of Franchione, through Shula, and the beginning of Saban. That's because in the state of Alabama, having teams that suck is inversely proportional to the rise of the other guy.
The more I've thought about the zero-sum theory on football in Alabama, the more I think that I'm wrong, that it's always going to be a zero-sum game. Being not only in the same state, but in the same division of the same conference, we are going to keep revolving around each other for the rest of time. One of us has to be the planet, the other the moon, until we reverse positions, and I better enjoy my time of being the one the other revolves around...
But getting back to recruiting, yes, you kicked our ass. 18-0 in head to head meetings: That's pretty strong. I guess this means you're going to pack 92,000 into the spring game again? Go ahead and beat your chest. Alabama needs something to rally around.
I especially like your last paragraph. Unlike the troll Finebaum, who overtly calls for Tuberville to get-the-hell-out-of-Dodge-because-there's-a-new-Sherrif-in-town, you merely hint at it. At the end of the day, you still have to beat us. I can understand you thinking that this recruiting victory is a monumental first step towards that, but I shudder to think if it doesn't work. What then? That'll call for some serious soul-searching then.
Anyway, congrats on the recruiting. You won't hear any excuses out of me, other than to say it has been the status quo over the years for Alabama to win that war over us.
TE
posted on February 9, 2008 12:50 PM — 70.180.43.182 — link — abuse? said:
Ok, first off...to everyone:
I just watched that Johnny Fairplay YouTube, and it's freaking HILARIOUS...Though I'd like to think of my posting style as like a far more eloquent and verbose version of the action taken by Danny, only with the same ultimate result:
What was once a smug, happy-go-lucky internet poster has been reduced to a toofless, bloody mess...
Bleed Crimson:
Nice to see you've Groundhogged and poked your head out now that you actually have something to crow about...Very telling you weren't around to defend your beautiful Bama baby till AFTER National Signing Day...
In response to your talk of how you hauled in the #1 class in America, I'll say this...
The CEO of Rivals was recently on Finebaum talking smack about how their talent evaluation isn't as good in Louisiana & Texas as it is in Florida & Alabama...
That's a joke, and we all know it. #3 & #2 in production of NFL football players based on per capita population are Texas & Florida...Not hard to calculate that, and Sports Illustrated did a fine piece on it recently-and by recently, I mean about 5 years ago when I still had a subscription.
#1 is-and has been for a long, LONG time-been the state of Louisiana...Period. How the CEO of a company charged with evaluation of high school football talent ignores this large, glaring piece of factual data in an explanation of its rankings is a tad dubious...but, hey...I'd like to give anyone the benefit of the doubt...
Then, you click on this link...and the argument that you make-much less anyone else that would say Rivals is an unbiased competitor in the HS Football Recruiting Rankings world-sort've loses steam faster than Danny Baldwin in Celebrity Rehab...
http://alabama.rivals.com/rfFan.asp?User=64
HISTORY helps, BleedCrimson...But, it never hurts when it comes time to rank your class when the CEO of the company that does it is also an admitted HUGE Bama homer...
Bama Babe said:
posted on February 9, 2008 1:59 PM — 68.220.188.197 — link — abuse?
TE: You're just never going to get it are you?
So I'll say it nice and slow this time..Rivals
is
not
the
only
service
that
ranked
Alabama
number
1.It may be the most well-known, but they aren't the only one.
Therefore, this "biased" argument gets you no where. So why don't you take one of those crystal footballs out of your ear and stick it in your mouth. :)
TE
posted on February 9, 2008 2:11 PM — 70.180.43.182 — link — abuse? said:
Babe,
Even if I lodged one of them in my cakehole, it wouldn't prevent me from keyboarding...
I think what you'd probably rather is for me to FONDLE them, thereby taking my hands off the keyboard...
I'm not sure if you've figured out yet that I don't care for 'Bama-or maybe you have, though I've tried to keep my disdain subtle and understated (how'm I 'doin, so far?)-but I'm never not going to take an opportunity...
You see, there's this fella here...By the name of Sweet Home Alabama...Where HAS that fella run off to these days? Wait, nevermind...Thank the Lord for small favors...
No, in all seriousness, I just enjoy taking you Gump's down a peg. Any fanbase living in the past as much as you silly folks do is just too ripe not to.
I hope you realize that I can separate fans from their schools, however. I think BigTide & Rammer are QUALITY human beings. They're merely cursed by fate to be born as Bama Fans, much like yourself. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
posted on February 9, 2008 2:25 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Gump noun, proper. Guhmp definition: a fan of the university of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Derived from star football player Forrest Gump, who lettered at the Capstone from 1964-66 as a kick returner and historical event infiltrator. See also: My name is Forrest, Forrest Gump.
gatorhippy
posted on February 9, 2008 2:51 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
1&Nole/SemiNat (#86):
What do I have to get worked up about?
Lead in the series...
Winning record in all but one decade...
4 wins in a row...
Out recruited again this year...
Even your "coach-in-waiting" has a losing record versus the Gators...
I'm more worried about Miami than the Florida State Circus School...
gatorhippy
posted on February 9, 2008 2:55 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
1& Nole/SemiNat (#95):
I will give you credit about one thing on your pre-season "predictions"...
This past season's contest surely had a vastly different outcome than the 2006 edition...
Great job "stuffing" the Baby Rhino...
Little harder to do when you're not sure where he's goin', huh?
Just ask Geno...
TE
posted on February 9, 2008 2:59 PM — 70.180.43.182 — link — abuse? said:
Babe,
I'd think far less of you if your pride was lessened by my barbs towards you and your Gump brethren...
(BTW-as an aside...can we refer to Bama Babe as Jenny?)
Getting back to the subject, that's not what I aim to do at all...I aim to hurt that pride from time to time...Keep it in check. Keep it pointed directly towards that harsh mirror called reality as much as possible. Keep it from getting "waterbelly" from drinking too much Crimson Kool-Aid...Keep reminding you of Collette, the Wal-Mart Bama Jersey clad member of the Nick & Terri Saban Welcoming Committee who was pulled over for DUI shortly after kissing all over Nick upon his arrival and asking Terri for an autograph...
That's all...
My goals are modest, Jenny...To keep you grounded in reality.
Bama Babe said:
posted on February 9, 2008 4:25 PM — 72.148.124.60 — link — abuse?
Ok Mr. TE,
Let me make something clear. If ALL Bama fans are living outside of reality, then ALL LSU fans are drunk obnoxious idiots.
Now I don't truly believe that, but apparently, in terms of your own thinking, if one fan acts a certain way, then the whole fanbase acts that way.
And I don't think I've ever given you a reason to think that I need a reality check.TE
posted on February 9, 2008 4:50 PM — 70.180.43.182 — link — abuse? said:
Okay Jeh-NEE,
Please point out where I said all 'Bama fans are like Collette? When did I insinuate that all 'Bama fans live in an altered state of reality (though the fact that a majority live inside that state may require them to be, but I'm digressing, here)?
I'll hang up and listen, but I'm expecting dead air, because of course I never came close to saying any of those things.
What I said is that I want to keep what I think is an often overinflated sense of pride on the part of most of your brethren in fandom in check by reminding you of the bad, as much as you'd like to forget it.
That doesn't mean I'm making blanket statements or overgeneralizing. I'm doing nothing of the sort. No, what I'm doing is actually pointing out to specific examples of the "lunatic fringe" out there amongst your fanbase, like all fanbases, is all.
By the way...They keep the trophy for National Recruiting Champion in the men's bathroom at Dreamland in B-Ham...If you're lucky, I'll score you a pic on my camera phone and bluetooth it to you...Deal?
(Bama Babe...Relax...I'm simply pulling your chain here...It's what I do)
1st_and_NOLE
posted on February 9, 2008 6:07 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
gatorhippy #95:
Out recruited again this year? LOL.
You won't know if you "out recruited us" or vise versa for another 3-4 years.
Besides, I believe it took Urban Meyer lying to one of your biggest recruits (Omar Hunter) to get him to stay committed to UF instead of heading down to South Beach.
Bama Babe said:
posted on February 9, 2008 10:52 PM — 72.148.124.60 — link — abuse?
TE,
I apologize for ASSUMING you were talking about all Bama fans. I realize that the stereotype for Alabama fans is that we live in the past, but I am not one of those. Especially since the only NC we've won since I've been alive was in 92. I've been living in reality. I know our program has been down for years, and I can see you take joy in that.
But done worry Autigerman, I'm not going anywhere.
Remember, FORREST was the one who ran. :)1st_and_NOLE
posted on February 9, 2008 11:07 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
gOSU27 #109:
If you're referring to my comment about Urban Meyer lying to (DT) Omar Hunter...
Omar Hunter was being recruited by Coach Greg Mattison, the Co-Defensive Coordinator (and DL coach) for the Gators. Omar and his HS coaches were told that Mattison was leaving UF to take a job with the Baltimore Ravens. Because of that, Omar but onsidering committing to Miami instead. But, on Tuesday night (the day before NSD), Omar was told by Urban Meyer that coach Mattison was NOT taking the job with the Ravens.
So what happens?
After UF received Omar's LOI, Mattison DID take the Ravens job.
If you're asking me about something else, you'll have to clarify your question.
Big Tide said:
posted on February 10, 2008 8:38 PM — 12.208.88.211 — link — abuse?
Bevo, I was checking the schedule for the Longhorns and noticed that the Oklahoma game bounces around quite a bit in relation to other games on the schedule. This year it is 6th, next year 5th and in 2011 I think it is the third game. Games that rotate on and off a schedule do seem to bounce but a big rivalry game like that would seem to be in a fixed spot (i.e. Bama plays TN 3rd Saturday in Oct. and we always finish with Auburn) Has it always bounced like that?
c-dogg said:
posted on February 11, 2008 2:06 AM — 76.188.146.165 — link — abuse?
Cane Mutiny....
Ramblin' Gator must be around 15 or 16 years old (#107). Who else but a teenager would run their mouth not knowing that Florida hasn't beaten Miami since the early 80's.
Devin Hester embarassed UF in the Peach Bowl and Miami QB Brock Berlin (Florida's reject) had the best game/comeback of his life against UF. Not to mention the pounding The U gave Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
In other words...Gator fans should wait until AFTER the game to talk smack. After all....we ran all of the Notre Dame fans off of this blog because they ran their mouth last offseason.
gatorstud said:
posted on February 11, 2008 2:22 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
c'mon now c-dogg...ramblin gator wasn't saying anything about the history our schools have had....his comment was just about the upcoming game.....and i would have to agree with his view...florida is looking good and miami has stumbled a bit lately to say the least....shannon did a hell of a job recruiting and the benefit of it should show in the next two years....but his next year could be another down one for miami....
any gator who runs their mouth to a miami fan deserves to get a "boot" up his arse.....they have owned us for a while.....but this year we should get one back....
jmho....
go gators...
p.s....been six months since you lost your grandfather.....i hope life has been better for you since....keep ur head up...
c-dogg said:
posted on February 11, 2008 2:35 PM — 76.188.146.165 — link — abuse?
(#115)Actually Big Tide...we beat UF 3 times this century. Nevermind the 80's.
(#116)Good point gatorstud....Should be a good game. I just wish Miami were playing this game in 2009 instead of 2008. We need a couple more solid recruiting classes before THE U is back.
gatorstud said:
posted on February 11, 2008 2:51 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
c-dogg...sorry for the mistake......glad to hear your doing well....
putting miami back on the regular florida schedule needs to happen....it has needed to happen for a long time....gator fans have taken a beating by cane fans for the dropping of miami....i know gator fans want this one back...the state of florida needs this one back....
if you want to be the best...you have to beat the best....not hide from them...if you want to stand at the top of the mountain, then you have to take bobby bowdens approach of...anyone..anytime..anywhere...and take your lumps as they come.....
jmho....
go gators....
Bleed Crimson
posted on February 11, 2008 5:48 PM — 72.146.39.49 — link — abuse? said:
haha
right here. you miss me?i have actually resorted to the tidesports.com message boards. but the only problem with that is, you dont have anyone to argue with.
but i was able to get all of the "inside" information during recruiting season. like how much money it cost us to have rivals and scout rank us #1. i also figured out that the reason julio picked us was because of the new Benz that one of the boosters bought him.
good stuff. hahabut now that recruiting season is over i guess ill head back over here. maybe try to keep TE in line. any word from T-Mac lately? he was always good backup.
posted on February 11, 2008 6:39 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Ron: Alabama doesn't win recruits by purchasing cars for the players. Instead, they pay their high school coaches a few large to guide them down the right path...
Just kidding. Actually, the Albert Means saga was true, but I'm not suggesting that Bama Boosters still do that kind of thing. I've seen no evidence of that, TE notwithstanding...
Bleed, when you're done crowing with the homers, you come back here and play with us!
Bevo Boy said:
posted on February 11, 2008 9:43 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Big Tide #113, unless I am mistaken (and, of course, I'm not the most seasoned Texas fan on hear), Texas always plays Oklahoma during the Texas State Fair. I could understanding it bouncing around 1 game if Texas would have a bye week before then, but I don't know why it would go to third.
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 11, 2008 11:23 PM — 70.136.59.73 — link — abuse?
#128: c-mutt: when did I ever assert anything to do with the history of the UF/UM series? (answer: never). Try pulling your head out of your backside, actually read my post, and enter a post that makes some sense! I don't need your "help" to know that UM has a narrow lead in the all-time series and has dominated in the last 20+ years. My comment was regarding the upcoming game, genious!
Not that it's any of your business, but I'm 44 and I was at one of those games at the OB when the Gators stomped The (pee)-U.
Cowbell05 said:
posted on February 12, 2008 1:09 AM — 76.107.119.247 — link — abuse?
Tension...tension...I must say that Miami better hope that those recruits help out THIS YEAR to have any chance at beating the Gators this year. You said it Ramblin, yall are on a high, and Miami hasn't been much worse in a while.
40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on February 12, 2008 8:21 AM — 192.91.75.29 — link — abuse? said:
Pertaining to the question of the Shootout being on October 3rd. The shootout is always held during the first weekend of October traditionally. The State Fair usually begins around September 17. Heres another fact that not many people know about the shootout: there are actually three trophies that are exchanged between the two schools.There are three Red River Shootout trophies exchanged based on the outcome of the game.
The best known of these is the Golden Hat, which is, appropriately, a gold ten-gallon hat, formerly of bronze. The trophy is kept by the winning school's athletic department until the next year. A newer trophy, the Red River Rivalry trophy, has been exchanged between the two student governments since 2003. The governors of Texas and Oklahoma also exchange the Governors' trophy and often place a bet on the game such as the losing governor having to present a side of beef to the winning state governor, who then typically donate the winnings to charity.
Another annual tradition is the running of game balls by the schools' Reserve Officer Training Corps programs which is awesome. Each school's ROTC program uses a relay running system to run one game ball all the way from their respective campus to Dallas. Once there, they participate against each other in a football scrimmage, with the winner taking home a rivalry trophy and bragging rights. just in case anyone was needing more info.
HookEmHorns!
c-dogg said:
posted on February 12, 2008 10:09 AM — 66.219.131.67 — link — abuse?
From C-MUTT to GRUMBLIN' GATOR,
Firs tof all, I actually like the C-Mutt name. Very creative...much better than the C-Dug someone gave me months ago. How would you rate Grumblin' Gator??
Anyways, calm down Mr.44 year old. PEE-U will see FU...ah I mean UF on the field this year.
Looking forward to the match up. Yes you guys have the better team, however you guys had the better team 2 out of the last 3 time we played you.Tampa Hurricane
posted on February 12, 2008 10:31 AM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse? said:
I don't understand how people can actually argue about something as biased as recruit class rankings. The rankings are all done by sites that have a bias towards some region, state or conference.
All you need to do is look at recruits rankings after they sign with certain teams. i.e. Before Arthur Brown verbally committed to Miami, both Rivals and Scout had him as the number one prospect in the land. After he committed, he started to drop, so much so that Rivals doesn't even have him as the top lb in the nation anymore. Should a players rating really be dropping because he decides to go to an ACC college (with the best direct pipeline to the pros) instead of the SEC teams that were after him?
Also, Kevin, there is no reason to bring up CSTV as a recruit ranking. If you look at the breakdown of their ratings, they are in love with the SEC classes. Lets look at a couple of the teams above Miami according to CSecTV...UF top 4 recruits 15, 34, 41, 65; Georgia top 3 recruits (only 3 in the top 150) 12, 46, 59; Miami top 4 recruits 4, 5, 21, 36. I would love to hear how the people at CSecTV can justify their rankings.
All that being said, I think Miami had a great recruiting class and these SEC websites will have to admit how great a recruiting class it was when we are back in the national title hunt in two years!
gatorstud said:
posted on February 12, 2008 10:48 AM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
t-hurricane...your quote "All that being said, I think Miami had a great recruiting class and these SEC websites will have to admit how great a recruiting class it was when we are back in the national title hunt in two years"
recruiting numbers don't mean diddley poo if the programs don't have coaches who can make them into top college athletes...just remember..they are to "high school athletes"....and that's all at this point...it takes hard work and good coaches to turn an athlete into a big time college athlete, instead of just a guy who had four or five stars next to his name....
hey kevin.....are there stats out there to show how well the top ten high school athletes did in college.....going back about 10 or so years...i would like too see the %'s of top athlete who bombed, after being hyped up.....
go gators...
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 12, 2008 10:53 AM — 216.10.193.22 — link — abuse?
#132: c-mutt, I'm always calm, my friend - you couldn't ruffle my feathers with a chainsaw.
I must admit I kind of like "Grumblin' Gator" - good use of alliteration and the best nicknames always have some negative cannotation around them. Well crafted, dude! I would probably adopt that as my handle, except it has no connection to my alma mater, Georgia Tech.
Would you like to dicuss UM's recent record against Georgia Tech? (No? I didn't think so.)
FWIW, good point about the last 3 UF/UM games. I certainly thought the Gators would win the Rex Grossman / Brock Berlin matchup and it seemed like the Gators had that one wrapped up on the field too, but UM had other plans. It certainly could happen again this year, but judging by both teams' play last year, all I can say is...
"looking forward to it, my friend, looking forward to it"
So we're back to where we started!
c-dogg said:
posted on February 12, 2008 12:20 PM — 12.33.203.234 — link — abuse?
O.K. Grumblin' Gator, lets call this round a draw :o)
As far as Georgia Tech...your right...don't want to discuss that for obvious reasons.
Gators clearly have the advantage this year. Far better talent on the field ( except for the true Freshman). Too early for this....wait til August.
Like I said before. I wish this match up was for 2009. Who knows? we might meet in a bowl game by then.Autigerman said:
posted on February 12, 2008 12:48 PM — 129.61.46.16 — link — abuse?
Well having a #1 recruiting class would be something to brag about,however they still must prove it on the field.
Sort of reminds me of a 2005 Sports Illustrated cover. Brodie Croyle was on it and it proudly proclaimed BAMA is back. Rememeber that?
Well that was about 200 excuses ago.
We shall see, but i have certainly noticed the big crimson hype machine in full motion ....again.
Big Tide said:
posted on February 12, 2008 1:04 PM — 69.34.227.69 — link — abuse?
Everyone knew that cover was a curse!! Hope we don't make another one until we take home the crystal.
Can someone tell me about this 6'1" kicker that Texas signed that runs a 4.5 40? Does he punt or place kick? I wish Bama could sign a punter worth a sh*t!!
Tommy Tubberville doesn't mind burning a scholarship on his special teams and he always has a good kicking game! If I'm not mistaken Tubby signed a long snapper on this year's class. That's hardcore special teams recruiting!
Autigerman said:
posted on February 12, 2008 3:13 PM — 129.61.46.60 — link — abuse?
Big TideYour right about Tubbs. He signed a punter and kicker last year and it payed off. Just look at the florida game
He signed long time NFL player Jeff Dellenbachs son Dax as a long snapper this year.
Im still impressed with his ability to find players. Our best lineman Tyronne Green was a lightly recruited defensive lineman from Pensacola. This guy will be drafted next year.
He drafts outside the box but he has to going up against Bama ,Florida and Georgia.Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 12, 2008 4:00 PM — 216.10.193.22 — link — abuse?
#136: c-dogg, the future certainly looks brighter for UM, though I remain concerned about your OC, Nix. He never managed to do much for GT, so I was really suprised when Shannon recruited him away from Atlanta. Time will tell, but I'm thinking the Canes won't return to their previous form with their current OC.
"Okay, we'll call it a draw."
Big Tide said:
posted on February 12, 2008 5:13 PM — 69.34.227.69 — link — abuse?
Obviously he's been sucessful against Bama, but his record against the other two isn't that shabby. He knows what his needs are and he gets kids that fit into his system. I still can't get anyone to give me any scoop about this kicker that Texas signed. If he's a punter he is a trick play waiting to happen. 6'1" 175 lbs and runs a 4.5, that's pretty impressive for a kicker....
posted on February 12, 2008 6:45 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Ramblin: Hating on Pat Nix, are we??? Uh uh! I'd like to see him do well, but I'm torn about the Miami thing... He probably would have been gone from Tech with Johnson coming in anyway, so no biggee, right?
Interesting article on the whole Tubs-better-get-the-hell-outta-Dodge scenario from usually-a-Bama-sympathizer Kevin Scarbinsky...
http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/kscarbinsky.ssf?/base/sports/1202721369172610.xml&coll=2
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on February 12, 2008 7:22 PM — 216.10.193.22 — link — abuse?
WEA: Actually, I like Nix, including his days as Auburn's QB. However, the GT offense consistently underperformed during the Gailey years (thank God that's over) and Nix took over the play calling and nothing improved. It's just a shame that GT's defense was so good and their offense was so bad.
...and yes, I know, Gailey is a former UF QB.
You're probably right about Nix needing to leave with PJ coming in. It's a shame we lost Tenuta too, though not really a surprise.
Bleed Crimson
posted on February 12, 2008 7:47 PM — 74.249.64.31 — link — abuse? said:
Big Tide:
perhaps you missed it. this year, we recruited a kicker/punter by the name of corey smith. i saw the rivals video of the guy and hes good from 50 yds. kicking, and good for 50 yds. punting.
also, he enrolled in the spring, so he wont contribute to the 25 we will enroll in the fall.Nick Saban knows what he's doin.
Big Tide said:
posted on February 13, 2008 10:34 AM — 69.34.227.69 — link — abuse?
Bleed, thanks for the heads up because I had not locked on to Corey Smith. I think I saw him on the list of signees but I really didn't look at his size or dig very deep. He was listed at 2 Stars? Looks better than that on video. I think I'm tormented by the ghost of football past. That kid does look good - I saw the video where he nailed it from 50 with leg to spare. I think you will admit that our kicking game has been piss poor in recent years. I still wake up at night in a cold sweat from the Arkansas game! Maybe we can mold him into something special. I stand corrected and that's a good thing in this case......
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Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on February 7, 2008 11:33 AM — 76.114.222.200 — link — abuse?With the signings of Star Jackson, Julio Jones, Burton Scott, Destin hood, Chris Jackson, Melvin Ray etc etc etc. if the Tide isn't down right nasty on Offense in a couple of years??? Something's horribly wrong in Tuscaloosa......that is all.