FootballFL.com - Gators, Seminoles, Hurricanes, Dolphins, Bucs and Jaguars -- Everything Football in Florida -- FootballFL.com

Transcript: Tony Sparano press conference

don — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:11:46 +0000

(On the key to containing Roscoe Parrish in the return game) - “This sounds easy, but we’ve got to get down the field, we’ve got to disrupt them early. Kind of try to make him move his feet a little bit that way, but tackle. This guy makes a lot of yards after the initial contact. He can make you miss. He does a tremendous job that way, I think. So, getting him on the ground would be important.”

(On if Michael Lehan tweaked his hamstring in practice a little bit this morning) - “He actually did, he tweaked it just a little bit. So, we’ll see where it is.”

(On Jason Ferguson looking a little better working out on the side) - “Yeah, he looked better today, so he did a lot of things out there. We’ll just have to see how he feels tomorrow. He did an awful lot today, yesterday, so we’ll have to see how he feels.”

(more)

Bulls go on the road for 2 games in 5 days

don — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:07:20 +0000

TAMPA - Think, for a moment, of the two worst travel experiences in your life. Then book trips to visit both places in the next seven days.

That’s the challenge facing No. 14 USF. Playing two road games in five days is daunting enough, but even more so when it’s the Bulls playing Saturday afternoon at Louisville and Oct. 30 at Cincinnati.

Why? In 11 seasons of football, in 57 road games, there are only three places USF has traveled to more than once without winning. One was Southern Miss in 2000 and 2003; the Bulls visit the other two in the next week.

(more)

Jaguars’ Matt Jones awaiting appeal of suspension

don — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:05:04 +0000

Jacksonville JaguarsWR Matt Jones is waiting for a decision on his appeal of a suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy and is taking part in the league’s drug program, he said Thursday.

Jones was arrested July 10 on cocaine possession charges in Arkansas and earlier this month agreed to a drug-treatment program there. He said he has “nothing official” from the league regarding his status, having received a preliminary letter of suspension and little else.

“I haven’t got anything official,” said Jones, the team’s leading receiver with 30 catches for 338 yards.

(more)

Remember when? Tebow wasn’t even born yet when Kentucky last beat Florida in football

don — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:02:20 +0000

The last time Kentucky beat Florida in football, gas was 93 cents a gallon, “The Cosby Show” was America’s most popular television program and Tim Tebow hadn’t even been born yet.
Yes, it’s been a long time - 22 years to be exact.

On a cold Kentucky day in November, a week after coming from behind to beat Georgia 31-19 in the old Gator Bowl, the Gators fell to the Wildcats 10-3 in Lexington. The date was Nov. 15, 1986. Since then, Florida has run the table on Kentucky, winning a rather incredible 21 consecutive games in the series.

“Yes, it’s hard to fathom that,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “That’s why I don’t fathom it.”

(more)

Robert Marve losing his grip as Hurricanes’ starting QB

don — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:03:26 +0000

CORAL GABLES - University of Miami quarterback Robert Marve has tended to stay away from reading newspapers of late.

And the Internet message boards. And listening to sports talk-radio shows.

Any forum that may stir up thoughts of a quarterback controversy brewing at UM is off limits. After being named the starter in the preseason, a recent slump has Marve facing criticism but he prefers to avoid it altogether.

“Just kind of stay away from them,” Marve said. “It’s a lot different from a person outside looking in than from a person that’s inside looking out. Everybody has a different opinion.”

(more)

Cadillac Williams ready to practice with Buccaneers again after 13-month layoff

don — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:01:11 +0000

Cadillac Williams will practice with the Bucs Wednesday for the first time since suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee 13 months ago.

Williams is on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He will have up to three weeks to prepare to play before the team has to decide whether to activate him or place him on Injured Reserve.

“All indications are that the Cadillac is ready to come out of the garage and take some runs,” coach Jon Gruden said Monday during his radio show.

(more)

Are Gators getting ’screwed’ by pollsters?

don — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:35:14 +0000

Two teams. Two starts. Example No. 2,437 of how college football rankings are screwed up:

Southern California was ranked No. 1 early because it was the “hot” pick. It pummeled Ohio State before losing to unranked Oregon State on Sept. 20. It then dropped to ninth in the Associated Press poll, but beat up a few patsies and recovered so that when the first BCS poll comes out last week it was No. 5. With its toothless schedule it’s in a prime spot for the national championship game.

Florida was ranked No. 4 early because it wasn’t the “hot” pick. It lost to unranked Mississippi on the same Sept. 20. It fell to No. 12. It then beat up previously No. 4 Louisiana State but only recovered to No. 10 in the country when the first BCS poll is released.

Huh?

(more)

Could Chad Henne’s time be drawing near for Dolphins?

don — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:04:57 +0000

Before the Dolphins surprised everyone, including perhaps themselves, with those stirring and uplifting victories against New England and San Diego, we all had a clear vision of what this season was supposed to be.

The 2008 Dolphins were supposed to lay a foundation and give Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland a mandate of what do to this coming spring to lift this team from the AFC East cellar to playoff relevance in 2009 and beyond.

But those unexpected victories took us on a fanciful detour that had some players talking about playoff berths and even Super Bowl possibilities this season.

Now consecutive defeats against mediocre Houston and Baltimore have snapped us out of that fleeting lie and allowed us to refocus our vision of 2008 where it should be:

On the future and on finding a franchise quarterback.

(more)

Urban Meyer’s Monday press conference

don — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:01:45 +0000

UCF lineman dismissed from team; offensive woes continue

don — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:58:26 +0000

The UCF offense can’t seem to catch a break.

The Knights emerge from the bye week with more questions to resolve on offense after junior offensive lineman Cody Minnich was dismissed from the team following a driving-under-the-influence arrest and junior quarterback Michael Greco missed two workouts due to a death in the family.

UCF (2-4) has struggled to move the ball all season and faces No. 22 Tulsa (7-0) and the Golden Hurricane’s high-powered offense on the road Sunday.

(more)