Thoughts of the Week: August 16 – August 22

We are just one week away from the start of college football season and I can feel the excitement all the way here in Tampa about the Florida Gators. Can they turn it around? Does Kurt Roper help resurrect the Gators atrocious offense?

A mere eight days from now, the Gators will be kicking off against Idaho and Will Muschamp’s most important season of his career begins.

Here are some thoughts.

 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

This week I had a barrage of negativity, again, on Facebook, Twitter, and other media outlets criticizing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

If you are one of those people, here are two things for you:

  1. Over $41 million has been raised in the last 24 days. Last year, they only raised $19.4 million all year
  2. Please watch this video.

SEC Network Launch

What did you guys think?

In my opinion, the programming was subpar, the “reporters”, including Tim Tebow, were pretty poor, and Dari Nowkhah was really the only bright spot on an otherwise weak opening segment. Sure, the re-airing of classic SEC games was nice and fun to watch, but can a channel survive on re-played football games, mediocre football games, and non-traditional sports?

While I know the SEC Network is simply a massive PR campaign for the SEC from ESPN, I still expected more, seeing as though the network has been in the works for at least the last six years. I wanted better production value, more polish, better stories, and overall, just more.

 

September 28, 2014

Going to likely be a great day in Gator football.

 

My Projected Depth Chart

All the cool kids are doing it, so here is my projected depth chart for the 2014 Florida Gators. Hopefully, for the Gators, it looks something like this all season.

QB: Jeff Driskel | Treon Harris

RB: Kelvin Taylor | Matt Jones

B: Huner Joyer | Matt Jones

X Receiver: Quinton Dunbar | Demarcus Robinson

Z Receiver: Ahmad Fulwood | Chris Thompson

F Receiver: Latroy Pittman | Andre Debose

Tight End: Jake McGee | Clay Burton

Left Tackle: D. J. Humphries | David Sharpe

Left Guard: Tyler Moore | Trip Thurman

Center: Max Garcia | Drew Sarvary

Right Guard: Trenton Brown | Trip Thurman

Right Tackle: Chaz Green | Rod Johnson

 

Defensive End: Jon Bullard | Bryan Cox, Jr.

Defensive Tackle: Leon Orr | Jay-nard Bostwick

Nose Guard: Darious Cummings | Joey Ivie

BUCK: Dante Fowler, Jr. | Alex McCalister

SLB: Neiron Ball | Jeremi Powell

MLB: Antonio Morrison | Jarrad Davis

WLB: Michael Taylor | Daniel McMillian

Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves | J.C. Jackson

Cornerback: Jalen Tabor | Brian Poole

Nickel: Brian Poole | Marcus Maye

Safety: Keanu Neal | Duke Dawson

Safety: Jabari Gorman | Marcell Harris

 

Kicker: Austin Hardin | Frankie Velez

Punter: Kyle Christy | Johnny Townsend

Kick Returner: Andre Debose | Chris Thompson

Punt Returner: Demarcus Robinson | Alvin Bailey

 

Remember Andre Debose

In my opinion, one of the least talked about players for the 2014 year that could have a huge impact, is Andre Debose.

Debose averages nearly 27 yards per kick return, has four kick returns for touchdowns, and has proven to be a homerun threat when given the chance.

Now, I will admit that anything Debose does this year will be gravy because people don’t expect much coming off of knee surgery, but in his final year at Florida I expect a few things. Primarily, I expect him to be a home run threat out of the slot position. I expect Kurt Roper to get Debose the ball in space. Moreover, I expect him to pick-up where he left off and where Solomon Patton left off. The Gators need Debose to give them the ball as far up the field as possible and Debose has proven to be electric on kick return showing great vision and speed.

Do not expect Debose to be anything he is not, nor should you expect him to be exceptionally better in his final year than in previous years, but do remember him and remember his name because he will be a valuable piece to this Gators roster.

 

Winn-Dixie Official Sponsor?

Winn-Dixie announced that they are the new official supermarket sponsor of the Florida Gators on Thursday…what?

No!

Just like Florida should not have gone from Coke to Pepsi, Florida should not leave the premier supermarket in the southeastern United States to a subpar regional chain without much to write home about.

Sad day.

 

Must Read Articles of the Week

Michael Finkel | The Strange & Curious Tale of the Last True Hermit

Tommy Tomlinson | You Can’t Quit Cold Turkey

Paula Lavigne | Athletes, assaults and inaction

Brian Burnsed | Unfinished

Oliver Sacks | The Man Who Could Be Anyone

AP | USDA: Cost to raise child up slightly to $245,340

Sam Tanenhaus | Generation Nice

 

Song of the Week

This week we look at Easton Corbin, a graduate of the University of Florida.

I am a big fan of Easton Corbin, reminds me a lot of the likes of Josh Turner – a guy that has a good voice, good lyrics, but will never be huge in country music because he isn’t going to sing the catchy pop song or dance around stage in tight jeans.

This is my favorite song of his.

 

To read more Daniel Thomson and coverage of the Florida Gators join Gator Country.

Daniel Thompson
Dan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan oversees the IT consulting practice of a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, bourbon, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan can be found on Twitter at @DK_Thompson.

4 COMMENTS

  1. I wonder why anyone would pick Debose to do anything. Sure, he was injured last year, but it’s not like he has done anything at the receiver position to get excited about. Pick up where he left off? He caught THREE passes in 2012. Sometimes you miss on a five star, I think it’s a little late to think that Debose is anything but what he appears to be, a colossal bust. I feel much more confident that the latest hyped receiver, Robinson, will become a great player. Sure, he sucked as bad last year as Debose did in 2012, but he was just a true freshman, he may have had some growing pains. Debose,? This is his 6th year.

  2. September 28? What is that?

    Andre Debose will probably contribute more returning kickoffs than catching balls from Driskel. There are other players at receiver that are just better.

    Excited to see the Gators in action. Just one more week.

  3. First, Andre Debose is primed for a big campaign in 2014. Excelling in the return game alone will provide a big time shot in the arm for this team, on both sides of the ball. Second, I ilike what they are doing with the SEC Network. Most of the personalities are young, with little to know experience, with a few veteran personalities sprinkled in. Very similar to the strategy behind the growth of ESPN. Third, sponsorship is about revenue. You jump from Publix to Winn Dixie b/c WD is willing to pay the price. That is business.