I feel like I spend a lot of time apologizing to you guys recently for missing another week, but life got in the way again – I swear this is the year of weddings and Bachelor parties. Now before Andrew and Nick think I am bragging again, don’t worry, I just went to Delray Beach. But the last two weekends have been a blast for me – my brother’s wedding and a great friends bachelor party.
But it has been a wild two weeks in Gator Country, eh? The Orange and Blue Debut…happened…I guess is the best way to put it. J.C. Jackson was arrested. The Gators won a THIRD STRAIGHT National Championship in gymnastics. The Gators baseball team is tied for first place in the SEC East. Florida softball is back where it belongs as the number one team in the country. And Tim Tebow is BACK IN THE NFL!
For Tebow, NFL means “Not For Long”
Listen, I love Tim Tebow. He is a great mentor, role model, and athlete. But, and you knew there was a “but”, he won’t make it past this latest entrance into the NFL. Why? For everything you have seen in the last 24 hours since he was re-signed. He usurped NBA and NHL playoff coverage – yes, a player that hasn’t played in two years and has a career completion percentage of 47.9 with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. And how will he make the team? Through practice – never a Tebow strength.
I want Tim to be successful, I truly do, and maybe this is his best opportunity, but until he is treated like a player that is at best an NFL back-up, he will never be appreciated for the guy that he is and can be in the NFL. Is Tebow better than most 3rd string quarterbacks in the NFL? Absolutely. But why isn’t he on the team? Because fans clamor for him incessantly.
Now Tebow may be better after working with quarterback guru Tom House for the past 18 months, and I hope he is, and I hope I am wrong.
But for the same reason he didn’t work in New York and New England will likely be the reason he won’t in Philadelphia – the fans and media won’t let him be.
Rhonda Faehn = Unbelieveable
In all of the NCAA, there is no program that is more on fire right now than the Gators gymnastics program, except for the UConn women’s basketball team. Three straight National Championships – with this one coming pretty unexpectedly.
Faehn has been able to recruit and create some of the most exciting teams in Gator history in any sport and deserves to be applauded more than she is. Good for them. Good for the Gators. And hell, they could very likely win again next year.
Look Out for Eric Paschall
If the Gators are looking to continue to become better by transfer, look for them to land Fordham transfer a 6-foot-6 wing forward that is down to UF, Providence, or returning to Fordham. Should UF want him, I think they will get him, but UF is already one scholarship over the limit, so the decision is all up to them.
I don’t usually like transfers, but Paschall is a great forward that can shoot the three, is quick, and plays sound defense.
If Paschall comes aboard, look out, he could thrive under Donovan.
Did You Know…?
…That the Gators have more players in the NBA Playoffs than Kentucky, Duke, and every other college? With 10 players in the NBA Playoffs, only one former Gator (Udonis Haslem) did not make the Playoffs.
Incredible work by Billy Donovan!
What is great is that many of the 10 (Horford, Noah, Beal, Lee, and Parsons) are top-3 players on their respective teams, while the other five (Miller, Bonner, Calathes, Brewer, and Speights) all play valuable roles on their teams.
Good luck to each player.
Must Read Articles of the Week
- Andy Greene | Bill Withers: The Soul Man Who Walked Away
- Pilita Clark | The Future of Flying
- Bruce Feldman | The book on Tim Tebow, from the guru who tried to fix him
- Tom Kizzia | Roommates on Mars
- Susan Ferriss | How kicking a trash can became criminal for a 6th grader
Song of the Week
Hey guys, Will Hoge came out with a new CD — Small Town Dreams.
Go buy it. Now. Please. It is awesome.
Here are two of my favorite songs:
Dedicated to my grandfathers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jyj5MJ4G_s&list=PLoKn-sUR52ET-8wx0u4btM1NNExuj9aAM&index=2
Typical jovial country music song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv5QK9fH7mE&index=11&list=PLoKn-sUR52ET-8wx0u4btM1NNExuj9aAM