Bleacher Report - Articles by Russ Stafford

The Heisman Shakedown: Tim Tebow Goes for Two

Russ Stafford — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:02:49 -0500

I'm sure most everyone has heard the joke, "Superman Wears Tim Tebow Pajamas." His fans often do refer to him as “Superman.” In fact, there are shirts out that have a “T” stamped in the Superman symbol.

This weekend, “Superman” leaped "Mount Cody" in a single bound, and probably onto the platform to deliver his second Heisman Trophy acceptance speech.

This weekend’s game showed one of many reasons why Tim Tebow is, "The Most Outstanding College Football Player In The United States Of America.”

Bringing me to a question, have you ever looked closely at the Heisman Trophy? I'm sure we all have, and we all know what it's for, or do we? Find a close-up of the trophy; it's clearly engraved on the front, "The Outstanding College Football Player in the United States."

So with that in mind, throw out the stats, and what the other two finalists have done, Tim Tebow clearly is that description and more.

Last year Tebow became the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy. He was also the first quarterback to ever accumulate both twenty rushing and passing touchdowns in a season (23 rushing, 32 passing). Amazingly, this year people have actually questioned his ability to throw.

This weekend he silenced his critics, along with Alabama’s defense, and showed just how good of an arm and legs he had. He completed 13 or 21 passes for over 200 yards, three touchdowns, and 57 on the ground, against arguably the best defense in the nation.

If you take a look at the game film again, many of his passes were tough ones, but it didn’t matter, Tebow was hotter than a two dollar pistol. The most amazing thing about that night is the fact Tebow was missing his biggest play maker and outlet, Percy Harvin. Tebow delivered quite a performance however, and carried Florida on to a win without him, a very special feat.

The thing that sets this year apart from last, and him apart from Bradford and McCoy is the fact that Tebow has become a superior leader. Following Florida’s 1 point loss at home to Ole Miss, Tebow took everything on his back. Following the game he told the fans, “He was sorry, a lot of good would come from that loss, and you have never seen a player and team work as hard as they would.”

Since that loss to Ole Miss, Florida has run the table. In fact for the most part, Florida has dominated every opponent within it's path, and Tebow has come through in every way. Coming into Saturday's game, Tebow was 0-5 when trailing in the second half. Florida trailed 17-20 entering the fourth quarter when Tebow led the Gators down the field twice to come back and win 31-20.

The fact that Tebow put everything on himself, has backed up his promise and pushed Florida to its max, and the fact that he has become a better leader, is exactly why I feel he deserves a second Heisman Trophy. The Alabama game just put the icing on the cake.

It may not be his stats or abilities however, that have him so favored. Clearly he is a young man of great values and character. His dad of course is a minister, and Tim devotes a lot of his spare time into helping his dad in the Philippines doing missionary work.

Word has it that he actually teaches a Sunday school class as well. Along with the hard work for his coaches and God however, he is also quite the delight for his teachers, earning a 3.7 grade point average.

Immediately following that win Saturday, Tim said something that put a smile on many faces. Tracy Wolfson (of CBS Sports) opened the door for Tim to campaign for another Heisman Trophy, showing his humbleness, turned down the offer and simply said, “He was going to celebrate with his teammates and get ready to play another game.” This just goes to show what a player and admirable young man he truly is.

Putting aside the reason’s he deserves the Heisman, what are his odds? I actually think his odds are fairly good.

The fact that Spurrier coached against him, and watched Tebow demolish his defense. The fact that he just won the Wuerffel trophy, and the fact he is favored by many of the sports analysts on television each weekend, makes me truly believe he can accumulate enough votes, and become the second person to win it twice.

Tebow is undeniably an outstanding player and person. He may not have the stats that he did last year (This year 28 passing touchdowns, and 12 rushing). He may not have as many touchdowns through the air as Bradford or McCoy.

But he is, without a doubt a better all around quarterback, player, person, and better all around pick for the Heisman Trophy. The only thing left to be decided is will the voter's feel the same on Monday night?

The Rise Of Gator Nation

Russ Stafford — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:10:57 -0500

It seems like just this past weekend I was riding out of Tallahassee with a grin on my face (Florida had just upset No.8 Florida State and broke the nearly two decade streak in Doak Campbell Stadium). This was a very exciting moment, but one of the few during the Ron Zook era at Florida. This game, was Ron Zook's final game, and sure I, along with the rest of Gator Nation was happy for a change, but unsure of the future. I recently took time to reflect on where we have been, and where we are now, as Gator Nation.

Looking back through some old tapes last week I came across what I would normally consider a tape to be "taped over." When I turned it on, Miami had just came back from a 33-10 deficit to score 28 unanswered. Very disheartening to say the least, but upon further reflection, and my stumble across a few more tapes (03 LSU game, 03 Georgia, 04 Florida State) from the Zook era (02-04) I have come to appreciate this time period.

That three year era sit's in the middle of probably the best twenty year's of Florida Football. In these last twenty years Florida has produced 7 SEC titles, (91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 00, 06) 2 National Titles, (96, 06) 3 Heisman Winners (Spurrier, Wuerffel, Tebow) and 2 of the best coaches in the SEC and Nation (Spurrier & Meyer). Though Zook’s era may seem as a rough spot it’s really more of a time period we all grew stronger.

Before Zook, Steve Spurrier led arguably one of the best 12 year spans in college football. Like him or not, he was and still is one of the top coaches in the SEC and Nation. An impressive stat other than his days at Florida included a 1989 ACC title with Duke. Spurrier, under his reign at Florida from 1990-2001, led the Gators to 6 SEC titles, along with the 1996 National Title. He also accumulated a gaudy record of 122-27-1 at Florida.

He was also quite the player at the University of Florida, winning 1 of only 3 Heisman Trophies in program history in 1966. He is the only coach in NCAA history to have won a Heisman Trophy, as well as to coach a Heisman winner (Danny Wuerffel 1996). Steve's name sits atop Ben Hill Griffin Stadium today, in the ring of honor, and even though he's not tossing his visor across the sidelines, and running up the score each Saturday, he will forever be "The ole ball coach."

Coincidentally, just three weeks ago Steve lost by the worst margin in his coaching career, to the new coach in Gainesville, Urban Meyer. Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks got humiliated (56-6) in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Who would have ever of thought Steve would have lost by “Half a Hundred” in the place he was so dominant and also the place he dubbed “The Swamp?” This obviously is just another reminder of how things have changed.

Urban Meyer is now in his fourth year at Gainesville, and is 3-1 against Spurrier, and has won an SEC & National title, as well as being on the verge of another this weekend. Urban Meyer began his head coaching career in 2001 at Bowling green, where he lead the Falcons to 17 wins in two years. In 2003, he took over at Utah, where in his second season led the Utes to an undefeated season. After Zook was fired at the end of the 2004 season, Urban Meyer accepted the job at the University of Florida, in his 4 years at Gainesville; the Gators are 42-9 at this point. His ability to turn around programs has made him one of the premier coaches in the NCAA.

Meyer just coached a Heisman winning quarterback quarterback himself, Tim Tebow. Tebow won the Heisman trophy last year and is in the top 3 again this year. Tebow, already arguably the best quarterback in Florida history, could possibly end up with 3 Heisman trophies and 3 BCS title trophies if the ball bounces right.

There's no doubt that Florida is on a current rise. The football program is now enticing the best talent in the nation. Urban Meyer, along with his staff have molded this program to excellence. It’s crazy to think that just yesterday Florida was coming off a 7-5 season, and now possibly being selected for a second BCS title berth in three years. All was thought lost at the end of the 2001 season, but now things seem to be back to normal.

Tonight at a gas station in Geneva, Alabama the cashier ran out the door (after seeing my Florida hat) and loudly screamed across the parking lot, “Go Gators!” to me, in front of a load of Alabama fans. It just goes to show how much pride there is to be a Gator again. It's amazing to observe the intensity, the pride, and the confidence we all share again. Florida is once again viewed as the pinnacle of success. Through this reflection, I believe I've learned to appreciate every game, every player, every coach, and every moment we pridefully share as Gator Nation.

Alabama-Florida Football: Southeastern Showdown in Atlanta

Russ Stafford — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:32:28 -0500

This weekend marks arguably the most anticipated SEC championship game since its beginning in 1992. The game was played in Birmingham at Legion Field the first two years, and since then has been moved to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Alabama won the very first meeting in 1992 against Florida (28-21). It's quite the coincidence that this weekend's game with so much anticipation features the same two teams who started it all. In fact, this will mark the sixth time they have battled for SEC supremacy. Florida holds the edge, 3-2; however, last meeting in Atlanta (1999), Alabama won, 34-7.

Top-ranked Alabama enters this game undefeated for the third time. The Tide are 1-1 in this game when undefeated, and both of those games were against Florida. Second-ranked Florida enters the game at 11-1 and has scored 42 or more points in seven consecutive games. It's very evident that something will have to give this weekend, as Florida's high-powered offense stacks up against the stout defensive line of Alabama.

By far the most overlooked aspect of this game is the Florida defense. Alabama's defense has gained a lot of hype thus far, but Charlie Strong's defense has held 11 of 12 opponents to 21 points or less. The one exception being the Ole Miss game where Florida had a streak of turnovers, all on their side of the field. Of those 11 games, they held seven of those teams to 10 points or less.

The consistency of the defense has helped get Tim Tebow and the offense on the field more, and in return Florida has been on a scoring rampage. There's no doubt Florida will put up points in this contest, but if standout Percy Harvin does not play with his ankle injury, it could slow them up slightly.

Alabama enters the game undefeated, and fresh off a home win versus rival Auburn. This year marks the best since Gene Stallings 1992 championship team. The defense statistically matches up evenly with Florida's. Alabama has held 11 of 12 teams to 21 points or less also, including two shutouts.

The Tide's offense is also potentially handicapped as well this weekend, after Roy Upchurch suffered a neck injury. It will be up to Glen Coffee, and Mark Ingram to carry the load and keep Florida's offense off the field.

Both Florida and Alabama have a couple of keys to victory. For Florida, it will be to distribute the ball around, not commit turnovers, and stop the run. I feel that Brandon James and his kick returning will be an X-Factor in this game; don't be surprised for him to gash the Tide for a long punt return.

For Alabama, the key is to establish the run and keep John Parker Wilson out of tough situations, like 3rd-and-longs. They will also need to put pressure on Tebow and try to take him out of his current groove.

I am picking Florida to win despite Alabama being undefeated; I think Florida pulls away late in the third quarter and ends up winning, 41-20. This game should prove similar to the 1996 game, in which Florida's offense was too much.