Gator Nation Sports Page: Friday, April 3

Written by James Brown, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder

We at gatorsfirst.com work hard to bring our readers the latest in sports news from around the Gator Nation.  We check all the news sites, regional and national, and do all the research for you, because we understand you're busy and don't want to be internet geeks like us.  So look for the Gator Nation Sports Page, and stay current on the latest Gators sports news and sports opinions.

The gatorsfirst team has also been giving you some predictions for the Major League Baseball season that starts this weekend.

I also recently attended the Dallas Stars v. Florida Panthers hockey game, and covered it for eventchaser here.

There have been many stories lately, so I'll summarize as much as I can here.

Before we dive in fully, I've got most of the spring practice news posted here yesterday and basketball stuff posted here earlier today. 

Football

There has been a lot of talk of moving Florida-Georgia to Atlanta every once in a while.  Dr. Saturday points out that would just mean losing to Florida in a different city.  The talk has been dismissedby some—including UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans. The numbers just don't add up.

Are Urban Meyer's motivational tactics playing into Lane Kiffin's hands?  Florida players say they take Kiffin's comments personally.  Lane Kiffin says he thinks it's neat there's Tennessee stuff in UF's locker room.  I think it's "neat" his hot wife that had UT fans go crazy is a Florida Gator, as if you couldn't tell by her hotness.

Urban Meyer is getting that March Madness.  And he's rocking Patriots gear.

Bill Belichick and Jon Gruden are among those speaking at Urban's coaching clinic in mid-April.  Hopefully, we get more "concrete cyanide."  New Bucs HC Raheem Morris thinks the Gators are ripped—and wants the Bucs to be like them.

A feature on Jelani Jenkins.

Joe Haden and Maurkice Pouncey on who will break out in '09.

Omar Hunter and Earl Okine are competing for snaps this fall.  They need to step up.  Hunter is preparing for an expanded role.  Note: he redshirted last year, everything is an "expanded role."  Another piece on Hunter.

Dorian Munroe is looking to reclaim his starting role.  A Q&A with Munroe.

How will Urban Meyer keep all those "Percy position" players happy?

A Q&A with Carl Moore. Another with Fred Weary.

Redshirt Frosh WR Frankie Hammond, Jr. is making all kinds of plays.

Offensive line injuries are hurting the Gators' practices.

Jeff Demps has seen the eternal footman.

WRs coach and recruiting coordinator Billy Gonzales never considered leaving Florida.

Matt Patchan is out at least a week, and Torrey Davis may be back in 2010.

Dee Finley, finally a Gator.

Florida is rejecting Miami's attempts to get more games between the two schools, which means we treat them like they treat FIU basketball.  Which somehow seems relevant.

Restraining order against Carl Johnson, which caused him some offseason problems, is going to be dropped.  He is in good standing with the football team now.  A piece concentrating on Torrey Davis and UF players getting arrested.

Check out the bling.

An early look at tailgating in Starkville for the UF-Mississippi State game this fall. 

Recruiting

A look at running backs the Gators will be targeting.

A piece on the offensive signees.  And the defensive signees.  And weighing the last few years of recruiting classes.

Kenny Boynton is listed as a standout at the McDonald's All America festivities.

Total Sports Domination

No. 1 UF softball swept No. 6 UT.  And lost their first SEC game to No. 4 Alabama.  And in the sweep of Auburn, Lady Gator Stacey Nelson got her record 20th win.  Two Gators are among finalists for National Player of the Year.

The Lady Gators swim team finished seventh at the NCAAs, and Gemma Spofforth brought home Florida's 100th National Title.  The men finished fifth and claimed three more national titles.

Lady Gator basketball player Sha Brooks was named a national finalist for the Coaches' All-American Team.  UF's plane had refueling problems after the team got flattened by that juggernaut known as UConn.

No. 7 Men's tennis beat No. 55 Mississippi State, 6-1.  No. 14 Lady Gators beat No. 61 Mississippi State by the same score.

UF golfer Billy Horschel was named SEC golfer of the week. 

UF gymnastics drew the top seed in an NCAA Regional.  They head to Iowa City Saturday.

Florida Gators in the Pro Ranks

Percy Harvin reportedly failed a drug test at the NFL combine.

Harvin also had a terrible Wonderlic score.  But my buddy Ken had a good quote, "The fact is that Percy has a Ph. D when it's gametime."

Abby Wambach is back playing professional soccer—she hadn't played since breaking her leg and missing the Olympics.

Gators in the NBA: Update one, update two.

Any thoughts???

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