The 2009 Florida Gators' Game Links and More!

Written by, Gatorsfirst.com co-founder, Chris Canada.

The annual Orange & Blue Spring Football Game will be happening this Saturday, April 18th. Gatorzone provides all the necessary info for your day, including general info, tickets, and online viewing. Our friends at Gatortailgating have their "official" tailgating plans  for the game.

Before we start, Gator tailgating has list of the top individual single game performances in Gator football history since 1990.

I think it's cool to reflect on the past before hopping into the future.

We have a lot to discuss heading into the game, so feel free to read more!

Injuries

One of the big issues heading into the game is injuries.

As ESPN's Chris Low mentions here, the injuries include those to Jenoris Jenkins and Maurkice Pouncey, Carlos Dunlap and Lawrence Marsh. Emmanuel Moody is also injured, but should be back shortly.

Low also mentions that the injuries are really taking a toll on the Gators. Alligator Army wonders if we'll even be able to field a team for the Orange & Blue game! Low gives his SEC "All-injured team."

Look, we may have a ton of little injuries, but to this point—knock on wood—everything has been pretty minor. Hell, remember last year we had like 28 different ACL tears, and it worked out fine.

Individual Spotlights

There have been a bunch of good articles written over the past few weeks discussing specific players.

Jeff Demps is focusing on his obligation to the track squad. However, while not practicing with the football team, he's still working out with them. It's great to hear that his will to work is high.

Get to know new linebacker Jon Bostic. Although his name is not Brandon—i.e Siler, Spikes, and Hicks—I still see him stepping right in and filling that role. He's been taken under the wing of Spikes already.

Jon Brantley has been practicing very well. The Palm Beach Post raised the question "Is John Brantley the 3rd best QB in the SEC? "

I've never really thought about it before, but look at the list of starting quarterbacks in the SEC:

Tim Tebow-Florida
Jevan Snead-Ole Miss
Ryan Mallet-Arkansas
Jordan Jefferson-LSU
Stephen Garcia-South Carolina
Tyson Lee-Mississippi State
Joe Cox-Georgia
Greg McElroy-Alabama
Randall Cobb-Kentucky
Kodi Burns-Auburn
Jonathan Crompton-Tennessee
Larry Smith-Vanderbilt

Does anyone on this list scare you—beside Tebow of course, as he strikes fear into every man, including his archnemesis, the devil.

I guess only former Gator recruit Jevan Snead can lay a claim that he beat us. Everyone else is either new, sucks, or both.

Chris Low reports that Brandon Spikes decided to stay at UF after a long conversation with his older brother, who is in jail. I fear reading the exact transcript of that conversation, so let's move to the next guy.

Jonathan Phillips is returning for a fifth season after getting a medical redshirt from 2007. He looks to be the "go-to" guy. Do you think Caleb Sturgis is happy about this? I doubt it.

Jeremy Fowler describes Carlos Dunlap as the next "freak", similar to Jevon Kearse. I mentioned that at the halfway point of last season he had severely underwhelmed. He sure did pick it up after that though. I wonder if he was inspired by my article?

Here are some expectations for Emmanuel Moody, following his hand surgery. I want to believe that he'll be that big bruising running back we'd like to see, but i just don't think his build is going to see much action in this offense.

An interview with Matt Patchan discusses him as a "utility man." Another interesting aspect of this article is that he claims that he still has nightmares about being shot, actually ending the interview early when the discussion was raised.

The last spotlight article is about Tim Tebow's reluctance to sign autographs. I understand it can be a bit tricky, but who cares if someone goes and sells it? If people want a legit autograph for their kid, and they don't want to get off their lazy butts and go see him after practice, then they should expect that it might cost some money. Just my opinion.

Gator Practices

The gator practices have been documented here:

Week one by year two.

Days 10 & 11 by the Palm Beach Post.

Days 12 by the Gator Report, the Palm Beach Post , and Gatorsports.

All this practice makes for great competition, says Dustin Doe.

Positional Previews

The Orlando Sentinel has some positional previews for:

Linebackers

Secondary

Special Teams

We'll have our full positional previews as the season nears.

Upcoming Gator Events

John Gruden and Bill Belichick plan to attend coaches clinic around the O&B game. As you know, Bill Belichick has a close friendship  with Urban Meyer and Jon Gruden was a head coach here in the state.

Coach Meyer will be in Orlando for autographs and gator club activities.

Speaking of gator club activities, the Tampa Bay gator club is having a golf tourney. Former stars Jack Youngblood, Errict Rhett, and Earnest Graham will be there.

Any thoughts?

You can view the original article here.