Wrapping Up Florida Gator Spring Football

Written by James Brown, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder

With Day 2 of the NFL Draft today, and the Orange and Blue Debut taking place last week, we've had time to reflect on the closing of Spring Football for the Florida Gators.

Since I mentioned the NFL Draft, Cornelius Ingram got chosen a few minutes ago, and needless to say I think he's a great addition the the Eagles, and a 5th round pick is ridiculously low. 

I'm also willing to wager fourth round pick Louis Murphy has a comparable career to fellow Raider draftee Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Percy Harvin was chosen in the first round, as expected, and by Minnesota.  Which means with Bernard Berrian and Adrian Peterson, he could have a great year, as he is certainly a home run threat. 

I just hope it doesn't come out that Minnesota was the one leaking the 'character issues' nonsense in order to get him, as it may be a good play for them, but it seems wrong to injure Percy's character or cost him potential millions as he drops in the draft. 

Either way, I think the team is a good fit for him, and have a hard time believing he's an actual 'character issue'.

The draft is still going on, so Jason Watkins and Phil Trautwein could still have their name called.  And I expect a couple other guys to be given a shot as a free agent signee, check back here tomorrow for those updates.

Onto some football-oriented links from around the Gator Nation...

Here's a report on Tim Tebow and 22 Powder Puff teams raising money for Tebow's family's charity, a move that was approved by the NCAA beforehand.  An article on the event.

I also thought it'd be funny to point out Lane Kiffin was cited for ANOTHER secondary recruiting violation.  Keep up the good work, ass.

Lastly, I had to link to Dr. Saturday's excellent analysis of the USC QB situation.  And a blog wondering who should be on the cover of the NCAA Football '10 video game.

Orange and Blue Game News and Analysis 

The Orange beat the Blue 31-21.  Some observations from the first half.  A full recap. 

Johnny Brantley was the star of the Spring Game.  A blog on Brantley's day.  The alligator on Brantley stealing the show.  And the Florida Times-Union.

Brantley's awesome performance was something ESPN's Chris Low didn't think he'd see this spring.  He didn't see what he thought he would out of Deonte Thompson.

SI says we used the spring game to show off our young talent.  The game put several players in new roles.  Another article on the youth movement.

The O-line, in particular, really got to show off its' depth.

For those of you (like me) who were not able to watch the Orange and Blue Debut live, here is the broadcast information as it will be replayed several times.

The game being played marks the end of spring, and the Gainesville Sun's Pat Dooley blogs on spring practice being over.  This means Tebow and Co. are beginning the toughest offseason in Gator history, which is based entirely on the lofty goals for this team for next season.

Player Profiles

Here's Part 1 and Part 2 of a series discussing Tim Tebow's throwing motion, thanks to our friends at Gator Tailgating.  Here's an article on Tebow's work with the new QB coach.  Another article on Loeffler and Tebow.

ESPN's Chris Low answer the question, "How real is Tim Tebow"?  Jeopardy! teaches us that sometimes, Tim Tebow is wrong.

LB Jon Bostic could be fighting for a starting role.

A Q&A with Dorian Munroe. Another with Jonathan Phillips.

Brandon Spikes came back to school to finish his degree and try for a 3rd National Title.  He also made this list of deserving players who won't be in the Heisman discussion.

Jeff Demps is living a double life as a football player and track star.  John Capel can relate, and offers some advice to his fellow Gator.

Spring Practice News

Expectations for the Florida Gators are high entering the Spring Game.

Here's a recap of Spring Practice Day 13.

The Orlando Sentinel talks about five impressive players this spring.

Team News

Earlier this month, we ran a blog asking 'Can Florida Be Better Than They Were in 2008'?

The bar for the safeties has been risen for 2009.

This Florida Gators football team has unmatched depth coming off the 2008 National Title, according to SI's Andy Staples.

The team got to travel to the White House last Thursday to meet Barack Obama.  They were the first championship team of this administration to get the honor.  Marcus Gilbert's dad has guarded Obama's life as a Secret Service agent.

The team was reminded of NCAA regulations.  No word on whether the notes were passed on to Lane Kiffin.

Here is a rundown of the changes on the coaching staff.

The Florida Gators are plastered all over the Georgia Bulldog locker room.

A guide to tailgating in Lexington, as the Gators travel there in 2009.

Injury News

A blog on the toll injuries took on spring practice.

FB Steve Wilks is likely out for the year next season with an ACL injury.  Lawrence Marsh and Carlos Dunlap also underwent surgery.

Backup QB John Brantley will have ankle surgery.

CB Jeremy Brown is on the comeback trail from his injury.

Riley Cooper has a knee injury.

Any thoughts???

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