Interesting article from Gatorsports that talks about how UF's first two opponents....especially Miami....helped to prepare the Gators for the SEC teams they will face. I noticed when watching some of the same things about Miami that the article points out in that the canes were physical and seemed to have plenty of team speed. http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20080910/NEWS/809100213/1090&title=Early_tests_help_Gators_prepare_for_SEC_schedule__
"Ex-Canes star Warren Sapp, on a Showtime conference call Tuesday for Inside the NFL, called UF coach Urban Meyer ''a classless dirtbag'' for kicking a field goal late in Florida's 26-3 win against UM. ''But it's coming back in a big way'' when the teams meet in 2013, he said. Plantation's Brandon McGee, a senior who has committed orally to UM (as a cornerback), said UF's late field goal ''wasn't necessary at all.'' Canes coaches are privately steamed about Meyer's move, and UM people hope to get a chance for revenge in a bowl game. " I wondered out loud why Weis did not kick a game clinching FG against SDSU. ..... Meyer has no problem kicking a frivolous one.
It is my opinion that it is the defense's job to stop the offense. It is not the offense's job to take mercy on the defense. In a way, the latter is worse. However, if you are on the winning end of a situation such as the UF/UM game, the embarrassment you put on the losing team could come back to haunt you in the next few years. If it were me, I think that I would have had my QB throw it away a few times at the end to make it look like I was still running my offense. Do I fault Florida for kicking it? No! That was their choice to make and they made it. Nothing wrong with that. Also, there is noting wrong with coaching staffs, alumni, and incoming players remembering it for the next time they play either.
The Gator FG was meaningless in every way. Now if they had run the ball four times and scored, that's different. ND, on the other hand, had a chance to ice a game and did not take it. Instead they barely got a first down on a running play to kill the clock. Noble? Maybe. But if they failed and SDSU somehow scored and converted two, Weis probably would not have gotten out of town alive. I guess its all perspective.
This team is heading to Knoxville in one week to play Tenn and UF's kicker had never attempted a FG in live action.....before that kick. I knew exactly why Meyer had him run on the field for that kick and that is the reason Meyer gives as well. Weis, Fulmer, Carroll and any coach worth his salt would have done the same. Now harder to explain is why in a real blow out Randy Shannon opted to go for 4th and 3 vs. Charleston Sou. late in that game last week. :roll:
If he had never attempted a FG in college before then I'm ok with that, plus really 3 points isn't exactly pilling it on. Weis didn't attempt a FG against SDSU, but our kicker as medicore as he is is not a rookie, and I'm sure he didn't want to have one blocked and run back for a TD and 2 pt conversion sending the game into OT. What were the circumstances that Shannon chose to go for it on 4th and 3? If he was in their territory within FG range then going for it on 4th and 3 and maintaining possesion to run out the clock is fair to me. Terry
Two points: 1) In the big picture, it's not a big deal IMO. I didn't like it, but it's not like throwing a pass for a TD when you're up by 40 points. 2) Having said the above, the fact that it was noticed and talked about, and the reaction of the opposing coach, should send a message that it wasn't necessary to add 3 style points to certain victory with only 25 seconds left in the game.
So Sid...you would rather be PC and have a new kicker kick his first FG in a huge conference game on the road? I doubt that is the case.
Lou threw a TD pass as he was running out the clock vs Navy one year, there were extenuating circumstances but we were up by 4 scores. He got a lot of criticism for it though. But today nobody remembers. MCG: Do you think Meyer big buck gator friends having bets on the game had anything to do with him making sure the Gators covered the spread? Terry
If our kicker is so bad that we would risk handing the ball to the other team than attempt a FG then this could be a long season.
I have no problem with the FG kick by the gators, its our job to stop them and we did not. On top of that teams are penalized by the pollers, fans and media for not scoring some magical number set in their minds.. And yes Gipper the FG did put the point spread over so all those happy folks in Vegas (And every other city in America) could walk away happy... RC
Interesting that most people seem not to want to accept that the Florida kicker needed a live kick opportunity before heading to Knoxville to face the Vols in a hostile environment. Doesn't mean he will make the kicks there but he needs every practice chance he gets and I seem to recall a certain wide left OT kick for Fla in 1998 that propelled UT to the national title that year.
Interesting comment by Sapp. Did he mention that Miami went for 4th and 3 against Charelston Southern while leading 45 - 7, made it and then scored a touchdown to make it 52 - 7? One might think that a true humanitarian like Sapp would take note of that and make some comment?
[quote}"RECcane" said What was the spread in the Gator-Cane game and did the FG change the net result? I have no problem with the FG kick by the gators, its our job to stop them and we did not. On top of that teams are penalized by the pollers, fans and media for not scoring some magical number set in their minds.. And yes Gipper the FG did put the point spread over so all those happy folks in Vegas (And every other city in America) could walk away happy... RC[/quote] That's why we have missed you so much REC, you have a very open mind. Miami has a very tough defense, if they can get their offense in gear they could win the ACC.