Here's the article with Meyer's statement: UF coach Urban Meyer won't talk about Florida's chances to win a national title and refuses to answer any questions about the BCS, but he finally did stand up for the Gators, who are fourth in the BCS rankings behind Ohio State, Michigan and West Virginia. Meyer said one reason his offense has sputtered lately is because Florida has played some of the top defenses in the nation -- LSU, Georgia, Alabama and Auburn. ''We've played several [of the top defenses], '' Meyer said. ``Ohio State doesn't have any. Michigan doesn't have any. What's the correlation between that? If you've ever played this game or coached this game or understand this game, the correlation between you're really good and I have to go against you, it's not going to be as easy. If you're awful I'll kick your teeth in. If you're not, we're going to battle a little bit.'' At the time he made the statement ..... and as of today ...... UF had/has not faced the Arkansas defense. http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/sports/colleges/university_of_florida/15889989.htm[/url] I think Ark wins the SECCG 28-14 because I din't necessarily agree with UM's reason (as given above) for the UF offense struggling.
Meyer seems to have a propensity toward whining, excuse making and taking shots at other programs which he did a little of all three in the previous passage. Any of you Gator fans have a problem with that? I think in the long runs he won't make any friends in the press or with his fellow coaches. He may inadvertantly paint a bullseye on himself.
Gator fans lived with Steve Spurrier for a long time, loved the guy, most still do and Spurrier was very brash with his comments about opponents and esp about Tenn. They will have no problem with Meyer, as long as he wins like Spurrier! And it looks to me like he will. Terry
There's no "problem" with UM, what he says, or how he says it ....... but rather with how and what folks "hear" him saying and how they react thereto.
Terry, I believe that article you posted while from the Scout Gator site was actually written for the Arkansas site. No George as I told you about that same article on another topic I don't, and don't think other Gator fans do either, have a problem with his statement. I have agree with Gaterz, I think some people read far to much into a statement some coach may make.
It's not just Meyer, the media made a big deal out of Charlies comments about ND falling in the polls after a win, dropping while teams that didn't even play moved up. If you watched his press conference he was asked a question about it, and he had sort of a light hearted exchange with the reporter that asked the question. Yet if you watched ESPN or read articles you would have thought Charlie held a press conference to talk about it...truth was if the reporter doesn't ask the question he doesn't coment about it. 24/7 news cycle makes this sort of thing happen. They need news, and they have to blow up any tidbit that they can to get viewers attention. Look at what they did to Mack Brown for commenting after the end of the 2005 season that he hoped the Longhorns would be picked for the Rose Bowl. What was he supposed to say, we aren't worthy?
That's true Terry, and a lot of people jump on any little statement. So I guess they are just doing their job.
I agree with Terry. Too often comments are made in one context and portrayed by the media in a completely different and unrelated context. If I don't witness someone's comments myself, I don't pay much attention to how they are protrayed by the agenda-driven media. Heck, I questioned Meyer's first comments a couple of weeks ago, but since then I've come around the above line of thought, thanks to the wisdom of my mentor, Dr. Terry O. :wink: Of course, there are exceptions to the above, for example the TO types. But that is apples and oranges compared to Meyer, Weis, etc.
Now wait a minute Sid, aren't I your mentor also? :lol: :lol: Ok, I will be at Disney for the taping of the Christmas parade tomorrow, a new eperience for me, so it's time for me to make my prediction tonight. Florida 24 Arkansas 13 Yes, we somehow make a field goal.
Actually, Bill, you are a mentor of sorts, by tactfully (like Terry) turning heated conversations/debates in a more civilized direction. That's one of the things I like about the Skybox. I don't enjoy flying off the handle, and through my participation here I've mellowed to where I can walk away from a heated "discussion", and I can even see the other side's point of view.......occasionally. :wink:
Calling out the O'Connors...... "1. Unless Florida can force third-and-long situations, the SEC title game will turn into the McFadden Show. Arkansas has the college game's most unique weapon in sophomore running back Darren McFadden, a power rusher (1,485 yards, 14 TDs) who has, of late, been giving SEC defensive coordinators nightmares by playing a sizable chunk of each game as a "Wildcat" formation quarterback. The Hogs have befuddled opponents with the dual-runner attack of McFadden and Felix Jones (961 yards, four TDs) and the added threat that McFadden will step back out of the option and actually throw. He's completed 5-of-5 passes this season for 70 yards and two scores. I talked to a defensive coach from one of Arkansas' earlier foes this week, and here's how he summed up McFadden's value: "Ohio State's quarterback [Troy Smith] will win the Heisman, and he's very deserving, but I want to see someone else who impacts a game more on offense than McFadden does. There's nobody in the country who does as much. He'll run it inside and out, and then all of a sudden they've got him throwing a post route [against LSU] or a bootleg pass for a touchdown " Anybody think USC would smoke these guys now?
Smoke'm maybe not, beat them yes. In fact I've changed my mind and I think the Gators will beat them Sat night as well. Ark is a good but not great team.
I was just kidding Sid, but thank you. I think that there are a couple of posters here who might not agree with my tact but I thank you anyway. And I would also say that is one of the joys I get out of Skybox. Up until I started conversing with Notre Dame fans on Prodigy and then here I was not only not a Notre Dame fan but I didn't much care for Notre Dame at all. After Skybox started, with the help of JO'Co's address book, and Notre Dame was such a big part of the family I got to know a lot of you better and now understand a lot about Notre Dame I didn't before and even root for them on many occasions, when it won't harm the Gators of course. And I've had the pleasure of meeting JO'Co and even gipper for a brief moment. But that's whole different story. One of my wishes is that someday I might be able to sneak in to your annual gathering. One last thing I might add is that I've also learned a lot from Terry with his calm and even handed approach.
Bill.....Gipper take a swing at ya? ......I would like to hoist a few beers/cocktails with Gipper here in Detroit but I'm concerned that the "fightin" Irish might come out in him literally after some alcohol is introduced to the equation.