Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 13

Week 11 Recap

LSU's QB getttig ROCKED by LB Vosean Joseph at the goal line

A-T-L HEAUX!!! I hoped and prayed that the Gators would pull it out in Baton Rouge and they did just that! UF beat LSU on the road 16-10 in a gutsy performance. Anyone that has ever been around me during a Gator game knows my go-to phrase is, "Let's Goooooooo!!!!!!", and you know I let off a few during/after that game. UF left everything they had out there on the field and walked out as SEC East Champions for back-to-back years. With all of the drama and buildup to this game, this is definitely my favorite Gators win in the last 7-8 years. This team showed so much grit and determination during that LSU game, you can't help but smile when you think about what they just did. With the key guys that we were missing and how they kept LSU's run game in-check was nothing short of amazing. It's always great to be a Florida Gator, but Saturday I was a little more proud than I have been in a long time. It is so hard being patient, but I know that Coach Mac has this program headed back to the promise land.

How about my guy Jordan Scarlett!? That guy is a 'DOG' as my boys would say! Keep feeding him and he will only get stronger! He has clearly separated himself as 'The Guy' in the running back rotation, backed by Lamical Perine. I am glad that Mac has listened to my suggestions :) And how about Tyrie Cleveland!? He and Callaway are going to be too trill next year. I know for a fact they are going to come out slinging it next year so it should be fun to watch. As I have said countless times, there is so much young talent on this team it is hard not to get excited for the future and when they struggle it is frustrating because I know what they are capable of doing. Heck of a win in the bayou, fellas!

Week 12 Recap 

The FSU game.... I can't take watching any more of the offensive struggles due to the lack of a competent quarterback. I'm hurt... I'm sick of losing. I'm sick of losing to FSU even more so. I hate giving any credit whatsoever to FSU, but Dalvin Cook is the truth. Still salty about him not being a Gator so that is the last you will hear me mention anything about him being raw. "IF" we had a QB, that game would have turned out a lot different. But so would the other 3 loses we have had to them recently as well.... What a disappointing way to end the regular season, just as I thought we were starting to show signs of life after LSU.

This will be my last blog of the regular season. It is hard to believe that the season came and went so fast, but I am ready to put this season in rice and get to 2017. Definitely not optimistic about playing Alabama in the SEC Championship, but I will be in Atlanta to cheer on the ol' Gators. I saw the point spread was at 24, but I was thinking that was a little low. As I said last year, "I'm just happy to be here." I appreciate everyone who was with me on this rollercoaster of a season. Be on the lookout for more Gator posts from me! Pray that we get this QB situation fixed in the offseason and that we see some points in 2017.

As always... Go Gators!

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 12

Week 10 Recap

Photo Credit: gatorcountry.com

I apologize for my hiatus last week, but let's just put that whole game against Arkansas in rice... That was embarrassing. Luckily, the Gators rebounded in moderately impressive fashion against South Carolina this past weekend. The offense moved the ball pretty good with QB Austin Appleby, but left a solid 25 points on the field. The game should have easily been 45-7 UF (Actual score: 20-7). Red-zone struggles continue to plague an offense that is desperate for points. Turnovers killed awesome drives by the offense against South Carolina, yet with stellar defensive play and a nice running day from Jordan Scarlett we were able to pull out another win. I was really impressed with the way our young guys played, along with vets WR Ahmad Fullwood and DB Marcel Harris. The two aforementioned Seniors played their best games as Gators in my opinion. The offensive line played a really solid game as well. I think Martez Ivey should be the starting LT going forward. The line seemed to gel well with him at tackle so hopefully they keep him there.

Side-note: We really have a kicking game. Arguably the best punter in America in Johnny Townsend and then you have Eddy drilling 55 yarders!!! What a turnaround from that crap we saw the last few years. Now if we can just get the QBs up to par like this and we really will be working with something..

Week 11 Preview

'One Call Away' Callaway doggin' LSU last year - Photo Cred: miamiherald.com

LSU... Lord, I pray we beat the brakes off of them this weekend. In Baton Rouge. No, not in Gainesville as originally planned, but in Louisiana because the LSU administration wanted to cry and pout like heauxs about them losing a home game as if we wouldn't be losing TWO. As much as I despise FSU and how much that game means to me, I think I am at the point where if I had to pick one game to win left THIS season, I would rather UF win this weekend. I lost every ounce of respect I had for LSU this year, so all that SEC brethren love is out of the window. They're dead to me. With all that being said, I am worried lol... I feel like UF has a chance to win for sure, but with all of the injuries to key players over the past few weeks it will take a pissed-off, focused, well-executed effort on BOTH sides of the ball from a lot of unproven players.

Obviously the offense has to score if we hope to have a chance at winning this game. We can't afford to go three-and-out or commit any turnovers, or this game will be over quickly and we will be sitting there with the crying Jordan face. The offense has to give the defense time to breathe, because you can bet LSU is going to try and run it down our throats. If we don't stop the run game and force them to throw, that's the ballgame. This game will be a true test for our young linebackers. Lowkey, I am crying internally thinking about not having Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone this weekend against Fournette and Guice. You have to think the game plan would be to load the box and trust the secondary to show who the real DBU is, right?

Prediction: I hope I'm wrong... LSU 24, UF 13 :'( 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 11

Week 8 Recap

RB Jordan Scarlett finished with 93 yards and a TD - Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

For Gator fans, Saturday would be what you call a "Perfect Saturday", when all of your rivals take Ls. The Gators emerged out of Jax with the win over the Pups 24-10 behind a suffocating defensive performance. The D held UGA to 164 total yards (21 rushing)... That's ridiculous lol.. UGA's best, and really only, productive plays came off of broken coverages after the pocket had collapsed and their QB scrambled around and made a play. You would think that DB Duke Dawson and LB Jarrad Davis should get the game ball for their performances. Dawson played unbelievable considering how much he was targeted and made some huge plays that ended up sealing the game. Nothing can be said about how gutsy of a game JD played. That man is a BEAST. You can't help but to root for a guy like him. He is truly the heart and soul of that team too.

To say our offense isn't the prettiest is an understatement, but they are doing enough to get by for now, so I really can't complain too much when we are sitting at 6-1 and #11 in the Playoff rankings. My boy Scarlett proved that he can tote the load for us at running back, carrying it for a career-high 26 times. He and Perine are going to be a problem as that O-line continues to develop and improve. I will say that they did play a lot better than they had in past games, so my fingers are crossed that each week they continue trending upward. TE C'yontai Lewis played a heck of a game for us in the passing game, coming down with a huge catch on the sideline that was the play of the game in my opinion. After that play, it seemed as if the momentum was in the Gators favor the rest of the game. He also converted a huge 3rd down for a 19 yard TD, which helped put our first points on the board. After that, it was murder she wrote. 3 straight at The World's Largest Cocktail Party for the Gators! 21-6 vs UGA since I have been alive, I might add :)

Sidenote: For everyone I ran into in Jax, it was good to see you all! Glad to see and hear about everyone doing big things post-grad. Go Gators!

Week 9 Preview

And so the gauntlet begins... starting with the Arkansas Razorbacks this week on the road in Fayetteville. This will definitely be a challenge for our boys and they better come ready to play. Arkansas always plays super physical and has the size to match up with us, but IF we play how we are supposed to, our speed and talent should prevail. I really do not see how Arkansas QB Austin Allen will have time to throw considering how much pressure he has been under (who is also coming back off of a knee injury). Auburn and Alabama's defenses had a field day with Arkansas, so with Jarrad Davis back at linebacker along with a somewhat healthy D-line, I can't see how they are going to run on us either. As Kirby Smart said last week, "it's hard to win a game when they make you zero dimensional". I expect the defense to show up like they always do and if we can manage to put a few points on the board, we should be fine. I just want to see UF come out and make a statement early. Stone them on defense and put some points up, then put your foot on their throat and blow them out like Auburn did. The Gator Nation is waiting for that type of dominant outburst.

Prediction: UF 27, Arkansas 10 (7-1, 5-1 SEC) 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 10

Week 8 Preview

It's Florida-Georgia week! This game will be forever known as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" to me, no matter how many times they try and water the name down. After living in Georgia for a few years, you start to understand very quickly why the hatred for UGA runs deep like it does with Gator fans. Some of my dearest friends are UGA Alum, but outside of them I can't say too many nice things about the puppies. Without going on a tangent and to be as concise as possible, UF BETTER WIN THIS GAME! Outside of playing FSU, this is the game I look forward to the most every year. You won't find a better atmosphere in college football, than this rivalry in Jacksonville. If you like tailgating and a good time, this is something you need to experience at least once. I will warn you that mental and physical preparation is needed if you plan on partaking in the extra-curriculars (refer to the title of the game at the beginning if you're lost). Stay hydrated, my friends!

Our team is pretty banged up on the injury front and the bye week couldn't have been more clutch for some of our key guys to rehab. DE Bryan Cox and LB Jarrad Davis are questionable for the game and losing them would be a huge blow to our run defense. If we can stop UGA's run game, they are in for a lonnnng day :) You already know our defense plays angry and that chip they carry on their shoulder just got bigger. The biggest slap in the face I've seen in a while came this week when DBs Maye, Tabor, and Wilson got snubbed from the Thorpe Award Semifinalist List week. The voters at The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame are a joke... not sure what football they have been watching to leave those three off that list, especially Teez and Q with how they have played this year.

Is this going to be Luke's coming out party at his dad's old stomping grounds as Jags head coach? I HOPE SO! I told you I would give him a mulligan for the Mizzou performance, but that's only because I am confident he will come out much sharper this game and will get this W. It would be nice to see a 3+ touchdown performance from ol' Luke this weekend. In all actuality, I just want us to blow them out and make a statement. I am praying for a heavy dose of Scarlett and Perine in the run game as well, but I think Mac is stuck on going running back by committee. I feel good about the overall outcome of this game and just hope we play how I know we can play. O-line... show up and do your job!

Prediction: UF 34, UGA 10 (6-1, 4-1 SEC) 

Have a good weekend. Go Gators!

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 9

Week 7 Recap

Quincy Wilson & Teez Tabor - Photo Cred: floridagators.com

Overall, what a great Saturday from a win-loss perspective! Florida WON, Tennessee got BLOWN OUT, and Georgia LOST! Ice Cube would probably say, "that's a good day" for the Gators. Now for the critical part... Yeah, we won. But as always, it was same story, different week. I thought we played like trash on offense, especially in the first half. We couldn't finish a drive with 7 to save our lives. Just stating the obvious, and the reason for most of our struggles, our offensive line sucks. How do you have 8 false starts in a game!? That's a lack of focus and again, is a reflection of coaching in my opinion. Coach Summers, what's up bruh? He needs to make something shake or Mac needs to be looking for his successor. I will admit, Summers has brought them strides from where they were under Muschamp, but there is no reason a line with that caliber of players should be that bad. QB play was atrocious as well. Luke has shown he can be better than that, so I won't write him off just yet. Show up next week for UGA and I'll give you a mulligan for this game.

Although I was not happy with how we played overall, with the lack of execution in the redzone and all the stupid mistakes, there were some bright spots. I told y'all to watch out for No. 89 against Mizzou and my guys at RB. 89, who is WR Tyrie Cleveland and my guys at RB (Scarlett and Perine) all BALLED! Cleveland grabbed the first TD of his career along with another bomb, and both running backs went over 100 yards on the ground. I really don't even have to say much about that defense, other than thank you and we love you... They are who we thought they were, holding Mizzou to 98 yards passing. Keep in mind, Mizzou was leading the SEC in passing coming in to this game. Back-to-back pick 6s by Teez and Q gave the team and fans the spark that they needed. Those two plays changed the entirety of the game. Beating Mizzou 40-14 (5-1 Overall, 3-1 SEC)  is not indicative of how bad we actually looked when you take away those interceptions and Antonio Callaway's onside kick recovery for a TD at the end. That's 21 points right there, leaving you with 19 points via offense (2 offensive TDs and 2 field goals). A win is a win though, right? Sure, I will gladly take it. We have to clean it up and do better though. It just pisses me off because I know what we are capable of and you can't play like that and expect to beat great teams.

Sidenote: Florida is in 1st place and now controls their destiny in the SEC East with those two Tennessee losses. But honestly, with how we are playing and with the injuries we have, you are sick if you think we would have a chance to win in Atlanta. Bama would beat the brakes off us just like they are doing everyone else. Have you seen the juggernaut that Saban has in Tuscaloosa? We are not ready for those problems. Give us a couple more years :(

Week 8 Preview 

Bye Week - Florida is off (next game vs. UGA in Jacksonville)

Prediction: We all win because we don't have to see an anemic offense this week. Let's just pray they get healthy and get these mistakes corrected in practice, because next week is Georgia hate week!

Have a good week. Go Gators! 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 8

Week 6 Recap

The Swamp - Photo: Blair McLendon

As you know, the LSU game was cancelled due to the weather and has been rescheduled for November 19th. But get this, not at the Swamp as originally scheduled, it's now AT LSU... -_- The way LSU handled this entire situation made me lose every ounce of respect I had for them. This is the SEC. This is supposed to be a brotherhood. You care more about playing a game than the well-being of the people of our home state? Nah, that doesn't fly with me. *Inserts explicit comment about LSU* You would think they would be considerate of our fans and player's families that were affected since natural disasters have affected them in recent history as well, right? Guess not... I hope we come out and busts their head in Louisiana on November 19th. Gators, y'all better get up for that game too... You should already have all the motivation you need. Don't lay an egg.

On a lighter note, the Gators are somewhat back in the SEC Championship hunt without playing last week. Tennessee lost to Texas A&M last weekend and they play Bama this weekend. Hopefully that equates to their second conference loss, putting us back in the drivers seat in the SEC East. Prayers up and fingers crossed for a Tennessee loss this weekend! Amen.

Week 7 Preview

Photo: http://cdn.fansided.com/

This week the Gators take on the Missouri Tigers for Homecoming. The Gators are tied in the all-time series 2-2. The Gators won on the road last year at Mizzou 21-3. This season, Mizzou comes in with one of the more explosive passing offenses in the SEC so it should be a nice test for our secondary. I expect Teez and Quincy to have a good day, holding it down for us on the outside. Let's see if DBU lives up to their name again.

QB Luke Del Rio is back in the starting lineup so I am hoping the offense will get back into a rhythm and praying they put up some points. Coach Mac, again... please stop the running back carousel. Scarlett and Perine are the backs most likely to hit a home run, so why not create a thunder and lighting duo with them? I guarantee you it's more effective than what we have been doing too. Word is WR Tyrie Cleveland has earned more P.T. so I am excited to see what he does this week; keep an eye out for 89.

Prediction: Mizzou 13,  UF 27 (5-1, 3-1 SEC)

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 7

Week 5 Recap 

Jalen Tabor with his 3rd INT of the year Photo: AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

Welp... UF outlasted Vandy 13-7 (4-1). Another lackluster performance by our offense, but yet another win. It didn't really feel like we won with how we played though. I have to say I'm sick of watching boring old Florida football. I love my Alma Mater too much to not watch them, but it's getting to the point where you already know what to expect before the game even starts and it's frustrating. You know you will see a stout defense that constantly bails us out until they are worn out from being on the field all game long, a below average offense that struggles to put points up and constantly goes 3 and out, a fragile O-Line, and mediocre special teams. Think about this... When is the last time you saw UF block a punt or a field goal? Run a punt or kick back? Yeah, Callaway has had a few nice returns here and there, but if he's out who do we go to? The Gators used to be known for all three phases of the game and our special teams play was huge, especially during the Urban-era. You take our All-American caliber punter out of the equation along with Odell Kick'em and our special teams is trash. How is that? I have been and am still high on Coach Mac, but these position coaches I can't say the same.

O-Line play needs to be addressed immediately. Those kids have played enough football and play against an elite defense in practice... There is no excuse for how bad they are. Is it coaching? I know there are dozens of teams across the country with much lower rated linemen that play better than us. That's embarrassing. You really can't even think about the QB position or RB position right now and what they "should" be doing because our line sucks so bad. And to piggy back off that, this 'running back committee' needs to stop. Pick two backs and let them go. As I said from Day 1, Scarlett is THE guy. I would have Perine as our number 2 back and ride with that rotation. Scarlett clearly had the hot hand in Vandy, yet had 12 carries.... WHAT? Why not keep feeding him? I don't understand it. Another thing I don't understand is why we didn't take any shots down field when we had so much success the week before. It was check down after check down and missed read after missed read. I'm sick of watching it.

Week 6 Preview 

This is the week many had circled on their calendars... It's LSU week, the battle of the self-proclaimed DBU's (Defensive Back University). We all know who the real DBU is and they reside in Gainesville. UF leads the all-time series 31-28-3.

Scene from the last time UF beat LSU, in 2012

QB Luke Del Rio is expected be back in the starting role this week, so I am hoping that results in a better performing offense. Again... O-Line, do your job! Normally, I am optimistic to a fault and I always think we have a shot at winning, but I have to admit that I really don't think we are going to win this weekend. LSU came out and beat Mizzou like they stole something last weekend and you know they are going to be geeked to play us. I'm not confident in us at all right now. Not to mention, our injuries are through the roof right now and it's definitely being felt in our run defense. Our entire starting defensive line is out this weekend due to injuries. We probably wouldn't have as many players hurt if the offense could stay on the field a little longer, just saying.

Only thing I can say about this weekend is, we'll see...

Prediction: LSU 34, UF 24 (4-2, 2-2 SEC) 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 6

Week 4 Recap

Crying Albert
(Me last weekend.. I'm sure some of you can relate)

I understand that all things must come to an end at some point, but not like that. Words taken from a great philosopher, Markus Jiggetts of DeFuniak Springs, FL, had I been buried on Saturday, it would have been life coming full circle for me because the Florida Gators would have "let me down" one last time. That was one of the most mind blowing and frustrating games I can recall watching. UT beat UF 38-28... As Florida fans, we know frustration from essentially the entire Muschamp era, but this loss was different.

I have never seen Florida play the 'Tale of Two Halves' role and come out on the bad end of things like THAT. How do you blow a 21-0 lead (21-3 at half) with that defense on the field??? Poor, conservative play-calling by our coaches and a lack of execution and intensity by our players. We played with a "not lose" mindset, instead of playing to win. Maybe I'm harsh and you can call me a poor sport... But in a rivalry game on the road, you're up TWENTY-ONE points and you let up!? You don't put your foot on their throats while you have the chance!? I'm lost... WHY?? Why not keep your foot on the gas!? Instead of walking out of Neyland with 12 straight Ws, now you have opened the door for the rivalry to really return. Now they know they can beat us. That win was huge for their program psychologically going forward. Hats off to Tennessee for sticking in there and coming back, but I am beyond disappointed in how we literally gave that game away. The biggest takeaway from that loss is now UF has to win out in SEC play to have a shot at going to ATL, plus they need Tennessee to lose 2 SEC games (which I think they will vs. Texas A&M and Bama, but you can't count on that).

Week 5 Preview 

WR Brandon Powell vs Vandy in last years matchup

This week the Gators travel up to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores. UF leads the all-time series 37-10-2. I'm going to take the optimistic approach and say Vandy should be worried this weekend because UF will come in looking to kill. They know they messed up last week and what's at stake going forward. I think they were humbled on Saturday and I am hoping that leads to a run reminiscent of that '08 team after the Ole Miss loss. Coach Mac said he saw a locker room that was truly hurt from that loss. GOOD! Get mad, go out and win... big.

After last week, it's not even worth breaking down both sides of the ball after they each collapsed in the second half. Both sides better come out with a renewed energy and focus. I thought QB Austin Appleby played pretty good last week when given the chance to throw, especially with the deep ball. I would say Del Rio is better with the short/intermediate game and overall, but Appleby definitely stretched the field in that first half against Tennessee and showed he can be a serviceable backup. Keep an eye out for WR Tyrie Cleveland this weekend, as he should be involved in the offense more now that he is healthy; He caught his first pass off of a 36 yard dot from Appleby. I would look for more deep shots this week with Cleveland and Callaway, plus a heavy dose of the run game. Our defense shouldn't struggle against Vandy's offense, so they should be able to get off the field and give us more opportunities to score.

Prediction: Florida 41, Vandy 10 

Enjoy the weekend. Go Gators! 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol.5

Week 3 Recap

LB Jarrad Davis and team - Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

I have to start off this week's post with saluting our defense. Those boys held North Texas to 53 yards in the ENTIRE game. I don't care who you're playing... you hold a team to 53 total yards in a game, that is pretty impressive. That unit played with their hair on fire and ended up with 7 sacks in the 32-0 win. Number 1 defense in the country? It certainly appears that way, but there is a lot of ball left to play and we need to stay healthy to make that a reality at the end of the season. LBs Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis were all over the field making tackles. We often talk about having the best CB tandem in the country, but we could be overlooking the LBs. Anzalone and Davis are first round talents making a decisive impact on games and it's fun to watch.

The offense played decent, but nothing spectacular, with most of the shine coming from the talented running back group. Each of our big 4 scored TDs and played very well. I still favor Jordan Scarlett as my go-to guy and my second back would be Lamichal Perine. All are very capable of getting the job done, but for my preference of runner, the two aforementioned would match more of what I am looking for consistently on offense.

Of course the downer of the game came when our starting QB Luke Del Rio went down on what looked to be a season ending injury. I just knew his season was over when I saw that hit, but thankfully he didn't tear anything or require surgery so he should be back for the LSU game in a couple of weeks. The OL still is not where I think they should be. They showed flashes of greatness, but also blew tons of assignments and did not keep a clean pocket for the QBs a good portion of the game. I'll reemphasize as always... without them, this team won't win. They have to continue to get better.

Week 4 Preview

WR Antonio Callaway headed for the game winning TD in last
year's matchup - Photo Cred: miamiherald.com

The week most of us had circled is finally here. It's Tennessee week so I am extra hyped about this one... I once thought of them to be a "rival", but after losing 11 straight, I think it's kind of hard to use that term. "Divisional foe" would seem more appropriate to me, but that's neither here nor there. Florida leads the all-time series 26-19. At this point I am just tired of the Tennessee hype. Predicted SEC East Champion, possible CFB Playoff Contender, blah, blah, blah... I have said from day 1 that they are overrated and I would say they have proved me to be correct with how they have played the first few weeks of the season. We own them and have won the last few years with sub-par, backup quarterbacks. As a fan on either side of the "rivalry", what would make you think anything different is going to happen this year? After what happened last week to Luke and how coach Mac defended his players, this Gators team is ready to go "run through a wall" as LB Jarrad Davis said earlier in the week. CBs Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson have not held back either, by basically guaranteeing a win this weekend in candid comments they have had in interviews this week. Normally I would not agree with trash talking the opponent before the game and guaranteeing wins, but I think this week, this team, and this Tennessee is different. Exceptions can be made and I fully expect UF to come out and bust UT's head this weekend in Knoxville.

It's pretty obvious that all of the attention will be on backup QB Austin Appleby as he replaces the injured Luke Del Rio. Hopefully he gets good protection up front and makes some solid decisions to go along with accurate throws. He brings a running threat that Luke didn't have, so that should bode well for us if he needs to get out of the pocket. Expect a heavy dose of the run game with our four headed monster as well. WR Antonio Callaway is questionable for the game with that quad injury, but something tells me he will be on the field Saturday.

The defense, as I mentioned earlier, is ready to go. It will be fun to see them try and shutdown this Tennessee offense after they let them run all over them last year. That, plus the trash talk among the fans and players, reminds me of that year UGA stomped the field on us in 2007. I feel that type of disrespect and I'm sure you remember what happened to UGA the following year as well... 49-10 UF :) The key here will be staying disciplined against their run-option game. If we shutdown UT's run game and force them to throw, you might as well go ahead and get the celebratory shots ready because that's the ballgame. Pass rush situations equals our D-line eating all day long and I'm here for it.

Prediction: Florida over Tennessee (4-0).... Again... Make that 12 in a row. I just talked a lot of trash so I hope the Gators don't let me down lol 

Enjoy the weekend. Go Gators! 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 4

By: Blair McLendon

WR Freddie Swain celebates his TD with his OL - Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

Week 2 Recap

Wow! What a good game, right!? The way the Gators played on Saturday versus Kentucky exemplified what Florida Football should look like. I thought this was the most complete game on both sides of the ball that we have seen since the Urban-era. I went into the game expecting to win, but not like that. Florida dominated from the jump and came out with their first victory in conference play, beating UK 45-7.

Offensively, the game ball had to go to QB Luke Del Rio who was 19/32 for 320 yards 4TDs and 1 INT. He spread the ball around nicely and showed off a cannon that I doubt anyone knew he had when he connected on a 78 yard dime to WR Antonio Callaway, who finished with 129 yards on 5 catches. That lethal backfield I've been raving about made me proud as well. The star of the running game was freshman RB Lamical Perine, who finished with 1 TD and 133 total yards. The Gators backfield finished the game with 244 yards on the ground, pushing the total yardage to 564. Wait, wait, wait.... I know. You're probably thinking I made a typo with 564 yards, right? Nah, you read it right. That offensive line I've been praying for finally stepped up to keep the pocket clean and created some nice running lanes. Good job, guys!

It was almost laughable at how much our defense dominated Kentucky. DBU lived up to their moniker and held Kentucky's starting QB to 2/10 for 10 yards with 3 INTs. The return of CB Teez Tabor was very much welcomed, as he recorded his first pick of the season on an incredible read to jump an attempted screen pass. CB Quincy Wilson had the nastiest pick of the weekend in my opinion. Of course he got no love on ESPN, but take a look below at this absolute filth so you can see what I'm talking about. The front seven played amazing as well, recording 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble while holding UK to 149 total yards.

 

Week 3 Preview - North Texas vs. Florida

 

This week the Gators take on the North Texas Mean Green. This will be the second meeting between the schools, with North Texas winning the only matchup 20-12 in 1947.

Offense 
I think I speak for everyone when I say that I want to see an encore of last week's performance. I would hope that the team comes out with the same aggressive, kill-all mentality they had last week and have another blowout. This should be another confidence booster as they gear up for the much anticipated matchup with "rival" Tennessee next week. With everything I have seen behind the scenes, as well as what they have shown on the field, I feel like this is really just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come with Mac's offense. But what is that old saying? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I've been fooled enough, so I'm praying for another solid outing so we can finally shed this lifeless offensive shadow we have lived in, for what seems like, forever. The key is the same as last week's; if the offensive line keeps Del Rio clean, expect points! The running game should be solid again. WR Antonio Callaway is doubtful for the game and starting RG Tyler Jordan is out.

Defense
This defense is too hungry and too stingy to come out and lay an egg. As a unit, they have bailed this team out more times than we can count so don't expect anything less this week. They come into this game as the #2 defense in the country and want to prove that they are the best. They will come to play as always. Hopefully we can get a big lead and give our vets some rest while we also give the younger guys some time to develop.

Final Prediction: Florida over North Texas (3-0) (If I see another competent offense this weekend, I will pick a score next week. Just trying to save face here...)

Enjoy the weekend. Go Gators!

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 2

Week 1 Preview - UMass vs. UF

By: Blair McLendon

Finally, the moment we have been waiting for the past 8 months is here... Football is back!!! This weekend our beloved Gators take on the University of Massachusetts Minutemen. This will be a 7:30p kickoff in The Swamp and will be the first match-up between the two programs. Florida comes into the season with a nation-high 26 game win streak in season openers. Look for that to be 27 after Saturday.

Offense 

Coach Mac has picked our starter to be QB Luke Del Rio as expected. I believe the offense will get into a groove early on in the game with Del Rio leading some solid drives down the field with a much improved passing game to go along with an explosive running game. It looks like my sleeper, Jordan Scarlett, will get the nod at starting RB. I am excited to see what kind of game he has; I've been hyping him up, so I hope he makes me look good.

Keep in mind that once we cross the 50 yard line we have the possibility of getting 3 with K Eddy Pineiro. Nice weapon to have, right? Word out of fall camp has been that our young offensive line has made major strides, so I am hoping that translates to the majority of our drives ending with TDs instead. WR Antonio Callaway is back in the fold fresh off of his suspension, so that will be a nice addition to a healthy WR Brandon Powell and explosive newcomer WR Dre Massey. Notable freshmen WRs Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells will be suspended for this game due to their offseason misconduct.

I am expecting to see a bunch of points this weekend and will be very disappointed if we see anything less.

Credit: floridagators.com

Defense 

The front seven should cause tons of chaos this game. I'm sure everyone involved in the rotation is licking their chops to get after the QB this weekend. We should see plenty of players rotate and get playing time throughout the game. You can expect LB Jarrad Davis to have a big game, as he will be all over the field making plays. It will be nice to see he and LB Alex Anzalone operating as a duo again, now that Anzalone is healthy again. I guarantee you that no offense we face is looking forward to seeing those two this year.

With the absence of All-American CB Jalen Tabor (suspended along with TE C'yontai Lewis for fighting), this will be an opportunity for our young corners to gain some game time experience, which will pay dividends down the road for us to help with depth. I am expecting the defense to cause at least 3 turnovers for the game.

Final Prediction: Florida 55, UMass 7 (1-0) 

Tidbits: 

- Our new Ambassador and Consultant for the UAA, the GOAT, Steve Spurrier will serve as the honorary Mr. Two Bits for the game this weekend. This will also be the introduction of the newly
dubbed "Steve Spurrier - Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium".

- Recruiting for the 2017 class has really taken off heading into the fall with key verbal commitments from 4 star - RB Adarius Lemons (No. 1 RB in the state), 4 star - DT Fred Hansard, and 4 star - CB Marco Wilson (brother of UF Jr. CB Quincy Wilson) just to name a few. All three will be key recruits to a stellar class that Mac and staff are putting together. The class is currently ranked No. 12 on ESPN and 247Sports.


Enjoy the long weekend and Go Gators!

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 1

Florida Gators Football 2016 Season Preview

By: Blair McLendon 

The Swamp 

Football season is almost here, my friends! The chit-chat amongst fans about this year's team and win potential, trash-talk between rival players and fans, and the absurd media pre-season predictions are all brewing right now as you read this. I am smiling from ear-to-ear and my excitement is starting to rise as I write this. First off, I would like to thank Athlete Talk for the opportunity to be the beat writer for the University of Florida, the school I love and adore. I apologize in advance for this being a lengthy read. With it being a Season Preview, I wanted to give you all some thorough information. It's worth it though! Trust me, each post will not be this long so please bear with me. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I'm not your average "fan" and cannot wait for the season to start!

I feel like this will be the first time we have seen a real offense that is a threat to score since 2009, which was Tebow & Co.'s last year. The offense's success falls upon the shoulders of quarterback play and the maturity/cohesiveness of the offensive line. It doesn't take a football expert to see that the last 6 years of quarterback play have been atrocious and arguably the worst in the program's rich history. Florida's most recent fall from grace has been very humbling as a fan. Losing sucks... As someone who takes losses personal, these last 6 years have been detrimental to my health. Needless to say, I am ready for better Saturdays.

This is the first time that I think my preseason optimism will be rewarded in a long time. Those cautiously optimistic years where I "thought" we may have a chance, but deep down knew we were trash are hopefully a thing of the past. Coach Mac is doing a tremendous job of getting the program back to the elite level that we grew accustomed to. I honestly can't say enough about the staff that he assembled and the way he has turned around the culture and attitude within the program. THIS feels like a championship caliber team just from attitude, camaraderie, and hunger alone. The only bad look for us this offseason is having a couple of freshmen receivers getting arrested before fall camp even started. Guys, get your acts together. You have the opportunity of a lifetime right in front of you, so please don't let it go to waste. Make the Gator Nation proud on and off the field.

It is also very nice to have Coach Spurrier back in the program. Having him back will pay huge dividends for us in the short and long-term in more ways than you can ever imagine. From booster relations to the wisdom he can spread to our coaches and players. Not to mention those few "consulting tips" he could give us for the passing game. We are well overdue for a breakout year where we see a competent offense that resembles the electric offenses we saw in The Swamp during the Spurrier and Urban eras. The Fun 'N Gun 2.0, with a heavy dose of an explosive running game could be closer than you think... Let's hope so!

Offensive Breakdown

Projected Starter, QB Luke Del Rio

Quarterback - By far the most important position, which will also determine the ceiling for this team (or basement in years' past). Luke Del Rio is the assumed starter and is the most comfortable with running our playbook. He excelled in the spring game, going a crisp 10/11 for 176 yards with 2 scores. The offense played decent under the departed Will Grier last year, but I believe Del Rio will have the offense moving better than we have seen in a long time. Behind him we have the grad-transfer Austin Appleby and freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask. Each of whom is a better option than what we have had in the last few seasons, so I can assure you that there shouldn't be as many tears shed this year.

Running Back - Probably my favorite position group on the team. I don't think it is a stretch to say this could be the most talented backfield at UF since the mid-90s. It will be exciting to see what the three headed monster of Jordan Cronkrite, Mark Thompson, and Jordan Scarlett will be able to do, as each have their own unique running style.  My favorite, and most overlooked out of the group, would be Scarlett. He was the best back in the country in his recruiting class in my opinion. The kid is a stud and just needs to get carries. The JC transfer, Mark Thompson, is also another intriguing weapon. With his size and speed (6'2" 242 lbs; sub 4.4 - 40), he is going to be a handful to stop. The only concern I have with this group is ball security. If they can keep the ball off the ground, watch out.

WR Antonio Callaway

Wide Receiver - The position group with the most unknowns. I think this will be a group that exceeds expectations and really makes some plays. Yes, that is with the addition of those freshmen studs we added to the squad this year. Tyrie Cleveland, Freddie Swain, Hot Sauce Hammond, or Rick Wells... pick your poison. The Gators should also have Mr. Callaway back in the fold after his offseason suspension. We all know what he brought to the table last year as a freshman and he will only continue to get better. If they can stay focused and out of trouble, they could be dangerous with an improved passing game.

Tight End - I love this group! C'yontai Lewis and DeAndre Goolsby have the potential to be All-SEC players. If they can stay healthy, expect huge things from these guys in the receiving game.

Offensive Line - The second most important group on the team who holds the other key to a hit or miss season for the Gators. This group should be much improved from last year. Overall, they are a very young group and will continue to get better as they gain experience. David Sharpe and Martez Ivey will be the anchors of a well-coached group under the guidance of Coach Summers. If they can create some decent running lanes for our talented backfield and give us some time to throw, we may see that score board start to light up again like the good ol' days.

Defensive Breakdown

I am expecting the defense to be dominant like always. I love the leadership that we return in seniors Bryan Cox, Marcus Maye, and Jarrad Davis. The defensive starters need to stay healthy for us, as we are thin in experience at some position groups. If healthy, this will be one of the best defenses in the country.

Defensive End - This is a position group that I really like. Returning is CeCe Jefferson who burst on the scene as a freshman last year, backing up his case as a 5 star recruit out of High School. I am expecting a big year from CeCe as he continues to develop. The underrated Bryan Cox Jr. is also one of the key returners. He has progressively gotten better each year and I think he will be a force on the line this season. I want you all to remember the names Antonneous Clayton, Jabari Zuniga, and Keivonnis Davis. All three have incredible potential and will help this be one of the stronger units we have seen. Don't forget about Jordan Sherit either...

Defensive Tackle - Defensive tackle will be interesting to watch this season. Returning is the dominant Caleb Brantley, who has stated that he is the best lineman in the country. That statement speaks volumes of the confidence he has in himself and I am hoping that he backs that talk up with his play. If he does, opposing offenses are in for a long day when they see us. Others to watch out for will be Joey Ivie (who always plays hard), Khairi Clark, and Taven Bryan. Bryan is an interesting player for us; I believe he and CeCe will play a mix of DE and DT for us, which will be a huge asset to our defense because of their explosiveness and versatility. The key to our defense being good and being elite will be if this unit can hold up against the run-heavy SEC. Penetration is vital. I'm only going to drop the names Fournette and Chubb and leave it at that.

LB Jarrad Davis and DE Bryan Cox Jr.

Linebacker - This is another very vital piece to this team's success. Key returners include All-American Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone. If Anzalone can stay healthy, he could actually be the more dominant of the two. He is a very smart, versatile linebacker who has not been able to stay on the field due to health issues. If Daniel McMillan and Matt Rolin step up and play to their potential, this group will be scary. Again, they need to do a good job of helping shut down the run game. If they do that, I think there will be a lot of happy faces at the end of the year.

Defensive Back - The group with the most swagger in the country and also known as DBU... My favorite player on the team, Jalen Tabor, and the super underrated Quincy Wilson will be back and both are coming in with a mindset that they are the best in the country. Not to mention, you also have All-American Marcus Maye returning to hold down one of the safety spots. I believe that Duke Dawson will be one of the most improved players in the secondary and you will start to see him come into his own. He and highly touted freshman Chauncey Gardner could be two names you hear a lot this fall, as both will be expected to help solidify the group's claim as DBU.

Special Teams Breakdown

Kicker - God is good! We finally have a kicker that can actually make a field goal. Not only can Eddy Pineiro make the chip shots, but he can drill them from 50+ yards away as well. As soon as the offense crosses the 50 yard line this year,  expect him to start warming that cannon of a leg up.

Punter - We are fortunate to have one of the best in the country in Johnny Townsend. His ability to flip the field and pin offenses deep is a dangerous weapon to have. Expect an All-American caliber season from him. Can we get a Ray Guy Award for him, please?

Kick Return/Punt Return - Antonio Callaway proved to be a game-changer at returner last year so he should be the man, right? At the same time, I don't want to risk injury to our best receiver. A couple of those freshmen receivers, Chauncey Gardner, Dre Massey, or McAuthur Burnett could all be viable options too. I just want whoever it is to be a consistent threat to take it to the crib.

My Sleepers

RB Jordan Scarlett

• Offense - QB Luke Del Rio, RB Jordan Scarlett, WR Josh Hammond
• Defense - CB Quincy Wilson, DB Duke Dawson, DE Bryan Cox Jr.  

My Season Prediction: 10+ wins and a trip back to ATL (Optimistically, maybe a 'chip? It's possible)


Thank you all for reading the first of many "Chompin' at the Bit" posts! I hope you all enjoyed it and will continue to follow me. Please leave your comments and thoughts about the upcoming season. Let's hope that we can have a party in Atlanta to end the season as SEC Champs. Go Gators!

-B

Deeper Than Sports!

Athletes have become more than just players on the field or court. We grew up wanting to shoot, catch, and run like them for years, now we can even dream to emulate them off the playing field. Athletes are proving themselves to be more human than ever pushing for more success just as do we. Aside from the die-hard dedication given to their own devoted sport they are making plays in the board rooms.

Once I saw Serena Williams “twerking” in Beyonce’s new anthem video “Sorry”. I knew there was nothing she couldn’t do. Seriously, we are coming to see more and more athletes venturing into other avenues and we’re here for it! Of course a feature in a video has been done this not her only endeavor.  Williams has been serious about branding herself. Delving in fashion she has her own clothing line and her collections have been seen at critically acclaimed fashion shows.  She is part owner of the Miami Dolphins and has done voice overs and appearances on multiple television shows. All while dominating the tennis court. See any signs of Serena Williams slowing up? …. 

Boy BYE!

Serena is not the only athlete that we know holding it down on and off the court. Many athletes are using their initial sports recognition to take them down other paths.

 I asked Siri how many sources of income the average millionaire had and dozens of articles read "seven or more". I think some of these athletes asked Siri the same question and got the memo. Endorsements are nothing new to the sports world but they are not relying on those alone.

Sports do not last forever and though the case may be true for former Laker Kobe Bryant, he’s not done working. It is said that he will be trademarking the name “Black Mamba” and has founded Kobe Studios. He intends to bring the story of others’ to life through an assortment of media outlets. 

Stories of athletes going further and pushing the limits are important because they are idolized by our youth. Kids want to be like Lebron or Curry more than they do FAMU graduate and Microsoft Chairmen, John Thompson. 

Having any of those individuals as an idol is great but letting the youth know not to set limitations on themselves is the ultimate lesson and best example they could give. 

Lets talk about athletes doing more than just their first job and show the world brains and bronze can be the perfect recipe. The boundaries to our creativity and passions can be endless so why limit ourselves? Athletes have shown us how perfecting our craft can take us to higher places but once your there the climb does not end. We have to strive to be better and allow ourselves the opportunity to manifest multiple opportunities and showcase all of the many talents we possess. Challenge yourself to be more than just enough. I'm more than a striving college student. What are you more than?  

2015 NFL Season Preview

            They should’ve handed it to Beast Mode. But nevermind that, we made it through another offseason & football is finally here. As always, there are many interesting headlines, questions & situations around the league so I’ll enlighten you all & do a division-by-division breakdown, including predictions on division winners and conclude with my playoff & Super Bowl picks.

Starting off with the AFC East:

1st) Patriots 11-5. Tom Brady da Don will be on the field in week 1 after his suspension was lifted. I had them winning 10 games with the suspension but Tom Brady is worth a few more wins by himself. They won’t repeat as Super Bowl champs but as long as they have Brady & Belichick, they’ll always be a winning team primed for the playoffs but my biggest concern is their defensive secondary. After losing Darrelle Revis & Brandon Browner, there are big holes back there.   

2^nd) Dolphins 9-7. As much as I want to say the Dolphins will top the Patriots & finish as the division winner for the first time since 2008, I don’t trust them. Miami had golden opportunities the last two years to get into the playoffs late but couldn’t finish the season off right and ended up with 8-8 records. I definitely like them to be a playoff team, they got too much talent not to be one. Ndamukong Suh, the biggest offseason prize in the league, will have a huge impact on the rest of the defense and will be vital in improving our run defense & pass rush. The offense is looking like the most dangerous Miami has had since the Ricky Williams & Chris Chambers days. The receiver unit is revamped with Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings, DeVante Parker & Cameron Jordan joining Rishard Matthews & Jarvis Landry. Ryan Tannehill will have a lot to work with. My biggest concerns are the depth & coaching, and can they stay consistent throughout the season?

3^rd) Bills 9-7. One thing I love about the Bills is their defense & new head coach, Rex Ryan. With Marcell Dareus & Mario Williams, they probably have the best defensive line in the league. Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay & LeSean McCoy are great weapons on the offensive side but just like last year, the quarterback position will make or break this team. Rex believes this team will have the most success with Tyrod Taylor under center.

4^th) Jets 5-11.  Defense will carry this team once again. They do have a few capable running backs that can carry the load on offense. Brandon Marshall fell off but can he return to being one of the best receivers in the league? Offensive line is a major issue & the quarterback situation is a clown show.

          AFC North

1^st) Steelers 11-5. Pittsburgh has 2 of the best weapons in the game. A majority of the offense will run through Antonio Brown & Le’Veon Bell. They’ll finish in first place once again in the strongest division in the league but can the defense keep up with the offense?

2^nd) Bengals 10-6. Ahh the Bengals. Great in the regular season but fold in the playoffs. Great on local tv but fold in national games. Made it into the playoffs each of the last 4 years but lost in the wildcard round each of the last 4 years. They’re a very strong team offensively & defensively and I believe they’ll make it into the playoffs for a 5^th straight year but if they don’t finish top 2 in the conference, can they finally make it of the wildcard round?

3^rd) Ravens 9-7. With Jim Harbaugh & Joe Flacco, the Ravens will always be contenders. Last year they finished with a 10-6 record but barely got in the playoffs despite a 3^rd place finish in a strong division. Facing a strong schedule, they’ll end up in 3^rd place again this year but will miss the playoffs. They’ll have to beat the Steelers & Bengals to have a chance.

4^th) Browns 6-10. My gut feeling is that the Browns will regress from last year. Can’t even lie, they have the talent. They can compete week in & week out and the defense is solid but they have major inconsistencies at quarterback. Gordon is suspended for the year so receiver depth is weak. I believe the offense should run through the running backs to have success.

          AFC South

1^st) Colts 12-4. One of the best quarterbacks in one of the best offenses in the league. T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, Frank Gore, Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener. Sheesh. Defense & the offensive line has to improve if they’re going to go back to the AFC championship game.

2^nd) Texans 7-9. The Texans went 9-7 last year while winning just 2 games the year before. That’s a huge improvement but they’ll regress this year due to injuries & the quarterback situation. Andre Johnson is gone but DeAndre Hopkins is good enough to hold it down. Arian Foster will miss some time & Brian Hoyer was just named the starter at QB. Defensive line will be the strong point of this team with JJ Watt, Vince Wilfork & a healthy Jadeveon Clowney.

3^rd) Jaguars 5-11. The Jaguars have been stuck in mediocrity for a long time now but I got them improving to win 2 more games than their 2014 season. The offense is taking strides in the right direction with newcomers TJ Yeldon & Julius Thomas. Add that with the Allen receivers & Blake Bortles and they should make some noise. Defense should be improved also but the biggest thing holding this team back is their offensive line, leading the league in sacks allowed last year with 71.

4^th) Titans 4-12. Marcus Mariota will make a difference in Tennessee but not enough to save one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They have an underrated WR core that can make plays, the running back position still has question marks and the offensive line must protect their rookie QB.

          AFC West

1^st) Broncos 11-5. The Broncos remind me of the L.A. Clippers. Successful in the regular season but underachievers in the playoffs. With Gary Kubiak on board as the new coach, will things change? The Broncos are one of the most talented teams in the league and it is a given that they will reach double-digits in wins, but will they achieve postseason success?

2^nd) Chiefs 9-7. The Chiefs are a good team with talent on both sides of the ball. Jamaal Charles is the focal point on offense & the defense is top-notch against the pass. But to be a playoff team, the wide receivers must get involved in the passing game and the defense has to apply more pressure against the run

3^rd) Chargers 8-8. Another good team in the West that could be a playoff team. Biggest concern about San Diego is their running backs, as they were among the worst in rushing yardage last year. Defense is solid & Phillip Rivers still has it in him for another playoff run.

4^th. Raiders 5-11. Baby steps. The Raiders are finally making good moves in the offseason and that is a good thing. 5 wins will be an improvement from last year. The offense was among the worst last year in total yards & points. They do have solid pieces in place on the defensive side but were last in points allowed in 2014.

          NFC East

1^st) Eagles 10-6. I see another 10 win season for Philly. Chip Kelly has made a ton of moves in the offseason to tailor the team to his liking. The Eagles look different, but might be even better than last year. Defense is solid…scary run game with 3 quality backs…will Sam Bradford stay healthy & be productive on his new squad?

2^nd) Cowboys 10-6. Was it DeMarco Murray or was it the offensive line? With Murray gone, the running backs unit is crowded but somebody will have to step up. Passing game is still potent, defense is average. Tony Romo is playing the best football of his career & should be able to lead his team to the playoffs again.

3^rd) Giants 9-7. Good on offense, bad on defense. That pretty much sums up this team. Defense has the talent so they must produce when it counts. Running backs as a whole are better than average in my opinion, I believe they’re good enough to get the job done. Which Eli Manning will they get this season?

4^th) Redskins 4-12. The Redskins are bad & that offensive line is looking even worse. One of the worst teams regarding turnover margin. They have talent on offense but they have to keep RGIII on his feet & RGIII (I don’t know if it’s his confidence, locker room issues, or lingering injuries) has to perform like a 1^st round pick. RGIII has been benched & Kirk Cousins was announced the starter. It was a make or break year for Robert Griffin but it looks like he won’t get the chance to prove himself. Whether it was truly the concussion or the perfect excuse to bench him, they have lost their patience & his time with the Redskins might be over.

          NFC North

1^st) Packers 13-3. They’ll finish the regular season with the best record. An all-around solid, talented team with not many weaknesses. Even though they lost Jordy Nelson for the year, I believe they’ll be able to overcome that setback & go deep into the playoffs.

2^nd) Vikings 9-7 I like Teddy Bridgewater & the Vikings this year. Teddy is a natural at QB with poise under pressure & a big arm. Team him up with AP, who he was missing last year, and they can do big things. The defense is solid and they’ll improve from last year’s 7-9 record. Borderline playoff team.

3^rd) Lions 8-8 They’re not reaching 11 W’s again this year. Still solid but missing a big piece of their defense, as Suh took off for Miami. So we’ll see how the defense responds without him. They still have Stafford & Megatron and Bell & Abdullah taking over the backfield so they can score better than the majority of teams in the NFL.

4^th) Bears 5-11 Chicago fell off bad (shouldn’t have fired Lovie Smith) after hiring Marc Trestman to take over last year. Issues with Jay Cutler & one of the worst defenses in the league got him fired and now John Fox is in charge. He has a tough job in fixing the defense & getting Cutler back to where he used to be. The talent is there on offense but moves will have to be made on the other side of the ball.

          NFC South

1^st) Falcons 10-6 With new coach, Dan Quinn, coming over from the Seahawks, the Dirty Birds will be one of the most improved teams in the NFL. His specialty is defense & I believe the defense will be a lot better than last year’s. Look for Julio Jones to put up another monster year.

2^nd) Saints 8-8 What did the Saints in last year was their defense. I believe this year will be more of the same. They also lost many key weapons on offense so Brandin Cooks & Mark Ingram will be more of a focal point on that side. Another average year.

3^rd) Panthers 7-9 Best defense in the division but, that offense will be their downfall. Holes in the offensive line, weak wide receiver depth, & major questions at running back (I don’t believe they can rely on Johnathan Stewart all season long.) Even worse is Kelvin Benjamin being out for the year.

4^th) Buccaneers 6-10 On paper, the Bucs are a good team. They have talent on both sides of the ball. Doug Martin had a great preseason, Vincent Jackson & Mike Evans will be clutch for Jameis, and Lovie Smith’s defense should be much better than last year. It all depends on how well Jameis Winston can transition to the NFL game in his rookie season.

          NFC West

1^st) Seahawks 12-4 I see another 12 win season for the Seahawks. I don’t see no reason why they shouldn’t make another deep playoff run. The nucleus of the team is still there, add the best tight end in the league after Gronk with Beast Mode & Russell Wilson, and you have a more potent offense than last season. Defense from the d-line to the secondary is the best in the NFL, but how will they respond after losing Dan Quinn?

2^nd) Cardinals 10-6 Another double-digit win season for Arizona. Defense will be among the best in the league and they excel in forcing turnovers. Biggest concern is Carson Palmer & if he can stay on the field to lead his team to another playoff run. Andre Ellington will also need to stay healthy. 

3^rd) Rams 7-9 I like the Rams this year & believe they will finish 3^rd in the division. A defensive line that can control the momentum of the game. Offensive line will need some work after allowing 40 sacks last year but they do have weapons on that side of the ball. Biggest factor for success is Nick Foles & Todd Gurley. Is Foles the real deal or can we just attribute his success in Philly to Chip Kelly? How much will Gurley be able to contribute in his rookie year?

4^th) 49ers 4-12 The worst offseason I can remember will bleed into the new season. The 49ers lost so much talent, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, I don’t think they’ll recover. They will finish last in the division. Now the biggest question is whether Colin Kaepernick will perform up to his $100 million contract after having a down year.

Playoff Predictions

AFC: 1) Indianapolis Colts 2) Pittsburgh Steelers 3) New England Patriots 4) Denver Broncos 5) Cincinnati Bengals 6) Kansas City Chiefs

On The Bubble: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers

NFC: 1) Green Bay Packers 2) Seattle Seahawks 3) Philadelphia Eagles 4) Atlanta Falcons 5) Dallas Cowboys 6) Arizona Cardinals

On The Bubble: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl 50

Indianapolis Colts over the Green Bay Packers