AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCould Florida’s Harvin actually get better?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just thinking out loud:
1. Could Percy Harvin actually get better? The Florida wide receiver had surgery on Monday to correct a chronic heel problem. Does that mean that in his first two seasons he’s been running with a sore heel? Does that mean he could actually get BETTER after he recovers from the surgery? That’s going to keep some defensive coordinators up at night. Somebody wrote on the blog the other day that Harvin was an overrated player who could do only one thing: run fast. You have got to be kidding me. That’s not what the defensive coordinators in this league think. He scares them to death.
2. Don’t read too much into Tennessee’s last scrimmage: The Vols have their spring game a week from Saturday. Last Saturday Tennessee had a scrimmage were the new offense, being installed by new OC Dave Clawson, was simply overwhelmed by the defense. Quarterback Jonathon Crompton, who is supposed to take over for Erik Ainge, had three interceptions. Coach Phillip Fulmer called it a “royal butt-kicking” by the Tennessee defense. This has excited some Tennessee fans who wonder if the defense, which was eighth in almost every major category last season, might actually get better. The word I’m getting out of Knoxville is that the secondary, led by Fairburn’s Eric Berry, will be very, very good. The linebackers are pretty good and so are the defensive ends. But the Vols do not have a dominating SEC-caliber player at defensive tackle unless some of those guys improve over the summer. For the second straight year that will be the glaring weakness in the Tennessee defense unless something changes between now and August.
3. Bad news for Cutcliffe? David Cutcliffe takes the job as head coach at Duke and gets all of these commitments from athletics director Joe Alleva that the school is going to finally get serious about football. Last Friday Alleva took the AD job at LSU. Will Duke’s new athletics director keep all the commitments Alleva made to Cutcliffe? I think the answer is yes because the school now has so much money ($2 million per year) invested in assistant coaches. But we’ll see. It can’t be a comfortable feeling for Cutcliffe.
4. What’s the deal with P.T. Willis? Former Florida State quarterback Peter Tom Willis, the analyst on the Seminoles’ radio broadcasts, was fired by ISP Radio Network, who holds the rights to those games. Willis told the Tallahassee Democrat that he was let go for being “too negative” in his comments, particularly about the Florida State offense, which he once said was “like a high school offense.” The first reaction is outrage that somebody would be fired for doing what he was supposedly hired to do: give analysis. But here is reality: When you sit in that seat, you also have to understand who you are and who signs your paycheck. ISP just acquired the rights to FSU football last season so everyone involved in the broadcasts was being scrutinized. And, according to folks I talked to down there, P.T. knew that coach Bobby Bowden wasn’t particularly pleased with some of Willis’ stronger remarks. This is a business. ISP made a business decision.
5. Good decision on Tez Doolittle: The Auburn nose guard was just granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. We should be seeing more of this. And here’s why. The NCAA has made it clear that it approves of the practice of red-shirting freshman football players because it gives them a better chance to graduate if they stay in school five years. Doolittle did that but as a fifth-year senior he suffered an Achilles injury that wiped out the entire 2007 season. Without a waiver from the NCAA, Doolittle would not have gotten a chance to play for a fourth season. “The bottom line is that kids should get the opportunity to play for four years,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe told me this week. “We should make that commitment to them.” Cincinnati is waiting on word about a sixth year for quarterback Ben Mauk, who played for Grobe before he was injured in the first game and lost the entire 2006 season. Mauk deserves another year.
Services »
Comments
By baloney
April 9, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
I was first.
By Elmo
April 9, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Tony, when are you going to do another article about the Tech Tickle Pile?
By dawgy
April 9, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Tony: what have you been hearing regarding AJ Green in regards to him being academically eligible, and also regarding Georgia’s plans to use him/redshirt him next year?
By EverGator
April 9, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Good point Tony…Percy will be 100% for the first time, and will be schooling sone SEC backers and D-backs come the fall…scary thought, but very real!
By Roswell Ed
April 9, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
So what on paper appears to be the biggest weakness on one of the best defenses in the country just got filled?
WDE
Word out of AU is that this is Tubs most athletic team ever. Will they be the best football players?
We’ll have to wait and see?
Duke=Football=HaHa
By Herschel Talker
April 9, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Dawgy: AJ Green isn’t redshirting if he’s eligible. Not a chance.
By shane #1
April 9, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
1- Harvin should be better, He has another year under His belt and college players should improve year by year, heel or no heel. A kid that doesn’t get better is not working hard enough. 2-One shouldn’t read too much into any teams spring practice. The purpose of spring drills is not to make Your guys look good, if anything it is the opposite. Let the young guys fail, then They will know what They have to do to get better. A coach can use spring ball to set the two deep for August, but it is only temporary. The depth chart will change several times before opening day. 3- Cutliff will be fine. The AD cannot make a commitment without the backing of HIS bosses, at least, not one that means anything. 4-P T had a lot to say about Bobby’s boy. Which goes back to the subject of Your last blog Tony. Am I the only one that thinks a coach hiring His kid smells of nepotism? A couple of UGA coachs did the same thing, and I didn’t like it then. Adams got the Board of regents to change the rules to allow this practice, over Dooley’s objections. Don’t accuse Me of Jumping on Spurrier because I am a Dog fan. I don’t like the practice of hiring Your family at state schools. Private schools can do what ever They want, but, IMO, not schools that take taxpayer’s money. Tony, are You saying an analyst can’t be critical of an OC if that OC is the Head Coach’s son? If You are You proved My point! Bowden’s kid did for FSU’S offense what Herrick’s kid did for UGA basketball, damn near destroyed it! All Peter Tom did was tell FSU fans and boosters the truth! 5-So, to enable a young man to graduate in five years You give Him six? Heii, why not give Him seven!
By me
April 9, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
So let me see if I get this Tony, your were outraged but then you realized it was FSU and it became a business decision. With someone like you that can write such great articles, why do you keep giving Bobby a pass? Bobby should of retired five years ago, like Jo Pa. I don’t like Jo Pa, but at least he is not a phony like Bobby.
By Joe
April 9, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Harvin will never be completely healthy, because Meyer uses him too much. The heel injury is just one of many he has incurred in his time at UF, and they will continue to mount unless he suddenly gains 30 lbs.
RoswellEd…pass me some of what you have got, please. Auburn is 8-4, at best, this year. I do not know what kind of stories people are making up over there, but you have no offensive skill players. Tommy Trott is the only viable receiving threat, and none of the RB’s would start at most other SEC schools.
By bull-gator
April 9, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
1) Harvin is way too injury prone, just like a race horse. He can’t stay healthy. I’d be surprised if he does.
2) Tenn is really gonna miss Ainge.
3) Duke never has and never will be serious about football.
4) Peter Tom told it like it is, e.g. Colonel Jessup, USMC. Poppa Free Shoes U just can’t stand the truth.
5) Maybe, just maybe, the NCAA is beginning to think of the student-athlete for once.
By AltamahaDawg
April 9, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
The big scare is how The University of Florida football team is NOW really, really going to want to win it’s game against the University of Georgia football team THIS year, because of a cerlebration penalty in the first quarter of LAST year’s game. Appearantly last years team couldn’t worry about it, but NOW this year’s team is really going to pay us back. Never mind the 100 yr history of the series or the fact that BOTH team will have equal on the line. Its all about that penalty last year.
By GT76
April 9, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Tony, With the LSU AD job filled, I’m delighted we still have DRad in the job at Georgia Tech. I’m sure I was not alone in wondering if he would be going back to LSU with Bertmans retirement. He has done a great job so far and I hope this helps guarantee a long stint at the GT helm. Knowing that should just continue to solidify and improve athletics at GT.
By Safflon
April 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Harvin’s injury occured in HS (NOT “just one of many he has incurred in his time at UF”). I believe the heel has been his only injury that has affected him at UF (althought migranes and influenza have sidelined him while there).
Regarding his weight, he played in the US Army all-star game at 178 lbs. This past February he claimed to have bulked-up to 198 lbs. Would 208 by September (another 10 lbs. over a 7 mo. period) qualify as “suddenly”?
Should be exciting!
By Safflon
April 9, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Harvin’s injury occured in HS (NOT “just one of many he has incurred in his time at UF”). I believe the heel has been his only injury that has affected him at UF (althought migranes and influenza have sidelined him while there).
Regarding his weight, he played in the US Army all-star game at 178 lbs. This past February he claimed to have bulked-up to 198 lbs. Would 208 by September (another 10 lbs. over a 7 mo. period) qualify as “suddenly”?
Should be exciting!
By warhorse
April 9, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
The scarry thing for UF opponents is that a couple of Gators are faster than Harvin, including a freshman RB John Demps who just ran the 3rd fastest 100 meters in the WORLD this year. In fact, a 400 meters relay team of Gator football players would defeat most nations.
By Joe
April 9, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
I am certainly no Bob Kersee, but if Mr. Demps is consistently running 10.17 100m’s, he will likely never play a down at UF.
Xavier Carter gave a hap-hearted effort at LSU and is now making several million a year running track. I imagine Mr. Demps will be doing the same in a couple of years. And who would blame him?
By Miles
April 9, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Percy Harvin is certainly more than merely a fast runner. Every year, Tennessee lacks a creative offense but the Volunteers still manage to win games. Fulmer will, as he has done in the past, maintain his subtle status as the most underrated coach in the country. As for the situations pertaining to Cutcliffe and Willis, this certainly comes as no surprise to an insider like yourself, Mr. Barnhart. Nor does it surprise anyone familiar with the ugly politics of college football. An even more disgusting situation at the University of Oregon appears to “take the cake” as it relates to obvious political corruption in college football.
By hop
April 9, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
if auburn is going to be tubs most athletic, where were these players last year. recent recruiting has suffered on the plains and this past year was even worse with only 2 out of 20 top players in alabama going to auburn.
the tigers will be lucky to go 8-4.
By mcdawg
April 9, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
i’m curious to see all these UF recruits from the past couple of years-they must of signed every 5 star wide receiver in the nation-but when it comes right down to it games are still won and loss in the trenches
By nggator
April 9, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
So McDawg, Green and King aren’t 5 star receivers in YOUR book!! I hope you truly think you follow recruiting, because Florida has not signed as many 5 star receivers as you want to believe!! Get your facts straight!! It’s obvious you dislike Florida, at least you could come up up with a legit excuse!!
By mkfgator
April 9, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
tHE gATORS HAVE ALSO CLEANED UP IN THE TRENCHES. tHEY HAD ONE OF THE BEST OFFENSIVE LINES IN THE NATION LAST YEAR AND ALL BUT ONE ARE BACK, INCLUDING OUR BEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN WHO SAT OUT LAST YEAR WITH AN INJURY.wE HAD THE BEST D-LINE RECRUITS THE LAST 2 YEARS ALSO, ESPECIALLY AT END, WHERE SOME WILL PLAY TACKLE AND ng. aS FOR pERCY, HE WILL BE BETTER AND fLORIDA DOES NOT HAVE TO OVERUSE HIM BECAUSE OF THOSE 5 STAR RECEIVERS COMING BACK , AS WELL AS A BETTER RUNNING BACK CORPS.
By Stewie
April 9, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Can’t stand the Vols, but every Georgian who loves and respects the game should be a fan of Eric Berry.
The kid was crazy good in high school, but still worked hard on his academics, carried himself with humility, and was respectful to teachers and staff…kind of the anti-PacMan Jones.
His parents did a heck of a job raising him, and I, for one, wish him nothing but success.
By redtop
April 9, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
What’s the disgusting situation at the University of Oregon. Curious minds want to know…
By AltamahaDawg
April 9, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Wasnt there a couple of seniors on that UF o-line last year?
Best line in the country equals 4 losses? Good thing you had the best line in the country, imagine if not.
By Phil Fulmer
April 9, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Stewie
I’m not a fan of yours either…P.S. does 86-47 mean anything to you. It should, it is the total score of the last two Tenn/ga. games. And guess who was 86…Go Vols
By nggator
April 9, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Altahama! Can you read? It was stated in a previous blog that Florida had ONE of the best lines in the country, not the best! With that said they probably were on the inconsistent side! (My opinion!) Hopefully we will improve defensively! Hard to win BIG in the SEC w/o a good to great “D”.
By Gator Hater
April 9, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Florida=hype, hype, and then some more hype after that. Good to see things back in their natural state. Florida loses 4 or 5 games and the media still talks about them like they are a national powerhouse. Florida is nothing but hype.
By AltamahaDawg
April 9, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Ok, my bad. So ONE OF the best lines in the country equals 4 losses? Is that better?
Was one of those seniors granted a medical redshirt?
By calicriz
April 9, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
haha, i’m no Auburn fan, but i know the SEC inside and out and anyone that thinks they’re going to go 8-4 “at best” is dreaming. Tuberville gets more out of his players than anyone in the SEC and is one of the best big game coaches in the country. His best recruiting class in his 9 years are all about to contribute in a big way. So yeah…they DO have some offensive skill players. Their defense is ALWAYS good. They went 9-4 last year with the 103rd ranked offense in the country…3 of those losses were by less than 7 points and came on the LAST play of the game. What happens if they have just the 50th ranked offense in the country? i see them losing 1 or 2 games and playing for the SECC. Just watch.
By War Eagle
April 9, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
Shane#1Thanks, Bobby Hoppe was a tough football player as in Theron Sapp.UGA product. Auburn got a gift with Doolittle, he will really be a player if he stays healthy. I think Percy could be close Reggie Bush. I think Auburn and UGA both held him in control, but he ripped LSU, Ohio State etc.I believe UGA and USC will be #1 pre season picks, it will be a challenge to the dawgs…
By Miles
April 9, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Mr. Barnhart wrote about Percy Harvin, Tennessee’s scrimmage, David Cutcliffe, P.T. Willis, and Tez Doolittle. Is it too much to ask for readers to simply respond to these topics?
By Gen Neyland
April 9, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
First, Congrats to the Lady Vols for winning the Women’s NCAA. Repeat at that…Second, I’ll drop the 1 for tonite… About UT’s D…Yes, the secondary returns all but Hefney. Antonio Gaines recieved a MR and will get to play in 2008. Much youth back there in 2007. As I’ve mentioned before, in the 4th quarter of the SECCG when the game was still undecided, CPF had 4 freshman playing in the secondary. 4 … Often it is said that the best offense is a good defense. I believe that applies in chess, backgammon and checkers. 60 minutes of football is alot to ask of any D, week in, week out. We’ll suit up, do our best and hope to finish in the Top 25…We’re not loaded in depth at some positions as many of our SEC East counterparts, but they’ll come to play. In my opinion, it was UT’s D that took them to the Dome last year. The stats weren’t good, I know. They bent but didn’t totally break. John Chavis is good at what he does…
By SOS
April 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
South Carolina 16, Georgia 12
By handawg
April 9, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
read www.bighairyblawg.com
By handawg
April 9, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Carolina .500; UGA #2 in Nation You got one lucky gift-wrapped win (in forever) because we were so young, then choked the rest of the season after a lucky start. We are no longer so young while you still suck…as usual. Carolina fans are a joke. You were .500 and your program is awful. We dominate you. Every dog has a lucky day. Some DAWGS are here to stay.
By Sim
April 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
McDawg — you’re right…Florida won a ‘chip in ‘06 with the best DL CFB has seen in 20 years. Harvin will be just fine.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
April 10, 2008 3:09 AM | Link to this
.
.
What the blazing heck is this all about Tony Blowhart ?
Here we are April 9, UGA just had our G-Day Game where we showed off all of our Number 2 in the Final AP Poll talent, all of whom are back, and all the redshirts we did not play last year against the official NCAA Strength of Schedule Number 7 in the nation - compared to Ohio State’s SOS Number 39 and compared to Southern California’s SOS Number 73.
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/Internet/toughest%20schedule/ia9gamescumm.pdf
UGA plays again this up-coming season the toughest schedule of all the top-ranked teams, and what do you have to say about UGA again ?
Not 1 word.
You are absolutely a piece of crap Blowhart. Who do you think you are writing for ? vols’ fans ? Crocodile fans ? Auburn fans ? Florida State fans ? ACC fans ? Duke Football fans ? Get a life.
Knowshon Moreno is a lot better than Harvin at Florida, who Lost to 4 of the 5 ranked teams Harvin played last season.
Try keeping your eye on the ball Blowhart, and consider talking about UGA - that is who your readers actually are.
.
.