This was the final question and answer from an exclusive interview between VolQuest.com and former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin. It was published one week ago today. Here is the lead-in …

When the angry masses had departed, Lane Kiffin — with a police escort — ambled from the University of Tennessee’s Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex on his final day as the Volunteers’ football coach. Kiffin granted VolQuest.com this exclusive question-and-answer session on his way out …

LK: No, it’s good. Now I can do it and not get fined for it.

It’s amazing how a coach with a losing record and no championships pops off about a coach with Meyer’s resume.

What do you think? Talk about it on the Gatorsports message boards.

UF quarterback Tim Tebow will match stats and plays against Alabama running back Mark Ingram. Of course, both have to make it to that game. Texas QB Colt McCoy should also be playing that day. Chances won’t be good for the player not leading their team on championship Saturday.

CBS college football analyst Gary Danielson agrees.

” It’s still Tim Tebow’s Heisman to lose,” Danielson said in a CBS release. “He is in the driver’s seat. Of course he has to do something, but he is going to get the visibility to do it. Anybody who votes for the Heisman before Championship Saturday is over, with Tebow, Mark Ingram and Colt McCoy potentially playing in their championship on December 5th, their votes really shouldn’t count. You have to see what they are going to do in the Championship games before you vote this year.”

Other Danielson tidbits on the UF program:

“Teams have forced Florida away from their first option and what they like to do, running the ball inside with those really fast backs and then throwing the short passes to (Aaron) Hernandez and (Riley) Cooper. People are taking the first option away and forcing Florida to do something else. So far they have been making enough mistakes to keep people in the game. But, if Florida doesn’t turn the ball over inside the 20-yard line twice versus Tennessee, three times versus Mississippi State and four times against Arkansas, they would have blown all three of those teams out. So Florida is not quite as good as last year, but not as bad as what everybody thinks.”

On Tebow: “Tim is not playing like he played two years ago. First of all they don’t have the necessity for him to do that because they have a much better defense than in his Heisman Trophy year. They are managing him a little more, making sure that he is available to do different things. He also doesn’t have the fire power that turns a 10-yard pass into an 80-yard gain, because Louis Murphy and Percy Harvin aren’t there to turn simple plays into touchdowns. They have to earn every yard.”

Start your day at noon with Auburn at Arkansas on ESPN and Vanderbilt at Army on CBS College Sports, followed by Georgia at Tennessee on SEC Network at 12:21 p.m. and Kentucky at South Carolina on FS  South and Houston at Mississippi State on ESPNU both at 12:30 p.m.

Have mid-afternoon fun with No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Ole Miss at 3:30 p.m. on CBS

And, of course, cap the day with No. 1 Florida at No. 4 LSU at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Another SEC tidbit:  LSU (56-14) and Florida (55-14) have the league’s best overall records since 2004.

Gary Danielson, who teams with Verne Lundquist on the CBS Sports’ coverage of SEC football on Saturdays, knows a thing or two about the position. Danielson started for the Detroit Lions among others. He played with the Lions when they were relevant (1976 to 1984).

Here’s Danielson’s take, provided by CBS, on several topics of interest:

On SEC quarterbacks: “When I came to this conference there was a lack of quarterbacks. The Big 12 gets a lot of notoriety for their quarterbacks because of their stats. I am going to make a prediction that the three quarterbacks in the SEC, Tim Tebow, Jevon Snead (Ole Miss) and now Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) eventually will be drafted higher than any three quarterbacks now playing in any other conference. Snead may go No. 1 in the draft this year if the team drafting needs a quarterback. He will be the first quarterback taken in the draft and Tebow will go in the first round. Mallet next year, or the year after, will be the first quarterback taken.”

On Tennessee winning in loss to Florida: “I don’t know if I have ever seen a team lose a game and gain more out of it than Tennessee’s program did. Lane Kiffin, in one game, has gained the respect of his players, the fans and the coaches around this conference that he is the guy that will turn Tennessee around. That team was almost down on themselves. They now look at themselves in the mirror and actually see something good. Tennessee was really down on themselves last year and the same goes for Tennessee fans.”

On Urban Meyer gaining the attention of his players: “Urban Meyer got something out of the win that he needed. That team was flying so high, no one was saying anything bad about his team. It was almost as if they were unbeatable. He now has something to sell to his team, that they are not all that everybody has been telling them. So he got a win out of it, but he also got something he can grind his team with. It almost took losing to Mississippi last year before he gained their attention. He gets to gain their attention with a win.”

The Legends will be honored at this year’s SEC “Weekend of Champions” which culminates with the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5 at the Georgia Dome.

The SEC Legends Dinner will feature the players from the 12 schools Dec. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.  The legends will also be recognized on the field prior to the kickoff of the championship game.

The year’s Legends class:

ALABAMA – Antonio Langham, Defensive Back, 1990-93
A two-time All-America pick, and a consensus pick in 1993, Antonio Langham is the only Tide player to win the Jim Thorpe Award, symbolic of the nation’s best defensive back. That same year, he was also a finalist for the Football Writers’ Defensive Player of the Year and Football News Player of the Year award. He was an All-SEC pick in 1992 and 1993 and was the inaugural SEC Championship game’s MVP in 1992. In that game, he intercepted Gator quarterback Shane Matthews and returned it 27 yards for the winning touchdown in the Tide’s 28-21 victory. He finished his career with a school-record 19 interceptions.

ARKANSAS – Gary Anderson, Running Back, 1979-82
A four-year letterman at running back and the captain of the 1982 team, Gary Anderson gained 1,999 yards on the ground and another 3,074 in receiving and kick returns. He holds the school career record for kick returns (137) and punt returns (115). He was the MVP of the 1980 Hall of Fame Bowl and the 1982 Bluebonnet Bowl.  He was an All-Southwest Conference first-team selection in 1982 and in 1983, Anderson was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers. He also played professionally for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.

AUBURN – Quentin Riggins, Linebacker, 1986-89
Quentin Riggins was a four-year letterwinner at linebacker for Auburn from 1986-89, earning second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors in both 1988 and 1989. He accumulated 398 tackles (200 solo, 198 assists) during his career, which ranks fifth in Auburn history, while helping the Tigers to SEC titles in 1987, ’88 and ’89. Riggins led Auburn in tackles in each of his last two seasons, including a 165-tackle season as a senior that ranks third-best in school history. He had 23 tackles against Florida that year, which is tied for the third-best single-game mark in Auburn history, earning SEC and Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Week honors. He played nine games during his career in which he totaled at least 15 tackles, including three with at least 20.

FLORIDA – Reidel Anthony, Wide Receiver, 1994-96
Reidel Anthony was a three-year letterwinner for the Gators, earning first-team All-America and All-SEC mention in 1996.   He was also one of three finalists for the 1996 Biletnikoff Award.  During his collegiate career, Anthony had 126 catches for 2,274 yards (18.0 avg.) and added 56 rushing, 358 punt return and 812 kickoff return yards.   His career TD/catch ratio of 4.85 (26 TDs/126 catches) is fifth best in school history.  Anthony’s 26 touchdown catches are the third-best in SEC history, while his 2,274 receiving yards ranks second in the UF record books and his 126 catches ranks tied for seventh in school history.  He holds two of the top five single-game receiving yardage performances in school history (Florida State, 1996 – 193 yds., Arkansas, 1996 – 189 yds.).

GEORGIA – Matt Stinchcomb, Offensive Tackle, 1996-98
As a three-year starter at offensive tackle, Matt Stinchcomb was a consensus All-America first team selection in both 1997 and 1998 including those teams chosen by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, and Walter Camp.  He was the recipient of the 1998 Jacobs Blocking Trophy which goes annually to the top blocker in the SEC and was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award which goes annually to the nation’s top lineman.  Stinchcomb was just as impressive off the field.  He was a two-time Academic All-America first team member and in 1998 was named the nation’s Academic All-American of the Year which encompasses all sports at all schools across the country.  He also received the Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.   For his efforts, he was recognized as one of 11 football student-athletes across the country for selection to the American Football Coaches Good Works Team in both 1997 and ’98.  At the conclusion of his college career, Matt was awarded post-graduate scholarships by both the NCAA and National Football Foundation.  He also received the NCAA Top Eight Award which annually recognizes the nation’s top eight student-athletes regardless of sport.

KENTUCKY – Jim Kovach, Linebacker, 1974-76, 78
Dr. Jim Kovach was a three-time All-SEC linebacker while helping lead Kentucky to the 1976 SEC championship.  He earned Academic All-America honors and still ranks as the leading tackler in UK history.  Kovach played in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and was chosen to the All-Saints’ 20th Anniversary Team.  During the NFL off-seasons, he earned his medical degree at UK and he added a law degree from Stanford University.  Currently, he is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Buck Institute, the only independent research institute dedicated to delaying the aging process and preventing chronic age-associated disease.

LSU – Michael Brooks, Linebacker, 1983-86
One of the most decorated linebackers in school history, Michael Brooks earned first-team All-America and All-SEC honors in 1985 as a junior.  He earned second-team All-SEC honors in 1984 as a sophomore.  Brooks would have been a cinch to become a two-time first-team All-America in 1986; however, a knee injury against Florida sidelined him for the remainder of the season.   Despite his knee injury, Brooks was still taken in the third round of the NFL Draft that year by the Denver Broncos, where he spent six seasons, playing in two Super Bowls and a Pro Bowl.  He also played three seasons with the New York Giants and a year with the Detroit Lions.

OLE MISS –  Jimmy Lear, Quarterback, 1950-52
Jimmy Lear earned first team All-America honors in 1952, playing three years for Coach John Vaught.  Lear ranks 23rd on the Ole Miss all-time passing yardage list with 1,773 yards and led Ole Miss to its first undefeated regular season in 1952 which was capped off by a berth in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia Tech.  He helped lead the No. 11 Rebels to a 21-14 victory over No. 3 and undefeated Maryland in 1952, the game that many consider to have put Ole Miss football on the national map.  Although considered one of the best running quarterbacks in Ole Miss history, Lear made his mark as an outstanding passer, helping the Rebels lead the SEC in passing in 1951 and 1952.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Billy Stacy, Quarterback, 1956-58
A three-year letterman at Mississippi State in both football and track from 1956-58, Billy Stacy broke onto the scene as a first-team All-SEC quarterback in 1956.  While leading the nation in punt returns that same season with 24 returned punts for 290 total yards, the Jackson, Miss., native was also eighth nationally in total offense with 1,077 yards.  He was a three-time all-SEC selection and garnered all-American status in 1957. Stacy went on to play five seasons of football professionally before returning to MSU as a member of the coaching staff from 1967-1969.

SOUTH CAROLINA – Tommy Suggs, Quarterback, 1968-70
Tommy Suggs was a standout quarterback at the University of South Carolina from 1968-70. He established numerous passing and total offense records during his career. Suggs led the Gamecocks to the 1969 ACC championship and a Peach Bowl berth. He completed 355-of-672 passes for 4,916 yards and 34 touchdowns and shares the school record for most touchdown passes in one game (5). He was named Carolina’s Most Valuable Player in 1970 and was named the Outstanding Player in the 1970 Blue-Gray All-Star game. Most importantly for Carolina fans, he never lost to Clemson during his career. He was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. A successful businessman in Columbia, Suggs is in his 36th year as a color analyst for the Gamecock Radio Network.

TENNESSEE – Heath Shuler, Quarterback, 1991-93
The 1993 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Heath Shuler was selected first team All-SEC as well as being named SEC Player of the Year and finalist for the Davy O’Brien and Maxwell Awards.  Shuler, who led the league in passing in 1993, had a string of 17 games throwing a TD pass. He passed for more than 4,000 career yards and set numerous Tennessee passing records.  He added a school record 11 rushing TDs in 1992, a mark still atop the Tennessee charts for a quarterback.  A first-round draft choice in 1994, Shuler played for the NFL’s Washington Redskins (1994-96) and the New Orleans Saints (1997-98).  In 2006 he was elected to represent 11th District in North Carolina as a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. .

VANDERBILT – Jamie Duncan, Linebacker, 1995-97
Jamie Duncan was named the 1997 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and Mobile Press Register.  That same season, he was also named first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association and the American Football Coaches Association and earned second-team honors with Associated Press and Football News.  He ended his collegiate career with 425 tackles in three seasons.  He was picked by Tampa Bay in the 1998 NFL Draft and had enjoyed a fine career with the Buccaneers, Rams and Falcons.  He is now a successful businessman based in Tampa.

SEC LEGENDS (1994-2008)

1994
Alabama – Lee Roy Jordan, Center/Linebacker, 1960-62
Arkansas – Lance Alworth, Halfback, 1959-61
Auburn – Tracy Rocker, Defensive Tackle, 1985-88
Florida – Neal Anderson, Running Back, 1982-85
Georgia – Charley Trippi, Tailback, 1942, 1945-46
Kentucky – Babe Parilli, Quarterback, 1949-51
LSU – Jimmy Taylor, Fullback, 1956-57
Ole Miss – Charlie Conerly, Back, 1942, 1946-47
Miss. State – Johnny Baker, Tackle, 1960-62
South Carolina – George Rogers, Running Back, 1977-80
Tennessee – Bob Johnson, Center, 1965-67
Vanderbilt – Bill Wade, Quarterback, 1949-51

1995
Alabama – Harry Gilmer, Quarterback/Defensive Back, 1944-47
Arkansas – Joe Ferguson, Quarterback, 1970-72
Auburn – Tucker Frederickson, Back, 1962-64
Florida – Jack Youngblood, Defensive End, 1966, 1969-70
Georgia – Fran Tarkenton, Quarterback, 1958-60
Kentucky – Derrick Ramsey, Quarterback, 1975-77
LSU – Dalton Hilliard, Running Back, 1982-85
Ole Miss – Barney Poole, End, 1942, 1947-48
Miss. State – Jimmy Webb, Defensive End, 1972-74
South Carolina – Alex Hawkins, Back, 1956-58
Tennessee – Doug Atkins, End, 1950-52
Vanderbilt – Bob Asher, Offensive Tackle, 1967-69

1996
Alabama – Billy Neighbors, Tackle, 1959-61
Arkansas – Chuck Dicus, Wide Receiver, 1968-70
Auburn – Joe Cribbs, Running Back, 1976-79
Florida – Nat Moore, Running Back, 1972-73
Georgia – Bill Stanfill, Defensive Tackle, 1966-68
Kentucky – Wallance “Wah Wah” Jones, End, 1945-48
LSU – Billy Cannon, Halfback, 1957-59
Ole Miss – Johnny Vaught, Couch, 1947-70, 1973
Miss. State – Hunter Corhern, Guard, 1938-40
South Carolina – Sterling Sharpe, Wide Receiver, 1983, 1985-87
Tennessee – Condredge Holloway, Quarterback, 1972-74
Vanderbilt – John Hall, Lineman, 1951-54

1997
Alabama – John Hannah, Offensive Guard, 1970-72
Arkansas – Jim Benton, End, 1935-37
Auburn – Zeke Smith, Guard, 1957-59
Florida – Carlos Alvarez, Wide Receiver, 1969-71
Georgia – Terry Hoage, Defensive Back, 1980-83
Kentucky – Jerry Claiborne, Coach, 1982-89
LSU – Charles Alexander, Running Back, 1975-78
Ole Miss – John “Kayo” Dottley, Fullback, 1947-50
Miss. State – Steve Freeman, Defensive Back, 1972-74
South Carolina – Todd Ellis, QB, 1986-89
Tennessee – John Michels, Offensive Guard, 1950-52
Vanderbilt – Ernest “Bucky” Curtis, End, 1947-50

1998
Alabama – Holt Rast, End, 1939-41
Arkansas – Clyde Scott, Running Back, 1946-48
Auburn – Pat Sullivan, Quarterback, 1969-71
Florida – Glenn Cameron, Linebacker, 1972-74
Georgia – John Rauch, Quarterback, 1945-48
Kentucky – Bob Gain, Tackle/Kicker, 1947-50
LSU – Bert Jones, Quarterback, 1970-72
Ole Miss – Archie Manning, Quarterback, 1968-70
Miss. State – Johnie Cooks, Linebacker, 1977-81
South Carolina – Bobby Bryant, Defensive Back, 1964-66
Tennessee – Richmond Flowers, Running Back, 1966-68
Vanderbilt – Charley Horton, Halfback, 1952-55

1999
Alabama – Johnny Musso, Halfback, 1969-71
Arkansas – Bill Montgomery, Quarterback, 1968-70
Auburn – Jackie Burkett, Center/Linebacker, 1957-59
Florida – Kerwin Bell, Quarterback, 1984-87
Georgia – Herschel Walker, Tailback, 1980-82
Kentucky – Steve Meilinger, End, 1951-53
LSU – Jerry Stovall, Halfback, 1960-62; Head Coach, 1980-83
Ole Miss – Charlie Flowers, Fullback, 1957-59
Miss. State – D.D. Lewis, Linebacker, 1965-67
South Carolina – Rick Sanford, Defensive Back, 1975-78
Tennessee – Steve Kiner, Linebacker, 1967-69
Vanderbilt – Bob Werckle, Tackle, 1947, 1949-51

2000
Alabama – Dwight Stephenson, Center, 1977-79
Arkansas – Ronnie Caveness, Linebacker, 1962-64
Auburn – Stacy Danley, Running Back, 1987-90
Florida – John Reaves, Quarterback, 1969-71
Georgia – Kevin Butler, Placekicker, 1981-84
Kentucky – Lou Michaels, Tackle, 1955-57
LSU – Roy Winston, Guard, 1959-61
Ole Miss – Robert Khayat, Lineman/Kicker, 1957-59
Miss. State – Kent Hull, Center, 1979-82
South Carolina – Harold Green, Running Back, 1986-89
Tennessee – Steve DeLong, Defensive Lineman, 1962-64
Vanderbilt – Herb Rich, Halfback, 1946-49

2001
Alabama – Joe Namath, Quarterback, 1962-64
Arkansas – Steve Atwater, Defensive Back, 1985-88
Auburn – Mike Kolen, Linebacker, 1967-69
Florida – Huey Richardson, Defensive End, 1987-90
Georgia – Tommy Lyons, Center, 1968-70
Kentucky – Sam Ball, Offensive Line, 1963-65
LSU – Tommy Hodson, Quarterback, 1986-89
Ole Miss – Ray Poole, End, 1941-42; 1946
Miss. State – Rockey Felker, Quarterback, 1972-74
South Carolina – Robert Brooks, Wide Receiver, 1988-91
Tennessee – Stanley Morgan, Running Back/Wide Receiver, 1973-76
Vanderbilt – Will Wolford, Offensive Tackle, 1982-85

2002
Alabama – Vaughn Mancha, Center, 1944-47
Arkansas – Loyd Phillips, Defensive Tackle, 1964-66
Auburn – Terry Beasley, Wide Receiver, 1969-71
Florida – Brad Culpepper, Defensive Tackle, 1988-91
Georgia – George Patton, Defensive Tackle, 1964-66
Kentucky – Art Still, Defensive End, 1974-77
LSU – Mike Anderson, Linebacker, 1968-70
Ole Miss – Ben Williams, Defensive Tackle, 1972-75
Miss. State – Harper Davis, Back, 1945-48
South Carolina – Jeff Grantz, Quarterback, 1973-75
Tennessee – Johnny Majors, Head Coach (1977-92), Running Back (1954-56)
Vanderbilt – Jim Arnold, Punter, 1979-82
2003
Alabama – Jeremiah Castille, Cornerback, 1979-82
Arkansas – Wayne Harris, Linebacker, 1958-60
Auburn – Steve Wallace, Offensive Tackle, 1982-85
Florida – Larry Smith, Running Back, 1966-68
Georgia – Scott Woerner, Cornerback, 1977-80
Kentucky – Dermontti Dawson, Guard/Center, 1984-87
LSU – Wendell Davis, Wide Receiver, 1984-87
Ole Miss – Billy Ray Adams, Fullback, 1959-61
Miss. State – Tyrone Keys, Defensive End, 1977-80
South Carolina – Dickie Harris, Defensive Back, 1969-71
Tennessee – Reggie White, Defensive Tackle, 1980-83
Vanderbilt – Whit Taylor, Quarterback, 1979-82

2004
Alabama – Bob Baumhower, Defensive Tackle, 1974-76
Arkansas – Fred Marshall, Quarterback, 1962-64
Auburn – Jimmy “Red” Phillips, Wide Receiver, 1955-57
Florida – Lomas Brown, Offensive Tackle, 1981-84
Georgia – Mike Wilson, Offensive Tackle, 1974-76
Kentucky – George Blanda, Punter-Kicker-Quarterback, 1945-48
LSU – Paul Dietzel, Head Coach, 1955-61
Ole Miss – Allen Brown, End, 1962-64
Miss. State – Arthur Davis, Running Back, 1952-55
South Carolina – Dan Reeves, Quarterback, 1962-64
Tennessee – Frank Emanuel, Linebacker, 1963-65
Vanderbilt – Boo Mitchell, Wide Receiver, 1985-88

2005
Alabama – Cornelius Bennett, Linebacker, 1983-86
Arkansas – Quinn Grovey, Quarterback, 1987-90
Auburn – Ed Dyas, Fullback/Kicker, 1958-60
Florida – Trace Armstrong, Defensive Lineman, 1988
Georgia – Zeke Bratkowski, Quarterback, 1951-53
Kentucky – Warren Bryant, Offensive Tackle, 1973-76
LSU – Eric Martin, Wide Receiver, 1981-84
Ole Miss – Andre Townsend, Defensive Tackle, 1980-83
Miss. State – Joe Fortunato, Fullback/Linebacker, 1950-52
South Carolina – Warren Muir, Fullback, 1967-69
Tennessee – Larry Seivers, Wide Receiver, 1974-76
Vanderbilt – Chris Gaines, Linebacker, 1984-87

2006
Alabama – Steve Sloan, Quarterback, 1963-65
Arkansas – Cliff Powell, Linebacker, 1967-69
Auburn – Bo Jackson, Running Back, 1982-85
Florida – Louis Oliver, Defensive Back, 1985-88
Georgia – Garrison Hearst, Tailback, 1990-92
Kentucky – Jeff Van Note, Defensive End, 1966-68
LSU – Y.A. Tittle, Quarterback/Halfback, 1944-47
Ole Miss – Jake Gibbs, Quarterback/Punter, 1958-60
Miss. State – Wayne Harris, Offensive Guard, 1979-82
South Carolina – Willie Scott, Tight End, 1977-80
Tennessee – Chip Kell, Offensive Guard, 1968-70
Vanderbilt – Eric Jones, Quarterback, 1986-88

2007
Alabama – Ken Stabler, Quarterback, 1965-67
Arkansas – Kent Hatfield, Halfback, 1962-64; Head Coach, 1984-89
Auburn – Ken Rice, Offensive Tackle, 1958-60
Florida – Ralph Ortega, Linebacker, 1972-74
Georgia – Rex Robinson, Kicker, 1977-80
Kentucky – Larry Seiple, Running Back/Punter, 1964-66
LSU – Tommy Casanova, Running Back/Defensive Back/Return Specialist, 1969-71
Ole Miss – Wesley Walls, Linebacker/Tight End, 1985-88
Miss. State – Billy Jackson, Defensive End/Linebacker, 1980-83
South Carolina – Duce Staley, Running Back, 1995-96
Tennessee – Willie Gault, Wide Receiver, 1979-82
Vanderbilt – Chuck Scott, Flanker/Tight End, 1981-84

2008
Alabama – Bart Starr, Quarterback, 1953-55
Arkansas – Billy Ray Smith, Defensive End, 1979-82
Auburn – Al Del Greco, Placekicker, 1980-83
Florida – Errict Rhett, Running Back, 1991-93
Georgia – Eric Zeier, Quarterback, 1991-94
Kentucky – Irv Goode, Lineman/Linebacker, 1959-61
LSU – Lance Smith, Offensive Tackle, 1981-84
Ole Miss – Bobby Ray Franklin, Quarterback, 1957-59
Miss. State – Tom Goode, Center, 1958-60
South Carolina – Brad Edwards, Free Safety, 1984-87
Tennessee – Doug Dickey, Head Coach, 1964-69
Vanderbilt – Shelton Quarles, Linebacker, 1990-93

People digging up video from 25 years ago just to embarrass you.

Former Florida receiver and TV personality Cris Collinsworth had to apologize for something he said on a 1984 Monday Night Football feature segment when asked about dating.

http://www.newsday.com/blogs/sports/watchdog-1.812020/cris-collinsworth-apologizes-for-comments-25-years-later-1.1442530

The video has been pulled off of YouTube by the NFL for a “copyright claim,” but this whole fiasco is another reason why I won’t run for political office.

* Dallas Baker: The big wide receiver has been on the fringe for Pittsburgh since he was drafted in the seventh round in 2007, but couldn’t solidify a spot on the team. Baker lost out in the battle for No. 5 receiver to veteran Shaun McDonald, who was signed in free agency from the Detroit Lions. It didn’t help that Baker left Thursday’s preseason game with a hip injury.

* Todd Johnson: In something of a surprise, the veteran safety lost his spot to undrafted longshot David Roach. Johnson had been one of the Rams’ best special teams players and started four games at safety over the last two seasons. Money may have been a factor, as Johnson was in the middle of a four-year, $4-million deal and his salary would have been guaranteed for the season had he made the team. “I was definitely surprised, just the way I performed in the preseason. I felt I did everything I could and I was a solid special teams player,” Johnson told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

* Brock Berlin: Once Johnson’s roommate at UF, Berlin was staying with Johnson in St. Louis before he was cut. Berlin, whom many Florida fans don’t consider to be a Gator after he transferred to Miami, lost out on the No. 3 quarterback job to West Texas A&M’s Keith Null (the Rams’ 2009 sixth-round draft pick).

* Phil Trautwein: Also cut by St. Louis, the Gators’ starting left tackle last season found a soft landing spot over the weekend when the Cleveland Browns swooped in and added him to their 53-man roster. The undrafted Trautwein reportedly got off to a slow start for the Rams but made steady progress throughout the preseason. The Rams were planning to sign him to their practice squad.

* Ian Scott: The veteran nose tackle was vying for a backup spot with San Diego but was released on Saturday with an injury waiver. Scott played well in the Chargers’ last two preseason games but had been limited in camp by nagging pain in his knee. Scott has been troubled by injuries throughout his career, as the knee injury also led to his release from the Carolina Panthers in 2008.

* Aaron Walker: The big tight end (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) was looking for work in Cleveland and has been hanging around the NFL and providing depth since he was drafted in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. His time in the pros may be running out, however, as he lost in his bid for the No. 3 spot (behind Robert Royal and Steve Heiden) to second-year man Martin Rucker.

* Carlton Medder: Formerly a right tackle for the Gators, Medder was expected to move inside if he had any shot at the NFL. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 but injured his elbow early in training camp. The Cards brought Medder back this summer, but he lost his bid to make the team and the practice squad.

* Tavares Washington: The former JuCo transfer, who started 11 of 18 games for the Gators from 2003 to 2005, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers and made their practice squad in 2006 and 2007.  After being signed by the Washington Redskins and released during the preseason in 2008, Washington landed on the Kansas City practice squad and was promoted to the team in December, when he made two appearances on special teams in the Chiefs’ final four games of the season.

* Billy Latsko: The former Gator walk-on, who bounced around on the practice squads of the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers, was given a shot at fullback for San Diego. Latsko was cut on Saturday but landed on the Chargers’ practice squad on Sunday.

* Kestahn Moore: Not as fortunate as Latsko, Moore made it through preseason as a running back with the Chargers but was cut on Saturday.

* Ingle Martin: The former Gator quarterback, who has spent time in the NFL with Green Bay, Tennessee and Kansas City, was brought in by the Denver Broncos to provide depth when Chris Simms and Kyle Orton were dealing with injuries. Martin was cut last Friday.

* Jason Watkins: The Gators’ starting right tackle last season was cut on Sept. 1 between the Houston Texans’ third and fourth preseason games.

* Joe Cohen: The defensive tackle who was drafted in the fourth round by San Francisco in 2006 was lost in a logjam of defensive lineman in camp with the Miami Dolphins. The Oakland Raiders brought him in for a brief look but released Cohen on Aug. 31.

* Jeremy Mincey: The rangy defensive end was released on Aug. 26 after playing 11 games (including two in the postseason) for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

* Drew Miller: Brought in as a center by the Jaguars on Aug. 8, Miller only lasted until Aug. 12.

Here is the current list of Gators in the NFL and more …

GATORS IN THE NFL (29)

QB Rex Grossman (Houston Texans)
RB Fred Taylor (New England Patriots)
RB Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
RB DeShawn Wynn (Green Bay Packers)
WR Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings)
WR Jabar Gaffney (Denver Broncos)
WR Louis Murphy (Oakland Raiders)
WR Andre Caldwell (Cincinnati Bengals)
WR Chad Jackson (Denver Broncos)
OT Max Starks (Pittsburgh Steelers)
OG Cooper Carlisle (Oakland Raiders)
OT Phil Trautwein (Cleveland Browns)
TE Cornelius Ingram (Philadelphia Eagles) * Injured Reserve
DE Derrick Harvey (Jacksonville Jaguars)
DE Jevon Kearse (Tennessee Titans)
DE Bobby McCray (New Orleans Saints)
DE Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers)
DE Jarvis Moss (Denver Broncos)
DT Marcus Thomas (Denver Broncos)
DE Alex Brown (Chicago Bears)
DT Gerard Warren (Oakland Raiders)
LB Channing Crowder (Miami Dolphins)
LB Andra Davis (Denver Broncos)
LB Mike Peterson (Atlanta Falcons)
LB Brandon Siler (San Diego Chargers)
CB Keiwan Ratliff (Pittsburgh Steelers)
CB Lito Sheppard (Jets)
S Reggie Nelson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
S Marquand Manuel (Detroit Lions)

PRACTICE SQUAD (1)

FB Billy Latsko (San Diego Chargers) – cut on Sept. 5, sign on Sept. 6

RECENTLY CUT (12)

QB Ingle Martin (Denver Broncos) – cut on Sept. 4
RB Kestahn Moore (San Diego Chargers) – cut on Sept. 5
WR Dallas Baker (Pittsburgh Steelers) – cut on Sept. 5
TE Aaron Walker (Cleveland Browns) – cut on Sept. 5
C Drew Miller (Jacksonville Jaguars) – cut on Aug. 12
OG Tavares Washington (Kansas City Chiefs) – cut on Sept. 5
OG Carlton Medder (Arizona Cardinals) – cut on Sept. 5
OT Jason Watkins (Houston Texans) – cut on Sept. 1

The Gainesville Sun

I’m sure you’ve read most of the stories the staff produced for our annual preview of the college football season on Gatorsports.com.  If you are a Gator fan, it’s a must read.

It’s also a must have if you enjoy print editions.

So, if you want more than just to read the articles, you know, something to decorate your coffee table or something to refer to during the season, contact The Sun circulation department for your very own printed copy. It also makes for a cool poster.

Contact our circulation department at: 378-1416, toll free at 800-443-9493.

First, the former Florida receiver was hospitalized for a virus and dehydration after vomiting on a flight from Florida to Atlanta en route to Minnesota for a Vikings rookie minicamp in May.

Then, at the NFL Rookie Symposium in South Florida earlier this week, Harvin was sent home after notifying the medical staff that he wasn’t feeling well.

It appears Harvin will keep the Minnesota training staff busy this year.

Our copy editors will contribute to it, so you will get plenty of information from knowledgeable journalists in touch with the latest sports news.

Please interact with us with questions about how and why we do what we do at The Sun, on Gatorsports.com and Gainesville.com, or join in any debate with your opinions.

Something else to look for, this Friday we’ll introduce the SEC’s 25 Best, a 25-part daily series that counts down the best football players in the SEC heading into the 2009 season. To go along with that we’ll also count down the teams in the Gatorsports.com’s annual preseason college football poll.