FLORIDA FOOTBALL: FOOD FOR A MAN'S SOUL
Brandon Spikes, Ist Thou Good?
![90[1].jpg](http://www.orangeandbluehue.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/90[1].jpg)
The Gator defense has improved to our liking. The front four, led by Carlos Dunlap, pressured Tim Tebow and Cam Newton all day. The secondary has also made strides. But what about the fellas in the middle?
In all fairness, only Auburn and LSU held Florida to under 28 points last season, and both won. Tim Tebow, regardless of bad throws or bad luck, had two interceptions; something he hasn’t done in a single (real) game in his UF career. Florida’s corners have taken a lot of negative press, and rightfully so. But if UF wants to fix the last annoying wrinkle in its defense, they’ll need Spikes to be the team leader more than ever on defense.
That is easier said than done. If the quarterback has the most difficult job on offense, then the middle linebacker most certainly has the most difficult job on the other end. He has to combine the pass rushing of a defensive end with the awareness of a cornerback. Strength, speed, and size are all demanded in spades from these guys. Stat-wise, there is often a lack of attention paid to an MLB or OLB.
But never underestimate the power that a good linebacker has on a defense, and thus, an entire team. A generation ago, Wilbur Marshall made a position change from tight end to linebacker, and a Ring of Honor career was born. Eight Seven years before the Giants won SB XLII, they were harassed by MVP Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens. The Chicago Bears reached the big game two seasons ago becuase of Devin Hester’s legs and Brian Urlacher’s toughness on defense. Conversely, the New England Patriots’ pursuit of perfection (If it could be called that.) was hindered by the sheer age of Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau, and Teddy Bruschi. Ohio State reached the national championship game two seasons in a row with plenty of help from Greg James Lauranitis. The examples go on and on.
Not to fear, however. Spikes has promised the Gator Nation that he will step up his play. He’s been driven to perform better by seeing countless Michigan highlights in the Capital One Bowl. He’s an upperclassman and feels a sense of responsibility to others on the team. Judging from this alone, we’re in good hands. If he can impress in real time come Hawaii and Miami, Florida may have one of the final pieces to its championship puzzle in place.
Think about it for a minute. On offense, the best quarterback and wide receiver in college football, a variety of guys to go through the defense on the ground, an offensive line led by a healthy Phil Trautwein, former Rivals.com Freshman All-American Maurkice Pouncey, and his brother Mike at center. On defense, a front four led by Dunlap, a vastly improved secondary and two hard-hitting safeties in Hill and right, and now a linebacking corps led by the vastly improved Spikes? More and more, this team is starting to look just as good, maybe even better, then the ‘06 national championship team. They definitely have the tools athletically, but the ‘06 team had senior leadership.
Let’s just hope Dustin Doe and whoever is the third starter in the 4-3 defense (I assume Jerimy Finch) step up too.
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8 Comments so far
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Not sure if the defense has turned the corner as much as you would like to think…
On a couple of those Moody runs, I had Moreno flashbacks and the corners were still struggling to cover anybdy half the time…
Meanwhile, the D-line looked stronger as the day went on but the O-line was essentially playing for both sides so there is going to be a dropoff as the game went on and the DL should look better…
I do think that Finch will lock in at the other outside spot but look for Lorenzo Edwards to get plenty of time as well; maybe getting some starts late in the season…
Lastly…
I wish Meyer would make these guys tighten up in their official photos…
I’ve noticed over the last few years when perusing the media guide that he’s began to allow these guys to keep their ties loosened up, shirt unbuttoned and oversized, etc…
Just a thought…
By gatorhippy on 04.14.08 11:22 am
Greg Lauranitis? Nice. Greg Louganis or James Lauranitis. Sorry, but when you live in the middle of Big Eleven territory, you hear these names all the time. Either way, a well written article on the importance of a defensive leader.
By Mike on 04.14.08 11:40 am
I would like to see the Gator secondary in a game that matters before calling them vastly improved. Also, I will give you best QB, but best reciever? I think Crabtree at Texas Tech, among others, would probably refute that one. Lastly, I don’t know who Greg Laurinaitis is, but his long-lost brother James has been a pretty solid contributor for the buckeyes the last couple of years.
By GatorSkeptic on 04.14.08 1:34 pm
While it is ironic that Hippy is the one who raised the lax clothing issue, I agree with him 100%. I would prefer that our players look classy and carry themselves in a professional matter. Let Miami and FSU wear sweats and look like thugs.
By skigator93 on 04.14.08 7:02 pm
Spikes and Doe should be fine. I saw Dustin all over the place (especially the 3rd time I watched the game) and Spikes stood Moody up twice, before getting run over. We don’t need the secondary to do much but slow teams down. 28 points, my friends, will not happen this year. We need to keep opponents under 35 and we’ll win every one. O-line, should be much better. Recievers-nasty, Running backs-”I hope you are good” combined with 4.24, we’ll be fine, D-line-looking to be more dominant than one we’ve seen in quite a while, Safety-Big and hard hitting, Corners-Pierre-Louis will be shutting it down by Tennessee mark my words.
I hear about Georgia and how tough they’ll be…look at the shirt being sold on this site…says it all. They lose to Arizona St. on the road anyway. If it shapes up and we’re playing the ole ball coach for the East, I feel pretty good.
I’ve been watching the Gators live for 15 years now (damn I’m getting old) and this was one of the more crisp practices i’ve seen. Get ready, Gators, this should be a very fun ride.
By urbanisagod on 04.14.08 7:35 pm
Agree. Tighten up those photos! I think that was Spikes’ soph photo.
Defense must be better this year!
By GatorPilot on 04.14.08 9:51 pm
Took care of James Lauranitis. Don’t know how I mixed that up.
By Vince Gagliano on 04.15.08 11:06 am
Actually, Tebow took care of James Lauranitis…all day long.
By the rusty trombone on 04.18.08 6:24 pm
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