The legendary QB could face some troubled times ahead.

However, let’s be overoptimistic here about the 2008 season. Florida, a preseason top-5 pick, wins the national championship by season’s end. Gator Nation is ecstactic; Tim Tebow’s legend status cemented with his second ring, his first as a starter.

But behind the tough-guy jokes and record-setting statistics is the offensive coordinator who made it all happen. Being the coach who helped Tim Tebow win multiple rings, maybe even multiple Heismans, makes for quite a resume. And thus, Florida fans should ask themselves not if Tim or Percy will stay, but if Coach Dan will.

All of this directly impacts Mr. Tebow’s decision whether to leave for the NFL or stay all four years then leave. Try this for a senior season: a new offensive coordinator, the loss of your favorite offensive target, and the heavy expectations of a fan base that expects you to do otherworldly things on and off the football field. Not the most appetizing incentives.

Don’t think Dan’s departure is that big of a deal? Alex Smith, a former Meyer product and #1 overall draft choice, is struggling in San Francisco; the 49ers’ problems with their offensive coordinators have been well documented. Danny Wuerffel’s coordinator was his high school coach, Jimmy Ray Stephens; his chemistry with the man helped him out on the field. There is a direct coordinator with USC’s dip in dominance and the departure of Norm Chow.

And QB/WR tandems are some of the most famous duos in the NFL. Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. Rice and Montana. Brady and Moss. Aikman and Irvin. The list goes on.

Of course, Tim is entitled to his decision and I respect that. But he may very well find himself falling on draft should he choose to stay and get his degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. And chances are, his Gators may struggle in 2009. Besides, he doesn’t really have that much more to prove on the college level.

Oh well, life goes on. By the way, I still hope that Tebow is successful in whatever he does.

Tim Tebow gave an interview to First Coast News’ Dan Hicken over the weekend. Tebow spoke of his faith, how the Heisman has changed his life, and… dun-dun-DUN!… whether he’ll be suiting up in ‘09 as a Gator.

Hicken: “We were talking earlier about those mock drafts that are coming out. Your name is at the top of a lot of them for next year, so people are going to start asking you about your future even though I know you’re just focused on this season.”

Tebow: “I am. I’m focused on this season. After the season, we’ll talk to Coach Meyer and everything, but I love being a Gator and I want to stay there as long as I can. I’m just blessed to be in that position.”

So… not an iron-clad “will return” response, but I have to admit, I feel pretty comfortable with the notion that Tim will be back for his senior season. There are many factors contributing; perhaps most importantly is his emphasis on outreach and using his college football fame as a platform. Can NFL millions lure him away from that opportunity? Never say never, but I think a combination of his love for the University of Florida, his unique situation as perhaps the most beloved player ever to wear orange and blue, and his faith will keep him here.

It’s an amazing ride, the ride of a lifetime. When you hop off that train, you’re done forever. Tebow knows that.

The post-Tebow era is a dark and depressing thought. I dare not tread too far down that path. Just knowing that, at best, we have two additional seasons max to watch this brilliant athlete play quarterback is somewhat sobering. The sheer joy of watching Tebow command the Gator offense made a 9-4 season bearable. And with an upgraded defense, it’s Tim’s turn to win an MNC as the greatest Gator quarterback in the history of Florida football.

Say it with me: 2 more years! 2 more years!

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? (more…)

Grrrr. Got some stuff that’s bugging me today…

*These language lab computers won’t let me upload images.

*It just dawned on me that I graduated from former FSU quarterback Danny Kanell’s high school - the same DK who coordinated the Noles to the infamous “Choke at Doak” tie.

*I’m getting rumors that Tim Tebow is getting pressured by defensive backs in practice. Oh wait, that happens in real football games all the time.

But the latest press leaks have Florida’s front four pressuring Superman even more so than last year.

Has the man lost his touch? I doubt it, given that he’s had to masterfully evade pressure in the past. C’mon Vince, he’s doesn’t just turn into a college football flop overnight.

Or maybe the big uglies on D have gotten their act together? Why not? The Gators had a bumper crop of youth and inexperience last year; the underclassmen MUST have packed in some extra pounds.

Either way, a major leap in the football learning curve has just taken place on both sides of the ball. Tebow’s going to have to learn how to evade all the blitz packages defensive coordinators throw at him. And it’s not like he can just, ahem, walk out of the situation, shall we say? This will also be a good test for the lucky every-down halfback chosen to start for the Gators.

On defense, they’re starting to crank it up. Granted, the blitz can only compensate for the secondary so much, but getting better is what it is. I wouldn’t be surprised if the improvement in the rushing attack was complemented by growth in the linebacking corps.

Which brings us to a significant wildcard: the offensive line. Are they going to play up to their potential? I hope so; there’s only so many hits mere mortals like #15 can take. With Trautwein coming back, Maurkice Pouncey guaranteed a starting role *somewhere*, and Mike Pouncey (or whoever it is) snapping the ball at center, I think they’re just fine. If the sack numbers start to drop, as I think they will, then everybody will be A O.K.

Let’s just hope that the cornerbacks will learn from all this…

In the aftermath of the Gators’ second straight national championship, Billy Donovan inked a consensus #1 recruiting class for 2008. That much was to be expected; the coach is a notoriously fanatical recruiter, and two crystal basketballs make a compelling sales pitch. But with Florida’s season almost over, we want to see all five of these talented boys grow into seasoned young men.

“Get bigger!” is a frequently used suggestion when the subject of the Class of 2011’s improvement is discussed. But what other things, mental and emotional, can these guys do in the offseason? Note that walk-ons Shane Payne and Hudson Fricke have been excluded from this conversation. With five scholarship freshmen coming in, their days in Division I basketball are numbered.

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Apparently, the latest from the college football rumor mill has Florida’s 20.5-year-old legend slated to take a cue from Joe Montana. It seems that Urban Meyer and Dan Mullen want the Teebster to improve in the two-minute drill. The move makes sense for a number of reasons:

*Admit it, Florida fans. As much as you want #15 to walk on water, heal the incurably sick, and lay down vigilante justice against FSU, you know he’s not perfect. He’s a human being who makes human mistakes, and working on the two-minute drill provides a good dose of perspective.

*A further investigation in UF’s losses reveals that in spite of Florida’s youth, atrocious secondary, and lack of a true runner, most of the Gators’ woes came from ineffective final scoring drives. Consider Tebow’s failed Hail Mary pass against LSU and the two turnovers on down against Michigan. So in theory, if the Gators become more effective at closing the deal, they become much tougher to beat. The better the quarterback is at the end, the more margin for error during the game itself.

* Tebow will have to run less and rely more on short West Coast-style passes. In other words, he’ll be doing the kinds of things that make draft scouts feel better about his chances in the pros.

Make no mistake about it. Tebow may have won a championship in his first year and a Heisman in his second, but his junior year will undoubtedly be his most important yet. From a career perspective, he’s beginning to prepare himself for his NFL career, should he choose to go that route. From an SEC point of view, he’s beginning his second year as a starter. And in the way of accolades, he can add to his trophy case and increase his hero status in Gainesville. But I’m getting off-topic.

Here’s an example of how a skilled two-minute QB can change a franchise: A perennial backup quarterback was selected as a compensatory pick in his particular NFL draft and only threw three passes in his rookie year. He initially spent time buried in the back of the depth chart, but he worked really hard at improving; the two-minute was an integral part of his preparation. When the original starter was injured and out for the season, the guy stepped in and helped his team win all of its playoff games and make the Super Bowl, albeit with a lot of grit and a little luck. In the big game, he kept it close against the most prolific NFL offense of its day. But it all came down to one final touchdown drive. And much to everyone’s surprise, he kept cool and led his team down the field for the game-winning score, netting him his first Super Bowl ring and MVP award.

The quarterback who went from zero to hero: Thomas Edward Brady, Jr. Turns out, he was a big Montana fan as a kid growing up in the Bay Area.

And in a twist of irony, his opposite in Super Bowl XLII would win the Super Bowl by beating him at his own game.

Okay, so the spring game is still five and half weeks away, and the first regular season football game isn’t until August 30. But it’s not too early to look at what made Florida a great sports school in the first place. Besides, everyone around here could use a short break from basketball and all of the nervous tension it entails.

Here is a breakdown of the team, position by position. Be warned, this might be a bit lengthy.

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Our Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Tim Tebow, addressed the crowd during halftime at the Kentucky game. What he says at the very end is worth hearing…