Urban and the Money

I never expect much from Fox regarding NCAA football, but this is worth a watch.

Gators, thou dost protest too much, me thinks

After yesterday's posting about Corch Meyer beginning negotiations with Notre Dame, the gainesville faithful were less than pleased with me, calling me a rumor monger and stating that I needed to "grow up." Apparently this is one of those "we can say it, but you can't" deals. Check out the comments gatorsports.com readers are posting.
Urban Meyer's buyout clause set at $500,000! - Gator Sport Forums

Your reasoning matches your sig, a Croc of ****! It is low because it lets him go when and if the time is right without a significant penalty. He is a great guy, no doubt. However, he also said he was not leaving Bowling Green or Utah.

How about this response to my question regarding the small buyout:
Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gators Fans: The One Man Fallacy

Because Jeremy Foley stated that the University never wants to be stuck with a coach who doesn't want to coach at Florida.

Seriously? This is what Foley wants? Foley wants to be committed to Urban but does not want it reciprocated? Absurd.

This whole thing is a shame designed to aide in recruiting and silence the rumors that have always persisted and were amped up by Paul Finebaum.

First of all, the net raise is negligible when you factor in the required $1 million per year donation Meyers must make. Secondly, it only upped Florida's committment to Urban, it did nothing to strengthen Urban's committment to Florida. The jort wearing faithful know it.

Soon, recruits will figure it out too!

Meyer Begins Contract Negotiations with Notre Dame

Amidst all of the hoopla surrounding Urban Meyer's $4 million per year contract extension is the lack of any buyout clause talk. Sure, he is now being payed on a par with Charlie Weis, but how much money will it take for him to remove himself from Gainesville and cash his 4 million a year in Indiana?

Why isn't Jeremy Foley lauding that they have locked Corch up? Is Brantley not the next Tim Tebow? Have the expectations gotten too high? Are the legal fees getting out of hand?

Truth is, of the $4 million, he has to give 1 million back in donations every year. Florida Gators make Urban Meyer highest-paid SEC coach - OrlandoSentinel.com

In conjunction with the deal, Meyer has committed to giving back $1 million to the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program over the duration of the contract, a school spokesman said. The Florida Opportunity Scholars Program was created by Machen to provide financial help to first-generation, financially disadvantaged students. Meyer and men's basketball coach Billy Donovan have helped spearhead Machen's cause, and the goal is to raise $50 million.

When Mark Richt extended his contract with Georgia, he was more than happy to have a strong buyout clause, one that removed most if not all doubt he was in Athens for the long haul and was not looking to return to Tallahassee. Where is this type of commitment on Urban Meyer's part?
CNNSI.com - College Football - Georgia gives Richt eight-year extension - Thursday December 26, 2002 11:25 PM

Richt said he was glad to have the deal, which includes a buyout clause of at least $3 million, worked out before the bowl game.
"A lot of talk has been going on. I think it's good to know going into this game that we don't have to answer those questions," he said.
Dooley concurred.
"We have made a strong commitment to him, and he has also made a strong commitment to us," Dooley said.

Nothing like that coming out of Gainesville. What is coming out of Gainesville: Florida Gators make Urban Meyer highest paid in SEC with 6-year, $24 million deal - ESPN

Despite the increase in pay, Meyer's buyout penalty remains $500,000 if he were to leave for any school, including Notre Dame, ESPN's Joe Schad has reported. Florida has taken the stance that it wants coaches who want to be at the university.

What do we take from that small buyout? More importantly, what do Notre Dame and next year's recruits think about? My guess, Notre Dame knows it will take half a million, plus a small raise over what they are paying Weis, to make Urban's dreams come true.

5:05 pm Update:
Deal doesn't mean Meyer's staying forever - CFB News - FOX Sports on MSN

The buyout on Meyer's new contract at Florida is just $500,000. Now, in the real world — especially in an economy that has the University of Florida cutting and slashing its budget left and right, chopping off over $40 million this year alone — a half a million isn't anything to sneeze at. But in the silly world of big-time athletics — especially at a place like Notre Dame — $500,000 to bring in a coach with Meyer's stature and résumé is a pittance.

A Picture Says 1000 Words

Are you ready to dance?

Check out these great photos, they are guaranteed to get you pumped for the season.
Josh D. Weiss Photography | Preseason Countdown: UGA Football

In honor of football season’s kick off in about a month I will be dedicating the next few Friday’s to my favorite football photos

Who wants to pop Corch?

The Red and Black

And, of course, he’s referring to the Urban Meyer dartboard edition of First & Goal from last season.

Full Contact Tuesday

It appears the psyche of the Oklahoma State defense needed a boost, at least according to new defensive coordinator Bill Young.
Cowboys take defensive stance - College Football - Rivals.com (h/t Blutarsky)

“One of the main things we’re working on is the psyche of our players,” Young said by phone Monday. “They don’t need to be hearing how bad they are. They need to be hearing how good they are – because they are good.”

Ask, and you shall receive....
What's in store for Oklahoma State this season? | NewsOK.com (h/t Hale)

Sept. 5 vs. Georgia
Despite growing doubt nationally about the Cowboys, they announce their presence with authority, handing Georgia a 21-point defeat to open the season.

The BUI take on the pokes, the game, and that color.

Maybe we won't see them in the "I" formation
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow says he'd consider playing other positions in NFL

But Tebow said last week that doesn't mean he's not open to the possibility of playing other positions at the next level.

Here's to hoping Tebow makes about 4 tackles and 0 circumcisions at the WLOCP!


The BUI recruiting/research/marketing department talks about some fresh faces
Bernie's Dawg Blawg: Have Campus Bus Schedule Will Play

I for one think we've recruited really well at that position the last few years.

It's never too early to prep for next year
EDSBS » Archive » THIS RECRUIT MCGEE MUST BE SOMETHING

Coach Dan Hawkins making what is by far the most JACKED AND ENTHUSED call

Nothing like a little confab between the Masters of Muckraking, Finebaum and Bianchi
Paul Finebaum | Press-Register Sports Columnist - al.com

"The Bear has finally risen again," Bianchi said, "but he's coaching at Florida under the alias of Urban Meyer."

Not to ignore the gathering at Cobb Galleria, but nothing too newsworthy took place that wasn't examined by Bernie.

A Pabst Blue Ribbon Prognostication

With one week to go before practice starts in earnest, the blogging manifesto dictates we provide a preview of the Dawg's upcoming season. We will get it a shot but must remind you, speculation is a fool's game.

The coaches and media agreed with the pre-pre-season magazines and predicted a second-place finish in the eastern division. Normally that would be a safe limb to go out on, however it is awfully crowded this year. As last year made evident, crowded limbs tend to snap. I have always believed following the masses creates a lot of Asses.

T Kyle points out the reasoning behind the consensus national ranking of about 15. He makes some excellent points as to the motivations for these prognostications.

I believe, despite all things Tebow, this will be a somewhat down year for the SEC and Gainesville will not repeat as MNC. The league is stacked with receiving talent but not so much with quarterbacks or running backs. Two traditional powers are breaking in new, unproven, head coaches. Defenses will dominate the league games and, if that is the case, things will be very unpredictable. This plays to the Dawg's advantage.

Florida will lose. Mark it down. When was the last time the media anointed someone champ before the season started and it came to be? Will the Dawg's take care of business in Jacksonville? I have no idea, but I like our chances. With Percy Harvin gone, it is not hard to envision Corch Meyers running Tebow into the ground leaving the reptile nation crying, "if only Tebow were healthy".

I really do not see many shootouts on our schedule. Florida is the only real offensive juggernaut on the conference schedule, with the possible exception of fayettville. Last year's high scoring games were a product of giving the opponent a short field. We may not have many three play scoring drives this year, but I do not expect us to turn the ball over much either.

The Dawgs are deepest where it counts the most, on the line of scrimmage. Defensive end production is an area of concern, but with required double-teams against our tackles, look for a dramatic up-tick in their performance. As long as Rennie Curran is still a Dawg we are set at linebacker. The offensive line is loaded with talent; somebody will take advantage of the holes they create.

The questions for the Bulldawg faithful are at the skill positions on both sides of the ball. Aside from AJ Green and Joe Cox, everyone else's name will be penciled into the starting lineup initially. There is talent up and down the roster, but without significant game experience these pups remain the unknown.

I have gainesville losing to baton rouge, the Dawgs, and columbia due to the loss of Tebow. Add it all up and I see us earning a trip to Atlanta for a rematch with baton rouge to determine the Sugar Bowl entrant.

Take 2 Aspirin and Drink Plenty of Water

A few links to peruse while waiting on the aspirin to kick in.

Bill King asks which game you want the most.

The Senator has been reading Bitchin' Bianchi. I can assure you, Bianchi is not getting the Shane Matthews treatment.

A look ahead from the Palmetto State

Interview with Oklahoma State Athletic Director

Barnhart previews the SEC East/Tebow division

More gushing about the SEC's new television contract with some ACC reaction

Alec Ogletree talks with Michael Carvell

Corch Urban Meyers Rushed to Hospital...

From the Gainesville Moon: Early last night Corch Urban Meyer was rushed to the to Shands Medical Center. Apparently Corch suffered from a condition brought on due to his severe allergy to peanuts.

Star QB Tim Tebow was seen visiting his Corch later that evening. Much like the Ole Miss game last year, Tebow would take responsibility, saying, "Had I known coach was so allergic to peanuts, I would have never eaten that Nutty Buddy yesterday."