So I have no life

I saw a poll on the Gainesville Sun that drove me up a wall: it asked which team has better depth the Gators or the 2006 Gators. This team is good, and another title would not shock me (although I think our odds are low of getting to Miami), but I remember that 2006 as significantly better. Here is a breakdown:

SF
2006 – Tony Joiner and Reggie Nelson
2008 – Major Wright, Ahmad Black, and now reportedly Will Hill.

Verdict: Uh, yeah (and we miss Dorian Munroe) 2006

CB:
2006 – Reggie Lewis and Ryan “Lucky” Smith
2008 – Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden

Verdict: Really? We won with those two? Shows you the value of a passrush 2008

[If I was to do the secondary as a whole our safeties are better than our corners were 2008]

LB:
2006 – Brandon Siler, Earl Everett, Brian Crum
2008 – Brandon Spike, Ryan Stamper, AJ Jones and sometimes Dustin Doe

Verdict: Everett was better than he got credit for, but Crum was just a guy and every spot is stronger now (although Siler and Everett are close) 2008

DL:
2006 – Jarvis Moss, Joe Cohen, Ray McDonald, Derrick Harvey (Steven Harris)
2008 – Justin Trattou, Lawerence Marsh, Terron Sanders, Jermaine Cunningham (Carlos Dunlop and Matt Patchman)

Verdict: Across the board stronger back then. Maybe Marsh and Sanders could have pushed Harris for playing time in the rotation two years ago 2006

ST: (this will be fun)
2006 – Chris Hetland, Eric Wilbur, Brandon James
2008 – Does it matter? Chris Hetland!! When was the last time you thought about him?

Verdict: Wilbur had a big leg, but was inconsistent, Chas Henry is great at hanging them high and winning field position – which is more valuable in a punter. Both squads could block kicks 2008

OL:
2006 – Phil Trautwein, Ronnie Wilson (I think), Steve Rissler, Drew Miller, Carlton Medder
2008 – Phil Trautwein, Pouncy1, Pouncy2, Jim (Carl Johnson/Marcus Gilbert) Tartt, Jason Watkins

Verdict: This years line is probably more balanced run/pass, but in 2006 they could really open holes for our backs although pass-blocking was a problem. Tossup

TE:
2006 – Tater Salad
2008 – Aaron Hernandez

Verdict: No contest 2008

WR:
2006 – Jemalle Cornelius, Dallas Baker, Bubba Caldwell, Percy Harvin.
2008 – Percy Harvin Louis Murphy, and allegedly Riley Cooper

Verdict: Harvin today is the best of the bunch, but there is no way you pass on the 2006 corps as a whole. It’s easy to forget how good Cornelius was 2006

RB:
2006 – DeShawn Wynn, Kestahn Moore
2008 – Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, and occasionally Emmanuel Moody

Verdict: This pick will get grief I know, but you need to be able to run inside. While those outside pitches are great one those occasions when they net big plays (which is not that often – we are a throw first team), it’s not cool we always have to rely of Tebow for short yardage. Plus a lot of those runs are Harvin. Besides Wynn was better catching out of the backfield than you remember 2006

FB:
2006 – Billy Latsko
2008 – Kestahn Moore

Verdict: Sure was nice to not have to run Tebow on short yardage every play because we could let the linebacker out of the hole 2006

QB:
2006 – Chris Leak, Tim Tebow
2008 – Tim Tebow

Verdict: I know everyone will say I too critical of Tebow, but I was realistic about Chris Leak back in the day too. Tebow is a better thrower, but Leak was a better QB. Plus occasionally bringing in the bruising Tebow gave us a two-headed monster. I’m more an NFL guy, and Leak is much better suited for the pro game, yeah Tebow is the better college QB, but it was close 2008

Final tally:
2008 – 5
2006 – 5

So there you have it, my initially impulse was wrong and now I see foolishly wasted my time. Oh well, it was fun. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it. And overall the D then was much better – the gap between DLs is huge compared to the gap at linebacker (and the line is more important). Our offense is better now, but I am defensive guy. But it does make you feel better about this year’s team.

I admit I had to use Mr. Internet to pull some of the 2006 names – and that led me down a trip down memory lane:

Remember Jarred Fayson (11)? He was supposed to be the other Percy Harvin (then 8) when he came here – we always talked about them together, the hotshot altheletic QBs from up north would be the ultimate spread receivers. He transferred because we barely played him. He left for Illinois, but he is not playing this year and I have not been able to determine why.

You won’t remember Nyan Boateng (80, then 17 briefly), but I remember seeing some great catches in garbage time out of a true freshman and thinking the future looked bright. Then he made a great onehanded catch in an Orange and Blue game and was sure. Turned out though that he had what we will deem as “maturity issues” and left. Turns out I was right about him – he’s a leading receiver on the #21 Cal Bears and is averaging 17 yards a catch (as much as Harvin or Murphy)