SB Nation Tampa Bay: All Posts by Steven Godfreyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-10-31T15:37:59-04:00https://tampabay.sbnation.com/authors/steven-godfrey/rss2012-10-31T15:37:59-04:002012-10-31T15:37:59-04:00Jags shuffle roster, cut QB Wilson
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<figcaption>Jeff Zelevansky</figcaption>
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<p>The Jags shuffle the roster, and cut backup QB John Parker Wilson.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> made a few moves for their 53-man roster on Wednesday, including a change at backup quarterback.</p>
<p>The Jags waived quarterback <span>John Parker Wilson</span> and running back <span>Keith Toston</span>, as well as cornerback <span>Prince Miller</span> from the practice squad. The Jags signed center/guard <span>Steve Vallos</span> and 2012 fifth round pick Brandon Marshall.</p>
<p>Vallos is a journeyman in the league, playing in 42 game since being drafted by Seattle in 2007. Since then, he's bounced to Cleveland and Philadelphia, and was cut last week after playing two games this season with the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a>. Marshall, a linebacker drafted out of Nevada, had two special teams tackles this season before being waived by the Jags last Saturday.</p>
<p>Wilson, formerly a starting QB at Alabama, followed head coach Mike Mularkey to Jacksonville from Atlanta, where he was waived during training camp this season. Toston spent a week total with the Jags after being signed following an injury to Maurice Jones-Drew.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/10/31/3581888/jaguars-make-a-few-roster-movesSteven Godfrey2012-10-31T14:14:01-04:002012-10-31T14:14:01-04:00Gators looking to win the 4th quarter - again
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<p>Florida was outscored in the second half for the first time all season against Georgia, and it cost UF the game.</p> <p>Aside from other, more obvious statistics -- such as six total turnovers -- in Florida's 17-9 loss to Georgia last week, the one that <a href="http://www.gainesville.com/article/20121031/articles/121039933">Gators head coach WIll Mushcamp and his team spoke about this week</a> was winning the fourth quarter and second half. Saturday's loss, Florida's first of the year, was also the first time the Gators were outscored in the second half (10-3 UGA) and only the second time all year they've given up a touchdown in the fourth quarter (the first was on the road at Vanderbilt):</p>
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<p>"We have total confidence in ourselves that no one can score on us in the second half, and that's what our goal was," UF junior cornerback Jaylen Watkins said. "They got a touchdown on us, but I think we did a good job getting the offense the ball back."</p>
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<p>Although in terms of the Cocktail Party, both stats would be dramatically different (as would the Gators' formerly undefeated record) had junior tight end Jordan Reed not fumbled into the end zone to effectively end the game with just over two minutes remaining. A touchdown either by Reed or potentially later in the drive would've put the Gators in a position to tie the game with a two-point conversion.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/10/31/3581752/gators-want-to-get-back-to-dominating-4th-quarterSteven Godfrey2012-10-11T15:21:38-04:002012-10-11T15:21:38-04:00MSTU a 3-point favorite at FIU Saturday
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<p>MTSU has a slight edge heading to FIU this weekend.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/middle-tenn-st-blue-raiders">Middle Tennessee State</a> is a 3-point favorite entering Saturday's game at 1-5 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/fla-international-golden-panthers">Florida International</a>, moving up a single point since since opening at MTSU (-2) at the beginning of the week.</p>
<p>Since a season-opening loss to FCS foe McNeese State, MTSU has rebounded nicely, including a victory over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech</a> in Atlanta two weeks ago. The Blue Raiders are 3-2 against the spread, but 2-0 on the road this season, while the Panthers are 1-2 at home and 1-5 overall against the spread.</p>
<p>According to Odds Shark, MTSU holds three key offensive advantages over FIU: The Blue Raiders top the Golden Panthers in overall scoring vs. overall defense, passing offense on the road vs. home defense and rushing offense on the road vs. home defense.</p>
<p>The road team has won the last two meetings in this series, breaking a five-year streak of the home team taking the victory. However: MTSU is an alarming 3-8 against the spread in its last 11 games, while FIU is 2-5 in their last seven. Neither team has been reliable against the lines.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/10/11/3489924/mtsu-vs-fiu-2012-odds-blue-raiders-3-point-favorites-on-the-roadSteven Godfrey2012-10-11T14:57:31-04:002012-10-11T14:57:31-04:00UCF now a 17-point favorite over USM
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<figcaption>Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>UCF's odds are looking better and better against winless Southern Miss.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/southern-miss-golden-eagles">Southern Miss</a> has gone from the C-USA Championship in 2011 to the basement of the conference, and at 0-5, Las Vegas thinks the Golden Eaglesa won't find their first win of the season Saturday in Orlando against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/central-florida-knights">Central Florida Knights</a>. <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/southern-miss-central-florida-odds-october-13-2012">The Knights are 17 point favorites according to Odds Shark</a>, up from 15 points when the lines opened at the beginning of the week.</p>
<p>The spread feels reasonable when looking a the season averages thus far: UCF is outscoring USM on average 32.2-16.4. Southern Miss' defense has been awful thus far, allowing 35.2 points a game. They're also 116th in the nation in overall offense. The Knights are a muddled 3-2 against the spread so far this season, while Southern Miss is a more reliable 1-4 overall, and 0-2 on the road. In just two games, the Knights are a clean 2-0 against the spread.</p>
<p>Southern Miss has won the last four meetings, including a one-point win in Hattiesburg, Miss., last season.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/ucf-knights-news/2012/10/11/3489712/southern-miss-vs-ucf-2012-odds-golden-knights-are-now-heavy-favoritesSteven Godfrey2012-10-10T15:24:28-04:002012-10-10T15:24:28-04:00Starks named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
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<p>The Miami Dolphins defensive lineman has turned into an interception machine - at least for a DL, that is</p> <p><span>Randy Starks</span> was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his keen ball-hawking, as the Miami Dolphin recorded three tackles, half a sack, two pass defenses and recorded his third interception in two years. That's not much of a stat for defensive backs, but Starks is a defensive lineman, and with his third pick now has more in a two-season span than anyone other DL in the NFL.</p>
<p>He's the first <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> lineman to get the honor since <span>Jason Taylor</span> way back in 2006, and Starks is anchoring a Dolphins defense that's quietly become impressive. Miami has a league best rushing defense (61 yards allowed per game).</p>
<p>The honor <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-randy-starks-named-afc-defensive-player-of-the-week-20121010,0,4925316.story">didn't surprise Jeff Fisher</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> head coach, who will face off against Miami this week, noted that Starks has always been a breakout player, going back to his days when he played for Fisher's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>:</p>
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<p>"We thought Randy had a great deal of potential. We drafted him fairly high and Randy did a nice job for us,’’ said Fisher, who coached the Titans and Starks for the first four years of his nine-year career.</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/miami-dolphins-news/2012/10/10/3484840/randy-starks-miami-dolphins-afc-awardSteven Godfrey2012-10-10T14:54:44-04:002012-10-10T14:54:44-04:00Local media blasts FSU leadership after loss
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<p>A local media outlets blasts FSU from the top down after the Seminoles' loss to N.C. State, and no one in leadership positions is spared.</p> <p>Florida State seems to enjoy an annual push from fans, pundits and the media with claims every September the Seminoles are "back" in the national title picture. Shortly thereafter the 'Noles drop a game in ACC play -- usually to a far inferior opponent -- and the backlash, fueled by embarrassed proponents, is nasty.</p>
<p>Add the local media to that list this time around. The 2012 flop -- Saturday's 17-16 loss at N.C. State -- pushed <a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20121009/FSU03/310090024/1024/RSS10?nclick_check=1">Tallahassee.com's Jim Lamar</a> to lower the boom on head coach Jimbo Fisher and an allegedly complacent, hands-off leadership structure around the coach.</p>
<p>Here's a few choice cuts:</p>
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<p>This was an embarrassment. This was yet another dose of humiliation for a fan base that has been forced to swallow a lot of pride the last decade.</p>
<p>This is a loss that will not be easily forgotten – or forgiven.</p>
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<p>If that's the tone setter, it's hard to believe it gets more critical. You'd be wrong to assume that:</p>
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<p>FSU President Eric Barron has no interest in dipping his toes into athletic-department waters unless he’s forced to – as he was five months ago when Big 12 rumors began swirling.</p>
<p>That approach is admirable if you have an athletic director who has firm control of his department, but Randy Spetman is a lame-duck administrator whose one-year contract extension provides zero leverage to deal with major issues.</p>
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<p>Yikes. While the criticism ultimately revolves around Fisher and his decision making, Lamar seems to indict those at FSU as incapable of managing the football staff just as much as the play-callers themselves:</p>
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<p>Maybe this one loss will change everything. Maybe Fisher learns from the mistakes of Saturday night and makes the proper adjustments. Maybe he doesn’t.</p>
<p>Maybe he continues down the same path he’s going. Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe it works. Maybe it doesn’t.</p>
<p>But one thing is certain: The people on the FSU campus who you would expect to provide leadership in this situation will continue to watch from a safe distance to see if he succeeds or not.</p>
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<p>Check out the entire column <a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20121009/FSU03/310090024/1024/RSS10?nclick_check=1">here</a>.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-state-seminoles-news/2012/10/10/3484630/fsu-seminoles-2012-leadershipSteven Godfrey2012-10-09T15:45:13-04:002012-10-09T15:45:13-04:00Bucs still close to the bottom of Power Rankings
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<p>Tampa was off last week and couldn't do much to crawl out of the power rankings basement after three straight losses.</p> <p>The Tampa Bay Bucs spent Sunday on a bye, which means they couldn't do much to advance their cause in national power rankings. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/10/9/3478004/nfl-power-rankings-week-6-texans-falcons-49ers-ravens">SB Nation has them standing still from last week at No. 23 overall</a>:</p>
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<p>23. <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> (LW: 23, 1-3): The Bucs' point differential is minus-9. The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> are 3-2 and they're minus-4. Gotta close those tight games.</p>
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<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings">ESPN</a> has Tampa in the exact same spot, and apparently won't move the Bucs up until the offense improves:</p>
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<p>We need to see improvement from <span>Josh Freeman</span> and the offense following the team's bye week.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000078850/article/nfl-power-rankings-week-6-packers-drop-bears-rejoin-top-five?module=HP11_cp">The NFL Network</a> has the Bucs a spot lower at No. 24, and foreshadow more problems on the horizon:</p>
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<p>Tampa Bay was on a bye last week, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. The Bucs have lost three in a row, most recently blowing a late lead to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Redskins</a> in the waning moments at home. A huge problem has been the back seven's inability to get receivers' butts on the ground. The defense has allowed 625 yards after the catch, second only to the awful <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a> defense.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings">CBS</a> has Tampa the lowest, at No. 27, and with a jab at head coach Greg Schiano's infamous "kneel-down" defense:</p>
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<p>Wonder what Greg Schiano made his players do during the bye? Work, probably.</p>
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<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QXedHGGAbfY?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/10/9/3480098/nfl-power-rankings-week-6-tampa-bay-buccaneersSteven Godfrey2012-10-09T13:30:59-04:002012-10-09T13:30:59-04:00Gators search for punt return solutions
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Florida is undefeated, but worried an inconsistent punt return unit could cost them big.</p> <p>Will Muschamp is concerned about the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida Gators</a>' return game, specifically in punt situations. UF is averaging only 13.4 yards a return through five games and haven't settled on a permanent returner. Redshirt junior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87447/andre-debose" class="sbn-auto-link">Andre Debose</a> and sophomore <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131898/de-ante-saunders" class="sbn-auto-link">De'Ante Saunders</a> have both failed to grab the job after decision-making gaffes. As the Gainesville Sun reports, it's an area the coaching staff is aware must improve immediately:</p>
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<p>"We need drastic improvement," UF coach Will Muschamp said Monday. "We've worked on fielding the punts and not losing yardage in those precious situations. We cannot afford to continue to do that. That's something we've addressed and obviously haven't done a good job."</p>
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<p>Muschamp qualified that it's a position that's extremely difficult mentally, as multiple decisions have to be made quickly, and that Will Muschamp, former Georgia football player, never managed to accomplish:</p>
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<p>"It's one of the toughest deals (in football). I never did it."</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-gators-news/2012/10/9/3479528/florida-gators-2012-kick-returnSteven Godfrey2012-10-09T12:59:00-04:002012-10-09T12:59:00-04:00Bucs want Dallas Clark more involved in offense
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<p>The former Colts All-Pro is healthy and adding a veteran attitude in Tampa, but he has only nine receptions so far in 2012.</p> <p><span>Dallas Clark</span> was brought to Tampa Bay in 2012 by new head coach Greg Schiano and company to help instill a little veteran discipline in the locker room, but also to catch passes. <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/buccaneers-think-of-ways-to-use-tight-ends-more/1255494">As the Tampa Times reports,</a> Clark's a model pro but needs to be incorporated more into the passing game of <span>Josh Freeman</span>:</p>
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<p>"I think Dallas has had a big impact on our organization (off the field)," Schiano said. "On the field, I'm sure he'd like some more touches. Hopefully that'll happen.</p>
<p>"You can make it happen, but at what cost? You need to run the offense, and as we start exposing other areas, Dallas won't get as much attention. So, I think it kind of feeds off one another."</p>
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<p>The 32-year-old former Indianapolis Colt has battled a variety of injuries in recent years but is healthy at the moment and the recipient of only nine of Freeman's 65 completions thus far. Tight ends have only accounted for 11 total receptions for the Bucs. For his part, Clark doesn't seem miffed:</p>
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<p>"Whatever (coaches) want to do, that's what we need to be ready for," he said.</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers/2012/10/9/3479316/dallas-clark-2012-fantasy-footballSteven Godfrey2012-10-08T14:28:28-04:002012-10-08T14:28:28-04:00Florida returns to the national title conversation
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<p>The Gators arrive the week that Florida State stumbles again in conference road play.</p> <p>The "official" BCS Standings aren't out yet, but they're only "official" because, you know, they're the sole component relied on to select two teams to play for the national title. That's all, though, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/10/8/3471754/bcs-standings-2012-week-7-south-carolina-west-virginia-florida">SB Nation has an officially unofficial set of BCS standings</a>, if they were officially issued today.</p>
<p>The bad news in Florida? Florida State has dropped from a national title player to a has-been with just one loss, plummeting to No. 15.</p>
<p>The good news? The Gators are skyrocketing, thanks to a huge upset of LSU that helped define Will Muschamp's career and return Florida to the national title conversation for the first time in the post-Tebow era. Sayeth SB Nation's experts:</p>
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<p>5. Florida – The Ol' Ball Coach's new team stands in the Gators' way of their return to glory. By the way, Florida's last four coaches are a combined 16-0 this season, if Ron Zook hasn't found a way to lose in the CBS Sports studio.</p>
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<p>Don't get too excited, UF fans, the gauntlet continues, as the Gators face South Carolina and Georgia in back-to-back weeks to close out October.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-gators-news/2012/10/8/3474612/simulated-bcs-rankings-week-7-floridaSteven Godfrey