A video making the rounds this morning shows Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer confronting Jeremy Fowler, a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, after Fowler wrote an article about how the SEC powerhouse was moving on after Tim Tebow.In the video, Meyer threatens Fowler's access because he -- wait for it -- correctly quoted one of Meyer's players.On Monday, Fowler had spoken with wide receiver Deonte Thompson on the differences between the departed Tebow and the man who will fill his role, John Brantley."You never know with Tim," Thompson said. "You can bolt, you think he's running but he'll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything's with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback."Meyer, apparently, was not a fan."You'll be out of practice -- you understand that? -- if you do that again," he said to Fowler. "I told you five years ago: Don't mess with our players. Don't do it. You did it. You do it one more time and the Orlando Sentinel's not welcome here ever again. Is that clear? It's yes or no."He didn't stop there, threatening hypothetical violence."If that was my son, we'd be going rounds,'' Meyer said.You'll remember that Urban Meyer intended to resign after the Gators' appearance in the Sugar Bowl last season, then decided instead to take a leave of absence in an effort to keep his stress levels down.Just a thought, but berating a reporter probably isn't the best way to do that.Admittedly, we don't have the total history here, but at first glance, Meyer comes off looking a little silly going after a reporter for reporting things correctly.
Florida Gators WR Deonte Thompson sounds happy to usher in post-Tebow eraposted by jeremy fowler on March, 22 2010 6:57 PMJunior Deonte Thompson knows his first two years in the Florida offense haven’t lived up to his promise as one of the country’s top prep receivers out of Belle Glade.So excuse Thompson’s optimism, especially with a new pass-happy quarterback.“Lot of things didn’t go the way as planned,” Thompson said. “Things are going to get better here in the future. Any receiver would be happy. You have a guy like (John) Brantley throwing the ball, spreading it around to everybody.”For all Tim Tebow’s accomplishments, he didn’t exactly spread the ball around during his final year in Gainesville. And no receiver suffered more than Thompson, who finished the year with 24 catches for 343 yards and four touchdowns.ThompsonDeonteSenior wide receiver Riley Cooper and tight end Aaron Hernandez accounted for 119 of last year’s 249 available receptions, leaving 11 offensive playmakers to fend for the other 130.When asked if he was under utilized, Thompson thought for a second before saying “I wouldn’t say that.”New quarterback John Brantley is what Thompson calls a “pure passer,” which makes him happy. The two have connected on thousands of passes the last three years in practice, Thompson said.“You never know with Tim,” Thompson said. “You can bolt, you think he’s running but he’ll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything’s with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback.”Thompson’s comment was either intentional or he meant to say Brantley’s a more conventional style of quarterback.I’ve received plenty of feedback Tuesday from Thompson supporters vouching for the guy. I’ve interviewed Thompson numerous times in the past and he never said anything inflammatory.Either way, Thompson’s ready to be the top receiver for Florida.“I’ve been ready,” Thompson said. “Somebody’s got to. Why not me, right?…It feels like a fresh start.”The only way to capitalize on a fresh start is through grunt work, and new wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni likes what he sees of Thompson so far.“He knows he hasn’t lived up to the billing,” Azzanni said. “That’s what’s great about him. He’s humbled. He’s let his guard down. Coach, coach me. I want to catch all the balls I might not have caught in the fall. I want to run better routes. What do I need to do?”
Jeremy Fowler: Why Urban Meyer says I’m a “bad guy”posted by jeremy fowler on March, 24 2010 8:25 PMFor decades, coaches have ripped reporters for stories they didn’t like. It comes with the territory when you’re a reporter.After Wednesday’s Florida Gators practice, it was my turn to catch Urban Meyer’s ire.“If that was my son, we’d be going at it right now,” said Urban Meyer, pointing his finger and singling me out in front of about 15 or 20 reporters gathered after Wednesday’s practice.First, some background. Wide receiver Deonte Thompson on Monday talked about the difference between Tim Tebow and John Brantley, how receivers can benefit from Brantley’s pass-happy game. Here was his quote in its entirety:“You never know with Tim,” Thompson said. “You can bolt, you think he’s running but he’ll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything’s with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback.”Other reporters heard the quote, maybe eight or nine in total, and a couple used it in a story. I wrote about it briefly in the paper, and, on this blog, attempted to provide additional context.The “real quarterback” quote suggests, at least on paper, that he could be taking a slight at Tebow. Maybe not. Most fellow reporters say Thompson didn’t rip Tebow.The quote, of course, blew up nationally.Players were not available after practice, but instead of coming to field questions about the workout, Meyer beelined toward me.He was coming to defend Thompson.He was coming to tell me I’m a “bad guy.”“You’ll be out of practice — you understand that? — if you do that again,” said Meyer, while a couple of spectators still sat in the stands. “I told you five years ago: Don’t mess with our players. Don’t do it. You did it. You do it one more time and the Orlando Sentinel’s not welcome here ever again. Is that clear? It’s yes or no.” (finger pointing toward the face)“Urban, come on. Don’t make any threats,” I said. “That’s fine. I’ll play by rules. But all I was doing is quoting the guy. I don’t think I was the only one.”“You’re a bad guy, man,” Meyer said. “You’re a bad guy.”After Meyer made the comment about what he would do if Thompson was his son and told me to “be very careful,” he located his daughter, Nicki, who was 20 yards away. Seconds later, they both turned in our direction and Meyer pointed toward me.Meyer greeted players for about 20 minutes and was escorted out of the practice facility in a white truck from the back end of the practice facility, not the main exit where the media stood.This story is already out there, so I just figured I’d present my side. Coaches get mad, so they approach reporters about it. I get that. A reporter’s probably not doing his or her job without getting blasted once in awhile.But maybe Meyer felt like making a statement. Considering Meyer is a guy who is trying to suppress his stress level, his doctors probably would have frowned on today’s incident.Meyer has not addressed the media for interviews since last Wednesday. Players and coaches are currently off limits until further notice.I will be at Friday’s practice, with questions ready.
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