Football season is upon us and, once again, Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators field a team with national championship aspirations. While they'll only admit to setting their sights on an SEC crown, a BCS bid would likely go hand in hand with that accomplishment.

Last year, only one year removed from winning the second national championship in school history, the Gators (9-4) had what, by their standards, could be considered a disappointing season. While featuring a quarterback who had arguably the most productive season in college football history, the Gators were still saddled with several weaknesses, including a porous and inexperienced secondary and an inconsistent rushing attack.

The 2008-9 season brings another year of promise to the Gainesville faithful as the Tim Tebow-led Florida Gators have as good a chance as anyone to bring home a conference and potentially national title.

Quarterbacks: Tim Tebow has become the poster boy for college football. After a record-setting season in which he became the first quarterback to both rush and throw for twenty touchdowns, Tebow is in position to become only the second player behind Ohio State's Archie Griffin to win back-to-back Heisman trophies. Such a task will not be easy. Not only will he continue to have a target on his back, he likely will not have the carries he did last year. Nor will Coach Meyer want to keep him in harm's way. With seemingly unlimited options in the backfield, Tebow will see decreased carries and likely an increase in pass attempts. Redshirt Freshman John Brantley are Cameron Newton continue to battle for the back-up role with Brantley leading the way ever so slightly. Neither should see serious playing time unless Tebow gets hurt or the Gators hold a considerable lead in any given contest.

Backfield: The Gator backfield may be as talented and as deep as it's ever been. Florida features speed, speed and more speed. And with Meyer's lack of tolerance for the fumble, he will look to platoon whoever can hold on to the football until deciding on a feature back. With Percy Harvin still recovering from an ankle injury, USC transfer Emmanuel Moody will likely get the bulk of the carries. However, with Kestahn Moore, Mon Williams, the lightning quick Chris Rainey and even Brandon James, Meyer and Tebow will have a full arsenal of weapons from which to choose. The question is not whether they'll be able to score, but whether they'll be able to control enough clock after consistently running past their opponents.

Receiving Corps: Florida was dealt a blow when they lost Cornelius Ingram to injury, but as is the case at most big play positions, Florida simply reloads. Aaron Hernandez and Tate Casey will catch the bulk of the passes from the tight end position and Louis Murphy is ready to step into the role as senior leader of the wide receivers. With an ailing Percy Harvin, Meyer will either have to get imaginative or hope that some of his youth will step up to contribute some big plays.

Offensive Line: The Gators stand 6'3" to 6'6" and weigh 310 lbs across the board. Phil Trautwein, Jason Watkins and Jim Tartt are all seniors and twin brothers Mike and Maurkice Pouncey shore up the rest of the line. Tim Tebow is tough enough to bring down as it is. With that amount of protection, he should have plenty of time to hit his wide open speedsters.

Defense: Much is expected out of sophomore defensive end Carlos Dunlap. He played like a man possessed in this spring's Orange and Blue game, leading the team with four sacks. With the departure of Derrick Harvey, junior DE Jermaine Cunningham, Jr. will provide Florida with some well-needed experience. Similarly, junior linebackers Dustin Doe and Brandon Spikes will be forces to reckon with. Spikes led the Gators with 131 tackles in 2007. If there is any area in which the Gators need to improve, however, it is their secondary. The 2006-7 national championship defense set the bar high, which last year's youth as of yet has failed to live up to. Even with another year under their belt, the secondary is still young. Wondy Pierre-Louis is the only junior. Sophomore Joe Haden shores up the other side of the field. Safety Major Wright proved to be a hard hitter last season but the coaching staff will still be looking for marked improvement. While the Gators finished first in the SEC in rushing defense last year, they ranked dead last in passing yards allowed per game. If the defense is at all able to convert turnovers into touchdowns, with their already potent offense, the Gators should be a serious title contender.

Special Teams: The multi-purpose Brandon James once again highlights the Florida special teams. The 5'7" James is a highlight reel waiting to happen and is a threat to put six on the board every time he touches the ball. Kicker Jonathan Phillips is now a senior and sophomore punter Chas Henry was money in the bank last yeara€¦ that is when the Gators had to punt.

Schedule:

Aug 30 a€" Hawaii

Sep 6 a€" Miami

Sep 20 - @ Tennessee

Sep 27 a€" Ole Miss

Oct 4 a€" @ Arkansas

Oct 11 a€" LSU

Oct 25 a€" Kentucky (HC)

Nov 1 a€" Georgia (Jacksonville, FL)

Nov 8 - @ Vanderbilt

Nov 15 a€" South Carolina

Nov 22 a€" The Citadel

Nov 29 - @ Florida State

One familiar with Florida's traditional schedule will notice a few glaring changes. In-state rival, the University of Miami, is back on the schedule. UF hasn't beaten Miami since 1985 and will be looking to exact decades of revenge against a rebuilding Miami team.

Traditionally, Florida would schedule two cupcake teams before their conference opener against Tennessee. This year, they have scheduled a bye the week before that contest. They have additionally abandoned their October of doom, deciding to mix in a home game instead of a month of consecutive road games that usually resulted in at least one loss. Their conference road schedule is favorable, traveling only to Knoxville, Fayetteville and Nashville. The Florida/Georgia game is held in Jacksonville at a neutral site. As always, Florida finishes its season against the Seminoles.

Outlook: While no SEC schedule can be considered easy, the Gators' is not overly intimidating. If they can escape a tough match-up in Knoxville, they shouldn't be seriously be tested until Georgia, assuming they can handle LSU in the Swamp. The Gator offense, which finished third in the nation in scoring last year with 42.5 point per game, should put up similar numbers, meaning their defense just needs to be functional. Even with number one Georgia ranked in their division, with this amount of talent, anything less than an appearance in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game, will considered a disappointment for this Florida team.

Why Team USA Almost Lost....

Defense: Going into these Olympic games, there were a few basic concerns for Team USA on the defensive end. How would an undersized US team defend the post with only one and a half centers ( Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh) and how would they effectively defend the perimeter against hot shooting European or Latin American teams? In the gold medal game against Spain, Team USA's defense was horrific. While this team had gotten progressively better defensively throughout the Olympics, Team USA allowed Spain to shoot over 60% from the floor in the first half. Marc Gasol was having his way on the inside. Spain repeatedly ran alley-oop, pick and rolls which the U.S. was unable to stop. Juan Carlos Navarro scored at will with running jump shots, breaking down whoever was covering him. And future NBAer Rudy Fernandez, 7-13 from the floor, looked like he could have started for the Americans. In the final game, rather than rely on their defense, which to date had been their staple, Team USA counted on their offense to bail them out.

Kobe Bryant: Kobe Bryant, arguably the greatest player in the league, was saddled with foul trouble, picking up two fouls in the first quarter against Spain. In the second half with the game on the line, Kobe, rather than driving the lane, more often than not relied on his perimeter jump shot. While Kobe's box score might not necessarily reflect a poorly played game, there were several times late in the game when Kobe settled for ill-advised jump shots. Long ones. While he ultimately proved to be the hero by hitting key baskets late, those could easily have gone the other way.

Size/Rebounding: Late in the game, Coach K opted to play Chris Bosh over a relatively ineffective Dwight Howard. Late in the second half, Marc Gasol shoved the considerably lighter Bosh to the ground like a rag doll without a foul being called. Team Spain easily out-rebounded the Americans 37-31 and was much more effective on the interior. Going in to the games, the U.S. knew size would be a problem. Dwight Howard, who looked like the second coming of Patrick Ewing in this year's playoffs, was held scoreless in the first half against Spain.

Jump Shooting: As noted earlier, Kobe Bryant often took some ill-advised jump shots. LeBron James did as well. Despite a shorter three-point line, Team USA was relatively ineffective from the perimeter in the Olympic Games. When the US drove to the basket, a la Dwyane Wade in the gold medal game, then kicked it out, they shot a much higher percentage. Team USA had 28 three-point attempts in the final game. Had they made any fewer than 13 of those, Spain would have been breathing down their necks more than they already were. The three-pointers were much more effective off dribble penetration, not off isolation play.

Isolation: Team USA relied upon their athleticism to best their opponent. While the Spaniards ran a more motion-oriented offense, setting pick and rolls, resulting in easy baskets, the Americans would go possession after possession after possession without even setting a screen. Their final game was in many ways emblematic of what's wrong with the NBA. Too many isolation, take-your-man-off-the-dribble plays, too little passing and too few pick and rolls. The Americans' one-on-one game nearly cost them the gold.

Spain: Team Spain was good. Very good. And although Bill Walton pointed out that of the seven NBA players on Team Spain would not have made the US roster, Team Spain was still loaded with talent. They played as good as could be expected, almost good enough to beat Team USA. Rudy Fernandez will add a nice element to an up-and-coming Portland Trailblazer team and 17-year old Ricky Rubio will eventually be an welcome addition to whatever NBA team drafts him when he becomes eligible. Team Spain's coaching staff had a great game plan against the Americans. With Jose Calderon out to do injury, their backups repeatedly broke down Team USA's perimeter defense. They narrowed the American lead to only two points in the fourth quarter.

Why Team USA wona€¦..

Dwyane Wade: One blogger (mistakenly) listed Wade as one of the top five most overrated players in the league. This is the same Dwyane Wade who only years ago won Finals MVP in leading the Miami Heat to a title. Coming off the bench, Wade kept Team USA in the lead when Bryant and James were on the bench in foul trouble. Wade drove the lane allowing that to set up his perimeter game. He is arguably the third best player on this team. While Bryant received much of the glory with his late-game performance, it was Wade who led the team in scoring with twenty-seven points. When it mattered most, Wade kept the Americans in the game, scoring on his first seven attempts. Saddled with injuries for much of the 2007-8 season, Wade proved he's back to form and one of the toughest covers in the league. Miami will gladly welcome him back this year as he proved he's one of the best players in the game.

Coaching: While Coach K and staff may not have been overly effective in encouraging his players to run the pick-and-roll, they did preach team unity. Coach K openly ranked the honor of coaching USA basketball over his three national titles with Duke. As Wade pointed out, the coaching staff reminded them that the name on the back of the jersey was not as important as the three letters on the front. He convinced Team USA to put their egos aside, not an easy thing to do among NBA athletes. His rotations and substitutions were consistently appropriate. While Chuck Daly led the original Dream Team to a gold medal without ever calling a timeout, in 2008, international talent has clearly caught up to the modern American game. Coach K was unquestionably the right man for the job.

Unity: Seeing Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo, Wade and Dwight Howard giggle gleefully after the victory told fans everything they needed to know about the makeup of this team. They put aside NBA team rivalries, understanding that they were on the court as one nation, eager to prove that the NBA's brand of basketball was the best on the planet. Seeing them all step up to the gold medal podium, arms intertwined, is a credit to both them and the coaching staff. They kept their eyes on the prize and represented their country with class, pride and dignity.

Composure: Team USA knew Spain (and Argentina) would stoop at nothing to get inside their heads. Spain was extremely physical. Marc Gasol was a terror on the interior. The game got chirpy to say the least. While Spain did their best to disrupt the American's game plan, Team USA maintained their composure and it paid off in gold.

Depth: In what world would Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams come off the bench? Not even on the interplanetary team would Chris Paul not start at point guard. While international teams went to their bench to inferior talent, Team USA simply reloaded. It showed when Wade came in and scored at will while James and Bryant were forced to sit against Spain. When Carlos Boozer and Michael Redd get limited minutes, rest assured that was a deep team.

Kobe Bryant: While Kobe may have settled for ill-advised jump shots late in the game, he ultimately showed why he is the fiercest competitor in the NBA. Kobe's late game heroics were largely responsible for US gold. Throughout the games, Kobe defended the opposing teams most skilled guard. His four-point play against Spain simultaneously fouled out Rudy Fernandez while sealing the gold medal. He scored 20 points and added six assists in the final game.

Determination: Dubbed the 'Redeem Team,' these twelve Americans were not going to be denied. They wanted to put USA basketball back on the map as the best in the world. After a loss to Spain, the NBA would have lost a great bit of luster. Team USA would not let that happen. So Kudos to all those who committed to USA Basketball for the past several years for reminding all us basketball jones that we proudly boast the best players on the planet.

GO USA!!!

When the original Dream Team tore through the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, it was like the Beatles reunited. With the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Clyde Drexler suiting up, the team touted so much star power that opposing teams didn't mind getting drubbed by over forty points a game. Although a gold medal for Team USA was a forgone conclusion before the games even began, the team was still a joy to watch. It was arguably the greatest sports team ever assembled.

It became clear to marketing wizard David Stern that the NBA could significantly expand its fan base, and revenue, by actively promoting itself overseas. As fans worldwide became more enamored with the game, the NBA soon found out that young Americans were not the only ones who wanted to 'be like Mike.'

At that point, international competition paled in comparison to the American version. In the 1980s and early 1990s, foreign players in the NBA were few and far between. There was Detlef Schrempf, Drazen Petrovic, Rik Smits, Sarunas Marciulionus and of course, Hakeem Olajuwon. While these players were all talented, Hakeem was the only foreign player to have a significant impact on the league, having won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in the mid-1990s.

Fast forward to the present-day NBA and find a dramatically different league overrun with international talent. Three of the last four MVP award-winners were foreign-born (Nash in 2004-5; 2005-6 and Nowitzki 2006-7). Tim Duncan, born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has four NBA titles. Manu Ginobili (Argentina) and Tony Parker (France) were alongside for three of them. Andrew Bogut (Australia), Andrea Bargnani (Italy), Michael Olowokandi (Nigeria) and Yao Ming (China) were all number one draft picks.

In the past, there were few, if any, Latin players. And zero Asian players. Now the league features possibly the most recognizable athlete in the world in Yao Ming. International competition has proven it is currently on par with the Americans. The game has truly become global.

To date, the league has benefited from the influx. Until now.

The NBA has recently seen one of its players leave overseas. Former Atlanta Hawk Josh Childress recently made news when he announced he was signing with the Greek professional team, Olympiakos, for three years and twenty million dollars. While Childress is far from a big name and has largely failed to live up to his potential, other athletes of note have also opted for international waters. University of Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings decided to join the Italian professional league instead of going to college. And during the recent Beijing Olympics, both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have hinted that they would at least entertain the idea of playing overseas if the offer was on the table. There was talk of international teams dangling as much as $50 million to top tier athletes to woo them overseas.

The NBA has a rich tradition and is currently in great shape. Despite still struggling with image issues, this year's Lakers-Celtics Finals garnered the highest ratings in recent memory. The league's talent and star power are arguably at an all-time high. The NBA still features the greatest basketball players in the world. That being said, could the league survive an exodus of one of its biggest names?

This is not the first time the NBA faced competition from a rival league. In the 1970s, the ABA gave the NBA a run for its money. The ABA was able to pay more for college athletes and landed such big names as Rick Barry, Louie Dampier, George Gervin, Connie Hawkins, Spencer Haywood and of course, Julius Erving. Since the ABA was able to throw more money at young college stars, the NBA had difficulty competing for the nation's best college athletes, often losing out. Many considered the ABA's talent on a par with, if not better than, the NBA. Ultimately, the NBA won over and forced the ABA to merge. Yet, the ABA offered players something the NBA could not. International leagues may be poised to do the same.

The NBA's salary cap, which is adjusted every year, does not allow for a team to sign one player anything close to what certain international leagues are rumored to be offering. The entire team salary cap for the 2008-9 season will be $58.68 million, nowhere close to the purported $50 mil Olympiakos wants to offer King James. And while most star athletes make up for their (lack of) league salary through endorsements, what's to say those same deals would not exist abroad. After all, McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Nike all do fairly well overseas.

While players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James might yearn to be considered the best to ever play the game, accomplishing that feat now means having to win six NBA titles a la Michael Jordan. Accomplishing that with the parity in the league these days is a near impossibility. Most scoring titles are out of reach as well. Kareem Adbul Jabbar is the league's leading scorer after playing for twenty seasons. He also holds six MVP trophies. Both those records are likely unattainable considering LeBron hasn't won one yet and Kobe just won his first.

So what is a player's incentive to remain in the NBA? The league's rich tradition? The hopeless quest to chase the legacy of Michael Jordan? Dealing with a commissioner who won't allow them to wear a hat backwards or play basketball until completing two years of college? Kobe and LeBron owe the league nothing. If anything, the league owes them for its success. Remember, even Michael took two years off from the league to pursue other endeavors. Television ratings dropped as a result.

The league potentially has a serious problem on its hands. Forget Brett Favre leaving the Packers. If Kobe Bryant were to leave the NBA, that would be the sports story of the decade. We're not talking about a veteran player opting to finish his career elsewhere. We're talking about one of the greatest talents the game has ever seen thumbing his nose at the league in his prime. It would serve as a harsh reminder to most ethnocentric Americans that our brand is not the best, or at least we can't afford it.

David Stern will soon be faced with some difficult choices. It is now Stern who will have to make adjustments, and the NCAA and/or multinational corporations may have to be involved. Athletes are free to do as they please, unless they're locked in to a contract, which LeBron won't be in 2010. This is a huge bargaining chip for the players' union. While the NBA has pushed for a franchise overseas, Stern may have to take a closer look at how the league now interacts with rival international leagues, possibly doing so on its own terms to ensure it does not cost them an exodus of talent. Although the Association is currently thriving, it can likely not cope, if even survive, if Kobe and/or LeBron James leave the league. Take a look at how PGA television ratings and attendance drop when Tiger Woods isn't on tour. While the NBA has more balanced star power and a more exciting product than the PGA, losing its biggest name(s) would undoubtedly have a devastating impact.

Of course, this could all just be talk. Those offers might not be on the table. Today's player might have a change of heart and realize that the NBA is where they belong, for it made them into the stars they are today. After all, there's loyalty in business, right? In the end, all it will take is one big signature on the dotted line to reverse all the good that Stern's international impetus has brought to the NBA.

We have been patient the entire summer and September means we are finally rewarded with footballa€¦ glorious football. This season brings new hope for thirty-two NFL teams and while San Diego, New England, Indianapolis and Dallas are overwhelming favorites to win a championship, the Giants proved last year that the Super Bowl winner can be anyone's guess.

AFC East: The chances the Patriots lose this division are about as good as George Bush becoming our next president. Although the Pats won their first eighteen games last year, this year they should come out with a chip on their shoulders after losing their last. The Dolphins begin the Bill Parcells era and the Bills are also loaded with question marks. Not much is expected from either of them. The Jets, however, will have a significantly new look. Brett Favre traded one green uniform for another and has decided to continue his career under center for the Jets. This move, at a minimum, will make a Patriots-dominated division slightly more interesting.

AFC North: The Browns finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they finished 10-6 and barely missed the playoffs. Traditional division rivals, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, both return strong teams. The Steelers should prove they're the class of the division while Bengal fans hope their team can finally live up to expectations. Their offense is as potent as any in the league, however, continued mediocrity will mean it's only a matter of time before Chad Johnson opens his mouth. The Ravens will continue their quarterback search and should reside near the bottom of the division.

AFC South: Indianapolis is once again the favorite to win this division, however, the Jaguars remain a worthy adversary. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, Peyton Manning is still a Colt. With all four teams in the division finishing .500 or better last season, the Titans and Texans have proven they will not go quietly. Titan fans want to see how Vince Young, entering his third season, will lead this team while the expansion Houston Texans can no longer be considered a bye.

AFC West: Could this finally be the Chargers year? They cleared a major post-season hurdle last year by winning in Indianapolis, but came up short against New England. The Chargers should win this division but Denver, Kansas City and Oakland stand in their way. Denver, 7-9 last year, had their most disappointing season in recent memory and look to return to their usual form. Kansas City should be improved but is still rebuilding. A young Oakland Raiders team led by JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden could turn some heads.

NFC East: Long considered the most competitive division in football, this season should prove no exception. The Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins all have the talent to win their division, if not the Super Bowl. While Dallas is the prohibitive favorite, the Giants want to prove they're no one-hit wonder. The Redskins look to new head coach, Jim Zorn, and young quarterback Jason Campbell to lead the way. Philadelphia still led by Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will try to return to Super Bowl form.

NFC North: This division will have a different look this year with Brett Favre no longer in Green Bay. As Aaron Rodgers takes his place, rest assured his every move will be scrutinized. Minnesota hopes Adrian Peterson can build upon his successful rookie campaign. Chicago still has quarterback issues and could be a long way away from solving them. Detroit has a talented roster but after predicting a ten-win season last year, Jon Kitna remained conspicuously quiet this summer.

NFC South: While NFC East teams stage weekly battles for division supremacy, the NFC South rivalries pale in comparison. While Tampa Bay won the division last year, the Saints are likely to rebound from a sub-par season, pending a healthy Deuce McAllister. The Panthers, only four seasons removed from a Super Bowl, try to figure out how things have gone wrong. The Falcons begin life after Michael Vick and will look to their future, Matt Ryan, to lead the way.

NFC West: Seattle, sans Shaun Alexander, embark upon their last season under coach Mike Holmgren. While this could be the season fans finally see the Arizona Cardinals live up to their potential, Matt Leinart will have to put down the beer bong first. In San Francisco, the Alex Smith experiment continues as RB Frank Gore remains the star of the offense. St Louis will look to rebound from a year where they were unable to keep any opponent out of the end zone.

I was spending time at my special lady friend's house not all that long ago. She had family and friends in town visiting from Columbus, Ohio (yes, Gator dates Buckeyea€¦ riots ensue). While watching television, one of her younger houseguests was having difficulty recalling the name of "that heavyset guy" that used to be on Saturday Night Live way back in the day. She was in her early 20s, so I figured she couldn't possibly be talking about John Belushi, although he was the first person that came to mind. I blurted out the other obvious answer, Chris Farley, to which she responded 'Oh Yeah!'

Suddenly, I felt old. I thought to myself, had it been that long ago that Farley was on SNL (1990-95) and is this generation even familiar with Belushi's humor as one the Not Ready For Prime Time Players.

I'm 40 years old now. I am from New York City and was weaned on the original Saturday Night Live. There was nothing like staying up late as a kid and watching Roseanne Rosannadanna, Belushi's samurai, Bill Murray's lounge singer, Chico Escuela, Mr. Bill, the land shark and of course, two wild and crazy guys. As a child, I met Gilda Radner once and was awestruck. Of course, later generations of SNL featured their own unique brand of talent too, from Eddie Murphy to the later generations of Myers, Sandler, Farley, Hartman and Rock. For me, that was a golden era of comedy. I look fondly back on those times. Without sounding like an old fuddy-duddy, today's version can't hold a candle. It kind of makes me long for the days of old.

Which is why I can't fault Brett Favre for his decision to return to football. These athletes that we write about, particularly the elite, are like no creatures we'll ever truly understand. They are the best of the best and as we've seen over the years, have difficulty hanging them up when their time has come. How many athletes, guys as tough as nails, have we seen break down into tears, sobbing like newborn babies at their retirement press conferences? One need only recollect a glassy-eyed Mike Schmidt or John Elway at the podium, reaching unsuccessfully for that next word with their hearts in their throats.

The most successful businessmen, scientists and doctors can practice their chosen profession until late in life. Bill Gates is 52. Mick Jagger is 65 and he's still working. Heck, even John McCain is 71. Professional athletes aren't afforded that luxury. The physical, psychological and emotional anguish is too demanding.

We've seen a bunch of them do it, the best of the best, retire then yearn to return. Montana, Namath, Jim Brown, Magic, Leonard, Foreman, Holyfield, Jordana€¦ twice. It's getting so that the ones who say goodbye and don't look back a la Koufax or Barry Sanders are the exception rather than the rule. We criticize athletes for leaving in their prime as if they owe us something more, yet we also blame them for wanting to return to the game without fully understanding what's in their hearts and minds. We may never know. The majority of us will never be as good at anything as these men were at their chosen profession. We crave a storyblog ending, but life isn't always a fairytale.

Could Favre have handled his current situation better? Of course he could have. But think about it. There's no conceivable way Favre could leave the Packers organization on good terms. There's no such thing as an amicable breakup. This is about a man who rebuilt a franchise and a franchise who made the man. The two will always be inexorably linked, regardless of what uniform he dons next. It was bound to end ugly no matter how it went down. I cannot fault Favre for wanting one last shot as long as he's prepared to deal with the consequences. Unless he suits up for either the Pats, Colts, Chargers or Cowboys, he likely will not win a Bowl and those teams are already pretty well set at the quarterback position.

Favre obviously still has his demons, something left to prove. It is likely something none of us can understand. Remember that next time someone asks you, fifteen years from now who 'that guy' was that used to play quarterback for Green Bay. The answer he's looking for must might just be Aaron Brooks.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics is upon us and decorated swimmer Michael Phelps is not the only recognizable American hoping to return home with gold. There are twelve other American athletes, the men who comprise Team USA Basketball, who this time travel to China with a chip on their shoulders, for they are no longer considered the best in their sport. On August 10th, Team USA Basketball officially begins their quest for Olympic gold, a shot at redemption and the right to once again proclaim that America's brand of basketball is the best on the planet.

Over the past eight years, Americans have been flat out embarrassed in international competition. Team USA finished sixth in the 2002 World Championship. They finished 3rd in both the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Championships. Despite underachieving recently, Team USA is once again considered the favorite to win the gold medal. By all accounts, they should live up to those expectations. This team and coaching staff, under the guidance of Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, was assembled differently than in years past, embracing a team concept over emphasis on the individual superstar. While this current 'Dream Team' still features Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, only one player on this roster, Jason Kidd, owns a gold medal, hopefully leaving eleven more with the desire to join him in that honor.

Under the leadership of head coach Mike Krzyzewksi, several factors, if used to their advantage, set up nicely for an American return to dominance, yet Team USA must not take any opponent lightly. Not only will anything less than a gold medal be a tremendous disappointment, it will also serve as a glaring reminder that the United States is no longer the epicenter of the basketball world.

Rules: While international rules are generally the same as the NBA, there are a few subtle differences that Team USA should be able to use to their advantage. International play is more physical than in the NBA. Hand-checking, long banished from the NBA, is allowed. Team USA will have to adjust to more physical play on the defensive end, particularly on the perimeter, while learning what is whistled and what is not. A return to perimeter hand-checking should help a stronger USA team if they practice it properly. They also can't get frustrated when covered in that fashion. While many American players may still be able to use their star power to warrant a foul call, Olympic officials will not stand for the temper tantrums for which most NBA players are known. Team USA must also be aware that traveling as it exists in the rule book will be strictly called. The extra step (or two) allowed by many an NBA referee will not be tolerated. Offensive goaltending, which is illegal in the NBA, is allowed in international play. If NBA players can become accustomed to reacting quickly to put-backs, not only can they take advantage of this rule, but emphatic dunks, in addition to the two points, will have a secondary effect of mesmerizing and demoralizing the opponents. Dwight Howard could have a heyday.

Jump-Shooting: The international three-point line is considerably closer to the basket than in the NBA (20 feet, 6 inches as opposed to 23 feet, 9 inches). This is enough to make jump shooters like Michael Redd salivate. Most anyone on Team USA can shoot from the perimeter. That being said, they must not fall in love with the jump shot. While undersized (Team USA features no seven-footers), the Americans must still use their strength and quickness to their advantage. While Team USA only has Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard in the post, they should still be able to work the inside-outside game to their advantage. A cold shooting Team USA settles for jumpers will lead to fastbreaks and if that's the case, Team USA better have their transition defense in order. Team USA shot 66% from the floor in their warm up against Canada, by blending a nice mix of post-up and perimeter play. While it's unlikely that the US can shoot that high a percentage from the floor against the remaining Olympic competition, a number relatively close to that should guarantee a gold medal

Point Guard Play: Jason Kidd is the only current player on this U.S. team to have a gold medal on his mantel. While many pundits questioned his invitation, his veteran presence has allowed him to become the team leader. As one of the game's premier point guards over the past decade, he has earned the respect of his teammates. While he'll likely not log the minutes of his more capable backups, Chris Paul and Deron Williams, it will be Kidd who starts the games and sets the tempo. Much like a starting pitcher sets up shop for the closers, Paul and Williams should close out what Kidd has starteda€¦ with flair. Against Canada, Coach K played both Paul and Williams at the same time. That lineup could definitely work, particularly against the speedier teams in competition. Paul and Williams have proven they are the next generation of NBA point guards and should be a load for any opposing perimeter defense. Paul and Williams must also play competent perimeter defense to shut opposing playmakers such as Spain's Jose Calderon. Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James might also likely see some time handling the ball.

Desire: If USA basketball's recent international woes are not enough to motivate this team, nothing will be. In 1992, when the original Dream Team of Michael, Magic and Larry took the floor, opponents were awestruck. Competitors were too busy asking for autographs to be concerned that they were being beaten by an average of fifty points per game. While scoring discrepancies of that magnitude are unlikely in this Olympics, the US team should be motivated enough to humiliate its opponents. After all, Team USA has been humiliated over the past eight years and turnabout is fair play. Team USA should have their game faces on. Anything less will be a total disappointment.

Coaching: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has assembled a talented group of coaches to assist him in bringing home the gold. Current Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni was an obvious selection because of his international experience. Portland Trailblazers coach Nate McMillan and Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim are also great basketball minds. These coaches should do fairly well at keeping this young team's eyes on the prize.

Size/rebounding: Team USA only features one true center: Dwight Howard. Chris Bosh will also share time on the low blocks, as will Carlos Boozer. Team USA will be undersized when they face Yao Ming and Team China in their opening game. Dwight Howard is still recovering from a fractured sternum, though by his accounts, he'll be ready to play. An aggravation to that injury, however, will leave Team USA center-less. Boozer, Bosh and Carmelo Anthony should all help with the rebounding load, and LeBron has been known to pull down his fair share. But Team USA will be at a disadvantage if opposing teams are successful pounding the ball inside and getting Team USA into foul trouble. Players are allotted five fouls only in Olympic play, not six as NBA players are accustomed to. The team USA frontcourt will have to learn how much physicality they'll be able to defend with while not getting themselves into foul trouble.

LeBron's health: The chosen one, LeBron James, is nursing a bum ankle but should likely be 100% come tournament time. Can Team USA win gold without a healthy LeBron? Likely. Will Team USA be much more entertaining to watch, as well as more intimidating with LeBron on the floor? Unquestionably.

Competition: Several teams should pose at least somewhat of a threat to Team USA. Team Germany features former league MVP Dirk Nowitzki. Team China features Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Team Australia boasts 2005 top draft pick, Andrew Bogut. Andrei Kirilenko suits up for Russia. But the Americans should be able to dispatch these teams with relative ease. The stiffest competition should come from either current gold medalists Argentina with Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni or Team Spain with Jose Calderon and Pau Gasol. Regardless, no team will have the depth and talent of Team USA. A well-coached and properly motivated American team should reestablish its international dominance and bring home the gold to its rightful owners.

Let's face it. When was the last time you talked about the WNBA, or even bothered to read a post about it? David Stern's decade-long project, known as the Women's National Basketball Association, has provided hundreds of female athletes with a means to professionally pursue their basketball careers. It has generated immeasurable interest among young females. However, it has also been subsidized by the NBA since its existence. While not entirely devoid of talent (the WNBA has seen the likes of Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Diana Taurasi and Lisa Leslie), most sports fans would rather watch paint dry than attend a WNBA game.

Rarely will highlights from the WNBA lead a sportscast, never mind be reported. That was until this week. In Tuesday night's Los Angeles Sparks a€" Detroit Shock game (yes, I had to look up the names of those two franchises), a brawl broke out involving both players and coaches. There hasn't been a good ruckus in Detroit in some time, so the fans were due.

Tempers had been flaring throughout the game. After a made Marie Ferdinand-Harris free throw, Plenette Pierson and league savior Candace Parker got entangled, with both of them hitting the ground shortly thereafter. Pierson then immediately got up and accosted the young Parker as she lay on the court. Ultimately, benches cleared, punches were thrown and players were ejected. Dare I say, more quality contact was made in this scuffle than in most NBA brawls.

Candace Parker, the former standout and two-time national champion at the University of Tennessee, is already the face of the league. She's attractive, plays in Los Angeles and to coin Dick Vitale, can flat out shoot the rock. She scored 34 points in her league debut back in May and could conceivably win both Rookie of the Year and league MVP awards. She leads the league in rebounding and is fifth in the league in scoring. All this means she has a target on her back. One would expect a touch of resentment in the league and it reared its ugly head Tuesday when Pierson 'welcomed' her into the WNBA.

In response to the fight, the league suspended ten players, as well as Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn, for their role in the fisticuffs. As expected, Pierson received the harshest suspension, four games, for instigating Artestly. The multiple suspensions will be staggered so that both teams have enough players to field a team over the next few games. It is worth noting that Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer, formerly of the Detroit 'Bad Boys' and no strangers to league suspensions, are on the Detroit coaching staff. Rick Mahorn now holds the distinction of being the only person suspended in both the NBA and WNBA.

Controversy surrounds Mahorn's role in breaking up the fight. Mahorn is 6-foot-10 and probably tips the scales at close to 300 lbs. In an attempt to separate some of the players involved, he placed his hands on Lisa Leslie who then fell backwards. As it seemed at first glance that Mahorn may have shoved Leslie, several of her teammates, including former Florida Gator DeLisha Milton-Jones came off the bench to throw punches at Mahorn. Mahorn, obviously did not retaliate and made every effort to help Leslie up after she fell backwards.

Should we be surprised that a fight ultimately broke out in the WNBA? After all, it is competition, woman's basketball at the highest professional level. Tempers and adrenaline run high, just as in any sport. Altercations break out in men's sports all the time. Why should women be exempt from adrenaline-infused poor judgment? The worst result of the fight came when Shock player Cheryl Ford left the game with a torn ligament in her knee, just for trying to break up the fight. She will miss the rest of the season. What's even more astounding is that head coach Bill Laimbeer will fill Detroit's vacant roster spot with 50 year old, basketball Hall-of-Famer, Nancy Lieberman. She used to COACH the Shock ten years ago!!! To put things in perspective, Magic Johnson isn't fifty yet.

Bottom line isa€¦ violence sells. Otherwise, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarznegger wouldn't be millionaires. Commissioner Stern has gone to great lengths to clean up the image of the NBA, particularly after the 2004 Malice at the Palace. However, a few more scuffles might just generate some interest in the women's league. Far be it from me to condone violence but isn't that the only reason people watch hockey?

The saying goes there's no such thing as bad publicity. The WNBA might just be a victim, or benefactor of such circumstance. The commissioner will likely continue to rule with a stern hand to avoid any future incidents, but there is no denying the scuffle brought attention to a sport that had been craving it.

I'm a man who likes options. Variety is the spice of life, I say. Sometimes I like steak for dinner, sometimes I prefer fish. Often I'm in the mood for a comedy, other times it's a drama or action film. The same can be said for my sports interests. Sometimes I like a fast-paced, up-tempo game. At other times, I can really sink my teeth into a good, defensive struggle.

That is why keeping the designated hitter in the American League is the right thing to do. Sports is (supposed to be) about the fans and the DH gives fans an option. Those who prefer more high-powered offense can tune in to watch the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels or Detroit. Those who prefer the old school, senior circuit way of manufacturing runs can opt for the National League.

To be perfectly honest, I grew up an American League guy. I'd rather watch paint dry than have to watch most National League pitchers hit. Half the time it looks like they're batting from the wrong side of the plate! To me, it's a lull in the game. Call me crazy, but watching Brandon Webb bat .158 is not my idea of a good time. Sure, it's impressive when the better hitting pitchers take the mound and still bat for average. But Babe Ruth was an anomaly.

For the most part, pitchers are horrific batters. Eons ago, when I played high school baseball, coaches separated the pitchers from the rest of the team at the beginning of the season. We never saw those guys unless they faced us on the mound. Pitchers practiced separately, had different stretches and workout routines, and rarely, if ever, took batting practice. That's because their position requires highly specified skills, one of which is NOT being relied upon for offense. Pitchers don't play every day like offensive players, so it's much more difficult for them to put the bat on the ball with regularity, never mind be relied upon for the occasional RBI.

Don't get me wrong. I don't condone designated hitters being unable to play a defensive position. That puts their team at a disadvantage. For example, if David Ortiz could not play a lick of first base, Terry Francona's options would be severely limited. Growing up a Red Sox fan, Boston had Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn, Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski. As a fan, I wanted to see all those guys in the lineup. One problem... there's not four outfield positions in baseball.

Major League Baseball originally established the designated hitter in 1973 to cure then struggling American League offenses. The 'position' has been in existence ever since. Has it made a difference? Of course. A.L. teams have consistently had higher team batting averages ever since the DH's inception. But has it dramatically changed the game? Probably not. No true designated hitter has ever won the Most Valuable Player award, although David Ortiz recently came close. And the position has prolonged the careers of Hall of Fame caliber athletes, allowing fans to see more of Bernie Williams, George Brett, Edgar Martinez and Paul Molitor.

The DH debate really breaks down to whether, as a fan, you were raised following a National or American League team. National league fans chastise the designated hitter position, saying it's not pure. Purists Shmurists! Johan Santana is batting .128. How pure is that?

Sure, managing a National League ballgame generally requires more creativity, double switches, timely substitutions and decision-making. However, you can't tell me that in inter-league play or the World Series, National League managers don't salivate at the opportunity to plug an extra bat into the lineup.

I like scoring. I'm a Red Sox fan. I'm an American League guy. Don't take a way my DH. Someone once said "baseball is a game of failure." Why worsen matters by making me watch Ben Sheets hit .098?

National League fans, I'd like to leave you with a few questions and I want you to answer honestly. Do you really enjoy watching pitchers hit? Or are you just opposed to the DH because it's not tradition? Early in the game, with runners in scoring position and two outs, wouldn't you rather have a more reliable hitter come to the plate instead of watching your pitcher swing and miss?

Hey, I'm not saying the National League should add the DH. I'm just saying leave things the way they are. There's nothing wrong with the two leagues being slightly different. I'll take my David Ortiz, Jim Thome and Gary Sheffield and you can have your Ted Lilly's .118 lifetime batting average. Enjoy the fireworks.

Invariably, if you attend any Buccaneers home game, you'll encounter pewter-clad fans donning jerseys of their favorite, hometown heroes, just as you would in any NFL stadium on any given Sunday around the county. In Tampa, without question, the most common jersey you'll run into is that of Mike Alstott, who for some reason appears to have become a sort of cult hero in the Bay Area. In fact, at a game I attended earlier this season, the Bucs had the ball first-and-goal, about to score, and an ornery fan behind me shouted out "PUT IN ALSTOTT!!!" Never mind that Alstott sat out the entire 2007 season with a neck injury. Maybe he hadn't gotten that memo. The "Put In Alstott" line at Raymond James has become akin to someone requesting that a band play "Free Bird" at your local dive bar.

But I digress.

Not long ago, Mike Alstott announced his retirement from the game of football due to the aforementioned, debilitating neck injury. And I wish him well. His off-the-field accomplishments in the Tampa Bay area are worthy of mention as the Michael Alstott Family Foundation has been extremely active in helping out local children in need. The A-Train was also significant part of the Buccaneers 2002-03 Super Bowl season, but let's please keep things in perspectivea€¦ so was Joe Jurevicious.

As a Buccaneers fan, I'm intrigued by the city's love affair with Mike Alstott. Do they not remember the countless, timely fumbles or how they aptly christened him Mike "All-Drop?" Alstott boasts 23 career fumbles on 1359 career carries. That totals to a fumble every 59 attempts, not exactly Hall of Fame material. In comparison, Warrick Dunn who ran alongside Alstott for five years fumbled the ball every 124 carries. Yes, Dunn is a more elusive runner and yes, Alstott ran between the tackles more. But so did Jerome Bettis, a sure-fire HOFer, who by comparison only fumbled the ball once every 160 carries. Yet I get this sneaky su####ion, Raymond James Stadium will hang Alstott's numbers in its rafters. The Bucs have retired only one number in their history, Lee Roy Selmon's # 63. Does Alstott's career warrant the same merit as 1979's all-defensive player of the year? Does Alstott's career even compare to what Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barder have contributed to the team over the years?

Yes, Mike Alstott is the leading all-time touchdown scorer for Tampa Bay, mainly because Dunn or other running backs would run the length of the field only to have the coaches then give the ball to the A-Train for the score (and the fantasy points). But does that justify Alstott's near god-like status in Florida's city by the bay? Derrick Brooks has been the foundation of what has consistently been among the top defenses in the league for over a decade and Alstott jerseys outnumber Brooks jerseys ten-to-one.

I'm not playing the race card, I promise. Or at least I think I'm not. Fans like who they like for whatever reasons, right or wrong, but I think we're witnessing a little revisionist history with Mike Alstott. Can someone kindly explain Tampa Bay's fascination with All Things Dropped? This is not a hate blog. I, for one, congratulate Mike Alstott for being a mainstay in the Tampa Bay community and for having a prosperous career with the Buccaneers. That doesn't mean he needs to have his number retired.

Back in the day, when I used to reside in the City of the Rat, I had a friend that ran a local radio station. Let's call him Brotha E. Now as a result of his high-standing in the community, and the fact that his radio station aired Orlando Magic games, Brotha E would often score free tickets into the pre- Dwight Howard O-Rena. These were the T-Mac days, always entertaining since you never knew when Kid Auburndale was going to go off for 40. Plus it was always enjoyable to see if Grant Hill's ankle boot and crutches matched his $3,000 Armani suit.

As we were generally granted media passes along with our tickets, Brotha E, the Don Calvino and I would strut in through the back hallways of the arena and walk around like we owned the place, sneaking from bar to bar to ensure we were properly liquid-aided throughout the evening's festivities. The Magic were competitive back then, but as we now know since T-Mac has still never led his team out of the first round of the playoffs, how competitive could they be.

We must have gone to about twenty home games that year, watching most of them in the lower bowl and wagering with other Magic fans as Bo Outlaw (career 52% free throw shooter) would ceremoniously brick both attempts from the stripe.

Well, one night late in the season, the Magic were looking to make a playoff push and needed a veteran presence on the perimeter, so they decided to sign Dee Brown to a 10-day contract. This was obviously before his San Antonio Silver Stars and ESPN analyst days. That night, Dee came off the bench and gave the Magic the boost they needed to win the game, hitting some late, clutch three-pointers.

All of Orlando was in good spirits, as were the Treacherous Three as we were eight whiskeys in, but who's counting. Since we still had our media passes, we decided to check out the post-game press conference. Doc Rivers was still coaching the Magic at the time.

Considering the Magic had just won the ballgame, the press room was surprisingly morose. Rivers, giddy from the victory, sat in front of the cameras and reporters waiting for someone to ask a relevant question, yet the press failed to oblige. The press room was morgue-like as if the Magic had just been defeated. That was until Brotha E, standing at the back of the room, Jack and Coke in hand and press pass dangling unevenly around his neck, shouted out "Coach! Dee Brown! Quality minutes!"

A smile instantly came to Doc's face as if this was exactly the question he'd been anticipating. He proceeded to spend the next ten minutes elaborating on what an acquisition Dee had been, what big shots he hit and how he was just what they needed. After all, Dee did help win the game. Perhaps the press hadn't been paying attention. The Don, already nervous about sneaking into the press conference, looked on in amazement as Brotha E, as if sprinkling fairy dust with a single statement, had brought the Magic coach to life. Brotha E has that effect on people. It was much like those Coors Light commercials where the guys standing in the back of the room ask coaches questions that they give canned answers to. If only we had thought of that first. Oh wait, we did.

Poker, specifically No Limit Texas Hold 'Em, is a craze that is currently sweeping the nation. With the constant television coverage of the World Series of Poker and its rise in popularity, everyone and their mother has suddenly become a poker player. Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu and Doyle Brunson are becoming household names. Poker rooms continue to pop up in casinos, dog tracks and jai alai frontons around Florida and local poker games are becoming easier and easier to find.

But hosting a poker night is not as easy as it sounds. Establishing a well thought out poker night, requires dedication, commitment, the proper equipment, a good core of friends and a variety of other intangibles. Any one can have people over to play some cards, but in order to set up a steady batch of players, it is crucial to do it right if you want it to become a regular gig.

Accordingly, here's a beginner's guide to setting up a happy and healthy poker night. Oh, and may you always be dealt aces.

Rules: Have you ever played a game of pick-up basketball where one person complains about a foul call or another argues about an out-of-bounds line? Suddenly, conflict ensues and the game goes to muck. Similarly, a poker game without well-established rules and guidelines can easily go astray. While posting the rules on the wall might be a bit excessive, standard poker and house rules should always take precedent. For example, what happens if a dealer turns over the wrong card or someone places an improper, string bet. Rules should be established at the outset and agreed upon and all players should respect those rules. Additionally, all players should be aware that all verbal bets are binding and act accordingly.

Etiquette: Respect needs to be paid to the both the game and the host. If the owner of the household is gracious enough to invite a bunch of card-playing drunks over to his house, the last thing he wants is guys jamming their hands into his unopened jar of pickles. If you're a drinker (and everyone else at the table secretly hopes you are), be a gentleman and B.Y.O.B. Do not rely on the host to be your personal bartender. It is not the homeowner's responsibility to support your bad habits, even if he's making money off you at the poker table. Offer to bring food every so often or even replenish his deck of cards. A gracious guest always brings a brand new, unopened deck or two of cards. Also, be kind enough to clean up after yourself. Even offer to take out the garbage. Your poker buddy is likely single. Hey, he hosts a weekly poker game. But if he's not, there's no reason to put extra strain on his relationship by leaving a mess for he and his partner to clean up. It's a surefire way to get uninvited.

Chips: If you're planning on hosting a poker night, don't even THINK about inviting people over unless you have a case of quality poker chips. These can be purchased on most poker, gaming or auction websites. We're not talking the old school flimsy, tiddly-wink chips either. You'll need the more durable, casino-like chips. Chips often have dollar values assigned to them and are printed on the chips themselves. This will come into play whether you're playing a cash or tournament game. Even though most players will spend half the night in an annoying attempt to dazzle you with their chip-handling skills, you'll still want to purchase the best chips out there.

Food & Drink: This, of course, is optional, and requires more clean up. Eating at a poker table is generally not the best idea. You're there to play cards, not eat nachos. Big time, tournament players like 2006 World Series champion Jamie Gold only do so because they're at the table for twelve consecutive hours. You won't be. Again, the only chips on the table should be poker chips.

Table: Another rather large investment, you'll need a quality table around which to seat your friends. They can be home made or dual purpose bumper-pool/poker tables, but the point is you'll want to be able to seat everyone around the table comfortably. There's nothing worse that crowding nine grown men around a six-person table. It's a poker game, not a bonfire. On a regulation size poker table, which you likely won't have, no more than ten people should be seated. If you're fortunate enough to host more than that, it's fair to break the gang into two groups. In tournament-style play, someone should ensure there are an equal number of players at each table as the tournament progresses. As players get eliminated from tournament play, it is not uncommon to start a cash game at an alternate table while waiting for the tournament to end.

Cards: If you plan on hosting a poker night, don't get cheesy, paper mache cards. No cruise cards either and no cards with funky company logos on the back. While really nice cards can be costly, your standard box of Aviators, Hoyles or Bicycles will suffice. And don't forget to remove the jokers.

Friends: If you're lucky, you'll ultimately be able to sustain a 'poker night.' This is no easy task. People have families, jobs and other responsibilities so it will be difficult to consistently retain the same crowd. Regulars will come and go, but if the game is good, it will be bound to bring back a solid core. It's also best to ensure, as mentioned before, that this core group of friends is knowledgeable of the game and its rules, as well as respectful of the host and his home. If you're fortunate enough to find, or even build a good house game, cherish it. They're hard to come by.

Last year, history was made in college football. And Gainesville, Florida couldn't be happier for it.

As the highly anticipated 2008 campaign approaches, much ado continues to surround Florida Gator sensation Tim Tebow. In 2007, Tebow became the only sophomore in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy. If his record-setting numbers on the field weren't enough to secure him the award, his off-the-field character made him the overwhelming favorite. Florida's golden boy has at least one, and likely two more years running Urban Meyer's high-powered offense. And if Tebow's performance to date isn't enough to make NFL general managers salivate, another season similar to his last could conceivably have teams out of contention throwing games for a chance to select him with their top pick. Sports talk shows in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami consistently discuss the possibility of drafting Tebow. Easy, fellas, he's only a junior.

Most agree that Tebow's bruising style does not bode well for a lengthy or successful professional career. In the NFL, opposing defenses are bigger, quicker and stronger. Safeties lick their chops at the chance to flatten a quarterback heading in their direction. Even though the NFL goes out of its way to protect its quarterbacks, Tebow's game as it stands right now will at best lead to extended time on injured reserve and at worst, knock him out of the league. While the pros have featured their share of scrambling quarterbacks, Steve Young, Randall Cunningham and Donovan McNabb were never ones to run over defensive linemen.

Coming out of high school, many also questioned whether his game would succeed in the Southeastern Conference. Safe to say it has. His freshman campaign included several possessions where he scrambled to keep Florida drives alive, punishing would be tacklers along the way. Alongside Chris Leak, he played an integral role in their quest for a national championship. As a sophomore, Tebow's rushing stats were gaudy, penetrating the end zone twenty-two times. Tebow is cut from a different cloth. In only two years, he has become the poster child for college football while nearly single-handedly putting Florida back on the map as title contenders. His future holds an unforeseeable ceiling, as long as he can remain healthy.

Meyer has confessed to over-using Tebow last year. Gator fans nationwide cringed as Urban would call Tebow's number on short-yardage plays with leads late in the game. Last year, Tebow took a pounding, including a broken forearm against in-state rival Florida State. Tebow has never been one to slide tackle or avoid contact. In fact, he welcomes it. He runs head first into traffic with little regard for his health, or the health of those attempting to bring him down. So far, he's gotten the better end of the deal.

2008 will be different. No one expects Meyer to use Tebow in that same fashion. Adjustments will assuredly be made. With the addition of USC transfer Emmanuel Moody, as well as speedsters like Chris Rainey and Percy Harvin in the backfield, Tebow's rushing responsibilities should diminish significantly. While Tebow will still run the football, it's highly unlikely his rushing numbers will equal those of last year.

His performance over the next two years will either solidify