Bishop Media Sports Network
Jason Bishop Show w Kipp Branch June 19
Game Changer
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Recruiting at all levels is very important, but programs still need to recruit the high priority positions to recruit real game changers.
The most important game changing recruit is the quarterback, for example. And if your team does not have a great quarterback, then your team will be at a huge disadvantage no matter how many blue chips you have on the rest of the roster.
I saw an article where the “Blue Chip” ratio was given for schools and the top schools were as follows: Alabama 84%, Georgia 80%, Ohio State 79%, Clemson 67%, LSU 66%, Oklahoma 66%, Texas 66%, Florida 66%, Texas A&M 61%.
The SEC led the way with six schools, followed by the Big Ten (3), Big 12, Pac 12 and ACC with two each.
The article defined Blue Chip using the composite star ranking and four and five-star count. The article counted transfers and high school recruits.
For the first time since 2018, the Florida State Seminoles did not make the top ten in Blue-Chip Ratio. Once a recruiting juggernaut, Florida State ratio has fallen below 40%.
The Seminoles currently have 91 players on scholarship and 34 are Blue-Chips. That includes 33 guys who were four or five stars out of high school and UCF transfer McKenzie Milton.
Florida State still has more blue chip talent than most of the ACC (North Carolina State, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Louisville, Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia, and Virginia Tech).
FSU has recruited a lot of Blue Chips since 2018 but they haven’t lived up to their billing, that’s about the same with every other school as well.
The Seminoles haven’t had a game changer at quarterback since Jameis Winston in 2014, however that will change if McKenzie Milton can stay healthy.
Coach Mike Norvell targeted Milton for several reasons, and his in-game experience was the top of the list.
Milton was the first quarterback commit under Scott Frost and earned the starting job as a true freshman. Milton’s freshman season was a rocky road amassing a 6-7 record.
After that season, Milton and UCF blazed through their schedule, and Milton did not lose another game as quarterback for the Knights.
Milton’s play can help cover up some of the issues the offensive line may have. Milton’s quick release and pre-snap reads of the defense would be two noteworthy traits that make him a difference maker.
I expect Jordan Travis to get snaps because he’s very dynamic running the football to keep Milton off the field.
However, I’m curious to see how Coach Norvell uses his two quarterbacks to their best individual abilities. Let’s hope Norvell is creative with the talent he’s given
There’s an old football cliche that states, “IF YOU HAVE TWO QUARTERBACKS, YOU HAVE NO QUARTERBACK.”
It has been a long time since FSU’s Blue-Chip Ratio has been this low but the Seminoles have a game changer at quarterback, who goes by the name McKenzie Milton.
Gurley Reclamation
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When Todd Gurley wrapped up his time between the hedges in 2015, he was expected to land somewhere between Herschel Walker and Terrell Davis in the pantheon of UGA alumni in the NFL.
For a while there, it looked like he was going to meet those lofty expectations. After a sophomore slump in 2016, Gurley followed up his 2015 Rookie of the Year Award with some serious hardware; two straight Pro Bowls in 2017 & 2018, 1st team All-Pro for both years and NFL leader in rushing touchdowns in those same years.
Then, the wheels started to come off.
The knee issues, that cost him 3 games in his already NCAA violation-shortened final campaign in Athens, raised their ugly head during the 2018 playoffs and the 2019 season as well.
Gurley saw a significant drop in every metric from 2018 to 2019, and it cost him his job just two years removed from a massive $60 million extension.
Those numbers fell even further during his one season with the Atlanta Falcons. The fewest yards, attempts, and touchdowns in his career – combined with some costly mental errors – meant his return to the Peach State was over before it really had a chance to get started.
The fall from grace is staggering when you look at it. To go from a league-leading multi-millionaire to an unsigned free agent in two years is almost unheard of.
The arthritic knee – which was the focus of great speculation leading up to Super Bowl LIII – seems to be more of a career-threatening issue than originally expected.
The situation in Atlanta seemed to have been tailor-made for the Tarboro, NC native, but the results simply weren’t there and the powers that be in Flowery Branch decided “one year is enough, thanks.”
So where does Gurley go now? Last month, it seemed like he was destined to join the Detroit Lions backfield, joining fellow Dawg D’Andre Swift and the former Packer Jamaal Williams.
Gurley made a visit to the Lions facility and talks progressed, but no contract. Last week, he made another unfruitful visit, this time with the Baltimore Ravens.
Between the two teams, the Ravens seem like the unlikelier choice. He’d be battling Justice “I’m Not Related to Tyreek” Hill for the third spot behind J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
Plus, the Ravens only have a scant $11 million left in cap space – not exactly the wiggle room you need to get into a bidding war, and that’s exactly what it looks like Gurley is trying to force.
One must wonder, though, if that’s the best strategy for an injury-plagued back looking for his third team in three years. Granted, he could have a comeback season for the ages on tap for this year, but until we see him on the field it’s anybody’s guess.
Gurley will make a roster this year, of that I have no doubt. More than likely, it will be with the Lions, but there are some fairly intriguing options out there as well.
For example; the Miami Dolphins. Myles Gaskins is a serviceable if uninspiring starter.
The Fins signed Malcom Brown in the offseason and drafted Gerrid “that’s not how you spell that last name” Doaks in the 7th round, so there’s competition to be had if Gurley decides to head south.
The Buffalo Bills. The Mafia has had some workhorses in the backfield over the years; Thurman Thomas, Travis Henry, Marshawn Lynch. 2021, though? Not so much. The tandem of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss scream two things; “committee” and “training camp open competition.” Gurley would do well here.
The New England Patriots. Bill Belichek can’t seem to resist two things; UGA running backs and reclamation projects. Gurley would be a twofer, so don’t rule out a trip to Foxboro in his future.
Jason Bishop Show w Kipp Branch June 12
Offensive Flow
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
During Dan Mullen’s three years as head coach and play caller, Florida has climbed from sixth, to fourth, to third in the SEC total offense.
Also, at this time I’m morally obligated to remind everyone that the 2017 (pre-Mullen) Gator’s offense was ranked 13th in the conference, next to last.
Whether it’s Emory Jones or Anthony Richardson playing quarterback this fall, neither are as accurate as Kyle Trask, nor will they enjoy the luxury of throwing to Kyle Pitts or Kadarius Toney, so it’s imperative the running game is reestablished this season.
Florida has averaged 5+ yards per carry only once in the past 11 years. In 2018, when Lamical Perine, Jordan Scarlett and Dameon Pierce churned out more than 2,000 yards. Mullen was freely deploying quarterback Felipe Franks in the running game.
I think Florida returns to that style of offense this season with Pierce, Malik Davis, Nay’Quan Wright, Lorenzo Lingard and Demarkcus Bowman in a crowded running back room and Jones or Richardson taking 100 plus carries.
If Florida’s offense plays at a similar level as last season, Dan Mullen’s play book will rival Coach Klein’s from the Waterboy. Furthermore, my prediction of Georgia winning the SEC East should be flushed at the Florida Welcome Center on I-75.
It’s not that I think the Gators will stink offensively this year, it’s just that last year’s unit was exceptional, so I’m bracing for descent.
The 7.3 yards per play were the second most in school history behind the 7.4 average in 1995. The 1995 team did not play a SEC only schedule and had the luxury of facing two cupcake schools.
I believe Mullen will field a productive ball control offense. Of course, and as always, the offensive line will ultimately determine the production of this team’s offense.
After two seasons without a quarterback capable of running the ball, Jones and Richardson change the narrative with the verve that Mullen desires.
I’m intrigued to see whether Emory Jones commands the offense, executes the system efficiently, and becomes another of Mullen’s success stories. He’s certainly starting at a point with higher expectations than Kyle Trask.
Because Jones was Mullen’s first quarterback commit, and he has spent 3 years developing ahead of his starting job, I don’t expect Mullen to pull him at the very first sign of trouble.
Jones is such an electric runner with a strong arm that will flourish this fall. Understanding the variations of Mullen’s offense, which changes to fit personnel as well as any in the nation. Jones has the arm to stretch the field deep and the speed to make plays when things break down in the trenches.
The Gators still have a puncher’s chance of returning to Atlanta, and this year is one of those times, when the SEC crossover scheduling imbalance favors Georgia (Arkansas and Auburn). Plus, there’s the undeniable fact that on paper the Bulldogs are loaded!
Florida has yet to reach the College Football Playoffs through its first seven years and the odds of getting there in 2021 will be daunting.
Florida is currently +4000 odds to win the National Championship.
The New Titan
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Prior to the NFL Draft in late April, Atlanta Falcons first year general manager Terry Fontenot talked about trading Julio Jones.
Since then, I’ve been waiting to see where he would end up. We don’t have to wait any longer because he was traded to the Tennessee Titans.
Atlanta will receive a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick for sending Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick to Tennessee. I think the Titans won this trade. Julio is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a top three wide receiver in the league at least. I think Atlanta should have received a first-round pick for him.
The Titans are already a good team, finishing 11 – 5 last season and winning the AFC South. The year before that they advanced to the AFC Championship game.
Tennessee has great skill players already. Derrick Henry led the league in rushing with 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 15th in the league in pass yards with 3,819. He is tied for 7th in passing TD’s with Deshaun Watson, throwing 33 of them with only 7 interceptions.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown had 70 receptions for 1,075 yards and 11 scores. Corey Davis had 65 catches for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns. He signed with the New York Jets in the offseason, so Julio is essentially replacing him.
The Titans have not had two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season since 2004. That should change in 2021. The biggest winner in the trade is Brown.
“It takes some of the tension off of me and with Derrick (Henry) and Ryan (Tannehill) with Anthony (Fisker),” Brown told ESPN on Sunday. “Having another dominant guy on the other side, everybody has to be honest. Now, you don’t know who’s going to hold who. I may get CB1 or Julio may get CB1. But whoever gets CB2, [that cornerback] is going to be in trouble. It’s going to be fun.”
Tennessee obviously likes to run the ball a lot with Henry and throw play action passes off of that. Defenses would normally have to put eight men in the box to try to slow him down.
They faced eight defenders in the box on 23.1% of their snaps last season, more than any other team in the NFL. Adding Julio makes it difficult to do that now. At this point they basically have to pick their poison.
Their former offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith left to take over as head coach in Atlanta after the 2020 season. Todd Downing is entering his first season as OC in Nashville.
“We’ll look for ways to get him singled up, ways to help him with different coverage indicators and things like that,” Downing said of Brown. “See where we can move him around, expand his route tree a little bit and watch him have success as we expand it.”
The Titans ranked 28th in total defense last year, giving up 398.3 yards per game and 27.4 points per game. They only had 19 sacks in 2020 which is ranked 30th.
They did try to address that in free agency, signing corner back Janoris Jenkins, linebackers Bud Dupree and Jayon Brown.
They also signed defensive tackles Trevon Coley and Denico Autry. They drafted Virginia Tech corner Caleb Farley in the first round.
If Julio stays healthy, I think they will win the division again. The only AFC teams that are better on paper are Kansas City and Buffalo.
I’m looking forward to see how this season plays out and who Atlanta will draft with the picks they acquired.
Program Pulse
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It is now June and College Football is on the horizon. Time to start speculating about the SEC for 2020, but to do so let’s take a look at SEC won/loss records since 2015.
1.Alabama: 79-6 (.929): Alabama just does not lose many football games that is the bottom line. Nick Saban is the best in the business.
The defending national champions will be the team to beat again in 2021, and should be the team to beat as long as Saban is roaming the sidelines.
Alabama lost some skill people from 2020 so we will see who steps up this fall for the Tide.
- Georgia: 62-17 (.785): A friend calls yesterday and says it is now or never for Kirby and UGA. Really?
UGA is a team that has been winning a lot of football games. They just haven’t beaten Alabama when it matters most.
Does that mean UGA is a program that under produces? Nope it means that Kirby continues to build a monster in Athens.
Opposing fans insert your 1980 comebacks here. Critics say Kirby is not a good game coach and folks like Dan Mullen are better.
I know many Florida fans that would trade Mullen for Kirby if the opportunity arose. I don’t know a single UGA fan that would trade Kirby for Mullen. Think about that for a second.
- LSU: 56-19 (.747): 2019 National Champs. It feels like the Tigers are on the decline now under Coach O, doesn’t it? This program will always have elite talent, but 2021 is an unknown for LSU.
- Florida: 52-24 (.684): No championships since 2008. Try this on for size Florida fans:
2011 – With zero HC experience, Florida hires Will Muschamp for $2.7m/year.
2012 – Florida extends Will Muschamp (picked up option year) after going 7-6.
2014 – Florida buys out Will Muschamp for $6m and fires him.
2014 – Florida pays $7m to Colorado State to buy out and hire Jim McElwain for $3.5m/year.
June 2017 – After zero championships and one 10+ win season, Florida agrees to an extension and raise for Jim McElwain.
October 2017 – Florida buys out Jim McElwain for $7.5m and fires him.
2017 – Florida pays Mississippi State $500k to buy out and hire Dan Mullen (who had zero championships in Starkville) for around $6m/year
2021 – Still after zero championships, Florida agrees to an extension and raise for Dan Mullen to $7.6m per season after giving up 55 points in his last game coached against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Florida fans wonder out loud why their ticket prices are going thru the roof.
- Texas A&M: 49-26 (.653): $75 million dollar question is can Jimbo beat Alabama? So far, the answer is no.
- Auburn: 48-29 (.623): The Gus Bus has been retired, and now Auburn is starting over once again. Sound familiar Auburn fans?
- Kentucky: 42-33 (.560): This is a program that has exceeded expectations recently. Could surprise in 2021.
- Mississippi State: 42-34 (.553): Better than expected for this bottom feeder. In fishing circles, a Catfish is known as a bottom feeder. If you pulled a nice cat from the bottom of the Mississippi River today it may have a State logo stamped on it.
- Tennessee: 38-35 (.520): UT football is a dumpster fire. It may take years for this proud program to recover and the NCAA has not even dropped the hammer yet.
- Ole Miss: 35-36 (.493): Program on the rise. This could be an elite SEC program in a short period of time. Keep an eye on Ole Miss.
- Missouri: 35-37 (.486): Another program on the rise.
- South Carolina: 31-42 (.425): Carolina stays up at night obsessing over Clemson. Until they clear that hurdle, they will never be a factor in SEC Football.
- Arkansas: 26-46 (.361): The Pit Boss has Arkansas on the rise. This is a proud football program that is on the road to recovery.
- Vanderbilt: 24-47 (.338): Baseball school. Come on Vandy make another trip to Omaha in a couple of weeks.
Flying Through Playoffs
By: Buck Blanz
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Heading into this series against the Knicks, the Atlanta Hawks knew that they were the more talented team.
The young Hawks squad, led by All-Star Trae Young, never seemed to be bothered by the physical antics that the Knicks brought with them to get any competitive advantage over the Hawks. However, it might’ve been the opposite of what the Knicks wanted because it only seemed to make things worse.
In his first ever playoff series, Trae Young averaged 29.2 ppg and 9.8 apg and shot 44.1% from the floor vs. the Knicks. It’s safe to say he put on a show by making play after play for Atlanta.
For the entire series, New York fans were giving the Hawks all they could handle but they responded from a Game-2 loss in New York with three straight wins to close out the series in dominating fashion.
Strangely enough the Hawks played their worst game statistically in Game-5 and still came out with a 103-89 win. Showing evidence of Nate McMillan’s coaching impact bringing the Hawks, who are known to be a defensive nightmare, to leading the playoffs in scoring defense.
To McMillan credit he has turned the Hawks around from a very disappointing season to being just where they had hoped they would be at the start of the season.
What is probably the most exciting part of this team besides going 33-13 since McMillan became the interim Head Coach, is the fact this is not all Trae Young’s doing, everyone is contributing.
The Hawks bench of Huerter, Williams, and Gallonari are all valuable parts to this team’s success while Williams and Gallonari are a part of the few Hawks with playoff experience.
Also, the additions of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela continue to look better and better as this team continues to make its playoff run.
After many years in Houston reaching the Western Conference Finals and being a role player, Capela is finding a home in Atlanta and resembling the Hawks legend Dkembe Mutumbo while doing it.
Capela is currently second in playoff blocks and third in playoff rebounding, continuously proving that he is a difference maker while on the floor.
As for Bogdanovic, he currently has the fifth highest plus/minus of anyone in the playoffs at +78 while giving Atlanta another dependable offensive talent. Bogdanovic’s impact goes further than numbers due to his defensive ability as he showed throughout the first round.
After clinching their spot in the eastern conference semifinals, the Hawks will try and continue to do damage to their opponents but this is no easy feat.
Through the three regular season meetings between these two clubs the Sixers won two of them and when you look at these teams on paper there might be a clear favorite.
However, over the last few months the Hawks have shown they’re nothing to mess with either while both the Hawks and the 76ers have posted a 31-12 record since March 1st.
Even with Philly potentially missing their MVP candidate in Joel Embiid I’m sure most people will write the Hawks off, but after what I just witnessed, I’d say the Hawks will give the 76ers fits.
Extension
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There are stories out everywhere, on June 1, 2021 the dead-period was lifted.
For those who forgot about COVID-19 already, and all the restrictions around that, it means the return of camps on campus, unofficial/official visits and workouts on campus.
For the first time since January 2020, official visits return to college campuses. For the record, an official visit means the college is able to finance the trip for the recruit. Recruits and their families can take five visits total but only once per school.
The Florida Gators wasted little time getting recruits back in The Swamp, as they had their Summer Kick Off event on June 1st.
With all that pent up recruiting energy ready to be released, the plans for a return to “normal” are anything but, unfortunately. Florida Gators have official visits scheduled for every June weekend. Camps are already planned out and for the first time ever, players can work out for coaches.
Florida coach Dan Mullen said, “it will be waves upon waves upon waves upon waves of kids coming to visit.”
Throw in the transfer portal. And don’t forget the new one-time transfer rule. Did the waves just get larger?
All of it is another example of college football essentially coming down to a simple declarative statement: It’s all about recruiting.
The Gators have camps scheduled the entire month of June: June 7, Skills and Drills Camp; June 9, 16 & 23 7 vs 7 Gator Shootout and OLine/DLine Big man Challenge; June 14 Top Gun QB/WR Camp, In the Trenches Camp and Skills Academy for RB, DB & LB; June 25 Elite Individual Camp.
June 2021 is the biggest recruiting month in the history of recruiting.
Florida administration has been so impressed with the recruiting job; they have given Coach Dan Mullen a three-year contract extension that gives him a significant raise. Under the terms of Mullen’s new contract agreement, he will be the coach at Florida through the 2026 season.
The new extension will also raise Mullen’s annual compensation total to $7.6 million for each year remaining on his deal. With a raise of about $1.5 million per season, the financial breakdown varies by year.
USA Today shows Mullen is now the fourth highest paid coach in 2021.
Tebow Impact
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Consumers love Tim Tebow and are happy to see him back in the NFL.
Just 24 hours after signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tebow’s apparel has been flying off the sleeves.
NFLShop.com reported the top 5 selling items all belong to Tebow: black alternate jerseys for men, women and children, as well as T-shirts for men and women.
The Tebow effect caused Tom Brady’s red Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey to fall to ninth on the list of top sellers.
Tebow’s jersey was the bestselling uniform when he was with the Denver Broncos in 2010, New York Jets in 2012, New England Patriots in 2013 and Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.
In 2016 for a few weeks his New York Mets jersey was the best-selling Major League Baseball jersey in the country.
Tebow’s longest run as the best-selling jersey in sport came as a quarterback at the University of Florida, where even to this day, it holds the record for the most jerseys of a college player ever sold.
Tebow signed a one-year deal (non-guaranteed) to play tight end with the Jaguars. He is currently sporting the number 85 jersey. He might not even wear the 85 jersey for long.
If Jacksonville moves backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, which rumors suggest they are trying, Tebow could claim his iconic 15 jersey.
If that happens, you can bet football and Tebow fans won’t hesitate to complete their collection.
As a sputtering franchise, the Jaguars didn’t warrant much attention last season, but look at them now! The Jaguars are the talk of the NFL on shows, radio and social media around the country.
The attention is only going to intensify as OTA’s starts and the media will be allowed to watch practice in person this week. Tebow obviously has generated most of the attention because of his comeback at age 33 to play tight end, a position he’s never once played.
Jaguars jerseys are three of the top seven and four of the top 15 jerseys on NFLShop.com.
Tebow is a megastar in the Jacksonville area, a former standout at Nease High School and the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner at Florida. He also helped Urban Meyer win two national championships for the Florida Gators.
Tim Tebow will be trying to land a spot on the Jaguar roster and battling Chris Manhertz, James O’Shaughnessy, Luke Farrell and Tyler Davis on the roster.
Whatever you think of Tim Tebow, you must say, he makes a tremendous financial impact wherever he plays.
