| | GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Vols-Gators journalism goes like this:
The media asks a leading question to a Vol or Gator, who responds
with a quote fit for a bulletin board. The media then repeats the
quote to a player on the opposing team; the player responds with
another quote fit for a bulletin board.
|
“ |
One of their wide receivers (Cedrick Wilson) said
playing in The Swamp was like playing in Lexington, Ky. That
really hurt us. He better watch out. ” |
|
|
— Florida LB Andra
Davis |
Let's start with Darrell Jackson, a junior wide receiver from
Tampa.
"Tennessee can't cover us," he said earlier this week. "If we go
to five- or four-wide, we've got too many threats out there. Dwayne
Goodrich is a great corner. But other than that, I don't think they
have that great of corners. I don't think they can match up with four
wide receivers."
Jackson was asked if he was concerned about the backlash from such
a challenge.
"A challenge brings out the best in people," he said. "It proves
who wants to win, who really has the best athletes."
That's a segue to a source of Jackson's irritation. He took offense
to a comment that he attributed to UT coach Phillip Fulmer. "He said
that Tennessee and Florida State had the best athletes," Jackson
said.
That's not all that's bugging Jackson. There's also the small
matter of UT's 20-17 overtime victory last year at Neyland Stadium.
"Everybody knows we were killing them on offense," Jackson said.
"We were catching the ball and moving the ball up and down the field.
We just happened to fumble.
"And now, it's like they just flat-out beat us, and their coach is
saying they've got the best athletes. ... They want to talk trash,
saying they're unbeatable and we're not like we used to be."
And one more thing ...
"I read where (UT safety) Deon Grant said they don't like us,"
Jackson said. "I can see why they don't like us. It's because they
can't win much (against Florida)."
Up next is sophomore Andra Davis, who succeeds All-SEC Johnny
Rutledge at middle linebacker.
A Florida reporter informs Davis that UT players say it's no big
deal to play in The Swamp, where the Gators have outscored opponents
by an average of 43-15 in the 1990s.
"Back in their mind, they know it's a big deal," Davis said.
"They're just trying to psyche themselves up."
Davis' take on the game is best summed up in two words: "Watch
out."
"One of their wide receivers (Cedrick Wilson) said playing in The
Swamp was like playing in Lexington, Ky.," Davis said. "That really
hurt us. He better watch out."
Oh by the way, did Davis hear Martin's comment: "I laugh when
teams blitz me"?
"He better watch out, too," Davis said, as the media laughed.
Playing to the crowd, he added: "Their whole team better watch
out."
Davis was winding down when a reporter poked at a couple of old
wounds.
"Did you guys think about if you had beaten Florida State, you
might have had a rematch with Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl?" the
reporter asked.
"Everybody was hoping we would have played Tennessee again," he
said. "Knowing that if we had, we would have beaten them."
Of course, the Gators had their chance in September.
"They had a lot of great breaks," Davis said. "Like when Jevon
Kearse hit Tee's arm when he was passing. The ball just floated up in
the air and Peerless (Price) caught it (for a touchdown). If Jevon
hadn't hit his arm, the ball might have gone out of the end zone."
(John Adams writes for The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee.)
| |
ALSO SEE
Hurricane Floyd gives Gators extra practice time
Confidence running high for Martin
It's a Swamp thing: Gators undefeated there since '94
Florida defense a riddle wrapped in an enigma
Tennessee's Westmoreland healthy, eager for Florida
Legal system comes back to bite Gator fan
Fowler: Sunshine State Showdowns
Herbstreit's viewer's guide
 Harig: Spurrier's season of redemption
South: Storm clouds brew over Florida
Tennessee roster
Florida roster
|
