Bullpride08

Doug, I would consider as OLB's go Nicholas was the best in the Big East, no one came off the edge better, and he was nearly unblockable by any running back or fullback...He is a fabulous LB, but that doesn't mean he also has to be Brooks fast. Kawika Mitchell's fastest combine time was 4.68, but he still got drafted in almost the first round. Nicholas on the field speed isn't necessarily faster, hell I'd bet that Selvie is as fast (Selvie wasn't much heavier then Nicholas), but Nicholas is definitely lightning quick (a big difference), and he has the ability to time and anticipate that is uncanny- like when you saw a few times RBs trying to go low on him to block him and he hurdled them and sacked the QB- that's having serious instincts. Speed alone is not the contributing factor, he supposedly ran close to a 4.8 at that senior highlight game he was at, the last NFL list that was circulated him has him listed as the 9th best OLB. That's on the cusp of 2nd day, and clearly his speed and size have him trumped. If Nicholas is 4-6ish at 240lbs he would be sniffing at the first round, like Timmons at FSU who came out not having half the career of Nicholas but the better raw numbers. Hopefully he's getting good speed training right now, and gets to the combine ready to run on that track. If Nicholas can run just one sub-4.7 forty like Mitchell did he should be a lock for the 2nd or 3rd round. If his times hover in the mid to high 4.7's like where they are now then expect him to fall into the 2nd day. Particularly since he'll probably be showing up around 225-230lbs. Spires is faster, I am just telling you the facts Doug. I would never say he is better, or will be better because I never say someone is 'going to be the next so and so'. But athletically speaking Spires is bigger, and slightly faster than Nicholas. I can only hope that it translates into even a fraction of the production Nicholas gave us.

uh, did you type in a different language. Care to translate? If that is English that you are typing then it appears you might have something in common with Josh and should take your own advice.

Nope, T-Rob is already 290lbs+ and looking mean and hungry. I suspect it means Aaron Harris, the end/tackle true freshman last year that started two games will slide over. Last year Josh had ballooned to nearly 280lbs before returning. The staff used him typically as a run stopper at end, and then slid him inside for passing downs. Harris is already up to around 255lbs, if he can add 10+ or so pounds he could play the exact same role for us at end, and still be in position to add more beef and completely slide inside in 2008 when the freshmen DE's are ready to go.

PB...FYI...CJL did not kick Julmiste out of the program. Julmiste was kicked out of the program because per USF ATHLETIC Dept RULES, where it states that if ANY USF Athletes in ANY sport fails 3 drug tests, you are immediately kicked out said program. Believe Windbane (or name like that) was trying to make the point earlier in the thread to you. Now CJL can kick a player out of his program for ANY reason...and could of done that same for Josh...by not letting him enroll at USF because of his prior arrest...not allowed him back on the team after he was kicked off because of the theft case...and could of kicked him off after his first sign of drug use (before his first test), then could of done the same after his first positive drug test...or even after his 2nd failed drug test, but never did. That could be the most pathetic thing I've read in quite sometime?  What is the point KL because you're arguing semantics?  Are you saying in the most unsubtle attempt, that if Leavitt had his way Julmiste would be playing? Sorry charlie but he doesn't operate like Georgie...who typically let guys play on like Marshall, Travonti Johnson, and Smith after major issues. Oh now that's bull crap.  You're saying that Marshall, Johnson, and Smith had any issues that even compare to what Julmiste did?  Smith missed a team curfew by 20 minutes.  That's the equivalent of grand theft, and illicit drug use?  You're a master of spin.  But this doesn't even qualify as spin, it's just a bald faced lie.  Congratulations, you've proven once again how low you can sink. yes, except maybe Smith...Ron Ellis definitely did- **** is usually considered more severe the puffing on canibus. Smith more than missed a curfew chumly, showed up considerably intoxicated and out on the town...check it out. missing a curfew would have never missed him a game. Lie, please go review Ellis, Marshall, and Travonti Johnson's arrest records- in Marshall's case it would be multiple. Furthermore, please review Josh Julmiste, opps none were filed in Tampa, and his juvee one in Miramar was reduced to petty left, misdemeanor...sorry charlie still not as hefty as a Ron "****" Ellis. **** the truth hurts!

Just be responsible for your own opinions.  Like speculating and naming other players that you believe will meet the same fate as Julmiste can lead to problems for someone who speaks so OPENLY without first thinking of the ramifications of such expression.  Kow what I mean? Particularly for a guy who 'claims' to be a teacher, AND assistant coach at Armwood.  A school who's HC that knows USF's staff real well.  I am sure he would hate to get called into the dump truck's office and ask why he was making accusations about USF players on open message boards. What's more odd, most teachers, particularly those that profess to be 'professabulls' would be sensitive to 'student privacy laws'.  All teachers go through ethics classes and explained how critical it is in their profession to keep student information confidential.... be careful profess with your 'opinions' you've given to much information about yourself already and that could be very detrimental career wise if you don't watch yourself- as a teacher and coach. Also, if you're so 'inside' with the Hills HS football world you'd know that Ponton is not a kid to fling accusations around with. He's well respected by Earl and crew, and Ponton has some connections.

me too...that may be just the ticket to push away a couple of lovely wannabe's that no one can ever get an exact finger on what they're doing here.

Well, mr. speculator doesn't know.  Honestly, the rumor is Ponton might be transfering after the spring but it would have nothing to do with a legal issue. Good kid but the depth and position got thick, he'll see what he can do this spring. Hopefully he sticks with it, a good kid.

PB...FYI...CJL did not kick Julmiste out of the program. Julmiste was kicked out of the program because per USF ATHLETIC Dept RULES, where it states that if ANY USF Athletes in ANY sport fails 3 drug tests, you are immediately kicked out said program. Believe Windbane (or name like that) was trying to make the point earlier in the thread to you. Now CJL can kick a player out of his program for ANY reason...and could of done that same for Josh...by not letting him enroll at USF because of his prior arrest...not allowed him back on the team after he was kicked off because of the theft case...and could of kicked him off after his first sign of drug use (before his first test), then could of done the same after his first positive drug test...or even after his 2nd failed drug test, but never did. That could be the most pathetic thing I've read in quite sometime? What is the point KL because you're arguing semantics? Are you saying in the most unsubtle attempt, that if Leavitt had his way Julmiste would be playing? Sorry charlie but he doesn't operate like Georgie...who typically let guys play on like Marshall, Travonti Johnson, and Smith after major issues.

Professa, for a guy that supposedly shapes the hearts and minds of our kids at da wood you seem to have significant amounts of time on your hand during school hours. Secondly, the issues that kids are getting dismissed for are generally meaningless, unthreatening issues like grades, and pot- is a joke particularly when it's the same kids getting in trouble and they subsequently get dismissed. Most schools dismiss kids a bit more silently, five kids were dismissed from UF last year, and the last i checked some of you butt wholes have squirmed your way up Urban's crack. That's right chiefs, count-em up, oh and don't forget when you're concluding with Marcus Thomas' three strikes you're out. Not to mention Urban seems to be at the center of every recruiting controversy surrounding the NCAA from using fans in the stands on visits, text messages, attendance at unsanctioned events, and almost speaking at Lakeland HS Football's banquet three days before signing day. Some gravel over Urban as the epitome of class, yet behind the scenes it's no better, or worse, then here, and we won't even go into FSU, or Miami.

Come on now.  I'm not saying Spires isn't fast or a great athlete but aren't we stretching a bit.  How many full games have you actually seen D.Spires play in the last two seasons?  I imagine you've see one or two game minimum.  I could see saying, "probably/maybe as fast" but don't you think you take away from "Snake's" rep a bit when you make that statement.  We've seen Stevie Nicks for four seasons.  We, Bull fans, know 100% he's a beast.  Last season you were calling Nicholas a legit first day NFL draft pick.  Now he's the equivalent to an All American juco transfer.  We all know/think if Snake played at UM, UF or FSU he's an honorable mention AllAm and a Butkus finalist...maybe.  Not trying to be hostile here Sbien.  I just think your statement is rather green n gold google-ish for a new recruit and does a small injustice to a bonafide USF Bull grid iron hero.  That's all. First Doug, you should know by now that I am fairly accurate about my information...I'll give Atlantic a mulligan for possibly not being aware. Second, how fast do you think Stephen Nicholas is?  You do realize at a senior only game he was clocked in the 40 at 4.8, and on all combine rankings he runs in the 4.7s. In fact, anyone that is close to the program knows that St. Louis was miles faster than Nicholas.  In fact Moffett was said to be faster than Nicholas, although I don't know that to be fact.  It was a widely known fact that Snake wasn't the fastest or one of the faster LB's, in fact as a freshman Devon Davis was faster.  Stephen Nicholas is a great LB, no doubt, but YOU have the green and gold glasses on if you're one of those guys that think Snake is 7ft tall, and 300lbs and runs a 4.32, and has fire coming out of his butt.  Snake is smaller than Spires, Stevie weighed 226lbs at the height of last year, despite the listed weight, probably closer to 220lbs late in the season, and at the same age as Spires Nicholas was actually playing around 215lbs, while Spires is 230lbs (on a scale at USF) despite what Atlantic's tv was displaying.  Nicholas has never had the top end speed that Spires has, that's a fact.  As a player Spires, do you realize that he stepped right in after sitting his frosh year at Pearl River, and proceeded to lead Pearl River and the nation in tackles, and tackles for loss in junior college.  He was the physical and emotional leader of a Pearl River defense that carried that team to the JC National Championship game- one of the best JC defenses in the nation and lots of credit was given to Spires. Spires ran track, he was the anchor on the 100m Plant 4x100m, his junior year Spires was  more known as a receiver/safety at Plant because he was 6-1 190lbs, but he could fly.  Dude added weight and dedicated himself and was up to 215lbs by his senior year where he excelled, and became an OLB. Shall I go on?  Nicholas is a great LB, that has an innate ability to read and react and not get bogged down by blockers....I've seen LB's that run 4.5, that are entirely ineffective because they never possessed Nicholas's abilities.  Speed is meaningless at the LB position without other traits, and Nicholas possesses those.  SO, while Spires is most likely faster than Nicholas that doesn't mean diddily on the playing field, albeit Spires year at Pearl River shows that he does know a thing or two about playing LB.  I could tell you that Jesse Hester, next to Gilliam, is probably the fastest guy on the team and has more elusiveness than Ean Randolph- would that make you upset too? Them's the facts, unfortunately for the facts is neither Hester nor Spires have really suited up for USF...so before getting excited about them they have to actually produce on the field like Nicholas and Randolph did. Forty times, JC stats, weight don't mean crap (Nicholas led the team in TFL as a junior playing at 215lbs) unless they produce on the field. Selvie was lucky to be 240lbs last season and look what he did.

Meaning?  He's more like 6-2 230lbs....but that is 100% legit now, anyone that says he's smaller then that has it wrong. I think his height and weight is an issue only depending upon where he stands on the field. I can sacrafice size at an OLB postition if the kid has strength and speed, can't make that same sacrafice in the middle. At MLB I want a kid who is big and physical meeting RB's face to face  not side to side. I would venture to say Spires is faster than Stephen Nicholas, seriously. Spires is an OLB, not a MLB...we didn't land a MLB this time around, Sutton is more comfortable outside. Sutton is close to 6-1 220lbs right now.

Verybullish, Bobby Petrino had coached in the pro's before on two separate occasions his last stint was QB coach/offensive coordinator at Jacksonville for four years. Jim Leavitt has never coached in the pros, and never sniffed at it. So Petrino is a pro coach, or rather a HC with lots of pro experience.

LOL, now that was good.

exactly joe, welcome to the world of not being UF in the state of FL. With that being said Fernandez does have some significant sweat equity in this program, and USF has bred a few coaches like him that have taken stock into this is their baby. Maybe he can get USF to commit just enough to compel him to stay. But right now why debate, they haven't mentioned candidates and quite frankly I don't see how Jose would be on the top of their list, and UF maybe not get the top pick, but they usually don't drop to far down their list of coaching choices before they get their man, or woman. This will be no exception and I doubt Jose would be in their top 5 right now. truth be told Jose was a massive thorn in Carol's side recruiting FL and a reason that hasn't helped her career. Add in the recent successes of FSU women and it's a sport that's very difficult to have three dominant teams in one state.

Here's the State's link for Speciality License Plate Sales over the past 5 years: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/specialtytags/tagsales2006.pdf It's amazing how you can find links to stuff you don't make up... You see triple any think or information that either trumps USF, or has UCF listed ahead KL has those links tatooed to his.... :-X He gets a bit to much jolly over those issues. Feel good at least he has to work to find something meaningless UCF is ahead of us at. At least he doesn't get to look at rankngs, schedules, or scoreboards.

FYI...the Orlando Magic's WNBA Miracle Team hired Peck in the summer of 1998...and let her Coach the Purdue team that '98-99 season...and that's when Purdue (under Peck) on their National Title in April 1999. Peck joined the Miracle just days later...and coached there till she was hired away to UF. Believe in 3 years as Head Coach of the Miracle...that expansion team went to the playoffs I think once...but believe UF even offered her MORE money ($2 Million Contract) so she bolted back to College. Peck was only out of College Ball "on the court" for just 3 years almost to the day...but obviously paid a lot of attention to College ball...because as GM of the Miracle and Head Coach...she was involved in their draft picks of "college players". Are you her husband or something? She was out of college ball for a full three years, and was a full-time GM, a very cush job and had been making oodles of money. What did I say was wrong, or are you just adding more data? The explanation of her firing was her inability to recruit, and handle and maintain the team. Some insiders suggested she no-longer enjoyed working with the kids and the long college hours after her big money job in the WNBA. As far as UF goes she was a slight risk because she was away from the college ranks for a few years. I expect this time around they go after a current HC that can keep the steam engine moving forward.

Meaning? He's more like 6-2 230lbs....but that is 100% legit now, anyone that says he's smaller then that has it wrong.

More links to stuff you didn't make up ..... Just amazing.   [smiley=loser.gif] Wonders never cease. I think we should have a countdown for a kL post on a new positive topic for USF. I am sure he runs back to the UCF board and tells his buddies how he showed up USF fans...

I heard legit 230lbs, that's not enormous on a 6-3 frame, and he is that tall. I really have no way of knowing other than comparing him to the other guys on the field.  So if he is a legit 6'3", 230, we need to go after EVERY guy on the Pearl River team (as well as the opposing team), because they must be ENORMOUS.  He didn't look 6'3" based on a comparitive look, but like I said....if he really is, then both of those JuCo teams have some UNBELIEVABLE size!! Anyhow, I'm not overly concerned about his height....just trying to show how once again these "measurables" are almost always inflated....sometimes ridiculously so. But I'm excited to have Spires finally and officially onboard.  Should be a key contributer. I know for certain Spires is a full 6-2...that is a fact, probably exact around 6-2 1/2 or so...what do you think he is-- 5-11? Spires is not inflated by more than maybe 3/4 an inch, he's a taller LB, he was listed at 6-4 on one program in HS, now that was inflated, but he is much closer to the 6-3. You might have been looking at the wrong dude or the commentator identified the wrong guy.

Keep in mind UF has the resources to hire ANYBODY!! And remember before Carol's arrived at UF her last involvement in college women's hoops was when she coached Purdue to the National Title in 1998, and went to UF in 02-03...after a stint coaching and as a GM in the WNBA. What I am saying is Carol was somewhat of a risk because she had been out of coaching for a while. I think Foley is going after a proven, current winner ala Urban Meyer hire. The Baylor coach seems about right, why settle if your UF, so I don't think Jose will be the #1 target on their list. He's done wonders for USF, but to date, has accomplished little from a UF hiring perspective. Foley will want a proven winner, i.e. multiple NCAA's, Sweet Sixteen visits...Jose's still slightly an unknown commodity, hiring him would be riskier then the Carol Peck hire that didn't go so well. We shall see, but I just don't believe Jose's going to be #1 on their list and it probably won't happen.

Well then he has zero value to USF in my book. I watched OJ in HS and was never enamored by his ability. Tons of speed, average lateral movement, not much explosiveness out of the cut, he was soft, and had average hands. He's a great straight ahead speedster but that doesn't do much in our offense. Big deal, at this juncture OJ isn't near the talent of Edwards, Johnson, and Hester...let alone some of the freshmen. To bad he's not running track because the track team could sure use his sprinter speed.

I heard legit 230lbs, that's not enormous on a 6-3 frame, and he is that tall.

I am very familiar with UNC, if you check threads before our game last season I mentiond how bad Bunting was and how the team check out on him in 2005. I think Butch will be great for the program, I just think it will take a season or two, it's not the talent that Butch had when he was with Miami. Dailey has proven to have the inconsistencies that he had at Nebraska. Add on top of that their schedule is brutal on them they go; Virginia, @ USF, @ Va Tech, Miami, South Carolina, @ Wake Forest, & Maryland in the middle of the season. They have talent, but a lot of it is young, I don't think a bowl game is out of their reach, but I also cannot in my heart say that they will be a definitive bowl team especially since they've only been to 2 in the last 8 seasons. Butch Davis will have them playing hard, and I think that program has a great future in his hands. The difference is they have elite talent Joe which can make turnarounds much easier and quicker then most imagine. They landed three five star recruits that by most accounts should be immediate impact guys. Joe Dailey was inconsistent but that was because their staff was that way, they'd yank him at the drop of a hat. Butch did a lot with a little during his time at UM in the early going. Don't forget he got a team on probation and immediately turned them into winners. They're going to be a much better team next year because they'll be well coached and it will allow that elite talent the opportunity to succeed. UNC scares me in many ways because they possess so many weapons that were not utilized properly. Hell, I felt against UNC that if Bunting stuck to the run in the early going he would have had a chance to win. I still think that team finishes with 6-7 wins and makes a bowl. The goal is to make sure we're not one of those victims.

To late, they're just to late.  The A-10 is no place to start a family.  They were asked to look into it like 7 years ago by C-DOA and they declined.  Now they want to hop into the mix after they moved to the 1-AA football family called the A-10.  Maybe they could beg back to C-DOA, it would be just what the doctor ordered. I actually believe starting football to move to 1-A just got worlds more difficult in recent years.  And with many schools like FIU, and FAU struggling it's going to be harder to get the NCAA to grant more waivers.  If they want to start it then they'll probably be living in the world of 1-AA for a while which could zap the financial resources that had UNCC a one time decent hoops contender. Everyone starting a football program now looks to us as the model, financially speaking, fan support speaking (we actually have good fan support given our modest and short upbringing), booster speaking. Few take into account that we may have just been an anomoly and not the norm. The schools they should be talking with are the ones that are struggling to see what went wrong, and what are the periles if things don't go according to plan or as USF did it. USF did it on the backbone of Leavitt, there are not many Leavitt's running around in the world.

Thank goodness I had enough sense and held back my urges to request access to that board. I actually feel as if I've added years on my life because of that decision. 8-)