Author Archives: Ray

Former Bulldog, Charger Paul Oliver found dead

Former Georgia Bulldog and San Diego Charger safety Paul Oliver has died at the age of 29, according to UT San Diego.

“We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers,” the Oliver family said in a statement. “We request privacy in the wake of this tragic loss.”

Oliver was a huge standout at the University of Georgia after being ranked as the number one safety in high school. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. Oliver went on to sign with the Chargers where he played 57 games with 11 starts from 2008-11. He recorded 96 tackles and four interceptions during his career in San Diego.

“It’s heartbreaking for me personally, for our staff, for the Bulldog Nation I’m sure, and obviously for his family,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Although his death is not yet confirmed, according to the San Diego Union Tribune’s Kevin Acee: “Former Charger Paul Oliver is dead at 29. Committed suicide … A good dude. Always enjoyed talking to him. Dang, this is sad.”

Oliver was far too young to leave this world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Dominique Easley suffers right knee injury

Florida DT Dominique Easley said earlier Wednesday that he could miss the rest of the season after injuring his right knee in practice.

Easley posted on his Twitter that he was done for the year; “Gatornation thank you for all of 4 yrs of sticking with me but god has something else planned for and have no worries #believe.”

However, head coach Will Muschamp reported that Easley’s right knee was only “tweaked” during a non-contact drill during Tuesday’s practice. Muschamp said “we think he’ll be fine. We just need more information right now.”

Through the first four games, Easley has recorded four quarterback hurries and two tackles for a loss. He suffered from a anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee back in 2011.

If the news is true, this will be a huge blow for the Gators. Easley will be the second starter in less than a week who will miss the rest of the season. Quarterback Jeff Driskel fractured his right fibula last weekend in the victory over Tennessee.

The Gators will travel this Saturday to take on Kentucky at 7pm.

UF’s Driskel stays positive

Red-shirt junior quarterback Tyler Murphy received advice and words of encouragement from teammate Jeff Driskel, who went down with a leg injury during last weeks Tennessee game. Driskel had surgery done on his leg early Tuesday.

“It was tough to see him go down,” Murphy said. “Anytime you spend a lot of time with someone in the meeting room, off the field, setting up players’ practices in the summer, stuff like that, it’s just tough because you know we kind of built a good little relationship.

“I texted him and told him I wish him the best. Hopefully he can get healthy and get back out as soon as possible. He said, ‘It’s your time now.’ He was very encouraging. He said he was just going to help me along the way.”

Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said that Driskel will still involved with the team and their activities and he believes Driskel will overcome this nightmare.

“It sets you back emotionally because I think he’s put a lot of time and investment into preparing himself, getting better,” Pease said. “It’s something you’ve got to overcome. It’s part of football.

“The good thing with Jeff is that he’ll overcome it, he’ll come back and be fine. He’ll just have to get back in the swing of things. It’s going to take four to five to six months for that to happen.

“He was in our meetings yesterday. He told Tyler (Murphy) and said it to me, ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’ll be glad to help. I’m there for you.’ He’s a supportive teammate.”

Its a positive sign to see Driskel in good spirits after losing the rest of his season. The kid has a lot of heart and will remain right beside the team the entire way. Now its up to Tyler Murphy to step up and lead this young team to some victories.

LSU’s Johnson, Turner will play Saturday

LSU starters Trai Turner and Anthony Johnson left during Saturday’s game after being injured, but both players have been cleared and will play in the upcoming game against No. 9 Georgia in the SEC’s game of the week.

Turner sustained an ankle injured after it was stepped on in the first half against Auburn, but the trainers said it was only a contusion. The strong offensive guard played a big part of LSU’s 223 yards in the first two quarters.

Johnson suffered from a leg injury that would of been a huge loss to the LSU defense, but head coach Les Miles said it was “basically a bruise.” Johnson, a 294 defensive tackle, is projected to start against Georgia. So far this season he has recorded 13 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

Johnny Manziel’s popularity takes a plunge

Johnny Manziel also known as “Johnny Football”, has nearly seen a 50 percent decrease in popularity with the public over the past eight months.

According to a survey taken by E-Score earlier this week, only 49 percent of respondents found Manziel fascinating. His numbers were greatly lower than the 87 percent average of 1,400 athletes who participated in the survey. Just after Manziel won the Heisman trophy back in January 2013, 97 percent of the surveyors found Johnny Football appealing. Quite a decrease huh? The survey also showed that his awareness increased by 67 percent over the past 8 months.

The surveyors were asked to rate Manziel from a list of attributes. The results were- rude, 27 percent; overexposed, 43 percent; and insincere, 19 percent. That is a huge increase from the last survey that was taken with the same attributes. (Rude, 2 percent; overexposed, 5 percent; insincere, 5 percent).

It’s a no-brainier that Manziel’s appearance has taken a huge plunge from his off the field problems. Something else I found that was interesting is that 43 percent said he is “overexposed.” I believe this will keep Manziel from winning another Heisman trophy. People are just getting annoyed with hearing Maniel’s name everywhere, especially Charles Barkley who absolutely can’t stand Manziel.

LSU To Host Auburn Tigers

The LSU Tigers host the Auburn Tigers in Death Valley, along with three five-star recruits who will be in attendance.

LSU is favored to win by 17 points, so the recruits are in to see an impressive performance by LSU. Leonard Fournette out of New Orleans’ St. Augustine High School, is said to be the best running back in the country and the best back since Adrian Peterson. Fournette has his choices narrowed down to two, Alabama and LSU. Everyone expects him to choose LSU over the Crimson Tide.

Laurence Jones, of Monroe (La.) Neville High School is an outstanding five-star safety who is deciding between Alabama and LSU as well.

Five-star wide receiver Malachi Dupre, of New Orleans’ John Curtis School has offers from just about any school but is leaning towards LSU. Word on the street is that Dupre is the best receiver in the country. Dupre’s teammate Kenny Young, who is a four-star linebacker will also be in attendance.

UF’s TV schedule for non conference

The Gators TV schedule is set for the rest of their non-conference schedule, and they will tip off their seasons on Nov. 8 at 3pm on Sun Sports. The game is set to begin after the Homecoming Parade and then leading into Gator Growl that same evening.

Previously the Gators had announced that five of their games will be aired on ESPN and ESPN2. They will also play six times on Sun Sports, one time on Fox Sports Florida and one game on CSS vs Richmond.

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2014 OT Benjamin Knox decommits from UF

Three-star offensive offensive tackle Benjamin Knox announced on Tuesday that he is decommitted from the University of Florida.

Rivals has Knox at a three-star while ESPN has him at a four-star and ranked the No. 269 player in the country. Knox committed to Florida during Junior Day back on Feb. 16 2013.

“At this very moment I am decommitting,” he told InsidetheGators.com’s Blake Alderman in a text message. “Reason why [is] because I haven’t heard from them in a month.”

This marks the fifth prospect who has chosen to decommit from the program. The Gators also lost a four-star linebacker Christian Miller (Columbia, SC), who is the 58th ranked player in the nation, on May 17.