Swamp Kings - Netflix documentary [WARNING: Potential Spoilers From Post #10 On]

One thing that I thought was quite odd was that Meyer didn't even know who Tebow was early on. Other major programs were after him and Meyer had no clue. I vaguley recall from Tebow's book that Mike Shula did a better job recruiting him, but he thought he belonged at UF. Another tidbit from the book was that during his OV to UF, Mullen told his brother that it didn't matter who his QB was, he was going to win. Sounded like ole yeller teeth. TT also said that he didn't have much of a relationship with Mullen until his JR year. It's been a while since I read it, but that's what I remember.

 

Siler has a LOT of charisma.

 

Troy Smith just got sacked again.

 

What a great series. Loved it. So much inside info and not at all a hit piece. The great thing about Netflix vs ESPN is that it’s global. Not that many play football outside North America but it’s still good global exposure for Gators Football. You never know which kid you’ll influence to choose the Gators one day

 

It wasn't but that is what all the talking heads wanted including finbum. XM was talking about how this series wasn't "Untold" and that they didn't go into the A Hern or Cam laptop thing. Well guess what, those aren't "Untold" either. Plus, pretty sure A Hern killed someone while a Patriot so maybe they will do a documentary on New England with Belichick and Brady and bring it up then.

 

Netflix already has a whole documentary on Hernandez, so I completely understand why that was not explored more in this series.
As for Cam - certainly as Gator fans we understand how impactful the issues that led to his dismissal were, but most people associate him with Auburn. Heck, I've talked with college football fans who didn't even remember his career started at UF.
I do wish there had been a bit more about the ultimate reasons Urban left. I was completely expecting to hear the 911 call from Shelley, and at least a brief rundown of the 2010 season, ending with Meyer finally walking away for good.
But, overall, very entertaining and nostalgic ride, and not at all the smear piece I was expecting...

 

Two of the most impactful things I heard was the feeling of guilt Urban had for letting Avery Atkins go only to find out he was dead in a year. I get the attitude of not giving up on a kid after that.
The second thing was the relationship with Chris Rainey. Saying he would go over to Urban's house and have spaghetti and watch cartoons with their son. (maybe a NCAA violation but nobody said anything so must be OK)

 

It’s too bad they didn’t go more into the dynamic how Cam Newton was a scumbag while at UF and then became a super awesome guy to be celebrated once he got to Auburn.

 

Yeah.... weird, ain't it??

 

makes me miss those years so much. what a time to be at UF

 

Good post and just to add...
Tebow was so taken with Shula he literally had not decided between UF and Bama until the school assembly announcement.
Tebow stated he prepared his remarks and left the school blank.
He finally decided on us, called shula like the classy guy he is, and Shula was so nice Tebow almost changed his mind.

The Tebow/ Mullen thing was really interesting.
In the book Tebow was positive about EVERYBODY. Everyone is great, everything is great, even the LSU fans who almost turned over his bus in 07? were not scumbags who almost seriously injured dozens, but just excited.
But the one person who Tebow didn't love was...Mullen. He said they didn't click, or something.
By the time Mullen left, Tebow and Mullen got along great, but again, Tebow gets along with everyone.

FWIW, Tebow also said that if Spurrier was the UF coach he would not have gone to UF, so there's that.

 

I've been living in NE TN for about 16 years now and can say that Tennessee has come a long way in terms of livability, place to have a career, raise a family, etc. No, it's not the same as Florida, the cities are small time, and there are no actual beaches. But it does have things that pass for mountains (so long as you've never been west of Kansas) , fantastic lakes and rivers, four seasons where I live (ok. sometimes winter is an almost but not quite) and plenty of diverse free time activities.

But also, having lived out of the south for a good period of time I've come to recognize that while many people in the south think they are practicing genteel civility what they really are is passive-aggressive and insecure.

Florida people tending towards an easy going self confidence is something that just does not sit well with many in these parts.

 

Question for the Board: The reaction I see on Twitter from non-Gators fans is overwhelmingly negative. A lot of people really don’t like that team and Urban Meyer.

But 10 years ago or whenever when ESPN broadcast Billy Corben’s The U the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Miami’s players being wild street kids is foundational to their story. Why do people love those players and their obviously shady coaches and hate ours so much?

Everybody loves Bobby Bowden and those 90s FSU teams, too.

A new UGA player is arrested for driving over 100 every other week and no one talks about Smart’s housekeeping.

 

Will always be thankful for the time Urban Meyer gave us as HC of the Gators! 6 Winning Seasons, 2 National Championships and a Heisman Trophy Winner in QB Tim Tebow! . And many thought he’d play for Alabama

 

Miami and fsu as well as some others have always received praise for their places in college football history despite all of their scandals and as you say, even celebrated as part of their culture. I've never been a fan of college football media and blue bloods because of the double standard florida has been treated with.

 

Less Finbaum, more Siler please. Cracking me up with the gold teeth story.

 

Tennessee graduate

 

I had never heard the story about what happened at halftime of the 2009 MSU game before. That was interesting.

Also, does Brandon James strike anyone else as Kevin Hart’s twin brother?

 

I texted my friend when I watched it last night and said that Brandon James sounds exactly like Kevin Hart.

 

The series causes me to relax a little. I sorta diminished my enjoyment of those years because of the way they ended. But hoo-boy were we a fun college football team to be a fan.