Speights Back in Florida, Fowler apologizes, Assistant Coach Contracts, More Gators Tidbits
Friday, July 28, 2017 | General, Scott Carter
A look at fresh news and notes of interest to Florida Gator fans.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Marreese Speights is back in the Sunshine State.
The former UF player and St. Petersburg native signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Orlando Magic on Thursday.
"This is my dream team,'' said Speights, who grew up a Magic fan during the days of Penny Hardaway.
Speights has spent the majority of his NBA career on the West Coast with Golden State and last season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Welcome to the team, @Mospeights16! #PureMagic ?? pic.twitter.com/FTzCGEM9W1
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 27, 2017
*****
Justin Trattou is back in Florida, too.
The former UF defensive lineman, a starter for Florida's 2008 national championship team, signed with the Bucs on Thursday as a late addition prior to the start of training camp.
Trattou has spent the past four seasons playing for the Vikings, where he appeared in all 16 games a season ago.
Bucs sign journeyman defensive end Justin Trattou: The Bucs get a last-minute addition just before… https://t.co/DPqxKyd8Sz #TopStories pic.twitter.com/6GdKXMgwt8
— BucsZone (@TheBucsZone) July 28, 2017
*****
The University Athletic Association released the contracts of assistant football coaches Randy Shannon, Ja'Juan Seider, Corey Bell and Brad Davis on Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, running backs coach Seider, offensive line coach Davis and secondary coach Bell each signed two-year deals. Seider will earn $335,000 this season, with bump to $345,000 in 2018. Bell and Davis receive $290,000 each in 2017 and $315,000 in 2018.
If any of the three first-year assistants leave UF before the terms of his contract expires, he would owe the UAA $100,000 to be paid within 60 days.
*****
By now, you're probably like, "c'mon man" because you thought that "big check" meant something else. It's Friday so we can have a little fun, right?.
Still, that is a pretty big darn check McElwain received during his stop Thursday night at the Fightin' Gators Touchdown Club meeting.
*****Always a fun time with the @FGTCgators! Thanks for having us tonight and all you do for @GatorsFB. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/K9YLK5NkFn
— Jim McElwain (@CoachMcElwain) July 28, 2017
Another former UF basketball player is on the move. Erik Murphy is continuing his professional career overseas.
.@e_murphy33 rejoint @Nanterre92 pour remplacer Myles Hesson ... Article à lire sur https://t.co/A15BiHtb9w #WeAreJSF pic.twitter.com/wgkIesSSaD
— Nanterre 92 (@Nanterre92) July 28, 2017
*****
Dante Fowler Jr. was one of the Gators' most popular players during his time at UF.
Fowler was a solid citizen on and off the field to my knowledge, which makes his recent off-the-field troubles in the NFL somewhat puzzling.
"I'm a better person than that,'' Fowler told reporters Thursday.
Whatever is going on in his personal life, you hope Fowler can turn his fortunes around because he is talented and could be a defensive force in the NFL with Jacksonville for years to come. But first, Fowler must take care of his personal life.
He said that is a top priority on Thursday as he spoke to reporters at Jaguars camp.
Dante Fowler Jr. Starts off by apologizing to the team, the coaches and the city of Jacksonville pic.twitter.com/r2fxN8Sp7w
— Marcel Robinson (@MarcelASJax) July 26, 2017
*****
In case you missed it, Udonis Haslem recently signed up for his 15th season with the Miami Heat.
The former UF standout is a fan favorite in his hometown but not everyone considered the Heat's decision to re-sign the 37-year-old Haslem a wise basketball decision considering his age and the decline in his skills the past couple of seasons.
Palm Beach Post columnist Dave George writes that while others can fret over the Heat's decision, he will smile that Haslem is back where he belongs.
What makes Udonis Haslem's loyalty to the Miami Heat so special? It's rare - Palm Beach Post (blog) https://t.co/UZY2WXFokc #HEATIsOn pic.twitter.com/2OS1qlx9w8
— Miami Heat News (@MiamiHeatNews5) July 24, 2017
*****
It's been a while since former UF golfer Matt Every has played well consistently on the PGA Tour.
So, when Every shot a 65 in the first round of the RBC Canadian Open on Thursday, it raised eyebrows in the golf community.
Every delivered the quote of the day afterward.
Co-leader Matt Every on what motivated him to play better: "I didn't plan on sucking the rest of my life when I went into a slump"
— Bob Weeks (@BobWeeksTSN) July 28, 2017
