Saban is beginning to remind me of Lombardi, but not because of the winning. Rather, because of the "men" he is making off-and-on-the-field. Whenever you hear about old Green Bay Packer players, they refer to them as "Lombardi Men". It's not just because of their on-the-field success, but, more to the point, their off-the-field and on-the-field CHARACTER and demeanor. If Nick stays long enough, I can see LSU players in the future being referred to as "Saban Men". No hard feelings between UF, LSU Florida beat LSU on the field — in Baton Rouge — but there’s not bitterness from the Gators over the Tigers' chance to play for the national championship. By ROBBIE ANDREU Sun sports writer The Florida Gators plan to be big LSU fans on the night of Jan. 4, and not for just the obvious reasons that the Tigers are in the SEC and UF is the only team that beat the possible national champs in the regular season. There's more. The Gators actually like these guys. Unlike some of UF's other rivalries — FSU in particular — the UF-LSU rivalry has been a civil one and the Gators seem to appreciate that. There's no bitterness or bad blood here, the Gators say. "I'm happy for LSU," UF senior offensive guard Shannon Snell said. "To tell you the truth, there's not a better group of guys, besides ourselves, I would rather see playing for (the national title). I'm going to pull for them. They're a good team and they deserve to be there. "They play hard and they're not cocky or anything and they play tough. They're one of those teams you respect a lot. They're a very classy team. All their players are classy and I would speak very highly of all of them." Senior cornerback Keiwan Ratliff was doing the same Monday, speaking highly of LSU and talking about the bond he has developed with star wide receiver Michael Clayton since the two met at SEC Media Days in Birmingham in the summer. "Michael Clayton has never trashed talked or said anything bad," Ratliff said. "He's always said good things about the University of Florida. Even during the game (a 19-7 UF win in Baton Rouge), there was no arguing or trash talking. It was, ‘Good play,’ or ‘You had me on that one.’ "Anytime a team carries itself that way you want to see them do well." Ratliff said an LSU win over Oklahoma for the national title (or a share of it) would reflect positively on Florida's program. "If they win, people will look at us and say, 'That Gator team must have been something if they beat the national championship team,' " Ratliff said. UF coach Ron Zook also said he will be rooting for the Tigers on Jan. 4. "Obviously, we beat LSU, so you'd like to see LSU win it," Zook said. "The fact we beat them and they are in our conference, we'll pull for them."
Gotta hand it to UF. I will look at UF and their team differently now. Pretty classy statements from those kids. Says alot about them as players and competitors. I wonder what other SEC programs have players talking like that. It also shows the class Saban has brought to this program.
A while back, my friend went to a booster/alumni grouping where Saban spoke to the crowd. Afterwards, everyone stood up and gave him a standing ovation. He left the podium and started walking through the crowd of people, shaking hands. My friend said a guy we both know went up to Saban and gave him a hard shake and kinda held on to Saban and said "You could be the next Bear Bryant for LSU, you could be a legend." He said Saban just smiled shook the man's hand and thanked him... When I heard this story I thought it was just funny story, but he really is on his way to being an LSU legend...
Bud, Saban is the best thing that has hit Baton rouge since Mr. Gatties. If he decides to stick around for years to come or leave in a few years.....no complaints from me.] He has done an outsdanding job!
Mmmmmm.....Mr. Gatti's!!! I can't remember the exact price, but I believe the all you can eat buffet when I was at LSU was something like $2.95 (and that included the drink). Man, for a college student on a tight budget, that place was a GOD SEND. Although I did have to go buy a larger belt.
My aunt and uncle, both UF grads gave me a call on Sunday telling me congrats for the Tigers getting to the Sugar Bowl. I've always liked Florida, and this just makes it easier. They are definitely my #2 in the SEC.
The Gatti folk run a tight shift too...You aren't getting by that cashier without paying...I had some terrible instances at that place because of some of my idiot friends.
The only reason I hated Florida is because they were consistently beating us most of the previous decade or so. Lately it's been a lot more balanced.
