Thank God I'm not a Gator

University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer seems to be taking a page from rival-coach Lane Kiffin's book by creating waves in the media.

Meyer was upset with comments made by former Gator quarterback Shane Matthews after the team's 31-30 loss to Mississippi last fall according to espn.com. Matthews criticized team strategy for not being able to take advantage of Ole Miss playing Gator wide-outs man-to-man 90 percent of the game.

" If you want to be critical of a player on our team or a coach on our team you can buy a ticket for seat 37F, you're not welcome back in the football office," Meyer said. "You're either a Gator or you're not a Gator."

Who does Meyer think he is?

Hey Urban, in America there's this thing called the First Amendment. It gives all U.S. citizens freedom of speech - with certain exceptions. One of those exceptions is NOT criticism of the Florida Gators by a former Gator though.

I wonder if Meyer will have the same reaction if golden-boy, and jean-shorts wearer, Tim Tebow makes similar comments ten years down the line?

What if he does? Meyer would be at the entrance of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a crowbar prying off that ridiculous plaque of the Tebow speech - which just happened to follow the Ole Miss loss that Matthews criticized.

As much as I wish that would happen, I really doubt it.

So speak your mind Shane Matthews. Criticize Gator players and coaches all you want - it's your right. Just keep your mouth shut after this year's UT/UF game. We know - it's going to be a tough game.

Top 10 Tuesday returns

Top 10 Tuesday returns to the blog today, but its going to be a little different. The list today is a ten-man roster of NBA players from my childhood.

Starters

PG: Magic Johnson - Great vision and ball handling skills. His size makes him a very versatile player in that he can play anything from point to center.

SG: Michael Jordan - The greatest player ever to touch a basketball. Can do anything on the court you need. His intensity and desire to be the best is matched by none.

SF: Larry Bird - Great shooter who puts himself in positions to make plays on the court. Will get in the heads of his competitors on both sides of the court.

PF: Kevin Garnett - The youngest player to make my list. His fierceness on both sides of the court gives the starting lineup a tougher look.

C: Shaq O'Neal - The Big Aristotle can not be checked by any defender, and with great shooters on the perimeter opponents won't be able to double him.

Bench

PG: Gary Payton: Good passer, but great defensive player. You don't get the nickname "the Glove" for nothing.

SG: Reggie Miller: Best three-point shooter in NBA history.

SF: Scottie Pippen: Played Robin to MJs Batman. Don't let that fool you; he's still a great player on his own.

PF: Charles Barkley: Undersized, but great work ethic and rebounding ability. Good locker room guy.

C: Hakeem Olajuwon: Very athletic big man with great post moves.

Manny out + A-Rod back = worst week ever

Major League Baseball is one giant life-cycle -- or at least it was last week. The league losses one of their biggest stars at the beginning of the week only to regain another by the end.

Manny Rameriz, the greatest right-handed hitter ever according to some, was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a banned-substance no-more than five days before Yankees third-baseman Alex Rodriguez rejoined his team from offseason hip surgery. Rodriguez had previously tested positive for steroids but was not suspended.

Take a look at the numbers; both players are statistically similar.

That being said, these players could not be more opposite.

Ramirez is gone and I'm upset. Lets face it, baseball can be pretty boring at times. It's really a bunch of sitting and waiting for something to happen, but when Manny's in the game anything can happen.

Baseball needs personalities like Manny to keep the middle-of-the-road fans interested.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, I could do without. While Manny brings child-like joy to his game, A-Rod brings a business-like feel to his.

Memo to A-Rod: baseball's a kids game. The less you treat it like a business, the more people will enjoy watching you play. Let the front office people worry about the business part.