Florida Gators in the NFL: Bill Belichick Sure Did Love Him Some Gators

Plus, Greenard, Anzalone, Ceedy, and Demarcus Among Postseason X-Factors

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots mutually agreed to part ways this week. Once upon a time, Belichick was a staple in Gainesville at Pro Days and during offseason workouts. He had great admiration for the Gators - especially during Urban Meyer’s tenure. From 2004 through 2018, Belichick drafted nine Florida players. Unfortunately most of them were complete and total busts with the exception of Brandon Spikes and - ahem - Aaron Hernandez. 

Injuries got the best of Guss Scott, Dominique Easley, and Duke Dawson. Chad Jackson seemed like he’d have a good NFL career but instead he flamed out as bad as any former Gator receiver ever. And Hernandez… no comment.

To kick off the press conference announcing the split, Belichick comically invoked his signing of perhaps the most famous Gator of them all. 

If you don’t recall, Tebow signed with the Patriots in the summer of 2013. After the ups and downs of Tebow-mania in 2011 in Denver, Tebow was traded in 2012 to the Jets. He spent a disastrous year in New York before signing with the Pats in what seemed like his best chance at success - again see Belichick and his love of Meyer’s Gators - and perhaps his last chance. Here’s what Belichick said about Tebow at the time.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Tebow was bad to awful in the 2013 preseason and the Pats cut him before the start of that season. Belichick may be the greatest coach in NFL history, but Florida Gators players certainly were one of his few blind spots.

BEST PLAYER OF WEEK 18

C.J. Gardner-Johnson tore a pectoral muscle early in Detroit’s week two game against Seattle. He missed a couple of plays, then finished out the game with eight total tackles. That week, the Lions placed him on injured reserve with an injury that usually knocks players out for the year. Never one to back down from a fight, Gardner-Johnson vowed to get back before the season ended.

On Sunday, Ceedy Duce lived up to his word, returning to action a little over three months after the injury. After leading the league in interceptions last year, Duce wasn’t going to get shut out this season even if he only played three games.

CJGJ’s return bolsters an improved Detroit defense and gives the NFC North champion Lions a shot at making it through the NFC playoffs. He’s already making plans for two more banners at Ford Field.

As he explains it like only he can, the Lions brought him to Detroit for a reason.

BEST PLAY OF WEEK 18

A couple of weeks ago, Tommy Townsend threw a dart to convert a fake punt first down. This week, La’mical Perine took a direct snap and ran around the edge to pick up a first down. A couple of former Gators have become fake-punt masters in Kansas City!

Perine has spent most of the season on KC’s practice squad, but on Sunday, he earned the start as the Chiefs benched their starters. Perine turned the most touches he’s ever received in an NFL game into 99 scrimmage yards in a solid performance. He’ll serve as KC’s third running back in the playoffs so chances are slim he’ll touch the ball much. But he showed if needed, he’ll be ready. 

SUPER WILD CARD WEEKEND PREVIEW

Every Gators fan is aware of the program’s struggles the past few seasons. And although it’s not an A-to-B correlation, those struggles have shown up with alumni in the NFL. This season, there were zero former Gators selected to the Pro Bowl. By contrast, Alabama has seven alums and Georgia has four. 

I’ve written all season about the exciting exploits of Jonathan Greenard and Alex Anzalone, the phenomenal kicking by Evan McPherson and Eddy Piñeiro, and the second-half resurgence of Demarcus Robinson. But overall, the highlights have been few and the disappointments - including most-of-the-season injuries to Anthony Richardson and C.J. Gardner-Johnson - much more plentiful. 

That said, the postseason is another opportunity for former Gators to shine. A UF alum has played in the Super Bowl in 21 straight seasons and won a ring in nine of the past 11 years. Kadarius Toney scored a touchdown and almost returned a punt for another last year in helping the Chiefs to the championship. Percy Harvin’s kickoff return TD sealed the Seahawks title in 2013. Emmitt Smith scored five TDs in winning three Super Bowls in the 1990s. Chances are, one of the guys this year will have a big game or moment that helps their team raise a trophy in February in Las Vegas.

Browns at Texas, Saturday, 4:30pm

HOU: Jonathan Greenard hopes to return after missing two games - and almost all of a third - with an ankle injury. Despite the games missed, Greenard finished tied for 10th with a career-high 12.5 sacks. Dameon Pierce is Houston’s primary kickoff returner after losing his running back job. 

Dolphins at Chiefs, Saturday, 8:00pm

KC: I mentioned Perine earlier; he’s the Chiefs third running back and should see some action on special teams. Jawaan Taylor has had a mediocre year, but if he cleans up his game and keeps Mahomes pocket clean, he could write a redemption story. Kadarius Toney has been even worse than Taylor - and he’s battling his usual slew of injuries. He’s questionable to play as of now. Tommy Townsend will handle the punts and hold for kicks.

MIA: Freddie Swain has spent the entire season on the Dolphins practice squad and will not be elevated this week.

NOTE: Saturday night’s game in Kansas City is going to be one of the coldest games in NFL history with expected wind chill temps near -30. I’ll be there, trying not to get frostbite, and fully expecting my Miami Dolphins to continue their usual December/January collapse.

Steelers at Bills, Sunday, 1:00pm

BUF: O’Cyrus Torrence had a good rookie season as a plug-and-play right guard on the Bills line. Kaiir Elam played in only three games and hasn’t appeared since October. His sophomore season has been a complete bust and he’ll be a likely inactive on Sunday. Richard Gouraige has spent the entire season on Buffalo’s practice squad and will not be elevated this week. Justin Shorter has been on injured reserve since the end of training camp.

PIT: Keanu Neal played well for the Steelers before landing on injured reserve in November. There’s been no update on Neal in weeks and he’s not likely to return this year.

Packers at Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25pm

DAL: Dante Fowler is coming off his first multi-sack game since his career-best 2019 season. Fowler played the fewest snaps of his career by far but finished with the fifth-highest pass rush-win rate among all EDGE defenders. He is fresh for the postseason, and although he’ll still only see about 15-20 plays, he could have a huge impact. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Malik Davis elevated off Dallas’s practice squad for this one. The Cowboys only have Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle on the 53-man roster.

GB: T.J. Slaton started every game at nose tackle for the Packers and finished with a career-best 50 tackles. He’ll try to clog up the middle of the line of scrimmage and force Dallas away from the running game.

Rams at Lions, Sunday, 8:00pm

DET: I mentioned C.J. Gardner-Johnson earlier. His return is a lifeline for the Lions secondary as it welcomes Matthew Stafford and the red-hot Rams offense. Alex Anzalone will have his hands full with running back Kyren Williams and will also be sent a handful of blitzes to try to disrupt Stafford:

LAR: Despite a quiet week 18 with the Rams resting their starters, Demarcus Robinson was a top-30 receiver in the entire league the final two months of the season. He’s playing in his eighth straight postseason - every year of his professional career - and looking to haul in his third career playoff score.

Eagles at Buccaneers, Monday, 8:15pm

TB: Kyle Trask only appeared in two games this season and attempted one pass. If Baker Mayfield were to go down, you have to wonder how Trask would fair. 

PHI: Fred Johnson saw his most game action of the year in week 18 but returns to a special teams-only role this week.

RANKING WEEK 18 PERFORMANCES

1 - C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB, Detroit Lions

Week 18: INT, 4 tackles, 1 PD

Season: 3 G, INT, 17 tackles, 3 PD

2 - Dante Fowler, Jr., OLB, Dallas Cowboys

Week 18: 1.5 sacks, 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits, 14 snaps (20%)

Season: 4.0 sacks, 13 tackles, 5 TFL, 7 QB hits, 3 PD, 1 FF

Fowler closed strong in week 18 with his first multi-sack game in four years.

3 - La’mical Perine, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Week 18: 21 rush, 76 yards, 3 rec (4 targets), 33 yards, 47 snaps (81%), 15 ST snaps (56%)

Season: 3 G, 22 rush, 77 yards, 3 rec, 33 yards

4 - Alex Anzalone, LB, Detroit Lions

Week 18: 9 tackles, 73 snaps (100%)

Season: 3.0 sacks, 129 tackles, 7 TFL, 12 QB hits, 6 PD, 1 FR

Anzalone was solid again on Sunday and finished a great season that saw him set career-highs in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits. His best play on Sunday? His Gator Chomp celebration after CJGJ’s interception.

5 - Jeremiah Moon, OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Week 18: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 25 snaps (40%), 19 ST snaps (70%)

Season: 8 G, 12 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 FF

6 - Kyle Pitts. TE, Atlanta Falcons

Week 18: 2 rec (3 targets), 27 yards, 39 snaps (64%)

Season: 53 rec, 667 yards, 3 TD, 1 rush, -4 yards

7 - O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Buffalo Bills

Week 18: 78 snaps (100%)

Season: 17 G, 1,164 snaps (100%)

8 - Stone Forsythe, OT, Seattle Seahawks

Week 18: 55 snaps (100%), 3 ST snaps (12%)

Season: 17 G, 501 OFF snaps (48%), 76 ST snaps

9 - Van Jefferson, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Week 18: 2 rec (3 targets), 13 yards, 30 snaps (49%)

Season: 18 rec, 196 yards, 1 rush, 4 yards

10 - Jonathan Bullard, DL, Minnesota Vikings

Week 18: 3 tackles, 44 snaps (77%)

Season: 2.0 sacks, 44 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 FF, 2 QB hits

11 - Zach Carter, DT, Cincinnati Bengals

Week 18: 2 tackles, 32 snaps (60%)

Season: 23 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 2 QB hits, 1 PD

12 - T.J. Slaton, NT, Green Bay Packers

Week 18: 2 tackles, 26 snaps (54%), 9 ST snaps (50%)

Season: 50 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 2 PD

13 - Evan McPherson, K, Cincinnati Bengals

Week 18: 1/1 FG, Long 45, 4/4 XP

Season: 26/31 FG, Long 56, 40/40 XP

McPherson finished the season a perfect 40-for-40 on extra points. He only missed five field goals, all of them coming from over 50 yards.

14 - Brandon Powell, WR/PR, Minnesota Vikings

Week 18: 1 rec (3 targets), 2 yards, 1 PR, 13.0 avg, 9 snaps (12%), 5 ST snaps (18%)

Season: 29 rec, 324 yards, TD, 5 rush, 17 yards, 37 PR, 7.8 avg

15 - Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans

Week 18: 1 KR, 30.0 avg, 5 ST snap (17%)

Season: 145 rush, 416 yards, 2 TD, 13 rec, 101 yards, 7 KR, 32.1 avg, TD

16 - C.J. Henderson, CB, Carolina Panthers

Week 18: 2 tackles, 8 snaps (12%), 2 ST snaps (10%)

Season: 39 tackles, 1 sack, 2 PD, 3 TFL, 1 QB hit

17 - Taven Bryan, DT, Indianapolis Colts

Week 18: 1 tackle, 11 snaps (20%), 8 ST snaps (27%)

Season: 2.0 sacks, 22 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 FF

18 - Fred Johnson, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

Week 18: 33 snaps (51%), 2 ST snaps (8%)

Season: 17 G, 35 OFF snaps, 78 ST snaps

Johnson saw his first extended playing time of the season after Philly pulled its starters in week 18. He’ll go back to a reserve role in the playoffs.

19 - Gervon Dexter, Sr., DT, Chicago Bears

Week 18: 29 snaps (48%), 4 ST snaps (22%)

Season: 2.5 sacks, 19 tackles, 12 QB hits, 2 PD

20 - Tommy Townsend, P, Kansas City Chiefs

Week 18: 6 punts, 45.7 avg, 39.0 net

Season: 59 punts, 47.1 avg, 41.9 net

21 - Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Week 18: 26 snaps (39%)

Season: 26 rec, 371 yards, 4 TD, 1 rush, 23 yards, 1 KR, 20.0 avg

Robinson played sparingly in the Rams finale, really only on the field until Puka Nacua set the rookie receiving records. Once that happened, Nacua and Robinson joined Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford on the sidelines as the Rams wanted to keep their top starters healthy for this weekend’s wildcard game.

22 - Marco Wilson, CB, New England Patriots

Week 18: 1 tackle, 10 snaps (15%)

Season: 53 tackles, 4 PD

Wilson made his Patriots debut and contributed one tackle. With Belichick’s departure, Wilson’s future in New England - and perhaps the league - is murky.

23 - Jawaan Taylor, RT, Kansas City Chiefs

Week 18: 19 snaps (33%)

Season: 17 G, 1,076 snaps (95%)

24 - Max Garcia, C/G, New Orleans Saints

Week 18: 12 snaps (18%), 8 ST snaps (25%)

Season: 17 G, 320 OFF snaps (28%), 77 ST snaps

25 - Amari Burney, LB, Las Vegas Raiders

Week 18: 14 ST snaps (56%)

Season: 7 G, 15 tackles

26 - David Sharpe, OT, Carolina Panthers

Week 18: 1 ST snap (5%)

Season: 8 G, 1 snap, 23 ST snaps

27 - Kyle Trask, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 18: Active but did not play

Season: 2 G, 0/1 passing, 1 rush, -1 yard

28 - Jonotthan Harrison, C, Miami Dolphins

Week 18: Active but did not play

Season: 2 G, 9 snaps

INACTIVE

Eddy Piñeiro, K, Carolina Panthers

Inactive - Hamstring

Season: 25/29 FG, Long 56, 17/20 XP

Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Houston Texans

Inactive - Ankle

Season: 12.5 sacks, 52 tackles, 15 TFL, 22 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FF

Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Inactive - Hip

Season: 27 rec, 169 yards, TD, 11 rush, 31 yards, 6 PR, 9.7 avg

Trent Brown, LT, New England Patriots

Season: 11 G, 581 snaps (85%)

Kaiir Elam, CB, Buffalo Bills

Season: 3 G, 14 tackles

Brenton Cox, Jr., OLB, Green Bay Packers

Season: 4 G, 4 DEF snaps, 9 ST snaps

PRACTICE SQUAD

Malik Davis, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Season: 3 G, 1 tackle

Marcell Harris, LB, Houston Texans

Freddie Swain, WR, Miami Dolphins

Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Trey Dean III, S, New York Jets

Richard Gouraige, OT, Buffalo Bills

INJURED RESERVE

D.J. Humphries, LT, Arizona Cardinals

Season: 15 G, 925 snaps (93%)

Marcus Maye, S, New Orleans Saints

Season: 7 G, 2 INT, 1.0 sack, 37 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 PD

Keanu Neal, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season: 9 G, 50 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FR

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Season: 4 G, 50/84, 59.5%, 577 yards, 3 TD, INT, 25 rush, 136 yards, 4 TD

Justin Shorter, WR, Buffalo Bills

Jarrad Davis, LB, New York Giants

Ventrell Miller, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars