FRZ: Editor's Notes and Sermons

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These originally were presented as separate items at the FRZ site, with several previous issues under each.

For the sake of continuity, as a historical edocument, I have merged the two here and put them in chronological order. - The Gator Duck

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FRZ Editor’s Notes 1/17/02

"Challenges are what make people work harder."

Ron Zook's own words at a news conference in Gainesville a few days ago, and without a doubt, the single most important reason this website exists.

Admit it. You turned ESPN on the other day and heard, "Ron Zook", and your mouth hit the floor. That is, if you have any real knowledge of Gator football whatsoever between 1991 and 2001. If you were a student in 1994 (like I was), you know exactly what I'm talking about.

He was run out of Gainesville. I don't care what you've read, and I don't care what you think you know....I was there. His skills as a coach at that time were not up to par with Spurrier's dynasty, and his so-called "excitement" was not going to win us any championships, much less keep our defense from getting picked apart.

Fast forward to the year 2002. Steve Spurrier resigns and Jeremy Foley has a short list with a quick deadline. He has made questionable decisions in recent years which have turned out to be highly successful. All of a sudden, out of left field comes Ron Zook, and we as Gator fans are stunned. Whether you agree with this website or not...you were stunned.

So here we are with a head coach whose only two ties to Florida were his post-1993 season demotion, and his friendship with Foley. Now some of you have written me declaring that this site is a sure sign that I am not a true Gator fan. Let me ask you this: Is your definition of a 'fan' someone who sits back and cheers on bad decisions? Am I supposed to just say, "oh well" and "Go Gators!" and accept the fact that Zook's defense 2 months ago gave up 160 points in their last FOUR games? I don't think so.

If nothing else, this site exists to allow all of you to share your opinions, regardless of whether you agree or disagree. I could have called the site "HoorayRonZook.com", but how many of you would be reading this right now? I remain a loyal Gator fan. I will be cheering for this team until the day I die. However, we're not some 'Bad News Bears' underdog squad who needs a good pep talk to win games...we're the Florida Gators. I hope to God our new coach has developed his coaching skills over the past few years and will live up to the high expectations that have come with this new venture.

If this particular challenge makes Ron Zook work hard enough to overcome his past mistakes and become a great Gator football coach, this Webmaster is all for it.

[gatorduck]

FRZ Editor’s Notes 1/30/02

"How can you possibly call yourself a true Gator fan?"

A quote from one of our readers which has been echoed through various emails and postings from about 60% of our viewers. Did you notice I said 60%? The other 40% of emails and comments have been positive. These are obviously the individuals who have looked beyond the name FireRonZook.com and actually realized why this page exists. It's all about the conversation, folks.

I am extremely proud of the open conversation that has been generated by this site (minus a few idiots on the guestbook who stray from the subject at hand). If nothing else, you have all proved what I already knew...that the University of Florida has the most loyal fans in the nation.

So loyal, in fact, that some of you are blinded by your emotions.

I'm not saying that the name of this site shouldn't make you angry. Hell, that's the whole reason we chose this name in the first place. 99% of would not have clicked on the link that said ILoveRonZook.com, and we would not be having this conversation right now. That said, if you look beyond the name and realize that not everything on this site is dedicated to the firing of Zook, you will see that we are merely a comical place for opponents AND proponents of Foley's decision to voice their opinions. My opinion just happens to be that the decision was bad. Nothing more, nothing less.

Does that make me any less of a Gator fan? Absolutely not. Will I be cheering come September with the same enthusiasm I have been for the past 12 years? Hell yes. Am I a spoiled rotten fan who expects us to win all the time? You're damn right I am.

They have a name for people who expect to lose. They call them Losers.

Maybe it's because I don't know any different. I admit I was not a fan before I studied there. This, however, does not disqualify me from having a valid opinion on what Foley himself has admitted is a career defining decision. In his own words to Zook, "I just put my career in your hands".

I mean really, who says that unless they're scared out of their mind? Foley has had a little time to think about his decision and take in the national 'DOH!' which immediately followed. Now it's up to Zook to map out the future of his career.

I sure hope Zook gives better directions than he did in the 90's.

[gatorduck]

Wondering what happened to me? Well, I folded under the pressure. I sold out. I let your 'GIVE ZOOK A CHANCE' comments get the best of me and decided to bring down one of the greatest spur of the moment web pages in sports history, but not again. No way. This time I'm back until the sweet sound of Zook's resignation hits the AP newswire.

To tell you the truth you got under my skin. I'm still a Gator fan, you know. So many emails had that one line staring me in the face:

'You haven't even given him a chance....'

As you can plainly see from the last three weeks, I have now given him 3 chances...and he's blowing it. Here we are staring Tennessee in the face this weekend with a 2-1 record, and any of you who are familiar with Gator Football know that this is a game which will most likely define the program for the next 5 years. This is the game of the year. This is the one next year's recruits are going to remember. Unfortunately I'm not feeling too optimistic.

Now before you start getting all pissed off at me again....let me say just a few words.

First of all, I'm not alone. Search the web for Ron Zook. Better yet, just simply go to ESPN.com and you'll find similar, unbiased opinions. Even the analysts are starting to see that Zook is not the right man for Florida Football. Today's quote just happens to be:

"The Gators looked awful last weekend in their 34-6 win over Ohio, and a day later, Ron Zook was still spinning a positive story. "I think if criticism is due, then you do it," the first-year coach said. "But I see a lot of things a lot of people evidently don't see."
--ESPN.com

What exactly does Ron Zook see? (insert 'I see dead people' joke here...) What game was he watching? Notice I said 'watching', cause I sure as hell wouldn't call that coaching.

Next I refer you to your own comments. One of the most typical comments I received in your emails:

"Zook is more energetic and is fired up about this job."

That's great. I'm really excited that he was fired up a few weeks after winning the Gator Head Coaching job from his buddy Foley. So where's that excitement now? Is it in the locker room? Is it on the practice field? Because anyone who's watching the games hasn't seen it on the sidelines of the last 3 games, or in the players themselves. I'd be fired up too if Foley gave me the nod, but that still doesn't mean I'd have a clue what I was doing.

Last, but not least, I understand we're stuck with him. Some of you may think I'm a total idiot...and you're completely free to do that. I do, however, realize that no Athletic Director in his right mind (or Foley for that matter) would get rid of a first year coach in the middle of his first season. Nor would he replace him after only one year. That's why the countdown on the homepage shoots for a little over two years. And God willing...

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It was a Glorious weekend in Gator land as UF handled UT with surprising ease in Knoxville. We here at FRZ.com thought this might be the darkest hour for a certain coach - we just didn't expect it to be Phil Fulmer. An extra special thanks goes out to Dr. Phil for his all-out meltdown (and we thought Zook was bad). This performance was vintage Phil, circa 1994-97.

First, and foremost, there will not be a link to www.GiveZookAnExtension.com anytime soon as the Gainesville Sun has requested. As much as I celebrated and danced (yes, we here at FRZ.com still celebrate victories), it pains me to say Tennessee beat themselves this time around. There were definitely improvements in our performance, mind you....but just like the Gators handed Miami the game in Gainesville, the Vols gift-wrapped this one up for our boys. So, temper that enthusiasm before you book your BCS Bowl tickets.

"The Human Run-On Sentence" ...
We, too, would be overcome with emotion talking to Jill Arrington with the high beams on, but did anyone understand a thing Zook said? You don't get flagged 15 yards for a pregnant pause. Someone please explain this to him.

Causes for Joy ...
- 30 points in Knoxville is much better than 34 vs. Ohio in Gainesville.
- Mark Richt is a horrible coach too - so there's hope yet for capturing the SEC East.
- We didn't blow the big lead - face it, you were starting to sweat before Alex Walls chunked the extra point to keep it 24-13.
- Cory Bailey and Guss Scott.

Causes for Concern ...
- UT had the ball for 33 minutes despite 3 possessions that totaled approximately 45 seconds.
- We still have not stopped the run. The scoreboard stopped the run this week - that and a slew of botched snaps.
- The kicking game.
- What goes up must come down ... Will there be an Ohio-like letdown against Kentucky?
- How long 'til Red Anderson gets us back on probation? I implore all Gator fans to celebrate this victory.

Three more wins and we're Bowl Eligible!

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With a 19-0 lead at the half, I thought to myself: "Maybe there's magic here that I don't see. Maybe we didn't give the Ego a chance. The defense looks sharp." Sure, it should have been 35-0. But I was a Happy Gator.

Then they came back out of the tunnel and I was reminded why this site was started ... get this idiot off the sidelines! I now see why Zookie remarked that the cupboard was bare - NOT ONE PLAYER RESPONDS TO A THING HE SAYS!

Zook needs 85 guys who thank the good lord they're playing at Florida so that they'll listen (and from last year's recruiting class - he has the first 15) instead of having 85 talented players.

This was a 42 point rout waiting to happen and we get this? This isn't Georgia, Auburn or even LSU - this is probation-riddled Kentucky! On some days of the year, beating Kentucky by 7 is a cause for joy ... however, we usually call that "Basketball Season."

Back in the early part of '02, all we heard from people was "at least our special teams will be good." How do you let a white guy return two kicks for two touchdowns? I'm not even getting into the debacle that was supposed to be the punt formation.

The Tennessee win sure looks a lot more impressive after the "blowout" of Rutgers late Saturday night (this is the same Rutgers that lost to Villanova and Buffalo already).

One thing in Zook's favor did come to mind yesterday as I saw the scores roll around - at least we didn't hire Buddy Teevens.

THE EGG ON OUR FACE IS NO MORE!

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Like the rest of you, I'm sitting at my computer pissed off right now.

Like the rest of you, I'm wondering about the next few SEC games we have against teams much better than Ole Miss.

However, UNLIKE MOST OF YOU WHO OPPOSE THIS WEBSITE:

I'M NOT SURPRISED.

I've had some time to read a few articles since the game yesterday and feel the need to make one thing clear. FRZ.com is as against Zook being head coach of UF as we were before the Ole Miss game. No more, no less. Many FRZ.com critics seem to think now that we have fuel for this website, that we now have 'purpose'. I disagree. Yesterday's game simply verified the claims we have been making since that fateful day in January when Foley lost his damn mind.

I'm still so pissed off I can't even think straight. I sit here trying to write a decent blurb to convey my feelings, and I just want to throw my laptop across the room. Call me a sore loser, call me unfaithful, call me whatever the hell you want to...but after yesterday you can no longer call my opinions unfounded. I was embarrassed to be a Gator yesterday. The last time that happened, at least we were tied 31-31 at the end of the game against a worthy opponent.

Many of you have written us over the last 24 hours letting us know that you are now on our side. Maybe the journalists are right. Maybe we are a 'knee-jerk' fan base. Will you be the same fans who will write in and chastise me again if we happen to pull one off against LSU? Only time will tell.

Just a side note: Every email that gets sent to [e-mail] gets read by us (except of course, the viruses you've been trying to send...idiots, they don't work). Every one. Personally, I've been hearing a lot of unhappy emails regarding this site. I challenge you, if you're one of those people who complained about this site, to write in now. I'm interested to know how you feel NOW. You asked me how I felt after the Tennessee game and I told you. You asked me how I felt after the Kentucky game, and I told you again. Now return the favor.

With that said, I look forward to bringing you plenty of entertaining content over the next few weeks. We obviously won't be getting that from Zook's leadership anytime soon.

FRZ

PS - Washington just scored on a post-corner. Remember those, Gators? God I miss Spurrier.

[gatorduck]

To our loyal readers (you psychos...): Our apologies for confusing you...the date stamp above is now reflective of when this was posted.

Our mistake....whaddya gonna do, fire us?

Travel a thousand miles or so up I-75 from Gainesville, through Georgia and the Tennessee Valley into Ohio and what do you get?

Bowling Green State University.

But FRZ, I thought this site was about Ron Zook and his riveting halftime speech that brought the troops to life in the second half...

I've never been to Bowling Green, Ohio, in my entire life. According to the school's web site, it's the county seat of Wood County and has a population of 28,500. It's even a "Best Value" according to Newsweek.

I just thought everyone would love to have a nugget or two on the team that is ranked AHEAD of the Gators in this week's ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.

Let me reiterate ... Bowling Green State University. Of course, devout followers of FRZ.com have read our thoughts on Urban Meyer, the talented head coach of the Falcons already in the "Our Picks" section. For some inexplicable reason, the Gators are still in the poll. Another case of coaches protecting their own. I'm surprised that the Gators didn't have 3 first place votes courtesy of David Cutcliffe, Larry Coker and Nick Saban. I can hear the conversation across the southeast this morning - "Hell, if we keep him ranked, they can't fire him."

Like most Gator fans, I have become increasingly agitated as the weeks have gone by. Erased from my mind is the game in Knoxville. The only thing I can remember from that game is the story about Zook retold by Todd Blackledge about the Monday after the Ohio game. Zook's wife flat out asked Ron "Are we in trouble?" About 30 seconds after singing We Are The Boys From Ol' Florida, the answer to that question was clear...crystal clear.

In times like these, one can only fall back on optimism. Think of the bright spot: we only owe Zook $1.5 million for the next two years. Someone was smart enough not to offer a five-year contract.

Shreveport is lovely right around Christmas time.

[gatorduck]

"I'm feeling joy right now, because, I'll tell you something, wins are hard to come by.'' -Zook

Somewhere in the world right now, there is a mangy dog out in the streets with no home and nothing to eat. Later on today, he's probably going to be wandering through your yard, and even more importantly, digging through your trash. With any luck, you finally got around to throwing out that moldy piece of chicken that's been sitting in the fridge since June...and our beloved mutt is going to find that chicken and what is he going to feel? That's right. Joy.

Exactly when did beating Auburn by an overtime touchdown (after blowing a 16 point fourth quarter lead) become a 'joyous' event? Don't get me wrong...I'm happy we won.

But...Joy? Let's go ask the experts:

Joy (joi) - n. A source or an object of pleasure or satisfaction. Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness.

I don't expect Zook, or any coach for that matter, to do things the way Spurrier does. But can you imagine if SOS (or any decent coach) had coached this game, the post-game comments that Jill Arrington (bless her soul) would have gotten? I don't think 'joy' would have been anywhere in that conversation.

I will be especially ecstatic when we win the SEC. I will be intense and full of exultant happiness when the National Championship comes back to Gainesville. But I refuse to feel satisfaction from a game that should have been, in ESPN's words, 'a snoozer'.

Either way, congratulations to the Gators for a much needed win. As far as Zook goes however, there's this other cliche about a dog and sunshine...

[gatorduck]

The following article has been translated to allow easy reading for visiting Georgia fans.

Here we is the day before the 'World's Greatest Outdoor Cocktail Party'...and I ain't got nothin' but rot gut. You hear-ed me correct-like, I said rot gut...as in 'a rotten feeling in my gut'. Now, bein' fair, part of that comes from last night bein' Halloween and me feelin' the need to have me a few cold 'uns.

But mostly it's 'cause we play dem Hairy Dawgs tomorrow and our coach couldn't drive his way outta my paper baghead (I wears it constantly, ya know...)

I'm tryin' to be opa-timistic. I really am. But I just don't have the 'strenffff' anymore. Zook has dun' taken the life outta what used to be my absolute favorite day of the week. Satiddy. As my friend Mike used to say, 'It's satiddy! We gets to drink!'

Well Mike, there's a tear in my beer...and it ain't cause my wife left me or my dog got runn'd over or cus' my momma had to stand in the rain waitin' for me to git outta prison. It's 'cause my damn football team ain't got a lick of talent up thar in that Head Coachin' position. I seen better play callin' from that retarded kid on the playground in middle school...and he done threw himself off a cliff in '92.

All I know is I'm excited to see Gator fans who don't have their head up their butt, wearing the new T-shirts we done made this Sattidy. And for those of you who wrote in sayin' we shouldn't be tryin' to make no money off this site.....don't worry, we ain't. All the extra money we git goes right back into buyin' more shirts to send to some of our favorite sports reporters. In fact, you may wanna tune in to PTI on ESPN, once we flop in Jacksonville. Who knows what those guys may be showin' on TV.

As fer you ladies out there readin' this...I'll see y'all at the Landing.