UF's Taylor tackles his former spot
By Robbie Andreu
NYT Regional Newspapers
August 19, 1993
GAINESVILLE - During the Thursday night mayhem in Mississippi last October, while Shane Matthews played out his worst nightmare on national television, Ryan Taylor endured his own private hell.
Everyone knows what the Mississippi State Bulldogs did to Matthews that inglorious evening. They harassed and embarrassed the Florida quarterback from Pascagoula who was playing his first collegiate game in his home state.They flung him around like a rag ooll and rubbed his face in the turf. They intercepted five of his passes and made the best quarterback in UF history appear to be the worst.
While Matthews was being stripped of his dignity, Taylor was quietly, painfully suffering his own worst humiliation.
The offensive tackle from Leesburg was rendered helpless that night. Helpless to protect Matthews; helpless to defend himself against MSU's powerful defensive front.
Hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered early in the game, Taylor found himself in a brutal physical mismatch against MSU defensive end Jerome Brown.
No matter how hard he tried, the results were the same: Brown either ran around him or through him to terrorize Matthews.
"Jerome Brown. I'll never forget him and I'll never forget that night," Taylor said after UF's Tuesday morning practice. "He was strong and so big tht I couldn't handle him with my shoulder hurting like it was. He was one of the biggest guys I've ever seen.
"And he didn't say a single word to me the whole night. He was just fired up and ready to play. It was a a bad night."When the carnage finally ceased, the Gators were on the wrong end of a 30-6 score and a promising season was suddenly in shambles. Taylor, for one, was beaten and demoralize. And things got worse for Taylor after that.
A few days after the game, he was pulled from the staring lineup and replaced at right tackle by Jason Odom, a true freshman from Bartow. Senior guard Dexter Smith was also benched, giving way to sophomore Dean Golden.
The shakeup on the line seemed to stabilize the offense and help the Gators launch a seven game winning streak.
Odom started the final nine games of the season and became an honorable mention freshman All-American.
Taylor quielty accepted his fate and disappered on the UF bench.
"The first day I saw Jason I knew one day he was going to be a great player," Taylor said. "I knew it was just a matter of time before he came on. He came in after the Mississippi State game and played some great football.
"I just tried to be there and help him out anyway I could the rest of the season.
"I was a fourth-year junior and I could have just given up right then. But I wanted to come back and prove I can still play football."
His comeback trail has led him back to the first unit at right tackle. With Odom unable to participate in contact drills until at least Aug. 25 because of a bad back, Taylor has stepped back into his old starting position.
There has been speculation that if Odom is not ready in time for the start of the season then Golden would move over from guard and be the starter at right tackle.
But that is only speculaltion. The reality is that Taylor is running No. 1 at the position and will be given the opportunity to hold the jobl "He's improved a lot. He's pretty solid over there right now," UF coach Steve Spurrrier said. "He's worked hard in the weight room and he's stronger and quicker. If Jason doesn't go he'll have the first opportunity over there.
"He'll get the first shot just like he did last year."
Taylor has come prepared. He is stronger, faster and has much quicker feet than a year ago. He is one of the many UF players who has benefited from Rich Tuten's rigor ous offseason conditioning program.
"The big difference is that I'm quicker on my feet now," Taylor said. "On those quick, five-yard takeoffs I'm so much better. My legs are so much stronger and explosive now.
"I feel confident right now. It's a good feeling knowing the coached still believe in me. I hope I can show them I'm still hungry and fired up to play."
Taylor understands that when Odom returns, he will likely have to relinquish his starting job.
"When Jason gets back he'll have the best shot at starting," Taylor said. "But I'm still going to work my butt off and do the best I can for the team.
"I'd like to play as much as possible, and I'd like to see us win as many games as we can and get to the Sugar Bowl. I would like to contribute in some way to the team's success."
Robbie Andreu is a sportswriter for the Gainesville Sun.
By Robbie Andreu
NYT Regional Newspapers
August 19, 1993
GAINESVILLE - During the Thursday night mayhem in Mississippi last October, while Shane Matthews played out his worst nightmare on national television, Ryan Taylor endured his own private hell.
Everyone knows what the Mississippi State Bulldogs did to Matthews that inglorious evening. They harassed and embarrassed the Florida quarterback from Pascagoula who was playing his first collegiate game in his home state.They flung him around like a rag ooll and rubbed his face in the turf. They intercepted five of his passes and made the best quarterback in UF history appear to be the worst.
While Matthews was being stripped of his dignity, Taylor was quietly, painfully suffering his own worst humiliation.
The offensive tackle from Leesburg was rendered helpless that night. Helpless to protect Matthews; helpless to defend himself against MSU's powerful defensive front.
Hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered early in the game, Taylor found himself in a brutal physical mismatch against MSU defensive end Jerome Brown.
No matter how hard he tried, the results were the same: Brown either ran around him or through him to terrorize Matthews.
"Jerome Brown. I'll never forget him and I'll never forget that night," Taylor said after UF's Tuesday morning practice. "He was strong and so big tht I couldn't handle him with my shoulder hurting like it was. He was one of the biggest guys I've ever seen.
"And he didn't say a single word to me the whole night. He was just fired up and ready to play. It was a a bad night."When the carnage finally ceased, the Gators were on the wrong end of a 30-6 score and a promising season was suddenly in shambles. Taylor, for one, was beaten and demoralize. And things got worse for Taylor after that.
A few days after the game, he was pulled from the staring lineup and replaced at right tackle by Jason Odom, a true freshman from Bartow. Senior guard Dexter Smith was also benched, giving way to sophomore Dean Golden.
The shakeup on the line seemed to stabilize the offense and help the Gators launch a seven game winning streak.
Odom started the final nine games of the season and became an honorable mention freshman All-American.
Taylor quielty accepted his fate and disappered on the UF bench.
"The first day I saw Jason I knew one day he was going to be a great player," Taylor said. "I knew it was just a matter of time before he came on. He came in after the Mississippi State game and played some great football.
"I just tried to be there and help him out anyway I could the rest of the season.
"I was a fourth-year junior and I could have just given up right then. But I wanted to come back and prove I can still play football."
His comeback trail has led him back to the first unit at right tackle. With Odom unable to participate in contact drills until at least Aug. 25 because of a bad back, Taylor has stepped back into his old starting position.
There has been speculation that if Odom is not ready in time for the start of the season then Golden would move over from guard and be the starter at right tackle.
But that is only speculaltion. The reality is that Taylor is running No. 1 at the position and will be given the opportunity to hold the jobl "He's improved a lot. He's pretty solid over there right now," UF coach Steve Spurrrier said. "He's worked hard in the weight room and he's stronger and quicker. If Jason doesn't go he'll have the first opportunity over there.
"He'll get the first shot just like he did last year."
Taylor has come prepared. He is stronger, faster and has much quicker feet than a year ago. He is one of the many UF players who has benefited from Rich Tuten's rigor ous offseason conditioning program.
"The big difference is that I'm quicker on my feet now," Taylor said. "On those quick, five-yard takeoffs I'm so much better. My legs are so much stronger and explosive now.
"I feel confident right now. It's a good feeling knowing the coached still believe in me. I hope I can show them I'm still hungry and fired up to play."
Taylor understands that when Odom returns, he will likely have to relinquish his starting job.
"When Jason gets back he'll have the best shot at starting," Taylor said. "But I'm still going to work my butt off and do the best I can for the team.
"I'd like to play as much as possible, and I'd like to see us win as many games as we can and get to the Sugar Bowl. I would like to contribute in some way to the team's success."
Robbie Andreu is a sportswriter for the Gainesville Sun.
Resources
Robbie Andreu
NYT Regional Newspapers
August 19, 1993
NYT Regional Newspapers
August 19, 1993
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Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
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