One thing that annoys me--call me an Urban Meyer apologist--is the assumption that the Meyer spread requires a Tim Tebow. There was only one Tim Tebow, but Josh Harris of Bowling Green had his successes. He was the 2nd quarterback in FBS history with 40 TDs rushing and passing. Alex Smith at Utah was 4th in Heisman voting, 1st NFL draft pick. Chris Leak won a national championship. They all ran the Meyer spread!
Any way, I have been seeing mixed news reports on whether or not Urban really got the job.
I certainly don't mean to argue THAT--only that he HAD him, and it made a difference, BECAUSE he was so unique. Meyer basically won one WITHOUT Tebow (and with the under-appreciated Leak) as his main QB, and one WITH him in there, but even in '06 he had #15 to run that "Power Spread", with the option of the jump pass (a uniquely "Tebow play", you must admit), in the redzone.
No, the Meyer Spread, as it was run at UF, didn't "require" Tebow, but it sure BENEFITTED by his presence in various ways, at various times, on various paths to ultimate success. As for it's use elsewhere, ANYWHERE, I would say that it DOES require SOME source of power running. Did we not see a pretty thorough "compare and contrast" demonstration between "with Tebow" and "without"? Urban's predilection for "small fast guys" left us exposed in key areas once that was virtually ALL we had. Your examples detailing his "Spread's" success elsewhere during his rise to prominence I think only further reinforces my point here (not to mention the accompanying one regarding the co-equal importance of the specific group of individuals around him, the assistant coaches who were by then fundamental figures in that rise).
As for the "news reports", reading between the lines of his own public utterances on this matter (something I've learned to do with ALL news, ESPECIALLY when deciphering what a politician is saying) allows a clearer view:
Urban Meyer HAS some sort of tentative "understanding" with OSU officials as to the basic dollars, perks, power and length-of-contract, guaranteed (the latest figures, to which he gave his most revealing "non-denying denial", putting it at $40 million over 7 years, slots him nicely "at the top"), but it is SO far non-binding and CONDITIONAL, pending next week's supposed NCAA decision as to OSU's sanctions, which are expected to be handed down. I have my own theories as to what he is in fact waiting for there that may affect his decision either way, but we can discuss that elsewhere.
The point here is that it is his if he wants it--and he WANTS it, but only under certain conditions, some of which are still undecided and beyond direct control of OSU officials.
(Along with my own albeit rather cynical views on "what Meyer is waiting for", among other related topics we can discuss at some point include this idea I've heard starting its rounds among the media-idiots, led not surprisingly by "face-made-for-radio/whining-voice-like-nails-on-glass" Colin Cowhurd that Meyer will immediately and automatically be successful in "draining an unprecedented portion of Florida talent to Columbus" upon accepting the Head Coaching position there. Does anyone else besides me believe this will be problematical for him, at best? And without his "old gang" of assistants around to do the legwork, lay the ground work, and give their counsel each step of the way, who thinks he'll be any more successful in PRACTICAL terms than the actual results HERE without them? Is there any reason to fear the results? Beyond all that, I have heard some of the most ridiculous arguments and assumptions on the part of various college football "experts" the last 24 hours or so, not only regarding Meyer's "certain success", but in rationalizing why and how that success will be "less stressful and therefore easier on his health" due to the supposed differences between a "relentlessly down and dirty SEC", where "all the teams either were or are in some sanction- and/or punishment-phase" and "you can hardly operate, compete or WIN without getting dirty yourself"--as opposed to a "traditionally clean and honorable Big Ten", where "gentlemen compete hard, but the kinds of things that are common in the SEC are long-frowned-upon by the giants, the Deans of Big Ten Coaching". Yeah, Uhuh...and wasn't Jim Tressel considered another in that long line of "Deans" until quite recently? Again: if/when anyone wants to get into THIS stuff, just let me know: I'm ready...)
