WTEM update to come.

[Art]

Bram is giving an update after the commercial break. Let's see what he has to say. Better be more than this morning .

[OrangeSkin]

Be sure to post what he says here, because I can't get to WETM.com on time and get the audio working with my frickin' dial-up.

[Art]

Old Gator players. Spurrier talked about the SEC record books and seeing how well they played before.

Big surprise was Brandt retired.

No signs of Ramsey.

That was before commercial and by some other dude.

Bram was brought in and said:

Pouring rain, no second practice maybe. Temp 105 on the field earlier.

Struck by way players acted after practice. Players happy. How they acted after an indication that they are happy. After last year's first practice, there were long faces and players started turning on the coach. Now Smith talking about happy, how much freedom he had, etc. Lavar, who wasn't against Marty, talked about how happy he was and how much freedom he'd have. The atmosphere was better. Asked what's different, Lavar said, "Everything."

There are changes in way players are living. No alarms. Eating schedule is better. Start is later. Not as rigid and long.

Scale of 1 to 10 happy meter Thompson asked Doc Walker during Championship years, he said, "There's nothing happy about practice." Indoor facility not available for practice, but for meetings and stuff.

Impression from today and from Spurrier is that contact will be limited. Plenty of exhibition games to get contact.

Able to back off, says Walker, because lots of practices already in the offseason. Certain players, not the stars, will be in more contact than the stars.

On Brandt's retirement, Bram says, "Stunning loss." Was opening day starter last year. He was backup for center and both guard spots. Currently left guard spot is manned by Loverne and he had a chance to compete for that spot says the media and coaching staff. Didn't have it in him anymore. Thin on interior of offensive line. Losing a valuable backup.