According to a St. Petersberg Times report yesterday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an opening for a receivers coach and have interviewed former Gator and Buccaneer wideout Ike Hilliard for the position. Hilliard, 33, was a receivers coach for the UFL’s Florida Tuskers this year and had also interviewed for Washington’s coaching position last week. Hilliard  played 12 seasons in the NFL, the first eight with the New York Giants and the final four with Tampa Bay.

Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has told the media this week the team hopes to get some “remember me” shots on quarterback Peyton Manning, just as they have tried to with every quarterback this season. Hopefully those hits won’t result in lighter paychecks for the players, as the league fined defensive end Bobby McCray 20,000 for his hit on Brett Farve in the NFC championship game. In the third quarter, McCray, after being blocked to the ground by a lineman, wrapped up Farve’s legs, with teammate Remi Ayodele hitting the Minnesota quarterback’s upper body. Though no penalty was called on the play, Farve did end up with a sprained ankle, and NFL V.P. of officiating Mike Pereira later admitted there should have been a flag thrown on the tackle.

The Saints’ reaching their first Super Bowl has been the topic of discussion for many, including former players, such as Danny Wuerffel, who played his first three seasons in New Orleans. Wuerffel told the Northwest Florida Daily News he knew the team could put together a winning team, based off his time there. “While I was there, at one point, we managed to win a couple of games in a row,” Wuerffel said. “I knew then that if this team could ever put together a strong, winning team that the city would have something incredible.”

In preparation for Sunday’s game, we will take a look at past Gators in the Super Bowl, such as Emmitt Smith, Chris Collinsworth and Wilber Marshall. Look for the Gators in the Super Bowl post tomorrow.