CB Avery Atkins’ recent troubles weren’t the first setbacks he’s faced since arriving in Gainesville. Atkins’ 2005 season was marred by the death of a cousin, and the theft of thousands of dollars in stereo equipment from his car.

> Atkins on the break-in, Sept. 2005: “It screwed me up a lot. And then I had a death in the family.”
> Atkins: “The big thing was my teammates stuck with me. They told me just to stay strong.”

It’s been reported in Insider circles that LB Brandon Siler was initially an outspoken critic of Atkins when the latter considered transferring. Now the star junior is apparently pushing hard for Atkins to return to the team. Perhaps Siler is interested in Atkins’ status not just because he’s a team leader, but because Siler and Atkins are cousins.

> Atkins, Aug. 2005: “It motivates me having (family) on the team because we all share common goals of wanting to win on this team and one day make it to the NFL. Off the field, I talk to them a lot but we are all on the same page because of our closeness.”