Randy Rosetta for Oct. 9

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 9, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:42 a.m.

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It should not have been said publicly and once the toothpaste was out of the tube, there really wasn’t much hope of fixing it.

That’s the bottom line about LSU defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois’ comments about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow that somehow became fodder for national debate on the same day when there was a real national debate.

“If we get a good shot on (Tebow), we’re going to try our best to take him out of the game,” Jean-Francois said. “With his size and his heart, it’s hard to get a clean shot.

“If he does get hurt, there’s a trained medical staff at Florida, so you can go to the training room on Sunday.”

Getting to know Jean-Francois pretty well the last few months, it’s quite conceivable that he said what was attributed to him in a blog by Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel. He’s blunt and direct — refreshingly so — and has confidence in what he and his defensive teammates can do.

There’s a notion that Jean-Francois was goaded or steered in the direction of the quotes, and that I don’t buy. He’s a sharp and well-spoken man and isn’t the kind of person who would be manipulated.

He said what he said, and even though I think it was wrong to say so publicly, I’m not about to cast stones for Jean-Francois speaking his mind.

My co-workers, former co-workers, editors and very patient wife would think me awfully hypocritical if I wrote that Jean-Francois should keep his opinions to himself.

And here’s the thing. What Jean-Francois said is nothing different than what most — maybe all — defensive linemen would say (or least think) leading up to any game.

Especially one as hyped as the showdown between the Tigers and Gators.

Especially when the quarterback in question is a Heisman Trophy winner who has yet to break out with a huge game this season.

Seriously, is it a big shock that Jean-Francois, a pass rusher on a defense that has been one of the best in the country for several years, wants to rattle Tebow and hit him hard enough to make him wobbly?

I’m not advocating taking intentional aim at injuring somebody, but isn’t football a physical and violent game and isn’t part of the goal to inflict some pain on the person across from you?