No Link? Last Paragraph says otherwise
Franz Beard - Managing Editor | August 18, 2009 | 0 Comments
The dog days of August are officially here which means an element of sluggishness to Florida’s football practice. Intense heat and humidity made Tuesday morning’s practice so difficult that offensive guard Carl Johnson said, “I think I saw the devil!” On days when the weather takes such a physical and mental toll, it’s all about survival.
“God turned up the heat on us today,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said following a practice that had a little bit of the edge taken off with a 20-minute shower. “Wow! That was a tough one and I didn’t do anything. You’re climbing that hill and I’m hoping we’re near the top of the hill and start getting ready ready to play. That was a tough day. After doing this so long, we’re at that point where guys are banged up. It’s not a whole lot of rah-rah out there and they’re feeling really bad. The objective of our camp and this is our opinion: you have to feel real lousy before you can feel good. We’re at that point where everybody is feeling really lousy and that’s a positive. That’s good.”
Fighting through this phase of practice will get the Gators to that point where they can get some tempo back in their practices.
“It’s the dog days, we have to get through this first,” Meyer said. Once they get their legs back, that’s when we’ll get back the tempo. We’re just fighting for survival right now.”
OFFENSIVE LINE ALMOST SET: Although center Maurkice Pouncey won’t take any contact until game week (two weeks from now), he’s set as the starter at center. Meyer indicated that the offensive line rotation is close to being set now that Matt Patchan is back from a concussion and running with the first team.
A starting offensive line of Patchan at left tackle, Carl Johnson at left guard, Maurkice Pouncey at center, Mike Pouncey at right guard and Marcus Gilbert at right tackle is “ a real possibility” according to Meyer.
“Right now if you we had to play tomorrow, that might be the way we’d go,” Meyer said.
At nearly 6-7 and 287 pounds, Patchan has long arms and great feet. His athleticism makes him a candidate to start even though he doesn’t have the kind of weight that Meyer would like to see for an offensive tackle.
“Intensity, athleticism and he just loves the game of football … that’s why he was able to play as a true freshmen at 245 pounds on defense,” Meyer said. “He’s a tough nut. He’s a premium athlete as far as a tackle is concerned. He’s a 4.8 40 guy with great feet that’s 287 pounds. The negative is that he’s not 295-300 and against bull rushing, against the Carlos Dunlaps and those kind of guys it’s hard to sit down on him unless you’re 300 pounds plus.”
AUGUST SURPRISES: Every August, it seems, at least one or two players become real factors after spending their careers or the previous season in obscurity. Meyer said his two big surprises this August have been linebacker A.J. Jones and cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis.
“A.J. Jones is probably the most improved and surprised guy,” Meyer said. “He’s doig exactly what we asked. I would Wondy Pierre would fall into that category. . He was kind of written off a little bit. He is right in the middle of everything, making plays, playing hard and having fun. That’s good to see. Those two guys, if you remember, didn’t play a lot last year. They were part of the bad defense, not part of the good defense. Now they’re starting to act like they’re part of the good defense.”
JONES WILL TRANSFER: Redshirt freshman Byran Jones is no longer with the team and Meyer indicated he will transfer to another school. Jones is a 6-2, 315-pound offensive guard who has struggled with weight problems since he arrived.
“He’s not with us for a variety of reasons and we wish him the best,” Meyer said.
Most of the time transfers fall into one of three categories --- (1) off the field problems; (2) lack of playing time or (3) trouble keeping up academically. Some guys that want to transfer Meyer will make every effort to keep while others he’ll shake hands, say thanks and help them find a new place.
“It depends why,” Meyer said. “If some uncle is telling them they deserve more playing time and they’re really a good kid, no [I don’t want them to transfer] but if they just can’t make it academically and it’s for the best interest of them to go to some smaller school because they’ll never play, then you wish them the best and move them on.”
BARRIE LIKELY MEDICAL HARDSHIP: Offensive tackle Jim Barrie’s Florida football career apparently is winding down. Meyer said it’s probable that Barrie will be taking a medical redshirt. Barrie suffered a devastating ACL injury last August and apparently, the injury was worse than the typical ACL tear.
“Jim Barrie had that devastating knee injury and he tried to come back,” Meyer said, indicating a decision on a medical hardship will be made in the next four days. “. That was a tough knee surgery last year. That was not a normal ACL injury.”
Barrie, who is an outstanding student who is planning to go to law school after earning his undergraduate degree, will remain on scholarship and will probably stay connected to the Florida football program even if he can’t play.
“There’s a chance he might be a student assistant,” Meyer said.
Barrie joins Lakeland wide receiver Paul Wilson on the medical hardship list. Wilson re-broke his foot a week ago and doctors have advised him to never play football again.
BACK PROCEDURE DONE ON BROWN, MOORE: Redshirt freshman cornerback Jeremy Brown and senior wide receiver Carl Moore have been missing practice with back injuries. Meyer said Tuesday morning that both have had a procedure done on their backs that should enable them to resume practice fairly soon.
“It’s not like they’re out for the season, not really even out for three weeks,” Meyer said. “It’s a positive thing. They’re completely out of business for a couple of days but they should start coming back fairly quickly.”
When healthy, Brown is expected to be the first corner off the bench to back up Joe Haden and Wondy-Pierre Louis. With Brown out, Meyer said the three guys working hard in practice every day are Pierre-Louis, Markihe Anderson and Adrian Bushell.
Moore was expected to challenge for a starting role as an outside receiver.
MORE ON THE INJURY FRONT: Matt Patchan returned to full contact work and Major Wright practiced full speed but didn’t do any contact drills. Both of them suffered concussions back on Friday. Justin Trattou (sprained foot) returned to practice. Freshman wide receiver Andre Debose has lingering hamstring problems that have carried over from offseason workouts.
Tuesday, third year sophomore offensive guard James Wilson and junior defensive end Duke Lemmens missed practice. Wilson has a sprained foot while Lemmens was dinged up and couldn’t go.
Meyer dismissed a rumor that All-American middle linebacker Brandon Spikes was hurt. Spikes didn’t attend Fan Day on Sunday because he wasn’t feeling well but he was back practicing Monday and Tuesday.
“I got some email about it but Brandon Spikes is doing great,” Meyer said.
Chris,
Nice to see you back posting again. I was hoping to get your thoughts on tennessee's qb quandry...
In the mean time here is a link that I am sure you've seen. Thx for sharing your fansite rumors though! Keep us updated!
:howdy:
NCAA investigating Brown's eligibility
By Dave Hooker
<!-- End .byline --> Originally published 06:06 p.m., August 18, 2009
Updated 06:06 p.m., August 18, 2009
<!-- End dates -->
<!-- End story_meta --> Tennessee tailback Bryce Brown is facing an eligibility issue as the NCAA investigates his amateur status as a high school player, head coach Lane Kiffin said after practice Tuesday.
At question is money raised for Brown and other players to attend football camps while in high school. Kiffin said Brown is currently eligible, but is uncertain if Brown will be eligible for the season-opener Sept. 5 against Western Kentucky.
Tennessee’s recruitment of Brown is not thought to be part of the investigation.
Brown was back in full pads at practice Tuesday but did not participate after leaving Monday’s practice with a hip injury. Kiffin said an MRI was negative.
More details online as they become available and in Wednesday’s News Sentinel.
Nice to see you back posting again. I was hoping to get your thoughts on tennessee's qb quandry...
In the mean time here is a link that I am sure you've seen. Thx for sharing your fansite rumors though! Keep us updated!
:howdy:
NCAA investigating Brown's eligibility
By Dave Hooker
<!-- End .byline --> Originally published 06:06 p.m., August 18, 2009
Updated 06:06 p.m., August 18, 2009
<!-- End dates -->
<!-- End story_meta --> Tennessee tailback Bryce Brown is facing an eligibility issue as the NCAA investigates his amateur status as a high school player, head coach Lane Kiffin said after practice Tuesday.
At question is money raised for Brown and other players to attend football camps while in high school. Kiffin said Brown is currently eligible, but is uncertain if Brown will be eligible for the season-opener Sept. 5 against Western Kentucky.
Tennessee’s recruitment of Brown is not thought to be part of the investigation.
Brown was back in full pads at practice Tuesday but did not participate after leaving Monday’s practice with a hip injury. Kiffin said an MRI was negative.
More details online as they become available and in Wednesday’s News Sentinel.
