Gator Clause

Five topics for SEC Media Days

More than 900 members of the media and coaches and players from each member institution converge on Hoover, Ala., this week for Southeastern Conference Media Days. Football is back, people. Here are some topics that are likely to be at the forefront during interviews Wednesday through Friday. Check back each day as I'll be bringing you daily updates from Hoover.

Scholarship increases — More and more, people are accepting the fact that college football is a business. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier had an interesting proposal at the spring meetings and commissioner Mike Slive is on record in support of “paying for an athlete’s full cost of attendance, which over and above tuition, room and board, books and university fees would also pay for reasonable personal expenses as well as travel expenses when an athlete returns home to see family.” There are many hurdles to be crossed before that’s a possibility, expect a lot of discussion on this.

The Auburn NCAA Investigation — The New York Times reported last week that Auburn coach Gene Chizik had a heated interchange at the spring meetings with the NCAA vice president for enforcement. Chizik reportedly wanted to know why the NCAA hadn’t announced that the investigation was over. He was informed the investigation is ongoing. The feeling is that the NCAA is stepping up its enforcement after a year filled with scandal.  Since 1987, the year of the “Death Sentence” for Southern Methodist University, the SEC leads all conferences in major violations with 13. 

Muschamp/Weis/Brantley — Florida representatives coach Will Muschamp, quarterback John Brantley, receiver Deonte Thompson and defensive end William Green are likely to face one of the larger frenzies of the three-day spectacle. With so much change in Gainesville, there will be questions abound. The public wants to know if Florida is back, if Brantley can step up in a pro-style offense and if Charlie Weis is ready for a return to the college ranks.

Media picks — If Media Days teaches you one thing it’s that the media is notoriously bad at picking a preseason winner. Only four times since 1992 have those behind the notepad and keyboard correctly projected the winner. Florida was the choice in three of those years (1994, 1995, 2008). There’s no clear-cut favorite this year and it will be interesting to see how many votes South Carolina and Arkansas receive compared to the more-popular selections of LSU and Alabama.

7-on-7’s and recruiting rules — Slive sent a letter to the NCAA last month proposing an array of new recruiting rules including forbidding college campuses from holding 7-on-7 tournaments. Expect recruiting and oversigning to be another hot topic this week.

 

Side note: I won't be able to attend Friday Night Lights as I'll be in Hoover, but I'll post an update on the blog from a good friend and fellow reporter, Bryan Holt. Check back, it should be a busy week. 

 

 

Pre-season All-SEC team announced, six Gators selected

The 2011 All-Southeastern Conference Coaches' Team was announced Thursday, and as you may have guessed, Florida did not have a player selected to the first-team. 

The Gators had a sole second-team member, running back Jeff Demps, and six total selections. Alabama led all conference schools with seven first-team selections. Arkansas had a league-high 14 selections, but just one on the first-team. 

Linebackers Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins were both selected to the third-team defense. Kicker Caleb Sturgis made the second-team for specialists, while Andre Debose and Trey Burton were third-team selections. 

While some may wonder why the first-team isn't littered with Gators like usual, understand that this isn't a big deal. It is pre-season after all. Much of it can be attributed to a down year in 2010 and the unknowns that accompany a new coaching staff.

Florida has plenty of talent, but the majority of it is largely unproven. The good news is we are a little more than a month away from the start of the season and some clarity. 

Here are the team listings: 

OFFENSE

First-Team Offense

TE            Orson Charles, Georgia                                     

OL           Cordy Glenn, Georgia                                         

OL           Barrett Jones, Alabama                                       

OL           Bradley Sowell, Ole Miss                                  

OL           Larry Warford, Kentucky                                   

C             William Vlachos, Alabama                                   

WR          Greg Childs, Arkansas                                         

WR          Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina                         

QB           Aaron Murray, Georgia                                       

RB           Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina                   

RB           Trent Richardson, Alabama                               

Second-Team Offense

TE           Brandon Barden, Vanderbilt                              

OL           Alvin Bailey, Arkansas                                       

OL           D.J. Fluker, Alabama                                            

OL           Brandon Mosley, Auburn                                  

OL           Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina                  

C             Ben Jones, Georgia                                            

WR          Joe Adams, Arkansas                                           

WR          Rueben Randle, LSU                                            

QB           Stephen Garcia, South Carolina                         

RB           Knile Davis, Arkansas                                           

*RB         Jeff Demps, Florida                                              

*RB         Mike Dyer, Auburn                                              

Third-Team Offense

TE          Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn                           

OL          Grant Cook, Arkansas                                          

OL          Alex Hurst, LSU                                                     

OL         Bobby Massie, Ole Miss                                      

OL         Kyle Nunn, South Carolina                                  

C           Travis Swanson, Arkansas                                   

*WR       Emory Blake, Auburn                                          

*WR       Marquis Maze, Alabama                                     

*WR       Jarius Wright, Arkansas                                       

QB          Chris Relf, Mississippi State                                

RB          Vick Ballard, Mississippi State                           

RB          Onterrio McCalebb, Auburn                            

 

DEFENSE

First-Team Defense

DL           Jake Bequette, Arkansas                                    

DL           Josh Chapman, Alabama                                     

DL           Malik Jackson, Tennessee                                  

DL           Devin Taylor, South Carolina                            

LB           Dont’a Hightower, Alabama                              

LB           Chris Marve, Vanderbilt                                     

LB           Danny Trevathan, Kentucky                            

DB           Mark Barron, Alabama                                       

DB           Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina                      

DB           Robert Lester, Alabama                                      

DB           Morris Claiborne, LSU                                       

Second-Team Defense

DL           Melvin Ingram, South Carolina                         

DL           DeAngelo Tyson, Georgia                                  

DL           Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss                                 

*DL          Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State                          

*DL          Barkevious Mingo, LSU                                      

LB           Ryan Baker, LSU                                                   

LB           Jerry Franklin, Arkansas                                     

LB           Courtney Upshaw, Alabama                              

DB           Brandon Boykin, Georgia                                 

DB           Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt                               

DB           Tyrann Mathieu, LSU                                          

DB           Tramain Thomas, Arkansas                                  

Third-Team Defense

DL           Corey Lemonier, Auburn                                  

DL           Sam Montgomery, LSU                                    

DL           Travian Robertson, South Carolina                   

DL           Tenarius Wright, Arkansas                               

LB           Jon Bostic, Florida                                              

LB           Jelani Jenkins, Florida                                         

LB           C.J. Mosley, Alabama                                          

DB           Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State              

DB           Dre’ Kirkpatrick, Alabama                        

DB           Neiko Thorpe, Auburn                                      

DB           Prentiss Waggner, Tennessee                            

SPECIALISTS

First-Team  Specialists

PK           Blair Walsh, Georgia                                           

P             Drew Butler, Georgia                                         

RS           Brandon Boykin, Georgia                                    

AP           Joe Adams, Arkansas                                         

Second-Team  Specialists

PK           Caleb Sturgis, Florida                                          

P             Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss                                  

RS           Warren Norman, Vanderbilt                             

AP           Trent Richardson, Alabama                                 

Third-Team  Specialists

PK           Zach Hocker, Arkansas              

*P           Dylan Breeding, Arkansas                                 

*P           Ryan Tydlacka, Kentucky                                    

RS           Andre DeBose, Florida                                       

AP           Trey Burton, Florida                                       

* - Ties

Check back soon as I'll be previewing SEC Media Days and Friday Night Lights.

 

 

 

Chris Rainey will be right where he belongs Saturday: on the field for the Gators

I'm not a defender of Urban Meyer.

He does plenty of things I disagree with, I'm rarely comfortable believing anything he says, and in my first three seasons covering the Gators, his behavior around the media was usually standoffish and lame (he's been better this year).

With that said, I'm 100 percent on his side when it comes to his handling of Chris Rainey.

You know the story by now: "Time to Die," suspension, lawyer time, reduced charges, back to practice, fulfills vague behavioral requirements and now, Rainey will make his return this weekend against Georgia.

Yes, this is a crucial time and the Gators are in serious need of Rainey's services, but that's not the whole picture. Rainey made a mistake, accepted his punishment and should be allowed to play again. He fulfilled his duties to the legal system and then sat out a game. Are we really going to hold football teams to a standard higher than that? If your answer is yes, then you should also be disgusted with the academic standards at schools like Florida that admit students with subpar grades because they're big and fast. If that's you, the ideal time to switch your fandom is next weekend in Nashville. Buy a Vandy shirt.

But Rainey's case also raises a touchy subject: violence against women. The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi wrote this week that Meyer should have kicked Rainey to the curb and taken a stand for women everywhere. Check it out. Sure, Meyer could have done that, but this wasn't the time to make such a statement. Meyer has had several cases of actual violence against women (Avery Atkins, suspended and transferred; Ronnie Wilson, kicked off team; Jacques Rickerson, kicked off team) and came down harder. Wilson and Rickerson also had prior suspensions for unrelated incidents.

Rainey's was not a serious case. Maybe that looks insensitive, but anyone who has met Rainey knew as soon as this story broke that it was another stupid, speak-before-you-think act without much of a real threat behind it. His similar statements in this category had been funny, when he professed his love for white girls and said "It's good to be Chris Rainey." This was far from a laugher, but not even the ex-girlfriend he sent it to took it literally.

The next morning, she stood up in court and said she didn't want charges pressed, adding that she never felt threatened and only called police to defuse the situation. Here's her full statement (along with her sister) from when the charges against Rainey were reduced to a misdemeanor:

“We would like to make a statement in regards to the incident on the night of September 14 between us and Chris Rainey. First and foremost, we want the public to know that any violence or potential violence against any person is unacceptable and needs to be seen as a very serious matter. We encourage anyone to follow our lead and call the police if involved in any situation where violence is possible. With that said, there are some key facts in this case that we would like the public to know. We have known Chris Rainey for three years and never during that time has he displayed any violent or threatening behavior towards us or anyone. To our knowledge, Chris does not drink alcohol or use drugs. His actions that night were out of character for reasons unknown to us, which is why we stood up in court on his behalf. The police we called that night to ensure the safety of everyone involved. We knew this was a particularly sensitive situation because of Chris’s position on the UF football team, which is why his last name was not given to the 911 operator. We felt this was a private, personal matter, and did not want it to become the media frenzy that it has become. The lack of sensitivity to our privacy has been disturbing, and we ask that our privacy be respected moving forward. We are in full support of the decision made by the State Attorney.”

Bianchi spoke to the director of a domestic violence shelter, who said she's skeptical of the statement because abused women often defend those who harm them. I certainly can't argue with someone who deals with these cases every day, but similarly, she's in no position to pass judgment on Rainey and the victim without knowing their case.

The people who did understand the situation (state's attorney, the victim, Meyer) are all in agreement that Rainey should be free to play football. Those who disagree are the ones on the outside looking in.

If what Rainey did is infinitely repulsive to you, don't cheer for him. But as far as whether he should have been allowed back on the team, I believe the case was handled correctly.

What would you have done with Rainey? Kick him straight off the team? Suspend him for more games? Bring him back for Miss St. after his legal duties were fulfilled? Please share your thoughts below, complete with all the usual back-and-forth that has nothing at all to do with the topic at hand.

 

Highlights from #Gators basketball media day

By Mike McCall

Florida football got you bummed out? Allow the basketball team to provide a little distraction. The Gators held their media day today, and here are a few of the most interesting storylines (to me, anyway).

-Expectations are high again

Florida will enter this season surrounded by the highest expectations since the 04s left town with all those championship rings, and rightly so. The Gators return all five starters and add McDonald's All-American Patric Young to a squad that made it to the NCAA Tournament (losing its first-round game to BYU in double overtime).  

But UF coach Billy Donovan is doing his best to knock down the hype. Here's what he said today:

"You know the perception is, in today’s environment in basketball, where you have a team that went to the NCAA tournament and returns all five starters, the expectations and the perception is that you’re going to be really, really good. This is a team that needed a 75-foot shot from (forward) Chandler Parsons against North Carolina State. That needed a game-winning shot by Chandler against South Carolina. That needed a game-winning shot by Erving Walker at Alabama to get into the tournament. So the reality is that this group really hasn’t done a lot. This group really hasn’t accomplished a whole lot.”

Compare that to Parsons, who said the feeling heading into this year is "totally different" from 2009:

"I think our goals are a lot higher this year. Not getting to the NCAA Tournament my first two years, last year we were just like we have to get there. I think we are just worried about this Friday and getting our chemistry right, getting all the plays down and just coming together and becoming the best team we can.”

How good can they be? Parsons says he feels they have a team to make a run at a national title.

-Kenny Boynton says he's back with a refined shooting technique

The Pompano Beach native led the Gators in scoring as a freshman (14 ppg), but at times, he and backcourt partner Erving Walker struggled with shooting. Boynton finished the year at 37.6 percent, hitting 29.4 percent of his three-point attempts.

Here are some of Boynton's shooting lines from UF's final 14 games:

2-11 in loss to Tennessee
2-9 in win vs Miss St.
3-9 in loss to Xavier
2-7 in win vs Auburn
2-12 in win vs Ole Miss
2-15 in loss to Vanderbilt

Then, he went off for a combined 50 points in the Gators' last two contests, his first back-to-back 20-point games in four months. During the offseason, Boynton said he flew to Los Angeles to work with a shooting coach familiar with Donovan, and he's happy with his results so far, saying his mid-range shooting is much more consistent.

“Basically, I am releasing it more in front of my head where as last year I never knew when it was going to go in, I was just shooting it. Now I know when it is optimal and how long it is going. I think it is a better shot now.” 

-Patric Young is a beast

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound freshman from Jacksonville looks like the kind of guy Urban Meyer would like to suit up on the football field. He'll see playing time at forward and center this year, and Donovan said he wants Young to focus more on rebounding and defense than scoring.

That's fine by Young, who said that's the role he wants to play.

"That's basically what I'm known for, is being a real physical guy who's going to come in there and do the dirty work," Young said. "I love contact, I do love contact. That's just what I think basketball is, it's a contact sport. So why not go out there and hit everybody?"

That doesn't mean he won't be a factor on offense. His strength (he says he's the strongest on the team) will be an asset inside.

"[Teammates] call me Karl Malone and Dwight Howard," Young said. "They tell me I need to stop lifting weights and do more stretching."

"I can probably bench [Erving Walker] once and just throw him out of the building."

Young is proving to be a quotable fellow, so expect to see a lot of ink spilled in his honor. And he made a splash shortly before leaving media day, taking an alley-oop and throwing it down with one hand. As one reporter said after the dunk, "I haven't seen that around here in a while."

-New players will make practices more productive

Last year, there weren't really any players to challenge Vernon Macklin or Boynton and Walker in practice. That's not the case anymore.

Macklin has to deal with Young, and the guards will be pushed by Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario, a  McDonald's All-American in high school. Rosario will have to sit out this season, but he's already having an impact on the starting guards in workouts.

"My main goal this year is to get stronger -- that's one of my weaknesses -- and just to work on my game, get better and make my teammates better," Rosario said. "I want to try to help the young guys out with my experience, help the freshmen get to where they have to go. I feel like that's my responsibility this year."

Boynton said Rosario's presence means he has to play better defense in practices, as Rosario can spot up from just about anywhere. He put on a brief shooting clinic for reporters Wednesday.

-Agents are on Billy D's mind, too

Agents have been a hot topic in college football this season, but they're a problem for basketball coaches as well. Donovan spoke about the issue Wednesday, saying the main problem is that during the offseason, college players want to keep preparing for professional careers, and because they can't do that with their college coaches, they have to go other places where agents could be lurking.

"I'd say it's probably as bad (as in football)," Donovan said. "It's amazing because I think in a lot of ways you see a lot of this pop up right now and a lot of people act like they can't believe it happens. It's been going on for a long, long time. I don't think there's anything to necessarily do about it in the sport of basketball until the Players' Association who's in charge of the agents, the NCAA and David Stern, if they could all somehow come together and resolve it."

Emails I get: Steve Addazio is to Gators as Larry Coker was to Canes

Gator Clause occasionally publishes the many emails that fill the inboxes of our editorial board of trustees, regents and governors. This latest email comes to us from Matt Jordan (city/town/hamlet unknown). There is no rhyme or reason for which emails we publish and which emails we delete. As a general rule, they have to be either really, really good or really, really bad.

(Programming note: Everyone, please welcome Mike-Mike McCall to Gator Clause when you get a chance. He'll be managing the blog from here on out. After more than three years in Gainesville, I'm moving back to Miami on Friday to cover the Heat. I'll still be chiming in from time to time, but Mike-Mike is the Big Kahuna Burger now. Mike-Mike is a solid journalist, who is trained in five kinds of martial arts. So make your move, rebarbs.)

-jo-

Joseph,

Much like the Miami Hurricanes’ slow demise under Larry Coker, the Gators have started to follow suit. 

The reason is simple.  Steve Addazio is awful.  Larry Coker was awful as a HC, but people looked the other way b/c “you are being too strict and have taken winning for granted”.

Do I expect FL to win every game?  No.  Do I think that FL should be undefeated this year?  No.  But the fashion in which UF is losing must be a red flag.  The offense has three general plays.  (1) HB dive or draw up the middle.  (2) lateral or short pass for 2 yds – maximum (3) Outside HB run that will only work with Jeff Demps outrunning a poor team such as USF.

The few times that UF throws down field, progress is made.  I understand that Brantley has felt pressure, but there are measures that can be taken to mitigate that.  For example, leave a RB or two in the backfield to block.  (Not 180 lb Jeff Demps)  Or, spread the field and line up 5-wide.  UF seems to enjoy lining up in tight formations and playing in a 5 yard box.  Roll Brantley out.  Heck, if you are foolish enough to run the option with him, then what makes you think that he can’t move out of the pocket?

Recruits see this.  Fans see this.  Yet Urban Meyer is playing blind.  Or dumb. 

My question to you is:  Why is Urban accepting this elementary excuse for an offense?  Is it because he is friends with Addazio or is it because he is too caught up in himself?

Lastly, watch any video of Steve Addazio.  The guy is a moron.

I have no affiliation to www.firesteveaddazio.com, but please check out the site. 

Don’t take it easy on Urban or Addazio.  Stand up!

-MJ

#Gators lose a wild one to LSU 33-29

GAINESVILLE -- So, was Terrence Toliver bobbling the ball when he stepped out of bounds? Was holder Derek Helton's over-the-head and behind-the-back bounce pass to kicker Josh Jasper on the fake field goal actually a forward pass? Who knows? This much I do know, though. Les Miles is a friend of the devil.

One week after getting lucky against Tennessee on the game's final play, Miles and LSU did themselves one better with a wacky ending to a 33-29 victory against the Gators at Ben Hill Griffin. 

The crazy thing about this game was that as lucky as No.12 LSU seemed to be, No.14 Florida might have been luckier just to be in a position to win the game. Consider that Florida scored on drives of 16 and 17 yards in the first half and also scored a second half touchdown when Andre Debose returned an 88-yard kickoff for a score.

Two losses in a row for UF. What's wrong with the Gators?

-jo-

Former Gators assistant Billy Gonzales announced his move to LSU with a sticky note

PICTURED: This is how you feel when Steve Addazio is named offensive coordinator instead of you.

GAINESVILLE -- So, it should be pretty obvious to everyone that former UF assistant coach Billy Gonzales wasn't a happy camper in his final season in Gainesville, but this story a source relayed to me on Thursday adds a whole new level to Gonzales' perceived bitterness towards Urban Meyer and the Gators' offense under the control of current offensive coordinator Steve Addazio.

Gonzales is now an assistant coach at LSU, which plays the Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. He was one of Meyer's loyal foot soldiers for a long time, but don't expect any friendly pregame handshakes between old friends. When Gonzales left Florida for LSU, he apparently burned a bridge along the way. The story circulating through Florida's football program is that Gonzales informed Meyer he was leaving for a rival program with a sticky note. That's right, one of those annoying little pieces of yellow paper.

No face-to-face talk. No one-last-beer toast at The Grog House. None of that. According to the source, Gonzales left his keys and cell phone on a desk along with this message: "I'm going to LSU."

Billy Gonzales, off the Christmas-card list.

Angered beyond comprehension with the thought of Steve Addazio, Gonzales made a lateral move to one of UF's annual rivals.

Understand the history between Gonzales and Meyer before allowing that sink in. Meyer was Gonzales' position coach (receivers) at Colorado State from 1990-1993. In 2001, when Meyer landed his first head coaching job at Bowling Green, he hired Gonzales away from Kent State to coach wide receivers and hired an unknown grad assistant at Notre Dame to coach quarterbacks, Dan Mullen.

Together, Meyer, Mullen and Gonzales devised their own little version of the spread offense. They weren't the only ones, obviously. Mullen didn't become Meyer's offensive coordinator until they arrived in Gainesville. Still, Gonzales and Mullen were right there in every meeting and both men were important players. Mullen was charged with molding quarterbacks to the offense; Gonzales' task was teaching receivers the fundamentals of perimeter blocking above all else. Gonzales and Mullen were there from the ground up, and by the time Gonzales and Mullen coached at Utah with Meyer and packed their bags for Gainesville, they knew the offense better than anyone. 

Gonzales is a few months older than Mullen, but Mullen was named Florida's offensive coordinator in 2005. "That's cool," Gonzales probably thought. "Dan coaches the quarterbacks, after all, and the guy is really smart. Good for him. I'll get my shot."

Gonzales wanted to be UF's new offensive coordinator when Dan Mullen left for Mississippi State. He wanted the job badly. He felt like he deserved it. Heck, the man had good reason to feel this way. He had been with Meyer and Mullen since Bowling Green and had done a fine job as UF's receivers coach. Gonzales coached Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy, Bubba Caldwell and several other UF receivers who are now playing in the NFL.

That brings us to a relationship gone bad. Something happened along the way that infuriated Gonzales to the point that he would potentially sacrifice his relationship with Meyer out of spite.

Steve Addazio happened. Some could argue that UF's offense has been a shell of its former self ever since. Did Meyer promote the wrong guy? This much we know for a certainty: LSU Week has an entirely new meaning this season for the Gators.

-jo-

5 things that might make the Gators better

GAINESVILLE -- After rewatching Alabama 31, Florida 6 ...

1. Omarius Hines needs to touch the ball a few more times during a game. He had one reception for four yards against Alabama. He needs to be more involved. Send Hines over the middle. He's got the body for it. The option/end-around play Hines carried for 19 yards was a great call. How do I know this? Because if it fools Bama's defense, then it was a great call.

2. My good buddy Israel Gutierrez called for less gadget plays from Florida's offense in his column in Sunday's paper. I say more gadget plays. This isn't the NFL. One of the greatest things about college football is the creativity of offensive coaches. Meyer has made a good living using his spread-option offense. So the jump pass was a huge disaster against Alabama. So the option didn't work as well as it usually does. I say, so what!? One bad loss to No.1 Alabama at Bryant-Denny, at night, with a quarterback starting just his fifth game since high school is no reason to scrap an entire offense! I'm no football expert but I've interviewed and talked football with enough people who are football experts to know the threat of an option play does more than just give Jeff Demps a chance to take one to the house once or twice every game. The threat of an option on any play keeps defenses honest and discourages them from blitzing the quarterback so often. I've read some of the comments on the blog following UF's loss to Alabama. What, is Florida supposed to ditch option football in the middle of the season, the week before LSU, implement a new offense and expect it to work? Step back from the ledge, people.

3. Keep John Brantley on the field all the time. I realize Trey Burton scored six touchdowns the week before the Alabama game. In hindsight, Kentucky is Kentucky. Leaving Brantley on the field all the time might help him develop some confidence. The guy is a good quarterback and good enough to lead the Gators to a major bowl game. Leave him in the game. Seriously, he waited around three seasons behind Tebow so he could get pulled after he drives his team to the goal line. That strategy might need to be reexamined.

4. Can Ahmad Black play free safety all the time? Can Matt Elam play strong safety? Hey, Major Wright played safety as a freshman. Why not Matt Elam? I'm just throwing out ideas here ... because Will Hill is playing like a five-star bust. Or is it a Rutgers all-star? No matter, those descriptions are pretty much synonymous with each other.

5. Bring back Chris Rainey and put him at running back.

6. Feel free to add your suggestions ...

-jo-

Alabama 31, Florida 6: Four turnovers costly for the Gators

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Thoughts, anyone?

Alabama has now dominated Florida two games in a row. Four turnovers killed Florida's chance on the road on Saturday. You can't give it away twice inside the 10-yard line against the No.1-ranked team in the nation in front of more than 100,000 fans and expect to win a game.

Positives to take away:

1. Florida outgained Alabama by eight yards. The Gators had 281 yards of total offense.

2. Chas Henry is a pretty good field-goal kicker and a great punter. Henry had two field goals in his first game as a kicker this high school. UF starting kicker Caleb Sturgis is likely out for the season with a back injury.

I'll let you guys take care of the negatives ...

-jo-

Forget the defensive line for a second, Gators secondary has something to prove as well

GAINESVILLE -- For good reason, Florida's defensive line is receiving most of the attention this week as the Gators prepare for No.1 Alabama. Alabama's backfield combination of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson might be the best in the Southeastern Conference and on Tuesday UF defensive end Duke Lemmens referred to Richardson and Ingram as the best rushing duo in the history of college football.

While the editorial board of this blog respectfully disagrees with that assessment -- Richardson and Ingram might not even be the best backfield combo in the history of college football in their state, considering Auburn featured Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams and Brandon Jacobs at one point during their college careers -- we will concede that Ingram and Richardson are pretty good. Clearly, one of Florida's keys to beating Alabama on Saturday will be limiting Ingram and Richardson.

That brings us to the point of this blog topic: Limiting Ingram and Richardson will only be half the battle on Saturday for the seventh-ranked Gators. OK, maybe four-sixths of the battle, but who's counting? The point is, Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy played arguably the best game of his career in last season's Southeastern Conference championship game against a UF secondary many considered one of the best in the nation. McElroy finished with 239 yards and a touchdown on 12 of 18 passing attempts.

While former cornerback Joe Haden limited Alabama receiver Julio Jones to two receptions for 28 yards, Alabama receiver Marquis Maze played well against Janoris Jenkins. Maze had five receptions for 96 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown catch against Jenkins in one-on-one coverage.

Florida's cornerbacks and safeties will be tested again Saturday. Jenkins will likely shadow Jones, which leaves Jeremy Brown with the task of containing Maze.

"[Maze] is a dangerous guy, real fast in and out of breaks," Brown said. "Definitely a headache for defensive coordinators. He's special."

Alabama receiver Darius Hanks is also a threat, and could pose a potential mismatch against a young cornerback like UF's Cody Riggs. A junior from Norcross, Ga., Hanks is second on the team through four games with 11 receptions and touchdown for 197. What's more, Alabama's tight end, Preston Dial (6-3, 237 pounds) is a gifted athlete. He has eight receptions and two touchdowns for 94 yards this season. Don't forget that former Alabama tight end Colin Peek had three important receptions for 39 yards against Florida in 2009, including a touchdown to give Alabama a 26-13 lead with 9:53 left in the third quarter.

If UF loads the defensive box to stop Alabama's running game, UF's secondary will have to play mistake free (sound tackling will be key) against an experienced quarterback with plenty of options in one-on-one coverage situations. A breakdown in coverage like the one between UF safety Will Hill and Jenkins against Kentucky that led to an easy touchdown could be the difference in a game that will likely be close entering the fourth quarter.

What exactly happened on that blown coverage against Kentucky?

"It was nothing," Hill said. "Everyone has their outtakes on what happened but it was just one person seeing one thing and another person seeing another. It was just a miscommunication."

What has Hill and Jenkins done to work on the miscommunication?

"Just work on the coverage," Hill said.

Hill said that working on his "back-pedals, breaks and my vision, staying key on the quarterback," will be important this week.

-jo-

Florida Gators DT Jaye Howard on Alabama's Mark Ingram: 'He's no different than any other running back.'

GAINESVILLE -- Alabama's Mark Ingram might have become the first sophomore running back to win the Heisman Trophy, but UF defensive tackle Jaye Howard said on Saturday that Ingram is "no different than any other running back."

"We got [Jeff] Demps on our team and Mike Gillislee, so we go against good backs," said Howard, who had three tackles in UF's 48-14 victory against Kentucky on Saturday. "We're just going to try to bring it to [Ingram]."

Howard and the Gators' defense will get their chance next Saturday when UF travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a cross-division rivalry game of top 10 teams. No.1 Alabama came from behind to defeat Arkansas on Saturday. Ingram rushed for 113 yards on 28 carries with three touchdowns in Alabama's 32-13 victory against Florida in the 2009 Southeastern Conference championship game. It was an embarrassing performance for the Gators' defense, which allowed a total 251 rushing yards to the Crimson Tide.

"The D-line as a unit, we all let down the Gator Nation as a unit," Howard said. "We're going to go out there and give it our best next Saturday."

Howard is a key component of UF's 5-2 defense, which will likely be used against Alabama's potent rushing attack. The Gators five-linemen package features three defensive tackles but Howard actually lines up as an oversized defensive end. Howard said on Saturday that UF's defense used last season's loss to Alabama as motivation throughout the spring and summer.

"It was a nasty taste last year with the loss and this offseason was dedicated to beating Alabama," Howard said. "We're just going to go out there and let it all hang out.

"To me it's like the biggest game of the year. Whoever wins out of this game is set on a smooth sailing path."

-jo-

BREAKING: Florida Gators leading rusher Jeff Demps, the NCAA's reigning 100-meter champion, has X-ray taken of his left foot

GAINESVILLE -- University of Florida running back Jeff Demps had an X-ray taken of his left foot on Saturday night after the Gators' 48-14 victory against Kentucky, The Miami Herald has learned.

Demps injured his foot in the third quarter on Saturday and did not return. He walked with a pronounced limp after the game. He finished the game with 57 yards on eight carries. Demps is the Gators' leading rusher with 367 yards on 53 carries. A sprinter on UF's track team, Demps is the reigning national champion in the 100- and 60-meter dashes. Demps first injured his left foot last week when a UF offensive lineman stepped on it.

-jo-

Edges breakdown: Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats edition, plus prediction

GAINESVILLE -- Edges breakdown ...

SERIES ...
Florida has won 23 straight against Kentucky dating back to 1987. It's the nation's second longest winning streak in an annual series. The two teams began playing annually in 1967. The last time Kentucky defeated Florida in Gainesville was in 1979. UK won 31-3. Florida has been ranked 21 seasons in a row when facing Kentucky. Ranked UF teams are 27-3 against Kentucky. 
EDGE ... FLORIDA

MOMENTUM ...
The slow-starting Gators haven't scored in a first quarter in three straight games. The last time that happened was 1988 -- Emmitt Smith's sophomore season -- when the Gators went scoreless in first straight first quarters. UF turned things around in the third quarter against Tennessee, scoring 17 points on 163 yards of total offense.

New head coach Joker Phillips has the Wildcats playing with confidence to begin the season. Kentucky trounced rival Louisville and new coach Charlie Strong (UF's former defensive coordinator) in the Cats' season opener. Last week, Kentucky 544 yards of total offense against Akron.
EDGE ... KENTUCKY

WHEN FLORIDA RUNS THE BALL ...
Florida running back Jeff Demps is averaging 103.3 rushing yards per game. Kentucky's defense is ranked 63rd nationally against the run, allowing an average of 148 rushing yards per game. UF sophomore Mike Gillislee is beginning to emerge as the Gators' most consistent short-yardage option. Gillislee enters Saturday's game against Kentucky with three rushing scores in his last two games.
EDGE ... FLORIDA

WHEN FLORIDA PASSES THE BALL ...
UF quarterback John Brantley is averaging 150.7 passing yards per game but he has five touchdown throws this season without allowing an interception. Brantley's top target has been receiver Deonte Thompson, who 54 receiving yards per game. Demps is second on the team with eight receptions. Brantley was excellent on third-down throws against Tennessee and showed signs of his ability. Critical to improving the Gators' passing game is the further development of UF's offensive line, which will be in full health for just the second game this season on Saturday. UF allowed only one sack last week against Tennessee and Brantley had plenty of time to find open receivers.

Kentucky's passing defense is ranked fourth nationally, allowing just 109.67 passing yards per game. What's more, opposing quarterbacks have been awful against Kentucky, posting an average passing efficiency rating of 85.66.
EDGE ... KENTUCKY

WHEN KENTUCKY RUNS THE BALL ...
UK senior running back Derrick Locke is the SEC's leading rusher, averaging 124 yards per game. He has rushed for over 100 yards in every game this season. UF's rushing defense is ranked 24th nationally, allowing just 92.33 rushing yards per game. Last week, UF held Tennessee running back Tauren Poole to 23 yards on 10 carries. UF could have trouble on Saturday against Kentucky hybrid player Randall Cobb. Cobb has rushed for 108 yards on nine attempts this season for an average of 12 yards per carry.

Aiding UF's running game will be the Gators' new 5-2 defense. UF defensive ends Duke Lemmens and Ronald Powell act as hybrid defenders, playing both on the line and in occasionally in pass coverage against tight ends. With DTs Omar Hunter, Jaye Howard and Terron Sanders on the field at the same time, rushing yards are currently hard to find against the Gators.
EDGE ... FLORIDA

WHEN KENTUCKY PASSES THE BALL ...
UK senior quarterback Mike Hartline ranks fourth in the SEC and eighth nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 170.2. Translation: Hartline has been smart with the ball. He's averaging 226.7 passing yards per game (third in the SEC) and has thrown five touchdowns passes without allowing an interception. Six Kentucky receivers enter the game with more than seven receptions, including Cobb who leads UK with 12 receptions and two touchdown catches.

Hartline faces his toughest test of the year on Saturday. Florida leads the nation in passes intercepted with 10. An interesting battle to watch will be UF's defensive line against UK's offensive line in passing situations. UF is ranked 22nd in the nation in sacks with nine in three games. Meanwhile, Kentucky is ranked second in the nation in sacks allowed. UK has only allowed one sack this season.
EDGE ... FLORIDA

SPECIAL TEAMS ...
Florida kickoff return specialist Jeff Demps is ranked sixth in the nation in average kickoff-return yardage (36.83 ypg). The Gators punted three times last week against Tennessee, giving the Vols an average starting position of its own 11-yard line. Kentucky's Randall Cobb returns punts and kickoffs for the Cats. He has returned one punt for a touchdown this season.
EDGE ... FLORIDA

OVERALL AND PREDICTION ...
A lot of people are calling for an upset. That's understandable considering the way Florida has started games. Also, consider that Kentucky ranks second in the SEC in third-down conversions (56.4 percent) and first in the SEC in opponent's third-down conversions (26.8 percent). Still, my gut tells me that Florida is too deep along its offensive and defensive lines to lose to Kentucky at home. Florida leads the SEC in turnover margin (plus-seven) but Kentucky is second (plus-four). Kentucky covers the spread (plus-14).
FINAL ... UF 35, UK 23

-jo-

When will Gators quarterback John Brantley begin completing deep passes?

GAINESVILLE -- There are three potential explanations for UF's ultra-conservative offense through the first three games of the season. Let's examine each one.

1. The Florida Gators' coaching staff doesn't have total confidence in their quarterback.

First-year starter John Brantley has completed 62 percent of his passes this season for an average of 150.7 passing yards per game. Sandwiched between Georgia freshman Aaron Murray and Ole Miss gun-for-hire Jeremiah Masoli, Brantley ranks seventh in passing efficiency among Southeastern Conference quarterbacks with a rating of 131.0.

Brantley hasn't had many opportunities to complete deep passes (passes of 30 or more yards) but he has missed every time (0-4). Here are the four deep throws Brantley has attempted this season:

1. 1-10 against Miami (Ohio) on the first offensive possession of the season. Intended for Deonte Thompson. Dropped by Thompson, the Gators' fastest receiver who as somehow blanketed by a Miami (Ohio) cornerback.

2. 3-18 against Miami (Ohio). Deep pass intended for Carl Moore off the mark.

3. 2-9 against USF. Deep pass incomplete for Andre Debose.

4. 1-10 against USF. Deep pass incomplete for Thompson.

Of note: Brantley did not attempt a pass of 30 or more yards against Tennessee.

Brantley has only completed five legitimate throws of 20 or more yards this season. Personally, I don't think Brantley is the problem. After all, the coaches relied on Brantley's arm five times in third-and-long situations against Tennessee and every time Brantley delivered.

Brantley was hyped as a great thrower for three years and now he's not being asked to throw. Something doesn't add up. If UF isn't going to throw downfield, then maybe freshman quarterback Trey Burton should be given more chances behind center to run UF's old spread-option offense. As a true sophomore, Tim Tebow averaged 278.3 passing yards in his first three games and only threw for less than 200 yards in two games in 2007. Brantley hasn't thrown for more than 172 yards this season.

2. The coaches haven't exactly trusted their receivers.

In years past, the Gators have had deep threats like Bubba Caldwell, Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper. I asked UF cornerback Jeremy Brown this week who UF's best deep threats were and he named Deonte Thompson, Quinton Dunbar and Andre Debose. Dunbar hasn't sniffed the field on offense. Debose has only been used downfield for one play in three games.

Thompson, who Brown calls the fastest player on the team, has been used mainly as a possession receiver so far this season. He only has three receptions of 20 or more yards. Carl Moore appears to have excellent hands but he isn't much of a deep threat. Omarius Hines has one reception for more than 20 yards. Jordan Reed, the redshirt freshman tight end, has one reception for 22 yards.

If I had to guess, I'd say that Frankie Hammond Jr. will get his chance against Kentucky to emerge as the Gators' downfield threat. This brings me to the third potential explanation why UF's passing game is stuck in a low gear.

3. The assistant coaches calling the shots are gun shy/Florida's coaches have failed to establish an offensive identity

In my opinion, this is the reason. New assistant coach Zach Azzanni is the Gators' passing-game coordinator. At the beginning of the season, UF coach Urban Meyer made a comment indicating that Azzanni might be a little nervous in his new position. Meyer and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio are always going to play cautiously, considering UF has a defense that has proven it can keep UF in any game no matter how poorly the offense is playing.

So far, UF hasn't needed a downfield passing game to win. That might change against Kentucky and Alabama. It also might help Brantley if the Gators' focused on a base offense and stuck with it until the offense gains more confidence. Brantley was under center and in the shotgun the same number of times (15) in the first half against Tennessee. With so many different looks for the offense to master, it seems like basic offensive disciplines like snapping the ball and run blocking have suffered.

-jo-

Gators should watch this video before making trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala.

GAINESVILLE -- In preparation for the Gators' trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala., in less than two weeks, I present an example of the average Alabama fan. Yeah, they care THAT much. Total brainwashing from birth is normal, encouraged and celebrated.

-jo-

Poll: When will Gators receiver Chris Rainey return?

GAINESVILLE -- Mike Pouncey said on Wednesday that his friend Chris Rainey "just can't wait to get back" with the team. Rainey was busted for felony stalking last week.

Pouncey said he doesn't know when Rainey will begin practicing and a spokesman for UF made it clear on Wednesday that Pouncey was not speaking for the university when he said Rainey "will be back. We just didn't know when."

When will Rainey most likely rejoin the team? Maybe sooner than you think. Before you cast your vote in our official poll, don't forget to unlock your brain's vast bank of Gators football history when factoring a decision. Remember, former UF safety Tony Joiner was busted for a felony back in 2007 the week of UF's ultra-important game at Louisiana State. Joiner, a starter, seemingly had his case rushed through the courts and played in the game. Of course, in that case, some could say Joiner was acting chivalrously when he broke his girlfriend's car out of a tow-truck impound in the middle of the night. Tebow was Joiner's roommate that year. I asked Tebow if he knew anything about it when it happened. "No idea," he said. "I was asleep."

-jo-

Online Surveys & Market Research

Mike Pouncey expects Chris Rainey to return

GAINESVILLE -- Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey said on Wednesday that he expects Chris Rainey to return to the team.

"He's doing good," Pouncey said. "He made a mistake. I talked to him yesterday. He's doing good. He just can't wait to get back."

Rainey was arrested for felony stalking last week and has not participated in team activities since the incident. Pouncey and Rainey are close friends. Rainey lived with Pouncey when the two played high school football for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts. While Pouncey seemed confident of Rainey's return, the offensive lineman also said he doesn't know when Rainey will be allowed to rejoin the team.

A spokesman for the University of Florida later advised reporters that Pouncey did not speak on behalf of Florida coach Urban Meyer.

-jo-

Florida Gators' five-linemen defense could be the trick to beating Alabama Crimson Tide

GAINESVILLE -- Florida plays Alabama in 12 days. The final countdown begins right now.

I realize that the Gators play Kentucky on Saturday. I'm going to ignore that game for the most part this week and focus on what really matters for the Gators. And what really matters for the Gators hasn't really changed since Dec. 5, 2009. That's when running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson took control of the Southeastern Conference and thumped Florida 32-13 in the SEC championship game. Like I was saying, Florida plays Alabama in 12 days.

I realize it's the players' jobs to play "one game at a time." I asked UF running back Jeff Demps on Saturday after Florida 31, Tennessee 17 if the Gators could defeat Alabama right now. "No comment," he said. Well, I'm not a player, so I don't really care about nonsense like that. All bets are off when the opponent between now and Alabama is Kentucky. Florida is 23-0 against Kentucky since 1986!

Did anyone notice a change in the Gators' defense last Saturday? UF used a five-linemen formation on defense throughout the game. The new look stuffed Tennessee's talented running backs. That same formation likely will be used in attempt to contain Kentucky running back Derrick Locke on Saturday. Or, put another way, Saturday's game against Kentucky will be the new formation's second dress rehearsal before No.9 Florida plays No.1 Alabama at 8 p.m. on Oct.2

Featured in the new defensive package on Saturday were defensive ends Duke Lemmens and Justin Trattou and defensive tackles Jaye Howard, Terron Sanders and Omar Hunter. The five-man front plays to UF's defensive strength, which is depth at defensive tackle. Obviously, that's where Alabama will be running the ball.

Check tomorrow's paper for a more in-depth story on this subject with stats and perspectives from UF coaches and players. In the meantime, talk amongst yourselves: Can UF's new defensive line contain Alabama's backfield combination of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson?

-jo-

Gators pull away late in the fourth quarter in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Final
UF 31, UT 17
Great two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trey Burton from the Wildcat formation. The drive was highlighted by an excellent throw on third down from Brantley to Carl Moore and a 16-yard rush by Demps.

UF 24, UT 17
Blown coverage by safety Will Hill led to UT touchdown, a 35-yard reception by Justin Hunter.

UF 24, UT 10
RB Mike Gillislee scored his second touchdown of the game on a five-yard run with 12 seconds left in the third quarter. The five-play drive was set up by an interception by UF cornerback Jeremy Brown.

JEREMY BROWN'S INTERCEPTION
Tennessee was driving when Brown jumped the route of Vols receiver Denarius Moore and intercepted UT quarterback Matt Sims at the UT 40. It was Brown's second interception of the season and the d

UF 17, UT 10
Brantley found Frankie Hammond Jr. in the back of the end zone for a seven-yard TD pass with 4:31 left in the third quarter. It was Hammond's second touchdown of his career.

HINES' FAKE PUNT
Urban Meyer called for a fake punt facing fourth and 6 from the UF 39. The ball was snapped directly to Omarius Hines, who rushed for 36 yards. He broke two tackles on the play. Meyer is 8 for 8 on fake punts at UF. It was UF's first fake punt since Oct. 2008 against Arkansas.

HALFTIME BELOW
Florida had 94 yards of total offense in the first half and Tennessee had 69. Not exactly an exciting first half. UF running back Jeff Demps had 17 yards on 11 carries. Brantley threw for 75 yards, completing 6 of 10 passes. UT quarterback Matt Sims was 6 of 11 with one interception for 53 yards.

FOURTH OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
The drive stalled at the UF 42 when Demps was dropped for a three-yard loss on second down and Brantley had a pass batted down at the line by UT defensive end Malik Jackson on third down. Omarius Hines was wide open over the middle on the play. The drive's highlight was a 22-yard gain by redshirt freshman tight end Jordan Reed.

BOSTIC'S INTERCEPTION
UF linebacker Jon Bostic drifted into coverage on third and goal from UF 3 to intercept Vols QB Matt Sims. The play bailed out Janoris Jenkins, who fumbled a punt at the UF 40.

GATORS 7, VOLS 3, THIRD OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
Welcome to the game Robert Clark. Chris Rainey's replacement, a freshman receiver, made the play of the game so far for the Gators when he caught a pass over the middle and held onto the ball for a first and goal. Clark lost his mouthpiece was hit so hard but didn't lose the ball. Mike Gillislee rushed for a two-yard score two plays later. UF 7, UT 3.

VOLS 3, GATORS 0
Instead of using its all-everything punter Chas Henry to pin the Vols deep, Florida goes for it on fourth down at the UT 42 and fails to convert. Tennessee drives short distance to UF 32 and kicks 49-yard field goal (Daniel Lincoln) to take 3-0 lead.

SECOND OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
Florida running backs Emmanuel Moody and Mike Gillislee can't gain one yard on third and fourth-down plays from UT42 on UF's second offensive possession of the game.

FIRST OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
The Gators' first offensive possession of the game was dreadful. UF fumbled twice, including a poor snap by center Mike Pouncey that led to minus-15 yards on third. A penalty for illegal formation and the errant snap took UF out of field-goal range.

PREGAME BELOW
"Losers needed ... Got any volunteers?" read the best pro-Gators shirt I saw today while walking through the crowded campus of the University of Tennessee.

Located on the Tennessee River, the pregame atmosphere around Neyland Stadium is one of best the Southeastern Conference. The Vols Navy -- a large flotilla of party boats docked near the stadium -- is one of the best traditions in the south. The stadium itself is enormous and feels like being inside the Roman Coliseum.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel has a great stat in its pre-game advance story: Former UF quarterback Tim Tebow was 13-13 in coverting first downs against the Vols on runs of at least four yards on third and fourth downs. The Gators' offensive consistency has helped UF coach Urban Meyer win five straight against the Vols, including two in a row at Tennessee. One of today's major story lines: Can first-year Florida quarterback continue that consistency?

PREGAME NOTES

-Will Hill is warming up with the first-team defense.

-Lawrence Marsh is on the sidelines in shorts with his arm wrapped. Marsh supposedly cut his arm in practice on Thursday, requiring about 20 stitches.

-Starting offensive line: LT-Xavier Nixon, LG-Carl Johnson, C-Mike Pouncey, RG-Mo Hut, LT-Marcus Gilbert.

-Starting linebackers: WLB-Jelani Jenkins; MLB-Jon Bostic; SLB-A.J. Jones

-WR Robert Clark announced as starter in place of Chris Rainey.

-jo-UT 10, UF 10
Tennessee tied the game at 10 with a touchdown from Matt Sims to Denarius Moore. Moore's wheel route went for 49 yards. Gators cornerback Jeremy Brown was the defender on the play.

UF 7, UT 3
Kicker Caleb Sturgis started the second half with a 44-yard field goal after a 10-play drive. The drive was highlighted by an 18-yard run by Demps, a 12-yard run by Brantley, a great seven-yard run by Demps to convert on third and 3 from the UT 36. The bad: On third and 10 from the UT 29, Brantley had a pass dropped by freshman Trey Burton. Frankie Hammond Jr.

HALFTIME SUMMARY
Florida had 94 yards of total offense in the first half and Tennessee had 69. Not exactly an exciting first half. UF running back Jeff Demps had 17 yards on 11 carries. Brantley threw for 75 yards, completing 6 of 10 passes. UT quarterback Matt Sims was 6 of 11 with one interception for 53 yards.

-Three Gators saw first action of season on opening kickoff: Dee Finley, Frankie Hammond Jr. and Will Hill

-Demps had a 43-yard kick-off return in the first half, giving him three returns on the season for 40 or more yards.

-RB Mike Gillislee scored the second TD of the season

-Jon Bostic's interception was UF's ninth interception of the season.

FOURTH OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
The drive stalled at the UF 42 when Demps was dropped for a three-yard loss on second down and Brantley had a pass batted down at the line by UT defensive end Malik Jackson on third down. Omarius Hines was wide open over the middle on the play. The drive's highlight was a 22-yard gain by redshirt freshman tight end Jordan Reed.

BOSTIC'S INTERCEPTION
UF linebacker Jon Bostic drifted into coverage on third and goal from UF 3 to intercept Vols QB Matt Sims. The play bailed out Janoris Jenkins, who fumbled a punt at the UF 40.

GATORS 7, VOLS 3, THIRD OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
Welcome to the game Robert Clark. Chris Rainey's replacement, a freshman receiver, made the play of the game so far for the Gators when he caught a pass over the middle and held onto the ball for a first and goal. Clark lost his mouthpiece was hit so hard but didn't lose the ball. Mike Gillislee rushed for a two-yard score two plays later. UF 7, UT 3.

VOLS 3, GATORS 0
Instead of using its all-everything punter Chas Henry to pin the Vols deep, Florida goes for it on fourth down at the UT 42 and fails to convert. Tennessee drives short distance to UF 32 and kicks 49-yard field goal (Daniel Lincoln) to take 3-0 lead.

SECOND OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
Florida running backs Emmanuel Moody and Mike Gillislee can't gain one yard on third and fourth-down plays from UT42 on UF's second offensive possession of the game.

FIRST OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
The Gators' first offensive possession of the game was dreadful. UF fumbled twice, including a poor snap by center Mike Pouncey that led to minus-15 yards on third. A penalty for illegal formation and the errant snap took UF out of field-goal range.

PREGAME BELOW
"Losers needed ... Got any volunteers?" read the best pro-Gators shirt I saw today while walking through the crowded campus of the University of Tennessee.

Located on the Tennessee River, the pregame atmosphere around Neyland Stadium is one of best the Southeastern Conference. The Vols Navy -- a large flotilla of party boats docked near the stadium -- is one of the best traditions in the south. The stadium itself is enormous and feels like being inside the Roman Coliseum.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel has a great stat in its pre-game advance story: Former UF quarterback Tim Tebow was 13-13 in coverting first downs against the Vols on runs of at least four yards on third and fourth downs. The Gators' offensive consistency has helped UF coach Urban Meyer win five straight against the Vols, including two in a row at Tennessee. One of today's major story lines: Can first-year Florida quarterback continue that consistency?

PREGAME NOTES

-Will Hill is warming up with the first-team defense.

-Lawrence Marsh is on the sidelines in shorts with his arm wrapped. Marsh supposedly cut his arm in practice on Thursday, requiring about 20 stitches.

-Starting offensive line: LT-Xavier Nixon, LG-Carl Johnson, C-Mike Pouncey, RG-Mo Hut, LT-Marcus Gilbert.

-Starting linebackers: WLB-Jelani Jenkins; MLB-Jon Bostic; SLB-A.J. Jones

-WR Robert Clark announced as starter in place of Chris Rainey.

-jo-

Is Steve Newlin from 'True Blood' a clone of Tennessee Vols coach Derek Dooley?

GAINESVILLE -- Really, do I even need to ask? Wow, what a pair of Deep South heartthrobs.

Is Steve Newlin from True Blood a clone of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley? Just look at the pictures! You guys think I'm making a joke? OK, I am making a joke, but consider this before you totally laugh off this blog post. True Blood is a popular HBO series set in Louisiana. When the character of Steve Newlin was conceived for the show, Derek Dooley was still a coach at Louisiana Tech. Blam!

PICTURED: Steve Newlin, Southern Baptist preacher and vampire killer. 

 PICTURED: Not Lane Kiffin.

-jo-

Chris Rainey has put Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer in a difficult position

GAINESVILLE -- How does this happen ... again? Felony stalking? How does a starter get arrested for something this embarrassing for the second straight big game in a row? (Sorry, Cincinnati fans, but I'm not counting that consolation Sugar Bowl as a big game.)

Carlos Dunlap was arrested for DUI in the early morning hours on the Tuesday before the Gators' 2009 SEC championship game against Alabama. Chris Rainey was arrested in the early morning hours on a Tuesday before the Gators' 2010 SEC opener against Tennessee. This astonishes me. (And, if you're not astonished by this, then something is really wrong with you.) Rainey has put Florida coach Urban Meyer in a difficult situation. There is a growing perception nationally that he doesn't have control of his players.

Rainey was issued a mandatory curfew by an Alachua County judge on Tuesday. Not a bad idea. Meyer said that "accountability and development" were the themes for the Gators' fall camp. I just assumed that mantra was going to carry over into the season. Am I being too critical here? Perhaps. After all, Rainey's individual actions away from football certainly should not be a reflection of his teammates. But that's my point. They will be. Right or wrong, this is an example of the national perception facing Florida football right now and, by extension, the entire University of Florida. Since Dunlap's arrest, four more Gators have been charged with misdemeanors and one with a felony. And I'm not even going to bring Brandon Spikes into this discussion.

Rainey's arrest during Tennessee week is a terrible situation for Meyer. Meyer did not speak publicly about Rainey's arrest on Tuesday -- although Rainey's attorney, Huntley Johnson, certainly did enough talking for everyone -- but I know Meyer is absolutely crushed about this. Rainey might be Meyer's favorite player on the team.

Will that save Rainey or will Meyer be forced to dismiss him permanently because of public perception? One of Meyer's "core values" for his team is respect for women. The other core values are no guns, no stealing, no drugs and honesty. In the past, players have been kicked off the team for arrests involving women (Gary Brown, Jacques Rickerson, Ronnie Wilson and Avery Atkins).

If the person who called the police on Rainey on Tuesday morning was a UF student, I feel certain that Rainey would be kicked off the team permanently. The person was not a student and told a judge on Tuesday morning that she did not want Rainey to be arrested. Of course, none of this really matters. The damage has already been done.

-jo-

Chris Rainey kicked off Florida Gators team following felony stalking charge

PICTURED: University of Florida football player Chris Rainey appeared in Alachua County court on Tuesday via closed circuit TV from the Alachua County jail. Rainey was arrested for felony stalking early Tuesday morning and later released on his own recognizance by an Alachua County judge.

GAINESVILLE -- Slot receiver Chris Rainey has been kicked off the University of Florida football team, according to offensive coordinator Steve Addazio. Rainey was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with a third-degree felony for aggravated stalking after he sent a woman a text message that read, "Time to Die B---- u and ur???".

"Chris Rainey is not a part of our team right now," Addazio said on Tuesday. "And that's all I really have to say on that."

Gainesville police booked the redshirt junior slot receiver at 3:27 a.m. on Tuesday. Rainey appeared in court later Tuesday morning and was released on his own recognizance by an Alachua County judge. 

Rainey suffered a concussion in last Saturday's 38-14 victory against the University of South Florida. He sat out half of the game but Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer said on Monday that he expected Rainey to be available for this Saturday's game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Rainey's back-up is true freshman slot receiver Robert Clark of West Palm Beach Dwyer.

-jo-

Listing initiatives by Gators coach Urban Meyer to maintain his health during football season

GAINESVILLE -- One of the most important stories facing the Florida Gators this season is the health of UF coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer's quality of life improved dramatically over the offseason because he was forced to address a few things about his health. But the offseason is nothing compared to the football season. In the past, that's the time of year when Meyer normally drops weight because he's not eating. By the end of the 2009 season, Meyer had lost a considerable amount of weight, which likely contributed to his health scare.

PICTURED: Urban Meyer is looking good this season and he wants to keep it that way.

In today's Miami Herald, I wrote a story about Meyer's health during the football season. Why write about this right now? Well, like I said, this is the time of year when Meyer must maintain his health and two weeks into the season is the perfect time to reflect on Meyer's health initiatives. After all, anyone can get healthy in the offseason. Maintaining Meyer's health during this football season is crucial to the long-term success of the Florida Gators. Here's a link to that story. LINK!

Meyer has made simple but effective changes to his daily and weekly routine during the football season to improve his quality of life:

1. Taking his medication. Meyer likely wouldn't be coaching right now if his esophageal spasms were not diagnosed in January.

2. Actually eating. It sounds simple, but Meyer is taking the time to take a break and actually eat lunch every day during the football season.

3. Rest. Meyer has scheduled more time in his day to rest. No more breaking down film into the early hours of the morning.

4. Exercise. Meyer exercises from noon to 1 p.m. every day.

5. Streamlined media schedule. Meyer used to meet with reporters every day during the season (except Friday, of course, but he would still do radio on Friday). This season, Meyer stays away from the media on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Meyer's news conferences for Mondays and Saturdays' post-game are required. Meyer answers a handful of questions for a few minutes on the SEC coaches' teleconference on Wednesdays (again, required). He meets with the UF beat writers for about five minutes on Thursdays (not required). It should be noted that he still does his Sunday TV show with Mick Hubert, but that's pretty low key and, once again, required by contract.

-jo-

For the first time in a long time, public perception not favoring the Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE -- One day after an up-and-down performance aided by turnovers, the Gators fell two spots in The Associated Press Top 25 and one place in the Coaches' Poll on Sunday.

Florida (2-0) is now ranked No.10 by the writers and No.7 by the coaches. The Gators begin competition in the Southeastern Conference on Saturday with a road game against the University of Tennessee at General Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers lost to the Oregon Ducks of the University of Nike 48-13 on Saturday.

In the writers' poll, Florida was jumped by No.7 Oklahoma and No.9 Iowa. In the coaches' poll -- the poll that factors into the BCS formula -- No.6 Oregon moved ahead of both Florida and Nebraska. 

This is the second straight week Florida has fallen in the polls despite winning. Florida began the season ranked No.4 by the writers and No.3 by the coaches.

Florida is currently suffering from something I like to call post-Tebow skepticism. After two weeks of being propped up by its defense against inferior competition, there is a growing sentiment around the country that UF is overrated.

Are the Gators overrated or is No.10 in the writers' poll and No.7 in the coaches' poll about right? I've got a feeling UF will be a second-half-of-the-season team this year. One thing is clear today: Upon further review, that season-ending rivalry game against Florida State seems a lot more winnable.

-jo-

Handing out a game ball for the Florida Gators' TOP NINJA ASSASSIN plus my weekly video

So, we'll be doing this every Sunday during the season ...

GAINESVILLE -- OK, here's a link to my game story of Florida 38, South Florida 14. Here's a link to game notes by Mike-Mike McCall. LINK! Now, time for some game balls ...

-The overall game ball for leadership, accountability and general excellence both on and off the field and on his Twitter account goes UF strong safety AHMAD BLACK. Black led the Gators in tackles (eight) for the second week in a row and had two interceptions in the first half. Black now has three interceptions on the season and 11 interceptions for his career.

-The game ball for cheerleading on the sidelines and looking like he was born to do it goes to UF coach URBAN MEYER, who at one point before a kickoff in the third quarter on Saturday added some life to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with an uncharacteristic show of emotion. Meyer lifted his arms into the air several times to excite his players and get the crowd going. We like this version of Meyer and think it's a good idea that he sticks around when SEC play begins. Gator Clause also enjoyed a ribbing from Meyer during the post-game news conference when we asked about his new role as sideline cheerleader...

"I just like the crowd into it," Meyer said. "It was hot and everybody was -- I just started getting fired up. Appreciate you watching me, though. That's kind of weird, to be honest with you."

-The game ball for best defensive play goes to defensive end JUSTIN TRATTOU who showed excellent field awareness when he picked off USF quarterback B.J. Daniels and returned the interception 35 for a touchdown. It was Trattou's first touchdown as a Gator. For the record, Trattou is averaging 44 yards on interception returns over the past two seasons. Not bad for a 6-3, 252-pound dude from northeast New Jersey.

-The game ball for best CHRIS RAINEY fill-in goes to UF cornerback JANORIS JENKINS, who took Rainey's place in the second half as UF's punt-return specialist and returned a punt 30 yards to give UF a short field and set up an easy touchdown drive. A close second in this category was freshman slot receiver ROBERT CLARK, who had one reception for 15 yards in the second half after Rainey left the game with what Meyer described as a "ding." I'm assuming that means slight concussion.

-The game ball for best-dressed coach during post-game interview sessions goes to UF defensive coordinator TERYL AUSTIN, who addressed the media in a suit and tie. Austin's defense has had eight interceptions in two games. Not bad.

-The game ball for TOP NINJA for his cunning and ruthless approach to defense goes to JANORIS JENKINS, who had an interception and a sack and coined this phrase after the game:

"We just come out to play fast," Jenkins said. "We think every time the ball is in the air, it's ours. We going at it like ninjas. We call ourselves the assassins."

After Saturday's game, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who also coaches cornerbacks, said Jenkins might be the best cornerback in the country. That's great, I was thinking, but can he stop this guy? LINK!

-The game ball for best tackle by a freshman goes to cornerback JAYLEN WATKINS, who jarred a ball loose from a USF receiver in the second half.

LASTLY, here's the video version of my weekly post-game report. Thanks to all my well-wishers and critics for advice on how to improve the video last week. I took the suggestions to heart and then ignored them all ...

Gators 38, USF 14: Defense triggers second half surge for No.8 Gators

GAINESVILLE -- Thoughts on the game, anyone?

It took longer than expected but the No.8 Gators finally began looking like a team loaded with talent on Saturday in their 38-14 victory against the University of South Florida. The Gators are now 10-0 against instate teams since 2005 (Urban Meyer Era), and, for the record, UF is the last team in Florida from a major conference to still boast a perfect record this season. 

A few observations from Saturday's game ...

-Pretty funny how the crowd applauded the first snap from Mike Pouncey to John Brantley.

-Demps is fast. He had 255 total yards of offense including a career high 139 yards rushing on just 11 carries. His 62-yard touchdown run was his second score of more than 60 yards in back-to-back games.

-Ahmad Black and Janoris Jenkins should both be on the Jim Thorpe watchlist after the first two weeks of the season. Black had two picks on Saturday to give him three on the year. Jenkins had his second interception of the season on Saturday.

-USF quarterback B.J. Daniels completed just 5 of 20 passing attempts for 84 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

-Justin Trattou showed excellent awareness on his interception return for a touchdown. Love how he sprinted all the way into the end zone, too.

-Duke Lemmens, who had a fumble recovery on Saturday, gave me a great quote that didn't make the paper: "We've got a lot of speed out there and most importantly we go hard. That was one of the best athletes (Daniels) I think in the country who was playing quarterback for him and he'll wear you out but we kept coming after him the whole time and I think eventually it led to him making some bad throws."

-Wonder what Will Hill did to be suspended for the Gators' first two games?

-Deonte Thompson had a career day with six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.

-Chris Rainey left the game with a concussion and Janoris Jenkins took over returning punts. Jenkins had a 30-yard punt return on his only attempt. Maybe Urban Meyer should consider leaving Jenkins out there to return punts.

-Jordan Reed really surprised me with his touchown reception to end the game. Well, Reed didn't really surprise me but it surprised me that UF called his number. Great call by Steve Addazio.

-Freshmen cornerbacks Cody Riggs, Josh Shaw and Jaylen Watkins all played when Jeremy Brown left the game with what Urban Meyer called a "full-body cramp." Riggs dove to break up a pass and Watkins made an excellent tackle to cause and incompletion.

-Kind of surprising Andre Debose couldn't get open. He played on Saturday but didn't catch a pass.

-Robert Clark is a fierce competitor on the football field. This guy might be UF's next Ahmad Black ... only on the other side of the ball, of course.

THIRD QUARTER LIVE BLOG BELOW
Led by a relentless defense, the Florida Gators scored 21 points in the third quarter and led USF 31-14 with 12:20 left in the game.

-Gators DE Justin Trattou had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown to give UF a 28-7 lead.

-Gators RBs Jeff Demps and Mike Gillislee scored back-to-back rushing TDs to give UF a 21-7.

HALFTIME BELOW
Gators senior strong safety Ahmad Black (WHO THE MIAMI HERALD SMARTLY FEATURED THIS WEEK) saved face for the Gators with two interceptions against the South Florida Bulls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday.

Black's first interception with 60 seconds left in the second quarter set up UF's only scoring drive of the first half. Black made the play at the USF 31 and returned to two yards. Gators quarterback John Brantley completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to fifth-year senior Carl Moore to tie the game at 7-all with 44 seconds left in the half. 

Black made his second interception on a desperation heave by USF quarterback B.J. Daniels to end the first half. Black now has 11 interceptions for his career and three this season.

2:14 LEFT IN HALF

Amazingly, Florida is still scoreless with 2:14 left in the second quarter. The Gators' only semi-successful offensive possession of the first half has ended with a failed field goal attempt from Caleb Sturgis with 2:14 left in the first half.

-Gators second offensive series stalled when receiver Deonte Thompson dropped a wide-open pass. Gators offense seemed to find a little offense before the drop.

USF 7, GATORS 0
Just off the Quran burning beat to witness something I thought I would never see while covering the Florida Gators.

On its first offensive possession of the game, USF drove 96 yards on 17 plays (time of possession 9:58) for a touchdown drive. USF 7, Gators 0 with 3:53 left in the first quarter. And I'm like, "Dang," sitting in this hot press box. A rivalry is born.

-Gators safety Will Hill is not playing for the second straight week.

-Gators first offensive possession with a three-and-punt featuring a fumbled snap by QB John Brantley. Wow.

-jo-

Team Tebow marketing arm, XV Enterprises, a long time in the making

GAINESVILLE -- You might have heard that Team Tebow launched XV Enterprises today. It's a marketing firm run by Tim Tebow's older brother, Robby, and a family friend, Angel Gonzalez. I love the home-school mentality of these up-start entrepreneurs.

Here's a recent quote from Robby Tebow explaining the inspiration for XV Enterprises...

"We interviewed the top 15 marketing agencies in the world and went through their dog and pony show," Robby Tebow said. "They were big and smooth and wore three-piece suits and some of them are very good at what they do. But one thing we realized is that they were talking about the things for Timmy that we were already thinking about. And when it came to negotiating we could do the job as good as they could and we weren't necessarily worrying about that 20 percent cut."

Not so fast, Robby Tebow, and your homespun, blue-collar marketing ploy. Something tells me you're not being entirely truthful ...

Here's a link to XV Enterprises' website. LINK! XV Enterprises' slick corporate logo might seem familiar to a few Gators' fans. Remember Tebow's teary-eyed outburst after UF's loss to Ole Miss in 2008? Well, check out the logo on the shirt Tebow was wearing. Look familiar? Watch the video on www.timtebow.com and you'll see Robby Tebow and several other people wearing shirts with the same logo.

A few years ago, I asked Tebow during a press conference where he got his "XV" shirts. Tebow told me that a friend made them for him. The company that made those shirts is based in Jacksonville.

I don't find it interesting that Team Tebow was thinking about corporate branding while Tebow was in college. I do, however, find it interesting that Team Tebow didn't demand a 20 percent cut from UF.

PHOTO: Tim Tebow delivers his "promise speech" with future corporate logo of XV Enterprises on his chest. Very slick, Team Tebow. Well played. 

-jo-

Heightened police presence around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium coincides with scheduled Quran burning and 9/11 anniversary

GAINESVILLE -- About 40 police vehicles, both marked and unmarked, were positioned in the north parking lot of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the campus of the University of Florida on Wednesday.

The University of Florida's football team plays host to the University of South Florida at 12:21 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday is the anniversary of 9/11 and also the same day the pastor of a small church in Alachua County has said he will burn Qurans as a demonstration of First Amendment rights. The story became international news this week. Steve McClain, a spokesman for UF's athletic department, said the University of Florida's campus police department is working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to prepare for Saturday's football game.

McClain said on Wednesday around 3 p.m. that "the most recent intelligence that we hear from, the UPD says there's no specific threats against the University of Florida or the Athletic Association, but UPD has heightened its awareness and security." The large number of police vehicles outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Wednesday likely indicated a meeting of law enforcement officers in preparation for Saturday's game, according to McClain.

The UAA is asking fans on Saturday "to pay more attention to the surroundings and report suspicious activities to police or to us," according to McClain. He also said the UAA is asking for people attending the game to arrive earlier than usual, likely due to more stringent security checks upon entering the stadium.

-jo-

Who'd a thunk it? Maybe the Gators need Cam Newton after all

GAINESVILLE -- First, the news...

1. Talked to Marcus Gilbert today. He told me he was staying put at left tackle for now and that Maurice Hurt might remain at right tackle at least until Tennessee.

2. That means Xavier Nixon remains questionable for South Florida. Nixon, the projected starter at left tackle during the preseason, is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

3. Carl Johnson is back and Gilbert says Johnson makes all the difference in the offensive line.

4. Mike Pouncey says his snapping problem is corrected. Says he's grabbing the ball at its nose "and just throwing it back there."

OK, now some food for thought ...

Everyone remembers Cam Newton, right? Former UF quarterback. Back-up to Tebow in 2007. Allegedly stole a laptop computer or at least bought a stolen laptop computer and tossed it out of his dorm window when UPD investigated his dorm for the theft. Everyone remembers him, right?

Well, no one seemed to mind when Newton packed his bags and left Gainesville a couple years ago. No one really thought the Gators needed him AND Brantley. In fact, at the time, many thought Newton leaving was good for Florida football because it could make room for a more talented quarterback. That attitude was obviously a mistake in judgment. The Gators could use Newton right now and that fact is not up for debate. If anything, he could be playing tight end right now, but he also might have been a pretty good quarterback at Florida because ...

Newton was named the SEC's first offensive player of the week after Auburn's 52-26 victory against Arkansas State. Now, I bet I could have made a lot of money on this blog if I bet people Newton and not Brantley would be the best quarterback in the SEC after Week One of the 2010 season. Here' s what Newton did to earn the honor, as written on the SEC's website ...

"In his Auburn debut, Newton rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns while completing 9 of 14 passes for 186 yards and three scores in Auburn's 52-26 win against Arkansas State.

"Newton accounted for 357 total offensive yards and five touchdowns, both highs in the SEC in Week One.

"His 171 yards rushing were a school single-game rushing record by a quarterback, breaking the previous mark of 160 held by Phil Gargis in 1974.

"The rushing total was the most in a debut by an Auburn player since Rudi Johnson's 174 rushing yards against Wyoming in 2000."

So, in other words, Cam Newton went Tim Tebow.

Everyone remembers what the knock on Newton was, right? All the talent in the world but didn't have any poise. Could never relax and play under pressure and blah, blah, blah. Obviously its way too early to begin a debate questioning whether the wrong quarterback stuck around in Gainesville. I'm sure Brantley will be fine and UF's spread-option offense will figure out how to thrive with a pure pocket passer under center, but it certainly would have helped to have Newton around just in case.

-jo-

Grading the Gators after UF 34, Miami (Ohio) 12

GAINESVILLE -- Before we hand out grades from Florida 34, Miami (Ohio) 12, here's a link to my game story in Sunday's paper LINK! and here's a link to my story in Monday's paper. LINK! My post-game video report is attached to the first link, so watch that and leave a comment here on the blog if you want to give me some pointers or advice for the camera. I'll be doing post-game video reports after every game this season, so give me some feedback and maybe we'll change up the format next week.

OK, onto the grades ...

OFFENSIVE LINE ... D
Florida's offense was painful to watch at times on Saturday and the offensive line played a big role in the misery. Starting left guard Carl Johnson was suspended for disciplinary reasons. James Wilson was moved from right guard to left guard but he went down with a knee injury. Center Mike Pouncey had trouble snapping the ball. Maurice Hurt looked shaky at right tackle at times. A bright spot, sophomore Jon Halapio made his first start at right guard and opened a huge hole for running back Jeff Demps on his touchdown run. It's worth noting that Pouncey showed great maturity after the game in answering questions from reporters about his mistakes. It was a pro move from a future pro.

-Upon further review (I taped the game and went through it on Sunday), I counted 14 shotgun snaps from Pouncey that were off target. For all you ledge jumpers out there who think UF should fire Steve Addazio or whatever (I've gotten at least a dozen emails), consider how difficult it must have been for John Brantley to focus on the offense when he had to direct his attention to something so trivial as a snap from his center. Florida's offensive line was supposed to be its strength this year and it still might be, but in the season opener a poor offensive line limited the offense.

-I, for one, don't believe all the nonsense being made about how UF coach Urban Meyer knew his offense was going to struggle in the season opener. I realize Meyer said this on Saturday, but again I don't believe it. If you're Meyer, you don't think your offense is going to struggle against a Miami of Ohio team that won only one game in 2009. Meyer said repeatedly over the offseason that it was his opinion that several great recruiting classes would allow UF to transition smoothly into life without Tim Tebow. Meyer specifically said that UF's 2010 team would be better than UF's 2007 team. In 2007, Florida won its season opener 49-3 and had 510 yards of total offense. Tebow threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

-If Meyer knew his center was going to ruin the offense with bad snaps for most of the game, then Meyer would not have allowed that player to play the position. Remember, Meyer said last week that he nixed the idea of Pouncey moving to right tackle (and Sam Robey playing center) because he didn't want the offense to resemble the Bad News Bears. 

-Meyer said on Saturday that he expected Xavier Nixon to return to action this week but the timetable for Nixon's return for a game might be longer, based on the average time players need to heal following arthroscopic knee surgeries (about three weeks). Nixon might not be available until the Gators' trip to Tennessee. If I had to speculate on a Sunday night, I'd say this is going to be the Gators' starting offensive line against South Florida: left tackle Marcus Gilbert, left guard Carl Johnson, center Mike Pouncey, right guard Jon Halapio, right tackle Maurice Hurt.

-If I had to wager a guess, I'm betting this will be the starting offensive line against Tennessee: left tackle Xavier Nixon, left guard Carl Johnson, center Mike Pouncey, right guard Maurice Hurt, right tackle Marcus Gilbert.

-James Wilson might not be available against South Florida. Wilson injured his knee during the fourth quarter against Miami (Ohio).

TIGHT ENDS/H-BACKS/FULLBACKS/WILDCAT ... C+
Less than a week after it was announced that Earl Okine would be moving back to defensive line and no longer contributing at tight end, Okine was back at tight end during the Gators' season opener. Why? Meyer said it was for the Gators' goal-line offense but Okine was in the game when the Gators weren't on the goal line. That means either one of two things: 1. Okine had to play tight end because UF doesn't trust its hybrid players to block effectively; 2. UF was playing its goal-line offense (John Brantley under center) during the second half because center Mike Pouncey was having trouble executing his shotgun snaps.

It's my opinion that tight end is currently the biggest problem for UF's offense. On Saturday, UF used several players at tight end, H-back or fullback, including Okine, Trey Burton, Omarius Hines and T.J. Pridemore. What does that mean? It means UF's offense can do a lot things, but, for now, UF's offense can't do a lot of things well.

"You saw what I did," Meyer replied to me when I asked him about the importance of the tight-end position.

UF should get Jordan Reed (bruised knee) back this week to play tight end, but Reed is a redshirt freshman and former high school quarterback. He might take some time to get used to the position. Burton is a true freshman who is splitting time as the Gators' Wildcat quarterback. Hines is a converted receiver. Pridemore might turn into an important player if UF begins putting John Brantley under center more often.

The position grades out a C+ because there were some positives on Saturday. Hines had a touchdown reception and Burton rushed for a score as the Wildcat quarterback.

RECEIVERS ... D
UF's receivers looked a little nervous on Saturday. Chris Rainey fumbled in the first quarter, Deonte Thompson missed an opportunity for a touchdown reception and Carl Moore dropped a pass. I'm not labeling Thompson's pass a drop because it appeared to be good coverage on the play. Most people are calling the play a drop but the camera angle on the replay makes it appear like the defensive back might have held Thompson's arm. Either way, you'd think a receiver from UF could get a little separation on a Miami (Ohio) cornerback.

Rainey, the converted running back, led UF's receivers with six receptions. Demps, a running back, had four receptions. Hines had three receptions, Thompson had three and Burton had one. So, if you're counting, only one traditional receiver caught a pass on Saturday for UF. Not good.

-Expect Frankie Hammond Jr. to see the field against South Florida.

-Andre Debose didn't play on Saturday. Meyer said Debose wasn't suspended; rather, Meyer said Debose was too young and not ready to play. Here's what I think, if Debose wasn't suspended then he was on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION. Expect Debose to be involved against South Florida.

-Quinton Dunbar might be an option against South Florida with a good week of practice.

RUNNING BACKS ... C
Two big plays provided most of UF's rushing yards. Jeff Demps led UF with 98 yards rushing but most of that came on his 72-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Mike Gillislee had six carries for 55 yards but most his production came in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard run. Emmanuel Moody had five carries for five yards.

The position grade takes a big hit because of all the fumbles. Who didn't fumble? Interested to hear what new running backs coach Stan Drayton has to say about this.

-UF's running game must improve. There is no other option. Tim Tebow is gone and Trey Burton can't run the ball 15 times a game out of the single wing. John Brantley has the ability to run the ball but that would be a bad idea. What if he got hurt? Could you image UF's offense right now without Brantley?

QUARTERBACKS ... B-
John Brantley completed 17 of 25 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns in his 2010 debut. Those are pretty good numbers but I've got to imagine Brantley isn't happy with them. His longest completion was for 25 yards. Only 25 yards? Against Miami (Ohio)? It was frustrating to watch for me and I'm an objective observer. I can't imagine what it was like for fans. Watching Brantley complete those little dump passes to Rainey, Demps and Burton was like watching a professional pianist bang out "Chopsticks" during a concert.

Brantley explained after the game that UF's offense was attempting to get the ball into the hands of its speedy playmakers. Last time I checked, thrown footballs travel faster than any player. If Florida doesn't trust its receivers enough to stretch the field vertically, then this offense is going to become predictable very quickly.

Brantley had a 10-yard touchdown pass to Omarius Hines in second quarter. His 25-yard touchdown pass to Rainey was a desperation throw on a four-and-21 scramble near the end of the game. Brantley just threw it up for grabs and Rainey got lucky and caught the ball off a deflection.

Brantley said last week that he was going to be nervous for the season opener. It probably didn't help his nerves that his center couldn't get him ball. He had a few bad passes but, to his credit, didn't throw any interceptions.

DEFENSIVE LINE ... A
As you would expect, the Gators' defensive line dominated Miami (Ohio). The Redhawks had four yards rushing. Defensive tackle Jaye Howard was impressive. He had two sacks for minus-12 yards and five tackles. Defensive tackles Omar Hunter and Sharrif Floyd also stood out. Defensive end Justin Trattou was his usual steady self. He had three tackles. Linemen Ronald Powell, Duke Lemmens, Dominique Easley, Earl Okine, Lawrence Marsh and Brandon Antwine each had one tackle.

LINEBACKERS ... A
Jon Bostic played well in the middle in his debut. He looked excellent at times, including when he deflected a pass for an interception. Congratulations goes out to senior Lorenzo Edwards, who had four tackles on Saturday. It took four years for Edwards to earn playing time but he did well when finally given a chance. Jelani Jenkins had three tackles and started at weak-side linebacker. Brandon Hicks (limited with a hand injury) had one tackle. Strong-side linebacker A.J. Jones had three tackles, including a tackle for a loss of six yards.

CORNERBACKS ... A
Janoris Jenkins had a 67-yard interception return for a touchdown. He also had five tackles and three pass break-ups. Playing on a sprained ankle, Jeremy Brown had an interception in the second half. Brown entered the game when Moses Jenkins went down with an arm injury. True freshman Matt Elam had four tackles, including a tackle for a loss, as the Gators' nickel back. Elam showed plenty of promise.

SAFETIES ... A
Ahmad Black led the Gators with 12 tackles. He also had 1.5 tackles for loss for minus-4 yards. His interception and 40-yard return in the second quarter led to an easy touchdown for the Gators' offense. Redshirt freshman Josh Evans played tentatively at free safety in his debut. Evans received the start due to Will Hill's suspension. Evans had two tackles and watched Black make most of the plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS ... C
Usually a strength for Gators, special teams was simply average on Saturday. Gillislee had the day's highlight with a 65-yard kickoff return. Demps totaled 56 yards on two kickoff returns. Rainey returned a punt for 15 yards. Kicker Caleb Sturgis missed a 44-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter. He later failed on a point-after attempt. UF punter Chas Henry had one punt for 27 yards, but he was kicking from the back of his own end zone. No blocks for the Gators' punt team. I expected at least one against Miami (Ohio).

OVERALL ... C-
The defense saved Florida on Saturday but you have to consider the opponent when making the grades. Miami (Ohio) is not Miami (Coral Gables). For three quarters on Saturday, it appeared the offense for the Gainesville High School football team was playing inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. That's harsh criticism but how else to describe less than 30 yards of total offense through three quarters.

-jo-

GAME DAY: Gators offense the story after first game. And it's not a good story.

GAINESVILLE -- Thoughts on the game, anyone?

Wow, the Gators offense took the better part of four quarters to get going on Saturday in its 34-12 victory against Miami of Ohio. Even that assessment might be too kind. UF had 212 yards of total offense, the second lowest total since Urban Meyer became coach in 2005. Fumbles and poor snaps were partly to blame, but even when UF wasn't dropping the ball on the ground the offense didn't look very exciting.

John Brantley passed for 113 yards and two touchdowns in his debut. Jeff Demps led UF with 98 rushing and a touchdown.

What can we expect from this team the rest of the season? You're guesses are as good as mine. Can this team win in the SEC without former quarterback Tim Tebow's leadership? Does UF need to move Mike Pouncey back to guard and give Sam Robey a shot at center? Does Brantley need to throw it deep more often and stretch the field? I have no answers at this point; only questions.

(LIVE BLOG BELOW...)
THIRD QUARTER
Florida's offense is still struggling mightily in its 2010 debut.

The Gators turned it over on downs to begin the second half then had two back-to-back poor snaps for fumbles that put UF on its own 1 on its second possession. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Florida is being out-gained offensively 165 yards to 25 by Miami of Ohio.

FIRST HALF
Let it be remembered that the first quarter of Florida football in the post-Tim Tebow Era began this way: Three offensive possessions and three offensive turnovers.

UF's offense played badly to begin the 2010, fumbling the ball away on its first two series then turning it over on downs on the third series. UF finally took the lead with 13:14 left in the first half when UF cornerback Janoris Jenkins returned an interception for a touchdown.

PREGAME
Gators starting free safety Will Hill will sit out today's season opener for the University of Florida football team, according to a university spokesman. Sophomore safety Josh Evans of Irvington, N.J., will likely make the first start of his career against the Miami of Ohio Redhawks at noon.

Gators linebacker Dee Finley (hamstring) will also be unavailable for the season opener, according to UF.

The Gator Clause iPhone App just dropped, so download that sucker and follow my coverage on the go. There's a link to the iPhone App on the blog.

-jo-

Breaking down the players who will make the Florida Gators spread-option offense unique

GAINESVILLE -- The point of Urban Meyer's spread-option offense is to create mismatches on the field. Meyer said last week that his offense is going to be more traditional this year. That's an over simplification, of course. That only means quarterback John Brantley won't double as the Gators' fullback. The spread-option offense isn't going anywhere at Florida, even if Brantley lines up under center in the red zone on Saturday. Just to help with any confusion, here are all the Gators' SLASH players who will create mismatches and make the spread-option work this season ...

1. OMARIUS HINES, 6-0, 219 pounds (Nice earring! Is that a Christmas ornament or a seashell?)

Listed position: tight end

Possible positions: tight end, slot receiver, wideout, H-back

Function in the spread offense: Hines is listed as a tight end but he's actually an oversized slot receiver. He will do a lot of the same things that UF tight end Aaron Hernandez did in 2009, but don't think of him as a carbon copy of Hernandez. Hines is much faster than Hernandez and will require defensive backs to cover him. This could help create mismatches in UF passing game and running game. Oh, and remember that shovel pass Hernandez would always catch from Tebow last season? Hines says that play is in the playbook for him this season.

2. CHRIS RAINEY, 5-9, 176 pounds

Listed position: slot receiver

Possible positions: slot receiver, running back

Function in the spread offense: Rainey is in the Percy Position. UF is hoping it will get more production out of the spot this year than in 2009. (No offense, Brandon James.) Rainey will run plenty of short patterns and motion inside as a running back. This is what I like to call the flag-football position of the Florida Gators' offense.

3. ANDRE DEBOSE, 5-11, 176 pounds

Listed position: wideout

Possible positions: wideout, slot receiver, running back

Function in the spread offense: Debose is Deonte Thompson's back-up on the outside, but Debose isn't exactly the same type of player as Thompson. From the outside, Debose can do a lot of things for the Gators, including run reverses.

4. JORDAN REED, 6-3, 240 pounds

Listed position: tight end

Possible positions: tight end, H-back, quarterback

Function in the spread offense: Reed is out of action for the first game with a bruised knee. When he returns, he will do a lot of things at tight end. UF coach Urban Meyer called Reed the Gators' "ace in the hole" at the QB position.

 

5. TREY BURTON, 6-2, 219 pounds

Listed position: quarterback

Possible positions: tight end, H-back, fullback, quarterback

Function in the spread offense: So, here's your Tebow clone, at least in the running game. Coaches love Burton and he'll likely line up in the backfield along with quarterback John Brantley. Two quarterbacks in the backfield, you say? Yes, think of the possibilities!

6. ROBERT CLARK, 5-8, 172 pounds

Listed position: slot receiver

Possible positions: slot receiver

Function in spread offense: Clark, a true freshman from West Palm Beach Dwyer, is one of the big surprises of the Gators' 2010 recruiting class. He is currently to the back-up to Rainey at the Percy position. Clark is small but apparently plays with a mean streak and doesn't shy away from contact. If Rainey separates his shoulder at some point this season, then Clark could play a big role for the Gators this season.

7. GERALD CHRISTIAN, 6-2, 240 pounds

Listed position: fullback

Possible functions: fullback, tight end, H-back

Function in the spread offense: Christian is currently the back-up at fullback behind T.J. Pridemore. That's more out of necessity than anything. Christian's future is at tight end at UF and that future could come sooner rather than later if Christian develops rapidly in practice this season.

-jo-

Picture of Gators' new alternate uniform; Looks a lot like Boise State

GAINESVILLE -- Here's a picture of the Gators' latest alternate uniform. It should never be worn, just my opinion. I think Adidas designed it. Or maybe Under Armour.

-jo-

Gators freshman Lynden Trail of Miami Booker T. likely headed for redshirt season and other stuff

GAINESVILLE -- First, some news ...

-Florida defensive line coach Dan McCarney said on Tuesday that freshmen Leon Orr and Lynden Trail will likely redshirt this season. McCarney said they were not ready for SEC football.

-In case you didn't know it already, Florida is around a 35.5-point favorite against Miami (Ohio).

-Running back Emmanuel Moody predicted a big year for Chris Rainey, who switched from running back to slot receiver for his senior season. Rainey has been making people "look foolish" in practice, according to Moody.

-Jaye Howard was recruited as a linebacker. He grew into a defensive end then grew into a defensive tackle. He's around 300 pounds now but still fairly athletic. On Monday, Meyer said that Howard could be used some at defensive end this season. On Tuesday, McCarney confirmed that if Howard bounces outside it most likely would be in a 3-4 defense.

-On Tuesday, I reminded receiver Andre Debose that the last catch he made in a competitive football game was the spectacular game-winning touchdown grab he made against Miami Northwestern to win the 2008 Class 6A state championship game for Sanford Seminole. Debose said he thought about that play often during his grueling rehabilitation process for a torn hamstring tendon and sometimes when he needs reminding in practice that he's a good receiver. (When he drops passes, apparently.) 

-Florida lined up in the I-formation during red-zone situations in the spring and it appears that plan didn't change during fall camp. Emmanuel Moody said the Gators will use a lot of I-formation in the red zone to keep opponents "guessing."

-Offensive lineman Maurice Hurt told me on Tuesday that this week is the best week of his life. Hurt is starting at right tackle on Saturday. He has suffered through back and neck problems during his career but is pain free after having surgery to correct an overgrowth of calcium.

-Senior Lawrence Marsh has been made a captain. UF now has five senior captains on defense and one senior captain on offense.

OK, with the news out of the way I can tell you guys about my feature in tomorrow's paper about running back Emmanuel Moody. As a youngster growing up in Coppell, Texas, Moody was discriminated against for his appearance. As Moody explains it ...

"Growing up there were a lot of people saying, 'You're not going to make it. You're half Korean. Only black running backs make it.' The odds were against me but I felt like I had talent at running back and I was going to take it as far as God was going to allow me to take it. There was definitely a lot of opposition, me being half Korean and half black at the position. There were a lot of stereotypes that each position on the field has to be a certain type of race or color."

Moody went on to explain that he feels he wasn't allowed to play running back his first year of Pop Warner because "most people saw me as Asian unless I told them I was half black. I didn't really get a chance the first year and finally the second year they saw what I could do with the ball and then I feel like I got my opportunity."

-jo-

Gators depth chart released; View it right here

GAINESVILLE -- Here's the depth chart for the first game of the season. Some interesting developments...

1. Omarius Hines is listed as the starting tight end.

2. Andre Debose has been moved to the outside receiver position behind Deonte Thompson.

3. Freshman Robert Clark is the back-up at slot behind Chris Rainey.

4. Freshman Gerald Christian is the back-up at fullback.

DEPTH CHART

-jo-

Introducing the 2010 senior captains of the University of Florida football team

GAINESVILLE -- Players voted for senior captains after Saturday's underclassmen scrimmage. Here they are ...

AHMAD BLACK 
Position: Strong Safety
Ht: 5-9
Wt: 189 pounds
Career starts: 26
Appearances: 35
Tackles: 136
Interceptions: 8
Did you know? Ahmad Black has made two defensive plays at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens to save national championships. The first came in high school when he stuffed a Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas running back at the goal line in double overtime of the 2006 Class 5A state championship. The win earned Black and his Lakeland Dreadnaughts the 2006 mythical high school national championship from USA Today. The second play came in the 2008 BCS national championship game against Oklahoma. Black intercepted Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford late in the fourth quarter to lead UF to its third BCS national championship.

A.J. JONES
Position: Strong-side Linebacker
Ht: 6-1
Wt: 226 pounds
Career starts: 30
Appearances: 36
Tackles: 108
Tackles for loss: 9.5
Sacks: 4
Did you know? In an era many consider the greatest in the history of Florida football, A.J. Jones is going to finish his career as a four-year starter. What an amazing honor. Jones started nine games as a freshman, nine games as a sophomore and 11 games as a junior. Jones' career-defining game came last season when he intercepted Georgia quarterback Joe Cox twice in UF's 41-17 win. The clear leader of the linebacker corps this season, Jones leaned on the advice of former UF linebacker Ryan Stamper during fall camp. He's expected to begin the season at strong-side linebacker but Jones could switch to middle linebacker in a pinch.

DUKE LEMMENS
Position: Defensive End
Ht: 6-3
Wt: 253 pounds
Career starts: 1
Appearances: 32
Tackles: 23
Tackles for loss: 3
Sacks: 2
Did you know? Duke Lemmens is one of the most popular Gators among his teammates. He works hard, he's a selfless teammate and his personality is rich with charisma and honesty. This combination makes him a perfect team leader. Just this week, Florida coach Urban Meyer said that Lemmens is one of players he most respects on the team. Lemmens is best friends with fellow starting defensive end and captain Justin Trattou. Over the summer, Lemmens invited Trattou to his home in southern California and, according to Lemmens, the two buddies checked out "all the freaks on Venice Beach." A former high school teammate of Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Lemmens has waited three long seasons to crack the starting line-up.

MIKE POUNCEY
Position: Center
Ht: 6-4
Wt: 310
Career starts: 32
Appearances: 39
Honors: 2009 AP second-team All-American; AP first-team all-SEC
Did you know? The Gators are 30-2 over the last three years when Mike Pouncey starts. His career winning percentage for games in which he started is unprecedented, considering Pouncey never lost a game while playing in high school for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts. This season will be an emotional one for Mike. Not only is it his final season at UF but it's his first season to play football without his twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey. Mike is a candidate for the Rimington Trophy, an award given annually to the nation's best center. Considering he has never even started at the position in his college career, he must be pretty good.

JUSTIN TRATTOU
Position: Defensive End
Ht: 6-3
Wt: 252 pounds
Career starts: 18
Appearances: 39
Career tackles: 64, including 40 solo tackles
Tackles for loss: 15
Sacks: 7
Did you know? Justin Trattou is one of the most respected members of the Gators' football team. He leads by example and is best known for his interception in the fourth quarter against South Carolina in 2009. Trattou is a proud native of northeast New Jersey and his blue-collar approach to football will be a character trait of the Gators' defensive line this season. Trattou played several games last season with a ruptured tendon in his arm. His doctors told him that if he could stand the pain, then he could play. He played.

-jo-

Gators redshirt senior offensive lineman Maurice Hurt to make first career start at tackle in season opener

GAINESVILLE -- Florida's offensive line is set for the season opener.

Due to the injuries of Xavier Nixon (knee) and Matt Patchan (wrist), fifth-year senior Marcus Gilbert will start at left tackle against Miami (Ohio). Gilbert will be charged with protecting quarterback John Brantley's blindside. He did the same for left-handed quarterback Tim Tebow in 2009.

Starting at right tackle will be redshirt senior Maurice Hurt, who played right guard in the spring. Hurt has started six games during his career at UF, including five starts in 2009 at guard. Hurt has never started at tackle.

Redshirt junior James Wilson will start at right guard on Saturday. Wilson started four games in 2009 at left guard. A former high school teammate of Tim Tebow, Wilson has had an up-and-down career at UF but has the talent to be an All-SEC offensive lineman.

Senior Mike Pouncey is starting at center for the season opener. Pouncey is expected to be the anchor of the offensive line this season. Saturday will be his first start at center in his career but he has 31 career starts entering this season. 

At left guard will be redshirt senior Carl Johnson, the second largest UF offensive lineman in school history. Johnson (6-5, 360 pounds) has appeared in 29 games and made 22 starts throughout his career.

Florida coach Urban Meyer has reminded reporters several times during the preseason that two-thirds of his team is made up of underclassmen. This is true, but UF's starting offensive line is quite experienced. Consider that three redshirt seniors, one senior and one redshirt junior are starting in the season opener. Collectively, that's 23 seasons of experience!

-jo-

Gators freshmen Matt Elam and Solomon Patton arrested for possession of alcohol

GAINESVILLE -- Two freshmen on the University of Florida football team were arrested over the summer for possession of alcohol under the age of 21, the Miami Herald has learned.

Freshman safety Matt Elam was arrested on July 2 and freshman receiver Solomon Patton was arrested on Aug. 1. Elam was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor after being arrested for allegedly possessing a can of carbonated malt liquor in the parking lot of a bank on NW 1st Street in Gainesville, according to the arresting officer. Elam was seen holding a 23.5 ounce can of Four Loko, according to the officer.

Elam pleaded no contest on July 21 and was ordered to pay a fine. The case is still open, according to Alachua County records, because Elam attempted to pay the fine with a personal check. The $121 personal check -- subject field "open container ticket" -- was returned to Elam's residence in Riviera Beach along with a letter from Alachua County requesting the fine be paid in cash or by money order. Elam has until Oct. 27 to pay the fine, according to records.

Elam received public recognition from UF coach Urban Meyer on Thursday for being a leader of the freshman class. A strong safety by trade, Elam has also practiced at nickel back during the preseason and could receive playing time at the position in the Gators' season opener on Sept. 4 against Miami (Ohio). Elam will not be suspended for the season opener, according to Florida assistant coach Chuck Heater, who coaches the team's safeties.

Patton was arrested at Plasma Lounge in downtown Gainesville and charged with a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly possessing a drink containing vodka. According to the arresting officer, Patton attempted to "pass the cup off" upon sight of a law enforcement officer. Patton received deferred prosecution on Aug. 18.

Patton's status for the season opener has not been determined.

-jo-

Gators will begin the season with shifted offensive line; Plus plenty more great notes!

GAINESVILLE -- Florida will be without two of its top offensive tackles when the season begins next Saturday, according to Gators coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer said on Thursday that sophomore left tackles Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan will not be available for the season against Miami (Ohio) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Nixon injured his right knee during fall camp and required a knee scope procedure to correct the problem. Patchan had a pin placed in his right wrist.

It's unclear who will play left tackle against Miami (Ohio). Marcus Gilbert, the starter at right tackle and line's most experienced player, said he could shift to left tackle while Nixon and Patchan are out. Mike Pouncey mentioned on Tuesday that he could play left tackle but that seems unlikely.

"I don't think we're going to do that," Meyer said. "We had that discussion. I was opposed to that because it's the first game and I want the ball to hit the quarterback in the hands and not look like the Bad News Bears out there."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for back-up center Sam Robey.

Meyer didn't offer much about the starting offensive line for the season opener but he did say offensive coordinator Steve Addazio had his "shift" going in practice. I'm betting the offensive line looks this way next Saturday:

Marcus Gilbert, LT; James Wilson, LG; Mike Pouncey, C; Maurice Hurt; RG; Carl Johnson, RT

JORDAN REED HURT

Redshirt freshman tight end Jordan Reed injured his right knee during practice on Tuesday, according to Meyer. Meyer called the injury a "deep knee bruise" and said "that's a pain tolerance thing, so we won't know when we'll get him back."

Reed status' seems questionable at this point, but it could improve. The Gators are getting creative in order to fill the tight end role with Reed out. Freshman quarterback Trey Burton and redshirt sophomore receiver Omarius Hines have been playing the vacated position. Meyer referred to it as the 'P' position on Thursday. Whatever you want to call it, it doesn't sound like the traditional role for a tight end.

Meyer said he has been pleasantly surprised by the ability of Burton, the former high school quarterback from Venice. Burton is contributing more than initially expected, according to Meyer.

"He's so versatile and he's so football smart," Meyer said. "I'm really proud of that guy."

JEREMY BROWN AT NICKEL

It appears that both Jeremy Brown and Moses Jenkins could start next Saturday against Miami (Ohio). Last week, Meyer indicated that Brown and Jenkins might possibly share time at cornerback. On Thursday, Meyer said that Brown could start at nickel back next Saturday with Jenkins at cornerback. True freshman Matt Elam is also an option at nickel.

"They paid their dues, man," Meyer said. "Imagine their families coming up here and watching them at the University of Florida. It's going to be really cool for them next week."

NEW OFFENSE!

Be prepared for a new offense, Gators fans. Meyer offered a little teaser on Thursday.

"It's going to look different," Meyer said. "There will be some things that we have not done, including even when Chris Leak was here. So, there will be some interesting things to look at and we kind of got an idea of the playmakers on offense."

DEE FINLEY STINGER

UF strong-side linebacker Dee Finley had a stinger during fall camp but has recovered. He likely will not be in the linebacker rotation for the first game, though. Meyer said Finley had a strong camp and his weight is up to 220 pounds. Finley came to UF as a highly rated safety.

LINEBACKER QUESTIONS

Meyer wouldn't offer any hints on Thursday about the Gators' middle linebacker position. When asked to name the starting linebackers, Meyer answered slyly, "Our three starting linebackers are A.J. Jones, Brandon Hicks, Jon Bostic, Jelani Jenkins and Lorenzo Edwards. So, those are our starting three. Neiron Ball is in that. He's a guy that will play. He's not starting but he will play."

SATURDAY'S PLAN

With so many new assistants this season, the football team will conduct a "mechanics scrimmage" on Saturday to iron out all the game-day responsibilities for the staff.

"We're done with the scrimmaging until we go play the game," Meyer said. "Real important Saturday, though. It's mechanics. We've got a new D-coordinator and four new coaches on our staff. It's a real important day. More important than last year's."

Meyer said the new assistant coaches are gelling well.

"There are basically four coordinators in that room right now and I love that when you have four powerful guys in there that have great ideas but then you have one guy who's not an ego guy who's running the show," Meyer said. "It's a really comfortable room right now."

(We're assuming Meyer was referring to himself as the person without an ego. I think that's code for "objective and omnipotent onlooker".)

EVERYTHING IS 'ALL GOOD'

Meyer didn't say much on Thursday about the situations with Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley. The two freshmen defensive linemen missed practice on Tuesday.

"It's all good. They're all good," Meyer said. "The freshman class is doing great. I keep hearing this and I keep hearing that and everything is in good shape."

Meyer did say that neither Powell nor Easley asked to transfer. When asked why Powell and Easley missed practice on Tuesday, Meyer responded glibly, "They're all good."

-jo-

And now it's time for audio of Gators assistant coach Steve Addazio giving UF students his famous pregame speech. Classic stuff!

GAINESVILLE -- So, here's pretty much the best thing that I've ever put on this blog. Below is an audio clip of UF offensive coordinator Steve Addazio giving an example of his pregame speech to about 500 UF students during the football team's town-hall meeting on Wednesday. Florida's football players refer to Addazio's speeches as shots of "Vitamin A."

It pretty much makes me want to run through a brick wall. Enjoy!

(Put your mouse on "VitaminA" below and click.)

VitaminA

-jo-

Meyer takes apparent shot at Canes fans' apathy and keeps UF students laughing at event

GAINESVILLE -- Thanks to our fearless student correspondent (the event was closed to media), here are some of the highlights of Urban Meyer's town-hall-style meeting with 500 UF students on Wednesday night inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium's Touchdown Terrace. (Bull Gator hangout.)

So, first things first. Meyer seems to have taken a shot at the 'Canes when he said this: "We want this to be one place that everybody wants to be. We don't want to be like some of the schools in the state where half the stadium is empty..."

Oh, snap!

The best part of the town-hall meeting was when Meyer explained the spread offense to the students (and clowned one hapless student in the process!)

MEYER: "There are some misunderstandings about the spread. The spread offense is a run-first, pound-you offense. Our spread. And what we try to do is take advantage of mismatches. You think of some of the great players we've had here over the past four or five years and I can name Percy Harvin and Aaron Hernandez are probably the perfect spread-offense players. That's because they're match-up nightmares for the defense.

Does that make sense to you. This is real football stuff, now. This isn't what you see on TV. [LAUGHS]

So, take a guy like Aaron Hernandez who very fast, a great receiver but is also big and can block. You're a defensive coach, who do you put on him?

[MEYER RAISING HIS VOICE]

Yeah, you, answer. Go! Yeah! [LAUGHS FROM STUDENTS]

Yeah, you in glasses. The confused guy right here. Go. [LAUGHS ALL AROUND]

[MEYER NOW NEARLY YELLING]

Who do you put on him? He's big, he's 250 pounds and he runs a 4.5. Go!

CONFUSED GUY: [INAUDIBLE]

MEYER: Your middle linebacker. That's when we flex [Hernandez] out and throw him the ball. Does that make sense to you? If you put a corner on him, a small guy, you put a back on him. It's the same thing. We had Percy Harvin. We have Omarius Hines now. We have Chris Rainey. We have Jeff Demps. When you flex him out, who do you put on him?

"That's what Coach Addazio, the offensive staff and the guy upstairs are saving. Where are our match-up issues at? If the match-up is not good, take the match-up that's good. That's why we spread the field. Does that make sense to everybody?

"There are so many misunderstanding about the spread offense. Here's a little secret for you. What's the difference between the spread offense that we run and the New England Patriots and about a dozen teams in the NFL as far as throw game? Nothing. It's the same exact passing game that NFL teams use.

"You here that nonsense about, 'Are the spread receivers ready to go?' [Louis] Murphy, Percy Harvin, Riley Cooper, Cornelius Ingram, Aaron Hernandez, Bubba Caldwell, so the answer is very simple. Are they ready? Sure they're ready. Because the Florida haters like to say we don't have the best receivers in the country, but we do.

So, once again, the spread offense is a pound-you-first offense. When they bring an extra guy in the box to try and stop the run game, what do we do? Confused guy again, what do we do? Don't duck down! [LAUGHS]

CONFUSED GUY: Throw the ball.

MEYER: Throw the ball! Right! To who?

CONFUSED GUY: [INAUDIBLE]

MEYER: The best match-up! Does that make sense. Should we go over that again. Do you play that video game? I bet you get your ass kicked in that video game. [HOWLING LAUGHTER]

-jo-

Q & A with Gators' cornerback commitment Valdez Showers of Michigan

GAINESVILLE -- Florida picked up its 15th commitment of the 2011 recruiting cycle on Wednesday when cornerback Valdez Showers of Madison Heights, Mich., committed to Gators coach Urban Meyer. Showers plays cornerback and running back for Madison Heights Madison High but plans to play defense for the Gators. He's currently 6-0, 181 pounds, has a 3.3 GPA and scored a 20 on the ACT.

Showers chatted with Gator Clause after Madison's football practice on Wednesday night... 

GC: Tell me about your high school team.

SHOWERS: Last year we went 11-1 and lost in the regionals. This year we're trying to win a state championship and right now we're just trying to get on the same page.

GC: So, what's your best game as a high schooler? What's the one game so far in your career you're always going to remember.

SHOWERS: four touchdowns, 288 yards and three pass break ups against [Madison Heights] Lamphere.

GC: You're play running back and cornerback for Madison. Why are you choosing to play defense in college?

SHOWERS: I've always played defense and offense my whole life but, as it went on, colleges started seeing me as a cornerback. Once I started doing it in camps I got a feel for it.

GC: So, why Florida? I guess that's the biggest question, being a guy from Michigan.

SHOWERS: They've got great academics, great football, great coaching staff, I have a lot of respect for Urban Meyer and I have a chance to compete for a championship every year.

GC: When did Florida pull the trigger, so to speak, and offer you a scholarship?

SHOWERS: I went to a camp down there in June and a couple days later they called and offered me. They were calling me a month or two before just checking in on me and making sure I was coming down there.

GC: I understand you wore some flashy yellow cleats at the camp or something. 

SHOWERS: Yeah, some bright yellow cleats. [LAUGHS] It's kind of like my style. It's what I do.

GC: You're pretty tall for a cornerback. Is that something Florida liked? In addition to your stellar GPA and fashion sense, of course.

SHOWERS: Yeah, they like taller cornerbacks now-a-days. You've just got to have your footwork and everything.

GC: So, what did Urban say when you committed?

SHOWERS: He said, 'Congratulations, man,' and he said the coaches are going to be all fired up and glad to have me and he said to try and get down there as soon as possible.

GC: What makes Urban such a good recruiter?

SHOWERS: He does a really good job. I don't know if it's just the tone of his voice but he gets people motivated and all fired up. Other than that, my feeling with him was like, he's always telling you something that's real. He's a truthful guy. Just really straight forward.

GC: Which assistants recruited you the most?

SHOWERS: Coach [Zach Azzanni] probably the most.

GC: And how did he know about you?

SHOWERS: He already knew my high school coach and he already knew me because he coached my brother (Valtorrey Showers) at Central Michigan.

GC: So, what do you know about Gainesville?

SHOWERS: I've just heard that it's a wild place. That the fans are really into it. Great town. They love football.

GC: And what are your thoughts about playing in the SEC?

SHOWERS: I'm excited because I love competition. It isn't going to do nothing but get me better and show what I can do.

GC: Have you thought about what you want to study at UF?

SHOWERS: I'm looking to go into mechanical engineering.

GC: Why?

SHOWERS: I've always been curious about how things work and I love math and science.

GC: So, you're talking AP Calc this year?

SHOWERS: Yes.

GC: So, why are you trying to go out of state?

SHOWERS: I've just never wanted to stay in Michigan since I was little. I just want to see something new.

GC: You've got a favorite book?

SHOWERS: Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper

GC: How come?

SHOWERS: I just read it and it showed a lot of people in situations and kind of showed my situation. So I like the book. It just relates to my life and other people around me.

GC: What's your favorite movie?

SHOWERS: The Wood

GC: Are you taking any other visits or anything like that?

SHOWERS: Not as of right now. Just trying to worry about football right now.

GC: So, what are some of the other teams recruiting you?

SHOWERS: Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Auburn, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Iowa.

Editor's note: The complete title of Showers' favorite book is Letters to a Young Brother: Manifest your Destiny

-jo-

The latest on Florida freshman Dominique Easley, according to Staten Island Curtis coach

GAINESVILLE -- There are message board rumors swirling today that highly rated freshmen recruits Dominique Easley and Ronald Powell skipped practice on Tuesday.

Well, I asked quarterback John Brantley about it today and here's what he said, other than he didn't know anything about it ...

"I've heard those rumors from people but that's the coaches deal. They take care of that behind closed doors. I don't get let known to all that stuff."

So, we respect Brantley for his savvy plausible deniability...

No big deal right? Well, Florida's sports information staff reacted a little differently and abruptly ended Wednesday's media session after I asked Brantley about the rumor. Weird, right? It got me thinking. Maybe there is something to this...hmmm.

So, I called Dominique Easley's high school football coach, Pete Gambardella of Staten Island (N.Y) Curtis High. In luck! Gambardella said he spoke with Easley this morning -- he apparently speaks to him "all the time" -- and Easley didn't mention anything about missing practice.

ME: "Did he seem upset?"

COACH: "No."

ME: "Disgruntled?"

COACH: "No."

ME: "Anything out of the ordinary?"

COACH: "Nothing like that. Everything seemed fine."

ME: "Well, maybe the rumor isn't true."

COACH: "Hopefully."

Gator Clause will be working on this throughout the day, so we'll keep you posted...

UPDATES ...

1. Powell is at practice today.

1a. UF independent student paper reporting that Powell and Easley threatened to transfer on Tuesday after they skipped practice. Don't know how much stock I put in that, but worth mentioning.

1aa. Gainesville Sun reporting that Powell is happy being in Gainesville, according to Rancho Verde HS coach Pete Duffy.

2. Easley is at practice today.

-jo-

What's the difference between Tim Tebow and John Brantley? Not much, says Gators coach

GAINESVILLE -- So, John Brantley's mustache didn't last long. For that, I am truly disappointed.

Quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler said he was going to make sure Brantley shaved his mustache. Brantley said not a chance. The coach won the battle of wills, apparently. Or maybe Brantley was just sick of being jeered by his friends. Whatever the reason, it's gone.

Why am I writing about a man's mustache? I don't know. To more important matters...

Florida coach Urban Meyer said on Monday that Brantley is showing the same type of leadership skills that helped make former All-American Tim Tebow successful. At one point, Meyer said he was worried about Brantley's ability to lead. But not anymore. Over the past few months -- and especially in the last two weeks -- Brantley has taken ownership of Florida's offense.

On Monday, I asked Meyer why he wasn't worried about Brantley. Here's what he said ...

"Someone asked me today, 'What's the difference between John Brantley and Tim Tebow?' Believe it or not there's not that much different. The outward appearance there's a big difference. Inward, the competitiveness and his leadership is fantastic right now. Much better than I thought. I was really worried about that but when you have a guy like [Tebow] in front of you -- he didn't [need to] show much of that.

"Like today, we had a two-minute drill and he did fantastic. He ran the whole show and acted like the veteran quarterback he is. So, I'm really encouraged by John. Everyone knows he can throw the ball, but his other part is fantastic, as far as management of the team and leadership."

-jo-

Grading the Florida Gators position groups after fall camp

GAINESVILLE -- Fall camp is over. Players are recuperating. Let's grade the team entering its practice-run game week...

Grades based on experience and depth.

OFFENSIVE LINE … B+

Florida’s only known commodity on offense, the line returns four starters, including a few potential All-Americans. Mike Pouncey, a three-year starter, moved from guard to center for his senior season. Tackle Marcus Gilbert is a returning starter as well. Guards Carl Johnson and James Wilson will have no problems running the option. Sophomore tackle Xavier Nixon started the Gators’ last five games in 2009. There is also plenty of depth beyond the likely starters, including tackles Matt Patchan and Kyle Koehne, guards Maurice Hurt and Jon Halapio and center Sam Robey.

QUARTERBACKS … C+

Starting quarterback John Brantley has waited patiently for his chance to lead the Gators. The redshirt junior has a great arm and he’s been effective in mop-up time over his two-year career, completing 71 percent of his throws for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns (one interception). He hasn’t started a game since high school, however, and road games in the SEC are tough on any seasoned veteran. UF’s depth at quarterback is thin. The back-ups — Trey Burton of Venice and Tyler Murphy of Connecticut — are both true freshmen.

RUNNING BACKS … C

The Gators can’t rely on their former quarterback/first-down machine anymore. Bruising former All-American quarterback Tim Tebow led UF in rushing for three seasons. Will UF have a featured running back this season? Who’s the short-yardage option? Who gets the ball on the goal line? Redshirt senior Emmanuel Moody has never lived up to his potential due to injuries. Junior Jeff Demps is fast but small. Can he carry the load? Sophomore Mike Gillislee could even contribute now that Chris Rainey has moved to receiver.

RECEIVERS … C

Florida always seems to have at least one returning star at receiver. Not this season. Everyone is unproven. Start with redshirt junior Deonte Thompson. He’s caught a lot of balls in practice from quarterback John Brantley over the years but little else. Next is redshirt-senior Carl Moore. The former JUCO transfer has done nothing at UF. Redshirt freshman Andre Debose is an unknown quantity as well. The same goes for bulked up redshirt sophomore Omarius Hines. There’s potential here but nothing is proven.

TIGHT ENDS … D

It doesn’t seem like UF did much in the way of preparing for life after Aaron Hernandez, last year’s tight end and the team’s leader in receptions. The Gators’ projected starter at this position is a redshirt freshman, Jordan Reed of Connecticut, who was initially recruited to UF as a quarterback. Reed’s back up is true freshman Gerald Christian of West Palm Beach Dwyer. Little used defensive lineman Earl Okine has been asked to help out in a pinch. Fullback T.J. Pridemore could be used in certain situations.

DEFENSIVE LINE … C

Finding a consistent pass rush among UF’s current defensive ends could be a challenge this season. Senior end Justin Trattou has been a third-down specialist until now. Senior end Duke Lemmens has recorded two sacks throughout his career with one start. Junior William Green is an unproven talent. Junior Lerentee McCray is a former linebacker. Freshman Ronald Powell was highly recruited but, well he’s a freshman and this is the SEC. Depth at defensive tackle — Omar Hunter, Jaye Howard, Terron Sanders, Lawrence Marsh and Brandon Antwine — could help.

LINEBACKERS … B-

Replacing former two-time All-American Brandon Spikes with either redshirt-freshman Jelani Jenkins or sophomore Jon Bostic could come with growing pains. Senior strong-side linebacker A.J. Jones, a three-year starter, provides experience. Speedy Brandon Hicks is back at weak-side after a strong finish to 2009. Depth is a concern. Sophomore Dee Finley is a converted safety. Senior Lorenzo Edwards has never started a game.

CORNERBACKS … B-

Must replace three contributors to either graduation or the NFL Draft, including All-American Joe Haden. Junior cornerback Janoris Jenkins is now a veteran starter but there is still plenty of room for improvement. Who starts opposite Jenkins? Moses Jenkins is the senior who has patiently waited his turn. The Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson grad is long-time special teams contributor. Redshirt sophomore Jeremy Brown returns from an injured back that sidelined him for two years.

SAFETIES … B

The back line is easily the Gators’ defensive strength. Strong safety Ahmad Black is a three-year starter with a reputation for consistent tackling and excellent awareness. Free safety Will Hill is long and athletic with plenty of speed but positioning has been an issue in the past. Freshman strong safety Matt Elam practiced at nickel back during the preseason. Depth is concern beyond Black and Hill. Sophomore free safety Josh Evans is inexperienced.

SPECIAL TEAMS … B+

As usual, Florida will feature some of the best special teams players in the country. Punter Chas Henry likely has a future in the NFL. Kicker Caleb Sturgis has plenty of leg but could work on his accuracy from last season. Return specialists are many with receiver Chris Rainey likely getting the first crack at replacing Brandon James on punts and kick offs.

OVERALL … B-

-jo-

Sturgis named to Lou Groza watchlist; #Gators ranked in AP poll

GAINESVILLE -- Congratulations to Florida kicker Caleb Sturgis, who was named to the Lou Groza Award watchlist on Saturday. Sturgis, a semifinalist for the award last year, was 22 of 30 on field goals and connected from 56 yards against Georgia. The 56-yard blast was the longest in the SEC in 2009.

In slightly related news, Stugis' older brother, Nathan Sturgis, is now starting for the Seattle Sounders. So, all is well for the Sturgis boys.

-Florida was ranked No.4 in the Associated Press poll on Saturday behind Alabama, Ohio State and Boise State.

-jo-

Gators linebacker Gideon Ajagbe sidelined 6-10 weeks with shoulder surgery

GAINESVILLE -- Florida freshman linebacker Gideon Ajagbe of Miami underwent surgery on Sunday to repair a partially torn rotator cuff, according to Mosi Blake, the strength and conditioning coach at Miami Ransom Everglades High.

"He's feeling fine now that he's out of the hospital and back with his friends in the dorms," Blake said.

Ajagbe, a graduate of Miami Ransom Everglades, will require a six- to 10-week recovery period and will likely redshirt his freshman season at UF, according to Blake. Blake suspects that Ajagbe injured his shoulder working out over the summer and then aggravated it during fall camp.

-jo-

Let's list the evidence of a grueling, nasty, horrific, torturous fall camp for the Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE -- Another day, another freshman quits Florida's program. This time its receiver Adrian Coxson of Baltimore, Md. Earlier this week it was Jordan Haden of Fort Washington, Md.

What is it with Maryland football players? Sheesh! According to a school official, Coxson decided he wanted to play closer to home. It happens, I guess. Florida coach Urban Meyer must be killing these guys during fall camp this year. All in the name of "accountability and development!"

Practice has been closed from jump street, so I can only guess the hell Meyer's has put his team through. Consider the evidence:

1. Chris Rainey, who has played at an elite level of football his entire life, suffered from an "accelerated heart rate" during camp and had to undergo a "procedure." He missed about a week.

2. Veteran linebacker Brandon Hicks passed out from heat exhaustion during camp and spent the night in the hospital. Another senior linebacker, Lorenzo Edwards, called the event "scary."

3. Freshman Jordan Haden, a legacy at UF, quit the team because "it wasn't the right fit."

4. Freshman Adrian Coxson, a quarterback and team leader for his high school team, packed up his bags because he became "homesick."

5. Jeff Demps suffered a concussion.

No more prima donnas, I guess.

-jo-

RECRUITING: CB/Waisome chooses Gators over Noles; RB/LB/ATH/Wilder does opposite

GAINESVILLE -- Florida picked up its 14th commitment of the 2011 recruiting cycle on Wednesday when cornerback Nick Waisome of Groveland South Lake orally committed to the Gators and UF coach Urban Meyer said.

Around the time Waisome [PICTURED] pledged his allegiance to Florida, receiver James Wilder Jr. of Tampa Plant orally committed to Florida State. I've never seen either one of these players in action, so someone is going to have to tell me which school received the better commitment on Wednesday. I'm assuming these two players will be lining up against each other in a few years. Then again, you know how recruiting goes. Come February, Waisome could be signing with FSU and Wilder Jr. could be switching to Florida.

Waisome committed to Florida on ESPNU on Wednesday. He attends the same high school as current Gators Jeff Demps and Jonotthan Harrison.

For those keeping score: Florida currently has 14 commitments for the class of 2011, FSU has 15 commitments and Miami has six. Tough to call a winner but I'd say Miami is losing.

-jo-

Urban Meyer is "concerned" about #Gators defensive line and you should be, too

GAINESVILLE -- In case you missed it, here's a link to today's story on UF's underrated defensive ends. CLICK ME!

Florida's coach is unsure about the defensive ends. Are you worried about UF's pass rush? You should be. I'm sure no one needs reminding of the SEC championship game and how much UF's D-line (or lack thereof) factored into the outcome. In related news, Alabama running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson both returned this season.

--Moses Jenkins spoke with reporters for the first time on Wednesday. Here's a link to that. CLICK ME! It appears Moses is finally going to get a chance to show off his skills.

--There's an interesting development out west in college football. BYU is leaving the Mountain West Conference to be a football independent, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. CLICK ME! Something tells me Orrin Hatch is involved here.

CHECKING UP ON THE OPPONENTS!

--Tennessee football is a dumpster fire and things could get worse. CLICK ME!

--The South Florida Bulls have been doing a lot of male bonding, according to the Tampa Tribune. CLICK ME!

--Florida opened as a 35-point favorite against Miami-Ohio and the line is going up.

-jo-