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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2014 15:11:33 GMT -5
Some of Will Muschamp's Comments from his 8-8-14 presser: www.gatorvision.tv/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=3358309&db_oem_id=6500Matt Jones looks good at 233. He has good hands for receiving out of the backfield. Andre Debose dropped a 1st down conversion, but has looked good. Andre, Quinton Dunbar, and Demarcus Robinson all three can stretch the field vertically. True freshman DE Gerald Willis is at 258 and he has tremendous upside. He uses his hands well and has an excellent pass rush. He will play this season. Skyler Mornhinweg, Will Grier, and Treon Harris are all even for the backup QB position. The backup decision won't be made until after the 15th or 16th practice. All three will get reps. At kicker, it's an open competition between Austin Hardin and Brooks Abbott (VT transfer). The practice plan is to have the first scrimmage on Sunday. One writer asked about backing off in practice to try to reduce injuries. Muschamp responded that is when injuries happen and it is better to practice all out. Another writer asked about the scuffle. Muschamp said he wants the players to compete hard, but smart. It won't be tolerated as fighting will get you kicked out of games. This was covered with the team after practice last night. Muschamp is pleased with the attitude and approach of the players - they genuinely seem to like each other and they hold each other accountable. Andre Debose and Jeff Driskel will miss Saturdays practice as they will be participating in graduation this weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2014 15:19:25 GMT -5
No doubt the onlookers were scared shitless when Hargreaves went down. Your best player, IMO, with maybe only Fowler having a place in that discussion. Glad to hear the injury wasn't as bad as knees can be. Especially if it came during a scuffle and not a football play. Thanks, Hargreaves should be fine. Hopefully, it won't be a lingering thing. Will Muschamp addressed this in the presser today. It was a knee on knee bruise obtained during practice. Best UF players? Definitely Vernon Hargreaves and Dante Fowler. However, I'd add Jonathan Bullard to the list as well. He'll be playing SDE in the NFL in the 15 season. There are a few more, but they have to prove it first. It's always thus is college football.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2014 17:24:55 GMT -5
By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Published: Friday, August 8, 2014 at 5:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, August 8, 2014 at 5:15 p.m.
In the competition for the backup role behind starting quarterback Jeff Driskel, there is no early leader, according to UF coach Will Muschamp.
“Not right now,” he said Friday. “All three guys are even and we have been trying to get guys — to be fair — different looks with different units and we’ll continue to rotate those guys with the different offensive lines and different skill kids to make sure those guys get the fair opportunity.”
Sophomore Skyler Mornhinweg and true freshmen Will Grier and Treon Harris have shared reps with the No. 2 offense.
Muschamp said a determination on the No. 2 quarterback will likely be made after the third week of camp.
“We’ve had a lot of discussion,” Muschamp said. “I think Will and Treon both are very athletic guys and we probably will make them live at some point in some scrimmage as we move forward.
“But the 15th or 16th practice, we come back and we have a scrimmage on the Friday, then the Saturday morning will be more of a special teams practice, then we’re going to take Sunday off. That Monday and Tuesday we’ll have some live work for those guys to see how they respond in those situations and we’ll probably have a decision after that.”
Muschamp said the two true freshmen have been impressive at times.
“Those guys have shown some really good things as far as arm talent and poise,” he said. “The No. 1 thing that strikes me with both young men is they have a very positive way about themselves with the players. I think I call it the ‘it factor.’ They both have that as far as how the players respond to them.
“You can see why they were where they were in high school and the accomplishments they have are very easy to see. They’re very talented guys, but I look at more the intangible part of that position, and they both have that.”
Driskel, Debose graduating
Driskel and sixth-year senior wide receiver Andre Debose have been excused from practice today to go through graduation ceremonies.
“Andre Debose and Jeff Driskel both graduate Saturday morning and neither one of them will practice. They’re both walking,” Muschamp said. “Proud of those guys, so again another great opportunity for those young quarterbacks to get some great reps on Saturday and congratulations to Jeff and Andre for graduating. I’m really proud of those guys.”
Driskel on target
Driskel has been accurate in camp, Muschamp said.
“He’s completing over 70 percent (of his passes) in the first four practices. I just think he does a good job making decisions from the gun,” Muschamp said. “I’m very pleased with his progress. He’d probably be over 75 percent. He had a couple of drops last night. He’s had a couple of drops through camp. Timing has been very good. He’s thrown the ball well. He’s making very good decisions in the run and pass game.”
Muschamp said the receivers, along with new receivers coach Chris Leak, also are playing a role in Driskel’s early success.
“I’ve been very pleased with the wideouts,” Muschamp said. “I think from a competitive edge standpoint, we’ve got a little more older group than maybe we had a year or two ago, but those guys have done a nice job of competing. Been very pleased with their progress.
“I always tell the guys ‘Your tape’s your resume,’ and right now those guys, their tape at the receiver position, has been good. Production of your players tells you what kind of coach you are.”
Willis making a move
It’s still early in camp, but true freshman defensive end Gerald Willis is making a strong push for playing time this season. Willis showed great explosiveness off the line in Thursday’s practice and spent a lot of time in the backfield disrupting plays.
“He has really good block instincts, playing blocks,” Muschamp said. “He has a really quick first step. He's a heavy-handed guy, really strong with his hands. He plays with good effort. He's about 255-258 and he has a very big upside and will help us this year.
“He's a guy that's shown some flashes in the pass rush. I'm very pleased with where he is, just have to continue to handle the installation."
Some depth on OL
All indications are that the offensive line depth has already improved, thanks in part to the good early play of junior guard Trip Thurman and redshirt freshman tackle Rod Johnson.
Muschamp said at this point, Thurman is the No. 3 offensive guard behind Tyler Moore and Trenton Brown and the No. 2 center, while Johnson has emerged as the No. 3 offensive tackle behind starters D.J. Humphries and Chaz Green.
Right now we feel very comfortable with Chaz and D.J. Humphries at tackle,” Muschamp said. “Rod Johnson is playing really well right now, competing. Trenton also is a guy who would be our fourth offensive tackle at this time.
“(True freshman) David Sharpe continues to come on and do some nice things (at tackle). I think, athletically, he’s where you need to be. Strength level needs to increase, and picking up the speed and system. And I’m very pleased with (true freshman) Andrew Mike, guy who has some length. Good punch. But like David, he’s swimming a little mentally.”
Poole could start at CB
After playing exclusively at the nickel position last season, junior Brian Poole is working at cornerback in camp and making a strong push for the starting role opposite All-SEC corner Vernon Hargreaves III.
“He’s had a really good camp. He’s played extremely well. We needed to see what he could do at corner,” Muschamp said. “Brian has been very productive at corner.
“We have some good wideouts. You’re talking in terms of Quinton (Dunbar) and Andre (Debose) and Demarcus (Robinson), some guys who can vertically stretch the field. He’s covered all of those guys well and he needs to continue to.”
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 10:29:03 GMT -5
Friday night practice observations from Robbie Andreau of the Gainesville Sun:
By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 12:22 a.m.
QUARTERBACK UPDATE: Starter Jeff Driskel had another good practice and has become very consistent with his accuracy and decision making. He made some really nice throws on the run, including a deep ball that spiraled just out of wide receiver Alvin Bailey's reach. The pass, made with what appeared to be just a flick of the wrist, went about 60 yards in the air. True freshmen Will Grier and Treon Harris both had a better night throwing the ball. Grier threw a touchdown pass to Bailey in seven-on-seven, and Harris appeared very comfortable (and accurate) throwing on the run. Sophomore Skyler Mornhinweg, who threw a touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson, seemed to get more snaps than Grier and Harris with the No. 2 offense.
TRENDING ON OFFENSE: The offensive star of the night might have been a tossup between wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and sophomore tailback Kelvin Taylor. Robinson had two touchdown receptions of about 30 yards and was a popular target for the quarterbacks. Taylor, who is quicker, stronger and faster than last season, showed his explosiveness coming out of cuts in impressive back-to-back runs late in practice. He seems to be the clear starter at this point, even though Mack Brown and Matt Jones are also getting plenty of reps. … During third-down situations, Driskel threw a beautiful pass to Latroy Pittman for about a 20-yard gain and Harris hooked up with tight end Tevin Westbrook for about a 15-yard gain and a first down. … Adam Lane was very powerful and effective running the ball in the Oklahoma drill. He also got a good push from the offensive line. … Driskel completed an 18-yard pass in the flat to Quinton Dunbar, who had numerous catches on the night. … Tyler Moore was back running with the first team at offensive guard, while Trenton Brown moved down to the second team. … Other than Jones, the tailbacks had problems catching the ball in passing drills. … Showing the receivers how to run a certain route by doing it himself, Kurt Roper caught the pass and then spiked the ball, drawing a cheer from the wide receivers.
TRENDING ON DEFENSE: The defense dominated the offense during third-down situations late in practice, getting stops on the majority of plays. Coverage in the secondary was very good and the defensive front had a strong, consistent pass rush, led by Jonathan Bullard and Darious Cummings. … Getting a bunch of reps with starting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III sidelined, true freshman Quincy Wilson got a bunch of reps Friday night and was very physical matching up against the wide receivers. He also covered well. … Redshirt freshman safety Nick Washington had a big hit on freshman wide receiver Ryan Sousa in the flat on an attempted screen pass.
TRUE FRESHMAN SPOTLIGHT: Early indications are that wide receiver C.J. Worton, a former FSU commitment, is going to see playing time on offense in the fall. He's been running with the No. 2 offense and has shown excellent route running ability, speed and hands.
PLAY OF THE DAY: Alvin Bailey's touchdown reception on a deep pass down the sideline from true freshman quarterback Will Grier. Bailey streaked through two defenders to make the catch.
INJURY UPDATE: All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was receiving treatment for a bruised knee and did not practice. He is day-to-day; outside linebacker Matt Rolin has recovered from ACL surgery but is being limited to working out in the injury pit in practice as a precaution; true freshman defensive tackle Thomas Holley is still recovering from sports hernia surgery and is not quite ready to practice; true freshman tight end C'yontai Lewis was held out of practice with a thigh contusion.
NEXT OPEN PRACTICE: Today, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m, for Gator Booster season ticket holders only, Dizney Stadium. Next practice open to the public is Monday, 8:50-11 a.m., Dizney Stadium.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 10:39:52 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 10:50:31 GMT -5
Friday Night Offensive Observations From Gator Country - The DL should be more advanced than the OL at this stage so I'm glad that is the reported case:
Written by Nick de la Torre, August 8, 2014
Offensive Observations
Quarterbacks
On Friday afternoon Will Muschamp said that Jeff Driskel has distanced himself from the other quarterbacks on the roster. This isn’t breaking news by any means but it was on display tonight.
Driskel wasn’t as sharp on Friday — he sailed some passes high — but he is clearly head and shoulders ahead of the other quarterbacks.
Treon Harris and Will Grier continued to split reps with the second team along with Skyler Mornhinweg. Grier connected with Demarcus Robinson for a nice touchdown pass (more on Robinson later) but wasn’t as consistent as he was on Thursday. Treon Harris threw some wobbly passes on Friday night but looks like he’s grasping the offense well, which is good considering he has only been on campus for a couple of months.
Running backs
Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor and Brandon Powell are separating themselves from the rest of the running backs. Mack Brown looked fast on Friday night but he isn’t keeping up with the other guys.
Matt Jones continues to look fast and powerful. He was popped by Keanu Neal on Thursday night but returned the favor on Friday when he lowered his shoulder into a pursuing Neal for a NFL-size collision. On Friday, Jones said he was never really healthy last season but he isn’t shown any ill-effects of his stomach virus or knee injury from last year.
Taylor’s vision might be the best of any of the running backs. That, combined with his one-cut ability, makes him extremely dangerous in this spread offense. Jones and Taylor split the first team reps pretty evenly from what I could see.
Brandon Powell is fast and shifty. He accelerates from a stop with ease and gets back into his top gear quickly. If Roper’s history of rotating his running backs stays true, Florida has an extremely talented group of backs to carry the load.
Receivers
Demarcus Robinson continues to impress. He makes plays that others simply can’t. Early on in practice Robinson beat freshman Quincy Wilson along the sideline and Driskel fired a pass his way. Robinson leapt for the high pass, caught the ball at its highest point with his body twisting in the air. He, somehow, came down with the ball and both feet in bounds for the acrobatic catch.
Robinson caught another touchdown pass from Will Grier on the far field. He continues to impress on the field, he just needs to stay on the field in the fall.
Quinton Dunbar continues to be Mr. reliable and had a nice leaping grab of his own. Andre Debose did not finish practice but did have his left knee on ice towards the end of the night. Will Muschamp has said that they will closely monitor Debose’s snaps and the ice is most likely a precautionary measure.
Tight ends
I sat in front of the tight ends while they went through individual drills again. My first thought when watching the tight ends hit the sled to work on blocking was, “Jake McGee was not brought here to block.”
That’s fine. McGee is still the best receiver at the position and he’s going to be a weapon for the offense.
I’ve been most impressed by McGee and DeAndre Goolsby but Tevin Westbrook made a great diving grab today, very impressive catch. Goolsby left practice early with a trainer. He was able to walk off the field on his own.
Offensive line
The offensive line had an off night and, for the most part, was manhandled by the defensive line. Max Garcia continues to impress me but Trip Thurman and some of the interior offensive line need to keep working.
Chaz Green looked good but had to jog off and hydrate a couple times during practice. That’s fine, it allows Rod Johnson to get more reps and he’s been one of the standout offensive linemen thus far.
Trenton Brown continues working with the second team offensive line.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 11:05:32 GMT -5
Friday Night Defensive Observations From Gator Country. The bad news? Not one word about DTs Leon Orr, Caleb Brantley, Jay-nard Bostwick, Khairi Clark, or Thomas Holley. I hope it's an oversight. There is a picture of Jay-nard Bostwick practicing. It would also be helpful to know who was working with the second unit:
Written by Nick de la Torre, August 9, 2014
Here are a few defensive observations from Friday night’s open practice to kick off your weekend.
Defensive line The defensive line won the night, specifically the second unit.
Dante Fowler is getting the Dominique Easley treatment. Florida knows what to expect out of Fowler, so he is getting a lot of rest which, in turn, is giving the younger players more reps and letting the coaches see what they have in some of the younger guys. Speaking of younger guys, Gerald Willis is going to be good. Willis has exceptional speed and is very physical with his hands. He chased down Matt Jones from the backside of a play and would have had a sack if not for that darn red non-contact jersey on the quarterbacks. He’s a special talent and he’s picking things up quickly.
On the inside, Joey Ivie had a very productive practice. The sophomore from Pasco County continues to grow and develop. He looks like he will crack the rotation this year. Darious Cummings is getting more pressure, specifically against the run but you still want to see more of him against the pass.
Will Muschamp made a point to note how much weight Alex McCalister has put on — he does look like he has added some size to his frame — but that isn’t translating to the field in the two practices that we have seen. Bryan Cox continues to come on but has a way to go.
Jonathan Bullard is playing mainly defensive end and he has been disruptive there. He has seen a little bit of time inside and he is outperforming some of the defensive tackles when he slides down inside.
Linebackers This was a position of contention last season. Jarrad Davis is the obvious standout of the group and the sophomore is poised to have a breakout season. Davis had a great read on Friday where he saw Jake McGee go in motion, read the screen and would have killed Valdez Showers if he didn’t pull up. He’s been great with the media early on and if he keeps up this kind of play he’ll be speaking with the media more often this season.
Antonio Morrison has been moving around very well, showing no ill effects of his knee injury last season. Morrison is a big talker on the field and he seems to have taken on a vocal leadership role on the field.
Mike Taylor has been working with the first and second team behind Morrison. He’s hasn’t shined yet but he has been reliable and productive.
Neiron Ball has been great against the run. He’s quietly putting together a very nice fall camp.
Alex Anzalone has been putting himself in very good positions to make plays. It’s good to see Anzalone not having to deal with the injuries that plagued him all last season.
Cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves’ absence opened a door for playing time and JC Jackson sprinted through it. Despite being in a non-contact jersey, Jackson is playing very well, showing his natural athleticism and instincts for the game.
Jalen Tabor continues to play very well. With Dawson working at safety Tabor was already holding down one of the two starting spots before Hargreaves went down. Jackson’s emergence will push Tabor once Hargreaves is cleared to return but both players appear to be, at the moment, very good options for the Gators.
Brian Poole is working outside, splitting reps with JC Jackson and Poole has looked good on the boundary. While Poole is capable of playing outside, I think he’s better in the nickel, covering slot receivers.
Safety
Keanu Neal continues to show off how athletic he is and is playing at a high level. He worked with the first team for most of the night next to Duke Dawson. Dawson continues to work almost exclusive at safety and he’s becoming Muschamp’s personal project.
Say what you will about Muschamp, but he knows his stuff, especially with safeties. It’s been fun to watch how closely Muschamp is working with Dawson on the finer points of technique and what he needs to see at safety. Dawson has a lot of potential and the move to safety could be permanent with Marcus Maye dropping down to play the nickel.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 14:03:43 GMT -5
247 Sports - Thomas Goldkamp Projected Depth Chart After Friday Night Open Practice (Not Written In Stone) - Based on the consensus of the news, I'm surprised Demarcus Robinson is listed as a 2. The news on CJ Worton has been upbeat too. My hope is they find someone else at PR as I don't want to see Hargreaves with a higher risk of injury. One site reported Thomas Holley is still recovering from a sports hernia surgery which is slowing his progress. One site is reporting Adam Lane went out with an undisclosed injury Friday night and that Mack Brown is falling behind Taylor/Jones/Powell. Muschamp said Friday afternoon that backup QB is 3 players even and PK is an Abbott/Hardin competition:
Projecting the Depth Chart
Thomas Goldkamp
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- GatorBait.net provides you with a projected depth chart after watching two open practices. Keep in mind this is just our best guess based on how the reps in practice are going and is, in no way, official.
OFFENSE
QB -- Jeff Driskel, Will Grier OR Treon Harris, Skyler Mornhinweg RB -- Kelvin Taylor, Matt Jones, Mack Brown, Brandon Powell, Adam Lane FB -- Hunter Joyer, Gideon Ajagbe WR(X) -- Quinton Dunbar, Demarcus Robinson, Andre Debose, Chris Thompson WR(Z) -- Ahmad Fulwood, Raphael Andrades, Ryan Sousa WR(slot) -- Latroy Pittman, Valdez Showers, Alvin Bailey, C.J. Worton TE -- Clay Burton, Tevin Westbrook, Gideon Ajagbe, Moral Stephens B -- Jake McGee, DeAndre Goolsby, Matt Jones, Hunter Joyer, C'yontai Lewis LT -- D.J. Humphries, David Sharpe LG -- Trip Thurman, Antonio Riles, Travaris Dorsey C -- Max Garcia, Trip Thurman OR Cameron Dillard RG -- Tyler Moore OR Trenton Brown, Drew Sarvary RT -- Chaz Green, Roderick Johnson, Andrew Mike
DEFENSE
BUCK -- Dante Fowler, Alex McCalister, Jordan Sherit, Justus Reed NT -- Leon Orr, Jay-nard Bostwick, Khairi Clark DT -- Darious Cummings, Caleb Brantley OR Joey Ivie, Thomas Holley DE -- Jonathan Bullard, Bryan Cox Jr., Gerald Willis, Taven Bryan WLB -- Michael Taylor, Daniel McMillian MLB -- Antonio Morrison OR Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone SLB -- Neiron Ball, Matt Rolin, Alex McCalister CB -- Vernon Hargreaves III, Jalen Tabor, Deiondre Porter FS -- Jabari Gorman, Duke Dawson SS -- Keanu Neal, Marcell Harris CB -- Brian Poole, J.C. Jackson, Quincy Wilson NB -- Marcus Maye, Nick Washington
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- Austin Hardin, Brooks Abbott, Frankie Velez P -- Kyle Christy OR Johnny Townsend LS -- Drew Ferris, Kyle Crofoot KR -- Andre Debose* PR -- Vernon Hargreaves III*
Note: Players in italics have been injured for part or all of the first two open practices. Players listed with an asterisk at the return spots are projected starters. Several have been working with the returners, but it's impossible to get a pecking order. Some of those guys: Brian Poole, Duke Dawson, Demarcus Robinson, Alvin Bailey, Chris Thompson, Raphael Andrades, Brandon Powell.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 14:34:14 GMT -5
Gators Passing Chemistry 101:
Gator Country Written by Nick de la Torre, August 9, 2014
Something happened last year. The Florida Gators weren’t a team. You saw the product of that on the field but behind closed doors players weren’t hanging out with each other and cliques started to develop among the team.
As loses piled up and they carried a weight with them. That weight wore on the tempers of players. The offensive struggles led to finger-pointing and small groups of players forming cliques and segregating themselves. By the end of the season the players were just ready to get the season over with and for some time away from it all.
But they needed to come back together.
With around 100 players in the locker room, not everybody will be best friends but bringing the team together was something team leader Max Garcia made a priority this offseason. The team began hanging out off the field. Players like Garcia helped teammates move. Garcia estimates that he’s spent more than a month of weekends helping his teammates move furniture from apartment to apartment. The team went paintballing in the spring and having dinners and barbeques with each other is becoming the norm. It’s something Hunter Joyer thought would be instant when he arrived in Gainesville but didn’t find until this season.
“To be honest, I think it’s the best it’s ever been since I’ve been here,” Joyer said of the team chemistry. “A bunch of guys are close, there’s really no gap or separations between people. It actually feels like what I thought it would feel like when I got to college.”
The team has bonded around each other. D.J. Humphries told a story about one day after a morning workout. The team was gathered in the swamp to run 110’s. This is where the players run 110-yards and each position group has a prescribed time that they need to complete the exercise in (only two players failed to pass the final test).
It was the wee hours of he morning. The sun hadn’t even crested over the walls that rise above Florida Field but it was still hot and humid. The players finished their workout and walked into the locker room exhausted.
“Everyone was so ready to get out of the stadium,” said Humphries. “But once we got in the locker room we all sat in there for like two hours playing around, cracking jokes. I sat back and said, ‘Dang, we would have never done this before.’ That just showed me how far we’ve come along in a year as a team. We’re a really close team.”
Last year, the majority of the holdovers from Urban Meyer’s last recruiting classes all had NFL aspirations on their mind. Some players had a me-first attitude and were more focused on taking the next step in their career rather than taking their final season and the team into consideration. Garcia and the veterans on the team have eliminated that attitude in the locker room as it became toxic in 2013.
“I just feel like people care more. Care about each other, care about the success of the team as a whole. Not just individually,” Garcia said. “Some of that is something that we saw last year, but it’s something that we’ve tried to move from this year.”
The Gators have called the team a family in the past but it now appears that those were just words. They weren’t living the life with each other; they were just talking about it. Now, rallied around each other after a 4-8 season, they have formed the bonds that they spoke about in the past. The team is gelling off the field and that attitude is spilling over on the field.
It may only be the beginning of August, but this Florida team is much different than the one you last saw on the field against Florida State.
They’re young, they’re talented and they’re confident.
“We’ve done a good job of just focus everything on the team. Guys are pulling for each other, just being your brother’s keeper,” Garcia said. “It’s something that a lot of guys have really humbled themselves and each other.”
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 14:27:58 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 15:27:29 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 15:52:28 GMT -5
Muschamp's Monday Presser From Gator Country:
Written by Nick de la Torre, August 11, 2014
The Florida Gators held their first fall scrimmage on Sunday and the physical scrimmage left the team with a depleted group on Monday for practice.
Will Muschamp updated the status of the team following practice Monday and other than Thomas Holley — who has a lingering hernia injury that will require surgery — the injuries seem to be minor in nature.
Injury Updates
•Vernon Hargreaves is still not practicing as he works to come back from a bone bruise. Hargreaves will return to practice this week, either Tuesday or Wednesday. Hargreaves ran on a “ultra-g” treadmill, which is a non-gravity treadmill that takes pressure off of the knee while running. •Freshman defensive back Duke Dawson is dealing with a shoulder injury but should return to practice this week. •Kelvin Taylor tweaked his hamstring — Muschamp called it a strain. Taylor is shooting to be back on the field by the end of the week, Thursday or Friday. •Matt Jones had some knee swelling but will return to the practice field on Tuesday. •Adam Lane missed practice again. Muschamp did not specify his injury. •Andre Debose had some knee swelling but should be back to practice soon. •Trip Thurman has a shoulder issue; a timetable was not specified for his return. •Alex McCalister has a shoulder injury; a timetable was not specified for his return. •Taven Bryan has strep throat and is day-to-day. •Bryan Cox Jr. has a shoulder injury; a timetable was not specified for his return. •Thomas Holley will need minor surgery to clean up some scar tissue from a sports hernia, according to Muschamp.
Thomas, from the sports hernia he had in high school, he has some scar tissue built up. They are going to go in and shave that down. I don’t know when the timeframe is for that. I want to say the surgery is Tuesday.”
Scrimmage updates
•Jeff Driskel is still ahead of the rest of the quarterbacks. Treon Harris and Will Grier were live in the scrimmage, Driskel was still in a no-contact jersey and should be the entire fall camp.
Pretty pleased with where we are. We still are a work in progress behind Jeff. We need to continue to have — those guys were live yesterday. They went against live rush so we‘ve got to do a better job getting rid of the football and taking care of the football. The ball security at that position was not good. Muschamp is pleased with the playmaking ability of the wide receivers but says they need to get better picking up assignments. •After the starting five offensive linemen, three others encourage Muschamp and he feels like the depth on the second unit is starting to come on.
Rod Johnson continues to do a good job for us. He’s a guy that’s provided us that seventh offensive lineman we can count on. David Sharpe, athletically is there but mentally needs to continue to come on. Right now, he would be that eighth guy we feel good about. Rod is our third tackle; Trenton would be our fourth tackle. David would be our fifth tackle.” •Joey Ivie has moved from defensive end to tackle. Muschamp likes the weight that Ivie is playing at (285-290) and how Ivie is able to take on blocks from inside. •Caleb Brantley and Jay-nard Bostwick had productive scrimmages and are giving Florida good depth behind Darious Cummings and Leon Orr. •Muschamp was not happy with the decision making of the defensive backs but chalked some of it up to their youth.
The secondary we made some poor decisions today on the ball. The guys knowing when to hook and swat and secure the receiver and knock the ball off and when you can go for the interception. The judgment on the back end has not been very good and that comes sometimes with young players. We’ve got some talented guys in positions to make plays but they’ve got to make better decisions on how to make the play.” •The poor snapping and holding continued in the scrimmage according to Muschamp, but the kicking competition is heating up.
Austin Hardin was 6 of 7. Brooks Abbott was 4 of 5. Frankie Velez was 3 of 3, I believe, in the scrimmage, and I thought kicked the ball well. We had a couple bad snaps that we’ve got to work on. Operation time is not where it needed to be, and I don’t think that was on them. Our approach, now, through nine practices, I think, has been very good. We’ve got to continue to build depth on both lines of scrimmage. That’s the biggest concern to me right now. Behind Jeff at quarterback, we need to make strides, which we haven’t.”
Team updates •C.J. Worton has impressed Muschamp so far. The freshmen receiver is earning more practice reps and impressing on the field. Muschamp did say that Worton needs to get in his playbook but he’s encouraged with the production he’s shown between the lines. •Keanu Neal is separating himself at safety. Muschamp singled out the sophomore as the “best safety” on the team and behind him, “we’ll see.” •Muschamp has been hard on freshman cornerback Jalen Tabor. Tabor has been working with the first team defense but Muschamp wants to see more refined technique and decision-making with Tabor.
Whether it’s your pad level, your eye control, and your leverage. All of those little things that are taken for granted when you’re that much better, which he was in high school – he didn’t have to worry about those things. Well now you’re in a situation where you’re going to be playing guys as good as you.” •Muschamp praised Michael Taylor for dropping some weight in the offseason. Taylor is the most experienced linebacker and someone that Muschamp trusts out on the field.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 16:24:46 GMT -5
The Gators Buried 13 - Literally:
Gators have buried the past ... literally
August, 11, 2014
By Jeff Barlis | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The end of one of the longest offseasons in Florida football history was in sight.
The Gators suffered eight long months of pain and frustration following a 4-8 record in 2013. Eight months of being the butt of jokes from every rival fan base. Eight months that burned every UF player, coach and staff member. It finally ended as head coach Will Muschamp stepped to the podium to address the media hours before Florida opened its preseason camp last week.
After an offseason spent dissecting everything that went wrong, Muschamp and his players had had enough. They were tired of talking about it. Every explanation for last season sounded like an excuse. Every promise that this season would be different sounded like hollow words.
This was a team dying to get on the field, prove itself and start truly forgetting about 4-8.
"That's something we sort of buried to start the summer," Muschamp said.
His players took to that task literally.
"We physically buried it," safety Keanu Neal said. "We went out to the practice field and dug a hole. We talked about it prior to it, dug a hole, buried it. Coaches and players. We wrote it on a piece of paper and buried it."
It started with a players-only meeting.
"It was a symbolic ceremony," defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. said. "Everybody was able to vent and got what they wanted off their chest and were able to talk to each other."
Their thoughts were written down and tossed into the hole in the practice field.
"Things that affected us last year that we didn't want to bleed into this year," Neal said. "Mental toughness, like a woe-is-me attitude, selfishness, things like that."
Although the wounds began to heal and players reforged their bonds, the offseason of their discontent continued. Those two numbers, four and eight, refused to go away. The historic loss to Georgia Southern kept coming up.
"Then Florida State goes and wins the national title," Fowler recalled. "It couldn't get any worse."
Now the Gators say they've turned all of that misery into fuel for the 2014 season. They buried 2013, but it won't be forgotten.
"It was great motivation through spring and the offseason workouts," Muschamp said, "but something we've still got to deal with. I mean, it's there.
"I addressed our team about our preparation, about our attitude, about our embracing adversity, having a competitive edge every day. To stick your head in the sand and pretend it was all injuries, that's not right. You will fool yourself if you believe that."
To a man, the players swear team chemistry is better, that they're closer than ever after playing paintball, fishing, going to the beach and to movies.
"Your typical team-building chemistry things," Fowler said, "but it really brings you together."
Senior fullback Hunter Joyer, who had originally committed to play for Urban Meyer in 2010, says the team chemistry is finally right.
"It’s the best it’s ever been since I’ve been here," he said. "A bunch of guys are close. There’s really no gap or separations between people.
"It actually feels like what I thought it would feel like when I got to college.”
Much of that, the player say, goes back to the day they dug a hole and buried the 2013 season.
"We want to be more of a team this year," Neal said. "We want to play as one this year. I think we will.
"With the 4-8 season we didn't completely forget about it. I think it's going to help us a lot and give us that want-to. I think it's going to help us a lot to prove people wrong and have a successful season this year."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 23:38:50 GMT -5
Thomas Holley is having minor surgery, similar to a scope, to repair scar tissue that developed from a previous sports hernia surgery. As he will be behind the other DTs, he'll likely redshirt in the 14 season.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 13:38:48 GMT -5
Roper comments on progress of offense - From Gainesville Sun:
By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 11:39 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 11:39 a.m.
Although it’s still early in camp, Kurt Roper likes where his offense is at the moment, and where it may be heading into the season.
“I think we’ve got some really good football players,” said the new Florida offensive coordinator after Tuesday’s practice. “We’ve got a group that’s working hard.
“I think they have a really good understanding of what we’re asking them to do with our base offense.”
Roper said the players who had 15 practices in the offense in the spring are ahead of the young players who were not here, including true freshman quarterback Treon Harris.
“It’s a battle right now (for the players who were not here) to have great understanding because it’s so new to them,” Roper said. “And our defense is so multiple and causes so many problems.
“The guys who have been in the battle before can apply experience to what we’re teaching them offensively. They have a really good understanding of what we’re doing.”
Roper said he’s been pleased with the timing of the offense under starting quarterback Jeff Driskel.
“The one big thing is getting the ball out of your hand in the passing game,” Roper said. “I think Jeff has a real good feel for that.”
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