http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/gatorbytes/2010/08/30/florida-gators-football-notes-from-monday/
Florida is preparing for it’s opener against Miami (Ohio) this week with a reconstructed offensive line and a lot of players who are getting their first chance to be full-time starters.
Tim Tebow and eight other NFL draft picks are gone, so this week’s game marks the beginning of a new era for the Gators.
Florida coach Urban Meyer and some players held press conferences this morning. Here are some notes from what they said:
– Meyer said A.J. Jones will start at strong-side linebacker. Two of the following three players will take the middle and weak-side spots: Jon Bostic, Brandon Hicks, Jelani Jenkins. The other two starters will be determined by who has the best week in practice, but there will be a rotation in the game and Meyer expects all four linebackers to get the same number of defensive snaps.
– DE Justin Trattou said the entire defensive line is “pretty healthy” and intact for this week’s game.
– Injuries: OTs Matt Patchan (right wrist) and Xavier Nixon (right knee) are definitely out. DT Terron Sanders (knee) is probably out. TE Jordan Reed (right knee) is questionable. WR Stephen Alli (groin) is probable but hasn’t practiced in a week.
– Asked a few times about his health and changes he might make this week as opposed to previous game weeks, Meyer declined to give specifics and said his health is fine.
– Meyer said Florida moved WR Andre Debose to the X position, meaning he will be line up out wide. Chris Rainey and Robert Clark will be inside.
– LG Carl Johnson, on the Gators 2010 offense: “We have weapons. You’ve got to pretty much pick your poison. Do you want us to throw it in on you? Jump-fade it in on you? Do you want us to run it in on you? Or do you just want to lay down and take it? You’re going to get it one way or another.”
– C Mike “the freshmen need to shut up” Pouncey said the team resolved any issues that occurred last week when freshmen DE Ronald Powell and DT Dominique Easley missed part of Tuesday’s practice.
– Pouncey believes Meyer has gained “about 20 pounds” since the end of last season.
