Staff writer
The Florida Gators unveiled their Heavy Package on defense in Knoxville two weeks ago, a new scheme designed to cope with Tennessee's power running game.
But it's pretty obvious the Heavy Package was not conceived in the offseason with Tennessee and Tauren Poole in mind.
This was all about Alabama and Mark Ingram (and Trent Richardson).
The Florida coaches won't come right out and say it, but the Heavy Package is Florida's answer to Alabama, to what the Tide inflicted on the Gators in last December's SEC Championship Game.
"I certainly gave thought to it," UF coach Urban Meyer said.
Ingram and the Tide gashed the Florida defensive front in a big way last season in Atlanta, marching through the Gators for 251 yards rushing in Alabama's 32-12 domination of America's No. 1 team.
Florida's response has been the Heavy Package — a scheme that features five defensive linemen in an attempt to add bulk and muscle in defending a power running game. In other words, Alabama's power running game.
Here's basically how it works: Starting defensive tackle Jaye Howard, who tips the scales at 300-plus pounds, moves outside to end, another defensive tackle (Terron Sanders, Sharrif Floyd, Brandon Antwine or Lawrence Marsh) is inserted inside for Howard, and defensive end Duke Lemmens shifts to strong-side linebacker.
The Heavy Package has been a hefty success so far.
The Gators used it to effectively stuff Poole and the Vols power game, limiting UT to a mere 29 yards rushing.
UF used the package some against Kentucky last Saturday and again had success.
