In the preseason projections for the Florida Gators, most were
picking senior wide receiver Quinton Dunbar to emerge as quarterback
Jeff Driskel’s go-to guy in the passing game in 2013.
On an overcast Saturday
morning in The Swamp, about 1,000 fans saw just that — a lot of
Driskel-to-Dunbar, in what turned out to be the favorite combination of
the day.
That was in sharp
contrast to UF’s first open practice Thursday night at the Dizney
Lacrosse Stadium, where the receiving star of the day was true freshman
wideout Demarcus Robinson.
In
Saturday’s practice, Driskel was looking for Dunbar, and he found him
quite often. Perhaps the highlight was a 25-yard laser by Driskel that
found Dunbar between three defensive backs about five yards deep in the
end zone for a touchdown. The two hooked up for several more
completions, including one of about 20 yards during 11-on-11 against the
defense.
Here are some other observations from Saturday’s practice:
*Driskel,
who had a tendency to lock onto his primary receiver at times last
season, seems much more comfortable now going through his progressions
until he finds the open receiver. The 20-yard pass to Dunbar during
11-on-11 was a perfect example. Driskel dropped back and looked to the
right side. When he saw his primary receiver covered, he checked down to
the next guy and found Dunbar open over the middle.
*Offensive
coordinator Brent Pease said he and the offensive coaches were a little
stunned when they went back and looked at last year’s numbers and
discovered how little the running backs were used in the passing game.
Since then, there’s been a concerted effort to get the backs (especially
the tailbacks) involved in that phase of the game. That was evident
Saturday. The quarterbacks threw to the backs on numerous occasions, a
move that helped the offense move the chains several times. And this was
with UF’s best pass-catching back, tailback Matt Jones, still sidelined
while he recovers from a viral infection. Of the tailbacks who
practiced Saturday, true freshman Kelvin Taylor appeared to have the
best hands.
*The
quarterbacks had to cope with a strong pass rush for most of the
practice. It was especially devastating when Dante Fowler Jr. and Ronald
Powell were streaking in from opposite edges. When those two are in the
game at the same time, the Gators are very fast and athletic up front,
especially when you factor in tackle Dominique Easley, who appears to
have regained that lightning first step he had before he injured his
knee at the end of the 2011 season.
*The
players benefiting the most from the pass rush Saturday were the guys
in the secondary, especially the cornerbacks. The starting corners —
Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson — provided suffocating coverage for
most of the day, even when the quarterbacks had some time to scan the
field. Florida’s safeties — Cody Riggs and true freshman Keanu Neal, in
particular — also appeared to have a good day in coverage (even though
Riggs appeared to get away with pass interference in the end zone on one
play).
*The left tackle
on the No. 2 offense Saturday was Maryland transfer Max Garcia, who is
the starter at right guard while senior Jon Halapio is out with a
partially torn pectoral muscle. Also, true freshman Cameron Dillard ran
with the second team at center, while Kyle Koehne took some reps with
the No. 1 offense at center. Koehne provides depth at center and both
guard positions and is the back-up to Jonotthan Harrison at center. On
the defensive line, true freshmen Jay-nard Bostwick and Caleb Brantley
got reps at tackle on the No. 2 defense.
*Several
players talked earlier in the week about how mammoth offensive tackle
Trenton Brown makes everyone else look small. Well, in Saturday’s
practice, Brown certainly made true freshman linebacker Alex Anzalone
look undersized on one play. Anzalone, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds,
tried to get past Brown on a pass rush, but Brown got his hands into
Anzalone’s chest and gave him a mighty shove that sent Anzalone flying.
Anzalone rolled twice after hitting the turf. Anzalone is not the only
defender who has had problems getting around or through the 6-foot-8,
363-pound Brown in camp. Brown, by the way, is running with the second
team at right tackle and figures to see significant playing time this
season.
*Senior linebacker
Darrin Kitchens, a projected starter in the opener, practiced in a
non-contact jersey Saturday. He was not on the injury list that coach
Will Muschamp revealed to the media before Friday’s scrimmage. … Matt
Jones watched some of Saturday’s practice from the south end zone.
Although he looked fine and has started doing cardio work, there still
is no timetable for his return.
