Just like a week ago with the return of Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, the Florida Gators have received another speed boost in the backfield.
Tailbacks Mike Gillislee and Emmanuel Moody are back at full speed in practice after missing the Georgia game with injuries and are good to go for Saturday's game at Vanderbilt.
"Both are 100 percent for the first time in quite a while," UF coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday. "They had a really good practice (Tuesday)."
Gillislee missed the Georgia game with a pulled hamstring, while Moody sat with a bruised thigh.
Also on the injury front, Meyer said starting defensive tackle Jaye Howard (ankle) has not practiced this week, but the coaches hoped to have him back in some capacity for Wednesday's practice.
Starting place-kicker Caleb Sturgis will miss his fifth consecutive game Saturday, Meyer said. He injured his back (hairline fracture) lifting weights the week before the Alabama game. He kicked some in practice last week, but has not kicked this week, Meyer said.
Wide receiver Andre Debose, who missed the Georgia game with a sprained ankle, was expected to return to practice in a limited role Wednesday.
"
He's closer," Meyer said. "He'll do some things in practice today and hopefully he'll practice tomorrow."
Meyer said starting offensive guard Carl Johnson has a strained calf muscle, but will play in Saturday's game.
"He's limited (in practice)," Meyer said. "But he's all go for the game."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Urban Meyer SEC Teleconference
The Florida offense had a look on Saturday that the coaches were waiting for. Patience was necessary with the injuries to multiple players on the offensive side of the ball, but they finally had speed all over the field against Georgia.
Q: “How much have the injuries hampered you on offense?”
A: “When you watch the teams that are able to make a successful run at a championship, more than anything, it’s the health of your team. That looked like Florida football on Saturday. We’ve been dealt some blows, like every school though. You have to deal with it, but it has been a significant issue on offense.”
Q: “How much pride do you have in what Utah is still doing?”
A: “I talk to Kyle (Whittingham) once a week. I love Utah. It’s a great place. You watch how fast they’ll get in there and mix it up with the Pac 10. To be a part of that was awesome”
Q: “How healthy are Mike Gillislee and Emmanuel Moody?”
A: “They are both 100% for the first time in quite a while. They have really good practices yesterday.”
Q: “With Mississippi State losing a player, what do you remember from when you guys lost the walk-on quarterback?”
A: “We flew Cris Carter in to talk to our team because I didn’t know what to do. Cris went through it when he was with the Minnesota Vikings. I texted Dan (Mullen) yesterday earlier in the day not knowing (the player passed away), and he hit me back after practice. That’s terrible for the family. It’s unbelievable. Dan is a smart guy and a high character person.”
Q: “What’s the status of Caleb Sturgis and Andre Debose?”
A: “(Sturgis) won’t kick this week. They’re reevaluating him every week. (Debose) is closer. We got a positive report today. He’ll practice some today, and we’re hoping full practice tomorrow.”
Q: “Have you been happy with the progression of John Brantley, or is it a regression?”
A: “I’m a little disappointed, but to say it’s all John Brantley, we’ve had a lot of issues. I don’t believe, matter of fact I know, it’s not all John Brantley. We haven’t performed well. He’s handled it like a grown man, and I think he played one of his best games Saturday. I’m anxious to see him play a better game this Saturday.”
Q: “How are Jeff Demps and Jaye Howard?”
A: “Demps, every day they’re evaluating him. Jaye Howard didn’t practice yesterday, but they’re hoping to get something out of him today.”
Q: “Is there an injury to Carl Johnson?”
A: “He’s got a strained calf, but it’s limited mobility. He did it yesterday in practice. He’s all-go for the game.
Q: “Can you compare the value Trey Burton has brought this year to what Tim Tebow brought in 2006?”
A: “Tremendous value. I don’t know if it’s fair to do that because they’re unique, but it’s similar. We went through (Burton’s) job description yesterday when we were game planning, it should be illegal what we ask that kid to do. The fact that he can do it all and still take a shotgun snap to run this offense, that’s huge.”
Q: “How valuable is Chas Henry to this team?”
A: “You hate to say a player deserves it, but he deserves it. He just works hard and is a team first guy. He will do anything for this team, and he happens to be the best player in college football. He’s got tremendous value.”
Q: “How hard is it for a punter to move to placekicker?”
A: “It’s the first time I’ve ever dealt with it. You’re talking about a guy who did it in high school. I’ve done it opposite one time and had to punt with a place kicker, and that’s just awful. In the old days, they’d usually do both. It’s so difficult now because there’s so much focus on job description. Chas played quarterback and he’s an athlete. Athletes always have a tendency to adapt much quicker than non-athletes.
Q: “How happy were you with the secondary against Georgia?”
A: “We gave up some yards. That fourth quarter, we didn’t play well in the secondary. I thought they won the game with the turnovers and short field they gave us. They gave up a lot of yards, but there are certainly some fine players back there.”
Q: “How much have the injuries hampered you on offense?”
A: “When you watch the teams that are able to make a successful run at a championship, more than anything, it’s the health of your team. That looked like Florida football on Saturday. We’ve been dealt some blows, like every school though. You have to deal with it, but it has been a significant issue on offense.”
Q: “How much pride do you have in what Utah is still doing?”
A: “I talk to Kyle (Whittingham) once a week. I love Utah. It’s a great place. You watch how fast they’ll get in there and mix it up with the Pac 10. To be a part of that was awesome”
Q: “How healthy are Mike Gillislee and Emmanuel Moody?”
A: “They are both 100% for the first time in quite a while. They have really good practices yesterday.”
Q: “With Mississippi State losing a player, what do you remember from when you guys lost the walk-on quarterback?”
A: “We flew Cris Carter in to talk to our team because I didn’t know what to do. Cris went through it when he was with the Minnesota Vikings. I texted Dan (Mullen) yesterday earlier in the day not knowing (the player passed away), and he hit me back after practice. That’s terrible for the family. It’s unbelievable. Dan is a smart guy and a high character person.”
Q: “What’s the status of Caleb Sturgis and Andre Debose?”
A: “(Sturgis) won’t kick this week. They’re reevaluating him every week. (Debose) is closer. We got a positive report today. He’ll practice some today, and we’re hoping full practice tomorrow.”
Q: “Have you been happy with the progression of John Brantley, or is it a regression?”
A: “I’m a little disappointed, but to say it’s all John Brantley, we’ve had a lot of issues. I don’t believe, matter of fact I know, it’s not all John Brantley. We haven’t performed well. He’s handled it like a grown man, and I think he played one of his best games Saturday. I’m anxious to see him play a better game this Saturday.”
Q: “How are Jeff Demps and Jaye Howard?”
A: “Demps, every day they’re evaluating him. Jaye Howard didn’t practice yesterday, but they’re hoping to get something out of him today.”
Q: “Is there an injury to Carl Johnson?”
A: “He’s got a strained calf, but it’s limited mobility. He did it yesterday in practice. He’s all-go for the game.
Q: “Can you compare the value Trey Burton has brought this year to what Tim Tebow brought in 2006?”
A: “Tremendous value. I don’t know if it’s fair to do that because they’re unique, but it’s similar. We went through (Burton’s) job description yesterday when we were game planning, it should be illegal what we ask that kid to do. The fact that he can do it all and still take a shotgun snap to run this offense, that’s huge.”
Q: “How valuable is Chas Henry to this team?”
A: “You hate to say a player deserves it, but he deserves it. He just works hard and is a team first guy. He will do anything for this team, and he happens to be the best player in college football. He’s got tremendous value.”
Q: “How hard is it for a punter to move to placekicker?”
A: “It’s the first time I’ve ever dealt with it. You’re talking about a guy who did it in high school. I’ve done it opposite one time and had to punt with a place kicker, and that’s just awful. In the old days, they’d usually do both. It’s so difficult now because there’s so much focus on job description. Chas played quarterback and he’s an athlete. Athletes always have a tendency to adapt much quicker than non-athletes.
Q: “How happy were you with the secondary against Georgia?”
A: “We gave up some yards. That fourth quarter, we didn’t play well in the secondary. I thought they won the game with the turnovers and short field they gave us. They gave up a lot of yards, but there are certainly some fine players back there.”
Soccer Gators look to win first SEC Tournament since 2007
Fresh off its fifth consecutive regular-season Southeastern Conference Championship, No. 7 Florida enters the SEC Tournament tonight as a confident team hungry for the taste of another title.
Despite their recent regular-season successes, the Gators haven’t won a conference tournament since 2007. Tonight’s tilt against Vanderbilt is Florida’s first chance to erase the two-year drought.
“Our team is taking a lot of pride in winning [the tournament] because they realize this is a really good setting to practice for next week’s [NCAA Tournament] one-and-done scenario,” coach Becky Burleigh said.
The Gators (15-2-2, 9-1-1 SEC) kick off the tournament tonight in Orange Beach, Ala., at 6 against the Commodores (8-9-2, 4-5-2 SEC) sporting multiple five-game winning streaks. Florida has won its last five regular-season games, and it has won all five meetings against Vanderbilt in the conference tournament’s history. Florida has outscored Vanderbilt 16-3 in those contests.
Earlier this season, the Gators dominated the Commodores in a 2-0 victory in Nashville,Tenn., but Burleigh expects a different team this time.
“They didn’t have their leading scorer,” she said. “Playing a team for the second time is really hard. Teams make adjustments and it becomes a sort of cat-and-mouse game the second time around.”
Although Vanderbilt enters the tournament as the lowest seed, Florida isn’t taking any chances and is approaching the match with the mindset of just one game at a time, senior Kat Williamson said.
While the Gators eyes are honed in on the ultimate goal, they know that the Commodores need to win the tournament just to qualify for the NCAAs.
“Teams are willing to throw different looks,” Burleigh said. “I expect them to come our firing. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
Despite their recent regular-season successes, the Gators haven’t won a conference tournament since 2007. Tonight’s tilt against Vanderbilt is Florida’s first chance to erase the two-year drought.
“Our team is taking a lot of pride in winning [the tournament] because they realize this is a really good setting to practice for next week’s [NCAA Tournament] one-and-done scenario,” coach Becky Burleigh said.
The Gators (15-2-2, 9-1-1 SEC) kick off the tournament tonight in Orange Beach, Ala., at 6 against the Commodores (8-9-2, 4-5-2 SEC) sporting multiple five-game winning streaks. Florida has won its last five regular-season games, and it has won all five meetings against Vanderbilt in the conference tournament’s history. Florida has outscored Vanderbilt 16-3 in those contests.
Earlier this season, the Gators dominated the Commodores in a 2-0 victory in Nashville,Tenn., but Burleigh expects a different team this time.
“They didn’t have their leading scorer,” she said. “Playing a team for the second time is really hard. Teams make adjustments and it becomes a sort of cat-and-mouse game the second time around.”
Although Vanderbilt enters the tournament as the lowest seed, Florida isn’t taking any chances and is approaching the match with the mindset of just one game at a time, senior Kat Williamson said.
While the Gators eyes are honed in on the ultimate goal, they know that the Commodores need to win the tournament just to qualify for the NCAAs.
“Teams are willing to throw different looks,” Burleigh said. “I expect them to come our firing. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
Head Coach Becky Burleigh Previews SEC Tournament
University of Florida head coach Becky Burleigh addressed the media Monday morning as part of the Gators' All-Sports Media Day.
Coach Burleigh shared her excitement of the Gators defeating South Carolina, 1-0, on Friday in Columbia., S.C., and winning the program’s 11th Southeastern Conference regular-season championships. The SEC title is the fifth consecutive for the Gator program.
She then previewed this week’s SEC Tournament, as the Gators now head to the SEC Tournament which begins Wednesday, Nov. 3 in Orange Beach, Ala. Florida will open play at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 3 versus Vanderbilt. The Gators have won eight SEC Tournament titles with the last coming in 2007.
Coach also discussed and answered questions about having a senior (Nicky Kit) score the lone goal in the match to decide the league champion, on handling pressure and on playing a team for the second time in a season.
Florida Places Five on All-SEC Soccer Teams; Two Gators Pick Up Individual Player Honors
The University of Florida soccer team earned two of the league’s four major individual player awards and Becky Burleigh picked up the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year honor, the SEC announced Tuesday afternoon. Sophomore Kathryn Williamson is the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Taylor Travis is the SEC Freshman of the Year. They are among the five Gator soccer players named to 2010 All-SEC teams. Williamson is joined on the 11-member All-SEC first team by senior defender Ashlee Elliott and sophomore midfielder Erika Tymrak. Junior midfielder Tahnai Annis and Travis are All-SEC second team selections.
Williamson is the second consecutive Gator to earn the league’s defensive player of the year honor. Lauren Hyde, who Williamson played alongside as center back last year, was the first Gator to claim the honor in 2009. The league began awarding an offensive and defensive player of the year award in 2004. A total of seven UF players have been named the league’s player of the year - Danielle Fotopoulos (1996, ’98), Erin Baxter (1997), Sarah Yohe (1999), Abby Wambach (2000, ’01), Stephanie Freeman (2003, 2004-offensive), Hyde (2009-defensive) and Williamson.
Travis is the second Gator to claim the SEC Freshman of the Year honor and first since Andi Sellers picked up the initial award in 1997. The SEC discontinued all freshman awards for the 1998-99 season, but were reinstated for the 1999-00 season.
Burleigh picks up her fourth SEC Coach of the Year honor and second since 2008 (1996, 2000, 2008, 2010). Florida claimed its fifth consecutive SEC title in 2010 with its league record of 9-1-1. Burleigh has led Florida since the program’s first season in 1995. Florida’s 11 SEC titles tops the league and the program owns an all-time record of 125-17-12 in SEC regular-season play to lead the league in wins and winning percentage (.851).
Here’s a look at Florida’s 2010 All-SEC honorees:
First team:
Defender – Ashlee Elliott: Third appearance on All-SEC first team (2007, 2008, 2010)…returned to Gator lineup after sitting out 2009 season with left anterior cruciate ligament tear…started every 2010 match at center back…named to Duke Nike Classic All-Tournament team…assisted on only goal in 1-0 win versus San Diego State…assisted on second goal at Vanderbilt…second among Florida field players with her average of 85.8 minutes per match
Midfielder – Erika Tymrak: Tied for second among the Gators in assists (7) plus third in points (17) and tied for third in goals (5).…tied for fifth in the SEC in assists (7)…scored both goals in 2-1 OT win versus then No. 21 Georgia for first double goal match of collegiate career…named SEC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 18 after Tennessee-Georgia weekend…scored UF’s first goals at Florida State and Kentucky…turned in five points versus Mississippi State, with a goal and three assists…2009 SEC All-Freshman selection.
Defender – Kathryn Williamson: SEC Defensive Player of the Year…leads all Florida field players with her average of 87.2 minutes per match…played the entirety of 13 matches…started every match at center back…named to the 2010 Duke Nike Classic All-Tournament team…2009 SEC All-Freshman selection.
Second team:
Midfielder – Tahnai Annis: Second in SEC in points (27) and tied for second in goals (10)...named SEC Offensive Player of the Week and to TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week for the opening weekend of play after hitting both goals in UF’s 2-0 win at then No. 25- UCF…scored twice versus Mississippi State…recorded fourth double-goal match of career versus Tennessee.
Midfielder - Taylor Travis: SEC Freshman of the Year…second in the SEC for assists (10), which also ranks No. 14 in NCAA Division I statistics through Oct. 31 matches…fourth among the Gators in points (16)…first collegiate goal was overtime winner versus Miami, earning her a spot on the initial CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Performers list…hit UF’s first goal in 2-0 win at Vanderbilt, earning her the SEC Freshman Player of the Week honor…scored UF’s first goal on a 35-yard strike at LSU…turned in a pair of assists three times in 2010 - versus Mississippi State, Tennessee and Arkansas…named SEC Freshman of the Week and to TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week after performances at LSU and versus Arkansas…also named to SEC All-Freshman Team.
In other awards announced Tuesday, South Carolina’s Kayla Grimsley claimed the SEC Offensive Player of the Year honor. Vanderbilt’s Molly Kinsella is the Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The Gators now head to the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. Top-seeded Florida will open play with No. 8 seed Vanderbilt on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. (ET). The Gators have won eight SEC Tournament titles with the last coming in 2007.
The match be heard live on WRUF SportsRadio 850 or via simulcast on Gainesville/Ocala Cox Cable channel 946 with Adam Schick covering the action Wednesday. The match can also be heard live on www.GatorZone.com.
| 2010 SEC Soccer Awards | |||||
| Defensive Player of the Year: | Kathryn Williamson, Florida | ||||
| Offensive Player of the Year: | Kayla Grimsley, South Carolina | ||||
| Freshman of the Year: | Taylor Travis, Florida | ||||
| Scholar-Athlete of the Year: | Molly Kinsella, Vanderbilt | ||||
| Coach of the Year: | Becky Burleigh, Florida | ||||
| | |||||
| First Team All-SEC | |||||
| Name | Year | Position | School | ||
| Ashlee Elliott | M | Senior | Florida | ||
| Erika Tymrak | M/F | Sophomore | Florida | ||
| Kat Williamson | D | Sophomore | Florida | ||
| Justine Bernier | GK | Junior | Alabama | ||
| Katy Frierson | M | Junior | Auburn | ||
| Julie King | D | Junior | Auburn | ||
| Alexa Newfield | M | Freshman | Georgia | ||
| Allysha Chapman | D | Junior | LSU | ||
| Kayla Grimsley | M/F | Junior | South Carolina | ||
| Brittiny Rhoades | D | Senior | South Carolina | ||
| Chelsea Hatcher | M/F | Junior | Tennessee | ||
| | |||||
| Second Team All-SEC | |||||
| Tahnai Annis | M/F | Junior | Florida | ||
| Taylor Travis | F | Freshman | Florida | ||
| Victoria Frederick | F | Senior | Alabama | ||
| Kelsey Allison | M | Senior | Arkansas | ||
| Sammy Towne | D | Senior | Auburn | ||
| Ashley Baker | GK | Sophomore | Georgia | ||
| Rebekah Perry | M | Sophomore | Georgia | ||
| Laura Novikoff | F | Senior | Kentucky | ||
| Alix Hildal | D | Sophomore | Mississippi | ||
| Ellen Fahey | D | Junior | South Carolina | ||
| Molly Kinsella | F | Senior | Vanderbilt | ||
| | |||||
| All-Freshman Team | |||||
| Name | Position | School | |||
| Taylor Travis | F | Florida | |||
| Molly Atherton | M | Alabama | |||
| Melanie Foncham | D | Arkansas | |||
| Torri Allen | D | Georgia | |||
| Alexa Newfield | M | Georgia | |||
| Caitlin Landis | F | Kentucky | |||
| Addie Eggleston | F | LSU | |||
| Megan Kinneman | GK | LSU | |||
| Mandy McCalla | M | Mississippi | |||
| Danielle Au | F | South Carolina | |||
| Claire Romaine | D | Vanderbilt | |||
Gators To Face Georgetown College Wednesday In Exhibition Finale
After an impressive exhibition opener against Florida Tech, the University of Florida men’s basketball team returns to action on Wednesday night against perennial NAIA power Georgetown College. The Tigers went 26-7 a year ago and enter the season ranked No. 9 in the NAIA national poll.
Richt: Grantham not proud of gesture
ATHENS - Georgia coach Mark Richt said Tuesday assistant Todd Grantham was caught up in the emotions of an overtime game when he gave a choke sign to Florida kicker Chas Henry.
A television snapshot from Sun Sports in Florida shows Grantham, Georgia's defensive coordinator, with one hand on his throat as Henry lined up for his winning field goal in the Gators' 34-31 win on Saturday. Replays show Grantham making the choke sign four times during a Georgia timeout before Henry's 37-yard kick.
"I'm aware of it and I'll just say that emotions run high and people do things that they probably wish they didn't do," Richt said at his weekly news conference. "I think that was what was being communicated. I don't think he's necessarily proud of it."
Richt said Grantham will "learn from it and move on," but did not say he faces any disciplinary action.
Grantham said he has talked with Richt and athletic director Greg McGarity about the incident. He did not reveal details of the discussions but expressed regret about the incident.
Expressing regrets
"As a competitor sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment," Grantham said after Tuesday's practice. "I wish the situation hadn't happened. It was a tough, hard-fought game. They won it. I'm ready to move forward and finish out the year strong."
When asked if he felt he should apologize to Henry, Grantham said, "I've kind of basically said what I'm going to say and I think I'm ready to move forward."
Georgia players seemed surprised Grantham's sideline gesture has created a stir.
"I don't think it's anything too bad," said Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. Grantham "probably, like the rest of us, was just hoping he'd miss the kick or something like that. I don't think it's anything too much to get worked up about.
"It's not like he charged the field at the kicker and tried to do something to him. ... There was nothing dangerous or illegal or stupid like that, so I don't really see the big deal about it."
Georgia receiver Tavarres King said he didn't see the incident or watch the kick.
"I was too nervous to watch," King said. "I was laying down."
Florida senior guard Carl Johnson confirmed Florida players were told not to talk about Grantham on Tuesday. Johnson couldn't resist.
"I mean, hey, he did it and we kicked a field goal, so he needs to do it every time we play against them, I guess," Johnson said.
Murray said Grantham, the former Dallas Cowboys assistant, is a fiery and animated coach who motivates all the players.
Popular coach
"He's a great coach. I love coach Grantham," Murray said. "He has some fire to him. I think the guys love it. I love it, personally. When he's yelling and going crazy he gets the offense pumped up. He gets me pumped up to see him getting after the defense making sure they're ready to go. I think that's his mentality and he does a tremendous job of getting guys pumped up and ready to go."
Grantham, in his first season on Richt's staff, said he is "very passionate about the game" and about Georgia being successful.
"I want our defense to be relentless for 60 minutes," he said. "I want them to play physical, play tough, play with intensity and give everything they've got for 60 minutes until the last second is gone.
"I'm really proud for our players for the work they've done in that area and the way they've improved in that area this year and I think it has shown up on the field."
Henry, from Dallas, Ga., was not available for interviews on Tuesday.
After the game, Henry said some Georgia coaches "on the sideline were over there giving me a little grief, saying I was going to choke."
A television snapshot from Sun Sports in Florida shows Grantham, Georgia's defensive coordinator, with one hand on his throat as Henry lined up for his winning field goal in the Gators' 34-31 win on Saturday. Replays show Grantham making the choke sign four times during a Georgia timeout before Henry's 37-yard kick.
"I'm aware of it and I'll just say that emotions run high and people do things that they probably wish they didn't do," Richt said at his weekly news conference. "I think that was what was being communicated. I don't think he's necessarily proud of it."
Richt said Grantham will "learn from it and move on," but did not say he faces any disciplinary action.
Grantham said he has talked with Richt and athletic director Greg McGarity about the incident. He did not reveal details of the discussions but expressed regret about the incident.
Expressing regrets
"As a competitor sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment," Grantham said after Tuesday's practice. "I wish the situation hadn't happened. It was a tough, hard-fought game. They won it. I'm ready to move forward and finish out the year strong."
When asked if he felt he should apologize to Henry, Grantham said, "I've kind of basically said what I'm going to say and I think I'm ready to move forward."
Georgia players seemed surprised Grantham's sideline gesture has created a stir.
"I don't think it's anything too bad," said Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. Grantham "probably, like the rest of us, was just hoping he'd miss the kick or something like that. I don't think it's anything too much to get worked up about.
"It's not like he charged the field at the kicker and tried to do something to him. ... There was nothing dangerous or illegal or stupid like that, so I don't really see the big deal about it."
Georgia receiver Tavarres King said he didn't see the incident or watch the kick.
"I was too nervous to watch," King said. "I was laying down."
Florida senior guard Carl Johnson confirmed Florida players were told not to talk about Grantham on Tuesday. Johnson couldn't resist.
"I mean, hey, he did it and we kicked a field goal, so he needs to do it every time we play against them, I guess," Johnson said.
Murray said Grantham, the former Dallas Cowboys assistant, is a fiery and animated coach who motivates all the players.
Popular coach
"He's a great coach. I love coach Grantham," Murray said. "He has some fire to him. I think the guys love it. I love it, personally. When he's yelling and going crazy he gets the offense pumped up. He gets me pumped up to see him getting after the defense making sure they're ready to go. I think that's his mentality and he does a tremendous job of getting guys pumped up and ready to go."
Grantham, in his first season on Richt's staff, said he is "very passionate about the game" and about Georgia being successful.
"I want our defense to be relentless for 60 minutes," he said. "I want them to play physical, play tough, play with intensity and give everything they've got for 60 minutes until the last second is gone.
"I'm really proud for our players for the work they've done in that area and the way they've improved in that area this year and I think it has shown up on the field."
Henry, from Dallas, Ga., was not available for interviews on Tuesday.
After the game, Henry said some Georgia coaches "on the sideline were over there giving me a little grief, saying I was going to choke."
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Florida freshman FS Jonathan Dowling kicked off team
Florida freshman free safety Jonathan Dowling has been dismissed from the team, coach Urban Meyer said Monday.
Meyer said Dowling, a four-star recruit last season out of Bradenton Southlake, violated team rules. He added that Dowling will not be back on the team.
A search of court records in Alachua and Manatee counties shows Dowling does not have a case more serious than a traffic violation.
Dowling appeared in two games this season, playing in the secondary vs. Kentucky and on special teams vs. Miami (Ohio) in the opener.
Dowling was part of a 2010 recruiting class ranked No. 1 by Scout.com and No. 2 by Rivals.com. He was the fifth-ranked safety in the country, according to Scout.com
Three players from that class have now left the program. WR Adrian Coxson and FS Jordan Haden left before the start of the season.
Meyer said Dowling, a four-star recruit last season out of Bradenton Southlake, violated team rules. He added that Dowling will not be back on the team.
A search of court records in Alachua and Manatee counties shows Dowling does not have a case more serious than a traffic violation.
Dowling appeared in two games this season, playing in the secondary vs. Kentucky and on special teams vs. Miami (Ohio) in the opener.
Dowling was part of a 2010 recruiting class ranked No. 1 by Scout.com and No. 2 by Rivals.com. He was the fifth-ranked safety in the country, according to Scout.com
Three players from that class have now left the program. WR Adrian Coxson and FS Jordan Haden left before the start of the season.
Florida RB Jeff Demps still trying to come back from sprained foot
As difficult as the past month has been for the Gators, it’s been just as tough for their star running back.
While Florida was in a three-game losing streak, speedster Jeff Demps could do little but watch. He’s been dealing with a sprained foot since Sept. 18, when one of the Gators’ linemen stepped on it in a game at Tennessee.
Demps has missed only one game (LSU) but has not been as productive as he was before his foot injury.
“At times I have gotten frustrated, but at the same time, I have to stay positive and keep my teammates going,” Demps said of his inability to contribute as much as he did earlier in the season. ”
Demps, who initially wore a boot to protect his foot, said his reps in practice have been limited to about 20-25 each day.
Running straight isn’t a problem, but cutting is. Taping hasn’t helped so he wears only a soft brace and sock. He has alternated heat and ice to help it. Because his foot stiffens at halftime when he is sitting, Demps said he rides a bike to keep warm – something he did in high school when he would frequently cramp up.
While he’s doing what he can to get back to his early season form, Demps said it is still difficult at times.
“It’s like sharp pains going through the top of my foot, and on the outside of it,” he said. “When I try to cut, it’s kind of hard because I have that sharp pain and I can’t really push off it like I want to.
“It’s coming along pretty good, slowly but surely.”
While Florida was in a three-game losing streak, speedster Jeff Demps could do little but watch. He’s been dealing with a sprained foot since Sept. 18, when one of the Gators’ linemen stepped on it in a game at Tennessee.
Demps has missed only one game (LSU) but has not been as productive as he was before his foot injury.
“At times I have gotten frustrated, but at the same time, I have to stay positive and keep my teammates going,” Demps said of his inability to contribute as much as he did earlier in the season. ”
Demps, who initially wore a boot to protect his foot, said his reps in practice have been limited to about 20-25 each day.
Running straight isn’t a problem, but cutting is. Taping hasn’t helped so he wears only a soft brace and sock. He has alternated heat and ice to help it. Because his foot stiffens at halftime when he is sitting, Demps said he rides a bike to keep warm – something he did in high school when he would frequently cramp up.
While he’s doing what he can to get back to his early season form, Demps said it is still difficult at times.
“It’s like sharp pains going through the top of my foot, and on the outside of it,” he said. “When I try to cut, it’s kind of hard because I have that sharp pain and I can’t really push off it like I want to.
“It’s coming along pretty good, slowly but surely.”
Former Gator Al Horford agrees to $60 million extension with Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks agreed Monday to a five-year, $60 million contract extension with All-Star center Al Horford.
The team reached the deal with Horford just ahead of a deadline that would have opened the door for one of their stalwart players to become a restricted free agent next summer. Horford confirmed the terms in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
"I wanted to get it done for security and just to focus on the team this year," Horford wrote while en route to Cleveland, where the Hawks (3-0) face the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Horford was the No. 3 overall pick in 2007 out of Florida, helping the Gators win back-to-back national championships. He quickly established himself as one of the team's most valuable players, even as an undersized center who had to outwork many of the bigger players he went against.
Horford finished second in the NBA rookie of the year voting to Kevin Durant. Last season, the Atlanta player averaged career highs in points (14.2) and rebounds (9.9) while becoming the first Hawks draft pick to make the All-Star Game since Kevin Willis in 1992. He finished eighth in the shooting percentage (.551) and also was among the top 10 in rebounding.
"From the moment he arrived in Atlanta, Al has been a large part of our success," general manager Rick Sund said in a statement. "The winning tradition he brought to the franchise as a rookie out of Florida has extended to three consecutive playoff seasons in a Hawks uniform. In addition, he was deservedly recognized as an All-Star last year, and we certainly look forward to his continued development as we move forward."
The Hawks were eager to lock up another member of their core group after re-signing Joe Johnson to a maximum $124 million deal over the summer. In recent years, the team also has reached hefty, multiyear deals with Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
With the signing of Horford, Atlanta can turn its attention to guard Jamal Crawford, winner of last year's sixth man of the year award. He is eligible for free agency after the season and expressed a desire to remain with the Hawks after making the playoffs for the first time in his career.
The team reached the deal with Horford just ahead of a deadline that would have opened the door for one of their stalwart players to become a restricted free agent next summer. Horford confirmed the terms in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
"I wanted to get it done for security and just to focus on the team this year," Horford wrote while en route to Cleveland, where the Hawks (3-0) face the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Horford was the No. 3 overall pick in 2007 out of Florida, helping the Gators win back-to-back national championships. He quickly established himself as one of the team's most valuable players, even as an undersized center who had to outwork many of the bigger players he went against.
Horford finished second in the NBA rookie of the year voting to Kevin Durant. Last season, the Atlanta player averaged career highs in points (14.2) and rebounds (9.9) while becoming the first Hawks draft pick to make the All-Star Game since Kevin Willis in 1992. He finished eighth in the shooting percentage (.551) and also was among the top 10 in rebounding.
"From the moment he arrived in Atlanta, Al has been a large part of our success," general manager Rick Sund said in a statement. "The winning tradition he brought to the franchise as a rookie out of Florida has extended to three consecutive playoff seasons in a Hawks uniform. In addition, he was deservedly recognized as an All-Star last year, and we certainly look forward to his continued development as we move forward."
The Hawks were eager to lock up another member of their core group after re-signing Joe Johnson to a maximum $124 million deal over the summer. In recent years, the team also has reached hefty, multiyear deals with Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
With the signing of Horford, Atlanta can turn its attention to guard Jamal Crawford, winner of last year's sixth man of the year award. He is eligible for free agency after the season and expressed a desire to remain with the Hawks after making the playoffs for the first time in his career.
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