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Offensive line has Florida worried

GAINESVILLE -- One of Florida's biggest concerns is the offensive line.

The Gators have just two returning starters, Max Starks and Shannon Snell, and offensive line coach Joe Wickline still is deciding who will play.

Wickline said the linemen are starting to learn how to block, but there still are corrections on every play. Although no position is secure, he said he does not believe there will be a problem with depth.

"We'll have the numbers to be all right," Wickline said. "We're thin at some areas. We're limited at some areas, but that goes across the country."

The lack of experience could give freshman Randy Hand a chance to contribute early.

"I think he's got a good chance," coach Ron Zook said. "I'm really impressed with the way he's picked things up."

LESS PADS: Florida continued its two-a-day practices Thursday night in full pads. The morning practice was conducted in shoulder pads.

"We could jump out here and start beating them up, but what would that prove?" Zook said. "I think it's more important that we learn what to do. And we've got enough practices and stuff scheduled in where we'll get enough hitting to do that."

SPECIAL VISITOR: Brandon Ling was the center of attention at the end of the night practice.

The 4-year-old grandson of Betty Ling, the senior administrative assistant of the support staff, was diagnosed with brain cancer in June. He attended practice before starting his second round of chemotherapy.

"He loves the Gators," Zook said. "He's had a tough fight this summer, but he's doing well."

HONORS: Six players were named to the Football Writers Association of America Preseason All-America Watch List: quarterback Rex Grossman, running back Earnest Graham, receiver Taylor Jacobs, tight end Aaron Walker, defensive tackle Ian Scott and safety Todd Johnson.

-- JILL MARTIN, TIMES WIRES

FSU freshmen impress

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State coaches have a quandary, but it's one any coach would love to have.

With their showings in practice and recent scrimmages, FSU's freshmen running backs are forcing coaches to rethink who will play.

"It's a nice problem," coach Bobby Bowden said.

Called co-starters by Bowden, junior Greg Jones and senior Nick Maddox will get the bulk of the carries. But with the emergences of redshirt freshman Willie Reid and freshmen Lorenzo Booker, Leon Washington and Thomas Clayton, Maddox and Jones could be rested frequently.

"I don't know how you can redshirt them," offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden said. "I see Booker make great runs. I see Leon Washington make great runs, and I see (Clayton) making great runs. It could be a deal of whoever is hot goes. Greg Jones better not take a day off."

WILLIAMS BACK: Senior offensive tackle Brett Williams took part in the light practice session despite reinjuring his shoulder during Wednesday's scrimmage. He will continue to practice but avoid pads and contact until the season opener Aug. 24.

CAPTAINS: Captains for the season will be announced today. Williams and senior defensive end Alonzo Jackson are expected to be among those named.

INJURIES: With only today's scrimmage left as a full-contact workout before the first game, the team is keeping its fingers crossed it will stay clear of major injuries.

"If we don't have a siege of injuries, there is no reason that we cannot get where we need to get," Bowden said.

Jackson (shoulder) will be held out of the scrimmage and all contact drills until the opener.

Pads come off at USF

TAMPA -- On the eighth consecutive day of practice, the seventh two-a-day during that stretch, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt let off the throttle a little.

"We took the pads off in the afternoon, lightened the load a little bit," Leavitt said. "We're working hard. The attitude's real good."

Three starters on the offensive line are set: center Alex Herron and tackles Levi Newton and Derrick Sarosi. The remaining contenders are Shelly Houston, Chris Carothers, Mark Sopcik and Frank Davis, who is working at all four guard/tackle spots.

Also, freshman John Miller has moved up to second-string center.

"Miller is having a hell of a camp," Leavitt said.

YES, NO ... MAYBE: Blue-chip receiver DiShon Platt of Punta Gorda Charlotte did not meet with Jones (Miss.) Junior College coach Parker Dykes on Aug.9 as had been scheduled.

Platt's high school coach, Binky Waldrop, said he expects Platt to enroll at Hillsborough Community College, then transfer to USF. But he hasn't heard from Platt in several days.

"I'd be surprised if he didn't (go to HCC)," Waldrop said. "But I can't confirm it."

Platt signed with Florida State in February but did not qualify academically.

SEMI-OFFICIAL: The first of two preseason scrimmages is 9-11 a.m. Saturday.

INJURIES: Receiver DeAndrew Rubin (hamstring) has not practiced this week and might not play Saturday. Safety J.R. Reed had a toenail removed and could miss another day.

-- PETE YOUNG

Two too sick to practice

A flulike illness sidelined 19 Virginia Tech players, forcing the Hokies to cancel morning and afternoon practices.

Frank Beamer, in his 16th season as coach, said it is the first time he has had to cancel practice because of sickness.

"We've taken days off but not for something like this," he said.

Gunnar Brolinson, the team physician, said the virus has been spreading since Friday and 43 in all have been infected.

Among those unable to practice was star running back Kevin Jones. Assistant coach Jim Cavanaugh also was sick.

Brolinson said the illness, a type of gastroenteritis, followed an outbreak that occurred during a cheerleading camp at Virginia Tech last week.

Meanwhile, as many as 16 players at Northern Iowa became ill this week from a virus that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Most players recovered within two days after receiving medication, head trainer Don Bishop said. Six to eight players still were exhibiting symptoms Thursday.

He said the illness is not life-threatening.

Players live at a campus dorm, eat at the same cafeteria and use the same athletic facilities. But volleyball players using the same facilities did not become ill.

ALABAMA: Officials seeking to restore postseason eligibility for the next two seasons and reduce scholarship cuts will present their case to the NCAA today. On Feb.1, the infractions committee placed Alabama on five years' probation, banned it from bowls in 2002 and 2003 and cut 21 scholarships over three seasons. A decision won't be announced for several weeks.

COLORADO: A judge refused to allow Olympic freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom to play while he sues the NCAA to keep his skiing endorsements. Bloom, a receiver, said he didn't know what his next move would be and would consult with his attorney.

NEW MEXICO: Receiver Hank Baskett was listed in satisfactory condition after he collapsed and was carried off on a stretcher during practice late Wednesday. The redshirt freshman became numb after an apparent collision.

N.C. STATE: Freshman defensive back A.J. Davis will miss the season after breaking his leg during a scrimmage. The Parade All-American broke the bone just above his left ankle while trying to make a tackle Wednesday night.

PITTSBURGH: Sophomore nose tackle Tyre Young was suspended indefinitely for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. Freshman quarterback Tyler Palko sat out practice with swelling in his throwing hand. He has not practiced since Monday.

UCF: Redshirt freshman linebacker Lemec Bernard practiced for the first time after being academically cleared.

-- TIMES WIRES

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