Questions abound for the Gators, but not expectations
Green players keep UF out of elite football ranks for the first time in years.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published July 31, 2003
HOOVER, Ala. - Florida coach Ron Zook did not get a chance to take a sip of water and adjust his tie before the lobs started coming.
A roomful of reporters gathered Wednesday morning wanting to know how a program considered among the nation's elite for more than a decade was about to begin the season in relative obscurity.
Zook's opening remarks during his second Southeastern Conference Media Days gathering barely had cleared his throat when the question was tossed out.
What's it like to be flying under the radar of big-time college football?
"I don't know what dropped under the radar means," Zook responded. "There's no question we are on the right track to get back where we're supposed to be, where we're expected to be."
Actually, there are a lot of questions about where the Gators are - and should be this year. Questions only time can answer.
Of the four major preseason national publications, the Gators are among the top 25 in one - ranked No.20 in Athlon Sports.
"That's unusual as far as years past," offensive tackle Max Starks said. "But you take that in stride and you just have pride in yourself. Every day you go out there, you prove people wrong. That's something I've been doing since high school."
Florida dropped out of the Associated Press top 25 at the end of last season, leaving the current Gators with the understanding they have much to prove.
"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion," senior cornerback/receiver Keiwan Ratliff said. "We had a down year last year and a lot of media and people think we're going to have another down year. But that basically shows there's a lot of motivation for us during the offseason. They are giving us something that we can shoot for and look forward to. Instead of always coming out and always being preseason 1, 2 or 3, now we're preseason 35, 30 or 26. It serves as a slap in the face and a wakeup call for some of the younger players."
The preseason snub is nothing personal. Look closely at the Gators and there are legitimate reasons why outside expectations are so low.
Florida's roster will include 46 who have not played a down of college football. Of the four scholarship players vying for starting quarterback, none have significant experience and only sophomore Ingle Martin has seen game action.
"We're not going to ask our quarterbacks to win the game," Zook said. "Our offensive line is much improved, our running back situation is much improved and we feel like we have wide receivers that can make things happen for us. So the quarterbacks can let the system work for them."
Among the question marks is Florida's inexperienced defensive line. The Gators lost five seniors and two juniors from their front seven - players who accounted for more than 80 percent of snaps on the line.
"The fact that we don't have a lot of guys with experience there is something a lot of people are talking about," Zook said.
But Zook sees potential, led by senior Bobby McCray, who started five games last season, and Darrell Lee, who missed four games with an injury. Junior-college transfer Eric Holcombe has gained 15 pounds of muscle, Zook said, and could make an immediate impact. And if tackle Kenny Parker recovers from back surgery as expected, Florida's line could be better than many expect.
And then there is the special teams - notably the kicking game that was marred by botched punts, missed extra points and poor return coverage last season.
"We have got to be much improved on special teams," Zook said.
Martin handled punting duties out of necessity last season but the Gators anticipate the arrival of Eric Wilbur - one of the state's best high school kickers last season.
Problems aside, not everyone is writing the Gators off, particularly their opponents.
"I wouldn't count Florida out," Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe said. "I know the kind of athletes that they have. I know the type of coaches that they've got. Florida has got plenty of ingredients to have great teams year after year after year."
When Zook took over for Steve Spurrier 18 months ago, many questioned if he was the right man for the job. With so much on the line and so many questions entering the season, are there more who doubt Zook can get it done?
