UF's new offensive coordinator wants the Gators to play hard but safe in today's game.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published April 10, 2004
GAINESVILLE - After 14 days of hands-on experience in his new role as offensive coordinator, Larry Fedora says he believes Florida has improved every day since the start of spring practice.
When the Gators hold their final workout at 1 p.m. today with the annual Orange and Blue spring intrasquad game, Fedora will be most concerned about two key areas.
Competition and survival.
"Most of all, I don't want anybody to get hurt," he said. "Secondly, I want them to compete. It's the last opportunity in which they get to compete before we step on the field against another team so this is their last chance to really show what they've got and I just want to see them compete."
Florida returns nine offensive players who started at least one game, including quarterback Chris Leak and its top five rushers. It must replace four starters from the secondary, but for the first time in at least three years, the offensive line has depth. Senior guard Mo Mitchell, who moved to defensive tackle last season, is back on the offensive line.
"It's been a pretty smooth transition," Mitchell said. "I feel all right, and it's been pretty fun moving back to the O-line and playing with the guys from the year before. Offensive line is more consistency than anything, so that's about it. You've got to get in the groove and start moving and I started to feel like an offensive lineman again after a couple of days."
Depth isn't a luxury at quarterback. Leak returns after starting the final nine games as a freshman last year, but reserve Justin Midgett has struggled and backup Gavin Dickey is splitting time between football practice and baseball. Several are vying to replace receivers Carlos Perez and Kelvin Kight.
"They've all competed hard and they are all working extremely well, but I don't think any one person has emerged to say, "I'm the guy,"' Fedora said. "Nobody's been consistent enough making big plays, you've got one here, one there, so I don't know who that guy is going to be yet. There's room enough in this offense to have more than one guy be "that' guy."
Sophomore receiver Andre Caldwell, the former Jefferson High standout, knows today's performance is critical.
"I've got to make a lot of catches and make some outstanding plays that everybody else can't make to show why all my athleticism should get me on the field," Caldwell said.
Players questionable for today: offensive tackle Tavarus Washington (patella tendon) and defensive tackle and St. Petersburg native Julian Riley (ankle). Linebacker Channing Crowder (groin) and tailback DeShawn Wynn (ankle) are out.
"I think for the most part we've accomplished the things that we wanted to accomplish," Florida coach Ron Zook said. "I don't think there's any question that this football team is much improved, just like it was a year ago."
