Colleges

Defense gets coach's eye at Gators practice

Urban Meyer likes what he is seeing from UF's defensive effort.

By Times staff and wires
Published August 9, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Florida's defense may be considered the weak link in the Gators' armor, but the unit continues to impress coach Urban Meyer - albeit still early in practice.

"Defense (stood out)," Meyer said Wednesday night. "I think the offense was not very good. We've got some offensive linemen banged up right now, Jim Tarrt and Marcus Gilbert. We're down a little bit on the offensive line, but I love the defense. They had enthusiasm and more energy. They played good today."

In one of the best plays of the day, freshman safety Major Wright put a hit on freshman running back Chris Rainey as he ran up the middle, laying out Rainey in a manner that sent the defense into a frenzy.

"Major has been known to do that," Meyer said. "He missed a couple and he had a couple of glancing blows, but that wasn't a glancing blow; that was right down the middle on Rainey. He almost got his stripe off today, but not yet."

A freshman's stripe is removed when Meyer believes that player is ready to be a Gator.

Several players, including junior quarterback Bryan Waggener, couldn't finish practice due to heat-related problems, but Meyer said all will be fine.

TRANSITION: Sophomore receiver Percy Harvin said he thinks the offense is taking a little more time to progress because it is adjusting to a new quarterback.

"There's a lot of transition from Chris Leak to Tim Tebow because he's more of a mobile quarterback, he moves around a little bit more," Harvin said. "We've got a lot of young players we're trying to get to learn the system, but I think we're doing great right now."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

USF: Players get kicks in 'board drills'

TAMPA - USF opened its first practice in full pads with "board drills," a favorite among players, with an offensive and defensive player of similar size lining up, colliding and trying to push the other back.

"A lot of hitting for a third practice. We really hit tonight," coach Jim Leavitt said. "When you're in pads, you kind of want to hit each other a little bit, one guy, one shot."

BULKING UP: Former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said his first priority as defensive line coach was adding strength to the position. The result is a bigger line, with three young players - tackles Aaron Harris and Brandon Peguese and end George Selvie combining to add about 85 pounds to last season's playing weights.

FIRST LOOK: Freshmen Quenton Washington and Tyson Butler were among those getting a look on punt returns. "We've got two guys who can really run, about 10.7, 10.6 in the 100 meters," Leavitt said. "They might not be ready to play this year, but I've got to look at them."

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

FSU: Two medically disqualified

TALLAHASSEE - Coach Bobby Bowden announced redshirt junior tight end D.J. Norris will have a sixth shoulder surgery and will receive a medical disqualification.

Linebacker Jae Thaxton has also been medically disqualified due to concussions.

In 11-on-11 drills, quarterback Drew Weatherford and receiver De'Cody Fagg combined for two hookups. On the second Fagg got loose with some nice moves after the catch.

Junior running back Antone Smith had a nice run. Defensively, Letron Guion recorded a sack, as did Rodney Gallon.

Times wires

UM: Coach sees 'a lot of good things'

CORAL GABLES - Miami had its first practice in full pads.

"We did a lot of good things on offense, and the defense responded later on in practice," coach Randy Shannon said. "It was an up-and-down practice on both sides of the football."

Times wires

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 01:19:31]