Colleges

Harvin could bring his speed to kickoffs

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published September 4, 2007

GAINESVILLE - So you were wondering what it might be like to see Percy Harvin use his blazing speed to return kickoffs? Apparently, Urban Meyer is, too.

The coachwas watching a little of the California-Tennessee game Saturday night when a thought occurred to him: If schools such as Cal and Arkansas can use their biggest superstars on kickoff and punt returns, why shouldn't he?

So it's very possible that Harvin will make an appearance on kickoff returns here and there.

"I talked to Percy about potentially being a kickoff return guy," Meyer said Monday. "I'm watching some of these other guys - Cal had DeSean Jackson return including a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, and he changed that whole game around with the electricity he brought to that game. And the same thing with (Darren) McFadden. Felix Jones had a 90-yard kickoff return (for Arkansas) against Troy, and McFadden was the lead blocker. That tells you about marquee players that do whatever it takes to win. So don't be surprised if you see Percy maybe getting involved a little bit with that."

But with moves such as that, there are gambles to be considered. Two years ago, former Jefferson standout Andre Caldwell was returning a kickoff when he was tackled and broke his leg. He missed the remainder of the season, and Florida's receiving corps was never as strong that year. The Gators have much more depth at receiver now, but any way you look at it, losing Harvin would be a huge blow.

Brandon James, suspended for the first game, will be back on punt and kickoff returns against Troy, and Jarred Fayson will stay on the punt team.

BROWN STILL OUT: Freshman defensive tackle John Brown continues to wait for word from the NCAA Clearinghouse about his eligibility and missed another day of practice. Brown, who has a class being reviewed, practiced the first 14 days of fall with the Gators, as allowed by NCAA rules, but hasn't been allowed to work out with the team since.

Not a spectacular DEBUT: Fayson's debut Saturday as a punt returner and running back wasn't spectacular, Meyer said, but he's confident the sophomore from Tampa is going to get much better at both.

"I thought he was a little tentative on punt returns as well as running the ball," Meyer said. "That's the first time he's been in that situation. He's a fine athlete, and we're going to find ways to get him the ball. We wanted to get him more involved, but the fact that the game was out of hand makes you think, 'What if someone grabs an ankle right now?'"

BIG MOMENT: Last year at this time, Joe Haden was beginning his senior season at Friendly High in Fort Washington, Md. - as a quarterback, who played a little safety on the side.

Saturday, he became the first freshman to start at cornerback in Florida history. But it wasn't until he ran out of the tunnel that he realized he wasn't nearly as prepared as he thought.

"The first thing I saw was I looked across and you couldn't see anything but people," he said with a big smile. "There were people everywhere, and I thought, 'All these people came out here to see us play?' It was a little more than I thought it was going to be. I was talking to some of the team, and they said, 'This is Western Kentucky, just think how it's going to be for Tennessee.' I've got to be ready."

GETTING DEFENSIVE: Upon further review, Meyer said the Gators performed well on defense statistically, holding Western Kentucky to three points in the opener. But fundamentally, there's much work to be done.

"Right now in the secondary, I would say we're not even half on the ability to make plays when it came your way," he said, adding the secondary is "concerning."

"And we won't win (like that). We have to get better fast. And we're looking at personnel. We're also looking at putting them in the best situation to be successful. I'd have to say right now, the secondary and the interior defensive line, we've got to get better at those two spots fast."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com Check out her blog at blogs.tampabay.com/gators.

[Last modified September 4, 2007, 00:25:52]