Sports: UF center Jorgensen to have wrist surgery

UF center Jorgensen to have wrist surgery

By JOANNE KORTH

Florida sophomore center David Jorgensen is scheduled for surgery Tuesday to repair torn cartilage and reconnect the bones in his right wrist, forcing him to miss spring practice.

Jorgensen, who snaps with his right hand, played last season with the wrist heavily taped, but refused to use injury as an excuse when he sailed back-to-back shotgun snaps over the head of quarterback Rex Grossman in a 47-35 loss at Mississippi State.

"It's a lot more serious than anybody thought it was," said Jorgensen, one of four players to start all 13 games for the SEC champions. "But there are guys willing to play with pain if it means winning a championship."

Jorgensen learned the extent of the injury when an MRI exam was done recently. Doctors will insert a permanent screw into the ulna and a temporary pin to connect the ulna and radius. He will wear a cast for six weeks, have the pin removed and begin rehabilitation 10-12 weeks after surgery.

"Maybe it's a blessing in disguise," said Jorgensen, 6 feet 4, 284 pounds. "Since I won't be able to use my hand, I'm going to workout my legs and put on weight. I'd like to get up to about 300 pounds and be a behemoth."

MIAMI: Butch Davis, who took the Hurricanes to their first Top 5 finish since 1992, has agreed to a contract that will pay him $1.4-million this year and give him a raise of $100,000 a year for the next four seasons.

But the Palm Beach Post reported Davis has not signed the deal put in front of him two weeks ago because of the money he would have to pay Miami if he left before the end of the contract.

Should he take another job, Davis would be liable for the remaining value of the contract. In other words, he would owe the school about $6-million if he left after the 2001 season. By the same token, the buyout guarantees Davis, 49, will receive the balance of his deal should he be fired in mid-contract.

"We have some things we don't quite agree on," said athletic director Paul Dee, who declined to be specific about the negotiations. "There's a major one we have to resolve. We're still working on it."

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Davis had talked to the Cleveland Browns about their coaching opening.

Davis, who is represented by agent Marvin Demoff, has a contract that runs through the 2003 season.

ARKANSAS: Robby Hampton, the starting quarterback who had surgery Wednesday to repair a dislocated shoulder, won't be ready in time for spring practice.

VIRGINIA: Coach Al Groh completed his staff by hiring Penn State linebackers coach Al Golden as defensive coordinator. Groh also named Bob Price, Ron Prince, Dan Rocco and Kevin Ross as assistants.

- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.