Palmer and Johnson endured a 'cold war'

By JOANNE KORTH and DEBI JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 11, 2000

GAINESVILLE -- For three seasons, Jesse Palmer and Doug Johnson were bound by their desire to be Florida's quarterback. But make no mistake, there was no bond.

Palmer and Johnson, who shared playing time the past two seasons, had a tense relationship fueled by their competitive natures and clashing personalities.

"It was a cold war," Palmer said Thursday at preseason media day. "I don't know if it was anything else besides that. We happened to be guys with clashing personalities who were competing."

Johnson is with the Atlanta Falcons, leaving Palmer as the most experienced quarterback for 2000. Palmer, a senior, expects competition from freshmen Brock Berlin and Rex Grossman -- healthy competition.

"Brock and I get along very, very well," Palmer said. "I'm happy he's here. We're close; we hang out. We went to dinner last week. He's down to earth. We're definitely closer than me and Doug."

LINE DANCING: Injuries to center Zac Zedalis (knee) and tackle Mike Pearson (fractured skull) have created openings on the offensive line, one of which could be filled by freshman Shannon Snell of Hillsborough High. Leon Hires will move from guard to tackle until Pearson returns, and Snell is a candidate to play guard.

"I don't know if I'm ready yet, but there's only one way to find out," said Snell, 6 feet 6, 320 pounds. "I love that kind of pressure. When people have high expectations of you, it means they think a lot of you."

DEFENSIVE DEPTH: With all defensive line and secondary starters returning, the unit may be the strongest in the Spurrier era.

Depth from returning players and incoming freshmen will add extra motivation for the players to keep their starting positions.

"We have got some guys coming back and some kids coming in that can come in and make some plays," defensive end Alex Brown said. "First team this week may not be first team next week."

Key returnees include Brown, defensive tackle Gerard Warren and linebacker Andra Davis.

PEARSON UPDATE: Pearson, who was riding in the back of a pickup truck when his head struck a cement overhang in a campus parking garage, has not been cleared by doctors for any form of physical activity, let alone practice. He will be re-evaluated next week. "It's frustrating, because I feel fine," said Pearson, who received six stitches on the back of his head. "I don't have any headaches or dizziness, but ... you don't want to take any chances."

PULLING NO PUNCHES: Junior offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker will sit out the first half of UF's opener as punishment for being ejected from the Citrus Bowl for fighting. "Yeah, ain't that crazy?" Walker said. "By the time I get in, the game will be over."

NOT THE OUTBACK BOWL: UF players were disappointed to finish their season in the Citrus Bowl, but it could have been worse. "It's not embarrassing," Warren said. "It's a pretty good bowl. A lot of teams would be happy to play in it, but from Florida standards we don't think we need to be in the Citrus Bowl. It hurt to be there, but better the Citrus Bowl than the Outback Bowl."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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