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Bowden not impressed by new defensive linemen

By ALEX ABRAMS, DEBI JONES, ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 16, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- Coach Bobby Bowden did not have many flattering words forhis young defensive tackles Tuesday. The season opener against Brigham Young is less than two weeks away, and coaches still do not know whowill start. "The biggest thing I see right now is we really need our defensive tackles to grow up," Bowden said. "They've got ability. Now they've just got to play with that ability the way we play football at Florida State."

Freshman Kevin Emanuel and sophomore Chris Woods were expected to fill the starting jobs that opened when All-American Corey Simon and All-ACC selection Jerry Johnson graduated.

Coaches think none of the possible starters have shown consistency or toughness.

POLLEY UPDATE: Linebacker Tommy Polley said he has recovered 85-90 percent from reconstructive knee surgery. The senior, who sustained the injury in the Sugar Bowl, hopes to return to full-contact drills within the next week.

The hitting begins

GAINESVILLE -- Florida's first full-pads practice began with a clash between offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker and defensive end Thaddeus Bullard.

Walker and Bullard were the first two linemen to go against each other in the Oklahoma drill during the morning practice session. The drill gave the young offensive linemen a chance to go up against one of the most highly touted defensive lines in the country.

"It's the first day of pads, and it's time to get to business," Walker said. "The young guys are looking pretty good. ... They got a little nervousness out of them."

Coach Steve Spurrier put freshman Shannon Snell against defensive end Alex Brown.

"He put him on his butt," Walker said. "He did pretty good against Alex."

COLON BACK: Jonathan Colon practiced after missing workouts Sunday and Monday.

Colon said he had to take care of personal matters. He said he did not miss practice because he was retaking the ACT exam.

"Hopefully, everything will turn out all right and it won't be a big deal," Spurrier said.

INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Travis Carroll (pulled hamstring) and cornerback Lito Sheppard (lower back spasm) missed practice. Both are expected to be back within the next few days.

SCRIMMAGE: The Gators will have their first preseason scrimmage this afternoon at Florida Field. It will be closed to the public.

An impressive return

CORAL GABLES -- On one play, running back Najeh Davenport showed coaches and teammates what they missed last season.

He also proved that he hasn't recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him for nine months.

Davenport gained 46 yards on his second carry of Tuesday's scrimmage -- the first this preseason -- but the 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior wobbled off the field with a slight concussion and did not return.

"He got his bell rung," coach Butch Davis said. "He made a great run, and about three guys hit him. He kind of got knocked cuckoo a little bit, but he'll be fine. That's part of the deal of coming back after nine months off."

INJURY REPORT: Running back Clinton Portis (hamstring) and wide receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) did not play. Both were expected to return today. "Santana has not a lot to prove to this football team," Davis said. "I'd a lot rather him be suited up and play those 12 games than play in the scrimmage." Davis said the team likely will scrimmage again Saturday.

Roster still growing

TAMPA -- The list of walk-ons continues to grow. One day after former Hernando High receiver Huey Whittaker said he planned to join the Bulls, freshman Josh Freiesleben, an offensive guard from Clearwater Countryside, joined the team and participated in workouts.

Freiesleben was a Times first-team All-Pinellas County offensive lineman last season.

"We're real excited about him," coach Jim Leavitt said. "We think he has a chance to eventually play. We're trying to develop offensive linemen."

Leavitt said he plans to keep about 110 players on the roster, which now stands at 103. He expects "a few more" additions. POUNDING IN PADS: The Bulls practiced in full pads for the first time Tuesday morning. Based on their intensity, Leavitt was correct when he said the players had grown tired of practicing in just shorts.

Goal-line drills during the final half-hour generated highlight reel-type hits -- and a few fumbles.

Leavitt said the offense got his vote for strongest performance.

"I thought the offense was tremendous," he said.

KICKER UPDATE: Monday, the punting situation seemed dire. Tuesday, it didn't.

"I can't figure these guys out," Leavitt said. "Yesterday I'm saying I don't know what we're going to do. Today, I have two punters that are crushing it -- both Devin Sanderson and Eric Schaum."

Kicker Bill Gramatica helped cut down the number of sprints his teammates had to run by hitting field goals of 47 and 52 yards.

Secondary stands out

ORLANDO -- Coach Mike Kruczek continued to have high praise for cornerbacks and safeties as the Knights continued two-a-days.

"I think the play of the secondary has been outstanding up to this point," he said. "They are really playing great football right now. They are concise and aware, and they play with a great sense of closeness. They have been together back there for a while now, and they are confident in each other as a group."

INJURY REPORT: Offensive lineman Taylor Robertson has a bone chip in his right elbow and will have an arthroscopic procedure Thursday. ... Wide receiver Britt McGriff missed practice with inflammation in his lower back.

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