GatorZone.com Mailbag: You ask, I answer
Friday, October 15, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Football, Scott Carter
I just checked out the Florida Gators page on Facebook. The page passed more than 250,000 fans this week. As of this writing, there are 255,379 fans to be exact.
That's why they call it Gator Nation.
With that kind of interest in the Gators on the Internet, I want to give fans an opportunity to email me questions related to UF sports on GatorZone.com. I posted a blog yesterday informing readers and received several questions.
This is a new feature that I'll post each Friday on my blog.
However, I do need to clarify one important aspect of my role as senior writer for GatorZone.com: I can't answer questions related to recruiting in any sport.
As an employee of the University Athletic Association, I'm under the same NCAA restrictions as administrators and coaches when it comes to talking about recruits or potential recruits.
For those who have a heavy interest in recruiting, there are several sites on the Internet that cover that part of UF sports extensively.
With that said, let's get to some of the questions:
Q: Do you have an update on Jeff Demps? Will he see some playing time Saturday against Mississippi State? – Steve McMillan
A: Steve, Gators coach Urban Meyer addresses this topic after Thursday night's practice, saying Demps has a “50-50” chance of playing Saturday.
“The whole thing [with Demps], they tell me, is about whether he can run without pain,'' Meyer said. “He was feeling better earlier in the week, then he had a little pain [Wednesday].''
Q: What is seen as Chris Rainey's primary duty -- receiver or tailback? – Herky Cush
A: Herky, Rainey was moved from running back to receiver in the offseason. He played mostly receiver in the Gators' first two games before getting suspended for an off-the-field incident. He rejoined the team this week at practice and is trying to work his way back onto the field.
Q: What's up with freshman defensive lineman Dominique Easley? Why doesn't he get any playing time? – Josh Sears
A: Josh, Easley has played sparingly in three games, recording two tackles. He did not play in the LSU game and was slowed by a foot injury earlier in the season.
He also missed practice time to return to New York to attend a funeral. While Easley is considered one of the Gators' top young players, he still has work left before making an impact on the field consistently.
Q: I will be taking my family to our first Gator game on Nov. 6 at Vanderbilt. Do you know if there are normally Gator fans who make that trip and will there be tailgating. – Shaun Hicks
A: Shaun, hope you and your family have fun at the game. Yes, there will be plenty of Gator fans at the game as there are at every road game. As for any official UF tailgating parties, you might want to contact the Music City Gator Club.
Q: Do you see Andre Debose finally become the playmaker we haven't had since Percy Harvin and do you see him making a difference the rest of the season? – Richard Morris
A: Richard, Coach Meyer and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio both like what they have seen recently from Debose.
He arrived at UF as one of the nation's top recruits, but missed last season due to an injury. He also missed a lot of valuable practice time, which slowed his progression. The sense around the program is that Debose is getting closer to being the type of playmaker the Gators need, but he still has a lot to prove before we can start comparing him to Harvin.
Q: Since Mack Brown is not playing, why did they waste a redshirt year? – Kelvin Phillips
A: Kelvin, Brown has played in three games, mostly on special teams. He had three carries for 23 yards in the win over USF.
According to Coach Meyer on Thursday, Brown could see some playing time Saturday depending on the availability of Demps. Meyer said Brown has taken more reps in practice this week but that he still needs a better grasp of the playbook.
Q: Living here in Kentucky it's hard to get a sense of the frustration level going on in Gainesville. Do most people realize this was really supposed to be more of a transition/rebuilding year? – Mark Maglio
A: Mark, no doubt Gator fans are not used to back-to-back losses after just two losses the last two seasons. During his Monday press conference, Coach Meyer said he's not handling it very well and neither are the players.
While the noise on fan message boards and sports-talk radio has been louder than normal this week, I don't sense that is has affected the team. The first step in quieting the critics is a victory against Mississippi State on Saturday. That usually is the perfect remedy when fans get upset.
Q: Is it just me or does playing video clips on the Jumbotron of Florida pounding the team they are playing a bad choice? Seems to me it would be a motivation tool for opposing coaches. -- Ron Fridell
A: Ron, an interesting observation on your part and one I haven't given much thought to. The Jumbotron content is obviously aimed more at Gator fans packed inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium than the opposing team, hence the reason for showing the type of clips you mention.
Q: Why isn't John Brantley throwing the ball down the field more in the deep passing game? – Randy Sellers
A: Randy, Brantley's main task thus far in his first season as UF's starting quarterback has been to minimize mistakes and play within the offensive system.
You saw him throw the ball down the field some in the second half of the LSU game last week, including his longest pass of the season – a 51-yard completion to Carl Moore – on the Gators' go-ahead drive late in the fourth quarter.
Meyer and Addazio talked this week of reviewing some elements of the offense. We'll see on Saturday if that includes opening Brantley more up in the passing game.
Q: How serious is Brantley hurt? – Dave Matheson
A: Dave, Brantley did play last week with sore ribs and a sprained thumb but he said he was never in danger of missing the game.
Brantley refuted reports that his ribs are broken or that his thumb is broken. Meyer said Brantley has practiced at full-speed this week and has looked much better than a week ago.
