Meyer provides update on Rainey, injuries
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 | Football, Volleyball, Scott Carter
Florida football coach Urban Meyer made his weekly appearance on the SEC media teleconference a little while ago.
Here are some of the highlights from Meyer's call:
--Meyer said that receiver/running back Chris Rainey is on pace to return to the field on Saturday against Georgia.
“As of now, he's done everything that he's supposed to do,'' Meyer said. “[Thursday] is the deadline that I set with him and myself. I'll do just a thorough check on everything that we've asked him to do. Chris will be between running back and receiver if he plays.''
Meyer also added the Rainey will be monitored very closely.
--Meyer said that injured running backs Jeff Demps (sprained foot), Mike Gillislee (foot/hamstring) and Emmanuel Moody (thigh) are back at practice this week, though Demps and Gillislee are not back to full-speed.
--Meyer pointed at that the Gators have not blocked a punt this season and have lacked big plays on special teams.
“It's been a tremendous impact,'' he said. “That's how we have won big games around here. We are working real hard at it.''
--Starting kicker Caleb Sturgis, who has missed the last three games due to a back injury, is “probable'' for the Georgia game according to Meyer.
--Meyer said practice has looked different this week with Demps, Rainey, Gillislee and Moody participating since speed is such a big part of Florida's attack.
“It looks faster,'' he said. “Right now you see the best offenses in the country are loaded up with big hits. We had some 10- and 15-play drives, but we didn't score. We have to get that back. We led the SEC I think three or four years in a row on offense, and it was a guy breaking a tackle, a guy making a play, and a guy outrunning the defense. That's what we have to get back to.''
--Meyer also spoke about the rivalry with Georgia. I'll have some of that in a preview story for Saturday's game later this week on GatorZone.com.
