Meyer on Brantley, LSU's Patrick Peterson and more
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Football, Scott Carter
Gators coach Urban Meyer spoke with the media earlier today on the SEC's weekly teleconference with reporters from around the country.
Here are some of the highlights of Meyer's spot on the call:
--The Gators returned to practice on Tuesday and Meyer liked the energy his team showed.
“They had a really nice day,'' Meyer said.
--The offensive line, which was so banged up prior to the Alabama game that the starters were unable to practice together last week because of various injuries, appears on the mend.
“The offensive line is intact. I believe they are 100 percent, ready to rock-and-roll,'' Meyer said.
--The backfield is also banged up with starting RB Jeff Demps nursing a sprained foot and reserve Mike Gillislee nursing a bone bruise on his right leg.
Meyer said Gillislee practiced at full-speed on Tuesday and that Demps remains limited but is probable for Saturday's game.
--Meyer knows that one of LSU's most dangerous weapons is defensive back Patrick Peterson, also LSU's primary punt returner. After Alabama's Julio Jones reeled off a 30-plus yard punt return last week, the Gators are paying special attention to Peterson.
“That was disappointing [Jones' return],'' Meyer said. “There were a lot of disappointments in that game; that might have been No. 1. We have to do better. We've got to get that fixed and we're working extremely hard to fix it. That is absolutely our No. 1 concern on our football team right now.''
--Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is the early Heisman favorite and a player the Gators coveted on the recruiting trail. Meyer isn't surprised by what Robinson has done for the Wolverines.
“I thought he was fantastic,'' Meyer said. “He is a good young man. We wanted him that badly because we thought he could be our curveball and I thought he could be a quarterback because he had a nice throwing motion and he's a ridiculous athlete.''
--As for Gators starting quarterback John Brantley, who took a hard hit to the ribs late in the Alabama game, he practiced on Tuesday and reported to the training staff earlier today that he is feeling better.
“Johnny practiced yesterday. He's sore, but he practiced. He feels better today. We hope to use Trey [Burton] a little bit in that game at quarterback.''
--Finally, one of the Gators' top concerns in facing LSU is the Tigers' two-quarterback system of Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. Jefferson is more of a runner; Lee considered more of a passer.
Sound familiar?
“That's complicated on defense,'' Meyer said. “In '06, I think we kind of set the standard with Chris Leak, who is an excellent thrower, and Tim [Tebow], who is a change-up. We're trying to get a little bit of that right now with Johnny and Trey.
“The biggest [challenge] is practice time. Obviously, you can stop a running quarterback and you can stop a throwing quarterback. It happens every week. That's causing our defense – I don't want to say stress – but it's causing them a lot of reflection on who much you have in each package.''
--With starting kicker Caleb Sturgis still sidelined due to a back injury, Meyer said punter Chas Henry will continue to pull double duty this week against LSU.
“Chas I thought did really well,'' Meyer said. “Sturgis is still our kicker as soon as he's healthy. That kind of injury, they're not sure how long it will be. This week Chas will do both.''
--After Burton scored six touchdowns in UF's 48-14 win over Kentucky on Sept. 25, the Gators entered the Alabama game confident they had found another option on offense to give opposing defenses trouble. Burton remains a huge part of the plans, but Meyer said they have to improve in short-yardage situations to make the offense more effective.
“We felt good going into the Alabama game and now we don't feel good again because we felt like Trey did such a fine job against Kentucky in the red zone and then short-yardage,'' Meyer said. “Gillislee is kind of our downhill back to get the first down, and [Emmanuel] Moody has to continue to improve at that position.
“The issue also is just the improved blocking of our tight end. We have to improve in that area.''
