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scooter1369
HTTR Forever.
Sorry, Taz. The one week I'm not pulling for the Gators.------------------------------------------------------------^
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scooter1369
HTTR Forever.
From Floridatoday.com
Wilson getting closer
Offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson, who suffered a fractured ankle in August, is almost recovered from the injury. Wilson has returned to practice, and Meyer said the guard is very close to returning.
"If I was a doctor, he could play this week," Meyer said. "But I am not. So maybe next week."
Wilson's return will force the coaching staff to make a difficult decision. Meyer has been extremely happy with the play of tackle Carlton Medder, who earned a starting spot as a result of Wilson's injury.
"I think we'll know more next week," Meyer said. "Medder has done a heck of a job hanging in there and he did it against Tennessee and graded out as a champion. So we are not sure what we are going to do."
Wilson getting closer
Offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson, who suffered a fractured ankle in August, is almost recovered from the injury. Wilson has returned to practice, and Meyer said the guard is very close to returning.
"If I was a doctor, he could play this week," Meyer said. "But I am not. So maybe next week."
Wilson's return will force the coaching staff to make a difficult decision. Meyer has been extremely happy with the play of tackle Carlton Medder, who earned a starting spot as a result of Wilson's injury.
"I think we'll know more next week," Meyer said. "Medder has done a heck of a job hanging in there and he did it against Tennessee and graded out as a champion. So we are not sure what we are going to do."
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DiamondBuck
Football is 100% physical, 100% mental.
Great to hear from you! Keep working hard!
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scooter1369
HTTR Forever.
stowfan;618670; said:
I was hoping to see him out there too. Soon enough, Taz will be giving SEC D-linemen all they can handle.
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scooter1369
HTTR Forever.
Men working
By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer
Auburn game set
Florida's Oct. 14 game at Auburn has been set for a 7:45 p.m. start and will be televised by ESPN.
UF's offensive line has blocked out preseason concerns
Heading into the season, Florida's offensive line had no experience, no identity and, many thought, no chance.
Then starting guard Ronnie Wilson fractured his ankle early in the preseason and the gloom and doom really descended on the big uglies.
"When Ronnie Wilson went down there was some panic around our facility," Florida coach Urban Meyer said.
Not just panic. Fear, apprehension, anxiety, depression, resignation. You name it.
With all this speed, all this perceived talent elsewhere on offense, who was going to do the dirty work, the blocking? Skill players without an offensive line are just, well, players. Everyone knows that.
While the preseason magazines were spouting how good Meyer's second UF team was going to be, those close to the program were concerned that an inexperienced, depth-shy offensive line might undermine the season.
Four victories and many yards later, that fear has long since passed.
The potential weak link has somehow turned out to be a strength.
"I don't think a lot of people expected our offensive line to be that good this year," senior tailback DeShawn Wynn said. "It had a couple of young guys and only one senior. But they worked hard all summer, harder than anybody on the team. They spent a lot of time and hours on getting better, and it's paying off now."
Wynn certainly has benefitted. He's had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, a run that's established him as the No. 1 tailback.
Others have benefitted, too. Quarterback Chris Leak has been sacked only eight times and has had enough time to find those speedy receivers and make the offense go.
The Gators are leading the SEC in total offense, which can mean only one thing. The offensive line is doing its job.
"I think we have good players there," Meyer said. "They did not play a lot last year, but they shouldn't have. The normal progression is that they learn to play from the older guys and they did that.
"I think I have to give someone credit - Steve Rissler. Offensive linemen are unique people. They're different than any other group. They have to be extremely unselfish and love the game of football. Steve Rissler does - and if your center does, then everyone else does."
The line has played at a high level despite the loss of Wilson (who may see limited playing time today). And it has succeeeded despite the fact that it has been shuffled and reshuffled going back to the spring and had almost zero starting experience heading into the season.
Somehow, it's all working out.
"The line has surprised a lot of people," Wilson said. "The line didn't have much of a reputation around here last season. They came out this year and showed everybody we can play. It's a whole new o-line.
"I'm proud of my line. I love my team. I love my offensive line because we went through so much last year and they came out and showed a lot of people it's not the same line. All I can say is I'm proud of them."
Meyer and others are crediting the sturdy play to the fact the linemen have been in the offense for two years now and have a better understanding of the blocking schemes. Many also are giving credit to Rissler's leadership. He is the lone senior on the line.
"You've got to give credit where credit is due," Meyer said. "I think (offensive line coaches) Steve Addazio and John Hevesy are doing a good job. More important, Steve Rissler has done a tremendous job keeping that group together and keeping them improving.
"We still can get a lot better. But we're improved. They love to play the game, which is a good sign."
Rissler said the linemen have put in the work to hold up their end on offense.
"We busted our butts in the offseason and during the spring we got a lot better," he said. "I'm pretty happy with our performance so far. Obviously, we've got a lot of room for improvement and we're working on it every day."
Rissler and Meyer said the line has received a huge boost from the presence of former Florida offensive lineman Donnie Young, a Gainesville businessman who has shared his experiences with the linemen. Young was a vital member of the 1996 national championship team.
"Donnie Young is the best," Meyer said. "Just his presence, the demeanor he walks around with."
Not only have the linemen been talking with Young, they've been watching tape of him when he was a player.
"It's all about the fight. You have to have the will on the offensive line," said Rissler, when asked what Young's message has been. "You have to bring your hard hat to practice every day and try to get better.
"I think that message has gotten through to the players. When you listen to a guy who's done it before, it helps out a lot."
Contact Robbie Andreu at 374-5022 or [email protected].
By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer
Auburn game set
Florida's Oct. 14 game at Auburn has been set for a 7:45 p.m. start and will be televised by ESPN.
UF's offensive line has blocked out preseason concerns
Heading into the season, Florida's offensive line had no experience, no identity and, many thought, no chance.
Then starting guard Ronnie Wilson fractured his ankle early in the preseason and the gloom and doom really descended on the big uglies.
"When Ronnie Wilson went down there was some panic around our facility," Florida coach Urban Meyer said.
Not just panic. Fear, apprehension, anxiety, depression, resignation. You name it.
With all this speed, all this perceived talent elsewhere on offense, who was going to do the dirty work, the blocking? Skill players without an offensive line are just, well, players. Everyone knows that.
While the preseason magazines were spouting how good Meyer's second UF team was going to be, those close to the program were concerned that an inexperienced, depth-shy offensive line might undermine the season.
Four victories and many yards later, that fear has long since passed.
The potential weak link has somehow turned out to be a strength.
"I don't think a lot of people expected our offensive line to be that good this year," senior tailback DeShawn Wynn said. "It had a couple of young guys and only one senior. But they worked hard all summer, harder than anybody on the team. They spent a lot of time and hours on getting better, and it's paying off now."
Wynn certainly has benefitted. He's had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, a run that's established him as the No. 1 tailback.
Others have benefitted, too. Quarterback Chris Leak has been sacked only eight times and has had enough time to find those speedy receivers and make the offense go.
The Gators are leading the SEC in total offense, which can mean only one thing. The offensive line is doing its job.
"I think we have good players there," Meyer said. "They did not play a lot last year, but they shouldn't have. The normal progression is that they learn to play from the older guys and they did that.
"I think I have to give someone credit - Steve Rissler. Offensive linemen are unique people. They're different than any other group. They have to be extremely unselfish and love the game of football. Steve Rissler does - and if your center does, then everyone else does."
The line has played at a high level despite the loss of Wilson (who may see limited playing time today). And it has succeeeded despite the fact that it has been shuffled and reshuffled going back to the spring and had almost zero starting experience heading into the season.
Somehow, it's all working out.
"The line has surprised a lot of people," Wilson said. "The line didn't have much of a reputation around here last season. They came out this year and showed everybody we can play. It's a whole new o-line.
"I'm proud of my line. I love my team. I love my offensive line because we went through so much last year and they came out and showed a lot of people it's not the same line. All I can say is I'm proud of them."
Meyer and others are crediting the sturdy play to the fact the linemen have been in the offense for two years now and have a better understanding of the blocking schemes. Many also are giving credit to Rissler's leadership. He is the lone senior on the line.
"You've got to give credit where credit is due," Meyer said. "I think (offensive line coaches) Steve Addazio and John Hevesy are doing a good job. More important, Steve Rissler has done a tremendous job keeping that group together and keeping them improving.
"We still can get a lot better. But we're improved. They love to play the game, which is a good sign."
Rissler said the linemen have put in the work to hold up their end on offense.
"We busted our butts in the offseason and during the spring we got a lot better," he said. "I'm pretty happy with our performance so far. Obviously, we've got a lot of room for improvement and we're working on it every day."
Rissler and Meyer said the line has received a huge boost from the presence of former Florida offensive lineman Donnie Young, a Gainesville businessman who has shared his experiences with the linemen. Young was a vital member of the 1996 national championship team.
"Donnie Young is the best," Meyer said. "Just his presence, the demeanor he walks around with."
Not only have the linemen been talking with Young, they've been watching tape of him when he was a player.
"It's all about the fight. You have to have the will on the offensive line," said Rissler, when asked what Young's message has been. "You have to bring your hard hat to practice every day and try to get better.
"I think that message has gotten through to the players. When you listen to a guy who's done it before, it helps out a lot."
Contact Robbie Andreu at 374-5022 or [email protected].
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Yo Taz.. time to start gettin rid of some of that pent up frustration...
ass whoopins are in the forecast
ass whoopins are in the forecast
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