HB Quick Take (more from the team)

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

We are counting down the days till the end of summer and the start of fall camp and the Florida Gator football team is still working very hard. The coaches have all been on vacations here and there and soon will be back in the fold. Moving forward and getting closer, more and more of our team sources also come off of vacation and we can bring you even more of what you crave in the off-season.


There are times during the year when the information is more readily available and other times when it just isn't there to be had. Here is some new team stuff we have been able to glean from our sources.


Injury news is usually a big thing among folks that don't every day access to the program. One of the key components to the 2009 Gator football team is back up quarterback John Brantley. Brantley played through the fall and spring of last year with an ankle injury that actually needed minor surgery. He showed a toughness that some question by playing with the injuries and looking like he didn't have the injury when he did play.


We have learned that Brantley is 100% and ready to go and has no ill effects of the injury or the surgery. I expect a stellar season out of Brantley on the field and many more opportunities to make a name for himself as he still plays behind Tim Tebow.


Speaking of quarterbacks. The staff was extremely pleased with the shape that Jordan Reed showed up in. Reed came to Friday Night Lights and was excellent throwing and running the ball. However, he was over 240 pounds and the phrase I got was that “he looked sloppy”. That was all on him being out of shape and over weight. Reed did a nice job of coming in at a very fit and muscle bound 225 pounds.


One nugget I left out of the running back story with Coach Kenny Carter was his troops playing on special teams. Carter makes it a priority of his guys to play on as many special teams as they can as the running backs at Florida are supposed to be extremely athletically skilled players. To put it simply... “ If you are a running back at Florida and you aren't on special teams, you aren't doing what you are supposed to do.” he said.


One other aspect is that these guys are fierce competitors,. Not only against the Gator opponents, but also among themselves. This isn't just on the offensive side of the ball, but also on special teams. Carter said that Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps have somewhat of a challenge going against each other when it comes to blocking kicks.


“Jeff blocked two last year and Chris has been close multiple times,” Carter said. “They know they are going to be on that team and they take that role very seriously. I think this year it will go to a different level because Chris didn't block any and he knows Jeff is going to try and block some more.”


You know Rainey doesn't like to lose at anything.


More clarification on Matt Patchan and I was told he is clearly past the 260 mark and pushing 280 like I was told earlier in the week. My new source says he fluctuates around 275 these days.


I have heard it from a couple of folks that Omarius Hines is probably going to be a late bloomer in college. The physical talent is there, but even if he is healed from his injury (I still am not sure on that one), he won't be a factor on offense this year.


Along the same lines, junior Justin Williams is a physical beast. He is one of the fastest, one of the strongest, one of the quickest, and one of the most agile receivers on the team. He has the most complete physical package of any current receiver not named Debose. What he lacks is the mental part of the game and it just comes slow to him. Once that happens for him, he will take off, and they do expect that at some time.


I have said numerous times on here and on the radio that I believe this may be the most talented and deepest linebacker corps the Gators have in modern history. There is no doubt the depth is the best since at least the mid 80's. We have a few tidbits on those guys to share.


Middle linebacker Brendan Beal lost some weight and looked great when he finally was able to show up at the end of spring practice after a long recovery from ACL surgery. Beal is going to be a mainstay on special teams and is currently the backup to the long snapper. If he isn't snapping, he is a force as a hold up guy on punts, similar to Javier Estopinan's role on the punt unit. I was told to expect him to play some on defense right now and he should be “okay” If he lacks anything it is in his coverage skills and zone reads in the passing game.


One little nugget I got this week is that they are really starting to love Lerentee McCray and he is up to 235 pounds now. He “looks phenomenal” on the practice field and may be the best linebacker in straight ahead speed. To that end, don't be surprised if we see McCray as a Fox End and rushing the passer at times in the role of Jermaine Cunningham and William Green. At that weight, he can play up there.


Jelani Jenkins is maybe the most fluid linebacker on the team. He has excellent pass coverage skills for a linebacker and can run as well if not better than any of them. He will play on day one on special teams and only not learning the play book will keep him off the field on defense.


We reported that Josh Evans showed up in Gainesville in great shape and was one of the threemost impressive specimens when all the freshmen arrived in June. The 6-2, 170 pounder will start out at cornerback. He's a speed demon that has excellent athletic skills being a 110 meter hurdle champion in New Jersey. The one thing he lacks now is his strength and he needs to gain some weight. With the numbers at corner, I would expect him to redshirt there, especially if the weight is a concern through the fall.

[annarborgator]

Thanks hater...love these reports...can't wait till they strap on some pads.

[radbag]

Really do love the updates hater. Thanks so much for keeping us all up