Defensive Efforts have Meyer smiling again

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

After a season in which the defense didn’t live up to expectations, there is no doubt where the emphasis will be this spring for the Florida Gators. A week into practice and Coach Urban Meyer is seeing signs of an improving defensive unit. Wednesday, the defense came out on top for the second straight practice.

“I’m very pleased with what the defense has done in the last couple of days and I like the secondary play,” said Meyer after practice Wednesday evening. “I really like the corners and I think those two safeties are playing well.”

Meyer has four experienced corners in Joe Haden, Markihe Anderson, Wondy Pierre-Louis and Jacques Rickerson and all four have had their moments in the first week of spring practice. Meyer has also seen flashes of potential from sophomore Moses Jenkins, who played mostly special teams last year as a freshman, and true freshmen Janoris Jenkins and Jeremy Brown.

Anderson bruised a knee in Wednesday’s workout when he had a knee-to-knee collision but the injury isn’t serious.

“He’ll be fine,” said Meyer.

At safety, sophomore Major Wright and fourth year junior Dorian Munroe are holding down the top two spots but sophomore Ahmad Black, one of the Lakeland Seven, is making a move for playing time. Since moving over from corner this spring, Black has shown a willingness to hit and a real nose for the football.

“From what I see and from what I hear, Major and Dorian are doing a very nice job,” said Meyer. “I feel good about the safeties.”

It’s been awhile since Meyer liked what he saw out of the defense so naturally, he’s excited about the recent development of that unit.

“I’m kind of exciting seeing defensive players,” said Meyer, who added that the number two offensive line “is struggling and they’re not making plays. A lot of guys have made plays in the past. They better make them again soon.”

The defense is bolstered by the addition of true freshman Matt Patchan. Eventually Patchan will be a full time offensive tackle, but since the Gators have two senior offensive tackles (Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins) and a pair of third-year sophomore backups (Carl Johnson and Marcus Gilbert) there is no rush to get Patchan in action on the O-line, at least until he gets more weight on his 6-7 frame (he’s 270).

For now, Patchan is a defensive end.

“His intensity and work ethic is phenomenal,” said Meyer. “We need help on defense and I think he’ll get on the field faster that way.”

* * *

Meyer said that Kestahn Moore continues to run at the number one tailback position although he’s getting pushed.

“Kestahn Moore is the first tailback right now,” said Meyer. “He had a very good day today. He dropped one on the sideline but he’s had a good spring and a good day today. He ran hard.”

Moore has always run hard, but he’s also had a problem hanging onto the ball in critical situations. His fumbles against LSU and Georgia last year seriously hurt Florida’s chances of winning those games. Moore is working hard and doing all that he can to earn the trust of Meyer and new running backs coach Kenny Carter, who emphasizes ball security.

“[With] a guy like Kestahn, a conscientious guy, the first thing you look at is technique and strength and he has both of those so he has to be a baler,” said Meyer. “He has to take care of the ball. The only way to overcome the trust factor with the coach is over time.”

Meanwhile, lurking at the position are Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody and redshirt freshman Chris Rainey.

“Moody has been impressive,” said Meyer. “The other guy is Chris Rainey. He came out for about a 70-yarder. When he gets open you can’t catch him.”

* * *

Meyer called Rainey one of the real surprises of the spring. Rainey came out of Lakeland High School with tremendous speed and breakaway ability, but ball security has been a problem because he wasn’t strong enough to hold onto the ball at the 160 pounds he weighed last year. Now Rainey has added some weight in the form of upper body muscle and he’s strong enough to hold onto the ball.

“He’s 175 plus … 176-177 and he’s holding the ball,” said Meyer. “All the things that we wouldn’t let him play last year, he’s really improved.”

Another of the spring surprises has been junior wide receiver Riley Cooper. Cooper has been hampered by injuries his first two seasons, but when he’s played he has shown enormous potential as a deep receiver. Cooper has caught 12 passes for 274 yards and six touchdowns in his two years at UF.

Cooper is splitting time with the baseball team this spring so it’s evident he is making the most of whatever time he gets in with the football team.

“Riley Cooper hasn’t been here full time but he’s starting to pay more attention to detail,” said Meyer. “Cameron Newton’s (sophomore quarterback) done a nice job as well.”

Meyer said the improvement in Cooper has plenty to do with maturity.

“He’s getting ready to be a junior,” said Meyer. “He’s a grown man now. They are young and immature players. By the time you’re a junior you’re getting ready to make career decisions, graduate from college, so he’s grown up a bit and you can tell.”

[RickySlade]

Good to hear that Anderson's injury isn't serious.

Patchan's 270? He must have some extremely heavy hair, because there's no way he tips the scales at more than 250 with his head shaved.

[annarborgator]

The dude is 6'7". I think he could be as thin as a rail and weigh 270. Just sayin...tall folks are mysterious like that.

[RickySlade]

Lebron is 6'8" and running a solid 250...Patchan is anything but solid. Compare pictures of the two...