Bad Day at the Office

[TheTodd]

Urban Meyer was grumpy Wednesday afternoon. After nearly three hours in stifling heat and humidity, he was in no mood to talk to the press and who could blame him? He was awaiting word on an injury to senior tight end Cornelius Ingram and his football team had practiced with such a lack of intensity that Meyer made them run gassers for a full ten minutes after practice ended. By the time he got around to talking to the press, it was quite obvious he would rather be any place than on this practice field answering questions.

The injury to Ingram alone was enough to foul his mood. Apparently it happened Tuesday although Ingram was seen leaving the field with no apparent limp or pain. Reports surfaced during the day Wednesday that Ingram had felt some kind of pop in his knee during practice and that he woke Wednesday morning with a swollen knee.

That can’t be the kind of news that Meyer wants to hear. Ingram could have gone to the National Football League after a 2007 season in which he caught 34 passes for seven touchdowns but he came back to Florida for one more year to polish up his game and work on his weak areas. At every stop along the barbeque and sweet tea circuit in the spring, Meyer touted Ingram as a weapon that the Gators were going to better use in 2008.

But as of Wednesday night, there was no certainty what will happen with Ingram. Meyer said he wouldn’t know the severity of the injury until later Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. He said the only thing he was aware of is that Ingram is injured and due to have an MRI.

“He’s got a strained knee,” said Meyer. “We’re waiting on MRI results right now.”

Asked if he could specifically pinpoint when the injury occurred, Meyer said, “I think it was one-on-one yesterday.”

Meyer said he would know the results of the MRI “probably tonight or tomorrow morning.”

If Ingram has to miss some games or all of the season, the Gators will have to rely heavily on sophomore Aaron Hernandez, a 6-3, 255-pounder that caught nine passes for two touchdowns last season. The Gators also have senior Tate Casey back after a medical redshirt season in 2007.

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Compounding matters Wednesday, the Gators turned in a practice that Meyer said lacked intensity but also lacked leadership.

“Today wasn’t very good,” he said.

He called the practice “disappointing” and singled out the intensity issue. But then he talked about a lack of leadership and it became evident that had much to do with the grumpy mood.

“Used to be when people talked about the Gators it was relentless effort to the football,” Meyer said. “That comes from leaders. That comes from the Silers. That comes from the Ray McDonalds. That comes from those kind of players. The common theme is those were older players that had leadership value and right now we’re expecting some of our leaders to pick up and go with our young team. In certain areas we’re very young still. It’s like a four letter word --- young.”

In Florida’s 2006 national championship season, the Gators relied on a veteran defense that came to play every game and every down with full intensity. Meyer never had to worry about Brandon Siler, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson and those guys to show up ready to play.

After a season in which the Gators fielded what might have been the youngest starting defense in the nation, Meyer is looking for vast improvement in 2008. Experience alone will make them better. It will take intensity and plenty of it to get them to the level of 2006.

Meyer said the Gators are ahead of the 2007 pace already but still have a way to go to get to 2006.

“Gator defense we’re probably a little bit behind,” he said. “Compared to last year we’re a little bit ahead. Actually there are some players that I’m really pleased with on defense. Dustin Doe has had a good summer and he’s carried it over to three practices. Where we are with Gator defense, University of Florida Gator defense, we’re behind.”

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Ingram wasn’t the only Gator missing in action Wednesday. Tailback Chris Rainey was on the sidelines and dressed out but he didn’t participate in any drills because of a groin muscle he aggravated at Tuesday’s practice. Also missing was defensive end/tackle Justin Trattou, out with the flu.

Rainey’s injury doesn’t appear all that serious. Meyer said it’s just an aggravation of an old injury which is why Rainey was seen working on his upper body during the practice session.

“He had it actually running track,” said Meyer. “He was out here today. We’re going to shut him down for a couple of days. He’s going to do some upper body strength. I don’t see him missing too much.”

Also Wednesday, freshman fullback/linebacker T.J. Pridemore left the field with a gash over his eye. Third year defensive tackle Terron Sanders left with an injury but he was seen running off the field so it didn’t appear serious.

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Wednesday gave Meyer his first look at the Gators in limited contact situations. Although freshman Jeff Demps, who recently set the world record for his age group (10.01) in the 100 meters at the Olympic Trials, fumbled the ball twice during practice he did answer one question for Meyer.

“We did some hit drills and he threw it in there so toughness is not an issue,” said Meyer.

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Freshman defensive tackle Omar Hunter is a bit overweight at 330 but he’s been participating in every drill. He was held out of contact drills Wednesday but Meyer expects him to go through a full practice quite soon.

“He’s a freshman and he’s had a little back injury,” said Meyer. “He’s a great kid. We just have to get him going.”

Meyer said he expects Hunter to go full speed and full contact on Friday.