University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer was in Jacksonville Saturday evening for the second stop of his spring Gator Gathering tour. GatorBait.net was there as Meyer spoke to nearly 500 UF fans about the recently concluded spring game, the players on the team and much more. Included here are several of the highlights.
MEETING WITH THE MEDIA
Prior to the start of the Gathering, Meyer met with the media for a little over 11 minutes.
The first thing he was asked about was the National Championship Trophy being broken. Meyer said he wasn't there when it happened. He received a call from Jon Clark - his right hand man - who told him that he wanted to let him know, before he heard it from anyone else, what happened. He said it wasn't done on purpose. When asked if he was upset about it, Meyer laughed and said, 'It depends on whether he comes to Florida or not,' without mentioning Orson Charles by name.
He was then asked about Percy Harvin.
Meyer responded, 'Percy's doing absolutely very good…' Meyer went on to say that he's been out of town, but he's talked to Harvin a couple of times. The biggest concern at this time is infection and Harvin doing something he isn't supposed to do, but they are very positive.
As far as the draft able Gators are concerned he said he is getting back a lot of positive feedback on Andre Caldwell and Drew Miller. He said there's no big concerns with Derrick Harvey - who is up to 271-pounds. The biggest question about him is whether he is a 3-4 or 4-3 guy. Meyer said he thinks he is best with his hand on the ground getting after the quarterback.
Meyer said the biggest question on Caldwell is his hands and that he believes Miller is a draft able player because of his flexibility playing several different positions and he tested very well. Bringing up the fact that Miller didn't red shirt, Meyer said he could have used another year.
He said he is a little confused about receivers. He coached the position for 16-years - it's kind of like recruiting - the 40 time is all that people look at. He said he can't believe that Dallas Baker isn't playing in the NFL.
When asked about what it takes to build a championship level team, Meyer said that he thinks in a league as tough as the SEC, having great talent will get you 6 or 7 wins. In some of these lesser leagues, it might get you to 9 wins, but in the SEC it will get you to 7 wins. If you have discipline on your team it will get you to 9 wins. If you have leadership to go with the other two, that's when you get to 10, 11, 12 wins.
Meyer said that last year is the perfect example. They got to 9 wins with good young talent, but the discipline was marginal and the leadership was minimal.
He said that if you have the first two components without the third, you can win 7 to 9 games, but there are 40 other teams who can do that as well. You need all three to be successful and win it all.
Meyer talked about the leadership from Brandon Siler, Ray McDonald and others on the national championship winning squad.
This year, for the first time, the head coach isn't able to hit the recruiting trail. Meyer said he's 'crushed' and it's not a good rule. He'll be watching a lot of film this spring. He said he understands why they did it, but in his opinion it's not a good rule.
Coaches are asked to put their career on the line for an athlete, but they really aren't able to see them until the summer. Two years ago he was spending an hour and a half a night text messaging kids, getting to know them and now they've cut that out as well.
Meyer said it's a tough deal.
When asked about off-season Matt Drills, Meyer responded that it's unfortunate that some players have gotten dinged up - and brought up John Brantley as an example.
He went on to say that Matt Drills are so much more than 'strength training' they try to put them in situations where the players have a choice between running and fighting. Matt Drills teach the players mental toughness.
Meyer smiled when relaying the contents of a text message he received from running back Chris Rainey. According to Meyer, it read 'Wat up coach, 178' which means he is up to 178-pounds. 20-pounds more than when he reported to UF.
Meyer said it was a great opportunity to redshirt him last year, but then added that it wasn't official yet (SID Steve McClain said the paper is still going through).
The final question was about Tim Tebow. Meyer said that the focus has been on him becoming a better quarterback. Meyer is worried that he could spread himself thin with all of his off-the-field commitments. He's been to the Philippines over spring break, will be going back this summer and has been going to area correctional institutions for an outreach program.
ADDRESSING THE FANS
During his address to the audience, Meyer went in-depth about a Nike commercial starring Dwayne Wade of the Heat and how it signifies a person achieving the American Dream. He had it made into a loop that he shows to the team over and over.
He also went in-depth about a couple of his favorite quotes and how he is going to put his Psychology degree to work this summer.
The highlight of his address to the Gathering was his rundown of the team.
Here are some tidbits position-by-position.
Quarterback: They thought John Brantley's injury was a bruise, but he just found out it was a break. He said he is a fine young player who is battling through some injuries.
Meyer called Cameron Newton a big 'freak' who had an excellent spring.
Offensive line: He led off with the Pouncey twins. Calling them great leaders and singled out Mike Pouncey for being unselfish. He said that that when you get a good guard, they are as tall as they are wide. Meyer said they are a circle, but then changed it to a square (said it sounded more athletic).
The then talked about Jim Tartt and James Wilson. Meyer said that Wilson had minor surgery 'again' on his knee. He said with Wilson's injuries, his first 8 months at UF were like waking up and going to the dentist everyday. Now he can enjoy football.
He also mentioned Maurice Hurt before adding that with Jim Barrie and Corey Hobbs they are beginning to build depth.
At tackle he spoke of Phil Trautwein and then compared the story of Jason Watkins to that of former receiver Dallas Baker.
Tight end: UF will play more two tight end sets this year. They'll be hard to defend because they can run and catch.
Fullback: Meyer said the position is up in the air right now, but players like Aaron Hernandez can do that (meaning play some H-back).
Receiver: The Gators will be strong at the position according to Meyer. He went through the guys one-by-one by name, but didn't say anything about them individually. At the end he talked of Brandon James playing some receiver in the spring.
Running back: Meyer retold the story of Rainey coming over his house a couple of times. One time he came over and Meyer had to leave to go do something and when he came back in Rainey and his 9 year old son were on the floor laughing at the movie Ice Age.
Meyer said Rainey and his young son are on the same wave length. It wasn't said in a mean spirited way. Listening to Meyer speak of Rainey, it's evident how much he enjoys being around him.
Kestahn Moore had an excellent spring, the coaches love Moore.
Emmanuel Moody played well in the spring game except for something that sent him over the edge (the fumble). He spoke of Moody's strength (400-pound plus bench press).
He followed up by talking about Mon Williams.
Defensive line: Meyer said that the line is a work in progress. He said to watch out for Carlos Dunlap. Much like Newton before him, he referred to Dunlap as a freak.
He then named Jermaine Cunningham, Matt Patchan and Terron Sanders by name.
Meyer said that the Omar Hunter watch is on. When he shows up on campus on May 11th he won't be greeted by a graduate assistant or an assistant coach, Meyer will be there to welcome him first hand (as a way of emphasizing how important Hunter is to the team). He said it is the head coaches prerogative, and Hunter will be playing as a freshman.
Linebacker: He talked about Brandon Spikes and then said that A.J. Jones and Dustin Doe needed to get better. He said that if Brandon Hicks doesn't start, he'll be in the mix - he's that good of a player.
Then when talking about the depth he mentioned Lorenzo Edwards and Brandon Beal.
Secondary: According to Meyer, cornerback was the most improved area over the spring. Meyer said that two years ago they only had 2 corners coming out of the spring before Ryan Smith dropped out of the sky. This year they have 7.
At safety he said that Major Wright, Dorian Munroe, Ahmad Black and Jamar Hornsby are the four guys fighting for the two safety spots.
Kicker: Meyer thinks Chas Henry is the best punter in the SEC. He only gave up 22 punt return yards last year. UF has blocked 13 kicks over the last two years.
He said Caleb Sturgis has a Howitzer for a leg.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
At the end of the evening, the fans in attendance had an opportunity to play question-and-answer with Meyer.
Here are some answers:
When asked about wide receiver Paul Wilson, Meyer said he expects he will be a backup who will contribute on special teams. He called him a good guy.
Watch for Rainey to get involved in the return game.
Meyer said that Mon Williams is about 85%.
UF wants to play two quarterbacks, but the backup has to earn that right. He said it is an ongoing battle between Newton and Brantley.
Lawrence Marsh had a good spring, he came on strong. Meyer said that Torrey Davis has a long way to go.
While you never know about a signee until they get on campus, Meyer would like to see Will Hill get in the mix.
According to Meyer, Jerimy Finch struggled with the position switch this spring.
When asked about the new coaches, Meyer only singled out Greg Mattison of the three UF lost since the end of the season.