Good news, bad news kind of practice

[TheTodd]

This was a good news/bad news kind of practice Thursday night. The bad news first. Urban Meyer announced officially that senior tight end Cornelius Ingram is out for the season with a torn ACL that will require surgery to repair sometime next week. The good news is that Meyer got a practice in with the kind of tempo and effort that he was looking for as well as good news regarding one player whose status was in question.

Meyer reacted somberly when asked about Ingram, the senior from Hawthorne who passed up a chance to go early in the NFL Draft to come back for one more year as a Gator.

“CI has an ACL injury so he’s going to have surgery sometime next week,” said Meyer. “Non-contact ACL injury. That’s our third one this year which is hard to imagine ... John Curtis and Dorian Munroe and they were all non-contact, twisted. Tough deal.”

Ingram, projected to be the first team All-SEC tight end and on the All-America watch list for a number of preseason publications, was figuring to be an even bigger factor in the Florida offense this fall. At 6-4, 243 pounds, Ingram has the kind of size and speed that make him a mismatch nightmare for opponents and Meyer spent the spring and offseason working on packages for the offense that best utilized his talents.

Losing a player that figured to be such an important part of the offense hurts, but it hurts in other ways. Ingram is one of the most well-respected players on the team and somewhat of a local hero since he’s from nearby Hawthorne. Meyer said the Gators will feel the impact of his loss.

“That’s the hardest part of this game, the hardest part of coaching, the hardest part of playing, especially a guy like that who does everything right,” said Meyer. “He’s one class away from graduation. His future, his career … I don’ t think will be hurt. I think the fact that he’s not going to play this year, that’s a blow to us because he’s a great player, a great kid. One of my favorite players of all time.”

With Ingram gone for the year, it will put a premium on the only two tight ends on the Florida roster. Sophomore Aaron Hernandez, who caught nine passes last season for two touchdowns, and senior Tate Casey, who took a medical redshirt last season but has several touchdown catches in his career, will have to step it up. It also means that redshirt freshman fullback Steven Wilks will have to get more involved in the offense since the Gators probably won’t be running as many two-tight end sets.

Losing a key player to injury is a real blow to the team, but Meyer said the 2006 national championship team faced multiple injury problems before the season began. That team had enough chemistry to overcome big losses and Meyer hopes this team has it, also.

“I’m hoping the chemistry on this team is so strong that when a guy goes down, you have to play a little harder,” he said. “Our national championship year we had an offensive lineman break his leg and two other ones got hurt really on the same practice. Brandon James missed the first three or four games and one of our best players got thrown off the team. If you have a good team and obviously you have some good players you get a little tighter and go a little harder.”

The news of Ingram’s injury was a blow to the team, but they responded with a practice that Meyer called “much better … guys flying around.” Improved tempo and effort was the word of the day.

Meyer said the defense didn’t pay very well Thursday but the overall tempo for the unit was much better than it was Wednesday.

There was more good news in the form of clearance for Adrian Bushell to start practicing. Bushell, a freshman defensive back from Texas, was held out of practice the first three days while waiting for word from the NCAA Clearinghouse that he will be able to play this year.

“He practiced today so we did get positive news,” said Meyer.

* * *

There were bits and pieces of positive news on the injury front. Several players who have been dinged up are starting to come around and Meyer thinks that will translate to better practices next week when Camp Meyer begins. The Gators check into the team hotel Friday night and begin serious two-a-days on Saturday.

Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeffrey Demps were both seen leaving practice without any problems. Rainey has an aggravated groin muscle while Demps, who is a true freshman from Groveland, showed no after-effects of some late practice cramps from Wednesday.

“Rainey, we’re still being very cautious with him,” said Meyer, who Wednesday indicated that the redshirt freshman from Lakeland might be held out of contact for a couple of practices. “Demps had a very good day today. Demps might play this year.”

On the offensive line, where Carl Johnson, Mo Hurt and Jim Tartt are recovering from injuries, there was optimism. Johnson broke his wrist in the spring and he’s waiting full clearance. Hurt was involved in a scooter accident and he’s a couple of days away. Tartt is being brought along slowly after shoulder surgery in the spring.

“Carl is close,” said Meyer. “He actually did some stuff today … Jim Tartt’s of the world and those guys who have played a lot of football, it’s just get them as close as you can to getting them game ready. Just get them in good shape. Mo Hurt is getting real close to go, too. Early next week is what I’m hearing.”

Getting the offensive linemen back and functioning together is a necessity. Timing has been missing in the first few days of practice for the offense.

“I’m hoping we’ll be a little more successful on offense,” said Meyer. “Right now we’re struggling.”

Also, there is good news about touted defensive tackle Omar Hunter.

“Omar is going to the back doctor and the word is he’s going tomorrow,” said Meyer. “So that’s a good deal.”