Change in the OL?
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:40 pm
Urban Meyer opened the possibility that there could be a significant change on the offensive line when the Florida Gators (7-0, 5-0 SEC East) face off with the Georgia Bulldogs (4-3, 3-2 SEC East) at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (3:30 p.m., CBS) Saturday. True freshman Xavier Nixon could either move into the starting lineup or see extensive playing time at left tackle with Carl Johnson possibly moving back to left guard, where he started 10 games last year.
When it comes to run blocking, Florida’s offensive line has done an outstanding job this season. The Gators are averaging 258.3 yards per game, best in the Southeastern Conference and sixth nationally. However, the Gators have struggled in pass protection particularly since Matt Patchan went down with an ACL injury.
Patchan’s injury forced Carl Johnson to play exclusively at left tackle where he’s been very good on running plays but has struggled against quick defensive ends in pass protection. Johnson seems a more natural fit at left guard. When he moved into the starting lineup at left guard last season after the loss to Ole Miss, the Florida offense took off and the Gators never lost again.
Nixon, who was considered the most outstanding high school lineman in the country last year, has gotten into three games so far this season. Recently, Nixon has been making a push in practice for playing time, enough that Meyer and offensive line coach Steve Addazio are seriously considering putting him on the field Saturday.
“He’s the next guy in,” Meyer said after Tuesday’s practice.
Georgia’s defensive ends have struggled all season but the Bulldogs are strong up the middle with Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins, who Meyer called, “really, really good NFL players.” Georgia’s strength up the middle is enough for the staff to consider moving Johnson inside, which would shift Mike Pouncey over to right guard where he started every game last year. The Gators are stronger in the middle when they have Johnson and the Pouncey Twins taking care of business.
If a shift is made in the offensive line, help the Gators running the ball up the gut in the red zone, where they have struggled in recent games. The real question is how would Nixon hold up in pass protection where the Gators have struggled all year? Florida has given up 16 sacks in seven games. The Gators gave up only 16 all of last year in 14 games.
If Tuesday’s practice is an indicator, Nixon could be ready to play at a high level. He held his own going against Carlos Dunlap, who had three sacks last Saturday against Mississippi State.
“He was going against Carlos Dunlap on a few plays and kind of went in there,” Meyer said. “He had his best practice. He’s going to be a really good player, I think.”
MARSH, HOWARD AND SPIKES BACK: Nose tackle Lawrence Marsh had what defensive line coach Dan McCarney said was his best practice of the year. Marsh has only been in a handful of plays this season but he practiced at a high level Tuesday and he should be able to join the rotation at nose tackle with Omar Hunter Saturday against Georgia.
“It’s hard to believe he (Marsh) hasn’t played this year because at the end of last year he was obviously one of our better players,” Meyer said.
Not only will Marsh be back, but three technique tackle Jaye Howard should return after missing last week with a bone bruise on his shin. Getting Marsh and Howard back will help offset the potential loss of nose tackle Brandon Antwine, whose shoulder injury might keep him out the rest of the year.
All-American middle linebacker Brandon Spikes is practicing this week, also, and he will be ready to play Saturday after missing last week’s game with Mississippi State because of a groin injury suffered on the first play of the Arkansas game.
“He (Spikes) looked really good today,” Meyer said. “He probably could have played Saturday [against Mississippi State]. He told us before the game he was ready to go but he hadn’t practiced all week, especially against the option stuff so Coach (Charlie) Strong felt those other two (Ryan Stamper and Dustin Doe) were more prepared.”
WILL TRATTOU PLAY?: Justin Trattou ruptured a biceps tendon in the Arkansas game and is supposed to be out for the next 4-6 weeks. Trattou, who plays defensive end and nose tackle in Florida’s Joker (odd-man front) package, missed last Saturday’s game with Mississippi State but he might not miss the Georgia game.
“There’s a chance you might see him jog out on the field Saturday,” Meyer said. “That’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met. It’s a biceps tendon rupture. They don’t surgically repair it; you just go.”
KICKING COMPETITION: Caleb Sturgis has missed a field goal in each of the last three games. He missed a 37-yard field goal and an extra point in the win over Mississippi State so Meyer has opened things up for competition between Sturgis and last year’s kicker, Jonathan Phillips, who began the season as the starting kicker.
“Jon kicked today and actually kicked pretty good,” Meyer said. “I’m going to evaluate one more day and on Thursday. We have two guys that I have confidence in. We just have to make them
When it comes to run blocking, Florida’s offensive line has done an outstanding job this season. The Gators are averaging 258.3 yards per game, best in the Southeastern Conference and sixth nationally. However, the Gators have struggled in pass protection particularly since Matt Patchan went down with an ACL injury.
Patchan’s injury forced Carl Johnson to play exclusively at left tackle where he’s been very good on running plays but has struggled against quick defensive ends in pass protection. Johnson seems a more natural fit at left guard. When he moved into the starting lineup at left guard last season after the loss to Ole Miss, the Florida offense took off and the Gators never lost again.
Nixon, who was considered the most outstanding high school lineman in the country last year, has gotten into three games so far this season. Recently, Nixon has been making a push in practice for playing time, enough that Meyer and offensive line coach Steve Addazio are seriously considering putting him on the field Saturday.
“He’s the next guy in,” Meyer said after Tuesday’s practice.
Georgia’s defensive ends have struggled all season but the Bulldogs are strong up the middle with Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins, who Meyer called, “really, really good NFL players.” Georgia’s strength up the middle is enough for the staff to consider moving Johnson inside, which would shift Mike Pouncey over to right guard where he started every game last year. The Gators are stronger in the middle when they have Johnson and the Pouncey Twins taking care of business.
If a shift is made in the offensive line, help the Gators running the ball up the gut in the red zone, where they have struggled in recent games. The real question is how would Nixon hold up in pass protection where the Gators have struggled all year? Florida has given up 16 sacks in seven games. The Gators gave up only 16 all of last year in 14 games.
If Tuesday’s practice is an indicator, Nixon could be ready to play at a high level. He held his own going against Carlos Dunlap, who had three sacks last Saturday against Mississippi State.
“He was going against Carlos Dunlap on a few plays and kind of went in there,” Meyer said. “He had his best practice. He’s going to be a really good player, I think.”
MARSH, HOWARD AND SPIKES BACK: Nose tackle Lawrence Marsh had what defensive line coach Dan McCarney said was his best practice of the year. Marsh has only been in a handful of plays this season but he practiced at a high level Tuesday and he should be able to join the rotation at nose tackle with Omar Hunter Saturday against Georgia.
“It’s hard to believe he (Marsh) hasn’t played this year because at the end of last year he was obviously one of our better players,” Meyer said.
Not only will Marsh be back, but three technique tackle Jaye Howard should return after missing last week with a bone bruise on his shin. Getting Marsh and Howard back will help offset the potential loss of nose tackle Brandon Antwine, whose shoulder injury might keep him out the rest of the year.
All-American middle linebacker Brandon Spikes is practicing this week, also, and he will be ready to play Saturday after missing last week’s game with Mississippi State because of a groin injury suffered on the first play of the Arkansas game.
“He (Spikes) looked really good today,” Meyer said. “He probably could have played Saturday [against Mississippi State]. He told us before the game he was ready to go but he hadn’t practiced all week, especially against the option stuff so Coach (Charlie) Strong felt those other two (Ryan Stamper and Dustin Doe) were more prepared.”
WILL TRATTOU PLAY?: Justin Trattou ruptured a biceps tendon in the Arkansas game and is supposed to be out for the next 4-6 weeks. Trattou, who plays defensive end and nose tackle in Florida’s Joker (odd-man front) package, missed last Saturday’s game with Mississippi State but he might not miss the Georgia game.
“There’s a chance you might see him jog out on the field Saturday,” Meyer said. “That’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met. It’s a biceps tendon rupture. They don’t surgically repair it; you just go.”
KICKING COMPETITION: Caleb Sturgis has missed a field goal in each of the last three games. He missed a 37-yard field goal and an extra point in the win over Mississippi State so Meyer has opened things up for competition between Sturgis and last year’s kicker, Jonathan Phillips, who began the season as the starting kicker.
“Jon kicked today and actually kicked pretty good,” Meyer said. “I’m going to evaluate one more day and on Thursday. We have two guys that I have confidence in. We just have to make them