Neo
03-09-2005, 03:31 PM
New Gator coach Meyer rips players, recruiting
By Jeff Darlington
Gainesville Bureau
Posted March 9 2005
GAINESVILLE · It was supposed to be a nice little news conference to set up the March 16 start of spring practice, the type of media gathering filled with more cliches than a greeting card.
If that's the case, Florida coach Urban Meyer probably didn't win over his wife with his ability to craft sappy love letters.
The new boss offered a sometimes-harsh evaluation of his team's current state Tuesday, calling out several players by name while also taking some subtle jabs at the recruiting efforts of the former staff.
"Florida shouldn't have only three running backs and two linebackers [with experience and scholarships]," Meyer said. "Other positions are solid, but there are two positions on our team that are completely unacceptable. That's tailback and linebacker. There's going to be a lot of pressure on them."
Meyer's criticism of the situation at tailback was the most scathing. Because former starter Ciatrick Fason decided to enter the NFL Draft, the coach's run-first offense must rely on DeShawn Wynn, Skyler Thornton or Markus Manson.
"We do not have a guy we can count on," Meyer said. "That's just the way it is. I've heard, `This guy has potential.' Potential is not a great word to use around our staff. There's not a tailback that's done a darn thing around here."
Meyer was asked specifically about Wynn, who has been criticized for being out of shape.
"I wish I could say better," he said. "He's in there working. It's a major concern. I'd hate to put the whole season on the tailback position, but I'm putting the whole season on the tailback position."
Meyer also has plans to move an unspecified defensive lineman to the offensive line for depth purposes, switch wide receiver Reggie Lewis to cornerback and move fullbacks Billy Latsko and Eric Rutledge to linebacker.
The coach also lumped several players -- including linebacker Todd McCullough -- into the "great guy" category. Sounds good, right?
Meyer said McCullough "falls into that great guy category. The great guy category is one that can't play or can't play because of injury. The great guy can only get you so far."
On a more optimistic note, Meyer did praise several players. He had kind words for quarterback Chris Leak, center Mike Degory, tight end Dane Guthrie and linebacker Brandon Siler. Meyer admitted Siler is his favorite player on the team.
Aside from his comments about tailback and linebacker, Meyer generally seemed happy with the Gators' talent and athleticism. So what was the most telling quote of the 30-minute news conference?
"I'm usually not that positive at this time of year," Meyer said.
Meanwhile, Meyer said three defensive linemen likely will miss spring workouts. Tackle Marcus Thomas had back surgery to repair injured discs, tackle Michael Brown has a shoulder injury and end Javier Estopinan (former linebacker) has a torn knee ligament. All three are expected to be recovered by June.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-uffootball09mar09,0,1068237.story?coll=sfla-sports-front
By Jeff Darlington
Gainesville Bureau
Posted March 9 2005
GAINESVILLE · It was supposed to be a nice little news conference to set up the March 16 start of spring practice, the type of media gathering filled with more cliches than a greeting card.
If that's the case, Florida coach Urban Meyer probably didn't win over his wife with his ability to craft sappy love letters.
The new boss offered a sometimes-harsh evaluation of his team's current state Tuesday, calling out several players by name while also taking some subtle jabs at the recruiting efforts of the former staff.
"Florida shouldn't have only three running backs and two linebackers [with experience and scholarships]," Meyer said. "Other positions are solid, but there are two positions on our team that are completely unacceptable. That's tailback and linebacker. There's going to be a lot of pressure on them."
Meyer's criticism of the situation at tailback was the most scathing. Because former starter Ciatrick Fason decided to enter the NFL Draft, the coach's run-first offense must rely on DeShawn Wynn, Skyler Thornton or Markus Manson.
"We do not have a guy we can count on," Meyer said. "That's just the way it is. I've heard, `This guy has potential.' Potential is not a great word to use around our staff. There's not a tailback that's done a darn thing around here."
Meyer was asked specifically about Wynn, who has been criticized for being out of shape.
"I wish I could say better," he said. "He's in there working. It's a major concern. I'd hate to put the whole season on the tailback position, but I'm putting the whole season on the tailback position."
Meyer also has plans to move an unspecified defensive lineman to the offensive line for depth purposes, switch wide receiver Reggie Lewis to cornerback and move fullbacks Billy Latsko and Eric Rutledge to linebacker.
The coach also lumped several players -- including linebacker Todd McCullough -- into the "great guy" category. Sounds good, right?
Meyer said McCullough "falls into that great guy category. The great guy category is one that can't play or can't play because of injury. The great guy can only get you so far."
On a more optimistic note, Meyer did praise several players. He had kind words for quarterback Chris Leak, center Mike Degory, tight end Dane Guthrie and linebacker Brandon Siler. Meyer admitted Siler is his favorite player on the team.
Aside from his comments about tailback and linebacker, Meyer generally seemed happy with the Gators' talent and athleticism. So what was the most telling quote of the 30-minute news conference?
"I'm usually not that positive at this time of year," Meyer said.
Meanwhile, Meyer said three defensive linemen likely will miss spring workouts. Tackle Marcus Thomas had back surgery to repair injured discs, tackle Michael Brown has a shoulder injury and end Javier Estopinan (former linebacker) has a torn knee ligament. All three are expected to be recovered by June.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-uffootball09mar09,0,1068237.story?coll=sfla-sports-front