Florida coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday he'll do what it takes to win, including running quarterback Tim Tebow as much as he did last year.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner doesn't mind that. But he wants to improve as a pocket passer.
"I worked a lot on my footwork. I did a lot of that this summer," Tebow said. "There is still a lot of room for improvement. I think sometimes that goes with not always having to be an athlete and running around, but sometimes getting in the pocket and waiting on your next read until the last second and getting out of there."
Tebow has a lot of faith in Florida's improved running back corps.
"I think it is great to have all the weapons that we do," Tebow said. "It creates a lot of depth for us."
Meyer said a lot of Tebow's work has centered on having better pocket presence.
"Tim needs to be able to win a game in a two-minute drill, and that comes from pocket presence and experience," Meyer said. "He's got pretty good personnel around him, so you can bet that he's going to be able to throw the ball down the field. People can criticize a quarterback all they want, but Tim can throw."
Three for me
Without graduated quarterback Andre Woodson, Kentucky may not cash in as many touchdowns as last year. That's why placekicker Lones Seiber has to do better than he has done in the preseason. "He missed some he's got to make," UK coach Rich Brooks said. "I don't think there's any doubt special teams will play a bigger role than it has the past few seasons. We averaged 36 points a game last year, and we're probably not going to match that this year. We need to take advantage of field position and the kicking game." ... New Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton doesn't think it's a big deal he'll make a start on Monday against UCLA in Rose Bowl Stadium, the same place Peyton Manning made his Vols debut off the bench in '94. "I didn't watch that game (on TV)," Crompton said. "I hadn't even thought about it (playing the Rose Bowl Stadium where Manning played twice) until it was mentioned to me."
Memphis connection
Former Memphis University School star John Stokes and former White Station standout Chris Marve will start as Vanderbilt's outside linebacker and middle linebacker, respectively, in tonight's season opener at Miami of Ohio. "They played real well and earned those spots," Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. ... Georgia won't use tailback Knowshon Moreno as a punt returner Saturday against Georgia Southern, but only because he was held out of contact until this week to protect an injured shoulder.
Some information from wire services.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 22
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
blah blah blah...Teabag......run brother...pleaseeeeeeeeeeee....come around the corner and let Berry or Morley have a shot at ya....he will be talking to the smurfs with snotbubbles coming out of his nose
Sheepscape writes:
I would much rather our front seven to stop Tebow.
SavDawg writes:
Okay. I guess we'll have 7 sacks this year, as opposed to 6 last? Off topic, as UT fans, what's the general consensus about Crompton? I'm curious as to the concerns you may have, if any? I know he has some experience, LSU comes to mind, but other than that does he have enough to be a legitimate game leader? Just wanting to get the opinions of true fans. Good luck Monday, we'll see you in Athens.
AllVol writes:
Yawn?
VolGraduate writes:
Crompton will be serviceable at least and great at best. He's shown glimpses of both.
If you look at last year Ainge was a serviceable qb, threw for big numbers in the dink and dunk system and led the team to SECC game without a long ball or any scrambling ability. The difference this year is that Crompton has a deep ball and mobility. Crompton has ALL the same players as Ainge with a year more of experience.
My only concern is that Crompton will not be willing to throw the short balls and go for the homerun everytime thus leading to more turnovers and less possession.
jasonn1970 writes:
Crompton will be the best QB the Vols have had since at least Casey Clausen. Possibly the best since Tee Martin.
SemperVol writes:
gator, you speak truth there. Happy feet he may be, but he did lead a late comeback against your lizard boys in '04 as a wee-little Freshman.
109,061 saw that one.
Sheepscape writes:
I'm public in my concern for Crompton. I hope I'm wrong.
Taking care of the football re:turnover margin is only slightly behind running, blocking, and tackling as fundamental. Turning it over will make a good team average in a hurry.
If Jonathan and Clawson see eye to eye, it could be a successful offense. I hope Clawson is given enough leash to display a real mean streak on offense.
jasonn1970 writes:
I was one of those 109,061 actually. Other than the Florida and Arkansas games in '98 it was the best game I ever saw in Neyland. Ainge was great as a freshman. After the injury later that season he was never the same.
SavDawg writes:
then our defense must have had a 'sweet tooth' last year...just saying.
BigMikeUT writes:
Crompton is definitely the most physically gifted quarterback we've had since Manning (not really counting Schaeffer here). And he can run a little bit where Manning couldn't. The only question regarding Crompton is going to be his decision making. If we can keep him from making the big mistakes or having meltdowns, he could be an excellent quarterback this year. Especially with the weapons he has around him. Everybody else on offense returns a year wiser, stronger, and faster, plus Gerald Jones and Brandon Warren as dynamic, game changing talents. This could be a great year for UT football.
BigMikeUT writes:
haha...very true. Bubbles start bursting tonight!
SavDawg writes:
It's always a little unnerving when a new QB is taking over an offense, reguardless if he has experience. We had Shockley, which turned out pretty well, but still, I was uneasy at the start of that season. I think he will do just fine. I agree gator, it's time to chite or get off the pot. I'm looking forward to UT and UF with great anticipation, as I know all of you are. I just hope we can handle the pressure of the preseason rankings, it's nice to see your team #1 even if it's only for a short time. All I can do is hope for a season comparable to last year, where everyone has a loss or two.
chrisw2967 writes:
Gator4tefag: uh oh Teafag has 1 NC and we dont have any , oh no... that means the world is in trouble , another Gator fan living in the past and still stuck on last years score. That must of been the highlight of fla year last year.
cause other than that it went down hill for those gayefers after that win.
couldnt even help the rest of the SEC teams that went out and won their bowl game.
my only question is this year if fla scores first on Ga,what will tefag and his boyfriend do to celebrate ? I think they should run to midfield and kiss and do what ever it they do together
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
I think nothing will change with Tebow this year. He will run and run some more. The biggest difference is in the backfield with #8 C.R. and Moody. I think Demps is to young and small to make an impact. But injuries seem to always follow the speed guys he will play but speed can only hurt you on the field, not on the sideline. My son goes to Lakeland and we better know where #8 is all the time, he has some skills. We still have to take care of business at Pasadena first. GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GatorHater326 writes:
come on now Gator for life... wasn't it you earlier in the year speaking of not living in the past... each season produces new stars and new competition and new upsets. I don't think this weekend will stop many people from talking about a great year especially if you are in the SEC. Fla vs. Hawaii... come on ... Hawaii was a joke when the pups beat em and are even more so now. Ga. vs. GSU nuff said. Vandy may have a tough time as well as Kentucky. SC defense should shut down NC State and Tennessee by all means should win against UCLA ... although if not convincingly it will upset a lot of folks on here. Alabama will Hopefully get beat... and although they are an SEC team I can't bring myself to pull for a team that still hopes for the reincarnation of a dead bear. This is going to be a great season for the SEC. Ga will lose at least two as well as Fla. and probably Tennessee too.(hopefully not) The strength of the SEC is just too much to go through unscathed.
BigMikeUT writes:
Sad day for Vandy fans when you open the season as a 4 point dog against Miami.......of Ohio.
TNfaninMS writes:
Amen brother!!!!!ouch Of course I heard that is his 1st COUSIN!HA HA Im4thecheater would love that!!!
dvols writes:
tebow will run early and well and sorry but probably against us. he will get hurt towards end of year like any other running quarterback! then georgia probably has a good chance. duh!
Smallmike4pres writes:
MICKEY DEARSTONE IS AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!
The sports animal is cancelling the Rome show. Let's flood the phone lines in the morning & let this numnut loser know what he is doing!
pammyvol1000 writes:
Crompton.. Your the Man this year. Show em what you got.
All we gotta do is get to Tebow and smash mouth.
OK?
Volomatic writes:
GW is FREE!!!!!!!!!!!
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